A Strange Story, Complete

at of the sphinx, whose features her own resembled. But between the outward and the inward woman there is ever a thir

roverbially agreeable. The refreshments were of the same kind as those which the poorest of her old maids of honour might proffer; but they were better of their kind, the best of their kind,-the best tea, the best lemonade, the best cakes. Her rooms had an air of comfort, which was peculiar to them. They looked like rooms accustomed to receive, and receive in a friendly way; well warmed, well lighted, card-tables and piano each in the place that made cards and music inviting; on the walls a few old family portraits, and three or four other pictures said to be valuable and certainly pleasing,-two Watteaus, a Canaletti, a Weenix; plenty of easy-chairs and settees covered with a cheerful chintz,-in the arrangement of the furniture generally an indescribable careless elegance. She herself was studiously plain in dress, more conspicuously free from jewelry and trinkets than any married lady on the Hill. But I have heard from those who were authorities on such a subject that she was never seen in a dress of the last year's fashion. She adopted the mode as it came out, just enough to show that she was aware it was out; but with a sober reserve, as much as to say, "I adopt the fashion as far as it suits myself; I do not permit the fashion to adopt me." In short, Mrs. Colonel Poyntz was sometimes rough, sometimes coarse, always masculine, and yet somehow or other masculine in a womanly way; but she was never vulgar because never affected. It was impossible not to allow that she was a thorough gentlewoman, and she could do things that lower other gentlewomen, without any loss of dignity. Thus she was an admirable mimic, certainly in itself the least ladylike condescension of hum

, let there be no mistake. She was not a constitutional sovereign; he

rude but what she carried public opinion along with her. Her knowledge of general society must have been limited, as must be that of all female sovereigns; but she seemed gifted with an intuitive knowledge of human nature, which she applied to her s

cause of her sway over a set in which nearly every othe

most serviceable friend, a most damaging enemy; yet I believe she seldom indulged in strong likings or strong hatreds. All was policy,-a policy akin to that of a grand party chief

countenance; and nothing could be more adroit than the manner in which, while imposing m

k of respect, she maintained the superior dignity of one who takes from responsible station the duty to encourage rising merit; so that, somehow or other, despite all that pride which made me b

ilence as complete as if in the cave of Trophonius-when wi

wick. And you-are thinking about

oughts were fixed on you, and on the weird web which springs under

a moment-one rapid glance of the

n your thoughts

answer,

range! Who

be? What d

me other person,-some other person of my own sex. It is c

over me, and I felt my

lowering her voice

it me to ask you

ted; your expression of face is generally proud and serene,-it is now humbled and troubled. You have something on your mind! It is not anxiety for your reputation,-that is established; nor for you

; but I tried to cover my c

ve, though I did not suspect it before. But when I strive to conjecture the ob

ry carefully, as if her mind and her knitting worked in unison together,-"whoever it be, love in you would be serious; and

retty girl whom Allen

ver Mrs. Poyntz called me by my Christian name, she always assumed her majestic motherly manner),-"a pity that, with your birth, energies, perseverance, talents, and, let me add, your advantages of manner and person,-a pity that you did not choose a career that might achieve higher fortunes and louder fame than the most brilliant success can give to a provincial physician. But in that very c

of that," said I, car

ent. She will study his advancement as I study Poyntz's comfort. If he be clever, she will help to make him a minister; if he be not clever, his wealth will make her a personage, and li

k you; but, as yet, I h

ched, far and wide, below with all its numberless lights,-below, but somewhat distant; an intervening space was covered, here, by the broad quadrangle (in the m

e, "yonder with the three gables, the one in wh

o change the subject of conversation. My hostes

s the contrast? That stately old church tower, gray with its thousand years, those vulgar tile-roofs and chi

omprehensive not to allow that sentiment has a place in this life, but keeping it in its proper place, by that mixture of affability and indifference with which some high-born beauty allows the genius, but checks the presumption, of a charming and penniless poet. For a few minutes her eyes roved over the scene in evident enjoyment; then, as they slo

th a full explanati

up the Proprieties as an influence which money must court and rank is afraid of. I had learned just before Mr. Vigors called on me that Lady Sarah Bellasis entertained the idea of hiring Abbots' House. London has set its face against her; a provincial town would be more charitable. An earl's daughter, with a good income and an awfully bad name, of th

al moment. Lady Sarah is foiled, the Propri

ant to have your earl

ifted her eye

now Mrs.

n the

t commonplace weak can be very lovable. Her husband, a man of genius and learning, gave her

ry much attached to Miss Ashleigh? Doe

ain meet Mrs. Poyntz's searching gaze, but

s anything bu

not consumptive. I trust that there is no serious reason for apprehending a co

ere to die-Dr. Fenwick

oman's words had brought before me, that I st

g my hand to my heart; "a sudden spasm here

ess than I might for one who valued the things of the earth more. But I believe there is no cause for the alarm my words so inconsiderately excited in you.

stinging words, Mrs. Poyntz here

at the whole conversation afterwards had been so shaped as to learn the something, and lead me to reveal the some one to whom the something was linked. For what purpose? What was it to her? What motive could she have beyond the mere gratification of curiosity? Perhaps, at first, she thought I had been caught by her daughter's showy beauty, and hence the half-friendly, half-cynical frankness with which she had avowed her ambitious projects for that young lady's matrimonial advancement. Satisfied by my manner tha

"if she were to die," that I had felt how the world would be changed to me, if indeed that face were seen in it no more! Yes, secret it was no longer to myself, I loved! And like all on whom love descends, sometimes softly, slowly, with the gradual wing of the cushat settling down into its nest, sometimes with the swoop of the eagle on his unsuspecting quarr