should consult them, and not depend on the mere chance of finding every individual with whom they meet, as devoid of brains as themselves." -pray "You are severe-cursedly severe, Lady Elvira.”—Then turning to Helen, by way of changing the conversation, he exclaimed-"Oh, Miss-Missassist my recollection, my dear Lady Elvira; you introduced this pretty blooming girl to me the other day as an appendage to your suite; but my memory is of too volatile a nature to fetter itself with those minute particulars." "Your memory wishes to roam beyond the boundaries of common sense, and to retain impressions only of the marvellous; it would be presumptuous to attempt recalling so sublime a genius to the hackneyed path it has quitted; I would therefore recommend to you the perusal of Baron Munchausen's travels; and after the eagle of your imagination has borne you through the wonderful regions that he has already already traversed, if you can give as good an account of your adventures as he has done, one of those youthful nuns you have so happily described shall reward your labours." Clifton understood no part of this speech but its conclusion, which, however, as well as the satyrical smiles of the byestanders, convinced him he was the subject of their ridicule; he therefore embraced the earliest opportunity to walk off in silence. Helen found a letter from Courtenay on her return. This then contained an explanation of his conduct; she retired with it, and in the utmost agitation broke the seal. The contents were as follow. СНАР. IN the presence of my injured friend, I found it impossible to give the explanation for which I sought the interview. My mind was agitated almost to frenzy; the idea of losing you for ever was alone predominant. Must I still repeat that sentence? Yes, Helen, the die is cast, and I am an unfortunate being, doomed to spend the remainder of my days in wretchedness. But I again wander from the subject; let me collect my thoughts, to give you a dispassionate passionate detail of all that has befallen me since the ever-regretted day on which I quitted Alvondown. With what pleasure could I dwell on the sensations that filled my breast at that moment!-You witnessed them in some measure; but you were unacquainted with the ambitious hopes that flattered me. I was (in idea) already a Nabob, not by arbitrary exactions, but by industrious attention. My labours will be crowned with success,' thought I, and Helen will be my reward.'-With what confidence did I anticipate the day, when, rolling in riches, I should return to claim the prize!-Those fallacious hopes restrained my immoderate sorrow, at losing your loved society. Thus sanguine are the prospects of youth, unacquainted with the world, and untamed by misfortune. But forgive those digressions-I wrote my respected guardian an account of the voyage to India, which my father had procured for me. Indifferent as he had hitherto appeared, he now called forth my warmest gratitude; gratitude; to equip me was a great expence to him, and indeed required a much larger sum than he could command; but he was indefatigable in his exertions to procure it. It was long before he could succeed; but at last, by some means, then unknown to me, he obtained it; and with the assurance that I should shortly have an opportunity of cancelling the obligation, I departed. "We proceeded with prosperous gales as far as the island of Ceylon, whither we were driven by a violent storm, which baffled our utmost exertions; we saw the impossibility of saving our ship; and therefore resolved to betake ourselves to the boats, and hasten to the shore, which we reached with difficulty. But though our lives were preserved, our property was lost; for the ship sunk in less than half an hour after we quitted her. "Had I not then been comforted with the hope of embracing thee, my Helen, I should have wished for death. Destitute and |