humour myself by liking him; while, on his side, it might only be unmeaning gallantry. My brother told me this morning he thought of making the tour with him; for Mr. Danvers, he is on his return; but what think you of him, Louisa? for I am sure he thinks of you. Last night, when you returned home, he asked mamma your name and family; she informed him the first; but said, 'I have not the honor to be acquainted with the last : she is an amiable girl; and I sincerely wish she was returning to England, for Julia will leave her heart in the convent.'' Has she been long in France?' saidDanvers.'-'Something more than eleven years: replied mamma; she was then about five; Julia and she went under the care of Madame du Saint, the same day.'-He politely thanked the Countess for her information.-Now,what think you,Louisa? has not this man some reasons for his questions?'

I hope not,' replied I, there is a confidence about him that makes him disagreeable; beside, my dear girl, from by being with you, he may imagine me a girl of fortune; were he assured to the contrary, I dare say, I should not be worth a thought.'

"In fine, my dear Madam, I was at Lady. Melville's every day for a fortnight; our English visitors, during that space, never omitted paying their compliments to the Countess.

"One morning, when I went as usual, I found

the Countess and Julia alone. 'I have received a letter concerning you, Louisa, this morning: I may as well inform you of the contents, before Julia; for I suppose you are mistresses of each other's secrets; but here's the letter, let it speak for itself,' said she, presenting it. It was nearly in these words.

"I know not how to apologise for troubling your Ladyship; but my utter ignorance of Miss Villars's family must plead for me: could you, through your intimacy with the Abbess, favor me with their address, I would wait on them, and beg permission to lay myself and fortune at the amiable Louisa's feet,"

'To this purport was the letter. 'Well, Louisa,' said the Countess, what think you? You may convince Mrs. Master's, when she comes, you can be well provided for without her assistance. Mr. Danvers's estate is large, himself amiable, and I think you can have no objection of informing her, when she returns, of this generous proposal.'

'Believe me, Madam, I am thoroughly sensible of my unhappy dependant state; but, severely as I feel it, I would not change, by repaying Mr. Danvers's generosity with ingratitude; for, young as I am, if I know my own heart, I could not esteem him. Pardon my boldness, Madam, but let me entreat you not to have this affair mentioned to Mrs. Masters, who doubtless will be glad to get me

off her hands. For Mr. Danvers, when he knows I have no one, except your ladyship, who interest themselves about me, beyond the common wants of nature, I hope he will think me unworthy, and forget any little prepossession he may have entertained in my favor.' 'My dear girl,' returned she, 'do not distress yourself; it shall not, if you dislike it, be mentioned: I will answer Mr. Danvers as well as I can. But I have another proposal to make you: as Mrs. Masters spoke of you as dependant on your guardian, if they approve it, I will take the trouble off their hands, and think myself much their debtor. — I shall desire the Abbess to propose it when Mrs. Masters comes, for she has no direction to them: indeed, their paying so many years board in advance, had always an air of privacy; as if they feared more frequent payments would put them to the necessity of coming over, or giving drafts, by which they might be known.'

but

'Ah, Madam! half an hour since, I thought Lady Melville could not confer on me more obligations than 1 had already received; how can I thank you for this last, this generous offer?' By saying nothing about it,' said she, 'but wishing Masters may come soon, and accept my proposal. I have not seen Madame du Saint to-day; I will go and talk of this matter with her.'

"Lord Gray and his friend Castlebrook came in

soon after; the first of those gentlemen appeared thoughtful. 'What is the matter, Augustus?' said Julia. 'I have an extreme pain in my head,'

replied he; but it will pass off, heed it not.' 'Perhaps the air may remove it,' said Lord Castlebrook; what say you to a walk in your own garden? I think it would be of essential service to me, if the ladies will favor us with their company.' 'Allons donc !' said Julia, 'if you promise to return quite well, we agree.' Lord Castlebrook immediately offered his hand to Julia; Lord Gray followed his example to me, and we walked into a delightful garden that joined the house.

"I remarked on giving my hand to Lord Gray, he trembled extremely. Julia and her companion walked gaily on. 'Alas! my Lord, I fear you are worse, I will call Julia back.'-'A moment, I entreat you, charming Miss Villars — pardon me pardon my abruptness, when I beg you to inform me whether Danvers is happy enough to meet your approbation.' He is rather happy, my Lord,' said I, extremely confused, in not meeting it; the approbation of an unfortunate, like me, would be of little service to any one.' 'Thanks, amiable Louisa! I live, I breathe again; were the world Danvers's, I should not envy him, could I but obtain a small portion of that gentle affection which so apparently beams

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in those heaven-illumined eyes I then were supremely blessed.'Forbear, my Lord,' said I, withdrawing my hand, which as he spoke he pressed to his lips; 'you forget what is due to yourself and me; if this be the gallantry I have heard is practised in the great world, pray, bestow it where it is better understood; think not the favors of Lady Melville bestowed on one, who would encourage her son to behave in a manner unbecoming his rank and future prospects in life.' Cruel Louisa, why tell me of favors?-to Lady to the whole world, will I avow my

Melville

unalterable affection,'

"Lady Julia had reached the end of the walk, and now appeared in sight on her return, 'Come, my Lord,' said I, 'let us haste to meet your sister. Pardon me, first,' returned he, and do not hate me.' Promise to offend no more, and

your pardon is granted,'

'Grant me one more request then, and I will promise any thing, and keep my word with the most religious strictness.'Name it, my Lord.' 'Do not engage yourself to marry any one within this twelvemonth.'.

I believe I may venture to make that promise without danger,' said I, smiling, as I shall remain in the convent that portion of time at least.'

"Lord Castlebrook and Julia now joined us, and we hastened home to dinner, as it grew near the hour,"