young, many persons refused to supply them with an honorable method of main

taining themselves. Continuing to proceed in mournful abstraction with her eyes reclined, Amelrosa attracted the notice of a gentleman who was passing in his carriage immediately he stopped it, alighted, and ordering it to wait, advanced towards her.

The sound of his voice when he approached and spoke, caused her to start, and raising her dejected eyes, devoid of their former brilliancy, she met those of Lord Rossmore, regarding her with the most expressive compassion, and with the utmost confusion, she murmured out an answer. "Take my arm, I entreat," he rejoined, "and consider me as an old friend. I cannot express how much I feel, at beholding such a striking alteration in your appearance. You seem both ill and unhappy." The voice of kindness vibrated so forcibly on the heart of the forlorn and destitute

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destitute Amelrosa, that while it soothed, affected her, and she burst into tears. This emotion appeared to excite the most tender pity in his lordship's breast, and fearful her agitation might be observed, he requested she would allow him to conduct her to his carriage,, which was in waiting at a corner of the street. Hardly able to stand from the tremor that had taken possession of her weakened frame, she was rejoiced to avail herself of his politeness, and leaning on his arm," was led to it, and hav ing handed her in, they drove to her lodgings as Lord Rossmore had inquired the address.

The meanness of the place where his lordship saw she resided, made her feel quite ashamed, and her confusion was increased at his dismissing the carriage, and asking permission to accompany her into the house. She was necessitated to shew him into her apartment, which though clean, was furnished in the most homely

manner,

manner, with a bureau bed in it. Every thing bespoke the poverty that surrounded her, and her residing alone in such obscure circumstances, filled him with conjectures. Never had Lord Rossmore, since the loss of his lamented Elmira, felt interested for any other woman but Amelrosa, though an impenetrable mystery hung over her, which he could not, however, unravel; yet was now determined, if possible, to develop, by questioning her, who seemed candour itself. In the most delicate manner, he contrived to encourage her to place confidence in him, which was far from being a difficult task; as the veneration and involuntary regard she always experiencedfor his lordship, were encreased by the perfect knowledge she had gained from Farmer Heartwell, of his estimable qualities.

The present unhappy state of her mind, made her more inclinable to indulge the natural frankness of her disposition, not having a single being to whom she could

apply for assistance or advice, or knew to what further misery she might unavoidably be reduced. These considerations likewise, contributed to influence her to profit by the professions of friendship Lord Rossmore expressed; and his lordship had not been many hours with her, before he had drawn from her, in compliance with his entreaties, a frank disclosure of her actual situation; which was followed by the history of herself from her earliest remembrance. During her narrative, Lord Rossmore was apparently much agitated, and at the commencement suffered an agony of mind, for which he apologized, by imputing it to some painful recollections.

When she had concluded, his lordship suddenly pressed her to his bosom, and alarmed at the circumstance, Amelrosa recoiled from him with terror. "You will

pardon the effect of uncontroulable emotion," exclaimed Lord Rossmore;

"for

my feelings were ever too impetuous, when I assure

I assure you, that every incident you have related of your infant years, makes me firmly believe you are my child; and I could not resist clasping to my heart, the offspring of Elmira." Here his lordship paused, and taking out his handkerchief, endeavored to conceal the pangs that subdued him at the cruel remembrance. Beholding his incurable sorrow, and struck with the words he had uttered, Amelrosa who always felt the affection of a daughter for him, fell at his feet, and when he raised her up and kissed her, she returned his paternal embrace with warmth, and bathed his hand with tears of joy.

"It is, I think, impossible," continued Lord Rossmore, "that I can be mistaken; but even if I should, I shall adopt you in future, as my child. The sound of your voice the first time I beheld you, reminded me of the melodious tones of the most beloved of women; and your form cast in the same admirable mould, exactly resembled her's,

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