Lord Montjoys,-himself and lady at the time the Occupants-these noble personages had the honour, as soon as the horses were unyoked, of being drawn by scores of hearty hands along with Crawford, to Conduit-street.

What now shall be said of Arnold's ready and proficient pupil ? Ah! James had the archangel been commissioned on the morning when thou didst pay thy visit to the cell of the condemned dragoon; on the day when thou didst thence speed thee to the Commander-in-chief,—and still better, to speak after the manner of men-at the hour when thou didst achieve thy mighty and courageous exploit at the fire,-to rescue thy soul from perdition, as a brand from the burning, the epoch would have been a grand one in thy his tory!

Or hadst thou fallen a victim to the enterprise amid the raging flames, and failed of saving the helpless maiden from the fury of the fiery element, both being consumed and never more recognised to be of human proportions, the world would not have visited thy name with execrations, and thou mightst have lived in the grateful memories of the generous and the good!

But, alas! when the spirit of God seemed to strive with thy spirit in the most resistless way, thou wast hardy enough to bid defiance, to the benign visitant; and thus was thou doomed to be left to the dark, unredeemed devices of thine own deprived and hell invoking heart.

CHAPTER XXII.

And Juan sate with Julia half embraced,
And half retiring from the glowing arm,
Which trembled like the bosom where 'twas placed.
BYRON.

opportune services in behalf of the condemned trooper, and in the rescue at the fire, consisted of those where it was said, that the Secretary of State for the Home Department was understood to have already forwarded some highly expressive tokens of his sense of our hero's public services,-nay, that the Sovereign himself had signified his wish for the young gentleman to be introduced at Court, "where, no doubt, Mr. Crawford's merits would be duly appreciated."

The day, so apparently auspicious for Crawford and his accomplices, passed; the night that immediately followed went by also-his soul all the while exulting at his glorious prospects; for even in his dreams he roamed in a world of unparalleled grandeur and joy.

The morning sun awoke him at rather a late hour, with gorgeous saluting beams; and he lost no space in descending, dressed for the day, to the breakfast-room; for he was full of expectancy, big with hope, revelling amid the extravagant and magnificent creations of his over-strained imagination.

"If," said he, "the day that has last gone. were crowded for me with as much of the extraordinary as would form a rich dramatic plot,-25 would fill up the story of the half of many a man's existence; above all, revealing to me that there dwell within myself untold of resources and the most splendid masteries, no matter when, where, or whence, the call for their exercise-if all this were the realization of yesterday, it is equally true that this morning my heart pants as it never hitherto was felt to do, with the assurance that fruition ineffably undefined, is within my grasp that there is naught that I can long for, fondly meditate on, or picture to myself, as desirable for which shall not be mine." the twenty-four hours that are first to speed away,

Hardly had James arrived at this soul-gratify

JAMES CRAWFORD lost no time in devising how he should best turn to account his very recent triumphs, especially with the expectant and honour-ing conclusion, when up drove the Maxwellscourting Maxwells. James's cogitations were rapid-his contrivances prompt.

"I shall not pay them a visit to-day, but write a note to say that pressing matters of business occupy my venerable friend and benefactor-so that I am particularly needed. Not a word from me about my intercession for the trooper, or my exploit at the fire; for of these fortunate events I shall take good care to have the most taking relation that can be drawn up put into to-morrow's papers, where the whole is sure to meet the old merchant's eyes, ever so eager for news which may come within the scope of his ambitious schemes. The whole of to-day's luck must then and thus tell ten-fold more favourably, than were I to be the forward trumpeter of my own happy enterprises and achievements. Oh! I shall have everything my own way with these blind and purse-proud cockneys!there is no saying where my luck in that quarter may end!"

father, mother, and daughter,-for the son was on a mercantile mission to the provinces. A moment after, the visitants were almost smothering our hero with their caresses, and deafening him with their adulation. In fact their praises savoured of worship,-the money-loving merchant, the match-making merchant's spouse, and the amorous Sophia, bestowing each, in a characteristic manner, the most fulsome devotion.

