Sir John fwore he was a devil,and the converfation dropped. Our dreffes are arrived-I am fummoned to lady Derwent's dreffing-room. Before I fleep, I will endeavour to clofe this letter. Thurfday night. OUR dreffes are very fplendid: Ellen's is a Spanish habit,-mine a Turkifh; but we are fo near of a fize, that I expect much amusement from the miflakes of Merioneth, who does not know which of the two dreffes belongs to Ellen. When we met at tea, they were very importunate for a knowledge of our characters. "We fhall not inform you (faid I); for we mean to exercife your fagacities." But what reward do you offer to the first gentleman who difcovers you?" faid lady Derwent. "Even the undivided honour of being my protéctor for the evening." "Now Cupid befriend me, (cried Merioneth) and grant I may be the. happy mortal." Sir John advanced to Ellen,-and, pulling her rudely towards him, vowed he should know her, though difguifed like Hecate:-then im printing a boisterous, kifs on her delicate cheek, while fhe in vain 1truggled to get from him, he swore fhe thould fit on his knee for an hour, unless he told him what colour her dress was. "It would be, fir, (faid fhe, with contemptuous fcorn) a very levère punithinent to me, after fuch out. rageous behaviour, to be obliged to ftay an hour in your company, much more to fit that time on your knee. 1 defire you will loofe my hand." “I fall not, (faid he) indeed; fo you may as well be quiet." He dragged her to a feat, fat down, and pulled her on his knee. “Sir John, (faid the) your infodence is unbearable.-1 will not be treated fo. "Won't you? (cried the unfeeling brute)-how the devil will you help yourfelf?" If mifs Rutland cannot help herfelf, (faid Merioneth, advancing) her friends muft affift her." I faw he had with difficulty reftrained himfelf from interfering before. "Permit me to r.lease you, ma'am." "Sha'n't give up my point-will know the colour of the gown-will, by G-! and then you may go if you will.-Stand off, my lordftand off.-Bet you three guineas to one that he tells me in five minutes." "I would do almost any thing to get from you," said flie. "Tell us the colour." "Green (faid fhe).— Sir, are you satisfied?" "Yes (faid he): I wish Merioneth had took my bet :-know'd I should bring you to." Albert took her hand, and led her to a feat. The evening was wet,-we could not walk; we therefore went to cards. The formed two tables at whift-I feated my felf, and was followed by Ellen.-Lord Merioneth followed her. "We yet want another, (faid I, looking round the room)-who comes?" "I want a feat (faid Clifford): will you take me in?" "Certainly," faid I. He was in a moment at my side.Sir John leaned over Ellen's chairMrs. Maynard took a feat by me,and they betted on the game. At laft they wrangled fo about their wagers, that we could not proceed with the game. "What a strange creature you are! (faid Meridneth to her) If I was, Bateman, I fhould abfolutely expect you would box me." "Perhaps, (faid she) if you are impertinent, I may begin with you." Say Say you fo? (faid he, jumping fcarcely know whether it is worth up) then it is time to think of felf-while to enter at all on the fubject. defence." In faying this, he got behind her and feized her hands. We adjourn ed to the fupper room,-the elders 'were already there, -and left Mrs. Maynard to ftruggle for herself. They foon followed us :-fhe railed herfelf out of breath at Merioneth, who declared he only acted for felfdefence. And now, having fcribbled almost to the end of my paper, I muft here think of taking my leave of you till after the ball. And here let me thank you for your well-meant letter; I am fenfible it was written with the warmest wishes for my happiness. I allow the juftice of your arguments, though I cannot adopt the conclufion to which they lead. Whatever may be mifs Rutland's birth, I know not; yet this I know, that he is too good to be made unhappy, and that, if there were no other motives for my conduct, I would never be the means of making her fo, is a determination beyond the power of time to alter. But of one thing be certain, that, were affluence or penury depending on my decifion, I could only act upon my prefent principles. Yours, fincerely, LAURA MERIONETH. P. S. What are you doing with Danville ? -You have been prefent at one, and can easily conceive what every other of the fame clafs must confift of.-But, on fecond thoughts, which fome fay are beft, I will preferve this from the oblivion it might otherwife be configned to, by giving it a place in our correfpondence. Splendour and liberality vied with each other in the decorations and refreshments.-The party were numerous and fashionable -Company came from twenty miles round, and many of them are ftill here.-There were many characters attempted, but few fupported.-The earl, the countefs, and aunt Merioneth, wore dominos-lord Merioneth was an Apollo, Severn a mountebank, Clifford a counsellor, fir John a coachman, Mrs. Maynard in a fancydrefs, Julia a Yarico, Ellen a Spaniard, and myfelf a fultana. At ten o'clock the rooms were crowded: we of the family affembled, by appointment, in the breakfastparlour.I fhould have observed that the elders were engaged among the company.