If you ou keep your word, the blessing of a dying man will follow you; if not, my blood will cry out against you. Now!" The captain put himself in position, but there was something in his manner, in the tone of his voice, and the strangeness of his behaviour altogether, that struck the usually thoughtless youth he was opposed to, and moved some of the better feelings of his nature.

"You spoke, Captain Wallace, of my finding from your pocket-book who and what you were. May I""No. You may not. I am an officer, let that suffice."

"Well, sir-but remember that by your own showing, you have the fate of others on your hands, besides your own".

"I know it, but my resolution is taken; defend yourself."

"One moment," said the young man; "you tell me you are poor-if I should happen to fall, here is a roll of notes which will help you to escape. And now, sir, I'm your man."

The youth flung a well-filled pocketbook on the ground as he spoke. His adversary looked at him with an expression of gratitude that ill accorded with their mutual position, and crossed his sword. Instead, however, of vigorously attacking, he made two or three false lunges, and immediately exposed his breast. It was only by great dexterity that the young man avoided sinking his sword's point into his heart.

"How!" he exclaimed. "Would you make me a murderer, sir?"

"Again," said Captain Wallace; " let us proceed." And resumed his attitude.

"You puzzle me," said Master John; " and, moreover, you interest me very much."

"Have you had satisfaction, sir?" "I almost think I have. Wasn't your life but now in my power?" "It was."

"Why, then," said the youth, sheathing his rapier, " by all the laws of honour, I am not only satisfied, but have killed my man; for though I didn't choose to use my advantage to its full extent, still, metaphorically, you are defunct. And as your executor under the will you made a few minutes ago, I open all papers of the deceased, and this document among others." So saying,

he stooped down, and opened the pocket-book, and started back on seeing a letter" To the Lord Dunbar-these."

"How! is this letter to you?" he enquired; "is your name not Wallace?" "Wallace is my name," said the other; "but the ill-judged pertinacity of the partners in the vain attempt of '45, in which my father lost title and estates, still forces a rank on me to which, till it is restored by our present sovereign, I confess I have no right." "So you are not a Jacobite, sir?" "No sir - I see sufficiently the causes of the overthrow of the rightful line to rejoice that their efforts at restoration were defeated. I speak without prejudice on the subject, for I can have no interest in such matters now. The ministry are very properly determined to punish the sins of the fathers on all succeeding generations; and I shall hereafter make no further effort to alter their determination."

"And Harriet is your sister?" enquired Master John. "I knew it from the first. She was no more a milliner than I am. And believe me, sir, from the moment I saw her, I was only deterred by a foolish prejudice - which her virtues and beauty were gradually overcoming-from offering her my heart and hand." "Your hand, sir!"

"Ay! And let me tell you, sir, when you talk of giving up your efforts to alter the ministry's resolutions, you don't know what influence a few county members may have on their deliberations. My uncle, sir, has the command of five or six seats, and I've a great mind to take possession of one of them myself, as he has often asked me, for the mere pleasure of badgering the government into an act of justice. But let us go, my dear fellow, to show Harriet we are both alive. And yet I'll deny myself the happiness of seeing her for a while. I'll bring my uncle's consent, and if he hesitates a moment, I'll bring him to judge for himself."

But all was turned topsy-turvy in the baronet's establishment since last we saw him. A letter had come addressed, "To the Lady of this House," which had naturally fallen into the hands of his maiden sister, Miss Arabella; and no little amazement the said epistle caused in the bosom of that innocent and good-natured old maid. It came from Mrs Preston, and contained a complaint of the conduct towards her of the gallant Sir John Blinkinsop, and pleaded so earnestly and so eloquently for protection, that the tender Arabella was moved, and sent for her to St James's Square, to concert measures together. When

two women unite their wits, it is impossible for one poor individual of the harder sex to escape their machinations. The pert Miss Josephine, and the rigidly moral Peter Mell, were equally scandalized and astonished when that prim functionary received instructions to inform his master that the young lady who had recently been closeted with Miss Arabella was anxi

