of his choice?-His resolution was in an instant fixed "No," cried he never will I behold you my Clara, never will I again present myself before you, while one doubt remains of my birth; never will I seek your love, unless I am conscious you will not degrade yourself, by an alliance with me.”—And without giving himself time to cool, he sat down and penned the following letter: TO MRS. WALSINGHAM. "BELIEVE me, my dear madam, when I assure you, that I quit K, impressed with the most fervent, and unalterable gratitude, for the benevolent kindness shewn by yourself and Miss Walsingham, to a poor forlorn wanderer; and, believe also, that while this heart continues to vibrate, it will never cease to pray for the happiness of Mrs. Mrs. Walsingham and her Clara. Nothing but the deep and lasting regret, I must ever feel at a separation necessity demands, should have prevented personally paying my respects to youbut if ever I should hereafter become a favourite of fortune, I shall take the earliest opportunity of throwing myself at your feet, and expressing in person the respect I am proud to say, you have inspired me with, and hope I shall not be found altogether unworthy of the friendship with which I have been honoured; in which hope I remain, dear madam, "Your much obliged, and obedient, # 66 L. NETTERVILLE." THIS letter did not by any means please the writer, yet he despaired of composing one more to his satisfaction; he therefore hastily folded it, and busied himself C 5 himself in preparations for his depar ture. Landlord Dobson entered just as his arrangements were concluded; and after many expressions of regret at the intended departure of his guest, he glanced his eye towards the direction of the billet doux on the table, and proceeded to descant for some time on the merits and demerits of Madam Walsingham, and Miss Clara-" To be sure, your honour," continued he, shrugging up his shoulders, and winking significantly," one do'sen't like to speak one's mind too freely; but people do say strange things of them there ladies-and had it not been for a friend of mine, I verily believe no one would ever have com'm'd to the truth of it to their dying day-because why, they keeps every thing so close, their actions are all under the rose, as one may say. -"But what did your friend find out, Mr. Dobson?" interrupted Lewisham, 2 wishing wishing to put an end to his circumlocution" Why, that is the very thing," replied Dobson, "I am going to tell your honour; my friend knows a thing, or two; and he says, says he, neighbour Dobson, I knows an old gentleman, who knows an old lady, who knows for a sartainty, that this Madam Walsingham, is no other than the famous Mrs. R, who was kep'd so many years agone by the P "Gracious Heavens!" exclaimed Lewisham," What a vile fabrication is this; give me leave, Mr. Dobson, to assure you, in defiance of your friend, "who knows a thing or two," that I am well acquainted with the person of the lady you mentioned; and I solemnly affirm, Mrs. Walsingham has not the most distant resemblance of her." હૈદ્ર Well, Sir," replied the Seller of best Brown Stout, "that's no business of mine; like is like, and the best of us are not obliged to be infallible; and belike my friend is no pope; all I know is, and its no theft of my own, that she is certainly a fal-lal, or keep'd Miss; and whether its a lord, or a p, who pays the piper, what's that to me, as I said before-because why, it's no business of mine-the girl is a fine girl, yet she needn't hold up her head so high; for if the old lady tips the perch, her price must come down-and for my part its a thoft of my own, I'd advise every one to sell their commodities while they are marketable." The blood mounted into the cheek of Lewisham at this profanation of the merits of his adored Clara, and casting a cool glance of angry contempt at his host, he said, "I would advise you, Mr. Dobson, not to make Mrs. Walsingham, and her daughter, the subject of your conversa tion; for if you do, you may depend upon it, you will one day, or other, re pent |