ail she's a farigner; and I can't say as how I have much fancy for them outlandish folks, especially the French; for they speak so much through their nose, and be in general so black and tawny in their complexions; but, lord, she was for all the world the same in point of colour as our English; fair as Phillis; and I dares to say, when she was in good health, had a pure red and white." The fat woman would have continued her gossip, but Amelrosa's impatience to read Minette's writing, was so great, that without attending to her any longer, she hastily broke the seal.

The lines were scarcely legible, apparently written by the trembling pen of an invalid, entirely opposite to the neat hand of Minette, which she had often admired. Concisely, yet with energy, she expressed the sincere regret at being obliged to go into the country without seeing her; but circumstances, she could not then explain, necessitated her to act thus; adding, she

must

must wonder at her not making her appearance during the scene that passed between herself and Lord Conrade. For this she accounted, by confessing she had not courage to enter, as she knew it would be disagreeable to him to see her at that moment; and so ardently was she attached to him, in defiance of every effort to conquer her unfortunate attachment, and the inward remonstrances of reason, that although his indifference was cutting to her soul, his hatred, she felt, would be still more dreadful.

This, she continued, she was persuaded she should have incurred, had she appeared and shewn herself as the insurmountable barrier placed between his lordship and Amelrosa, should the other obstacle be removed; Lord Conrade being too well acquainted with her goodness and refinement, to suppose she would accept his proffered hand, when it had been promised to another. Yet fondly as she loved, and

painful as it would be to her feelings, so disinterested was her regard, that if he would not be her's, she should not repine, if Amelrosa were united to him, if it ascertained his happiness; and her little boy would then have an affectionate second mother to supply her place, when she was no more convinced from the sensations she experienced, that she could not long survive her disgrace.

For Amelrosa's goodness in not explaining the cause of her equivocal situation to any one, she knew not how to express her gratitude; but desired she would not hesitate to discover every thing, if her connexion with her, was in the smallest degree likely to be injurious to her reputation; as the reflection, that she was the occasion of any affliction to her, would render her miserable. To be exposed, was a proper punishment, she owned, for her guilt; yet that her father and sister might be spared the pangs of knowing her situation, she could

could not avoid, earnestly wishing, and that from them sorrow and self-accusation would be averted, and on herself alone misfortune fall; concluding, with telling Amelrosa she should every night pray for her happiness, and to see her again before her eyes were closed for ever in the calm sleep of death.

This letter beguiled Amelrosa of many tears, and the fat woman perceiving she wept, endeavored to comfort her, and some friendly drops of sympathy rolled down. her plump cheeks. "Don't cry, Miss," said she; "I am sorry to see young people unhappy, and their troubles begin so early. I observed when you came in, that you looked very sorrowful; your fine bloom, for all the world like a wild rose, gone away, and looking as white as a sheet; just like poor Mrs. Belmont, sickly and sad. Cheer up, my dear, if I'd given way to fretting, with such a peck of troubles as I've known, I don't know what would have become of me; I should have

younger days I vis much dont voor 12. I ink when i marei nr fra la5and he was 1 lemant ne sy, and in beloved by his myrain, he was saran or gramation. Ha wis miered to folm his ship when I was pregnant or my frst child, and I was sing my sore; for we had very handsome fimine, cying acout his leaving me, when he said,

Don't cry, Nancy. I shall soon come Back with plenty of prize money for you.' * Ah, William !” I replied. I cannot make my self easy concaring you; we shall never meet again." Nancy,' said he, " you unman ine,' and hurrying from me; so we parted, and I thought my poor heart

would have broke.

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My forebodings were but too true; in less than a month afterwards, he was killed in an engagement, and I had nothing but

my