still fresh in his bosom. Restraining, however, all expression of his feelings, after a considerable pause, he rejoined" No-very true, I have nothing to do-nothing, absolutely, except to amuse myself; neither have I ever had: but, then, how shall I do that?" and he sighed as he took up a newspaper which lay on the table, and run his eye carelessly over the page.

❝ al

"Ah! what," rejoined Captain Lepel, ways singular? Nobody like you at saying an odd thing. Very excellent, 'faith! I will sport it at Brookes's. A man with twenty thousand a year, young too, and of rank, not know how to amuse himself! Capital, upon my honour! How shall I do that?' Ha ha ha! Well, perhaps it might afford you some diversion, or at least put you in the way to find some, to go to the rehearsal at the Opera this morning. I have always the entrée at the rehearsals; there will be Così Fan Tutte, a delicious opera, in which the new Prima Donna, Rosalinda Lorenzi, makes her début."

"Rosalinda!" echoed Lord Mowbray; "what

Rosalinda ?"

"Why the Rosalinda, to be sure; have you not heard of her? have you been in Italy so long and not heard the Rosalinda ?”

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Impossible!" exclaimed Lord Mowbray. Why impossible, my dear Lord? Depend upon it, it is so; come, and you'll see. But, by the way, have you looked at the famous Arabian ponies which have been brought over for his Majesty? They are not publicly shown, but I can take you to the stables; I am sure, that any friend of mine may see them at any time. I take care never to be without a friend at court. Ha ha! ha! Will you go, my Lord?" "To the rehearsal, or to the stables, which do you mean? Either will do for me-yesno-stay. Yes; I think I may as well walk towards the stables as any other way."

This matter arranged, Lepel passed his arm familiarly through Lord Mowbray's; and having conducted the latter to a noted fruit-shop by the way, ate peaches when they were at the price of gold; and then, feeling in his pocket,

carelessly observed that he had forgotten his purse" but never mind," turning to the shopwoman, "put it down to my account; you know me, Mrs. Florimel, I am always an exact man; put it to my account." That meant to any other person's except his own, whom he might chance to persuade to become her customer: the way that the bills of many an honourable gentleman and lady are paid; and, as it answered Mrs. Florimel's purpose precisely as well, no observations were ever made, and the tacit understanding was duly preserved and acted upon.

"Oh! dear Sir," she replied smilingly,"don't mention payment; certainly, Sir, I am always happy to serve you any time; much obliged for all favours; won't my Lord take another peach? always happy to have the honour of serving any of your friends, Sir. As often as you pass this way, pray look in; shall have some choice grapes next week."

Having managed this little difficulty after a fashion usual with Captain Lepel, (and in which, as in similar manoeuvring, practice had made him perfect,) he was proceeding to con

duct Lord Mowbray to the King's stables, when, as if suddenly recollecting himself, he pulled out his watch, and observed-" If we go there now, we may be perhaps too late for the rehearsal." And perhaps, too, he apprehended his interest in that quarter would prove less powerful than he had vaunted it to be, and therefore dexterously avoided a discovery, by turning his companion's footsteps towards the Opera House.

"Now, you will be enchanted, my dear Lord! Never was any thing altogether like the Rosalinda, nor ever will be again; she has two notes in her voice beyond any voice that was ever heard before."

Lord Mowbray instinctively put his hands on his ears" I hate screaming." "I

"Ha, ha, ha; you are just the same, I see; just the same queer, eccentric fellow!—but I was giving you an account of Rosalinda." Lord Mowbray sighed, and stared at Captain Lepel. "She is wondrous handsome, my Lord, I do assure you; even your fastidious

taste would acknowledge this. Her hair quite black, her skin of the most delicate texture,

as white as snow, that is to say, a sort of rich cream-coloured skin, that looks like marble; such a carriage! and then sings like forty thousand angels."

"That is too many at once to please me: too many to be agreeable, I should conceive, to any one,” interrupted Lord Mowbray.

"Pshaw, my Lord, it is impossible to tell you any thing. You always make a joke.”

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Why there are some persons, indeed, whose conversation one must always either seriously contradict, or laugh at; and upon the whole I prefer doing the latter, Lepel, and conclude my friends must do so likewise."

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Very true, very true; ha, ha, ha! I had always rather laugh for one, I never saw any use in contradiction, not I: quite of your Lordship's opinion, upon my honour!"

"Strange," said Lord Mowbray vacantly; "very, very unaccountable !" And then suddenly stopping, he added: "I must bid you