trowsers, belted with an Indian sash, which, while it displayed the symmetry of a faultless figure, permitted the wearer to put forth his strength with graceful freedom. Had his wild profession been doubtful, the Albanian cap, ornamented pistols, sabre and poniard, would have betrayed his calling. His beautiful companion wore the dress of the Ursulines; the back-turned hood displayed the sweetest face imaginable, while the hand that rested on the rover's arm, as if to stay his departure, might have formed a study for Canova.

The picture fascinated me; all was forgotten while I gazed upon it. I looked again. Despite the darkening influence of sun and storm, a thick moustache, and foreign costume, the corsair's aspect was decidedly British. It was a fair skin embrowned by climate, with which a wild and martial carriage and hair of raven blackness accorded well.

Wrapped in silent admiration—now gazing on "the bold brigand"— now enraptured with the sweet gentleness of the confiding girl, who seemed ready to abandon "home and heaven" for "her wild love,” I did not hear the door open until the host was almost standing at my side. Addressing me in a voice of peculiar sweetness, he bade me a warm welcome, apologized for not receiving me in the hall; and then telling me that supper was in readiness, he led me with excellent tact into a general conversation.

We talked on indifferent subjects for a few minutes, while gradually my self-possession returned. Although described by the unknown as stern and suspicious, and by Andy as misanthropic and unamiable, my host seemed kind and hospitable to a marvel. Just then the door opened again, a girl of remarkable beauty glided in, and Mr. Hartley led her forward. "This, sir," said he, "is my daughter; and this gentleman, Isidora, is our guest." We both cast down our eyes; she in maiden timidity colouring to the very brow, and I-I shame to own it-blushing like a country orator addressing "the unwashed" for the first time. I muttered a confused apology for an intrusion at that late hour, said something about bad roads, a lame horse, and Heaven knows what beside, to which she gave a gentle acceptation. I raised my eyes. By heaven! there stood the corsair's mistress! ay, there in youthful loveliness-and the host,-all his bland expression gone, as, steadily regarding us, he looked with scornful indifference beneath his coal-black brows (but that his years doubled the corsair's in the painting,) his haughty curl of lip and eyebrow would have half persuaded me that he had himself been a rover of the sea.

At this moment, and luckily for me (for I was "regularly bothered,") the blue-coated servitor announced supper. I presented my arm to Miss Hartley, and through a side door we entered the eating room. By a singular self-command, the host's features had regained their previous expression of urbanity; his manner was courteous, his welcome encouraging, and he seemed the very opposite of Andy Beg's description, when he called him repulsive and inhospitable.

Nothing could surpass the neatness of the apartment. In all its arrangements simplicity had been regarded; yet still there was an evidence of luxury and wealth in the quantity and massive fashion of

the plate, which seemed better suited to the mansion of a noble than the retreat of a recluse.

Never did intruder time his visit more opportunely, if the excellence of a supper were the proof. The meal passed over agreeably, though in point of performance the actors differed. Miss Hartley ate little, her father turned out an indifferent trencher-man; but, faith, I made up for this double deficiency, as the skeleton that left the table of what came there, a goodly wild-duck, proved. No wonder; since I dined at the lonely inn, if varied exercise could produce a healthy appetite, mine should have been in top condition. But hunger has its limit,mine was at last appeased; supper removed, wine and fruit were placed upon the table, and old blue-coat disappeared, leaving me perfectly satisfied with my quarters, and much more so with my company.

The host having filled his glass, pushed the decanters across the table.

"Come, sir, drink; you will own that Port wine sound, and this Madeira has circumnavigated the world; but I recommend the Burgundy. Probably, as it seems the custom of the country, you are not a wine-drinker after supper, should you therefore prefer them, you will find cognac and hollands on the buffet."

Egad, the more I saw of it, the more I admired the establishment. Burgundy and Madeira that had circumnavigated the world-these formed very gentlemanly tipple to sport under a racketty old roof, to a self-invited visitor, who had dropped in, like a priest collecting corn, with a "God save all here." Nor did I neglect the invitation. The bottle passed freely, previous restraint wore away, and some allusion of Mr. Hartley's to a military life, led me by degrees into a private history of my own, until

"I ran it through, even from my boyish days
To the very moment when he bade me tell it."

