"Aye; Cot forgive him!" said Mrs. Conway, " 'tis all very true; he never could see a pretty woman, without trying to inveigle her in some way or other."

"Heaven have mercy upon you, then, Mrs. Conway," cried Jones; "I should not be surprised if you and your lord went in pilgrimage to the well of St. Winefrede."

"Cot give us all grace to resist temptation!" said Mrs. Conway, directing her eyes towards the glass.

"Well, don't be too much alarmed," exclaimed Mr. Jones; "I fancy the whole of his battery will not be directed against you."

The glance with which these words were accompanied to Jacintha, made her laugh.

Egbert, at this instant, rose abruptly, and snatched up his hat.

"Won't you sup at home, Mr. Oswald?" asked Mrs. Greville.

"I don't know....I can't tell....'tis very uncertain....but pray don't wait a moment for me :" so saying, he quitted the room.

Jacintha felt greatly hurt and disconcerted at his going out. In spite of her reason, she could not help being uneasy, at the idea of his spending the evening with Woodville, or rather, the sister of Woodville, a very lovely girl, who had lately come from London (where she resided with an aunt, both her parents being dead) to pass some time with her brother.

Her beauty, as well as vivacity, had drawn very warm plaudits from Egbert: and Jacintha began to fear, in consequence of his conduct this evening, that they had made a greater impression upon him than he would allow. Else why prefer Miss

Woodville's company to her's? and only to this preference could she impute his going out, particularly as she had promised to meet him after supper in the garden.

Her mother's visiters spent the evening at the house; but their gaiety could neither amuse Jacintha, nor induce her to remain long in the par lour. She withdrew to her chamber almost immediately after the removal of the cloth; and, putting out her light, placed herself at an open window to watch the return of Egbert.

A bright moon silvered the firmament, and cast its shadowy beams upon the high woods of Gwytherin park, which gently rustled in the breeze, while, from their deep recesses, the nightingale poured forth the softest strains of melody.

But neither the beauty nor serenity of the scene, could divert the thoughts of Jacintha from the object upon which they were fixed, or calm her

uneasiness.

The guests withdrew, the family retired to rest; but still no Egbert appeared.

"How pleasantly engaged he must be," said Jacintha," to be so unmindful of time! But no wonder...the polished graces, the unchecked vivacity of Miss Woodville cannot fail of making hours appear as minutes."

At length she saw him crossing the green; she directly started from the window, for not for worlds would she have had him know how she had been employed. Her heart, indeed, began to tell her she had injured him by harbouring, for a moment, a doubt of his constancy; yet, notwithstanding this pleasant assurance, she could not overcome the resentment she felt at his going out, after the promise he had received from her.

H

The appearance of Mr. Greville silenced his wife; and Jacintha now learned that he was going to pass the day with a friend near Holywell, and that her mother and Gertrude were also going upon particular business to Chester, which would detain them there till night. Jacintha's looks testified the pleasure she felt, at the idea of being unrestrained by their presence throughout the day. But this pleasure was of short duration: on her father's leaving the parlour, Mrs. Greville told her she had left out some work for her to do, which she should expect to find finished on her return. ""Remember," cried she, "the boys will be at home, and will let me know how you pass your time." Jacintha could not, without difficulty, suppress the resentment and indignation with which this treatment inspired her.

"I trust, madam," cried she, with a heightened, colour, "I shall never pass my time in any way which can be disgraceful to myself, or which should be displeasing to my friends."

"Oh! to be sure; but your fine speeches wont impose upon me: so remember, I shall expect you observe my directions."

Jacintha made no reply, fearful of saying any thing which might raise a storm that could not casily, perhaps, be laid.

Immediately after breakfast Mr. and Mrs. Greville set out upon their respective routes; he on foot, and she in a one-horse chaise, belonging to the landlord of the inn; a vehicle in much use and estimation among the villagers.

Jacintha began her task with very great reluctance; but she strove to banish unpleasant feelings, by looking forward to the happy period which would emancipate her from domestic bondage.

be of all men the most miserable; but the character of lord Gwytherin, the.....In short, let us speak no more upon the subject. I was very angry with myself for permitting my tranquillity to be disturbed about him. Half the wretchedness of our lives, indeed, I believe, proceeds from giving way to our imagination, which, when unrestrained, is apt to raise a thousand frightful images to annoy us. Would your father, however, consent to our immediate union, I should certainly feel happier than I do at present. Like Altamont, I should then be able to exclaim, "Begone, my cares, I give you to the winds!”

"Oh Egbert!" said Jacintha, from whose mind every trace of resentment was obliterated, "can you indeed suppose that union would make you dearer to me than you are at present? No; be assured, if I know my own heart, it could not.".

Egbert was prevented making any reply to this speech by the sudden entry of Mrs. Greville, whose clouded countenance and sullen manner were so extremely disagreeable to him, that he quitted the room in order to breakfast with his friend Woodville.

The moment he had withdrawn, she vented, as usual, her ill-humour upon Jacintha. She asked her how she dared to spend her time in such a ridiculous, not to say shameful manner?..." I wondered," cried she, "what made Mr. Oswald so very early a riser; but now I have discovered the cause. I shall take care, however, in future, to let you have some other employment than that of flirting with him. I'll let you see you shan't eat the bread of idleness, or commence fine lady before your time."

The appearance of Mr. Greville silenced his wife; and Jacintha now learned that he was going to pass the day with a friend near Holywell, and that her mother and Gertrude were also going upon particular business to Chester, which would detain them there till night. Jacintha's looks testified the pleasure she felt, at the idea of being unrestrained by their presence throughout the day. But this pleasure was of short duration: on her father's leaving the parlour, Mrs. Greville told her she had left out some work for her to do, which she should expect to find finished on her return. ""Remember," cried she, "the boys will be at home, and will let me know how you pass your time." Jacintha could not, without difficulty, suppress the resentment and indignation with which this treatment inspired her.

"I trust, madam," cried she, with a heightened colour, "I shall never pass my time in any way which can be disgraceful to myself, or which should be displeasing to my friends."

"Oh! to be sure; but your fine speeches wont impose upon me: so remember, I shall expect you observe my directions."

Jacintha made no reply, fearful of saying any thing which might raise a storm that could not casily, perhaps, be laid.

Immediately after breakfast Mr. and Mrs. Greville set out upon their respective routes; he on foot, and she in a one-horse chaise, belonging to the landlord of the inn; a vehicle in much use and estimation among the villagers.

Jacintha began her task with very great reluctance; but she strove to banish unpleasant feelings, by looking forward to the happy period which would emancipate her from domestic bondage.