-Ellen and my felf were firft in the room-We were foon followed by Mrs. Maynard and Julia, and we were all mafqued. Our beaux entered." Do you know me ?-I know you:"-paffed for a few minutes, when Apollo ftruck his guitar,- and, taking the hand of Ellen, whom he feigned to mistake for me, exclaimed, Thus then, infpired by Venus where to chufe, I claim my counn's promife." "Have you (in a feigned voice) prayed for infpiration?" Moft fervently," he replied. "Then know, fon of Latona, that Venus has rejected your petition." "Impoffible! (faid I) befides, a divinity could not want infpiration. No, no; he has peeped behind our mafques, and knew where to chufe.' Rr Spare "Spare your raillery, fweet coufin, (faid he) and condefcend to enrol me among the number of your flaves." "Thofe that I encourage must be all free men,--at leaft wear no chains Clifford, cried, "Hands off-hands off, Mr. lawyer-d'ye fee this?" holding up his whip. I fhould have obferved that I made a motion to Ellen not to speak, purpofely for an opportunity of debut mine."-This { faid in a whisper.ceiving this part of the family.—I "Do not be too fevere, (he re- was likewife filent. plied) or I may find a way to repay you." "Pish! (faid I)-Sure the god of harmony is not out of humour." "D'ye fee this?" faid fir John again, fhaking the whip at Clifford, while he held me tight under the other arm. Mrs. Maynard laughed immoderately. "And what of your whip, fir?" faid Clifford, with contempt. Clifford advanced ::-" My heart, (faid he) charming fultana, true as the needle to the pole, points here." "Take (faid I, prefenting my hand) the reward of your penetration:-for this evening I da pute-Why if you, or any body elfe, you my protector." "Would to heaven (drawing me a little way from the company) it were for life!" Really, Jane, I believe I mentally faid Amen to his prayer. Mrs. Maynard, who had during the above dialogue been adjusting her nofegay, and varying the effect of a feather, advanced towards us, faying," Come, come, counfellor; there is none there likely to want your affiftance:-you gentlemen of the robe fhould always be doing fomething in the way of bufinefs.Come along with me, and i'll engage to procure half a dozen briefs in les time than I won fir John's wager." "How will you do that?" cried Merioneth. Oh! I'll fwear this brute (turning to the baronet) endeavoured to run away with me, bring an action against him for damages, and counfellor Plaufible (pat ing Clifford on the shoulder) fhall plead for me." "I am fo fuperlatively happy, madam, (faid he) in having gained permiffion to plead here, (bowing to me) that I have not leifure to repay as I ought your kind intentions in my favour." She turned away without anfwering. "S.r John, rudely pulling me from "What of it! (replied the other) offers, d'ye fee, to touch this here little filly, I fhall refent it, fir; and, perhaps, yon may feel the weight of this little friend of mine,"-fhaking the whip again. "Sir John, (faid Clifford, unmasking) I infift on your relinquish ing that lady.-She has done me the honour to place herfelf under my protection; and I fhould defpife my elf, if I could permit you to infult her with impunity.-Your school-boy threats, fir, are entirely loft on me." The knight paufed. "And pray, fir, (faid Mrs. Maynard, tauntingly) who is the lady in whofe caufe you are fo valorous a champion?" "Without the lady's permiffion, I certainly fhall not fay who fhe is," faid Clifford. Merioneth came forward. - I waved my hand: he underfood me, and retreated. It must be mifs Rutland; (faid the) and I heard lady Derwent authorife fir John to feek her: to perhaps, fir, your gallantry, may be exerted in a wrong caufe." "That caufe, (faid he) ma'am, can never be wrong, when the end to be obtained is the prefervation of a lady from infolence.-Sir, (with a resolate tone) will you releafe that lady" "Firft (cried the wretch) let us fee who fhe is. Perhaps, I have ftarted upon a wrong fcent." In faying this, he raised his hand to my mask.-Clifford rufhed between us, and forced him from me. The knight whiled,-Mrs. Maynard ftared, and I unmasked. The mystery is explained," faid fhe,--and was turning to leave the room. an early part of the evening, taken. fome refreshment, I heard the foft voice of Ellen fay, "Indeed, there are none of our friends in these rooms.-Pray, let us return to the company." Not till you promife to meet me again to morrow," faid he. I paufed.-My companion appeared equally inclined to hear the refult of the conference. "Stop, ma'am, (cried Clifford). as you have witneffed this gentle-nife any fuch thing," man's infolence, it is necefary you fhould likewife bear teftimony to his apology." "Indeed, my lord, I cannot pro 66 By no means, (faid I) Mr. Clifford. It is of no conféquence." "You must pardon me, madam, for fupporting a contrary opinion.Sir John, I defire you will apologife to this lady." "Well, (faid he) as it is a miftake, I hope your ladyfhip don't think I meant to affront you." "I fhall never think feriously, fir John, of any abfurdity you commit; for, in my mind, there is but one emotion you can excite." "And what (faid Mrs. Maynard) may that emotion be ?" "Contempt, madam." I gave my hand to Clifford, and we left the room;-they followed us to the company. The reft of the family were already in the rooms. We frequently met,-spoke,-and feparated again. I declined dancing; Ellen did the fame.