complete, for I dare not probe the wound. It is only by banishing past scenes and bye-gone feelings in the whirl of constant amusement or occupation, that I can retain composure. But habit is called second nature, and I hope soon really to become the light-hearted and cold-hearted girl I appear. And now let us talk of the ball to-night. What dress do you advise me

"My dear, dear Clara," said Lady St. Clair, with tears of sympathy in her eyes, "I cannot, I will not, attempt to tell you what I feel. I will only assure you of my fondest love and admiration of the heroism of your conduct, for it deserves no lighter

name.

"How few girls would have the courage and good sense to act as you have done, but, with a morbid and mistaken sensibility, would have turned from all sources of happiness because one had failed! It may be that one is the most natural, the most fitting

to the youthful heart, but that there are others, my own experience can testify-sad experience I will not call it; for most ungrateful should I be for the many blessings of my lot, and the invariable kindness and attention of Lord St. Clair, did I deem myself now, or at any past period, unhappy. Still, you must be aware, from the disparity of our ages, I did not, I could not, have married for love. This is the first time I have said as much to mortal ear; but, dearest, your confidence claims mine, though I have nothing to tell, but what

Yet

you know, or must have guessed. there is confidence in talking thus unreservedly of the feelings of my heart, or perhaps I should more justly say, its want of feeling; and it is an additional drop, and a cordial one, too, in my cup of blessings, that in you I can find a friend so every way congenial in sentiments, and I may say pursuits. For, while For, while you struggle to overpower a strongly-rooted love, I

struggle to prevent any of its latent seeds from springing up. Thank God! I have hitherto succeeded, and though I cannot but be aware I am capable of a far different attachment to that which I bear my husband, none ever has, and I trust to my principles of right, none ever will, arise in my heart.

"It was my mother's ambition for her daughters to marry well; and, when she saw one a Duchess, and another wedded to a foreign Prince, she was only too glad when Lord St. Clair offered to make me, from the school-room, a Countess, and a rich one, too, without waiting the risk of seeing whether time would throw up in the matrimonial lottery, a younger and equally eligible prize. I was too young and inexperienced to be otherwise than willing-I do not think I went so far as to be glad to exchange the tutelage and constraint of a governess for the freedom of a married woman, with one of the finest establishments

in England. I then thought little of the husband, but I now know how highly he deserves my esteem.

"Depend upon it, let the inexperienced and sentimental girls of seventeen say what they will in favour of love and a cottage,' it would soon be desperately dull work, and there are many substantial and lasting enjoyments to be found in the luxuries of a large income and a high station in society. So, dearest Clara, we will cast love from our thoughts, and see if we cannot be happy-at all events, amused and contented, without the mischief-loving urchin.

"Now, as you propose, let us turn the subject to the more bright and shining one of our dresses this evening; for bright and shining I intend them to be. You admired the gold-embroidered gauze which I ordered for myself. I desired Madame

to

make one exactly similar, only with silver instead of gold, to fit your sylph-like little

form and I have procured from Howell and James a silver wreath of vine-leaves and grapes to weave round your raven hair, which will not only be very becoming, but, I flatter myself in very good taste to correspond with the embroidery of the same pattern that ornaments the dress.

"Nay, nay, dearest, say not a word against my giving you these things. I wish you to look particularly well to-night, when so much royalty is to grace our rooms; and, as I like a little surprise myself, I did not tell you.

"Ah! just at the right moment here comes Violette with our dresses. Let us see that they are right."