TACT AND TALENT.

CHAPTER IV.

"Oh! there be villains of false face and soul,

Who will with wiles the innocent heart entrap,

And smile at the sad captive's struggling woe."-Massinger.

LETITIA SANDON sat alone in the drawing-room of her father's house at Hampstead. She had been practising some music which was once praised by Wyliehart; but one reflection after another had passed through her mind, till, overcome by the tide of thought, her fingers had dropped listlessly from the keys, and she sat by the instrument silent and dejected.

"I cannot bear this long," at length she murmured; "my spirit is borne down by this inward struggle. It is better to risk all than thus to deceive my kind, affectionate father. I will write at once to Wyliehart, and beseech him, by the love he bears me, to disclose the whole affair." The young girl rose from her seat, and, opening her writing desk, sat down to put her resolution into practice. When the note was nearly finished, a tear, which had trembled for a moment on the eyelid, fell upon the paper, and Letty, no longer able to control her feelings, leant back in her chair and gave way to a shower of tears. Her face was concealed by her hands, when the door opened, and Wyliehart stood beside her.

"what is

Letitia made no

"Why how now, my bird of beauty!" said he, gaily; it? some tragical tale that makes you weep?" reply, but, bending her head till her forehead touched the writing desk, she sobbed aloud: Wyliehart was moved, he took her by the hand and led her to the window.

"Now tell me," said he, "the cause of your sorrow?"

"It is useless to tell you," she replied, "unless you will endea

vour to remove it."

"Cruel girl!" said he; your answer implies a doubt of me. Do you not know that I would go the world round to pleasure you for one moment ?"

"Then," said Letty, with beaming eyes, "tell my father of our affection!" She looked in his face with an anxious and earnest gaze, but her glance fell, for Wyliehart was confused and silent.

"I little thought," said he, after a pause," that you would again have made this request. You do not trust my attachment-my honour !"

"What have I ever said or done that should make you say so ?" "This suspicion, Letty, this constant wish to have our engage. ment ratified by your father's consent, when I have told you, again and again, that at present he will not give it. This restlessness can arise from nothing but a fear that our engagement is not binding while kept secret."

"You do me injustice," replied Letty, in a gentle voice; "it is not a suspicion of your truth, but a conviction that I am acting wrong, which makes me miserable."

"Miserable, Letty! what, are you then really miserable? And the deep and concentrated devotion of my heart has not even a charm

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for you! I had hoped," said he, dropping her hand, vainly hoped, that we should be happy in each other's love!"

"We should be happy," she replied, raising her eyes to his with a timid glance, "if we had no guilt in our hearts."

"How foolishly you talk,_child," said he; "what guilt can there be in acting with prudence? I have told you a dozen times that I have no wish for a secret correspondence, but circumstances compel it. However, you shall be miserable and guilty, as you call it, no longer. If my being forbidden the house, and your being prevented ever seeing, or, at any rate, speaking to me again, can ease your mind, I will make the sacrifice, for your happiness."

"William," said she, calmly, with her swimming eyes fixed full upon his face, "that was said to wound me. I have always believed you when you spoke of your love, and you have professed to believe me; if you do, you cannot mean what you say." Wyliehart made no reply, he did not even raise his eyes, for he could not bear to meet the guileless and innocent gaze that he felt was fixed upon him.

"I have acted deceitfully," said she, after a pause, but I will do so no longer. I have taken my resolution, and however severe the struggle, I will abide by it." Until this moment Letitia Sandon had been a mild and gentle creature, too kind and tender in her affections to feel, much more to speak, in opposition to Wyliehart's slightest wish; but he had led her to a certain point, beyond which she could not, would not go. After pacing the room some time in a state of great perplexity, Wyliehart suddenly stopped before the chair where Letty had seated herself, and laying his hand on her shoulder, said, in a hurried voice, "Then let me understand you, Letty. It is your wish that I should at once, and regardless of consequences, ask your father's consent to our engagement?"

"Yes, it is," she replied; "nothing else will make me happy." "And what if I am refused ?"

"We must submit."

The last words were pronounced in such a tone of deep and startling calmness, that Wyliehart's heart died within him. He felt that it would be to her a real sacrifice, and yet she was prepared to make it. But that would not do; he could not so easily consent to forego his prospects; he must make another effort.

