HEARTSEASE.*

ALTHOUGH the words " second edition " may appear on copies of Heartsease, or the Brother's TVife, the impressions, we believe, have been continuous. The " trade subsciiption " more than exhausted an unusually large impression ; a second and still larger impression goes to make up this deficiency, and supply immediate demand.

The writer whose popularity is thus established by the surest of all popular tests is the author of various didactic and historical juvenile books and fictions. The work which has been the means of thus exciting interest is most probably The Heir of Bericlee ; a tale that bears a resemblance both in matter and manner to the one before us. Heartsease, to which we now address ourselves, is a fiction that does not derive its effect from any vivid reflection of actual life either in its story or its persons ; indeed, neither the one nor the other would ba found in the world unless as exceptions. The incidents are rarely of an exciting kind, and the close elaborated dialogue is often occupied on topics that do not directly contribute to the furtherance of the ac- tion or the narrative. The lesson of the main story is not perhaps to be recommended save as a warning, for it is that of early and unequal marriage; nor can the conduct of the tale be considered other than extreme. The elements of _Heartsease being thrown *Heartsease; or time Brother's Wile. By the Author of " The Heir of Redelyffe." Published by Parker and Son. into' actual' existence, would most proba.bly lead to the very„re- Verse of what they do in the fiction—would create unhappiness,

and.terminate in disaster. With all these theoretical drawbacks, -the story is dramatically striking from the ontset, and of growing interest. Though the persons are not very likely to be encoun- tered in life, they have a strong appearance of reality about them. There is throughout a pervading spirit of respectability. and good breeding. Free and easy mannered people, persons even of loose morale, are introduced ; but the laxity of character which' obtains in more literal pictures of high life is avoided, as scrupulously as in the old didactic fiction of the Hannah More school. It is pro-

bably this genuine respectable, family feeling, combhied with the careful composition, the; dash of Anglican, not Roinish- religion, and the air of.strong reality which characterizes the whole; thatis one cause of the writer's popularity. Originality either in school or style cannot be predicated of Heartsease; but the school and style of what maybe called the stei'hing class of novels are tin i sed to a high degree of perfection.

The story rests on the marriage of Arthur Martindale, a young officer and second son of a noble family, to the daughter of a schem- ing country attorney in the Lake country. The match has been clan- destine on the part of the lover, and his family are naturally dis- pleased; but the beauty, the simplicity, the kindness of the bride, and, as time and, difficulties draw them out, the quiet strength and firmness of thewife not only establish -Violet in the favour of Lord Martindale and his family, but enable her to improve the characters of most of them, as well as to save her husband from the ruin which impended over hnn from too much thoughtlessness and good-nature and a worthless friend.

The strongest point of the work is its characters. Except Arthur Martindale, who is a lifelike picture of the lively, good.- humoured, thoughtless, gentlemanly officer, doing good and harm alike innocent of intention, the persons, as we have said, may not be transcripts from life, although living qualities are there. But

they are drawn with solidity and consistency, and animated by

spirit, while remarkable felicity is shown in keeping the neces- sary but distasteful persons out of sight. Old Mr. Moss, Violet's father, Arthur's false friend, who leads him into diffimilties, and a few other disagreeables, are only heard of or rarely seen, though their influence is marked. The characters directly or indirectly carrying on the story:--and there are fewnr none with- out some influence upon it—are too many to be here enumerated ; but all the leading ones excite the reader's sympathy, and this is the main thing. The narrative may run rapidly, the dramatis per, some may have stepped from the walks of real. life, and we nitty have scenes, as the playbills say, of " thrilling interest,"-but they are nothing unless the sympathy of the reader in excited.

The book does not depend upon incidental but-there isno lack of power to exhibit them when they fall into-the course of the narrative. During the early part of her marriage, Violet is tor-

mented by fears. Her mother, an excellent and sensible woman, but reduced to a nonentity by her husband's tyranny, has given

her much good advice as to her conduct towards the Martindale

family, and her expenses. The responsibility is too much for the health of Violet : Arthur, her husband, good-humoured but un- accustomed to think, renders her ne assistance in economical diffi- culties, and by his carelessness sometimes torments her with-the idea that she has lost his affection. Her first confinement taints- place prematurely, in consequence of a slight misunderstanding when he hastily leaves home for a fishing excursion. Arthur'S elder brother, 3-ohm—a grave, feeling character, saddened by a dis- appointment in love—is Violet's constant friend. He has arrived before his brother Arthur's return, to find the house in confusion.

