of large fortune, and good family; so that Julia's relatives gave him every assistance in his addresses, her uncle hoping soon to see his niece well settled in life. 'Indeed she seemed to give him all the encouragement he could wish for, but never appeared so cheerful and lively as formerly; her placid features evinced the serenity of her mind, but which seemed to have lost its accustomed elasticity; her animated eye no longer beamed with its usual intelligence; and the brilliant flashes of her wit were for ever fled, leaving her conversational powers deprived of their hitherto unrivalled charms: yet, with all these sad changes, her new lover was most ardently attached to her; and she, knowing it was impossible for her ever to be united to the first and only object of her love, at length yielded to the importunities of her friends, and consented to a day being fixed for the marriage. A short time previous to the ceremony being performed, the conduct of Julia became mysteriously gloomy: she would no longer suffer herself to be left alone in his company, urging, in the most energetic manner, that she never could be his wife. 'Astonished and stung to the soul by a beha viour so unexpected, he begged her aunt would intercede for him, and endeavour to discover the cause of this sudden alteration. Several days were wasted in vain attempts to wrest the fatal secret from her, and she became more and more desponding. Her lovely countenance was now overspread by a melancholy sadness, her mind was evidently borne down by a heavy load of grief, and she spent most of her time in solitude; never appearing amongst the company which frequented her uncle's house, who severally felt the loss of her interesting society. The uneasiness of her friends increased as the cause of her grief remained unknown, till Captain Harcourt, who was returned from his country yoyage, and was waiting to receive his dispatches for Europe, one day paid his former ward a visit, during which they were left alone. The day after this interview the dreadful cause was made known. Her uncle received a letter in her well-known hand, to the following effect: "My dear and honoured relative, "YOUR once spotless, but now wretched, dependant is waiting to throw herself at your feet, not to implore pity or forgiveness for herself, although she has committed a crime which, alas! will for ever shroud her pretended virtues in the veil of pollution, in the eyes of a cruel and relentless world, but to beg for the shelter of your hospitable roof only a short time longer, that she may screen her shame from the aspersions of a malicious society. Remorse and grief have taken up their abode in that bosom, which was once the seat of innocent delight, but which is now ready to burst with agony as she sues for your mercy. She is ruined. The bloom of her innocence is faded. She is as a fair garden laid waste, whose verdure is gone, never again to return; her early blossom has been trampled upon by the destroyer; but yet is her soul untainted: that indeed is very far beyond the polluted touch of man; he has no power but over the poor body, and it is this your humble petitioner fears. Do not cast her from you in her present situation; regard her yet unborn innocent, that will too soon enter the dangerous career of life, with tenderness. She asks not for herself: she will never after disturb your peace, but will return to her native country, and there spend the remainder of her days in solitude, for joy and comfort have forsaken frail her for ever in this world. She will fix her steady sight on that haven of rest, which is far beyond the reach of sorrow and misfortune, and will endeavour to deserve it. Farewell. Protect her babe, and curse not "Your unhappy “JULIA. CHAP IV. "In weary being now I pine, ASTONISHMENT, mingled with the most acute anguish, for some time operated in so forcible a manner on the mind of her uncle as to prevent him from taking any immediate measures concerning this unfortunate event; but at length the fatal secret was by degrees communicated to all the relations and friends of the unhappy girl, and every individual instantly fixed upon Harcourt, as the destroyer of her innocence: but in order to be perfectly satisfied on this head, her aunt was deputed to question her about the matter, not doubting but she should receive the information wanted. But they were wholly unacquainted with the mind of this angelic girl. She still loved the imprudent youth with unabated and even increased affec |