till within two months of my confinement ; as I wished to delay, as long as I could, giving pain to my father and sister. But, alas! my grief received increasing aggravation, on learning that a strong attachment to another lady, had superseded his regard for me, and deprived him of inclination to perform his engagement, his new passion occupying his whole soul.

"I have since too fatally been informed, that although he possesses many virtues, and never violates his promise, and is strict in affairs of honor with his male friends, his inconstancy and partiality for women, inclines him often to break through all bonds with them, and to succeed in his improper designs, act most dishonorably; and he has since confessed to me, that the house to which he took me after the play, was a house of ill fame.

"When the period arrived, that I was to quit my father's protection, with a trembling

C 3

trembling hand I wrote a few lines to him, saying, that a circumstance too painful for me to explain, forced me to leave him ; and I implored, as he valued his own happiness, that he would make no enquiries after me, with a great many protestations of sorrow at giving him pain, which I cannot at present repeat, I concluded.

"I requested Felicité, in a short letter which I added likewise to her, to exert herself, by the affection she had borne me, to console her poor father, and not to hate or forget her unhappy sister.

"Having delivered these letters to the English maid, to place one on the breakfast table, and the other on Felicité's toilet as soon as I was gone, I arose by day-break, when my sister, who sleeps sound, was fast asleep; and creeping gently down stairs, was let out by the servant, who was waiting for me, and walked to the corner of the street, where Mr. Belmont expected

me

me in a hackney coach, by appointment; and, jumping out; handed me in, and we drove directly to the lodging.

“Here I have, from that instant, successfully remained unknown; but miserably have my hours passed, abandoned to melancholy, neither seeing or conversing with a single being but the woman of the house and the nurses, except yourself and Mr. Belmont, who comes sometimes, but very rarely. His attentions to me are polite and delicate, and he is prodigal of expence on my account; yet I plainly perceive that his regard is entirely alienated, and the short period he stays is gloomy and abstracted. He tells me, that something yearly has been settled by him on myself and the child; and though most deeply, I feel his breach of honor, in not marrying

I have ceased to importune him on the subject; and as soon as I have strength, which I hope will be in a week or ten days, shall retire into the country, and there bury

my sorrow and shame in oblivion, far from every curious eye."

Painful recollections and remorse seemed now to overpower her, and while Amelrosa made successful efforts at consoling her, she expressed at the same time, her grateful acknowledgments for the confidence. she had reposed, and the concern she really felt for her misfortunes. She could not avoid uttering her detestation of Mr. Belmont's conduct, and by her friendly kindness and sympathetic interest she took in her woes, succeeded in reconciling the fair and hapless Minette to herself; who already felt the delightful consolation of having imparted her afflictions to a compassionate heart, and parted from her with evident sorrow.

CHAP.

CHAP. II.

What sorrow was, thou bad'st her know,

And from her own she learn'd to melt at others woe.

Gray.

AMELROSA on her return home, found two letters which came in her absence; one from Emmeline Glenholme, and the other from the Baron. Emmeline's informed her of her safe arrival at Sir Robert's, and that the first moment she could spare from attending on him, was dedicated to gratitude and friendship. The last sentiment, she flattered herself and hoped, was reciprocal; and the former she intended proving to her that she felt; cherishing the hope, that at her uncle's, or