most parting words; my sinking heart forbodes that although you will ever kindly remember me as your sister—the fond companion of your early days, yet, Reginald, I feel as certain as that these flowers will fade, that the hour will come, when you will cease to wish to claim the lowly Alice as your bride." Reginald would again have interrupted her with his vehement protestations, but she continued, "Do not think that I shall even upbraid you. As long as you are happy, prosperous, and estimable, I will endeavour to be content; for in whatever relation you may be to me, you must continue always the object of my warmest interest. The fibres of my attachment have twined too closely round my heart ever to be wholly disentangled. But there is one event which I could not support-which would bow me to the earth with sorrow—would make me shun the face of nature! Light would be dark ness to me, every hope would be crushed, if hereafter I had cause to think less honourably of you; therefore, my dearest Reginald, be virtuous, be good! In the midst of prosperity and dissipation do not forget the precepts-the example of your father!" Reginald was much affected by her words; and Alice, warmed by the enthusiasm of her feelings, still went on to say, with an energy of manner which gave greater force to every word she uttered, "Endeavour, dear Reginald, to walk in one path-the path of virtue; and then whatever happens, you will be able to look back on the part, you have acted, without shame or fear; but as you value your liberty-your happiness hereafter, avoid every approach to evil. Vice, we are told, always creeps on by degrees, and insensibly twines round us those concealed fetters, by which we are at last completely bound. You will think me tiresome, but you know I am a few months older than you are, and therefore feel privileged to prose. And, oh! Reginald, recollect that you have been brought up in the fear of God. Let not the world lessen either your love, or your awe, for your Father in heaven. This is my dread-my horror, that, in the tempestuous torrent into which you will be plunged, the glare, the attractions, will engender forgetfulness of the only one real support through life. I could talk for ever on the subject, although I see that it creates in you impatience. You think I doubt your strength of mind, but you will convince me, I trust, that my fears all arise from the over anxiety of my heart." They were here interrupted by the approach of Mr. Stanley, and the conversation terminated. CHAPTER III. "Oh! she's a winsome wee thing, She's a handsome wee thing, This sweet wee wife of mine!" "STANLEY," said Lord Elmsdale, as they were walking over the domain, on the day previous to the Earl's departure, "I have never asked you whether you were not surprised to hear of my marriage, after having played the character of bachelor for so many years, and turning a deaf ear to all the wishes and solicitations of my family?" "I own, my lord, that I was taken by sur prise, but greatly I rejoiced; for my feelings all incline towards a life of married happiness. In short, I cannot imagine felicity perfect without it." "Indeed, my good friend, you would deem me romantic; and that would be absurd at my age, verging towards the sober era of forty, if I allowed myself to dilate upon the theme, and describe to you all the charms and perfections of my little Countess; and I'm afraid, Stanley, with your sober sound sense, you may have thought it rather rash and ill-judged, to have chosen a partner, between whose age and my own there is such disparity. Seventeen, and seven-and-thirty—a startling difference you will would be still more shocked were say: and you you to see Lady Elmsdale, for she looks even younger than she really is; and her tastes and pursuits are many of them as simple and childish as her appearance. But still I'm rejoiced to say, there is more depth of character in her |