lett, and old Agnes, her nurse; but to quit those scenes endeared to her by the remembrance of her father, and of her stilladored Courtenay, caused many a bitter pang..

Walking one morning to the favourite spot where she had bade the latter adieu, and ruminating mournfully on the subject, she met Miss Cremur and Miss Ashton. They accosted her with great civility, but the sneer conspicuous on their countenances evinced the rancour of their hearts: she had scarcely passed them before she espied a letter, which she concluded one of them had dropped; and she was going to announce the discovery, till the writing ar rested her attention-it was Percival Courtenay's! Astonishment and anxiety suspended every other recollection; she took it in her hand, and kissed the superscription, before she perceived it to be addressed to Miss Cremur.

Without waiting to deliberate on the propriety of perusing the contents, she opened

opened it; but what were her feelings when she found it filled with grateful acknowledgements for the generous offer she had made him, which he meant to accept, and was now returning, with the intention of leading her to the altar as his bride.

It would be vain to attempt pourtraying the sensations that this discovery excited in the bosom of Helen; it was impossible to collect her ideas, and she remained on the spot, with her eyes vacantly fixed on the letter, when the ladies to whom it belonged returned to redeem it. It is unnecessary to remark that it was designedly dropped. for Helen's perusal, and they were sufficiently near to see their wishes realized; they therefore returned, and Miss Cremur expressed the strongest degree of astonishment and indignation at the meanness of which Helen had been guilty..

This attack roused her from her stuporshe folded the letter, and putting it into its owner's hand, without speaking, attempted to proceed; but it was only an. attempt,

E. 6

attempt, for a giddiness seized her head, and she fell senseless on the ground.

Miss Ashton, who considered that it would be very unheroine-like, and very unlike the sensibility which so poetical a genius ought to possess, to leave a poor damsel in so distressful a situation, particularly as the tender passion had been the means of afflicting her, ran to her relief, and with Sophia's assistance raised her from the ground. Several minutes elapsed before Helen revived; when she did, Miss Ashton enquired, with great apparent solicitude, how she found herself? and requested that she might be permitted to assist her home; she condemned, with affected sincerity, the imprudence of her friend, who had, though totally without design, given her so much pain.

Helen could not answer, but she silently rejected their offered support, and proceeded slowly towards Lady Elvira's habitation, so stupified that she was insensible of her misery. Hartly met her, and astonished

3

nished at her pale looks, enquired, in a feeling and anxious voice, if she was ill? "Ill!" she repeated; "do "do you too insult me with such a question?"

Still more surprised, he exclaimed"Good God! what is the matter?-You can scarcely stand-allow me to support you now-oh that I might do so for ever!"

Inattentive to all he said, but again ready to sink, she suffered him to draw her hand within his arm, and accompany her to Lady Elvira's, where she silently quitted him, and retired to her apartment. Her ideas were still so deranged, that inanity seemed to pervade her senses; she could not weep; she could not even recollect why she wished to shed tears.

In this torpid state Lady Elvira found her, and greatly alarmed at her appearance, and incoherent answers, immediately applied for medical assistance.

The apothecary, who soon obeyed the summons, pronounced her disorder to be the effect of a fright, and prescribed accordingly;

cordingly; but nothing could rouse her from this distressing stupor, till towards the following morning, when she fell asleep, and Lady Elvira left her to the repose that seemed so much required.

It was when Helen awoke from this slumber that the extreme misery of her situation presented itself. Courtenay, the adored friend that her heart had so long and so fondly cherished, had deceived her !—That being whom she believed perfect, had proved himself a villain; how could she endure such a conviction ?-Hitherto hisknown virtues had been her consolation."If he lives," she thought, he will approve my conduct, and reward it; and even if early fate has snatched him from the possibility of realizing my hopes in this world, still there is comfort in believing that his hovering spirit is permitted to protect me here, and in anticipating a union of souls in those blessed regions where our happiness can meet with no alloy !"

66.

Thus she consoled herself during the

anxious