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no small mortification to human pride, and in a whisper asked Mrs. Ellison, if she could not procure a third ticket; to which she received an absolute negative.

During the whole time of Mrs. Bennet's stay, which was above an hour afterwards, she remained perfectly silent, and looked extremely melancholy. This made Amelia very uneasy, as she concluded she had guessed the cause of her vexation. In which opinion she was the more confirmed, from certain looks of no very pleasant kind, which Mrs. Bennet now and then cast on Mrs. Ellison, and the more than ordinary concern that appeared in the former lady's countenance, whenever the masquerade was mentioned, and which, unfortunately, was the principal topic of their discourse; for Mrs. Ellison gave a very elaborate description of the extreme beauty of the place, and elegance of the diversion.

that her conduct appeared utterly unaccountable to Amelia, and, upon the whole, she knew not whether to conclude Mrs. Ellison to be a friend or an enemy to Mrs. Bennet.

During this latter conversation, Booth was not in the room; for he had been summoned down stairs by the sergeant, who came to him with news from Murphy, whom he had met that evening, and who assured the sergeant, that if he was desirous of recovering the debt, and which he had before pretended to have on Booth, he might shortly have an opportunity; for that there was to be a very strong petition to the board, the next time they sat. Murphy said further, that he need not fear having his money; for that to his certain knowledge the captain had several things of great value, and even his children had gold watches.

This greatly alarmed Booth, and still . When Mrs. Bennet was departed, Ame- more, when the sergeant reported to him lia could not help again soliciting Mrs. Elli- from Murphy, that all these things had been son for another ticket, declaring she was in his possession within a day last past. certain Mrs. Bennet had a great inclination He now plainly perceived, as he thought, to go with them; but Mrs. Ellison again that Murphy himself, or one of his emissaexcused herself from asking it of his lord-ries, had been the supposed madman; and ship. Besides, madam,' says she, if I he now very well accounted to himself in would go thither with Mrs. Bennet, which, his own mind, for all that had happened, I own to you, I don't choose, as she is a conceiving that the design was to examine person whom nobody knows, I very much into the state of his effects, and to try doubt whether she herself would like it; for whether it was worth his creditors' while she is a woman of a very unaccountable to plunder him by law. turn. All her delight lies in books; and, as At his return to his apartment, he comfor public diversions, I have heard her often municated what he had heard to Amelia declare her abhorrence of them.' and Mrs. Ellison, not disguising his appre'What, then,' said Amelia, 'could occa-hensions of the enemy's intentions; but sion all that gravity, from the moment the masquerade was mentioned?'

'As to that,' answered the other, 'there is no guessing. You have seen her altogether as grave before now. She hath had these fits of gravity at times ever since the death of her husband.'

'Poor creature!' cries Amelia, 'I heartily pity her; for she must certainly suffer a great deal on these occasions. I declare I have taken a strange fancy to her.'

'Perhaps you would not like her so well, if you knew her thoroughly,' answered Mrs. Ellison. She is, upon the whole, but of a whimsical temper; and, if you will take my opinion, you should not cultivate too much intimacy with her. I know you will never mention what I say; but she is like some pictures, which please best at a distance.'

Amelia did not seem to agree with these sentiments, and she greatly importuned Mrs. Ellison to be more explicit, but to no purpose; she continued to give only dark hints to Mrs. Bennet's disadvantage; and, if ever she let drop something a little too harsh, she failed not immediately to contradict herself, by throwing some gentle commendations into the other scale; but so

Mrs. Ellison endeavoured to laugh him out of his fears, calling him faint-hearted, and assuring him he might depend on her lawyer. Till you hear from him,' said she, you may rest entirely contented; for, take my word for it, no danger can happen to you, of which you will not be timely apprised by him. And as for the fellow that had the impudence to come into your room, if he was sent on such an errand as you mention, I heartily wish I had been at home; I would have secured him safe with a constable, and have carried him directly before Justice Trasher. I know the justice is an enemy to bailiffs, on his own account.'

This heartening speech a little roused the courage of Booth, and somewhat comforted Amelia, though the spirits of both had been too much hurried, to suffer them either to give or receive much entertainment that evening; which Mrs. Ellison perceiving, soon took her leave, and left this unhappy couple to seek relief from sleep, that powerful friend to the distressed, though like other powerful friends, he is not always ready to give his assistance to those who want it most.

