advantage, one day, in my absence, made proposals to Lord and Lady Melville, which ended in his obtaining the Earl's consent, and my being desired to receive his visits. Some days after this, what we dreaded, happened; the gout reached the Earl's stomach, and deprived me 'of a parent. Though Lord Melville was naturally severe, and did not make the allowance for youth and inattention which some parents can, yet was he possessed of an excellent heart, and my mother mourned him with unfeigned sorrow. In this state your letter found us; and in weeping over your troubles we half forgot our own. Though then assured of your safety, I believe Augustus painfully withheld himself from setting out post for England, which we only reached eight days since; that being as soon as Lady Melville could travel, who is now not more than a hundred and twenty miles from us, at her seat in Nottinghamshire,"

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Happy and proud as I am, my dear Julia," said Louisa, "at Lady Melville's and your partiality for me, I am hurt at your suggestion that Lord Melville remembers what I had hopes was quite forgotten; nay, your own letter flattered me it was so you said you would plead no more in his favor; which made me conjecture he had made a worthier choice, and that you had seen your former imprudence. But never will I wear a

'disguise with Lady Melville; to her will I disclose all; then retire to my beloved cottage, till Lord Melville, actuated by nobler motives, shall do justice to himself and family." Louisa would have continued, but a suppressed sigh shook her voice, and almost discovered her words did violence to her inclinations.

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"And so," said Julia, laughing, "to answer you methodically :-First, you are sorry my brother still loves you. Pardon me, if I disbelieve you a little.-Secondly, I promised to plead no more for him. Agreed if so handsome a fellow as Augustus, with fourteen thousand a year, cannot plead for himself, let him go without, for Julia. Thirdly, you will inform Lady Melville. There, my dear girl, Augustus has the advantage of you; he has told already; and the first informer has always the best of the story.-Fourthly and lastly, for myself, I think it is best you treat my brother with lenity, aud become my sister, customary forms observed, as soon as convenient; as that will cut off Danvers's hopes entirely, and prevent him and Augustus quarrelling. For Lord Danford, if he dare dissent, the law shall force him to do justice."

"And were the whole world, to consentpardon my pride, Julia,”—said Louisa, " never would I give an unknown beggar to the arms of the man I esteem."

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Well, well," returned Julia, "I know you and I shall never agree on this matter; so must leave you to wiser heads than mine.”

Our young friends then changed the subject, and chatted on indifferent matters, till the return of Lord Melville. "I have done myself the pleasure, Miss Villars," said he, “to attend your friend as far as she would permit : she excused herself from accepting my company farther, saying the road was impassable for a carriage, and the old man was a sufficient safeguard; as vice sought more frequented paths than those untrodden mountains. Seeing I should oblige her by my absence, I bade her adieu. But is it possible women can assume courage enough to live alone in this unfrequented moor?"

"Very possible, my Lord," returned Louisa : "What have the virtuous to fear? Beside, the habitation is so lost between the hills, that no one but a wanderer like myself could have found it. In the two months that I have been there, never have I seen a human creature, except my two friends, and the inhabitants of the cottage where you left Mrs. Bennet: even the butcher, that supplied us with meat weekly, left it at that place. My friend, though possessed of no superfluities, has ever a hand and heart open to the unfortunate with the happy, she has no intercourse: dead to her friends, she wishes to be so to all the world. She has honored

me by acquainting me with her misfortunes; yet am I not at liberty to disclose either those or her name. Suffice it, to see her is to admire her, to know her is to love her, and parting from her, is painful. So totally. is she sequestered, that though she has reason to think a good fortune recoverable, she would rather relinquish that than mix with the world, to which she has taken, so bitter a distaste."

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"Every blessing attend her," returned Lord Melville; and may she never meet an intruder who venerates her, virtues less than myself!"

Our young friends chatted away the evening, till the clock struck twelve; at which time the, ladies wished Lord Melville a good night.

The next morning they began their journey; Julia and Louisa in the chaise, Lord Melville on horseback, and three servants attending; but as little passed on the way, except affectionate attention on one side, and blushing on the other, we will pass over the three days which brought them safe to West Park; where Lady Melville received Louisa in a manner, which plainly evinced merit to her was more estimable than gold.

Lord Castlebrook became their visitant soon after, not at all to the dislike of Julia; whose tongue, indeed, spoke the language of unconcern; whilst her eyes, directed only by nature, sparkled with added brightness.

For Lord Melville, actuated by an honorable passion, he sought not to disguise it; he viewed Louisa with admiration, and spoke of her with rapture. Nor was Lady Melville less partial; she carefully watched her son, and young friend; hoping to find mutual affection: but Louisa, more guarded than Julia, gave no reason to suppose she felt aught but esteem; except now and then a rebel sigh escaped her at any particular attention paid her by the Earl.

Thus situated were our lovers, when the Coun-tess, being one day alone with Louisa, addressed her as follows: "I have for some time watched you with an inquiring eye, my dear Louisa : Augustus lives but in your presence; and my peace,

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own, is centered in his. Ihave not been able to judge if you see him with the partiality I could wish: if you do, I shall be happy to embrace as my daughter her who already possesses my affection : if otherwise, though disappointed, believe me, Louisa, my friendship shall never leave you."

"My dear Madam," returned Louisa," in what manner are you addressing a wretched girl, whose only pride is her dependence on Lady Melville! You say, the Earl's happiness depends on me-Ah! Madam, were fortune and birth mine, my heart would quickly make return; or were I only poor, your generosity would make me forget that: but to have the man I esteem beyond the whole world,