? What a superb foot and ankle! What a sylph it is!" Such was the ball-room tittle tattle that ever accompanied Sir Henry and his lady, in passing through the mazes of a London season; and I doubt not the reader would have joined in it, could he have seen Lady Anne! Should I attempt to present her bodily before him, he would suspect me of culling the hyperboles of the novelist, while I should feel that after all I had failed. He should have seen for himself the light of passion-of feeling and thought-that shone in her blue eyes-the beauteous serenity that reigned in her aristocratic brow -" in all her gestures, dignity and love!" There is a picture of a young lady by Sir Joshua Reynolds that has been sworn to by hundreds as the image of Lady Anne; and it is one worthy of the artist's pencil. Not the least characteristic trait about her, was the naïveté with which she acknowledged her love of Sir Henry, displaying it on all occasions by "Looks of reverent fondness," that disdained concealment. And so was it with the Baronet. Each was the other's pride and contentment; and both were the envy of society. Ah, who could look upon them, and believe that so dark a day was to come! In due time Sir Henry completed the extensive arrangements for his town residence; and by the beginning of the ensuing winter, Lady Anne found herself at the head of as noble an establishment as her heart could desire. The obsequious morning prints soon teemed with accounts of his dinners; and of the bails, routs, soirées, and conversaziones given by this new queen of the evening hour." Sir Henry, who represented his county in Parliament, and consequently had many calls upon his time-for he was rather disposed to be a "working" member-let his lady have it all her own way. He mingled but little in her gaieties; and when he did, it was evident that his thoughts were elsewhere that he rather tolerated than enjoyed them. He soon settled into the habitudes of the man of political fashion, seldom deviating from the track, with all its absorbing associa tions, bounded by the House and the Clubs;-those sunk-rocks of many a woman's domestic happiness! In short, Sir Henry-man of fashion as he was-was somewhat of a character, and was given ample credit for sporting "the eccentric." His manners were marked by a dignity that often froze into hauteur, and sometimes degenerated into almost surly abruptness; which, however, was easily carried to the account of severe political application and abstraction. Towards his beautiful wife, however, he preserved a demeanour of uniform tenderness. She could not form a wish that he did not even personally endeavour to secure her the means of gratifying. Considering the number and importance of his public engagements, many wondered that he could contrive to be so often seen accompanying her in rides and drives about the Park and elsewhere; but who could name "The sacrifice affection would not yield!" Some there were, however, who ere long imagined they detected a moodiness-an irritability-a restlessness of which his political engagements afforded no sufficient explanation. They spoke of his sudden fits of absence, and the agitation he displayed on being startled from them. What could there be to disturb him? was he running beyond his income to supply his lady's extravagance? was he offended at any lightness or indiscretion of which she might have been guilty? had he given credence to any of the hundred tales circulated in society of every woman eminent in the haut ton? was he embarrassed with the consequences of some deep political move? No one could tell; but many marked the increasing indications of his dissatisfaction and depression. Observation soon fastened her keen eyes upon Lady Anne, and detected occasional clouds upon her generally joyous countenance. Her bright eye was often laden with anxiety; the colour of her cheek varied; the blandness and cheerfulness of her manner gave place to - frequent abruptness, petulance, and absence: symptoms, these, which soon set her friends sympathizing, and her acquaintance speculating. Whenever this sort of enquiry is aroused, dance with her, drew her arm within "Afraid they lead a woful life together," said one. "I never thought they would suit one another," was the reply. "Pon my soul," simpered a sickly scion of nobility, "'tis an odd thing to say-but-but-gad, I do believe I can explain it all! Harleigh, I know, hates to see her dance with me-whew!" "Haven't you seen her turn pale, and seem quite sick at heart, when she has noticed him talking to Miss charity falls asleep. She never seemed at ease, it was said, in her husband's presence-his departure seemed the signal for her returning gaiety. Strange to say, each seemed the conscious source of the other's anxiety and apprehension. Each had