ly to observations about his health. Any allusion to
the past might not only produce a relapse of his fever, but occasion
explanations, at all times most painful, but at the present full of
difficulty and danger. It was therefore with feelings of no common
anxiety that Glastonbury prepared the mother for this first visit to
her son, and impressed upon her the absolute necessity of not making any
allusion at present to Miss Grandison, and especially to her presence in
the house. He even made for this purpose a sort of half-confidant of the
physician, who, in truth, had heard enough during the fever to excite
his suspicions; but this is a class of men essentially discreet, and it
is well, for few are the family secrets ultimately concealed from them.

The interview occurred without any disagreeable results. The next day,
Ferdinand saw his father for a few minutes. In a short time, Lady Armine
was established as nurse to her son; Sir Ratcliffe, easy in mind,
amused himself with his sports; and Glastonbury devoted himself to Miss
Grandison. The intimacy, indeed, between the tutor of Ferdinand and his
intended bride became daily more complete, and Glastonbury was almost
her inseparable companion. She found him a very interesting one. He
was the most agreeable guide amid all the haunts of Armine and its
neighbourhood, and drove her delightfully in Lady Armine's pony phaeton.
He could share, too, all her pursuits, and open to her many new ones.
Though time had stolen something of its force from the voice of Adrian
Glastonbury, it still was wondrous sweet; his musical accomplishments
were complete; and he could guide the pencil or prepare the herbal, and
indite fair stanzas in his fine Italian handwriting in a lady's album.
All his collections, too, were at Miss Grandison's service. She handled
with rising curiosity his medals, copied his choice drawings, and even
began to study heraldry. His interesting conversation, his mild and
benignant manners, his captivating simplicity, and the elegant purity of
his mind, secured her confidence and won her heart. She loved him as a
father, and he soon exercised over her an influence almost irresistible.

Every morning as soon as he awoke, every evening before he composed
himself again for the night's repose, Ferdinand sent for Glastonbury,
and always saw him alone. At first he requested his mother to leave
the room, but Lady Armine, who attributed these regular visits to a
spiritual caus