so crowded that the Brookses and Bodgers had to separate and go in different carriages.

'He certainly is a good-natured old fellow, that Captain Cavendish, though he is such a goose,' said Maria Jane, as they whirled along.

'Yes, my love, a worthy creature, though weak, very weak. I admire the way in which Mr. Harman treats him-a superior young man, that. And how fatigued he must be at times by so stupid a companion. One may always observe that high breeding leads people to endure things which the common herd would never dream of doing.'

'That is true,' said Maria Jane; 'he is a baronet's son.'

'And similarly, Miss Brooks,' pursued Sir John, she is a baronet's niece; and she shows a strength of mind-a kind of general power of endurance (mingled with great refinement) only to be found amongst the highly connected.

'I am sure, papa, she had nothing to endure that I saw.'

'Oh! pardon me, my love; she had much to endure. Depend upon it that stupid sister is uncongenial to her, and she was missing the comforts of home; but there can be no doubt at all that she endured. Every line of her face expressed endurance; and, as I said before, I trace it all to her high connections.'

We must return to the station. 'Did you notice that, my dear fellow?' said the Captain, with eager excitement, as the train departed; ' her last looks and words were for me! I regret I did not propose yesterday; she must have expected it, and must think it strange. My dear Harman, there can be no doubt the girl adores me-not the faintest doubt; and I hope you will be groomsman.'

'With pleasure,' said Harman, smiling. If you make it all right you will be a lucky dog. And so poor Miss Brooks has no chance?'

'Well,' said the Captain, selfcomplacently, I believe she is a good deal attached to me, and will feel it a little, but what can a man do? I cannot sacrifice myself to a nature which does not wholly chime

in, amalgamate, assimilate itself, so to speak, with my own. Clotilda Brooks is an excellent creatureexcellent in her way, but there is a want of that thrilling of electric chords about her which-a-which, in fact, is an absolute essential to the bliss of the wedded state. Now there is Miss Bodger-Maria Jane Bodger! such soul, such poetry, as are embodied in that young creature! and her fortune is immense. I discovered the other day, from her open, confiding father (a fine character, Sir John's!) that she has 80,000l. inherited from her mother, and absolutely hers when she comes of age (she is twenty now). I need not assure you it was through no hints on my part that I gained this information; I never dreamt of such a thing. Her father added (with emotion) that she was his only child, and would have all his large fortune besides, unless he married and had children, in which case she should have an equal share, without regard to the 80,000l. The idea of the old fellow's marrying was too absurd; I could scarcely help laughing. I shall certainly propose the instant I get to England. And, bythe-way, Harman, you are going home, aren't you, on Friday? shall send a packet of leaves by you to Miss Bodger, and you can take them to Nightingale Grove, and that will keep me, as it were, alive in her memory-not that I think there is the least chance of my being forgotten-not the least-but it will be a suitable little attention, you know.'

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Mr. Harman quite agreed, and undertook and carefully performed the commissions.

Three weeks later than this, on a fine, bright sunny forenoon, Captain Cavendish was riding out to Nightingale Grove, an imposinglooking mansion, with many superfluous chimneys apparently, and much too large for its pleasuregrounds. On ringing the bell, the servants who came to the door, decked in gorgeous liveries, informed him that Sir John was in town, and Miss Bodger and her aunt, Mrs. Hankey,' was out taking

the hair, they supposed, in the_garding.' So the Captain confided his steed to one of them, and proceeded to explore the premises, and observing a fluttering muslin garment amongst some evergreens, proceeding in an opposite direction from himself, he made such a rush to intercept the bearer thereof that he stumbled up against Grimshaw, the severe maid, whom it proved to be, taking a solemn airing by herself.

'I-I beg your pardon,' stammered the Captain, all confusion and disappointment; I thought you were Miss Bodger.'

'I am thankful, sir,' returned Grimshaw, fastening a severe eye upon him, that I was not my young lady upon such an awkward occasion. My young lady, sir, is delicate; she might have fainted, she might have took hystericsthere is no knowing what my young lady might not have done;' and Miss Grimshaw stalked on, leaving the Captain to contemplate all the horrible contingencies which might have arisen out of his late indiscretion. He recovered himself, however, in time to call after her rigid back to ask where her young lady was. 'Miss Bodger,' replied she, without turning round, is reclining under a bust of Coopid, amongst the trees on the left.'

'A most suitable situation,' thought the Captain, his spirits rising to the occasion. He very soon found her, with a fat, goodnatured aunt seated by her, who retreated after a few minutes' conversation, saying she had a message for one of the gardeners.

Captain Cavendish felt that no time was to be lost. 'Miss Bodger,' said he, in an agitated tone, dropping on one knee-Maria Jane! if I may venture to call you so you must long ago have detected the state of my feelings. At Cortina, when the melodious name of Bodger first fell upon my ear, an instinctive feeling told me it was to be interwoven henceforward for ever with my destiny. Your image since then has filled all my heart. I need not describe

'No, no! for goodness' sake describe nothing!' cried Maria Jane,

starting up. Bless me! I thought everybody knew that I am engaged

engaged,' she added, with an air of pride, 'to Sir James Harman's eldest son, Mr. Harman, whom we met in the Tyrol.'

