vanced to a state of convalescence, to converse with Margaret of her departed friend from her she learned every particular relative to his illness, his death, and the tender anxiety he had expressed for her to the last.

66.

My dear young lady," said this affectionate creature, one day, when Louisa was lamenting her forlorn condition; " I am sure my master, who is now a saint in Heaven, would not have died so composed and happy, if he had not made some provision for you, whom he loved so dearly: had you been his own child, he could not have acted more like a tender father than he always has done to you: therefore, I am sure there are some unfair doings in this affair of the will. Well! well! we shall see; it will never come to good, if this relation of my dear master's has seized what he had no right to, and what he does not want, as he was rich enough before: he can have none

of the noble blood of the Howards in

his veins, if he can stoop to do such a mean action."

My good Margaret," said Louisa mildly, do not let your affection for me hurry you beyond the bounds of prudence and moderation; we have no just reason to suppose that Mr. Melford has uttered an untruth in saying there was no will left by Mr. Howard. I own I am surprised at it, as he was so exact in every thing, and I have repeatedly heard him say, a person who had any thing to leave, ought always to have it so arranged, that in case of death it should occasion no disturbance or contention: yet still he might have fallen into the error he condemned if he has, the gratitude I owe him for past indulgence, and attention to my real welfare, in storing my mind with useful knowledge, and, above all, giving me a religious confidence in Him who protects the orphan, and

strengthens the mind to endure affliction, shall never suffer me to repine at not being longer provided for by him; neither will it permit me ever to hear a word said that can cast any reflection on the sacred and cherished name of him to whom I owe so much."

"Far be it from me," replied Margaret eagerly, "to say any thing that sounds like a reflection on the memory of my respected master. No! I knew his goodness too well. to harbour for an instant a thought you would not like to hear: but I cannot say that of Mr. Melford: I do think, and I hope you will forgive me for saying so, that he has got a will made by Mr. Howard, in which you were named his heir; instead of this man, who calls himself his heir at law."''

"And he is. so, Margaret," replied: Louisa" you as well as myself know he is so." It is true, our lamented friend did not like him, for I have often heard

him lament the bad disposition of his relation; but Mr. Howard, notwithstanding, might not, indeed I am sure he did not, bear any ill-will towards him: therefore might not choose to leave what property he had from him, who was his nearest relation. However, let his motives have been what they may, his memory shall ever be held sacred by me, and his actions be thought just. I am of opinion yet that a will may be found; but as the arrival of Mr. Melford is, as you say, daily expected, we shall soon be convinced whether or no our conjectures are right: till then we will wave the subject, and speak of another not much less painful-I mean the unaccountable silence of the Stanley family: surely, they do not neglect to inquire after me, because I am now indeed a friendless orphan. My dearest Sabina, I am sure, would not let circumstances sway her to act so unkindly to the friend she has

always honoured with so large a share of her affection; yet it is strange that they should at this time forbear to interest themselves in my fate."

Here Margaret could afford her no consolation she too had been surprised at not hearing from Lady Stanley, or any part of her family, to inquire how Louisa had borne her loss; but she had prudently avoided mentioning her surprise to her young lady, for fear of giving her pain.

With a sigh of pensive resignation, Louisa dismissed the subject as a topic for conversation; but it was not so readily to be dismissed from her mind. They are, thought she, too happily engaged to bestow a thought on mea forlorn, deserted invalid: by this time, perhaps, Lady Adelina is added to their family: but how much must I have been mistaken in her character, as well as in that of her new sister, if mis