disinterested in marrying the daughter of a ruined man, even though that daughter were an independent heiress; and it would give to his mercenary match the amiable colouring of the purest affection. Besides, if assistance must be afforded, it would be both cheaper and more meritorious to relieve the humble wants of acknowledged poverty, than to minister to the private cravings of habitual extravagance.

It was therefore decided that the life of profusion which Mr. Morton had so long led, must have its immediate end, and that he should at length be taught retrenchment in the bitter school of undisguised adversity. This was one of his objects; the other was of a much darker character. It was not sufficient that the blow should be struck, unless it could be made instrumental to setting at variance the Mortons and Lacys, and blackening the character of the latter. His measures, with respect to Herbert Lacy, were no longer dictated by mere precaution. Jealousy and hate now urged him to

pursue, unnecessarily, for their gratification, those plots which were first prescribed by the calculations of self-interest. He hated the man whom he had injured; hated him because he had injured him. He knew that Agnes had loved, and still, at least, respected and esteemed him ; and this he could not brook. Had she been his at that moment he would not have deemed his triumph sufficient, unless he could have caused her to look with abhorrence on the object of her first attachment.

We will now conduct our readers to Mr. Sackville's seat at Trentford. The time will be a few hours after the arrival of Mr. Morton's letter. The place, a room somewhat too spacious and elegant for the antiquated name of study, yet to which those of library or drawing-room would be equally inapplicable. It presented to the eye various insignia, alike of business and of literary leisure; and the spectator, like Hercules, pressed to make his choice, stood perplexed among the various inducements to exertion and

to indolence. A solemn, business-like inkstand, of large dimensions, was opposed to the last luxurious contrivance for easy reading, a chair, ostensibly for study, but more truly calculated for sleep; tape-tied papers were relieved by a review; and a large blue report of the bullion committee, was surmounted (proh pudor!) by the last new novel. Newspapers, and a few of the minor fry of periodical works, filled up the intervals, together with numerous pamphlets "from the author," on the corn, catholic, and other questions.

A

Sackville was alone in this apartment. book was in his hand, but his mind seemed to be otherwise engaged. His look was that of disappointment and impatience; and he muttered, from time to time, half audible expressions, as if taxing some person with delay. At length his anxiety was appeased by the entrance of a servant, who said that Mr. Allen desired to see him, and presently that person was introduced.

"It matters not," said Sackville, when, after

the first greetings, Allen began to apologize for his delay; "it matters not; and now to business. First read this letter," and he put into his hands that which he had received from Mr. Morton. "So far, good. Your friend, the suing creditor, may congratulate himself on having given the victory to his own party; and you, Allen, may congratulate yourself on having done a substantial kindness to Mr. Morton."

Allen smiled, as if at the irony of the observation.

"I speak seriously," replied Sackville; "I do consider it a kindness, and it was meant as such by me. It will open his eyes to his real situation. It would have been better for him if it had happened long ago, but I hope it will not come too late to save him."

"I am sure, Sir, I hope so as much as you can do," said Allen, with a demure, half suppressed smile, as if he fully penetrated the hypocrisy of Sackville's expressions. Sackville gave him a short, inquiring look, and then proceeded.

"I said the execution was well timed. I do not know whether you understand me; if not, I must explain. You are aware that it has forced him to resign the contest, and has given the victory to the other party. Nothing could happen better for them; if they had devised the business themselves they could not have devised it more successfully."

Allen assented.

"Well," pursued Sackville, "now, I ask, may not Mr. Morton reasonably suppose that they actually did contrive it? Your friend, the suing creditor, is a voter on the Lacy side; he may have acted, not only for his own individual benefit, but for the advantage of his party; and Mr. Lacy might have known what was to happen, and have even advised and encouraged the measure."

"He might, certainly,” replied Allen, doggedly; "but I know, for my own part, that he had nothing to do with it."

"I know that too; but others need not know