The lady and her company landed at York-buildings ftairs, from whence they walked up to the Strand, and croffing the way, they went into the Lebeck'shead. Belmour and his companion followed at a distance, and came into the same house, just as the elderly gentleman was at the bar ordering a fupper for his company that were gone up stairs: and indeed the gentleman had not only perceived their close attendance on him and the ladies, in the walks, but also observed their boat following his on the water, though having loft fight of them after his landing, he imagined their following him to be accidental; but, on seeing them enter the fame tavern, began to entertain some suspicious notions of their design. Belmour and Townley called for a room; and would fain have posted themfelves in one of those which was neareft the door, that the lady might not fcape their further pursuit on her departure; but those rooms being already taken up with company, they were obliged to content themfelves with one above stairs. Townley, who had often frequented this tavern, was pretty well known to the drawers: therefore calling for a bottle of wine, he asked the waiter that brought it, whether he knew any thing of the gentleman in the laced coat, and the two ladies that came in a little before them? The waiter told him that he had lighted them up stairs, and that the gentleman had immediately followed him down again, and bespoke a fupper at the bar; but declared he could not recollect that he had ever feen any of the three perfonages there before. Upon this Townley ordered a fowl for himself and his companion, and tipping the drawer half a crown, gave him a ftrict charge to let them know when the gentleman called for the reckoning, and when the company was going away. The drawer promised to obey their commands; but unfortunately for Town.ey and his companion, he was fent out by his master with a fupper that had been bespoke there, to a gentleman's houfe in York building's, at the time when the two ladies and the gentleman left the tavern; and he did not come back again till fome time after a coach had carried the company off. The drawer finding the gentleman and the two ladies gone at his return, had only time to enquire which way the coach went; when running up stairs, he informed Belmour and Townley, that he had been fent out when the company had left the houfe, but that the coach was but just gone away from the door, and had drove up the Strand. Townley gave him a hearty damn for not executing his commiflion better, by leaving word with fome of the other waiters to perform his commands; and paying their reckoning, our two sparks fet out after the coach. They rambled up the Strand till they came to Southampton-freet, and then turned up into Covent-garden; but could not trace any coach that had three perfons in it, or that had any one dreffed like the company they were in purfuit of. Exceedingly vexed and chagrined at this difappointment, they went into the Rofe in Bridges-1treet, and called for a bottle to alleviate their forrows, over which they 'toafted the young lady by the name of the beautiful Vaux-hall, ftranger; and after fome bitter execrations on the poor drawer, for neglect of duty, each of them adjourned to his chamber in the Temple to bed. But the beauty of the young lady, and the vexation at being difappointed in the purfuit of her, ran fo ftrongly in the head of Belmour, that, as we before related, it entirely deprived him of his night's reft; and made him feek for refreshment from his excrutiating thoughts in a morning's walk. Townley paffed his time not much better than his companion; tho' Belmour had not entertained the least. thought of the former's being any way captivated by the lady's charms, which he found had already made fuch a havock in his own heart; otherwife he would never have called upon him at his chambers, to defire his company to take F 2 a walk a walk in the park. Urging in excufe, that it was a shame to lay a bed such a delightful morning; for by fo doing they should lose half the pleasure the feafon afforded. Belmour's coming thus early to call upon him, was no little matter of fur prife to Townley. Why, how now, Frank, fays he, what the devil has difturbed you fo foon? I fear the young lady that we faw at the gardens has not permitted you to fleep: indeed, replies Belmour, he has not given me much moleftation, though the vexation at our fruitlets purfuit, and the warmnefs of the night have not fuffered me to reft as ufual; but the fineness of the morning feems to make ample amends. Come, Jack, ftir, and let us take a walk in the park together." "With all my heart, fays Townley, perhaps we may there light on fome new frolic that may drive away all thoughts of our lait night's mifchance; but fuppofing we had traced the lady home; pray, Frank, what expectations could have arifen to you from