Lord Mowbray sighed. "Well, Altamont, I can talk no more to-night: I never talked so much before, and never shall again, I believe. Goodnight!"—and they separated, to reflect upon, and to feel, the unhappy results and true sense of Flirtation. CHAPTER VII. O hone a rie! O hone a rie! The pride of Albin's line is o'er, We ne'er shall see Lord Ronald more! WALTER SCOTT. WHEN Our main subject was interrupted by following Lord Mowbray to the retirement he had chosen near London, where the history of his early life has been developed in his account given of it to Mr. Altamont, the family at Montgomery Hall were left in a state of great anxiety and agitation, occasioned by the visit of the mysterious stranger in the mask. Whatever efforts had been made by General Montgomery to conceal the real state of his mind, evidence of what was passing within too plainly showed itself in the absence of that serenity of countenance which was his peculiar characteristic. A look of care withered his placid brow; and the smile that was wont to play around his mouth was exchanged for a fallen expression of woe, which marked, more than the lapse of time had ever done, the deep furrows of advancing years. There was also a change in Lady Emily. Her quick, light step became measured, and as it were thoughtful, in its path; the song that she carolled gaily through the house, in passing from one part of it to another, was no longer heard; and she would sit, listless and unoccupied, gazing on vacancy. One evening, while Miss Macalpine was studying her favourite Madame De Sevigné, and Lady Emily was listlessly touching some chords of her harp, Miss Macalpine said, after a long pause, during which she had been contemplating the changed expression of Lady Emily's countenance-" I ha'e been thinking, Lady Emily, it's mony a lang day now since Lord Mowbray gied awa' in that burky manner;-I wonder whaur he is now ?" "What made you think of him, Alpinia ?” "No' a bit, but I miss him; I think he had a pleasaunt way wi' him, and the General began to tak' to him; for ance he forms a habit, he gets a liking for the company of ony ane, and can ill spare them: there's that feckless bodie, Sir Richard Townley, just because he chaunced to come, and remained; though he's but a kind, quiet, silly bodie, he gets leave to roost here ablins for life." "Poor Sir Richard! he is a lonely creature ; he has no one in the world to care for, or to love him; and that is such a melancholy case, that were he twenty times more vapid than he is, I should feel inclined to soothe and cherish him." "Ay, lassie, you ha'e mony o' your uncle's ways o' thinking and feeling; the mair the better." "Besides," continued Lady Emily, "he has become so useful to my dear uncle in his minor cares, and is so anxious to please him, that it is quite reason enough for me to hope that he will live and die with us; but as to Lord Mowbray," (and she hesitated, and coloured,) “he, you know, is but a new acquaintance, and my uncle does not seem to miss him." "That's like eneugh; but yoursel', Lady Emily, dinna ye find the time langsome; and are na ye unco dowie like, since the young Lord's awa' ?" "I thought him very agreeable, and liked him-rather liked him; but yet, I hardly know why. No! Alpinia, I know what you mean; but it is not that which makes me melancholy; it is the change which all of us have observed in my dear uncle. Since the visit of that mysterious stranger, there seems to be a noxious influence shed over his mind, which communicates itself to every thing around. He hardly now bears to hear us sing, and never joins me; all is changed from what it was, and in how short a time-it is scarcely a week, and we were so happy! and then, the melancholy fate of Rose-that is another source of grief to me. I am depressed, dear Alpinia, by these circumstances, and it is in vain I struggle to prevent their influence over me." room. At this moment, Lady Frances entered the "So, Mr. Carlton is arrived, I am happy to say, and I trust his presence will relieve the dull monotony of our silent hours." "Is he come back?" cried Lady Emily, start |