MONTHI.'X REVIEW OF LITEUATURE. 381 



a high compliment to the first production of this author, by translating his 

 work into French ; and we have authority for asserting that it is at this 

 moment on the eve of appearing in that language at Paris. 



Having thus noticed the faults and the excellences of " The Youthful Im- 

 postor," a perusal of which we recommend to all our readers, we shall con- 

 clude this notice with the following extract : — 



" Hunter walked towards the window to conceal his various feelings ; for 

 the scene was altogether affecting : but he started back, as if a scorpion had 

 stung him to the quick ; — moving up the gravel-walk that intersected the 

 shrubbery, was Lord Mornay, enveloped in his cloak, and advancing in a 

 hurried manner towards the house : a carriage waited in the road. Hunter 

 gave vent to an involuntary ejaculation ; the ladies ran to the window ; each 

 one recognised the profligate nobleman as he approached the dwelling. 



" ' To me be it now !' said Hunter, hastening towards the door, all the 

 •wrongs of Emily fresh in his mind. 



" ' Stop — stop — whither are you going ? ' exclaimed the unhappy girl, 

 throwing herself forward, and catching him by the arm. 



" ' For God's sake, involve yourself in no quarrel with my husband, young 

 man ; as you value yourself — as you respect the rights of hospitality — as you 

 desire to preserve that esteem I have for you ?" cried Lady Mornay, joining in 

 the solicitations of Emily : but their prayers were vainly expended ; the injuries 

 of the latter alone dwelt in the memory of the intrepid young man. 



" ' I shall return immediately !' cried the surgeon ; and disengaging himself 

 from the grasp of the almost frantic girl, who detained him, he rushed out 

 of the room. 



" 'Great God, have mercy upon me !' said Emily, clasping her hands together 

 in bitterness of heart ; " he is gone — gone to rush upon destruction !" 



" Not a word more was spoken on either side — they looked at each other, 

 shook their heads, and appeared to anticipate some deadly result. The state 

 of their minds was more terrible than can be expressed. Grief was dumb — 

 not a tear was shed — not a groan was heard ; but despair was painted around. 

 Neither dared move from the apartment, though they dreaded a serious re- 

 sult ; even Lady Mornay herself was fixed motionless to her seat, notwith- 

 standing her husband's life was probably compromised at that very instant. 



" Meantime Hunter sallied forth, and confronted Lord Mornay in his path. 



" ' I see, my Lord, that James Crawford — whose ruin was caused by your 

 insidious wiles, and base artifices — who has nearly broken the heart of one of 

 the most affectionate of mothers — I apprehend, James Crawford is no more !' 



" ' He is not Sir,' returned the other calmly, without enquiring the reason 

 of such an inference, and without betraying any surprise or alarm at the pre- 

 sence of the surgeon : ' he is now no more !' 



" 'Therefore it remains with us to decide the matter : it is incumbent upon 

 me to conclude that which the unfortunate deceased began.' 



" ' I should suspect,' said Lord Mornay, ' that the laws of Guernsey are 

 similar to those of England, for the protection of individuals ; and I cannot 

 imagine, Mr. Hunter, wherefore I should thus be waylaid.' 



" • Waylaid,' exclaimed the indignant young man ; ' follow me, ray Lord- 

 that is, if you have a spark of the courage remaining for which you have 

 been notorious.' 



" • Whither should I follow you, and for what purpose?' do you suppose I 

 am to engage myself in a quarrel, or idle broil, with every extravagant boy 

 who has been crossed in love ?' asked Mornay, his lip wearing a contemptuous 

 sneer, that added, if possible, to the otherss ire, 



" ' Wretch — villain !' exclaimed Hunter. ' recal those words — or — ' 



" ' I am not accustomed, Sir, to recal that which has once escaped my 

 lips,' answered the nobleman. 



" 'Then you must account for your expressions !' 



" ' Sir,' said Mornay, ' I have had no dispute with you, and I know not 

 why I am thus molested.' 