Nor was Fitzgerald allowed to go without having his portion in this ecstatic scene; for when the Maxwells pressed in a way which admitted of no denial, that Crawford should accompany them home, there to spend the day,-Mr. Maxwell declaring that he had something of a special and important nature, to discuss with his young friend -the old impostor, while professing a fear lest they should spoil his adopted son by kindness, besides putting him in a track that might trench too sharply upon his pocket-money, acquiesced; All this and a good deal more was speedily me-not, however, on quitting the room, without taking ditated and mapped out by the fertile brain of our James by the button and whispering a lesson of hero; and all that he contemplated and resolved miserly economy. on, promised to have an ample realization. The newspaper paragraphs were prepared, and transmitted to the various leading journals, couched of course, in the most flattering terms, at the same time having facts, and actual events as they have been narrated above, for a foundation.

Indeed, the only decidedly unauthorized particulars which appeared in the story of Crawford's

The reader has already been sufficiently made acquainted with Miss Maxwell's general character and her style of beauty. The circulating library, accommodating servants, warmth of constitution, and an abandonment to herself, had allowed this tender plant, like an unprisoned tree, to put forth the most undirected luxuriance o growth-to lose herself amidst the weeds of a

spurious, untaming literature, fastening upon the specious flowers of description and flashes of impassioned fancy.

Her father too, has been described sufficiently to leave the reader aware that he was ambitious

and avaricious: consistently enough with his character, were the questionings which he set on foot the moment he had Crawford at his residence.

"It is all in pure confidence and strict privacy that I take it upon myself to make some enquiries respecting your means-your allowances rather, afforded by Mr. Fitzgerald towards a proper position and display before the great and exacting world. I fear you are rather stingily supplied, and this notion has been strengthened by the mode in which the venerable and careful old gentleman spoke a little while ago. Pray, may I ask what was the nature of his injunctions-of his short lecture ere now ?"

"This brings us to the very point which I wished to broach, but to your own ear alone, this morning," said the glad merchant, rubbing his hands together in huge delight that he should have an opportunity of profitably advancing a sum of money to the high-souled and adopted heir of hundreds of thousands, the son-in-law unquestionably to be.

James upon this spoke with diffidence and a considerate caution to all appearance, naming a small sum.

"Nonsense," quoth the merchant, "say four or five thousand at once. In all probability you will make it see Mr, Fitzgerald out, and then we shall speak of the re-payment. The re-payment, ah! Sophia and you will then have to attend to the re-payment with interest, my boy."

In short a cheque for five thousand pounds sterling was instantly put into Crawford's hands.

ly furnished drawing-room of the merchant's dwelling, as you might suppose. They talked as lovers always do converse,-Sophia exacting vows and promises, and James willingly giving them.

But at last there was a dead silence, a silence only as to words; for, while Sophia was clasped in his arms, their eyes spoke eloquently.

"A traitor's and a treacherous deed it were, poor fond, trusting maiden," said Crawford to himself, "to rifle thee, at a ruthless moment, of thy peace of mind and purity for ever. But temptation is more powerful than I, and unless I tear myself utterly away from thee, thou art, clinging one, doomed to fall. And I have sisters! Some perfidious man may at this moment be ensnaring sensitive Emily or beautiful Kate, sweet simpleton. Sulphurous hell to the villian! But what right to imprecate or curse hath he who meditates and perpetrates a like enormity? His proper office, though a brother of the despoiled, it cannot be to chastise the ruffian who works such havoc ; nor would it be for him to look his widowed mother in the face any more, or offer to sustain her drooping head. Let the spirit bear the rod, and let the vile flesh shrink and be subservient."

These last words were spoken aloud, accompanied with a blow of the open palm, which he dealt to his own head,

This instantly recalled the dreamy senses of the impassioned maiden, when she, imploring, and with a still more clasping amorousness, entreated to know what troubled him. Without a syllable of reply, he untwined her arms, gently freeing himself from her embrace, and started to his feet, pacing the floor for some time as if to work himself to a resolute pitch.

But alas! he again threw himself upon the sofa, resigning himself to her caresses, ever the more anxious and warm, the longer she beheld the tumult of his soul. To pacing the floor he would once more suddenly betake himself, but as surely as before, he would return to the downy seat, there to luxuriate in the sense of Sophia's soft pressures and feminine charms,

Thus, with these transitions, from sensual intoxication to awakened reflection, and from awakened reflection to sensual intoxication, hour after hour sped. Sophia's bliss must have been nearly complete, for such was her abandonment that she heeded not the discomposure of her ringlets: oft, indeed, her dishevelled hair veiling their dalliance, as she lay panting on his bosom, and closely kissing his lips.

