"The account is brief. In fhort, Percival Maferini was a prifoner in yonder abbey: you pitied him, yet were privy to the deed." Father Peter feemed at a lofs to reply. At length he told her that at an early hour he would wait on her at the abbey. much to fear. They fly from the laws of England, return to their native land, fhrinking from notice, fearful that the power of their oppreffor may overtake them even there. Another heavy misfortune nów furrounds them; through the, curfed contrivance of their ene. mies, the young officer is proved a deferter, by not attending to an order which was fent to him the "Perfectly," answered he. "Benight he left London, and of which lieve me you fhall have no cause to confequently he was entirely ignorepent this vifit; and give me leave rant. By the death of him whom he had wounded, it is rendered impoffible for him to clear himself of this ftigma. Concealed in a defolate habitation, they difcover the murder, ah! and the murderer of their father." Matilda turned towards the hermit. His colour changed, and he gazed at her with filent awe and aftonishment. She continued-Yet a witness must be found to authenticate the horrid deed, and give juftice to the children of the deceased." "And is fuch a perfon living?" alked father Peter. "He is," returned Matilda. "Were you in his fituation, would you not promote that juftic: which God and nature require? or would you ftill fcreen the wretch, and fuffer the innocent victims of his cruelty to languith in diftrefs and affliction ?” "You know my reûidence then," faid Matilda. to foretell that the brighteft fcenes of happiness, with the Almighty's permillion, now await you.", "There is comfort in your words, father," anfwered Matilda: "heaven fend they may prove true! But the clouds of adverfity have to long eclipted the cheering rays of hope, that I hardly feel myfelf able to admit them to my brealt." Father Peter wished to fee Matilda to the abbey-gates: but the pofitively refufed his offer, and parted with him at the entrance of the cave. The idea of the funeral again entered her imagination;, and the felt a kind of dread at pailing the fepulchre, which almoft made her repent that he had refuted the good, old man's attendance. When he had arrived within a few yards of it, fhe perceived a glare of light which feemed to ipread around the part, and foon obferved feveral torches, the fame as fhe had before feen, ftuck in the ground: the pedestal was alfo parted, and laid on the earth. "Surely you cannot doubt my anfwer," faid the hermit. "I would even part with life itself to procure juftice for the fufferers you mention. "There is no need of fuch a facrifice," anfwered Matilda." But Matilda's agitation and surprise now, father, I put your virtue to was greater than before, and the the trial. I come to demand repa-ftopped, unable to refolve whether ration for the murder of a father, and that father the rightful heir of Orlando count Maferini." Father Peter, though in a great degree, aftonifhed, was not actually fo furprifed as might have been expected. He afked an explanation. 3 to pafs quickly by, or remain where he was. While in this state of fufpenfe, fhe faw two men afcend from the vault, followed by a third whofe fi ure excited in her fill greater aftonifhment.. He was elegantly formed, and his cloaths were entirely entirely of the English fashion, but I d'Aumale, who was killed by De feemed ftrangely put on his hair was difhevelled, and his whole frame feemed greatly difordered. After fome little time they closed the pedestal, and taking up the torches, took that path which immediately led to the abbey. Matilda was again at a lofs in what manner to act; but followed them, though at a diftance, with flow and cautious steps. At length fhe traced them to the gates of the abbey. Here they halted, and Matilda, with a palpitating heart, ftopped alfo to obferve their motions. They continued in converfation fome little time, when, to her amazement, they opened the outer gates, and entered. Matilda, ftill more alarmed, proceeded on, and ventured to pafs into the first court; the here perceived no one; but having entered Vic, in 1591, at the retaking of St. Denis, (it was the abbey of Bea in Normandy) the king faid to him, "It is given away. " How, Sire?" cried the other; "I am the first to ask for it; for I have outftripped the courier who is bring ing you the news of the retaking of St. Denis." "Sir," replied the king very ingenioufly, "You don't know, then, that De Vic killed the chevalier d'Aumale, for no other reafon than to obtain that abbey for his fon." DERWENT PRIORY; In a Series of Letters, LETTER