which combine, in one, the brother and the friend. Their brother, the young Lord Pennersley, heir to the title and estates of Byborough, was, unfortunately, altogether opposite in character. Dazzled by the brilliancy of the sphere in which his rank placed him, and having what seemed unbounded resources before him, he had early plunged into the maddening whirl of extravagance, and had already so deeply staked his reputation, and embarrassed his circumstances, that the marquess had considered it advisable to withdraw further support, excepting on condition of Lord Pennersley's residing abroad. He had, for years, been a stranger at Byborough, and, seldom named, had almost become forgotten; but Lord Percy and Lord John Huron resided chiefly at the castle, and had, without effort, long established themselves in popularity with all classes in the neighbourhood.

The approaching conversazione at the Haye, to which, by a most original application of the word, Mrs. Auget had invited the entire world within the range of twenty miles, served as an inexhaustible topic.

Lord John Huron infinitely wondered that Miss Grey and her brother had had the courage to accept, for they saw no sport in contretemps and aristocratic plebeianism. Lord Percy, his brother, was a charitable fellow; he never declined going any where if he thought that he should give pleasure by doing so. Percy ought to have been a missionary. For himself, he went, of course. Adelaide and Honoria Smith, he understood, were to be of the party; but, even if they were not, Mr. and Mrs. Auget always hospitably laid themselves out for the profuse entertainment of the most exigeant.

CHAPTER V.

First, as you know, my house within the city
Is richly furnished with plate and gold,
Pewter and brass, and all things that belong
To house, or housekeeping: then, at my farm,
I have a hundred milch-kine to the pail,
Six score fat oxen standing in my stall,
And all things considerable."

SHAKESPEARE.

THE "little conversazione," which had been announced by cards six weeks before its perpetration, and had been referred to by Lord John Huron long ere it took place, was intended to mark, with brilliant distinction, the natal day of the wealthy Mr. Auget's lady. Its extensive scope, by an ingenuity attributable to Mrs. Auget herself, was made to comprehend a fête champêtre on the lawn; archery in the park; and, at night, private theatricals, concert, dancing, and fireworks.

a

Weippert's band, that ubiquitous fountain of melody, had been ordered down from town in post-chaises and four; negotiations had been set on foot to tempt Carême, at any price, to transfer, for twenty-four hours, his ethereal cuisine from his dix-millionaire master at Paris; but, unfortunately, without success. Mr. Auget himself" ran up" to London, to superintend a garb of Lincoln green, and to inspect patterns for the golden prize arrows. A triumphal arch near the cascade, after the model of that of Titus at Rome, had arisen, under Mrs. Auget's special direction. A contract was entered into for a bevy of engineers and lamplighters from Vauxhall; the Calmuck whistler; the cannibal, from New Zealand; and the king and queen of Timbuctoo, then, fortunately, in England, were bribed to enact the parts of lions of the evening; and the royal keepers had been sounded, to ascertain whether the giraffe might be permitted to leave his metropolitan paddock, to stray for one day— one single day, only-through the salubrious wilderness of the Haye. No pains were spared to throw a magnificence and a lustre over the

entire "little conversazione." Never, until now, had Mrs. Auget felt the glorious privilege of possessing a birthday.

Emily, whose unpretending and tranquil nature leaned for support on the energy of others, found no difficulty in securing the tasteful co-operation of her brother's guest, Henry Molyneux. With Mr. Molyneux originated numberless elegant schemes-numberless brilliant arrangements; and, to carry these into effect, became Emily's almost childish delight. The week previous to the "little conversazione," monopolised by one thoughtone intercourse of consultation, and, strolling through the grounds with the fascinating Mr. Molyneux, had been, to Emily, one dream of tranquil and unbroken happiness.

Auget Smith Auget was ennuyé, gêné, accablé; he disliked the whole affair. His mother was no heiress to a coronet; and he doubted whether six of the six hundred bidden to her feast had a choice between her birth and her decease. He abhorred the glaring misapplication of the term "conversazione," but failed to inoculate Mrs. Auget with his abhor