embourg Gardens, walked over the spot where Ney was executed, and returning by the Pont Neuf, passed up the Rue St. Honoré, by the Place Vendome, back to their hotel in the Rue de la Paix. Though Charles, as they walked on, saw a great deal to interest him in Paris, there was nothing perhaps which more excited his attention than the conduct of Mr. Wilmot, in whose character he every day perceived some new and remarkable point. He seemed to have a large acquaintance, and knew every part of the city thoroughly: many people, as has before been said, bowed to him as they passed; but of none did he take any more notice than by a slight inclination of the head, never addressing a word to any of them, and they in return, seeming to understand the peculiarity of his manner, passed on without attempting to address him. Though he continued grave, and even perhaps melancholy, Charles remarked that when he did smile, it was the most bland and benevolent expression

pression that he had ever beheld. The
very few years difference of
difference of age which ex-

isted between him and Mr. Melville, seem-
ed to put them upon a level in many feel-
ings; but there was something in Mr.
Wilmot's manner or mode of expressing
himself quite undefinable, that made every
one follow his directions. Charles was
very well inclined in general to take the
lead himself; he had found most people,
with whom he had lived, willing to com-
mit a great part of their judgment to the
keeping of others, and be conducted by
any body that would take the trouble to
think for them, and consequently the great
fault in his character had been an inclina-
tion to hold fast any opinion he had once
formed, and never to follow that of any
one else, if he could possibly find a fault
with it; but, in the present instance, Mr.
Wilmot seemed to look upon an acquies-
cence in his ideas as so much a matter of
course, and that without appearing to
claim the least credit for superior penetra-

tion

B

tion of judgment, that Charles pursued his advice without thinking of objections, and generally by the event found that it was right.

Days soon slip away, and having now taken a general view of the city, Mr. Wilmot proposed, that to accelerate their progress, they should, during their short stay, hire a French coachman and valet, which would greatly facilitate them in their sight-seeing occupation. To this Charles readily agreed; but as it was evident Mr. Wilmot had long before gone over all that Paris contained of curious, he begged him not to go with him, out of politeness, to places he did not wish to see again, and it was accordingly agreed that, to the generality of places, Charles should proceed by himself, while Mr. Wilmot should accompany him where more information might be useful, than that which could be given by a common lacquais de place.

CHAP

CHAPTER XII.

The claims to merit from the disposal
Of transitory wealth,

Usually attend the ashes of the dead;
It was her pleasure personally to diffuse
From a living hand

The means of happiness to rising generations.

Epitaph in Swindon Church.

The Visit.

THREE or four days had elapsed, in that routine of amusement which Paris unfailingly affords, ere Charles Melville remembered that there were some visits which he was bound in propriety to pay.-" By way, Wilmot," said he, as this came into his head one morning after breakfast, accompanying the speech with a yawn that spoke no great inclination for the task,

the

66

by the

VOL. I.

way, I must call at lord Burton's,

pro forma in truth, for I know he is in England, and, to tell you the real state of the case, I am not sorry for it; for though I had some curiosity to see him, he has behaved so coolly to my family, that I do not think there would be any great cordiality between us."

You had better call at all events," replied Mr. Wilmot. "It is a great pity that there should be any disagreement between relations; your cousin's conduct may have proceeded from very different motives from what you suppose."

66

66

Then, for Heaven's sake, come with me," said Charles, " for the carriage is not ordered these two hours, and I shall lose my way if I walk; it is numero something in the Rue Mont Blanc."

"Oh, you cannot miss it," replied his companion; "you have nothing to do but to go to the Boulevard, and walk straight down the other side till you see Rue Mont Blanc staring you in the face: I would go