"Yes," said he, "we must submit,-but to what? To see each other no more, or only to meet as strangers; to feel that we are neglected, forgotten, perhaps despised by each other. Oh! Letty, could you bear this?" Her cheek grew very pale, and her lip was white and quivering; but no word, no sigh, no tear escaped her." And then," continued he, "to hear that you had loved another, that you had given your hand and heart to one whose destiny was brighter than that of your earliest

"William, hear me !" said she, clasping his hand in hers; " I have given you my undivided heart, I do not now withdraw it, and here I repeat the vow I made in a happier moment never to give it to another. Do not judge so harshly of me-misery itself could never change me."

"A thousand, thousand thanks, dearest girl," said he, " for those words: then you do not reject me-cast me off for ever? Promise me

but one thing, that should your father refuse my request, you will not turn from me when we meet-you will not forget that we once exchanged assurances of affection.'

"I can never forget it," she replied, in a soft low voice. The deep burning blush had chased the paleness from her cheek, and a faint smile of heartfelt affection played round the lip that had just before quivered with anguish; her soft blue eyes had regained their radiance, and as she raised them to her lover's face, and breathed the low but impassioned words "I can never forget it," he thought he had never seen her look so beautiful.

"She is a lovely, sinless, creature," thought Wyliehart as he rode towards town," and it is but the impulse of a generous and affectionate heart; yet I could have wished to put off this affair till practice is better, in order that no prudential reasons may be set up against me. However, if the cautious old gentleman should wish to examine my books, I shan't make a bad show for the time. A good thought that, of entering all the gratis cases: how can he tell what I shall get paid for! Once married, all's right."

"I tremble at what I have done," said Letitia, as she threw herself, exhausted, on a sofa. "I have perhaps cast a shadow on his path for years, and yet, Heaven knows I would sacrifice my own happiness to secure his; but a guilty conscience I cannot, ought not to bear. Even though his worst fears should be realized, and we shall have to meet as strangers, we must look forward to brighter hours, and find enjoyment in the consciousness that we are true to each other. Love another! How could he speak of it! Alas, he has yet to learn the depth of my affection."

When Mr. Sandon returned home in the evening every trace of sorrow had disappeared from the countenance of his beloved child; she had not looked so happy, so like herself, for months. The elasticity had returned to her step, the joyousness to her laugh; her heart was lightened of its load, for she felt that she could meet her father without deceit. He asked her to sing, and she chose no more a melancholy song, but one of the light and gladsome airs that are echoed among the mountains of Tyrol. But Mr. Sandon was more than usually thoughtful, and all her efforts failed to raise his spirits; when she laughed, he smiled faintly; and when she sung, he fixed his eyes upon her with a pensive look. Once as she turned suddenly round she thought she saw him brush away a tear. Her cousin Charles came in the evening, as he had done more frequently of late; indeed he appeared to be facilitated and drawn to her in proportion to the indifference which it was evident she felt towards him. As soon as he arrived, Mr. Sandon took him into the library. "Sit down, Charles," said he, "while I read this letter. You will no doubt be as surprised as I was at its contents-perhaps more so, as I think you scarcely suspected what I have long been convinced of." He took the letter from his pocket and began reading. "My dear Sir,—It is with feelings of diffidence that I take up my pen to address you on a subject which lies very near my heart. From the first moment that I had the honour of an introduction to you, and your estimable daughter, I have never been able to banish her lovely image for one moment from my mind. Day and night have my thoughts been

filled with her beauty, and my dreams with the tones of her angel voice. Happy father to be in possession of such a daughter.' Why, Charles, the man writes like a fool, as he is. Does he think an old man's good opinion is to be bought with his fulsome flatteries!" "Uncle, is it from Wyliehart?" asked Charles, faintly.

"Yes, yes it is," answered Mr. Sandon; "who else would angle with such bait? But listen: I know how your heart and soul are bound up in that beautiful creature, and that your very affection for her will probably lead you to reject my suit, unless I can show you that her happiness is as much at stake as my own-for I am conscious that my present circumstances are not so affluent as you have a right to expect for such a daughter; nevertheless, my prospects are good, and should I be so fortunate as to obtain your consent to my proposition, the fortune you would give her, which I should settle upon herself, would, with my increasing income, place your daughter at least above want.' The villain! Does he think I cannot see the cloven-foot! Would he take her, think you, if she were without a penny? So far his letter fills me with indignation and disgust; but for the rest, if it be true, I can scarcely bear to see the girl again. Letitia has told me that she loves me.'"

