as frank and gentle as in other days; but in a moment, she would seem to recollect herself, and become as ceremonious as if they were the acquaintances of a day. Charles knew this not to be Mary's natural character, and he fancied that it was a lesson some one had taught her, and that she had not learnt well.

This all disturbed him greatly; but what added not a little, was to find that the baron de Shad not yet left Rome, He called almost immediately after their arrival; all his former intimacy with lord Burton was renewed, and his visits at their house became constant. Charles could not help owning to himself that he was a most agreeable man, after the first coldness of his manner was got over; but his heart smote him every time the baron's name was announced, and he feared lest some circumstance should disclose to Mary or lady Anne his former entanglement. with the baroness.

Jealousy also combined to make him miserable:

I 5

miserable: lord Burton in Rome met with another friend, a young English nobleman, of large fortune, elegant manners, and prepossessing appearance. He was introduced to Mary, whose beauty and amiable disposition soon seemed to make a deep impression on him, and every act of common civility which his cousin displayed towards him, Charles construed into a demonstration in his favour."This then," he said to himself, "is the young Englishman for whom Frederic told me that he destined his sister."

A thousand times he cursed his own folly, in not having opened his heart to Mary at Florence, while both her brother and herself yet held in mind little any service he had rendered her; but he had been then prevented by discovering lord Burton in that Wilmot so well acquainted with the story of the baroness; and now he resolved, and re-resolved, but feared to declare his feelings, and in the mean while remained entirely altered from his former

former gay good-humour-miserable, gloomy, and shewing himself to the greatest disadvantage.

CHAPTER XI.

Di lei degno egli e degna ella di lui
Ne meglio s'accoppiaro unqu' altri dui.

ARIOSTO.

The Declaration.

As the world proceeds, gradually growing more refined in its course, it becomes smooth and polished it is true; but in levelling the roughnesses of uncultivated nature, it often loses those sharp angles that contributed to its brilliance. It does not only acquire calmness of demeanour, but coldness of heart; it often yields warmth of feeling, with ardour of expression, and what it gains in manner, is de prived

16

prived of in character. Yet there are some in every age, either of civilization or rudeness, that will redeem the name of the one from insensibility, the other from barbarism. There are a few perhaps, even in the present day, that feel brightly.

Whatever were the faults or failings of Charles Melville, (and he had many,) coldness of heart was not amongst them. In some instances, perhaps his feelings were morbidly sensible, and in the present instance, they were excited to a degree that deprived him of all peace. He was now too surely convinced that his affection for Mary had been one of long existence, and saw as clearly as any body the follies he had been guilty of, and the deceits he had practised on himself, merely because he did not choose to be dictated to in any respect. He felt that he did not deserve her, and he feared that she might see his conduct in the same light. It was true he possessed advantages which no other mán did, in the constant opportunity of

winning

winning her affection; but these very advantages, thrown away as he had hitherto done, might prove the greatest detriment to his cause; for opportunity neglected is worse than if it had never occurred.

Rather more than a month had passed since their arrival at Rome, and in three days they were to begin their journey to Naples. At breakfast, he fancied Mary was more cold than ordinary, though once or twice he caught her eyes straying towards his countenance with a look of some anxiety; but they were instantly again withdrawn, and she continued silent and reserved.

Lord Burton had fallen into one of those melancholy fits of thought that sometimes absorbed him, and at length, after having concluded the meal almost in silence, Charles rose to take a walk through the city, as had often been his custom to do entirely by himself, for society had become annoying to him.

"I

suppose you will not return till din

ner ?"