the advances he has thought proper to
make towards my acquaintance."

You may guess how thunderstruck I was by this speech. I could not
answer; my tongue literally clove to my mouth, and I was only relieved
by a sudden and violent burst of tears. Mamma looked exceedingly
displeased, and was just going to speak, when the servant threw open the
door and announced Mr. Linden. I rose hastily, and had only just time to
escape, as he entered; but when I heard that dear, dear voice, I could
not resist turning for one moment. He saw me; and was struck mute, for
the agony of my soul was stamped visibly on my countenance. That moment
was over: with a violent effort I tore myself away.

Eleanor, I can now write no more. God bless you! and me too; for I am
very, very unhappy. F. A.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

What a charming character is a kind old man.--STEPHEN MONTAGUE.

"Cheer up, my dear boy," said Talbot, kindly, "we must never despair.
What though Lady Westborough has forbidden you the boudoir, a boudoir is
a very different thing from a daughter, and you have no right to suppose
that the veto extends to both. But now that we are on this subject, do
let me reason with you seriously. Have you not already tasted all the
pleasures, and been sufficiently annoyed by some of the pains, of acting
the 'Incognito'? Be ruled by me: resume your proper name; it is at least
one which the proudest might acknowledge; and its discovery will remove
the greatest obstacle to the success which you so ardently desire."

Clarence, who was labouring under strong excitement, paused for some
moments, as if to collect himself, before he replied: "I have been
thrust from my father's home; I have been made the victim of another's
crime; I have been denied the rights and name of son; perhaps (and I
say this bitterly) justly denied them, despite of my own innocence. What
would you have me do? Resume a name never conceded to me,--perhaps not
righteously mine,--thrust myself upon the unwilling and shrinking hands
which disowned and rejected me; blazon my virtues by pretensions which
I myself have promised to forego, and foist myself on the notice of
strangers by the very claims which my nearest relations dispute? Never!
never! never! With the simple name I have assumed; the friend I myself
have won,--you, my generous benefactor, my real father, who never
forsook nor insulted me for my misfortunes,--with these I have gained
some steps in the ladder; wi