ance at church, and, in consequence, before the rest of the neighbours considered themselves authorized to pay their compliments at the parsonage. But, early as this visit was made after the arrival of the family, it was not Jefore the report of Mrs. Staunton's improper indulgence of Louisa Harley's indiscretion had reached the ears of Mrs. Holloway; and, in consequence, although this lady did not refuse to see her cousins when their names were announced, there was a formality and coldness in the reception she gave them, which very sensibly affected the heart of Louisa, of whom I have before remarked, that she was endued with a remarkable strength and quickness of feeling.

Mrs. Holloway and her daughters were sitting at work in a large old-fashioned parlour, when Louisa and her aunt were introduced; and though the young ladies arose when they entered, they did not advance one step from their seats to meet their cousin, nor were their countenances (which at no time were particularly gracious or animated) illuminated by the smallest tendency towards a smile. The occasion of all this solemnity of manner was, however, at length explained by Mrs. Holloway, who, after several short coughs and expressive hems, opened the subject which dwelt upon her mind, and, though in a sufficiently genteel and obliging way, repeated what she had heard of the imprudence of Miss Harley's conduct, and the injudicious indulgence allowed her by her aunt: adding, at the same time, her own opinion respecting the impropriety of allowing such liberties to young ladies of family; and remarking, that it would be utterly out of her power, and that of Doctor Holloway, to permit their daughters to associate with their cousin, unless she submitted to such restrictions as her birth and rank in life required.

During this explanation and remonstrance, Louisa endured the most violent emotions of shame and vexation; for a conviction of the propriety of all that Mrs. Holloway said, flashed instantly on her mind: as soon therefore as the lady ceased to speak, she looked imploringly on her aunt, hoping that she would say something which might make her behaviour appear in a more favourable point of view. But poor Louisa was disappointed in this hope. Mrs. Staunton without any

hesitation threw all the blame upon her niece, representing her as wholly unmanageable, and describing herself as having used every means to inspire her with a juster sense of propriety.

This assertion of Mrs. Staunton, which was but partially true, removing every part of the blame from herself to her niece, Mrs. Holloway took occasion to represent to Louisa, in the strongest terms, the great offence of disobedience to elders, together with the shame and disgrace which almost inevitably follow this sin. Mrs. Holloway's remarks, though harsh, were strictly true, and in no other view to be condemned but because not altogether directed as the circumstances of the case required. She had not recollected, that Louisa was an orphan; that Mrs. Staunton had probably mismanaged her education; and that, perhaps, she might have effected the laudable purpose at which she aimed, in a way less likely to give offence. But this lady, though a wellmeaning woman, was one of those severe characters who pay no regard to the feelings of others; and, having always lived in situations which exposed her but little either to the rubs of fortune or the allurements of pleasure, she could make no allowance for those who had failed in their duty through the pressure of the one or the enticements of the other.

With respect to religion, Mrs. Holloway had none which could be properly called Christian; for, although she was a strict observer of forms, she was utterly unacquainted with the real nature and tendency of the doctrines of the Gospel. But, as I shall have occasion hereafter to speak further concerning the religious principles of this family, I will here leave this matter for the present, and proceed with my story.

Mrs. Holloway having relieved her mind of the burden which was upon it relative to the misconduct of her young cousin, and believing that the blame of all which had been amiss lay at the door of Louisa, immediately changed her manner towards Mrs. Staunton, and began to treat her with as much freedom and courtesy as she generally used to any one, still retaining her reserve towards Louisa - although, when she asked Mrs. Staunton to partake of their family dinner, she condescended to extend the invitation to Louisa; at the same time in

forming her eldest daughter, that she depended on her to amuse Miss Harley.

Miss Holloway, who was some years older than Louisa, was remarkably cold and formal. It was therefore no great relief to Louisa to be obliged to follow this young lady, during the remainder of the morning, up and down stairs; first, into her own apartments, where she was condemned to look over a large folio of stiff drawings; and, afterwards, into a garden equally unentertaining, where they wasted the weary hours till called to dinner

after which, Louisa was obliged to listen to as many comments on her conduct from her cousin, the father of the family, as she had heard in the morning from his wife. And as neither the one nor the other made any allowance for her youth, her inexperience, or her want of a proper guide, nor yet pointed out the means of her acquiring that self-command, which, nevertheless, they insisted upon as that which could not be dispensed with, if she wished in future to be received as a relation in their family—it was no wonder that she returned home in the evening much perplexed and distressed, and suffering under such a dejection of spirits as she had never felt before.

