now.

bought himself out of jail ; a lord, or as he glided past him towards Mrs an honourable at least, and was even Haughton, had, with what is prover(I shudder to say) revolving in her bially called the corner of the eye, mind whether it might not be an taken the whole of that impostor's excellent thing for her dear Lionel superb personnel into calm survey, if she could prevail on herself to had read him through and through, procure for him the prop and guid- and decided on these two points withance of a distinguished and bril- out the slightest hesitation--"a ladyliant father-in-law-rich, noble, evi- killer and a sharper.” dently good-natured, sensible, attrac- Quick as breathing had been the tive. Oh! but the temptation was effect_thus severally produced on growing more and more IMMENSE ! Mrs Haughton's visitors, which it when suddenly the door opened, and has cost so many words to describe, in sprang Lionel, crying out, so quick that the Colonel, without ther, dear, the Colonel has come any apparent pause of dialogue, has with me on purpose to—”.

already taken

up

the sentence Lionel He stopped short, staring hard at left uncompleted, and says, as he bows Jasper Losely. That gentleman ad- over Mrs Haughton's hand, “come vanced a few steps, extending his on purpose to claim acquaintance hand, but came to an abrupt halt on with an old friend's widow, a young seeing Colonel Morley's figure now friend's mother.” filling up the doorway. Not that he Mrs HAUGHTON.—“I am sure, feared recognition--the Colonel did Colonel Morley, I am very much not know him by sight, but he knew flattered. And you, too, knew the by sight the Colonel.

In his own

poor dear Captain ; 'tis so pleasant younger day, when lolling over the to think that his old friends come rails of Rotten Row, he had envi- round us This gentleman, ously noted the leaders of fashion also, was a particular friend of dear pass by, and Colonel Morley had not Charles's.” escaped his observation. Colonel The Colonel had somewhat small Morley, indeed, was one of those men eyes, which moved with habitual who by name and repute are sure to slowness. He lifted those eyes, let be known to all who, like Jasper them drop upon Jasper (who still Losely, in his youth, would fain know stood in the middle of the room, with something about that gaudy, bab- one hand still half-extended towards bling, and remorseless world which, Lionel), and letting the eyes rest there like the sun, either vivifies or cor

while he spoke, repeated, rupts, according to the properties of “ Particular friend of Charles the object on which it shines. Strange Haughton's—the only one of his parto say, it was the mere sight of the ticular friends whom I never had the real fine gentleman that made the honour to see before." mock fine gentleman shrink and col- Jasper, who, whatever his delapse. Though Jasper Losely knew ficiency in other virtues, certainly himself to be still called a magnis did not lack courage, made a strong ficent man-one of royal Nature's effort at self-possession, and withLifeguardsmen -- though confident out replying to the Colonel, whose that from top to toe his habiliments remark had not been directly adcould defy the criticism of the strict- dressed to himself, said, in his most est martinet in polite costume, no rollicking tone_“Yes, Mrs Haughsooner did that figure-by no means ton, Charles was my particular friend, handsome, and clad in garments in- but," — lifting his eye-glass-“ but nocent of buckram, but guilty of this gentleman was," dropping the wrinkles-appear on the threshold, eye-glass negligently,“ not in our set, than Jasper Losely felt small and I suppose.” Then advancing to Lioshabby, as if he had been sud- nel, and seizing his hand, “I must denly reduced to five feet two, and introduce myself—the image of your had bought his coat out of an old- father, I declare! I was saying to clothesman's bag.

Mrs Haughton how much I should Without appearing even to see like to see you---proposing to her, just Mr Losely, the Colonel, in his turn, as you came in, that we should go to

a

66

the play together. Oh, ma'am, you ance of—that very good-looking permay trust him to me safely. Young son. men should see LIFE.”. Here Jasper Mrs Haughton pouted, but kept tipped Lionel one of those knowing down her rising temper. The Colonel winks with which he was accustomed began to awe her. to delight and ensnare the young * By the by," continued the man of friends of Mr Poole, and hurried on : the world,“ may I inquire the name “But in an innocent way, ma'am, of my old friend's particular friend ?” such as mothers would approve.

