arrogant possessor of that splendid residence; but with him such regret was always transient, for he knew too many incidents relative to that dwelling, to suffer him for a moment to envy its sorrowful inmates; and moreover, he was cautious not to instil such sentiments into the bosoms of his children, knowing them to be the germs whence spring the seeds of inquietude, discontent, and unhappiness.

Having proceeded thus far, and previous to commencing the relation of those incidents which scattered and disturbed their felicity, it will be necessary to enter into a slight description of the inmates that composed his little family.

Mrs. Elrington was descended from highly respectable connexions, who disowned her on her marriage with Mr. Elrington (then an ensign without fortune), and combined the virtues of an excellent woman, with those of an affectionate wife, and unexceptionable mother: if there was any speck in her maternal conduct, it was the lavishment of too much indulgence on her blooming and elegant daughters. Of these, Caroline and Ethelia, were her favourites, and in person, as well as manners and sentiments, closely resembled each other: Caroline, the eldest, was lofty and imperious in her demeanour, but possessed of superior attainments; Ethelia was rather less dignified in her appearance, but equally accomplished; both were endowed with a more than moderate share of beauty, though the eyes of Ethelia were bold and piercing, and those of her sister were often clouded with discontent. But Emily, the youngest, was beyond praise. Her features exhibited all the blandishments of beauty heightened and illumined by the fascinations of intellect, united with the charms of innocence, and the simplicity of nature: what she wanted in stature was amply recompensed by the symmetry of her form, for Emily was not so tall as either of her sisters; but her unassuming carriage expressed ineffable

sweetness of temper-her large blue eyes beamed with that mild lustre which indicates a spotless mind, and her countenance bore a strong resemblance to that of her mother. Possessed of this agreeable recommendation, Emily, as may be supposed, soon became her father's idol: he would sometimes say as he fondly encircled her waist-" Should death deprive him of her mother, he hoped that heaven would spare his Emily, to remind him by their likeness, of years of former happiness." An old female domestic, in addition to those mentioned, composed the whole of his household: they were totally unacquainted with the world and its vicissitudes, neither initiated in its pleasures, nor practised in its corruptions, but each bore in her bosom the traits, or delineations of a peculiar disposition shortly afterwards developed, in the succeeding period of their future lives.

It was on a cool evening about the commencement of summer, the family having assembled in the parlour were seated round the tea-table, and the sash being open afforded them a complete view of the objects passing. The conversation had turned on indifferent subjects, wholly irrelative, when suddenly a chaise and four, escorted by postillions and outriders in sumptuous liveries, rolled rapidly or rather flew past the window, and was out of sight in an instant: the chaise indeed was empty-but an occurrence so uncommon in the lately unfrequented road where the cottage was situated, immediately drew the attention of the party, and did not fail to excite their animadversions upon it.

"What a splendid equipage!" ejaculated Ethelia, laying down her book, and advancing towards the window, "I wonder to whom it can belong?"

"Ah!" sighed Caroline," how happy should I be, was the lot mine to ride accompanied with such magnificence;

my life would glide away one scene of pleasure, attended by servants and adored by suitors, in the delightful round of balls, fêtes, and assemblies!"

Such were the ideas of Caroline; and such are too commonly the ideas of young people, especially females, occupying her station in society: it is very probable these were also the sentiments of her sister, Ethelia, but if they were she exercised more caution in communicating them.

"Indeed, Caroline, I should not envy you such preferment," said Emily calmly; "so many distinctions must be extremely burthensome to the bearer of them; gorgeous appearances bestow no charm to sooth an anxious bosom, and I think you are a very foolish girl to dream thus idly of an exaltation you are likely never to obtain."

Caroline turned to the window; perhaps actuated by the sense of pain, for she had bitten her lip nearly through with vexation.

"Peace, Emily," interrupted her mother, who plainly perceived the mortification she experienced, "you are an enthusiast, child; Caroline's sentiments if not commendable, are at least very prevalent; and I must say," added she, with particular emphasis, "I think your epithet, as applied to an elder sister, both improper and highly presuming."

"Well, well," exclaimed Mr. Elrington, feeling in turn for his favourite, "a truce to the subject: for my own part, I cannot help applauding Emily's sentiment, as much I condemn and deprecate the other: there is a noble independence in feeling satisfied with the blessings heaven has ordained for our enjoyment, and a becoming submission to the will of providence. Omnipotence is wise as well as just, in its dis

pensations; and it behoves us mortals in the pursuit of happiness, to value highly those few particular gifts, or privileges, conferred upon whatever class of the community with which destiny may have united, or enrolled us. This is a virtue indispensable to the attainment of felicity, because productive of its source, contentment; and I have reason to believe that my youngest child possesses in an eminent degree, and will long continue to preserve it."

Caroline hummed a waltz: Ethelia looked displeased: Mrs. Elrington took up a book that lay on the table; but Emily smiled:

Too generous to turn to her own advantage the triumph she had gained, she forbore to descant farther on the circumstance, but remained long silent, alternately examining the whiteness of her hands, and the variegated hues of a flowered carpet; until her father relieved her embarrassment by proposing a walk to Mr. Fitzharland's, a young clergyman of the village, whose residence was not far distant: "It is a pleasant evening," he added, addressing Mrs. Elrington," and the distance agreeable; but as I perceive you are not disposed for walking, perhaps Caroline and Ethelia would like to accompany me?"

"I do not feel inclined," urged Ethelia coldly.

"Nor I, indeed," said the offended Caroline.

"Then Emily will be my companion!" he answered gaily, at the same time darting a half-reproachful glance, but expressive of solicitude, towards her sisters, who remained sullenly seated near the window, while Emily immediately arose, and prepared herself for attending him.

During her absence Mrs. Elrington made some slight remarks upon a gentleman of singular appearance, though indifferently dressed in buff-coloured gaiters and a straw hat, apparently regarding with fixed attention from his station on the pavement, the beauty and splendour of the opposite edifice but each appeared to think the subject of too little importance to be canvassed, and it was dismissed, just as Emily equipped for walking, entered the apartment, and departed with her father.

Mr. Fitzharland, the predecessor of the present pastor, and intimate friend of Mr. Elrington, had been deceased nearly six months, and his only son had succeeded him in the duties of his benefice and the possession of his residence, which was an antique structure, neat, simple and rusticated; such as might he supposed from its situative peculiarities, would at 'some subsequent period of dilapidation, with scarce any vestige of its site remaining, serve to exemplify the descriptive phrase of Goldsmith

but which, at the present epoch, was accounted noble for the sake of the hospitality displayed by its late owner, and faunic, but from fancy, not frugality. Henry Fitzharland was tall and well made in his person, engaging, though rather reserved in his address, and throughout his whole appearance, highly prepossessing. His sister, Louisa, possessed also an agreeable figure, fascinating manners, and an interesting though not handsome countenance. She had been left wholly unprovided for, and therefore shared with her brother the slender pittance his living produced; whom she now served