This may seem an overwrought and exaggerated description to those who have, not like myself, actually looked upon this beautiful creature; but those who have, will, I am sure, acquit me; and perhaps there are some who, from their own experience, may give me credit for not overstepping the bounds of truth in this instance.

It was soon ascertained that her name was Sutherland, and that she was staying with her father, Sir Francis, at Hartley Grange. The young lady, having remained in the house until this minute, had at first led many to suppose that she was only a visiter for the day.

I was

When the quadrille was over, Henry led me to the tent in which Lady Hartley was seated, arranging the archery prizes, to be contended for two or three hours later, and dancing was to be resumed afterwards. Miss Sutherland and some other girls, one of them her own daughter, were assisting our hostess, who, on my entrance, immediately rose to receive me; and, after greeting me, introduced me to Miss Sutherland. She turned towards me, and extending her hand with one of her brightest smiles, she expressed the greatest pleasure in making the acquaintance of one of whom she had so often heard, but had never chanced to see. not proof against such a manner, and such words, uttered in a voice of which every tone was music; and I gave her my hand with a cordiality almost equal to her own, and again did that beaming smile break forth as she clasped it warmly. Why was it that, at that instant, a sudden, unaccountable thrill shot through me, and I felt myself shrink from her touch, as though it had been doomed to turn all that encountered it to dust and ashes? Why was it, that one of those darkening shadows, "that strange inborn sense of coming ill," which ever and anon attacks us, even in our hours of mirth, passed over my soul, as I gazed on that bright being, who seemed to revel in sunshine herself, and to be destined to create it for all around her? And, as I looked up, my eye caught sight of a thunder-cloud on the distant horizon, while the sky above and around us was as glowing as before.

I could not instantly shake off this ominous feeling of gloom, but at length I succeeded in doing so, and joined in conversation with Miss Sutherland and Lord Tintern, who appeared little disposed to quit her side. Henry Mordaunt stood apart, talking to Captain Spencer. During a momen

C

tary silence on our part, I heard the latter say to Henry— "Miss Vernon has certainly found a worthy rival at last, and one who, in my mind, would eclipse her, if only from the contrast of her winning manner to Miss Vernon's haughty, unbending one."

I did not hear Henry's reply, for Miss Sutherland asked me at that instant if I had been dancing the first quadrille ; adding that, if I were not engaged for the waltz, she should much wish to introduce her brother to me. I said I had already promised myself to another partner, but that I should have great pleasure in becoming known to Mr. Sutherland. The introduction took place, and others now entering the tent, it became somewhat crowded, and Henry offered his arm to escort me back to my father. As we went out, I asked Miss Sutherland if she were not going to dance?

"Not till I have done my best to become the owner of one of those beautiful things," she replied, pointing to the handsome ornaments which lay on the table. "I fear to make my hand unsteady, and I believe most of the fair archers will endeavour to withstand the temptation of dancing until their fate is decided." As the band began to play, she added— "It is very difficult, though, to resist that most captivating of all waltzes, is it not?"

These last words were addressed to the gentleman who now stood next to her, and whom I had not previously seen. I had but a hasty glance of him then, but he struck me as being one of the handsomest and most distinguished young men I had ever met with.

An hour or two passed away; and engaged in dancing and strolling about with my partners, sometimes seeking the cool shade of the grotto, and sometimes resting beneath a tree, I saw no more of Miss Sutherland, her unknown acquaintance, or Lord Tintern, until the commencement of the archery. This took place rather before the appointed hour, owing to the lowering aspect of the heavens, and the prognostications of the weatherwise, that, though all was still bright above us, we should not escape a thunder-storm. I was no archer, and therefore was merely a spectator of the scene. A sudden rush was made by the assembled guests to the ground on which the targets were pitched; and it was not long before I saw Miss Sutherland, as I had first seen her, leaning on the arm of Lord Tintern. She was attired in light blue silk,

with a rich lace scarf over her shoulders, and a bonnet, also of lace, ornamented with blush roses; and, as they advanced nearer to me, I thought I could perceive, from his glances of earnest admiration, and the half whispers in which he addressed her, that the world for once was not mistaken in its judgment, when it declared Lord Tintern to be devoted to the fair Augusta Sutherland. Whether the impression were mutual, I could not pretend to decide; for her manner was so frank and cordial to all, and so utterly free from any approach to shyness or timidity, that I could not have told from her aspect and bearing, whether she was listening to the vows of an ardent lover, or the gallantries of a common acquaintance. Lord Tintern was possessed of a grave but intelligent countenance, and his appearance was gentlemanlike; but no one, I think, would have termed him handsome or particularly striking, as far as externals were concerned.

