close the door for ever upon his return. In fact, Lord Mowbray remained neutral, and Mr. Clayton preserved his place.

But greater things were still in store for him. Lord Cleveland, one of whose most kindling objects was an extension of parliamentary influence, thought this an excellent opportunity to mature his designs upon the seat at Wellsbury; and as Lord Mowbray, by the help of Clayton, had ravished it from De Vere, so Lord Cleveland, through the same Clayton, might ravish it from Lord Mowbray. As there was no difficulty from the sitting member, a treaty was therefore the instant consequence, by which all Mr. Clayton's influence and services were transferred to Lord Cleveland, and protection promised in return. This not only saved him from all fear of final dismissal, but gave new life and vigour to his prospects; for Lord Cleveland, when with the minister, enlarged upon the advantage of possessing such an instrument of preserving Lord Mowbray's support, as a reason for fresh favour to Clayton.

Lord Oldcastle, who, we have said, was a keen observer, accepted the treason, but abused the traitor. Lord Cleveland, in reply, said, he must take men as he found them; and with

this convenient mode of reconciling things, favour was promised. As Lord Mowbray made no secret of his wrongs, or of his resentment, men wondered at this. But they only wondered; and the machine went on.

It was at this crisis Wentworth and De Vere, after rapidly traversing France, landed at Dover.

CHAPTER XXII.

DISAPPOINTED AMBITION.

His grief grew puissant, and the strings of life

Began to crack.

SHAKSPEARE.

How few have ever left their country or their home for only three months, and returned to find them unchanged! The course of events— fortune, reputation, health, the affections, ancient alliances-all are acted upon by time. Let those be happy and proportionably thankful, who, even after so short an absence, find all as it should be.

We may suppose how eager the travellers were in their inquiries after events at home, the moment they arrived at any source of intelligence. At Paris, the only thing they learned from the ambassador was, that Lord Mowbray had resigned, but still gave his support to go

vernment. At Dover they were informed by the newspapers that he was dying. At Rochester they found that Lord Oldcastle was in distress; at Dartford, that he was firm as a rock. In London, Lord Cleveland had accepted a great dignity in the Household; and, in the Gazette, Mr. Clayton was actually appointed to a considerable place under him.

How changed was the great city from what it had appeared on that soft and silent morning when the travellers quitted it. The interminable succession of passengers; the quick step of business; the cries; the roll of carriages, or doors besieged by battering footmen; the look of care exhibited by those who had been long in town, or of eagerness and curiosity by those just arrived, to attend the opening of Parlia ment: all this formed a marked contrast to the comparatively magnificent solitudes, and cheerful freedom of Nature, in which they had lately lived. It was equally so to the dead silence of those very streets which they had traversed at the dawn of day, some three months before.

t

Their feelings were as changed as the scene. A sensation of doubt, uncertainty, and disappointment, as to their immediate lot, or

future prospects, hung over them both when they started, which left them, as we saw, far from cheerful. We know not that they were now more certain in their plans; but there was that degree of elasticity and eagerness about them, which a state of great, though undefined expectation always creates; and which, though the future may be dark and shadowy, sheds over the present, an excitement not unexhilarating, though not, perhaps, amounting to absolute confidence.

Whatever were their feelings, the green vallies of the Pyrenees, with their shepherds and Toyas, their crags and torrents, and François, and the man of imagination; in short, primeval life seemed entirely forgotten. Wentworth drove instantly to his club, eager to know what was passing; and De Vere, eager also about politics, but more still about the fate of his family, drove to Grosvenor Square. Wentworth found all he wished from his associates; and De Vere learned all he feared from Dr. Wilmot, who had called at Lord Mowbray's, previous to setting out to visit him once more.

"I do not like to alarm you," said Wilmot, after the greetings with De Vere were over,