"Few, to be fure, in the prefent depraved state of fociety," said Vallaton; "but it is only the regard of thofe few that poffeffes any real value. What is the indifcriminating affection of a parent, whose weak and selfish fondness blindly doats upon a child, because, forfooth, he believes it to be his own? What is it, when put in comparison with the dignified regard of an enlarged and philofophic mind, which has attentively weighed its merrits? How many beauties, how many excellences do I discover in the foul of Julia, which were never discerned by the eye of her father? From an accurate examination of the powers of her mind, I bow before her as the firft of human beings; while her father merely loves her for the obedience that has been fubfervient to his will, and beholds in her an object that at once foothes his pride, exalts his confequence, and gratifies his ambition."

Julia fighed deeply at this mortifying view of the motives of her father's tenderness; and Vallaton, perceiving the impreflion he had made, continued his attack upon her prejudices, which he carried on in so masterly a manner, that Julia, though the could not eafily pluck from her hearter the deeply-rooted fentiments of filial tenderness, was too much ashamed of her weakness to give encouragement to their growth. Finding herfelf incapable of refuting the arguments of her logical admirer, fhe readily admitted the belief that refutation was impoflible; and fo artfully did he contrive to mingle argument with flattery, that vanity and felf love were too much interested in the truth of his reprefentations to render her folicitous of having them contradicted.

CHAP. XXVIII.

"Fancy! thou bufy offspring of the mind;
"Thou roving, ranging, rambler, unconfin'd
"Pleafing, difplcafing, aping, marring, making;
"Oft right for wrong, and wrong for right mistaking.”

BRIDGETINA, to whom every day became more and more infupportable, was at length gratified by the appearance of Henry Sydney. The cruel youth, taking no notice of her foft embarraffment, totally regardless of the faint scream fhe uttered, or of the foft languishment of her nonbewitching eyes, only made her a flight bow and advanced to enquire for Julia, to whom, and whom alone, he thought it neceffary to make any apology for his abfence.

While he addreffed himself to Julia, Bridgetina regarded him with much attention; fhe observed that an air of melancholy overspread his countenance, that he looked pale and thoughtful, and that the quick intelligence of his dark and brilliant eyes was exchanged for heavy languor and liftless dejection.

The heart of Bridgetina beat quick at the difcovery. "It is evident,' faid the to herself, "that the dear youth has been made miferable by this cruel feparation. Yes; the pangs of abfence have been more than he could hear. Delightful fenfibility! enchanting tendernefs! how amiably interesting do ye make him now appear!" Then addrefling herself to Henry, "How much muft it grieve the friends of Doctor Sydney," said

the,

The," to behold him thus the prey of forrow? It is but too evident that fome tender fenfation preys upon his heart. Could he but confider me as worthy of his confidence, with what delight would I foothe each tender emotion of his troubled mind "

You are very good, Madam,' faid Henry, fmiling. I really did not know that my feelings had been quite fo apparent; but you will not wonder that I should be a little out of fpirits, when I inform you that I leave W--to-morrow; and that it is probable I fhall never more return to it as a place of refidence.'

"Good heavens!" exclaimed Bridgetina, "is it poffible! Can you really be fo cruel, fo barbarous, fo infenfible to the affection-"

I am certain,' said Julia, (interrupting her friend, for whom the blufhed nearly as deeply as Henry had done from the force of her expreffions, which he was convinced could only allude to one object) I am certain,' faid Julia, that the friends of Dr. Sydney muft, indeed, fuffer much from the lofs of his fociety. I pity poor Maria from my heart.'

"What is the affection of Maria," exclaimed Bridgetina, "or of a thousand Marias, in comparison of that heart-bursting emotion-thofe romantic, high wrought, frenzied feelings, which are infpired by fierce and ardent love? Doctor Sydney must know that he leaves behind him one perfon, and one alone, who is capable of fuch a tide of tenderness."

"Good GOD!' cried Henry, in amazement, what is it you mean?' Then recollecting himfelf, What a fool I am,' faid he, not to perceive your intention of making a jeft of me.'

"Me jeft!" faid Bridgetina, "no one can fay

N 2

that

that I ever made a jeft, or fo much as laughed at one in the course of my whole life: On a subject fo ferious, in a moment of fuch impreffion, it is not likely that I fhould fpeak lightly. Ah! too well you know the truth, the cruel truth of the circumftance to which I allude."

You astonish me beyond measure,' faid Henry. But do not thus play with my feelings, I befeech you: for heaven's fake be more explicit.'

"It is you that ought to be more explicit, I think," returned Bridgetina. "Why, acting under the influence of falfe delicacy, of erroneous prejudices, do you forbear to come to an expla nation with her whofe happinefs, whofe fate is in your hands? What right have you by fufpenfe to destroy her peace, by delay to protract her utility"

You aftonifh me more and more,' faid Henry, in the greatest agitation. But fince But fince you have so unaccountably difcovered the fecret of my heart, in juftice to myself, I think I am bound to explain to you the motives of my conduct. The pailion that infpires my breaft, I have indeed laboured to conceal. Alas! 1 now find how ineffectually. But when I confidered the narrowness of my fortune, the precarioufnefs of a profeffion, in which neither affiduity nor abilities can enfure fuccefs, I thought it would be ungenerous and bafe to feek to bind by an engagement the hand and heart of her whofe happiness is, and ever will be, dearer to me than my own. No, never will I be fo vilely felfish; the fhall be free, though to her I am bound in ties indiffoluble and eternal !'

"And do you really feel for her fo much affection?" cried Bridgetina, softening her fhrill voice as much as poffible. "And do you think," continued

tinued fhe," that he is lefs generous, lefs nobleminded than yourself? Ah! no; be affured the is at this moment ready and willing to facrifice to you all the falfe prejudices of a depraved and misjudging world. What is the world to her who exifts, who lives, who breathes but for you

alone ?"

Dear Mifs Botherim,' faid Henry, you at once delight and grieve me by what you fay Dear as the flattering idea of being beloved is to my heart, it but renders the cruelty of my fituation the more intolerable. Shall I take advantage of fuch endearing fenfibility? fhall I involve a generous and exalted woman in my misfortunes ? Good heavens, how miferable is my fituation!'

"And why miferable?" returned Bridgetina "Why is your fituation to be deplored. It this depraved and diftempered state of civilization, that alone puts prefent happiness beyond your reach; but this is not an evil without a remedy. Leave this corrupt and barren wilderness, where the rank weed of prejudice spreads peftilence and perdition through the tainted air, and in a region uncorrupted by the baleful inftitutions of fociety, enjoy the delicious delirium of fweet and mutual love."

Henry ftared at this fpeech, which was to him totally incomprehenfible. Before he had time to afk for any explanation, the entrance of Mr. Gubbles put an end to the conversation.

Henry, deeply agitated by what he had heard from Bridgetina, now gave himfelf up to joy at the discovery of Harriet's affection; and again relapfed into the most gloomy melancholy from the cruel recollection of the barrier which remained, and might long remain, to oppose their union. His refolution of leaving W--without making