discover a new walk, Amelrosa wandered till she drew near extensive plantations of towering elms, and a path being cut through them, the shade and coolness, as the weather was exceeedingly warm, invited her to proceed. After walking a little way, the ground descended gradually beneath the shelter of the trees, till she found herself in a small glen, in the middle of which stood a large ancient stone mansion, with a thick plantation of yew, fir, cypress, and various other trees encompassing it, which cast a deep and gloomy shade, as they waved their close and sombre branches around, apparently preventing a clear light from darting into the small paned heavy windows of this mournful abode.

Not a sound disturbed the reigning stilness, except the constant cawing of the rooks, who had built their nests in the solemn oaks and lofty elms; and the uninterrupted quietness of this spot, would have inclined Amelrosa to believe it was

uninhabited, had not a mastiff, chained at the massy door, growled at her approaching footsteps. Sadness and terror not to be repressed, stole over her, inspired by this lonely and dismal place; and she quickly retreated with more haste than she had advanced.

Mrs. Heartwell being busy in the dairy, Mr. Heartwell was sitting alone in the parlour when she returned home; and mentioning where she had been, inquired of the farmer, if he knew who resided in that melancholy habitation. "From your description, young lady," replied Heartwell, "I fancy you have been to Gregstone-hall, the principal dwelling, at present, of Lord Rossmore, the best and indeed I may almost say, the only friend I ever had; and I can never think of him but my heart overflows with gratitude -I will disclose his story to you, my dear young lady, because I know you are prudent and good. But first I must request you will carefully preserve

preserve the secret which I confide, from having a high opinion of you; as it is known to few people out of his own family, besides my wife and myself.-Though it is attended with pain, I always feel pleasure in conversing about him."

Heartwell, after this preface, acquainted her with the commencement of his life, which she had heard from Lucy; and afterwards continued to relate, that as he was travelling, about twelvemonths after he had inlisted for a soldier, through a solitary road in Kent at the close of day, he suddenly beheld two footpads, on the point of murdering a young gentleman they had dismounted, over whom they held drawn cutlasses; and one of the wretches was saying to his companion, that after plundering, it would be necessary to dispatch him, as dead men tell no tales.

The young gentleman's servant lay weltering in his blood, from several wounds

given by the villains; and Heartwell, taking out a pistol, fired at one of the ruffians before they were aware, who instantly fell, and he then sprung on the other with his bayonet.-Guilt, and terror at the fate of his associate, inclined the footpad to make but a feeble resistance against such an unexpected antagonist; and the young gentleman, who appeared nearly eighteen, now assisted Heartwell to secure him; and they proceeded together with all possible expedition to the first town, to get relief for the wounded servant, and to place the ruffian in custody.

Fortunately they had not gone far before they met some sturdy labourers, who willingly took possession of the cruel footpad; and returning now they had got rid of him to the spot they had left, for the young gentleman's horses, they mounted them; and galloping to the neighbouring town, procured a post-chaise, in which they returned again to the place where the rob

bery

bery had been attempted to be committed, and found, to their extreme satisfaction, the servant's wounds were not dangerous; but the robber was gone for ever, having received the contents of the pistol through his head.

Every thing being arranged for the comfort of the servant, who was the young gentleman's groom, and the surviving footpad in prison, where he was likely soon to receive the reward of his crimes; the young gentleman, who was indeed Lord Rossmore, inquired of his deliverer, what scrvice he could render him for the essential obligation he had received.

Learning in consequence of this, that he had disobliged his friends by entering for a soldier, of which life he was heartily tired, his lordship almost immediately, by speaking to his father, Lord Cliffden, procured his discharge; and at his own request took him to live with him as his valet, though

VOL. III.

H