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vided, she willingly, if not cheerfully acquiesced, and assumed a sort of behaviour which would have undeceived any one whose mind was not prejudiced. Though they passed through more than one village, they stopped not, and when it was nearly dark, my mother perceived that they had entered a dark and intricate forest. As she was altogether ignorant of the spot, and of my father's intentions, she became much alarmed. At length, she said, �Whither, sir, are you carrying me?' her voice faltering as she spoke.

'We shall soon arrive at Lausiac,' replied my father.

"This was a small estate of his, which he sometimes mentioned, but neither my mother or myself had ever visited it. They reached it not before midnight. All was dark. No moon was visible, and even the stars were obscured by clouds. My mother, resigned to her fate, sat silent, while my father, alighting, approached the door, and knocked loudly with his cane, but without making any one hear. He at length substituted a brick, with which he had almost battered down the door, when a voice from within requested, in a very solemn manner, to know who was there, and the occasion of their visit.

" 'I shall not so betray my trust,' said a voice from within, on my father's having answered him. 'If you are, indeed, a Mecklenburg, repeat the signal, or the sentence you yourself appointed.'

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" 'The dead of night!� loudly pronounced my father; while my poor mother shuddered at such a sentence.

In a moment the door was unbarred, and a decrepit man advanced with a torch he had newly lighted. He welcomed my father with strong expressions of joy, and cast some enquiring looks at my mother, which she observed, and which were afterwards explained through the man�s simplicity; for it seems she was not the first female, who had been conducted there in the dead of the night.

" �Gildas,� said my father, 'lead to the north chamber.'

"The obsequious fellow obeyed, when my mother was thus addressed by her unrelenting husband:�

" �Madame, you are to consider this the place of your future residence. In my youth I spent a considerable part of my time here. The library was then large, and it is probable that even now you will find some books there, to assist you to pass away your vacant hours; but if not, you are, you know, madame, fond of retirement, and can support solitude without impatience. My conscience, therefore, feels no pangs in abandoning you to it. With regard to pen and ink, as it is not my wish that you should correspond with your paramour, you will not be allowed the use of them. Adieu for ever. My further orders I shall leave with Gildas.'

" �The honourable pride of my mother forbade an answer. My father communicated his instructions to Gildas, and then departed.

"On my father�s return to Presburg, I intreated to be informed where he had carried my mother, with almost frantic grief; but he sternly forbade my enquiries, and giving me to understand that her removal was indispensible, commanded me to take her place in the management of the house, and her seat at the head of his table.

"You will observe, my dear aunt, that although I relate these events as they happened, I arrived not at the knowledge of them until afterwards, when my father's dangerous situation led him to consider it a duty to discover the motives and circumstances on which he had acted. Ignorant as I then was of the place of my mother's confinement, you will judge of my feelings for her. Alas! can I ever enough deplore the loss I sustained, in being deprived of her company and instructions? Yet at this time no selfish ideas occupied me, for my whole soul was absorbed in terror and anxiety for her sufferings.

"Besides the difficulty of consoling myself for her loss, I had another hardship to encounter; for my father would not allow me to wear the appearance of sorrow in my countenance. When we met in the morning, and my eyes showed the sleepless night I had passed, and the tears which had bedewed them,�' Caroline!' would he angrily exclaim, 'is this the countenance with which you would choose to meet your father?� And when, perhaps, I would say�'Oh, my father! restore me my friend, my monitor, my mother! On my knees let me plead for her!���Begone, rash girl,' was his reply, 'let me not see you again until you can behave differ-

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ently.' His harshness almost broke my heart, but I was obliged to submit."

"Your father, my dear niece," said the baroness, interrupting Caroline, "was the most domestic tyrant I ever heard of, excepting indeed�" she stopped.

