that my greatest trial in this affair has been connected with the thought of India."

Again he paused for a reply or comment. But the planter only caressed his bristling chin, while his countenance was inscrutable in the deep shadow.

The youth spoke again:

"It has been a subject of deep regret and anxiety to me, to feel that I can no longer hope to offer India a fortune or a position equal to her just expectations. For myself, I have no doubts or fears for the future. I feel within me a power to struggle and to conquer. I feel assured that within a very few years my position will be a higher one than it is now, or than it would be were I to retain my present wealth. I believe that my India will have no cause to blush for her husband, or you for your son-in-law."

Still the old man did not make a single remark, and so deep remained his face in the shadow, that the youth could not read his thoughts. It was rather trying to continue speaking under these circumstances; but there was no alternative. He concluded by saying

"Although I have long enjoyed the pleasure of your approbation in my addresses to your daughter, I thought it proper to take the very earliest opportunity of informing you of my purposes, and the consequent change they must make in my fortune and circumstances. And now, sir, I have told you all, and I wait in much anxiety to hear what you have to say."

"What do you wish me to say ?" dryly inquired the planter.

"Just what is on your mind, my uncle."

"Humph! this is rather sudden, sir. It is true that a few words dropped by Mr. Bolling, and unexpectedly overheard by myself, in some degree prepared me for the strange communication you have just made. Still, it is sudden, sir! It is sudden! What, may I inquire, did you expect me to say? How did you anticipate that I should meet this ?"

Mark Sutherland hesitated to reply, but got up and walked the floor in an exceedingly troubled manner. A strange smile sat upon the face of the planter. At last he said

"You doubtless, and with much justice, expected me to withdraw my consent to the marriage of yourself and my daughter. Did you not? Reply, if you please."

Sir-my dear uncle!" said Mark, coming forward again, "I had my doubts and misgivings about that. It would have been unjust to you to have seriously entertained them; and it would be unjust to myself to say that I did so."

"You were right, sir!" said the planter, with the same inscrutable smile; "you were right-I shall not interfere. Having once sanctioned your addresses to my daughter, I shall not now oppose them. Miss Sutherland is of age. I refer you solely to her. If, under the new aspect of affairs, she is willing that this engagement between you and herself shall stand, and that the preparations for marriage proceed, I shall throw no obstacles in your way. Nay, further, sir, that in that case, the marriage shall be conducted precisely as, under other circumstances, it was planned —that is, in all things befitting the social position of

myself and my sole daughter. Our interview is at an end, I believe?"

The words of Clement Sutherland would have called forth from his nephew the warmest emotions and expressions of gratitude, but that the tone and the smile that accompanied them, more than neutralised their good effect, and sent a pang of terrible foreboding through the heart of the young man.

"Pardon me, sir," he said, laying his hand gently and respectfully upon the arm of his uncle, as the latter was rising to leave the library. "Do I understand you to say that you approve".

"You will please to understand me to say, sir, that I refer you to my daughter, Miss Sutherland, and that I shall endorse her decision, whatever that may be. Excuse me, sir-good afternoon."

And Clement Sutherland, coldly bowing, left the library.

Mark Sutherland walked up and down the floor in great disturbance of mind, and then at last he seized his hat and hurried from the room, to seek the presence of India.

CHAPTER V.

CHAMBRE DE TOILETTE ET LA TROUSSEAU.

""Tis a proud chamber and a rich,

Filled with the world's most costly things,

Of precious stones and gold;

Of laces, silks, and jewelry,

And all that's bought and sold."-Howitt.

"ROSALIE! what is it you are pouring over, now? Good heaven! Moore's Sacred Melodies! Now, my love, that is not the food for you to be feeding your sick fancies upon! Plague take the books! I could find it in my heart to throw every one I find into the fire! Come, throw aside that blazee sentimentalist, and come with me into Miss Sutherland's room, and try to interest yourself a little in healthful external life. Miss Sutherland's boxes have just arrived from Paris, via New Orleans; they have been carried up into her dressing-room; and by this time, I suppose, the men have opened them, and carried off all the rubbish of nails, and bands, and outside boxes, and we have only to go and help to set the beautiful things at full liberty."

This was addressed by Mrs. Vivian to her stepdaughter, when, on entering the chamber of the latter, she found the young invalid reclining upon a couch, and reading, as usual.

The fair girl closed her book, and smiling gently, arose, and passed her arm through that of her stepmother. And they left the chamber, crossed the hall,

opened an opposite door, and entered the dressingroom of Miss Sutherland.

A scene of splendid chaos met their view. Most of the boxes had been unpacked and taken away, and their brilliant contents littered hairs, couches, ottomans, psyches, and even the carpet. And the favoured mistress of all this wealth sat in the midst of the resplendent confusion, with an air of extreme languor and indifference. At her feet sat her beautiful handmaiden, Oriole, with a box of white satin slippers by her side, and her mistress's small foot in her lap, fitting the fairy shoes. By her side stood her woman, Meda, holding a box of white kid gloves, from which she continued to hand out pair after pair to the young lady, who would draw one half upon her fingers, and then draw it off and let it fall, and drop her hand upon her lap with a look of extreme fatigue, as if the exertion had really been too much for her, and say, languidly

"There, take them away; they are all too large, or too small, or something".

"Dear India, how can you say that?" said Mrs. Vivian, approaching, and taking up a pair of gloves; "they are all exactly of a size, and all number sixes —your number-and are really beautiful gloves."

"But I'm so tired-it is such a bore. Oriole, cease tormenting my feet, and take away those odious slippers."

"How can you call them odious-the beauties ?" said Mrs. Vivian, stooping down, and taking up a pair.

And Oriole herself echoed the question with her