:

"She heard me with surprise and delight, and explicitly declared that, were my situation still more unpleasant than it was, she should die happy if she left her child under my protection.

"You may believe I did not raise any obstacles to her wishes, nor did her daughter; and a few days before her death we were united."

From the knowledge our readers have already acquired of Mrs. Greville, it is scarcely necessary to say that Mr. Greville was utterly ignorant of her real disposition. Vain, arrogant, and ambi. tious, she was continually forming schemes to raise herself to the summit she sighed to obtain. Her mother, before whom she did not practise that deception she did before others, did all in her power to correct the propensities she regretted, and which were concealed with the most consummate art from the eye of casual observation; but her endeavours to do so were ineffectual, and she shuddered to think of the ills to which they might ultimately lead. To the imprudence they more than once occasioned, were already to be attributed many sorrows.

She well knew, that, to the manner in which her daughter had acted towards him, in hopes of making an honorable conquest, might in a great degree be imputed the libertine attempts of Netley, and the consequent resentment of his family; and she gladly embraced the idea of uniting her to Greville, in order to free herself from the apprehensions she entertained on her account.

To this union the young lady would scarcely have consented, in the present situation of his affairs, had she not flattered herself he would recover some of his former friends, and, by their means, be extricated from all his difficulties.

"The death of the worthy widow," continued Mr. Greville, "was speedily followed by other misfortunes, which, from being less expected, were more calculated to overwhelm us. I will not exhaust your patience by recapitulating what they were; suffice it to say, I found myself nearly deprived of the means of subsistence, and so unavoidably involved, that I dreaded every moment the loss of liberty.

"Perhaps you cannot well picture a situation much more distressing or deplorable than was mine at this juncture. I not only found myself almost at the lowest ebb of fortune, but saw the woman, whom I tenderly loved, destitute of the comforts essentially necessary for her. Yet, still I did not suffer myself to sink into despair; and my hope and confidence in heaven were rewarded. "By means, not more unexpected than sudden, I was relieved from my embarrassments. A convincing proof, that oft

"When Fortune means most good to men,
"She looks upon them with a threatening eye."

"From that period I have led a tranquil and a happy life, unenvying and unenvied by the great; and with truth may say, without ever breathing a sigh at the narrowness of my fortune, till I felt prevented by it, from obeying the dictates of friendship.

"But I not only hope, but believe, that the delay of your wishes will add to your happiness when they are completed; for, trust me, felicity is never so thoroughly enjoyed, as when it has succeeded pain and disappointment. But, my dear young friend, be not rash...be not too impetuous in the pursuit of those measures which you think may accomplish it.

"Precipitancy, more frequently retards, than forwards our designs. I know you will excuse what I say, particularly when I assure you any advice I offer, is not dictated by an idea of superior understanding, but superior experience.

"Young, undesigning, and ardent, you are now, for the first time, about launching into the world, your own uncontrouled master...into a world where snares of the most destructive nature are continually spread for people of your temper, which it requires the utmost circumspection to avoid. On the counsels of your heart keep a continual watch. In your disclosures be reserved. Confide not in professions, till you have some proof of the sincerity of those who utter them; and, above all, let not brilliant talents allure you into society you know to be unworthy of your esteem. For in admiring, we too often cease to condemn...and what - we cease to condemn, it is not unnatural to suppose, we may be led to copy."

Egbert felt truly grateful for the solicitude Mr. Greville manifested for his welfare. He acknowledged his advice was well applied to him, as he had an impetuosity in his temper, too apt to hurry him away, and prevent the proper exercise of his judgment; but, henceforth, he protested his determination of trying to restrain it, from a full conviction of the errors and unhappiness it might otherwise lead him into.

CHAP. IV.

"There's such sweet pain in parting,
"That I could hang forever on thy arms,
"And look away my life into thy eyes!"

OTWAY.

THE shadows of evening were now descending fast. Greville and Egbert returned to the village. In their way thither, Greville gratified the curiosity of Egbert, by informing him, that Barclay did not long enjoy the living he had obtained so basely; and that Netley, neither improved by age nor by experience, still lived unhonoured, and would, in all probability, die unlamented. He also told him, that the person whose anonymous warning had saved him from the artifices of his false friend, was a servant who attended them both to college.

On a little verdant mount, at the extremity of Greville's garden, between two high and spreading trees, a rustic bench was placed, "o'er-canopied by luscious woodbine." It commanded a view of the village, and an extensive and variegated prospect, too romantic for the eye of taste ever to be weary of viewing. In this retreat, which he had long dedicated to love and friendship, Mr. Greville particularly delighted. Here he loved to listen to the hummings of his bees, whose

hives were ranged on either side; and here he cultivated the choicest flowers;....so that it, like "Pomona's arbour smil'd,

"With flow'rets decked, and fragrant smells."

It was here that Egbert found Jacintha waiting his return.

The lingering sunbeams were now dying away upon the summits of the distant mountains, and all was becoming a dreary scene, uncertain if beheld; when the moon, rising from behind a thickly wooded hill," unveiled her peerless light," and touched the surrounding prospects with a meekness of colouring, which softened and increased their beauties. The various sounds which had fluctuated on the air by day were now over; the flocks had ceased their bleatings; the village murmur was become faint and indistinct, and the song of the nightingale alone prevailed throughout the woods, whilst

"The beetle, with his drowsy hum, "Rrung the first watch of night; and

-oft, with careless wing,
"Brush'd the dew from many a weeping flow'r."

The softness and stillness of the scene were not, by any means, calculated to dispel the melancholy which had taken possession of the mind of Egbert and Jacintha; on the contrary, they revived a thousand tender remembrances in their minds, which at once tortured and afflicted.

"Oh, Egbert!" exclaimed Jacintha, in reply to the arguments he used, at once to conceal his own dejection and try to lessen her's; "Oh, Egbert! you will enjoy comparative happiness compared to me. New pursuits, new society, cannot fail of subduing, or at least diverting your sadness;

R