for dinner, and when you have done the same, follow to the garden."

"So-I have been finely decoyed here," thought his lordship as she withdrew, "to make up a trio with her sentimental ladyship and some long-waisted, jaundicedskin piece of stiff celibacy!-Oh! curse me, if it's not too bad! But, faith, I'll soon make myself scarce again, and be off to my charming Caroline."

Having changed his dress, however, he thought proper to follow, as desired, to the garden; not, however, to join her had the countess desired him to follow, but to be surprised with the sight of Fidelia, who had taken a book there...

After sauntering about some time, he espied a white dress through the foliage of a bower." So, there sits Miss Frumps," thought he, " amusing herself, I suppose, by a narrative of adventures she has often vainly wished to be the heroine of Curse me if I interrupt her delectable employment!-Yet, after all, I may as well amuse myself by quizzing the tabby."

*、

He accordingly approached, but at the face that met his view his affected exclamation of rapture was changed into one of real transport. Why, good Heavens! is it possible?" he cried; "can I believe my senses? Is it indeed the dear, the lovely girl that I have so long been anxiously seeking after that I see?-But tell me, my charming girl," as he took her hand and passionately kissed it, “ may I flatter myself that my rapture is at all mutual?"

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"I should be ungrateful to lady Castle Dermot if I was not happy to see her 'son," returned Fidelia, calmly.

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Oh, curse it! that won't do. Of all obligations, I do not wish to owe her the obligation of being loved only for her sake;" and seating himself, he attempted to enclasp the waist of Fidelia; but, starting from him, she gave him a look that seemed to demand how he dared attempt such an audacity with her, and then rising, quitted the bower.

Lord Castle Dermot followed, uttering

a thousand extravagant compliments. Regardless of them, Fidelia was hastening in, when, to her great relief, they were joined by lady Castle Dermot. Her son,' after openly avowing the delightful surprise he had met with, endeavoured to learn how she and Fidelia had become known. She answered him in a manner that gave him to believe it was owing to her seeking for a companion, thus purposely concealing the real fact from him.

How lucky that the one selected by her should be the very one he had long wished to secure himself!" But now I perceive," he said to himself, as he followed, musing on the fortunate circumstance," why Grandison was so urgent for me to continue at Rock Fort. Devilish sly, his trying to keep me there! But I'll be even with him for this, as well as other kindnesses. Curse me, if I didn't care twopence for the girl, if I wouldn't try to win her, for the purpose of triumphing over him!-But what an extraordinary being this same lady-mother of mine, to rest not

till she had put me in the way of temptas tion! Curse me, if I know what to make of the circumstance! However, it shan't be my fault if I don't profit by it."

True to this resolution, his lordship became the absolute persecutor of Fidelia; and her distress at his conduct was increased by her efforts to avoid him being often defeated by the strange interference of the countess; for strange it seemed to her, that, instead of trying to prevent their having opportunities of conversing alone, she should rather furnish them with such. To what could such conduct be owing? Was it really to render Fidelia herself happy, by proving to her she had the most generous confidence in her principles? or else to absolute blindness to the imprudence of it? If, when making an effort to get out unobserved, Fidelia would draw back, on perceiving lord Castle Dermot apprised of her intention and preparing to accompany her, her ladyship, in a tone of evident pique, would say, she was sorry he was considered so

disagreeable a companion, that, rather than allow his attendance, she would give up the enjoyment she sought; thus forcing her, from a fear of otherwise offending, frequently to act contrary to her inclination and judgment. But though teazed by lord Castle Dermot, he had as yet done nothing seriously to offend her. Either awed by her manner, or else afraid of avowing himself, ere flattered with the idea of having gained a little upon her, he as yet confined himself within the bounds of decorum; yet still his looks, his manner, his unceasing indications of admiration, alarmed Fidelia." But if he perse veres in these, I will soon settle the mat ter," she said. Yes to disclose to the countess the conversation he amused her with in their rambles would certainly be, she conceived, to rescue her from what was so disagreeable: but still, if possible, she wished to avoid the risk of creating any difference between them, and therefore determined to try a little longer whether her persevering reserve would not