charity that fingles out the handsomest young fellow in the world for its object, and then thinks to throw duft in our eyes by pretending to befriend him out of pure pity and good will! Ah Bridget, Bridget! what a world is this we live in! How often have I preached to you upon the vanity of works! Let us have faith and grace, and it matters little what we do, or what we omit to do. For my part, I always fufpect your charitable people; and as for her ladyfhip here at hand, 'tis pretty clear what complexion her charity is of: however, let her have her way for this turn, let her have her swing of charity, and enjoy the fruits of her good works; but be sure to put your ear to the key-hole, and discover if you can what is going on, for all means are fair to bring to light the dark deeds of the wicked."

Whilft this was paffing with Jemima and her maid, Lady Crowbery and the Doctor had been in close and earnest consultation on the fubject of the difcovery now fo fully ascertained. When she had given way to thofe tender emotions, which Nature exacts from the fenfibility of a parent under circumstances fo critical, she rose from her chair, and having taken two or three turns across the room, as if for recollection's

recollection's fake and to compofe her fpirits, refumed her feat, and laying her hand upon the Doctor's arm, as he rested it on the elbow of his chair: " My good friend," fhe cried, "what shall I do in this perplexity? Dare I commit myself at once to the difcretion of this young man, and truft him with the fecret of his birth? Alas! I dare not make the difcovery to him: the terror I should suffer, left the fecret fhould escape him and reach my lord, would be infupportable; you know his temper too well not to fee how compleatly ruined I fhould be in fuch an event: indeed I cannot even guess at the confequences; only this I am affured of, they would be most dreadful."

Truly," replied Zachary, "I cannot advise your ladyship to such a step at prefent, although I think very highly of the young perfon's discretion, and can well believe how much you must wish to give a loose to thofe feelings fo natural to a parent for an only child, and one fo well-deferving of your love; but the fuddenness of the discovery, and the agitations of a youthful fpirit, taken by furprize in a matter of fuch consequence, might overpower his prudence for the moment, and

drive him upon a difcovery of the fecret without any intention of betraying it.”

" 'Tis exactly that which I ftand in dread of," replied the lady; "you ftate the cafe correctly as I feel it, and those feelings, which I have never ventured to confide to any body but yourself, would be fo hard to fuppress, were the object of them here present, that I am almost afraid of indulging myself with an interview. Yet again, when I confider how long I have been in the practice of fuppreffing what I feel, I think I may rifque the meeting. He is not entirely new to my fight, and if my fpirits fhould be too much agitated by what paffes, you will take measures for bringing me to my recollection, and preventing confequences that may be dangerous to us both; this you can pass off to the score of indifpofition, and difmifs him when you fee occafion : but if I can command myself so far as to enter into converfation with him naturally, and without hazarding too much, you will leave me to make my own way with him in fuch a manner, as may enable me to gain fome infight into his character and understanding. As for his perfon, I told you how ftriking the impreffion was that it made upon me, not

only

only from its abfolute but relative beauty, as bringing to my memory the very image of a father, who was, in my eyes at least, the model of perfection. Alas! the traces of that fatally-beloved form are too deeply imprinted on my heart ever to be effaced by time; and if it was a crime to love, and be undone by loving him too well, furely my fufferings have been fuch as fully to atone for my improvident offence. To purchase pardon of a father, I confented to his wifhes by marrying Lord Crowbery: How dreadful was that facrifice! I had no heart to bestow; that was gone with him, from whom I was separated as far as fea and land and obftacles infurmountable could divide us from each other, without a hope of ever meeting more on this fide death. What has been his fate Heaven only knows! mine has been forrowful enough, and what to other married women would be an irksome reflection, is to me my only confolation-I have never borne children to Lord Crowbery. At the fame time, I am fenfible how much this circumftance contributes to embitter our domestic peace, and aggravate that ill-humour, which my unwearied efforts cannot foothe, Alas! how should they? He is quick enough to difcern that the attentions I pay him, and

the

the patience I exert, have no connection with the heart; that they are artificial virtues, become familiar by practice; and that I am indebted to indifference only for the facility with which I perform them. If then I am thus expofed to his ill-humour for acting the part of a dutiful and obedient wife without the affections of one, what would be my fate fhould he discover me to have impofed upon him in a matter more derogatory to his honour, and for which no plea or extenuation could avail me? I tremble at the reflection: wonder not, therefore, if my terrors prevail over the longings of a mother's heart, and compel me to ufe the language of caution, whilft my bofom glows with all the ardour of affection."

Whilft Lady Crowbery was thus difcourfing, Henry had arrived, and being now announced by Bridget, order was given for his immediate admiffion.

CHAPTER III.

Nature will have her Way.

HENRY

ENRY now entered the room, dreffed, as we have before observed, in mourning for his departed friend, and with all that mo

deft