nate woman, 66 my misery arises from my own indiscretion: I deserve every misfortune that can befall me; but my heart is ready to, to"-Here her sobs obstructed her utterance-" to break, when I think what woes my imprudence has brought on my innocent child."---Here she kissed it with an excess of fondness, while the tears flowed plenteously down her sorrowful cheek. She now took off the miserable rag that covered the little innocent, and presented to view an infant, so comely and beautiful, that Monimia stood some time gazing on it with admi ration. "Do not, my good woman, distress yourself so much," cries the tenderhearted Monimia. "Whatever may have been your experience experience in life, I promise you, you shall not now want a friend---and that your lovely infant shall be protected from all danger of languishing for the necessary articles of subsistence." So saying, she took out her purse, and gave her sufficient to comfort herself with; desiring her to go immediately to the first village, and do every thing she could to guard against cold, from the wetness of her apparel. This benevolent lady also desired her to call the next morning at the vicarage---at which place she expressed a wish to have some further conversation with her. The storm being quite over, and a bright sky turned, Orlando and Monimia ventured from their retreat. When they had proceeded about half a mile, a mile, they met the whole party coming in anxious search of them. The meeting was lively, after such an abrupt separation; and Monimia ran into the arms of her father, to congratulate him after the dangers of the storm. The whole company now proceeded to the cottage, where the merchant and his lady contrived to entertain their visitants so well, that every alarm which the storm had produced was soon dispersed. After tea, the party rose to return to the vicarage, which was strongly opposed by Mr. and Mrs Beaumont ; but the doctor observing that the thunder had broke up the weather, and it appearing every now-and-then as though disposed to make a wet evening, the company were permitted, although reluctantly, to depart. Orlando Orlando and Osmond professed the warmest respect for the civilities and attention shewn them, and begged they might be honoured by a return of the visit. The doctor and the young folks were not long before they arrived at the vicarage; and Orlando, having protracted the time to as late a period as he could with prudence, took a very respectful leave; and, mounting his horse, with his companion, returned with speed to the castle. CHAP. CHAPTER IV. THE next morning Orlando men tioned to the baron and his lady, the case of the unfortunate man he had seen on the common, and hinted the pleasure it would afford him, if they would condescend to pay him a visit. The baroness was a lady, as I have before observed, of great benevolence and humanity; insomuch, that she never listened to the tale of woe, but with the tear of compassion. She was one of those benign souls, who do not merely |