" for "Then I'll tell you," said Agnes, 'tis right that every body should know their friends from their inimies. They say that you and Lady Elvira are both too fond of the bottle, and that you sit down together and drink till you can't either of you give a raisonable answer. I heared Mrs. Ashton telling some gentlefolks so in the open street the other day, when you and Lady Elvira passed by them. I was just behind, and I stalked after them to know what they would say of you; and I heared em tell about poor Master Fercival Courtenay. They said that he loved you once, but since he found you dicted to such a vize, he had left you, and was now courting Miss Cremur, who was one of the most generousist, liberalist young ladies that ever lived. I could harly help contardicting 'em as I went, for I was sure enough that if poor Master Percival was alive, he would never marry any body but his dear Miss Helen.” "Mrs. Ashton is very malicious," interrupted Helen, with quickness; "I have never deserved ill treatment from her; but there is no guarding against the insinuations of such malevolent minds: conscious innocence will, however, baffle her efforts; nor shall I feel unhappy at the circulation of a report, that will only display the malignity of her own heart." She took a sorrowful leave of Agnes: she scarcely felt her misery encreased by the story she had just heard; for if their machinations had prevailed on Courtenay to believe her so miserably fallen, it was not strange that he should abandon her; and the scandalous invention could be so clearly confuted, that she began to flatter herself that his return would still realize her former hopes. CHAP. CHAP. VIII. "Why lure me from these pale retreats ? Why rob me of these pensive sweets? Can painting's glowing hand supply As blows this hollow blast of wind?" MASON. AT an early hour the following morn ing, Lady Elvira and her friends left Alvondown; they deviated from the public road, to spend the first night at a neat small inn, whose owner had been a servant in Lady Elvira's family. Helen was more agitated than pleased at the the idea of stopping the next day at the town which poor Emily inhabited. To spend so many hours near her without attempting to see her, was impossible; yet did she dread the reception she might meet from Mr. Clemments. Lady Elvira had learnt Mrs. Clemments's situation from Mrs. Ashton; Helen therefore disclosed to her the apprehensions she felt. Lady Elvira advised her to combat them, and by all means call at the house, believing that the most savage wretch in creation could not debar his wife the trifling gratification of embracing an only sister after so long a separation. Accordingly she departed, accompanied by Hartly, who attended her to the house, and then left her, though not without taking a survey of its gloomy external appearance. With a trembling hand she lifted the rusty knocker, which conveyed a hollow sound to the apartments within.. In a few minutes a dirty domestic peeped through a casement in the second story, and and enquired, in rather a discordant tone, who was at the door? Helen asked if her mistress was at home? Y-ess, I believe so, but I'll ask master," was the answer. Such an application was no very favourable omen; however she was constrained to submit: and when her patience had been exercised by standing a full quarter of an hour at the door, the same servant opened it, who, after admitting her, and carefully bolting it on the inside, told her she might follow. She passed through an unfurnished hall, when a door opened, which discovered a small parlour, with its walls and cieling blackened with smoke. Mr. and Mrs. Clemments were sitting very near a small fire; at some distance, at a deal table at work, sat their daughter, Mr. Clemments a girl about thirteen. bestowed a scrutinizing look on Helen as she entered, which seemed to imply "What is your business here?” She did not, however, heed the enquiry, but |