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THE LOVER'S HOPE.

Ah! why repress the bursting sigh,
Or why the starting tear restrain ?
The bliss of sensibility

Doth richly over-pay the pain.

Then feed on thoughts, my soul, that move
The purest, tenderest desire;

Live on your hope, nor cease to love,
Nor fear to fan the generous fire.

Those speaking eyes, sweet girl, 'tis true,
On me with love were never turn'd;
But hate, if hate can dwell in you,
In you I never yet discern'd.

That dimpled cheek, which lightly glows,
Ne'er glow'd with love for me, I own;
But on those downy arched brows
I never yet observed a frown.

Perhaps those eyes may one day turn

On me, and with soft favour shine;
Perhaps that cheek may one day burn

With the same fire that flushes mine.

Then feed on thoughts, my soul, that move
The purest, tenderest desire;

Live on your hope, nor cease to love,

Nor fear to fan the generous fire.

Having finished this effusion, I returned with it to my lodgings, far more satisfied, I fear, than if it had been the most profound stoical treatise de contemptu amoris. Here I spread it on my table, in order to give it a last polish, and here I left it, on being called away to speak to my father in the Castle-yard, saying I would

vailed; and leaving him to his own impression, that the passion described was imaginary, I allowed him to copy the verses, with which he walked off.

That very day the manuscript composition was announced for the next morning's concert, at which, of course, the whole Hastings party would attend! How can I describe the interest of that moment !

CHAPTER XIX.

THE SUBJECT CONTINUED.

I am advised to give her music o' mornings ;

They say it will penetrate.

CYMBELINE.

I was early in the concert-room, and soon saw the entry of those who alone gave it a charm in my eyes.

From I know not what cause, Charles was not among them, which did not displease me; but Mr. Hastings escorted his daughter and sister, the sheriff's lady, with a daughter, Miss Lucinda Mansell, a pleasing girl, and her odious brother.

Bertha was arrayed in all her loveliness of person and elegance of attire, combining the dignity of a queen with the grace of a nymph; in short, with all that distinction, yet suavity of manner, which attracted the regard and attention of every one, from the highest to the lowest. Accordingly, she was surrounded in a moment by the élite of the gentry at York; while I, at a distance, was more than ever shrunk in my own littleness, and more than ever impressed with my own temerity.

However, the commencement of the concert dissipated these reflections, and left me eager for the per

formance of the important strain; an eagerness which, from the reputation of Mr. Granville, who was known to have composed the music, and was otherwise so well known at York, seemed to be shared by the audience.

It met with complete success. The melody was so beautiful, that it would have insured favour to any words; but the words themselves had also a share of praise. This I found from the remarks of many to whom I sat near, particularly of some young females of prepossessing appearance; though it was chiefly valuable to me for the hope this caused that Bertha might be of the same opinion. From what they said they plainly thought that Mr. Granville was the author of the stanzas as well as the music. "What a delightful man that Mr. Granville must be!" said these young ladies.

Can I deny my pleasure? But, safely can I say, that it was only or chiefly because it shewed it possible that another might think so too, and the verses be approved by her as well as by these strangers. This I thought not unlikely; for the enviable Granville, enrolled in the Hastings' party, was seated next to his lovely relation, who, to the annoyance of her other cousin, Mansell, who sat on the other side, gave him all her attention. Nay, it was obvious, for I could see it from my station, that she was complimenting him upon the melody, and perhaps upon the words, thinking them his; for he replied to her animated address with a succession of bows, but also with shakes of the head; the one evidently from acquiescence, the other as evidently from disclaimer.

All this was confirmed to me afterwards by himself, and, on leaving the room, I had the delight not only of receiving an angelic look of kindness from Bertha as she passed, but a direct appeal to my opinion, whether the thought in the new stanzas were not charming? Moreover, this was crowned by an observation, that I had not called again upon her father.

I went home, plunged in a sea of delight, and could not sleep that night for joy.

The next day, Mr. Granville called again, and gladdened me by reporting what many, but particularly Bertha, thought of the stanzas. They were pathetic, generous, she said, delicate, and full of devotion, which could scarcely fail, she thought, to win the object of them.

What an agitating recital for me! Granville knew not the flame he was fanning, or the firmness he was undermining in relating this. "Let me tell you, however," said he, "that my honesty underwent no slight trial with my delightful kinswoman, who would have it, spite of my asseverations to the contrary, that I was the author; and concluded, playfully (you know how frank she is), that she was glad that the verses were not made upon her, for she should be in danger.”

My cheek became instantly all fire at this account, which luckily Mr. Granville, having moved to the window to look at a passing carriage, did not perceive; but I was in still greater danger when he added, "By the way, Miss Hastings thought you very ungallant yesterday, considering how intimate you had formerly been at Foljambe Park, and won

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