from his chair at finding himself so attentively eyed by the unknown mask. He concluded, however, that this person was an acquaintance, who having penetrated his disguise, would pronounce his name as a proof of having made a happy and successful detection. This not taking place, and the mask still preserving the same fixed attitude as before, made Sidney desirous of learning the cause from whence sprung this particular and unpleasant stare. He rose from his chair, and with some little spark of angry feeling, immediately accosted the mask, who neither shrunk back or altered his posture as the other advanced.

"Do you know me?" said Sidney. "No," was the laconic answer.

Then, why have you selected me

for this marked attention, when it ap

pears you lay no claim to my friendship or acquaintance?"

"Because I thought it singular you should assume a fancy character, which, it seems, you cannot support with a becoming correctness."

"Surely," replied Sidney, with rising surprise, "I am at liberty to select the character which best accords with my inclination; and surely it is then optional whether I please to support it or not."

"I doubt much whether inclination would lead you to support such a character with the spirit of a true Moslem."

"Then why was the choice made?" said Sidney, with increasing surprise. "Because you mistook yourself in a moment of forgetfulness."

"You speak in riddles:-explain yourself."

"Is not your dress symbolic of a

Pacha?"

"Evidently."

"Then, if inclination has any share in your choice, your heart must be as ruthless and callous to the cries of the distressed, as all such characters are too well known to be. Are you not aware," added the mask, speaking in a more hurried tone, "that you represent a despot; a being to whom the sacred names of virtue and honour are unknown and unacknowledged? a monster who ever oppresses the helpless and innocent; and who, like some accursed fiend, measures his delight in the same proportion as he can destroy? Know you not that the Moslem Pacha is the determined foe to religion-humanity-and is equally a stranger to the softer feelings and endearing ties which stamp

the happiness of a nation where persons and property are protected by the just administration of the laws? Tell me now whether you have a wish to support a character like the one I have drawn?"

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Heaven forbid it!" exclaimed Sidney, in the enthusiasm of the moment, caused by the feelings which revolted at the picture drawn by the mask.

"I see thou art an Englishman!" exclaimed the mask, "thy tone of voice and thy manner assures me thou art one of the ready defenders of Liberty. Canst thou not fight for a country groaning under the heavy rod of tyranny ?"

"Why not?" said Sidney, rather struck at this question..

"Hast thou ever played such a part?" demanded the mask.

"Never," replied Sidney, "but this

argues nothing in disfavour of my capacity."

"Let me regard thy face, and I will judge of thy pretensions."

Thus requested, Sidney stood for a moment irresolute and doubtful how to act. He could not decide on a refusal; and yet a compliance was equally foreign to his inclination. The other noticed this indecision.

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If

thy mask," said he pointedly, "bears a more favourable physiognomy than the one it conceals, I prithee not remove it."

Nettled by these words, Sidney pulled off his vizor and submitted his face to the inspection of his strange interrogator. The mask eagerly scanned the features offered to his gaze; but his examination of them was brief. He almost instantaneously withdrew his eyes, and said in a disappointed