attracted the regard of the accomplished Marquis de Bon Etoil, and which had formed the foundation of her own good fortune and ideal happiness. However, all things considered, more especially the shortness of our stay here on earth, there is nothing more worthy our attention than success in the art of happiness: total failure is almost impossible, unless, like Guy May, you are "Born to bad luck."

This critical epoch of my life, renders it necessary that I should, as near as possible, describe to you my own tendencies, passions, and tastes at the moment of the break up of our Dieppe triumph. In this epoch, later years have proved to me that I had taken a studied elevation in turpitude, the ambition to shine in which-blind to all circumspection-brought me to the verge of irretrievable ruin. I had grown imperceptibly base by degrees, as generally speaking all men do-for I cannot believe in the apoplectic fits of wickedness-reflection, however, told me that all virtue had dropped bodily from me as a mantle, and that I stood exposed in all the nakedness of glaring vice. From the comparatively trivial "follies of youth," I had passed with the stride of a giant, into the bewildering enchantments of a Vathek; but my hand was not yet fixed irremoveably upon my heart, neither had I quite lost the most precious of the gifts of heaven, hope. True, I was living in a wilderness of error, and that passing events were indifferent to meI mean as to the consequences, and that the whole history of my position flashed over me like a dream, all of which I now see was the effect of giving way to those mysterious agents, the passions. Uncontrolled they had led me into a confusion of conduct, which having neither principle or firmness enough to guide me, carried me whithersoever my inclination at the moment dictated, or the attraction of excitement drew me. Moralists maintain with much warmth, the utility of the passions; the generality of mankind, however, suffer greatly from their inconvenience. For though theory can easily confine them within certain bounds, and direct them to proper purposes, making them even assistant and subservient to their own ends, experience will quickly show them that the passions are not so easily curbed, they are impatient of the rein, and we are all, more or less, liable to be run away with by them, and hurried into every kind of extravagance. Such unfortunately was the case with me. I had aimed at becoming the first gentleman sportsman in Paris, and had succeeded wonderfully, even beyond my expectations. I had ridden in the first steeplechase ever introduced into France, and won it, after two falls. I was an approved good flat-racer rider, and an excellent "drag" whip. I was first-rate set-to," the then dreaded, yet honoured "Box." It was difficult to master me at billiards, and I was accounted a dead shot at pigeons; good at the fence, and stood high at the tir au pistolet. To crown all, was I not the beloved of the Prince's mistress, La Belle Anglaise, the beautiful Louise, most enchanting little Sally, of Whitechapel, the delight, the admiration, and the envy of every one? Now, it may very reasonably be asked, whence came the funds to support, and second me, in so hazardous a game as sport? As besides the above list of racy accomplishments, I played high at all games of chance, and drank, not loud but deep. By a marvellous combination of circumstances, my connection with my faithful charmer had thrown me much into the society of Mr. Pinion, whose apparently inexhaustible wealth he had begged

at a

me to avail myself of, "in case at any time in my pursuits I should for a moment require them." I had required them, and to a pretty stiff amount; the relief was instantaneous, and given with that freedom and good will which precluded the painful operation of seeking for securities well secured, or the degrading necessity of suffering under a sixty per cent. crusher. He had "taken a fancy to me," was sure I was a man of honour, and it gave him as much pleasure to assist me, as it did to know that he had it in his power to do so. Fine set phrases certainly, but then their sincerity could not be doubted; for upon every occasion for a loan, down came the new crisp notes of a thousand, or five hundred francs each, as if with some fairy wand he had struck the air, and they floated gratefully towards him. By this facility of funds, we had had many transactions together, and although the friendly Mr. Pinion had never once hinted about re-payment, the inconvenience of having money out, or complained in any shape or way of the largeness of amount, and the risks he ran, I had always seized the first opportunity, upon winning, of immediately forwarding him the whole, or a greater part of his claim. Thus, in time, there was established between us that sort of good understanding which brought about mutual confidence. Arising at first out of good-natured accommodation, this agreeable arrangement finished by the worthy Mr. Pinion undertaking the not very thankful office of being my settled and only banker.

