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ment, she put her resolution in effect, and has since joined another family, who live in Portman-square, I never heard of them before; but they keep up a good style, and I suppose are very respectable." "From what I saw of her at Sturford Abbey," replied lady Mary, "I should think highly of her; she is very beautiful, and very elegant, and seemed gentle, modest, and amiable."

"That is said like yourself, Mary," answered her cousin; "you are sure to find out all the good in a person's character directly. Cecilia scoffs at the idea of lord Burton thinking of a governess, and wonders how you and I could take such notice of her. I won't say that Louisa is better than you, Mary, for you are an angel; but neither Cecilia or I will bear comparison with her, and what is the mock elevation of rank to true nobility of soul?"

"That Frederic admired her very much was evident," replied lady Mary; "but whether he had an idea of offering her

his hand or not, I am sure, Jane, neither

of us can say."

"Indeed though I can," said lady Jane; "and I am sure he did it too, though Louisa will not own it. He left the Abbey six weeks ago, quite in despair because she did not accept him tout de suite, though he might have seen with a glance that the girl was in love with him, only she had got up in her own mind a fine stock of objections, on account of his family, and so forth, which would all have fallen down in a minute upon a little per

severance."

"I am always inclined to think that whatever Frederic does is right,” answered Mary; " and I do not know any body I have ever seen who struck me so much as Miss Stanhope."

"Oh how I wish she may become lady Burton!" said lady Jane, laughing, "if it were only to mortify a few I could mention. And do not think, Mary, it would be any disgrace to your family; for though

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not one of rank, hers is fully as ancient as your own she told me her history the other day, but desired me not to repeat it; it is a very melancholy one."

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"If Frederic loves her," answered Mary, "depend upon it I shall think nothing a disgrace to my family that, without being dishonourable in itself, can contribute to his happiness. But it is extraordinary, that if she loved him in return he should not see it."

"Oh, Mary," rejoined her cousin, "you do not know what stupid creatures men are; one would really think they had neither eyes, ears, nor understanding. Your brother, with all his wit, talent, and judgment, and Heaven knows how many fine qualities that would take an hour to enumerate, is just as dull as any of them. These lords of the creation are little better than moles, and cannot see what is going on within an inch of their own noses. What do you think of Caroline Melville? the most quiet of creatures is actually

flirting,

flirting, and desperately too, with your brother's tutor, Mr. Malden, and dear sir Charles, her good, old-fashioned papa, looks on as calmly as possible, and thinks, no doubt, the young clergyman is giving her religious instruction, asks him to the house every day, and, as Mr. Malden does not patronize cards, sets Caroline to amuse him.-Oh dear! I wish my friends would be so good-natured."

"What a sigh that was, Jane!" said lady Mary; "how came you to sigh so deeply? the happiest girl I know, both in disposition and situation."

"Oh dearest,” rejoined her cousin more seriously, "there are plenty of troubles to surround us in this world; so that, with every inclination to look upon it in the fairest colours, so many worries attend all our steps, that every thing takes the sombre hue of circumstances, and we grow out of conceit with even the blessings which all-bountiful nature presents on every side."

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"That is a grave speech for you indeed, Jane," said lady Mary; "I hope there is no real cause for it."

"Some people," she answered, “do take such pains to make themselves and every body else as miserable as possible, when, if they would go on quietly, all the world would be happy in their own way. Now there is my very sedate sister, the lady Cecilia Evelyn, takes all manner of trouble to find out what I wish to do, and then endeavours to persuade me, and every one else to boot, that it is the very way to make myself unhappy."

"Are you sure, Jane, that it is not ?" asked her cousin.

"I assure you, most solemnly," answered lady Jane, with a very serious countenance, "and I am sure, Mary, that you at least will believe me, though no one else will, that I have every inclination in the world to be as happy and comfortable as heart could wish."

"But then why are you not?" demand

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