the corn fields were at some distance, and Amelrosa followed on a little poney she frequently rode, the most gentle animal imaginable, through several shady pleasant lanes leading to the fields.

Heartwell was earnestly employed behind his rough laborious hinds, in building up piles of sheaves, with his countenance cheered at the plenteous prospect before him, that no deluging burst of rain or desolating tempest threatened to destroy. Amelrosa was very busy assisting Mrs. Heartwell to distribute refreshments among the reapers, when they perceived Lord Rossmore walking up the field. He approached near them, and they were surprised at his stopping to speak, contrary to his usual custom, and chatting about the harvest and other rural subjects, he contrived imperceptibly, to lead Amelrosa into conversation, who felt her timidity and reserve, occasioned by what she had heard respecting his shunning women, wear insensibly away.

His

His lordship continued in the field till they mounted their horses to return; and a few days after, as she was looking out of the casement of her bed-chamber, she saw Lord Rossmore advancing towards the cottage. Perceiving she saw him, he made an elegant bow, and turned round the corner which led into the court; and a few minutes after, Mrs. Heartwell came running up, almost breathless, exclaiming,

My dear Miss, my Lord is come to say, that if you chuse to have any of his pictures or drawings to copy, you are heartily welcome had you not better, my dear, come down and thank his lordship.”

Amelrosa confused, yet flattered by this unexpected attention, followed Mrs. Heartwell, and gracefully expressed her acknowledgments for his politeness, and conversed some time with him; during which interval, he pointed out such drawings in his collection, as he thought would improve her to copy; and so pleasing was

his society, that she separated from him with regret; and in two or three hours he sent his servant with a port-folio, containing the most beautiful landscapes and figures in water colours, which she had not seen at his house.

The harvest being concluded, great rejoicings and festivity took place in the farm-house. At night the long table in the kitchen was spread with a plentiful supper for the reapers. Several joints of meat smoaked on the hospitable board; with fowls, ducks, puddings, apple-pies, and bowls of cream. They quaffed cyder and nut-brown ale, and joy, delight, and unaffected mirth filled each happy rustic's heart, and shone in their ruddy embrowned faces, as they tasted the rewards. of their honest labour. They roared, sung, and capered about to the inharmonious strains of an itinerant fidler, who at those festive times came about the country; and it was at an unusual hour the family retired

to rest.

From

From the period that Lord Rossmore called at the farm-house, to offer his drawings to Amelrosa, he frequently met her when she walked out, and having thrown himself purposely in her way, always joined and entered into conversation with her; and by degrees, she became so much accustomed to his society, that she was disappointed when she did not meet him. Sometimes he came to the cottage, and would give her instructions in drawing, as he drew in a superior style; and likewise teach her botany, with which she was quite unacquainted.

The alteration that took place for the better in his lordship, his manners being more cheerful, though his appearance continued dejected, gave the highest pleasure to the good Heartwell and his wife; nor could they attribute this change to any other cause than love, which they were rejoiced to witness; not doubting Amelrosa's. acceptance of Lord Rossmore, as she al

'ways

ways praised him, and was so much his inferior in rank and fortune. It was impossible, they thought, that his lordship could be so often in company with such a beautiful, amiable, and interesting a crea ture, without being attached to her; and the revolution she had caused in his conduct seemed to confirm it.

In jest and the simplicity of their hearts, they would sometimes call her Lady Rossmore; and though she always appeared to dislike it, they attributed this circumstance to modesty alone, and persevered in their

error.

Beneath the humble roof that now sheltered her, Amelrosa's hours glided on in the most calm and contented manner; embittered only when too faithful memory retraced her sorrows, and represented the cruel truth, that Montague. was for ever estranged from her. The period, however unwished for, arrived quickly, and with

uneasi