and afterwards to the command of one of the provincial battalions, which enabled him to indulge his natural convivial disposition. His bungalow was the home of travellers, his table * the resort of strangers, as well as all those under his command. He has had unbroken health and unclouded spirits, and is acceptable wherever he goes; every body agrees that Courtney is one of the best fellows in India."" "Most of his time," said Mrs. Russell, "has been passed at out-stations, where he has had few opportunities of meeting European ladies, that is to say, unmarried; and years have carried him forward to the state of the old bachelor in every one's opinion but his own. If ever a doubt upon the subject enters his head, it must be when he finds himself more fatigued with dancing quadrilles with the present generation, than he used to be in walking minuets with their progenitors thirty years ago. But he is a pleasant creature, always in the best society, and exceedingly useful when an additional attendant is required." * A thatched-roof house. "Mrs. Ponsonby," said Charlotte, “is, I find, the lady with whom our little lively friend, Miss Panton, at present resides." "Yes," returned Mrs. Russell; "and an unfortunate conductress for such a temper. You noticed how highly she was rouged, and profusely covered with diamonds. She is a leader of fashion; her exclusive wish is to be fashionable, as her furniture, dress, and carriages may bear witness, without one particle of taste or lady-like feeling. Her head is a mere lumberroom, stuffed with flirtation, blond-lace, and vanity. Her husband is also ambitious, but his wish of distinction lies in a different way; he spends as much time in the stable as she does at her toilette; and the arrival of an Arab ship with horses, is as delightful an event to him as an investment of French millinery to his wife. He no sooner receives the information, than his buggy is ordered, and away he flies to Gulam Hassan,* that he may have the first choice. His friends are the members of the Jockey Club; A well-known Arab horse-dealer. and those uninitiated pretenders upon whom he can impose a cross made vicious animal for a Bucephalus. However, I shall reserve my talents for portrait painting until a longer residence in Calcutta shall have given you greater interest in the dramatis personæ. Good night, my dears, and take care to make your ayah tuck in your musquito curtains properly, else your rest will be little." Mr. Russell, like all old residents, was an early riser, and offered to drive either of the young ladies in his phaeton, who should be disposed to taste the morning air at the hour of prime; saying, with a good-humoured smile, "I am never in bed after four; and if you wish to retain your English roses you must follow my example, sleeping after the sun is high does not do here; though I have never been able to persuade my good lady of that, by precept or example." “O,” said Mrs. Russell, "you know, Russell, my constitution is naturally so delicate that nothing but quiet, and your kind care, enables me to live. However," she added, turning to her guests, "if you like early rising, Miss Percy, my carriage is always at your service, and you can have Russell's horses, which have nothing to do but to carry him to and from the Sudder Dwang; therefore they will be very much the better for any exercise you may chose to give them, and we shall have mine fresh for the evening." * Chief native court of justice. CHAPTER VI. "And with cursed things His holy rites and solemn feasts profaned." "Moloch, horrid king, besmeared with blood Of human sacrifice, and parents' tears; Though for the noise of drums and timbrels loud, PARADISE LOST. Book 1. ELIZABETH gladly availed herself of Mr. Russell's kind offer. She had desired her ayah to awake her early; so before day break she was dressed and ready. Restless and unhappy, she sought change of place, in hopes of obtaining change of feeling. Mr. Russell proposed showing her one of the greatest Hindoo temples in the neighbourhood of Calcutta. In the multitude of these places, there are always some of greater sanctity than the rest. This was famous for the number of its Brahmins, and the sacri |