CHAPTER XVI.

Michael from Adam's eyes the film removed,
Which that false fruit that promised clearer sight
Had bred; then purged with euphrasy and rue
The visual nerve, for he had much to see.

Paradise Lost.

Remonstrance.

CHARLES," said Mr. Wilmot, as he entered the saloon, "I have sat up for you, for I have much wished, ere another night passes, to speak to you on a subject that may much involve your happiness, and remember I speak as a friend, as a brother. It is about the baroness de S."

"Pardon my interrupting you," rejoined Charles," but that is a subject on which I wished to have your advice; and as I can but speak of it in one particular way, it is better I should tell my own story;" and he

detailed

detailed to Mr. Wilmot his feelings upon the occasion, as far as he could without trenching on what he owed to the baroness.

Mr. Wilmot fixed his eye keenly upon

him as he proceeded, and as the varying colour of Charles's cheek, and quickly. changing expression of countenance, added much to his tale, he seemed to read every circumstance in the very bottom of his heart; and when Mr. Melville had concluded, he started suddenly from his seat, and, for a moment, walked rapidly backwards and forwards in deep thought "Charles," said he at length," by asking my advice, you imply that neither of you are as yet criminal. My advice is that you quit Paris immediately. You start. But are you a Christian?-are you a man of honour? for on either principle you should do as you would be done by and with regard to the baroness, will you trust your honour in my hands? It is as safe as in your own: I will compromise you in nothing; but first let me tell you,

I know

than you

every circumstance of her history better do better perhaps than she does herself. Now then, Charles, tell me, will you trust to me?"

"I will,” replied Charles firmly.

what do you intend to do?"

"But

"To write to her," answered Mr. Wilmot; " and I am sure that she herself will desire you to leave her."

Charles paused a moment" Well," said he at length, "do as you think fit; but I am sure, Wilmot, you will not hurt her delicacy, Remember all I have told you all I can tell you is, that I love her."

Mr. Wilmot smiled-" After a fashion," answered he, sitting down to write. "But do not fear," he continued; "I know no. thing but what you have told me, and your loving her casts no shadow upon her character."

Mr. Wilmot wrote, sealed the letter, and dispatched it without shewing it to Mr. Melville: but readers are allowed to

be

be in all secrets, and therefore its contents may be fairly laid before them.

"Rue de la Paix, 14th Feb. 1821. "MADAM,

"You will be surprised, no doubt, that a stranger should address you, and still more so when you are aware of the subject on which he does it. In undertaking a difficult and unpleasant task, I have but one consolation-in knowing it to be my duty, and but one reliance-on the goodness of your heart. I am as unlikely to flatter you, as you are to wish that I should; but I am willing to conciliate your good will, by expressing my real opinion of your character, and am inclined to shew how much confidence I place in its rectitude, by leaving an important point entirely to your decision.

"In the first place then, let me inform you that I am perfectly well acquainted with your history, from authority beyond

dispute.

dispute. I will not dwell upon what you owe to your husband, however unkind his conduct may have been to you-I will not dwell upon what you owe to yourself, however you may have been mortified by his neglect, for I feel confident your own sense of honour will speak more strongly than any language I could use. Yes, madam, unprotected as you are, in the centre of fascination and seduction, without any one to guide you, in the very metropolis of vice and immorality, flattered, courted, and assailed, I do not doubt you.

"But what I will ask you is, can you reconcile it to yourself to see an ardent, inexperienced young man-in a word, Charles Melville, daily becoming more and more attached to you, when you cannot, when you dare not, when you ought not, to return his affection? I say you cannot! for ask yourself calmly-is your heart so free, are all those feelings so totally annihilated, which you once entertained towards the baron de S? Madam, I