thence!"" Very few, indeed, anfwered Belmour, unless I could have found means to get introduced to her company-but what hopes had you, Jack, from the purfuit? Why really fays Townley, as I judged her to be fome young filley, juft taken into keep ing, by the old gentleman that was with her, I had fome thoughts, if we could have difcovered where he had planted her, to have prevented his engroing fuch a fair purchafe entirely to himfeif. For indeed, Frank, the feems to deferve a much better partner than what the has got.What the devil thould fuch an old fallow faced hunks do with fuch a young blooming bud of beauty? Indeed, Jays Belmour, I cannot come in to your opinion of her being in ke ping; for there feemed to be fuch an air of modefty in her face, that perfectly forbid any one who obterved her, to entertain the lealt though against her vir tue.-Phaw! daran it, Frank, replies the other, I find you do not know the town yet.—Modefły! why, I have feen a girl at her firit entrance upon the town, as modeft as the purest virgin in a nunnery. Well, come, fays Belmour, you lofe all the pleasure of the spring, by lying in bed to long in the morning: up and let us be walking, that we may get back again before the fun comes out too hot. Townly was foon up and dreft, when they fteered together towards the park; where we fhall leave them, walking arm in arm up the Mail towards Buckingham-houfe, while we give the reader a little information of their characters and occupation; which by this time perhaps he may be defirous of obtain ing. Belmour was a young gentleman of fortune, being heir to a large eftate; and had not long left the university of Cambridge, to complete his ftudies in the Temple: where his father had pla ed him, with a view to his attaining fuch a knowledge of the laws of the land, as would be fufficient to enabl: him the better to manage that eftate, which would fome time or other come into his poffeffion; and prevent his being de rauded by attorneys, ftewarts, or bailiffs on the one hand, or injured by his tenants or eighbours, on the other. As he had not as yet been long enough in town to be corrupted by its vices, fo he was naturally poflefled of a fuficient share of virtue, and good fenfe, to withstand them: though in compliance with the tale of fome of his companions, of which Townley was the chi f, he fometimes gave way to fuch levities, as his own understanding could not fer outly approve of. For though he was polite in his behaviour, yet he polletfed a very fedate turn of mind; except when company and the bottle, wherein were his greatet exceifes, induced him to be otherwife. Townley was a young fellow, very deftitute either of vir uous or generous principles; he at firit studied the laws for the improvement of his fortune, which otherwise would have been but very fmall, had not an old crois aunt whom, by his wild behaviour, he had very much difobliged, happened to die inteftate, and thereby came into the poffeffion of about 2001. per annum, which otherwife he could not have had the least hopes of, if the old lady had made a will; but a fever, that foon rendered her delirious, prevented it. Soon after this gift of fortune fell into his hands, he relinquished his study of the law, tho he kept his chambers for the conveniency of his pleasures; and by giving himself up to the most fenfual indulgencies of his appetites, he became a perfect town-rake. When our two young fparks had reached the upper end of the Mall, Townley fat down on a bench, near colate, went to take a turn or two in the gardens; whither Belmour and Townley immediately followed them; being both fully bent upon not neglect ing this opportunity, that fortune had fo favourably given them, either of getting acquaintance with the young lady, or finding out where they lived. And Townley was fully refolved to take the first occafion that offered of accolting her; which he thought himself the more at liberty to do, as the old gentleman, who had been in company the night before, was now abfent. [To be continued in our next.] fome cows, in order to divert himfelf:{111111III with fome difcourfe with the girls that fold milk: the dialogue between him and the milk girls would not be very entertaining, and perhaps too grofs, if we should repeat it; therefore, leaving it, we fhall inform the reader, that the pleasantnefs of the morning invited them to walk further, and the difpute was, which way they should take. Belmour being for a walk up the Green Park, and fo into Hyde Park; but Townley, who did not fo much love folitude, was more inclined to go and take a breakfast at Ranelagh. To this at laft Belmour confented, only urging, that whether they returned by land, or by water, yet the fun would cause them to have a very hot journey back again. Nothing extraordinary happened in their going through Chelfea-fields, till they came to the