the court, which reflected back a sudden lustre on the frowning parapet; and instead of the stillness and solemnity of night, here rarely interrupted but by the sighing of the wind through the trees, or the scream of the owl, as he flitted to or from his gloomy haunt in some mouldering tower, there was now heard the busy hum of innumerable voices, with the loud peal of varied instruments borne on the evening breeze, but mellowed by distance to soft and delightful harmony.

As the friends gained the extremity of the long avenue, and paused to listen, at the light wooden bridge, on the very spot where the awful portcullis had in ancient times forbade the daring invader to pass, the last notes of God save the King died away on their ears, and was almost instantly followed by Rule Britannia. From this spot they wound round the deep-sunk fosse, now filled with harmless shrubs, where once the

broad

broad stream threatened instant destruction on the hostile assailant, to gain the stable-yard, in which place Tom consigned his pony to his own stall, and then proceeded with his friend to the servants' hall, to bid him, in the full bumper, a hearty welcome.

Like the generality of mankind, who abandon the humble, as soon as they can intrude themselves into the higher ranks of society, we will leave these good folks here regaling themselves, while we take a peep at more splendid company.

From a noble Gothic hall the guests, as they arrived, were conducted through a greenhouse (where the air was perfumed with the scent of odoriferous plants) to the pleasure-grounds, which appeared gay with pendent lamps, brilliant with fireworks, and jocund with sweet minstrelsy. Here the company were joyfully welcomed by sir Richard Courteney (who delighted to evince his loyalty in this display of gaiety and magnificence), and after the

first compliments passed, were led up to a Grecian temple, in which all the luxuries of this and foreign climes were spread forth to the ravished taste, and where lady Courteney presided the queen of the splendid feast.

Over a verdant lawn, on which was a grand exhibition of fireworks, and through the illuminated walks of the shrubbery, part of the company spread in cheerful groups; while in the glade opening between lofty trees (whose embowering branches twined in a rustic arch, and that

led

up to the temple) others again formed into a dancing party; the music, to which the dancers beat merry time, concealed in the shade of the trees, appearing the effect of enchantment; and the whole brilliant scene presenting to the vivid imagination one of those splendid visions of fairy-land with which youth delights to charm the fancy.

Of all the beauties who here figured in the airy mazes of the sprightly dance, the

fair Geraldine, sir Richard Courteney's only daughter, shone unrivalled. Scarce rising to the middle stature, her sylphlike form was moulded according to nature's fairest proportion; her skin was of the most dazzling fairness, and her complexion of the tint of vermilion; her eyes were celestial blue, and though not stealing into the heart by their soft languishing, nor consuming by their ardent fire, they charmed by a mild expression of playful vivacity, chastened by modest diffidence, that charm of all others the most attractive in early youth. Her beautiful flaxen tresses, little indebted to art, curled in natural ringlets round a face that was of true feminine loveliness, and gave to her countenance an air of angelic innocence; while the cherub smile that played round her rosy lips, indicated the placidity, sweetness, and good humour, of which her breast was the fair tenement.

Endued by nature with an acute sensibility, and all the amiable propensities of a tender

a tender and feeling heart, this young lady was readily susceptible of quick impressions in favour of an engaging object; she received therefore not unmoved the tender assiduities of major Blandford, who to an extremely-fine person united captivating manners and a most graceful address. Bred up, however, in great seclusion, under the severe restraints of a rigorous mode of worship, and unacquainted with the freedom of flirtation, by which a modern belle would mark her predilection for a favoured admirer, she carefully restrained her feelings within her own bosom, unless when they unconsciously escaped in a modest blush, the downcast eye, or stolen glance, which, though unobserved of all others, passed not unnoticed of the handsome major, but created in his breast an irresistible interest for so lovely a young creature.

Thus mutually pleased with each other, it was only with extreme reluctance that major Blandford resigned, at the conclusion

of