and
pure affections, fountains of such joy and solace, that nourish all
things, and make the most barren and rigid soil teem with life and
beauty, oh! why do we disturb the flow of their sweet waters, and
pollute their immaculate and salutary source! Ferdinand, Ferdinand
Armine, why were you false?

The door opened. Mr. Glastonbury entered, followed by the duke and his
son. Henrietta was sitting in an easy chair, one of Lord Montfort's
sisters, seated on an ottoman at her side, held her hand. Henrietta's
eye met Glastonbury's; she bowed to him.

'How your hand trembles, Henrietta!' said the young lady.

Glastonbury approached her with a hesitating step. He blushed faintly,
he looked exceedingly perplexed. At length he reached her, and stood
before her, and said nothing.

'You have forgotten me, Mr. Glastonbury,' said Henrietta; for it was
absolutely necessary that some one should break the awkward silence, and
she pointed to a chair at her side.

'That would indeed be impossible,' said Glastonbury.

'Oh, you knew Mr. Glastonbury before,' said the young lady. 'Grandmamma,
only think, Henrietta knew Mr. Glastonbury before.'

'We were neighbours in Nottinghamshire,' said Henrietta, in a quick
tone.

'Isabella,' said her sister, who was seated at the piano, 'the harp
awaits you.' Isabella rose, Lord Montfort was approaching Henrietta,
when the old duchess called to him.

Henrietta and Glastonbury were alone.

'This is a strange meeting, Mr. Glastonbury,' said Henrietta.

What could poor Glastonbury say? Something he murmured, but not very
much to the purpose. 'Have you been in Nottinghamshire lately?' said
Henrietta.

'I left it about ten days back with-----,' and here Glastonbury stopped,
'with a friend,' he concluded.

'I trust all your friends are well,' said Henrietta, in a tremulous
voice.

'No; yes; that is,' said Glastonbury, 'something better than they were.'

'I am sorry that my father is not here,' said Miss Temple; 'he has a
lively remembrance of all your kindness.'

'Kindness, I fear,' said Glastonbury, in a melancholy tone, 'that was
most unfortunate.'

'We do not deem it so, sir,' was the reply.

'My dear young lady,' said Glastonbury, but his voice faltered as he
added, 'we have had great unhappiness.'

'I regret it,' said Henrietta. 'You had a marriage, I believe, expected
in your family?'

'It has not occurred,' said Glastonbury.

'Indeed!'

'Alas! madam,' said her companion,