"Oh, Isabella," said Madame Montafauconi,

"I ought to crave pardon, Miss Castlebrook, | completely aroused. "I say do not dare to for breaking in on so comfortable a trio. If asperse my fame. I left you to avoid degradayou have no great objection, I have come to tion. I have not degraded myself." bring you to your home and a sense of duty. It has cost no little pains to find out your hiding-weeping, "do not let this house of mourning place. Where, madam, is the infamous old villain become a scene of strife. Obey your parent, who has abetted your evasion of proper duties?" my love. Perhaps, sir, we were to blame in re"Gone, sir, from your abuse, to be judged by ceiving her, but my brother thought it best. a higher Tribunal," from Russell Thornmead. He was a good man: he was indeed. But he is And who [with a fearful oath] are you, in his grave now, and I cannot bear to hear him blamed. My love, go; you know I shall be provided for. You have done all you can." "I will go. Be comforted, I will return home, sir. I have no alternative; unhappily, I "A man! pooh, a fellow! Sir, I talk only am still a minor. But I will not suffer perto gentlemen-unless [with another oath]-Isonal chastisement. Assure me at least I shall should not be surprised. Are you in any way be free from violence." concerned in the affairs of this 'girl?'"

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sir?"

"A man, sir, who will see no helpless girl oppressed or degraded, by even a father's bad language."

"For Heaven's sake, Mr. Thornmead, do not interfere. Father, Mr. Thornmead is but an acquaintance-one who has befriended your daughter in distress. Mr. Benvolere was buried only to-day."

"So much the better for him. As for you, sir-man if you please-leave this place quickly, or I will thrash you out, and my groom shall finish by kicking you," flourishing an ebony cane which he carried.

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Two words to that," said Russell Thornmead, catching the upraised cane in its descent, and coolly snapping it across his knee in three pieces, which he flung on the table. "If it came, sir, to a question of thrashing, you might find me your master. Out of respect to your daughter, I will leave, however; but remember, Miss Castlebrook, although you may not resist a parent's authority, you are right to reject all attempts at unlawful coercion. Beware, sir, how you attempt it. I am not one of your order, 'tis true; but I have powerful friends in this country, among some who are. The Regent's personal friends are not in good odour: take heed how you bring your actions into public notice."

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Yes, yes, I tell you. Come, I cannot stay in this cursed hole longer; let them put your things up."

"I will go, Isabella," said Madame Theresa, on whose timid nature, fear was working powerfully. "Martha shall bring them, and I will fetch your cloak and hat." She left the room trembling.

"Sir [to my father], that poor feeble soul has been a mother to me."

"Let her be

"Silence, sir; I will not hear oaths. Assure me also that I shall not be constrained to marry Lord Dornington."

"Do not fear. Coronets and fortunes seldom ask a second time."

"Allow me to live in entire seclusion-andlet me tell you, my engagement with Lord Tarragon still exists.'

"Silence, girl. Do you know the character of the fellow you have made choice of ?" "Heaven help me, I know little, I fear, of anyone.'

"Then I will tell it you, dolt. He is a blackleg, my Lord Tarragon—a traitor to his professions, a place-hunter. Horses and mistresses have brought him to such a pass that he willhe will-do anything."

Mr. Castlebrook was purple with passion-ay, his weapon of defence was gone, and dignity forbade the personal assault which I was in terror of witnessing.

"Harvey," he roared, "bring me the coachman's horsewhip."

Harvey, you had best not, unless you wish to see me chastise your master. Fie, sir! before your own servants! Farewell, dear Miss Castlebrook: doubtless I shall see you again some day; till then, God preserve and watch over you. Good evening, Mr. Castlebrook; think on what I have said. Harvey [to the groom as he went out], "your master will only want the horsewhip for his coach-box now. Perhaps he means to drive himself."

"So, madam," from Mr. Castlebrook, when he had slightly recovered from the rage into which Russell Thornmead's evil speech had thrown him-" you have your humble servants it appears, to bully and browbeat your father. Come home!" with another fearful oath. "Do not dare, father-yes, dare." I was

"It is false. I cannot believe it. O sir, if you must separate us, do it not by falsehood." "What does a confounded girl know about such things! You are mighty forward, madam, to confute me for your vile Harvey [blustering to the servant with an oath which I avoid writing], are these horses ready?”

"All right, sir."

"Come, madam-by the way, I have not told you-I have, thank Heaven, a son, who I trust will not disgrace my name and blood.”

"Lady Laura's child is living, then?"

"Greatly to your disappointment, no doubt [sneering]. The child is delicate, and requires more attention than his mother, who is compelled to go much into society, can give him. If you desire seclusion you are welcome to it. I see no use in wasting money on a girl who refuses to extend her family-connexion by a judicious marriage."

The thought occurred that a mother's duty was to give up society, if her child required

the sacrifice. I did not, however, give expression to the idea, simply saying, in a conciliatory tone, that I should be happy to attend to the infant, though as yet it could only need a nurse's care, and that I was totally unused to

children.

