doubt it, I affure you. But come, -fure this filly accident is not to interrupt our ride?” "By no means (faid I; I beg you will proceed:-I fhall walk back to the Priory.” While this converfation was paffing, lord Merioneth difpatched a fervant in featch of the runaway. "Clifford, (faid Mrs. Maynard, farcaftically) I fuppofe you are en. gaged." "I certainly, ma'am, fhall not leave lady Laura alone." "If you will permit me, coufin, (faid Albert) to attend you, I will give my horfe to a fervant, and—” "By no means, my lord, (cried Clifford) it is unneceffary.-I certainly fhall not refign the honour of walking with this lady, unless the commands it." "What nonfenfe! (cried Mrs. Maynard)-Are we to go on, or to return?" "Go on, by all means," faid I. "Indeed, (faid Ellen) I have not courage to proceed.-Pray, Mr. Clifford,, help me to difmount." Before he could reach her horse, Merioneth had fprung from his, and caught her in his arms; then, bowing to the party on horfeback, withed them a pleasant ride. So, (faid Mrs. Maynard) the four turtles choose to bill alone." They rode away. "Mrs. Maynard (faid Ellen) may be very witty; but I am fure the is very ill-natured." Her wit (replied Merioneth) is frequently ill-timed." Our beaux led the horfes; for, of two fervants, one, I have before obferved, was gone in purfuit of the horfe, and the other, by lord Merioneth's orders, continued with the,¦ party. I took the offered arm of Clifford. The timid Ellen, encouraged by my example, leaned on Merioneth; and in this manner we reached the Priory, where we found the elders in clofe converfation, and feparated till dinner. We then met the whole party. Mrs. Maynard rallied me most unmercifully on my want of courage, and declared the would gallop the fpirited creature five miles, for ten guineas, againft Lightning, fir John's favourite horfe, which he brought here with him, for fear in his abfence it fhould be neglected. Sir John took the offer. We all endeavoured to diffuade the lady from the enter prife, but without fuccefs. Would to heaven fhe would direct her kind glances towards the knight-they would be a charming pair! After dinner, the gentlemen went to the ftables. The horse was stopped at a neighbouring village, by a peafant who knew him, and of courfe brought him home. The fervant had not taken the right route in the purfuit.-Mrs. Maynard followed them. "Where are you going?"enied lady Derwent. Only to fee if the horfe is fafe, (faid the) and likely to carry me to. morrow,--for I am determined to win that fellow's money," pointing to fir John. "Then you have no apprehenfion of a broken neck faid I. "Not in the leaft: befides I firall infifi on Clifford's going with us; and, if there is any abfolute danger, I fhall call on him to difmount, loofe my foot from the flirrup, and jump into his arms." "You must (faid I) fift provide him with a horfe fwift enough to keep pace with you." "Oh, he fhall ride Myrtle!-I know he will, if not checked, keep pace with any in lord Derwent s ftud.” "Then ride him yourself," said Mr. Merioneth. "100! that will entirely change the wager; and, I tell you, I muft win this ten guineas. Why, it will pay pay my next fubfcription to the opera." Ave, (faid Julia) but I don't think, if you gallop Wildfire, that you will ever come back alive; and, in that cafe, you will not be called on for another fubfcription to the opera." Mrs. Maynard laughed at her fimplicity, and followed the gentlemen. We read till tea, when we met again. Mrs. Maynard then announced that Wildfire had received no injury, and that the fhould ride him the next day. The gentlemen were of course to attend; and she pofitively ftipulated that Clifford hould ride Myrtle, and keep near; "because (the cried) i know you are very ufeful in thefe cafes." "In what cafes, (faid he) have I the honour of being thought fo ferviceable ?” "Why, in this cafe:-(replied this ftrange woman) fuppofe a lady finds her horfe abfolutely unmanageable which I am far from expecting will be my misfortune,-and is obliged to fpring from his back, can you not open your arms to receive her?" again. But I shan't ftand any nonfenfe: down with the bit." "Down with yours, (faid the lady) and let Merioneth hold stakes.” This was done. "Now then, (faid the knight) I bar all jumping off; unlefs, indeed, you are fairly thrown:-that alters the cafe." "No, no, (cried the lady) you are not to have every thing your own way. I will fit him, if poflible: if not, I jump off; and, in that cafe, the bet fhall remain for a further trial with Myrtle." This was, after a deal of altercation, finally agreed to.-Are you not weary of fuch a jargon of nonfenfe, and do you not wonder how this brute of a baronet got admittance here? I believe I can explain this feeming myftery.