really terrified at the fear of being left alone with his Lordship, whose self-confident assurance was perfectly disgusting to her, hurried up stairs as expeditiously as possible.

"Let us leave Lord John to conduct her to us at Miss H- -'s," said Mrs. Colford; "it will terrify the poor girl out of her senses."

"What an exquisite tête-à-tête !"cried Mrs. Linzee; "I hate the idea of female precision; it seems to cry out, Touch me not; my name's Temptation.' If I thought you would make love to her, I should be half tempted to leave you."

Perhaps she would not understand me, if I did," replied his Lordship.

"Ha ha! ha! not understand you-that's a mighty pretty joke!" exclaimed Mrs. Colford; "is is your Lordship so very incomprehensible? or do you think Miss Mountstewart so vastly different from her sex, not to understand a declaration of love? I swear that is the best joke I have heard these twenty years.'

"Perhaps you do not know how to make one," said Mrs. Linzee, with an air of archness. "Will you venture to try me ?".

"Me! oh, my conscience, I have forsworn love. Am not I married, man? and is it possible to preserve one of Cupid's links, when it has done nothing but burn, burn, burn, for these last three years?"

"Will you please to set out, good people ?". asked Mrs. Colford; "we shall be a day after the fair, if you do not make haste. Miss Mountstewart," continued she, "are you ready."

t

Constance, drawing on her glove, declared herself quite so; and they then set out on this expedition, Lord John offering his arm to Mrs. Linzee, and Mrs Colford walking by the side of Constance.

Arrived at Miss H-'s, all the fresh importation of finery was turned over. Mrs. Linzee ordered every thing, tried every thing on, protested every thing was charming; chatted, flirted with Lord John, asked his opinion; insisted on Mrs. Colford's accepting a cap; persuaded Constance to purchase; laughed at her own folly and extravagance, wondered what Linzee would say to it, and then put her hand into her pocket to take out her purse, when, suddenly starting back, she exclaimed-" Was ever so giddy a creature! I protest I have left my money at home. Pray, what does it come to, Miss H

"Twenty pounds seven shillings."

"Well, send in the bill; you shall have it to

morrow."

Lord John offered his purse.

"You are a good creature," cried she, taking it from him; return with us to dinner, and I will pay you ;" and, without farther ceremomy settling the demand, she quitted the shop, ordering the things to be sent home immedi ately.

CHAP. VII.

How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in this naughty world.
JEW OF VENICE.

HAVING attended her party to the Pump-room, Constance there apologized for leaving them; and then turned her steps to the humble mansion of the honest and industrious Suttons, whòm she had visited several times since her first interview with Mrs. Sutton.

Every thing about the invalids proved too plainly the story she had heard; while the neatness and regularity that reigned in the habitation, convinced her at once of all the merit due to the mistress of the family, and at the same time filled her bosom with an ardent wish of benefiting her.

She found them all upon the recovery, yet still very weak and languid; while the countenance of poor Mrs. Sutton betrayed evident

marks of languor and debility, and evinced too plainly, that she could not bear up for any length of time against the fatigue which she had daily

to encounter.

Constance noticed her pale looks, told her this was no time for economy, advised her to hire a nurse, and, putting twenty guineas into her hand, bid her use them without reserve.

The poor woman fell on her knees, and besought the Almighty to bless her benefactress. "Oh Madam," cried she," how unlike you are to the world!—so young, so generous, so kind! Night and day will I pray for you-you have saved us all from death; yes, we will all pray for you it is impossible we can ever reward you, but God will-yes, God will everlastingly bless you."

:

"I believe I shall leave this place," said Constance, "in a few days; give me pen, ink, and paper, and I will write down my direction for you; when your children are able to undertake the journey, let your husband bring them down to me; change of air will quite restore them all, and their absence will give you time to recover your own health."

Again Mrs. Sutton called upon God to bless her; said she was quite an angel; and, producing the implements for writing, asked when she intended to leave Bath.

Constance informed her, that she was not yet fixed as to time; and, putting the direction into her hand, she hastily quitted the house, to avoid hearing her farther expressions of gratitude. Light of heart, she then pursued her way

D

home. Lost in the most pleasing reflections on the happiness she had been so fortunate as to bestow, her face was irradiated with a smile of ever-blooming beauty; and as she walked towards the habitation of Mr. Linzee, she several times repeated to herself" Oh! it is ten thousand times more blessed to give than to receive. Never, oh my God! never let my heart be insensible to the calls of humanity. What am I, more than these children of misfortune, that I should be blessed above them? Oh, sanctify to me the uses of prosperity, and give me fortitude to endure smaller evils with patience!"

So quickly had passed the time while con⚫ versing with Mrs. Sutton, that she found, on her return home, that she had scarcely time to dress before dinner; and hurrying to her own apartment, she began the necessary business of attiring herself for the ball; which having speedily ac complished, she descended into the drawing. room, to meet the company who were expected to dine with the Linzees, and attend them to the amusement of the evening. While the door was yet in her hand, she heard the voice of Linzee exalted above its usual tone; and paused, considering whether it would be proper to enter.

"I tell you what, Mrs. Linzee," cried he, vehemently, "I have no money for you; and if I had, I do not think your conduct deserves it."

Constance, apologising for her intrusion, was about to quit the room, when Mr. Linzee rising, placed a chair for her, and making a low bow to his wife, hoped he should next see her in better temper; bade her borrow a few smiles from Miss