Caroline replied, "Your observation, madame, is too just. I could say many things. He was cruel. Yet still he was my father. But I will proceed;�

"Our house was now the theatre of dissipation and folly. Numerous companies of men, raised, indeed, by their rank above restraint, but degraded beneath their inferiors by their vices, assembled continually there; and if the sun did not often surprise the boon companions over the bottle, my father seldom left the card table or dice box, until the more sober part of the family were preparing to rise from their beds. Such a residence was very improper for me, but I had no asylum to which I could retreat. Count Durlack, becoming a greater favourite than ever, seldom absented himself from any of his parties, and, I believe, as seldom retired without experiencing the advantage resulting from his superior knowledge in the games he played. My father, on the other hand, ignorant of the arts of gamesters, became their dupe. His fortune, though originally great, could not support continual losses and extravagance. It began to give way. He perceived it; but borne away by the vehemence of his passions, he paused not a moment to reflect upon the dreadful precipice on which he stood, or the unavoidable, and fatal consequences of his infatuation. In short, one fatal night deprived him of all his personal property. To recover this, he risked his paternal estates, and at the end of the evening saw himself destitute of a ducat. The estate on which my mother was confined was amongst the number. Although my father suspected the fair play of the count, who was the winner, eagerness had redoubled his vigilance, and given his mind a degree of penetration which he had never yielded to before; yet he restrained his feelings, or at least the expression of them, till after his departure. This complaisance, however, was not the effect of cowardice, but habit, as he had always considered the count in the light of a second self. But as soon as the count was gone, he vented his fury on all around him. He broke with a dice box a huge pier glass, and dashed a pack of cards in the face of an ancient gentleman who was near him. That meek person, however, instead of resenting this action as an affront, calmly told him he had something to say, if he would favour him with his company for a few moments. My father, who supposed this to be only a civil way of demanding satisfaction for the gross insult he had received, immediately consented and they left the room together. Imagine his surprise, when he was addressed, as soon as they were alone, by M. Darkein, (for that was his name) in the following manner:�

" 'I look over the outrage you have offered my person, from a consideration I shall take this opportunity of mentioning. I am not ignorant of

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the divers and severe losses you have sustained to various persons, especially to Count Durlack; and your present phrenzy convinces me that this night has sealed your ruin.'

" 'You are right in your conjecture,' replied my father. 'I have lost everything but my life, and that is now of little value.�

" �What would you do,' replied Darkein, �for the man who reinstated you in your former prosperity?�

" �What is there I would not do?' replied my father.

" �I am that man,' continued Darkein. �I know not if you are acquainted with the particulars of my fortune, but it is ample, and I have it in my power, provided you will agree to my proposals, to restore you to affluence.'

" �Name your propositions.'

" �I have hitherto lived a bachelor; but the sight of your daughter influences me to change my state. It is true there is some disparity in our years, but to a man who knows the world as well as you do, that is a trifling objection. Give her to me, and I will redeem your losses.'

" �To this strange proposal, my father, who never imagined that I should make any opposition, consented; and the next day was fixed upon for the introduction of my lover.

" �Caroline, my love,' said my father, the next morning, as I was about to leave the room after breakfast, �I hope you believe that the chief wish of my heart is your happiness, and establishment in life.'

"Surprised at this beginning, I remained silent.

" �Why don�t you answer me,' said he.

"I stammered out that I did not doubt it. He then continued.

" 'As I know that girls of your age are apt to form premature, and consequently, imprudent attachments, I have thought proper, in conformity with this desire of seeing you happy, to accept of a very advantageous, nay, indeed, unexceptionable offer which has been made you. I have contracted you to a worthy man, who enjoys, in an eminent degree, the gifts of fortune, and who is every way worthy of your affections. This being premised, I have only farther to inform you, that you must prepare to receive your lover's visit this afternoon.'

"Good heavens! don't you feel for me, my dear aunt? I was extremely frightened, and unable to utter a sentence! And whilst I was thus distressed and confused, my father, who pretended to interpret my silence into consent, withdrew.

"As my imagination suggested at least a young and handsome man and as I well knew my father's arbitrary disposition, to call it no worse, I endeavoured to form my mind to obedience; but I will not trouble you with the hopes and fears which agitated my little heart during the day. I will only ask you to guess at my disappointment, when M. Darkein was introduced. Picture to yourself a man full sixty, above the common size but who lost one-third of his height from an habitual stoop. His face

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filled one with admiration; but of that kind we translate into wonder since it was so long and sharply thin, that it seemed all bone, with a shrivelled skin drawn over it. A deficiency of teeth was conspicuous, even when he was silent; and a small portion of hair, powdered, and secured in a long queue, dangled behind. Such being the man, still his eye glowed, I suppose with pride, and self-consequence, not love, surely; for I declare to you, so ridiculous was his whole appearance, I could scarcely refrain from laughing in his face. I, however, with a struggle, preserved my gravity. His compliments to me were high-flown and extravagant; while my answers were as concise as possible. He appeared satisfied with my modesty, but it is impossible for me to paint the indignation of my father, or the astonishment of M. Darkein, when on the latter's requesting my permission to repeat the visit, I, with a determined voice, gave a decided negative.

