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pression that he had ever beheld. The very few years difference of age which existed between him and Mr. Melville, seemed to put them upon a level in many feelings; 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 commit 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 inclination 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 acquiescence in his ideas as so much a matter of course, and that without appearing to claim the least credit for superior penetra

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 the 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, by the way, I must call at lord Burton's,

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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," re

plied 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.'

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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."

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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

with

with you, but I shall be fully occupied all the morning."

Charles accordingly took his departure by himself, nor did he find any difficulty in reaching lord Burton's hotel, which was one of the best in Paris. An English porter presented himself at the gate, and informed him, as he had expected, that lord Burton was absent; Charles thereupon gave the man a card, and was turning away, when he was stopped by the porter, informing him that his lordship had left a note for him, if he called during his absence." I beg pardon, sir," continued he, "I did not know you till I saw your card. Will you walk into the library, sir?"

Charles accordingly crossed the court, and being ushered into the first room on the right as he entered, found himself in a spacious apartment, fitted up with bookcases, containing the works of the first authors of every age; and on a large table in the centre, he found amongst a variety of notes and letters to lord Burton, one addressed

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