Alas! poor Wentworth!' said I, when I had perused this; "he does not talk of hanging or shooting himself, I see. Well, there is an end of him, we will now think of no one but the colonel. My dear girl, dry your tears; a twelvemonth hence you will most likely smile at the recollection of your present distress. Wentworth will have forgotten to love, and all will be well. She made no answer, but I saw she was inwardly struggling between love and honour. Wentworth's behaviour, which was indeed truly noble, had roused the former, and weakened the effect of the latter. - Afas!' said she, a single life is now the wish of my heart; I had made up my mind to it.'

A fig for making your mind,' said I, you shall not be an old maid, I protest. There never surely was so whimsical a girl. Let all that has passed be buried in oblivion. I am now as strenuous an advocate for the colonel as I before was for Wentworth. not be romantic, my dear, but study your interest; and I doubt not but in this case you will find it connected with your happiness.'

Do

I think I shall,' said she, but you cannot wonder at my irresolution.'

'I do not,' said I; but I hope you will now exert your good sense and prudence, and not give any one reason to suppose you have them not. When you give your hand to the colonel, overcome your prior attachment.'

We then consulted, whether to inform Harriet of all that had happened, or let it pass over, which might on some accounts be better. But on mature consideration we agreed to inform her of every thing, under the injunction

With

of secrecy to the colonel and Mrs. Ambrose. This I shall do by to morrow's post. I am tired of writing, and shall only add, that I have the pleasure to see Maria every hour more and more com posed. She has acted from the purest motives of honour and integrity; and conscious rectitude will be her support, let things. turn out as they may. respect to poor Wentworth I do not know what to say; we will hope the best. - Adieu! my dear mother; I hope this will find you in health and spirits. (but not before) as the wedding is over, I will write again. We are very busy in preparations, and in the best spirits from the prospect of our friend's happiness. I remain, your ever dutiful and affectionate daughter, SUSAN WEST.

As soon

Miss Harriet Vernon to Miss West.

Windsor.

I RECEIVED my dear Susan's packet, the perusal of which almost broke my heart. Pity for the unfortunate Wentworth, and regret for my own conduct in the affair, in keeping this secret from Maria, could not but distress me very much. But what was to be done? you had enjoined me secrecy to the colonel and Mrs. Ambrose; things were to go on as they were; all was determined: I was forced to acquiesce, but it was in vain that I attempted to disguise my feelings by a cheerful countenance. Mrs. Ambrose knew that I had a letter from Hampstead, and inquired after our friends there. They were well, was all I could say, unless I had

invented falsehood. My manner and dejection raised a suspicion that all was not right.

The next day the colonel read in the papers the marriage of Mrs. Wentworth with lord Dormont : the particulars were but slightly * touched on. I felt myself in an embarrassed situation, and soon after left the room. I had not been retired more than an hour when Mrs. Ambrose came to me, and, shutting my chamber door, said she was come to question me on a dejection she had observed in my manner ever since I had received miss West's letter; she was pleased to say, such an intelligent, undisguised countenance as mine must not seek to deceive. Her brother had also observed the change, and if I valued her friendship I must not conceal from her

the cause.

'Dearest madam!' said I, 'I cannot deny but that something has made me uneasy; but indeed you must not inquire, I am not at liberty to tell. Our dear Maria is well, and will be the colonel's wife on the day agreed on; so you need not fear any the g respecting her.'

My dear, ingenuous Harriet,' said she, you must not deem me impertinent; I am deeply interested in all which makes you uneasy. Shall I attempt to guess ?'

I made no answer. I knew not how to act for the best. How could I have reserve to so good a friend? and how could I disclose what I was enjoined not to mention?

She went on- My brother, as you know, has read in the paper of the marriage of the late Mrs, Wentworth to lord Dormont. What, if Fguess that Maria has heard this and feels regret?'

6

Oh! do not guess so, dear madam,' said I, interrupting her; she is your brother's by every tie. Indeed she will be his. How can you suspect-- ?

She smiled. Why so earnest, my dear? your earnestness convinces me that I am not far from the truth. Tell me, is it, or is it not so?'

I was now in a greater dilemma than before; I could not advance a falsity, and I feared the avowal of the truth. I could only still entreat her to excuse my saying more.

Finding me inflexible, she arose to leave me. I have not,' said she, that share in your confidence I imagined. May you find a friend more worthy.'

This was too much I caught hold of her gown as she was going. Stop, dear madam, I never can have a friend so worthy as yourself. Pardon me for wishing to conceal from you what, if it had been my own secret, I could not have thought of concealing. Here is the letter alluded to, read it if you please; and if I am guilty of a breach of confidence, it is to you, who will not take advantage of it.'

If it does not concern our Maria and Mr. Wentworth I will not read it,' said she.

'It does, madam, you have guessed too truly.'

She returned into the room and read the letter. She was obliged to lay it down frequently, being much affected with the interesting scenes you described.

She launched out into the highest encomiums on Maria's sentiments and conduct; and protested that she should see her married to Wentworth with greater satisfaction than to her brother.

She

I trembled, and knew not how to look. Have you, madam! I am sorry for it; I hope I fear

Fear not, my amiable Harriet,' said the colonel, your communicating that letter ensures your sister's future peace and Mr. Wentworth's happiness. Her conduct in regard to me calls for my admiration, and is a proof of her worth. I will evince the sense I have of it in the best manner I am able. She gave her hand to my disposal in the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. I will dispose of it to Mr. Wentworth, as the man alone entitled to, and worthy of, so inestimable a treasure.'

I attempted to speak, but words were wanting to express my joy and gratitude.

་

Whatever regret I may feel,' said he, at my disappointment, I see the propriety of your sister's becoming the wife of Mr. Wentworth; his longer love and misfortunes have a claim superior to my affection; and her virtue and honour can only be rewarded by such a husband. These considerations supersede every other, and it only remains to carry my intentions into execution.'

Accordingly, he wrote immediately to Mr. Wentworth to request

an interview. He came the next day, and, in the presence of his.. sister and myself, the colonel resigned all pretensions to Maria.

Never was man so joyful and grateful as Mr. Wentworth. The colonel said he would write 'to the same purpose to the worthy girl, and that Mr. Wentworth should, if he pleased, be the bearer. To this Mr. Wentworth most willingly consented; and the colonel added, he hoped a continuation of friendship would subsist between the families; and that he would propose, if I approved it, that I should continue here, and attend the nuptials. 'Let me know the time,' said he, and I shall take that opportunity of making a northern tour: on my return I shall hope to meet our Maria without any other emotion than esteem and disinterested friendship may warrant.'

We were all in raptures with the colonel, and his subject. Mrs. Ambrose's eyes shone with uncommon satisfaction at the. cheerfulness and conduct of her brother. We then separated; the colonel to write to Maria, I to finish this letter, and Mrs. Ambrose to reflect on the pleasing transactions of this day.

As I send this by Mr. Wentworth, I add no more. Tell my dear Maria I will write to her by an early post, and I shall depend on you to transmit all this good news to your worthy mother, as also to inform me what passes in consequence of Wentworth's return, fraught with such unexpect ed, happy tidings, Adieu! yours sincerely,

H. VERNON.

To be continued.]