I followed him; and as we entered the shrubbery we fancied we heard a rustling noise among the laurels; nor were our conjectures unfounded, for before we had time to put ourselves upon our guard, two of the "biggest fellows" at our tutor's rushed out of their hiding place, and, upon the blow-before-the-word system, commenced an assault upon us with ash plants.

"I'll teach you," said my assailant, "to take my hack."

"This will be a warning to you," exclaimed the other, "not to play tricks with us in future.'

"Hacks and tricks," muttered Beaufort and myself.

"There, that will do," observed the least of the bullies. wants eighteen minutes to dinner."

"It only

"If we catch you again," rejoined his companion, "we'll 'knout' you within an inch of your lives."

"What can it mean?" said Beaufort, writhing more with mental than bodily pain."

"I know not," I responded; "but a more cowardly proceeding never occurred: if we can but get two friends to stand by us we'll call them out."

At this moment the worthy Jerry Curtis made his appearance, and enlightened us as to the cause of the unjustifiable attack.

we

It seems that the two heroes in question had, a few days previous, ordered the hacks that we had ridden, to be in readiness for them; and owing to a mistake on the part of Botham's "master of the horse" no entry had been made. Unconsciously then were we guilty of the "trick' had been accused of; and when the worthy landlord of the Pelican explained the mistake, which he did within five minutes of the time we had been so disgracefully treated, the anger of our assailants was turned into sorrow and shame. To do them justice, however, I must admit that before we sat down to dinner a most ample apology had been made to us; and if we did not receive it quite as cordially as it was offered, some allowance may be made for those who were suffering under wounded feelings and bruised bodies. Time, however, restored the former and healed the latter; and as the affair reached the ears of the Dominie, a severe lecture and threat of expulsion, should it be renewed, was the result. From this period corporal punishment was abolished at the Grove.

The next two days glided rapidly on. Céline's commands had been implicitly obeyed, for I had not only kept from the theatre, but from the town. The third morning, however, was replete with interest, for upon it occurred an event, the remembrance of which can never be obliterated from my mind. It was a whole holiday, being the anniversary of our tutor's birth; and after an early breakfast, Horace Beaufort and myself strolled into the town, with a view of hiring a tandem for a drive to Reading.

Anxious to avoid the theatre, we gained the Pelican by a back way, and having duly inquired whether any previous orders had been given from the Grove-for, like burnt children, we dreaded the fire-desired George Revell to have the break-neck carriage got ready for us in a quarter of an hour, and to wait for us some little distance on the London road. Alas! this fatal quarter of an hour produced an age of misery

to me.

"I must go to Mayo's for a moment," said Horace.

"And I want to see him," I responded; so taking my comrade's arm we walked down the High Street.

As we crossed Speenham Land, from the Inn, I could not help casting a lingering look towards the spot where my charmer dwelt.

66

Why, what are you gazing at?" inquired Beaufort. "But take care," he immediately added, "or your rival will see you;" then suddenly pulling me by the arm, he dragged me into a small shop, from the window of which I could observe the man that had attracted his attention, and who I immediately recognized as the light-heeled Zephyr. He was picking his way across the muddy road that led to the theatre, and carried in his hand a small fiddle, some manuscript music, and a few card figures.

"He is going to rehearse the pantomime," said my companion. "Polly Brown told me that she had heard from Mrs. Orridge that they were to have one at Christmas.

"And can Céline be alone?" said I, mournfully.

"I'll soon ascertain that fact," continued my friend; and running off to the court where my fair one resided, he soon returned with the intelligence that Miss Bell was at home.

I deliberated for a few moments, during which a thousand thoughts flitted across my mind-Was it kind? was it prudent towards Céline? But love conquered-Oh! how I desecrate that name—and without further consideration I rushed headlong into an abyss of misery.

"I will give you a quarter of an hour, Percy," said my companion; "meet me at the Pelican."

Reaching the court, I looked round, and seeing that I was not watched, gave a slight tap at the half-opened door.

"Who do you please to want?" inquired a sour-visaged old hag, whose brawny arms were immersed in soap-suds, and who evidently did not approve of this interruption upon that day so proverbially fatal to female good-temper-a washing day.

"Miss Bell," I stammered out.

