powder, we'll meet you, there, at your own time."

Say five for half-past, and let dinner be on table at six, precisely, if you plaise, for I like to be punctual."

The parties met; and a good dinner, and a batch of claret, terminated the quarrel. Sir Arthur gave the health of Mrs. Bentinck, as the future Lady O'Bradley, while Philip toasted her as his destined wife, and, inwardly, enjoy'd the triumph he should have over his rival.

"Mark the sequel, Master Brook !"

CHAPTER IT.

Who was the cause of a long ten years' siege,
And laid Troy's tow'rs and palaces in ruins ??
Woman!

Revenge, impatient, rose!

OTWAY.

COLLINS.

TRAVERS call'd on his mistress, one morning; and, as usual, ran up into the drawingroom, un-announced. Isabella was not there; but an open letter lay upon the table, on which his eye glanced, and he saw his own name, coupled with the epithet of

dupe." The hand was evidently his friend's, Lord Vulture--the superscription to" Mrs. Bentinck." His curiosity was excited his fears took alarm-and, after some hesitation, he read the letter.

Thus it ran

"Let me congratulate thee, my lovely Queen of Duplicity !-Our plan is nearly brought to perfection-that ridiculous dupe, Travers, gorges my bait with the avidity of a gudgeon. The sooner the marriage is solemnised (and a solemn business it will be to him) the better; and with what sincerity shall I wish him joy of his amiable bride of thee, my once-adored, and still-dear Isabella!-Who will no longer live in fear of bailiffs, from whose taking ways the legislature, with the shield of matrimony, defends thy happy sex. But, to return to Travers. I have lent him five hundred pounds-most of which (if not all) is gone by this time; and for which, so soon as the happy knot is tied, I'll lay him by the heels. This, with thy debts as detainers, will insure him a snug retreat, until death, or an act of grace, releases him; and will take a burthen off my shoulders which, you know, I am incapable to bear. At worst, 'twill but be the biter bit ;' for never would

1

he have thought of seeking solace in thy arms, had not that Hydra-headed monster, Poverty, compell'd him there. speedily may I hail you Mrs. Travers!

"Your's ever,

Adieu !

"VULTURE."

The reader was petrified he read the aceursed lines, again and again, ere he could believe his eyes had not deceived him.

"Damn'd, damn'd villain! and hellish artful woman!" exclaim'd he, as he rush'd out of the house; the threshold of which he had scarcely pass'd, when he was accosted by George Stanley.

"Travers!" said he, " in the name of all the devils, at once, what ails you?Why, you look as if you had been thrown over the bridge."

"Oh! woman! woman!" cried Philip, without attending to him.

"That's the case, is it?-You've been jockey'd―don't wonder at it—they are skittish-won't go well, without a martingaland want a tight rein, and a good hand to keep 'em in the course. What's the mat

<<What do you want?"

“ Thee do know I want to marry Kitty Carrots."

Damn you, and Kitty Carrots!"

Well, I declare, if thee hast not learn'd to swear, among thy other imperfections!" "None of your impertinence, sir! but tell me what the devil brought you here?" Nobody-I comed all aloane.

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"And what did you come for ?"
"To give thee this here letter."
"Who brought it?"

"I brought it-can't thee sce?”
Who gave it to you, Dunderhead?"
"It ben't mine; it be your's."
"Who was the bearer?"

Hey! suppose I were to bring letters, as post do, and to be ar'd where I came from?-Ecod! they might chop my head off, before I could tell them.-However, the currier (as we do call 'em in the harmme) said it comed from one Sir Arthur O'Bradley-

("Oh! rare Arthur O'Bradley !")

and that I were to give it thee, immeniately.”