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use and ours, when he, alas! should be called from protecting us. My father's own heart urged him to do all that pity prompted; but he looked on my mother and his ten children, and shrunk from the idea of injuring us but I, as eldest of all his children, in the name of those who could understand the fatal business, prayed him to release the body; and when I am a man, I will work day and night, so I will, to make up this two hundred pounds to my little brothers and sisters; for, if I live, they shall not lose their share of it."

"They shall not, by Heaven!" exclaimed the agitated stranger, taking Bank of England notes, to the amount of five hundred pounds, out of a pocketbook, which, with tears of sympathy, had been for some moments drawn forth by Charles's narrative." Give these, most excellent boy! to your good father; tell him to release the body of Mrs. St. Clair, and handsomely inter it, and then to dispose of the remainder for the present comforts of Miss De Clifford. Tell him Julia De Clifford has a sincere and able friend, who will watch, as her guardian spirit, over her destiny, and provide for her future fortunes."

Charles, in a burst of tears, awakened by genuine sensibility, pressed the stranger's hand to his heart.

"Farewell!" said the stranger.

"I am

now going to leave England; but should I live to return to it, remember that Charles Goodwin shall find in me a zealous friend!"

The stranger departed, and the agitated boy took the notes to his astonished father. -The body of Mrs. St. Clair was redeemed-the bailiffs departed, and the mob dispersed.

CHAPTER II.

IN about two months after the decease of Mrs. St. Clair, as Mr. Goodwin one day looked over the morning papers, an advertisement, importing, "that a lady of quality wanted immediately a young gentlewoman of good character, &c. as a companion," caught his attention, and with the paper in his hand he hastened to Miss De Clifford, who, notwithstanding the stranger's benevolent gift and promise, was still anxious to secure some situation in which she could

honourably earn her own subsistence; for the stranger was represented as so young and handsome a man, that she feared, if he lived to return to England, being further indebted to his bounty and protection might not prove quite consistent with propriety. At her request now, Mr. Goodwin readily undertook to make inquiry relative to this situation mentioned in the advertisement; and he instantly bent his anxious steps to a shop in Bond-street, the place of reference pointed out, and where he was directed to the earl of Delamore's house, in Grosvenor-square. Lady Delamore ranked high amongst the most amiable of the British peeresses; and Mr. Goodwin's heart beat with fervent hopes and wishes for

success.

At Delamore House he inquired, as directed, for Mrs. Ward, and was instantly shown into an apartment, where sat lounging, at a luxurious déjeuné, a but half-awake coxcomb, in a tonish robe de chambre, and a dashing female, adorned in all the elegance of a modern dishabille.

"This gentleman," said the footman who ushered in Mr. Goodwin, " is come in answer to the advertisement of this morning."

"Bless me, sir! what, come at this immensely early hour?" exclaimed Mrs. Ward, gargling her words in her throat, to show how tonishly refined she was: "but pray be seated, and allow me to offer you some coffee, or meats and liqueurs, as it is totally impossible you can yet have even dreamed of breakfast."

"My good madam," replied Mr. Goodwin, “my breakfast has been rather more than a dream: I realized a most substantial one about four hours ago."

Mrs. Ward gave a well-executed tragedy start of amazed horror; and the beau, who seemed dozing over a political political pamphlet, raised his heavy eyes, exclaiming—“ The d-l, sir! do you rise in the middle of the night ?"

"No, sir: but I am in business, and generally rise at seven to mind it, and attend my customers."

"Ha, ha! honest friend! a shopkeeper, I presume?—Ay, true; business must be minded, and customers served. And pray, most industrious drudge! what may be your trade—your occupation-your business?"

"My business here, sir," replied Mr.

Goodwin dryly, "is relative to an advertisement I saw in the papers this morning."

"But, honest friend," said Mrs. Ward with marked disdain, "I suppose it is for some daughter or granddaughter of your own you make your application; but, excuse me, none of the canaille will do for us!"" "The young lady, madam, whom I have the honour to be here as agent for," replied Mr. Goodwin with dignity, "is no plebeian; and if lady Delamore condescends to see me, I trust

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"Lady Delamore," said Mrs. Ward, interrupting him, and with an audible yawn, " is an invalid too ill to see any body; therefore, it is my lady-lady Selina Southerland, her ladyship's eldest daughter, who is to arrange this matter, and she will not be visible this age; so, good man, you must make your communications to me."

"I will call at any hour you have the goodness to appoint, as most likely for me to see lady Selina Southerland; for the things which I have to communicate not being relative to myself, I do not think I am at liberty to disclose to any third person."

"Well then, I suppose you can write them ?" said the offended abigail. "There

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