While fhe ftood

ly, fhe was answered. in the hall, a beautiful young lady tripped lightly down stairs, and looking earneftly in her face, went into an oppofite apartment. Mrs. Ofmington thought it was more a look of tenderness and compaffion than a curforý glance of curio

fity. Who is that young lady?" de

manded fhe of the porter. -" My

"mistress," replied the man." Is your "Is "mafter married?" "Yes, madam." Mrs. Ofmington fighed. Sir George's ftep was heard approaching-fhe pulled her veil over her face." Your business, "madam," said he abruptly." I fhould "wifh, fir,"—"Ha! ferpent, is it you?" faid he, immediately recollecting her." Never dare again to approach me;" and pushing her violently out of the door, clapped it in her face. Matil

da

da fcreamed with terror, at the infult offered her mother, who with difficulty fupported herself to a neighbouring shop, where a flood of tears prevented her from fainting. On returning to her lodging, the found that her money was reduced to a fingle guinea, and a confiderable time fhould elapfe before the could receive that pension which the humanity of the British government alone extends to the widows of all officers who die in commiffion. She had now been a fortnight in London, and notwithstanding the utmost frugality, fhe found that her expences far exceeded her previous calculations. She had no acquaintance in town that she could apply to for relief, nor did any mode for fubfiftence prefent itself to her view.

While she was in filent despair, gazing on her child, who fat weeping by her knee, the landlord entered, and prefenting her a bill for lodging-money and other expences of the week, requested that she would have the amount by fix o'clock that evening, as he had a confiderable fum to pay at that time. She looked at the amount; it was five guineas. Misfortune preffed her like a weight of waters down! and her mind, as if stretched to its utmost pitch of fufferance, funk into a torpid state of apathy, when she was aroufed by a meffage, that a fervant wifhed to fpeak with her; on being fhewn in, he delivered a letter which, he faid, required no answer, bowed, and retired. It was from the Vifcountess Walbrook (wife to Sir George), evidently written in hafte, requesting, in

the

the most delicate manner, her acceptance of the enclosed bank note for fixty pounds. On receipt of this unexpected bleffing, Mrs. Ofmington raised her eyes in tearful gratitude to that Being who loveth though he chafteneth. Having arranged her affairs in town, she retired to a country village in the weft of England, where, in the cultivation of her daughter's mind, the endeavoured to fink the remembrance of former misfortunes.

CHAP.

CHAP. VII.

SEVERAL years was thus spent by Mrs. Ofmington in fecluded retirement, while Matilda, like a flower born to blush unfeen, increased in years and lovelinefs: her ftature was fomewhat above the middle fize; her complexion of the white rose tint ; and in her whole perfon was blended that feminine elegance which is the distinguishing characteristic of female beauty. The health of her

mother