fact seemed to dawn upon her or rather that her mind had leisure to give it a thought, "why did that gentleman stare so at me? Ah! there he is looking again!" and Sybil, with an air of wondering curiosity, returned the gaze of the dashing hussar, who, with his gay dress and moustached lip, added to his somewhat rudely marked scrutiny, had thus attracted her attention. "Never mind, my dear," I answered, rather hastily, "you should never take notice of such kind of observation; indeed you ought to appear not even to see it; and above all, I beseech you, never turn your head to look after people when they pass; it is neither proper nor lady-like." "But, Mademoiselle," Sybil persisted, "why may I not look at people, as well as they at me? I am sure they stare enough."

"Don't argue the point," I continued, almost angrily; "when you have gained more experience of the world, you will then be able to enter more fully into what is due towards les convenances de la societe; until then, you must obey implicitly the advice which is given you."

Sybil looked at me curiously and with a heightened color, but she forbore pressing the subject. Some instinctive suspicion probably dawned upon her mind, and henceforward she seemed to profit in a measure by my injunction, for no demonstrative notice did she again take of similar incidents. But I fear that was the extent of good I had achieved; for well could I perceive that my words had only more fully awakened her perception on points before unregarded; and I know that whilst she strove to obey my orders, not to seem to observe, when as so constantly happened-she became the subject of such pointed regard-she did observe it, and with feelings, which however natural, were very different from those that Mrs. Devereux would have approved; and truly, though Sybil's head would be erected even higher than usual with an air of dignity, a richer color spreading itself over her face, her eyes also sparkling more brightly than before, as she turned to address me with an arch smile, there would now mingle in her look and tone no slight share of gratification.

"But what could be done?" I thought, "how avoid such consequences? She is beau tiful, and must know it some of these days how far better that such knowledge should dawn upon her in the present innocent state of her heart, and that her mind should be gradually prepared for the reception of a truth, which acts as an intoxicating draught to every female imagination, especially when unexpectedly it bursts upon the perception at an age when vanity, that natural heritage of woman, is most easily excited; then would not the charm of such a gift be indeed likely to prove danger. ous ?"

Mrs. Devereux most probably would have rejected this idea, as contrary to her prescribed notions on the subject, but she had little opportunity of seeing her daughter under such circumstances; for, at home, Sybil was still kept almost entirely out of the way of visiters, and rarely accompanied her mother out of doors, except in the close carriage.

And thus passed the greatest part of the time

we remained at Brighton, but the last month of our sojourn there, was one of the most agreeable in my remembrance; one of those bright specks which remain undimmed upon the recollection, through the wear and tear of a chequered existence. My kind friend Miss Howard had become the wife of Sir William Mordaunt, a gentleman of large property, and was spending some weeks at Brighton, for the sake of the benefit of the sea air for her infant son; and my pupil and I were allowed to be very often with her.

Mrs. Devereux had always been very partial to Lady Mordaunt, of whose sense and judgment she entertained a high opinion; and she was even somewhat persuaded by her niece that it was expedient to permit Sybil to mix a little more with those around her. The sisters of Sir William arrived on a visit to their brother, and then succeeded a period, which, in comparison to her former life, was dissipation to Sybil. Lady Mordaunt suggested to her Aunt, the advantage it might be to her young cousin, to associate with her sisters-in-law, who had been well brought up-had excellent manners, and were clever and good tempered. In consequence of this report, we were still suffered occasionally to frequent the house of Lady Mordaunt, though it had become the resort of a gayer set, since the two handsome, lively young ladies had added to its attractions; and to my astonishment, we even found ourselves more than once, with a merry party, listening to the military band playing on the Steyne. The Miss Mordaunts were in truth very good-natured, and would often supplicate Mrs. Devereux, and by amiable importunity wring from her a reluctant consent to various little amusements for the tall girl, and her ugly little governess, who always kept in the back ground-silent beholders of the gay doings which passed around them. And, as such passive performers in the scene, Mrs. Devereux objected not greatly to these innovations on our usual routine. It could not do Sybil any harm, to walk quietly between herself and me, or perhaps Lady Mordaunt, perfectly independent of the laughing and talking going on amongst others, and receiving only the occasional notice generally bestowed upon a girl who is still in the school-room, amongst a showy group of young ladies, who

are out.

