"Do we understand each other? said the outcast. "Perfectly," Aylmer replied. "Jack, leave us, - I obeyed, and strolled down the street, while Evelyn received ample instructions.

We parted presently,

the gambler to his vocation, and

the cynic and I to our lodgings in Craven-street.

It was but ten o'clock, and Aylmer had some appointment with a solicitor. I left him at the lawyer's house, hurried home, dressed, and, it being opera night, drove to the King's Theatre.

Is there a man who, at twenty-one, has seen that brilliant spectacle for the first time, that will ever forget the splendour of its effect? I never shall. I came in as the second act of "Semiramide" was ending; and, before the ballet commenced, had sufficient time to look around and admire in the boxes all that was beautiful and distingué.

It was a fashionable night. The house was full- the pit very crowded ; but I crushed myself into a place, and found in my next neighbour a very communicative personage, who appeared to know every thing and everybody. From his accurate knowledge of names and titles, and the frequent use he made of his tablets in taking notes, I concluded he was reporting for a newspaper. To me, when he ascertained that I was a stranger to the town he was extremely polite; and his information and anecdotes were varied and interesting.

The curtain rose the ballet commenced, and the music, scenery, and dancing were enchanting. The faery splendour of an Eastern romance was realised in the beautiful spectacle. I gazed with delight on the business of the ballet: a grand procession, and a dance of sylphs, elicited in their turn the plaudits of the spectators. A pause, as if that of expectation, succeeded; - every eye was turned to the stage, on came the expected one, and a more brilliant artiste never executed a pas seul.

-

"Who is that exquisite creature?" I inquired from my obliging neighbour. -"Oh, that is Pauline le Grande. Is not her dancing to-night superb?"

"And can that splendid woman be as worthless as she is described to be?" I asked him - There cannot be a

X

How did he finance? reckless expenditure No funds came to him

rits duration, and miserable in its close. whence obtain supplies to defray the of his extravagant mode of life? from Galway; for there, alas! all was litigation and distress. The gaming-table must afford him resources then was he on the brink of ruin. Could he be saved? I had personal difficulties enough to annoy me; but still I must strive to - preserve my kinsman from destruction.

I hastened to the piazza to meet him; but was just in time to see him hand a lady to her carriage, — step in himself,- turn into St. James's-square,

then, Heaven alone could tell.

2

and whither

CHAPTER III.

NEW ACQUAINTANCES - PAULINE LE GRANDE. -THE

BARON HARTZMANN.

Joseph. In short, his dissipation and extravagance exceed anything I ever heard.

Lady S.-Poor Charles!
Joseph.

Ay, poor Charles, indeed. Notwithstanding his extravagance, one cannot help pitying him. I wish it was in my power to be of any essential service to him. School for Scandal.

WHEN I reached Craven-street, I found Aylmer waiting my arrival impatiently.

،، What has detained you? I feared that you had lost your way,- forgotten the street, -eloped with a danseuse, or taken another lesson in piquet, as there is tolerable moonlight.

“All these fears, Aylmer, were groundless. My absence was caused by graver considerations: I have met my other self, and seen the celebrated captain.". "Indeed! who is the delinquent?"

66

'My uncle's heir, - the head of all the Blakes and, to use Falstaff's words, known as 'Jack with his familiars John with his brothers and sisters, if he had any—and Jack the Devil by all Europe."

more depraved one in existence. Her profligacy and profusion are unbounded: she has ruined more young men than all the intrigantes on this establishment. Peers, baronets, bankers — all have had reason to curse her fascinations. She now calls a young Irishman her protector, whom she will first plunder, and then discard.”

"And who may this unfortunate victim be?” I inquired. "I wonder he is not here to-night;" and he looked round the house, and particularly directed his eyes to a lower side-box, where a showy and rather over-dressed gentlewoman of portly dimensions was sitting with a very pretty girl. "Those, sir, are the wife and daughter of an East Indian director; and report says, that Captain Blake is a professed admirer of the younger lady before the ballet ends, it is more than probable he will call in there. The girl is an only daughter, and consequently an heiress; but the old indigo-planter will not countenance the addresses of the wildest Irishman upon town. The captain is said to be of ancient family and good estate; but, Lord, sir! as you and I know, Irish properties are mostly in the moon."

The

I was all anxiety to see this distinguished countryman of mine who had attained such fashionable celebrity. Who could he be? I ran over every Blake among the tribes; wild ones there were enough, but none that answered to the description given me of the protector of Pauline. ballet was nearly over, and the bustle of departure commenced; still the East Indian's box was unvisited by any lady-killer like the redoubted captain. I was sadly disappointed. Down came the curtain, and the pit began to thin. My kind neighbour the reporter buttoned his coat, and prepared to move. He had already taken a step or two, when, suddenly stopping, he touched my arm Look, sir," he said, "that gentleman is Le Grande's protector." I turned my eyes where he pointed to, and in the dashing personage who was assisting to shawl the ladies in the Director's box, I recognised the well-remembered features of my excellent namesake "Jack the Devil."

I was perfectly confounded. What evil planet had driven him at this time to London? Bright as his career appeared to be at present, I knew that it must be brief in

How did he finance? reckless expenditure

its duration, and miserable in its close. whence obtain supplies to defray the of his extravagant mode of life? No funds came to him from Galway; for there, alas! all was litigation and distress. The gaming-table must afford him resources- then was he on the brink of ruin. Could he be saved? I had personal difficulties enough to annoy me; but still I must strive to preserve my kinsman from destruction.

I hastened to the piazza to meet him; but was just in time to see him hand a lady to her carriage, -step in himself, turn into St. James's-square, - and whither then, Heaven alone could tell.

CHAPTER III.

NEW ACQUAINTANCES.

PAULINE LE GRANDE. -THE

BARON HARTZMANN.

Joseph.

heard.

In short, his dissipation and extravagance exceed anything I ever Lady S.-Poor Charles! Joseph.

Ay, poor Charles, indeed. Notwithstanding his extravagance, one cannot help pitying him. I wish it was in my power to be of any essential School for Scandal.

service to him.

WHEN I reached Craven-street, I found Aylmer waiting my arrival impatiently.

"What has detained you? I feared that you had lost your way, forgotten the street, -eloped with a danseuse, or taken another lesson in piquet, as there is tolerable moonlight.

“All these fears, Aylmer, were groundless. My absence was caused by graver considerations: I have met my other self, and seen the celebrated captain."—" Indeed! who is the delinquent?"

"My uncle's heir, the head of all the Blakes and, to use Falstaff's words, known as 'Jack with his familiars John with his brothers and sisters, if he had any-and Jack the Devil by all Europe.""