Henry, who at that moment entered, contemplated in mournful anguish, the change fo fuddenly wrought in the lovelieft of female forms. While the remembrance of his youthful attachment gave a livelier impulfe to his fufceptibility, he rejoiced in the firm integrity which had preferved him from the infinuating inticements of an illicit paffion, and clafping his hands in an ecstasy of piety, gratitude, and regret, he exclaimed, "Thank God! I have not this " to answer."

Geraldine misinterpreted his emotion." I am a murderer then?-A "parricide? He is dead."

"No! he is ftill alive," faid Henry, in a faultering tone.

"And has he," exclaimed fhe with impaffioned frenzy," fent me any token " of forgiveness?”

"I am come," continued Henry, wetting with his tears the feverish hand which he held towards him, "to con"duct you home."

"Bleffed, angelic, peaceful found!— My home! never thought to "have a home again.-O raise me up. "Let us go this inftant."

"Are you equal to the journey?" "Yes. I can go home. O Heavenly "found! My father's house! And "have I indeed yet a father ??

Unable to judge of her real ftrength during this paroxyfm of joy, Mr. Powerfcourt proposed waiting till the horses were refreshed. The uniform humanity of Geraldine fhone through her disorder. "My heart is furely grown hard "with my misfortunes. Are they my "father's old horfes that ufed to take "me out when I was a girl? I talk "foolishly, Henry. I did not know it

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"was you. I thought you were lord "Monteith come back again-or I "thought you-I know not whom"I was fo terrified."

"Have you feen lord Monteith ?" "Yes. Don't blame me:I hope for the laft time. He ufed fuch "horrid expreffions. He would not "allow me to fpeak to him. He will "never let me fee my children more.— "Not once more, Henry.-I only asked "for once, before I die. Is not this "too hard even to fuch a wicked wretch " as I am ?"

Henry continued to bathe her hand with tears. They afforded fome relief to his full-fraught heart.

"Shall I ever," refumed the plaintive mourner, "fee your Lucy?—You "don't anfwer. Will the peak tɔ "me? Don't let her fee me if the wi "not fpeak to me. Yet how fhould "I rejoice

"I rejoice to hear her voice once "more!"

"She waits your arrival at Powerf "court, there to join with all your "friends in the pious tafk of foothing cr your afflictions."

I pafs over the remainder of this dif treffing converfation. No perfuafions could prevent lady Monteith from setting off that night for what fhe termed her haven of reft. She bore her journey better than Mr. Powerfcourt expected; and he perceived with pleasure that the wanderings of her converfation were more the effect of wearinefs, forrow, and indisposition, than of deranged intellects. She feemed to ftruggle for fortitude, but her efforts failed her, when the carriage flopped. "The prodigal returns," faid fhe, " but "where is the welcoming father?"

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Henry

Henry now inquired after Sir William, and heard that he continued in the fame state. Mr. Powerfcourt fupported, or rather carried, Geraldine into the breakfast parlour; but no previous refolution could reftrain Mifs Evans's transport on seeing her. " My <c more than fifter !-dearer than "friend! My love !-My Geraldine: "open thofe fweet eyes-speak to thy faithful Lucy.-Come, broken lily, "rest upon my bofom.-Ever dear! "ever lovely!-Dearer than in thy "hours of happiness !-Give me but "fome fign that thou doft hear me. "" Only press my hand if thou canst not speak." The languid countess feebly returned her friend's ardent preffure, and dropped her liftlefs head on Lucy's throbbing bofom; while Henry, gazing on his deftined partner with looks of affectionate admiration, gently blamed

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