license, really to match the sunny hue of an Italian sky. As she now turned them, beaming with affection on Clara, they were perfectly devoid of that fierté which sometimes marred their expression.

Passing her arm through that of her guest, she smilingly offered to be the mistress of the ceremonies, to guide her to the apartments prepared for her. Crossing a corridor at the top of the stairs, she pointed to a door which opened, as she said, on her own especial domain, and where she should always be happy to see Clara when she pleased; and then, entering a room which was immediately opposite, she begged to introduce Clara into her own private retreat, and where she promised not to intrude without permission. This elegant boudoir was fitted up with all the comforts and luxuries of modern refinement, and through it was an entrance to the bedroom.

"Now here, my dear Clara, I must leave you for to-night. My carriage was

ordered to be ready as soon as you arrived; but I was determined to wait and welcome you myself on your first introduction to your new home, for home I hope you will find it in every sense of the word. And now, dear, let me advise you to have some coffee, and go to bed directly; I shall want you to be quite rested by to-morrow, when you shall begin your campaign with the Opera. I assure you I anticipate much pleasure from introducing so fair a specimen of St. Clair beauty. I can trace a strong family likeness to my liege lord, albeit he is none of the youngest now, but there are remains of the singularly handsome man which I am told he was when young, and I can see the same style of feature softened in you into feminine loveliness. Nay, never blush, dear Clara, I speak but the simple truth, and, if you never discovered it before, you soon will do so here, I assure you."

At this moment my lady's maid, or as she

was rather pleased to be called, my lady's lady, opened the door, with a crimson velvet cloak, lined with ermine to protect the delicate form of her mistress from the night air.

"Oh, Violette, how can I put that heavy thing on this warm night; do bring me something cooler," said the laughing Countess, as she pushed the splendid cloak from her.

"Indeed, my Lady, it was my Lord's own orders to me, before he went out this evening, that I should be sure to wrap your Ladyship up warm to-night, as he had heard your Ladyship cough several times to-day."

Well, then, I submit; but see, Clara, how overpowering is the kindness of a good husband, on such a summer night "—and she playfully bent beneath the weight of her wrappings. I shall meet Lord St. Clair at the Palace to-night, and I shall not fail to tell him, the first thing, what a dear little niece awaits his benediction to-morrow. Don't hurry yourself in the morning, but

order breakfast when you please in your own boudoir. Lord St. Clair is too early for any but his poodle to breakfast with him, and I am as much too late. And now, my dear, good night. I make no apologies for leaving you, as it is high time for that pale cheek to be regaining its bloom in sleep. Violette, see that Miss Cameron's maid wants nothing for her own or her mistress's use; and desire Deville to send up some coffee, with something rather more substantial than his wafer bread and butter, as it is for a traveller, who has probably had but a spare and early dinner. And now, dear Clara, again good-night," and, gracefully kissing her hand as she closed the door, our heroine was left alone.

She threw herself on a sofa, and her first impulse was to burst into tears, as the contrast to the simple though elegant home of her childhood, and her present abode, struck upon her feelings; but she checked the rising train of thought, and, without recurring

to the past, was determined to enjoy the present, and to be thankful for the cordial welcome she had received.

There were marks of Lady St. Clair's considerate kindness in all the comforts of this cheerful room allotted to her use; and when her books had arrived, to fill the empty shelves prepared for them, and her own favourite harp, she thought she should soon feel quite at home, and only hoped her uncle might prove as very loveable a person as his charming wife.

In a few minutes, her faithful Janet entered, followed by a page with a tray of the choicest refreshments, to tempt her appetite. As the door closed after him, Janet exclaimed, in her usual broad Scotch dialect,

Hegh, Miss Clara, what a palace this is we have come to, why Mrs. Allen's, the housekeeper's room, is furnished like any parlour, and then, Miss Violette, my lady's own maid, is dressed just like a lady, with artificials in her cap, and a black satin apron, embroidered all round with flowers."