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which sad condition her aunt, who likewise arose at the news, found her. The good old lady applied her utmost art to comfort her niece. She told her, while there was life there was hope; but that if he should die, her affliction would be of no service to Bellarmine, and would only expose herself, which might probably keep her some time without any future offer; that as matters had happened, her wisest way would be to think no more of Bellarmine, but to endeavour to regain the affections of Horatio.-'Speak not to me,' cried the disconsolate Leonora: is it not owing to me that poor Bellarmine 'has lost his life? Have not these cursed charms

which words she looked stedfastly in the glass) 'been the 'ruin of the most charming man of this age? Can I 'ever bear to contemplate my own face again?' (with her eyes still fixed on the glass.) 'Am I not the mur'deress of the finest gentleman? No other woman in 'the town could have made any impression on him.'— 'Never think of things past,' cries the aunt: 'think of regaining the affections of Horatio.'-'What reason,' said the niece, 'have I to hope he would forgive me? No, I have lost him as well as the other, and it was your wicked advice which was the occasion of all; you 'seduced me, contrary to my inclinations, to abandon poor Horatio' (at which words she burst into tears): you prevailed upon me, whether I would or no, to give up my affections for him: had it not been for you, 'Bellarmine never would have entered into my thoughts: had not his addresses been backed by your persuasions, they never would have made any impression on me; I 'should have defied all the fortune and equipage in the 'world: but it was you, it was you, who got the better ' of my youth and simplicity, and forced me to lose my เ dear Horatio for ever.'

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The aunt was almost borne down with this torrent of

words; she however rallied all the strength she could, and drawing her mouth up in a purse, began: 'I am not surprised, niece, at this ingratitude. Those who advise young women for their interest must always expect such 'a return: I am convinced my brother will thank me for 'breaking off your match with Horatio at any rate.''That may not be in your power yet,' answered Leonora, though it is very ungrateful in you to desire or attempt it, after the presents you have received from him.' (For indeed true it is, that many presents, and some pretty valuable ones, had passed from Horatio to the old lady; but as true it is, that Bellarmine, when he breakfasted with her and her niece, had complimented her with a brilliant from his finger, of much greater value than all she had touched of the other.)

The aunt's gall was on float to reply, when a servant brought a letter into the room; which Leonora, hearing it came from Bellarmine, with great eagerness opened, and read as follows:

'Most divine creature,

'THE wound which I fear you have heard I received 'from my rival, is not like to be so fatal as those shot 'into my heart, which have been fired from your eyes, tout brilliant. Those are the only cannons by which I am to fall; for my surgeon gives me hopes of being soon able to attend your ruelle; till when, unless you 'would do me an honour which I have scarce the hardiesse to think of, your absence will be the greatest anguish 'which can be felt by,

'Madam,

'Avec toute le respecte in the world,

"Your most obedient, most absolute devoté,

'BELLARMINE.'

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As soon as Leonora perceived such hopes of Bellarmine's recovery, and that the gossip Fame had, according to custom, so enlarged his danger, she presently abandoned all further thoughts of Horatio, and was soon reconciled to her aunt, who received her again into favour, with a more Christian forgiveness than we generally meet with. Indeed, it is possible she might be a little alarmed at the hints which her niece had given her concerning the presents. She might apprehend such rumours, should they get abroad, might injure a reputation, which, by frequenting church twice a day, and preserving the utmost rigour and strictness in her countenance and behaviour for many years, she had established.

Leonora's passion returned now for Bellarmine with greater force, after its small relaxation, than ever. She proposed to her aunt to make him a visit in his confinement, which the old lady, with great and commendable prudence, advised her to decline: For,' says she,' should any accident intervene to prevent your intended match, too forward a behaviour with this lover may injure you ' in the eyes of others. Every woman, till she is married, ought to consider of, and provide against, the possibility of the affair's breaking off.' Leonora said, she should be indifferent to whatever might happen in such a case; for she had now so absolutely placed her affections on this dear man, (so she called him) that, if it was her misfortune to lose him, she should for ever abandon all thoughts of mankind. She therefore resolved to visit him, notwithstanding all the prudent advice of her aunt to the contrary, and that very afternoon executed her resolution.

The lady was proceeding in her story, when the coach drove into the inn where the company were to dine, sorely to the dissatisfaction of Mr. Adams, whose ears were the most hungry part about him; he being, as the reader may perhaps guess, of an insatiable curiosity, and heartily

desirous of hearing the end of this amour, though he professed he could scarce wish success to a lady of so inconstant a disposition.

CHAPTER V.

A dreadful quarrel which happened at the inn where the company dined, with its bloody consequences to Mr. Adams.

As soon as the passengers had alighted from the coach, Mr. Adams, as was his custom, made directly to the kitchen, where he found Joseph sitting by the fire, and the hostess anointing his leg; for the horse, which Mr. Adams had borrowed of his clerk, had so violent a propensity to kneeling, that one would have thought it had been his trade, as well as his master's: nor would he always give any notice of such his intention; he was often found on his knees, when the rider least expected it. This foible, however, was of no great inconvenience to the parson, who was accustomed to it; and, as his legs almost touched the ground when he bestrode the beast, had but a little way to fall, and threw himself forward on such occasions with so much dexterity, that he never received any mischief; the horse and he frequently rolling many paces' distance, and afterwards both getting up, and meeting as good friends as ever.

Poor Joseph, who had not been used to such kind of cattle, though an excellent horseman, did not so happily disengage himself; but, falling with his leg under the beast, received a violent contusion, to which the good woman was, as we have said, applying a warm hand, with

some camphorated spirits, just at the time when the parson entered the kitchen.

He had scarce expressed his concern for Joseph's misfortune, before the host likewise entered. He was by no means of Mr. Tow-wouse's gentle disposition; and was, indeed, perfect master of his house, and every thing in it, but his guests.

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This surly fellow, who always proportioned his respect to the appearance of a traveller, from God bless your 'honour,' down to plain 'Coming presently,' observing his wife on her kness to a footman, cried out, without considering his circumstances, 'What a pox is the woman 'about? why don't you mind the company in the coach? 'Go and ask them what they will have for dinner?'— 'My dear,' says she, 'you know they can have nothing 'but what is at the fire, which will be ready presently; and really the poor young man's leg is very much ' bruised.' At which words she fell to chafing more violently than before: the bell then happening to ring, he damn'd his wife, and bid her go in to the company, and not stand rubbing there all day; for he did not believe the young fellow's leg was so bad as he pretended; and, if it was, within twenty miles he would find a surgeon to cut it off. Upon these words, Adams fetched two strides across the room; and snapping his finger over his head, muttered aloud, He would excommunicate such a wretch for a farthing; for he believed the Devil had more humanity. These words occasioned a dialogue between Adams and the host, in which there were two or three sharp replies, till Joseph bade the latter know how to behave himself to his betters. At which the host (having first strictly surveyed Adams) scornfully repeating the word betters, flew into a rage, and telling Joseph, He was as able to walk out of his house, as he had been to walk into it, offered to lay violent hands on

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