1 back, so odious to her had the baronet of late become; but checking the halfformed wish, she merely said "Is this well done, sir Theodosius, to persecute one you have already so deeply injured?" 66 My sweet love," he replied, attempting to seize her hand, "we are met to part no more; how could you so cruelly fly from one who adores you to madness? My hand, were it at liberty, you must well know, would be yours; let us leave this detested country; on the Continent you may pass for my wife, and when lady Beaumont dies, I swear" "Stop, monster," she exclaimed, "nor again wound my ears by such language, or you will force me to seek that pro-tection which the laws of my country will unquestionably afford me." A light step now approached, and as sir Theodosius turned to reprove the intruder" Is it my brother who thus persecutes innocence?" was uttered in a tone of the deepest sorrow by Miss Beaumont, who stood by his side. Had the most hideous spectre met the eyes of the baronet, it could not have produced a more appalling effect than did the presence of his beloved and highly-venerated sister. Several years older than himself, she had acted to him the part of a parent; and such was the influence she had acquired over his wayward passions, that she appeared to be the only being who could bend his stubborn will. Her unexpected appearance in the present case seemed to have aroused the latent sense of honour in his bosom, and, self-condemned, he hurried out of the room, and was leaving the house, when the valet of count Neurenburgh put a note into his hand that changed his determination. CHAP. CHAPTER VI. O woman! in our hours of ease, By the light quivering aspen made, When pain and anguish wring the brow, Scorr. MARY, who had hitherto comported herself with the greatest firmness, now, when the necessity for exertion ceased, sunk weeping into the arms of Miss. Beaumont. Into her friendly bosom she poured the tale of her griefs; the conduct of her brother and count Neurenburgh, the jealousy of Henrietta, the silence of Mrs. Frazer, her engagement to Bouverie, and the mystery of her birth, were all revealed with unhesitating candour. Her compassionate auditor listened with the deepest interest to her mournful history, and when it terminated, entreated her, with a benevolent smile, to compose her agitated spirits." Under my protection," she added, "you are safe from farther pursuit from my poor mistaken Beaumont, nor should I suppose count Neurenburgh would again attempt to intrude into your presence. The storm that has lately threatened your peace will, I trust, quickly disperse and be forgotten, or only remembered to enhance your future happiness, when restored to friends so justly dear to your heart. But as to travelling alone and unprotected, especially in the present state of your health and spirits, it is not to be thought of; to return to Beaumont Lodge, or remain in a public inn, would be equally exceptionable; the dearest friend fate has spared to me resides with a widowed mother a few miles from hence; to her cottage I will conduct conduct you by to-morrow's dawn, where you will be cherished for my sake. Having seen you in a place of safety, my next care must be to conciliate the injured, but imprudent Henrietta. Of an unbending disposition, which was fostered by early indulgence, the acknowledgment of error is peculiary painful to the proud spirit of my brother; should lady Beaumont, therefore, continue to reject his offers of conciliation, a separation must be inevitable. Had she, on the contrary, given him credit for the sincerity with which he laid open to her view the wanderings of his wayward heart, she might have secured to herself a firmer hold on his affections than even when her youthful charms led him a willing captive to her feet. While, however, Mrs. Lessington continues her bosom friend and counsellor, I expect to find her deaf to the voice of reason and prudence. On the Continent, sir Theodosius first met this artful woman, and smitten |