indulged without control, although it was occasionally checked by a reflection upon the obscurity that still involved her birth. Such was the state of exhilaration in which they all arrived at Paris, where Constantia announced that it was by no means her intention to resign the authority which she had exercised during the journey, but on the contrary, to assume a more plenary control, and exact a more implicit obedience than any she had hitherto claimed; adding, with a significant look, that when she restored to them their full liberty, she flattered herself they would not be dissatisfied with her sway, during the continuance of her temporary usurpation.

"The first act of my despotism," said Constantia, taking the hands of Julia and Jocelyn in her own; "the first mandate to which I shall expect an unconditional submission, is that these my subjects and friends shall consent to be immediately married. I wish to place their happiness beyond the reach of fate and fortune they have experienced such sudden

and unexpected reverses of both, that they must snatch the blessings of life while yet within their reach, or they may still elude their grasp. What means this rebellious blood, my dear Julia, that is mounting to your cheeks? I forgive your blushes, but I will have no further mutiny against my wishes. As to your intended husband, he already stands charged with treasons enough, and I am happy to observe that upon this occasion he is the most obedient and loyal of all subjects. I charge myself with every thing that appertains to your marriage; all shall be arranged and provided by me. I will have no interloper, no assistant, not even an adviser. For some days I shall of course be much occupied, and if I leave you alone more than strict politeness may warrant, I doubt not you will excuse me, even if you did not know that I was employed in accomplishing your happiness."

In the interval that elapsed before the time fixed for their nuptials, Jocelyn renewed his

acquaintance with some of the families whom he had known in his former residence at Paris:

at the request, or rather by the order, of Constantia, Julia called upon several of her mother's kindred who dwelt in the metropolis, as well as upon some of her late father's connexions, all of whom she was imperatively commanded to invite to the wedding-feast. Jocelyn received similar instructions as to his own friends. None needed a second solicitation to be partakers of a joyous ceremony which, in France, is always celebrated with an extraordinary festivity, and which upon the present occasion, Constantia had invested with a degree of costly magnificence, rather adapted, as her friends thought, to her own generosity of heart, than to the impoverished circumstances of the parties. At length arrived the happy day for which such splendid preparations had been made. Constantia accompanied the bride and bridegroom to the church, where she witnessed

the completion of the solemnities, but declaring that very particular reasons would prevent her participation in the banquet she had provided, she requested that her friends would call upon her, after their guests had departed, at a particular house in Paris, of which she gave them the address. This was a great disappointment to all parties, but as she declared herself to 'be more inexorable and despotic upon this point, than any other, they forbore vain solicitations, and prepared to entertain their visitants with all due cheerfulness and hospitality. Exclamations of astonishment and delight burst from almost every mouth as they entered the banqueting-room, which had been decorated, under Constantia's immediate orders, with a richness that would have appeared gorgeous, had it not been relieved by the exquisite elegance and taste of every embellishment. Nor was the repast incompatible with the splendid saloon appropriated for its reception. The

most scientific culinary artists had been engaged to furnish it, and the guests seemed resolved to do full justice to their skill.

Long sittings after a feast being happily as much unpractised in France at that period, as they are now, the company, after drinking the health of the bride and bridegroom, with that of the munificent foundress of the entertainment, took their departure at an early hour; and Julia, Jocelyn, and Mrs. Walton proceeded immediately in a carriage to keep their appointment with Constantia. The driver stopped at the arched doorway of an extensive and ancient pile with projecting stone-shafted windows, of which the glass was rendered impervious to sight, by being stained of a deep purple colour. They alighted and were ushered into a small plainly-furnished parlour, much wondering · what could be the meaning of this mysterious rendezvous, or the object of a small green curtain which hung against the wall on one side of the chamber. Their doubts as to the latter