" �What is that you say?' demanded my father, in a voice like thunder.

"I know not what supplied me with courage, but I replied that I trusted in his clemency, and the generosity of M. Darkein, who certainly would not wish for a wife insensible to his merits. I thanked the latter for the honour he intended me, and intreated him to place his affections on a worthier object; for that it was impossible I could ever think of him as a husband. So saying I dropped a curtsey, and although my father commanded me to stop, hurried to my chamber. He was not long after me.�

" �So,' exclaimed he, furiously, �you have made a sweet piece of business here! A young minx. Spirited too! What! can you, dare you suppose that you shall disobey my orders with impunity?'

"My fortitude was gone, and I answered only by my tears.

" ' None of your girlish tricks with me. Your tears lie very near your eyes! but mark me, I speak as a parent, and for the last time. I shall bring M. Darkein here again to-morrow, either receive him as you ought, or tremble for the consequences of my displeasure.' So saying, he left me in an agony of sorrow.

CHAPTER IX.

THOMSON.

"BUT an unexpected and very unhappy accident," continued Caroline, "delivered me from further persecution. My father as soon as he left me hurried to a society of gamesters, not so much, I suppose, with a view to retrieve his ruined fortunes, for experience had shown him the inefficacy of

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all his attempts in that way, but because he was unable to deny himself the indulgence of his ruling passion. Among the company was Count Durlack, whom he challenged to play; but the count, sensible that he had nothing more to lose, declined it, and proposed a walk in the square. My father consented, and in the course of the conversation, the count drew from him the place of my mother's confinement, and then spoke thus:

" ' Mecklenburg, you are, you know, a ruined man. All that you had is mine, yet there is one acquisition in which you can assist me, and which I value more than all your possessions, and for which I will restore all.'

" �Explain yourself,' said my father, 'without further preamble.'

" �As to my wife,' returned the count, 'she is bed-ridden, and I do not pretend that I love her. I only married her to secure her fortune. I should not speak thus freely, were I not convinced by your conduct that you have as little regard for your wife as I have for mine.'

"My father bit his lips. 'Go on,' said he.

" 'I have little more to say,' continued the count. �I love, and, have long loved Madame Mecklenburg, and I now confess I have frequently assailed her during your stay at Buda. Resign, her to me. Her price is all I have won of you. Then you will regain your patrimony and get rid of a wife you dislike.'

" 'You will acknowledge,' said my father, 'that yours is an extraordinary request.'

" 'A little uncommon, I confess,' replied the count, 'but in your situation by no means mal-a-propos.'

" �You, insult my poverty, then, Count Durlack.'

" �No.�

" �Draw.'

" �For why?� asked the count.

" 'You area perfidious villain,' vehemently exclaimed my father. 'You have, in the first place, deluded me with the pretence of friendship, which you have never felt. You have afterwards, by your own confession, endeavoured to undermine the fidelity of the wife of my bosom. When your base attempts were unsuccessful, you poisoned my mind with jealousy, and induced me to use that suffering angel in a manner that I now tremble to think of. You have next taken advantage of the warmth of my passions, and my attachment to that infernal practice of gaming, to rob me of my fortune; and now like the devil, you exult in the destruction you have made. But no more�defend yourself.'

"The count, with apparent reluctance, unsheathed his sword. They fought, and the conflict was long; but the unguarded passions of my father gave his cool antagonist too many advantages, and he fell.

"Conceive, if possible, my dear aunt, the confusion which reigned in the family, and the distress I, in particular, felt, when my father was brought home by some persons who accidentally passed that way, bloody and senseless! I immediately sent for the most eminent surgeon in Presburg, a man

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equally remarkable for his probity and skill. He declined giving a decisive opinion, but recommended above all things that he should be kept quiet. I never quitted the apartment in which my wounded father lay, but endeavoured by every possible means to assuage the anguish he appeared to suffer. About the middle of the next day, when he began to feel a little more composed, he called me to him.

" �Caroline,' said he, 'I shall never leave this room alive. I feel thoroughly persuaded of it. But as there is a possibility of my lingering some days longer, methinks I would fain see thy injured mother; for, alas! too late have I discovered that she is all purity, and I would ask her pardon before I die. I have been misled by that villain Durlack, and I will yet be revenged!'

