nt: but you
understand me; so I will not conclude the phrase. "Nothing in oratory,"
said my cousin D----, who was, entre nous, more honest than eloquent,
"like a break!"--"down! you should have added," said I.

I now, my dear Linden, leave you to your fate. For my part, though I
own Lord Ulswater is a lord whom ladies in love with the et ceteras of
married pomp might well desire, yet I do think it would be no difficult
matter for you to eclipse him. I cannot, it is true, advise you to run
away with Lady Flora. Gentlemen don't run away with the daughters of
gentlemen; but, without running away, you may win your betrothed
and Lord Ulswater's intended. A distinguished member of the House of
Commons, owner of Scarsdale, and representative of the most ancient
branch of the Talbots,--mon Dieu! you might marry a queen dowager, and
decline settlements!

And so, committing thee to the guidance of that winged god, who, if
three days afford any experience, has made thy friend forsake pleasure
only to find happiness, I bid thee, most gentle Linden, farewell. HAVERFIELD.

Upon reading this letter, Clarence felt as a man suddenly transformed.
From an exterior of calm and apathy, at the bottom of which lay one
bitter and corroding recollection, he passed at once into a state of
emotion, wild, agitated, and confused; yet, amidst all, was foremost
a burning and intense hope, which for long years he had not permitted
himself to form.

He descended into the breakfast parlour. Mordaunt, whose hours of
appearing, though not of rising, were much later than Clarence's, was
not yet down; and our lover had full leisure to form his plans, before
his host made his entree.

"Will you ride to-day?" said Mordaunt; "there are some old ruins in the
neighbourhood well worth the trouble of a visit."

"I grieve to say," answered Clarence, "that I must take my leave of you.
I have received intelligence this morning which may greatly influence my
future life, and by which I am obliged to make an excursion to another
part of the country, nearly a day's journey, on horseback."

Mordaunt looked at his guest, and conjectured by his heightened colour,
and an embarrassment which he in vain endeavoured to conceal, that the
journey might have some cause for its suddenness and despatch which
the young senator had his peculiar reasons for concealing. Algernon
contented himself, therefore, with expressing his regret at Linden's
abrupt