an alliance, which, indeed, he had scarcely a right to hope for.  Then he will see the lady herself, and say that he perfectly enters into her feelings, that a person so richly gifted as herself, and having already all that wealth and rank can give, has a right to consult, before all other things, the feelings of her own heart.  It would not surprise me at all if he were to offer to send me abroad again, lest my presence in London, after the pretensions which have been formed, should prove, in any degree, annoying to her.”

The conversation continued for some time longer in the same strain:  and Wilton could not but feel that Lord Sherbrooke gave an accurate though a terrible picture of his father’s character.

At length, the young nobleman rose as if to depart; but standing ere he did so before the table at which his young friend was seated, he gazed upon his face earnestly and silently for a minute or two, and then said,—­

“I don’t know why, Wilton, but I have a great and a strong regard for you, and I have been dreaming dreams for you, that I see you are unwilling to dream for yourself:  However, you must have the same regard for me; and—­even if you are not inclined, in any degree, to take advantage of what I must say is evident regard on the part of this young lady towards you—­yet, for my sake, you must let me know, aid me, and assist me, if you should see any scheme forming against her happiness or peace.  I am not so bad, Wilton, even as I seem to you.  I am sorry for this girl—­really sorry for her.  I ought to have taken the burden upon my own shoulders, instead of casting it upon hers; for I could have removed all these difficulties by speaking one single word.  But that word would have cost me much to speak, and I shrunk from saying it.  If, however, I find that through my fault she is likely to suffer, I will speak that word, Wilton, at all risks, so you must give me help and support, at least in doing what is right.”

“That I will, Sherbrooke,” replied Wilton, grasping his hand, “that I will most zealously.  But in regard to what you say of Lady Laura’s kind feeling towards me, depend upon it you are wholly mistaken.  The only reason, be you sure, why she makes any difference in her manner towards me, and towards men of higher rank than myself; is, that she knows the difference of our station and fortunes must ever prevent my entertaining any of those hopes which others might justly feel.”

Before Wilton concluded, Lord Sherbrooke had cast himself into a chair; his eyes were fixed on the ground, his brow had become contracted.  It was one of those moments when, as he said, his evil spirit was upon him; and seeing that such was the case, Wilton left him to his own meditations and proceeded to write the letters which the Earl had directed him to despatch.

In about half an hour, the young nobleman roused himself from his reverie, with a light laugh, apparently causeless; and without speaking another word to Wilton, quitted the room.