she suddenly said, "Apropos, Colonel, is it true that a French grenadier took a child, at Estella, by the feet, and dashed its brains out against the step of a door?" "I am grieved to be obliged to confess," said he, "that it is true.” “And does the wretch live?" said my Lady, with a flush of indignation in her cheek. "I have no reason to believe otherwise," he replied; "the conduct of the town had placed it out of the pale of military protection." "Where is thy arm. O God!" cried out my Lady, "and to what hour dost thou reserve thy vengeance?" "In that hour preserve us. Heaven!" said the Colonel. "Aye, you may well say that," said Donna Carolina, exultingly. I, more sedate in my abhorrence, uttered an ave-maria.

Don Pedro was now to take his leave and proceed on his journey. The Colonel took him by the arm, and they walked aside for a few minutes in deep conversation. During this time, Donna Carolina was persuading my Lady to go on to the summit of the bill to the left; and to make all certain, she ordered the servants and mules to move before us. The view from above was worth our trouble. The valley stretched itself in great richness at our feet, and the hills which completely shut it in, are known throughout all Biscay for trees and beauty. This scenery would doubtless have drawn some fine observations from my Lady, had not the Colonel been present; and probably from the Colonel too, but for Donna Carolina incessantly teazing him with questions. It took us an hour's climbing to reach the spot where we stood, and there we were perched like flies upon the edge of a china basin, looking down upon the landscape lying in shades and spots of blue and green, and gold and purple, below. Here Donna Carolina mounted her mule, and left us for Vittoria. She had a long way before her; it was at least a ride of five hours. “You must be fatigued," said the Colonel to my Lady, will you take my arm as we return?" "That is not the custom in Spain," she replied, "we must be content to act in trifles as the world does." "Well, my Lady," said I. " if you will not profit by the Colonel's arm, I will; for I am ready to sink with fatigue." The Colonel's arm was not enough, I actually sunk down. I soon, however, recovered, but my Lady forced me to rest a little longer.

"Indeed," said the Colonel," Duenna I am indebted to you for this happy occasion. I feel a pleasure in this moment, Donna Aminta," continued he, "that I cannot express, and perhaps, as it

is the most delightful I have ever experienced, so it may be the happiest of my whole existence. You have inspired me with a sentiment that has raised my soul above itself, that has made me feel that I can love you without desiring more. Perhaps it is in the same spirit that we think of heaven." "For that heaven's sake Monsieur Walstein," said my Lady, " do not talk thus, for that passion of which you speak, is not to be tempted in any shape; there is no safety from it but in flight, and therefore-let us go." "Stay but another moment," he replied," and let us enjoy the blameless delight of looking on this lovely scene-lovely to me indeed -with you so nigh. How tranquil is the bosom of that valley opening beneath us like a mighty amphitheatre, whose walls reach up to heaven. What richness in the colours of those fields whose happy stream hastens to fill Aminta's bath. Sweet angel, when you descended to trouble the waters, I would wait there to be healed by them." My Lady interrupted him. "Monsieur Walstein, you must not say these things; you would flatter me into folly. Have you discovered that you are not disagreeable to me? and would you profit by my good opinion of you? But, believe me, the attempt is vain; for I would not think myself worthy to live if I did not deny myself even the dearest wish in life, if it were opposed to my duty to my God." "Nay," replied he, "but for whom do you cherish with so much sanctity all your friendship and all your love?—he who now calls you wife is most unworthy of it." "Who is it that is faultless?" she replied. “I would not for the world offend you," said the Colonel: " that which I have ventured on your car is nothing new. I will not now bring in graver authorities, but I shall repeat a passage of Tasso, that I think may amuse you, and particularly as it is my own translation." Well," said she," setting the question aside, I would like to hear your translation. I admire Tasso as a poet, but when I read poetry, I keep in remembrance that I am reading fiction; and perhaps that is the reason why they deal so much in pictures of passion. Come begin," said she. "To what passage do you allude? I cannot recollect the beginning ;" said he, " but it was the description of Armida's bird, with its song among the trees of the enchanted garden" "I will try," said she," and bring it to your recollection. Does it not begin thus ?

"Vezzosi augelli infra le verdi fronde."