But she was still innocent!

As soon as Mr. Maxwell had hurried off to his counting-house, James was joined by the lovely and panting Sophia, to whose society he was enthusiastically consigned both by father and mother for the entire day; the injunction being peremptory that he was not to think of stirring from their mansion till long after dinner, seeing that Mr. Maxwell was compelled to feast at the Mansion House, along with the City Aristocracy. To spend the whole day, James, in company alone, with the love sick and maudlin Miss Maxwell! How now about your anticipations of undefined and ineffable things being within your immediate clutch, undreamed of fruition ere the lapse of the twenty-four hours! Surely the sphere for realising such exultation is limited, truly it will be strange, if with such an associate and such appliances as are alone at hand in the James drank the champagne and the other delimoney-making man's mansion, thou cans't escape cious wines freely; and he took care that Sophia an intolerable ennui, or the unmitigated trifling should at least taste whatever sort he patronised, and culpable waste which any one of fine powers-taste and retaste again. She did so, and her and noble aspirations would necessarily experience and incur in such circumstances!

Reader! Crawford was not so much at a loss now to pass the time with Sophia, in the splendid

At a late period of the day, dinner was served up in a small apartment adjoining Mrs. Maxwell's bed-room; for she had early in the forenoon become indisposed, and could not comfortably leave her sleeping-chamber. By the arrangement mentioned, however, the young people could, without inconvenience, maintain a conversation with the lady, besides performing the little kindly offices which were required whilst they partook of the repast.

eyes glistened the brighter, her love sparkled the higher she actually looked, longed, and bore herself like to one in transports, James the while betraying kindred emotions and fervid fancies.

It was autumn-and, the weather delicious,the night serene, the sky an untroubled expanse the deepest blue, only variegated by the trembling Oh! it was a night for love,-an ecstatic night; it was not for flesh and blood to continue longer unsated in any way.

stars.

They moved, still entwined, across the floor; whose impulse was the strongest and tenderest, we know not a door opened to their touch; a corridor had to be traversed; and next they ushered themselves into a chamber, where the moonlight disclosed to Crawford's eye ample folds of drapery and massive curtain wreaths, with gilded cornices, and downy couch,-all fit for a royal nuptial pair. A moment more, and the snow-white arms of the maiden clasped him round,-those arms so delicate and plump that the pressure of a lip would dimple

them!

And with even more ready yielding than Emily had shown when she surrendered herself to Arnold, did Sophia abandon her person-her honour-her charms to the youth whom she adored.

Nor when they retraced their way to the drawingroom, did she manifest that remorse-that bitter bewailing for her weakness, which Crawford's own sister had evinced-and most sincerely evincedafter she had become the victim of Stanley Arnold. It was late that night when Crawford returned to Conduit Street.

CHAPTER XXIII.
Adventures thickened on him.

GIL BLAS.

ONE morning when James returned from a visit at Mr. Maxwell's house, to his own dwelling in Conduit Street, he was informed by the servant that a gentleman had left his card for him an hour before, with a message that he would call again in the course of the day.

This was Captain Stewart.

"Yes, Captain Stewart; I received a letter a few days ago from my mother. She informed me of all that had taken place, as well as of your intentions to honour me with a visit at the residence of my benefactor, Mr. Fitzgerald."

"It was natural that I should wish to become acquainted with you, since we shall be related shortly," said Stewart.

con

"I have already written to congratulate Kate most sincerely upon the conquest she has made. Although she be my sister, Captain Stewart," tinued James, "I must affirm without flattery to her, or pride in her charms, that she is as amiable as she is beautiful."

"You have not exaggerated your praise," returned Stewart with enthusiasm. "But when

shall I be allowed the pleasure of introducing you to my father, Lord Fanmore?

"Whenever you are inclined to do me that tude. By the way, honour, I will accept your proposition with gratiheard of your meeting with Sir George Mornay lately: Mr. Arnold informed elaborate account of it in the me of the circumstance first-I then read an Lewspapers." "Oh! it was nothing! exclaimed Stewart. "I beg your pardon-the thanks of our family duct," replied Crawford. are due to you for your generous and noble con

situation would have been bound to have acted "Not at all; any other gentleman in a similar in a similar manner," said Stewart with sincerity.

apartment, and was presented in due form to At this moment Mr. Fitzgerald entered the Captain Stewart, who bowed politely, not awed as many others had, and would have, been by the presence of the mighty man, whose wealth was ample enough to buy the half of London !

