given her a faint suspicion that he was growing indifferent to her; while he had not till then the most remote idea that he habitually neglected Ellen. Both now saw their error.

The subject, when renewed the next morning at breakfast, was canvassed among the usual topics of the day, and without reserve, as a purely domestic matter with which the feelings had nothing to do— which, in truth, they now had not. It was most sensibly arranged that Elphinstone might call as usual, that Ellen should use her own judgment about seeing him when alone, that he should still be amongst the guests at their table, but that in future it would be better for Sidney and Ellen, when visiting, to go out together.

Elphinstone did call that morning, and Ellen saw him, though alone. But how changed were her greeting and her manner! There was no embarrassment as heretofore: the eyes were not cast down, nor was the cheek tinged with the flush of that dread which is imparted by the presence of temptation or danger: but Ellen met him as her own

and her husband's friend, with a clear, calm brow, an unreserved smile, and a heartier welcome than he ever experienced from her.

Elphinstone was startled at first, but more so when Mrs. Sidney, in an apparently careless manner, alluded to the remarks which had been made in reference to them both. Elphinstone coloured to the temples, while Ellen was not in the least embarrassed: they thus formed a contrast-that between guilty intentions and impregnable innocence.

When Elphinstone departed, he felt that his hopes-if he ever entertained any-had received their death-blow.

CHAPTER XVI.

"Time-long years must calm

Her soul, ere such wound closes ; 'tis the grief
Of woman's heart that knows no present balm,
And hopes no future comfort."

The Bride.

SEVERAL months after the memorable evening, Ellen received a letter from Alicia, announcing her intended departure from Woodlands for London, in consequence of the continued illness of her brother Moreton, and requesting, as a fit of the gout would not permit her father accompanying her, Mrs. Sidney would allow her the protection of her house, and the solace of her friendship, during

her temporary sojourn in the metropolis. To this request was added another, namely, that Mr. Sidney would make inquiries in the proper quarters, and endeavour to procure some tidings of her younger brother, Frank, whose long and unusual silence, the fair writer continued, greatly aggravated the malady and increased the nervousness of temper Mr. Mowbray was now suffering

under.

To write the assent, her warm heart dictated, to the first request of her early friend, was with Mrs. Sidney but the work of a moment; the second she communicated to her husband as soon as he returned home that evening.

When she had finished reading Alicia's letter to him, Matthew Sidney, whose brow was more than commonly thoughtful, and even clouded, calmly took out his pocket-book and made therein a mem., "to call on Messrs. C. and B., and inquire if, in their advices from India, they have received any intelligence of ensign Francis Mowbray, of the -th regiment light infantry."

VOL. II.

H

Coolly returning this miniature ledger of all his thoughts and appointments into his pocket, Mr. Sidney remarked-" People really think so little of the value of time, that they seem to suppose one has nothing better to do than to trifle after their petty matters. I have no leisure at present to be running about making inquiries after Miss Mowbray's brother; but I'll see what I can do next week."

This was one of Matthew's outbreaks of temper, which had never been exhibited till very lately, but which now from their frequency completely banished the happiness the mutual explanation and Sidney's intention to sacrifice more to his lares, had promised to afford. Lately Sidney had become cross, sometimes morose; and all Ellen's efforts to draw from him the causes of his ill-humour were fruitless-and, in fact, repelled with unkindness.

This fretful peevishness increased daily rather than diminished; and, as it seemed expended upon Ellen with more bitterness than upon any one else, it impressed her with the idea that Sidney had de