"Miss!" said the crone, laying great emphasis on the word. "Well, wipe your boots, and walk up; two pair back; there's been a nice rumpus between

I waited not for the end of this remark, but running up the dark and almost perpendicular stairs, reached the second landing-place; then gently tapping at the door, a female voice, which I recognised as Céline's, inquired :

"Is it you, Phil?"

Without waiting for my answer, she continued—

"There, you may come in; you will find the pasteboard tricks and masks under our bed."

I opened the door, and a scene presented itself far beyond my powers of description. The object of my devotion was attired in a dirty loose wrapper, her hair pinned and papered. Extended across the foot of the bed, placed in an alcove, and which was partly hid by a gaudy red curtain, appeared the very tunic and " fleshings" that my rival had appeared in on the evening of my visit to the theatre. Dirt and finery seemed blended together. The table was laid for breakfast, half covered with a cloth of unspeakable hue; upon it appeared a spoutless tea-pot,

some broken cups and saucers, cracked plates, a pat of rancid butter, the remains of the "Pologne" sausage, and a loaf of coarse-looking bread. A most abominable odour assailed my olfactory nerves, proceeding from some sour paste and glue, which had been used in the formation of the pantomime tricks already alluded to. Garlands of roses, scarfs of every colour, glittering waist-bands, were hung about the apartment, forming a strange contrast to its mud-coloured stained walls. At the corner of the table, placed before a small fire, that emitted more smoke than heat, sat Céline, busily employed in sowing some spangles upon a part of a harlequin's dress.

"Mr. Hamilton," she exclaimed, in a most theatrical tone, “leave me! if my-my husband returns, I am ruined." Then heaving a sigh that would have softened the heart of a rhinoceros, she continued: "Let me conjure you, by all—”

At this moment I heard what in modern slang phraseology is called "sitch a getting up stairs ;" and, before I could make my escape, the door opened, and Parker appeared.

“Why, Lina,” he said in an off-hand manner, “ they told me Phil the call-boy was here. I congratulate you, sir, on your new situation,” he continued, with a sneer.

Both Céline and myself began to falter out an explanation.

"Why, Sam, this is Mr. Percy Hamilton, that I met at Madame de Tourville's; he has called to inquire about the pantomime, and our benefit."

"Gammon, Lina; I've heard of this young spark; but pray, sir, be seated, and any business you may have with that lady can be transacted before me."

This was what is called a regular "poser," and I became as mute as a mackerel. After a few seconds I recovered myself sufficiently to carry out my belle's stratagem, and to say that on Mr. Parker's night the Donnington's party would be happy to take the stage-box.

"It's all up, Lina. I've had an out-and-out shindy with the governor," continued the vulgar brute. "A few pounds, and we should have done the trick' handsome; but he fought shy of the nonsense,' and wouldn't have it; so we are free to accept Gimingham's offer at Taunton. Won't we come it strong?"

I was so thoroughly disgusted with the cool effrontery of my rival, that I rose to depart.

"Equally obliged to you, Mr. Hamilton, for your kind support," said he, in a sneering tone-a'nt we, Lina?"

Suiting the action to the word, he winked his right organ of sight, put his tongue out of the corner of his mouth, and pulling down his left eyelid, knowingly inquired, "Do you see any sand in my peeper?"

Without uttering another word, I rushed to the door, and turned to take one look at Céline.

"Good morning, Mr. Hamilton," resumed my tormentor. "If ever you come our way, pray remember Samuel Diderot Vestris Parker, whose benefit is fixed for the fourteenth of June, under the patronage of several persons of distinction.”

With this hackneyed quotation the strolling dancer politely bowed me out. Clinging hold of the crazy banisters, which nearly gave way to my agitated movements, I slipped down three or four steps at a time; and

having in my haste nearly upset the old woman in her own soap-suds, gained the court, where I found Horace Beaufort anxiously awaiting my

return.

"Why, what has happened, Percy?" inquired my companion. "You are as pale as ashes."

