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had never informed her his nephew had married the widow of Mr. Courland; but the fact was, he had never known it : so little communication had passed between them, that it was not announced to him. It was also matter of surprise to her, that Mr. Melford should wish to conceal from her the relative situation in which his wife stood towards her. "But I suppose his motive for that," said she, "proceeds from his parsimonious disposition; he is fearful that I should lay claim to their protection and support on that account. She was confirmed in this opinion, by the readiness with which he had agreed to her plan of providing for herself, by procuring the situation of a governess or teacher in a school: he had even recommended it as the most eligible thing for her.

"Mercenary man!" exclaimed Louisa, the native dignity of her character rising

as she reflected on his meanness, in thus wishing her to enter on a world with which she was so little fitted by habit or education to encounter the rude shocks to which a situation so dependant would necessarily expose her. "He shall not be disappointed! I will not owe an obligation to a being so sordid: he has yet to learn that a generous mind rises superior to the groveling views of such a heart as his. The mind can make its own happiness in any situation, however menial, provided it is not contaminated with vice, or debased by meanness."

Thus reflecting, she resolved to mention her intended plan the next day to Mrs. Melford, and request her to assist her in procuring such a situation as she conceived her abilities adapted to.

Her mind being thus wrought up to meet every disagreeable or mortifying event with composure and resignation, she sketched a scene of calm contentment

in her fancy, from which she fondly believed nothing could wean her mind. Old Margaret should be provided for from a part of her salary; she should not want; and should she meet with

any

of those friends once so dear to her, she could meet them with that dignified composure arising from conscious virtue, and a confidence in her own energy, that was not to be subdued by the wavering frowns of fickle fortune. One image at this moment presented itself to her mind in all the charms in which youthful enthusiasm delights to adorn the object of a first love: for a few minutes the remembrance of past happiness, with which this object was so intimately connected, bedewed her eyes with tears of bitter anguish; but recollecting it was criminal to indulge those thoughts, as he was probably now the husband of another, she commended herself to the protecting care of him who

sooths the afflicted and innocent, and resigned herself to the arms of balmy sleep.

In order to explain the circumstance of Louisa's relationship to Mrs. Melford, it is necessary to go back, and give some account of her parents.

CHAP. IV.

Wooing thee, I found thee of more value
Than stamps in gold, or sums in sealed bags;
And 'tis the very riches of thyself

That now I aim at.

SHAKESPEAR.

ALFRED FITZORMOND was descended from an ancient and honourable family in the west of Ireland; but, unfortunately, the possessions that had two or three centuries back given weight and importance to an unblemished name, were now so much impaired, that a small estate, which he possessed in right of his mother as a younger son, was all his inheritance.

At an early age, he was left an orphan, and consigned to the care of his maternal uncle, a man possessed of immense riches, which he had accumu

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