fity for chooling the very time of his difobliging me to make him independ"ent, as you call it. I have been put "out of humour this morning, and I "will take a ride round my farm to get

myself comfortable again. I don't "fee that Henry's ftaying here longer "is of any use, and I fhall tell him that " he may as well fet off for Oxford when "I come home."

Henry was roufed from his ftupor by a letter from Geraldine, which I fhall transcribe:

"TO HENRY POWERSCOURT, Efq. "Your conduct, my noble cousin, "during the trying incidents of this

morning, fuperadds to the esteem "and confidence which I have ever "felt for you, the indelible tie of fervent gratitude. If I ever appear to forget your generous behaviour, add

" to

"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-respected "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 refentment against the worthy "youth who is an honour to his name.

Perhaps, under the prefent circum"stances, 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

"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 fuffufed 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 confcioufnefs of approving

virtue.

I 4

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 the will outftrip 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