fected with certain thoughts which rushed into my mind after I had written the last sentence, that, instead of proceeding, I went into Juliet's chamber. Her attendants made a signal for me to withdraw, and have since assured me that she has fallen into a slumber.

My mind is continually revolving scenes of past hap piness, with the trembling hope that they will be renewed. When I heard, this morning, that Juliet had expressed a desire to see a clergyman, you cannot imagine how it pierced my heart: it gave me the idea that they never were to be renewed in this life. Some people's religion consists entirely in acts of devotion, and some entirely in acts of benevolence. As hers consists in both, it always afforded me pleasure, except in this single instance.— How weak! I am your ever faithful friend and servant,

RICHARD SOMMERS.

LETTER XCVII.

MISS HORATIA CLIFFORD to LADY DIANA FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR LADY DIANA,

Ashwood.

IMMEDIA MMEDIATELY on receiving your last letter, I settled with the marchioness to set out together on Friday to meet you at the Grove; but that same evening, while we were felicitating each other in the pleasure we expected from your society, I received a letter from Colonel Sommers, with an alarming account of Juliet. The letter was evidently written in great agitation of mind: she had been suddenly taken ill, and was thought in danger. I ordered posthorses, with the intention of setting off that same night for Ashwood. My aunt exclaimed against my leaving town at that hour, and talked of robbers, &c. Mr. Darnley, perceiving this had no effect, told me plainly that he would not allow me to leave his house till next morning. I was therefore a prisoner till five o'clock, when I set off with my maid, a servant attending us on horseback. I leave you to imagine my anxiety during this journey; the earliest companion of my youth, the beloved friend of

my heart, the favourite of my lamented mother, the woman on earth whom, next to yourself, I most love and esteem, on the point, as I dreaded, of being snatched from me for ever. Yet, so overpowered was I by the fatigue of incessant travelling, that, on the second day, I got some sleep in the carriage, and thereby found myself less exhausted than I probably should have been had I remained in London; for in that case I certainly should have had no sleep at all. I was greatly relieved by the colonel, who, as he helped me out of the chaise, assured me that my friend was better. The physician gave me the same assurance; but prevented my seeing her directly, as I earnestly desired. Sometime after, however, he came to me, and said, that he had been again with his patient, who had told him, that she had a dear friend in London, who would be greatly alarmed on hearing of her illness; and had desired him, if he really thought her in a way of recovery, to write his opinion to that friend; informing him at the same time of my address.

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On my assuring her,' continued the physician, that I would do as she desired, she said, with fervour, O doc tor! you cannot imagine what comfort your letter will afford to her afflicted heart; and it gives no small uneasiness to mine, that she must feel two days of painful apprehension before she receives it.' On this,' added he, • I desired her not to be uneasy on that account; and informed her that you were actually in the house. And, now, madam,' said he, taking me by the hand, permit me to conduct you to your friend's bedside.'

He led me into her chamber.-After a very short interview, the tenderness of which I am unable to describe, the physician, addressing his patient, said,- Now, ma dam, the thought of your friend's vexation will no longer keep you awake. She needs sleep as much as you. The consolation I have afforded you both, though not exactly agreeable to regular practice, will, I hope, prove as effi cacious an anodyne draught as any I could have ordered from the apothecary's shop.'

So saying, he led me out of the room. I soon after

went to bed with a light heart, slept eight hours, and, when I awakened, was informed that Juliet had also had a good deal of sleep, and continued on the recovery.

Those parts of your letter that relate to Mr. Mordaunt I delay taking notice of, because, until I shall be fully ascertained of Mrs. Sommers's recovery, I cannot, for a moment, fix my mind on any other subject. This is also the case with the colonel. If any thing could augment the esteem I before had for that gallant and worthy man, it would be the tender and delicate attentions he has paid to Juliet since her illness.

