which, passion could be alone alledged as the, cause, was terrible to Lord Torrendale. So terrible, that, by an effort of desperate resolution, he tore himself from the scene of attraction; and as he rolled along from the dangerous spot, and its white squares and crescents gradually assumed the appearance of a little model in card of the most elegant city in the world, congratulated himself, every mile he passed, upon his fortunate escape. But the charms of the conquering Laura had made a deeper impression than he imagined. He went to court, to the theatres, to the parks, still it was the same scene of insipidity; still he missed something which alone could make life delightful. Her graceful form, her pleading look at the moment she presented the plate, were ever before him; while the sophisticated attractions of fashionable beauty made him still more regret the perfection of the blooming and natural charms he had left behind. In short, finding himself unhappy, while absent from Miss Granville, or rather, in love's official phrase," that he

could not live without her," his Lordship once more ordered his horses, but with a much lighter heart than when he had prepared for his former journey; and, arriving at Bath, enquired for Miss Granville, found she was still there; and, oh, wonderful! still disengaged; wooed her with the ardour of the most impassioned attachment, to which perhaps the secret vanity of carrying off the most beautiful girl at Bath, and introducing her at the ensuing drawing-room as his bride, contributed its unacknowledged, but due proportion; and partly with the eagerness which an infant feels to get some beautiful toy "in its own hand," the sort of pleasure which the full-grown child experiences upon exhibiting a rare and splendid trinket; sought and obtained the consent of his fair lady, or, as the newspapers have it, permission to lead her to the hymeneal altar.

Now, to prevent its being supposed out of nature, that a man of a disposition cold and unenthusiastic, as Lord Torrendale's; one who was alike insensible to the charms of

eloquence, or the arts, should suffer himself to be thus suddenly and irrevocably captivated by the attraction of feminine graces, it is only necessary to ask one question, and to request it may be answered sincerely: is the gentleman to be found, however distinguished either by years, gravity, or wisdom, who does not, in a degree, acknowledge the influence of beauty, particularly when presented to his imagination in a manner unexpected and advantageous? Not content with co.fining her triumphs to the young and susceptible, it is her boast to subdue the heart, however guarded by the frost of pride, experience, or indifference. She knows a thousand avenues, by which to address the most inaccessible breast, and in this sense may be truly said alone to possess what has been so long sought for as the grand desideratum, the "universal language."

Like many a plain, but well-meaning lady, who, seduced by the persuasions of an eloquent millener, hastily consents to buy some tempting article of finery, which she finds, too late, totally mismatches with her figure

or time of life; Lord Torrendale quickly discovered he could not have made a more, useless purchase than the beautiful Laura Granville. The disparity in their years, though he was past thirty, and his blooming consort had numbered but sixteen, was only such as the world admits to be the proper difference; but the diversity in their dispositions rendered them utterly unsuited to each other. Though not of an amiable character, he had, proper ideas upon all the duties of his rank and station. Given up to amusement and flattery, she exhibited an utter contempt for those of her's. He was naturally silent, fond of the pleasures of domestic intercourse, and of retirement. She, was never happy but in a crowd. The first deed of her reign, was to pass a general act of oblivion upon all her, Bath friends, those who had been either the guides or companions of her youth; the second, was to send the young Strathallan, as soon as he had attained an age at which it was possible for him to be admitted, to a public seminary,, on the pretence that it was the most advantageous mode that could be adopted for his education.

Poor Strathallan! for whose sake Lord Torrendale tried to flatter himself, that he had ventured again upon the cares of domestic life!

Being thus relieved from every incumbrance, she gave the reins to her prevailing inclinations; and even the birth of two children, a son and daughter, at a considerable interval from each other, did not seem to diminish her taste for pleasure and dissipation.

It was now above twenty years since Lord Torrendale had made this imprudent choice; and his disappointment preying upon his spirits, increased the natural harshness and reserve of his character. Time had a different effect upon his lively Countess: while it impaired the graces of her form, it only augmented her opinion of the power of those of her mind; though her understanding had always been as much below, as her person was above, mediocrity. But she had in her favour, spirits, rank, prosperity, and boundless confidence. In conversation, she ventured every thing; and it would have been sur