in the world, found pleasure at hearing myself talk, quite forgetting that others had an equal delight in hearing them-selves." So saying, he, laughing, with drew, with a happy carelessness about what was thought of him.

CHAPTER III.

"For love, thou know'st, is full of jealousy."

FIDELIA had been greatly discomposed by her recent visit, and the circumstance it led to did not by any means tend to lessen that discomposure. When, however, after proceeding some way, she found no attempt on the part of her companion at particularity, no allusion to any thing that could embarrass or distress her, she gradually became a little calmer. But at length the reins were slackened, and turning his eyes upon her" I hope Miss

Hawthorn will not think I take any undue advantage of the present circumstance," he said, "if I make use of it, to ask a question I am most anxious to have answered ?"

"I should hope," returned Fidelia, "that colonel Grandison would be incapable of taking undue advantage of any circumstance. But," and her voice trembled, "I know no question I have the power of answering that can remove any anxiety he labours under."

"What!" and he looked reproachfully at her," after the rumour you must, I think, be aware I have heard the rumour of an attachment-of of an intended marriage between you and lord Castle Dermot?-Pardon me if I have been too abrupt; but solicitude on some subjects is so painful, that one may be forgiven if they take what they conceive the readiest way of ridding themselves of it."

Fidelia faltered. What was she to infer from this but the intended avowal of a passion she had the strongest motives for

determining to reject? To allow him to believe in the report concerning her and lord Castle Dermot she could not bear; yet, to deny it and what would it be, but probably to occasion a declaration she now shrunk from receiving?" Pardon me," she at length said, "if I do not answer you: but where an attempt at deception has been detected, one may be excused, I think, for not being explicit."

"An attempt at deception!" he repeated, with surprise; "I do not comprehend you, ma'am."

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Oh, colonel Grandison, how can you say so?"

"How!" he exclaimed-"Pardon me for repeating your expressions, but really they are, or rather what they allude to, incomprehensible. I must therefore entreat you to be a little more explicit."

Fidelia, however, as if deeming that unnecessary, turned away her head disdainfully.

Evidently offended, Grandison instantly stopped the horses, and protested he would

not proceed another step till she had explained.

1

Well, if I must then," said Fidelia; and she proceeded to mention the circumstance of his allowing himself to be known to her and her friends by different names, and the consequent suspicion it inspired to his prejudice.

“And is this all?" said Grandison, again touching the horses to make them go on. "What a slight matter may injure a man! To accident was owing what you impute to design: on neither party did I lay any injunction of silence concerning me; and if, as colonel Morven, I found I was not known to you, as colonel Grandison I conceived there could be no possible harm in trying to learn why you had not accompanied your friends to Rock Fort, where, by the name you accuse me of purposely concealing, I should have been introduced to you. Foibles, failings, frailties, I confess to, but not a disposition to perfidy or dissimulation. Passion may perhaps too often sway, and prejudice go

vern; but of treachery, of ever seeking to deceive, my heart acquits me.”

Abashed, confused by his manner, this reproachful but calm vindication of himself, Fidelia knew not how to look up, how to meet the probably indignant glance of the kind and generous spirit she had offended.

Her embarrassment was too great not to be noticed." Come," he said, with a smile, "I see you are sorry for having falsely suspected me, at least so I choose to fancy; and, as a proof I am not mistaken, give me your hand."

Fidelia could not refuse-it trembled in his; and again was he checking the horses, when the countess appeared in sight. Anxious to know the success of her stratagem, she had walked out to meet her son and Fidelia. On seeing the latter in a different carriage and unaccompanied by him, the wildest terror took possession of her, and, in a voice scarce audible, she demanded, was he killed?