apt to look through magnifying optics; yet, though one pleafing phantom faded after another, fomething really estimable still remained; and on her comparing her own lot with that of others, the found abundant reafon to acquiefce in a ftate of refigned content. Recalling fome of Mrs. Evans's early precepts, the had laboured to fubdue thofe more exquifite refinements of fenfibility, which vainly look for confummate enjoyment in this world; and without feeling too lively regrets for the want of unattainable good, she enjoyed the cup of blessing which Providence tendered to her acceptance. She was in this ftate of mind when her acquaintance with Fitzofborne commenced. The peculiarity of his character drew her attention. The evident infelicity of his connubial profpects attracted pity. His conduct awakened esteem, and his intellectual fuperiority excited excited admiration. Neither did the dif cover from what fecret failing in herself that admiration fprung, nor that Vanity is great a magnifier as Love. Fitzofborne had been fo careful to veil his fcepticism in ambiguous phrases, that lady Monteith's folicitude to dif cover his principles really arofe from an idea that their fingularity chiefly proceeded from their excellence, and that by converfing with him fhe should ftrengthen her own convictions. She had often lamented, that lord Monteith's volatile temper deprived her of that fupporting judgment and directing care which the conjugal inftitution was intended to afford to the fofter fex. Though not doubtful of the propriety of her own conduct, fhe naturally wished it fhould receive the approbation of an obferving eye; and a confciousness of her own abilities was attended with fome repugnance "The uncommon fufceptibility and "delicacy of her character would make "her feel painful alarms, while I fee <8 you only indulge a fine frenzy.' In "a conversation you lately had with "her, even fome of your guarded ex"preffions have caufed her the most diftreffing agitation." Lady Monteith recollected that the was talking to a lover, and determined to endure a little puerility. She acknowledged, that it was natural for Arabella to feem depreffed immediately after the lofs of a friend who had acted the part of an adopted mother to her, and The promised to be very cautious in fuBut," continued she, “ I must own that the invifible agency of fe ture. parated spirits is a very favourite theme "with me; and though, contrary to "the opinion of the Abyffinian fage, I "could affirm, that we never have any " certain "certain evidence that the dead are ་་ permitted to become objects of our fenfes, I have long rejoiced in the hope that our departed friends are "the agents employed by over-ruling "Providence to perform offices of care "and tenderness to their furviving con"nexions. This thought has most frequently occured to me, as I have "bent over my sleeping children, and I "have fancied glorified beings watched "our unconscious hours with fimilar "attention. When I was once threat"ened with the lofs of my eldest darling, "I found fenfible confolation in the idea "of its becoming a guardian cherub to "fuftain the innocence of its fifters through a dangerous world, and to "receive my parting fpirit at the hour "of my diffolution." While the countefs spoke, her radiant eyes were fuffufed with tears. Fitzof borne, borne, checking fome unfubdued struggles of confcience, which almoft tempted him to wish he could enjoy fuch vifionary delights, coolly replied to her energetic fpeech: "I fhould be very forry, ma "dam, to interrupt thofe agreeable re"veries which in minds of your tem"perature can rarely be prejudicial. I "fhall only state the dangerous conse quences of fuch illufions becoming "general. What a tremendous fuper" structure of impofition might priest"craft erect upon fuch a vifionary basis! "You do not pretend, madam, to say, "that your hopes reft upon any real "foundation. The nature of the foul "has hitherto eluded inquiry. It may "in time become capable of abfolute "definition; and though the age is not "at prefent fufficiently enlightened to "afford abfolute proof of this fuppofed "immaterial fubftance being only a "more |
