IT was late the next morning when Antonia entered her aunt's apartment, and she was immediately struck with Lady Lyndsey's depressed and agitated countenance.

"My dearest aunt," she exclaimed, "I fear you are ill!"

"Not at all, my love; only much affected by some news which has just reached us. Poor Lady Berenger, how I pity her!"

"What oh, what has happened?" exclaimed Antonia, thrown completely off her guard.

"Do not be alarmed," said her aunt, "you must have been prepared for the event from what Mr Percy said yesterday morning."

Antonia made no answer, but wrung her hands in agony; she only thought of Mr Berenger, and concluded that he had been discovered and taken prisoner. Fortunately, however, before she betrayed

her secret, Lady Lyndsey explained that it was Lord Berenger's death she was lamenting.

"The intelligence has just reached us by an express," continued her ladyship, "who has hardly drawn bridle on the road, and our informant adds, that had Lord Berenger survived a few hours longer he would have been placed under arrest; a troop of horse arrived for that purpose shortly after he had expired, and still remain in possession of the castle, which is strictly watched, as they have reason to believe Mr Berenger is concealed in the neighbourhood, or will shortly be there; and strict orders are issued for his apprehension, and I fear it will go hardly with him."

Poor Antonia's heart died within her at this intelligence, but she felt comforted at hearing the erroneous report of Sidney's being in the south, which she wisely concluded would probably mislead his pursuers and facilitate his escape. She accordingly suppressed her feelings and endeavoured to comfort her aunt, and to compose herself by the reflection that Lord Berenger's death had probably spared himself and his family much misery. He was literally and obviously taken away from the

evil to come, and in a moment, as it were, there arose before Antonia's mind a vivid picture of Lord Berenger as she had last seen him; his kind paternal farewell to her; his courteous adieux to his guests, as he stood on the steps of his own baronial castle uncovered, and with all the grace and good breeding for which he was distinguished. The contrast was deeply affecting, and she could not venture to express her feelings in words.

Lady Lyndsey wound up the conversation by saying in a desponding voice, "I only trust now that his son may escape, but I own I do not feel sanguine. Mr Percy told me yesterday that he had been long looked upon as strongly disaffected against the present government; and this I can believe from what passed between Lady Berenger and myself; and the part he has taken has been most prominent, and therefore I fear the search for him will be very stringent."

As soon as Antonia could leave her aunt, she sought Frederick to consult with him on their best mode of proceeding in their new and distressing difficulty. Frederick advised their allowing Mr Berenger to depart in ignorance of the misfortune

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which had befallen him in the death of his father; but to this Antonia could not agree: she thought it would be cruel to hazard his hearing it by chance, when they might disclose it with precaution and gentleness. "Besides," she continued, "if Mr Berenger hears this terrible news suddenly, may not his feelings betray him?" This argument settled the question, and it was determined that Sidney should be made acquainted with the family bereavement. But who should undertake the disclosure? "I cannot, you must, Freddy."

Accordingly it was agreed that they should at once proceed to Purline Glen, that Antonia should wait at some little distance, whilst Frederick communicated this great additional grief, that she might then appear and administer such consolation as was in her power to offer.

Wrapped in her long plaid, Antonia seated herself on a projecting piece of rock, from whence she could watch Frederick's entrance into the hermitage. The time seemed long, the suspense most trying-what could be passing?-she almost wished she had gone herself. At last Frederick left the cell; he approached with slow and pensive steps,