CHAPTER IX.

Containing a very strange incident.

WHEN the husband and wife were alone, they again talked over the news which the sergeant had brought; on which occasion, Amelia did all she could to conceal her own fears and to quiet those of her husband. At last she turned the conversation to another subject, and poor Mrs. Bennet was brought on the carpet. I should be sorry,' cries Amelia, 'to find I had conceived an affection for a bad woman; and yet I begin to fear Mrs. Ellison knows something of her more than she cares to discover; why else should she be unwilling to be seen with her in public? Besides, I have observed that Mrs. Ellison hath been always backward to introduce her to me, nor would ever bring her to my apartment, though I have often desired her. Nay, she hath given me frequent hints not to cultivate the acquaintance. What do you think, my dear ?—I should be very sorry to contract an intimacy with a wicked person.'

'Nay, my dear,' cries Booth, 'I know no more of her, nor indeed hardly so much as yourself. But this I think, that if Mrs. Ellison knows any reason why she should not have introduced Mrs. Bennet into your company, she was very much in the wrong in introducing her into it.'

In discourses of this kind they passed the remainder of the evening. In the morning, Booth rose early, and going down stairs, received from little Betty a sealed note, which contained the following words :

Beware, beware, beware,

For I apprehend a dreadful snare Is laid for virtuous innocence, Under a friend's false pretence. Booth immediately inquired of the girl who brought this note? and was told it came by a chairman, who, having delivered it, departed, without saying a word.

He was extremely staggered at what he read, and presently referred the advice to the same affair on which he had received those hints from Atkinson the preceding evening; but when he came to consider the words more maturely, he could not so well reconcile the two last lines of this poetical epistle, if it may be so called, with any danger which the law gave him reason to apprehend. Mr. Murphy and his gang could not well be said to attack either his innocence or virtue; nor did they attack him under any colour or pretence of friendship.

After much deliberation on this matter, a very strange suspicion came into his head; and this was, that he was betrayed by Mrs. Ellison. He had for some time conceived no very high opinion of that good gentlewoman, and he now began to suspect that

she was bribed to betray him. By this means he thought he could best account for the strange appearance of the supposed madman. And when this conceit once had birth in his mind, several circumstances nourished and improved it. Among these, were her jocose behaviour and raillery on that occasion, and her attempt to ridicule his fears from the message which the sergeant had brought him.

This suspicion was indeed preposterous, and not at all warranted by, or even consistent with, the character and whole behaviour of Mrs. Ellison; but it was the only one which at that time suggested itself to his mind; and, however blameable it might be, it was certainly not unnatural in him to entertain it; for so great a torment is anxiety to the human mind, that we always endeayour to relieve ourselves from it, by guesses, however doubtful or uncertain; on all which occasions, dislike and hatred are the surest guides to lead our suspicion to its object.

When Amelia rose to breakfast, Booth produced the note which he had received, saying, 'My dear, you have so often blamed me for keeping secrets from you, and I have so often, indeed, endeavoured to conceal secrets of this kind from you, with such ill success, that I think I shall never more attempt it." Amelia read the letter hastily, and seemed not a little discomposed; then, turning to Booth, with a very disconsolate countenance, she said, 'Sure fortune takes a delight in terrifying us! what can be the meaning of this?'-Then fixing her eyes attentively on the paper, she perused it for some time, till Booth cried,- How is it possible, my Emily, you can read such stuff patiently! the verses are certainly as bad as ever were written.'-'I was trying, my dear,' answered she, 'to recollect the hand; for I will take my oath I have seen it before, and that very lately;' and suddenly she cried out, with great emotion, 'I remember it perfectly now-it is Mrs. Bennet's hand. Mrs. Ellison showed me a letter from her but a day or two ago. It is a very remarkable hand, and I am positive it is hers.'

'If it be hers,' cries Booth, 'what can she possibly mean by the latter part of her caution? sure Mrs. Ellison hath no intention to betray us.'

