hundred pounds for it, and esteemed it a great bargain, as the commissions in the Life Guards were sold at an enormously high rate.

Edward Carroll knew nothing of what was going on, for in fact, every thing was transacted in such haste, that there was no opportunity to inform him of it. While Gordon was negociating for the commission, Edward and Charles met, and the latter informed Carroll how Gordon was employed. His friend was struck with astonishment at the idea of his being guilty of such a folly, knowing as he did, that if his friend purchased a commission in England, it would detain him from his family, who would be greatly distressed at the circumstance; but Montgomery was apparently so infatuated with regard to it, that Edward yielded to his wishes with as good a grace as he could, though he inwardly regretted the course he was pursuing.

The commission was paid for, and the splendid suit of regimentals, scarlet with blue facings, and highly wrought with gold lace, was purchased and sent to Montgomery's lodgings in Merrion Square. He was soon equipped in the dress, and could not forbear parading before a lookingglass that reflected his fine figure from head to foot, fondly hoping that Lady Emily might think the dress becoming. He looked very complacently at the reflection, and there is no knowing how far he might have forgotten himself, if the face of his friend Carroll had not presented itself looking over his shoulder, with a half comical, half serious expression, while, in turning to speak to him, he saw his servant Yorick stealing from the apartment

with a droll expression of countenance, and a smothered laugh.

'Psha! Edward, do pardon this folly, I am not a hundred years old yet, and—and,' hesitating, Lady Emily Rivers, the beautiful "angel" we saw in the Park and at the Opera, told Major Ormesby that she thought me quite-quite-Psha! nonsense,' said he, turning upon his heel, ashamed to conclude his speech.

• Why, Charles, I believe your brain is turned,' said Edward; 'come, shall I say it for you? Lady Emily has contrived to let you know she thinks you handsome, and that the dress of the Guards would become you. Is it not so?'

Exactly so,' said Montgomery, slapping his friend upon the shoulder and laughing, 'you have hit it precisely, Ned. Now tell me, friend Carroll, is not this enough to turn the brain of a wiser personage?'

'I think it is,' replied Edward, quizzically, smoothing his chin. 'Suppose I were to try what effect I should produce on Lady Emily, by purchasing a commission, and adopting regimentals.'

'Zounds!' said Charles, leading him to the lookingglass, Edward, you are a fine fellow, and to my taste quite handsome enough, But,' surveying himself in the mirror with a complacent and humorous expression of countenance, but not quite-ahem! not quite-'

'Such a figure as you are, you would say,' interrupted Edward, laughing.

'You have it,' said Montgomery, and began singing, in the buoyancy of his spirits,

'None but the brave,

None but the brave,

None but the brave deserve the fair.'

'And,' striding across the apartment, so dem it, my good fellow, it will not be worth your while to try the experiment.'

'My dear Charles,' replied Carroll, gravely, 'I have not the wish, if I had the power, to rival you. My heart is far away at home, and while Constance Montgomery is willing to be mine, I care not, for all the other angels on earth.'

'I thank you,' said Montgomery, 'for this tribute of affection to my dear sister,' extending his hand to his friend.

'By the way,' said Edward, have you ever been introduced to this "angel" of yours, as you call her.'

'No! I have not, but by my faith it shall go hard with me but I will elbow some of those whining coxcombs out of the immediate presence of her fair Ladyship; for I am resolved to be acquainted with her.'

'She will not have an additional coxcomb in the circle of her admirers, when you are introduced to her,' said Edward, archly, as he observed Charles steal a glance at himself in the lookingglass, and take a survey of his graceful length of limb.

'Ha ha ha!' said Montgomery, bursting into a hearty fit of laughter, 'I hope I shall recover my dignity and selfpossession by that time.'

They separated, Carroll to write to his beloved Constance, and Charles to reconnoitre the mansion of Lady Rivers in Sackville Street, and to give her, if

possible, a sight of his splendid uniform. He paraded up and down the street before the door, and saw, or fancied he saw, her lovely face between the drapery of her window curtains, but was not quite sure of it. He retraced his steps to his lodgings, and after taking some refreshment, set off for the Theatre, with the hope of seeing her there. He was just stepping into a coach, when his progress was arrested by an arm being placed within his own. He turned round, and discovered it was his friend Gordon.

6

'Dismiss your coach,' said Gordon, and coine with me. I have traced the Rivers to the house of the Hon. Mrs Courtenay, and have a carte blanche from mine hostess to take whom I please to her house tonight. So come along, my dear fellow, for let me tell you, you make a very decent appearance this evening. The heart of the Rivers will certainly surrender itself at discretion, or, shall I say, without it.' 'Without discretion, certainly, if she yields it to me,' said Montgomery.

They at length reached the splendid mansion of Mrs Courtenay, in Grosvenor Square, and Gordon soon elbowed his way through the crowd, and got near the circle that surrounded Lady Emily. She caught a glance of Montgomery, but evidently avoided looking at him.

At this moment all eyes were directed towards the handsome American, and several of his distinguished countrymen came forward and presented the hand of cordiality to him. He stood opposite to a mirror, and we for once must do him the justice to say he did

not look into it with the intention of viewing himself, for it was purely accidental. His attention was soon caught by quite another object. It was the sweet face of Lady Emily looking earnestly at him. The moment she caught his eye, she blushed deeply, and turned away. That rosy blush, how it electrified the heart of the enamoured Montgomery! He was perfectly bewildered with delight at the bare idea of having created such an interest.

Gordon soon joined him, and related the following conversation which he heard between her Ladyship and Major Ormesby.

On the latter's saying, 'There is your handsome American again;' 'My handsome American?' exclaimed she, blushing violently, of late quite a custom with her, 'what do you mean, Major?'

'Oh nothing,' said he, affecting to look innocent. 'He is likely, however, to pay dearly for the accommodation of your Ladyship's fancy.'

How so?' replied she.

'He has heard that you have a passion for the dress of the Guards, and has reduced the size of his purse several hundred pounds to gratify your taste.'

At this instant she turned to gaze at the elegant Montgomery, and was caught in the act as I before mentioned. She soon after left the apartments, and Charles returned to his lodgings, meditating upon the looks and blushes of the fair enslaver of hearts, but before retiring to rest he looked in the glass intentionally.

About this time, Edward Carroll was recalled to