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dress I never saw equalled. The contrast between him and my brother is so striking, that I fear one house will not hold them long; and I think we shall be sorry to part with our new visitor.

"I received your letter, sir,' said he to my brother, just as I was stepping into my carriage for London, where I purposed taking lodgings till such time I could fix on a country residence. Having given over all thoughts of hearing from you, I concluded you would have answered my letter immediately, if my intended visit had been agreeable. I was surprised, and I own my surprise was not lessened when I found the reason of the delay. What shall I say to the man who would risque the losing a friend for the sake of saving a shilling?'

As this was spoken in a laughing easy way, my brother could not be offended. • Aye, aye, colonel,' said he, I see you have yet to learn that a penny saved is a penny gained.'

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I cannot give you the particulars of what passed before dinner. Maria and I said little; but the flattering attention the colonel paid to that little highly exhilarated our spirits, and I thought gave Maria a dignity and grace in her manner that greatly became her. Mn Wentworth came in, as usual, about a quarter of an hour before dinner. My brother, who is very inattentive to all decorums, did not introduce him. Charles made a genteel bow, which the colonel returned. Maria, resolved he should not be overlooked, said, Mr. Wentworth, sir.' My brother then recollected himself, and added, My clerk ;' and then in a whisper all in the room might hear, I give him thirty pounds a year and his board, and he is not contented.' To describe the confusion of poor Charles is impossible. Maria's face was suffused with the deepest

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crimson, and, I believe, mine was of the same hue.

'I am happy, sir,' said the colonel, to be introduced to a gentleman you so highly recommend: Mr. Wentworth, I hope to be better acquainted with you;' and shook him most cordially by the hand.-This ready turn set us all right, and the arrival of dinner turned the conversation. My brother had informed us we should make no alteration in our manner of living on account of our visitor; and we found, by what passed at table, he had settled that point by letter. In half an hour after the cloth was removed, we left the room. The first question to each other was how we liked him. Both concurred in sentiment, and I then sat me down to finish my letter to you. I will write again soon, but not till I hear from you. Maria joins me in love, and respects where due. I remain, as usual, yours sincerely, H. VERNON.

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THE FABLE.

Sir Damon Gayland, who has recently taken Lady Gayland for his second wife, and for whom he really has more regard than he is aware of, is infatuated with the silly pride of exciting his wife's jealousy, and of acquiring the character of a man of gallantry. It appears that he has been in habits of correspondence with an incognita, with whom he became acquainted at a private masquerade, but to whose person he has been kept a stranger. The jealous apprehensions of Lady Gayland are relieved by the unexpected arrival of Caroline Sedley, an old friend and school-fellow.

Caroline declares herself to be the cause of Sir Damon's alienation; relates their meeting at the masquerade, and that, accidentally discovering in the person of her gallant the husband of her friend, she had been induced to humour the intrigue, in the hope of avenging the wrongs of Lady Gayland, and effecting Sir Damon's reformation.

To promote this design, she has obtained a letter of introduction to Sir Damon, under the assumed disguise and character of Capt. Bronze; and in this character she affects such an easy impudent freedom with Sir Damon's house, his servants, and, above all, his wife, that the man of gallantry is confounded, his indignation is roused, his jealousy is alarmed, and, under pretence of sudden indisposition, he determines immediately to hurry away his wife from so dangerous an intruder. This is the signal for Lady Gayland; she refuses to accompany him; accuses Sir Damon of infidelity; abuses him by producing the correspondence with this incognita, and peremptorily insists upon a separation.

To increase Sir Damon's confusion,

a billet arrives from the fictitious Rosalinda, stating that she is at hand, and can no longer endure the suspense of their muthal passion. The false Captain, to whom LadyGayland appeals, affects to recognise the hand-writing of the fair Rosalinda to be that of his cousin, and demands instant satisfaction from Sir Damon for the indignity offered to his family. Sir Dumon is overpowered with shame and penitence, and pleads for forgiveness.

In the mean time, Edgar, the son of Sir Damon, has arrived in pursuit of Emily, the ward of Old Plod, to whom he is attached, contrary to the views of his father. After some of the usual difficulties in these cases, in which his jealousy has been needlessly alarmed, he succeeds in eloping with the object of his wishes; and Sir Damon's consent is extorted by Lady Gayland, as a condition of their reconciliation.

