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money is not among my distresses," answered Geraldine, while she smiled at the picture the "ould follower" had drawn of her extravagance. My purse," she added, with an altered voice and starting tear," is, I can truly say, as heavy asmy heart! but I accept your offer of accompanying me."

Except! none of your exceptions, if you please, child," cried Lawless, who, from a small mistake in sound, imagined Geraldine was going to put some new bar in the way of her expedition. "It's a folly to talk-wherever you go, I'll be wid you-so make up your mind to that, Miss Geraldine dear. Exceptions indeed! Did I nurse in these arms your own mother to be chicken-pecked by a baby like you with exceptions! Let me hear no more of your exceptions vourneen barn- exceptions indeed !"

Geraldine was too well accustomed to the character and eloquence of Katherine Lawless to take any particular notice of

this sally. She knew that this faithful creature, so deficient in respect, according to our ideas, would do what domestics more polished would not dare to do have died, or (according to the common, but forcible expression) have cut herself in pieces to preserve or benefit her mistress.

This point settled to the satisfaction of all parties, our heroine next requested Katherine to be the bearer of a message to lady Louisa Southwell, soliciting the favour of a few minutes conversation with her before she bade her finally farewell.

The answer which Lawless unwillingly brought back was, that her ladyship was gone to bed, somewhat indisposed, and desired not to be disturbed. Geraldine got Lawless to confess she believed lady Louisa's indisposition to be only an excuse for refusing to see her. She then wrote, with a trembling hand, on a slip of paper

Lady Louisa Southwell must be cruelly changed towards the object of seventeen years kindness, to deny her the melan

choly

choly favour of a last, sad farewell. On her knees, she reiterates the request-on her knees she entreats pardon for any involuntary offence, and implores blessings for every future day of the honoured life of her benefactress."

6

Lawless, of herself, undertook to be the bearer of this second application, and returned with the consolatory answer that lady Louisa would see her. Geraldine did every thing in her power, during this last interview, to recover the friendship and confidence of her benefactress in vain."I hope, madam," she said, as, preparing to withdraw, she held her handkerchief to her eyes, that overflowed with tears-" I hope we part in peace?"

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You know my wishes, Geraldine," replied her ladyship, in a softened voice, "and," she more proudly added, "my opinion."

Geraldine turned once more to gaze on her. A moment she stood irresolute; she paused, pressed her hands on her heart;

then

then breathed the last sigh of expiring friendship, and closed the door of the apartment.

As Geraldine was always fond of early rising, she determined to take the day as near as she could towards the prime, and rest an hour or two during the more sultry period. Having only Lawless in the carriage with her, she was at liberty to give full indulgence to her feelings. Bitter and complicated they were; and the silent tears rolled, in a free current, down her cheeks. She reproached herself as she had never done before; for, so accustomed are spirits like hers to consider love as the highest reward of virtue, that they cannot help fancying they must have ceased to be deserving, when they find they are no longer beloved.

Lawless, observing her dejection, endea voured, with native and untaught delicacy, to turn her attention to other subjects. -"Look at that beautiful sun, Miss Geraldine," she said, "that we could hardly

VOL. II.

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see

see when we set out for the mists and the dew; and now the little lark is singing to it, for all the world like an angel in the sky leaning on a harp of gold: that's the way all your tears will be dried up, jewel dear, and you, and them you love, will yet be in pleasure and glory."

There is a tendency to lofty and figurative language among the Irish, and a sensibility to the beauties of country scenery, which often betrays itself amidst all the disadvantages of education, and shews that Nature, who is not an aristocrat, has imparted the gifts of observation, intelligence, and taste, more equally than we are apt to imagine.

Ever good-natured and attentive to the feelings of others, Geraldine suffered herself to be diverted from disagreeable retrospections by the artless observations of her attendant; and when she would have relapsed into melancholy, Katherine earnestly exclaimed-"Oh, Miss Geraldine, honey, jewel! it's not them that has no