r family are amongst
these. Some people are vacillating, and one hardly knows which way
the scale will turn. Whereas some are predestined angels, and fly
Heavenwards naturally, and do what they will."

"Oh, my lord, and why should you not be of the predestined? Whilst there
is a day left--whilst there is an hour--there is hope!" says the fond
matron.

"I know what is passing in your mind, my dear madam--nay, I read your
prayers in your looks; but how can they avail?" Lord Castlewood asked
sadly. "You don't know all, my good lady. You don't know what a life
ours is of the world; how early it began; how selfish Nature, and then
necessity and education, have made us. It is Fate holds the reins of
the chariot, and we can't escape our doom. I know better: I see better
people: I go my own way. My own? No, not mine--Fate's: and it is not
altogether without pity for us, since it allows us, from time to time,
to see such people as you." And he took her hand and looked her full
in the face, and bowed with a melancholy grace. Every word he said
was true. No greater error than to suppose that weak and bad men are
strangers to good feelings, or deficient of sensibility. Only the
good feeling does not last--nay, the tears are a kind of debauch of
sentiment, as old libertines are said to find that the tears and grief
of their victims add a zest to their pleasure. But Mrs. Lambert knew
little of what was passing in this man's mind (how should she?), and
so prayed for him with the fond persistence of woman. He was much
better--yes, much better than he was supposed to be. He was a most
interesting man. There were hopes, why should there not be the most
precious hopes for him still?

It remains to be seen which of the two speakers formed the correct
estimate of my lord's character. Meanwhile, if the gentleman was
right, the lady was mollified, and her kind wishes and prayers for
this experienced sinner's repentance, if they were of no avail for his
amendment, at least could do him no harm. Kind-souled doctors (and what
good woman is not of the faculty?) look after a reprobate as physicians
after a perilous case. When the patient is converted to health their
interest ceases in him, and they drive to feel pulses and prescribe
medicines elsewhere.

But, while the malady was under treatment, our kind lady could not see
too much of her sick man. Quite an intimacy sprung up between my Lord
Castlewood and the Lamberts. I am not sure that so