III. the hall, fhe thought fhe heard Lady Laura Merioneth to Mifs Lumly. The Priory, July 14, 179 ERY pretty treatment this! no letter from Lumly House! VER voices in the parlour. Nor was her conjecture wrong for having half afcended the great stairs, the liftened for a moment, and heard a converfation carried on, though in a veryWhy, Jane, I am really very angry low tone: the however could plain with you, and have a great mind ly discover the fpeech of Leonard and her brother; her fears therenot to write another fyllable till I hear from you. fore of a difcovery being at an But then who fhall I relate all the news of the end, her curiofity did not prompt her to stay any longer, being much fatigued, and in want of reft. She therefore directly proceeded to her chamber, and was happy to find Agnes ftill under the influence of the fleepy god. Courtier having come poft to make intereft for a rich abbey, vacant by the death of the chevalier Priory to ?-and how fhall I reftrain my love of fcribbling ì— Oh! I muft write, though ever fo angry: I must continue to write.in the picture gallery. Lord DerMifs Rutland requests my company went has juft received fome portraits, from London; and a council is fummoned to determine their merits. eye met hers on our entrance. I courtfeying, " you must pofitively fill it up with a better fubject, for I cannot accept the honour you propofe." The earl advanced, and leading me to the portrait of his fon, afked if I did not think it an amazing likenefs. “I despair of finding a better fubject," said the earl, with an air of disappointment, but there was not the fame degree of chagrin on the brow of his fon. He on the contrary, looked as if he could have "I am infinitely obliged to you for your refufal." "Ifhould be a better judge, my lord," aníwered I, "if the original was prefent." My lord fmiled on his fifter, who looked at lady Derwent, who fmiling, wondered lord Merioneth was fo remifs in his attend-faid, ance. I looked round with fome little degree of furprife, to difcover the meaning of all thefe condefcending fmiles, when juft at this inftant, Merioneth entered. "Albert," faid his father, "you are juft in time. Lady Laura withed to compare the original with the portrait." "Her ladyfhip does me honour," faid he, bowing gravely "but fo poor a fubject will "Oh, as to that," faid I, interrupting him, "the fubject is mighty well; and we will examine it fome other opportunity." I fpoke this with an air of pique, for I fancied I saw a confederacy against my freedom. The ea:1 looked for a moment difpleafed; but smoothing his brow, entreated me to do him the honour of fitting for my picture, and he would invite the artift to the Priory. "Indeed my lord, you must extufe me 66 At this moment, an exclamation of furprife from Merioneth, called our attention; when, to my utter aftonishment, I beheld an ob ject that has often employed my wandering thoughts. It was Clifford, the friend of Merioneth, accompanied by lord Severn and fir John Bateman. He appeared much furprised at the rencontre; but his behaviour did not evince that he had ever feen me before. At some future opportunity I will explain thefe feeming ambiguities. In the evening a card of invitation was brought from a family at Maple Mount, requesting our company at a rural ball, the next evening. The invitation was accepted, and we have been the great. er part of this day preparing for our appearance: for the prefent I muft refign my pen. On fetting out for our vifit, there arofe a difficulty on the means of our conveyance; the coach had been ordered; but Merioneth de "But why, fo, Laura?" faid my aunt, you have often promifed me you would fit for your picture, and you cannot have a bet-clared it was his intention to fport ter opportunity." "When we return to Twickenham, I will endeavour, my dear madam, to oblige you; but ar prefent I really cannot bear the fatigue." "Oh! you need not fit many times," faid the earl," and I intend to referve that place, pointing to a vacant pannel, on purpose for your ladyfhip's portrait." "Then, my dear lord," faid I, VOL. XXVII, his phaeton, and vowed he would have two ladies to his own share. Lord and lady Derwent, and aunt Merioneth, were already feated in the coach. Mrs. Maynard, without much difficulty, fuffered Albert to conduct her to the phaeton. He advanced to me. hoped fhe would condefcend to accompany him. "Indeed, my lord," faid he, 66 my fears of that fashionable vehicle are unconquerable." "Difperfe thofe needlefs fears, my dear Ellen," cried he; "I will drive with the greateft caution; for by heaven there does not live a being more interested than I