train of servants. All that was left for him, therefore, was to scowl upon them as he passed along; but they were too well-bred to testify either mirth or surprise at sight of such a phenomenon, and in spite of himself, he was ushered to the saloon with all the customary demonstrations of respect. It was vacant-and Lady Rossville having safely deposited him by the side of a blazing fire, and vainly tried to persuade him to partake, with her, of some refreshment, left him, for a little, to solace himself with the newspapers of the day, while she went to announce his arrival to her mother.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Listen to me, and if you speak me fair,

I'll tell you news.

SHAKESPEARE.

WHEN Gertrude had left her mother in the morning, she had left her, as usual, fretful and gloomy-but, on returning, she was struck with the change which, in the course of a few hours, had taken place. Her countenance was lightenedher air was almost joyous; and, though some slight traces of agitation were visible, yet it was evidently of no painful kind, for the tout ensemble was that of a person who had thrown off a load of cares and of fears. She was seated at her toilette, which, ever since the Earl's death, had been much neglected; but, upon her daughter's entrance, she dismissed her maid.

"Come away, my love," cried she, holding out

her arms, and affectionately embracing her; "I have been tiring to death for you. Where have you been, my sweetest ?"

Gertrude, but not without wondering at this sudden overflow of love and tenderness, related to her the particulars of her visit to Mr Ramsay, and its consequences.

"Ah! nothing could be better managed," said Mrs St Clair; " and his arrival to-day is quite apropos, as I mean to make my appearance at dinner, and it may very well pass for a compliment to my good uncle ;" then, changing her tone to one of deep solemnity-" Since I saw you in the morning, love, I have been a good deal shocked with a piece of news I accidentally stumbled upon, in a provincial paper I happened to take up-my nerves to be sure, have been sadly shattered of late," and she sighed and took up her smellingbottle." But 'tis impossible not to be struck with such an event-Gertrude, you have no longer anything to fear from that unfortunate man— he-he has perished!" added she, in strong but transient emotion.

Gertrude involuntarily shuddered. There is always something revolting in the gaiety that

springs from the death of a fellow-being; and, for a moment, she turned away her head from the wild unnatural pleasure that gleamed in her mother's eye.

"What was this man's life or death to me ?” exclaimed she, suddenly. "Surely now the time is come, when you will tell me all !"

"Not now, my love-do not urge me-the time may come when I shall have no secret with you, but, at present, it can serve no purpose but that of agitating and distressing me. Perhaps I should not have mentioned this disagreeable occurrence to you at all, but for the fear that it might have come upon you unawares, and so have betrayed you into some symptom of recognition that had better be avoided; for, I think, you could scarcely fail to be struck as I was at reading the account.-As yet, it has got no farther than the Barnford Chronicle, but it will, of course, appear in the London papers, and you will probably hear it read and commented on at all hands, so 'tis better you should receive it from minefore-warned is fore-armed;" and taking up a newspaper, she pointed out a paragraph under the head of "Melancholy Shipwreck." It set forth, in the

usual terms, a most elaborate and high-drawn narrative of the wreck of the Dauntless Packet, bound for America, on the coast of Ireland, when every soul on board had perished. Several pieces of the wreck, and some of the bodies of the unhappy sufferers, had been cast on shore, and were all minutely described; amongst others, that of a "gentleman, seemingly turned of thirty years of agetall-fair complexion-light hair-blue eyeshigh nose-linen marked J. L. On his person were found a watch, a small sum of money, and a pocketbook, the latter containing papers and bills, but so much damaged by the water, that the writing was wholly obliterated-only on one of the bills, the letters' S lair' could be traced, and those were the only marks which could throw any light on the unfortunate gentleman's identity," &c. &c. &c.

"It is very sad to be called upon to rejoice over an event fraught with so much misery," said the Countess with a sigh, as she finished it.

"I do not call upon you to rejoice, Gertrude,” said Mrs St Clair, solemnly. "God forbid that I should! I merely wished you to see that you have nothing more to fear in that quarter.”

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