I had received letters, of course, from Mr Dupuis?

"At Figuera, to the 30th ult." Followed by a long pause, which I did not move to interrupt.—Mr Dupuis is my agent and attorney.

"The late Mr Charlton Edwards," in a tone of condescension this and dignified feeling, which made me think that the Lord had delivered the speaker into my hands-" The late Mr Charlton Edwards, I was perhaps aware, he (Sir W. B.) had much respected?" (I was aware, Robert, that it was very inconvenient for a gentleman to speak, and not be answered; but, as this observation needed no reply, I made none, except a look of polite surprise.)

"That sentiment alone"-here a little hesitation, occasioned by my omitting such an opportunity to protest" that sentiment alone had induced him to take upon himself the somewhat laborious duty of an executor. There was a legacy of five hundred pounds attached to the office; but," (this was the coup that was to annihilate me)-"that-remembrance -he should desire to be excused from accepting."

As six cards at least more, in the potential way, were coming, I trumped the suit at once." In that case, the sum would pass to any charity which he (Sir Walter) might be disposed to favour; and I would endea vour to add something which should be worthy to accompany so munificent a donation."-This reply, not even pointed with contempt at his thinking to overwhelm me by giving up five hundred pounds that I knew he did not want (had it been ten thousand, with all the family consequence, I had trembled for my patrimony)—this reply, given without the movement of a single muscle, carried us straight to reading "the will;" during which operation, the Baronet's temper was once or twice nearly overcome by the irreverent neighing of my Spanish steeds, who challenged all comers, from under the window. We did get through, however-temper, gravity, and all and, Mr Dupuis being summoned, Sir Walter and I formally took leave of each other;-I, on my part, tolerably well satisfied that I had waived no dignity in our brief conference, but a little surprised why a man, who certainly disliked me, should have cho

sen to act as my executor; and he, as I thought, somewhat disconcerted (though I never guessed with what abundant cause) at the seeming change in my humour, and habits of acting and thinking.

My grandfather has left me everything; and (with all his eccentricities, he had spirit and taste,) his last order was, that Monckton Manor should be kept, to my arrival, just as he himself had lived in it. It would be nonsense to talk of feeling any deep regret for the death of a man whom I scarcely ever saw; but-I am not quite ungrateful-if half his money would bring him to life again, he should have it. As the case stands, however, I get a diamond, you see, not only ready polished, but ready set to my hand, and had nothing to do when I arrived here, but walk straight into the well-ordered mansion of my forefathers-from the which imagine me writing, just now, to bid you welcome! So despotic, that not a mouse, if I list be silent, dares raise his voice within three stories of me! Conceive me, sole master, and disposing of all, in the very last house of all the world in which I ever looked to dispose of anything! Sitting in a small room, more stocked with roses than with books, which takes rank as "The Library." Before a buhl-table, at a long narrow Gothic window-people did not care for too much light, even before there was a tax upon it-really extant, I believe, (the window,) since the days of Henry the VII. My great-grandfather, I know, traced it back to Rufus, and had his doubts if it might not have been carried up to the Conqueror. With a great deal of nicknack furniture, and some good Flemish pictures; a most unnecessary list of servants, and an incomparable cel lar of wine, to amuse me within ; and, without-a strange, irregular, semibarbarous kind of prospect to look at,

almost grotesque, but not unpleasing-between the remote, and the immediate. Beyond my "ring fence," a branch of the Wye-a real steeple (the church of Medhurst)-the vil lage inn, with a rising sun (for a sign) that might warm all Lapland through a three-months winter-and abundance, generally, of heath, and rivulet, and hill, and copse, and forest, part of mine own, and part belonging to the demesne of Beauvoir.

most puissantly of the chief personage concerned in it, if I had not (on cer tain previous occasions) enjoyed the advantage of his acquaintance.

My location completed, " domestic duties" commenced; and I couldn't find in my heart (though I shall economize) to discharge any of my people.

Audience to Mrs Glasse-" Forty years in the family!"-" Hoped my Honour's breakfast had given my Honour satisfaction." She must die, I suppose, at Monckton, and be buried at my cost.

Audience to my Steward-at breakfast-and told him I was satisfied with his way of doing things. He had a desire, I saw, to fall at my feet, but doubted whether it might not be taken as a liberty.

Visit from Mr Dupuis ;-thought he seemed rather a scoundrel, and went through all his accounts at one sitting!-Cost me seven hours, but completely took down the gentleman's importance. Concluded by making him commit several valuable documents to my own iron chest ; and ordered his bill (convinced he'd never live to make it out) for "the morning of the 27th."

Day following, full of business. Opened letters from all the tradesmen within ten miles, craving "orders." Before dinner, made a progress through my whole estate, and went through the ceremonies (legal) of taking possession. Rode my grey horse again, who neighed furiously, bringing every body out of doors at every fresh house or stable he came near. Going home near. Going home -all the people about quite deafened with this outcry, met one of the junior Beauvoirs, on horseback, in a lane. At the sight of whom, le dit Rabican gave such a ferocious neigh, rearing and plunging at the same time, as if for battle, that the Captain's hunter bolted into the hedge, and had nearly overthrown him. I moved slightly, looking at Dupuis-who was riding in great bodily fear, as far as he might from me-and the compliment was (quite as slightly) returned.

