Her views at this time were limited to the gratification of her vindictive passions. She wished to retaliate on the earl the wretchedness and mortification he had made her feel, and she fancied, that by preserving personal chastity her vows to Monthermer would not be violated by any liberties short of actual incontinence. As to Lady Avondel, though she despised her as a rival, she thought her presumption in pretending to such an alliance deserved punishment, or that the mere honour of bearing the name of the hero was sufficient for a mind of such an ordinary stamp, whose predominate features were innocence, gentleness, and timidity. Convinced that guileless simplicity was most easily wounded under the guise of friendship, she resolved to preserve that mask, knowing that Emily's spotless reputation would be a convenient passport to respectable society, without

the privileges of which she could never play at her ease for that high stake, the heart of a married man, correct in morals, and unblemished in character. Yet, persuaded Emily's understanding was as weak as her temper was placid, she resolved either to terrify her by her conscious superiority, or by an unguarded disclosure of her secrets to inveigle her firmly in her toils.

Men are but children of a larger growth,
Our appetites as apt to change as theirs,
And full as craving too and full as vain.

DRYDEN.

TO confirm Paulina in her resolution of giving up his picture to Emily, Lord Avondel ordered a sumptuous tiara of diamonds to be sent to the high spirited Italian, as a propitiatory offering, stimulating her immediately to relinquish what she had so surreptitiously obtained and improperly exhibited. Paulina understood the meaning of the present, but resolved her acquiescence should wound the delicate feelings of Emily. "Dearest of friends," said she, clasping

the almost terrified countess in her arms at their next interview, "thus let me thank you for allowing me the most ecstatic of sublunary enjoyments. I have seen him, the first of human kind. Commissioned by his beloved Emilia he came to breathe out one benevolent wish for my happiness. Envy me not an hour's converse with your Avondel, but rather exult at your own pre-eminent felicity, to whom his days, his thoughts, his life, are all devoted."

Emily's heart always bounded with transport at every tender recollection of her lord, but she was prepared to address Paulina on another subject, and she almost wished (much as she enjoyed these panegyrics) that her Italian friend would discuss the delightful theme with more temperance. A mild gravity stole over her features, which Paulina observing, she expressed her conviction that the warmth of her feel

ings oppressed her delicacy. Adopting a look of persuasive contrition, she begged forgiveness, and said she would in future restrain her errors by the gentle reproofs of her correct discernment. She again pleaded ignorance of British customs. "The English women I have lived with," said she, "were low-born adventurers, with vulgar minds and mercenary views. The chosen of Avondel's soul must be alike the standard of grace and virtue. Spread the shield of thy sanctitude over me, sweet Emilia, desert me not for my offences, but teach me till I cease to offend. First tell me, may none admire the demi-gods this island produces without a passport from Hymen? Must none but Andromache sing the praises of Hector, must no eye save Penelope's weep for the dangers of Ulysses."

ess,

"You are mistaken," said the count"we consider the fame of our hus