excluded,' said he. Pardon me, Sir; I esteem, I reverence you, nor fear any thing more than your displeasure, which I hope I shall never experience, nor ever deserve." What frosty words have you chose! Maria,' said he;

' esteem, reverence, and fear! you might have spoke far more pleasingly by substituting a short word, which I will use in return for your chilling ones— I love you, your fortune shall be my care; so pray no more of those humiliating phrases, to one who regards himself as the obliged party.' A servant now entered with a letter, which demanded his immediate attendance; he rose, and, kindly wishing me good night, retired.

"As soon as he was gone, I gave free vent to my tears. Alas! cried I, 'tis too true, Mr. Rivers's suspicions are not false; I fear I love Henry too much for my own peace; but did I esteem him more, and his love were equal to mine, never will I disgrace him by a match Though my heart may suffer, it shall never swerve from the duty I owe the generous Mrs. Rivers; no, my much-loved second mother, I love no one so well as you.

so inferior.

"I was prevented saying more by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Rivers,, who, pressing me to her breast, exclaimed, 'wipe off those tears, my child, and suppress this rising anguish; thy

bosom is the seat of innocence, and let her bright traits be seen in every feature.' Ah, Madam,' returned I, 'Mr. Rivers has discovered that I am not worthy your esteem, yet has treated me with a tenderness that wounds worse than the hardest usage; indeed I knew not my own heart till he discovered it to me.' 'I will have no explanations to-night, my love,' said she, interrupting me: 'to-morrow we will talk; now you shall retire.' Without waiting my answer, she rung for Mary, who now lives with me, and had attended me ever since my mother's death. Seeing me still in tears at parting, she affectionately kissed me.-'Good night,' said she; 'you have called me your mother, and, believe me, such you shall find me.' Tears were my only reply, and I retired with a heart overcharged with duty, love, and gratitude.

I passed a painful night wishing for morn; when I saw it approach, I would gladly again have exchanged it, so much did I dread the searching eye of Mr. Rivers; for his lady, I rather wished, than feared her presence; predetermined to acquaint her with the state of my ̈ heart, and depend on her friendship and counsel for the cure of its every foible. I rose with the sun, passing my time between that and the breakfast hour in vain attempts to calm my troubled spirits; twenty times washing away the

tears that inflamed my eyes, and as often disfiguring them again: at length the bell rang, and with trembling steps I reached the parlour, but found my terrors groundless, as the object of them was not yet risen. Mrs. Rivers and Henry being alone, the latter viewed me with an inquiring tenderness, the former kindly asked of my health. 'Ah! Madam,' said Henry, 'look, and you need not ask; she is much worse: but, my dear sister (a name he often called me), why do you leave your apartment?' I know not how, but I involuntarily exclaimed, 'Would to heaven I were your sister! then should I have some little claim to the friendship of your excellent friends; but I am an orphan, bankrupt even in thanks.” 'Then, Maria, I am your brother by a double tie; am not I an orphan as well as yourself?my mother taken from me before I knew my loss; my father spared, till years had acquainted me with his worth; then snatched from me, to show the instability of mortal happiness.' 'Really,' said Mrs. Rivers, affecting a smile, 'you young folks are very entertaining; believe me, you have both too much sensibility for your own peace. Henry, I reflect with pleasure, is heir apparent to Mr. Rivers, consequently is my son, nor can I wish a worthier: for you, my dear child, you have a yet nearer claim,-a promise to a dying friend; and shall I dare violate what

the Almighty heard, and recording angels wrote? No, Maria, you are mine, both by promise and inclination then oblige me, by no more calling yourself an orphan, as you make me feel you experience the loss of a parent.'-The overflowing of my heart stifled my thanks, and I could only press my benefactress's hand to my lips in silence. She now changed the discourse: You do not ask me, Maria, why I returned so unexpectedly last night.' I am generally so obliged to the occasion, Madam, as not to think of the cause.' -Ah, you flatterer, the cause was a very happy one,' said she; 'my friend had escaped from all her calamities before I arrived, so my stay was needless, and I returned almost immediately to town.'

"Breakfast now finished, Mrs. Rivers said, Maria, our young friend must excuse us.' I followed her to her dressing room; where seeing my trembling lips prepare to open, 'Peace, Maria,' said she, you are not to be the speaker, only a hearer. I have already told you the reason of my return last night; in passing through Duke-street, some trifling accident happened to the chaise wheel, by jolting against another carriage. The servant intreated me to get out, and being almost opposite to Mrs. Selby's, I alighted and went in. After paying my compliments to her, I walked through the rooms, which were

full of company. The gay widow, Mrs. Modely, was playing at cards, but seeing me, called, my dear Mrs. Rivers, your company a moment.'-I turned, and was surprised with the sight of Henry, who I imagined was not acquainted there.- 'You must know,' continued she, 'that I am almost mad with this handsome nephew of yours from the East Indies, indeed! it is more like he came from Iceland, regarding all us fine women with the indifference of a stoic; not so much as paying us one compliment.” — ‘I think,’ said Henry, 'It is the greatest mark of admiration to be silent; unused till within these few months to such bright assemblages of beauty, no wonder I should be struck dumb; but tell me, my dear madam,' turning to me, 'how came we to be so happy to have your company to-night?' I acquainted him with my little misfortune, which I had hardly told before the servant came to inform me it was repaired; Henry's looks seemed to say I should oblige him by accepting an offer he made of accompanying me home, and we wished the company good night, and entered the chaise, where Henry informed me of his attending his uncle to Mrs. Selby's, that he staid there only a short time. 'Well, Henry,' said I, is it possible you can be so insensible to all the beauties at the assembly to-night?' Really, madam, totally so,-to me they appeared so cer