Being unable to go over to Harrington Court till the beginning of the week, having taken a friend's duty, and not wishing any report of his uncle's changed views towards himself to reach Eleanor through another channel, he wrote her a brief account of the whole transaction, promising to call on the following Tuesday morning, when he hoped to find her at home.

The day came, and with it a fall of snow, but lovers are not so easily checked, and he rode over, at least rejoicing that there would be no chance of his lady-love being absent from home in such weather. As usual, he took his horse round to the stables, giving him to one of the grooms, walked to the hall door and rang the bell; after a short delay the butler appeared, and, holding the door slightly open, regretted that Miss Merton was not within.

"Indeed, I should not have thought she would have ventured out. Is Mr., Mrs., or Miss Howard within?" asked Captain Leslie.

"Mrs. and Miss Howard are out, and master is particularly engaged."

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Very well," replied Captain Leslie, as quietly as he could to the evident falsehood and insult, for he heard the sound of the piano.

He had gone a few steps towards the stableyard when he heard Mr. Howard calling him by name, and turning round saw him at the porch.

"Captain Leslie," he said, "I am sorry you have received such an uncivil message. I am not engaged, and shall be happy to see you; indeed I must request you to be kind enough to come to my study, that we may have a little conversation together."

Captain Leslie assented, and when the two gentlemen had entered the library, Mr. Howard closed the door and seemed, for a few minutes, at a loss how to open his subject; at last he said

"You must consider the denial of Miss Merton and her mother to receive you, Captain Leslie, very strange, and it is to offer some explanation that I have asked you to favour me with this interview, and to acquaint you with my own opinion of the matter."

"I can only presume, Mr. Howard," replied Captain Leslie, "that Miss Merton's refusal to see me is connected with the circumstances of which she was informed in a letter I wrote to her a few days ago.'

"I have not been acquainted with its con

tents, Captain Leslie," continued Mr. Howard, "but, before entering further on this unpleasant subject, allow me to assure you that I have always entertained the highest esteem for your upright and honourable character, and trust this unfortunate affair will not, in any way, diminish our mutual regard. You are well aware that I have no authority or control over Miss Merton's actions, and that the guardianship of that young lady is vested in her mother and Mr. Smith; I, however, hailed her engagement to you with much satisfaction, hoping that the faults of her disposition, being in a great measure attributable to her foreign education and the foolish indulgence of her mother, might be corrected, and her character improved by a marriage with à sensible and amiable man, as you must permit me to say I consider you to be."

"I am much obliged to you, Mr. Howard, for your good opinion of me, and especially for your kindness on the present occasion; I certainly hoped that if any objections were raised by Miss Merton's guardians owing to my altered prospects, they would not have been shared by herself; but I suppose I am to understand that I deluded myself with a false and foolish con

fidence in her professed affection towards me,” remarked Edward.

"I wish that I were able to contradict your supposition, Captain Leslie," rejoined Mr. Howard," and regret extremely that you should have ever bestowed your affections on one so heartless and unworthy of them. I must freely own, knowing the wide difference of your tastes and pursuits, I was astonished when you made your proposals; but in youth love is blind, and certainly Eleanor is an adept in duplicity and art, though of course, as her step-father, I need not say that this is spoken in strict confidence; it may help to cure your love, if not already done, to know she would make you a most unsuitable helpmate."

"Thank you, Mr. Howard, for your wellmeant comfort," replied Edward, "but which only shows me what a small amount of penetration and judgment I must possess to have suffered myself to become the dupe of a girl of nineteen."

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Nay, do not be too severe on yourself, my young friend," continued Mr. Howard; "you but share the fate of many another man, older and more experienced in the ways of the world

than yourself, and, above all, let it not wreck your faith in woman, as it has done with some, because your first choice has fallen on an unworthy specimen of the race; believe me, there are plenty left with true and loving hearts, able to shed sunshine and happiness on your home."

Mr. Howard briefly explained that a letter had been received by Mr. Smith from Sir Henry Leslie, informing him that he should settle £10,000 on his nephew at his marriage, but that, in consequence of his obstinate refusal to agree to his wishes, he would not benefit in any degree by his will, and it was not improbable that he should therefore marry to leave an heir to his title and estates. This communication being forwarded to Harrington Court, decided the young lady to free herself from an engagement of which she had lately repented, having other and more ambitious designs in view.

"When this was imparted to me, my indignation was great," added Mr. Howard, "and I told Miss Merton my mind pretty plainly, informing her that I rejoiced your eyes would be thus opened to her real character before you were shackled for life."

And ringing the bell, he desired the butler to