cing some loved resemblance; and, for a moment, the gay man of the world was betrayed into a burst of genuine feeling. Recovering himself, he presented her to Matilda Southwell, and taking a hand of each, with that graceful cordiality and earnestness which, whenever he chose to assume it, so well became him, recommended to them the cultivation of a mutual and sisterlike friendship.

The hurry of engagements in which Geraldine had been kept during her week's stay in Dublin, the fatigue incidental to her journey and voyage, and perhaps her affectionate eagerness to join those relatives, towards whom she experienced the liveliest gratitude, had all contributed to produce a slight degree of fever and nervous agitation, for which Mr. Mar, the family apothecary, pronounced perfect quiet the only restorative. Accounts,

however, stole forth from Meadowscourt, of the charms and talents of the new visitant; and it was currently reported, that

a fair stranger was arrived, who, on her first appearance, would distance Matilda Southwell's claims as a toast and a beauty for ever.

Pendennis, who had at once accepted lady Louisa's proposal of being master of the academy, had taken up his abode at Mount Parnassus, as, on account of its elevated site and classical destination, he chose to denominate the new school. He was now busily employed publishing his proposals, and putting the house in order -two things that for the present suspended the work on Ireland he had promised the public. Montfort remained at Meadowscourt, employed in reducing some paintings in the gallery to a cabinet size, at the request of sir Charles Southwell. The demon of curiosity did not respect even the classical institution at Mount Parnassus, and Pendennis overwhelmed Montfort with questions respecting the invisible lady. Montfort spoke of her in general terms of the highest praise. He

VOL. I.

E

said

said she possessed talents of the first order; but this would not satisfy our inquisitive schoolmaster.-" Talented I doubt not; but is she intellectual? You understand me," putting his finger to his head "talents are a drug nowadays; but give me a woman who can do something beyond the reach of the automaton-painter, pianiste, or chess-player."

Montfort blushed, and answered he believed Geraldine Southwell to be very intellectual; and then began rallying his whimsical acquaintance upon those two favourite epithets of his own invention, "talented" and "intellectual," with one or other of which he always associated the name of the person he wished to compliment.

At length the day arrived, "the great, the important day," in which Geraldine Southwell, blooming in youth, and beaming in renovated loveliness, was to be presented by lady Louisa to the admiration of the Limerick world. A numerous

party

party dined at Meadowscourt, and, from the moment Geraldine entered the drawing-room, she fascinated all eyes to herself. The effect was magical, resistless, and no one could say whether it was most produced by the attractions of mind or person. If ever female beauty might be said to realize the glowing vision of a princess of romance, it was that of Geraldine Southwell. Her person was at once elegant and majestic: her features, her eyes, her complexion, all equally admirable; but it was in the thousand fascinations that dwelt in her looks, the witchery that attended her eloquent smiles and dimples, that the superiority of her charms consisted to the many beautiful women by whom she was surrounded. Then she was just come from England! and, in those talismanic words, carried a letter of recommendation, before which the pretensions of homebred beauty or talents were forced to hide the diminished head. Every circumstance of her dress, manners, and

appearance, was scrutinized with the most minute and anxious attention by the Limerick belles. When the ladies reassembled in the drawing-room after dinner, their admiration became still more undisguised and general. As all could not appreciate her heart and mind, but every body could judge of her dress, this last article became the subject of the most extravagant eulogy. Her fair tormentors examined it piece by piece-requested the pattern of every separate article, and unanimously agreed that nothing of such exquisite shape, kind, or manufacture, could be purchased in the whole kingdom of Ireland." Dear, how pretty!"-"Ah, me! how elegant!" was echoed in every tone, from the clear notes of wondering admiration, to the subdued sounds of tender despair." What beautiful flowers! one never gets such roses in Ireland!"

"I am sorry to call in question your penetration," said Geraldine, smiling. "Those roses I bought, during my short

stay