dutiful and complying temper to overlook the inequality of the banker's years, and gave her hand to a man who promised to repair the ruin of her family, and make her life happy. They were accordingly married, and

The progress of this little story was here interrupted by an expression of the painful convictions with which this new light filled the gloomy mind of the distracted Henry. But the light did not serve to banish the grossness of his errors; he railed against the malignity of his fortune, and imputed to Clara a fickleness and want of affection, which he had not thought consistent with her character.

Hold, hold, Henry!" said his mother; "if your heart is as good as I suspect it to be, before I finish my story it shall do justice to Clara, and at the same time feel an inclination to the highest pleasure.--They were according married, as I said; and her affectionate and virtuous behaviour made such an impression upon the mind of her

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husband, that he was afflicted at the continuance of her indisposition, and attended on her to such places as were recommended for consumptive complaints. Among other places of this description, she at length visited the Hot-Wells, where I had many opportunities of seeing her, and of renewing an acquaintance I ever so highly esteemed. In all our conversations I was noť a little surprised to find that she studiously avoided the mention of you. But when, with the tenderest regard, I had occasion to name you, and to express a fear that her marriage might for ever destroy all your hopes of future happiness, she replied with a sudden and wounded sensibility-' What, Madam, after his conduct in London, would you have me suppose that he ever entertained for me the smallest particle of respect and love? This question was followed by an explanation that opened Clara's eyes to the extent and nature of the calumnies by which you were so unmercifully persecuted; and when I repeated to

her my fears that her marriage would tincture the felicity of your life with many a bitter drop, she fell into a swoon, and was some considerable time before she was recalled to a recollection of her senses again. On her recovery she found her head upon my bosom, where she sobbed piteously, and found a balm to soften the pain of the wounds I had so incautiously inflicted on her amiable and ever susceptible heart. In this state she revealed the whole course of her attachment to you, and the agony she suffered from the assurance that you were one of the most depraved and licentious of men. But when I convinced her of your virtue, and of your continued love to her, as I strongly suspected from your conduct in Wales, and from my correspondence with the Courtneys, with whom I always preserved a friendly intercourse, she lost all dominion over her judgment, and exclaimed--- Believe me, Madam, there was no hour, of all I spent in his company, I would exchange for all the joys this world can

give; because there was no hour that did not augment the happiness of my heart, and improve and exalt the powers of my mind. Alas! the remembrance of them is dear to me, after I have lost them. And I should be more sunk in misery than what I am, if I did not think his great soul would look down upon mine with some tenderness of esteem, when he hears from you that I acted under the direction of the most perfect and torturing delusion. But to be divorced from that soul! to be incapable of becoming his wife! to be the consort of an inferior, am inglorious husband, who has nothing to boast of but his enormous wealth! I had much rather have died a thousand deaths than that my heart should have once conceived such a thought!"

"I thought proper here to interrupt her," said Mrs. Percy to Henry, "by observing-- I assure you, Clara, you enjoy more solid felicity with your present husband than you would with my son Percy. Henry's mind is filled with important scenes

of business, your husband's is confined to the consideration of your charms. The ambition and heroism of Henry might have rendered you unhappy; the unambitious, unenterprising partner you possess, will secure a life of quiet, the approbation of your mind, and the esteem of the world.'---The poor girl wept bitterly, and left me, with this emphatic saying--- Why, Madam, did you fill my mind with his image, when you must know that I can never teach the ambition of my heart to be satisfied with a meaner husband. But I shall pray to Providence for a different temper---different comforts, in my affliction.---If not the wife of a hero, I must reflect with pride that I am the wife of an honest man !'---' Do, Clara,' said I, anziously, 'reflect in this manner, and with gratitude, that Providence has given you a good husband, retirement, quiet, wealth, and a fair reputation, though not a felicity so exalted as had you had my Henry's hand.' She rose up, and bidding me farewell, told me that the kindness of the

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