" �Oh, my dear father !' said I, �talk not, think not of revenge; but direct your thoughts to the renovating hope of a happy reconciliation with your adoring wife. The count is a miscreant, and that you know it, is joy supreme to me. But leave him to slow, yet sure punishment which ever awaits such complicated guilt as his, and hasten to recal my beloved mother. She will be your nurse, and restore you to life and happiness.'

" �Caroline,' replied my father, dejectedly, 'all this I cannot hope for. Yet if you think your mother will accept my penitence, if she will clasp me once more in her arms, alleviate the agonies of my last struggle by her forgiveness, it will be comparative bliss to what I endure. But she will require an explanation, she will want so powerful an advocate as you to return to that mansion from which she has been expelled with so much disgrace. Go to her, my child�go and prepare her to receive my penitence, and to learn the history of my misfortunes.'

" �She will fly to you, my father,' said I. �She will sooth your misfortunes, and restore you to health; but I must not check her returning views of happiness, with your declaration of meditated revenge. Oh! surely you would not risk your life again to the chance of a villain's shot?�

" �We will say no more of this at present, my child. Will you prepare for your departure?'

" �Gladly: but where shall I find my mother? And how am I to be conveyed to the place of her confinement?�

" �Your mother resides at Lausiac. You have heard me speak of it as a small estate of my own. Marcus drove us thither, and shall do the same office for you. He is greatly attached to your mother, is discreet, and will be a faithful guard, and protector to you. Send him to me, that I may give him the necessary orders.'

"My father sunk down quite exhausted; and much as my heart palpitated with joy at the idea of seeing my mother, I could not avoid feeling regret at leaving him solely in the care of servants; but his impatient spirit had not yet left him. He chided me for my objections, and urged me to prepare for my departure.

" 'There is only one office I require from you before you go,� said he, his

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eyes flashing fire. 'Send that abandoned woman, your governess, away before you quit the house. She has been the incendiary who has ruined my peace by confirming the aspersions thrown upon your angelic mother. She is a creature of the count's. There will be no safety whilst she remains in the family.'

"Her conduct on the night my mother's apartment had been invaded by a nocturnal visitor, instantly occurred to my recollection. Rinada had entertained suspicions of her, which she had imparted to me. I, however, had checked her by saying that as my mother had observed nothing of the sort, whose judgment and penetration was superior to ours, we might perhaps be doing her injustice. But conviction now flashed fully on my mind. I silently retired, and sought her in her apartment: I communicated my father's commands that she should instantly depart, and made her a payment of what was then due as a remuneration for her services. Instead of enquiring why she was thus dismissed, she hung her head abashed, and replied only that she would pack up her things as speedily as possible. If proof could have been wanting of her guilt, nothing stronger could have been supplied.

"Marcus, by my father's orders, had prepared the carriage, and it was soon at the gate. I went, again to his apartment, and found him more composed in mind, though suffering greatly from the bad state of his wounds. He enjoined me to say every thing from him to my mother, that could obliterate her remembrance of the past, and shed tears at our parting.

"We had scarcely got clear of Presburg, when a carriage driving at a furious rate, encountered ours, tore off one of the wheels, and otherwise so damaged it, that it was impossible for us to proceed. My anxious and impatient father, was, by this unfortunate accident, obliged to submit to a delay of two days; for so long a time did the artizans of Presburg require to put it in proper repair for travelling. I, however, derived the consolation of being assured by the attending surgeons before I set out, that the wounds certainly were not mortal; and that unless a fever took place, they could promise a speedy cure.

"Cheerless and solitary as was my journey, yet could I not help being amused with the various and enchanting prospects I sometimes beheld. The country became more mountainous and picturesque as we travelled further towards the north. These rude features of nature were altogether new to me, and the idea of wild majesty which they presented to my mind, inspired a sort of sensation bordering on awe. Here and there a few cultivated fields, and the peasant's hamlet, whose little garden, planted with culinary herbs and fruit trees, afforded a variety of tints took off from the general sombre appearance of the country, and associated a cheerful idea of domestic comfort, ever dear to the heart and to the imagination. By contemplating these objects, and viewing this new scenery, I was enabled to counteract the gloomy presages which hung around me. True, I was going to emancipate one beloved parent from confinement; but I had at that