-Sir John is a bo rough-monger, and permits lord Derwent to nominate the candidates. It is whispered, too, that his eftate is deeply mortgaged to the earl.This accounts for their intimacy. Lord Derwent, I obferve, ufually contrives to make his acquaintance fubfervient to his intereft; and fir John is most devoutly at his disposal. A party on the water was propofed for the evening. Chance "I certainly, ma'am, will endea vour to prevent any accident which you may be liable to from this un-placed me by the fide of Merioneth. dertaking; but I think it would be I thought it an excellent opportunity better entirely to drop the fcheme." to come to fome explanation on the “No, no, (cried fir john) I will views of our family. It was an not agree to that; nor I don't think aukward fubject to introduce; and it is fair for Clifford to be allowed to yet I wifhed to inform him that I keep up with you." was not leagued against his peace. I paused for a moment, then took courage, and fpoke of the proposals I had received. "Why not?" faid the lady. "Why not! (repeated he)-why, because you may perhaps like better to walk with him than to ride with me, eh!-Believe I am right," winking fignificantly at Merioneth, "Well, and what of that?" faid the lady, with great compofure. "Were thefe propofals, (faid I) my lord, fan&tioned by your approbation? Do favour me with an ingenuous anfwer," "Will lady Laura (faid he) "What of that!-why then, may-pardon my temerity, when I confefs hap, you will ride a little way, that thofe proposals never received then jump from your horfe,-hop my affent; and that my opinion of off with him,-declare it was an their propriety has never been asked? accident, and want your money I was recalled from Italy, to begin at once ance my political and my matrimo- | appeared anxious and uneafy: Merioneth feated himself by me, and played the lover admirably. I believe they were all furprised at his attention. Mrs. Merioneth fim. nial cucer:-in both, I fear, I fhall difappoint the wishes of my father. I have, my fweet coufin, the deepest fenfe of your perfections, the moft profound admiration of your cha-pered, lord Derwent relaxed his fe racter, but I have no heart to offer for your acceptance. My fondeft withes took an early root: they are interwoven with my exiftence, and never, but with that existence, can they end. The man,- lady Laura, whom you honour with your choice, fhould have but one object in the world; and that fhould be yourself." "A truce (faid 1) with compliments; and let us think how to avoid the high road to matrimony, to which thefe good folks are endeavouring to fend us poft." "I must rely (he anfwered) on your generofity.You are independent, and need not fear offending." "But they will not (faid I) take my refufal." "How ftrange (he replied) is fuch a procedure!--What can be done? The refufal must come from you, coufin; for what objection could I poffibly make to receiving the honour of your hand?” "Why, tell them (faid I, laughing) what you have juft told me, that you like another better." "Thank you, fair lady; but at prefent that declaration would not be quite convenient." "Well, (faid I) fet your heart at reft; appear very attentive to me. I will complain of your importunities, flight your civilities, laugh at your folicitudes (that is, when you tell me you have had any), and, in due time, formally reject you.” verity, and the countess looked delighted beyond what I had ever seen before. I, really, Jane, was forry for the difappointment they are doomed to feel. After about an hour spent on the. water, madam Cynthia reminded us that it was time to return. Lord and lady Derwent, accompanied by Mrs. Merioneth, walked faft, for fear of the damps, which fell apace. There was no longer any restraint; Merioneth caught the hand of Ellen, who was struggling to release herself from the knight:-I leaned on his other arm. Happy Merioneth! (faid Clif ford, advancing) you are indeed a favourite of fortune." "Do not be envious, man; (faid Merioneth) but come and share in her favours." "May I hope to be admitted, ladies?" "Certainly, if you wish it," faid 1. "Oh, Laura! (in a low voice) if I wish it! (taking my hand).Is there a thing on earth fo dear to Clifford as your fociety?" Perhaps you might have been offended at fuch a declaration, made in fuch a manner:-but, for my part, I was too pleased to be angry. And here I will paufe, for the prefent, for I am too weary to proceed. Thursday morning, 11 o'clock. As we entered the house, MerioHe looked as if he could have faid neth obferved that it was not yet he was very much obliged to me. fupper-time, and propofed adjourn He kiffed my hand, and vowed Iing to the mufic-room. The plan was an angel. was adopted. They entreated me We had now reached the lake, to fing: I complied. Clifford ac and most of the company were al-companied me on the harpsichord, ready in the boat. Clifford