Because, mamma,' faltered she, I cannot but think that to me it may be a very decisive night.'

Decisive! my dear, I do not understand you; pray, explain yourself: I hope you are not a believer in presentiment.'

Certainly not, mamma; I will be sincere. Captain Maxwell and I have not yet ever met in public, and this may be termed a public ball, as the invitations are general.'

Well, my dear ?'

Military men, I have been told, must be particularly cautious not to pay unmeaning attentions, as they are liable to have their conduct minutely investigated by their brother-officers, who refuse to corps with them should it be discovered that they have acted in a manner inconsistent with the most strict principles of honour. Captain Maxwell's conduct on that night, in the presence of the gentlemen of his

1

regiment, may, I hope, prove his seriousness with respect to me.'

Permit me to ask a question, my dear child; has Captain Maxwell ever intimated his attachment?'

to you

Not directly by words; but you must have observed the kind and flattering preference he evinces towards me; you have seen the beautiful collection of music written by him for me; and you cannot but have remarked the pleasure with which he hears me play it; every new publication is first lent to me, and he even appears to seek opportunities for obliging; it was but the other day, when I expressed a fondness for rare plants, that he offered to send to Scotland for specimens of beautiful heath, peculiar to that country. I hope you do not conceive me vain or ridiculous,'. added Maria, her eyes filling with tears, in supposing he does not give himself all this trouble for no purpose.'

You assuredly cannot fear I should so harshly judge you, my child; besides I acknowledge your hopes to be rationally founded, and your father is of my opinion: but it is the painful duty of a mother to remind you of that which, at the time, highly displeased you; namely, the communications made by his brother officer, a married man, who could not have any interest in deceiving you.'

Oh, Major Longworth! yes, I recollect he maliciously said to me, Maxwell is the most sentimental creature breathing, and always in love.'

"I am unwilling to pronounce on Major Longworth the uncharitable sentence of malice propense, until I shall have seen how far the conduct of Captain Maxwell may justify or repel the imputation,' returned Mrs Vernon; but I am now inclined to agree with you in thinking that the approaching ball-night may tell a great

deal; however, bear in mind that disappointment is not impossible; arm yourself with fortitude, in case it occur; and, in the meantime, inspect your wardrobe, and let me know if there be any addition required, for which I might send to Dublin.

Maria expressed a sense of her mother's kindness, and solicited her, as a personal favor, to permit Harriet's accompanying them to the Abbey.

I am sorry to refuse,' she replied, but it cannot be; Harriet is too young, and her education, as yet, incomplete: were she to go to one ball, she might wish to go to a second; and, I fear, return with but little zest to Le siecle de Louis quatoize, and Cramer's Exercises."

A delightful and satisfactory letter from Caroline, dated Bristol, announced the arrival of Henry in that city; it told also that, although not much fatigued by his voyage, he had determined to rest for a few

days, and then seek accommodation at the wells, from whence, when comfortably established, she would again write.'

The contents of this welcome letter afforded to Charles Delacour at least as much pleasure as to those who had received it: he was now a daily visitor at the parsonage, his pupils having positively declined any attention to business until after the birth-night entertainment, which was to be an assemblage of every thing money could purchase. Charles declared himself happy to escape from the sounds of preparation to the society of his friends, with whom he passed many pleasant days; each visit in creasing their mutual esteem and affection. He was, indeed, a particularly agreeable companion, possessed of the art to trifle gracefully, and converse, with judgment, from the sandal of a lady's shoe to the most abtruse proposition in the Newtonian Philosophy: thus, interesting to the young