of fairy-land.

The conservatory, though not half the size of the one at Lynchcombe, is twice as full of flowers."

66 Grand conservatories are seldom full of flowers," observed Edgar, after receiving a tolerably gracious welcome from Sir John. "They are too lofty, and too uncertain of temperature; designed by architects, not by floriculturists. Ours at Molyneux Castle looks like a Walhalla, and grows nothing but fruit trees. At least I searched it through carefully this morning for a flower to offer to my cousin, and found nothing milder than a palm leaf."

His first word had told against him. Ours at Molyneux Castle!" The Ego et rex meus of Wolsey was scarcely more presumptuous!— He, the son of a younger brother, whose elder was on the eve of marriage, to assert proprietorship in the family estate!

"A son worthy of Gerald Molyneux!" was the mental commentary of his uncle. "Well might Janetta pronounce him to be a coxcomb.

I must take care that she do not alter her

opinion."

He was still more angry when Edgar, seating himself unbidden in his own favourite chair (how are visitors to surmise the favourite seat of host or hostess ?)-began to do the honours of his house to him, cross questioning him in the most affable manner concerning his accident, and offering him the best of medical advice.

"If my uncle Dinton had only thought proper to write to me," said he, extending his legs as if his boots were perfectly at home,-"I could so easily have been back in time for the election. And if I had been there, I am convinced no disturbance would have occurred.-My uncle is so little known to the populace, and unluckily so shy, which they think proud; and Molyneux Castle has never been popular in the county. The old folks were dignified, silent people;-my aunts never very sociable.-My father was the only favourite with the people, which has ren

dered me now familiar with them, and something of a favourite with their betters."

Sir John sat aghast.

"Even you, my dear uncle," continued the offender, "are a comparative stranger here. The neighbours have grown up since you married and renounced Harrals; and the county is huffy at your settling in Dorsetshire. An opposition and riot were therefore matters of course. -But I know my way to the vulnerable points of these people, and would have undertaken to make that discontented bear, the public, relax its hug,-rise on its hind legs in your honour, and caper a saraband."

Janetta, on whom the abhorrent looks of her father were not thrown away, kept secretly wondering what Miss Avesford would have thought and said of this flagrant specimen of the rising youth of Britain. Sir John contented himself with replying, as if he had not been listening to a syllable uttered by his nephew,-" Pray have you heard lately from your mother?" adding,

VOL. II.

K

with the earnestness of an invalid beginning to be interested in such topics,-" Pray how are Molyneux and my sister in health?”

"As well as can be expected, under present circumstances," was the young gentleman's grave reply.

"The great age of the late Lord Dinton must, however, have long prepared them for the melancholy event which has recently taken place?"

"But the present Lord Dinton's age did not by any means prepare them for the melancholy event about to follow. After figuring for fourteen years, (two apprenticeships, uncle !)— as heir-presumptive to a peerage, it is far from pleasant to sink into a collateral.”

"The change does not appear to have affected your spirits, Edgar ?" said Miss Wraysbury, cheerfully.

"Oh! I had been living behind the curtain ; and was thoroughly up to the trap-doors and stage-tricks. My excellent uncle never made a secret to me of his matrimonial intentions;

probably because satisfied that I should discover them, without his assistance."

"Then why not forewarn your parents?" observed Sir John, with a contemptuous smile.

"Because I saw no reason to bring them over to England for the purpose of disturbing the courtship and marriage of Cock Robin.—Why should not the best man in England become the happiest ?—He has been devoting his life to create happiness for other people. His own turn is come at last."

At this observation, Janetta looked almost as much pleased as when bestowing upon him the tearose; and her evident approval of his opinions. provoked Sir John to remark, "My sister Emma will scarcely thank you.-She was never very partial to Denny Cross. I have to thank her for being the first to notify to my father and mother, that engagement in the Pennington family which produced an irreparable breach between us."

"And yet, though after twenty years, you still