"Then remember," replied the in an impreffive voice," that my diftrac<<tion enfeebles my judgment. My " brain seems on fire. If the step you "advise fhould widen the breach be"tween me and my lord, on you be " all the blame."

May it rest upon me for ever!” He uttered this terrible imprecation as he led his victim to the chariot. He stopped a moment, under pretence of giving his valet instructions for their route, while Geraldine, clafping her trembling hands exclaimed, "Adieu, Monteith! perhaps "eternally adieu!" The fervants crowded into the corridor with looks of consternation and diftrefs. Fitzofborne called aloud that the other carriage should follow as foon as poffible, and join them at the next post-town. Then throwing himself into the chariot, the horses fet off full speed on the Edinburgh road.

4

CHA P. XL.

Axylus, hofpitable, rich, and good,
In fair Arisba's walls (his native place)
He held his feat; the friend of human race.
Faft by the road, his ever open door
Oblig'd the wealthy, and reliev'd the poor.
Breathless the good man fell.

POPE'S HOMER.

MARIA ftood in the great hall ready to attend her lady, her eyes fwelled with tears, and her heart throbbing with forrow at the idea of her beloved mistress's distress, when she was joined by the old housekeeper.

Pray, Mrs. Maria," faid the good woman, "can you tell me what is the "matter with her ladyfhip? It is fo "odd to fet out for London at eight "o'clock at night, and fo late in Sep"tember too. Thank God! there is " a very

"a very good moon to be fure, and "the roads are very fafe, and I wish

you all well there with all my heart. "But the poor foul must be faint, for "fhe has not ate one mouthful of din"ner, though 1 fent up two courses as "nicely difhed as ever I did in my life. "She has had nothing within her lips, "the footmen fay, but one glass of "fome fort of cordial which Mr. Fitz "ofborne mixed up and gave her."

"My mafter did not touch one morfel "neither," observed Fitzofborne's fervant, who now joined them.

"Your mafter, Mr. Pomade, does "not do many things which other "people think they ought to do. He "never goes to church, nor fays his prayers; and yet he pretends to be "very good. So, if he can be good << without going to church, or saying

VOL. III.

M

"his

"his prayers, he may live without eat"ing for what I know."

"You are rather fevere, Mrs. Anni"feed. My master, madam, I must "inform you, is one of the most ge"nerous, free, good-tempered gentle"men in the world."

Very likely; I only know that my "lord and lady were as happy as kings "and queens before he came."

« I wish,” said the weeping Maria, "that our chaife was ready."

66

"Go, Sandy," faid Pomade to one "of the grooms, "do just have the goodness for once to be expeditious; "and if you will do me the honour "of a call in town, a bottle of burgundy is at your fervice: but àpro"pos, my dear Mifs Maria, fuppofe "I have the happiness of juft drinking one glass of wine with you before we

" fet

"fet out on our immenfe long expedi❝tion."

The housekeeper now beckoned Maria into the spice-room. ❝ Do as

you please, child," said the fagacious matron; "but if I was you, I "would not go to London with that "random fop. You and I will get "into the chaife, and fay nothing to " him, but go by ourselves after our "dear miftrefs."

"But he has received directions "what inns we are to ftop at on the " road."

"Never mind. With God's bleff"ing, we fhall find her as well with"out him as with him, I dare fay. Ah "Maria! Maria! there is no good abroad, I fear. Heaven preferve her ladyfhip is all I fay!"

One of the ftable-boys now entered to fay, that, as my lord's groom was putting

M 2