illness, when her dignity was concerned; and I was very nearly also swept away in the flood of disgrace that was poured on the woman, for venturing to suggest "she was not worth anger."

Instant dismissal, with every indignity, was not deemed sufficient punishment: messengers were sent to lodge-keepers, cottages, even the rural inn, to forbid harbouring such creatures; while characters were at once denied.

The housekeeper was sent for, to devise some scheme for retention of wages, fortunately without effect. She was wiser than I was, or knew "the Lady" better; for while she prudently knew no legal means of punishing them, she was loud in her indignation "at their howdacious conduct," and miserable in her fears for my Lady," in "the delicate state of my Lady's health."

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I found it a lucky circumstance, that in the predicament of losing both his nurses, it was not "the place" of any other person of the establishment to wait upon my boy. I did it right willingly. We lived out of reach from the gusts and squalls: he wanted me from six in

the morning until eight at night. And, in fact, I was not fitted for "the Lady's" present mood. She required the "sauce piquante" of the housekeeper's room - the highly seasoned language of those who think noise is

sense.

This excitement lasted a week. First every servant was sent for, ostensibly to make enquiries as to the character of the two delinquents, but in order to have detailed to them the words and insults to which "the Lady" had been exposed; and according to the indignation and horror of the hearer, did she rise in "the Lady's" estimation. Then "my Lord" had to be written to. This was so pleasing a task, she did it all herself. Every day a dispatch was necessary, the inquiries and evidence accumulating. Then there was the expectation of “my Lord's" answers. They came duly, and were much to the purpose, though sadly too short and concise to please "the Lady." We had no intermission of "piquet," I was sorry to find; for Neville being asleep, one of the Lady's" own maids was ordered to watch by him Then during "piquet" was I favoured

with the day's experiences and discoveries, and shown "my Lord's" letter.

"You see, Uriel, he confides entirely in my judgment and experience, at which I am not surprised. My Lord's letter to-day is rather like yesterday, so he is quite easy in his mind."

I thought all "my Lord's" letters were pretty much alike, and they generally ran as follows:

"Dear Miss Harrington,

"I have received your letter-noted its contents. I beg you will please yourself, in which you will please me. My blessing to my son. I remain your devoted

"GLYNNE."

The letter of this evening contained one paragraph more. My son's new attendant will be with you on Tuesday."

"That is nice, you see," said she, as I finished it; "what a horrid point I have would you mind changing?"

"Not at all," answered I, "but let me first see if mine is better than yours. Does Glynne always chose your servants?"

"Oh! dear no, only the child's. He is very

particular, you know, about little Harry. We very nearly once had a quarrel about it. My Lord quite forgot himself, and spoke to me in a manner-however I forgave him, though I could not look at little Harry for months, without feeling angry-ah! I see you have fourteen queens. Do you care to count them? They will make you so much ahead."

"Not at all;-but why did you not like seeing the child? he had done nothing."

"Why no, I suppose not, especially as he was only four months old. But it was clearly no fault of mine that his nurse gave him' syrup of poppies.' I had never heard of such a thing. -Ah! you have the cards-really I am so unlucky. -It is all that detestable woman and her insolence. Penmaurice is quite afraid I shall have a bilious attack from over-exertion. However

I have taken precautions

وو

But "the Lady's" account of her "precautions" was never pleasant. In fact, if she took all the physic she said she did, I wondered she remained so well.

"I am surprised you take so much physic," remarked I, beginning to deal again.

VOL. III.

E

"It is my misfortune, my constitution is so delicate.-Would you mind my dealing this time? I hate having to put out the five cards."

Pray take the deal, and don't take physic."

"Ha, ha! you make me laugh; do you know there is something very original about you. You are a genius, are you not?"

"I have a small talent for both music and sculpture, but to be a genius, you must, I believe, be clever in all things.'

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Ah, like me. I can neither play nor sing as you do, but I know a little of everything. My father was very particular; he said Teach her everything, whether she likes it or not.' In fact, that intense application was the ruin of my health. Let us change hands; mine is so odd, I cannot tell what to do with it."

The oddness of it consisted in it being a very bad one, unable to command a trick. "Do you know whom Glynne has chosen for Neville's nurse?"

"Ah, stop, say nothing, that puts me in mind I was to tell you something. It is about the nurse." "Is she some one whom I know ?" 'Yes, she is some one you know.'