But her

of them was far from discouraging. aunt, though she showed so much attention and civility to the stranger, as might almost have been mistaken for an approbation of his suit, yet, when in private with her niece, she employed her utmost eloquence to prejudice her against him.

But this was not easily done; nay, the very circumstance of Lady Deborah appearing to dislike him, made Miss Delassaux, from the sheer spirit of contradiction, more determined than ever to encourage him. After one of their daily disputes regarding him, Lady Deborah would leave the room with a countenance, where her efforts to preserve serenity could but ill disguise her strong expression of distress and mortification.

This sometimes struck Miss Delassaux so forcibly, as to do more in shaking her resolution, than all her aunt could have said, and often made her think, and hesitate for a time, as to the course she was pursuing. But then again came the handsome Italian, with his tender compliments, his harmonious voice, and his protestations of entire devotion-his fascinating canzonettes, so delicately accompanied by his guitarhis glowing descriptions of enchanting Italy, in

the genial climate, and under the cloudless sky of so elysian a country, the fair flower he worshipped had first seen the light, and where nature had intended it to bloom. His frequent, though careless and apparently accidental talk, about the magnificence of his Palazzo at Naples, the beauty of his villas, and the grandeur of his Castell sopra la Montagna, commanding some of the richest scenes of the Apennines; his immense territories, and his splendid retinue, from the tedious parade of which he professed himself so happy to have escaped for a time, by his visit to England,— these were with her resistless, and love having already taken possession of her heart, all her aunt's prudent cautions were disregarded.

Matters were in this state, when Miss Delassaux signified her intention of giving a splendid masqued ball. Cards were accordingly issued to the different families in the neighbourhood, and to ensure the assemblage of a sufficient crowd, invitations were even dispatched to London, to be dispersed in the circle the young lady had so lately moved in there. The house was magnificently decorated, and Mr Hawkins, the worthy steward,

8

made many difficulties about obtaining money for the vast expenditure it required.

This gentleman has been already introduced to the reader by name, nor is it necessary that he should know much more of him now, except that on all such occasions as the present, he took especial care to deal with those who were most likely to be pressing in their demands on his mistress, that his own pecuniary assistance might come with the greater effect. But Miss Delassaux took little concern in such matters. these vulgar considerations are ever entertained at all by the votary of fashion and pleasure, they are generally conjured away by the first twinkle of the lights of the ball-room, and the first notes. of the violins which put the dancers in motion.

If

In taking Miss Delassaux's directions, Mr Hawkins never once exalted his voice above the whining tone of a most obsequious servant, and upon this occasion, as upon every other, he carefully avoided the introduction of any thing so unpalatable as advice.

The ball then was got up in a style of splendour, outdoing every thing Miss Delassaux had ever before exhibited. It was difficult to say

whether the decorations of the magnificent mansion, arranged under the immediate eyes of the Lady and the Count, were more to be admired for the richness of the materials they were composed of, or the taste with which they were selected and combined. Then the surrounding grounds were peculiarly well calculated to receive and give proper effect to those magical illusions produced by multiplicity of lights-music-and gay draperies and moving figures in fanciful costumes, dispersed here and there amongst the trees, the temples, and along the verdant banks of the pieces of water, under the obscurity of a deliciously mild night, and a balmy air, breathing a mingled perfume from extensive shrubberies, filled with exotics. So inviting, indeed, was the pleasure of rambling unconfined by any walls but those of leaves, that superb as every thing was within doors, the house was in a manner entirely deserted, and its thousand lights continued to blaze in comparative silence and loneliness, while the continued buzz of voices, and the frequent laugh of joy ran through the varied alleys, that swarmed with human beings beneath the pale glimmering of the lamps, almost as thickly as

they had done with those myriads of bees that came to plunder the flowers of their honey in the broad sunshine of day. But more of the poison than of the nectareous fluid was extracted by these nocturnal insects.

Miss Delassaux walked out, hanging upon the arm of the tall and handsome Italian Cavalier. They were unmasked, but very gorgeously attired in the costume of Spanish Grandees. Their dresses shone with jewels, which, if not all of real value, had at least the appearance of being of price almost inestimable. However that might be, made up as they were, by every thing that dress and ornament could do, it was impossible to look on them without admiration, so perfect were the forms, and so noble was the bearing of both. As they promenaded through the various walks, the masks instinctively gave way, and all eyes were turned upon them, whilst the queen of the entertainment, her soul swelling with conscious pre-eminence, returned the bows and compliments of her guests with an air, where self-approbation and condescension were delicately blended. Admiration it was indeed impossible to refuse, but as the libation was poured out in their path, en