feelings, what purpose would it have an swered to inform you, that Essex was never concerned in any plot-never im prisoned, much less condemned. The high sense you entertained of a sacrifice, apparently unvalued by him, made it improbable that any explanation, or even conversation, should take place between minds thus deeply and justly offended with each other. How then was I chagrined to see you, on your arrival in London, fondly nourish some unfathomable project, which threatened wholly to defeat mine! Finding all advice ineffectual, I thought it most judicious to leave your mind to its own workings, hoping the gentleness of your nature would counteract the irritation of your passions. Alas, my dear, this fatal day shews me my error, and its extent! In how many ways will you now wound the noble heart of Essex? Tortured at once with the anguish of disappointed, injured love, the narrow doubts of his untractable wife, and the arrogant vigilance of the queen, his life will, from this mo

ment, be as devoid of comfort, as it has long been of hope."

The tender motives which dictated this late confession, as well as the past concealment the melancholy inference with which lady Pembroke concluded, all made a deep impression on me, and opened every sluice of tenderness, to the great relief of my oppressed and burning heart." No, my generous, amiable friend," returned I, in a more equal tone than lady Pembroke expected, "I cannot misconstrue conduct which has ever had the most upright intention; and in doing justice to that of the afflicted Essex, you supply me motives for an exertion I should otherwise sink under. The necessity for preventing a part of the evils my imprudence may occasion, will recall me to reason, honour, and myself.

Oh, thou!" cried I, melting into tears, "too dearly beloved, too deeply lamented, pardon me if I pass a dark and dewy cloud over the bright star of thy distinguished fortune; soon will that emerge with undiminished splendour, while I alone shall drop in tears, enriching the earth that hides

me and you too, most favoured among women, in being born to share his fate, endeavour but to make it happy, and she who has no use for life, but to weep your lot, will join to crown it with every earthly felicity. I find my fluctuating mind unequal to entering farther on the interesting subject," concluded I, "on arriving at home. Adieu, my dear lady Pembroke ! Be this embrace the pledge of mutual pardon; and if you have not blushed for the last, as well as first time, for your poor friend, her better self must again desert her." She strained me to the purest bosom that ever beat, and left me once more alone with that unstable counsellor, my own erring heart.

The return of lord Arlington, exasperated by the rage of the queen, and the surmises of the court, tried my firmest resolutions; perhaps even those would have been unequal to the conflict, but that I remembered my promise to lady Pembroke, and was determined to supply a bright example to that noble lover, I now considered as equally unfortunate with my

self. I remained from this period wholly at home, yet not without expecting some intelligence from lord Essex, though I knew not how he could possibly convey it. It reached me at last in the most extraordinary manner. Lady Pembroke seized the first interval of loneliness to address me." Perplexed circumstances make strange emissaries," said she, sighing; "who would have imagined that I should request to convey the letter of lord Essex to you, Ellinor? but finding him determined on thus addressing you, I voluntarily undertook the trust, as well to judge of all that passed, as to prevent his humiliating himself and you to whatever servant he could bribe, and perhaps, if he erred in his choice of a messenger, it would be to the ruin of your peace and reputation."

Hardly hearing this generous preamble, my eager eyes were fixed on the letter, and I gave the fair hand that held it the spontaneous kiss I was at first tempted to bestow on the precious paper. Ah, how affecting were the emotions produced by

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the sight of that well-known hand! His language was impassioned and incoherent -he accused himself, me, the friends of both, and the overruling fate which actuated all. He seemed assured that fraud, mystery, and a thousand yet unknown execrable arts, had been combined to separate us. He conjured me to discover both the persons and the means. He spoke of lord Arlington rather as a weak tool in the hands of his more crafty enemies, than the object of that deep and eternal resentment, which only slept till I supplied it one."Scorn," continued he," the narrow prejudices of custom, and your sex, nor be wholly the sacrifice of situation. Dare to be sincere, and think an adherence to your first sacred vows (vows dear as inviolable) the true point of honour, of religion, and morality. Oh, call to mind the fatal moment when you tore yourself, inexorably, from arms that beauteous form no more perhaps shall fill! A little confidence, a little faith, had then made both happy; now, alas! they can only make us less miserable. Yet speak, my betrothed love,"