never forget, nor the bright suffusion of her

beautiful cheeks.

"Was he not our kindest consoler, my love?" resumed Lord Vernon, appealing to his wife; who, laying her hand affectionately on mine, said, "she never could forget how patiently I had listened to all their regrets, and commendations of their child."

Patiently, indeed," pursued Lord Vernon; "why, he seemed just as fond of dwelling on the subject as we were; and not like Miss Montressor, who always appeared to be thinking of something else when we spoke of our absent darling."

How did I wish, during this scène de famille, that I stood in the same relation to all the parties present that Annandale does! How happy, how transcendently happy I should be! And may I not, without subject

ing myself to the imputation of vanity, say, how much happier they would be? for I certainly am more formed for domestic life than is Annandale. But why dwell on such vain thoughts? Happiness like this was never

meant for me.

"Had I known in the morning that we were to be a parti quarré," said Lord Vernon, "I would have engaged a box at Drury Lane, and taken Gusty to see my favourite afterpiece. It would be quite a treat to have her at the theatre under my chaperonage, as in former times, without any husband to remind me that she is no longer all my own."

I immediately offered my box; and, the family-coach being ordered, to the great delight of Lord Vernon, we were driven to Drury Lane; where we arrived in time for the third act of Othello.

When Desdemona pleaded in vain to her father for forgiveness, Lord Vernon positively

grew angry.

66

My favourite Shakespeare was wrong in this view of human nature," said the good old man; "he did not understand the heart of a father if he did, he would have known that a parent could not spurn his weeping child. No; this is not natural. Don't you agree with me, my love?" turning to his wife.

"Lord Vernon thinks the hearts of all

fathers like his own," said Lady Vernon to me, and looking at him with eyes beaming with affection, while Lady Annandale placed her hand in his.

A large private box, opposite to the one in which we were seated, was now thrown open; and Lord Annandale entered it, leading in the Comtesse Hohenlinden, and followed by

Lady Mellicent and Miss Montressor, escorted by Lord Charles Fitzhardinge, and three or four other young men of their clique.

I felt annoyed at their presence; and observed that Lady Annandale appeared still more so, as she shrank back behind the curtain. The eagle eyes of the Comtesse Hohenlinden soon discovered us; and the glasses of all the party, save those of Lord Annandale and Miss Montressor, were levelled at us.

The comtesse attempted not to conceal the mingled mirth and surprise that our presence excited; and Annandale looked more discomposed than I ever saw him. It was plain that the apparition of her husband and his party had given pain to Lady Annandale. She directed to me an imploring look not to remark their vicinity to her father and mother, who had not noticed it, being wholly occupied with the performance, or commenting on it.

The Comtesse Hohenlinden seemed to be engaged in an earnest conversation with Lord Annandale, while, from time to time, they cast angry looks at our box. What can all this mean? Perhaps, after all, I was expected to dine at Annandale House, and my presence with its mistress occasioned the apparent surprise I witnessed. But why, then, if I was expected there, did she go out to dine? All this is a mystery, to the solution of which I have no clue. Perhaps, by calling at Annandale House to-morrow, I shall be furnished with one.

Lady Vernon, being fatigued, proposed our leaving the theatre before the afterpiece was concluded; and her daughter, who seemed relieved by our departure, requested that we would leave her at her own door.

As I handed her from the carriage to the hall, I observed her servants exchange looks of