That evening I spent alone with Perkins--I wanted to unburthen my mind to him-to tell him that I had seen Julia, and what I thought of her: how handsome she was-how beautiful-what an angel! This faithful friend heard my raptures with kindliest sympathy; listened to what I said in praise of Miss Hastings, and added fresh commendations of his own. Ah, happy youthful time, when every woman is beautiful, and the loved one an angel from paradise; when the sun shines bright, and the wind blows fair, and the warm blood surges through the heart and veins with one long pulse of hope and joy!

I asked Perkins if he really thought Heaviside would dare the audacious iniquity on which my mind, since hearing of it, had continued to ponder?

"He dares anything," replied Perkins, "where he can only accomplish it without personal risk. Unaware that he is suspected, and impelled alike by hatred and jealousy, he will

work his machinations to the best purpose he

is able."

"What, if he were threatened ?" I rejoined. "It were useless," said Perkins; "it would only induce greater circumspection, but not less proneness I fear, to the commission of his misdeeds. Here the bed-maker, one of those nondescript persons whom college usages have called into being, knocked at the door, and stated that a young woman had insisted so earnestly on seeing me on business of importance, that he did not like to refuse complying with her request, that I should be made acquainted with her wishes." I looked at Perkins: I was convinced she was in some way connected with the subject on which we had been conversing. Assuming my cap and gown, and proceeding into the street, I became aware of a female figure standing at a short distance. As soon as the woman perceived me, sensible that the interview which she desired could not take place in a crowded thoroughfare, she ra

pidly retired, occasionally turning her head to see that she was followed. At length, having entered a narrow passage where there were few houses and no passers by, she turned quickly round, and thus accosted me.

"Sir, I am the unfortunate woman whose necessities you were so good as to relieve on going through the wretched village where I am forced to live. You heard that wicked man's abominable language, but cannot know his vile conduct towards me and other unhappy women who have no redress from his violence. My name is Mary Tyrrel, I am daughter of a small farmer in Leicestershire; would to God I had never left him! Under the impression however, that I should earn handsome wages in this city, where I had a friend residing, I came hither." Here, the poor creature burst into a flood of tears. "My supposed friend however, proved a cruel enemy, for she led me directly to the abode of infamy where you already saw me, and where," Here, gathering

sobs choked her further utterance, "I have only to tell you sir, that I overheard Mr. Heaviside plotting with my mistress-the woman who keeps the house in which I reside, about running off with a Miss Hastings, whom, from the frequent mention of your name, which I had previously taken care to learn, I knew to be in some way connected with you. Oh, sir, if you love this lady-if you know or have any regard for her welfare, save her from this Heaviside, for he is the greatest villain alivethe worst by far, of the young men who are deluded enough to visit our miserable abode. He bargained with my mistress for the use of a cottage which she kept for purposes of her own, a short way from the village, and the attendance in the feigned capacity of waiting maid, of myself or one of my associates. My mistress said she would lend her cottage for no act of violence; but the false hearted villainI am sure he told a lie, assured her that the young lady willingly left her home to go and live with him,"

I thanked the girl for her timely intelligence, and offered her money, advising her to return home, and leading a new life, to try and forget the sad errors of the past. "Not now sir; I shall stay and see if I can prove of service. Again, I shall trespass most thankfully on your bounty; but gold, if seen in my hands, would only entail violence, if not murder." So saying, and making a low courtesy, she slipped away and was soon hidden in obscurity.

A prey to the most conflicting emotions, I knew not well what to think or do. Dared I to trust my senses with what I had just heard ; would such an iniquity be attempted in any civilized country-could any one be guilty of it? If so, what was the part which I should act-the duty which devolved on me? Was I to stand calmly by, when mischief threatened her whom of all earthly beings, I loved the most? Or, if otherwise, what was I to do? Revolving these and other considerations, I found myself once more in my apartment, and Perkins by my side.