The result of his errand was this : that on knocking at the door, it was opened by Mrs. Edwards her self: that he put the letters into her hands. Having perused her own, she inquired whether I had already departed.

“ Indeed your honor, she axed me that question so pretty, and with so pitiful a face, and not knowing as how but she might have something particular to tell your honour, I could not say you had! My poor mother; peace to her soul, she is now dead; as I was saying, she used to flog me for telling a lie. Hereupon, your honour, she was going to speak, but her lady mother came up, and Mrs. Edwards putting her finger to her nose, I was up to a thing or two."

“Say! what did she say, sir! tell me at once, and cease this unmeaning jargon of yours.”

“Why your honour, she was vexed, she said as how she could not give a verbal answer.”

6 Who?"

“ Mrs. Evans, your honour.” « Blockhead! I mean Mrs. Edwards." “Oh! I retired below to wait her convenience."

Well !” “ As I was saying-but your honour knows Betty ? Mrs. Edwards' Betty ?”

It was useless to stop him.

“ Did your honour ever take notice of her mole on her left-no, I mean her right-sure, I lie, it is on her left cheek. Tuts, that I should forget it.”

“ D--n your tuts, and your forgets too, sir; be brief; I cannot longer put up with such insufferable stuff.”

"I am done, only I cannot help telling your honour, that on the staircase I stumbled plump upon -Yes! Yes, it was her endenticle self. Oh! theI axe pardon, your honour, but it was enough to vex me; for Richard, Mr. Lorenzo's Richard, was there too; and as sarten as God made Moses, he had just been kissing her. I hope, your honour, that is

a genteel word?”

My impatience had now no bounds, and the fellow, perceiving I was angry, in good earnest drew a letter from his pocket.

It was from Eliza !

Impatient to peruse the contents, I entered a fruiterer's shop, and read to the following effect:

"To Mr. Westcote,

"It grieves me much to understand you so suddenly "depart; and more so, that you should quit England, "impressed with so unfavourable an opinion of one, "who has so long regarded you as an acquaintance, "with the partiality of a friend.

"You are, indeed, the harsher censor of your con"duct. But I must own, the serious light in which

you consider it, added to the recollection of the "rather extraordinary manner you left me this morn"ing, induces me to indulge a hope, that the explana❝tion you hint may be at no remote period.

"I am informed you are still in London. Should "my information be correct, I request you will favour 66 me with an interview, to the end that every obstacle, 66 tending in the least to molest our friendship, may "speedily be effaced.

"My aunt and Maria accompany Lorenzo to the

“opera in the evening. I shall expect you by eight “o'clock-till then, adieu !

« E. E." I was at a loss what colouring to give this note. It had an air of familiarity, yet it did not breathe that ardour my too fiery passion seemed to respire.

I was resolved, at all events, to be punctual at the hour. One great inducement, was to extract from her a promise of corresponding with me. Mrs. Edwards, as I have already premised, had an extensive knowledge of human nature. She read much, and had profited by her study; and I appreciated her correspondence as of some moment.

CHAPTER VI.

"In accusing another of vice, we should first inquire whe.

ther we be not ourselves guilty of error."

,

HE great source of misery lies in regret or an

ticipation. A remark worthy of Goldsmith, and very applicable to my situation at the period I now allude to.

Until the hour of eight, my mind was entirely occupied with the presence of Mrs. Edwards, the apology I was to make, and the reception I should experience. My happiness to be once more in her society, with the apprehension of her displeasure, produced an alternate, yet a continued sensation of pain and delight. Repeated attempts to dissipate an agitation of spirits so uneasy,ended in an ineffectual struggle against the powerful domination of love!

The evening arrived. It was a beautiful one. The full moon threw a lustre all around, and her resplendent brightness filled my soul with all the’tender and endearing sentiments of the chastest passion.

I pass the Temple gate. The hour is yet early, and in a gentle pace I bend my course to Portman-Square.

I Already am I opposite the house of Mrs. Evans, when a carriage drives from the door, in which I plainly perceive that lady, Maria, and Lorenzo !

Ah! Lorenzo, my friend, (exclaimed I to myself) thou art now the professed admirer of Miss Williams, alas! with more chance of happiness than is likely ever to be mine!

I observe a light enter the drawing room, and I take a turn upon the pavement. Presently a female

appears at the window. “ Elle est en negligée." I feel,

I know not how! My heart beats with tumultuous violence--I am seized with giddiness-my knees trembling refuse longer to support my frame. Suddenly the window is thrown up, and my strength revives.

It is Eliza herself!-her presence checks my fall. I would speak-call her by her name, and tell her who I am.

How cruel! She has disappeared !

I observe some one at a distance watching my motions, and I retire, in order to divert his attention, and to discover if possible who the intruder is. He eyes me with much attention ; but, seemingly disappointed, betakes himself to his heels.

Once more I resume my station_nor do I long remain before Eliza again approaches the window. Soon she recognizes me—but again conceals herself. Why does she thus cruelly torment me? Why, but mark, the door opens !

La, Sir!” cries Betty,“ is it you—why, mistress has heen waiting your coming for an age.” I enter, and Betty remains with the door half open.

mistress expect any more visitors, Betty?”

“Why—no, Sir-but-I—thought William might be with you!”

Again she peeped wishfully out, and finding she was disappointed, locked the door and conducted me

Does your

1

up stairs.

I felt considerably embarrassed when I appeared before Mrs. Edwards. She remarked it, and, approaching toward me, presented to me her hand with the utmost affability.

“ I am sorry, indeed, Mr. Westcote, the period for your departure is arrived. I hope, from time to time, however, you will favour us with accounts of your welfare ; and equally with myself, can I vouch for the interest which Mrs. Evans and my sister feel in whatever concerns you."

Flattered by an expression which I readily interpreted into manifest partiality, I replied, that I never doubted the friendship of Mrs. Edwards, and that her happiness, and that of her family at large, was the first wish that animated my heart.

“ I confess, my dear madam, that I lay a stronger emphasis when I allude to yours. But, to be sincere, I should not conceal the existence of an esteem which

"Urtial to yourself.

“ Perfectly sensible am I of the incorrectness of my vecent conduct, and would to God I knew how to