CHAP. VI.

THE next morning, whilst Thaddeus was vainly explaining to the general, that he no longer possessed a regiment of horse; which the poor old man wanted him to order out, to try the success of some manœuvres which he had devised, -little Nanny brought in a letter from Slaughter's, whither he had desired Lady Tinemouth to direct. He opened it, and found these contents :

"My dear sir! so anxious was I to terminate the affair with Lady Dundas, that I went to her house last night. I affirmed it, as a great obligation, that you would undertake the trouble to teach her daughters; and I insist, that you do not, from any romantic ideas of candour, invalidate what I have said: I know the world too

well not to be convinced of the truth of Dr. Goldsmith's maxim,-" If you be poor, do not seem poor, if you would avoid insult as well as suffering."

"I told Miss Dundas, that you had undertaken the task solely at my persuasion; therefore I could not propose other terms than a guinea for two lessons. She is rich enough for any expence, and made no objection to my demand; besides, she presented the inclosed, by way of entrancemoney. Thus, I have settled all preliminaries; and you are to commence your first lesson on Monday, at two o'clock.But, before then, pray let me see you.

"Cannot you dine with us on Sunday? I have informed Miss Egerton of as much of the affair as I think necessary, to account for your new occupation. In short, good girl as she is, I thought it most prudent to set her and Lady Sara on the same scent that I have done the Dundases; therefore do not be uneasy on that head.

"Come to-morrow, if not before, and

you

you will give real pleasure to your sincere

friend,

"Adeliza Tinemouth.

Saturday morning, Grosvenor-place."

Truly grateful to the active friendship of the countess, and looking at the general, who appeared perfectly happy in the prosecution of his wild schemes, Thaddeus exclaimed to himself, "By these means, I shall at least have it in my power to procure all the assistance, which your melancholy state requires!"

On opening the inclosed, which her ladyship mentioned, he found it to be a bank note for ten pounds. Both the present and its amount gave him pain: not having done any service to earn it, he regarded the money more as a gift, than as as a bond of engagement. However, he found that this delicacy, with many other painful repugnancies, must, at this moment, be laid aside; and, without farther self-torment, he consigned the money to the use, for which he was aware the coun

tess

tess intended it, namely, to provide himself with an English dress.

During these various reflections, he did not leave Lady Tinemouth's letter unanswered. He thanked her sincerely for her zeal; and declined dining with her the next day, on account of leaving his poor friend so long alone; but promised to come in the evening, when he should be retired to rest.

This excuse was regretted by none more than Lady Sara Roos; who, having heard from Lady Tinemouth on Saturday morning, that she expected Mr. Constantine to dinner on Sunday, invited herself to be one of the party. She had now seen him constantly for near a month; and, to her amazement, found, that in seeking to entrap him, she only had ensnared herself. Every word he uttered, penetrated to her heart; every glance of his eyes, shook her frame like electricity. She had now no necessity to affect softness, a young and seducing passion, imparted to her voice and

and countenance all its bewitching pathos.

Thaddeus was not insensible to the enchantment, which this intoxicating power threw around her; but it did not reach as far as she intended. He confessed that she was a lovely woman, who might have affected his senses had she been free, and his heart been as in happier days. He knew that she was a married woman; and, as he believed her to be a virtuous one, he could not credit the evidence of his observations, which would often have whispered to him, the language, that her ladyship wished to convey.

When Lady Tinemouth mentioned to Lady Sara and Miss Egerton, the great favour she had conferred on the Miss Dundases, by prevailing on Mr. Constantine to undertake the task of teaching them German, Lady Sara could hardly conceal her vexation. She was angry at the count for his acquiescence, and hated

Lady