tinued so uninterruptedly, that, imperceptibly, the constraint of a first acquaintance wore away; and, in a few hours, they approached nearer to the friendliness of intimacy than generally takes place in so short a time.

The gentlemen soon joined the ladies in the drawing-room; and Lord St. Clair, with some political friends, declined going to the Opera, having affairs of State to talk over, though Lord St. Clair thought he might perhaps come in at a late hour. Lady St. Clair wished to be early this evening that Clara might lose none of the beautiful music; and, taking the arm of Ernest Cavendish, she left Clara to the care of Captain Macdonald, as they proceeded to the carriage, which was then announced.

Those who can remember the first time of going to the Opera, may imagine Clara's feelings on entering the brilliant scene. Placed in one of the most conspicuous boxes, and seated with one so well known,

and so much admired, as Lady St. Clair, she soon saw all eyes directed to her; and, unaccustomed to the bold stare of fashionable admiration, she blushed as she retreated rather behind the curtains of the box in which she sat. The dark penetrating eyes of Ernest Cavendish now met hers for the first time; and with an earnest gaze, from which she almost shrank, he gallantly said, "You see, Miss Cameron, how much you have to dread from what Lady St. Clair told you of the dread fiat of my voice. If I mistake not, and my eyes are pretty well skilled in these matters now, your doom is sealed by the general opinion of this crowded. house. What say you, Lady St. Clair, is it not so ?"

Something like a cloud passed for a moment over the brow of the young Countess, but the bitterness of jealousy, at least for the frivolous and vacillating admiration of the crowd around her, soon passed away; and, with her own open expression of countenance,

she laughingly said, "Yes, Clara, I am doomed to have a rival, I see; but I will be a generous one, and neither stab nor poison you, according to the established usage of heroines of old;" and whispering in her ear, “only marry you; but, le beau et fier Capitaine, que dira-t'il ? I am glad to see, Clara, you are no enemy to flirtation; keep it within proper bounds, and depend upon it, there is no amusement to equal it." This little aside called fresh blushes into Clara's cheeks, and perhaps "le beau Capitaine" might have been flattered had he known the cause, though his was not the heart to be chosen for a mere flirtation to pass away a languid hour; it was far too open, too generous, and too sincere.

L'ardor, che un' alma ha per gran tempo accesa,
E'difficile, è dura, è lunga impresa."

METASTASIO.

It is not necessary to follow Clara's steps through all the gay scenes of a London season. The first debût at the Opera was but a prelude to the admiration which constantly attended her.

Nobly born, and introduced by a woman of Lady St. Clair's decided fashion, she, doubtless, owed much to the circumstances in which she was placed; and, when her transcendent beauty and winning manners were added to these advantages, no wonder

VOL. I.

C

that she became the reigning belle of the season. No party was thought complete without Lady St. Clair and her lovely niece. Even Royalty deigned to greet her with unwonted favour; and, at the first drawingroom she attended, the sweet smile of youthful Majesty, joined to a voice of melody, condescendingly hoped she would always, for the future, attend her parties with Lady St. Clair.

And how did this idol of the day bear the homage paid to her? Did the country novice shrink abashed from the admiration which followed her, or did she grow haughty and overbearing in her manners? Neither of these extremes marred her success; she passed on with unaltered mien; and Lady St. Clair often wondered at the quiet selfpossession of a young and inexperienced girl in scenes which would have turned the heads of half her cotemporaries.

It was a glowing July day towards the close of the London season, when Lady St.