been detected casting furtive glances at the other-tracking one another's motions, and listening, even, to one another's conversation; and some went so far as to assert that each had been observed on such occasions to turn suddenly pale. What could be the matter? Every body wondered-no one knew. Some attributed their changed deportment to the exhaustion consequent upon late hours and excitement; a few hinted the probability of a family; many whispered that Sir Henry- ?" wheezed an old Dowager, some that Lady Anne-gambled. whose daughter had attempted to Others, again, insinuated that each join in the race for the Baronet's had too good cause to be dissatis- hand? These, and a thousand others, fied with the other's fidelity. When, were questions, hints, and innuenhowever, it got currently reported does bandied about everywhere duthat a letter was one evening given ring the remainder of the season: to Sir Henry at his club, which soon after the close of which, Lady blanched his face and shook his Anne brought her husband a "son hand as he read it-that his whole and heir;" and as soon as circummanner was disturbed for days after, stances would permit, the whole esand that he even absented himself tablishment was ordered out of town from a grand debate in the House--and Sir Henry and his lady set off an occasion on which he was special- no one knew whither. It was prely pledged to support his party-sently discovered, however, that they curiosity was at once heightened and bewildered. Then, again, it was undeniable that they treated one another with the utmost tenderness really unequivocally. Lady Anne, however, daily exhibited symptoms of increasing disquietude; the lustre faded from her eye, the colour from her cheek-her vivacity totally disappeared-she no longer even affected it. "How thin she gets!" was an exclamation heard on all hands. They were seen less frequently in society; and even when they did enter into it, 'twas evidently an intolerable burden. Sighs were heard to escape from Lady Anne; her eyes were seen occasionally filled with tears; and it was noticed, that, on observing Sir Henry watching her which was often the case-she made violent efforts to recover her composure. Thus in tears one evening, curiosity was strained to the utmost when Sir Henry approached her, bowed among the gentlemen who were proposing to Ru were spending the summer in a se- obvious that Lady Anne's family either were, or affected to be, in the dark about the source of her disquietude. The old peer, whose health was rapidly declining, had removed to his native air, in a remote part of Ireland. Several of his daughters, fine fashionable women, continued in town. It was whispered that their visits to Sir Henry's new residence had been coldly discouraged and thus, if secrecy and seclusion were the objects aimed at by the Baronet, he apparently succeeded in attaining them. I may observe, that during the period above referred to, several enquiries had been made of me concerning the topics in question, by my patients, and others-who supposed that a former professional acquaintance with the Baronet, slight though it was, gave me some initiation into the mysteries of his conduct. Such, I need hardly say, were queries I was utterly unable to answer. Sir Henry, though a polite, was at all times a distant, uncommunicative man: and had he even been otherwise, we came but seldom into personal contact since his marriage. I therefore shared, instead of satisfying, the prevalent curiosity respecting his movements. It was late in the evening of the 25th of April 181-, that a letter was put into my hands, bearing on the envelope the words "Private and confidential." The frank was by Sir Henry Harleigh, and the letter, which also was from him, ran thus. Let the reader imagine my astonishment in perusing it! "Dear Doctor My travelling carriage-and-four will be at your door to-morrow morning between nine and ten o'clock, for the purpose of conveying you down to my house, about ten miles from town-where your services are required. Let me implore you not to permit any engagement-short of life or deathto stand in the way of your coming at the time, and in the mode I have presumed to point out. Your presence-believe me!