their respective children, were accordingly sensibly hurt by the implied affront. They were independent, too, of the world-loved society— and were willing, without any particular sacrifice, to have the countenance and occasional company of their betters. In this state of mind they felt, in its strength, the insult which they had never deserved.

Not to increase, but to sympathize in their chagrin, they were visited by a young man of high fashion, and of still more singular idiosyncrasy, a few days after the party just referred to. From this domestic type of Julius and Augustus Cæsar, the Edmonstones knew that nothing could be concealed or disguised; and, as their genius was not at any time very expert in the art of colouring mysteries, they were at all times sufficiently inclined to confess.

"Go, Marianne, my dear, and finish out that piece of drawing, till I speak with Mr Madrake.

She is taking it from a little story-book," continued Mrs Edmonstone, which she had many years ago from Isabella Lumsdaine."

"And the title, Ma'am, was The Danger of Ambition, or The Happiness of Content."

"It was The Faithful Friend," said Mrs Edmonstone.

"The giver, however, was a faithful devil." "The family have disappointed us, Mr Madrake."

"They have. But give them line, and let them swing. There will come a time-circumstances will act some day-contre as well as pour. You understand, Mrs Edmonstone?"

"It does not mend matters much in the mean time, however, Mr Madrake; and I acknowledge, that, for my children's sake, I feel" hurt, she would have said.

"Nay, Ma'am, how can you be so affected?" "I am not angry, Mr Madrake." "Allow me then to say, that you are a beautiful, a wonderful exception to the generality of women."

"Not beautiful, certainly, Mr Madrake."

"Right again. You are not beautiful, certainly."

"That was a severe gulp, Mr Madrake; almost as severe as the Lumsdaines, some people might think."

Right again; always consistent, always in proportion. You are beautiful, and that sweet smile is born of goodness.-Hush! no comments. I have myself a little personal bit of scandal to dissect, and you must listen to be enlightened. I was not at the Lumsdaines the other night. I half-sprained my ancle on my way; though I wanted to be there, to torment the youngest and finest gentleman of the house. This worthy, be it known, has thought proper, in these latter years, to overlook and forget the very persons to whom he was most obliged and indebted; a conduct the more inexcusable, when we look back on his former attempts to recommend himself to their notice. I met him in public yesterday; and I encountered one of those cold looks-one of those half-distant reluctant salutations-as if he wished to shew his new companions that he condescended. Condescended!-mark, Madam, the word condescended.Now ask me a question."

"Well, what happened you?"

"I looked back-a thing I never did before; -and I said to myself, Thou, Madrake, art nobody, and cannot hope to interrupt the advancement of others-Lay thee still, therefore, and look to fortune to comfort thy revenge; or if not'. But why do you look so strangely at me?"

"Mr Madrake! Mr Madrake! how can you go on at this rate? Although I were doomed to be strangled by such people, I could not hope to be so comforted."

"Nevertheless, Madam, I shall still hope❞— "Well, Mr Madrake, I cannot esteem you. As Mr somebody says, there is a dark closet in every house."

"Yes; but, as you have heard, they must be made of firm glass who can venture to throw stones at other people's windows."

"This from you, Mr Madrake; the laughing, happy Frolic?"

"Nay, Madam, this trumpery wretch has just given the laughing, happy Frolic,' one of those gentle signals, which nevertheless portend con

tempt, neglect, ridicule, ignorance.

of me! But I shall yet be amused.

Ignorance
Nor will

I do the people either injury or injustice. The world will only be taught to appreciate the more that strength which enables them to despise all such difficulties, while I shall teach their pride that it is not yet quite invulnerable."

"Mr Madrake, I am greatly astonished. You never appeared to me to be the fiend”

"Madam, I am capable of the most extraordinary energies-the most desperate attempts. I am not the good-natured amusing fool, that most men and women take me for. On the contrary, I possess a keenness of perception, a quickness of discernment, which nothing—no, not the simplest as well as the most perfectly disguised intentions can escape. I know, as it were by instinct, the designs of the whole human race; and if it is true that I can be amused with their follies, it is as true that I can sometimes annihilate and paralyze the effects of their power!-But, good morning; I have spoken too much, and have not, I believe, left myself breath enough to carry me through the porous sanc