her heart's affections, which timid delicacy induced her to conceal from those she loved and respected, was laid bare to the view of him, with whom, of all the world, she had least sympathy! Her sickening sensation, consequently, while now she endured his gaze, somewhat resembled what we can imagine might be experienced by a modest woman beneath the exulting eye of a libertine, were it possible for that eye, by its audacious stare, to dissolve the personal screen of decent clothing. Julia was again present when the papers of the next day were read. They said, that they were very happy to state, that Lord Fitz-Ullin was only wounded, and that hopes were entertained of his Lordship's recovery. That, strange to relate, his rival was now in close attendance on the couch of his injured friend and that, still more strange, the fickle fair one herself assisted her new lover in the task of nursing her old one. The next paper undertook to gratify the public with curious particulars respecting a late interesting occurrence in high life. A certain young nobleman, it was now confidently affirmed, had, in the first instance, actually laid his title and fortune at the feet of a certain fickle fair one; who had, notwithstanding. perversely preferred a certain gallant captain, who, it is thought, though he had no objection to receive very unequivocal proofs of the lady's love, had no idea of marrying her; and that the eclaircissement had taken place at the altar. Another paper asserted, that an old woman, calling herself the mother of the lady, had rushed into the church, wrested the sacred volume from the hands of the clergyman, and in the most frantic manner, put a stop to the ceremony. And further, that the said old woman had proceeded to make such confessions to the intended bridegroom respecting, it is supposed, the lady's late connexion with the gallant Captain, as had effectually prevented the marriage. That the Earl had, in the handsomest manner, sent for his rival, and resigned the lady to him; after which, in a paroxysm of despairing love, he had gone home to his splendid residence in Square, and shot himself. CHAPTER IX. "Oh! whence is the stream of years, and whither All our joys?" A FEW days more brought a letter from Edmund, addressed to Mrs. Montgomery; now it was hoped all would be explained; Mrs. Montgomery broke the seal, laid the letter open on her knee, took out her spectacles, wiped them, and put them on. But soon tears dimmed the glasses, and the old lady's head shook a little, as on occasions of deep emotion. "What can he mean?" she said, as she gave the her to read it aloud. letter to Julia, desiring Julia, on receiving it, turned extremely pale. As soon as her eyes ran over the first few lines, she trembled visibly, and cast a beseeching look at her sister. Frances took the letter from her, saying, that she could read Edmund's hand particularly well. She began, like the rest, by looking over the letter to herself. Soon tears were seen stealing over her cheeks, as she read on, while from time to time she exclaimed, "What can he mean? What can have happened?" "Read aloud, my dear! Do pray read aloud!" said Mrs Montgomery. And Frances, endeavouring to keep down the choking sensa tion that arose in her throat, commenced as follows: |