'I know not what she means,' answered Amelia; but I am resolved to know immediately, for I am certain of the hand. By the greatest luck in the world, she told me yesterday where her lodgings were, when she pressed me exceedingly to come and see her. She lives but a very few doors from us, and I will go to her this moment.'

Booth made not the least objection to his wife's design. His curiosity was, indeed, as great as hers, and so was his impatience to satisfy it, though he mentioned not this his

impatience to Amelia; and perhaps it had been well for him if he had.

Amelia, therefore, presently equipped herself in her walking dress, and leaving her children to the care of her husband, made all possible haste to Mrs. Bennet's lodgings.

Amelia waited near five minutes at Mrs. Bennet's door, before any one came to open it; at length, a maid-servant appeared, who being asked if Mrs. Bennet was at home, answered with some confusion in her countenance, that she did not know; but, madam,' says she, if you will send up your name, I will go and see.' Amelia then told her name; and the wench, after staying a considerable time, returned and acquainted her that Mrs. Bennet was at home. She was then ushered into a parlour, and told that the lady would wait on her presently.

In this parlour, Amelia cooled her heels, as the phrase is, near a quarter of an hour. She seemed indeed at this time, in the miserable situation of one of those poor wretches, who make their morning visits to the great, to solicit favours, or perhaps to solicit the payment of a debt; for both are alike treated as beggars, and the latter sometimes considered as the most troublesome beggars of the two.

During her stay here, Amelia observed the house to be in great confusion; a great bustle was heard above stairs, and the maid ran up and down several times in a great hurry.

At length Mrs. Bennet herself came in. She was greatly disordered in her looks, and had, as the women call it, huddled on her clothes in much haste; for in truth she was in bed when Amelia first came. Of this fact she informed her, as the only apology she could make for having caused her to wait so long for her company.

Amelia very readily accepted her apology, but asked her, with a smile, if these early hours were usual with her? Mrs. Bennet turned as red as scarlet at the question, and answered, 'No, indeed, dear madam. I am for the most part, a very early riser; but I happened accidentally to sit up very late last night. I am sure I had little expectation of your intending me such a favour this morning.'

to her of the truth. She waited not, therefore, for an answer, which, indeed, the other seemed in no haste to give; but conjured her in the most solemn manner, to explain to her the meaning of so extraordinary an act of friendship: For so,' said she, 'I esteem it; being convinced you must have sufficient reason for the warning you have given me.'

Mrs. Bennet, after some hesitation, answered; 'I need not. I believe, tell you how much I am surprised at what you have shown me, and the chief reason of my surprise is, how you came to discover my hand. Sure, madam, you have not shown it to Mrs. Ellison.'

Amelia declared she had not; but desired she would question her no farther. What signifies how I discovered it, since your hand it certainly is?"

'I own it is,' cries Mrs. Bennet, recovering her spirits; and since you have not shown it to that woman, I am satisfied. I begin to guess now whence you might have your information; but no matter, I wish I had never done any thing of which I ought to be more ashamed-No one can, I think, justly accuse me of a crime on that account; and I thank Heaven, my shame will never be directed by the false opinion of the world. Perhaps it was wrong to show my letter; but when I consider all circumstances, I can forgive it.'

Since you have guessed the truth,' said Amelia, I am not obliged to deny it. She, indeed, showed me your letter; but I am sure you have not the least reason to be ashamed of it. On the contrary, your behaviour on so melancholy an occasion was highly praiseworthy; and your bearing up under such afflictions, as the loss of a husband in so dreadful a situation, was truly great and heroical.'

'So Mrs. Ellison then hath shown you my letter?' cries Mrs. Bennet eagerly.

Why, did not you guess it yourself?' answered Amelia, 'otherwise I am sure I have betrayed my honour in mentioning it. I hope you have not drawn me inadvertently into any breach of my promise. Did you not assert, and that with an absolute certainty, that you knew she had shown me your letter, and that you was not angry with her for so doing?

Amelia looking very steadfastly at her, 'I am so confused,' replied Mrs. Bennet, said: Is it possible, madam, you should'that I scarce know what I say; yes, yes, think such a note as this would raise no I remember I did say so-I wish I had no curiosity in me?' She then gave her the greater reason to be angry with her than note, asking her, if she did not know the that.' hand.