I afterwards recollected that some of Mr. Hartley's questions could only have been asked by a person to whom the earlier history of my parents was intimately known, but I did not notice it at the moment. Charmed at the urbanity of my host, and flattered that my young Desdemona expressed an interest in my fortunes, and

"Gave me for my pains a world of smiles,"

I became momentarily more intimate and at ease; deciding that the unknown and his boatman, Andy Beg, were little better than libellers, when they insinuated aught against the suavity of temper and sociability of my excellent host.

Isidora had risen to leave the room, and something in her look or attitude recalled the fascinating picture of the corsair's mistress to my memory.

"How like!" I muttered, loud enough to awake the attention of her father. "I would be sworn that picture on the mantel-piece of the drawing-room was painted for this young lady,-ay, and bating some twenty years, the gallant rover looks your very image, sir.”

Never was a more unlucky guess hazarded by a blundering Irishman! Had lightning struck the building, or a grenade dropped hissing through the ceiling, the effect could not have caused so fierce an explosion as that which followed this infelicitous discovery. In a moment a lurid glare flashed underneath the host's contracted brows; while Isidora, pale as marble, leaned against the buffet for support. Persuaded that I had committed some villanous impertinence, I sprang forward to assist her; but, with extraordinary strength, her father pushed me like a child aside, led his daughter from the room, closed the door, and left me in undisturbed possession, to commune with my own thoughts, and congratulate myself on the brilliant effect that my first essay as a connoisseur in painting had produced.

After a short, but to me most painful, interval of suspense, Mr. Hartley returned. His rage had subsided; every trace of its first violence had disappeared; but his features wore an expression of stern rebuke, that made me far more uncomfortable than if personal violence were threatened for my offending. He leaned his back against the sideboard, and after regarding me for a minute with a fixed look, thus commenced :—

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Young man, you have wantonly annoyed those who were anxious to show you kindness; and, by a most unhappy and impertinent allusion to what concerned you nothing, you have in me roused feelings, which I wish suppressed for ever, and recalled to my daughter's memory an event that can only bring with it painful recollections."

I listened patiently thus far; but, unable to restrain my feelings, interrupted the expostulation, while my look and manner evinced that my contrition was sincere.

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By Heaven, Mr. Hartley, my offence was wholly unintentional! While waiting for you in the drawing-room, by mere accident I noticed this unlucky picture. Had I fancied that a secret connexion existed between that painting and any event of your past life, I should have scorned to cast an eye upon it, as much as I would to pry into yonder open letter that lies upon the mantel-piece. I only saw in it, what I considered a beautiful creation of the fancy; some imaginary

'scene-"

Suddenly my host interrupted me.- "Creation of the fancy! No, no, boy; all sad-sad reality! Oh, Heaven, that the scene were indeed imaginary!"—and, apparently overcome with some fearful recollection, he turned his face towards the fire, and I could observe a convulsive shudder creep over him as he writhed in silent agony. I was dreadfully mortified at the misery which my folly had occasioned, and determined at once to quit a house in which my visit had proved so mischievous. I went forward, and took Mr. Hartley's hand.

"Can you pardon a stupid impertinence of mine, which has unhappily recalled afflicting recollections? When I am gone, excuse my imprudence to your daughter, and assure her how sincerely I repent my folly. And now, farewell, sir,-I feel myself an unwelcome visitor, and will relieve you of my presence."

I made a movement towards the door; but my host waved his hand as if to detain me

"Stop," said he ; "it is nearly midnight, and the first place where you could obtain a lodging is ten miles distant."

"I have walked twenty before now," I replied, "to shoot a dozen snipes."

"The road is bad and difficult to find," rejoined Mr. Hartley.

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"I can rouse a peasant on the way side, and he will guide me." "It is dangerous, besides," added he ; a murder was committed there but lately."

"No matter,” I returned ; "I have little indeed to lose."

"You put your trust in honest Juvenal," said he, with a faint smile. "Cantabit vacuus '-it is a good adage; no security better against robbery than an empty pocket. But they may knock you on the head, and discover when too late-that you are not a gauger;" and he gave me a side look, to see what effect the allusion had.

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Faith, sir," I returned, "I trust that that mistake shall not occur a second time, although to it I owe the pleasure of your acquaintance.” "Indeed?" said Mr. Hartley, with real or simulated surprise.

"It is true, sir," I replied.

