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He was so entirely absorbed in this master-passion which ruled him, that he entirely neglected that ordinary attention to his dress, which, from its fastidious elegance, had already made his fiat, law in the realms of fashion; so he passed the two or three miserable hours, between his interview with Joseph Linton, and that which was to carry him once more into her presence, should Joseph Linton's entreaties have had weight enough with her, to take her thither.

Joseph Linton, in the meanwhile, as he walked home, was debating in his mind how he should compel Dinah to appear in Lord Cavendish's box, without running the risk of producing a scene-a thing he abhorred.

To tell her that Lord Cavendish had placed his box at their disposal, would, he knew, have the instant effect of determining her against going; he had recourse, therefore, to falsehood, and resolved to make it appear that the box had been hired by him for the night.

He had been so little accustomed to treat her feelings with the slightest show of respect, that he scarcely thought it necessary, on entering the room where she was, to make much preface about the matter, merely requesting her to get dressed as soon as she could, as they were going to the opera and were pressed for time.

Dinah started, and Joseph, who, notwithstanding all his pretended carelessness, was watching her narrowly, detected the hurried and indignant blush that rose to her face.

"I did not know you had an opera-box," she said, quietly and firmly.

"Neither have I, my little Di," said he, patting her goodhumouredly on the back; "the truth is, as I have a notion of indulging you for the proper way in which you conducted yourself last night, I have hired a box for to night, I believe they play Norma," he added, fumbling for the libretto in his pocket, in some confusion.

"I am not well this evening," she said, in the same quiet, firm tone, "6 can you not excuse my going with you?" "If you are really so very unwell, I will not press you to do so," he said, restraining, with a great effort, the inclination he felt to break out at this moment; "nevertheless, my love, as I have hired the box, and as I really shall be much pleased by having you with me, I really hope you will make an effort to go, if possible."

"I will endeavour to please you, if possible," she said, in the same sternly quiet tone, as she left the room.

All further interchange of feelings was now, she knew, for ever ceased between them; as she went up the stairs, leaning languidly

on the bannisters, and pausing frequently for breath, she felt that henceforth all relationship, if there ever had been any, was dissolved; and that, for the future, a wide gulf lay between them, how wide, and deep, and black, and threatening, she almost shuddered to imagine.

When she came down again, which she did not until it was well-nigh time for them to set out, he could not refrain from noticing, little as it affected him, how very pale and ill she looked; she was so silent and abstracted, too, that he felt constrained and uncomfortable, in spite of himself; and he was not sorry when they got out of the carriage, and were swept on by the glittering stream of beauty and fashion, from the steps into the crush-room, when he once more breathed freely.

It was a very brilliant house; and, to Dinah's great relief, the box he had secured was entirely untenanted, and remained so during the entire of the first act. After that, Dinah had become so absorbed in the delicious music, that she entirely forgot where she was, until a very sweet voice said, in a low tone, close to her ear, "You have relented-you are not as cruel as you would make your slaves believe; I behold you, Dinah, once again!"

She started, as if a viper had stung her.

"This is your box, then, my lord?" she said, shrinking from him.

"Hush! I will explain all at another time; do not alarm your father," whispered his lordship; "do not, however, take umbrage at the little deception I have been a party to."

"It is a deception, sir!" she repeated, emphatically; "a deception, believe me, which no gentleman who valued his own good name, would attempt to practice towards another person; do not attempt to speak to me,-do not stir from the place you occupy, or, unpleasant as the consequences may be, I will instantly insist upon returning home."

"You will not be so mad-so foolish-so ridiculous!" he whispered, still hanging over her, until their figures nearly met. "Dear Miss Linton, why will you thus persist in rejecting the homage of so sincere and so humble an admirer of your charms? Why will you not listen to the voice of reason, and, by making me happy, escape from the painful position in which you are now placed? Look at that man," pointing to the figure of the worthy and respectabie Joseph Linton, as he lay far back in the box, surveying the house through his glass, "would not a home, shared with the man of your heart, be tenfold preferable to the society of such a being?"

To escape from his importunities, Dinah had gradually drawn closer into her own corner; and at this moment, scarcely con

scious in her agitation of what she was doing, she was leaning as far out of the box as she could possibly do. The next moment, she uttered a faint exclamation; and his lordship, leaning over her, beheld the faces of a party of four eagerly fixed upon them; the next moment, two of the party had arisen, and were leaving the pit.