Old Dimmock performed his part to perfection. He gave an excellent character of James, with a patronising air, and spoke of his abilities, his sound sense, and his moral virtues, with the enthusiasm of an Anthony eulogizing a Cæsar. He concluded his remarks, which greatly gratified Stewart, by desiring Crawford, in a tone of voice intended to show it was to be deemed a special favour, to engage the officer to stay and dine with them.

This invitation was declined, on the plea of a promise made by Stewart to pass the evening with his father, because his brother had just returned home from the north of England, whither he had been for his amusement.

subject.

The Captain nevertheless declared his intention, if it were convenient, to call in he morning to introduce Crawford to Lord Fanmor), James waited anxiously for his arrival, and and to the Honourable Mr. Stewart. Not a word would have given much for a draught of Lethean was said concerning the robbery; and James took water to wash away from his memory the recollec-good care to avoid broaching so unpleasant a tion of the robbery near Hounslow. There was however no help for it: he had become inured to crime, and an adept in playing the hypocrite to perfection; so that when the young officer was shown into the handsome parlour where he waited for him, he assumed the unblushing front which conscious innocence would have worn.

Stewart took his hand.

In the evening Crawford had an interview with Arnold, whom he met by appointment in Hyde Park as usual. The crafty individual praised his young protégé for having left the hotel, and for having settled in a private dwelling, declaring that the same idea had struck him a few days ago. James related the conduct of Lord Fanmore re"Mr. Crawford," said he, "you are aware of garding his sister Catherine: but Arnold was althe attachment I feel towards your sister, Cathe-ready aware of the whole business, as our readers rine-and you must of course be equally well acquainted with the nature of the arrangement my father has made with your revered parent, touching the expiration of a year ere we decide in a matter that will interest us for life "

must remember.

They then consulted upon the expediency of obtaining another loan from the accommodating Mr. Nathaniel; and it was agreed that Crawford should call upon that gentleman in the course of

the week. Several other applications had been made by money-lenders, and usurers, to the young impostor: on all these matters Arnold gave his advice. But we shall not introduce any more of this class to the reader; suffice it to notice, while we are upon the subject, that a farther sum of fifteen thousand pounds was speedily raised amongst the applicants alluded to, unknown (of course) to Mr. Nathaniel, whose resources were also to be again attacked.

"that you have reasons with which you do not choose to make me acquainted: it is impossible, Mr. Arnold-I cannot believe my suspicion-you are not capable of making me your vehicle, whereby to convey to your barns the grain procured by my dishonesty."

Crawford, by-the-bye, had neither concealed the fact of receiving, nor withheld the money which he had obtained from Mr. Maxwell; and he had already dwelt emphatically on his prospects in that

Arnold, in the course of this evening's conver-quarter. sation, hinted somewhat concerning Fitzgerald, to "James, you wrong me," returned Arnold. which Crawford promised to attend immediately. "Who in our midnight excursions was the first The deceiver was, however, rather annoyed when to risk everything? who struck the first blowJames asked him why he would not visit at their save on that fatal night, when by the milehouse in Conduit-Street.

"Methinks," said Crawford reproachfully,

stone"

"Oh! for God's sake do not mention-do not

allude to that terrible scene!" exclaimed James, while his hair stood on end, and a cold sweat ran down his ashy cheeks in large drops.

"Well then-and whose life was in jeopardy, when Stewart's purse was the object of our ven. ture? whose stratagem saved us all from the scaffold?-Nor less could I name other instances, James-to show that you are wrong."

"Pardon me, my dear friend-I will not intrude upon your secrets:-act as you consider proper in all things: I believe your reasons cannot be otherwise than good, even if they induce you to refrain from visiting us publicly."

Crawford spoke sincerely; the sophistry of Arnold always overruled him.

"Let us drop this style of conversation," said the worthy tutor of the promising youth: "this morning I saw Rivingstone in Newgate. He bears his misfortunes like a man, particularly as some great person has promised to befriend him." How he came to be acquainted with him, I know not: but the poor fellow relies on a rotten staff for support."

"Why so?" enquired Crawford.