am in your fafety." our excellent father, that he had always ftudied to reward merit, and to fave honefty from indigence. He built thefe cottages, and fixed thefe people in them. To oblige me, fufpend your intentions, till time removes the old people out of your way." Pho cried he peevishly, "time may remove me firft; befides old Jenkinfon is a fancy ftubborn fellow.” Here was a pretty difcovery! I do not know whether lady Der- "I am forry," faid Mrs. Merionwent heard his declaration; but eth "that he has incurred your diffhe inftantly called from the car-pleafure, but I am certain he did riage, bade us be fpeedy in our not mean to offend you." determination, and told Albert it was extremely filly of him to wish any lady mounted in that ridiculous phaeton. "Come," cried Mrs. Maynard laughing, " never mind them; come, Clifford, come and help to take care of me; for it is plain I am in great peril; but never mind, I am not of much ufe, and I have made my will." Clifford a'cended, and they drove off. Lord Severn and Sir John went on horieback, and we three poor damfels were crammed into the coach. "Aye," faid he, " I heard you had been among the beggars, and concluded that I fhould be teized with their ridiculous petitions.But once for all, my dear Rachel, I must tell you that I can, on no account, depart from my plan. I expect, in the courfe of another feafon, a great deal of the best company; I intend making a vaft many improvements. What would my friends think of my tafte, if they faw fuch poor hovels as thefe abfolutely in fight of my park-gates, and inhabited by fuch miterable objects too." "Prevent thofe objects from being fo miferable, and the dwellings will be a credit to you," faid my aunt. "My dear fifter, you have the moft antiquated notions that ever entered the head of a reasonable being; you imbibed them, I be lieve, from your father and your brother. They had neither of them the leat ideas of magnificence." They had very juft ideas of humanity," faid Mrs. Merioneth, "which was much better." Here the converfation ended, and I believe any aunt was not much pleafed with her brother's beha. viour; however it only confirmed me in the opinion I had before formed of him. And if it is poffible to purchase a bit of ground near near his park, I am refolved to mortify him; for I will erect fome cottages, and place these people in them. At length we arrived at Maple Mount, pent a very agreeable evening, had Mrs. Maynard's chaite in addition to our carriages, and returned much more comfortable than we went. I am interrupted for the present, Farewell, Yours, &c. LAURA MERIONETH. P. S. I am half inclined to think LETTER IV. Mfs Lumly to Lady Laura. Lumly Houfe, July 20, 179 father being ftill confined, I devote the greatest part of my time to his amufement; I talk to him, fing to him, read to him, and your letters are a conftant fund of entertainment to him. Do not be frightened, I only read to him fuch parts as I am fure you would not object to his hearing. I must frankly confefs to you that we are not much pleased with lord Derwent's character; it has an uncomfortable appearance when a man's own family are afraid of him. His meanhels I can by no means pardon, and am happy that you have the power as well as the inclination, to relieve thofe direffes he fo unfeelingly derides. But I much fear his fentiments are, in the great world, too generally adopted. Strangers themselves to the preflure of want, the rich and great think lightly of thole diftreffes which the feverity of the times impofes on the great mafs of fociety. And fo you take the liberty of I Rejoice in the opportunity of fuppeting that my heart may be in congratulating my friend on the danger from the attractions of Danlate family reconciliation, and trust vilk. How could fuch a thought it will be productive of much feli-enter your head? What! a ftrangcity to all parties. I am certain had you even found the family of your uncle lefs deferving of your friendship than they really are, you would yet have derived a great fource of fatisfaction from obliging Mrs. Merioneth, whofe fondelt hopes were placed in feeing you all united. Pray make my kindest remembrance to her, and tell her I fincerely participate in the happinefs the muft feel on this occafion. And fo because I am not a regular correfpondent you are half refolved to fupprefs your future favours If i had any fubject to write about you fhould not complain of my want of regularity: but what entertainment could you receive from letters which must be continually filled with a tiefome tautology of the fame events? My er! a foreigner! Who knows but Yours Sincerely, |