lections of early childhood (embittered by penury) came back upon her memory Augusta, now alone, wondered to feel Remorse, a new and dreadful guest, awake in her vain bosom. She wondered, when shutting out all around her, with her trembling hands clasped firmly over her eyes, that she saw, in fancy, the pale but beautiful features of Julian, the encouraged, the all but accepted lover, saw the tears fill the eyes that had so loved to look on her she started up, afraid of her own now terrible struggles.

It was a bright and sunny afternoon; the air, as she leaned out of the window, (panting for breath) was sultry — she looked from her lattice. Was he who once took our Saviour to the mountain's top to tempt, was he, the invisible Spirit of Evil, at hand? Her eyes, in wandering over the beautiful distance, saw the graceful turrets and many windows, (glowing in the sunshine) of the palace-like abode of Sir Peter Riskwell. Far and wide spread the undulating and velvet sod of the park; the patri

VOL. III.

D

archal trees, the deer, the cattle, all spoke of wealth and luxury. And that splendid place Sir Peter had purchased, because it was within view of Moss Grove Rectory. And there, within a stone's throw of the garden-gate of her home, stood a small ungainly house, square, whitewashed, mean, a playground before it, a kitchen-garden behind it; a blue board elevated on a post announced, "Preparatory Seminary for Young Gentlemen." That was the home of a couple, who a few years before had married for love!

The girl had been very beautiful, and was of good birth. She had refused wealthy offers-she was in love-she married a young collegian, who had nothing At first he was all tenderness, but "Poverty came in at the door, and Love flew out at the window." The wife soon lost her beauty, and the husband his temper. Their friends, to keep them from starvation, set them up in a school, and got them a few pupils.

As Augusta gazed, she saw the meagre form of the wife, clad in a poor cotton gown, and

her once dainty hands were hanging out clothes on a line, just as the now doggedlooking husband, in a pepper-and-salt dressing-gown, led a file of little boys out into the road.

"The reality of a love-match," said Augusta to herself, as she watched poor Mrs. Evelyn fasten on the line a number of small articles, evidently belonging to the boys, beheld her wipe away some natural tears, and recalled the gay and well-dressed beauty she had once been.

"It is a lesson for me," said Augusta. "It were selfish to entail on him such a fate, such a home.... No, I will be firm-my choice is made." So saying, she repaired to her glass, washed away the tears from her burning cheeks, and called for Ruth.

Ruth, knowing that "Mr. Julian" was expected, had laid out ready for Augusta's toilet a dress of the pure white he so loved, and was preparing to braid Augusta's hair in the fashion he preferred." I shall wear pink this even

ing," said Augusta, blushing even before Ruth, "and dress my hair in ringlets."

Pink and ringlets! - that was Sir Peter's taste!.... Alas! alas!....

CHAPTER LIII.

"But Ellen boldly stepp'd between,
And dropp'd at once the tartan screen;
So from his morning cloud appears

The sun of May through summer tears."

The Lady of the Lake.

A refreshing summer-shower had fallen; the dust was laid, the birds were singing gaily, and all Nature seemed revived, when a large travelling-carriage, drawn by post-horses, stopped at the foot of a hill, within two miles of Moss Grove Rectory, and Mr. Lindsay and old Grunter descended from the interior, while Julian sprang from the box.

"Annie and mysel will just remain where we are," said Miss Tibby, "we're no that heavy to inconvenience the horses. Will ye not tak your book, Mr. Grunter...." (but