mise, the King, addressing himself to Hetty, continued-" And if there be no more aggravating circumstances in the case than those you have mentioned, the capital part of the punishment shall be remitted." "There! do you hear ?" cried the Countess to Hetty-" you may retire. Say no moredo no more-the word has gone forth from the mouth of one who never yet violated a promise." Hetty's impetuous feelings, however, were not to be so easily restrained. Embracing the King's knees, she invoked, in a rapturous and incoherent manner, a thousand blessings upon his head; then started up, seized the Countess's hand, pressed it fervently to her lips, to her heart, and hurried out of the room, overcome with an agitation of joy that at last burst from her eyes in tears. CHAPTER V. O Alicia, Thou inconsistent spring of grief and joy, Whence bitter streams and sweet alternate flow, Come to my arms, and in this too fond bosom Arden of Feversham. UNABLE to endure the anxieties of a longer suspense, Hetty returned to St. James's-square on the following morning, when she was again received with great kindness by the Countess, who flirted and coquetted with her sweetheart as she playfully called her, laughed at her for her impatience, and bade her rely confidently on the King's assurance. "But in the present distraction of his affairs, may he not forget it ?" said Hetty; "may not the Report be transmitted to some of the ministers, and may they not ——— ?” "Tillyvally, child! the King forgets nothing, except how to continue a king; and he is so jealous of power, even in the smallest things, that rather than depute it to another, he would be his own courier if he could. Cupid, I suppose, is painted blind because he gives his eyes to separated lovers, of whom you appear to be one of the most quick-sighted in foreseeing danger; but I repeat to you that there is nothing to fear. Strange that you, who are bold and rapid as an eagle, should at the same time be fond and timid as a turtle-dove. What! wear a man's sword under a woman's heart! Begone, thou unheroic hero! return to me tomorrow afternoon, and I may perchance have pleasant tidings that shall restore thy courage." It may be well supposed that Hetty was punctual to the appointment, when the Countess running up to her with a radiant face exclaimed "Come, let me embrace, let me kiss theeGad! I should do no less wert thou the pretty fellow thou seemest; but it is as a lovesick woman that I congratulate you, that I press you to my heart while I announce to you that Captain Colyton's cruel sentence is remitted. Here is the official paper signed with the King's own hand. I allowed him no respite till I procured it; but for the sake of discipline, and to mark his displeasure at so gross an act of insubordination, his Majesty, I am sorry to add, has ordered your lover to be cashiered." "Oh, that is nothing, nothing whatever!" cried Hetty" His life is saved—his life is saved! this is all I required, all that I hoped." The tears of joy started to her eyes, and she was again pouring forth expressions of the most impassioned gratitude, when the Countess ex'claimed "Basta! enough! You are in a hurry to set off for Bridgwater that you may liberate your lover, and I am sufficiently rewarded in having assisted to procure his pardon. Heigho! if I am not to be happy in love myself, it is at least some consolation that I can contribute to the felicity of others. Remember that you have robbed me of two sweethearts; first of Captain Colyton, and, secondly, of the pretty fellow that is now before me: all I ask in return is, that at your marriage-feast you should each drink a bumper to the health of the Countess of Dorchester." After fresh and most fervent acknowledgments, Hetty withdrew, and in another hour was upon the road back to Bridgwater, in the same chaise in which she had previously travelled, but with far different feelings from those that had agitated and distressed her bosom on the journey to London. So absorbing had then been her apprehensions on Walter's account, that she had scarcely noticed a single object, and could now with difficulty be persuaded, as she gazed upon the beautiful scenery or some of the more remarkable buildings, that she was returning by the same road along which she had so lately passed. Not only was she now sufficiently tranquillized to remark every thing that deserved notice, but the sunshine of her mind, illuminating all the objects that surrounded her, invested them with an additional charm, and increased her amazement that beauties so |