and every luxury, yet accommodating themselves to their present circumstances with admirable equanimity: Goodhumour and gaiety are always agreeable qualities:-by being preserved during adversity, they are ennobled into virtues.

I met with some whom I had known the first time I was at Paris, and to whom I owed many civilities. The attention due to them kept me from the reveries into which I every instant found myself ready to fall.

The marchioness asked me, in a whisper, If I should ever forgive her for having inveigled me into a whole army of French?'

The answer was unavoidable-I was obliged to her for introducing me to so many agreeable people.'- Yet,' resumed she, with a sly look, you seem to expect somebody else, by your eye being so frequently directed to the door.'

After this I refrained from looking that way for some time; but, turning my eyes towards it at last, I saw the person they searched sitting between two French ladies, a cluster of men pressing around her. I moved that way -she received my compliments with politeness, and immediately resumed her conversation with those who sat next her. I attempted frequently to draw her into a separate conversation: she always made a polite reply to what I said, but directly after addressed her discourse to some other of the company. I at length ventured to say, in English, The French are a very agreeable people; it is not, therefore, surprising that you are so fond of conversing with them.' Even if I were not very fond of conversing with them,' said she, smiling, I should think it highly proper on the present occasion; for, though it is an English custom, I do not think it quite polite, in the natives of a country, to converse apart, and leave foreigners to entertain themselves.'

'Here are more foreigners than natives,' said I. That renders the deviation from politeness greater,' rejoined she. • How so?'

Do you not perceive,' said she, how very rude it

would seem, in either us, to prefer one single native to such a choice of foreigners ??

As for my own part,' I resumed, I can declare with truth, that I prefer your

• We were speaking of politenes,' said she, interrupting me, which, you know, is quite a different thing from truth.' I know it,' said I, and therefore, with truth, independent of politeness, declare, that I should give the same preference were the assembly composed of a select company of English women instead of foreigners."..

1

How would you like now,' replied she, smiling, "if every woman to whom you have made a similar declaration overheard you ?-But I am wanted,' added she, and crossed the room to the marchioness, who immediately placed her in a card party.

By this time, my dear colonel, I suspect you are a little impatient to know who this incognita is?-Why, she is an acquaintance of yours of mine. Yes, and the most intimate friend of your Juliet,

Miss Clifford !' Yes, to be sure.

tion I have given?

Who else could answer the descrip

But now she is also an acquaintance of mine, and the only one who could detain me from setting out for Ashwood after the time mentioned in the note I sent on the day of my arrival in town. But I refer the matter, my dear Sommers, to your own conscience-Is such a woman to be left so very easily ?-She allows me to visit her at Mr. Darnley's. We have had a long conversation about your Juliet and you. I do rejoice, my friend, in your happiness-long may it last! I am to dine at Mr. Darnley's with the marchioness to-morrow; and am engaged to dance with Miss Clifford at a ball to be given by the countess of Rsome days after. She tells me, however, that her friend Lady Diana Franklin, is expected. from Devonshire very soon. The marchioness and Miss Clifford will go to meet her at the Grove whenever she arrives. I hinted that I should be happy to attend them, provided they would engage to secure my welcome. Miss

Clifford seemed to think this push rather too bold : shẹ said, with a more severe air than I had ever before seen her assume, that she believed Lady Diana expected only the marchioness and herself.

Have you no thoughts of bringing Mrs. Sommers to town? If you are determined against that step, I shall certainly be with you in Northumberland. I cannot as yet fix the precise time,

This much I had written several days ago; but having been interrupted, I neglected to finish and send the letter to the post. You see the state of mind I am in.You ask what has become of all my protestations against marriage.—Ah! le bon billet qu'a la châtre. Adieu!

J. MORDAUNT.

LETTER XCV.

LADY DIANA FRANKLIN to MISS HORATIA CLIFFORD.

MY DEAR HORATIA,

Plimpton.

