himself from Mrs. Marnley. It was truly an "enforced ceremony" which ever led him thither. Thus, though, agreeably to the pure acceptation of the word love, there could be no reduction in that which never existed, yet Wentworth had been the slave of infatuation. He had hovered on the brink of error, and believed himself interested in the entanglement; his good fortune absolved him from this dilemma, and his gratitude was proportioned to his escape.

Not so Mrs. Marnley. She, it is probable, might not regret that her actual fame was unsullied, though, in that case, honour might have effected what love disowned, for the thing is usual; but she relied on those convictions of which Sidney could not but be sensible. Alas! it was trusting to the aberrations, rather than the sincerity of man. Gratitude must be an inhabitant of a good mind. I speak not of pecuniary gratitude, which fetters a generous soul, and makes it poor indeed," but of that species of gratitude to which friendship and solicited con

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fidence give birth. These are the soothing emanations of exalted feelings; and to these the noblest natures gracefully demean themselves. The Circean dame, no more than the pining virgin, can claim from man more than a qualified and short-lived devotion. OJO.

2

Wentworth could have illustrated this truism specially; and it was to Mrs. Marnley we alluded when we avowed that our hero chose rather to address a few lines apprizing her of his departure for Adderfield. It is true, his resolutions were fixed with regard to this lady. He wished not to tempt her anger; and he felt that her reproaches might alarm his conscience. To avoid the danger seemed desirable. Thus, merely naming his journey as a casualty which their relative situation made consistent, he left the widow to London and its attractions, and sought the abode of his father.

CHAP.

CHAP. III.

"A man I knew, who liv'd upon a smile,

And well it fed him-he look'd plump and fair."

THE underlings in a comedy should never be suffered to make too conspicuous a figure in the piece; they may be necessary to the effect; but if the audience are too sensibly interested for this class, we reserve our heroes for a very inadequate portion of that applause which should especially attach to the principal personages. Thus, though I might, agreeably to the expression of a modern statesman, kill-off a few of my people, I chuse a more happy method, and beg to marry off one couple, being convinced that my determination will be more likely to gain a majority, unless I could pro

mise to accompany my murders with soulharrowing incidents, and terrific images.

Sir George Beverly arrived at Beverly, his paternal estate, some hours before that named in his letter to Miss Wentworth.Without waiting to change his travellingdress, he mounted his horse, and was at Layton Hall in a period which love will easily calculate, when the distance is stated to have been three short miles.

Fanny Beverly drew her watch from her side, and, smilingly, remarked the overpunctuality of her brother, while the beating heart of Miss Wentworth evidently proclaimed that there is a mechanism in the human construction which antedates time, and reckoning by affection, relies upon possibilities.

As the baronet's visit to London had been for the purpose of arranging marriage-settlements, &c. &c. his return now hastened the completion of his happiness.

Our hero attended the nuptials of his cousin, with a heart which took the live

liest interest in the union. He was attached to sir George from principle. They had been friends from their youth; their habits were similar, though their characters were distinct.

the

Lady Layton and her nieces sir

connexion as highly honourable, while sir Ormsby, now convinced beyond all doubts that Sidney was heart-whole, cast aside his useless regrets, and gave loose to the natural urbanity of his character.

Some weeks had elapsed, and the bride had passed the ordeal of county visiting, which is a trial somewhat formidable; for in the country, as in London, there are the friendlys, the curious, the observing, and the envious; yet lady Beverly appeared to retain that place she had ever held in the sphere of her little circle.

Sidney was so engaged in the family plans, so busily happy in that distinction which his new connexions claimed, that he was in absolute danger of being spoiled. That approbation which is so bountifully bestowed