commands; but I knew that Beverly was in Grosvenor-square, and would receive more extensive credentials."

"Charlotte had no idea of pressing you into her service," replied Fanny Beverly, "for she actually wrote a postscript to one of George's letters, in which she saysPoor Wentworth is quite out of spirits; I really believe he is home-sick. Do tell my dear sir Ormsby that I wish he would command his grown baby to go to Adderfield, and be nursed by dame Corbet.'"

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"What charming spirits lady Nugent has!" said Sidney, addressing lady Layton. "I never knew a woman in whom wit and innocence were so happily blended. Her sallies are those of a heart at peace with all the world; and if she were not so, what woman dares look for such bliss ?"

"She was always an amiable girl," said the gratified aunt, "I own I used to tremble lest her spirits should prove too much for lord John; but he has conformed himself so intirely to her ways, and seems so happy

in his union, that I begin to think similarity of disposition is not an essential requisite to married comfort."

"I know not how to assent to that opinion," said Wentworth. "Are we not first attracted by congeniality of sentiment?"

"In some cases I believe we are," rejoined lady Layton; "yet a very little reflection will prove, even to you, whom I know to be rather sentimental, that this lover-like quality is very rarely the visible attribute of marriage."

Wentworth, smiling, declared he feared he must yield to her ladyship's remark; yet. ⚫he was unwilling to do so; "for in that case," continued he, "what becomes of the lover's vows and protestations? where he has acknowledged, until she, the elected and intelligent soul to whom only his vows could be given-till she proved his heart, and by reflecting the image his fancy had raised, gratifies his lover's vanity, by being the good he sought. If this similarity of sentiment, which I have been endeavour

ing

ing to believe the groundwork of domes tic happiness, is proved to be fallacious, it is robbing life of its dearest and most bewitching charm.”

"You are wrong, Sidney," said the baronet; "it is only a petty larceny upon the fancy of an enthusiast; nor is he robbed at all, who is brought, to his reason by being purloined of his follies."

"I must hug my treasure yet," replied Wentworth. 66 "I cannot consent to forego the dear delusion. I may never tempt the danger; and I may be greatly deceived."

"Absurd, ridiculous!" rejoined sir Ormsby. "My friend, lady Layton, could testify to the happiness which once was mine. Yet your mother was of a character and disposition wholly opposite-she was gentleness personified: and here I might appropriately remark on the wisdom of Providence; for had she been other, my happiness must have been diminished. She qualified the petulance of my character. You see that I know myself," continued the ba

ronet, with an expression of lively sagacity. "But had she been contentious or arbitrary, how wretched had been our fates! Sir, I tell you that it is the admixture of character which, like the light and shadow in a portrait, gives the colouring to every thing which partakes of nature; and if you expect miracles to be wrought in your favour, you are very presumptuous, and will live to lament that folly which has led you to expect perfection in a state that never yet exhibited a perfect model.

"Too surely we are here to-day, and gone yesterday,'" said Fanny Beverly, with an arch smile. "But, my dear sir Ormsby, do observe how we are alarming poor Grace, who seems actually ready to recant her vows, and resolve on a life of celibacy."

Grace smiled through a blush, and refuted the charge. "I must make some discoveries from my own discernment," said the attached girl, "ere I apply any general comparison with an individual prefer

ence."

VOL. I.

Wentworth

Wentworth took the hand of his cousin. "This," said he, "is the unequivocal decision of an attached, of a fervent mind. -How I rejoice, my dear girl, that you avow so much, and for a man so worthy of your heart!"

Sir Ormsby beheld this action of his son's as a tacit proof that he sincerely coincided in the approaching union-a truth which his sanguine mind had scarcely allowed to be possible. The nieces of lady Layton were neither light or incompetent observers of the peculiar character of our hero. Fanny certainly allowed Wentworth to be a very handsome interesting man. Louisa's sentiments have already been elucidated. Retirement, which naturally leads to reflection, had strengthened her partiality for Sidney; but never had her hopes appeared less smiling than on the present visit. Wentworth seemed to have acquired a decision in his manner, a boldness of opinion, which cast her to a greater distance than ever. He was not less sentimental,

but