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gentleman's seat, and of every thing worth notice in the road, which he took great delight in explaining to his young pupils and their sisters.

The family had been absent from Belfield above three years, and in that time what a loss had they sustained! As they approached it, how many tender recollections crowded on their minds and after the last exchange of horses, Mrs. Belfield wished to travel quite alone, but was prevailed on by her considerate friends, to suffer Elinor to accompany her, they thinking the presence of this dear and feeling girl

might

might be at once a comfort and re

straint.

Some of the children were too young, on their leaving Belfield, to remember much of it; and little Laura was quite an infant. The elder ones promised themselves great pleasure in shewing every little beauty to their companions; but the damp their affectionate hearts felt, on witnessing their beloved mamma's pale and dejected countenance, which grew still paler every mile they drove, quite took from them their gaiety; their spirits were gone, and they dared not speak, lest they should add to her affliction.

Sensible

Sensible of the injury her children might suffer in their health, this truly good mother endeavoured to restrain her emotion, and to appear at least tranquil. An old servant, who had attended Colonel Belfield from his first entering the army, whose father was butler to General Belfield, had been wounded at the same time his master was, but not mortally; he had been sent down to Belfield, to be. nursed and attended with the utmost care, immediately on his return to England, and was now tolerably restored to health; but he still mourned his beloved master.

About

About a mile from Belfield, this trusty servant (who had been all day expecting his mistress and young master) had posted himself, to catch a glimpse of them a little sooner than his fellow-servants. Mrs. Belfield, who, with her daughter, was in the first carriage, descried the faithful Jones, as they turned into the Park, and, unable to restrain her emotion, she heaved a deep groan and fainted. Poor Elinor called instantly to the postillion to stop, and resting her mother's head carefully on her shoulder, strove, by salts and hartshorn, to restore ber to her senses. Poor Jones came

to

to the carriage, and opening the door, respectfully desired permission to bear his dear Lady into the air. Elinor felt that the unexpected sight of the good man had caused her mother's illness, but she had no heart to wound him by telling him this; she gently opposed his intention, but advised his fetching a little water, which she thought would soon revive her mamma. Jones made all possible haste to procure the water, but as he could only walk very slowly, in consequence of the wound in his leg,. Mrs. Belfield was perfectly recovered before his return, and having called all her forti

tude

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