though he treated him with distinction superior to what those people generally receive, and confided his most secret affairs and thoughts to him; his grateful heart conceiving a warm affection for one who had saved him from a shocking death.

Heartwell continued some years with him, and was most faithfully attached to his master, whom he quitted, however, just as his lordship was going abroad on his travels, to marry the present Mrs. Heartwell, as a warm regard subsisted between them; which could alone have induced him to leave Lord Rossmore. His lordship completely furnished his house for him, stocked his farm, which was very extensive and high rented, and presented him likewise with five hundred pounds, saying, if ever he wanted money, he desired he would apply to him, and he should always have what he could spare.

This generosity Heartwell was most grateful

grateful for, knowing he must have taken this money from his private purse, and that it was probably the additional sum his father had given him to purchase any cu riosity that pleased him while abroad; as the Earl did not, in general, very liberally supply him, being of a parsimonious disposition; and in fact, as Heartwell conjectured, he had actually presented his son with a thousand pounds, to dispose on his travels in what manner best pleased him.

With respect to Heartwell, fond as he was of Lord Rossmore, whose life he had saved, the Earl of Cliffden considered it was a sufficient return of gratitude for the service he had done, that his son took him to live with him, and would never have thought of rendering him any further benefit.

"Lord Rossmore had been absent two years on his travels," continued the good farmer,

H 2

farmer, addressing Amelrosa, "when he returned unexpectedly home; and no sooner did this welcome news reach me, than I hastened to Cliffden Castle, the family seat in Devonshire, to behold my beloved

master.

"He was, when I had last seen him, the fairest picture of manly beauty that ever these eyes beheld. Though very fair, with blue eyes, he had not the least of a womanish look; for a handsome aquiline nose, gave a dignity to his countenance, which expressed at once, grandeur, condescension, and humanity; whilst to the superior height and elegance of his figure, was added a noble and commanding air. Indeed, I never saw any countenance that resembled his, particularly at that time, so much as your's does, young lady; making allowance for the difference between a male and female style of face; and that prejudiced me in your favor, when I met you at Charmouth.

"How

Howeve, ro go on with my story, arriving at the Castle, I expected to see Lord Rossmore looking as well as when he left England; but, good God, what a change! That handsome face was meager, wan, and dejected. Perceiving by my looks, I noticed, and was unhappy at the alteration, his poor heart soon unfolded itself to mine, which partook of all its cares.

"Well, as I was going to say, my lord informed me, that on his travels he arrived at some city, the name of which I forget, and in what country it was; and was received as a visitor at the house of a nobleman, to whom he had letters of recommendation from his father, who was acquainted with him. Here he was introduced to a young lady, that he described to me as the best and most beautiful creature in the world; and they fell, as it hap-pened unluckily, desperately in love with each other. She was an only child, and heiress to a large fortune; and the noble-

man where my master was on a visit, was in love with her likewise. He was a widower, and wished to marry her, as well from admiration of her person, as for her fortune. My lord, as lovers are generally quick-sighted, discovered this, and apprehensive of losing her, on hearing her father approved the nobleman for a son-inlaw, persuaded Elmira, the young lady, to marry him privately, and the ceremony was accordingly performed by a catholic priest in their interest..

"Their union had taken place but three months, when Lord Rossmore received a letter from a friend of his father's, saying he was dangerously ill, and wished to see him instantly. Naturally dutiful and affectionate, in great distress of mind, he set off immediately for England, having comforted Elmira with the assurance, that he would soon return and claim her as his wife, which he could not then do, fearful of increasing his father's danger, now he

was