then I stand so committed to the Hunters! Oh, no, it is quite essential-I must myself go to the races! But do you go to your mother. Not but what it is abominably selfish of her, and so I shall tell her the first opportunity; and I don't care-"

Matilda, finding it in vain to hope to influence him to abandon his scheme, here interrupted the further explosion of his ire against Mrs. Belgrave, by proposing to retire and equip herself for her

ride.

She speedily returned, and at the same moment that Charles handed her into her humble equipage, she had the satisfaction of perceiving the "charming set-out" of which he had spoken, with,

the beautiful greys," dashing up the street to receive him.

He insisted upon her stopping a moment, to take a view of so bewitching a sight; but remarking the languid applause with which she viewed these appointments, he at length suffered her to depart, observing in his "good bye," "though you are an excellent creature, Matty, it cannot be denied, still it is your misfortune to have as little taste for what is the proper thing in equipage, as any person I ever happened to meet with."

:

CHAPTER VI.

THE illness of the children, not in itself particularly dangerous, was, Matilda more than suspected, considerably exaggerated by her mother for the purpose of accelerating her daughter's inclination or power to obey her summons; and it was with much less surprise than amusement that she found (as she supposed she should) that the surmises of Charles, as to the cause of her company being so earnestly requested, were as nearly correct as possible.

"My dear Matilda, Mr. Belgrave insists upon my accompanying him to the races," said Mrs. Belgrave, as soon as Matilda made her appearance in her mother's dressing-room, whither she was conducted on her arrival; and where she found her occupied as she annually, since remembrance was granted her, recollected to have seen her engaged, on the morning of Epsom races, viz. she was trying the most becoming position for a new hat, and every now and then, touching her cheeks with as much rouge as she considered requisite for beauty that was to command attention at so many feet from the ground as the height of a barouche-box.

"He insists upon my going," she continued, without any other pause in her employment than resulted from her attention being arrested, to observe first on

one cheek and then on the other, how the task prospered, and, finally, how they both succeeded together; and the children as you find, for I dare say you have been in the nursery (Matilda assented,) you find them better, no doubt, than you expected from my account; my fears outran the occasion. But that is always the case, I am so apprehensive-so nervous-I declare I tremble so"-and indeed the fatigues of the toilette had occasioned a tremor, which it was not worth while to throw away, when it could be turned to so valuable an account as that of maternal sensibility" I really tremble to such a degree, -I dare say I look very ill, don't I?"

This was an inquiry more readily made than answered for what may be the natural expression of a countenance that is covered with rouge, it is rather difficult for common observers to say.

But Matilda was not the person to wound the selflove of any one, much less to hurt that of her mother. She contrived to answer the question without giving offence to her, or to sincerity; and Mrs. Belgrave having at length finished her arduous duties, accompanied her daughter down stairs.

Here they were met by Mr. Belgrave, who appeared not to have a moment to lose. He did just thank Matilda for coming, and desired her to make herself quite at home; and then, reminding his lady that they had so and so to call for on their road, he hurried off, without making one inquiry after Charles, or even naming him; a circumstance which somewhat surprised Matilda, who had been used, upon these occasions, to hear of a great deal of business in the betting line between her father-in-law and her VOL. II.-F

husband. But supposing it might be an accidental omission in the hurry of setting off, she gave no further thought to it.

It had been a source of anxious delight in her ride to Wimbledon, to anticipate a meeting with Mrs. St. Aubyn; but to her great disappointment, on calling at the cottage, she learned from the servant that her mistress and Mr. St. Aubyn had, on the preceding day, departed for London, where they intended to spend a week.

Matilda eagerly inquired and wrote down their address, determined that, immediately on her return to town, she would seek, and repair as far as possible her apparent neglect of so dear a friend.

It was evening when she made her visit at the cottage; and on returning home, she perceived, by the carriage at the door, that Mr. and Mrs. Belgrave were just returned.

She retreated to the nursery, intending to remain there for the rest of the evening: but scarcely had she closed the door, when the sound of Mr. Bel. grave's voice, very audibly pronouncing her name, alarmed her with an idea of being inquired for. What he could possibly have to say to her, she could not imagine; for their communications had always been of rare occurrence, and since her marriage, particularly so. She was not long left to conjecture upon the subject; for she received a message, importing that "Mr. Belgrave wished to say a few words to her on a point of the last importance." She was so much accustomed to the pomp and circumstance in which he was wont to envelop the most trifling matters, that she paid little or no attention to

words which, from any other person, she would have thought to be big with meaning; and simply returning an answer, that she would wait upon him directly, she prepared to do so, by following the servant to the library, in which she found him seated with Mrs. Belgrave, who was either weeping, or employing her handkerchief in a style that indicated

tears.

Matilda, slightly alarmed, inquired with some anx. iety, if any accident had befallen either of them in the course of the day's adventures? To which interrogation Mrs. Belgrave replied by a shake of the head, and a fresh application of the handkerchief and a smelling bottle; and Mr. Belgrave with an air of dignity, by pointing to a chair, as intimating a wish. that she would be seated. "It is not necessary for me to be minute, or particularly to dwell upon the various instances in which I have endeavoured, to the utmost of my ability, to evince my deep interest and regard in your welfare, Mrs. Harcourt."

Here Matilda, who had as yet been standing in breathless anxiety, leaning over the back of a chair, conceiving a little time would elapse before Mr. Belgrave disclosed his meaning, very placidly and patiently sat down to wait for it, and he proceeded.

"I could specify (if it were becoming, or in my nature to recur to cases in which I confer a benefit,) I could, as I say, specify innumerable circumstances in which I flatter myself I have been of infinite service to you."

Matilda bent her head in token of acknowledgment though of what, beyond a silver tea-pot when she married, she could not possibly remember.