The Adventures Of Don Pasquale.

THE ADVENTURES OF DON PASQUALE .

BY THE AUTHOR OP THE "OLD , OLD STORY . ' CHAPTER IX . " And from new and strange heart griefs May my Talisman thee defend . " Peso . nan .

EVERY IIOAV and then there conies to us in life what the French term so Avell a " changement des decorations , " which alters for the time being the omvard current of our feelings , our plans , our Avords , our Avays . For Ave are all , after all , ever creatures more or less of circumstance here , and are acted upon by a thousand influences , which sometimes affect us grotesquely , and move us deeply . Indeed our Ai'holo present ancl future are coloured by what is seemingly only a " hazard " of existence ,

one of those startling and even commonplace events Avhich confronts us often at eA'ery step Ave take , and seems to give a new impulse , an altered direction to our AvayAvard wills and our Avandering feet . It is strange and touching often in later years to recall the past Avhich has faded , and old friends who have been forgotten amidst the vortex of busin ess , pleasure , prosperitysocial comfort . It is remarkable to note IIOAV little causes have led to great

, results for us ; IIOAV much has turned out differently from Avhat we once hoped and dreamt , and how very Avonderful , above all , have been both the contradictions ancl the conceits of life for us all , for you and me , kind reader , alike . Yes , so it is , ancl to the reverent mind it is a glad realization , that after all is said and done , and amid tho noise of contentious philosophies , and earthly logomachies , " whatever is , is best , " ancl a wiser ancl Diviner Providence has indeed all the Avhila

been shaping our purposes and directing our steps . But I must not become too serious , and Avill therefore proceed Avith my story . While all at Borne were basking in the sunshine of contented hopes ancl gloAving illusions , ( happy moments for mortals , ) a neAV arrival managed to throAV a good deal of doubt , confusion , ancl even fear , into that joyous little circle . Baron Puchner-Priessler , a very old friend , and admirer too , of Madame Allegri , appeared at her hospitable mansionand recalled old days and reclaimed ancient

friend-, ship . He had buried his Avife not so long ago , but , like some widowers I have mot with in life , bore his great loss with calm resignation . Ill-natured people , ancl a lot of ill-natured people do live in this wicked world of ours , liked to declare that he looked much more cheerful since he had again reverted to a hachelor existence . I for one do not believe them . It is just possible that the defunct baroness had been in the habit of talking a little too muchlaying down the law too severelto leaseher husband and

, y p , his friends ; but then as she had brought him a large lump of the yelloAV metal , she had a right to expect " privileges " of some kind . Ancl if she did speak too often and too much , she had been a very good wife to her liege lord , and Ave will therefore credit him Avith sincere regrets for the partner of his bosom , ancl the faithful companion of long years of domestic comfort and happiness .

We all remember that inimitable touch in a modern novel , Avhere Bishop Piwvdie opens the letter-bag , alike with episcopal dignity ancl a sigh of relief , as he realizes the fact that Mrs . Prowdie is no more there to open it before him ! Ancl it is just possible that that excellent man the Baron Puchner-Priessler did not weep , but rather gently and serenely smiled , Avhen in his grand chateau he was aivare that his good but imperious Chatelaine was no more " to the fore " to interfere Avith his arrangements or to dominate his friends .