Whilst this state of affairs continued, all went on well, and Sybil and her governess led a much more cheerful life than heretofore; a life which was equally new to both; but it was doomed not to be of long continuance, though, strange to say, Mrs. Devereux was not the real origin of its interruption.

It seemed that gradually many began to piscover the charms which lurked beneath the large straw bonnet and ample shawl of the "tall girl," and I learnt from Lady Mordaunt, that Sybil was becoming an object of much curiosity and observation amongst the gentlemen. Soon it was well known, that she was the sole heiress to immense wealth, and such knowledge alone is sufficient to encircle a woman with a halo of glorious perfections.

I certainly did perceive latterly that one or

We were not to return to Oakleigh Court, but to spend the winter in London, during which time Sybil's education was to receive its finishing touch from masters of every description. There, in the imprisonment of a back drawingroom, only exchanged for exercise in the park, during its unfrequented hours, or in the square, Miss Devereux passed that season, so closely verging on the period for which the mother was thus so sedulously-I cannot say, judiciouslyhusbanding the fair flower-the attainment of her seventeenth birthday.

At length we were suffered to prepare for our return to beautiful Oakleigh.

With what happiness did Sybil and I talk over the delight of that restoration to liberty! for such it would be to us; and to hear my pupil speak of all the various pleasures she there anticipated, no one would have imagined, she was ought other, than the little girl I had first beheld issuing from the heap of hay on the memorable evening of my arrival at the court.

"My dear Sybil," said Mrs. Devereux, one day when her daughter had been enlarging in a similar strain, upon the delights that awaited her at Oakleigh, "I trust there are more important enjoyments in store for you than those you enumerate. Rabbits, birds and flowers, are very well for the recreation of a child; but for one of your age, whose mind should have advanced in proportion with her years, you cannot, I hope, have continued to retain much value for such frivolities."

"Oh no, of course not, Mamma," replied the young girl, somewhat abashed, "they are not the principal objects, which make me rejoice at the thoughts of finding myself at Oakleigh. There will be old friends to meet again-Hardress Fitz Hugh, for instance! How glad I shall be to see his clever, odd, ugly face, and to laugh at his strange dialect, and still stranger speeches."

I had turned my eyes on Mrs. Devereux's face as Sybil thus spoke, with an instinctive misgiving as to its reception by that lady, and I was not far wrong; for her countenance assumed the shocked expression so easily excited upon it, but with which now mingled a mixture of concern and displeasure. She did not speak for some moments, but appeared as if consider

At length, clearing her voice, she spoke in a tone which made Sybil start; so unconscious was she of aught in her speech, being in any way calculated to create a sensation of displeasure.

"Sybil !" exclaimed Mrs. Devereux, "I should have imagined that the person you have just mentioned, would be the very last to occupy your mind for a moment; far less before one whom it is so much more natural, you should have mentioned, as a legitimate cause for rendering your return to Oakleigh so attractive. Are you not aware that Albert is to join us there, soon after our arrival ?"

"Oh yes, Mamma! dear Albert! of course, that will be the chief of all the delights I anticipate, but I was only speaking of those inferior ones, which I should find on first going home. I know Albert will not be there for some time,

whereas Hardress-"

"Mr. Fitz Hugh!" interrupted Mrs. Deve do I think he will ever be at Oakleigh again. I reux in a frigid voice, "will not be there, nor did not deem it necessary to inform you of the fact-for what interest can Miss Devereux feel in that wild, uncouth Irish youth? that he has

left Mr. Melville some months."

Has he indeed?" exclaimed Sybil. "Poor Hardress! how sorry I am. Is he really never to return, dear Mamma?"

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Never! nor do I consider it a matter of the slightest regret. The young man, we heard tionable neighbor, and I esteem it an advantage, from Mr. Melville, had of late become an objecthat our acquaintance is now totally at an end; it is neither probable, nor desirable, that we should ever meet again."

Sybil did not presume openly to express her regret, after this severe, speech of her mother, but she could not forbear demanding from me some sympathy, by a glance which plainly spoke of her concern, at the idea of never again beholding her good-natured, amusing friend.

I learnt afterwards more fully that it was as Mrs. Devereux had informed Sybil, with regard to young Fitz Hugh. He had soon become too much, in every way, for his gentle tutor, Mr. Melville. Immediately after the departure of the family from the Court, the mood of the young man had completely changed. He was savage, intractable, and recklessly pursued any path, but that of the decent propriety incumbent on the inmate of a virtuous clergyman. His moral conduct had caused the good man much trouble, and he soon wrote to Lord Castlerosse, urging the removal of his nephew to a sphere, where his intellectual powers, which were immense, might have a wider range, and which, if thus confined, might be enervated or over, whelmed by the animal passions of his nature, which were as violent as they were ill-regulated. Lord Castlerosse, had attended to this suggestion, and Hardress Fitz Hugh, was now at Cambridge.

