" to the lift of those infamous women "of antiquity whom you have often "reprobated, the more infamous name " of Geraldine Powerfcourt, who bafely. "neglected the difinterefted friend who "rifked all his faireft hopes to alleviate "her forrows.

"Be not grieved, my ever-refpected "Henry, at the apprehenfion of my "father's anger. It must not, it shall "not continue. His own excellent "heart will not permit the disappoint"ment of a favourite plan to inspire

lafting resentment against the worthy "youth who is an honour to his name. "Perhaps, under the prefent circum"ftances, it will be better for you not "to meet, at least till he can see you "without too keenly regretting that "you cannot be his fon. I have heard

you express a wish to vifit Italy; does "that wish continue, or has it been

" fup

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"fupplanted by fome other defire? Say, "in what way can I prove that mine is "not a mere wordy gratitude; write to

me as foon as you get to Oxford, for "I can tafte no true fatisfaction unless I "hear that you are happy.

"GERALDINE POWERSCOURT."

I hope it will not be deemed an imputation on Mr. Powerfcourt's fortitude, if I fhould affirm, that on reading this letter his eyes were obferved to be fuffused with tears. With a faultering voice he ordered his horfes. He attempted to write a few lines, but his hand was too tremulous, and his thoughts too confused to perform the task. The deftined heir of fir William Powerscourt, renouncing all thofe fplendid profpects which had opened upon him, returned to the academic fhades which, warm with the most fanguine hopes, he had left

left the week before. He returned poor in every wordly poffeffion, dejected, and difmayed; but rich in integrity, rich in the noble consciousness of approving virtue.

CHAP XI.

Here, before Heaven,

I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand!
Do not fmile at me that I boaft her off;
For thou wilt find she will outstrip all praise,
And make it halt behind her.

SHAKESPEARE.

THE earl of Monteith was too ardent a votary of Cupid, to hear with indifference of his rival's proceedings. On the first intelligence that Henry was arrived at Powerfcourt, his lordship's valet received orders to examine and clean the locks of his filver-mounted pistols, and to have a fufficient quantity of powder and ball ready at the shortest notice. Alarmed for his lord's life, Beaufoy inftantly informed lord W. of this bloody preparation, who again pre

vailed upon his young friend to wait patiently for the effect of Mifs Powerfcourt's evident predilection in his fa

Your.

Meantime the "tall long-fided dame" whom Hudibras characterises as a " tattling goffip," having received fome hint of what was really intended at Powerfcourt-house, blazoned it with all her powers; and, knowing that the intelligence must be particularly interesting at W. park, the put her swifteft winged emiffaries into motion. Thefe, gentle reader, were not aërial fylphs, or " Iris gliding down her painted bow:" modern profe is severely reftricted from the use of such ornamental machinery. 1 can only introduce a lame dowager of confummate prudence and known candour, who had her old horses driven ten miles through the dirt, to, wonder with lady W. that any young lady could reject

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lord