CHAP. IV.

""Tis vain to seek in man for more than man."

A BETTER feeling than vanity may lead a man to regret that triflers gain an ascendancy in society; nor, if vanity stood the prominent feature in this case, need he blush to own it. The culture of intellect, like the exercise of mercy, "blesseth twice." The toil capacitates the mind to comprehend and appreciate enlightened sentiments, while it repays the mental exertion, by increasing its internal resources.

To such a mind there can be no heavier tax, speaking of mere casualties, than that of being called upon to approve such a character. Considered as a visitor en passant, lord Osterly appeared the most insig

nificant

nificant being imaginable; but when Sidney saw three days pass away, and his lord-· ship yet lingered in the vicinity of Beverly; when he beheld Fanny Beverly pleased with his attentions; and, above all, found the morning parties at the Hall arranged previously to his arrival, his pride took alarm. He had been valued, because he was the only cecisbeo at hand; it had been highly flattering, for they had appeared to esteem him; but now the most egregious idler had superseded him, and his vanity sunk in proportion to his disappointment.

To betray jealousy where we own no individual preference, appears arrogant; yet I fear this blemish cannot be erased from the character of an Englishman. An Irishman can be the slave of half a thousand bright eyes, and remain wholly exempt from this too scrupulous feeling. Shall we impute this to his vanity, or his nonchalance? That he is a creature capable of every noble impulse, admits not of a doubt. Then I would say, that the latter is all heart,

the former all nerve; that the Irishman sees no ill, for his buoyant spirits balance the ills of life, thus avoiding a preponderance; while the Englishman, tinctured with that variation which distinguishes his clime, fluctuates, hopes, and desponds, is vulněrable and inaccessible, yet ever valuable, for a polished Englishman is a reflective being.

Wentworth could not look on calmly. If by chance he called at Beverly, he was greeted with some salutation which bespoke lord Osterly's importance. Some party had been projected, and he was solicited to join them; and, contrary to all his idea of probabilities, Supple had gained an established footing in the family. While he deplored this, he was too much absorbed in disappointment to understand that by his occasional seclusions these uncongenial associations had been formed.

Sir Ormsby, whose petulance was easily aroused, grew severe in his remarks. To lord Osterly he was considerately lenient;

but.

but he saw no reason why Mr. Supple should incroach upon the hospitality of sir George.

As a host, no man evinced higher ideas of liberality than sir Ormsby, He was not, however, so prodigal of his time. Even when blessed with the society of his son and his niece, there were hours in which he sought the retirement of his closet-hours which, dedicated to rational pursuits, fitted him more immediately for the charm of intellectual converse.

The little festering irritabilities which are comprehended and felt by the nice observer, by the heart possessing sensibility, these subtle underminers had completely deranged the so late happy life of our hero. In a fit of vexation, he had half resolved on quitting Adderfield, and returning to London, when the benevolent countenance of his father met his eye. "He has not disappointed me," said Wentworth, mentally. "Oh no-he is the kindest of parents;" E 6

and

and for the present his London journey was wholly forgotten.

Lord Osterly, whose aim was notoriety, appeared fully sensible of the favour he enjoyed. He rode with sir George, projected amusements for his lady, made love. to Fanny Beverly, and affected a sentimental taste whenever Louisa Beverly bestowLayton ed her time upon him; to lady Linburne he was the assiduous and respectful attendant, and would quit the girls to escort the aunt.

Yet though his lordship timed his services so adroitly, there were two in the circle who wanted faith in the motives which induced his assiduities; these were lady Beverly and Louisa.

Sir George Beverly, warm-hearted and undesigning, not prone to deep observation, saw the peer with that indifference with which he would have beheld any other man of equal rank and similar sentiments. He knew that lord Osterly was received every where,