The noble relation became a frequent visitor, and the Commissary spoke of his “_Cousin, the Marquis_,” to all his acquaintances with exultation; nor was the lady backward in her civilities, for she entertained her guest at dinner--at tea--at supper--at all things, and at all times, within her power, in such a way, that the _cousins_ were scarcely ever out of each other’s society. In about three weeks after the cousinship commenced, the Hussars were ordered up the country, to join the main body of the army, and the Marquis remained a few days behind, for the purpose of--what? Why, of making suitable arrangements to carry his fair _cousin_ with him to the regiment, and away from the husband who had behaved so hospitably towards _him_, and so indulgently to _her_! The Marquis took her off to Santarem, where his regiment lay; but, to the everlasting credit of that regiment, (which, by the by, has been so roughly, and perhaps unjustly, handled by public opinion) the Marquis was not permitted to join; for the facts of the _cozening_ had galloped faster than the noble Captain’s horses, and the officers set their faces against the affair. He was obliged to return to Lisbon, with the companion of his trip; when, after some fruitless endeavours to reconcile the disunited couple, he sent the lady to England, and thus patched up the honour of his name with his regiment. The unhappy husband at first took the matter to heart; but soon overcame his feelings, and learned to despise both the wretched woman and her paramour. It is but fair to mention, however, that the Marquis was not so _much_ to blame as the lady in this transaction: he laid no siege for years, nor even months, before the citadel--capitulation almost came with the summons--the vanity of the woman was touched, and the spell awakened all her evil passions. Her husband was a man of good sense, (although in this instance he went “_beyond his last_;”) he possessed a good person, agreeable manners, and an affectionate and sincere heart; yet this wife left him for an acquaintance of an hour! Blame is always readier to fall upon the _man_ than on the woman in affairs of this kind, and often very unjustly,--in this case decidedly so; for although the Marquis acted foolishly and rashly, in _taking the wife away_; yet the woman was not worth a thought who could be thus won. However, the only real sufferer, at present, is the unfortunate wife. ALLEMAR AND ELLEN. “Ah! why was ruin so attractive made?” COLLINS.