292 THK " GOINGS ON" AT BRA MSB Y HALL. 



a moment to ourselves. The mornings were chiefly spent in riding 

 or walking with Bessy. She seemed to me like a rosebud in the sun, 

 putting forth a petal every hour to increase its fragrance, and to per- 

 fect its beauty. From her I learned much of Mr. Le Grange. He had 

 been some months at the Hall, yet no one knew who he was, or 

 whence he came, nor had the 'squire's wife even mentioned such a 

 relation before his coming. At first it seemed he had devoted his 

 attentions to Bessy. 



" I thought him only a fool," she said, " and, giving way to my 

 own wicked heart, I encouraged his fond idea that I liked him, in 

 order to amuse myself with his vagaries. The night you surprised 

 us, as you supposed, in the drawing-room, he had presumed to carry 

 my hand to his filthy lips. Your abrupt entrance saved his ear 

 from condign punishment, and laid me under the suspicion of my 

 most penetrating cousin." 



" And shall this fellow escape, Bessy ?" She laughed, and dis- 

 played her pretty white teeth. " If you like to invent any plan," 

 she said, " that will cover him with ridicule and convulse us with 

 laughter, here is my hand ; you shall have my advice, assistance, 

 and prayers." 



Our plan was soon formed ; it only remained to communicate it to 

 my uncle. The thirsty relations were now gone, and a new display 

 of affectation from Le Grange had so far irritated the old gentleman 

 that I hoped he might be brought to join our plot in spite of his 

 terrors of his wife. 



" Edward," said my aunt, as he entered the room when dinner 

 was nearly over, " why stay out so late? I feared you had for- 

 gotten us." 



The wretch sighed and started (he always started before he spoke). 

 " I have been reclining in yonder dell with my dearest friend, with 

 Byron, the charm of whose converse had lapped me in that elysium 

 known only to souls that feel. It was long before I could resolve 

 to degrade myself back to mortals, to own to feel myself a man again." 

 " What heavenly sentiments !" whispered my aunt, with upturned 

 eyes. 



" What a romantic young man !'* said Bessy, with a smile full of 

 meaning. 



" Damn his impudence !" growled my uncle at the bottom of the 

 table. 



The last remark only seemed to reach Mr. Le Grange. 

 " I don't wonder at your surprise/' he said, addressing the 'squire ; 

 " you have no soul !" 



A fierce answer rose to the lips of my uncle ; but on a look from 

 his wife he uttered a low indistinct growl, and was silent. 



The ladies and their man had scarcely left the room when I 

 assailed the 'squire with vehemence. " Leave him to me, uncle," I 

 said; " let me drag him through the fish-pond, or tumble him into 

 the dog-kennel ; give him up to my tender mercies for one day, and 

 I will rid you of this fellow for ever/' 



<e He is my wife's relation," said my uncle, in manifest terror. 



" Relation ! what relation ? I believe they might go as far as the 



