that no knowledge is so deeply impressed as that gained by experience. The world is a book hard to learn; but the lessons it gives are never forgot, and they are well worth some pain, if we do not pay too dear for their attainment. At Geneva I heard of my sister's illness, and returned to meet her in Paris; nor was I at all averse to her coming to Italy, for by this time I knew that you were attached to each other, and that mutual regard was what I considered the most essential point."

"Then do you think that Mary loved me at that time?" demanded Charles eagerly.

"She had certainly a preference for you," answered her brother, smiling. "Farther I cannot tell you; you had better ask her herself. As to your character, Charles, I do not know many men with more faults than you have; but I flatter myself they are of that nature, that they may be guided into virtues if you please."

"I will endeavour to amend them, Fre

deric,"

deric," answered his cousin; "that at least I will do."

"I will tell you frankly, Charles," replied the other, " I do not think you will. You are satisfied to be without vices, and will let the failings remain. But," continued he, seeing a slight shade come over Mr. Melville's brow, "had I infinitely more to object, I should not hesitate an instant about Mary. Your defence of her in a moment of imminent danger, your kindness and delicacy in a most trying situation, and your generous self-devotion when you thought every hope of saving her was past, put that question beyond a doubt, as far as my approbation of your union was concerned. It so seldom happens," he continued, with a sigh," that two people, sincerely attached to each other, have it in their power to power to marry, without some unpleasant obstacle, that I shall really feel an additional pleasure from that circumstance, in seeing you and Mary as happy as I believe you deserve." K 6

"I hope,

"I hope, Frederic," replied his cousin, "that our happiness may be increased by seeing yours."

Lord Burton shook his head, with one of those smiles more the offspring of melancholy resignation than the child of hope." No, Charles," he replied; "with you two, all is as yet bright. New to the world and all its arts, unstained by any crime or vice, every thing once seemed to me, as it does to you, beautiful, and formed for enjoyment; but my feelings are now sadly altered; I can scarcely personally taste pleasure, and I am in a manner obliged to transfer my sensations, and for happiness myself, enter into the delights of others. But there is another subject upon which I wish to speak to you that is about my friend Malden, from whom I had a letter the other day, which has given me some pain, for I fear he may be disappointed."

66

Stop, stop, Burton!" rejoined Charles laughing," and I will tell you beforehand

what

what you are going to speak about-it is Malden and my sister Caroline."

"You are right, Charles," answered his cousin; "but I am afraid poor Malden may find it no very laughing affair: your father is as good a man as ever existed, but he is not without his share of aristocratical pride.'

"And a very large share too," answered Charles; "but if Caroline herself be won, sir Charles will not hold out long, I am sure. He will be angry at first, I suppose, as a matter of course; but Mr. Malden has been a favourite of his from the beginning he took one of those unaccountable prepossessions in his favour which he sometimes does at first sight. Caroline too manages generally pretty well to have her own way, so I do not think his case is very desperate."

"In justice to Malden, I must tell you," said lord Burton," that he has not yet at all committed himself with your sister; he is far above any underhand proceeding.

He

He has been weak enough, as he says himself, to feel this affection in its growth, and to suffer it to proceed; but these are subjects on which we are all weak, Charles. However, Malden wrote to me, as the person through whose means he was introduced to your family, desiring to know what I thought he ought to do. His words are Consider not our friendship, do not regard your habitual prepossession in my favour; look upon me as a stranger, and tell me in honour and propriety what I ought to do.' I answered him, that for my own part, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to welcome him as a part of my family; but at the same time, I set before him the difficulties he was likely to meet with on the side of your father, nor was I quite sure that you would be pleased with such a connexion yourself."

"You did not do me justice, Frederic," answered his cousin ; no one can revere the institutions of society more than I do;

but