breakfasting-room at Ranelagh, where they fat down to a pot of tea, and bread and butter; but they had not half finished their break fast before the young lady, and the gentlewoman who was with her the preceding evening at Vauxhall, entered the room. They called for fome chocolate, and fat down at a very small diftance from Belmour and his friend; who both were too deeply engaged in contemplating the amazing charms of this beautiful young creature, to regard finishing their own breakfast. From the LADY'S MAGAZINE. Continuation of the Hiftory of Lady THIS was no bad fetting out, the therefore, by the advile of the clergyman before mentioned, difiniffed all the old fervants, that were then a bout her, (nurfe excepted). Her good nature, and eafy fortune, gained her genteel acquaintance; nor do I find there can be any thing alledged to her prejudice, but the carrying on this love intrigue, which has turned out happily at lait. Mr. Shelly no fooner read the declaration in his favour, than he immediately fet forward to the father, who he found at home. After the compliments proper on the occafion, he by gentle degrees difclofed his bufinefs, which the old gentleman received with all the politeness requifite, but at the fame time, affured him he had difpoted of his daughter, and hoped he had given her too good an education, aided by her good fente, to dispute his will. This rebulf he bore as well as could be expected; being previously informed of his mistress's refolutions, he took his leave in a very genteel manner, and the old gentleman went in queft of his daughter, to whom he imparted the whole affair; the tacitly heard his commands to think no more of him, but reas her future husband. The ladies having drank their cho- ceive lord Now Now was her prudence and virtue at the teit, unwilling to disobey a father, who had fo indulgently brought her up; yet more to make herself wretched all her days, the determined to feek her friend, where the met with her lover, and then it was agreed, they fhould be privately married at the houfe of Mifs Friendly, and then wait for an opportunity either to disclose their marriage, or abfcond. During thefe tranfactions, 1dy Shelly obferved the had never heard him fpeak of his father, who was as noble in his mind and behaviour, as by birth and fortune, the determined therefore, at their next meeting, to enquire if he had informed him with the step he was going to take, rightly judging, without the countenance of one of their parents, fhe might put it too much in a man's power to ule her as he pleas'd. Mr. Shelly very affectionately affured her, his father was no ftranger to the unal terable love he bore her, nor to her character, and the rest of her family; and in his anfwer, which I received this day, he expreffed the highest fatisfaction, that I can be a means to prevent fo deferving a lady from the miferable union her father (too worldly minded) has intended for her; ftill adding, his father preferred the happiness of his children before all the vain acquifitions that riches or honour could beftow: he has like. wife infifted on my bringing you immediately, on our elopement, to his feat, that he may endeavour, by his tenderneís, to make up the loss of your father's. Nothing now remained, but to fix on the day that was to unite them for ever, and it was agreed the should appear at home as ufual, only permitting him to be a partner in her chamber of a night, which could be eafily effected, by means of a private fair-cafe that led to her room, which was remote from her father's; a favourite fervant who attended on her, was to let him in thro' the garden; this important affair being fettied, the next morning was determined for their wedding, and thus they parted. Her apparent obedience to her father's commands, rendered all to pass quietly at home; nor was he in any great hurry for the wedding, wifely thinking, her noble lover's affiduity might in time bring her inclinations to coincide with his will. She paffed the night with more tranquility than fhe expected, yet could not well reconcile her ingratitude to a father, who in every action of his life (this only excepted) had been very indulgent. The morning however foon difperfed all these gloomy thoughts, and the obtained leave as ufual, to país the day with her friend, who was not once fufpected: there she met her lover fmiling with a bridegroom's joy, and foon after breakfast the priest performed the facred ceremony; the remainder of the day past in joy and pleasure, and about the time she thought her father was retired, the and her husband waited at the garden gate, where the faithful Miria prefently ushered them to their apartment. As I am not writing a volume, I shall pafs over the repeated requests of her father to put an end to the long courtship of lord. It is fufficient to say, he began to be very urgent, juft when the found