know it is very wrong. I suppose my perfections are peculiarly alive to the ridiculous; and unfortunately, I do not sufficiently keep in mind, the parable of the Mote and the Beam. I am always looking round for subjects, which my imagination may caricature; it is my greatest amusement—a bad habit, to use the mildest term. I often feel ashamed of myself; and this very morning cast my eye over this passage of Bouilly, which made me blush; if I do not check myself, I may in time be able to apply it to my own case. I will read it to you, although you will say that it is rather severe, as you are all upon the soothing system;" and she read the following sentence. "On ne rencontre que trop souvent dans la société, de ces esprits malfaisants, qui dechirent par instinct, mordent par habitude; et qui, pour un bon mot, se font un jeu cruel de trahir la confiance, d'outrager l'amitié, de critiquer le pouvoir, et d'insulter au vrai merite." "You have indeed met with the very extreme of the vice," exclaimed Reginald, almost indignant that she should have thus misrepresented herself; "you speak of those cases where ill-nature—a deliberate desire of giving painan envious wish to depreciate what they cannot reach, expends itself in bitter and indiscriminate sarcasm; such mischief as you have described, arises from the depths of a malignant heart-not from such a one as yours, dear Lady Elmsdale." Nina seemed lost in thought; during which time Reginald's eyes were fixed upon her countenance. Perhaps in his gaze there was a degree of intensity-of fervour, which might have startled Nina, had she encountered it; but she never looked-nor scarcely thought of him; her mind was full of another subject. "Oh, this odious foreign embassy," she exclaimed; "how I do detest the idea of it! Why did my dear Lord accept it?-and the provoking part of the business is, that he says, it was entirely on my account-in order to give me an insight into the world!-I, who want to have as little to do with the world as possible. My idea of happiness, is a beautiful place in the country, with the power of drawing round me, people whose society is really desirable. I am not one of those who think that for want of company, welcome trumpery;' in my opinion, there is no time, so thoroughly and miserably wasted, as the moments that are squandered, with those who are indifferent, and wearisome to our taste.But of course it is all right, and I must yield with a good grace. Lord Elmsdale must know best. And now come, Reginald," she cried, springing from her seat, her countenance again assuming a totally different character, from pensive reflection to child-like vivacity, "let us go into the garden,-a cart-load of new flowers has arrived, and I have quantities for you to do." And what were Reginald's reflections ?-Perchance he thought that there might be many women, who were in reality more perfect than Nina, for she was very young-very inexperienced; but no doubt, if thus he argued, he added this codicil to the remark, "With all her little faults, may she never change-may she ever be as charming, in innocence and candour, as she is at this moment !" CHAPTER XVII. "She loves him, with that excellence "Such a man Might be a copy to these younger times." PERHAPS, in the same manner as the lookeron, generally sees the best of the game, the reader, casting his eye of prudence with an anticipative glance, over the future events of the story, may think that the present was rather an imprudent position for two such very young creatures; and that it was hardly consistent with Lord Elmsdale's good sense, to expose them to dangers, which might ensue, from being thus so intimately thrown into each other's |