sat in silence. She felt averse to speak, or even to look at Lord Mervyn.

She had a secret fear of some impertinence or presumption on his part. She felt falsely afraid in his presence, as in that of one whom she had wronged, and who possessed therefore a full right to resent the injury he had received. In short, she felt terrified of him, and could not support with any feeling of comfort his company on this occasion-therefore seized the first opportunity of begging Madame Lucetti to leave the park, and drive elsew here.

This proposition the latter for some time skilfully contrived to parry, but at length having amused herself sufficiently, she complied with Aline's request, which, had however by that time become less urgent, Lord Mervyn having left them.

But they drove out of the park - Madame Lucetti proposing to proceed through some of the principal streets, to execute a little shopping commission, before taking Aline home,

where the latter reminded her they must return by half past six, for her husband's dinner.

Aline had not the least idea of the time, it having passed away, as it were imperceptibly, or she might have guessed that the hour had even then nearly arrived.

But Madame Lucetti attached little weight to such conjugal appointments, and having no inclination to attend to any arrangement interfering with her own convenience, would gladly have allowed Aline to remain in her unconsciousness, till she had completed her own business, if the catastrophe, which brought affairs to a crisis, had not occurred. On turning the corner of a narrow street, in the neighbourhood of Hyde Park, the light carriage came suddenly in contact with some heavier vehicle, and though dexterously brought to a stand by the fair driver, and sufficiently soon to prevent any injury to the occupants of the phaeton, the collision had been sufficient to break the delicate shafts, and cause the frightened little

animals to kick -- prance, and become quite unmanageable. Madame Lucetti behaved very bravely on the occasion; till the groom had secured the ponies' heads, she did not relinquish the reins, but Aline, nearly frightened to death, sprung to the ground, and found herself immediately by the side of Lord Mervyn, who hastily dismounting, gave his horse to the servant, and offering his arm to the pale and trembling Aline, begged her to lean upon it.

In the agitation consequent on her alarm, she accepted the support without hesitation.

"You must not stay here in all this confusion;" he said, after they had stood for a moment or two looking on, and he attempted to lead her away.

"And pray, what is to become of me?" cried Madame Lucetti, who had by this time also left the carriage, and beheld his lordship's intention, and Aline then paused, that her Italian friend might join them.

The carriage was to be taken to the first

coachmaker's for repairs, and the ponies were to be led home, and Madame Lucetti had already sent in quest of a conveyance for herself and Madame Angelo.

"Madame Angelo is too unwell to wait for any thing," Lord Mervyn replied; "she can scarcely stand, and I am not going to allow her to remain standing here till the cab arrives. Her father's house is close at hand," he added, and quietly drew her on.

"Oh, I cannot go in there!" faintly ejaculated Aline, though she was too weak to resist.

"But you must Aline-in spite of your illtreatment of myself, you shall see how magnanimous I can be, I will procure you the entrée of your father's house-you shall have something to thank me for-however you may hate it."

Aline in spite of the perplexity and distress of mind, from which she was at that moment suffering, could scarcely refrain a smile at this, her old lover's characteristic course of proceed

ing. But what!-was he going to force her into the house, from the door of which, she had been once driven-force her to intrude upon those by whom she was disowned - deserted?

It must not be; yet she found it impossible to resist, and soon-before she knew where she was, felt herself hurried through the portal of her former home, the astonished servants making way for her and her conductor; and on the latter peremptorily desiring that they should be shewn to some apartment, Madame Angelo having met with an accident, the library was accordingly thrown open for their reception-the inquisitive servants pressing forward officiously with proffers of assistance. But Aline only begged for a glass of water, then untying her bonnet, sank upon a seat exhausted, frightened, and could only give vent to her feelings in a burst of tears.

Lord Mervyn remained standing in silence, leaning against the mantlepiece, until the servant returned with the glass of water, which