“ His name

upon my word I We'll fix an evening for it, when I really don't know it. Perhaps he have the honour to call again. Good left his card-ring the bell, Lionel.” morning, Mrs Haughton. Your hand “ You don't know his name, yet again, sir (to Lionel). —Ah, we shall you know him, ma'am, and would be great friends, I guess ! You must allow your son to see Life under his let me take you out in my cab-teach auspices ! I beg you ten thousand you to handle the ribbons, eh? 'Gad, pardons ; but even ladies the most my old friend Charles was a whip. cautious, mothers the most watchful, Ha! ha! Good day, good day!" . are exposed to

Not a muscle had moved in the “Immense temptations—that isColonel's face during Mr Losely's to-to--" jovial monologue. But when Jasper "I understand perfectly, my dear had bowed himself out, Mrs Haugh- Mrs Haughton.” ton, curtsying, and ringing the bell The footman appeared. “Did that for the footman to open the street- gentleman leave a card ?” door, the man of the world (and, as No, ma'am.” man of the world, Colonel Morley “Did not you ask his name when was consummate) again raised those he entered ?" small slow eyes--this time towards “Yes, ma'am, but he said he would her face-and dropped the words, announce himself.”

“My old friend's particular friend When the footman had withdrawn, is-not bad-looking, Mrs Haughton!” Mrs Haughton exclaimed piteously,

“And so lively and pleasant,” re- “I have been to blame, Colonel I see turned Mrs Haughton, with a slight it. But Lionel will tell you how I rise of colour, but no other sign of came to know the gentleman-the embarrassment. “It may be a nice gentleman who nearly ran over me, acquaintance for Lionel."

Lionel, and then spoke so kindly " Mother !” cried that ungrateful about your dear father.” boy, “ you are not speaking serious- “Oh, that is the person - I suply. I think the man is odious. If he posed so,” cried Lionel, kissing his were not my father's friend, I should mother, who was inclined to burst' say he was

into tears. “I can explain it all now, "What, Lionel ?” asked the Col. Colonel Morley. Any one who says onel, blandly—“ was what ?”

a kind word about my father, warms "Snobbish, sir.”

my mother's heart to him at once"Lionel, how dare you !” exclaim- is it not so, mother dear?”. ed Mrs Haughton. "What vulgar “And long be it so,” said Colonel words boys do pick up at school, Col- Morley, with graceful earnestness ; onel Morley."

“and may such be my passport to “We must be careful that they do your confidence, Mrs Haughton. not pick up worse than words when Charles was my old schoolfellow-a they leave school, my dear madam. little boy when I and Darrell were You will forgive me, but Mr Darrell in the sixth form ; and, pardon me has so expressly-of course, with your if I add, that if that gentleman were permission--commended this young ever Charles Haughton's particular gentleman to my responsible care and friend, he could scarcely have been a guidance-80 openly confided to me very wise one. For, unless his aphis views and intentions, that per- pearance greatly belie his years, he haps you would do me the very must have been little more than a great favour not to force upon him, boy when Charles Haughton left against his own wishes, the acquaint- Lionel fatherless.”

VOL. LXXXIII.-NO, DVII.

Here, in the delicacy of tact, rose, with a request-cheerfully grantseeing that Mrs Haughton looked ed—that Lionel might be allowed to ashamed of the subject, and seemed come to breakfast with him the next aware of her imprudence, the Colonel morning.

CHAPTER XI.

A man of the world, having accepted a troublesome charge, considers “what he will do

with it;" and, having promptly decided, is sure, first, that he could not have done better; and, secondly, that much may be said to prove that he could not have done

worse.

Reserving to a later occasion any take rank as the representative to more detailed description of Colonel the Haughtons ; and, whatever I Morley, it suffices for the present to may do with the bulk of my fortune, say that he was a man of a very fine I shall insure to him a liberal indeunderstanding, as applied to the spe- pendence. The completion of his cial world in which he lived. Though education, the adequate allowance to no one had a more numerous circle him, the choice of a profession, are of friends, and though with many of matters in which I entreat you to act those friends he was on that footing for yourself, as if you were his guarof familiar intimacy which Darrell's dian. I am leaving England, I may active career once, and his rigid se- be abroad for years.” Colonel Morley, clusion of late, could not have estab- in accepting the responsibilities thus lished with any idle denizen of that pressed on him, brought to bear upon brilliant society in which Colonel his charge subtle discrimination, as Morley moved and had bis being, well as conscientious anxiety. yet, to Alban Morley's heart (a heart He saw that Lionel's heart was not easily reached), no friend was so set upon the military profession, and dear as Guy Darrell. They had en- that his power of application seemed tered Eton on the same day-left it lukewarm and desultory when not the same day-lodged while there in cheered and concentred by enthuthe same house; and though of very siasm, and would, therefore, fail him different characters, formed one of if directed to studies which had no those strong, imperishable, brotherly immediate reference to the objects of affections which the Fates weave in his ambition. The Colonel, accordto the very woof of existence. ingly, dismissed the idea of sending

