thing? was Susannah Hollis a sharer in the game? if so, what a formidable coalition ! How was he to escape its threatened ruin?

Dunbar knew, too well, how much he had done to bar his injured cousin from returning to his home more, far more, than even his great arts had got him warrant for, from his absurd uncle. He quailed, therefore, at the possibility of its discovery through Miss Hungerford's agency; and thinking principally of the fact Damaris Flavel might bring against him, betook himself to imagine the best mode of weakening her evidence, should it ever be brought forward to his uncle.

A

In the very depth of these meditations he found himself all at once under the spreading chesnuts by the river side, and in front of his uncle, who was taking there his solitary walk, with an open letter in his hand, and a dark cloud on his brow. momentary palpitation of heart in him, was ended by Sir Fulk's salutation, which was only charactered by that cold gravity which marked every thing he did when suffering from galled pride. The knight certainly found himself in a sort of court yoke at the instant; but he refused to confess such an

unwelcome feeling; and affecting serious satisfaction, he told his nephew to read the letter he held out. With a profusion of humble thanks, Dunbar took and perused the epistle.

It came from one of the king's confidential persons, and was avowedly of his dictation. The first sentence congratulated the knight upon his worthy nephew's distinguished loyalty and bravery during the late civil broil, and upon his nomination to parliament. The second, condoled with him upon the continued sickness of his daughter, which seemed fated to throw a serious obstacle in the way of the union, which his majesty himself had once suggested. That royal personage condescended to intimate, that in consequence of this expected match being so long deferred, malignant whisperers had endeavoured to poison his august mind, with doubts of Sir Fulk Trevanion's sincere intention to support his throne against the party abroad, who were seeking to undermine it. He further said, that as the surest way of putting these whisperers to shame, it would be well, if the young lady's health were really in so sad a state, to look out for another wife for his nephew,

so that the honourable house of Treverderet might not perish in the persons of the present noble knight, and his declared heir, Colonel Dunbar Trevanion; the king would then have fair grounds for conquering the opposition of certain in his privy council, who were against the revision of the sentence about the barony, solely from their hostility to the principles of his misguided son, whose issue might eventually succeed to power and wealth in England, unless Sir Fulk should make the due settlement of his estate, and match his nephew where there was a likelihood of offspring.

When Colonel Trevanion had finished a second perusal of this courteous, yet dictatorial letter, he folded it, and stood with an air of silent respect always flattering to his kinsman, as if presuming not to offer an opinion.

As usual, the latter spoke first; though now with some effort at appearing unembarrassed.

"His majesty's wise providence for the security of his throne, by binding up again the ancient and loyal houses that have somewhat fallen into decay and ruin, by dutiful services for his murdered grandfather, de

serves much commendation: and his especial care for the restoration of the Trevanions to their just rights, meriteth from us that we should be guided partly by his good counsel. I, therefore, do mean, nephew, to take the king's advice."

"In how great extent, may I humbly crave to know?" was Dunbar's modest question.

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Why, if Aura continueth in this lifeless state which, in truth, grievous disgraces have brought her to-or doth heartily distaste wedlock, I will resign my own natural desire to see her so wedded, and will cast about to find you another wife. Could you guide me to any family of high descent, and answerable reputation, which have fair and well-nurtured daughters?"

Colonel Trevanion hastened to say, and to swear, with a vehement ardour, inspired by his secret joy, that he had never given thought to any other woman than his fair cousin ; but that sadly suspicious of her desire to lead a single life, he had long kept his passion so far in abeyance, as would enable him at any time to obey his honoured kinsman's commands, whenever they might point him to a match fit for a Trevanion.

"It is well said!" responded the knight. "Now I will tell you what had passed between me and my poor child, just before this letter came to hand. Methinks, if rightly managed, it may prove serviceable to my wishes in the matter of her recovery."

Sir Fulk then proceeded briefly to relate as much of his late discourse with Miss Trevanion as he chose to detail; together with his purpose of trying the experiment upon her sick humour of her old schoolfellow's society. This failing, he concluded, he would directly proclaim Dunbar his heir; seek out a wife for him; make due provision for Aura; and, finally, fix the succession to Treverderet, by executing a legal instrument to that effect, before his nephew's marriage settlements were drawn

out.

So great a thunderclap as this, of hearing that the doors of Treverderet were about to open for persons plotting his ruin, astounded Colonel Trevanion so beyond all compass of his wit, that he lost sight of what he ought to have seen and acknowledged, his uncle's intention of adopting him, and ejaculated, unconsciously, "Admit a Hungerford, sir!'