À WOMAN'S GRIEF.

BY MRS. ABDY.

Why urge me to seek in her voice and her looks,
The sign of her kindness and favour?

I know that she values and studies my books,
And tends the rare plants that I gave her.
She smiles when we meet, and her speech when we part,
Bears sometimes the semblance of sighing;
Yet bid me not woo her, I feel that her heart
In the grave of her loved one is lying.

For her I awaken sweet poesie's string,

And her praise to my lay is extended;
She seeks for my aid, when entreated to sing,
And our voices in concert are blended.
We speak on the treasures of science and art,

And chide the swift moments for flying;
Yet I tell not my love, for I know that her heart
In the grave of her loved one is lying.

She steals not from active employment away,
To weep without check or restriction;
She does not profane, by parading display,
The stillness of sacred affliction.

She bears in the world's busy labours a part:
She is ever the first in complying
With duty or charity's call; but her heart
In the grave of her loved one is lying.

The gifted are won by her eloquent tongue,

The good by her wisdom and meekness;

She has sense for the old, she has wit for the young,

And patience for folly and weakness.

The lovers, who venture their hopes to impart,

She soothes and consoles, while denying;

And they cease from their suit, for they know that her heart

In the grave of her loved one is lying.

September, 1847.-VOL. L.-NO. CXCVII.

C

Then urge me no longer to proffer the love,
Which would meet with a certain rejection;
The pale light of friendship would fail, if I strove
To wake the warm flame of affection.

From her presence I feel that I cannot depart―
My faith should be firm and undying;

And still shall I watch o'er her steps, though her heart
In the grave of her loved one is lying.

MARMADUKE HUTTON;

OR,

THE POOR RELATION.

BY WILLIAM DODSWORTH.

CHAPTER XI.*

BUT in no mournful forebodings of the future did Walter Mordaunt and Dick Burton retire to rest. With appetites rendered keen, and spirits braced by the blustering March winds, they had returned from their snipe shooting excursion, with pockets and pouches crammed with a heterogeneous collection of animals, the very nomenclature of which would have puzzled many an astute framer of the game laws to designate by which title of fish, flesh, or fowl they could come under; but which, nevertheless, made a most delicious stew, when turned out of the shining copper of the

* Continued from p. 419, vol. xlix.

jolly landlord: then a tumbler of hot whisky toddy to wash it down, and a cigar, with one of the landlord's freshest stories before they deserted the snug chimney-corner for their bed-room, followed, as a matter of course.

They were all sitting in profound silence, thus engaged, the burly landlord being placed right in front of the blazing fire, the red hue of which lent a ruddier glow to his jovial features, with Dick lounging luxuriously on the settle, and Walter smoking in a high-backed easy chair, when the sound of carriage wheels, and the hoarse, husky voice of a postilion bawling out for the inmates, broke in upon their quiet; and the landlord rushing out, presently returned, ushering in fresh guests, with many apologies for conducting them to the kitchen, which, from the lateness of the hour, was, nevertheless, the most comfortable apartment in the house.

"We don't care about the rooms, landlord," said a stately-looking woman, whose age was barely past its prime, and who led the van of the new arrivals; "my niece and I are both so hungry and tired with travelling all day, that we will be glad to put up with any fare, no matter how coarse; and we have lived too long abroad to despise the homely comfort of an English bed. Dumont, set down those boxes in that corner, and then go and assist Sir Charles to alight."

The speaker had gradually approached the fire-place as she continued, and it was only now that her eye fell on the figure of Walter, who, having arisen on their entrance, had remained standing during this little scene; she started as her dark flashing eyes were fixed on his open countenance, and the rich carnation bloom diffused itself over her lately pale features, and then, with a sudden struggle, she drew back, and walked quickly back to the door, by which an old invalid gentleman, leaning on his valet's arm, was entering the room.

"I hope you find yourself no worse, love," she demanded, in a gentle tone; "but the roads in this part of the country are really so wretched, that I am afraid you must be almost dead."

"No, no! not dead yet, my Lady Courtenay!" rejoined the old gentleman, in a brisk, cheerful voice; "nor do I hope to be, for some time to come. I'm dreadfully hungry, though, landlord, and could very well despatch any thing you may be able to set before us at this time of night. I hope we've not come too late for the game that my nose tells me has been cooking so lately; eh?" And then turning round, he cried to the valet, "Dumont, get my bags out of the carriage, and my crutches as well."

"Certainly, Sir Charles. Will you have your cordial as well?" inquired his attendant.

"No, no, not to night; as I feel quite strong enough without

it. A very wild night, gentlemen," bowing courteously to the two young men.