As there is a possibility of the marchioness being suddenly obliged to leave England, and join her husband, I am determined to set out for the Grove to-morrow. Mrs. Denham is by no means so much re-established as I wished and expected she would have been by this time; yet I cannot bear the thought of allowing the marchioness to leave this island without my seeing her.

I have written to my housekeeper, that she may expect you and the marchioness at the Grove on Friday next, and desired her to have dinner for you by five o'clock, I expect to be there myself the same evening.

By several letters from her, I find that Mr. Mordaunt has been able to render her some essential services, and has impressed on her heart a strong sense of obligation. I dare say she has mentioned this to you. The brilliant qualities of that gentleman are peculiarly captivating to young women; England cannot boast a man of a finer appearance, or more easy manners. He is said to possess qualities that command the admiration of his own

sex in as great perfection as he does those which engage the affection of ours: his courage and acuteness of mind are highly celebrated. He is also considered as a man of wit; but wit, like other brilliant possessions, produces more envy in others than happiness to the proprietor. No quality, however, is more generally admired. I am not surprised, therefore, my dear, to perceive, through the guarded expressions in which you mention him in your last letter, that you view him with some degree of partiality.

I know no man, however, whose acquaintance is more dangerous to a young woman. And, even to those to whom the acquaintance of no man can be dangerous, any degree of intimacy with him will not be thought very proper. His conversation is often more brilliant than sensible. He has always avowed a determination never to marry; but it is said, that, with all his libertinism, he cannot be justly accused of ever having seduced any woman by promising her marriage. This is a kind of defence which, without entirely exculpating one party, leaves the other without excuse. You tell me that Mr. Darnley first met Mr. Mordaunt at the lodgings of the marchioness, and, being pleased with his conversation, invited him to his house, which he now visits pretty frequently; and that both Mr. and Mrs. Darnley are delighted with his company. Mr. Mordaunt has the art of rendering his company agreeable to all whom he peculiarly wishes to please; but I question much, my dear, whether Mr. and Mrs. Darnley would have been of that number, if he could freely enjoy your company without theirs. At all events, you may be very certain, that the world will place Mr. Mordaunt's visits to your account more than to that of your uncle and aunt; and you will reflect, my dear Horatia, how far the frequent visits of a man of his way of thinking and character, either when you are at your un cle's or elsewhere, is proper for you.

On Friday evening I shall have the pleasure of em bracing you and the marchioness at the Grove. Till then, my dear, adieu!

D. FRANKLIN.

P. S. I beg, my dear, that you will not fail to meet me at the Grove.-If any accident or engagement should prevent the marchioness from coming on Friday, come by yourself.

LETTER XCVI.

COLONEL SOMMERS to MISS CLIFFORD.

Ashwood.

It is with much concern, my dear Miss Clifford, that I address this to you. I went last Wednesday to Mrs. Kerr's, where my business detained me that night. On my return home, I found my dearest Juliet very much indisposed. Miss Proctor, who has been with us this month past, and your brother, who has been very assiduous in his visits since he last came to the country, dined with her. In the evening they walked out till the ladies were fatigued; then rested on a bank by the side of the rivulet, and returned by a shorter path, across the meadow, when it was quite wet with dew. Juliet was seized with a shivering that night, and was very feverish till morning. She made light of her indisposition, however, when I arrived, and the physician gave me hopes that the fever was abating; but she has passed a very disturbed night, has rambled a great deal in her sleep, and sometimes mentioned your name. She was calmer during some part of the forenoon; but the physician speaks with less hope of the fever being thrown off immediately; assuring me, at the same time, that there is no very threatening symptom. However unwilling I am to give you uneasiness, I have so often heard your sweet friend and you censure the concealing of intelligence of this nature from those nearest concerned, that I thought proper to communicate to you directly the real situation in which she is.

You, my dear madam, who know the value of the trea sure I possess, may form a just idea of the anguish I feel at the least appearance of losing it. I was so strongly af