"Yes, alone: take care that my father does not hear you. Come up with Monsieur de S, and remain in the antechamber, that we may not be interrupted."

The woman stood still for a moment, almost stupified at the sudden and wonderful change in her young lady; but she was soon forced to obey the command, which was repeated in a tone she had never before heard. She executed her commission very quickly, and when she entered, followed by De S-, Adeline was still in a state of agitation, and at the moment they appeared she was shutting the door of the closet hastily.

She dismissed her woman, and then begging a patient hearing, she once more threw herself on the mercy of her intended. "You know," said she, “that I have no mother, and that my father, accustomed from his military habits to the most passive obedience from all around him, has disregarded my repugnance to become your wife; but can you, Sir, consent to make me so with the certainty that I can never love you?"

I shall spare my readers the gentleman's protestations that his care of her happiness, and the ardour and sincerity of his attachment must in time conquer her indifference, as he was assured that her heart was free.

"Do not be too sure of that, Sir. I see that I have nothing to hope, either from your delicacy or my father's indulgence; thus driven to desperation, I must reveal my secret to you. I love another-Monsieur de Montigny, a young officer of the Guards; we are devotedly attached to each other. You see then it is impossible that I can ever become your wife."

Feeling that all was lost if he was not firm at this moment, he presented his hand to the young lady, saying

66

Come, Mademoiselle, we are waited for in the saloon.'

"You force me, Sir, to go farther than I in

tended. I have authorised Monsieur de Montigny to repeat to you all that I have said; he is now waiting in that closet to do so."

"I shall see him to-morrow," said Monsieur de S――, but not in the steadiest tone in the world.

'No, Sir, not to-morrow; the explanation must take place directly, unless you give up directly all claim to my hand."

66

Never!"

Adeline made a step towards the closet, and at that moment a sound proceeded from it, which De S-- in his fright fancied was the trailing of a sabre on the floor.

"Stop!" cried he, catching Adeline's arm. "What is it, Mademoiselle, that you require?"

"A formal refusal, under your own hand, to marry me, and that you quit our house never to return to it."

He looked as if he would have expostulated, but another step towards the closet decided him. He signed a paper which was ready drawn up, Mademoiselle de P- sent it immediately to her father, and the disappointed lover hastened away that instant. In a few minutes afterwards the General entered in a fury.

"I know all," cried he;" de S-- has told me all. Unworthy girl! shame to my blood!" "Oh, father! pardon me! hear me but one word, one single word-" "No, no!"

"If you had only listened to my prayers, I should not have been reduced to-"

"Ah! this cowardly seducer is a duellist. Well, let him take my life if he can ; I care little for it now. Open the door directly, girl. Come out and face me, if you are a man.'

Receiving no reply, the General hastily entered. "What, what is this?" cried be, "where is this man? I was on the stairs when de S―― came from your room; the scoundrel cannot have quitted the apartment-where, then, have you hid him?" He looked round like one bewildered; his daughter threw herself into his arms.

"Pardon me, dear father! You are a brave General, an intrepid soldier. During twenty years you have fearlessly exposed your life for your country. Would you then give your daughter to a coward-to one whom the mere name of an officer of the guards has frightened into resigning me? Chance assisted my plan, something fell upon the floor; he thought it was the sound of a sabre trailing, and he trembled. No; that man was never intended by nature to be the son-inlaw of one of the Emperor's companions in arms.' "There was then nobody in the closet?" Nobody!"

"You are right, child. I would not have you the wife of a coward. However, this affair is most unfortunate; for he will say every where that Monsieur de Montigney was concealed in your closet."

"And he will be told that that poor young man, the brother of one of my intimate friends, was killed several months ago in Algiers."

But,

Ah, true!" cried the General-" I remember him now; he was a brave young officer. Adeline, you must marry. I will not impose a husband of my choice upon you; but you must make your own. Hey, girl! what say you?"

