some time in the chair she had formerly sat in, she gradually brought her mind to something like composure. At length she At length she rang the bell violently, and ordered her maid to carry her com pliments to Sir William Percival, and to request an immediate interview with him.

The gentlemen lost no time in obeying her summons, and they had no sooner entered the room, than, rising with all the majesty, she had formerly exhibited,

"Sir William," said she, "from an interview I have just had with a person who was a domestic in my family while I was abroad, I have had such evidence as leads me fully to believe, that she, who has so long passed as my niece, has been imposed on me as such. She is, in truth, no niece of mine,—and I am willing to declare that she may give up her estates to the proper I am yet so astonished, that I have not recovered my usual tranquillity of mind. I feel hardly equal to the agitating scene of a last interview with her whom I have hitherto believed to be my niece, and the first meeting with her who is so in reality, to whom my protection must now be given, and my life henceforth devoted."

The two gentlemen looked at each other.

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Lady Deborah," said Sir William Percival, "it gives me pleasure to observe, that you are already satisfied as to the true state of the case. Nothing now remains but to introduce the real Miss Delassaux to you, and that you should publicly acknowledge her unquestionable rights. Let me beg of you to retire to compose yourself, and to prepare yourself for the meeting. Meanwhile

you may sign these papers.”

Lady Deborah's frame shook from head to foot She hastily glanced over the writings,—took up the pen, and, with a trembling hand, attached her name to the documents Sir William presented to her. Her signature was immediately witnessed by the two gentlemen

She then bowed, and slowly left the apartment.

CHAPTER XIII.

Que les moments que delivrent tout d'un coup le cœur et l'esprit d'une terrible peine font sentir un plaisir inconcévable. MADAME DE SEVIGNE,

Joy is such a foreigner,

So mere a stranger to my thoughts, I know

Not how to entertain him.

DENHAM.

As Amherst and his friend, Cleaver, were preparing to start for Oakenwold, a servant arrived from the old Admiral, with the following letter to his son:

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"MY DEAR AMHERST,

I beg that, on receiving this, you will ride over to meet me at Brokenhurst Hall, where I am going on the affairs of Miss Delassaux, which have now come to a crisis. I know she is particularly desirous to see you, and, at such a time, you cannot refuse to gratify her. I, therefore, hope you will be there in the course of the day. "Your affectionate father,

"CABLE OAKENWOLD."

What is the matter," said Cleaver, who had just sat down to breakfast, and was in the act of opening a cold venison pasty, "I beseech you tell me what is the matter with you."

"The most unaccountable letter from my father," said Amherst, "I know not what to say to it. He asks me to go immediately to visit Miss Delassaux, and he talks of her affairs having come to a crisis. Good God! what is Miss Delassaux, and what are her affairs to me?"

"Her affairs!" said Cleaver, helping himself to some of the jelly," then I suppose she's ashore at last. I hope the Admiral has no intention of trying to tow her off. If the old hulk and she get him fairly hooked on, he may get aground himself in his endeavours to warp them off. Any thing wrong with the Delassauxs, Jo seph ?" continued he, with his mouth crammed full of pie-crust, and addressing the groom who had brought the letter,

"Wrong! Aye, Sur," quoth Joseph, « why they do say, that they have ruinated themselves with them balls and vigaries, and that Hawkins. who has taken care of himself, has got possession of the estates, and that he went last night to seize every thing in the house, even to the very beds

the poor ladies were lying on, the precious rascal!"

"And is it come to this then!" said Amherst, a gleam of pity crossing his mind as he remeinbered the once dazzling splendour of the haughty Delassaux." Good Heavens! how can such minds bear it !—Well, then, it is but a duty of charity my father wishes me to join him in per forming, and such being the case, unfit as I am at present for any meeting of the kind, I shall not flinch from it. The horses to the door directly! Will you go with me Cleaver ?"

"I will, my dear fellow, with all my heart; but eat something in the first place, will you. I have just ordered a warm veal cutlet.-Do stump to the kitchen, Phillips, my lad, and give the cook a hint to make haste; but don't let him spoil the dish with his hurry, d'ye hear ?”. - παν

Amherst snatched some hasty refreshment. The horses came to the door, and, desirous to obey his father, he hastened to mount. Cleaver followed most unwillingly. As he was passing outwards he met the veal cutlet coming from the kitchen, giving out from under its china cover a steam of the most delicious odour. It was irresistible. 1.