"To Ellen?" cried Lady de Quincy, “a packet containing love letters, intended to be returned by Signor Torsini to Ellen! do I hear aright?"

Such, indeed, would seem to be the case," responded Mr. Cavendish; "and yet—"

"I understand you," interrupted Lady de Quincy, as she reseated herself, "and here is my post till that seeming be refuted.”

CHAPTER X.

"Oh! for a tongue to curse

*

May life's unblessed cup for him
Be drugg'd with treach'ries to the brim,-
With hopes, that but allure to fly,

With joys, that vanish while he sips,
Like Dead Sea fruits, that tempt the eye,
But turn to ashes on the lips!"-Moore.

"Give me my robe, put on my crown, I have
Immortal longings in me."-Antony & Cleopatra.

THE afternoon was sultry-the atmosphere oppressive; dense clouds, betokening a storm, were gathering over the metropolis. Lady Monro reclined on a couch, which she had had placed near to a conservatory, in which a fountain of water was playing, and which, by appearing to give coolness, prevented her

from dwelling on the overpowering listlessness produced by the strong odour of the flowers she was inhaling. She was languid from the heat, and also from the exhaustion felt by every one whose strength depends on excitement, whenever a pause occurs in the usual hurry and bustle in which persons so constituted can alone be said to live, while fancying that they enjoy life. Long since had Lady Monro ceased to deceive herself on that point. She was but too sensible how little capability she now possessed of enjoyment. She took from her bosom a note-read, re-read, and then, replacing it, drew a small table towards her, and began an answer in these words :

My best beloved! He returns to-night; but before going to the party at M▬▬h House come to me by the usual way'

A sudden noise as of contention, and then the sound of approaching footsteps, made her look up; and there, with glaring eye, flushed

cheek, livid lips, and trembling frame, stood

Torsini !

Signor!" she exclaimed, as the terrified groom of the chambers seemed uncertain whether to remain, or to quit the room into which he had vainly endeavoured to prevent this wild-looking visitor's entry. "Signor, to what am I to attribute this intrusion? What can make your business so pressing that you should seek me here? You may leave us," she said, turning to the servant, "but take care I am not again disturbed."

Deceitful, hardened woman," exclaimed Torsini, when his rage allowed him to utter, "I have that to tell which will make you

tremble under all that mask of shameless hypocrisy !"

"Your epithets are refined; but proceed in this marvellous revelation.

I am all at

Know, then, that Sophie Dumont, exas

perated by your neglect, is at this hour revealing all to a magistrate."

Sophie Dumont!" repeated Lady Monro scornfully, "and pray what mighty secret, which could make me tremble, can Sophie Dumont betray? You, I imagine, will take care that she cannot be believed, should the old fool babble of our having met, except by accident, at her lodgings. It strikes me that such a course would have been more manly than coming here, where you know I am forbidden to receive you, to frighten me by this absurd tale. Take that purse to Sophie Dumont, and she will forget all she might have remembered. It is your fault that her wants have not been too well supplied for her memory to have become troublesome."

"Charlotte! dismiss this haughty bearing; it will avail you nothing. I tell you that Sophie Dumont has in her possession all your letters to me before your marriage."