"Dear father, I will never marry in opposition to your wishes; but I will own there is one who, if he was your choice, would be mine also.”

"And why did you not say so before?" "Because he is poor."

"And he has addressed you?" said the General, in a voice of indignation.

66

Never! he has never breathed a syllable of

attachment to me, nor does he suspect mine for him; but I know he loves me."

"His name?"

"Charles de V---!"

"A fine, open-hearted, honest fellow. Yes, I think he does love you; for I know he has refused a handsome young widow, immensely rich. Well, my little plotter, I shall make you over to him very speedily."

"Oh, Papa, do not!"

Mrs. B. O.-Accepted.

ANNA C.-The tale will appear.

HOTSPUR. Both the articles will be used.

TYRO. We decline such nonsense.
E. H. B.-Accepted.

ELLEN A.-Accepted.

WILLIAM.-The lines shall be inserted.

R. H. O.—The assurance of some persons is be

above initials, that we do not pay for poetry too bad to be inserted as a gift.

It will be interesting to the collectors of autographs to know that Queen Adelaide has sent, through the medium of Lord Howe, six most elegantly embossed cards, with appropriate texts of Scripture in her own hand-writing, for the Rutland

Bazaar.

CONUNDRUM.-What feature of the human face is the emblem both of pride and meanness?-Answer: The nose. Why? Because it is above speaking, and beneath notice.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Unless received by the 15th of each month, communications cannot be attended to in the forthcoming number of the Magazine.

NOTICES OF PUBLIC PLACES OF AMUSEMENT, the Fine Arts, Books, or Music, cannot be given, unless admissions or works are forwarded to the Editress for that purpose.

CONSTANCE.-Received, and accepted.
EULALIE.-Accepted.

M. F.-The poems are on our accepted list. ELIZA C. G.-We hope has received, ere this, our communication.

F. J.-Accepted with thanks.

ALICIA S. The lines will not suit our pages. Coarseness is not wit.

P.-The lines are accepted.

ALICE W.-The subject is not new, and the poem somewhat of the longest; but we will endeavour to give it insertion for the sake of "auld lang syne."

MASTER C. W. RIBNER.-We beg to inform the youth who so calls himself, that he is guilty of gross imposition when he would foist on us, as original and his own, poetry probably fifty years older than his grandfather. Let him learn to write and spell; it will employ his time far more profitably. MARIANNE M.-The tale shall appear. X. Y. Z.-Accepted.

GEORGE W. BURCH.-One of the poems, though the subject is worn perfectly thread-bare, shall appear. We decline the other.

ELLEN L.-The curious old lines shall appear. ELLEN is thanked.

JOHN B.-This correspondent has our best thanks. The article shall be inserted. We shall always feel much flattered by his communications.

H. SMITH.-This correspondent is informed that we do not insert "Tributes" on the birth-days of unknown young ladies; particularly when they are sent in so uncourteous a manner.

MR. FRANCIS HENRY OSBORNE.-We publish the following Epistle, as quite unique in its kind. We neither know nor care for the writer, whoever be may be a candidate for Saint Luke's we should suppose:

"MADAM-It is perfectly heedless to inform you, how very surprised I have been at no notice being taken of the little piece I sent you some time back. I consider myself as having been shamefully illtreated, and desire a restoration of the tale, which I feel convinced would find instant admission elsewhere, and that to quite as genteel and distingue publication as yours, Madam. Knowing, as I do, my piece has been received for three mouths, though very probably consumed, I desire, if not, it may be sent back by return of post-else, my Lady Editress will find herself beset by means she can form no idea of. I am vexed and irritated, and have been grossly insulted, and even disappointed. "I remain, Madam, yours,

"FRANCIS HENRY O——." "PS.-You are at liberty to publish my name to the public.

And when my tale should be restored (imme. diately) direct · Mr. Francis Henry Osborne's, Post Office, Guernsey.'

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