and conquer it; so that, although she was somewhat stunned in the first instance by the magnitude of her lover's peril, she shed no tear, she lost no time in unavailing regrets, but retiring to her apartment, took deliberate counsel of her own heart whether even so humble and powerless a female as herself might not mitigate his sufferings, or render him some essential service in this crisis of his fate. The amount of actual danger was not yet known; he might be let off, with only a reprimand or some slight infliction, and upon every account, therefore, it was advisable to await the sentence of the Court Martial. But as much might be done to influence their decree, and as she did not consider the Squire to be a very able or executive agent in such matters, she determined to see and consult with Walter herself. Hetty was prompt in every thing; with her to decide was to act, and thinking that in the present confusion and distress of the family, her temporary absence was less likely to be noticed, she put on her hood and scarf, and instantly set off to walk over to Bridgwater.

Widely different was the effect of Mrs. Colyton's communication to Edith, slowly and guardedly as it was made. Fortunately for the latter, her mind had been so far corroborated in the morning by the announced probability of Forester's escape, in comparison with which her own safety and life seemed to be of trivial importance, that she listened to the first part of her mother's statement without any very vehement emotion; but when she had heard the whole, when she learnt that it was proposed to sacrifice her to Seagrave as the price of his good offices in favour of Walter, and his forbearance from informing against themselves and the Sheltons, her feelings became uncontrollable, and her indignation found vent in a burst of passionate invective—“ Oh the base, low-minded, sordid, dastardly villain !" she exclaimed, her usually composed and pale countenance becoming suddenly lighted up and inflamed-" does he hope to obtain my hand, or rather my paltry fortune, for that is his sole object, by this infamous and cowardly menace? and would you, my dearest mother, would

even my bitterest enemy, counsel me to accept a wretch, the very basis of whose proposal is so detestable and unprincipled, that from every brave and honourable mind it must ensure instant rejection? Did I not refuse him before, because I hated him as a drunkard and a loose profligate, and shall I not cast him from me with tenfold scorn and loathing now that he has proved himself in addition to be a spy, an evesdropper, an informer, a poltroon, a trafficker in blood, every thing that is despicable and unmanly? How can I swear to honour and obey such a heartless knave as this? and as to loveOh horrible, disgusting thought! No! let him do his worst-I despise as much as I abominate and detest him. I dare and defy his utmost malice; I had rather be his victim than his wife, and would perish, ten thousand times over, sooner than submit to his mean and insolent proposals."

"Alas, my poor Edith! if no person's safety but your own were concerned you might perhaps deem yourself warranted in running all risks, and in holding this language of defiance;

but consider, that upon your decision in this most momentous affair depends the safety of your generous friends the Sheltons, the life perhaps of your brother, the probable liberty and fortune of your parents."

"It is true-it is true! Gracious Heaven! what will become of me, beset as I am on every side with wretchedness unutterable? Oh my dear mother, do not urge me to desperation, do not counsel me-for I see your secret wishes in your looks, though your tongue hesitates to utter them, do not counsel me to perjure myself at the altar of the Lord, and sacrifice my immortal soul to preserve this perishable body. You have ever trained me up in holy and righteous living, in the fear of God, and in the love of truth; surely, surely you would not now, to seek a miserable safety for me or for yourself, make me over to Satan irrevocably and for ever; you would not persuade me to insult Heaven, by a false oath! and were I timid and base enough to do so, would you not expect that, like another perjured Sapphira, I should be struck dead, even in the temple,

and that at the day of judgment I should make the angels shudder by standing before the heavenly throne, and accusing you, yes you, you, you, my own mother, as the destroyer of my soul!"

There was something affectingly solemn, almost awful in the look and action of the agitated girl as, with uplifted finger, and a countenance aghast at this frightful conjuring of her own mind, she pointed with increased vehemence towards her parent, at every repetition of the word-" You."

'Spare me, spare me, dear Edith! I cannot bear such horrible imaginings,” cried Mrs. Colyton, whose maternal feelings thrilled at this passionate appeal, and who felt ineffably shocked as her conscience upbraided her that her wishes for the marriage with the hateful Seagrave were at direct variance with her religious duties, and little better than a subornation of perjury. Her deeply implanted piety, her tender love of her children, and the timidity and worldliness which are the usual concomitants of age, were all struggling with such vehemence