you saw, and will drive you over to Warley.— Very good shops there, I am told; do, Lady Herbert, do promise to stay?"

Lady Herbert lifted her eyes imploringly to her husband; but he did not, or would not understand their meaning; and, turning to Sir Philip, said, “Well then, it is impossible to resist your hospitality. Mabel, dear, you can send for any thing you want to Moreton Park. We will not refuse our kind friend's invitation."

Lady Gregory expressed her unfeigned delight, and so did Miss Gregory. A sign was made by the former to leave the dining-room, and the ladies were alone, and at liberty to discuss dress and scandal. Unfortunately, neither of these had any charm for Lady Herbert, and she looked forward with dread to the time she was to spend in their society.

Lady Gregory commenced a disputation upon the best mode of feeding and bringing up young turkeys, and lamented that the stable establishment was so large, she never could persuade Sir Philip to let her have a sufficiency of other do

mestics to do the necessary work of the other

departments.

"Young turkeys, your ladyship knows, require almost as much attention as young chil

dren."

"Indeed, mamma, I don't believe," said Miss Gregory," that Lady Herbert either knows or cares any thing about the matter."

"I'm sure you had better leave her quiet, to take a little rest before the gentlemen join us. Do, Lady Herbert, do put up your feet on the sofa, and let me place the pillows for you."

Lady Herbert was thankful for this interference, and gladly accepted Miss Gregory's kind attention.

Lady Gregory apologized for having entered upon the education of turkeys.

"I assure you,” replied the good-humoured Lady Herbert, "I am exceedingly fond of animals of every kind, and if I lived much in the country, I should take great pleasure in seeing them; but hitherto I have not had any opportunity of cultivating their acquaintance: I

intend to do so, however, and then I shall hope to profit by your experience, Lady Gregory, if you are so kind as to give me your counsel."

Thus having made her peace with the latter, she tried to open another source of conversation with the daughter.

"Have you a good library?" she asked; "are you fond of reading?"

"You would not call it a good library, for it consists of the Racing Calendar, and Daniel's Book of Sports, and a few old musty-looking books on divinity; but in my room I have a tolerable collection of all the modern novelists, and also of the poets."

"Are you fond of poetry, then?" "Exceedingly. I love the music of it." Lady Herbert thought, "This girl cannot be altogether devoid of feeling," and was herself such a passionate lover of poetry, that it made her lean to any one who expressed a similar taste. "And you sing, Miss Gregory?"

"Yes; but I am afraid not in a way that would please you."

"Do not be so very diffident of your own

powers, my dear," said her mother.

“Sing

directly, and allow Lady Herbert to judge for herself."

She obeyed her mother, and pleased Lady Herbert, for she sang without affectation. Her voice was mellifluous, and she pronounced the words distinctly. The song was then new, and not hackneyed as it has since become.

"When time who steals our years away."

"How these words touch one's heart," said Lady Herbert. "One feels as if one had written them oneself, so truly do they echo the wishes of the heart. I wish Francis could hear you, I am sure he would be delighted. Do you not think your father will come soon to join us?" Miss Gregory laughed.

"Papa never comes from the dining-room till five minutes before we retire for the night, unless there are a party of gentlemen to play at billiards with him; but perhaps for you, Lady Herbert, he may possibly come sooner than usual."

Lady Herbert made no answer; but inwardly she thought how very dreadful to have no com

panion in one's husband; to see him, day after day, preferring the company of foxhunters or boors, to that of his wife. And for a moment she shuddered; then dismissing the horrid supposition, she thought that can never be my case; and again she tried to listen to the music. The clock seemed never to move; and yet

ten, eleven, and twelve strike.

she heard

"Would you like to retire to bed," said Lady Gregory," or will you take some wine-and-water

first?"

The answer was prevented by the entrance of the gentlemen.

"Mabel, love," said Lord Herbert, approaching his wife, and leaning over the back of the sofa on which she sat. "Mabel, I fear it is late," he whispered; but we have had some capital fun with Tom Gregory. Such a cub! His father is an excellent creature, and one of the best judges of horseflesh in the kingdom. But as to him, he is really a vulgar fellow, though devilish amusing; that is to say-you understand, love-not at all in your way. But sometimes I like a little dash of that sort of thing;