"That is the beginning," observed he," but as I find you are so

intimate with the original, I feel afraid of showing my presumption instead of my skill." "Nay, Colonel," said my Lady, “if you have no desire beyond that of pleasing me, I think I shall be pleased; and if I could be certain that you would be contented with my friendship, I should not withhold it from you; but, to be candid, you may rest assured that if you look to other objects, not even my friendship shall be given." "Then," said the Colonel, endeavouring to conceal his emotion, "then," said he, offering her his hand," let me touch the strand on which all my hopes are shipwrecked." "Colonel," resurned my Lady, giving her hand, "I am serious in every word I have spoken; it is the best part of my character to be steady in every business of life. I feel that I am rather blameable in contracting so unripe a friendship, but we live in such times that life is too short for acting our parts by the old rules of caution and propriety." "I swear to you," said he. Nay," she interrupted him," do not swear, for oaths and faithlessness follow each other like substance and shadow." I now remarked to my Lady, that it was full time for our return, that we had come much farther than we had intended, and that Don Antonio would be waiting dinner for us. We then arose and made good haste down the hill. The walk home was pleasant, but very little conversation occurred, except that my Lady often pressed the Colonel to repeat his translation of Tasso, which he as often declined, promising that he would give it to her at some other time. On our arrival we found an officer with dispatches for the Colonel. Don Antonio was out, and it was not quite dinner time, so all was right. The Colonel retired into the balcony to open the packet, but soon returned, saying to the officer, "Very well, send the adjutant to me." The officer bowed and withdrew. The Colonel seemed pensive, and spoke not a word for some minutes; during which time my Lady looked at him as I never saw her look at a man in my life. Bless me, thought I to myself, what can this mean? He raised his eyes from the ground, on which they had been fixed, and gazing on my Lady, said, "we have no time to lose;" upon which they exchanged a look or two, and immediately she rose up, saying, "Brigida, leave us alone for a few minutes." I remarked to her that there could be nothing which I might not know with safety; that my secrecy was only exceeded by my fidelity. She made no reply, but pointed to the door. "Oho!" said I to myself," is it come to this?" So I curtesied and left the room.

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As soon as I got out, I brushed through the hall, went round by the Chinese saloon, and placed myself opposite to a crack in the false door, where I could see and hear every thing; not that I had any desire to know what they had in view, but I went there, because I think a third person proper on all occasions; for, as my grandmother used to say, "there never were two together yet but there was a third, and if it was not a human creature it was the Devil." So I went to make a third, and keep off Satan. I put my ear to the chink, after looking two or three times through it, to make sure that my eyes did not deceive me, for of all the senses the sight is the least to be depended on. I heard my Lady say," for God's sake." "So!" said I, taking away my ear, and putting my eye in its stead; but I saw nothing that could throw any light upon the nature of the interview; nor could I make head or tail of what they said, for they spoke by fragments: however, I kept my post, to keep off Satan; and he was kept off, for not a word was uttered by either of them that the recording angel might not have heard without a frown. Seeing my Lady go out, I ran to her chamber, where I put on a sulky look, as she came into it. "Brigida," said she, " you shall know all my secrets in a day or two.' I pretended to be made easy by this declaration, and kissed her hand. "Tell me," said she, "have you heard any thing of Diego." "No, Senora; that is exactly what I want to hear." "Inquire, Brigida." "My Lady, I believe you are the only person to inquire of." "Nay, nay," said she anxiously, "go and ask Sebastian if he has returned; I expect him hourly." Оп my going out, I took a peep at the Colonel, to see what he was about, and found him surrounded with papers. Diego had not returned, but Don Antonio had; and, contrary to custom in very good humour. "So the French are all going to leave Duenna," he said. "Good heavens!" said I. "Why you seem," returned he upon me," to take it to heart, I suppose the Colonel has been generous." On this, I turned to fly at him, but my Lady came in. He was afraid I should tell her what he had insinuated; so holding out his hand, he said, "Duenna Brigida, do not let us quarrel." I turned up my lip at him in contempt, and left him and my Lady together. They walked towards the saloon, where the Colonel was, while I returned to my Lady's room. Now all that I thought on this shall be told another time; for if I were to tell you now what it was, it would look like prophecy, which I do not chuse to set down for, for you know it looks like witchcraft.

After dinner, my lady came to her Siesta. She was very thoughtful and sparing of her conversation. I attributed this to the departure of the French, or rather of the Colonel. "So my lady," said I, they are going away." "Yes, Brigida, they are, thank Heaven, though I fear not for good." At this moment Rosina came in, and said that Diego had returned. " Bring him up," exclaimed my lady, springing from the bed. " Into your bed-room" I observed with wonder.-" Yes," said she, "here or any where." Rosina now came back with Diego, bringing a letter which my lady snatched from him, and putting her finger on her lips, " Remember, Diego," were her words. "I will, my dear lady," replied he, but stood still. I believe he was as eager as myself to know the contents of the letter; but my lady hurried out of the room. I followed her as close as I could to the saloon, where the Colonel had been sitting. I believe it was for him she was looking, but he had gone out soon after dinner. She paced the room with great anxiety for about half an hour, and then sat down to the piano; she played a few notes of the patriotic song, then got up, stood motionless, lifted her hand above her head, and then began to walk up and down with a very quick pace. At this juncture the Colonel came in-my lady ran to him with the letter, which she had put in her bosom. The Colonel took the letter and read-" I thank you for your information, but it is quite incorrect; the enemy are retreating in every direction, and I shall follow up the advantage I have gained-52000! it is impossible," -may God preserve you many years,-from your affectionate Uncle."

B.

"There is but one thing for it now," said the Colonel; " I have ordered all the troops from Ordunna, agreeably to my commands, but I have not given the route which was pointed out. I have I have sent them out of the way of the impending business, but I fear the trap is too well placed for us to break the spring of it, since your uncle will not believe that it is laid. There is now," continued he, "but one thing for it, and that is, that I go to him myself. My own company is so attached to me, I am convinced I can persuade them to join in the cause of the patriots. They are all Tyrolese, and as such, know how sacred a thing is liberty, and how great a villain the man is who wrested it from them, and is endeavouring to tear it from the Spaniards." "May God bless you!" said my lady, as she threw herself upon his neck in tears. VOL. XII.

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