lively tone of pleasure, rising from her seat and moving toward the door to meet her.

"I thought I knew the face-though at first I could not exactly say to whom it belonged," said Clinton, following her to the door to receive the card of the lady of the Lieutenant-governor which was brought up

to them.

Lady Hester went down to the foot of the stairs belonging to her rooms to receive Mrs. Markham, and they met with the most cordial affection.

"Mr. Clinton," said the good lady, stretching out her hand to him frankly as soon as she was inside the sitting room, "I am glad to see you looking so much better in health and spirits than when I saw you last on Toronto cliffs. Did I not tell you then that it was foolish to despair, for you could not tell what good things were in store for you

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My dear madam, I am delighted to see you here!" exclaimed Clinton, meeting her with a look and action expressive of the warmest respect. "His Excellency is well I hope ?"

"Oh, yes; only a little out of humour with the feuds between the English and the French in this discordant country-I believe he apprehends that it will come to an armed struggle yet. If it should, I hope I and Lady Hester will be far out of reach of the sound of their rifle-shots and cannonading," and she shuddered.

"I hope so too, my dear Mrs. Markham!" said Lady Hester; " and yet I know that I shall not be out of America, for in it I have pitched my tent for all the rest of my days;" so saying, a little tinge of deeper crimson made itself apparent on her cheek.

"Well, give me a seat," said Mrs. Markham, losing her lively air so suddenly that Clinton fancied it had been assumed to hide some uneasiness that was lurking beneath. "Now sit down both of you by me, and tell me as quickly as you can all that has befallen you both since I saw you last; and in return I will give you a little history of some occurrences that have taken place since you parted with the Earl and Letitia."

Ah, then, you have seen them!" exclaimed Lady Hester. They have been in Toronto?"

66

They are there now, and—”

They have told you all concerning us."

"Letitia has, my dear; and I regret to be the bearer of bad news to you."

"The Earl refuses to listen to her and your kind intercession for me, and will cast me off-that is what you would say."

"Partly, my dear young friend, but not all. My time just now is limited-I have an appointment elsewhere at three o'clock, and it scarcely wants a quarter." She looked at her watch.

"Mrs. Markham, this is hardly kind," observed Lady Hester, reproach fully-" a quarter of an hour only for a first visit to an old friend!"

"I cannot help it indeed, my dear-I will make reparation for this fault another time. To-morrow I will come and take luncheon with you, and you shall not be rid of me for four or five hours. There now, say no more about it--I have something very important to communicate to you both in this quarter of an hour; and as a prelude I must ask a very necessary but impertinent question--when do you intend to be married?"

She looked to Clinton for the reply, whom a sudden thrill of ecstasy almost deprived of breath. He answered with a little graceful embarrassment

"As soon as the Earl's consent shall have been obtained-we wait, I believe, for that alone."

"And do you dream of obtaining it?" asked the good lady, surprise slightly marking her tone.

66

Why yes we do," answered Clinton, employing an accent in which pride and indignation were evidently mingled. "His Lordship still thinks high descent the grand requisite for Lady Hester's happiness in a husband: he has not learned wisdom from her past wrongs. He would be as willing now as ever he was to sacrifice her to a Colonel Cleveland.

"If this be so, your chances are but slight I should be led to fear."

"Not so, Madam; I derive from these views of his Lordship the most confident hopes."

"How so, pray?" inquired Mrs. Markham with increased surprise.

"I can boast, Madam, of a descent equal to that of his Lordship himself—if not superior."

"You !"

"Mrs. Markham, is it possible that you, living in Canada, have not heard of the new Marquis of Rougemont?" asked Lady Hester.

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Rougemont-Rougemont," repeated the Lieutenant-governor's lady, considering, with her finger raised to her eyebrow, "that is one of the largest seigniories on the shores of the St. Lawrence-and an ancient marquisate too."

"It is," said Clinton; " and as I am the heir

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rent to that marquisate, the Earl of Wilton, I should imagine, will not interpose any further objections to my suit."

"What wonder next!" exclaimed Mrs. Markham, lifting up her hands-" this is the strangest world! How has it all come about? Tell me as briefly as you can."

"My father was born in a convent, and afterwards educated by the Marquis of Rougemont, who, subsequently to his adopted heir having left him for a sea life, made the discovery that he was his son. The aged Marquis died in a snow drift a short time ago, and left a will appointing Nicholas Anderson sole heir to the title and estates. My father took possession of his right, and I have the happiness to invite you to his seat as our wedding guest after we shall have seen the Earl, and performed our errand in this town relating to the marriage settlements."

Mrs. Markham congratulated him sincerely on his change of fortunes, and then said

"But another question no less impertinent than my former one remains behind.-Mr. Clinton, has your father renounced his former disgraceful associates ?— you will forgive the bluntness of my expressions."

"He has-positively, entirely, and for ever," answered Clinton, laying a stress on each word.

"I am glad to hear it," said Mrs. Markham, rising to go, and inwardly determining to keep back the evil tidings she came to impart until she had had a private conversation with the Earl.

"But you said, my dear Madam, that you had some bad news for us," remarked Lady Hester, as Mrs.

Markham drew from her muff a note and handed to

her.

"True, I did; but what I have now heard may alter the complexion of affairs; and at any rate I shall not say any thing about it until to-morrow."

"And you will leave us all in suspense ?" remonstrated Lady Hester.

"In suspense. Hark, the cathedral bell is striking. I cannot stay another moment. Trust me, my young friends," she added, taking a hand of each, “I am most anxious for your good, and should you find that to be seriously threatened, depend on my influence being exerted for you."

"You alarm me, dear Mrs. Markham !" exclaimed Lady Hester, after regarding her attentively and in silence for a few seconds: "I beseech you tell me what we have to fear."

"No, no, my love, do not press me. I would not pain you prematurely for the world. Perhaps I may be able, in some measure, to avert the misfortune." "What misfortune, Madam? Positively you must not go until I know!"

"Are you firm enough to bear it?"

Lady Hester turned pale, and Clinton observed her tremble slightly, but she answered in a steady voice

"You have known me endure great trials with firmness, Mrs. Markham; I am not given to indulge in weakness."

"Then this is all-the Earl has given the Governor some peculiar information whereby he has been stirred up again to seek the capture of your father, Mr. Clinton, and the Governor is at present in Quebec with the