"But you are married. Handsome and amiable as he is, could I suppose"Nonsense!" cried her ladyship, interrupting her, you know that I am married to a mere fool! But it is not because Constantine is handsome, that I like him. No; though no human form can come nearer to perfection, yet it was not that it was you. You, and Maria Egerton, were always telling me of his bravery; what wealth and honours he had sacrificed in the service of his country; how nobly he succoured the distresses of others; how heedless he was of his own. This fired my imagination, and won my heart. No, it was not his beauty; I am not so despicable!"

"Dear Lady Sara, be calm!" entreated her ladyship, completely at a loss how to manage a spirit, whose violence exceeded her conception; "Think, my dear friend, what horrors you would experience, if Mr. Constantine were to discover this predilection, and presume upon it! You know,

where

where even the best of men are vulnerable."

The eyes of Lady Sara sparkled with pleasure at this surmise of the countess. "Why surely, Lady Sara!" exclaimed Lady Tinemouth, doubtingly.

"Don't fear me, Lady Tinemouth; 1 know my own dignity too well to do any thing disgraceful; yet I would acquire the knowledge that he loves me, at almost any price. But he is cold," added she, sinking again into despondence," he is a piece of obstinate petrefaction, which heaven itself could not melt!"

Lady Tinemouth was glad to hear this account of Thaddeus; and began to take a little confidence from his side; but just as she was preparing to speak farther, the drawing-room door opened, and Miss Euphemia Dundas was announced.

Lady Sara gave the little beauty such a withering look, when she expressed her amazement at not seeing Mr. Constantine, that, had her ladyship's eyes been Medu

scan,

scan, poor Euphemia would, ever after, have stood there, a stone statue of disappointment.

Mean-while, the count having seen Dr. Cavendish, and received a favourable opinion of his friend, wrote the following note to Miss Euphemia; and then arranged his dress, before he proceeded to Grosvenor Place.

"To Miss Euphemia Dundas.

"Mr. Constantine very much admires the taste of Miss Euphemia Dundas, in the choice of those verses, which she did him the honour of requesting he would translate into the most expressive language; and he has to the utmost of his abilities, obeyed her commands in Italian, thinking that the best adapted, both for versification and the subject.

"Mr. Constantine equally admires the style of the medallion, which Miss E. Dundas condescended to enclose for his inspec

VOL. II.

L

inspection, and assures her that the letters are correct."

When the count entered Lady Tinemouth's drawing-room, he saw that his young enamorata was already arrived, and in close conversation with the countess. Lady Sara, now that the discovery was made, thought it unnecessary to put any restraint on her temper before her ladyship. Seating herself alone on a sofa, she was inwardly upbraiding Constantine, for what she termed an absolute assignation with Euphemia, when his name was announced.

Her half resentful eyes, yet swimming in the tears, which her discourse with Lady Tinemouth had occasioned, sought bis averted face, which was regarding Miss Dundas with a look of surprise and disgust. This pleased her; and the more so, as he only slightly bowed to her rival, shook the countess by the hand, and then

return

returning, took his station beside her on the sofa.

She would not trust her triumphant eyes to wander towards Lady Tinemouth, but immediately asked him some trifling question. At the same moment, Euphemia tapped him on the arm with her fan, and inquired how it happened that she had arrived first.

He answered Lady Sara. Euphemia impatiently repeating her demand, "How did it happen that I arrived first ?”—“ I suppose, madam," replied he, smiling, "because you were so fortunate as to set out first. I do not believe, that I am ever with Lady Tinemouth before eight; and now, it wants five minutes of the hour. But had I been so happy as to have preceded you, I should certainly have executed your commands, and have delivered your message and present to Lady Tinemouth. I hope your ladyship will permit me to do it now?" said he, rising, and taking Euphemia's rose from his button as he

L 2

ap:

proached