"Travelling without any considerable relaxation from the speed in which we first set off, and without interruption, for near five hours, we arrived at an apparentlydecent house, not more than five miles south-west of the inn from whence we have just departed, situate in a retired and lonely spot, remote from the frequent visitation of man, and well suited to the purposes of cruelty and oppression. Here I was received by a female, whose dress announced her of respectable condition, and on whose unprejudiced mind I hoped, by my rational conversation, to make such impression as should convince her of the injustice done me in supposing me insane. Receiving me at the door, as one whom she had been instructed to expect, she took me by the hand, and led me to an apartment in the upper part of the house; while I, determined on my part to give her proof of my gentleness and rationality, followed unresisting. My companion of the chaise followed likewise, and

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his unwelcome intrusion, and that of a brawny wench, who also entered, undeceived me with regard to the favourable opinion I felt inclined at first sight to entertain of the lady, but whom I now perceived, on a second glance, and, to my very great mortification, bore so strong a resemblance to Kitty Hobbs, as made me instantly conclude they must be sisters-a conclusion, you may well suppose, that weighed nothing in my hostess's favour.

'Will you have the goodness, madam,' I demanded, assuming an air of the most placid composure, to inform me for what purpose I am brought here?'

'We have more sense than to throw away speech on a mad body,' she answered, in a vulgar tone; but the kind of usage we'll give you shall soon larn you, wo

man!"

Here Fanny stopt short, shuddering at the recollection of all she had endured from their hard treatment; but, after a momentary pause, she thus continued

"Details

"Details of all this cruel woman made me suffer are now unnecessary; it suffices to say, I was indeed, notwithstanding my continued mildness, soon instructed in the severity of my imprisonment, by the nature of the treatment I was offered..

"Shut up in a cold room, without light or fire-with only a straw mattress to repose on, and covering of the coarsest materials-and without other sustenance than bread and water-gruel, or occasionally a little weak tea, or slop broth, thrown me in so filthy a manner, that nothing short of the hungry cravings of appetite, for the support of expiring nature, could have overcome my repugnance to taste it-I thus experienced, for some weeks, all the cold-blooded malignancy of lady Courteney's persevering nature, of which this low wretch was but the mere agent; and either my reason or my frame must, in a short time, have fallen a victim to such continued ill-treatment, had not your generous search, with the fearless intre

pidity of poor Jerry Gauntlet, set me free."

Charles Plunket, amazed at such determined and persevering malice in any human creature, interrupted Fanny, to inquire what provocation on her part could stimulate lady Courteney to such deadly revenge ?

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Nothing more was necessary to rouse her revengeful spirit," answered Fanny, "than my warm defence of an innocent young creature, whom her own subtle arts, during my fatal absence from the castle, urged to a precipitate flight with major Blandford-a person whom Geraldine was stimulated to like only through angry feelings, and espouse in indignant resentment, without her heart taking any part in such union."

"Stimulated to like only through angry feelings!" repeated Plunket; "can that, dear Fanny, have been the case?" "Yes," rejoined Mrs. O'Grady, with a deep sigh; "that was indeed, my dear

sir, the fatal case! Do you not perceive that every malevolent view of lady Courteney's envious nature was gratified in this ill-assorted marriage, which her own secret arts tended to promote? By it she separated Geraldine from the affection of her father, and sunk her in the opinion of the world-by it she satisfied her hatred to you, and dislike of her husband's daughter, in frustrating a union which she was well assured would have secured your mutual happiness."

"Our mutual happiness! do you say, Fanny?" cried Plunket, while his heart beat quick with unusual emotion. "Did

you really think Geraldine would have esteemed herself happy in a union with me?"

"I know," answered Fanny, "however her youthful imagination might have been dazzled for a moment, that you alone possessed her preferable regard-a regard which combined with liking of your person admiration of the endowments of your