"Well, then, sit down and tell me the adventure. Come, my dear boy," he added, in tones so soft, so kind, that I was amazed at the sudden transition from anger to urbanity; "all is over and forgotten. I will make your peace with Isidora in the morning, and your penalty shall be a short lecture and another bottle. You are young-your foot has only touched the threshold of the stage of life-at your age one sees only the sun-streak in the sky, but never looks for the cloudbank that lies behind it. What you to-night intended in idle compliment, exploded a hidden mine that all but wrecked our friendship in its very opening. Be advised by one who knows the world, or ought to know it restrain curiosity in all that concerns another; and know men well, before you pry into their secrets. At the conclusion of this lecture my host took a flask of Burgundy from the sideboard, extracted the cork, and down we sate tête-à-tête again; and, at his desire, I narrated my evening encounter with the smugglers.

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Upon my honour," he observed, as I ended, ": a perilous adventure; and, faith, the scoundrels gave you coarse usage. I know the scene of your flight; a rough road to gallop over, and the broken bridge, too—did your horse carry you across that ugly chasm?”

"Took it in stroke, and never touched it with a toe. But for the villains with the rope, I should have had the race hollow."

6

Ay-these, misbegotten knaves,' as Jack Falstaff would call them, they ended the affair effectually. Egad-the rope was an excellent contrivance to dismount a cavalier. But you must have had a severe fall? Are you bruised?-are you injured?"

"Not much, I fancy-although I do feel sore and stiff about the back and shoulders."

"It must be examined. I shall be leech for the nonce; and I am not a bad surgeon. Come, let us finish the flask, and then I will show you to a chamber."

The time-piece on the chimney-piece chimed three quarters, the wine disappeared, I rose to retire; when my host took up a chamber-lamp

and led the way. Proceeding along a narrow gallery, we entered an apartment at its extremity. Mr. Hartley lighted the candles. "These are your quarters," said he. "Here make yourself at home, and I will return in a few minutes and pronounce upon your bruises."

Nothing could surpass the neatness of my dormitory. The curtains and bed furniture were chintz, with drawers, cabinets, and wardrobes, all of Indian workmanship. A glorious fire of bog-deal was blazing in the grate, and on the table I remarked a dressing-case, with every thing requisite even for the toilet of a man of fashion-while a morning gown, slippers, and change of linen, were in process of airing for my service. But other objects caught my eye. Over the chimneypiece hung a curious collection of fire-arms; and beside them, some splendid sabres were suspended. Some were of foreign shape, and richly ornamented with gold and silver mounting; others, made by English artists, were distinguished from the rest by their exquisite finish and simplicity, while not a few bore semblance of great antiquity, and seemed retained rather as objects of curiosity than use.

On his return, Mr. Hartley found me admiring his armoury; but I neither hazarded a remark nor dared to ask a question. The lesson I had recently received would last me for awhile; and had a ghost and goule been sitting in the corner, tête-à-tête, I should have scarcely ventured to inquire "What the devil brought them there?"

"There are some handsome weapons in that collection ?" said the host.

"They appear most valuable," I replied. "I am not a judge of foreign arms; but I see some English guns of beautiful workmanship." Mr. Hartley passed these lightly by ; but taking down a sabre and pistols, he examined them with marked attention. The latter he replaced, but retained the sabre in his hand.

I felt

"Is that sword a valuable one ?" My host started. my face flush. Had I again committed mischief? But Mr. Hartley, on this score, relieved me speedily.

"You ask me is this sabre valuable? It is invaluable. The blade is of the purest Damascene. Observe its beautiful tracery; and its temper is so exquisite, that, without indenting its own edge to the extent of a pin's point, I could have once shorn that bar of iron in twain," and he pointed to the grate. A knock was heard at the door. "It is Dominique-Come in."

As he spoke, a new and very remarkable personage presented himself. He was a negro of uncommon height; and if his shape could be relied on, of herculean strength. His limbs, though too heavy to be graceful, were finely moulded; his shoulders square, his breast ample. He wore a light jacket and loose trowsers, and was provided with a china basin, some phials, and a napkin.

"Now," said Mr. Hartley, "for our operations. Dominique, assist this gentleman, remove his coat, and bare his shoulders."

The negro obeyed, and I submitted to examination.

Upon my word, you have made little ado about what might have been a serious injury. Your back and arms are extensively contused,