in her turn, experience neglect and fickleness, which would rouse her sensibility too acutely, and pique her pride too deeply, to be submitted to in uncomplaining silence.

CHAP. XXXIV.

In various talk th' instructive hours they past,
Who gave the ball, or paid the visit last;
One speaks the glory of the British queen,
And one describes a charming Indian screen;
A third interprets motions, looks, and eyes,
At every word a reputation dies.

Snuff, or the fan, supply each pause of chat,
With singing, laughing, ogling, and all that.

POPE.

AFTER a few days had elapsed, Lord Drelincourt gained resolution to impart to the family the secret of Lord Courtney's marriage, informing them also, that in a few weeks they would probably be gratified with an introduction to his bride; for whom to ensure their affection and esteem, it was only necessary to inform them that they were related, through her,

to

to Signior Rodalvi, by the ties of fraternal love, as well as of friendship. Edmund bowed his acknowledgments for this delicate attention from his lordship, who never forgot the regard due to the feelings of another, even when his own were most deeply wounded.

Now it happened that this secret, like many others, was a secret only to the person most nearly interested in it, who was Lady Harriett; and therefore, by all but her, it was heard with very philosophic composure. She, wholly unable to conceal her surprise and mortification, exclaimed, "Dear me, married! I am sure it is very odd:" then looking round, expecting to read a confirmation of her opinion in every countenance, and seeing nothing but stoical indifference, she became half ashamed of the emotion that she felt; and continued, in a crying tone, "I'm sure I thought-I thought-" she paused again; but that she thought on any subject, was an assertion so uncom

mon

mon for her to make, that every one was anxious to hear what she thought on this. However the degree of attention paid to her words, defeated its design, for being unused to it, she was embarrassed, and remained silent, until the Earl kindly said, " And what did you think, my dear?" speaking in the most encouraging tone, for at that moment he saw in her only the child of his beloved friend, and the source from which he had long drawn his most pleasing ideas of future prosperity and comfort for his son. "I thought," she resumed," that your lordship wished Lord Courtney to marry me; and I am sure I think he has behaved very ungenteelly, and it is very hard to be treated so, just when I believed I was so near being married, and he always appeared to admire me so. I'm sure I'm very ill used, and very unhappy, for every body will laugh at me, and talk of nothing else." Here she burst into an agony of tears; nor is she the first person who

ever wept unnecessarily, from believing that nothing but her affairs would be talked of, when they were fortunately too insignificant to exite, in the smallest degree, the interest and curiosity which vanity and self-love imagine they must universally inspire.

All, however, endeavoured to console the afflicted Lady Harriett, though they might not exactly agree with her in regard to her afflictions becoming a popular topic. The Earl could not but smile, notwithstanding his vexation; Lady Rosamond smiled too, but it was half contemptuously. Emma blushed, and felt distressed that Lady Harriett should expose herself by continuing a variety of weak exclamations amid her tears and sobs; whilst Lady Maria, languidly reclining on a sofa, entreated her to compose herself, saying, "You must, child, have gigantic strength of frame, to endure such violent exertions, the very sight of which fatigues me to death.

Surely