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

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."

"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."

66

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."

"That is a gravé 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 counte nance, "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

ed

ed lady Mary; "I am afraid, Jane, that captain Malcolm is the cause. If you would but have been warned in time, you might have spared yourself a great deal of misery; I have really a great mind to scold you."

66

Nay, do not, for Heaven's sake!" exclaimed her cousin; "the people teaze me to death in London with scolding. Now, Heaven knows, Cecilia might be as grave, and as prudent, and as distant to every body as she likes for me, if she would but let me do as I please also; but really I think if it continues much longer, I shall run away and leave them all, to try and find out the longitude of prudery and propriety, if they can, in my absence."

Oh, Jane," answered lady Mary, "think well what you are about. I cannot pretend to advise you, far less can I presume to censure you: but, for your own sake, do nothing that may make you more uncomfortable hereafter, and draw