We found ourselves again at Oakleighbeautiful Oakleigh! which looked so bright and lovely, after the (to us) dull town we had quitted. But after the first happy day of our

arrival, it scarcely seemed to be the same place, such a new aspect did every object assume.

It was as if Sybil's whole being was suddenly expected to take a new turn; she who had before been so sedulously kept the child, was now to be, all at once, transformed into the woman. Her dress was new modelled, and every thing like childishness of deportment carefully discouraged. The strict routine of study, to which she had lately been accustomed, was much relaxed, and in its place, she passed the time in the company of her mother, who seemed, by a course of lectures (for such a form did the almost constant tone of her conversation assume) evidently applying to some important purpose, to endeavor to prepare her daughter's mind for some serious crisis in her existence.

There was too an air of such solemn mystery pervading all that Mrs. Devereux said or did in reference to her child, that I began to make my own conjectures; indeed, to have a shrewd suspicion, respecting the nature of the subject, though not admitted by the good lady into her confidence.

I was of course sufficiently discreet not to hazard an appearance of curiosity on the topic, and we spent the three following months in extreme quiet and monotony.

Mr. Devereux was much from home, being occupied, as I learnt, by business connected with the majority of Albert Lennard, which had just taken place.

who would have shone like some bright star, before which all lesser lights grow dim; his love, her shield-against which all other attacks must have fallen harmless! And then I glanced forward to that joyful time, when the young girl, after having looked well around, would own that there was none so good, so noble, so worthy, to be called by the sacred name of husband, as the cherished companion of her childhood. Truly my enthusiasm on the score of Albert Lennard's perfections, carried my ideas of his superiority, over every other human being, and all those who knew him well would vouch for my not having exaggerated his merits, and freely allow that he was-I can hardly use a meaner term-a godlike creature!

"Mademoiselle," began Mrs. Devereux, in a tone which at once informed me of the importance of the communication she was about to make, "it is but due to one whom both Mr. Devereux and myself, have learnt, with good reason, to esteem as a friend, that you should no longer be ignorant of that which so materially concerns our Sybil."

Mrs. Devereux paused, and I poured forth my fervent thanks for this kind and considerate testimony to my poor services. She heard me with less coldness than she generally manifested towards any extraordinary ebullition of feeling, and then continued speaking

"You may, probably, before this have divined, that Albert Lennard has, from his childhood, been desired by us, as the husband of our daughter."

I bowed my head in assent, and she proceeded with her communication.

In spite of my foresight with regard to the intended destiny of my loved pupil, I returned from a private interview, requested by Mrs. Devereux, a few days after we had been informed of the one fixed for Albert's final return, with an ominous feeling of depression, which I blamed myself for allowing to enter my heart.

On the day of Albert Lennard's arrival, Sybil would attain her seventeenth birthday. And I was sad, though I had heard a confirmation of what had been my anxious hope! But certainly there were circumstances concerning the communication, very different from the arrangement I had formed in my own imagination; my busy brain had chalked out a contrary plan.

My scheme was, that my dear pupil should, for two years at least, taste of the society of the world, in maiden freedom. I wished her to see, and to be seen; to meet with admiration, aye, even love, from many-for how could she be seen and not loved? I would have had her make acquaintance with the world; the people, and even the ways of the world. But there should have been one by her side, to whom, "her heart untrammelled." would cling; one

"The period for the fulfilment of that long cherished hope, is now, I trust, near at hand; for Albert, having received our permission, comes next week to woo our Sybil; and we have promised not to forestal his wishes, but to allow him to be the first to open her eyes to the happy prospect before her, dear girl; and then

other, long courtship will be unnecessary-their union will soon follow."

I was startled at the very expeditious arrangements which these words seemed to express, and could hardly believe I understood them properly.

Miss Devereux will first be introduced into society?" I ventured to say.

Mrs. Devereux looked some shocked surprise at my suggestion, and answered,

"You mistake me, Mademoiselle. I said that the union between Mr. Lennard and my daugh ter, would take place almost immediately after the proposal had been formally made and ac cepted. There can be little further preparation required, for those whose engagement has subsisted, it may truly be said, from their earliest childhood."

