accident, during which interval Amelrosa endeavored to dissipate his lordship's habitual melancholy, and by conciliating his regard, to strengthen the affection he already felt for her; while the filial love she experienced for him, whom she considered as a parent, was increased by a further knowledge of his rare and almost unequalled virtue and dignity of mind; and with pride she could have styled him father. When the ship anchored before the city of Oporto, the keenest anguish was implanted in her breast, at witnessing the strong emotion that shook the frame of Lord Rossmore. A livid paleness stole over his countenance; he folded Amelrosa to his bosom, groaned deeply, then disengaging himself from her, crossed the deck with hasty strides, while the drops of affliction bathed his manly cheek, and he was lost to himself, till Amelrosa's convulsive sobs aroused him, and viewing the distress of all that remained of his Elmira, of whom the present scene too cruelly reM 6. minded

·

minded him, he strove to resume his fortitude, and by recovering his composure, soon restored Amelrosa's. To behold his inflexible sorrow, was not the only misery she had to combat with; but the recollection of the sufferings of her mother, that she felt affection for, though she had never known her, and the revived remembrance of the loss of her dear Lady Archdale and Sir Edmund, which these scenes of her early youth presented to her memory in fresh and unfading colors; nor was Montague, the only man who possessed her sincere regard, forgotten; and the idea of his conduct and neglect, added to the pangs that fortured her susceptible heart.

In compliance with Amelrosa's request, Lord Rossmore soon after their arrival, hired a quinta that was fortunately to be let, at a short distance from where the late Lady Archdale formerly resided, as she found a mournful pleasure in contemplating and retracing the places in which she had pas

sed

sed the happy days of childhood and dawn of youth, a stranger to the sorrow which had since overwhelmed her.

: After they were settled in their new habitation, Amelrosa, who had made many inquiries respecting her nurse, sent for her, and the joy of the worthy Josepha was unbounded at seeing her again, and learning she was to reside with her during his lordship's continuance in Portugal. In one of his calmest moments, Lord Rossmore-desired the nurse to repeat the circumstances. relative to Amelrosa's being left at the cottage, and the account she gave, confirmed him yet more strongly in the belief that Amelrosa was the child of his adored Elmira. In the course of conversation with his lordship, she became acquainted, that the nobleman who had behaved so treacherously, and afterwards married Elmira against her inclination, was Don Roderick de Montalvan, and congratulated herself more than ever for various reasons, that she

t

was

was not allied to a character so worthless, though she had suffered mortification and uneasiness at the time, from the disappointment and insult she had sustained, and convinced her that what is often lamented as a misfortune, by presumptuous and erring mortals, is generally for their advantage.

Amelrosa was playing on the harp one evening, to amuse Lord Rossmore, when Josepha entered, and asked permission to bring into the house an old woman who was travelling with her son, and being over fatigued with her journey, had fallen down in a fit at the garden gate. His lordship and Amelrosa, instantly desired every assistance might be administered to the poor woman, and some time having elapsed, Josepha returned at their desire, to inform them the woman was recovering and Amelrosa then accompanied her nurse to see the sick person, and inquire if she wanted any pecuniary relief to proceed on her journey;

but

but conceive her astonishment, when she recognized in the strangers, her old acquaintances Beatrice and Jacome, though disguised in different attire.

Their pleasure seemed to be almost unspeakable at the sight of her, and she wasrejoiced to behold them, as they had always behaved with so much humanity, and at length aided her to escape, when they had it in their power to have treated her extremely ill. Jacome now informed her, to her infinite surprise, that it was in search of herself that they were travelling, and he would explain the cause if she pleased to favor him with a private interview, having a great deal to relate, and in the meanwhile, would be much obliged to her, if any person came to inquire if they were in the house, to order the

servants to say

Amelrosa comdesired him not

they had not been there. plied with his request, and to fatigue himself with talking, till he had some repose, and then went to inform Lord Rossmore of what had passed, who was impatient to hear Jacome's communica

tion;