Notwithstanding our various negotiations, I seldom or ever met Mr. Pinion he surrounded himself with that kind of mystery which always attends seclusion. No one ever saw him, call upon him when you would, he was "not to be seen." In fact, I learnt through Sally that he never went out by daylight, he preferred nocturnal amusements. The only way to make sure of him was to visit the salon des Etrangers at Frescarte's, to which fashionable assembly he was a constant visitor; occasionally playing for higher stakes than even the most daring and unflinching of the habitual gamesters. He had immense luck, and when the Goddess was against him, he threw up his hand at once, simply adding that." She is not in the vein to night, so it won't do to flirt with her." Life in Paris is so changed from what it was, through political and social revolutions, that it would be impossible now a-day to exercise the independence, enjoy its dissipations, or revel in its attractions, with that abandon which once constituted its irresistible notoriety; its charms are now more veiled, and no longer breathes that pure French air and spirit which, more than thirty years ago gave it a freshness and novelty, and added a piquant flavour to its habits and inhabitants, which more or less affected all its visitors. Mr. Pinion had not escaped this contagion of dress and manners; he had become outwardly French in the extreme, and as he sat at the table, with his pile of notes and gold, calculating the odds on the turn of a card, you would have taken him for an admirable specimen of the old regime of the Fauberg St. Germain. His visits to our house in the Bois de Boulogne were very intermittent, but he never came empty handed; he either brought some handsome present for our little Flora, of whom he professed to be dotingly fond, or the latest thing in jewelry for the amiable Sally. Neither was I forgotten, for being much given to smoking, then greatly the fashion, he always left on the table a wonderful sample of "something rare in weeds."

On our departure for Dieppe, Pinion came to bid us adieu and good speed. It was almost the only time I had ever seen him in the morning; I was greatly struck by his extraordinary countenance, and restless manner. How different from the beau garcon of lamp light; he was deathly pale, and yet not of the paleness of Death; it was a more unwholesome, repulsive whiteness, of yellow and and greenish white, which told of late hours, debauchery, and a mind ill at ease: his eyes were swollen and filmy with yellow bile; he had grown much more corpulent than when I last saw him, and his figure, from the lightness of its extremities, greatly reminded one of a toad on his hind legs. Instead of, as formerly, fixing his scrutinising gaze upon me, looking into me as it were, he appeared to take every pains in his power to avoid catching my eye; in spite of which I felt uncomfortable in his society, and regretted greatly that his obligations had placed us on such intimate terms. As for his presents, I wished that I had never seen either them or him. But there was some mystery yet to be revealed, his whispering conversations, his anxious impressive manner, and his evidently feigned partiality and friendship for myself, awakened my suspicions. There was also an air of mental uneasiness pervading the features of Sally, which expressed anything but frankness. There was something hid behind the scenes, and as he sat urging his cause, whatever it was, a sudden thought flashed across my mind, a moral conviction took a firm holding possession of me that I had met him in England somewhere, under a different guise, and in very different circumstances; and yet for the life of me I could not bring to mind any one at all resembling him either in feature, figure, voice, or manner.

Thus perplexed, and having after all no cause of complaint, on the the contrary, having much to be grateful for on the strength of our acquaintance, I gave up my embarrassment, and lighting my cigar walked into the garden, and left the riddle to unfold itself, either by time or accident.

It was the last time that I ever saw him, and I confess to feeling far from sorry when this farewell visit was brought to a close. I have been thus particular in describing the connection of this important and very clever individual, both with regard to myself and Sally, as the consequences of it caused so many important and serious changes in the future careers of both that it is hardly possible to imagine how two such clear-sighted and experienced people as ourselves should have been so nearly sacrificed and utterly undone by a villain, who from his earliest days had planned, dared, and done more undiscovered roguery than was ever before set down to the account of any ten of the most notorious thieves in the kingdom. I look back with inexpressible horror and disgust at the following dénouement, which I now proceed to relate, not without a pang of repentance for my folly, and a sigh of gratitude for my escape.

It had been my habit at Dieppe to rise early, and mounting my hack take a constitutional ride for about two hours, returning home in time for a bath and breakfast. This healthy exercise was continued without intermission, from the time of my arrival up to the date of my misfortune. During my absence Sally and Flora had usually prepared for my reception, and were ready and waiting to do the honours of the

table, and show me that affectionate welcome which woman alone can administer with soothing effect, and which of itself may be reckoned as the greatest charm of our lives.

It had been one of those lovely autumn mornings, when the cool wind which invigorates yet chills not, tempts you to inhale with more than usual gusto the inspirations and delights of the open air, and gaze upon nature refreshed with indescribable pleasure. The mind as well as the body is strengthened, and expands to the great glories of all around, and partaking of the draught, designed by heaven for man's contemplation and enjoyment, and to which the heart, filled with the gentlest sentiments of human nature, beats with a sympathising response of joy.

