her people, for the sake of a young and handsome unbeliever-an exhibition of interest which might seem, perhaps, in his own eyes, unseemly for maiden delicacy to have shown, even for one who had such claims upon her gratitude-all this presented to the poor girl's mind, already too much strained by a series of active measures so far out of its usual quiet and gentle course, a picture so humiliating, so indelicate, and so revolting, that its effect was almost overpowering. She seemed to shrink from herself, as from a degraded being; she dared not raise her eyes to Edgar's face, lest she should there read a proof that he considered her conduct unmaidenly she felt the burning blushes rush. over her cheek in rapid succession, and half sinking with shame and confusion, eagerly caught the arm of Bewa for support, and hurried from the room.

Still there was a feeling which, even in the present tumult of her mind, would not be forgotten. When near the door, she paused, hesitated, and then whisperingly enquired of Bewa

I 5

if she to whom the Auney* of Camadeva had brought the whisperings of love from Edgar, was then in the apartment. The ayah pointed out an elegant figure, moving gracefully along at a short distance, rich in a profusion of beauty so dazzling, and so varied and vivid in expression, that the delighted eye of a beholder might well have been perplexed to point out to what feature it was most indebted for its charming fascination. Luslaya contemplated the brilliant display of female loveliness thus disclosed to her with deep attention, and then said to Bewa, as she turned slowly away, "She is lovely as the Gopia that dance around the throne of Heri ;† and if the soul indeed expand itself in the face, she might dispute the palm of virtue even with the race of Pandu.‡

She is worthy to bend

with him before the perfumed altar of Manma

* Auney, a fabulous bird, with rich plumage, said by the Hindus to carry the messages of Cama.

The

Heri, a name of Crishna, the Indian Apollo. Gopia answer nearly to the Muses of the Grecian mythology.

The Virtues are personified as the sons of Pandu.

din.* May the genii that love the good strip the thorns from the roses that deck their

path, and affection steal his fairest chaplet from the dancing-eyed spirit of joy, and twine it round their brows for ever!"

* Manmadin, a name of Camadeva, or the god of love.

CHAPTER XIII.

"What have I done, that thou dar'st wag

Thy tongue in noise so rude against me?"

SHAKSPEARE.

MARTINDALE was seated alone at his breakfast table, surrounded by all those appliances and means which usually tempt the languid. appetite but whether his attempts to negociate with Mr. Aimwell on Edgar's behalf had proved unsuccessful, whether his own losses on that unlucky night which had clouded the star of our hero's destiny, had reduced his finances to a lower ebb than he had been willing to allow, or from what

other cause of discontent, he seemed in no mood. to do justice to his consumah's skill; the fried coccup upon his plate remained without mutilation-the plantain that he had divided was still untouched-and his abdar would have mourned could he have seen how the water which his exertions had reduced almost to an icy coldness, was suffered by his master to stand exposed to the full influence of an eastern sun. After remaining some time in a deep reverie, Martindale started from his chair, and took several hurried turns round the room, a promenade which was soon interrupted by the sound of a hasty step on the outside. From the frown which gathered on his countenance, Martindale seemed preparing to greet the intruder with no pleasing reception, when the door was suddenly thrown open, and the vacant space filled up by the figure of Edgar.

Martindale's start of surprise was easy to be explained by a glance at the pale and haggard, but still agitated features of his visitant. But he recovered himself almost in the same instant, courteously bowed to a chair, and invited his