"Arthur came home late in. the afternoon of the following day. The door was opened to him by his brother ; who abruptly said, 'She is dying. Iou must lose not a moment if you would see her alive.' "Arthur turned pale, and ,gave an inarticulate exclamation, of horror- stricken inquiry= Confined ? 'r' Half-an-hour ago. She was taken ill yesterday morning immediately after you left her. She iiinsensible, but you may find her still living.' "Nothing but strong indignation could have made John Martindale thus communicate such tidings. Ha had arrived that day at noon to find -that the creature he had left in the height of her bright loveliness was in the ex- tremity of suffering and peril—her husband gone no one knew whither, and the servants, too angry not to speak plainly, reporting that he had left her in hysterics. John tried not to believe the half, but as time went on, bringing despair of the poor yOung mother's life, and no tidings of Arthur, while he became more and more certain that there had been cruel neglect, the very gentleness and compassion of his nature fired and glowed against him who had taken her from her home, vowed to cherish her, and forsaken her at such a time. However, he was softened by seeing him stagger against the wall, perfectly stunned, then gathering breath, rush up-stairs without a word. "As Arthur pushed open the door, there was a whisper that it was he— too late; and room was made for him. All he knew was, that those around watched as if it was not yet death, but what else did he see on those ashy senseless features?

" With a cry of despair he threw himself almost over her, and implored her but once to speak, or look at him. No one thought her capable even of hearing; but at his voice the eyelids and lips slightly moved, and a look of relief came over the face.

" A band pressed his shoulder, and a spoon containing a drop of liquid was placed in his fingers, while some one said, Try to get her to take this.' "Scarcely conscious, he obeyed, and calling her by every endearing name, beyond hope succeeded in putting it between her lips. Her eyes opened and were turned upon him, her hand closed on his, and her features as- sumed a look of peace. The spark of life was for a moment detained by the power of affection, but in a short space the breath must cease, the clasp of the hand relax.

"Once more be was interrupted by a touch ; and this time it was Sarah's whisper= The minister is come, sir. Whatname shall it be ? ' " 'Anything—John,' said he, without turning his head or taking in what

she said. - man and,John Martindale nem wailing in the dressing-room, with:poor t cathedral cup filled with water. "' She does not know him ? ' aaked,Johm anxiously, as Sarah entered.

A" YeSt sir' she does,' said Sarah, contorting her face to keep back the tears. *Sim looked at him, and has had of his hand. I think she will die ealier for it, poor dear.'

'And at least the poor child is alive to be baptized.'

"' Oh, yes, sir; . it seems a bit livelier now,'. said Sarah, opening a fold of thestlannel in herarres. 'It is just like its poor mamma.'

" 'Is it a girl ? ' he inquired, by no meansperceiving the resemblance. " A boy, sir. His papa never asked, theme's he did say his name should be John.'

" 'It matters' little,' said John, mournfully, for to his eye there was no-

thing like life in that tiny form. 'And yet' how marvellous,' thought he, In think of its infinite gain by these few moments of unconscious existence!' "At the touch of the water it gave a little cry ; which Sarah heard with a start and glance of infinite satisfaction. "She returned to the chamber, where the same deathly stillness pre- vailed; the husband, the medical men, the nurse, all in their several posi- tions, as if they had neither moved nor looked from the insensible, scarcely breathing figure. "The infant again gave afeeble sound', and once more the white features moved, the eyes opened, and a voice said, so faintly, that Arthur, as he hung over her, alone could hear it, 'My baby! Oh, let me see it!' "'Bring the child.' And at the sound of those words the gleam of life spread over her face more completely.

"He could not move from her ride, and Sarah placed the little creature upon his broad hand. He held it close to her. Our baby!' again she murmured, and tried to kiss it; but it made another slight noise, and this overcame her completely, the dee lily look returned, and he hastily gave back the infant.

"She strove hard for utterance, and he could hardly catch her gasping

words, be fond of it, and think of me.'

"'Don't, don't talk so, dearest. You will soon be better. You are better. Let me give you this.'

"'Please, I had rather lie still. Do let me.' Then again, looking up, as if she had been losing the consciousness of his presence, ! it is you. Are you come ? Kiss me, and wish me good-by.' " ' You are better—only take this. Won't you ? You need not move ; Violet, Violet, only try. To please me. There, well done, my precious one. Now, you will be mere comfortable.'

"'Thank you, oh no ! but I am glad you are come. I did wish to be a good wife. I had so much to say to you—if I could—bat I can't remember. And my baby—But oh ! this is dying,' as the sinking returned ; 'Oh, Arthur ; keep me—don't let me die!' and she clung to him in terror.

"He flung his arm, closer. round her, looking for help to the doctors. You shall not, you will not, my own, my darling.' "'You can't help its' sighed she. And I don't know how—if some one would say a prayer.'

"He could only repeat protests that she must live; but she grew more earnest. A prayer ! I can't recollect—eh! is it wicked ? Will God have mercy ? Oh! weak you but say a prayer ? ' "'Yes, yes.; but what? Give me a book.'

"Sarah put one into his hand, and pointed to a place ; but his eyes were misty, his voice faltered, broke down, and he was obliged to press his face down on the pillows to stifle his sobs.

"Violet was roused to such a degree of bewildered distress and alarm at the sight of his grief, that the doctors insisted on removing him, and almost forced him away."