agitation of mind admit of the wish. Immediately on being introduced into this sanctum of eastern jealousy, she had been surrounded by the group of girls who had afterwards conducted her to the kiosque. The arrival of a stranger amongst them may well be supposed to create an unusual interest, where few events are known to ruffle the even tenour of their existence, and surrounding the fair prisoner, they asked each a thousand questions before they perceived she did not understand them, and then appeared greatly surprised at her ignorance of the Turkish language, but nevertheless continued their interrogatories, without minding whether they were answered or not. At length the pacha himself made his appearance; he however did not trouble her with any inquiries, but continued staring at her in placid silence for some minutes, and then appearing satisfied, turned and left the apartment, without once opening his lips to any that it contained. The indignation of lady Anne Milsome at the conduct of the pacha was not a little, and she threatened to write to lord Strangford, that his treatment of her niece and Charles might be represented to the divan. From this however she was dissuaded, though the high entertainment which the idea gave to Charles almost induced her to put it in execution, on purpose to shew him that it was not so ridiculous as he thought. Her terror at travelling had now become so great, that she looked forward to even their voyage to Naples with such alarm, that Charles proposed they should alter their route, and proceed by the shorter way of Tarento, and keeping entirely to that side of Italy, return to France without again crossing the Apennines. CHAP CHAPTER VII. NINNNNNNN L'éclat vous plait, vous mettez la grandeur Sans biens, sans nom, sans tous ces titres vains, NANINE. The Elopement. HIGHLY did Charles's heart beat to return to England; and every league that they proceeded on their journey seemed to give the prospect more pleasure. All his arrangements to facilitate their progress, were made with a promptitude and accuracy which would have done credit to a commissary; and he would often say laughingly to Mary, that they should overtake her brother, who, proceeding by very slow journeys, had spent at least a -month between leaving Naples and reaching London, which he did very nearly about the same time that they arrived in Paris. They drove immediately to lord Burton's hotel; and here it was agreed that they should rest for a day, ere they continued their route to London. One of Charles's first visits was to the library, where, in examining the letters which lay on the table, he was disappointed in finding none to himself; but there was one directed to Mary, which he instantly carried to her-" I know the hand, Mary," said he, as he gave it; "it is from lady Jane Evelyn." "It is in answer to my last, I dare say," replied Mary, and breaking open the seal, she began to read it; but as she proceeded, the colour fled from her cheek, and a tear started in her eye, which will be best accounted for by giving the letter which produced so painful a feeling in her bosom. "DEAR " DEAR MARY, 66 Long before you receive this, the die will be cast, and my fate for life decided. I would fain be serious, and give you my reasons for a line of conduct I know you will disapprove; and yet, Mary, I strive with myself for gaiety, and endeavour to banish from my mind the objections which so obstinately oppose themselves to my intentions; and indeed as my resolution is taken, and my promise given, there is no use of thinking. My promise to do what? you will ask-to fly to Scotland with captain Malcolm. Oh, dear Mary, forgive me! I have scarcely courage to put it on paper. How I came to give that promise, I scarcely know; I had no intention of doing it at the time; and when solitude brought me reflection, I was frightened at my own conduct. 66 My father's increased sternness, and the constant torment of Cecilia's interference, with my behaviour, made my home very wretched; and oh, Mary, my heart |