But we were interrupted by Martha, who brought down two trunks filled with the clothes I had purchased from my own earnings. Madame Theresa entered, too, with my cloak and black hat bound with crape. The mourning struck my father's eye, seemingly for the first time. "You must get fresh clothes," he said harshly. "I shall not allow you to wear mourning for that--"

"Oh, sir, hush, I beg. I will do anything you wish the mourning is in my heart. You cannot tear that away."

Mr. Castlebrook left the room, calling loudly to Harvey, and roughly telling me to follow. I kissed and embraced Madame Montafauconi, telling her I would write, and forcing on her all the cash I had in my purse; for I knew that little enough remained for her necessities. I had a note still unchanged in my pocketbook, which alone I reserved; for I knew not

what need I might have for money, which former experience told me was not easily obtained at home.

Home! It was a different home indeed, to which the carriage was swiftly conducting me, to that in which I had spent six happy months; happy in spite of labour-in spite of suspense pressed me as we drove through the suburbs, happy in love and duty. Many thoughts optowards the din and bustle of London.

I dared not ask my father how my discovery had been effected. I dared not specu- . late on what my future life might be. His words concerning Lord Tarragon, notwithstanding I told myself they were unworthy of credit, still burned in my ears, flushing my pale face every minute with the colour forced there by grief and shame. Oh, if it were true! Mr. Castlebrook had taken refuge in silence, and apparent slumber; and his deep breathing, as well as an odour of wine which pervaded the close shut-up carriage, confirmed me in a previous apprehension that Mr. Castlebrook had obtained more courage from the bottle than from the justness of his cause.

MYSTIC TREES.

the same veneration for this tree exists in India, no wizard can rest beneath its shade; the Hindoos, too, wear it in their turbans, or over their beds as a preservative from the evil eye. It is alluded to in the song of Lardley Wood:

"The spells were vain; the hag returned To the queen in sorrowful mood, Crying that witches have no power

Where there is rowan-tree wood.*

The belief in sacred or mystic trees is a very widely spread superstition: traces of it may be found on the Egyptian monuments in the shape of the date-palm and sycamore tree: the sacred tree of the Hebrews figured beside the Cherubim in the temple, a symbol which was adopted by the Assyrians and Persians, and may be traced downwards to the Etruscans and early Christian mosaics. The ash-tree took the place of the palm among the Scandinavians, as symbolical of universal life, and is described in the Eddas as "penetrating by its triple roots to the region of the frost-giants, and its branches filling the world. It is sprinkled with the purest water, whence is the dew that falls in the dales." The wands of the pagan priests were said to be formed of its branches, and it possesses a secret power against witches. The Highland farmer places a branch of it in his cowshed on the second of May, that his cattle may be safe from the spells of the unholy: the milkmaid of Westmoreland ties a branch of it to her milkpail for the same reason, and puts a cross of it round her neck. The Norwegians are sure to nail a chip of its wood to the bottom of their boats, and could not catch any fish if a sprig were not tied to their nets. The branches are twisted round the cradle of the baby by the anxious mother, and the boys wear the leaves round their waists, that they may be the winners in their games. We learn from Bishop Heber that The rowan is a name for the mountain ash.—ED ·

The oak seems to have been the favourite Dodona was the oldest Greek oracle, the priests Under the oak of among the Teutonic races. writing their prophecies on its leaves. In the Old under this tree, and the same Hebrew word Testament angelic appearances were often seen which signifies oak means oath also; and its root, meaning strong and mighty, is the name of the Deity in many languages. This monarch of trees was also the favourite of the Druids, who converted it into an idol by cutting off the boughs and fixing two of the largest into the resemblance to a man, on which they inscribed stem at right angles, thus producing a rude the Triad of their Deities. Solemn assemblies were held beneath it, both in Germany and England; and decrees were dated" sub quercu"sub annosa quercu." Shakespeare mentions it as sacred to Jove:

bus, or

The hazel-wood was generally chosen for the divining rod; it is known to affect some temperaments very powerfully, especially those of In the court of an old fortress of Cronsberg, a nervous disposition. A young girl is menSweden, is a giant oak, which has a mystic repu- tioned who having taken up a freshly cut hazel tation, and which no man dare touch. A stick could not relax her hold, and when it was peasant once venturing to cut down a sacred tree taken away by force repossessed herself of it, was startled by hearing a voice exclaim, as it fell, and after holding it a few minutes was thrown "You have made me houseless; so I will do to into a kind of trance. you," and the next day his house was burnt down. Such trees generally grow in high places, which have ever been dedicated to false gods.

I can bear easily enough with a cat, and consent to a "King Charles," or even a poodle with tolerable equanimity. Never having been subjected to a monkey-except sporadically, un- The "family" of Miss Peckham consisted of der my window, in the street-organ way-I am her niece-a very pretty, hoydenish maiden of unable to "assert myself" with regard to that ani- sixteen, an orphan, and dependent wholly on mal as a domestic institution. Yet I feel no hesita- her aunt, who did not specially exert herself to tion in stating my conviction that I should prefer make Miss Jennie's life cheerful-six single a monkey to a parrot. For Miss Peckham's gentlemen beside myself (most of them of parrot I would cheerfully have substituted a mature years), and the parrot. The first intimachimpanzee, or even a moderate-sized gorilla.tion I had of this creature's existence as one of Ever since the period of my martyrdom to that abominable bird, I have regarded the parrot tribe with unchristian feelings of hatred and abhorrence.

increasing the twist in Polly's neck. But further reflection convinced me that this operation was not calculated to secure Miss Peckham's confidence, and I virtuously refrained. Contenting myself, therefore, with bidding Polly "shut up," I left the room, resolved to seek an explanation of the origin of Polly's aspersion of my character.

