The glittering advantages that would follow success, assisted in blinding his moral sense. To succeed in his attempt would be to secure to himself a name amongst the boldest statesmen of the age; to match his daughter with a sovereign prince; and to acquire over his own sovereign an ascendancy that would in reality transfer the sovereign power to himself.

These views were yet concealed in his own bosom; for though unceasingly kind, and occasionally confidential, to Theodore, the Count had lived too long amongst courtiers to trust implicitly, till he saw that some interest strong enough to cope, if necessary, with the principles of right, bound another to adopt his feelings.

This single passion concealed, his character appeared perfect in the eyes of his protegé, who lived now in a round of such delightful emotions, that his aspirations after other ties in the land of his fathers, were vanishing like a dream.

Gaston de Roye, domesticated at the

Ο

villa, added much to the charm of the family circle; and by eternal quarrels with Madame Sauveur, allowed Theodore frequent opportunities of conversing with Ellesif.

But not in Ellesif's conversation only, did he now take pleasure. Her voice had revived his once passionate attachment to music; though neither of such power nor compass as her sister's, it made up in sweetness and expression for its want of extent. She played with more genius, though less skill than Anastasia; and her dancing, perhaps not so perfect in the eyes of a balletmaster, had infinite grace, and quite sufficient variety.

Theodore by degrees lost the habit of remembering the once-dear Heinreich every time he heard a note of music. New and more pleasing associations succeeded to those of former times; till at length the image of Ellesif alone followed a strain of harmony.

Insensible of his danger, he believed that what he felt for Ellesif was exactly that inspired by the Count. "A shed with El

lesif and her father," he would say to himself, and I could be happy." He was happy then, because nothing had taught him to fear a termination of his present enjoyments; and Ellesif's manner assured him that their usual sympathy existed on the present occasion.

His good opinion was evidently the aim of all her actions; what he said he liked, either in conduct or habits, Ellesif almost unconsciously adopted. Whatever she did, she explained, or accounted for, to him; however divided in large circles, her eye constantly met his in participation of passing pleasures, and undesignedly exercised all her talents for him only: when she sung and played, if he were not near her harp, when she drew, if he were not by to watch and criticise her performance, when she danced, if he followed not her steps along the dance, she looked round as if to ask the reason of his absence.

His idea was indeed the home of Ellesif's heart, his figure of her eyes. Still, how

ever, no thought of loving him had yet agitated her breast; the warm, the delightful, the justifiable sentiment she felt, appeared to her only friendship; and when other ladies spoke of lovers and of husbands, Ellesif thought she wanted no happiness beyond the present.

In the performance of agreeable duties, increased in number and in interest by the new dignity of the Count, Theodore's life glided away with the smoothness, and through as lovely scenes, as ever flowed those streams that watered Paradise. The only regret he had, was that of Dofrestom's and Catherine's absence; his only care the fate of Heinreich.

The letter he had sent by a friend of Mr. Coperstad's, had been sent in vain. Stephania was still at Dresden, under the protection of another person; but Heinreich was gone, and so overwhelmed with debt contracted for her, that being his interest to remain concealed, neither friend nor enemy could discover his retreat.

Unwillingly did Theodore transmit this. news to Dofrestom: but while he communicated it, he hastened to call the event fortunate. Heinreich, thus liberated from the spells of this enchantress, and suffering by her for their mutual transgression, would most likely be led to seek for peace and shelter under the paternal roof.

Theodore accompanied his letter with various little presents for Catherine, and dispatched the parcel by a young man returning from military service to the neighbourhood of Aardal.

The accounts he had hitherto received from the valley, were all cheerful. Neither Dofrestom nor Catherine would allow themselves to grieve for the absence of their sweet companion, when so many blessings had arisen from his departure. The Count's generosity in liquidating the debts of Heinreich, had not only excited their gratitude, but quieted their natural fears for the solidity of his regard for their orphan.

Had another proof of this regard been