Darrell's recommendation would him for three years to an University. have secured to any young protégé Alban Morley summed up his theories Colonel Morley's gracious welcome on the collegiate ordeal in these and invaluable advice. But, both as succinct aphorisms : “Nothing so Darrell's acknowledged kinsman, and good as an University education, nor as Charles Haughton's son, Lionel worse than an University without called forth his kindliest sentiments, its education. Better throw a youth and obtained his most sagacious de- at once into the wider sphere of a liberations. He had already seen capital provided you there secure to the boy several times, before waiting his social life the ordinary checks on Mrs Haughton, deeming it would of good company, the restraints implease her to defer his visit until she posed by the presence of decorous could receive him in all the glories women, and men of grave years and of Gloucester Place ;, and he had dignified repute ; ---than confine him taken Lionel into high favour, and to theexclusive society of youths of his deemed him worthy of a conspicuous own age-the age of wild spirits and place in the world. Though Darrell unreflecting imitation - unless he in his letter to Colonel Morley had cling to the safeguard, which is found emphatically distinguished the posi- in hard reading, less by the booktion of Lionel, as a favoured kinsman, knowledge it bestows, than by the from that of a presumptive or even serious and preoccupied mind which a probable heir, yet the rich man had it abstracts from the coarser temptaalso added : But I wish him to tions."

Bat Lionel, younger in character fast in Curzon Street, requesting than in years, was too boyish as yet him to obtain Mrs Haughton's acto be safely consigned to those trials quiescence in that exercise of the of tact and temper which await the discretionary powers with which he neophyte who enters on life through had been invested by Mr Darrell. the doors of a mess-room. His To Lionel, the proposition that compride was too morbid, too much on mended the very studies to which the alert for offence; his frankness his tastes directed his ambition, and too crude, his spirit too untamed by placed his initiation into responsible the insensible discipline of social manhood among scenes bright to his commerce.

fancy, because new to his experience, Quoth the observant Man of the seemed of course the perfection of World: “ Place his honour in his own wisdom. keeping, and he will carry it about Less readily pleased was poor Mrs with him on full cock, to blow off Haughton, when her son returned a friend's head or his own before the to communicate the arrangement, end of the first month. Huffy-de-backing a polite and well-worded cidedly huffy ! And of all causes that letter from the Colonel with his own disturb regiments, and induce court- more artless eloquence. Instantly martials--the commonest cause is a she flew off on the wing of her little huffy lad! Pity ! for that youngster tempers." “ What! her only son has in him the right metal-spirit taken from her-sent to that horand talent that should make him a rid Continent, just when she was first-rate soldier. It would be time well so respectably settled! What was spent that should join professional the good of money if she was to be studies with that degree of polite parted from her boy! Mr Darrell culture which gives dignity and cures might take the money back if he huffiness. I must get him out of pleased-she would write and tell London, out of England-cut him off him so. Colonel Morley had no feelfrom his mother's apron-strings, and ing; and she was shocked to think the particular friends of his poor Lionel was in such unnatural hands. father who prowl unannounced in- She saw very plainly that he no to the widow's drawing-room. He longer cared for her—a serpent's shall go to Paris no better place to tooth, &c. &c.” But as soon as the learn military theories, and be civil- burst was over, the sky cleared, and ised out of huffy dispositions. No Mrs Haughton became penitent and doubt my old friend, the chevalier, sensible. Then her grief for Lionel's who has the art strategic at his loss was diverted by preparations for finger ends, might be induced to take his departure. There was his wardhim en pension, direct his studies, robe to see to—a patent portmanteau and keep him out of harm's way. I to purchase and to fill. And, all can secure to him the entrée into the done, the last evening mother and circles of the rigid old Faubourg son spent together, though painful St Germain, where manners are best at the moment, it would be happibred, and_household ties most re- ness for both hereafter to recall ! spected. Besides, as I am so often Their hands clasped in each otherat Paris myself, I shall have him her head leaning on his young under my eye, and a few years there, shoulder-her tears kissed so soothspent in completing him as man, may ingly away. And soft words of bring him nearer to that marshal's kindly motherly, counsel, sweet baton which every recruit should promises of filial performance. have in his eye, than if I started him Happy, thrice happy, as

