ing in the snowy fleece of a little lamb that stood tamely by her.

I began to hope it was one of the fairy race, or some pretty phantom that haunted the grove; for the adjacent house, belonging to this reverend avenue looked more like a dormitory for the dead than an habitation for the living; every thing about it appeared ruinous and dosolate; I could neither hear the voice, nor trace the steps of mortal men in this absolute solitude; nor had I any hopes of khowing into what wild regions I was got, unless the pretty figure sitting on the grass could give some intelligence.

I made my appearance very respectfully; but what was my surprise, in drawing near, to find the air, the complexion, every feature in miniature, of the ungrateful Aurelia, on whom I once so passionately doted? A thousand tormenting ideas rushed into my mind at the sight of this lovely creature, who smiled on me with the most enchanting innocence. While I stood eagerly gazing at her, which was not long, Aurelia herself entered the walk, and confirmed my suspicion that this child was a living proof of her infamy.

It is about six years since she eloped from the public view, regardless of her own illustrious fa

hily, or the obligations she was under to the generous Cleone, who treated her with the utmost confidence, and was the last that suspected her

husband's criminal affair with her.-Be my own wrongs forgot, and all the contempt with which she treated whatever proposals honour and a disinterested passion could make.

I found her now an object of pity rather than resentment; the dejection of her mind was visible in her pale haggard looks, and the wretched negligence of her habit. I could hardly persuade myself this was the celebrated thing that once appeared in all public places with such a parade of equipage, and vanity.

She was in the utmost confusion at this interview, till, excusing myself, I told her this intrusion was undesigned, and purely the effect of chance, as I was taking a morning's ramble from the Earl of's, where I had spent some time; and that she might depend on my word not to discover her abode to any one in that family.

By this time she was a little composed, and invited me to rest myself after my walk. I followed her into the house, which looked more like the mansions of Despair than a retreat for a lady of pleasure; an awful silence reigned in every room, through which I made a shift to find my way by a dim twilight that glimmered through some windows of as antique a figure as those of an old abbey. The furniture, I fancy, has not been displaced from times immemorial; it looks more like unwieldy lumber than any thing designed for use

or ornamens: there was nothing of a modern date but a tea-table, and that in ruinous circumstances.

It was now about ten o'clock. Aurelia ordered tea and chocolate to be brought: all her attendance was a fresh-coloured country lass, who withdrew as soon as we had breakfasted..

I was impatient to hear a relation of Aurelia's misfortunes, but durst not ask any question, forfear it would look like insulting her distress; only renewed my excuses for interrupting her privacy.

To which she replied, "That though I was the "last person in the world she should have chose "to be a witness of her infamy, yet she thought. "herself happy in having an opportunity to make "some apology for her injustice to me, in refu-.

sing those terms of honour I once offered, and 66 complying with such reproachful conditions as had made her the most miserable creature on. "earth.

"It was my criminal inclination," continuedshe," for Cassander, that made me inflexible to "your entreaties, and my father's commands, to 66 marry you. But whatever wrong this was to

66.

your merit, my guilt, with regard to the gener"ous Cleone, is of a higher nature; the intrigue I "had with her husband was attended with circum"stances of the blackest treachery. I had broke "through the tenderest engagements of friendship,

and granted all that my dissolutel over could ask ;

"when finding myself with child, to hide my infamy he brought me to this dismal place, an old "mansion-house belonging to his family, where "I am cut off from human society, except two "or three stupid peasants, his tenants, who reside "in some part of this Gothic structure. It is "now six years since I have breathed and slept, " (for I cannot call it living) in this melancholy "confinement, without hopes of a release, being "entirely dependent on Cassander's allowance and

caprice, who but too well knows his own power " and my folly; which makes him, instead of the "humble lover, act the imperious tyrant; his vi"sits are seldom, his stay short, and I am left "whole months to languish alone in a detested so❝litude.

"This child," continued she, weeping, and taking the lovely creature in her arms, "this child, "which might have been my joy, proves my "greatest affliction; should I die, she is imme→ "diately abandoned to hardship and necessity; "should I live, it distracts me to think she may "follow my scandalous example. How can I give "her instructions to avoid those vices which my "practice approves? or recommend that virtue, "whose sacred rules I have so openly violated? "And still I love this worthless man. Were I "nitent, could I resolve on a reformation, this

pe

"advantage, to me; but I am obstinate in guilt, "while I depair of happiness in this world, or the "next. Till I came here, my hours were spent "in frolic and gaiety; a constant series of diver"sions shortened the days, and gave wings to the "jovial hours, which now have leaden feet, and, "burdened with grief, lag heavily along. No sort "of reflection gives me joy; whether I look back"ward or forward, all is darkness and confusion. "I am no way qualified for retirement; books are "my aversion, thinking is my horror; I am weary "of living, and afraid to die!"

I heard this account with a heart full of compassion, and said what I could to persuade her to break off this criminal commerce with Cassander, and throw herself on the care of Providence and the generosity of her friends: but I had too much value for my own peace, and too great a contempt for a woman of Aurelia's character, to make any particular proposals for her freedom; and bidding her adieu, hasted back to the Earl's without saying one word of my adventure; which I commit to your secrecy, and subscribe myself

Your most humble servant,

LETTER

POLYDORE.

XVI.

ROSAMOND to HENRY II.

READ o'er these lines, the records of my shame,

If thou canst suffer yet my hateful name ;