I should not long be mifs Courtney's favourite was actually oppreffive to me. Some thing very much like felf-condemnation haunted my spirits: I calculated again and again my acquirements, with those it was probable mifs Courtney poffeffed at my age, and I experienced a fhame and regret, into which glided a fentiment altogether unknown to me before; that is to fay, the disappointed expectations of my father. Í shed, my dear Mrs. Palmerstone, tears of real contrition. The refult of my cogitations was a refolution to imitate mifs Courtney with all poffible diligence. My watchfulness preceded the time, and, mistaking the hour, I rofe at five o'clock. Impenétrable darknefs furrounded me: but no ways difmayed by a fituation fo new to me, I took my bundle of clothes, which I had ufed the precaution to collect together, and ftepped across the paffage that led to mifs Courtney's room. She was afleep when I entered the apartment, and I believe she would not have been forry had I been fo

likewife.

likewife. It was dreadfully cold, and her first care was to recommend to me dispatch in dreffing: fhe then with much cheerfulness congratulated me on my victory, and inftantly arofe. The fire was replenished, and the lamp gave place to two candles; all took an air of comfort; but I thought her immeasurably long in her dressing and attendant duties.

To fay the truth, these included attentions which I feldom thought of when left to myself. At last mifs Courtney placed herself by me with all the graces of neatness and fimplicity. We proceeded to our business, and I was difpofed to be very alert: but my curiofity was fo often in action, that I believe I was a more importunate questioner than useful affiftant. Sometimes artificial flowers came in the way...then a set of dreffing-boxes in filigree....now a worked gown, and now miniatures of ladies. Thefe I examined with attention, and asked her 'whether the friend fhe had mentioned was amongst them? though,' added I, they all

appear

appear too young, except this,' directing her eyes to one I held in my hand. 'That,' replied fhe, is the picture of my good governess. But you fay truly: the friend I alluded to has lineaments very different from any you fee at prefent; fhe has neither the fmiles and graces of youth, nor the fobered sweetness of maturity. You will find them, however, pretty faithfully delineated in this packet,' giving me one fealed up: 'put it in your pocket for the prefent, we have no time to spare.' I obeyed, and took up feveral bundles neatly tied up and ticketed. One was muflin....' a frock for Emily'....another,dimity for Charles'......each bore their several deftinations. You have then,'. faid I, brothers and fifters? You are more fortunate than I am.' Thofe,' repliedfhe, whom affection has bestowed upon me, and allows me to confider as fuch; but nature has denied me that bleffing. The trifles you fee are intended for the use of a friend in the country: fhe has a young family, and accepts with kindness the offer

ings of gratitude: her ingenuity and induftry give a value to these half-worn clothes, which spare her husband expenses that would otherwife prefs on his limited income.' I wifh,' cried I, she had fome of my things! Do, my dear mifs Courtney, manage to put in fome of my frocks-Mrs. Delmy will be fo. pleafed!'

she involuntarily,

'Oh!' faid

that I may but fuc

ceed!' Do not doubt it,' cried I gaily, mifconceiving her meaning.

Mrs. Delmy will send you plenty of things!' She kiffed me with tenderness, and an emotion that I afcribed folely to pleasure my contentment was complete, and my vivacity unrestrained.

"On our leaving the room, fhe faid to me with a fignificant fmile, My dear mifs Wentworth, as you are not always employed, it may be you will not be displeased to visit this apartment fometimes: when I am in it, you will always be a welcome gueft; and in my abfence,' added fhe, looking at her book-cafe, my friends will be yours.'

yours.' I thanked her with real gratitude, and the fame day availed myfelf of this permiffion, in order to examine at my ease the important packet, which I conceived contained fome very interefting fecret.

"On entering the room I was ftruck by the neat arrangement of it, which a cheerful fire no ways difgraced. Some beautiful landscapes were hung round it.... in the middle of the room stood a table and reading-desk, inimitably executed, fo as to refemble the fineft marble.... and near the fire a frame of embroidery, which mifs Courtney had juft left: in a word, I conceived I was in the temple of Taste; a view of my own negligent perfon, reflected from the oppofite mirror, convinced me that I was an unfit inhabitant of it; and for the first time in my life I tried to fettle my hair into fome order. I now with much circumfpection broke the feal of my packet.

"Your perufal of it will spare me the further recital of my girlish and heedless days. Take it,' faid the, prefenting it to me:

'it