"It cannot be-it is impossible !" said Charles, rising hastily from his seat; "I will see her immediately, and hear from her own lips that she has not loved-that she never can love him."

"Be calm, Charles, and hear the conclusion of the letter: 'Letitia has told me that she loves me with an affection that outward circumstances cannot change; so that should you yield to a prejudice, which I know unfortunately exists in your mind against me, and refuse to accede to my request, I shall have to endure the misery of a separation from her; and more, far more than that, to know that she is sinking to the grave with a heart broken for my sake!' There's a He begins with sickening adulation, and ends by threatening me with the murder of my child! And let her sink into the grave, with her innocence and beauty, rather than be wedded to misery with such a man! He has been in my house as a friend, scarcely a friend, and he has deceitfully destroyed its brightest blossom; he has robbed me of the affections, of the happiness, of my child. But he shall not have her. I vow to Heaven that, while I have the breath to utter a refusal, he shall never have my consent!" He rose from his seat, and walked the room with an uncertain and hurried step; while Charles sat, with his face concealed by his hands, in a mood of the deepest melancholy. "I see I was wrong," said Mr. Sandon, after sometime, "quite wrong, in refusing you to win her affections; but I looked upon her as a child. Charles, why did you not urge your suit, and persuade me she was not too young? But you shall have her yet; I have solemnly vowed I will never give her to Wyliehart."

"It is too late now," replied Charles; "her heart is already his." "Nonsense! I tell you she shall not have him, and when she knows my determination, that will be enough; she has never been disobedient yet. I shall forbid him the house; and when she does not see him she will soon forget him." Charles made no answer, for that was not the sort of affection he wanted from his gentle cousin

the second-hand, bloomless kind of love that a heart has to give after its first deep feelings have been wasted. Besides, he did not feel quite so sanguine as to her easily forgetting Wyliehart; for his suspicions had lately been roused by the kindling of her eye and cheek at the mention of his name, by her silence and occasional depression in his absence, and by the total and growing indifference with which she received those marked and delicate attentions which a lover, however determined to disguise his sentiments, cannot avoid occasionally bestowing upon the object of his affection. Mr. Sandon continued pacing the room in great agitation, while his nephew sat revolving these considerations in his mind, when a gentle tap at the door aroused him from his reverie.

"Who's there?" said Mr. Sandon, in a quick sharp tone.

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"It's only Letty," answered a voice; "I have come to see what keeps you here so long."

"Then come in," replied her father.

"Not now," muttered Charles; "for Heaven's sake not now." But it was too late, for Letty stood before him. She entered the room with a bounding step, and the bright and sunny smile that used once to dwell on her lip; but in a moment, as if some deadly spell had fallen on her, she stood like a statue, pale and silent. Mr. Sandon was advancing towards the door with a flushed and excited countenance; she had never seen him look so strange. She turned her eyes towards her cousin, he had just risen from his chair, and stood leaning against it as if for support; a deathly paleness was on his cheek, and his lips were firmly compressed. For an instant their eyes met, but he slowly turned away, and pressed his hand to his forehead.

"I cannot believe it of you, Letty," said the father, throwing himself into a chair; "come to me, child, and tell me he has lied." She attempted to advance towards him, but her step tottered, and she would have fallen had not Mr. Sandon rushed towards her and clasped her to his bosom.

"I know it all now," said she; "you have seen Wyliehart."

"Look at that letter," said he, as it lay on the table. It was his hand-writing, she knew it well. "He has asked me for my consent, which I have sworn never to give him. Do you hear me, Letty? And he says that you love him-which is not, cannot be true." He fixed his eyes upon her, as if expecting a reply, but she laid her head upon his shoulder and sobbed aloud. "Aye weep, child, weep," he continued; "it will relieve your feelings. It was but a silly fancy, and if you do not see him you will soon forget it." Letty shook her head, and sighed bitterly. "Do you mean to say you will not?" said her father; and, pushing her from him, he fixed an earnest glance upon her face.

"You do not wish me to deceive you," said she; "he has not told you a falsehood; I love him deeply, and shall never change." "Do you hear that, Charles ?" exclaimed Mr. Sandon; but the father and daughter were alone in the room, for Charles had quitted it almost immediately after the entrance of Letitia.

"Ah! he is gone," continued the father; "I am glad he did not hear you, or stay to be a witness to your disobedience. You have strangely forgotten your duty, Letty, to listen to the selfish and per