merely wait to be informed of misery's abode---on the other hand, was indefatigable in her enquiries after objects of distress, snd never so happy as when it was in her power to relieve them.

a

This lady was a general patroness of charitable institutions, and had several little communities on her hands which depended solely on her own bounty.

No sooner, then, was she made ac

quainted with the sick man's situation than she ordered her carriage, and, taking Orlando with her for instruction in the way, set out with the kindest hopes of relieving him from his sad situation.

On their way, they called upon the apothecary, who lived about a mile off from the spot they were going to.

This gentleman was absent. Instructions were, therefore, left him to attend the sick man when he returned.

Our hero conducted his mother on foot across a field or two, there not being a coach-road to the habitation.

On entering the cottage, they beheld a scene, which the most unfeeling could not look on without emotion.

On one side of the wretched pallet kneeled the daughter of the afflicted person. She was bedewing his hands with tears, and appeared in the greatest agony of mind, every now-andthen looking up to heaven in the attitude of fervent prayer.

The baroness stood moved with pity at the sight; at length, when an interval from grief ensued, she advanced towards the unhappy maid,

VOL. II.

E

and

and began to use every expression of of pity and commiseration.

The 'affectionate girl, struck with the air and appearance of the lady, attempted for the moment to stifle her grief, but in vain; she was too much overcome, and could not refrain bursting into an emotion of sorrow.

When this affectionate young creature had in some measure recovered herself, she exclaimed-" Oh! madam, had you but arrived in time to save my poor father's life!"-Here her grief overcame her a second time, and she fainted in the arms of her benefactress.

The baroness used every pains to revive her, while Orlando examined the state of his unhappy pensioner.

At first he was led to believe, that

the

the poor girl's fears were but too justly founded; there was no external appearance of life, and his countenance bore the exact resemblance of

a corpse.

He was now about to consign him over as an inhabitant of the other world, when he recollected there might yet be a latent spark of life, notwithstanding the evidences before him; and, applying his hand to his heart, to his great joy found it palpitate.

He instantly turned his eyes to the weeping damsel, and exclaimed-" He lives!"

Upon which she sprang forward, and, to her inexpressible gladness, discovered something like the return of life about her father.

At this instant the apothecary ar

E 2

rived,

rived, who, by proper applications, restored his patient to some degree of sense and recollection.

The baroness advanced towards the bed, and beheld in the sick man's countenance, notwithstanding that poverty and grief had disfigured him, an air of respectability that denoted him to have formerly enjoyed the smiles of Fortune.

She raised his hand, and in the most condoling terms, requested him to be tranquil.

"Oh!

most benevolent lady," cried the sufferer, "if pity in an angel's form could alleviate my woe, your kind efforts might prevail; but, alas! I am overpowered with misfortune, and all advice is now too late."

"Do