-is required on matters of special urgency,-andyou will permit me to add-of special confidence. I may state, in a word, that the sole object of your visit is Lady Anne. I shall, if possi ble, and you are punctual, meet you on the road, in order that you may be in some measure prepared for the duties that will await you. I am, &c. &c., HENRY HARLEigh. "P.S. Pray forgive me, if I say I have opened my letter for the sake of entreating you not to apprise any body of the circumstance of my sending for you." This communication threw me into a maze of conjectures. I apprehended that the ensuing morning would introduce me to some scene of distress-and my imagination could suggest only family discord as the occasion. I soon made the requisite arrangements; and when the morning came, without having shewn my wife the Baronet's letter, or giving her any clue to my destination, jumped into the pea-green chariot-and-four the instant that it drew up at my door-and was presently whirled out of town at the rate of twelve miles an hour. I observed that the panels of the carriage had neither crest nor supporters; and the colour was not that of the Baronet's. I did not meet the Baronet, as his letter had led me to expect. On reaching the park gates, which stood open, the groom behind leaped down the instant that the reeking horses could be stopped, opened the carriage-door, and with a respectful bow informed me that the Baronet begged I would alight at the gates. Of course I acquiesced, and walked up the avenue to the house, full of amazement at the apparent mystery which was thrown about my movements. I ascended the spreading steps which led to the hall-door, and even pushed it open without encountering any one. On ringing the bell, however, an elderly and not very neatly dressed female made her appearance-and asked me, with a respectful curtsy, whether my name was "Dr." On being answered in the affirmative, she said that Sir Henry was waiting for me in a room adjoining, and immediately led the way to it. I thought it singular enough that no male domestic should have hitherto made his appearance, knowing that in town Sir Henry kept an unusually large retinue of such gentry. I thought, also, that I perceived something unusual, not only in the countenance and manner of the female who had answered my summons, but of the groom who attended me from town. was soon, however, in the presence of the Baronet. The room was spacious and lofty, and furnished in a style of splendid elegance. Several busts, statues, and valuable paintings graced the corners and sides, together with a noble library containing, I should think, several thousand volumes. Before I had had time to cast more than a cursory glance around me, Sir Henry issued from a door at the further extremity of the library, and advancing hastily to me, shook me by the hand with cordiality. He wore a flowered green velvet dress ing-gown, and his shirt collars were turned down. I thought I had never seen a finer figure, or a more expressive countenance-the latter, however, clouded with mingled sternness and anxiety. "Doctor," said he, conducting me to a seat, "I feel greatly obliged by this prompt attention to my wishes-which, however, I fear must have inconvenienced you. Have you breakfasted?" "Yes-but my drive has sharpened my appetite afresh-I think I could not resist a cup of chocolate or coffee." "Ah-good! I'm happy to hear it. Perhaps, then, you will permit me to take a turn round the garden-and then we will join Lady Anne in the breakfast-room?"-I assented. There was something flurried in his manner and peremptory in his tone-I saw there was something that agitated him, and waited for the denouément with interest. In a moment or two, we were walking together in the garden, which we had entered through a glass door. "Doctor," said Sir Henry, in a low tone, "I have sent for you on a most melancholy errand to-day"-he seemed agitated, and paused-proceeding, I have infinite satisfaction in being able to avail myself of your services for I know that you are both kind and experienced-as well as confidential ?" Again he paused, and looked full at me,-I bowed, and he resumed. "Possibly you may have occasion ally heard surmises about Lady Anne and myself?-I believe we have occasioned no little speculation latterly!"-I smiled, and bowed off his enquiry. "I am conscious that there has been some ground for it"-he continued with a sigh-" and I now find the time is arrived when all must be known-I must explain it all to you.-You have, I believe, occasionally met us in society, and recollect her ladyship?" "Several times, Sir Henry-and I have a distinct recollection of her.Indeed". "Did it ever strike you that there was any thing remarkable either in her countenance or deportment ?" I looked, at a loss to understand him. "I-I meann-did you ever observe a certain peculiarity of expression in her features ?"