as the hothouses, with all that could be wanting to supply a luxurious table.

Our female travellers had spent so much time in taking leave in the morning, and in their pedestrian excursion from town, that it was seven o'clock before they arrived at the rectory, where they had been expected by two; and the family were now all gone to a dinner in the neighbourhood, at which Mrs. Goodwin and Julia had been expected; and poor Charles, who had arrived at an early hour, accompanied doctor and Mrs. Hargrave, with a heart agitated by ten thousand fears for the safety of his beloved mother and Miss De Clifford.

Our heroine was by no means sorry for the absence of the family, as the toils and terrors of the day had completely wearied her; and she was so unwell with a severe headache, that Mrs. Goodwin insisted upon her retiring to rest before the return of doctor and Mrs. Hargrave; so that she was not introduced to them that night, nor witnessed the reception Mrs. Goodwin received from her sister, which, however, was more cordial than Mrs. Goodwin expected, and therefore made her very happy.

Julia's chamber was a very excellent airy

room, so remote from every kind of noise, and her fatigue had been so great, that she fell at once into a profound slumber, which lasted until eight o'clock next morning, when, as she opened her eyes, she beheld a pretty-looking girl, of about twelve years old, curiously peeping at her through the bottom curtains of her bed, who, the moment she was espied by our heroine, scampered off, and banged the room-door after her.

Julia instantly arose, and finding, by the disorder her clothes and dressing-case were in, that this prying Miss, or some other curious inspector, had been there, and wishing for no such inquisitors whilst she dressed, wisely bolted her door.

At length Biddy O'Connor requested admission, when Julia told her why she had so secured herself from interruption."Faith, jewel! you were in the right," said Biddy; "I'll be turnkey now to keep out that limb. Sure, it's Miss Hargrave, piping hot from a boarding-school, lord bless us! Oh! then if it is not she that's the flog of all that ever I saw! Moll Fluggins, who led the bear through Connaught, was a mannerly lamb to her. If she has not

been perched below in the servants' hall, upon the top of the coat-horse, and there giving such toleration to her tongue!-and quite disparaging herself, gossiping with the futmen, and telling them, jewel, how she played old gooseberry in your room while you slept, and how she rummaged your dressing-box to look for your rudge; but she was after supposing you were too cunning to leave it there. Then is it paint you're after meaning, Miss?' says I: 'och! then you may look, and that until you have occasion for spectacles, before you find any paint about Miss De Clifford. Is it Miss Julee paint! when her skin is like a snowdrop, and her cheeks would make a rose blush deeper to see its own beauty so outdone."

"My good, good Biddy," replied Julia blushing, "I do wish you had spared your so great extravagant encomiums for my complexion."

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Why sorrow take me, jewel! but I'd say it if the queen was by; and sure it is true for me."

At this moment Mrs. Goodwin asked for admission." I am really shocked, my dear Miss De Clifford," she said, "to find, from

Biddy, that my rude niece has taken the liberty of making you an inquisitorial visit while you slept. I am truly grieved to see her so ruined by indulgence. She is the only surviving child of my sister; and her father allows her not to be contradicted, as it is the fashion, I find, to conquer bad habits in children by argument, and to subdue all impropriety in mind and manner by convincing their reason that such things are wrong."

Julia now being ready to leave her chamber, Mrs. Goodwin conducted her down, and introduced her to doctor and Mrs. Hargrave, and a party assembled in the breakfast-room.

Our heroine's figure, now no longer attenuated by recent sickness, nor her limbs unstrung by languor, combined in it all the harmony of exquisite symmetry: every movement displayed the perfection of graceful ease; and her whole appearance was truly feminine and lovely. Hers was a countenance that spoke instantly to the heart, her beauty was blended with such fascinating sweetness-such a bewitching expression of all that was amiable. She looked so intelligent and sensible, yet so

mild and artless; her voice was so touchingly melodious, and her accent and language so prettily tinctured with the foreign idiom (she, until the last year of her life, scarcely ever having attempted to converse in English), giving to all she uttered so much winning simplicity, that no being of sensibility could behold her for a moment without feeling interested for her happiness -could not listen to her an hour without wishing to promote it.

Julia saw that doctor and Mrs. Hargrave were still uncommonly handsome; but both strikingly affected, and their manners unpleasantly artificial. She was received by the doctor with supercilious courtesy-by Mrs. Hargrave with words expressive of cordiality; but her countenance sparkled not with it, as Mrs. Goodwin's would have done, while bidding a stranger welcome. Doctor Sydenham and Mr. Bloomer, clergymen belonging to the county, who were come to stay at doctor Hargrave's during the election; Miss Penrose, a pretty missy girl of seventeen, a schoolfellow of Miss Hargrave's; Charles Goodwin, Celestina Hargrave, her parrot, and three yelping puppy dogs, formed the party assembled.