ous to see him alone. The virtuous indignation of the censorious frizeur had some little time to evaporate, for SirJohn was unfortunately from home. His nephew had hurried from the Park, and in as articulate a manner as his agitation would allow, had related the incident of the morning, the discovery of Harriet's rank, and pressed him to consent to his union. But the uncle prized himself so much on his knowledge of the world, that he, of course, did not believe a syllable of the fine story of the pocket-book; and devoutly believed that his poornephew was the dupe of a couple of sharpers. By way of ascertaining the point for himself, he pretended to take a day or two to come to a decision; and as soon as he had an opportunity, hurried off to Wardour Street, and arrived in due time at Harriet's room. Delighted at her brother's safety, and at the happy termination of the duel, her looks were radiant with joy. Sir John paused at the door, astonished at so much beauty, and apologized in his most fascinating manner for coming into her presence unannounced. But his reserve soon wore off, as he was one of that charming class of philosophers who believe all women to be the same and that the modest are only a little better ac

tors.

" I come," he said, "expecting to find a pretty girl, and behold-an angel!"

" I don't understand you, sir." "Oh! we shall understand each other before long. You are Miss Wallace, I believe? I have no doubt that so much beauty is adorned and heightened by talents equally superb."

"And may I ask, sir, what induced

you to come up so many stairs in search of my poor talents?" "To admire them."

"Then, as it is always distance that lends enchantment to the view, I pray that you will in future admire them a long way off."

"Your wit is inimitable. I can hardly breathe under such a rapid fire."

"Perhaps, at your time of life, your difficulty of breathing may be more naturally accounted for by your exertions in coming up stairs."

"You're sharp, madam; but I'm fond of repartee-especially from such lips as yours."

"I beg, sir, you will cease such language. I expect my brother every moment, and"

"You have a brother, then? It's a curious fact in natural history, that all pretty milliners have strong fellows of brothers. Has this one been your brother long, my dear? You understand me?"

"No, sir, I do not understand you; but I see from your manner that you intend to insult me, and I must insist on your immediate departure."

"What a curious fancy!-'pon honour, child, you are very amusing. Remember that you are not now dealing with a raw inexperienced boybut with a man of the world. Let us explain: Do you know me, madam ?" "More than I desired, sir. I insist on being alone, sir. These apartments are mine."

"And wretched apartments they are for a girl of your spirit and beauty. You shall have finer rooms than these -you shall have all that your wishes can claim-horses, carriages, servants."

"Away, old man!-away!" cried Harriet, starting up, and looking like a nymph pouring forth her indignation on a satyr. "I will bear your insulting propositions no more. Who you are I know not, - what you are, I guess, and will not stain my lips with mentioning-retire!"

The indignation was too real to be mistaken for acting, even by Sir John. A strange feeling began to steal over him, that she was in reality the pure and noble being his nephew had painted her, and as we have seen already that his sentiments were a great deal better than his morals, he felt anxious to atone for his conduct.

"I assure you, 'twas but to try your temper I spoke as I did," he began. "If I have offended you, I'm sure you'd forgive me if you knew my motive. I beg, Miss Wallace, you'll compose yourself-the time may come when all this will be explained."

"Never, sir-but ha! here's my brother!" In a moment she altered her manner, for she was afraid of a repetition of the quarrel in the morning, and said

"Brother, this gentleman is a stranger who came into my room, in search of a person he hasn't found."

"And has found a person he was not in search of," muttered Sir John. "We are strangers here, sir," said Captain Wallace; " and I'm afraid can be of little use in directing you."

"Oh! I beg you'll take no trouble, I shall find my way myself; and as I have been fortunate enough to make your acquaintance, I shall be too happy if you will permit me to renew دو my visit."

"You see, sir, from the style we live in, that we can make no new acquaintance," replied the Captain, stiffly.

"No? I tell you the time may arrive when you will be delighted to see

me."

By this time he had got to the door, and was nearly knocked over by the hurried entrance of Master John.

"What! Uncle? - how kind!-how good!-you came, as I begged you, to see my Harriet, to judge for yourself. Well? you approve?"

"His uncle!" cried Harriet; "what have I done! Ah, sir, your examination was somewhat rough-forgive me for the rudeness of my answers."

"Your answers, child? - Oh yes! I recollect. Suppose we make a compact, and forget both the answers and questions. Do you agree?"

"'Tis so friendly in you, nunky," interposed the nephew; "I can never thank you enough." "For what?"

"For consenting so kindly to my marriage. You are pleased with my choice?"