Forgive me, Madam," I replied, "I may, no doubt, be wrong, but I always thought that some acquaintance with, and experience of the world, were considered advisable for a young person before entering upon so momentous and important a position, as that of matrimony."

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Yes, Mademoiselle," Mrs. Devereux resumed, in a tone of condescending indulgence

towards my ignorance, "I know that is often the opinion-the erroneous opinion I consider it-of many-1 think the world the last school for a young wife-the most pernicious scene, into which, those sensible of the important nature of the holy state of wedlock, could send an inexperienced, innocent creature. I am perfectly convinced that the race of English wives and mothers would be greatly improved, if the plan I have been enabled to adopt for my daughter, was, when equally feasible, more generally followed. Yes! I am thankful for having been allowed the blessing of rearing to womanhood, a being, who, if she act up to the education she has received as far as human excellence extends, must make a perfect wife."

Mrs. Devereux paused for a moment; but on my remaining silent, thus continued to enlarge on this engrossing subject

"Albert will, indeed, be blest as he deserves, with a wife perfectly pure in heart and mind; not the butterfly creature that has fluttered about the world-its bright colors dimmed and polluted, and ill-fitted to do honor to the name of wife to such a man, or to render her husband happy! I thank you sincerely, Mademoiselle, for the manner in which you have forwarded my views with regard to the education of our child. You have executed my wishes with implicit obedience-although often, I am aware, your inexperience has caused your reason to rebel against the wisdom of some of my ideasor prejudices, as no doubt you may have deemed them; but I hope that you will be rewarded for any sacrifices your own judgment has been called upon to make, in order to go hand-inhand with me, by beholding the bright specimen our Sybil will exhibit, of my plan of education."

Ir is nearly two years since I have seen Albert," said Sybil, on the morning of her birthday. "Mademoiselle, do you remember his last arrival here--what joy we felt at the idea of seeing him? And to-day he comes again!"

A slight sigh heaved from her breast. "And your joy is not so great?" I asked, with an inward feeling of some anxiety.

Not quite so unmixed," she replied, laughing; "for it seems to me, that two years must have made such a difference in him; now he has become a man."

"Well, Sybil! and you have become a woman; therefore, he will have as much reason to complain of the change as yourself," I said.

"Oh! no!" she replied, earnestly; "he will find no change in me, though I may be taller and older than when he last returned-no change in my feelings towards him; but he, I fear, will

have become so far above me, that he will scorn the affection he once loved to receive from his little sister."

"I do not think that is at all probable, Sybil," I remarked.

"Do you not think so?" she gladly exclaimed, "do you imagine we may be the same towards each other as we were-love each other as well?"

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Perhaps better!" I answered as gravely as I could.

"Oh, that is impossible! But, Mademoiselle," she continued, "you have made me much happier. I thought it would be so melancholy to find Albert grown into a cold, proud, man, whilst my heart was as warm and sisterly towards him, as on that day when we walked in the park with poor Hardress Fitz Hugh, awaiting his arrival. And Hardress! do you remember: how cross he was, when he found out that Albert was not my brother? Shall we do the same to-day? Shall we set forth to meet Albert?" I hesitated.

"We must see what your mamma says about it," I at length, said; for I suspected that Mrs. Devereax, had formed a very different arrange-: ment-and so it proved. Albert Lennard was expected about the dinner hour, and when the dressing bell rang, Sybil found herself engaged in a manner very unlike that merry interval, when, two years before, in anticipation of the same event, she was wandering about the park, free as a very wood nymph.

(

Her dressing room was now the scene of action: its interior, bearing every demonstration that the business of the toilette was going on within; and a matter of the greatest importance it seemed to be, judging by the anxious care with which the undertaking was superintended.

Yes! there sat Sybil, for the first time it might almost be said, undergoing the fatigue of a grande toilette-learning " qu'il faut souffrir pour etre belle," for some patient endurance, was certainly necessary to be called into requisition, whilst under the hands of two not well practised abigails, and the fidgetty interference of Mrs. Devereux.

The only regret I experienced as I followed Sybil down stairs, was, that there would be so few eyes to admire and appreciate her loveliness; and I was not the only person I soon suspected, into whose mind some such idea (alas! savoring too much of vanity) had entered.

