and assured her father that it was not to be thought of. Sir Henry Leslie set before her the advantages of the position she would hold in society, with rank and wealth at her command, but the light-hearted girl declared that she preferred love in a cottage. Sir Henry now declared that he had accepted Lord D--'s proposals for her, and desired her to lay aside her nonsense, and be prepared to behave as she ought to her future husband. Adeline tried tears, prayers, and coaxing, all in vain, for Sir Henry told her that what he once resolved upon he never revoked. He had pledged his word to her aristocratic suitor, and neither could nor would recall it.

Adeline had inherited a portion of her father's decision of character, and secretly determined that nothing should induce her to marry the old cavalier, for whom she felt not a spark of friendship, much less of such affection as a woman should feel toward the man she takes for her partner through life. Outward resistance she found was vain, so she changed her tone, and begged the engagement might be kept secret till she had become a little accustomed to the part she had to perform, and requested that

her wedding might be delayed till the end of the summer, it being then the beginning of March, hoping some happy fate, she knew not what, might deliver her from this hateful marriage.

The enamoured suitor begged she would sit for her portrait, as he wished a full-length representation of his affianced bride to be placed in his fine old gallery. Adeline reluctantly consented, and a young artist of considerable talent, a foreign refugee, and scion of the old French noblesse, was selected by the imprudent old lord to perform the pleasing task.

The result may be easily guessed; the young foreigner became madly in love with the fair girl, on whose beautiful features he gazed day after day, and soon discovered by her manner to Lord D- that it was a mariage de convenance, and not a union of affection. Emboldened by Adeline's evident distaste to her ancient suitor, and pleasant manners to himself, he found means to acquaint her with his passion, imploring her to accept his devotion, and choose a life with one whose every thought and energy would be devoted to promote her happiness, rather than become the wife of a proud old man, who looked upon her only in the light

of an ornamental possession to add to his other

treasures.

It needed little to decide Adeline to comply with the young artist's proposition, for his good looks, gentlemanly manners, and well cultivated mind, had early made a very favourable impression upon her; and before her portrait was more than half completed, she fully returned his affection, and thought herself most fortunate in thus having a way to escape opened to her. Feeling certain that it would be worse than useless to throw herself upon her father's mercy, and possessing determination, of purpose akin to his own, she resolved to marry only the man she could and did love. Accordingly, one fine morning, taking her maid, whom she had won over to her plan, with her in the carriage, she desired the coachman to drive to the

Bazaar, on the plea of some shopping, and walking through to the other end, they made their way to the Chapel, where her lover was awaiting her, and the indissoluble knot soon tied.

When Sir Henry Leslie received the letter announcing their marriage, and asking forgiveness, his wrath knew no bounds, and he

declared that he would cut her off without a shilling. Edward Leslie's entreaties for his cousin were unavailing; his uncle declaring that he would grant pardon but on one condition, namely, that she left her husband, and returned home immediately. This she decidedly refused, preferring her husband's true affection even in poverty, to her father's stern, cold severity, with every luxury he could bestow upon her. Sir Henry extorted a promise from his nephew never to attempt to see his cousin Adeline, which he reluctantly gave, but carefully abstained from binding himself not to hold communication with her, fearing that the time might too speedily arrive when she would be hardly pressed for means of subsistence, as Sir Henry Leslie pursued Monsieur de Bouillé with unrelenting cruelty, and by his representations deprived him of many of his most wealthy patrons.

Years rolled on, and the pressure of a family reduced the young couple to extreme misery; but for Edward Leslie's frequent assistance from his allowance, by denying himself every unnecessary expenditure, they would often have well nigh starved. The expenses attending some festivities given by his regiment at the

VOL. I.

D

town of Compton, at present lessened his means of relieving their distress at a time of their utmost need, when Monsieur de Bouillé was stretched on a bed of sickness; he therefore had resolved to attempt an appeal to Sir Henry Leslie on their behalf, in the forlorn hope that the tale of their utter misery might possibly move him to render at least some trifling aid.

He found much difficulty in introducing the subject he had so much at heart, for Sir Henry had apparently set his mind on hearing everything about the neighbourhood of Harrington; in fact, everything but that on which he was anxious to speak to him.

"Pray, Edward," asked he, "when is your marriage likely to take place? soon, or do you mean to wait till you obtain your majority?"

"If I wait for that, sir," replied Captain Leslie," it may be for years in time of peace; besides, Eleanor has £20,000 when she marries, if with her mother's consent, and that she has obtained, you know; however, I do not think our wedding will take place till the summer, when I hope to obtain three months' leave of absence."

“Rather a dashing young lady, I am told,”