"How can I be otherwise - so much elegance!" replied Sir John.

"And so much tenderness!-Ah, uncle, I'm a happy man!"

The nephew took one hand, and Harriet took the other.

"There!" cried Sir John, joining

their hands together, "didn't I tell you that the time would come when you would be delighted to see me?"

An attentive observer might have perceived that Sir John, though unable, and unwilling perhaps, to state any objection to the match proposed by his nephew, yet did not altogether feel satisfied with the figure he cut in the matter. He begged the whole party, however, to adjourn to St James's Square, and he endeavoured to recover his self estimation, by half an hour's stroll in Bond Street. Pleased with the result of his cogitations, and restored to good humour, he proceeded home, and was met by Peter Mell, who, in a state of most exasperated virtue, informed him that a young woman was waiting for him alone in his study.

"A young woman, Peter? Is she good-looking?"

"Better than she deserves, as far as I can see," replied the surly Cato; "but the world's all gone mad together-Miss Arabella knows it."

"The deuce she does? that's unlucky."

"Oh, not a bit, sir! - She's as bad as the rest of them. She made no

objection."

66

Indeed? Oh, it must be some middle-aged, charity-collecting, snubnosed, old dowager! Tell her I'm busy, Peter. Do you know where she comes from?"

"From one Mrs Williams's in Frith Street, as Josephine overheard." "Whew! That's a different matter; bring me my other wig, Peterthe blond the two-and-thirty year old one; I wouldn't look a day older for the world; get me my silk and silver waistcoat. I never thought the prudish damsel would have changed her mind so soon. Now, then-keep my sister, if you can, from troubling herself about the visit."

"Oh, she's engaged, sir! Master John has brought a young lady with him, and another gentleman. They're all in the drawing-room."

"That's good," said the baronet, and tripping as lively as his gout and stiffness would allow, he opened his library door. He stopped short behind a screen, on hearing a deep and most melodious sigh.

"Sweet creature! I've touched her," he thought; and advancing, recognised the beautiful Mrs Preston,

although she now wore a bonnet, and kept a thick veil over her face. The shawl she had worn in the morning was closely drawn round her, and her attitude plainly showed that she was anxious to make the most favourable impression she could.

"Enchanting visiter," said Sir John, "I knew that so tender a bosom could not remain obdurate long. You are getting reconciled to London I hope, and forget the loneliness and dulness of Braby Manor? Nay, don't take away your hand!-a beautiful little hand it is, and worthy of the incomparable person to whom it belongs. You don't speak, fair enslaver! You were more talkative this morning, when you carried on a conversation with that audacious rascal, my nephew Jack. Don't listen to him, my dear, in future. I told you his admiration wouldn't last long, and this very day he has made proposals to another, and been accepted. No, my angelic creature, trust to a man of maturer years, and believe that this embrace"

The lady rose when he put his arm round her waist, and screamed for help-throwing up her veil at the same time, and revealing to the horri fied Sir John, and the party who rushed in from the adjoining room, the laughing and mischief-loving countenance of his old maiden sister, Miss Arabella Blinkinsop.

"What, John! - Can your own sister not escape your politeness?" she said, tapping him on the shoulder. "For shame, nunky!" said Master John; "'pon my honour you ought to take example by me. Do you ever see me try to kiss my aunt, sir? I'm ashamed of you!"

"Why, what the deuce is all this rumpus kicked up about?" exclaimed the baronet; "haven't I a right to salute my sister in a brotherly manner, without all the idle people in the neighbourhood coming in to be witnesses? But how's this, Arabella; I see friends here whom I scarcely expected?" pointing to the real Mrs Preston, who was leaning on Captain Wallace's arm.

"This shawl, among others," replied the sister; "it belongs, my dear

brother, to this young lady, who came to return the visit you did her the honour to pay her this morning; and had the happiness of discovering her husband in our nephew's brother-inlaw, Captain Wallace."

"Wallace! madam, I thought your name was Preston?"

"So it was, sir, while my husband prosecuted his claim with the government; but now, thanks to your kindness, we are reunited-never, I hope, to be divided."

"And what the deuce am I to do?" enquired Sir John; "I never can venture for a moment to pay my respects to a pretty girl, but she's snapped up by some unprincipled fellow before my face. There's Jack has taken away one; Captain Wallace another; and it would give me great satisfaction if you would tell me what will be left for me to do?"

