"Our adieux were short: my Lord was to conduct me to her in three days: never did I see him so cheerful as after her departure; and the day passed with every desire of pleasure on his side, and every desire of pleasing on mine.

"The following day passed equally gladsome. Twenty times did I watch the motion of his lips, expecting him to throw off the painful mask, and own himself my father. Alas! how bitter the disappointment! When he, as usual, after dinner, reclined on the sofa, I took my place at the harpsichord. Do not play to day, Louisa,' said he, 'your voice possesses all the music I wish to hear; so take your seat by me, and amuse me with that, and in return I will tell you a secret.' I immediately left the instrument-my heart was on my lips, nor could Iscarcely refrain throwing myself at his feet, for I was convinced the disclosure I so much wished for, was on the point of taking place. First, my lovely girl,' continued he, 'can you forgive the neglect you have been treated with so many years?-a neglect which nothing, not even my whole fortune, can expiate,'

'Do

"I did not give him leave to continue. not, my Lord,' said I, 'rend my heart by asking me to forgive; rather let me spend my life in erasing any ill impression you might formerly conceive of me; blessed with your approbation,

I remember nothing but your goodness and my own unworthiness.'

"Sweet girl! then let me seal my pardon by pressing to my heart the only delight it has felt for many years: yes, Louisa, from your birth until within these few weeks, never have I known pleasure: it again dawns on my soul, and in your arms shall I find it realised.' So saying, he embraced me with an ardour so far from pleasing, that my heart, which the moment before, had almost sprung to meet him, shrunk to her native seat, overcome with fear and confusion.

"What is the matter, my lovely girl?", said he, seeing I trembled; 'do you repent your gentle forgiveness?'-'No, my Lord; but tell me, I beseech you, whom I should forgive? In this posture,' continued I, kneeling before him, 'let me intreat you to disclose the promised secret, and dispel the mist that overwhelms me.'

“Whom,' said he, again pressing me to his arms, but your lover, whose heart, life, and fortune, are yours?'

"Good heavens !-lover!' repeated I, faltering, and rising from my humble posture: 'What do you mean, my Lord ??

"Mean!' returned he; I mean, you have too long been dependent; henceforward, mistress of my fortune, I ask but to live in your smiles, and repose on that soft bosom.' As he spoke,

he again, attempted to take me in his arms; but, avoiding his embrace, 'Why, my Lord,' said I, do you force me to forget the obligations you have conferred on me, and oblige me to tell you, that I despise your fortune equally with the infamous means by which you would have me obtain it?'

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'My agitation was so great, that I know not what answer he made; but he again caught me in his arms, and, notwithstanding my cries, attempted liberties I shall ever blush to think of.

"Forbear, my Lord,' said I, unless you mean: to add my death to your other crimes;' catching the scissors from the tambour-frame that stood by the sofa; for I will sooner deprive myself of life than be the wretch you would have me.'

Whether he thought my words greater than my courage, I know not; but he would have proceeded in his infamous intent. In that moment of horror, raising my hand, I attempted a blow at my breast; but hastily throwing his arm round my neck, he received the stroke. As he bled extremely, it obliged him instantly to loose me; though swearing I should not escape him.

"Nor will you,' said I, 'escape the vengeance of that Power who this night directed my hand.— Think, my Lord; awake from this delirium.. Ought not the relationship I hold to you deter

“Relationship!' repeated he; his looks becoming paler than even the pain of his wound had occasioned; What wretch told you so ?-But begone, girl, and dread my revenge.' As he spoke, he threw me the key of the door; which, till that moment, I knew not was locked.

"I instantly quitted the chamber, and the moment after heard him violently ringing the bell for assistance, as I suppose, to dress the wound.

"Great as were my terrors at this moment, a fear of still greater insult determined me immediately to quit the house as privately as possible, before he had time for recollection; as he then might use means to prevent it.

"I descended by a pair of backstairs to the garden; which crossing, I reached a little door that opened to the road; then, commending myself to that Power that had hitherto protected me, I began my weary walk.

"The night was clear and frosty; the moon shone bright: all was perfectly serene, cxcept between whiles the screams of owls, which broke on the stillness of the night and gave fresh speed to my trembling steps.

"I measured some miles before my fears gave me time to recollect, I knew not where I was wandering; and that the clothes I had on were my all. I had that day been out with Lord Danford, which occasioned my having on my riding

dress. Of money I was not destitute; as in my pocket-book was Madame du Saint's note of fifty pounds, besides about ten pounds that was left of a sum Lord Danford presented me with to dress myself in the English fashion.

"For some hours I carefully avoided every house, so great were my fears of being pursued and forced back. But at length, overcome with fatigue, I resolved to enter the first cottage I met with, and inquire my way to some town, whence I might get a conveyance to London, and meet with Lady Melville.

"But, alas! I was already on the moor. In vain did I strain my sight to discern a light burning in some cot, to direct my weary steps. Several times was I on the point of sinking on the ground, overcome with fatigue, and benumbed with cold; and, when I reached this little mansion, had not your humanity received me, a short time must have reduced me to a lifeless frozen corpse."