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and then said, abruptly—“ Will you dine

with me to-day?"

Charles as quickly answered-" Yes." "At seven o'clock," continued the ba

roness.

"But where ?" he demanded: forget I do not know your address.”

66

you

True, true," she replied-" Rue de Castiglione, numero -."

He bowed, and the carriage drove off; and as he turned to enter the hotel, some one brushed so hastily by him, as almost to push him on one side. Charles turned angrily round, but in the passing crowd he could not distinguish who it was that thus impinged against him; and concluding that it was some person who had done it in a hurry, without intention, he went into the house, where he was informed that Mr. Wilmot had been out for some time. Shortly after, that gentleman returned, and Charles informed him of his rencontre with the baroness, and her invitation to dinner.

Mr.

Mr. Wilmot looked at him, with that kind of smile which a person assumes when they see the very inmost of our thoughts; and for some reason or another, the blood rose quick into Charles's face, and the very feeling that it did so, made his cheek burn the more. It is singular," said Mr. Wilmot," I have just heard a good deal concerning the baroness, from a person on whom I can rely. She is," he continued, "what few people are—a perfectly natural character exactly what she seems; quick in sensation-naturally inclined to right-but with an imagination as warm as her feelings; and, I am afraid, without that steady principle, which, like the helm of a vessel, alone can keep us in the straight course, when the current of temptation, and the gusts of passion, alike strive to turn us aside from virtue.”

Charles did not choose to trust his tongue with an answer; for though he knew Wilmot to be a very keen and a very just observer, he was not willing to

think the baroness had any faults.—“ Bad and strong passions," thought he, "will always leave some traces behind on the countenance. It is not from any feature that one can judge of the mind, but from the habitual expression which (however faintly) the face always acquires by the custom of any predominant feeling. If there is any thing strongly marked in the countenance of the baroness, it is melancholy; and yet what can make so beautiful, so accomplished a creature unhappy, with rank, wealth, and every gift of fortune? But there is no evil in her expression; there is every principle of sweetness and gentleness in her very eyes." Thus reasoned and thought Charles Melville, and convinced of the truth of his judgment in the first instance, very readily found arguments to prove it right.

CHAP

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Tybalt.-This, by his voice, should be a Montague.

Fetch me my rapier, boy.

Now, by the stock and honour of my kin,

To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.

Romeo and Juliets

The Quarrel.

THE baroness was sitting on a sofa, with an open volume of Petrarch in her hand, when Charles Melville arrived, in consequence of the invitation she had given him in the morning. The apartment was a large splendid saloon, furnished in the most luxurious Parisian style, with couches and ottomans, so soft, you felt like Jupiter and his fraternity, in pictures, as if you were reclining on clouds. She was quite alone, and asking him to sit down

beside her, she apologized for having no one to meet him-adding, that the count de L and his sister had been invited, but that the lady was unwell, and the count was engaged at the palace. However, she said, he would most likely be there in the evening.

Charles thought she was looking more lovely than ever; and there was a kind of softness in her manner, that in his eyes added another charm to those she had before possessed.

Dinner was served in the French style, during which she evidently exerted herself to keep up the conversation; but Charles had by this time acquired a greater degree of facility in speaking the language, and consequently they proceeded more easily. After dinner they again returned to the room in which she had received him, and she once more spoke of her sorrow at having no party for him.

There was but one reply to be made, and Charles did make it, with all the

energy

of

sincerity,

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