"Better get some one to mend your wrist-frills, uncle," suggested Master John, with a malicious allusion to the scene with Josephine.

"Why, if you have really no one else to be attentive to," said Miss Arabella, " I don't care if you exereise your powers of pleasing on me. I hope all your affection wasn't confined to the shawl?"

"Confound the shawl, and the wrist-bands, too! No, Arabella; I think I shall take a lesson from today, and turn a steady, sensible, old fellow, as I ought to be. You and I will exert ourselves in making our house a comfortable home for the young people, and as a first proof of my reformation, I inprint this kiss, oh, respectable sister, on your venerable cheek."

The cheek was no longer turned away; and it is recorded in the annals of the Blinkinsop family, that Sir John, from that period, conducted himself with such perfect propriety, that he gained the entire approbation of the moral and sententious Peter Mell; it being related, that the only fault that individual could discover in the baronet's character, was a remarkable indifference to the fashion of his wigs, and a total neglect of the skill and science bestowed on their adornment. THE public life of the Marquis Wellesley had so long closed, that his actual death left no chasm in public action; but he had borne a great part in the most signal triumphs of our most remarkable time; had achieved a name in British history, and will not be forgotten in that still nobler and more comprehensive history, which is formed of the acts and characters of eminent men in every age and nation of the world.

In this brief memoir, it is not our purpose to enter into personal details. We should prefer giving that general view, which connects a memorable man with his time. It is for biography to give the family picture, the peculiarities of mental costume, and all the minutenesses which separate the individual from his species. The highest aspect of all public character, is not the portrait, confined to the costume of its age, but the statue, representing to every age the countenance and form of the man, unencumberd by casual habiliments-fit to take, and taking its natural place in the gallery of illustrious minds. Marquis Wellesley, (Richard Colley Wellesley,) was the oldest son of the Earl of Mornington, and born in Dublin, June 20, 1760. The Earl was a man of taste, who had resided much abroad in early life, and had brought with him from Italy a degree of musical cultivation, which, in a professor, would probably have produced distinguished excellence. He has left, at least, one proof of his talent, which will remain while music survives in England

the celebrated glee, " Here in cool grot;" the happiest imagination of "Fairy" harmony in the annals of song. But the Earl wanted a faculty, less captivating, but more important in his position, that of managing his estate. The property of the earldom, at no time large, gradually decayed in the midst of those musical raptures; and the young heir found himself encumbered with a nominal title, and the succession to little more than a long accumulation of debt, which, however, he manfully took it upon himself to discharge. His mother survived her husband half a century, dying in 1831, at the age of eighty

nine. She possessed a powerful understanding, had been very handsome in early life, and was formed to shine in courts. But she had the unexampled fortune of living to see four of her sons raised to the Peerage of England by their own abilities; to see them acting in the highest public capacities; and to be the mother of the first soldier of England since Marlborough.

But much depends on situation. The young earl remained on the benches of the Irish house for nineteen years-a cypher. The accomplished scholar, the brilliant statesman, the splendid administrator, continued sunk into the cushions of the Irish peerage. The illness of George the Third, which produced the regency question, at length rescued him from indolence and from oblivion. The Irish Whigs, like their brethren in England, always selfish, saw nothing in the royal affliction but a call to office; and, always perfidious, saw nothing dishonourable in the disloyalty by which their object was to be obtained. In England, the contest was of a more imperial nature, and it was for power; in Ireland, it had the meanness of provincial faction, and its object was plunder; loose, and he roamed the land seeking what prey he might devour; in Ireland, it was the jackall tracking his steps in the dark, and glad to feed upon the remnants. What in England was bold assault, in Ireland was stealthy circumvention. The English debates exhibit the majesty of national council; great abilities exerted for great occasions; and even the offence of party in some degree effaced by the brilliancy of its talents. The two great antagonists of this day would have given distinction to any rivalry, in any period of the world. The truth was, that the two leaders of the Ministry and Opposition were more than heads of parties; they were the personifications of principles; the principle of establishment against the principle of change. Conservative and destructive in another shape, but relieved from the meanness and meagreness which in some degree belong to all merely civil contests, and magnified and ennobled by the strong excite

nder; in England, the lion was