Mrs. Bennet appeared in the utmost surprise and confusion at this instant. Indeed, if Amelia had conceived but the slightest suspicion before, the behaviour of the lady would have been a sufficient confirmation

'For Heaven's sake,' cries Amelia, ‘do not delay my request any longer; what you say now greatly increases my curiosity; and my mind will be on the rack till you discover your whole meaning; for I am more and more convinced, that something of the

utmost importance was the purport of your

message.

fears in their just colours, I must unfold my whole history to you. Can you have patience, madam, to listen to the story of the

"Of the utmost importance, indeed,' cries Mrs. Bennet, 'at least you will own my ap-most unfortunate of women?' prehensions were sufficiently well founded.O, gracious Heaven! how happy shall I think myself, if I should have proved your preservation! I will, indeed, explain my meaning; but, in order to disclose all my

Amelia assured her of the highest attention; and Mrs. Bennet soon after began to relate what is written in the seventh book of this history.

CHAPTER I.

BOOK VII.

A very short chapter, and consequently requiring no preface.

MRS. BENNET having fastened the door, and both the ladies having taken their places, she once or twice offered to speak, when passion stopped her utterance; and after a minute's silence, she burst into a flood of tears. Upon which, Amelia, expressing the utmost tenderness for her, as well by her look as by her accent, cried-'What can be the reason, dear madam, of all this emotion?O, Mrs. Booth!' answered she, 'I find I have undertaken what I am not able to perform--you would not wonder at my emotion, if you knew you had an adulteress and a murderer now standing before you.'

more of my unfortunate life than just with which I think you may yourself be interested; that part which leads to a catastrophe in but I protest I am at a loss where to begin.'

6

'Begin wherever you please, dear madam,' cries Amelia; but I beg you will consider my impatience.'-'I do consider it,' answered Mrs. Bennet; and therefore would begin with that part of my story which leads directly to what concerns yourself; for how, indeed, should my life produce any thing worthy your notice?-Do not say so, madam,' cries Amelia, 'I assure you I have long suspected there were some very remarkable incidents in your life, and have only wanted an opportunity to impart to you my desire of hearing them :-I beg therefore you would make no more apoloAmelia turned pale as death at these gies.'-'I will not, madam,' cries Mrs. Benwords, which Mrs. Bennet observing, col-net, and yet I would avoid any thing trilected all the force she was able, and a little vial; though, indeed, in stories of distress, composing her countenance, cried, 'I see, especially where love is concerned, many madam, I have terrified you with such little incidents may appear trivial to those dreadful words; but I hope you will not who have never felt the passion, which to think me guilty of these crimes in the black-delicate minds are the most interesting part est degree. Guilty!' cries Amelia. O of the whole.'-Nay, but, dear madam,' Heavens!'-'I believe indeed your candour,' cries Amelia, this is all preface.' continued Mrs. Bennet,' will be readier to 'Well, madam,' answered Mrs. Bennet, acquit me than I am to acquit myself-in-'I will consider your impatience.' She then discretion, at least, the highest, most unpar- rallied all her spirits in the best manner she donable indiscretion, I shall always lay to could, and began as is written in the next my own charge; and when I reflect on the chapter. fatal consequences, I can never, never forgive myself. Here she again began to lament in so bitter a manner, that Amelia endeavoured, as much as she could, (for she was herself greatly shocked,) to sooth and comfort her; telling her that if indiscretion was her highest crime, the unhappy consequences made her rather an unfortunate than a guilty person; and concluded by saying, 'Indeed, madam, you have raised my curiosity to the highest pitch, and I beg you will proceed with your story.'

Mrs. Bennet then seemed a second time going to begin her relation, when she cried but, I would, if possible, tire you with no

And here possibly the reader will blame Mrs. Bennet for taking her story so far back, and relating so much of her life in which Amelia had no concern; but, in truth, she was desirous of inculcating a good opinion of herself, from recounting those transactions where her conduct was unexceptionable, before she came to the more dangerous and suspicious part of her character. This I really suppose to have been her intention; for to sacrifice the time and patience of Amelia at such a season to the mere love of talking of herself, would have been as unpardonable in her, as the bearing it was in Amelia a proof of the most perfect good breeding.

CHAPTER II.