But I had a hold all this while (of which I knew nothing) upon the heart of the Beauvoir family; and it procured me the unhoped-for honour of a visit from Sir Walter, almost before I became aware of its existence.

Dupuis let me into the fact first

as a last card against bringing in his bill, and giving up his agency. It was the borough of Medhurst, it seems, that formed the grand link between my late grandfather and the people at the castle.

He always gave up the parliamentary interests; but our property is suspected of carrying a majority. Major Beauvoir sits for Medhurst; Sir Walter is one of the members for the county. I was to have been played upon by these good folks as they pleased, and slighted as they pleased into the bargain. But my businesslike movements have struck them with alarm. A general election approaches, and, though they are rich, they must not lose Medhurst. I am a beast, instead of (what they hoped to find me) a fool; but my "beneficial leases are dangerous. And so-though the Beauvoirs are select,"-down came Sir Walter, to trim between his pride and his necessity.

It was really pitiful to see the poor old buzzard, who, you know, is high and mighty, compelled to communicate with a wretch, who would have no notion of anybody's being high and mighty at all. First, he had a sort of hope left that I was an ass, and that he might cheat me out of what he wanted, instead of purchasing it. Then, got out of patience at my obstinate formality; but still was sure that any direct overture towards intimacy from him, would remove it. At last, in the midst of the creature's doubt whether he would be friends, he suddenly happened to doubt whether I would; on which the quibbling was dropped in alarm, and nothing thought of but carrying the point. And so, two hours after Mr Dupuis had told me this long election story, “in confidence," a confidence to which I just trusted so far, as not to give him the slightest hint how I meant to act upon it in return, though I was a "roughrider," and had a horse that "neighed," I received a morning call from Sir Walter, which ended (sorely against his will) in an invitation to dine at Beauvoir castle.

If I could make head against the world when I was naked and pennyless, I can hardly fear to do so now. You know me, and know how I value the opinion of such people as these; but they are still members of a party, that in some way or other must be dealt with. I shall have to fight my

three or four gentlemen were dining; the whole party then made a very facetious assault upon him, in consequence of which Ensign B had to quit his regiment; and the relatives of the other offenders paid near two thousand pounds to avoid the disgrace of the matter coming into Court. Those times are over. Men grow more prudent, if not more honest, as they increase in age. And my friend the Major's rank and associations have made him a man of fashion; but still he is one of those men, whom, at first sight, you would dislike. There are a description of persons, as we all find out sometimes, whom you can hardly meet, even in the stage-coach, without looking for a quarrel with them. The slightest degree of intercourse seems to make the event quite certain; and, feeling that, you desperately think that the sooner it happens, and is over, the better. I remember once sitting in the same coffee-room with a man whose deportment absolutely fascinated me. Not a word had passed between us; and yet I felt that I must either instantly insult him, or leave the apartment. Major Beauvoir's manner yesterday, at our re-introduction, was a curious illustration of the ungovernableness of this particular faculty it was decidedly repelling, (though not sufficiently so to call for notice,) while, from what followed, I have no doubt that it was meant to be conciliatory.

For he has the infirmity upon him, (this gentleman,) among others, of being easily affected by wine; and the spirit of play, which also constantly attends him, had caught a scent of my ready money. The exposure that followed was good enough to have been bought by encouragement; but his monstrous folly made even encouragement unnecessary. A wild extravagance keeps him constantly poor; and he has not brains enough to make him timid; for, take successful speculators, with the odds ten to one against them generally, and you will find them coarse-minded, obtuse men-acute intellect would see too clearly the chance of overthrow. In spite of all Sir Walter's exertion, after the first eight glasses, my mere listening became sufficient to draw him out. First, he adverted to the circumstance of our former acquaintance, and drew on vali

antly, though I made him pull me all the way. Then we talked of the country-of horses (his and my own) and hunting-my share in the discussion going little beyond monosyllables. From thence it came to arrangements for town, (whither the Major himself was forthwith returning;) and clubs matches-bets-introductions—all the circumstances of currency which I wanted, (the command of,) I was enabled politely, but without the slightest acknowledgment, to decline. At length I rose to take my leave, accompanied to the last possible moment of conversation by Sir Walter, who saw his son's failure with obvious horror, although the ingenious gentleman himself never suspected it. We descended the great staircase, with solemn deprecation on my part, and immense, though not very happily ma naged, conciliation on his. But just as the august personage was expressing his hope, under great ardent suf fering, that he should early have the pleasure to see me again at Beauvoir Castle, when perhaps something might be suggested, with respect to certain political arrangements, which might operate to the mutual conveniences, and, indeed, advantage, of both our families-just as he got to this point, we reached the lower hall, and my grey horse, who was in waiting, uttered a most extra hyæna-like, and demoniacal neigh. This strange interruption (which was produced, I believe, by the hearing my voice)-and at such a juncture too!-disconcerted him completely. He stopped-gulped

recollected himself-doubted whether to piece his discourse, or begin over again. In the end, the poor Baronet stammered out a parting compliment, even worse turned than that which Monsieur Rabican had broken in upon; and I returned home a personage decidedly more hateful to the Beauvoir family than ever, but completely relieved from all anxiety about my reception-as a potentate of the vicinity-in future; and as an object of detestation with the worthy folks, you know, of necessity, an object, if not of terror, of respect.

This, I think, is as it should be. I am feted by these people, and will be farther so; and, when they have gone through the abomination of getting my interest, they shall find that