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person, against whom you may defend yourself, by securing your property; but from a liar there is no security; and she felt the greatest pity for Mrs. Skinner's children, who were so unfortunate as to have a mother that encouraged them in this vice, instead of employing every effort to eradicate such a dishonorable and hateful custom.

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CHAP. VII.

No wither'd witch shall here be seen,
No goblins lead their nightly crew;
The female fays shall haunt the green,
And dress thy grave with pearly dew.

The redbreast oft at evening hours,
Shall kindly lend his little aid,
With hoary moss and gather'd flowers,

To deck the ground where thou art laid.

Collins.

THE most tranquil moments Amelrosa enjoyed since her residence in Northumberland, were in the absence of the young ladies. Mrs. Skinner dined at four o'clock, and her daughters at five were permitted to come and partake of the desart; remain

ing in general with their mother when she had not any company, till they went to bed.

During this peaceful interval, Amelrosa would frequently amuse herself in strolling about the dreary environs, and often retraced the path which led to the neighbouring hamlet, the most pleasant spot the wild adjacent country presented, from being interspersed with a few trees, now beginning to deck themselves in their robes of lively green; as it was in the early part of the month of April, that she first began to wander beyond the precincts of Mrs. Skinner's grounds.

Contrasted to the sterile prospect around them, the hamlet was replete with rural charms. Several fields surrounded it that looked verdant with the new-sprung grass, and it was situated at the bottom of a winding dell. The banks and hedges were ornamented with wild flowers; the violet diffused

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diffused delightful fragrance from its lowly bed, and the pale primrose enlivened the scene; whilst the meadows were strewed over with daisies and cuckoo-buds. In her frequent visits to the hamlet, she remarked a small habitation, extremely neat and superior to the rest of the cottages; and one evening walking past it, she saw a decent woman like a servant, come out with a child in her arms.

As she gazed and admired the beauty of the child, glancing again at the woman who held it, to her no small surprise, she recognised the nurse that lived with Minette, and immediately accosting her, inquired where her mistress resided. Pointing to the house she had lately quitted, the woman, who seemed glad to see her, said, Mrs. Belmont lived at present there, and the little boy that Amelrosa caressed was, her child. "You look so much better than you did maʼam," continued the nurse, "that I didn't recollect you at first, and

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don't know if mistress would like you to be informed where she is, as she told me to keep it secret from every person; but I cannot make any scruple to acquaint you with it, because she speaks of you with so much regard; and indeed I have been for some time puzzled what to do about her, for her health gets daily worse, and I am fearful she cannot live long. Now, should any thing happen to her, while I am all alone with her, I should find myself very unhappy. I've many times had a mind to write to Mr. Belmont how bad she is, but have been prevented, from the fear of making her poor dear soul angry with me ; but thank God, now I've seen you, you can advise me for the best."

Amelrosa replied, "she certainly would, and desired her to prepare Mrs. Belmont to see her the following evening. "Mistress passes here," rejoined the nurse, "for a lady whose husband is gone abroad, which I've given out; for it is nothing to me

what

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