duced, did I say? Compelled would be the better word, for truly, now, it was no wish of mine; only when a man's day is come, and he falls in love in spite of himself, there's no use in life fighting with the fates, or squaring your elbows for a set-to with Cupid. And this being the case, Miss Middleton, I hope you'll forgive me if I declare" Here he suddenly broke off, and pointing to the water, whence a flapping and a splashing sound proceeded, exclaimed: "Och, now! lookye there, two of the ducks are fighting. Sure the big one is trying to hold the other under the water. Oh the spite of that murderous creature!" He continued watching the struggle till the weaker combatant made its escape, and waddled up the bank, while the victor struck across the lake quacking and wagging his tail in triumph, when the spectator of the battle, resuming the seat from which he had started, said with a bewildered look. Indeed, then, I hardly re

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member. Can you tell me what I was talking about, Miss Middleton ?"

Cecilia, whose curiosity had been wound up

to the highest pitch of expectation, and who felt the offensiveness of this most inopportune absence of mind, was too much piqued to make any immediate reply. Recollecting, however, her mother's salutary counsel about exciting, if possible, the jealousy of her indecisive admirer, she said with an air of indifference, "Really, Sir Dennis, I cannot undertake to collect for you your wandering thoughts, but I you my own if you wish to hear them. I was just then recalling, that the last time I visited the Colosseum, it was in company with Mr. Travers, a gentleman whom I believe you have once seen in Portland Place. He professes himself my admirer, and Sir Matthew, who has a great regard for him, is very anxious

can tell

"Ah now, my dear Miss Middleton !" interposed the Baronet-" let me beseech you not to bestow a thought upon the creature. I was about to declare that it was yourself, your own sweet self that had made me change my resolution you have quite entirely won my heart. I never did, and never will, love anybody but

yourself, and I'll never rise up from the ground, unless you allow me to hope that this dear hand may soon become mine for life.” Sinking upon one knee as he spoke, he threw himself into a theatrical attitude, seized her hand, pressed it to his heart, and endeavoured to look as tender as his unmeaning bewhiskered face would allow.

"Pray, pray rise up!” cried Cecilia, in great agitation—" I must refer you to my father."

"But, if Sir Matthew has no objection, and sure I hope he won't, may I flatter myself that you will confirm my happiness?"

"In that case I should not withhold my consent," blushed Cecilia.

"Oh then, my dear Miss Middleton! ten thousand thanks for that same confession. I give you my honour you have made me the happiest creature in the world."

At this moment footsteps were heard approaching, Sir Dennis started upon his feet, strangers entered the room, he offered his arm to Cecilia, and they rejoined their friends, who had been all this time busily idle in the con

servatory. Lady Middleton drew a favourable augury from the excited looks of her daughter, which rarely betrayed any emotion; but nothing was said confirmatory of her hopes until they reached the portico, when Sir Dennis, just as he was stepping into his cabriolet, told her that he should call next morning, before Sir Matthew went into the city, as he wished to see him on particular business. No sooner were the ladies seated in their carriage, than the impatient mother, reminding her daughter that they need not have any secrets before friends, asked her whether she could explain the cause of Sir Dennis's promised visit at so unusual an hour. This drew forth a hasty account of what had occurred, and all was instantly mutual congratulation, and shaking of hands, and "nods and becks, and wreathed smiles," in the midst of which Mrs. Burroughs forgot not to observe that, as she had been the means of their securing such a prize, by first introducing Sir Dennis to their house, she took it for granted Dominick would be employed to draw up the settlements, and marriage-articles,

and all that sort of thing, with which matters he was particularly conversant. To a request so reasonable a willing assent was given. They were now in Portland Place. Lady Middleton and her daughter alighted at their own door, and Mrs. Burroughs, recollecting that she had a visit to make two or three streets off, requested the use of the carriage for that purpose. This application being as readily granted as its predecessor, she ordered the driver to Gloucester Place, then to two or three other streets, and finally to her own house, when she gave the children one cake apiece out of her heavily-laden reticule, and deposited the remainder in a private store which she kept for furnishing forth her desserts, whenever any friends likely to become clients were invited to dine with her.