In him there is a remarkable proof of the difference between that kind of intrepidity which enables a man to preserve coolness and recollection in the midst of personal danger, and that which makes him bear the loss of a beloved object. No man ever displayed more of the former than Colonel Sommers; and no man is more a coward at the thought of the latter. I observed him become pale at the hurried entrance of Juliet's maid into the room where he and I were sitting this morning. She only wanted something of no importance; but his agitated heart suggested an unfavourable turn in her mistress. He could hardly speak for some moments after the girl was gone.

I have strong hopes, that in my next I shall be able to announce the happy news that Juliet is quite out of danger. With affectionate compliments to the marchioness, who, I take it for granted, is now with you at the Grove, I am, my dear Lady Diana, yours,

H. CLIFFORD.

P. S. My brother was almost constantly at Ashwood before my arrival: he has never been here since; but he sends every day to inquire how Juliet is. His letters are never directed to me. I have certainly more reason to complain of him than he has of me; yet I am the person that feels uneasiness at our misunderstanding :-this is foolish on my part, and hard-hearted on his.

LETTER XCVIII.

The COUNTESS of DEANPORT to MRS. DEMURE.

MY DEAR MADAM,

London.

I CALLED at your house this morning, to give you a curious piece of news. It is whispered that Miss Clifford has gone off with Mr. Mordaunt. Some say they left town in the same carriage; others that she went alone, and that he followed soon after. The variation is of little importance, as it is certain they are both gone: and there can be little doubt of their meeting at some of the post-houses. Mrs. Darnley gives out that the lady is gone on a visit to Mrs. Sommers in Northumberland: that is not probable; she came from thence very lately. Other wise-acres assert that they are gone to be married in Scotland. Why should he carry her to Scotland? her to Scotland? She is not a prize to be run off with, surely. He has had experience sufficient to know that his passion can cool soon enough without his either marrying or carrying the object of it to so frigid a country. But I leave you to judge whether Mordaunt is a likely man to marry in any country. Both you and I, my dear friend, are acquainted with women of superior beauty to Miss Clifford, who have been betrayed by this man: though I don't know if it can be called betraying ; for, it is said, he never mentioned marriage to any of those infatuated creatures.

I know, my dear madam, that your sympathising breast will feel severely on this occasion; for the whole will be public directly; and there is no possibility of your having any farther connection with the unhappy young woman.

How unfortunate! that she did not follow the example of some wary ladies of our acquaintance, who, being equally culpable, have avoided all éclat, and of course are received everywhere, notwithstanding an universal conviction that they deserve to be comprehended within the bill of exclusion.

This incident will certainly produce a struggle between

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the purity of Lady Diana Franklin and her friendship for the fallen nymph, before she will be able to determine whether to break with her entirely or not. As for Mordaunt, I make no doubt of his abandoning Miss Clifford just as he did others, with whom his connection has not as yet been so completely ascertained. He has resigned the French woman that he brought over already. She pretends, I understand, to be a marchioness; but, more probably, is the wife or daughter of some Parisian tradesman. Several of the real nobility of France, I hear, have been under the necessity of exercising trade since they left their own country; but a far greater number of real trades-people from France have assumed the titles, and give themselves the airs of nobility.

I wonder how Mr. Clifford will behave, when he comes to the knowledge of his sister's conduct. He has the reputation of being of a very violent temper, and is a heroin gallantry as well as Mordaunt; with this difference, however, that he is less silent on the subject of his victories. He was expected in town; but, I understand from my son, with whom he keeps up a constant correspondence, that he is wonderfully captivated by a young lady in his own neighbourhood, who seems to have driven from his memory all recollection of those who languish for his return to the capital.

Being informed that you intended to stay three or four days with Lady, I thought it right to acquaint you, with these particulars, because I am certain that your friendship for Mrs. Darnley will prompt you to come directly to town, on purpose to do all in your power to support her spirits on this vexatious occasion. I remain, my dear madam, your sincere and obedient servant,

E. DEANPORT.