The beginning of Mrs. Bennet's history.

neither see my mother, nor hear any news of her. My father returned home in a state little short of distraction. His friends in "I was the younger of two daughters of a vain attempted to administer either advice clergyman in Essex; of one in whose praise, or comfort; he threw himself on the floor if I should indulge my fond heart in speak-in the most bitter agonies in despair. ing, I think my invention could not outgo the reality. He was indeed well worthy of the cloth he wore; and that, I think, is the highest character a man can obtain.

'Whilst he lay in this condition, my sister and myself lying by him, all equally, I believe, and completely miserable, our old servant-maid came into the room, and cried During the first part of my life, even out, her mind misgave her that she knew till I reached my sixteenth year, I can re- where her mistress was. Upon these words collect nothing to relate to you. All was my father sprung from the floor, and asked one long serene day, in looking back upon her eagerly, where ?-But, oh! Mrs. Booth, which, as when we cast our eyes on a calm how can I describe the particulars of a sea, no object arises to my view. All appears scene to you, the remembrance of which one scene of happiness and tranquillity. chills my blood with horror, and which the On the day, then, when I became six-agonies of my mind, when it passed, made teen years old, must I begin my history; all a scene of confusion! the fact, then, in for on that day I first tasted the bitterness of sorrow.

short was this: my mother, who was a most indulgent mistress to one servant, 'My father, besides those prescribed by which was all we kept, was unwilling, I supour religion, kept five festivals every year. pose, to disturb her at her dinner; and thereThese were on his wedding-day, and on fore went herself to fill her tea-kettle at a the birth day of each of his little family; well, into which, stretching herself too far, on these occasions he used to invite two or as we imagine, the water then being very three neighbours to his house, and to in-low, she fell with the tea-kettle in her hand. dulge himself, as he said, in great excess; for so he called drinking a pint of very small punch; and, indeed, it might appear excess to one who on other days rarely tasted any liquor stronger than small beer.

The missing this, gave the poor old wretch the first hint of her suspicion, which, upon examination, was found to be too well grounded.

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'What we all suffered on this occasion Upon my unfortunate birth-day, then, may more easily be felt than described.'— when we were all in a high degree of mirth, It may indeed,' answered Amelia, and I my mother having left the room after din- am so sensible of it, that, unless you have a ner, and staying away pretty long, my father mind to see me faint before your face, I beg sent me to seek for her. I went according you will order me something; a glass of to his orders; but though I searched the water if you please.' Mrs. Bennet immediwhole house, and called after her without ately complied with her friend's request; doors, I could neither see nor hear her. I a glass of water was brought, and some was a little alarmed at this, (though far hartshorn drops infused into it; which Amefrom suspecting any great mischief had be-lia having drank off, declared she found herfallen her,) and ran back to acquaint my self much better, and then Mrs. Bennet profather, who answered coolly, (for he was a ceeded thus: man of the calmest temper,) "Very well, 'I will not dwell on a scene which I see my dear, I suppose she is not gone far, and hath already affected your tender heart, will be here immediately." Half an hour and which is as disagreeable to me to relate, or more passed after this, when, she not re- as it can be to you to hear. I will therefore turning, my father himself expressed some only mention to you the behaviour of my surprise at her stay; declaring, it must be father on this occasion, which was indeed some matter of importance which could becoming a philosopher and christian divine. detain her at that time from her company. On the day after my mother's funeral, he His surprise now increased every minute; sent for my sister and myself into his room; and he began to grow uneasy, and to show where, after many caresses, and every desufficient symptoms in his countenance of monstration of fatherly tenderness, as well what he felt within. He then despatched in silence as in words, he began to exhort the servant-maid to inquire after her mis-us to bear with patience the great calamity tress in the parish; but waited not her return; for she was scarce gone out of doors before he begged leave of his guests to go himself on the same errand.-The company now all broke up, and attended my father, all endeavouring to give him hopes that no mischief had happened. They searched the whole parish; but in vain; they could

which had befallen us, saying, “That as every human accident, how terrible soever, must happen to us by divine permission at least, a due sense of our duty to our great Creator must teach us an absolute submission to his will. Not only religion, but common sense must teach us this; for oh! my dear children," cries he, "how vain is all

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