"To tell you the real truth," proceeded Arnold, "it were as well that Rivingstone should be out of the way, if we can get him hanged without danger to ourselves!"

Good God, Mr. Arnold!" exclaimed James, astonished, villain as he was, at the nature of his friend's sentiments, and the coolness with which they were delivered. "Will you not do all you can to assist him?"

"Not if such a mode of conduct militates against my interests," returned Arnold, with the most perfect sang froid in the world. "All I dread is that Rivingstone may make some damnable confession, sufficient to threaten us unpleasantly, if he be condemned to death."

'My life on it, he would scorn such behaviour!" ejaculated Crawford.

"At all events we must be certain. Now I know very well-that is I have taken care that the great person alluded to, will not interfere in the matter without my advice, although Rivingstone relies on his influence to obtain a commutation of the dreadful sentence that is sure to be passed on him. There is one thing, then, that troubles meRivingstone may offer to betray a certain terrible conspiracy against the public welfare, if his own case be taken into consideration by the King."

recent adventures relative to the soldier and the fire-strokes of policy which greatly pleased Arnold. They also conversed upon Crawford's intimacy with the Maxwells, and all other affairs of interest.

Arrived at the door of the house, Arnold promised to write in case he had any thing to say before they might meet again; for he had now seen enough of Crawford's staunch and chivalrous disposition (in certain respects), to render him no longer fearful of trusting the youth with a letter. He repeated his wishes regarding Fitzgerald once more, and departed whither his business led him.

On the following morning Captain Stewart called to introduce James to the abode of Lord Fanmore in Jermyn-Street. Arrived at that splendid mansion, Crawford felt himself partially alarmed lest he should be questioned on the topic which it but little pleased him to discuss with strangers, whose impertinence or curiosity might confuse him in his replies concerning Mr. Fitzgerald. A moment's reflection, however, was sufficient for him to recover his courage, as he was ushered into the apartment where his lordship was ready to receive him.

is

"Be seated, Mr. Crawford," said the nobleman. "You are welcome to my house, since about to do a foolish thing," he was going to add; but checking himself, he supplied a more eligible epithet)" desirable thing in uniting his hand with that of your sister.!!

James thought his lordship spoke somewhat bluntly: he nevertheless uttered a few words touching the honour accruing to his family by the anticipated connexion.

Yes-young man-it is an honour a verygreat honour that my son's intentions reflect upon Miss Catherine Crawford," remarked the nobleman, laying a particular stress on the solitary Christian name.

Nay, my dear father," interrupted Stewart, sitting uneasily upon his chair. "Mr. Crawford

more title entered the apartment, and was introAt this moment the heir apparent to the Fanduced to Crawford by his father in a pompous manner, as the Honourable Mr. Augustus Hyder Stewart-although there was no necessity for mentioning his Christian appellations, he being the elder brother.

He was a young man of about six-and-twenty "Of that I do not consider there exists the slight-years of age, with red hair, and a face dreadfully est chance: I would wager all our funds, which disfigured by that worst of human scourges-the are some thousands more than they were two small-pox. His figure alone was his saving months ago, that Rivingstone is staunch to his clause: but his temper was as sour as his features friends. How often he has spoken on the subject!" were repulsive. He possessed all the pride and ""Tis true," returned Arnold, who, being an none of the good qualities of his father-few of accomplished hypocrite himself, fancied of course the honourable feelings, and none of the nobly that all others were to be suspected. charitable ones that characterized his brother. In addition to all this he was quarrelsome to a degree. A confirmed duellist, "who had kil ed his man," he was abhorred by the good, and dreaded by the timid; while the women were terrified at his fierce looks, or were excited to laughter by the affectation of his manners.

"I myself," continued James," am perfectly at ease in this affair; if you will not desert him, and if you pay him attention now that he is in trouble and danger, he will remember you with gratitude even on the scaffold."

"I shall consider the matter farther," said Arnold.

He then proposed that they should walk towards Conduit-Street together. This was agreed to; and he did not say farewell till he and his young pupil arrived opposite the very house where the impostors dwelt. They chatted about Crawford's

Such was the individual who made a haughty bow to Crawford, and walked to the other end of the room, where he amused himself with a book, occasionally casting a contemptuous glance at the visitor, as if to scan the materials that composed him. He would then hum an opera tune as well