an after at once a raw boy, unable to take care remembrance, be the final parting of himself as an ensign, and unfitted, between hopeful son and fearful save by mechanical routine, to take parent, at the foot of that mystic care of others, should he live to buy bridge which starts from the threshthe grade of a colonel.”

old of Home-lost in the dimness The plans thus promptly formed of the far-opposing shore !_bridge Alban Morley briefly explained to ov

over which goes the boy who will Lionel, when the boy came to break- never return but as the man.

a

CHAPTER XII.

a

The Pocket Cannibal baits his woman's trap with love-letters—And a widow allured

steals timidly towards it from under the weeds. Jasper Losely is beginning to be he had behaved to her, she could not hard up! The infallible calculation but feel a sincere regard for him--& at rouge-et-noir has carried off all deep interest in his fate. He ought that capital which had accumulated still to make a brilliant marriagefrom the savings of the young gentle did that idea not occur to him ? men whom Dolly Poole had contri- She might help him there, with buted to his exchequer. Poole him- her woman's wit. In short," said self is beset by duns, and pathetically Mrs Crane, pinching her lips ; " in observes “that he bas lost three short, Jasper, I feel for you as a stone in weight, and that he believes mother. Look on me as such !” the calves to his legs are gone to That pure and affectionate notion enlarge his liver.”

wonderfully tickled, and egregiously Jasper is compelled to put down delighted Jasper Losely. "Look on his cabriolet—to discharge his groom you as a mother! I will,” said he

- to retire from his fashionable with emphasis. “Best of creatures !” lodgings; and just when the pro- And though in his own mind he had spect even of a dinner becomes dim, not a doubt that she still adored him he bethinks himself of Arabella (not as a mother) he believed it was a Crane, and remembers that she pro- disinterested, devoted adoration, such mised him £5, nay £10, which are as the beautiful brute really had instill due from her. He calls,he is spired more than once in his abominreceived like the prodigal son. Nay, able life. Accordingly, he moved into to his own surprise, he finds Mrs the neighbourhood of Podden Place, Crane has made her house much more contenting himself with a secondinviting — the drawing-rooms are floor bedroom in a house recomcleaned up; the addition of a few mended to him by Mrs Crane, and easy articles of furniture gives them taking his meals at his adopted quite a comfortable air. She herself mother's with filial familiarity. She has improved in costume — though expressed a desire to make Mr Poole’s her favourite colour still remains iron- acquaintance-Jasper hastened to grey. She informs Jasper that she present that worthy:

Mrs Crane fully expected him—that these pre- invited Samuel Dolly to dine one parations are in his honour—that she day, to sup the next'; she lent him has engaged a very good cook--that £3 to redeem his dress-coat from she hopes he will dine with her when pawn, and she gave him medicaments not better engaged-in short, lets for the relief of his headache. him feel himself at home in Podden Samuel Dolly venerated her as a Place.

most superior woman-envied Jasper Jasper at first suspected a sinis- such a "mother.” Thus easily did ter design, under civilities that his Arabella Crane possess herself of the conscience told him were unmerited- existence of Jasper Losely. Lightly a design to entrap him into that her fingers closed over it-lightly as matrimonial alliance which he had so the fisherman's over the captivated ungallantly scouted, and from which trout. And whatever her generosity, he still recoiled with an abhorrence it was not carried to imprudence. which man is not justified in feeling She just gave to Jasper enough to for any connubial partner, less pre- bring him within her power-she had ternaturally terrific than 'the Witch no idea of ruining herself by larger of Endor or the Bleeding Nun! supplies--she concealed from him the

But Mrs Crane quickly and can- extent of her income (which was in didly hastened to dispel his ungener- chief part derived from house-rents), ous apprehensions, She had given the amount of her savings, even the up,” she said, “all ideas so prepos- name of her banker. And if he carried terous - love and wedlock were off to the rouge-et-noir table the coins equally out of her mind. But ill as he obtained from her, and came for