effects of intemperance; his figure attired in a suit of tawdry and threadbare clothes, yet still aiming at fashion; his whole air resembling Frederick le Maitre in Robert Macaire. A gilt chain was drawn conspicuously through the button-holes of a showy, but soiled waistcoat; an old hat on one side of his tangled locks; and a cigar in his mouth: but to the expression of his countenance there is no doing justice. The mixture of cunning and reckless daring-oh, it was fearful !

He addressed me in a tone of easy familiarity, calling me his bonne amie, his chère Caroline. Time," said he, " has dealt more leniently by you, Caroline, than by me; for play, infernal play! tries faces as well as purses; and both, sacre Dieu! have suffered with me. But you appear cold, reserved not glad to see me. How is this? Come,

come, ma belle, we must be better friends; for

I am, as you know, a sort of husband, and, as such, entitled to certain privileges:" and the wretch positively attempted to embrace me. Oh, God! the degradation of that moment punished half the evil actions of my life.

"Stand back!" I exclaimed, hoarsely, half choked by indignation.

"Ha, ha, ha!" he said, " mademoiselle seems disposed to act la fière;" and he burst into a contemptuous laugh: "it is a pity that she was not always so prudish. But let that pass: I am not come here to play the lover; such mummery was well enough when mademoiselle was younger, and better worth the trouble-but now it is different. The years that have elapsed since we parted (for you, like myself, are not in your première jeunesse, though, en verité, très bien conservée) have mended your position, and injured mine. You are the heiress of a rich aunt; I am the heir of naught but what the

gaming-table has left me, which consists of but a few shillings: for Fortune is even more fickle than your sex, and has played me more scurvy tricks than all womankind put together. England is not the place to live in without money; and, as I mean to live, money I must have: I have, therefore, determined to render a tardy justice to your honour by espousing you, and to act the affectionate nephew to your aunt, do the honours of her triste château, turn chasseur, fermier, gentilhomme Anglais, et bon père, peut-être, pardessus le marché."

I listened to him, nearly overpowered by disgust and horror; for his words were accompanied by a coarseness of gesture, and reckless impudence of manner, that appertain only to the lowest and vilest. of men. The word crapulous is the only one that can adequately describe his appearance.

"You have already exposed me," answered I; "for at Turin you basely betrayed my dishonour, without even concealing my name."

"Bah, bah! what of that?" replied he; "who could help boasting of such a bonne fortune?"

To remonstrate with so utterly unworthy a person I felt would be useless; consequently, I continued to listen to his proposals until he had concluded, wishing that the earth might open and ingulf him, or hide me from his sight

for ever.

"What you propose," replied I, "is too absurd to merit a reply. I would prefer exposure, disgrace—ay, even death itself, to a marriage with you!" and I looked the contempt I felt.

"Mademoiselle is not complimentary; but the English are rarely polite, and her séjour in her native land has somewhat impaired the

tone de bonne compagnie that used to distinguish her when she desired nothing so much as a union with her humble servant (bowing mockingly). Your affection, mademoiselle, it would be ungrateful to doubt, after the proofs of it with which you formerly honoured me. I am still the same man on whom you bestowed your heart, and the very pretty person that enshrined it, at Florence, some twelve years ago. The only difference is, that I am twelve years older (and this misfortune you share with me in common), and that my wardrobe is less recherché, an inconvenience which is easily remedied. Some of your aunt's gold will soon metamorphose me into un élégant; and we shall, I flatter myself, make a very good-looking couple, even though we are un peu passés.”

"I warn you," said I, "that, if you present yourself before my aunt, she will consign you to the police."