-We fat together, making obfervations on the company. Merioneth was all attention.-Clifford was the fame. Mrs. Maynard had joined lady Derwent-Severn and Julia were with Mrs Merioneth.-Sir John fullenly followed the earl of Derwent. Late in the evening, or rather early in the morning, the mafques began to difperfe.-We were, by accident, feparated from our party. -I propofed walking round the apartments in fearch of them; when, paffing a room,—in which we had, in "What, (faid he) my deareft Ellen, prevents your compliance with this trifling requeft?" "All the obligations owe to lady Derwent." "And do you exprefs your gratitude to lady Derwent by torturing her fon? "Pray, lord Merioneth, fpare me on this diftreffing fubject.-Why will you propofe, fuch vifionary fchemes?You know my fituation'; -you know". I know it all, (interrupting her) and would fain make up to you the deficiencies of fortune." "I cannot, indeed, my lord,-I cannot profit by your generous intentions." "Say, rather, you will not (faid be).-Tell me, at leaft, why I am cruelly thunned,-why fo unkindly neglected." "You cannot, my lord, complain now of neglect. "It is fo feldom (faid he) that I meet an opportunity like the pretent, that I cannot confent to part with you without fome certainty of having it renewed." "How ftrange (the replied) is this behaviour! and how ill does it agree with your lordship's known engagements to your coufin!" "It is all fuppofition (faid he).Why, my dear Ellen, will you not permit me to explain the ambiguity of my conduct, to clear every doubt? Would to heaven I could with as much eafe remove every Rr 2 difficulty! difficulty!-May Thope your ftudied referve proceeds from no other caufe than the ideas which fuch engagements naturally excite?-May I prefume that you would, were there no impediments, acknowledge your devoted Merioneth the friend of your heart, and partner of your choice?" "My lord, (faid fhie, with dignity) I am fuperior to artifice, and have, therefore, no hesitation in affuring you, that was my fituation fuch as could entitle me to expect the approbation of your family, it would be the firft with of my heart to approve myfelf worthy of your regard; but, as that cannot be, fhall I meanly break in upon the views of lord Derwent, and deftroy the domeftic peace of your worthy mother?" "My charming fafcinating Ellen, promife me one calm, one uninterrupted hearing." To-morrow, my lord, I will endeavour to oblige you.-Now then I claim your promife of feeking our friends, as I feel myfelf fuddenly ill." "Sit down (faid he) only a few minutes, till you are recovered." She funk back in a chair to which he had conducted her, and appeared fainting I then thought it was time to make my appearance; fo, entering the room in a feigned furprife, I inquired the caufe of mifs Kutland's indifpofition. I am interrupted. Thurfaay, Augift 15, 179"THE heat of the rooms, (replied Merioneth) and the fatigue of the crowd, was too much for mifs Rutland She permitted me to conduct her in earch of the family.I had just procured her a glafs of lemonade; but the fainted before it reached her mouth." I fhould have observed that the was then without her mask. The application of Hungary wa ter foon reftored her. "Where am I?" faid fhe, opening her fine blue eyes, and fixing them on Merioneth, "Surrounded by friends, my fweet girl, (faid I) who rejoice at your recovery; at leaft I can answer for Mr. Clifford and myfelf;-lord Merioneth is in a very pretty attitude to make his own compliments." He was kneeling before her. "Do not be too fevere, my gay coufin, (faid he) for I can fee." "What (faid I) can you fee?" "That all mafques are not treated alike." "They are not all impertinent alike," faid I. "No, (fignificantly) nor all agree. able alike." Now, Jane, was not this a most abominable farcafm?-I felt abfolutely confufed.-I had taken off my mask too; and, to avoid the penetration of Merioneth, was turning to depart:when, to increase my embarraffiment, I met the eyes of Clifford, abfolutely dancing with delight. He feized my hand-he preffed it to his heart.-Pleasure beamed on his expreffive face, as he exclaimed, "My charming Laura, why this trepidation?" "I think (faid I) the air of this room is infectious;-do let us leave it." "I will go any-where, with you,'" faid Clifford. Ellen took my arm, and we again mixed with the company, who were then in the hurry of departure.So far it was favourable to us; for no notice was taken of our abfence. Thus clofed the entertainment : and I leave you to comment on the different events of it.-Ellen has "Well, (faid I) open the win-been indifpofed with a fore throat; dow, and pull off her gloves:-you fo I believe Albert has not had his will never recover her by gazing on promifed hearing.-The house has been, ever fince the masquerade, one her face." continual |