Contrary to the original arrangements, the gentlemen shot first, owing to a young lady, and one who excelled in the art, having hurt her ankle, and gone into the house to bathe it, still hoping to be able to enter the lists against her fair competitors. The sport commenced, and when all had shot but one, Captain Spencer's arrow was nearest to the bull's eye, having in fact touched the edge of it. The young man whose appearance had so arrested my attention, now stepped forward; and, taking a still truer aim, was pronounced the winner of the highest prize, which he received from the hands of Lady Hartley.

I inquired of the gentleman who was standing next to me, the name of the successful marksman; but he replied that he did not know it, and had just been asking the same question himself. Mr. Mowbray added, that he believed him to be quite a stranger in the neighbourhood, and to have lately arrived on a visit at the Grange.

"But here comes my sister," he continued, as Lady Helen Mowbray now appeared, limping slightly from the blow she had received. "No one had any doubt of her being the best lady archer here to-day, but I fear the shock will have unsteadied her hand."

The event proved that his apprehensions were not groundless, for Lady Helen obtained but the third prize, while the highest was awarded to Miss Sutherland. She took the beautiful bracelet from our hostess, saying, as she did so

"Fortune has not belied her character, or been less capricious than usual, on this occasion, for there can be but one opinion as to the rightful owner of this lovely ornament, and not as a gift, but as her undoubted right, I pray Lady Helen Mowbray to take it.”

Lady Helen of course refused; and Augusta, after once more assuring her that the offer was renewed in all sincerity, showed that she had too much good taste to make a scene by pressing the point further, and, retaining the bracelet, she said (I thought with a slight glance at Lord Tintern)

"I shall ever value my beautiful prize, especially remembering when and where I won it; but I shall always bear in mind that my good-luck has been merely the result of accident.”

Lady Helen looked pleased at Miss Sutherland's cordial way of saying this; and many were the eulogiums passed on all sides upon the evidently sweet disposition, which so heightened and enhanced the magical effect even of such beauty as her's. At this moment I heard the voice of a gentleman behind me, murmuring in a low tone to his companion

"All is not gold that glitters; those who know Miss Sutherland as I do- and then, amidst the crowd and constant movement, I lost the remainder of the sentence. What I had heard, however, was quite enough to set me pondering on the hidden meaning of these words.

"Is it possible," was my reflection, "that deceit can lurk beneath that fair open countenance? That beaming smile— those kind sentiments so kindly spoken-can they conceal thoughts and feelings dark and revengeful as my own? No! it can never be! The man must have been some presumptuous, disappointed suitor."

I looked up at that instant, and encountered Augusta's gaze fixed upon me; and, as our eyes met, I fancied that a momentary flash gleamed from her's, little in accordance with their usual sweet, though animated, expression. This, joined to the remembrance of the shudder I had experienced at our introduction that morning, impressed me strongly; for, with all my supposed strength of mind, I was far from being devoid of superstition; and though I could not forbear looking on her beautiful face, whenever I could do so unperceived, I felt as though her fascination were to me as that of the rattlesnake.

I was roused from my reverie by Captain Spencer, who came to claim my hand for a waltz. I had refused him two or three times, on the plea (a true one) of being otherwise engaged; but at length he had begged me to name the time at which I should be at liberty; and, knowing him to excel in the Terpsichorean art, I had promised him the first waltz after the conclusion of the archery. The first dance proved to be a waltz, and we walked towards that most level part of the velvet lawn on which we had previously performed.

I have said that I rather disliked Captain Spencer; but this feeling was gradually giving way beneath the influence of his constant and untiring devotion to me, notwithstanding all my scornful coldness; and from my conviction that many a handsome woman would gladly surrender half her train of commonplace admirers to secure his attentions to herself. The speech I had heard him make that morning had not nettled me, for I knew it to be an ebullition of pique at the avoidance of him, which he could not have failed to see that I had exhibited. Not that the idea of loving or marrying Captain Spencer had ever once crossed my mind as a possibility; but he was handsome, his conversation was witty and amusing, and I knew him to be most sincerely attached to me. Perhaps this day did more to alter the current of my feelings towards him than many previous months had effected; although I well knew that he had intended me to overhear his complimentary remarks on Miss Sutherland, and to be annoyed by them. He was the son of Lord Belmont (whose seat was about fifteen miles from Vernon Hall); and he had, on leaving college, obtained a commission in the guards. He was quick and superficially clever, the idol of all ladies on whom he deigned to bestow any of his attention, and the envy of the far more numerous class who were not so favoured. There was but one present that day who outshone him in my eyes; and, in the judgment of many, Captain Spencer might probably have equalled, in the charm of appearance and manner, his (to me) unknown rival.

We paused at length to rest; and, to my surprise, I perceived Miss Sutherland waltzing, not with Lord Tintern, but with the stranger who had excited my curiosity. But in an instant I remembered that Lord Tintern attempted no deeper mysteries than those of the quadrille or country