Dick bowed in return, and Walter begged him to take the chair he had just vacated.

"Thank you, my dear sir. One loves such a cheerful blaze as this to receive one, after a long day's march; especially after being accustomed to the dreary discomforts of Flemish inns."

"You have just returned from travelling, then, sir," said Mordaunt, who felt himself called on to be spokesman...

"Yes; only set foot on English ground, the first time these twenty years, on Tuesday morning. Glad to get back again, I can tell you; for there's no place, for an old man like me, but one's own country. Do you belong to these parts, sir?"

"I did," said the young man, laying an unconscious emphasis on the last word, as a pang shot across his heart.

Why do you say, 'you did?"" inquired the old gentleman, in a kind voice, as he gazed on Mordaunt's features.

"I was born and brought up in this neighbourhood, but am about leaving it, perhaps for ever."

The sadness of Mordaunt's voice affected the old gentleman, but the conversation was here interrupted by the young lady, Lady Courtenay had designated as her niece, approaching the old gentleman's chair.

A face of dazzling purity, lighted up with dark violet eyes, and lips of dewy ripeness, with a profusion of dark hair; that fell in a heavy mass over an exquisitely chiselled neck and throat, was visible beneath the battered bonnet, the travel-worn appearance of which only seemed to add fresh lustre to the beautiful outline of her charming features. Her figure was so hidden and concealed by cloaks and shawls, that Walter could only hazard a guess as to its proportions; but her bearing was graceful, and her whole appearance rather gained, than otherwise, by this temporary concealment of a portion of her gifts.

"How is your head-ache, Madeline ?" inquired the old gentle man, patting her neck affectionately with his hand.

"Quite gone. The Herefordshire air has, surely, charmed it away; and I, in reality, feel quite hungry."

"I am very glad to hear it. Allow me to introduce these gen tlemen to you, my dear. I do not know their names, which I the more regret, from the kindness with which they have inconveni enced themselves to make an old man comfortable."

Mordaunt bowed, and named himself and his friend. On his own name being mentioned, an exclamation of surprize escaped the new comers, and a mutual glance passed between Sir Charles and his wife. The latter seemed inclined to speak again to the young man, but the same mysterious feeling made her refrain; and be

fore anything more could ensue, by the hostess' exertions supper was once more placed on the table, at which the travellers seated themselves, whilst Mordaunt and Dick lighted their candles and retired to bed.

They met again at breakfast the next morning, and, as if fate had determined that it should be so, either party were the more delighted with each other. Sir Charles was more cheerful and discursive; Lady Courtenay less stately, yet equally kind; the young lady more lovely in her charming negligée, and more fascinating as well; the two young men were more at their ease, and so the whole party chattered gaily away until the completion of the meal.

It takes very little, at times, to build up a friendship that has to endure for life. Sir Charles guessed, from Mordaunt's manner, that he was about to launch himself upon the sea of life, and try his fortune in the world; and when he very delicately hinted his suspicion, Walter confessed that he was right.

"Then, as you are on the look out for adventures, Mr. Mordaunt, take the first one that comes, by accompanying us to Nuneham Courtenay," rejoined Sir Charles, eagerly. "I can see at a glance that you are a gentleman,-a gentleman in thought and impulse, I mean; and as Lady Courtenay and myself are oldfashioned folks, I hope you won't disappoint us just at the moment when we can call ourselves on English ground."

"If Mr. Mordaunt can excuse any trifling disagreeables on his first arrival at Courtenay," said her ladyship, with quite as much impressment as her spouse, "he is most welcome."

"Come, come, Mr. Mordaunt," continued Sir Charles, gaily; "make an old man happy, and take the empty place in the carriage.'

"This is such an unexpected kindness, that I scarcely know what to say," rejoined Mordaunt, looking from his new friends to honest Dick Burton; who, much to his astonishment, was telegraphing his wishes to him, at a most fearful rate. "If I could believe that my society would not prove an incumbrance

"Tut, tut, Wat!" burst in Dick, totally unable to hold his peace longer. "Take Sir Charles at his word never mind me, my lad; I must be back to Barbara to-day, you know; and as for Stephen, the dashing fellow he went away with, yesterday, I'll be sworn, 'll prevent his coming back to say good bye, before I get to Abbey Holme."

Mordaunt shook his honest, unselfish friend, heartily by the hand as he finished this hasty ebullition of feeling, and at once yielded to the wishes of his new friends. He was scarcely so profuse in his acknowledgments as Dick thought the circumstances of the case deserved; but he rose higher in the estimation of the Cour tenays, from this very fact; so we presume he was in the right, after all.