352 The Speculator. [Oct. 



firmed rake, under the idea, (vanity, what hast thou not to answer for ?) 

 that she can reclaim him — urged me to beheve that I might divert, if not 

 stem the torrent, and prevail upon " The Speculator" not to speculate. 

 Leslie, which of us was the most absurd ? 



It was evening when I arrived at the hall ; to my astonishment I 

 found that there was no porter at the lodge, and, as it appeared 

 to me, no inhabitants in the house. After ringing and calling, 

 for a length of time, to no purpose, a withered crone came from 

 one of the outhouses, and pointing to the plantations, exclaimed : — 

 " They be all at the lake." I made signs (she was as deaf as a post), 

 to her to shew my servant the way to the stables, and after a hungry 

 ride of two and forty miles, set off towards the spot, not in the best of 

 humours, as you may suppose. We are only flesh and blood, Leslie, and 

 the stomach will cry out, and disturb its unworthy members, whenever 

 they are improvident or careless of their master's wants. Just before I 

 came in sight of the beautiful piece of water which the servant men- 

 tioned, I heard a tremendous explosion, the very trees vibrated as if an 

 earthquake had riven the hills, and presently after I saw a column of 

 smoke ascend even to the heavens. Some fatal end, thought I, to his 

 experiments. I had scarcely time to collect my scattered senses, when a 

 shout, a joyous shout, burst upon my ear, another and another, and 

 turning the ally, I came full in view of an animated crowd, upon the 

 verge of the lake, which was still overshadowed by the smoke : in a few 

 moments Ryland came running towards me, his face and hands blackened 

 with gunpowder, but his alacrity clearly proving that he was uninjured 

 in strength and limb. 



" How fortunate — how very fortunate that you should arrive at this 

 moment !" he exclaimed, joyfully. " The shaft is sunk, and we were 

 only puffing some impediments out of our way. A mine ! a mine ! my 

 friend ! a right rich mine ! — a glorious copper-mine — by Jupiter ! it 

 sparkles in the sun like gold — and gold it soon shall be — the vein runs 

 right under the bed of the lake — so we must follow — it was discovered 

 by mere accident : but you do not congratulate me ! Ah, Tom, Tom — 

 you are a perfect St. Thomas still — but even you must cease to be 

 sceptical on this subject, when you see the specimens — the indica- 

 tions !" 



He hurried me onwards, and certainly shewed me some ore, which 

 appeared rich with the precious metal. Still I was doubtful, and by 

 way of changing the subject I inquired for his lady. 



" Oh — ay — I forgot — women are strange creatures. She would not 

 stay to see the explosion, but wandered up the lake. I dare say we 

 shall soon find her," he continued, as he wiped " the filthy witness" 

 from his hands and face. We plunged into a thicket, almost rendered 

 impassable by the clusters of roses and honeysuckle that tangled the 

 foot-path, and after much " sweet encounter" with the blooming and 

 perfumed shrubs, Ryland exclaimed, " I am sure she is here some- 

 where, with her favourite swans — Lizy ! — ^Lizy ! — Lizette." — " Here, 

 Ryland," responded a gentle, and I thought, a melancholy voice. We 

 were soon at her side, and I shall never forget the impression she made 

 upon me that evening. Do not imagine that I was guilty of the im- 

 morality of falling in love with my friend's wife. No such thing. Mrs. 

 Ryland could not even be called pretty, but she was womanly and 



