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"ther expected or desired to reach the decline of "life."

I listened to this story as to a fairy tale, or a sort of waking dream: as gravely as he told it I could not forbear laughing.

"This, Madam," said he, "is what I expect"ed; but it will not make me less serious on a "subject of such importance. You have often "rallied me on a manner of life so unsuitable to

my years; perhaps it may be more the effect "of reason than inclination. My brother's tragi"cal end convinced me of the fatal effects of love, "and made me resolve never to admit that dis

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tracting passion to my breasr: but, whatever opposition I have made, my heart has not been "insensible of your charms, nor with all my phi"losophy sufficiently guarded against the allure"ments of love and soft desire: even now, when "I find myself disengaged from every other care, "I have the utmost solicitude for your happiness; "I am distressed to leave you in this state of in"fidelity; for this is the last interview we shall "have, unless I am permitted to make you a vi"sit from the immortal regions, in order to con"vince you that the hopes of Christianity are no "delusion."

"This proposal," said I, "charms me; there "would be no resisting such evidence. I hope you

however, were placid and serene'; some verses "I had heard my sister repeat in her last sickness "came fresh into my memory:

"While Night in solem triumph reigns,
"Ascend, my soul, the heav'nly plains;
"Thy flight to those gay regions take;
"Angels and Gods are still awake.
"The smiling stars will light thy way
"To the gladsome realms of day.

"While drowsy men, with idle themes,
"Fantastic joyз, and airy dreams,

"Are entertain'd, do thou converse

"With Heav'n, and heav'nly strains rehearse;

"Visit the peaceful climes above,

"And through the fields of pleasure rove;

"Forget the scenes of care and strife,

"And walk among the trees of life.
"Taste the rich fruits of Paradise,
"And bathe in flowing streams of bliss:
"Solac'd in those eternal springs,
"Lose every thought of mortal things.

"Just as I had repeated these verses, I was se"renaded by an invisible musician, with the sweet"est strains that ever delighted mortal ears: the "harmonious echo seemed to pass from room to "room 'till it came into my chamber; where, af"ter a short space, it sunk away in a gentle ca"dence.

"I knew my obsequies were now sung, and "heard that fatal summons without surprise: death "was a theme familiar to my thoughts, as I nei

"ther expected or desired to reach the decline of "life."

I listened to this story as to a fairy tale, or a sort of waking dream as gravely as he told it I could not forbear laughing.

"This, Madam," said he, "is what I expect"ed; but it will not make me less serious on a "subject of such importance. You have often

"rallied me on a manner of life so unsuitable to

"

my years; perhaps it may be more the effect "of reason than inclination. My brother's tragi"cal end convinced me of the fatal effects of love, "and made me resolve never to admit that dis"tracting passion to my breasr: but, whatever "opposition I have made, my heart has not been "insensible of your charms, nor with all my phi

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losophy sufficiently guarded against the allure"ments of love and soft desire: even now, when "I find myself disengaged from every other care, "I have the utmost solicitude for your happiness; "I am distressed to leave you in this state of in"fidelity; for this is the last interview we shall "have, unless I am permitted to make you a vi"sit from the immortal regions, in order to con"vince you that the hopes of Christianity are not "delusion."

"This proposal," said I, "charms me; there "would be no resisting such evidence. I hope you

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"assignation, which on my side shall be punctual"ly kept, on condition you appear in open day"light, and dressed in your celestial finery: with "these circumstances, I may venture to promise "you neither to run away nor fall into fits. "The place of your reception (though not perhaps "suitable to your future dignity) shall be a paint"ed alcove, fronting a walk shaded with limes at "the end of my brother's garden."

"The gaiety," replied Philocles, "with which " you treat this subject, persuades me you have cou" rage enough to be as good as your word; which "is the last and only favour I have to ask. I must "now bid you farewell, and in the retirement of "my closet prepare to make my exit with a forti"tude becoming those sacred principles to which "I have adhered."

Here, with a tender confusion in his looks, he abruptly left the place, and gave me leisure to reflect on the odd conversation that had passed. But as visionary as some part of it appears, I would fain believe the soft confession he made is no fiction, for I find myself excessively in love; but this shall be a secret to the young enthusiast till he has got over this splenetic fit, which, as whimsical as it appears, gives me a secret uneasiness. He has certainly infected me with some religious panics; I have lost my taste for every kind of diversion; company is molesting, and solitude tiresome; self

reflection distracts me; whether I look forward or baskward, the prospect is all confusion. But I shall expose myself by owning these weaknesses to one of your character. Adieu, &e.

LAURA.

LETTER

To AURELIA.

VI.

Он, my Aurelia! I have surprising things to tell you! the lovely Philocles is dead; his presages were too certain. About a week after our last interview, I heard the melancholy tidings, that Sir Harry Lizzard had lost his only son by a sudden death. The charming youth was impatient of mortality, and is gone to converse with his kindred angels.

You will wonder to hear me treat those subjects seriously which I have till now ridiculed; it is a change that I myself can hardly credit. I never imagined my inclinations were so tenderly engaged, nor that any kind of adversity could have made such an alteration on my temper.

After the first emotions of grief were over, I recollected the appointment we had made, but rather wished than believed such an interview possible; however, my mind was prepared for convic

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