the faw the chaise turn round by the lodges in the park, as if it was going to Farmer Thompson's, and then, after having ftopped for a moment, proceeded towards Edinburgh.

Geraldine now trembled with undefined diftrefs. "Did you," faid fhe to Fitzofborne, « know nothing of this " journey?"

He ordered the fervants to retire, and then faid, "He confides none of thefe "fecrets to me. I only know that his "affairs are defperate; but before I " mention my further fufpicions, allow "me to ascertain their validity. I will

juft run to farmer Thompfon's. For "heaven's fake! be compofed. I will "foon be back. Shall I fend your << children to you."

"No! no! fly! Ay!" was all the could articulate.

He

He foon returned, and the tale he told corroborated in every particular the butler's account. Pattie Thompson was feen in a chaise with a gentleman wrapped in a riding-coat, at fix o'clock that morning. The countefs fainted.

The tyger who fports with the victim that he holds in his fangs is not fufpected to feel compaffion; nor did the tender epithets which Fitzofborne addreffed to the object of his more favage cruelty indicate a relenting heart. He wished, indeed, to recal her senses; but it was only that he might feel the torments of guilt added to those of mifery.

No fooner did he perceive returning life faintly flufh upon her cheek, and her fcarcely-opened eyes fixed upon him with a look at once expreffive of confidence and defpair, than he deterL 6

mined

mined to confirm that despair and to abufe that confidence.

"Where fhall I go? What fhall I "do?" inquired the diftreffed Geraldine. "I know not what to advise. You "cannot stay at Monteith. The cre"ditors will certainly hear of the earl's departure.

"Cannot stay !-why ?"

"An execution will be immediately " ferved."

"O my helpless, houseless babes !— "where fhall I fhelter them ?"

"Surely your propereft afylum will "be with your father."

"True. O let me fly to Powerf"court."

"Yet confider his years and infirmi"ties. Will there not be fome danger in pouring upon him, while "unprepared, the whole weight of your calamities; of afflicting him

Can

"with your diftrefs before you have "learnt fortitude to endure it. "not you be for a little time at the "Evans's?"

"My Lucy is already finking with "her own forrow. Ought I to increase "it ?"

"Permit me then, ever loved and

respected lady Monteith, to propose "another asylum. I have a fifter, a (6 woman of the most unblemished cha"racter, who will efteem it an honour "to protect you. Allow me to con"duct you and your children to her. "She lives in Lancashire."

"No! Fitzofborne. I must not take "refuge with your friends."

"I can name no other fanctuary, "unless it be lady Arabella Macdo"nald's house. And furely calumny "itself must approve of your taking "refuge there."

"I cannot apply for protection to « lady Arabella. She will be fevere, "and make me feel the pang of dependance."

"You are then unacquainted with "the influence which I have happily "regained over her fentiments. But I "recollect that, engroffed by your "forrows, I have omitted to announce r my own brightening profpects."

He then drew from his pocket a letter which strongly resembled the writing, and still more the ftyle, of lady Arabella. It was addreffed to the Honourable Edward Fitzolborne.

"SIR,

"I really do feel fo exceffively dif"concerted, that I hardly know in "what style to begin. For one hates

to own oneself wrong, and yet I "think I ought to tell you that I have " been