circumstances could induce her to swerve from her resolution, or to grant him another interview if she could possibly avoid it. This decision she begged her friend to impress upon her brother's mind as often and as earnestly as possible; and assuring her, that whatever might happen at the Rookery, she would ever find a home at Harpsden Hall, she affectionately embraced her, and they parted. Scarcely had Emily left the house, when a letter was put into Helen's hands, which vehemently increased the agitation of her already harassed feelings. It was from Adeline, and ran as follows: "Hounslow, Friday. "Yesterday, my dear Helen, made me the happiest of women by uniting me for ever to the man of my choice, a man with whom I may reasonably hope to enjoy that enchanting fellcity which springs from the union of two fond and sympathizing hearts. Ah, Helen! je të ferai chanter la palinodie. You always denied the existence of love at first sight. Well, my own dear darling Captain Gahagan, (for it is to him that I am married,) declares that the very first sight of me on the day when he picked up my prayer-book in the church-yard, inspired him with a sudden irresistible passion, which can only cease with his life. He was from that moment dying to be introduced to me, and you of course remember his asking me to dance at the ball. May I die! Helen, if his dressuniform is not the most magnifique and distingué that I ever beheld. His regiment was soon afterwards ordered to join the camp at Hounslow : he has lodgings in town; we have often met at Lady Barbara's, and elsewhere, so that I did nothing in a hurry, but was enabled to convince myself that he would be the most miserable of wretches, if I did not consent to make him the happiest of mortals. "There, Helen, was there ever a more affecting instance of love at first sight, and not an evanescent impression, but that indelible, indestructible passion, which is interwoven with the very fibres of the heart, and therefore retains its vehemence to the last gasp of nature. After this will you not acknowledge that— 'Le premier coup d'œil determine En faveur d'un aimable objet; Si le cœur a bien ou mal fait.' “You, Helen, who are so precise and formal, and deliberate and cold, will I dare say reproach me for the step I have taken; I expect you will term me thoughtless, giddy, inconsiderate, and I know not what. you will yourself find, But one of these days “Qu'on cesse d'aimer, si quelqu'un ne nous aime;" and as to precipitation, I have, on the contrary, been remarkably circumspect and discreet. Before I decided on so important a measure, I danced several times with my dear Gahagan; I obtained a perfect insight into his character, and the result is a thorough conviction of his unimpeachable integrity, inexhaustible amiability, and inextinguishable love. Besides, he dances like Gouvion or André, and is doatingly fond of Romances. I dare say the Flying Courant will take some notice of the affair; if it does, I shall cut out all the paragraphs and keep them. I need not write to mamma, as you will of course communicate this letter to her, and I am under no apprehension of her reproaches, for she has a hundred times declared that she wished for nothing but the happiness of her daughters, and I am at this moment the happiest creature in the whole world. I should like her to write to Lord Trevanian, for I dare not call to present my dear Gahagan without his permission. Poor Lady Barbara, in Pall-Mall! how will all her old-fashioned notions be horrified at the idea of an elopement from such a decorous, orderly, and well-regulated mansion as hers! "Don't fail to see Augusta Chaloner, and tell her all about it. I was determined to be married before her coute qui coute, and I dare say she will be finely vexed. Let me know what she said. I am going to-morrow all over the camp; some of the tents, I am told, are magmifique, on ne peut plus; and on Monday to the review, and next day my dear Gahagan has promised to take me to Mrs. Graden's and Mrs. Thody's, in Bucklersbury, to buy all sorts of French toys and nick-nacks. Such an amiable creature! and I am so happy! Adieu my dear Helen; give my duty to mamma. Your affectionate sister, ADELINE GAHAGAN." "P. S. Direct to me at the sign of the Gre nadier. I was married in my pink cardinal, with the embroidered hood, and Gahagan declared that I looked like an angel." Helen's first impression upon the perusal of this letter was a mingled feeling of apprehension and compassion for her sister, who she feared had been dreadfully rash in committing her fate to a man of whom she could have known little or nothing. That paramount conjugal happiness of which she had herself formed an exalted notion, was not, she thought, likely to be built upon such a basis as a runaway match, after a few interviews at balls and crowded parties of pleasure. Again she took up the letter, now moistened Iwith her tears, and upon re-perusing it was struck with astonishment when she observed that the name of Reuben Apsley was not once |