My disagreeable reverie was here interrupted by Mary, who informed me, Mrs. Rivers desired my company in the drawing-room, adding ' and indeed, Miss, there is the most pleasing looking man with her I ever saw: when I went in, Mrs. Rivers told him of my living with your mamma, and that I was much attached to you : he answered, he was sure then I was a good girl, and took my hand; I was so ashamed, that I scarce received my message, but hastened to you.'

"I composed my features as well as possible, that they might not be an index of the contending passions that dwelt within, and obeyed my summons to the drawing-room; where I was prepossessed, like Mary, in favor of the stranger, who was a likely man, seemingly about the age of thirty-eight. He rose at my entrance.-' Ah! madam,' said he, 'it is, indeed, the daughter of my friend; the living image of her angel mother!' and he embraced me with a fatherly affection. Mrs. Rivers then informed me his name was Bennet, the surgeon I have before mentioned. My usual timidity vanished when I heard his name: Where,' said I, ' have been lost so long? many times did my mother wish to see you, once more to repeat her thanks.' The tear of recollection stood in my eye; his rolled

you

said he, till four months ago, as I found my business very beneficial there. On my returnto England, I sought Mrs. Clairville with the greatest assiduity, but could learn no tidings till I had the honor of seeing Mrs. Rivers, when I learned the melancholy event I dreaded.'

In short, not to tire you, this good man visited us constantly, and at length made a proffer of his hand to Mary, who did not want much persuading from Mrs. Rivers to accept it, and on the wedding-day presented Mary with five hundred pounds; myself not interfering, so sorry was I to part from her. During this interval, I cautiously avoided being a moment alone with Mr. Rivers. For Henry, he made a tender of his heart, which I was not coquette enough to deny, nor prude enough now to conceal, gave me pleasure; beside, he had a powerful advocate in Mrs. Rivers, though indeed he wanted none but my own heart.

"The summer was now advancing; we removed to a seat of Mr. Rivers's, in Nottinghamshire: that gentleman, great as the distance was, often visited the capital. During one of these excursions, I was walking one evening alone in a bye road that led to the village; perceiving a letter on the ground, I stooped to pick it up; it seemed to have been lately opened, and by the neatness of the folding, not rumpled by keeping, but. rather slipped aside in putting in the pocket:

curiosity, as it was open, prompted me to look at the contents; but judge my surprise when I read, as near as I can recolleet, these words:

'GEORGE,

--

"Be ready with the chaise exactly at twelve to-morrow night: Young Rivers is obliged to attend his uncle at Nottingham, on particular business; so we have nothing to fear from that quarter. All must be managed, if possible, without alarming Mrs. Rivers,—not much danger of that, Miss Clairville's room being so distant from hers: be punctual, as you expect your reward, which will be proportioned to the service you render us.'

"I know not how I had power to read this horrid letter, but my eye no sooner reached the end, than hastily turning homeward, I fled with a precipitation that might have eluded my betrayers had they been pursuing me; for so powerfully had fear possessed itself of my senses, that I did not stop till I reached the parlour, where Mrs. Rivers and Henry were waiting my appearance at tea.-' Oh. Madam! protect me, said I, my ruin is determined.'-My agitation prevented more, and I fell. senseless on the ground. Henry raised me, and called for help, and with the assistance of my amiable benefactress, soon brought me to myself, and seated me on a

opened that which still held the letter: Here madam,' said he, this is perhaps the cause of her agonies.' Mrs. Rivers soon read the contents with great emotion, and then returned it to Henry; who at the conclusion exclaimed. 'My Maria was not formed for a ruffian's prey; the Protector of innocence has shown the danger, that she may escape it :-Ah Madam! we have your consent, then, Maria, give me a legal right, —a husband's right, which who shall dare violate?' Overcome with shame, I hid my face in Mrs. Rivers's bosom.-' Lift up your head, my dear girl,' said she, ' and observe me; I see no security in any other plan, but that Henry has so hastily formed; for, should you escape this snare, no doubt fresh ones will be laid, of which we may not be fortunate enough to be apprised. I know you love each other; the difference of forms, or a few months, is immaterial; and should you stay that time, I fear the consent of Mr. Rivers will be equally hard to obtain. My advice is, that Henry and you should ride, attended only by the groom, whom you may contrive to send back on some message, then take the bye road to Mansfield, where you may procure a chaise and four; tell them to return the saddle horses the day following; make the best of your way to Scotland, as Maria wants yet four years of being of age; be married at

the first place you legally can. Myself will use every endeavour to reconcile you to Mr. Rivers; if which fails, the Almighty, who knows the uprightness of my purpose, has put it in my power to provide for you.'

"My confusion prevented an answer; for Henry, he was on his knees, returning Mrs. Rivers thanks in the highest raptures. Seeing my tears, -Ah, madam,' said he, 'your generous proposal meets Maria's disapprobation; rather let me protect her some other way, than she become the victim of too much gratitude.' 'Why will you', returned I, 'distress me by an idle surmise, or rack my heart still more?-alas! in giving my hand I give all, so long have you possessed my heart.'

'I wish,' said Mrs. Rivers, Henry, you would retire for about an hour; I would pass that time with Maria alone, who must compose herself, that nothing be suspected.' He obeyed, pressing our hands first alternately to his lips.

"Now this amiable woman repeated every thing that friendship or tenderness could devise to comfort me: when she had in some degree succeeded, and my lips were uttering the language of gratitude, she stopped me. You have no obligation to me, but what a promise can return; make me that, and I am your debtor.' ·‘Ah, madam, what can you ask that I will not promise,