"Do you know those people, Miss Linton?" he inquired, in a low voice.

"Hush-hush! they are coming here;" she whispered, casting an anxious glance round to her father, who still continued his amusement; "they are at least one, is a relative of mine!"

"Then, I will immediately take my leave;" and before she could prevent him, he had sprung up, and was leaving the box. It was at that moment, that Walter Mordaunt and Stephen were engaged in an angry altercation with the box-keeper, to admit them.

PHARAOH:*

A DRAMATIC POEM.

PART II.

AN ANTE-CHAMBER IN THE PALACE.

Soldiers on guard. Bands of the royal household in waiting. Groups of men, in the costume of various countries, in different parts of the chamber. Two pages conversing apart.

First Page.-Pharaoh was greatly troubled.
Second Page. For the moment:

But all seems now forgotten. He sits proudly

Upon his throne, transacting business

• Continued from p. 45, vol. lii.

With men of different nations. But I see
That in his eye that speaks him dangerous.

First Page. The people are in tumult. In the streets
Groups gather still together, whispering

With ominous frowns, and darkly flashing eyes,
And passionate gestures. All looks threat'ning,
And ready for rebellion.

Second Page. They have no leader;

Nor will they find one. Pharaoh is too prompt
To fear revolt. He crushes it in the egg;
Nor gives it time to hatch. Already, hundreds
Of gory heads lie heaped before the palace,
And Pharaoh's eye is every where at once:
It never sleeps.

First Page.-Well, wait the end. I fear
The issue yet. Who have had audience ?

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Second Page. The ambassadors from Nineveh and Damascus, From Amalek and Tyre.

First Page.-Has Jannes entered?

Second Page. He is with Pharaoh now.

First Page. All is confusion,

And hasty preparation, through the palace.
At such a time, who would command a marriage
And nuptial feasts?

Second Page. But Pharaoh stands alone.
Who else would have resisted Israel's God,
Amid such fatal omens ?

First Page.-There goes Jannes. (Jannes enters.) Some mischief is afloat. I like not that

Triumphant smile; it speaks of some fell purpose.

No grisly demon he invokes from hell

Can boast a face more hideous than his own.

Second Page. He whispers with that Nubian slave. Some villainy Is going forward. Would I knew this secret!

First Page.-What can he mean?

Second Page,-I know not; but the prince, My master, may perhaps find out his meaning.

THE PRESENCE-CHAMBER.

Pharaoh. Jannes. Guards and Executioners.

Jannes.-Seize on him as he enters. Strangle him. Pharaoh.-Place them behind the curtains. Do your work Quickly and silently. If he cry out,

Your lives shall answer it.

(To Jannes) Have you dispatched An officer to bring the traitor hither ?

Jannes.-The messenger is sent. Pheron will come Without suspicion. Our plot cannot fail.

I go to watch for his appearing.*

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Menes.-Wait but one hour, and it will be too late. Jannes knows all your scheme, and has the toils Prepared, soon to entrap the innocent bird.

Be quick no time must now be lost.

Pheron. And you?

Menes.-I stay in Memphis. Pharaoh may yet be moved To enfranchise Israel, and avert this plague.

Pheron.-Where oft the voice of God has failed, can man Hope for success?

Menes.-But still it is a duty

To make the attempt.

Pheron. The step you take is fatal.

If you should fail, as I too sadly fear,

You are pre-doomed to death, as the firstborn
Of Pharaoh.

Menes. And the sacrifice is noble.

If I succeed, I shall preserve a nation;
And, if I die, a victim for my country,
And not a foe to God. And so, farewell!
Long happiness await you! Should I die,
Even amid your bliss a thought of me

Will sometimes rise; and you will drop a tear
To the sad memory of your friend and brother.

Pheron. Is this the end of our fond friendship? this
The future, bright with joy, we two have painted,-
Your glorious reign, when I should be your viceroy,
And Egypt should be happy? Menes, my brother,
I cannot leave you.

Menes.-If you stay in Egypt,
You cannot save me.

Pheron.-I can die with you.
Menes.-Cease, if you love me!

O prolong not this agony of parting,

And add not to the bitterness of death!

But go at once. One last embrace! farewell!

* The incident is borrowed from the history of the Ottoman empire. It occurred in the reign of Achmet II.

June, 1848.-VOL. LII.-NO. ccvi.

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