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is a charm in the foible, which I would not relinquish, for all the self-command of the greatest Stoic that ever boasted philosophy. I rather hug the weakness to my heart. But this is a bad lesson to you, Reginald, to whom I ought to inculcate, nothing but rigid strength of mind, and contempt of human foibles. But here we are in London-in a few moments we shall be in Arlington Street;' and Lord Elmsdale did not seem inclined for any more conversation, so eager was his look of expectation.

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"At length the carriage drove into the street. "She is not out, I am happy to say,' he exclaimed, for there is her carriage;' and I saw a splendid equipage, the horses of which were pawing the ground with impatience, and seemed with difficulty to accommodate themselves to the stationary position, to which the coachman wished to rein them in.

"Her ladyship is at home?' the Earl said quickly, as we entered, to the porter; an old

servant, so antiquated in his appearance, that it might have been imagined, that he and his antique-looking seat, had been in that place from generation to generation.

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"Yes, my lord,' he grumbled out, her ladyship is at home, although the carriage has been at the door, two hours and five minutes by my clock-and the young grays are in to-day, my lord,' he added, in a peculiar tone of voice, as if he fain would excite in Lord Elmsdale, a portion of the dissatisfaction he thought fit to entertain, at this dereliction of punctuality in his lady. However, his words did not appear to produce the slightest effect; and I had reason to know that the Earl was blessing any chance which had been the fortunate means of detaining Lady Elmsdale from taking her accustomed drive."

And here we shall take the narrative into our own hands, as we can more fully detail many events, which were too minute to be dwelt upon by Reginald in a letter.

CHAPTER V.

"A beautiful and laughing thing
Just in the first apparelling
Of girlish loveliness."

MECHANICALLY, Reginald followed Lord Elmsdale's steps; curiosity was mingled with a degree of nervous trepidation, at the idea of his first introduction to the fair lady of his patron.

The groom of the chambers, who preceded them, threw open the first door, upon the landing, and they entered a drawing-room; but the servant, saying that he believed that his lady was in her morning-room, went on, continuing to

traverse several apartments, until they reached the one, in which they expected to find the Countess.

They sought in vain for the fair being, who was the presiding goddess over all this splendour; but in this room, she had evidently been sitting, for it was strewed with the litter of feminine employment. The piano-forte was open, and music scattered in all directions: drawing materials were also laid out; the discoloured water, and the brush, still left in it, shewing they had just been used; and a drawing was on an easel, before which, Lord Elmsdale stood for a moment, in delighted contemplation.

"Good girl!" he exclaimed; " she has really been hard at work-what talent she has! Do look, Reginald; is not this a masterly performance?"

And Reginald, who was himself something of an artist, was amazed at the boldness of the style, and well executed design; and when he

looked round, and beheld the intellectual-we may say, almost classic appearance, which every occupation of the Countess's morning studies demonstrated the books-the various signs of study! the idea which our hero had formed of her-that of a gay and giddy girl— seemed in a moment to vanish, and a sort of awe-struck sensation pervaded his feelings; he began to imagine that he was about to be ushered into the presence of a majestic Corinne-an inspired Sappho !

"I thought her ladyship would have been here," said the groom of the chambers, "for she passed the morning in this room, but I suppose she is now in her boudoir;" and he proceeded to that apartment, which was divided from the others, by a conservatory, through which there was a passage. No sooner had he opened the door, than the merry sound of a youthful laugh, rang upon their ears, and Lord

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