Lord Rossmore. Dark eye-lashes shaded her eyes of the finest blue, that were generally penetrating and sparkling; but now, from timidity, meek and languishing ; while the rich tresses of her nut-brown hair waved on her polished forehead, and were negligently, but tastefully arranged.

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Lord Rossmore spoke to Heartwell in a kind and friendly manner, requesting him not to be under any uneasiness. His voice was mournful and low, but had something fascinating in it; and addressing Amelrosa, as Heartwell had said, as an apology, she came to look at the pictures; he begged to know if she approved them. She replied in the affirmative; but the sound of her voice, though inexpressibly sweet, seemed to affect him in an extraordinary manner; for he turned paler than before, and placing his hand on his forehead, was apparently lost in ruminating on some disagreeable subject.

Amelrosa

Amelrosa motioned to Heartwell, that she wished to go; but his lordship perceiving it, entreated he might not hurry her away, and that she would take some refreshment after her walk: however, she declined his politeness, and taking her leave, attended by Heartwell, walked through the avenue, when accidentally looking back, she saw his lordship at the window surveying them, and hastily averted her head.

When they had left the environs of Greystone-hall, Heartwell expressed his surprise at the polite attention she had received from Lord Rossmore, who had not, he was convinced, with his own inclination, spoke so much, or shewed such civility to any woman for these eighteen years; for, if by accident, he was in company with ladies, he would rush abruptly from them without speaking. It was very provoking, he added, that his lordship should come home unexpectedly just at that time; for though

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though he was too amiable to find fault, he was apprehensive it was not agreeable; however, he should go as soon as possible, and make a better excuse than his surprise had suffered him to do then.

The next morning on his return from Greystone-hall, where in consequence of this resolution he had been, he told Amelrosa with a cheerful countenance, that Lord Rossmore was quite charmed with her manners and appearance, and asking him numberless questions respecting her, was surprised to find she resided at his cottage. He wished likewise to be acquainted with your age; and when I told him about nineteen or twenty, he sighed deeply: and if I thought it possible for my lord ever to be in love again, I should think he was struck with you. "Indeed, I wish he may be in love with her," rejoined Mrs. Heartwell, who was present. "It would be a fine thing for you, my dear Miss," addressing Amelrosa, "to be married to his lord

ship, for he will be very rich when his father, the old lord dies. To be sure, he is double your age; but then he is handsome and good, which makes up for it; and my daughter Lucy says you have known a deal of trouble; and people must not be so particular in chusing a husband, when that is the case. If I was a young

woman, I would sooner have him than any of your flirting young fellows; and you'd presently cure him of his melancholy.”

Amelrosa smiled at these observations of the good woman, which amused her; while fully impressed with the conviction. that Lord Rossmore, who had been such a prey to sorrow for the loss of his Elmira, would hardly now think of marrying, when his customs and habits must be too well rooted to admit of his changing his situation; and more particularly, to unite himself with any one, where the disparity in their years was so great. Besides, had her heart been disengaged, she would not have chosen

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chosen him for a lover, though she felt the utmost admiration for his person and character; but that admiration was mingled with the veneration she could have experienced for a parent, and when she reflected on his unfortunate fate, her warmest interest and compassion were excited.

The weather was now extremely sultry. Scarcely a breeze ruffled the universal calm, and a serene blue tinted the cloudless sky. It was the latter end of August, and the ripened yellow plains demanded the industrious hand to gather in the golden treasures from the soft bending fields of corn. Mr. and Mrs. Heartwell were very much engaged, as the time of harvest was the most important period of the year to them.

Amelrosa accompanied the latter, when she went one afternoon to carry some bread, cheese, and beer, to the reapers. The good woman went on horseback, as

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