'tenance.

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fooner was mifs Madder arrived, than fhe led her up ftairs, to fhow her mamma's 'tafte.' In a few minutes fhe joined me in the dining-parlour, with a faddened counI have been very indifcreet,' faid fhe: I fhould not have conducted poor Sally into thofe rooms; fhe is weeping bitterly, and begs to be left alone.'-' You have done nothing wrong,' anfwered I: fhe will be more compofed in a little time; and as you fleep there to-night, it is better that her firft emotions fhould pass.

Does any one dine with us to-day?' afked she reaffured, and obferving the table laid with three covers. I answered in the negative. What!' faid fhe, her eyes fparkling with joy, will you permit Sally Madder to dine with you?'- Most affuredly,' replied I with ferioufness. 'Do you imagine that the perfon to whom your father and myfelf have configned your future improvement can be properly placed elfewhere? As your friend and companion, fhe had always a right to a place at the fame

table

table with yourself, and with your parents; and had not her mother had one peculiarly apart from the family, fhe would never have known any other in this house.

"But, my dear Harriet, you are now to regard mifs Madder as fomething more than your companion: your affection, I know, cannot increase; but she is entitled to a deference, in confequence of that trust which her conduct and talents have procured her. Her claims on our kindness, high as they are, and difpofed as we are to admit them, would not alone have warranted the preference we have shown; but she is good and virtuous, and will never mislead you.'

"The fact was, that the lady under whofe care this amiable girl had been placed for the greater part of her life, perfectly understood her value; her docility and genius produced the defign of qualifying her for a teacher in her fchool; and nothing had been omitted to render her a proper affiftant. The death of her mother, and my proposals, induced Mrs. C― to give

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up her own intereft, in favour of a young perfon whom she loved as much as if she had been her daughter.

"But I have faid, my dear Mr. Palmerstone, more than is neceffary on this head. You have distinguished this girl's merit in the faithful and judicious cares which now engage her in this family; my daughter and mifs Madder having never been separated fince that day.

"My husband's return from Scotland, and the birth of my little Emily, completed our domestic felicity. The autumn closed upon us, and Mr. Davenport began to talk of our removal to Berners-ftreet before the cold feafon fhould be too far advanced for the infant's fafety and mine: but week fucceeded week without any decided preparations, we were all happy, and reluctant to the neceffary fteps towards a change of our abode.

"In this way November had nearly clofed; when one morning that a hard froft covered the ground, and a bright fun enli

vened every object, Harriet with her friend, on their return from a long walk, entered my dreffing-room, where I was feated with my child on my knee. Oh!' cried fhe on entering, what a pity it is to give up fuch delicious mornings as these to that hateful London! You have no idea,' addreffing me, of the beauty of this morning; how my brothers would enjoy fuch in the holidays!' Her face bore evident marks of its invigorating effects; it was glowing with health and animation. My husband, who was reading in the room, forgot his book: he gazed at her with fond delight; when, throwing afide her muff, fhe fuddenly catched up the infant in her arms, and said, ‹ Plead for us, my cherub! tell this father of yours' (carrying it towards him) that you will climb his knee a year the fooner for staying here; tell him that we have no frightful fevers here to kill and harafs our dearest friends!' She looked at me with fenfibility. 'Persuade him,' added fhe, fmothering the babe with her

careffes,

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careffes, and I promise you a bed of rofes in the fummer.'-' I heartily wish,' said I, that he may fucceed.'-My husband, fteadfastly looking at me, faid, 'Are you ferious, Sufan?'-'Moft affuredly,' anfwered I: what inducements can I have to quit this fcene of endeared comfort, beyond that of gratifying your inclination?'-'Well,' replied he, I am glad that we understand each other; for I affure you that your amusement was the fole object with me for engaging the house in town; and, to be frank, I must tell you that I detest London.' The refult of this converfation was, giving up the idle burthen of a townhoufe; and we have not feen London fince, but in paffing through it.

"The time of our young men's return now approached. They had informed us of the day of their arrival, and Harriet was bufily occupied in the morning with her fifter's drefs. No cap would do but the one she had worked; no robe but that she had ornamented with fringe. She had scarcely finished