It is probable, however, that these painful impressions might soon have worn off from the mind of Louisa, had it not so happened, that the very next week was fixed for Mrs. Staunton's annual visit into the country for this lady had always made a point of spending the three summer months of every year in the country. It sometimes happened on these occasions, that she visited a friend's house, and at other times took lodgings in a farm-house. This present year, the farm-house was selected as the most convenient place; and she removed, with her niece, her maid, aud footman, to the lodgings which had been prepared for her, a very few days after her visit to Mr. Holloway's.

Had Louisa been in good spirits, she would have fancied a thousand agreeablenesses in this change of place, and have interested herself in all the rural transactions which were carried on in her new situation. But she had not yet forgotten the reproofs given her by her cousins; aud perceiving them all to be just, she was oppressed with so deep a sense of shame as nothing could enable her to

shake off; neither could she become in any degree reconciled to herself.

While her mind was in this state, several old-fashioned religious books, which were lying in the window of the parlour at the farm-house, drew her attention. These were, Law's Serious Call, Nelson's Fasts and Festivals, The Ladies' Calling, Fordyce's Sermons for Young Women, and other books of the same complexion, in which the forms and duties of religion are set forth more plainly than its doctrines. These she first took up for want of other occupation, and presently became so much engaged by them, as to feel an eager desire excited in her heart to regulate her future conduct by the strict rules laid down by their authors. "I have lost my character," she said to herself, "in the eyes of my relations, and I will endeavour to retrieve it. I will, on my return to D exhibit such an example of strict attention to religion, discretion, and propriety, as shall utterly obliterate my past follies from the mind of Mrs. Holloway and her daughters. I have fourd (young as I am) nothing but shame and mortification in the ways of pleasure: I will now seek happiness in those of religion. I will repent, and become pious. I will dress after the manner of the excellent Miranda in Law's Serious Call; and I will bestow all I can spare on the poor."

By the time Louisa had formed all these good resolutions, she was, in her own opinion, truly converted, and changed (if such a term may be allowed) into an accomplished saint. Moreover, even during her short residence in the country, she multiplied her observances and forms of devotion, until she became actually perplexed and distressed with the self-imposed burden. In the

mean time, the three months which were destined for the country passed away, and Mrs. Staunton and her niece returned to the town.

When these ladies arrived from the country, they found but little change among their old neighbours, excepting that Dr. Holloway's family were become better known, and had, in consequence of the handsome manner in which they lived, and the neat and elegant entertainments which they gave, acquired an influence in society, which tended in some degree to reform the style of manners in the town. Although Dr. Holloway himself never joined in cards or

dancing, yet he permitted both to his family, and even insisted that his lady and the young people should attend the public assemblies, in order to act as a check, by their presence, on any indecorums which might otherwise take place. At the same time, he insisted, that they should also be extremely observant of all the forms of religion, and on no common occasion absent themselves from public worship.

In consequence of this mode of conduct, Dr. Holloway was become a great favourite in the parish, and was held up as a pattern of all that was proper in a parish-priest: for the views of people at that time were not so clear on many subjects as they now are. Mrs. Holloway and her daughters were also considered as bright examples of Christian piety, on account of their occasional charities, and scrupulous observance of the exterior forms of religion; although they were as completely in the world as it was possible for people to be.

This being the case, it was not thought singular, when the bishop of the diocese gave notice of his intention to hold a confirmation in the doctor's parish, that the same gentleman, who but lately had been giving his sanction to public amusements of the most worldly kind, should now exhort the youth of his flock to a serious preparation for confirmation-pressing upon them, from the pulpit, the duty of repentance; and expatiating, at the same time, with apparent earnestness, on the importance of the baptismal vow which they were about to take upon themselves by the solemn rite of confirmation. Such as did not understand the spiritual nature of religion could not be supposed competent to form a just judgment of these inconsistencies in the character of their pastor. They therefore took all his exhortations in good part; while the parents and teachers pressed upon their children and pupils a more close observance of forms of worship, to which partial change in their conduct they gave the name of repentance: thus heaping error upon error, and setting up self-righteousness in the place of humility.

It was just at this crisis, and when this work of selfdeception was at its height, that Miss Harley and her aunt returned to their winter residence; where Louisa now found much cause of exultation, in the persuasion of her having already carried to what she imagined a con