offered on which he is a great proficient. me his hand:-I took it; he looked Actuated by a wifh to pleafe, (why ferious, and fighed deeply. Ellen'fhould I deny it?) I exerted myfell, and and, I believe, fung with judgment | net, ornamented with filver stars and a favourite air of Clifford's. He fpangles, lilac body and train, trimthanked me again and again, formed with filver fringe and taffels : what he termed my condefcending kindness, while his manly countenance glowed with animation. A fummons to fupper interrupted our mufic, juft as the timid Ellen was preparing to fing. her head drefs, a cap compofed of lilac and purple foil, and the Prince's plume, fet with diamonds in the front, with three beautiful feathers. Princess Royal.A purple and filver embroidery. Princefs Augufta.-A white crape petticoat, richly ornamented with lilac and filver in medallion stripes, in very rich border.-Body and train of green filver gauze. Princess Elizabeth.-A white crape petticoat richly embroidered with filver chains, and ornamented with beautiful wreaths of rofes. Princess Mary.-The fame as Princess Augusta. Princess Sophia.-The fame in pink and filver. In a few days we are to have a mafqued ball: tickets are already given out in great numbers, and the party is expected to be numerous and fashionable. We have sent to London for dreffes, which we expect down this evening. Sir John, Mrs. Maynard, and Clifford, are gone to prepare for the race. Mrs. Merioneth is with lady Derwent in her dreffing-room. Julia has juft left me. She has been admitted to the fynod, and informs me that they are employed in congratulating each other Princess Amelia-A rich filver on the good understanding which embroidery, ornamented with lilac laft night appeared to fubfift between crape and filver chains, tied up in me and the heir of our noble houfe.feftoons with branches of lilac fancy Oh, Jane! what a difappointment will the fequel be to their hopes! But why would they not take my fisft decifive anfwer? I have ever faid I would not marry Merioneth; I must again repeat it. I fhall be glad when I have done with this troublefome fubject. I fee Ellen walking in the fhrubbery, alone. I will join her, and walk till dinner. (To be continued.) DESCRIPTION of the DRESSES of The Queen. Royal purple coat, covered flowers; body and train of green and filver gauze. Countess of Cholmondeley.-A petticoat entirely of filver ribbon, interwoven with fhaded pink ftripes, with a rich drapery of Italian filver net, elegantly embroidered in filver fpangles, tied up with wreaths of rofes and jeffamine, broad filver taffel fringe; the train spotted filver gauze, fhaded with pink and filver, as the petticoat, full fleeves of Italian ulvér net. Lady Charles Somerfet.-A petticoat entirely of Italian filver net, with crape drapery, with ftripes of fhaded yellow ribbon, the ftripes covered with coftly blond lace, a A for blond, double drapery of silver net, tied up drawn up in feftoons, with rich dia.with filver fringe and taffels. Lady E. Monk-White crape petticoat, with gold fringe, and drapery embroidered with gold, and tied with gold cord and taffels. Lady G. Levejon.-Lilac crape pet. ticoat, richly ornamented with filver chains, with a drapery of lilac and ΝΑ filver filver crape, tied up, large bunches of | Lady Newbury.-White crape yellow flowers, and ornamented with petticoat, with Giver fringe at the a filver rope and taffels. bottom, and a drapery tastefully ened up with bunches of chefnut bloom, with a fafh richly edged with filver fringe, and tied up with filver taffels, white crape train, ornamented with filver; her headdrefs white and filver. Lady Randcliffe.-Lilac crape pet-embroidered with filver rings, faftticoat, ornamented with chains of filver, fastened in feftoons, with bunches of hops intermixed with filver vine, a rich filver fringe round the bottom, the pocket-holes orna, mented with filver and lilac, tied with filver voilo and taffels; the robe lilac crape, ornamented with filver; ruffles ornamented with lilac blond; her lady fhip's head-drefs confifted of a green and black cottage cap, Ornamented with ilver net, and a plume of black feathers entwined. Very little powder was worn by the ladies. Bouquets and feltoons were general. The head-dreffes univerfally turbans in different forms, with filver netting over, and feathers variegated or correfponding to the train. THE BALL. THEIR majefties entered the room a few minutes before nine, when the feats were numeroufly occupied, and, after walking round the circle, and addreffing the company, the minuets commenced, which were danced in the following order: Duke of York, Duke of Clarence, Lord Morton, Lord Galloway, Princess of Wales, Princess Royal. Princefs Augufta, Princess Elizabeth. The minuets concluded at half past ten, fhortly after which the country |