or golden vapour, or some such poetical stuff. Oh, that I could metamorphose myself for a few sweet hours, into a milkmaid or shepherdess, that I might hear or read all the sugary things these same unsophisticated rusticians, whom Fortune has never petted or spoilt, can utter or scribble on Valentine's Day."

"Why did you not break through those horrid, conventional rules you abuse so often, and try your own skill? All young ladies are not so fastidious, I'll venture to affirm," said Miss Lydia Newhaven, accompanying her words with a becoming blush.

"None should know better than yourself, Miss Lydia," said Sir Frederick, replying to her last words; "but who would have guessed that those who are always weaving, embroidering, or stitching at (I don't under

stand the technical terms) soulless birds, scentless flowers, or barkless lap-dogs, the greatest phenomenon of all, should possess any earthly kind of sentiment."

"And what is the scent of flowers but their soul, which they pour forth to the loving sunshine and the enamoured zephyr, as the wild birds do their spirit of song!" exclaimed Lady Wardlaw with an affectation of enthusiasm.

Ah, a pretty idea, quite Oriental," remarked Lord Derrington with a slightly arcastic expression in his tone of voice.

"I am delighted you like it, Lord Derrington. Did I ever explain to you my project for the regeneration of England ?"

"Oh, no! and I beg you won't trouble yourself. I never could endure the word

since my own regeneration took such a

huge slice off my inheritance," and he cast an arch glance at his sister; "so England must expect no aid from me."

"What are you going to do with yourself this morning, Derrington ?" inquired Sir Frederick.

"Oh, I'm going to have a gallop on the sands, and try my pretty little 'Nightstar' against Fairfort's old Victory,' which he boasts has never been beaten. Will you come and see ?"

"No, I think not, I'm in a deucedly sentimental humour, and shall use my eloquence in persuading the ladies to take a walk, and elect me their guide and protector. So I must gather their votes forthwith."

The walking party consisted of Lady Ida, Geraldine, Sir Frederick, and the fair Lydia,

who seemed to think it advisable to give Sir Frederick a little judicious encouragement. It was the first occasion that Geraldine had been allowed by her kind friend to sally forth from the friendly shelter of Deanbar, and therefore everything appeared fresh and new to her. None but those who are passionately fond of studying the glorious mysteries of Nature's works, of interpreting her never-silent language, of luxuriating in that sense of freedom which inspires those that wander at will, and zealously worship in her hallowed temples, open to all nations, all ranks, all religions, can conceive the deep rapture that thrilled through Geraldine's being, and hushed the words that trembled on her lips-lest their sound should break the spell that seemed

to have endowed her with new life,

brighter hope, a purer faith!

Sir Frederick led the way, the pretty smiling Lydia by his side, adown a serpentine walk which threaded the plantations behind the house, and descended to the river's brink. Guarded by low, wall-like cliffs, forming a natural quay at this part, and considerably narrowed, the waters rushed impetuously along, eddying fiercely whenever a projecting rock impeded their swift course; and the airy-looking bridge that spanned them, appeared as if its slender piers could not stand a moment before their fury; constructed, however, of iron, and scientifically supported, there was, in reality, no insecurity. Miss Lydia, however, either was, or feigned to be, greatly alarmed; possibly,