had called upon me to be her protector— as the child of sorrow she claims my care, but as the child of my affection, she should share with my own offspring the little I possess, would she but accept it: but no, she will not; her noble mind shrinks from the thought of being a burthen to me. While she continued in the delirium of a very dangerous fever, I acted as the guardian she had chosen; and according to the appointment of the benevolent stranger, I released the corpse of Mrs. St. Clair, and had it respectably interred; paid her few remaining debts, parted with all her unnecessary effects, and then found her amiable grandchild's all amounted to little more than two hundred and fifty pounds.

"The vigour of an unimpaired constitution at length conquered sickness, and a just sense of that resignation with which a Christian should sustain the decrees of Providence, dispelled the excess of unavailing sorrow; and Miss De Clifford earnestly entreated me to mark out some method for her to earn her own subsistence in. She is mistress of numerous accomplishments, but I cannot throw her upon the favour of the

world in any public line: her voice is perfection, tutored by science; but lovely, young, and unprotected, what dangers would she not be exposed to! Vice, I am confident, could never find influence over her heart; but, alas! how often, madam, has unsuspecting innocence fallen a prey to art and villainy!-As governess in a private family, I know her morals, temper, and education, would render her a treasure; and as foreigners are generally preferred for such situations, her accent and language being tinctured with the foreign idiom, could prove no objection. For such a situation I have made frequent applications, but her youth and exquisite beauty have ever proved insuperable obstacles to those I have applied to. Such, madam, have been the misfortunes of Miss De Clifford, now one month entered upon her seventeenth year; whose personal loveliness few can equalwhose mental perfections none can surpass.

"Should I demand protection for my charge from her cousin, lord Castlehaven (son to her perfidious uncle, who has been some years dead), it is very possible, he might afford it her; but lord Castlehaven, madam, in the pursuit of what he imagines

pleasure, has lost the esteem of all good men, and never will I expose this sweet and lovely blossom of perfection to the noxious breath of sensual libertinism.

1

"To lady Delamore I need say nothing further, as her ladyship's own heart will dictate every thing that I can wish, or humanity inspire. I have the honour to be,

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MADAM,

With profound respect,
Your ladyship's most obedient,
And very humble servant,

GEORGE GOODWIN.

George Goodwin, Bookseller,

Great Russel-street, Bloomsbury."

CHAPTER III.

WHEN Mr. Goodwin returned home, he received the grateful thanks of Julia De Clifford for the trouble he had thus kindly taken for her; and in the course of the evening a footman arrived from Delamore House with a note.

"SIR,

"To Mr. Goodwin.

"I return many thanks to you for the opportunity you have thus kindly. afforded me of rescuing merit from distress. I regret extremely that my state of health will not at present admit of my seeing you, but I anxiously hope Miss De Clifford will have no objection to entering an invalid's apartments, and pay me a visit to-morrow at two o'clock.

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As I shall send my own carriage and servants for Miss De Clifford, I hope you and Mrs. Goodwin will entertain no fears for the safety of your interesting charge. I

am,

SIR,

Your sincere

And obedient servant,
EMILY DELAMORE.

"Grosvenor-square, February the 4th, 1801."

This billet from lady Delamore appeared to Julia and the Goodwins a balm likely to heal the wounds of adversity; and though our heroine was grateful to Heaven

for this new-raised hope, she was far from composed; she felt as if the morrow was the day from which the future fate of her life was to trace its source. Her perturbed spirits deprived her night of rest, and she arose even unusually early, with heavy eyes, a languid frame, and a bosom anxious, and agitated by ten thousand hopes and fears.

Poor Mrs. Goodwin was most sincerely mortified at perceiving her beloved Miss De Clifford looking so very ill; for on this day she wished her natural beauty to be in a full blaze of radiance, for she was a wonderful enthusiast for first impressions; and even the very copy the children had to write that morning, said-" A pleasing countenance is a silent commendation;" and poor Julia, although a heroine, was mortal enough to have her looks materially affected by want of rest.

A few minutes after two, lady Delamore's coach arrived, attended by two famously-fine footmen. As the note of lady Delamore was a prohibition to any one accompanying Julia, she was obliged to go alone, and set off in this lord's fine coach, to the inexpressible delight of the young Goodwins and Biddy O'Connor; particu