are," replied Peveril, who observed the Countess's cheek redden,—"you know you would have done as much for the oldest and poorest cripple in the island. Why, the vault is under the burial ground of the chapel, and, for aught I know, under the ocean itself, such a roaring do the waves make in its vicinity. I think no one could remain there long, and retain his reason."

"It is an infernal hole," answered the Earl, "and I will have it built up one day-that is full certain. But hold-hold-for God's sake, madam-what are you going to do?-Look at the seal before you put it to the warrant-you will see it is a choice antique cameo Cupid, riding on a flying fish-I had it for twenty zecchins, from Signor Furabosco at Rome-a most curious matter for an antiquary, but which will add little faith to a Manx warrant."

"How can you trifle thus, you simple boy?" said the Countess, with vexation in her tone and look. "Let me have your signet, or rather, take these warrants, and sign them yourself."

"My signet-my signet-Oh! you mean that

with the three monstrous legs, which I suppose was devised as the most preposterous device, to represent our most absurd Majesty of Man.The signet-I have not seen it since I gave it to Gibbon, my monkey, to play with.-He did whine for it most piteously-I hope he has not gemmed the green breast of ocean with my symbol of sovereignty.”

"Now, by Heaven," said the Countess, trembling, and colouring deeply with

anger,

"it was

your father's signet! the last pledge which he sent, with his love to me, and his blessing to thee, the night before they murdered him at Bolton!"

"Mother, dearest mother," said the Earl, startled out of his apathy, and taking her hand, which he kissed tenderly, "I did but jest-the signet is safe-Peveril knows that it is so.-Go fetch it, Julian, for Heaven's sake-here are my keys-it is in the left hand drawer of my travelling cabinet.-Nay, mother, forgive me-it was but a mauvaise plaisanteric; only an ill imagined jest, ungracious, and in bad taste, I al

low-but only one of Philip's follies.

me, dearest mother, and forgive me."

- The Countess turned her eyes towards him, from which the tears were fast falling.

Philip," she said, "you try me too unkindly, and too severely. If times are changed, as I have heard you allege-if the dignity of rank, and the high feelings of honour and duty, are now drowned in giddy jests and trifling pursuits, let me at least, who live secluded from all others, die without perceiving the change which has happened, and, above all, without perceiving it in mine own son. Let me not learn the general prevalence of this levity, which laughs at every sense of dignity or duty, through your personal disrespect-Let me not think that when I die"

"Speak nothing of it, mother," said the Earl, interrupting her affectionately. "It is true, I cannot promise to be all my father and his fathers were; for we wear silk vests for their steel coats, and feathered beavers for their crested helmets. But believe me, though to be an absolute Palmerin of England is not in my nature, no

son ever loved a mother more dearly, or would do more to oblige her. And that you may own this, I will forthwith not only seal the warrants to the great endangerment of my precious finbut also read the same from end to end, as well as the dispatches thereunto appertaining."

gers,

A mother is easily appeased, even when most offended; and it was with an expanding heart that the Countess saw her son's very handsome features, while reading these papers, settle into an expression of deep seriousness, such as they seldom wore. It seemed to her as if the family likeness to his gallant but unfortunate father increased, when the expression of their countenances became similar in gravity. The Earl had no sooner perused the dispatches, which he did with great attention, than he rose and said, "Julian, come with me."

The Countess looked surprised. "I was wont to share your father's counsels, my son," she said; "but do not think that I wish to intrude myself upon yours. I am too well pleased to see you assume the power and the duty of thinking

13

for yourself, which is what I have so long urged you to do. Nevertheless, my experience, who have been so long administrator of your authority in Man, might not, I think, be superfluous to the matter in hand."

"Hold me excused, dearest mother," said the Earl, gravely. "The interference was none of my seeking; had you taken your own course, without consulting me, it had been well; but since I have entered on the affair-and it appears sufficiently important—I must transact it to the best of my own ability."

"Go then, my son," said the Countess," and may Heaven enlighten thee with its counsel, since thou wilt have none of mine.-I trust that you, Master Peveril, will remind him of what is fit for his own honour; and that only a coward abandons his rights, and only a fool trusts his enemies."

The Earl answered not, but, taking Peveril by the arm, led him up a winding stair to his own apartment, and from thence into a projecting turret, where, amidst the roar of waves and sea