is so extraordinary a circumstance, to see two young people, of different sexes, without any family relation subsisting between them, travelling together, that I cannot help expressing my surprise at it."

"It has ever been my unfortunate destiny," answered Constance, with emotion, "to war against the opinions of the world, and to do so unintentionally. With the very best motives, and an ardent desire of doing right, I continually err; and, being thrown upon the grand theatre of life, without an adviser, without experience, 5 at the age of twenty, is it to be wondered at ?" Mrs. Wilson was moved, and Constance continued. "Had I been blessed with a mother, had my youth been formed under the auspices of a = female, I should doubtless have been a different creature. I should have been instructed by her, in the propriety of my future conduct in life, Í should have profited by her example, I should not, at once, have been thrown on my own weak reason and discretion for support. I should have been prepared for the contest." Mrs. Wilson rose from her seat, and walked to the unoccupied window. She covered her face with her' handkerchief, to conceal her feelings. She spoke inarticulately, and Constance went on. "I un

dertook this journey with the most painful sensations of its impropriety. I hired a domestic to supply the place of a companion; and only engaged in it, as a less offence against delicacy, than continuing in the house of a bachelor, who sought to win my affections."

"Is Sir Charles," asked Mrs. Wilson, with

a convulsive earnestness, "honourably attached to you ?"

Constance eyed her with resentment.

"Is

there any thing in my conduct, Madam, which can lead you to suppose I could listen to any overture of a contrary nature?”

Mrs. Wilson paused. "I mean not to of fend you," said she, earnestly, and in a tone of tender entreaty. "The interest I take in your welfare is no common one. Your inexperience in the world might mislead you."

"I am neither deceived nor misled," said Constance, with dignity. "Sir Charles is the most honourable, the most disinterested of men. He has ever conducted himself towards me with the kindness, the consideration, the affection of a brother. And that I am not his wife, is my own fault."

"If it is a fault," replied Mrs. Wilson, "the remedy is still in your own power. Sir Charles appears formed to secure affection, to command esteem. If you ever intend to unite yourself to him, surely it would be prudent to do so on the first moment of his recovery. Then his attendance, his protection, would be an honour to you. In the present circumstances, you must see, you must feel, that it will be to your disadvantage."

Constance leaned her arm on the window, and supported her head upon her hand for some moments without speaking. And then, starting from the spot, she exclaimed, "If you feel that interest in my happiness which you profess, oh, stay here, till I am able to quit this place! It

would be worse than inhuman, it would be barbarous, to leave Sir Charles now. I would rather sacrifice my existence than to do so. Yet with a companion of my own sex, I can defy the world. Who can say that it is improper to follow the impulses of humanity? I must be a wretch indeed, if I did not feel for Sir Charles ; worse than a wretch, could I, from any selfish consideration, leave him to his fate!"

"Will you permit me to ask, how you came to be so peculiarly circumstanced?"

"By the death of Lady Jane Mackey, Sir Charles's mother-in-law. I was left a visitor in her house, at the time of her decease. I assisted Sir Charles in supporting her during her last illness. I was recommended to his protection by a most invaluable friend. Could I then return all the way from Scotland to my own mansion alone, and without a protector?"

"But, if Sir Charles really wished to become your legal protector, why did you delay his happiness?"

"It is impossible I can enter into particulars, which involve many painful circumstances. All the history of my past life hangs upon that one question. I am not engaged to him. I have bound myself by no tie. Whether I ever shall do so, it is out of my power now to decide. If I had been blessed with a parent, all that I have suffered, all that I now suffer, might have been spared me. But who shall question the dispen

sations of Providence ?"

"Who, indeed!" groaned Mrs. Wilson, "when daily experience teaches us the un

searchableness of his ways. I will, however, no longer trespass on your forbearance. I must have appeared strangely impertinent and curious. I will endeavour to make amends for my error; and, as I am a citizen of the world, assure you, that you may command my stay, as long as it is necessary to your comfort. I was engaged now in a journey of health. For, notwithstanding I I look so robust, my physician thinks me in a decline, and I am bound to the Bristol Hot Wells."

"I hope he is mistaken," said Constance, with vivacity; "nor can I suffer you to forego a journey on my account, which is, perhaps, indispensably necessary.”

"While the weather is so severe, invalids rarely travel," said Mrs. Wilson, with a smile. "But I have not yet heard the extent of your journey."

"Pembrokeshire," answered Constance.

"If economy makes no part in your arrangement," replied Mrs. Wilson, “why not accompany me to Bristol? There, some of your own domestics can meet you. And, if four of us travel together, the attendance of Sir Charles will be unnoticed."

Constance joyfully acceded to this proposal, and the conversation then took a different turn.

CHAP. XXI.

Oh woman, in our hours of ease,
Uncertain, coy, and hard to please,
And variable as the shade,

By the light quivering aspen made,

When pain and anguish wring the brow,
A ministering angel thou.

SCOTT.

SIR CHARLES gradually recovered from the effects of his bruises, and his arm was in a fair way of doing well. He was permitted to leave his apartment, and was received by Constance, with an expression of familiarity and kindness, which assured him he had lost nothing by the accident, The snow was by this time dissolved, and the surgeon who attended him, permitted him to hope, that, in two or three days, he might re commence his journey. The presence of Mrs, Wilson, far from being unacceptable to him, afforded him the greatest satisfaction. He felt himself freed by it, from the restraint he had so long laboured under, and again openly sought to win Constance to his suit; while she, accustomed to hear him upon this subject, gradually became familiarized to its repetition, and insensibly lessened her repugnanee to it.

The return of some unfavourable symptoms in the complaint of Mrs. Wilson, at length urged them to depart. Constance, who daily became more pleased with her society, and more