being abroad, she stayed great part of the forenoon with me: She is at once considered as the friend of Lady Deanport and of the Moystons I hinted to her what had happened at the assembly. She smiled, and said

I could easily give you the key to that cabinet of secrets, my dear, if it were proper.'

If it is not proper, I beg not to be intrusted with it,' I replied.

Finding that I pressed her no farther- Come,' resumed she, I believe I may safely trust you. My friend, Lady Deanport, is one of the most prudent women on the face of the earth, and one of the most attentive of mothers. She naturally wishes her son to obtain a great fortune by marriage, because she considers his interest to be also hers, and has been using all her address to promote one between her son and Miss Moyston; but the young lady and her aunt having taken offence at the attention her son shows you, her ladyship is alarmed; lest it should prove an obstacle to a scheme her heart is greatly set on; on which account she is irritated, and disposed to mortify you. This is certainly beneath a woman of her rank; indeed of even a plebeian, of any degree of elevation of soul. But the best of people have their weaknesses; and, I must confess, my friend is not entirely exempt from them.' She afterwards repeated some very spiteful things that she had heard Lady Deanport say of me; begging me, at the same time, not to mind them. She then added some expressions, equally malicious, which she had heard her utter, concerning Lady Diana. This, I do assure you, provoked me more than the other; and I resolved to vex the malicious woman in the only way in my power: You ought not, my dear Miss Clifford,' said Mrs. Demure, to be provoked at my friend, Lady Deanport: it is not from ill-will against you, or Lady Diana, that she speaks so; it is merely because she fears that you will seduce the heart of her son from Miss Moyston: she cannot bear the loss of all that great fortune. She expects, if her son were in possession of it, that she herself would be much more easy in her

own circumstances. My friend is fond of money-very fond of money: it is her greatest fault:-she has it in common with many worthy people. She is also exceedingly fond of play; and, though in other respects a shrewd sensible woman, superstitious to childishness on that subject. Indeed, the whims that very acute people are influenced by, in gaming, are hardly credible. I must do my friend the justice to say, however, that she is not in the least superstitious in religious matters, except when she is in ill health. Her enemies accuse her of being avaricious, and extremely fond of money; but that is, in a great measure, owing to her often losing at play. I am persuaded, that if she were always to win, she would be more generous; but what can a woman do who frequently loses more than she can pay? Her son cannot always supply her, which makes her so set on his marriage with Miss Moyston.'

This elegant and friendly harangue had no effect in turning me from the resolution I had formed: and which I found an opportunity of putting in practice very soon after at the duchess's, where Lord Deanport accosted me, in the presence of his mother and her two accomplices. I listened to the douceurs he whispered in my ear with an air of far more complaisance than I had ever before shown. They endeavoured to conceal their vexation by writhings and constrained smiles, such as a person on the rack, if he thought himself obliged to smile, might exhibit. I hope I was more successful in my smiles; though, I confess, they were forced also; but I was determined to look as pleased as possible.

After I had teased the three ladies sufficiently, I told my aunt that I felt myself a little indisposed; which was really the case; for you have no idea how fatiguing it is to be continually constraining one's features into a simper when they have all the inclination in the world to be indulged in a yawn. My aunt withdrew immediately. My lord attended us to the carriage; and, as he was leading me past her ladyship and the heiress, I could not help enjoying the rage that was apparent on the coun

tenance of the one, and the mortification in that of the other.

The marchioness is still at Richmond. Her friends will not part with her. I drove there yesterday, in the intention to wheedle her from them: but what chance has an English woman to get the better of the French in the art of wheedling? They prevailed on her to stay, in spite of all my skill. She promises, however, to come to London after her return from Bath, where the lady intends to carry her.

Lady Diana is in good health and spirits. Poor Mrs. Denham, she informs me, is somewhat better.

Adieu! my sweet friend. Do not forget to present my love-I mean my respects, to your husband.

H. CLIFFORD.

LETTER LIV.

MRS. SOMMERS to MISS H. CLIFFORD.

Ashwood.

SHOULD be seriously displeased, indeed, my dear Ho ratia, if you could suspect that seeing a coronet on your head would raise the least particle of envy in my heart. Have I not been sensible of your superiority, in almost every accomplishment, without any sentiment but that of increasing affection? The woman who, having some pretensions to beauty, perceives that another is considered in every company as handsomer than herself, and yet retains the warmest friendship for that other, is assuredly incapable of repining at any other species of superiority she may have. I can never love you better, my dear, than I do at present, when you are only a plain spinster : but you may rely upon it I should not love you less though you were raised to the rank of duchess to-morrow. I wish you to be my equal, my dear, in nothing but in happiness; and that, because I believe no woman can be happier/than I am.

VOL. VII.

I am much obliged to you for your round unvarnish ed tale,' which has amused me very much; and, in res turn, I will give you a piece of advice. People do not remain long in debt when they can pay their creditors in this manner. Besides, I am entitled to give you advice : am I not a full year older than you? and am I not a married woman? Listen, therefore, to the voice of a matron; for Wisdom dwelleth with Age."

I would not have you put implicit faith in the information you received from Mrs. Demure. Can you put confidence in a person who, calling herself Lady Deanport's friend, spoke of her in the style she did?

Her ladyship may love money too well; but I have heard that Mrs. Demure is hypocritical and revengeful, which are worse faults. She once showed a disposition to form an intimacy with me; but my husband gave me a hint not to encourage it. I believe he knows more of her history than he chooses to communicate. I shall never ask him a question on that, or any other subject he is disposed to avoid.

But I wish, my dear Horatia, that you would forego the resolution of tormenting Lady Deanport. What was represented to you was probably exaggerated, perhaps entirely without foundation; and, at any rate, declaring yourself her enemy will make her more actively yours, and justifies her in some degree for being so, and can do no good. Besides, my dear, I cannot approve of the means you have used to vex her. In my humble opinion, you ought to be open with the young lord. Since you are determined not to have him, you ought to tell him so at once. No woman can be more decisive than you when you please. A young woman may be forgiven for not saying aye to the man she loves, when he first proposes marriage to her; but there is no excuse for not saying no, in the most unequivocal manner, to him she is determined to reject, should he make the same proposal. On reflection, I am certain you will be of my opinion, and will act accordingly.

My husband sends you his respectful love. I remain; dear Horatia, ever most affectionately yours,

JULIET SOMMERS.

LETTER LV.

MISS HORATIA CLIFFORD to MRS. SOMMERS.

London.

WITHOUT waiting for an answer to a letter I wrote to

you two days since, as my aunt is engaged for the even. ing, I will endeavour to amuse you, my dear, with a curious conversation, which I overheard last night at Mrs. Courtney's.

She generally keeps one room entirely clear of cardtables, where they who decline playing may converse, without disturbing or being disturbed by the players.

When my aunt's party was made up, I went into that room with Lady Blunt, a young lady, her niece, whom she wished to make me acquainted with. Mrs. Demure soon after seated herself by me, with two other ladies; and several gentlemen stood around us. friend, Mr. Mordaunt, was mentioned.

Your husband's

'I understand,' said Sir George Topley,

that he is at his brother's in Hampshire, and expected in town soon.'

• When he comes, George,' said Lady Blunt, you will do well to retire to the country.'

6

Why so?' the baronet asked.

6

• Because,' replied she, copies appear to disadvantage when placed near the original.'

This remark raised a laugh, in which its rudeness would have prevented me from joining, had not the baronet himself laughed as much as any body, without making any other reply, except saying,- All the world knows that your ladyship is a wit;' and then laughed more heartily than before.

There is no great wit, George,' rejoined Lady Blunt,