A further interest arises out of the characters of Tom Surfeit and Lieutenant M'Lary, who are rival candidates for the hand of Caroline. The former, as an apology for doing nothing, has assumed the character of a Temple student; but despising the slow returns of half-guinea motions as inadequate to his fashionable pursuits, he conceives designs upon the superior fortune of Plod's ward. His attempt, however, is frustrated, and his vanity exposed in all quarters; whilst the mirthful Caroline finds a deserving and successful suitor in the brave and honest M'Lary.

In the developement of this story there are several whimsical and strik ing situations, and the characters are supported with much humour. Indeed, it is not often that so much is done for the dramatic part of the entertainment, in pieces that are to be so powerfully recommended by the charms of music and song. But, independent of this, the dramatic

part is highly respectable. In the vocal department the whole strength of the house is combined. The music is the composition of M. P. King: but Braham has composed his own songs, together with Storace's song in the first act, and the duet between her and Mrs. Mountain, in the second. The music, in general, possesses great merit, and was much applauded. The song which Braham sung, accompanying upon the piano forte, produced the most powerful effect, and was rapturously received. Miss Duncan appeared to great advantage: and Mrs. Mountain and Mrs. Bland sung with their usual sweetness. Johnstone's Irish character and airs gave him an opportunity of shewing himself in a way in which he always excels. The piece was very favour ably received.

LONDON FASHIONS.

(With an Engraving, elegantly coloured.)

1. FASHIONABLE AFTERNOON AND DANCING DRESS.-A short Jound dress of yellow muslin or crape over a white sarsenet petti

and gloves: cap of lace intermixed with fawn-coloured velvet or satin, and trimmed with ribbon to match: white cornelian or pearl necklace.

PARISIAN FASHIONS.

BESIDES capotes, which lose nothing in depth, our fashionable ladies wear large yellow panela hats, in undress. These pamelas are of very fine straw; but except two ends of ribbon, by which they are fastened under the chin, all kind of ornament is excluded. The number of caps à la paysunne is not considerable, but they are worn by ladies of the most elegant taste.

The waists are still very short, and the robes in general round. For full dress, they are frequently of striped gauze, and trimmed with satin ribbons; the trimming usually representing a foliage.

THE

ELVILLE FAMILY SECRETS.

A NOVEL.

594.)

coat; the dress trimmed round the (Continued from Vol. XXXVII. p. bottom with a broad lace, and made much shorter than the petticoat: the bodies full, and trimmed with a coloured trimming, which crosses in the front, and is made to corre spond at the back sleeves laid in crossways over white sarsenet. Headdress, a half turban of coloured vevet, ornamented with small pearl beads, the hair seen at the back. White shoes and gloves.

2. A dress of white sarsenet or satin, with a long train: sleeves made rather full, and trimmed with a rich lace: body quite plain : lace tucker

IT was no spectre that thus interrupted her, but lord Holden himself, saying, in a significant manner, that the conduct of Burns had been such as to gain him the hatred of every person who paid the slightest regard to morality and virtue. How then must the generous disposition of a person like her recoil from such infamy as he had been guilty of! Exalted as her understanding was, she must behold it in the most glaring colours possible.

Here he seized her hand, which she had not power to withdraw. Seeing her anxious to leave him, he assumed a softness in his voice and manner he was an utter stranger to; yet, courtier-like, when he had a point to carry, he could cringe and bow in the most obsequious way imaginable.

Why, Matilda,' said he, with some warmth, do you thus wish to avoid one who would die to merit your good opinion? The friendly terms I have been long on with the earl your father must convince you, that he has too favourable an opinion of me to suppose my addresses other than honourable You have trifled with me a long time. I have borne all your contempt, even insults I may venture to say, without a murmur. I attributed your want of penetration to your youth and inexperience; you must now alter your behaviour. Your father is determined that you shall be countess of Holden. Consider the sounding title, the precedence above so many of your acquaintance. It is rumoured that the gay, the lovely Katharine of France will shortly yield to the solicitations of our gallant young monarch: Harry will give his people a queen from among the flowers of the French nation. You must be one among the chosen train of ladies to welcome her to England, and add by your presence a fresh lustre to the court you were born to adorn, not thus to waste your bloom in solitude, to breathe such sweetness to the desert air.'

