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Blanche, you know that is an infatuation to which my sanction would never be obtained," said Lady Clairville earnestly.

"That I feel does not in any way concern me as far as my own happiness is brought into question. However, as it regards Julian, whom I love tenderly as a brother, I fear that the pure and excellent feeling which you term infatuation is already weakened; at any rate it has been polluted and degraded by the poison of Lady Florence's society; and with his vacillating disposition, I tremble at the extent of the influence she may gain over him. But still he loves Evelyn sincerely; and if once he escapes the snares of that dangerous woman, he will be true to his angelic cousin. As for me, he never loved me, and he moreover knew that I loved another."

As Blanche ventured to make this disclosure before her terrible aunt, her colour deepened,

and her whole frame trembled with the emotion it called forth; but still her voice, though low, was firm, and her manner decided.

Lady Clairville was speechless with rage and astonishment. The assertion of Julian's continued attachment to his cousin first conduced to her agitation, though she inwardly rejoiced at the strong measures she had taken for its destruction. But to hear the announcement of another rebellious love, was in itself perfectly overwhelming to her tyrannical and scheming miud.

Blanche, taking advantage of her silence, was determined now she had dared to venture upon such hazardous ground at once to be explicit, and to put an end to every idea in which her aunt might still indulge upon the subject of a union with Julian and herself. She therefore continued:-" My choice is made; and as far as I can see into the probabilities of life, I should say irrevocably fixed. I am in no

haste to fulfil the wishes of my heart. When I am of age, I shall then communicate with

my friends upon the subject. the subject. Until then, I will not intrude it upon them. My resolution, extraordinary and wayward as it may appear to you, is taken; and no power on earth will alter it."

Blanche now paused. She was exhausted. Excitement had lent her courage to say so much; but it was over, and she felt almost fainting from the force of contending feelings.

To describe the deep and terrible anger of Lady Clairville would be but to paint a painful and humiliating picture of human nature, displaying the courted and courtly woman of fashion shorn of her holiday decorations, naked and undisguised, with all the faults of an unconquered spirit clinging to her, disfiguring beauty, and rendering refinement vulgarity. She overwhelmed poor Blanche with a torrent of re

proaches, which brought tears from her eyes; but still she was firm. Her aunt reproached her with ingratitude, and this also, to her warm heart, was most painful; for although she did not love Lady Clairville, still she had supplied the place of a mother to her, however coldly and inadequately she might have fulfilled the duty.

I

They parted in anger. Blanche, in torrents of tears, and with worn-out spirits-for she was unprepared for the scene of violence which she had just encountered-sought the apartment of Mrs. Stewart; and to her ever-ready ear, she poured forth the history of all her grievances. She was at length soothed by her sympathy, and reassured by all she said upon the subject.

1

Mrs. Stewart was rejoiced that she had gained courage to be explicit with her aunt; as, to her staight-forward honourable mind, she considered it a degree of duplicity from which

she shrunk with disquiet, to allow Lady Clairville to indulge expectations which never were to be realized.

It had ever been her study to inculcate in the mind of her precious charge, a strong and not-to-be-shaken regard for truth. Reflecting unceasingly upon the high destiny of this young heiress, and the conspicuous, responsible part which she might have to perform in the drama of life, it was her anxious wish to surround her with the armour of virtue; she most justly considered that truth was the basis of every estimable quality, one which carries its own light and evidence along with it. It was also her aim while directing the formation of the mind of Lady de Cressy, to render it distinguished for fidelity to every lawful promise she had made; and for constancy in every worthy friendship she had formed; and taught her that no weak compliance, no undue regard for the opinion of others, should ever induce