I rode slowly and leisurely on to the top of a hill, from the summit of which is obtained a very picturesque panoramic view of the whole town and port of Dieppe, and to a limited extent the surrounding country. Nothing can well be more simple, more utterly unpretending than this little fishing town, famous alone for its ivory carved brooches and trifling ornaments. I could fancy while I looked down on it from afar from the best point of view to survey it, that it was one of the few remaining places, one of the primitive settlements, built by a few hands, which had spread itself merely for the accommodation of its increasing natives, without the slightest regard for fashion, architecture, or ornamentation-that it had not been rubbed against by the outer world, that it had not been introduced to society, that it had not been spoiled by the visits of the vicious, and the humours of the fastidious and wealthy, and such I verily believe, at the time I write of, it really was; for excepting to a few of the beau monde, who had started it, as a watering place, and spread its well merited reputation for salubrious bracing air and delightful bathing, it was perfectly unknown, to the million it was an undiscovered country.

As I gazed contemplating its simplicity and the innocence and contentedness of its industrious inhabitants, my own position and possessions, at that moment sheltered therein, rose up in strong convicting evidence against me, my happiness, and my future. I felt a consciousness of guilt, yet strange to say without the least desire or intention of reformation. Cold, cold as ice in my crime, not one good or proper inspiration warmed my heart or entered my indifferent and hardened mind. With the knowledge of wrong beating within me, no wish, no enthusiastic determination of right, no repentance arose to comfort or guide me; I had passed the Rubicon of dissipation, and had become the ardent votary and high priest of folly and vice. "What chance," I exclaimed ; "what one event of my life has brought me to this evil pass? Is there nothing then, is there not left me even the shadow of a pure and holy love to soften the influence of this turbulent heart? Is there no little oasis in the desert in which to seek shelter from the storms of Fate which everywhere surround and attack me?" I was silent, but echo answered, "Nowhere!" "The pity or sympathy of my fellow men," I continued, "I care not for. Still I would fain have them believe that I am the slave of circumstances which no human being could control."

At this moment a lugger, with many hands aboard, appeared rapidly leaving the port, for the morning breeze was both propitious and strong.

All were busy hoisting sail, and although I could not distinguish them from the distance I was then placed at, their bright red caps as they moved about the deck gave it a most animated appearance. It was evident from the amount of sail they were hoisting, that they were either pressed for time in catching the receding tide, or were hurrying off to the fishing grounds, anxious perhaps to be the first in the field, and thereby take up a position according to their choice. It was a picturesque sight, for as they gradually made their way towards the sea, the bright beams of the carly sun caught the tops of the tightened canvas, and threw over the whole a beautiful and brilliant effect of light and shade, just such as the eccentric Turner would have gloried in sketching. Watching it fairly out of the harbour, I turned my horse's head towards home, determined that if I had deprived myself of the enjoyment of true happiness, I would do the best I could to contribute to the happiness of others.

CHAP. II.

Guy May left in the learch becomes disenchanted.

As I rode gently along philosophising on the uncertainty of happiness and the emptiness of pleasure, I found that my good resolutions had tended immensely to raise my spirits; gradually a joyous feeling took full possession of me, and I planned as I proceeded various propositions for spending a pleasant day. Having alighted at the stable, I gave my horse to the groom; poor beast, I patted him on his sleek and shining neck, I little thought I should never see him or cross his back again. With a light and gay step, and humming the popular air of the last new opera, I walked rapidly towards the hotel. As I approached it, however, I instantly observed a strange confusion amongst the waiters, and an evident anxiety on the part of the master, all of whom were standing at the door to address me. I hurried forward.

"Ah, monsieur, monsieur," he exclaimed, with all the powerful energy peculiar to a Frenchman, at the same time advancing to meet me, "I have bad news-extraordinary bad news to tell you. Madame and mademoiselle are gone away to England; taken away I may say, by a gentleman, who almost forced them to fly with him."

"Damnation," I shouted, bewildered at this partial account; "was it a man with a grizzly beard and dark hair?" having an electric suspicion of Pinion.

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No, no; not at all monsieur, he had no hair at all on his face, and what he had on his head was fair. But monsieur will find a note on the table for him, which will sans doute explain matters better than I can tell him."

The above being spoken in French, with a violent and impressive manner of distress at the catastrophe which had befallen me, I need scarcely say that I was proportionately more alarmed than I otherwise should have been had I received the information from a cool, firmminded countryman-a man of the world. For an instant, it was only for an instant, I stood like one struck by lightning blind and paralysed.