her fhape greatly increafing, the pretended an indifpofition, and begged leave to go with Mifs Friendly to her country-feat, and that on her return his defire should be complied with. This diffimulation had the defired effect; fhe obtained her father's confent, and the with Maria packed up what was thought neceffary for her journey, which the prudently took care should be all her stock. Mifs Friendly's coach appearing, prevented the parting from being too mournful; however, tears were shed on both fides.. They dined at the friend's houfe, and then, after thanking her in very fincere terms for the protection and encouragement fhe had bestowed on them, Mr. Shelly made her a very genteel prefent, and fet off for his father's feat, where they were received with unaffected tenderness and refpect, which greatly alleviated the anxiety fhe felt at this act of difobedience and abfence from her father. She She was no fooner fettled, than fhe wrote in the most fubmiffive terms to her father, begged his forgiveness for this first mark of her undutifulness; adding, if she had confented to wed lord her life must have been miferable; as on the contrary, the bad now the fairest profpect of uninterruped happinefs: then acquainted him how long he had been married, and expected to have a young partaker of her joy very foon. Before an answer could arrive, the prefented to her delightful husband a daughter, which promiled by its apparent ftrength a long life. Soon after this the received a letter from her father, wherein he fo far forgave her as to defire her absence; and that if the should hear he had chofe a house-keeper in her room, on whom he fhould befhow that fondness and fortune she had forfeited, not to be surprised, for he had yet youth enough left,to spend it with an agreeable companion. This occafioned a laugh, and no more was thought about it. By her father-in-law's advice she at fix months placed her little darling with a nurse of great credit in the neighbourhood, and very little after this fhe had a most severe fit of illnets, and was perfuaded to go to the fouth of France for the recovery of her health. One unexpected accident or other kept them there feveral years, in the mean time her indulgent father-in-law had an apoplectic fit, and word was fent to them of it, defiring their immediate prefence. They hafted their departure, but an unaccountable heavinefs hung on Mrs.. Shelly, which he could neither account for, nor fhake off. On their arrival at their father's, the folemn appearance of the fervants still added to her anxiety, and no fooner did the enter her father's chamber than fhe fell into a fwoon, from which he was with difficulty recovered; when the came to herfelf the enquired for her daughter, who fhe fuppofed was now at home, being in her tenth year, but she received information fhe was at a boarding-fchool a few miles off; this fatisfied her, and fhe retired to her chamber. The oldgentleman then took an opportunity to inform his fon, that, by the strangeit accident in the world, his little daugh ter had wandered away from her nurse's about fix years ago, and notwithstanding the most diligent enquiry fhe has never been heard of fince, the nurse went out of her fenfes, and, continued he, is now confined in a mad houfe; he then perfuaded him to be very cautious in the recital to his wife, as he. feared it would prove of the greatest confequence. The distraction of Mr. Shelly is better imagined than described, fome minutes he raved, and was almost in nurse's condition, however, recollecting himfelf as well as he was able, he put all his truft in that Providence, who orders all things for the beft; he still hoped he might one day or other meet with his dear Emilia. His father's fudden illness gave him an opportunity to addrefs her in the following manner. "You fee, my dear, the ways of Providence are dark and intricate, this, however, we may confole ourselves with, that whatever is, is right: my father's fudden difo: der, every one must have expected to have terminated in his death; yet you fee he is in perfect health, nor knew of our being fent for; we should be careful not to aggravate misfortunes by repining, but endeavour to fhew a perfect obedience to the will of Providence; we have but one child, and yet by a thousand ways we may be deprived of her; fuppofe we should hear the was in imminent danger from a fit of ficknels, or even that death itfelf had fnatched her away, is it not God's work? and we must refign ourfelves." He was g ing on in this preparatory manner, when lady Shelly interrupted him, by faying, her mind had long foretold what the was fure had happened, and begged him to ease her anguifh, by telling what the dreaded to know, that her child was dead. Shelly now thought to disclose the whole affair, but catching her laft words, he thought, it would be better to let her Mr. think |