not seen since her father's departure, and whose feeling towards her was truly paternal. He was evidently watching for her entrance, and his hearty embrace, as he welcomed her to her second home, brought the tears into her eyes, and produced a benevolent smile on the countenance of the person with whom his Lordship had been conversing, and who proved to be the identical "old Roman lady," whose arrival had so much gratified Geraldine, and alarmed Mrs. Kelsoe, namely, the Lady Winefride Blount. Geraldine was reassured by that smile, and by the extended hand of recognition, that she had not been classed, and then forgotten, with the host of young fashionables, whom her ladyship had necessarily mixed with and endured, during the London season of their first acquaintance. No time, however, was now permitted for conversing, even on the lightest topics, as the interchange of civilities with well known acquaintances, and introductions to the few strangers present, occupied Geraldine's unwilling attention, till the general move to the dining-room. Amongst these strangers was a travelled author, whose quarto, just published, had been dedicated to Lord Hungerford, but had remained unnoticed until that morning, when, suddenly remembering the arrival of Mr. , her ladyship, ever full of the proprieties of life, had hastily cut the leaves open, read the heads of the chapters, and now politely led the conversation to the contents of the book in question. This was conducted with good taste and discrimination, and, as several persons were present, who possessed tact sufficient to follow the clue given, much information was elicited by those who had witnessed the scenes described by the traveller, and whose impressions differed just enough to produce animated discussion. Geraldine, who was seated nearly opposite to this gentle

man, found her attention much divided throughout the dinner, by the classical and religious allusions made to the temples and tombs of Italy by those around her, at the same time that she could not help being amused by the visionary projects of a young German Baron, seated next to her, whose actual belief in astrology made her fancy herself retrograding to the middle ages. At length the stars and the Baron were totally forgotten; and she gave an undivided and solicitous attention to the classical tourist, as these words caught her ear:"Our Lady-day, the term being retained from Romish times, is precisely the day heretofore dedicated to Cybele, and, in fact, the greater the research the greater the proof, that the ancient Mother of the Gods,' and the modern 'Mother of God,' differ in nothing but in name and in date."

Something was then said which Geraldine did not hear; but the travelled author continued with, "Any one, acquainted with the Italian character and temperament, would see nothing extraordinary in their retaining their pagan idolatry, and, with a mere change of appellation, continuing to the fair portion of heaven a chivalrous obedience. In short, at every step in Italy, the classical traveller is reminded of the ancient mythology, and clearly traces the connexion between the pagan and popish rites!"

Geraldine here stole a glance at Lady Winefride Blount; but, before she could ascertain whether the smile which played on the old lady's countenance had been caused by this speech, the signal was given by the disconcerted Lady Hungerford for the gentle sex to retire to smaller and safer topics in the drawing-room. When there, her ladyship imparted, in an admonitory whisper, to the few who were unacquainted with Lady Wine

16

fride, that her valued old friend certainly had the misfortune to be a Catholic, but that really she was so sensible, and so well informed, and liberal, that they would find her just like other people !" To this last tribute Geraldine was by no means disposed to agree. She thought Lady Winefride very unlike "other people," and wished much to ascertain whether her characteristics were really owing to originality of character, or to circumstance and position: how much of the unbending carriage, the reserved though kind manner, the rare but intelligent smile, belonged to the woman, and how much to the Catholic in a Protestant land? Geraldine was not able, however, to fix these precise limits on that evening.

The circle of coffee-drinking ladies remained unbroken until the entrance of the gentlemen, when Lady Winefride was soon engaged as Lord Hungerford's partner at whist, and Geraldine, surrounded by old acquaintances, who had in priority of date a greater claim to her attention, was borne away to the musical instruments, in spite of her wish to hear the conversation between Mr. Everard and the author, which was taking place at the other end of the room. Geraldine, however, resolved to question her learned old friend, respecting the accuracy of the traveller's sweeping assertions, and, with this hope in view, dismissed all deep thought, until music, and cards, and conversation, being over, the party dispersed, and she found herself mounting the staircase at the same time with Lady Winefride Blount. "Has the clock struck twelve?" audibly whispered Lady Hungerford's maid to another woman, as the ladies passed.

"Just on the stroke, Mrs. Bruce," replied the female addressed.

"Then tell Monsieur Bigot that Lord Hervey

had better mount at once to my lady's room, for it will be the tenth of December, and her birth-day, before they meet," added the chief speaker.

"I have unintentionally become party to an interesting little family secret," said Lady Winefride to Geraldine, as she stopped at the door of her room; " but to you, Miss Carrington, nothing relating to Lord Hervey could, I presume, be well a secret?" and, as she said this, Lady Winefride threw the full light of her taper on Geraldine's countenance. Taken thus by surprise, our heroine replied eagerly, "I was told that he was coming; but, indeed, Lady Winefride, it is nothing to me!-that is"-added she, with more embarrassment of tone, and with all the vexation of being unable to prevent herself from colouring deeply, when she least wished it-" that is, I should much wish for the privilege of being admitted to converse with your ladyship alone to-morrow, if not inconvenient."

"With me?" exclaimed Lady Winefride, in evident surprise; "shall you have time for me on such a day as to-morrow? Well, Miss Carrington, be it so. You have but to tap at my door to gain instant and welcome admittance. Till then, good night, and 'benedicite !'"

2*

CHAPTER II.

Is this a time for moonlight dreams
Of love and home, by mazy streams,
For fancy, with her shadowy toys,
Aerial hopes, and pensive joys?

KEEBLE.

MRS. KELSOE did not belie her usual penetration, when she affirmed that Lady Hungerford's birth-day was but the minor motive for Lord Hervey's change of plan, and for his sudden re-appearance at the Priory, when by his last letters, all had seemed arranged for his continuing at Geneva. The truth was, that, so long as Geraldine Carrington remained a recluse at Elverton, his lordship, feeling that all was safe respecting his hoped for alliance with her, and unable in propriety to be a visitor at the Hall, during the absence of its master, had resolved that, in the interval of the ensuing months, he would complete a work, which he had begun at the solicitation of his London evangelical friends, illustrative of the present state of parties at Geneva, and which, from his introductions to the leading controversialists there, was best to be effected on the spot. When, however, by Lady Hungerford's last despatch, he discovered that Miss Carrington had consented to join the Christmas party at Sedgemoor Priory, and that, amongst the numerous guests expected, several formidable competitors might start for the same prize, Lord Hervey resolved to leave the subtleties of polemics, for a few weeks at least; and, as he