THE LITTLE WIFE. CHAPTER I. "As years past on, how fair the stripling grew; His stature tall, his brow of Parian hue, And bright and noble was his infant mien; While truth and dauntless courage were his own." kindness-your "My dear lord, I am truly sensible of your never-failing consideration of me and mine; and you must not deem me ungrateful, if I hesitate in accepting the offer you have just made with regard to Reginald; but forgive me when I say, that I think there are some great objections to the plan you propose." "None but what I can easily combat, I am sure,” exclaimed the Earl of Elmsdale; "for I duly considered the proposal before I made it. It was not without mature deliberation on my part that I arranged this scheme; and I feel that there is everything to recommend it. From the acquirements which my godson has made in modern languages, he is well qualified for the situation he will fill. And then, my dear Stanley, recollect how it will benefit his health! Change of air and climate will be everything for him;—and his manners-his general knowledge of the world, all will improve by the foreign expedition I have planned for him.” The father sighed; and after a pause, caused by painful rumination, he again spoke. "His health!—yes, that indeed is a point which would fain make me hesitate in my decision. The air of the Continent might perchance alter the tendency of his constitution, which I tremble to believe inherits delicacy; it might perhaps prevent the approach of that insidious-that dreaded malady; one which has already proved such a foe to my happiness. But should Reginald accept the offer, and accompany you in your embassy as private secretary, would it not take him out of his sphere-raise him beyond the level of his birth? in short, my dear lord, would it not make him what I have always looked upon with commiseration-I might almost say contempt-what is familiarly called a fish out of water?' I have a horror, a dread, of all such elevations—such transplantations from the natural soil, which seldom prosper, and often tend to engender discontent, and too generally disappointment. Why should not my dear boy follow in my footsteps, and qualify himself to take my place when I am gone? Where could he be more happy than in this lovely, peaceful spot, which must ever be so full of interest, as belonging to one whom he reveres so deeply as your lordship? Depend upon it, my kind and excellent patron, that such a life will ensure his happiness more securely, than the aggrandizement you so generously ambition for him. I am one of those who always tremble at so sudden a change from one station to another. I am an old-fashioned man, and my notions are perhaps as antiquated as my habits are simple; in these days, when equalization and liberty of thought and action are the reigning principles, no doubt they may be deemed absurdobsolete. I am all for preserving distinction between the different ranks of life, being thoroughly convinced that half the miseries, heart-burnings, and vice, of which we now so constantly hear, arise greatly from that spirit of proud defiance of rivalry in every class. Those were happy days a my opinion, my dear lord, when inferiors looked up to those in higher stations with reverence-with a sensation almost approaching to awe; and grovelling as it may appear in this enlightened age, I still feel a pride in being your servant; and such I shall ever glory in calling myself, although indeed I have had every reason for exchanging that epithet to one of a more exalted nature—that of your friend." Lord Elmsdale pressed with affection the hand of the good man, but his argument, sensible as it was, did not serve to convince the Earl, for he continued to urge the subject till at last his eloquence and numerous fair reasonings prevailed; and he wrung from Mr. Stanley a consent—although a reluctant one-that the young Reginald should accompany him in the capacity of private secretary, Lord Elmsdale having been lately appointed ambassador to the court of Naples, to which place he was shortly to depart, accompanied by the youthful being whom he had lately made his bride. To introduce my readers to more intimate acquaintance with the characters I have just presented to their notice, it will be necessary to state, that the Earl of Elmsdale had been conversing with the person who filled the situation of land-steward to his princely domain. This good man was born on the estate, and his present important—and, in his opinion, most honourable-situation, was earned by his integrity and faithfulness. He had rendered himself of no slight estimation to the late lord and his successor; and was justly ranked and considered by them as a valuable friend. Stanley had married about twenty years before, a young person, governess at that time to the sister of the present Earl; but short-lived was the happiness he derived from this union. She died of a rapid decline, leaving to her bereaved husband one little boy, only two years old. This child was ever one of great promise and beauty, and had been from his infancy much regarded by the noble family. At the period when we are about to introduce him, he had attained the age of nineteen. A more promising youth could scarcely have been imagined. He was tall and gracefully formed, and there was in the expression of his coun |