"It is so, indeed!" exclaimed Julia. Charles was somewhat struck at the earnest and candid air with which his sister and cousin repeated their protestation of innocence. He could not resist a suspicion that foul play had occurred in some quarter to ruin the happiness of the family. His thoughts rested chiefly on Lord Eglinton, for he considered it was impossible that his dear friend the Captain would have committed an action so vile. His Lordship, therefore, came in for the whole weight of Charles's anger. He, however, concealed from Maria and Julia his intentions of calling him out: taking his sister's hand, he requested that their misunderstanding might be forgotten; and turning to Maria, begged the same of her, and in the pleasure of this reconciliation, Julia for a time forgot her sor

rows..

CHAPTER IV.

With rage opprest,

His heart swelled high, and laboured in his breast.

POPE.

CHARLES lost no time in waiting upon Clanmer, whose counsel and assistance he needed. He soon reached Montague Square, and saw the Captain, who extended his hand to him with an air of pretended cordiality.

"How now, Charles !" exclaimed he; you are not yourself.

Your looks are

ominous any ill fortune at cards?"

"No, no, Clanmer, an evil of a different kind now vexes me--I shall want

your immediate assistance."

"You know that I am your friend, and will perform all I can."

"The knowledge that you are my friend occasioned my visit; for you know that I never unnecessarily confide my troubles to a stranger.

"How serious !-relate your misfortune, if it is one, and we'll endeavour by our joint skill and wisdom to make your woeful countenance assume its usual cheerfulness."

Charles then communicated to the Captain all that had occurred between his sister and Lord Eglinton, corroborating the account by placing the letter in his hands. This news was as disagreeable to Clanmer as a fall of ten per cent. in the stocks would be to a large fundholder. To say the truth, Clanmer never conjectured that Lord Eglinton would have written a letter to Julia, dismissing her so abruptly from his heart. When, therefore, Charles asked him to become his second, the Captain rose from his chair in some confusion, and placed an instant and firm denial upon the request.

"Consider, Charles," said he, smothering his vexation as well as he could ; "condemn me not because I refuse the office. Remember what serious consequences will result from your impetuous feelings, which are now too hot to be assuaged by arguments drawn from cool reason. Let your anger first subside.”

"Clanmer," interrupted Charles, the conduct of his Lordship admits of no alternative will you befriend me?" "How wildly you talk!" said the Captain, whose repugnance increased every instant. "Wait, at least, until to

"That would be acting absurdly. You know well that the laws of honour pointedly disallow any delay. I cannot wait: to-morrow morning the meeting shall take place, unless his Lordship should happen to add another trait to his meanness, and avoid my just demands; therefore tell me decisively whether you will aid me ?"

"I cannot-my conscience-a thousand considerations prevent it."

"Farewell, Clanmer!" exclaimed Charles: "I thought you would not have deserted me in the hour of need; but I find that friendship is variable, and that a man who can lend his money with a willing and generous hand, will refuse his aid in a call of honour.”

"You wrong me," said the Captain hastily: "let me explain-."

"I cannot stop," replied Charles ; "for though I am grieved at your refusal, my purpose cannot be shaken.”

Charles shook Clanmer's hand, and taking up his hat, departed hastily to his own lodgings, leaving the Captain pacing up and down the room with rapid strides. In the heat of his discomposed feelings, he several times violently struck his forehead. "Curses on the fool!" he exclaimed; "his purpose must be prevented, or my well-wrought schemes will be ruined."