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BY THE AUTHORESS OF

"THE DISINHERITED," " FLIRTATION," &c.

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RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET.

SUCCESSOR TO HENRY COLBURN.

1836.

293.

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THE DEVOTED.

CHAPTER I.

When all is done, human life is at the greatest and the best but like a froward child, that must be played with to keep it quiet till it falls asleep, and then the care is over.

SIR WILLIAM TEMPLE.

IN an oaken room of Tudor architecture well supplied with every luxury of the day, sat Lord Altamont. Many books and papers were scattered on tables around him, the latter neatly tied with red tape, and weights placed upon each packet. A heavy measured step announced the approach of some person, and on a single rap at the door of the apartment, the word "Enter" introduced a huge figure of portentous aspect; one of those upon whom Nature sets a curious seal, of which the characters present a variety of meaning.

VOL. I.

B

Lord Altamont nodded to him in token of favour and recognition, half rose from his seat, and shading his eyes with his hand, fixed them on the great clock over the chimney; then drawing out from his black velvet waistcoat a chased gold watch, to ascertain the agreement of the time-keepers, paused a moment, and the next a sonorous bell struck twelve, while the pressed repeater echoed the hour in faithful precision.

"Very exact!" he said; and resuming his seat, took up a small MS. book, and, running his finger over the notes of the opened page, read aloud:

"The palings round the young plantations of the East Park to be repaired: I saw one of the outlying deer there two days ago. Let me not have to mention this a second time."

Lord Altamont dropped his book, and fixed his eyes on his steward as though waiting for a reply. "Your lordship shall be obeyed; depend upon it, my lord, not a mouse shall get through in future."

"And the east gate, leading to the inner park, Clarkson: the trefoil ornaments on the

top have suffered injury, and I suspect the mischief has been done by those idle boys the Bensons; if so, and if you can ascertain the fact, I will no longer allow their father to occupy the lodge. Tell him this,-tell him so directly, Clarkson."

"I shall obey your lordship's commands."

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Which of the masons will you employ about the porch of the church? Was it Howden or Benson who last worked there ?" "Howden, my lord.”

"Well, then, let Benson be employed now." Clarkson pulled the ends of his cravat,stood first upon one foot, then on the other: there was a considerable pause.

"My lord, may it please your lordship, if I may be so bold as to say it, Howden is the better workman of the two."

"Maybe so; but it does not please my lordship that Howden should be the man employed. You have my orders."

A bow, and again a pause.

"When will the roan mare be fit for use? She has been a long time out of work."

"Indeed, my lord, she is but poorly; and

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