fondly loved; and the happy, unexpected, and most improbable change that had taken place in his life, inspired him with the hope that in this also he might be fortunate. The lateness of their departure prevented them from proceeding farther than Northallerton on the first day; and the next morning at breakfast, lord Burton was surprised by his servant announcing captain Malcolm; and in a moment after that gentleman entered the room, but pale, melancholy, and altogether very different from the gay, handsome young officer he had appeared at lady Delmont's.-" Lord Burton," said he, in answer to Frederic's salutation," the present is no time for ćeremony-you know what has occurred."

"I do," replied lord Burton; " and as what is done cannot be undone, let me wish you joy."

Captain Malcolm started back-" Wish me joy!" exclaimed he-" then you have not heard of the accident;" and he rapidly proceeded to relate that he had gone with

lady

lady Jane to Scotland, where they had been married, and were then returning towards London, in order, if possible, to procure her father's pardon. Captain Malcolm, it seems, drove her in his curricle, and they had arrived within about a mile of Northallerton, when the horses took fright, and after running some way, precipitated the vehicle over a small bridge into a little stream below. Captain Malcolm, who was scarcely hurt, carried lady Jane in his arms to the town-" She was not dead," he concluded; " but"-and he endeavoured to assume composure—“ but she is not expected to recover: she much wishes to see you," added he, "for we heard of your arrival last night; and she hopes that you may induce her father to see her before" His feelings overcame him"Oh God, that I should lose her now!" he exclaimed, and rushed out of the house.

Lord Burton followed him to the inn where lady Jane lay, and here they were K 3 informed

informed that Mr. Somerfield, the magistrate, was with her.

"Oh yes," said captain Malcolm, seeing her cousin look surprised, "taking her deposition about that other business, you know; but wait here one moment, and I will be back directly."

Lord Burton, of course, could not ask any questions, though he thought it strange that a magistrate should be with her at such a moment. But shortly after he was admitted to the apartment of his cousin, who seemed pleased to see one who had been so universally kind to her; and indeed his presence seemed to give her new hope. She made a sign for him to bend down his head, and said very faintly-" You are always kind, Burton; William has told you all-oh, if I could see my father! I am sure I shall live till he comes." She paused a moment, and some other recollection seemed to come over her mind, for she added in a quick tone-" Yes, yes, Frederic, go to London immediately

immediately-Louisa Stanhope loves you -lose no time; but oh, tell my father to come and see me; you can do every thing else afterwards."

Her rambling way of speaking convinced lord Burton that his cousin was in a degree delirious; and though the surgeon, whom captain Malcolm kept in constant attendance upon her, did not seem to consider it as a lost case, Frederic took leave of her, scarcely expecting to see her again, though he promised to return immediately from London.

No time was to be lost, and sending on outriders, he had the horses put to the carriage; and with the baron de S.

who did not at all object to their accelerated mode of travelling, proceeded towards London as rapidly as possible. He paused not a moment on the road, and about the middle of the next day he arrived in town, equally distressed and fatigued. Having left the baron at his own house, without alighting himself, he went K 4

on

on to that of lord Ainsfield, where he was immediately admitted, and found his uncle in the library, with lady Cecilia."You seem much fatigued, lord Burton," said he, after the first civilities.

"I am rather worn out, indeed,” replied Frederic, "as I have been travelling a night and day under considerable distress of mind."

"Indeed!" said lord Ainsfield;

may I ask what is the occasion? I do not know any thing that can particularly affect you. You have no daughters."

"True, my lord," replied his nephew ; "but one of yours has been the cause in the present instance-lady Jane.”

"Yes, sir," interrupted the other hastily; "lady Jane Malcolm-give her all her names I beg. What of her, sir? I suppose she is very contrite, &c. is she not?"

"Let me beg you, sir," replied lord Burton, "to prepare yourself to hear with fortitude what I have to tell you."

"Pshaw, Burton!" exclaimed lord Ainsfield