, and versed in the various
accomplishments that combine (that most unfrequent of all unions!)
vivacity with grace, he was especially formed for that brilliant world
from which his circumstances tended to exclude him. Under different
auspices, he might have been--Pooh! we are running into a most pointless
commonplace; what might any man be under auspices different from those
by which his life has been guided? Music soon succeeded to conversation,
and Clifford's voice was of necessity put into requisition. Miss Brandon
had just risen from the harpsichord, as he sat down to perform his part;
and she stood by him with the rest of the group while he sang. Only
twice his eye stole to that spot which her breath and form made sacred
to him; once when he began, and once when he concluded his song. Perhaps
the recollection of their conversation inspired him; certainly it dwelt
upon his mind at the moment,--threw a richer flush over his brow, and
infused a more meaning and heartfelt softness into his tone.

STANZAS.

When I leave thee, oh! ask not the world what that heart
Which adores thee to others may be!
I know that I sin when from thee I depart,
But my guilt shall not light upon thee!

My life is a river which glasses a ray
That hath deigned to descend from above;
Whatever the banks that o'ershadow its way,
It mirrors the light of thy love.

Though the waves may run high when the night wind awakes,
And hurries the stream to its fall;
Though broken and wild be the billows it makes,
Thine image still trembles on all!"

While this ominous love between Clifford and Lucy was thus finding
fresh food in every interview and every opportunity, the unfortunate
Mauleverer, firmly persuaded that his complaint was a relapse of what he
termed the "Warlock dyspepsia," was waging dire war with the remains of
the beef and pudding, which he tearfully assured his physicians "were
lurking in his constitution." As Mauleverer, though complaisant, like
most men of unmistakable rank, to all his acquaintances, whatever might
be their grade, possessed but very few friends intimate enough to enter
his sick-chamber, and none of that few were at Bath, it will readily be
perceived that he was in blissful ignorance of the growing fortunes
of