I

look, and continually answers whatever say with the uncivil exclamation of nonsense! in the most ill-tempered tone. It is the governess who has desired to quit the family, as lady Morrington is much vexed at losing her, whom she has used extremely ill.”

Lady Morrington, before they parted, obtained a promise from Mrs. Douglas, that she would visit her again in three weeks (with Miss Douglas) for a few days. Her ladyship expected a large party about that period to assemble and remain a fortnight at the Castle, observing, at the same time, that the general and Felix could ride over every day, as she had not room sufficient to accommodate them.

As lady Morrington was one of those deceptive characters who possess only the semblance of good-nature, it is not to be supposed that her attention to Mrs. Douglas proceeded from any preposses

sion in her favour, or amiable motive, but merely to gain a pleasing addition to her party. Mrs. Douglas was, in society, lively, sensible, and exquisitely wellbred; she was perfectly handsome, and her daughters improving daily in loveliness, made them a desirable acquisition, more particularly as Mrs. Douglas, though not affluent, was known to be related to one of the most ancient families in England. The general was likewise well born, and his connexions wealthy. Rose Douglas was indeed too young to be introduced into company, but she looked older than she was, and her diffidence and opening charms created indulgence.

On their return home, they found the general had rode out, leaving word that he should not return till the evening. Mrs. Douglas judged this was an excellent opportunity for relating many incidents to her children. They all repaired

to the library, and sending for Jane, their

E 5

their mother commenced her promised narrative :

"It was at a magnificent seat of my father's that I first drew breath, five years after the birth of my brother, the present lord Treharne. When I was of an age to distinguish one object from another, and capable of any attachment, I was partially fond of my brother, as he continually amused himself in caressing and playing with me. He was then a handsome good-natured boy, and did not develop the seeds of those vices so fatal to himself and his relations.

"The days of my childhood passed like a pleasant dream, which served to make the contrast of succeeding hours more painful. My father inherited but a small patrimony to support the dignity of his station; yet he did not feel anxious to have this income augmented, as neither my mother or himself was expensive. The first moment they were sensible of the narrowness of their fortune was when

my

my brother George had been two years at college. Heavy bills, which he had incurred contrary to their wishes and advice, were brought in; yet they had represented to him, when he was sent to Oxford, that if he wished to sustain the appearance of a nobleman and gentleman, he must not be extravagant. Instead of receiving the mild remonstrances of his parents with contrition, George gave way to the violence of passion he too frequently indulged; and irritating his father, caused my mother to suffer the deepest affliction. Her sweet and gentle disposition could not endure these scenes of indelicate altercation on the part of a son she loved with maternal tenderness.

"Lady Treharne soothed her husband, who was the best of men and of parents, and was too easily influenced by the wife he loved to pardon him. I was then only eleven years old, and my brother seventeen; but the fury and disobedience he E 6 evinced

evinced made an impression never to be obliterated, and first weakened my affection for him, as I truly loved and revered my father and mother. From that instant lady Treharne adopted a more rigid economy, and deprived herself of many comforts, unknown to her husband, that she might be enabled to supply my unfeeling brother with additional money to gratify his profuse propensity. Her ladyship hoped by this method to prevent George from wounding and agitating my father's mind, by running in debt, and even persuaded his lordship to increase his allowance, though very inconvenient to them.

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By these precautions and deprivations, this excellent mother hoped to save her son from disgrace, and her husband uneasiness. But vain were all her cares to cure a mind depraved by bad company and example. He could not endure the least opposition to his wishes, and was so extremely selfish, that he would

not