"Twas this depriv'd my soul of rest, << My bosom glow'd; the subtle flame "In dewy damps my limbs were chill'd; "I fainted, sunk, and dy'd away!" "EUPHEMIA." Thaddeus threw both them and the medallion together on the table, and sat for a few minutes, considering how he should extricate himself from an affair so truly farcical. He was thinking of at once giving up the task of attending either of the sisters, when, his eyes falling on the uncomplaining but melancholy features of his poor friend, he exclaimed, "No; for thy sake, gallant gallant Butzou, I will brave every scene, however abhorrent to my heart!" Well aware, from observation on Miss Euphemia, that the seeming tenderness, which prompted an act so wild and unbecoming, originated in mere caprice, he did not hesitate in determining, to return the things in as handsome a manner as possible, and, by so doing, at once crush the whole affair. He felt no pain in forming these resolves; because he saw, that not one impulse of her conduct sprung from her heart. It was a whim raised by him to day, which might be superseded by another to-morrow. But how different was the case with regard to Lady Sara! Her uncontrolled nature could not long brook the restraints of friendship Every attention that he gave to Lady Tinemouth, every civility that he paid to Miss Egerton, or to any other lady whom he met at the countess's, went like a dagger to her soul; and, whenever she could gain his ear in private, she generally made made him sensible of her misery, and his own unhappiness in being its cause, by reproaches, which too unequivocally proclaimed their source. He now saw that her ladyship had given way to a dangerous and headstrong passion; and, allowing for the politeness which is due from his sex, he tried, by an appearance of the most stubborn coldness, and an obstinate perversity in shutting his apprehension against all her speeches and actions, to stem a tide which threatened her with ruin. Lady Tinemouth at last began to open her eyes to the perilous situation of both her friends. Highly as she esteemed Thaddeus, she knew not the extent of his integrity. She had lived too long about the court of Great Britain; and had seen too many men from the courts of the continent, to place much reliance on the honour of a single and unattached young man, when assailed by rank, beauty, and love. Alarmed Alarmed at what might be the result of her observations, and fearing to lose any time, she had that very evening, in which she expected the count to supper, drawn out of Lady Sara the unhappy state of her heart. The dreadful confession was made by her ladyship, with repeated showers of tears, and in paroxysms of agony, which pierced the countess to the soul. "My dear Lady Sara," cried she, "for Heaven's sake, remember your duty to Captain Roos!" "I shall never forget it!" exclaimed her ladyship, shaking her head mournfully, and striking her breast with her clenched hand; "I never look on the face of Constantine, that I do not execrate from my heart, the vows which I have sworn to Roos; but I have bound myself. his property; and, though I hate him, whatever it may cost me, I will never forget, that my faith and honour are my hus band's." Lady Lady Tinemouth, with a countenance, bathed in tears, put her arms round the waist of Lady Sara, who now sat motionless, with her eyes fixed on the fire. "Dear Lady Sara! that was spoken like yourself. Do more; abstain from seeing Mr. Constantine." "Don't require of me, that!" cried her. ladyship. "I could easier rid myself of existence. He is the He is the very essence of my happiness. It is only in his company, that I forget, that I am a wretch.” "This is obstinacy, my dear Lady Sara! This is courting danger." 66 Lady Tinemouth, urge me no more on the subject. Is it not enough," continued she, sullenly, "that I am miserable? Would you drive me to desperation! If there be danger you brought me into it." "I !" "Yes, you, Lady Tinemouth; you introduced him to me." But |