delayed from time to time making Louisa acquainted with her late husband's wish, till at last she gave up the intention, and comforted herself with saying it would be time enough at her death to do it, as she should perform her promise by making a will in her favour.

Accident brought her acquainted with Mr. Melford, and as he soon found she was worthy his attention, he took pains to cultivate her good opinion; in which he succeeded, and they were shortly married. But previous to this event, she informed him of the promise made to her former husband, and her intention to adhereto it so far as to make Miss Fitzormond her heir.

Mr. Melford did not much admire this superstitious regard to her word, as he considered it; but finding she did not seem inclined to give up the point, he thought how he might be able to turn it to his own advantage.

Mr. Melford had a natural son, of

whom he was extravagantly fond. It therefore immediately occurred to him, that if he could procure Louisa Fitzormond for a wife for this son, he should secure his own wife's fortune to him.

But to render this scheme practicable, it was necessary to get Louisa into his power. This he had little chance of doing during Mr. Howard's life, as he was sure, even should he plead his wife's affinity to her, that gentleman would not give her up to him.

While he pondered on this subject, and laid plans to accomplish his project, the death of Mr. Howard, and the subsequent illness of Louisa, afforded a more favourable opportunity than he had even dared to hope for.. Her illness: enabled him to secrete the will of Mr.. Howard, and thereby deprive her of the independence that worthy man had secured to her. His motive for making her believe she was wholly dependant on

him was to secure her gratitude, and render her less likely to object to his intended proposal of uniting her to his son.

His ready concurrence and recommendation of her providing for herself arose from the same motive; he believed she would gladly embrace his offer when there was no alternative between that and earning her subsistence in a state of dependance.

1

CHAP. VI.

Alas! what ignorant sin have I committed?

A man in all the world's new fashions planted,
That hath a mint of phrases in his brain;..
One whom the music of his own vain tongue

Doth ravish, like enchanting harmony;
A man of compliments, whom right and wrong
Have chosé ás umpire of their mutiny.

SHAKESPEAR.

As she had proposed, Louisa the next day took an early opportunity of mentioning the plan she meant to pursue, and solicited Mrs. Melford to aid her with her advice and recommendation.

Mrs. Melford, who, it appeared, had been apprised of her intention, requested she would give up all thoughts of removing from her for the present... "Mr. Melford and I have had some conversation on that subject," replied

the lady, "and we have agreed that it is better on many accounts that you should continue with us: I have very little society, and I think you will be pretty company for me, for I am often very dull when left alone; and as you are a relation of mine, it is, we think, more respectable for you to stay with me than to live with strangers though you have no fortune, nobody knows what may happen."

"

This last remark she added with a significant shrug, and a look she intended should be very arch.

Louisa, though she disliked the idea of being considered in the light of a poor dependant relation of Mrs. Melford's, nevertheless consented to remain with her, at least till she recovered from the state of weakness in which her violent indisposition had left her.

As soon as Louisa recovered from the fatigue of her journey, and was able to compose her spirits for the occasion,