her's, though your countenance, from being so fair, in the sweetness alone that adorns it, bears any semblance to Elmira's. Portugal, the place of your birth, was likewise the native country of my lost angel; and the description your nurse gave of the young lady, your supposed mother, who consigned you to her care, together with your age, and the period at which these events took place, agreeing with the time and circumstances of my own unfortunate history, all conspire to produce conviction. I recollect now, as another convincing proof, that Heartwell once remarked, how strongly you resembled me. I cannot avoid also suspecting that some of my Portuguese enemies, discovering you were my daughter, had you conveyed to the forest of Arvilla, with an intention of either murdering, or confining you for life, to deprive me of the satisfaction of ever learning I had a child living; perhaps your great uncle who since the death of your grandfather, possesses the fortune you ought

ought to inherit in right of

your mother, as I can prove our marriage was perfectly legal; though when I found she was torn from me for ever, and my daughter I supposed dead, I was too much afflicted to concern myself about it; but for you, my child, I shall not be equally passive, and exert myself to behold you in possession of the fortune to which you are the lawful heiress. However, I must first use every exertion to elucidate the mystery which at present hangs over your birth, and if the scheme that I have now planned is approved by you, it shall instantly be placed in execution. It is, to depart for Oporto by the first vessel that sails for that city; and you had better if you like it, accompany me. To this proposition Amelrosa assented with pleasure, and it was determined she should remain till she quitted London, at her present abode, as it would not be worth while to make any new arrangements for a short time, probably but à few days.

His lordship was no sooner gone, having first informed her he should call the next day, to acquaint her with the result of his inquiries, relative to the ship that was to convey them on their voyage; and Amelrosa had scarcely recovered from the perturbation her spirits had sustained from this agreeable surprise, which had given her a valuable protector, when the mistress of the house knocked at the door. Fury was depicted in her countenance on her entrance, and she desired Amelrosa would pack up her things and turn out, since she had found a keeper, as she would have no such bad doings in her house. That not a single woman had been to see her, and in the shabby paltry way in which she lived, to have a grand gentleman in his carriage come to visit her, had not a good appearance by any means. Frightened at her vulgar, abusive behavior, Amelrosa mildly assured her, this gentleman was a near relation, and that at all events, she need not be alarmed about her character,

as

as she should leave her house in a few days, and presented her with a guinea, (Lord Rossmore having supplied her with money) desired she would accept it as a payment beforehand, for the short time she ́ should remain with her; and it was indeed more than half the sum that would be due' to her. The woman's frowns were now converted into smiles, and making a hum-ble curtsey down to the ground, in a whining tone replied, she hoped every thing would be made agreeable to her lady-ship, while she honored her poor house: with her presence.

Amelrosa could with difficulty suppress her laughter, though thoroughly disgusted with so much evident deceit, that was too shallow even to deceive the most credulous, and was a proof, with many others she had received, of the mercenary dispositions of such sort of people, who are fawning when they hope to make any advantage, and insolent where not any thing is to be gained from the unfortunate.

The necessary preparations having taken place, and Amelrosa purchased some readymade clothes, it was with sensations of long absent pleasure, that she quitted her miserable residence, when Lord Rossmore came to fetch her in a post-chaise and four, attended by two out-riders. The mistressof the house, and the other lodgers, were all gaping with astonishment, to see her go off in such superior style; and the world being always ready to take the illnatured side of the question in every station of life, they all lifted up their hands and eyes, and exclaimed, that to a certainty, the pretty young woman was going fast to destruction. While she furnished them with conversation for some days, and they conjectured numberless impossibili-ties, Lord Rossmore and Amelrosa were arrived at Portsmouth, where the vessel lay, that was to convey them to Portugal.

Their voyage passed very pleasantly unattended by any alarming or disagreeable