No word of lamentation escaped my lips; I gave myself up to silent despair. After a brief period, my comrade tried to rouse me from the lethargic state my inward grief had plunged me in, and bringing the most consummate tact, the kindest consideration, and practical sense to his assistance, partly succeeded in restoring my former equanimity. The proofs that I had received of Céline's falsehood and depravity, the feeling that I had been deceived and trifled with, the insolent tone adopted towards me by my successful rival, the unequivocal terms upon which the object of my devotion lived with the coarse illiterate married man Parker (whose cruel desertion of his own wife had lately appeared in the Metropolitan police reports), all combined to turn my passion into "tyrannous hate;" and if I did not seek the "wide revenge" of the ill-fated Moor of Venice, I could at least exclaim with him—

"All my fond love thus I do blow to Heaven:
'Tis gone"-

66 You

"Come, Percy, a drive will do you good," said Horace Beaufort, as we approached the gates that led to Sir Joseph Andrew's park. shall take the reins for the first hour.”

The tandem was in readiness, and in a few seconds we were bowling along the London Road at the rate of twelve miles an hour. The soothing system of my companion, and the exhilarating influence of a drive upon a bright sunny December day, produced a wonderful effect upon my spirits; and my mental barometer, which had varied from stormy to cloudy, had now set fair. An incident, too, occurred that tended to dissipate the painful remembrance of the morning, and to divert my thoughts from the faithless fair one.

We had not proceeded ten miles, before our attention was attracted to a carriage drawn up by the side of the road. The coachman was moaning over one of his horses, now lying weltering in his blood, from a deep wound received in the chest. A broken shaft, a damaged huckster's cart and its drunken owner, too easily showed how the concussion had taken place. An elderly-looking person was leading a timid young girl from the scene of the misfortune.

"Can I be of any service, Dr. Wilmot?" I exclaimed, pulling short up, and handing the reins over to my companion. "There is a cottage within thirty yards, allow me to conduct you to it."

"Poor Mary has received a sad shock," replied the venerable pastor. "Take Mr. Hamilton's arm, my dear. To see her favourite animal, Shamrock, that she has driven since childhood, killed before her eyes, is a severe trial."

The poor creature gave an hysterical sob, and burst into a flood of

tears.

"Mrs. Berry," I exclaimed, rapping loudly at the cottage door, "a glass of water and some vinegar.'

"Oh, Mr. Percy, is it you?" responded the worthy dame, with whom I had formed a slight acquaintance when fishing in the neighbourhood.

"I'll bring some hartshorn in a moment. Anne, run to the well for some fresh water."

In the mean time, Miss Wilmot had partially recovered her composure; and being unfashionable enough to wish to avoid a feint, had kindly declined the burnt feathers and smelling salts which the attentive hostess had procured for her. Leaving the party in the small, but neat cottage, I rejoined Horace Beaufort.

"You had better take our leader, he goes admirably at wheel," said I, addressing the still disconsolate coachman.

"Thank you, Mr. Percy," he replied, and then in a voice between a sob and a groan, continued, "My poor young mistress will feel his loss so much; she has fed him almost daily since he was foaled. Oh dear! this is a sad day."

"So it is," I responded, "but we shall make it worse by keeping your master from home, so assist me in altering the harness.

I then gave some private directions with respect to the lifeless animal ; and within five minutes the carriage and the gig were drawn up at Mrs. Berry's cottage door. A thousand thanks said and looked father and daughter, as I handed them into the carriage.

"How kind of you, Mr. Beaufort," proceeded the former, "to take so much trouble;" for, from the window, Dr. Wilmot had witnessed our exertions; "I hope next Sunday we shall have the pleasure of seeing you both at the rectory to luncheon."

"We shall be delighted," responded Horace and myself.

But the drive home, the character of Mary Wilmot, and the feeling she had inspired in my breast, must be reserved for another chapter. (To be continued.)

SKETCHES FROM THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

BY THE AUTHOR OF "SCENES AND SPORTS IN FOREIGN LANDS."

THE EMIGRANT BOER.

"Close beside the sedgy brim,
Couchant lurks the lion grim,
Waiting till the close of day
Brings again the destined prey."

PRINGLE.

The great Winterberg range of mountains-itself a distant ramification of the lofty Stormberg-branches off, above Post Retief, into the Little Winterberg, and the Chumie hills; which latter, circling round the sources of the stream bearing that name, and of the Maucazana river, form a continuous and elevated range, bounding to the north the