as I think her of much vice, still I can see no adequate reason for her connivance in a conspiracy, the sole object of which must be the ruin of a person I believe her really to like.

"Leave me, Lord Nottingham," said Lady Annandale, pale as death; "I am not well, and wish to retire to my chamber."

I obeyed her commands; and, as I passed through the hall, observed the servants all whispering and eyeing me, in a manner that convinced me they had formed the most injurious suspicions. Never shall I forgive myself, if, through the frequency of my visits, I have exposed the fair fame of the most innocent, as well as the most lovely, woman in the world to animadversion.

Yes, you were right; I ought to have fled from her too dangerous presence when I first discovered that I loved her: but that love was and is so pure, and so wholly devoid of

hope, that I madly fancied its indulgence could

not profane its idol.

I hate myself when I think, that to me this angelic creature owes the humiliation of hearing a lecture on prudence from the lips of such a woman as Miss Montressor a woman as unworthy to approach, as she is incapable of appreciating, her.

On leaving Annandale House, I proceeded to Lord Vernon's, where I found the good old couple gravely talking together.

"Do you know, my dear lord, we are not quite satisfied with the conduct of your friend, and our son-in-law," said Lord Vernon to

me.

"Why, would you believe it," added Lady Vernon, "he has not once seen us since we came to town; for, though he called yesterday and was informed we were at home, he never offered to come in, but merely left his card and drove off." "Sir William Vernon,

our neighbour in the country, has been here "and

this morning," resumed Lord Vernon ; he told us that he saw Lord Annandale, with Miss Montressor and a party of fashionables, at Drury Lane last night, opposite to us. Now, only fancy his not having even the politeness to come to our box, if only for half an hour!— Į don't understand all this, Lord Nottingham," said Lord Vernon, after a pause; "but such conduct, on the part of your friend, argues but ill for the happiness of our darling child."

"I observed she was changed the moment I saw her," observed Lady Vernon; "she is thinner and paler, and her spirits are no longer the same she, that used to be all gaiety and sunshine. Would to God she had never married Lord Annandale !"-A wish that my heart echoed.

"I must

see into all this," said Lord Vernon; "my darling Gusty shall not be

made unhappy if I have the power to prevent

it. Shall she, my dear?" resumed he, turning to his wife.

Lady Vernon shook her head, as she replied, "Alas, my dear friend! the happiness of children does not depend on their parents: if it did, our daughter would never have known a moment's pain."

I left them expecting a visit from Lady Annandale, which, from the state of evident agitation in which I saw her, I fear she will not be able to make. You will hear soon again from

Your sincere friend,

NOTTINGHAM.

MISS MONTRESSOR TO LA MARQUISE

DE VILLEROI.

AFFAIRS advance here, ma chère amie, even

more rapidly than I had contemplated. La

belle Auguste est tellement entétée, that she compromises herself more than my most sanguine expectations ever led me to anticipate. I should be more disposed to regret her folly if I possessed her confidence; but I am hurt at finding her growing every day more reserved to me: nor will she, though I have frequently probed her heart, acknowledge the passion that, I am convinced, is consuming it, for her preux chevalier, Lord Nottingham.

So little disposed is she to repose this secret in my breast, that I can see she resents my leaving her alone with him. It was but a few days ago, that, more than suspecting she had had a conjugal tête-à-tête with her lord, which, judging from the redness of her eyes, could not have been agreeable, I thought that, with her softened feelings, a tête-à-tête with her lover might produce an éclaircissement between them. He, of course, as I concluded, would demand some question as to the source of her visible