Unable to reply, she forcibly escaped from his ardent grasp, and flew to her father, who, seeing her face flushed with crimson at the late rencontre, disregarded the confusion she was in, and congratulated her on the amendment in her looks: at the same time saying, My dear Matilda, I think you cannot with VOL. XXXVIII.

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propriety name a very distant day for the completion of my wishes: you have now no excuse. Remember' the reduced state of my constitution: my intellectual faculties too are in some degree impaired, and all by your disobedience. If you persist in opposing what I require, you will again precipitate me to the brink of the grave, if you do not entirely consign me to those dreary regions. There is now no obstacle to your union with my valued friend. He has patiently submitted to your childish vagaries long enough. The first peer of the realm to be treated thus, by a mere thoughtless girl, is abomi nable indeed! but he is so kind hearted, so considerate a man, I feel for him from my heart; so tender, so assiduous: (I don't mean to say he is entirely exempted from the frailties of human nature; we are all in some degree fallible.) Therefore, as a solemn contract has long been entered into between himself and me, to marry one of my daughters; in case of failure on either side a great forfeit is depending, which shall not be allotted to my charge, I am resolved. Already is the time expired; therefore you can have no objection to solemnise your nuptials this day week!'

Matilda shuddered, but uttered not a syllable. The earl of Holden that moment entered the room; and observing her agitation, demanded the cause of it. Oh, nothing at all,' replied her father; 'she has only been this instant consenting to take you very shortly for her partner for life, and naturally feels a little embarrassed, a little girlish intimidation. She is young: the idea of so much honour being conferred on her almost overpowers her senses. Ma. tilda, summon all your fortitude; act with a serenity and dignity becoming your rank: retire, and give the necessary orders for apparel, and other F

preparations proper on such a grand occasion. I will see your sister for the same purpose: she is better ar quainted with such affairs, and is more tenacious of her character.'

With difficulty Matilda crossed the anti-chamber, where she met the countess, who already knew what the disconcerted countenance of Matilda would have informed her. She was delighted beyond measure, congratulated her on the splendour she would so soon shine in, and begged - her to leave the orders for dress and preparations to her : which Matilda most readily consented to; as her bosom was too much agonised to attend to such inconsiderable things, in her opinion, as magnificence in attendance and dress. She knew that she had no alternative; yet sometimes she was half inclined to brave her family's vengeance, and vow not to give the earl her hand, though conscious that she must then be more wretched even than she was at that time. Besides, all filial affection was not entirely banished from her breast: she feared an absolute refusal of their meditated match would be too much for her father to support. Once she fondly thought that she had such a friend in her brother no circumstances ner time could alter; but he had deserted her, and the idol of her soul had proved faithless. What would she not have given to have poured out her uneasiness on the breast of her much-loved sister Elfrida but that consolation was denied her; neither could she write to her, as all letters directed to her were intercepted: neither could she write to any one, so closely was she watched by the creatures of her father. She feared being sent to her brother Edward at Morden castle, for she knew his cruel disposition, and she had more to dread from his barbarity than any one of her family. Many a suffering wretch in his

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dungeons most bitterly lamented ever controuling his wishes.' It will be a union of hands, it is true, exclaimed. Matilda, as she threw herself on the seat in her favourite apartment, which overlooked the ocean, rendered dear to her by many a former remembrance; but no one congenial sentiment will there be to render such a union ought but discord and hatred, instead of that harmony and love which must exist where sympathizing hearts are unite ed; who abstracted from the gay, the glittering, yet detestable scenes of life, could find comfort, even hap. piness, in the society of each other, without pomp and grandeur, which awaits that situation I am about to fill. What a contrast would an alliance with the once-amiable Burns have exhibited! but he is now no more; therefore why should I repine? Too generous, too tender hearted, and good for this wicked world, the almighty Dis poser of events called him hence to another and a better. Then throwing her eyes around her, on the mighty expanse of waters, un ruffled by a single breeze How unlike,' said she, is your calm surface to my agitated bosom, where such a conflict of contending passions alternately reigns! how differ ently should I have approached the altar had it been so ordained, and plighted my faith to that once-loved youth, amiable as I knew him; for yet I believe him unblameable, the victim of calumny and infamous misrepresentation; but Providence disposes of me according to the great decree of Heaven, considering it not proper for me to be united to a congenial disposition, who, far from the vanities of life, could find happiness! The riches of the universe are not equal to a sacred intercourse of souls rich in sensibility and virtue; for I am endowed by nature with every

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