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It was at this period, when her mind was vacillating between a lingering reverence, and a positive aversion to evangelical religion, that she was suffered to pay a visit to Col. Orme's. Here she passed at once from the lawful to the forbidden ground of pleasure-from the chastened seriousness, and fervent devotion of domestic order and piety, to the levity and gaiety of fashionable life; and being removed from under the eye of her parents, she devoted herself to the amusements of the age with an intensity of feeling which bespoke the energy of her ruling passion. The Colonel was a goodnatured, pleasant man; he had been gay in the younger part of his life, but was now become very domestic in his habits. He was a professed infidel, and though he had too much politeness to make a direct attack upon religion in the presence of Miss Emma, yet he availed himself of every favourable opportunity to lower it in hcr estimation. He related facetious stories which had been got up for the purpose of burlesquing the doctrines of the new birth, and salvation by grace-introduced some grave tales of defamation on the conduct of the evangelical clergy, and gave it as his decided opinion, that the fanaticism of the country would destroy the energy and glory of the English character.

Mrs. Orme was quite the lady of fashion, fond of dress, and cards, and balls, and routs, and masquerades, and galas, and so very fond of the theatre that she could not be happy if she could not go at least three times a week; and as for Sunday, she did sometimes condescend to go to church, but then it was not to confess her sins, but to shew a mark of respect to the clergyman who was a particular friend of the Colonel's.

The Colonel had three daughters, whose mother was still living, and amongst whom her fortune was to be equally divided at her decease: and one son by a former wife, who took his mother's jointure when he came of age. As his mode of living consumed the whole of his income, he could make no provision for his son beyond the commission which he had obtained for him through the medium of Lord P. n; yet he flattered himself on being able to form some good alliance for him, and understanding that Mr. Holmes was possessed of great wealth, he resolved, if possible, to bring about

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a union between him and Miss Emma. He consulted first Mrs. Orme, and then Miss Orme, and all agreed, that the idea was most excellent. Indeed, Papa, I think she is the very woman for Charles. I am sure he will be captivated with her. So much beauty, so much real elegance of manners, so much wit; and I should suppose, from the style in which the Holmes's live, such a handsome fortune." "I don't look at beauty," said Mrs. Orme, (imitating the example of her husband when he first looked askance at her,) "for that will fade; nor yet at elegance of manners, for that obtains no distinction in the present day; nor yet at wit, for that often brings people into trouble; but I look at the fortune. Can you form any idea how much she is likely to have? Have you ever spoken to her on the subject?" “0 dear yes, Mamma, I said to her one day, as we were walking down the Green Lanes, just when we came opposite that beautiful house with the lawn and carriage sweep before it: I said to her then, I suppose, Miss Emma, nothing less than a coach-and-four will please you,' when she smiled, and I do think she expects a very handsome fortune." Aye, aye," said the Colonel, these London citizens never retire till they have feathered their nest very comfortably; but they are rather wary, like old birds, and we must be cautious how we set the nets, or we shall not be able to catch the game. This business requires management, and as I understand how to manoeuvre you must leave it to me. You women are too hasty in your matters." "Well, well," said Mrs. Orme, I don't care who takes the management of the business so that it is managed properly. But I must suggest one idea, before I have done, and that is, Miss Emma had better be asked the question." Yes, exactly so, Mamma. That idea struck me just now; and I think it a most excellent one; and as we are to walk out in the evening, I will propose it. I have no doubt but she will tell me; and if, you know, Papa, she objects to it, I could then argue the case with her, and I have no doubt I should succeed. I am so delighted the idea ever entered your mind!" "You will each keep at your posts, and not move or speak in this business. till I give the word of command. The first thing to be done, is to ascertain, if Charles will put off his present

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engagement with Miss tain if he should like her." prised to hear you talk so

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Why, Colonel, I am surirrationally? Do you think he would hesitate breaking off that engagement a single moment? Certainly not!" "And, Papa, can you suppose for a moment he will not love her. Indeed I expect he will be quite impassioned!" "Perhaps he won't object, said the Colonel, though you know it is a point of honour, which every man can't pass; but as he has passed it once, he may again."

In the evening, just before they sat down to cards, the Colonel opened the campaign, by saying, "It is natural for every man to give a decided preference to his own profession; but for his part, if he was to begin life again, and had his choice, he would enter the army. There it is a man acquires glory." " And there it is," said Miss Emma, "he is exposed to danger." "Why very true, Miss, but you know that the field of danger is the place where we win the crown of honour!"

Yes, but what sacrifice of feeling does it require?" "Why very true, but you know feeling is rather sentimental !" "Sentimental, Sir!" said the facetious Emma, “and did you think so, when you received your wound in the head? It was then I presume, felt to be real." "Why yes," said the Colonel, somewhat embarrassed, “very true; but we don't pay much regard to feeling when

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engaged in the conflict." So I suppose; nor much regard to feeling in prospect of the conflict, and still less when it is over." "There you are mistaken; for before the conflict begins, a death-like horror comes over the most courageous spirit; and when it is over, the shout of victory gives a fine emotion of delight." "Not of course, when you look round on the mangled bodies of the slain; or think of the wives and children which the destructive sword makes widows and orphans." "Ah, true, that's the worst of it: but you know that wars and fightings have been from the beginning, and will be to the end; and some must engage in them." "I presume," said Miss Emma, addressing herself to Mrs. Orme, "you must have felt intense agony of mind, every time the Colonel left you for actual service!" "At first I did," she replied, but after I got used to it, I did not regard it, for use, you know, is second nature and then there

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was so much pleasure on his return.” "There is, certainly," said the Colonel, "some danger attending the profession of arms; but it is the most honourable profession in which a gentleman can be engaged; and though humanity may shudder at sight of the evils attending it, yet a true soldier is one of the most tender hearted men living." "Your eloquence, Sir," said Miss Emma, "brings to my recollection, a line which I once read:

'One murder makes a villain,-a thousand a hero,"

and thongh you descant most feelingly on the tenderness of a soldier's heart, you refer to it, when touched by the point of the sword." "Or, gentle lady, when pierced by a female's eye!")

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Here the conversation ended, and they passed the evening at their favourite game. "I fear," said Mrs. Orme," she has no predilection for the profession; and if so, our hopes are blasted." "Yes, yes, she has, only she has thrown up a masked battery in her own defence; but when Charles comes, you will see with what ease he will destroy it."

More effectually to conceal their design, they invited a large party to dinner, and Charles Orme was spoken of as one of the company, who was expected. As this was the first party that had been invited during her visit, and as it was to consist of the leading fashionables of their gay circle, Miss Emma bestowed unusual attention on the decoration of her person. Her dress, if not expensive, was elegant, and though there were other females who surpassed her in thenumber of their ornaments, and the gaiety of their manners, there was no one who equalled her in the beauty of her figure, or vivacity and vigour of her mind. She now, felt herself, for the first time in her life, in that situation, which gave her an opportunity of displaying herself, which she did with so much grace, that she alternately excited the envy and admiration of the company, who were astonished when they heard that this was the daughter of Mr. Holmes.

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"When I was introduced to her, I saw her reclining on a sofa-she was in tears; her three daughters weeping apart, and though I knew not the cause of their distress, I felt conscious that some awful calamity had befallen them."

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