In the parlour I found Miss Jennie and Mr. Podder, the occupant of the second storey front, with whom I was slightly acquainted he having, in fact, been my sponsor to Miss Peckham.

Mr Podder was a jolly bachelor of fifty odd, who, having a fair income, and with much leisure time on hand, devoted most of the latter, and not a little of the former, to the noble work of exposing the popular humbugs of the day. With this view, he sedulously frequented "spiritual manifestations," and prestidigitatory performances of all sorts, and purchased and experimented with an endless number of specific" remedies for all kinds of ailmentsupon himself in some instances, but more frequently upon those of his friends whose credulity, good nature, or despair of other relief, made them willing subjects. I regret to add, that, though he discovered and denounced very many tricks of "spiritual," medical and other charlatans, his philanthropy did not appear to be rewarded by a proportionate decrease in the number or extent of successful impositions upon society. Humbug still continued to prosper, and credulity to be victimized. Mr. Podder, however, by no means discouraged, persevered in his "mission," only observing, from time to time, when some fresh triumph of quackery irritated him, that, "The fools were not all dead yet!" Which was undeniable then, and might not, even now, be considered an extravagant assertion.

"Morning Philip !" said Mr. Podder. "Miss Jennie, this is our new acquisition, Mr. Kent (Mr. P. always spoke of Miss Peckham's as our' establishment); Miss Peckham's niece, Miss Martin, Philip. There! now we're all in the family!"

I gazed upon Miss Peckham's niece, and wished, instantly, that I was "in the family"by marriage.

What the nature of my remarks or her rejoinders were, I have no recollection whatever now. Nor had I any at the time, as far as I know. But in five minutes after my introduc tion to Miss Jennie Martin, I was-to the best of my knowledge and belief-deeply in love with her. This sudden sentiment I imparted in confidence to Mr. Podder when we went forth together. It was received by that gentleman in a manner wholly unbecoming the gravity and delicacy of the subject, I thought. For he laughed at me, and made a very absurd and unnecessary, as well as discourteous, request of me. In short, he asked me-"not to be a fool."

How was it possible for a highly intellectual gentleman of the mature age of nineteen, and

but recently a graduate of a learned academy to be a fool, under any circumstances? and especially under those to which Mr. Podder so coarsely referred! However, I smothered my indignation, and asked him the mystery of Miss Peckham's Parrot. Upon which he told me the little history of which I have given a brief outline in the beginning of this sketch.

My resentment towards that bird subsided thereupon, and was merged in a vague feeling of pity for his mistress, accompanied, however, by a strong sentiment of indignation towards the original "villain" of her life-drama; though, I fear, this indignation was chiefly aroused by that person having had the audacity to dishonour the name of Philip. But could I have foreseen the consequences that the parrot's stigma upon that name was to produce, Miss Peckham would certainly have mourned the untimely loss of that interesting specimen of ornithology at an early period of my residence in the family, and this story would have had, if written, a very different moral.

My passion for the espiègle Miss Jennie grew with the growth and strengthened with the strength of my intimacy with that damsel. And, in spite of Mr. Podder's ungenerous reception of my perhaps somewhat premature confidence, his subsequent conduct certainly, though doubtless unintentionally, fostered the secret sentiments of my bosom.

This he did by constantly inviting Miss Jennie to accompany him to lectures, experiences, and other public expositions of his favourite humbugs, and invariably including me in the party; whereby, his whole mind becoming rapidly absorbed and his attention fixed, in scrutinizing the so-called phenomena of the exhibition, Miss Jennie and I were left in the position of a genuine tête-à-tête, and I had ample opportunity to feed my flame, as well as to kindle a reciprocal spark in the bosom of its object. Without vanity, I can assert that it did not take very long to accomplish this. Before I had been a member of Miss Peckham's family month, a blissful consciousness of having achieved this triumph was mine! Before another month had waned, the artless Jennie had plighted me her maiden troth (I believe that is the consecrated style of saying it), and nothing remained to brim the cup of our mutual happiness, save the enthusiastic consent of Miss Peckham and Mr. Kent senior, and the ceremony immediately consequent. On reflection, and consultation with each other, however, Jennie and I were not sanguine of arousing the desired enthusiasm in the breasts of the two elderly persons referred to.

Further reflection and consultation decided us not to try, for the present at least. We resolved to suffer and be strong, in silence, for awhile. I would pursue my professional studies to their conclusion. She would continue to cultivate her aunt's affection by assiduous attention to her wishes and caprices, and I was also to ingratiate myself with that respectable spinster as delicately as possible, during our weary, but