Mrs. Belcour's inflamed countenance had not time to resume its usual courtly smile, when-" Allow me, madam, to introduce to you Mr. George Berkley, of Berkley Park," caught her ear at the same moment that her eye rested on Lord Umberdale presenting the despised stranger.

Then stepping back, and taking Arley's hand,— My brother," said Lord Umberdale, as he led him forwards, "has the happiness, I believe, to be acquainted with all this good company, except the Miss Hopewells,-young ladies permit me to make known to you my brother-Mr. Theodore Arley.".

CHAPTER XI.

Whilst yet perchance but one short hour remains,
Between us twain, let there be peace. /

Milton

UNBOUNDED as was Mrs. Belcour's astonishment at being introduced to her neighbour, George Berkley, in the person of the supposed Methodist preacher ; and deeply interesting as was the discovery, as regarded her daughter Eliza, yet her ruling passion did not, even in that moment of surprise, relinquish its hold on her heart it enabled her to observe the formality of Lord Umberdale's manner: it directed her eyes to follow him, and to perceive that he did not take his usual place by Maria.

We have hitherto seen that gentleman mingling in the society, to which we have introduced him, with all the ease and sociability of a polite, good-tempered young man, presuming nothing on the score of his wealth, least of all on that of his rank, and claiming no distinction but what his conduct might merit.

On his arrival at Rosemount, however, his character appeared strangely altered; and those who had not known him, at Hopewell Hall, would have said that he deported himself as though he was conscious that he

was every inch a nobleman. Though still polite and attentive, he was grave and reserved.

We should in vain attempt to analyse the feelings with which Maria received the brothers, as they were now presented to her notice. Struggling with adverse fortunes-the victim of imprudence and folly, she had beheld the adventurer, Percy, with pity; she had been melted to the utmost tenderness by witnessing his extreme wretchedness, and she had accorded her forgiveness in the fullest sense of the word.

The vantage ground, which he had gained by his unexpected meeting with his brother, however desirable in all other respects, had, nevertheless, placed him in a most delicate and dangerous situation, as regarded his influence on the affections of Maria.

The Honourable Mr. Arley-Percy now no longer, was to be considered as a gentleman of rank and family; but this was an advantage he derived solely from another person, and that person was present.

Should he be thought in the slightest degree, in the most minute particular, to presume on the changed state of his affairs, Maria would but too certainly remember that, but for him, she herself would have been in full partnership with the noble individual from whom he derived all his honours. Such were the reflections of Arley.

But not when he was making his last and sad adieu in the cherry walk at the parsonage, did Arley appear more humble, more anxious, or more interesting than he did at this moment.

Depressed as he had been, his was a heart most keenly to feel the delicacy of his present situation, and nothing but the urgent solicitations of his brother could have induced him to place himself in it.

Her pity; her softest pity and commiseration I might, in my adversity, have claimed; but her esteem,' he would say to himself her esteem, in prosperity, never.'

As Mr. Courtal pressed on him a renewal of his acquaintance, he met the old gentleman's advances with grateful politeness; but Maria observed that he shrunk from all reminiscence of the circumstances of their first meeting, which Mr. Courtal, who was by no means wanting in the proper tact in such matters, perceiving, turned away his attention to some other of the company. Thus Arley was again left alone, and his confused and irresolute air denoted the feelings of one who, degraded in his own opinion, believes that the eyes of all around are turned on him with looks of contempt, if not of abhorrence.

Not unobserved was his dejection by Maria, and the interest she once felt for him returned in full force to her heart, as she believed his was still rankling with thorns which she alone could extract.

There was one other person who plainly saw and deeply felt for the unpleasant situation of Arley; and with a hurried step, as though he would have said, "if it must be done, let it be done quickly,' he led him to Maria.

"I have only found my runaway, Miss Belcour," said he, "to lose him again. He positively refuses to return to England."- -Insensibly he changed the lively air with which he attempted, at first, to address her, as he added, "Nor can I blame his choice. My unkindness-my rashness-drove him from his own country. It shall be my care to make him happy in this; if the best services of the most attached brother can render him so."

"Your Lordship," said Mr. Courtal, who had joined them, "will leave him in the possession of many friends; many on your account; not a few on his own; and let me assure you, if he 'jumped over the wall instead of entering by the door,' to get at our affections, he has not the less firm hold of them. Truly, my Lord, I was often tempted to say, on my first acquaintance with him, that, as the old knight of facetious memory once said, I'll be hanged, but he has given me med'cine to make me love him.' It could not be else."

Both Maria and Arley perceived and were grateful for the considerate kindness which induced Mr. Courtal to give this turn to the conversation; and whilst Maria gave him a look which assured him that his benevolent intention was understood, Arley broke the silence which as yet he had maintained.

"Never, surely, had any man such cause to be thankful as I have. A life, sir; a long life, devoted to the discharge of every duty enjoined on me, can alone evince my gratitude-can alone, allow me to say, excuse my friends for their partiality and kindness to an object so undeserving."

"Well, well, my Lord Duke! (ba, I am glad to find you have not absolutely lost the faculty of smiling.) Well, we will not quarrel with your grace, however strict you may be in the performance of your duties; but they must be gone through, let me tell you, with a more cheerful countenance. Know you not, that I am master of ceremonies wherever I go; and my first command is ever,

• Hence loathed melancholy!"

Of Cerberus and blackest midnight form'd !'