this for so young a man, when there are à number of others, by long and ardent attention to their duties, much better enti tled to advancement."

"I don't think that at all," answered sir Charles; "a thing cannot be given to every one; and though there may be many men worthy of it, none could be more so than yourself, I am sure. Besides, how did Burton know that it might not be given to some fellow that would not do it half the justice that you would?"

"But come and sit down by me here, Mr. Malden," said lady Jane; " you will have time enough to be complimented by sir Charles, and to hear all the pretty things Caroline is treasuring up in her own mind to say, when I am gone; but I have a thousand questions to ask you, and not five minutes to stop."

Sir Charles called her a saucy girl, Caroline blushed, and Mr. Malden quietly took the seat she called him to.

"Well now, in the first place," said lady

Jane, "did you make those inquiries I begged you would about the people in Portman-square, with whom Miss Stanhope resides? for I called on her yesterday, and from some circumstances she has observed, she begins to be uneasy at her situation."

"I obeyed your ladyship's commands before I left town," answered Malden, " and I am sorry to inform you that the report I have to make is not very favourable. I am assured, on good authority, that the master of the house games deeply, and whence his resources flow does not at all appear, nor can I trace his family or connexions; but at the same time, they are certainly visited by people of the best society."

"Oh yes, so she tells me," said lady Jane; "but there are people in the best society that would visit any one that lives in good style, and gives large parties. Besides, gaming is no vice amongst us nobles of the land. But tell me," conti

nued

nued she," when you wrote, did you inform Frederic you had seen her at our house?"

"I did," answered doctor Malden, "and also told him the circumstances I have just mentioned."

"And I hope you told him what you thought of her," said lady Jane; "if you did not praise her highly, I do not know what I should say to you."

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Oh, then you have seen this beautiful Miss Stanhope," said Caroline; "Jane is always speaking of her. Pray, Mr. Malden, give us a description of her."

"I must own,” replied he with a smile, "that I have seldom seen so much beauty, so much elegance, and so much unassuming gentleness, united in one person."

"I think you seem to have been quite struck, Mr. Malden," said Caroline, with something of gravity in her look.

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Oh, I am quite safe there at least,” answered the clergyman:-" but lord Burton replied to that part of my letter particularly,

cularly, lady Jane, and desired me to transmit a message to you, which I shall take the first opportunity of doing. In the mean time, if I might advise, you would inform Miss Stanhope of what I have heard concerning the family with whom she lives."

"I do not think I shall be able to persuade her to leave them," answered the young lady; "for there are some very sweet children, and Louisa has become much attached to them."

"I hope that amiable trait will not prove to her disadvantage," answered Mr. Malden;" but I fear that it may, for no one can tell where the evil of bad acquaintances will stop."

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"Surely," said lady Jane, with some degree of warmth, " you do not suppose for

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a moment that her heart or disposition can suffer by any acquaintance! No, believe me, Mr. Malden, she is far above any contamination."

"I have not a doubt of it," he replied;

" from

" from all I have seen or heard, I believe her mind to be as beautiful as her person. I only spoke of worldly evils; for to remain in a family which was in any way not respectable, might involve her in unpleasant difficulties, which had better be avoided than encountered."

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Well, I think I shall try to get a sight of your protegée, lady Jane," said sir Charles" and who knows, Caroline, but you may have a young step-mother?"

"Don't call her my protegée, sir Charles," said lady Jane, rising to depart; " my friend, if you like. I wish I could protect her. But I hope," she added gaily, "that some of these days she will have some one better calculated to do so than I am.”

Mr. Malden offered her his hand to conduct her to the carriage.-"Yes," said lady Jane, smiling, "I intend to take you down stairs with me, to make you give me Frederic's message, for I perceive it is a secret embassy-and so, sir Charles, I hope