sleepy and stupified-the good Colonel, who was not very skilful in observing the diagnostics of diseases, left him in the persuasion that he was extremely well-considering ;' while, in truth, a brain fever was rapidly coming on. 6 Lord Lumbercourt and Mrs. Cleveland set off to return by the route they had arrived. Colonel Cleveland, with the two young ladies, rode on mules to the head of the valley, up the windings of the Arve-saw, on their road, the grand glaciers of Argentiére and of Tour, and left the last habitation of Chamouni at the little village of Tour, which is said, in winter, to be sometimes literally buried under snow, and that the inhabitants actually cut their covered ways, underneath it, from cottage to cottage, through the white fleecy avalanche thus fallen upon them from the skies. They ascended the steep and rugged path which leads to the top of the Col de Balme—that lofty height which shuts out the upper extremity of this happy valley from the world. From its summit, they beheld the last view of Chamouni,-of its rich verdant narrow vale, lying between the white walls and turrets of the icy Alps,-the glittering glaciers stretching down into its green pastures-its scattered cottages and villages spread amongst fruitful fields and gardens;--and that grand object, perhaps the most sublime on earthMont Blanc, rearing itself on its gigantic buttresses of rock, its bare ribs of granite, and its deep clefts filled with the ice of ages-piercing with its aerial needles' the blue vault of heaven, and proudly overlooking, with its hundred heads, the subject Alps and the whole world at its feet. Upon its hoary summit, Winter, king of storms and monarch of the mighty Alps, sits in all his terrors to hold his court, and the glaciers seem the crystal pillars of his icy throne. The scene was like enchantment-something that Fancy, in her most creative mood, might dream of—but like nothing that reality can present. It was with deep regret, and not without casting many a longing, lingering, look behind,' that our travellers, taking their last farewell glance of Chamouni, at length left the mountain's brow, and descended its steep sides through woods of gigantic pine trees, more than one hundred feet in height, rooted by natureamusing themselves with making snow-balls by the way, while the intense heat of the sun formed a curious contrast to their benumbed fingers, and snow besprinkled clothes. They stopped to rest their mules, and feast upon strawberries and cream, at the chalet of Trian. Another long steep ascent to Forclas, and an apparently interminable descent of many hours, led them down to Martigny; during which, the richness and cultivation, and smiling beauty of the Valais far below them, watered by the broad Rhone and rapid Drance, afforded views of beauty, which formed a fine contrast to the savage grandeur and desolation of the scenes they had just quitted. The two parties, from the opposite directions, on the same day, reached Belle-vue-Colonel Cleveland's campagne, near Lausanne—to dinner, without any adventure worthy of notice. CHAPTER XIII. SKETCH TAKING; OR, LOVE MAKING. How much a man's a fool when he dedicates his behaviour to love! O and I forsooth in love! I, that have been Love's whip- A domineering pedant o'er the boy; SHAKSPEARE. This whimpled, wining, purblind wayward boy- Still a repairing-ever out of frame, And never going right. Love's Labour Lost. -Too old!-by heaven! still let the woman take An older than herself:-so wears she to him, So sways she level in her husband's heart. Cry the man mercy!-Love him!-Take his offer! SHAKSPEARE. ONE morning, as Caroline St. Clair was sitting in a sort of bower or summer seat, at the extremity of the beautiful terrace at Belle Vue, overlooking the lake,—her whole soul occupied in sketching the magnificent prospect that lay extended before her-the light was suddenly obscured, and looking up surprised, she beheld the opaque form of Lord Lumbercourt standing directly before her his back to the view, and his large grey eyes fixed with extraordinary seriousness full upon her face. She smiled, 'Won't you sit down my Lord? I did not expect❜ "You did not expect such an interruption.' 'Such a foreground,' said Caroline, laughing, for I was just considering what I should introduce in the foreground of my picture.' I fear, Miss St. Clair, I have no chance of ever being in the foreground of your picture,' said Lord Lumbercourt, sitting down close to her. 6 'Very little certainly at present,' said Caroline, colouring, for I fancied that a donkey would be the most picturesque animal-and I was longing for one just at the moment your Lordship |