What facilitated this negotiation greatly was, that young Bramblewood had explained himself fully to the fair object of his devotion, and had solicited her hand. The unmarried widow retired to her dressing-room, there to pen the important document; and, at the same time, invited a large and brilliant circle to a last party, in which she had contrived to assemble every charm and witchery of which she was mistress. Her lover would be there present, and he would have had a day to reflect on the contents of the epistle. This party would, probably, fix her lot; and if unsuccessful, she had nothing for it, but to fly precipitately to the Continent.

The letter, and the invitation to what she called an impromptu, went together; and within an hour after, an event of great moment to our hero took place. A courier arrived at the family house in the Square, and announced that Lady Gertrude was within a few miles of the capital. She would be an able minister of

state; her house would open to all that was great and fashionable. How to break to her his present dilemma would be difficult; for, if she approved of the match, what was to become of Emma? If she disapproved of it, what was to become of both?

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY S. AND R. BENTLEY, DORSET STREET.