"Well, Sybil !" Mr. Devereux exclaimed, when, after his first expressive start of astonishment at the sight of the beautiful apparition, which appeared before him in the drawing room, he stretched forth his hand with a smile of criticizing examination, through which, however, admiring pride was plainly discernible"you are really very splendid.-Albert ought to feel much honored. Why, la belle Assemblee could not require more from you, than this soigne costume; we ought to have Fortunatus's cap, to transport us to Almacks or St. James's."

Sybil, with a blushing smile and sparkling eyes, glanced at her form, reflected in the large mirror; then, leaning caressingly over her fa ther, said;

"Oh! we must see about that!" Mr. Devereux answered playfully, whilst he turned, with a glance of significance, to observe the effect of his daughter's speech upon his wife, who had entered, but unobserved by Sybil, who otherwise would not have ventured to utter it. The attention of all, however, was at that moment, attracted by sounds, which announced the expected arrival to be at hand.

Mr. Devereux hastened from the room.

Sybil looked towards her mother with a heightened color, as if for permission to follow her father; but Mrs. Devereux, in whose countenance, in spite of her struggles to assume a dignified composure, I could discern strong marks of agitated expectation, signed to her to remain, and we sat in impatient suspense, for the few moments which elapsed ere the door was opened, and Mr. Devereux returned, accompanied by Albert Lennard-the same in all, save an increased manliness of person, and strength of beauty.

After an affectionate, though somewhat hurried greeting to Mrs. Devereux, his eyes having, on his entrance, sought out the form of Sybil, with nervous warmth of manner, he hastened forward to meet her. My pupil, catching something of the same manner from the agitated Al. bert, though she at first advanced with frank and evident pleasure, now blushingly and bashfully returned his salutation; and in the deport ment of the young people towards each other, in the short interview that followed, there was an evident constraint, which left on Sybil's countenance a slight shade of disappointment during the time Albert was absent, preparing for dinner; she probably feared the dreaded change had actually taken place.

Albert had indeed become a man, and she was to receive from him no more, that frank, brotherly affection, cherished so long in her imagination.

CHAPTER XVI.

"They had roamed forth together; the bright dew Was on the flowers that he knelt, and Sweet tribute to his idol."

gave

L. E. L.

entitled to some respect. Well! I am glad I have lost nothing, but only gained a little dig nity in his eyes, by my increase of years."

Mrs. Devereux compressed her lips, looked first at her daughter and then at me, with an expression which implied a somewhat anxious surprise at such extreme childish unconsciousness. As for me, I could not suppress my smiles, as Sybil continued so freely and inno cently to descant on the improvement in Albert's looks.

"How proud I am of possessing such a brother!" she exclaimed.

"Brother! My dear Sybil, Albert is not your brother," interrupted Mrs. Devereux, with an earnest gravity which amused me, and which evidently sent Sybil's thoughts back to the displeasure Albert had once expressed, when the same term had been applied to him by herself; for after excusing the expression to her mother, she said with a smile,

I wonder if Albert will be offended now with the title; but I am sure he is become too wise for such boyish caprice."

Sybil had not long to wait to be enlightened on this point, nor Mrs. Devereux, to grudge her daughter the child-like unconsciousness, it had been her own work to foster.

The gentlemen were so long in rejoining us, that we felt assured that only a peculiarly interesting conversation could have been the cause of their detention. At length they made their appearance, both with countenances expressing consciousness. Albert lingered for a few minutes by Mrs. Devereux' side, addressing her, but in an absent manner; for his eyes were wandering impatiently towards the window where Sybil stood, looking out upon the lovely moonlit night, and soon he was by her side.

"Let us have a stroll," he said, in a would be careless tone, after remaining for a few moments in silence.

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"Oh, yes!" was Sybil's willing response. Come, Mademoiselle!" and in a moment she had stepped out on to the balustraded terrace, which surrounded the house, followed by Al bert.

"Albert has become very polite," she laughingly remarked, when we had repaired to the drawing-room; "he finds fault with nothing about me this time, as he used invariably to do on his former returns; all I said he seemed to think charming. So, I suppose, he considers I

I looked back on Mr. and Mrs. Devereux. With their heads close together, they were engaged in earnest discourse in a suppressed tone of voice; therefore I retained my position at the window, till, after the lapse perhaps of a quarter of an hour or more, I was summoned to Mrs. Devereux' side, by the question

Mademoiselle, has Sybil her shawl?", She had not, and with her light clothing it