'Engaged!' said the Captain, faintly, turning green, and to Harman! Oh, ye gods!' Miss Bodger showed symptoms of flight, and the Captain only detained her long enough to swear her to secrecy, and to beg that his horse might be sent down to the gate.

On his way back, murder and suicide, and many black thoughts beside were rampant in the breast of the Captain. He left his horse at the stables, and walked up Bond Street towards Douglas's, for he found nothing so soothing in any perturbation of spirit which might afflict him as having his hair brushed and shampooed at that excellent establishment. On passing Redmayne's shop, he happened to look in, and whom should he see but the Misses Brooks seated before a pile of brilliant silks which were being held up before them by a shopman in all sorts of enticing forms. Quick as lightning the Captain saw his consolation and revenge before him. Clotilda was devoted to him, that he knew, and Harman should see how little his treacherous conduct had affected him; so, quite revived and made a new man of, the Captain entered the shop, and was most graciously received by Clotilda.

'We are engaged this afternoon,' said she, as they were going, 'or I would ask you to come home with us at once; but to-morrow forenoon you must really come early, and tell us all about the rest of your excursion.'

Only too delighted, the Captain took down the number in Upper Brook Street, and escorted the ladies to the door. A magnificent carriage, with pawing chestnuts, was standing at it, and, to his surprise, the ladies got into it, Clotilda smiling sweetly upon him from the window as they drove off.

'By Jove!' said he to himself, as he walked up the street, 'I am in luck; she has evidently succeeded to

an immense fortune. Ah! Harman, my boy, I shall be even with you!'

The Captain passed a most blissful evening, very different from what he had expected on his return from Nightingale Grove; and the next morning between eleven and twelve he went to Upper Brook Street. Clotilda was sitting alone in a pretty drawing-room, very handsomely dressed, and glittering with massive gold chains and lockets. On the table lay several new jewelcases, open, and displaying expensive-looking bracelets and brooches. Every appearance betokened wealth, and the soul of the Captain rejoiced within him.

After some general conversation he began to wax sentimental.

• The Tyrol will always be to me henceforth,' said he,' encircled by a halo of the fondest memories and most endearing recollections. When a kindred soul is met with in this wilderness-world, Miss Brooks, the place of meeting becomes thenceforth as a kind of Paradise to both. Do you not think so?'

Clotilda cast down her eyes, and murmured, Yes. Yet you know, Captain Cavendish, the pleasure was cut short for me, otherwise I I could have remained weeks and weeks in that delightful Cortina! It has been too often the case with me, that kind of thing; in fact, as you would yourself observe

"'Twas ever thus from childhood's hour, I've seen my hopes all flee away." (Miss Brooks was never known to make a correct quotation in her life.) 'I never lov'd

'Clotilda, is your black moiré to have a high or a low body?' said the mal à propos Amelia at this juncture, looking in. (Good morning, Captain Cavendish.') 'There is a person here from Mrs. Murray's to ask about it.'

'Oh, the stupid creatures!' exclaimed Clotilda, in an anguished tone; they will be making mistakes in them all; I must go and speak to the young woman myself. Captain Cavendish, I am so sorry; but could you call another day?'

'May I ask you to spare me half a minute, only half a minute,' said

the Captain, earnestly, for he felt that, after his late experience, delay was dangerous. I shall be for ever obliged if you will.'

'Very well,' said Clotilda, rather unwillingly, and a little out of temper. Amelia, tell the person to wait; not a thing must be done till I speak to Mrs. Murray myself. Well, Captain Cavendish,' she added, impatiently, and still standing up, as Amelia left the room, 'what is it?'

'Pray be seated, Miss Brooks, for a moment, a mere moment; I shall not detain you. Clotilda, pardon this agitation-you must feel, you must know, that you, and you alone, made the Tyrol a terrestrial Paradise to me! Since then your image has filled this faithful bosom to the exclusion of all else; and I have flown on the wings of love to claim, at the earliest moment possible, the possession of your fair hand. flatter myself these sentiments were not wholly unknown to you, or wholly unreciprocated by you at Cortina, and a foolish bashfulness alone prevented my giving utterance to them long ago; but

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Upon my word!' said Clotilda, very wrathful at the allusions to the Cortina flirtation. Your bashfulness, I am sorry to say, has forsaken you at a very unfortunate time. I never thought or cared in the very least to think what your "sentiments" were either here or at Cortina. I never dreamed of your presuming to think of me except as an ordinary acquaintance; and I beg to inform you that I am engaged to Sir John Bodger, and shall be married to that gentleman on the same day on which his daughter marries Mr. Harman. Good morning, Captain Cavendish.'

Let us draw a veil over the rest. The Captain's sensations would be too harrowing a picture to present to the sensitive reader. But, for the comfort of his tender-hearted sympathizers, we must add that his recovery was not long in coming about, and when last heard of he was once more pursuing his 'little game' under an Italian sky, in the salons of Naples and Rome.

L. L.