Part 6 (1/2)

She began to grow eloquent on this, apparently, exhaustless theyric till we came in view of Mrs Harley's mansion

'You will love the reeable prattler, 'when you coood and very sensible'

Drawing near the house, she tripped from me, to enquire if its mistress had yet risen

A small white tenement, half obscured in shrubbery, on a verdant lawn, of dimensions equallyan extensive and variegated prospect, was too interesting and picturesque an object, not to engage for soustus, also, which my lively companion had pourtrayed with more than her usual vivacity, played in e to virtue, and I entered thees--half respectful, half tender--sentiled to be distinctly traced I was introduced into a rooarden, and which the servant called a library It was hung with green paper, the carpet the sareen venetian blinds to the s, a sopha and chairs covered hite died with exact syrand piano-forte, opposite to which, was a handsoantly bound; in the reen cloth, on which was a reading desk, so and drawing

Nothing seeh the whole apartant and cultivatedretirement, I was summoned by Ann to the breakfast room, where Mrs Harley awaited lance, in favour of this areeable, her countenance ani, and her manners polished

Mutually pleased with each other, the hours passed rapidly; and, till renificant look from my little friend, I was unconscious, that I had th

Mrs Harley spokeand the pride of her heart; she lamented the distance that separated them, and wished, that her health, and his tenderness, would allow of her residence with hilow enlivened her countenance, and her eyes sparkled with a huhtness I was affected by her maternal love--tender remembrances, and painful comparisons, crouded into my mind--a tear fell, that would not be twinkled away--she observed it, and see; she held out her hand to , she entreated me speedily to renew my visit, to come often without ceremony--I should cheer her solitude-- heart, would help to console her in the absence of her Augustus

CHAPTER XVII

On our way ho herself upon her sagacity

'Mrs Harley,' (said she, archly leering in my face) 'will console you for the departure of Mr Francis'

I s was canvassed (Ann had wished me to conceal it, but this I positively refused) Mr Morton spoke of Mrs Harley and her son with great respect, Mrs Morton with a sarcastic sneer, accohter, for the improper liberty she had taken

I quitted the table, i a book, wandered into the pleasure grounds, but incapable of fixingslowly on, indulged in a reverie My ain returned--How could I remain in a house, where I was every day marked out for insult by its mistress--and where was I to dispose ofin a respectable family Mrs Harley came across my mind--Amiable woman!--Would she, indeed, accept of my society, and allow me to soften her solitude!--But her incoht of I reflected on the inequalities of society, the source of every es of ether, exclaio--and where shall I find an asylum?'

'Allow me to propose one,' said a voice, in a soft accent, suddenly, behind ue After some expressions of syies for his intrusion, and incoherent expressions of respect and regard, he somewhat abruptly offered his hand and heart to my acceptance, with the impetuosity which accompanied all his sentiments and actions; yet, he expressed hi an obligation

I thanked hienerous proposal--

But, as my heart spake not in his favour--'I must be allowed to decline it'

'That heart,' said he, rudely, 'is already bestowed upon another'

'Certainly not, Mr Montague; if it were, I would frankly tell you'

He pronounced the name of Mr Francis--

'Mr Francis is a man for whom I feel a sincere respect and veneration--a ht beyond that, I dare venture to say, has never occurred to either of us'

He knew not how to conceive--that a woeous an establishment!