usual, and could scarcely realize the idea, that he was approaching so near-to look upon, and if it pleased him-hold to his heart, a kindred

and beloved being.

CHAPTER XIII.

"Now tender, plaintive, sweet almost to pain,
In love dissolves you; now in sprightly strains
Breathes a gay rapture through your thrilling breast;
Or melts the heart with airs divinely sad."

ARMSTRONG.

He reached the mansion-all was quiet now without, though during the day, the grounds had been the scene of gaiety and animation, for there had been an Archery Meeting, and outdoor dancing; but an early dinner had followed, from which, whilst the country guests and the non-theatricals, amused themselves as

they pleased the destined performers retired to prepare for the concluding and most important part of the day's entertainment.

Applying as directed-" Mrs. Bacon's friend from Hereford," was acknowledged by the official son, with civility, but busy haste; and guided quickly through an intricate maze of passages, Mr. Anderson found -ere quite knowing where he was-that he had exchanged the open light of day for that of the little theatre, as yet only illumined by a few candles-and here he was left, seated in one of the back rows, to contemplate the green baize curtain, behind which busy voices and footsteps were heard, shewing that preparations were going on, and that this miniature theatre had connection thereby with the inhabited part of the castle.

Soon appeared servants, carrying in cushions and footstools, for the better accommodation of the elite of the audience. Then a band of musicians proceeded to their places in the orchestrawhile domestics, and friends of domestics,

flocked in and took their seats, under the direction of the groom of the chambers.

Anderson had secured a comfortable corner, where he would not be incommoded by these companions; too eager besides and full of expectation, they seemed to take much note of his vicinity.

After a short interval, the groom of the chambers again appeared, and throwing open a door, the buzzing of whispered conversation, which had at first prevailed, suddenly ceased, and all arose in respectful silence.

The young Lord, whom Anderson recognized as the same person he had seen conversing with the Angelos in the Cathedral, now appeared, leading in with an air of supreme indifference, an old turbaned Dowager, and having dropped her into one of the front seats, he retreated with careless independence to one side. An elderly lady, of a fair and delicate appearance, and gentle countenance, had followed on another gentleman's arm, with the

rest of the company, in number about a hundred, for whom room had been provided; and when the stir, occasioned by the taking of places, had subsided, the band struck up an overture, which when finished, was by the signal of the bell, changed into a soft slow strain.

The bell again sounded, the curtain rose, and an effective tableau vivant, in an enormous gilt frame, was displayed to the audience-in which, as usual, in such performances the figures presented rather a waxen, Madame Tussaud-like appearance and lasted till the slight quivering of the face and limbs gave signal that the actors if not the audience, had had enough of the exhibition when the curtain was dropped, and due applause accorded.

Then followed a charade of some wit and humour-then again two tableaux were represented, which completed, as was marked in the programme, the first part of the evening's entertainment.