-he continued, earnestly. Why-let me see I have certainly observed her exhibit languor and lassitude-her cheek has been pale, and her countenance now and then saddened with anxiety. I supposed, however, there was no unusual mode of accounting for it, Sir Henry"-I added, with a smile. The Baronet's face was clouded for a moment, as if with displeasure and anxiety. "Ah"-he replied, hastily-" I see I understand you-but you are quite mistaken-totally so. Pray, is that the general supposition?" Why I am not aware of its being expressed in so many words; but it was one that struck me immediately-as a matter of course." As I was speaking, I observed Sir Henry changing colour. "Doctor ," said he, in a low agitated voice, grasping my arm as if with involuntary energy-" We have no time to lose. One wordalas, one word-will explain all. It is horrible torture to me-but I can conceal it no longer. You must be told the truth at once. Lady Anne is-insane!" He rather gasped than spoke the last word. He stood suddenly still, and covered his face with his hands. He shook with agitation. Neither of us spoke for a moment or two-except that I almost unconsciously echoed the last word he had uttered. "Insane!-Why, I can scarcely believe my ears, Sir Henry. Do you use the last word in its literal-its medical sense?" "Yes, I do!-I mean that my wife is mad-Yes! with a madwoman you are asked to sit down to breakfast. I can assure you, Doctor · that the anguish I have latterly endured on this horrid account has nearly driven me to the same condition! Oh God, what a dreadful life has been mine for this last year or two, as I have seen this tremendous calamity gradually befalling me I implored him to restrain his feelings. Yes-you are right," said he, after a pause, in which he tried to master his emotion-" I have recovered myself. Let us repair to the breakfast-room. For Heaven's sake, appear-if you can-as though nothing had transpired between us. Make any imaginable excuse you please for coming hither. Say you were called in by me, on my own account -for-for-any complaint you choose to mention. It will be for you to watch my poor Lady Anne with profound attention-but, of course, not obviously. I shall take an opportunity as if by chance-of leaving you alone with her. Afterwards, we will concert the steps necessary in this dreadful emergency. By the way you must not expect to see any thing wild or extravagant in her manner. She will not appear even eccentric-for she is very guarded before strangers. Hush! said he, shaking, and turning round palely "did you hear-no, it was a mistake!-Alas, how nervous I am become! I have perfect control over her-but watch her eye-her mouth -her eye"-he shuddered-" and you will know all! Now, Doctor, for mercy's sake, don't commit yourself-or me!" he whispered, as we regained the room we had quitted. He paused for a moment, as if to expend a heavy sigh,-and then, opening the door through which he had originally entered to receive me, ushered me into the breakfast-room. Lady Anne-beautiful creature-in a white morning-dress, sat beside the silver urn, apparently reading the newspaper. She seemed sur prised at seeing me, and bowed politely when Sir Henry mentioned my name, without moving from her seat. Her cheek was very pale-and there was an expression of deep anxiety— or rather apprehension-in her eye, which glanced rapidly from me to Sir Henry, and from him to me. With all his efforts, Sir Henry could not appear calm-His cheek was flushed-his hand unsteady - his voice thick-his manner flurried. "Are not you well, Sir Henry ?" enquired his lady, looking earnestly at him. "Never better, love!" he replied, with an effort at smiling. "Ifear I have disturbed your ladyship in reading the Morning Post," said Î, interrupting an embarrassed pause. "Oh, not at all, sir-not the least. There is nothing in it of any interest," she replied, with a faint sigh; "I was only looking, Henry, over a silly account of the Duchess of 's fête. Do you take breakfast?" addressing me. A single cup of tea, and a slice of this tongue, are all I shall trouble your ladyship for. Talking, by the way, of fêtes," I added, carelessly, "it is whispered in the world that your ladyship had taken the veilor-or-died-in short, we are all wondering what has become of your ladyship-that is, of both of you!" "Ah!" said the Baronet, with affected eagerness, "I suppose, by the way, we come in for our share of hint and innuendo! Pray, what is the latest coinage, doctor, from the mint of scandal and tittle-tattle ?" Lady Anne's hand trembled as she handed me the cup of tea I had asked for-and her eye settled apprehensively on that of her husband. Why, the general impression is, that you are playing misanthrope, in consequence of some political pique." Sir Henry laughed feebly. "And your ladyship, too, turns absentee! I fear you are not in the health-the brilliant spirits-which used to charm the world." "Indeed, Doctor, I am not! I am one of the many victims "Of ennui," interrupted the Baronet, quickly, fixing an imperative eye upon his lady, I saw with what nervous apprehension, lest she should afford even the desired corroboration of what he had told me in the garden. "Yes, yes, ennui," she replied, timidly, adding, with a sigh, "I won |