morse and humility; and when this is the case, he considers it a bounden duty to make amends twenty fold to all those whom he, or even his son, may have slighted, for what, unlike a real proud man, he considers a sin requiring punishment. That punishment he thinks has now deservedly fallen upon him by the death (made more miserable for the manner of it) of the only heir of his name, to whom, with all his faults, he was tenderly attached. He is alive to all his son's wrongs to you, the greater because of your fidelity to him; and in his sincere submission to what he feels the justice of heaven, it consoles him in his grief to make up to you the kindness in which Foljambe was so deficient. In this, and only for the same reasons, I have no doubt he is seconded by his daughter; and I tell you this to guard you from those self-flatteries which might otherwise, with all your fine resolutions, assail you."

"I thank you," said I (I am afraid, rather drily), “for this caution ;" and I was not sorry that our retiring for the night put an end to the conversation.

When alone, I revolved with fearful interest all the incidents of this eventful day. Both the father and daughter became more than ever the objects, the one of my study, the other of my admiration. The religious resignation of Mr. Hastings, and the sweet filial piety, mixed with decision of conduct, in Bertha, occupied all my recollections, as well as all my reasoning faculties, so that I could not rest. I was tossed in a sea of doubt as to what attentions Mr. Hastings might still permit himself to show me, and if shown, whether I ought to accept them. If I did, and particularly if I ever found myself again within the atmosphere of Foljambe Park, I felt I was lost forever; for this new position in which I had seen her, only made me more than ever the lover of goodness aud of Bertha,

On the other hand, the intimations by Granville as to the effect of Mr. Hastings' religious feelings (perhaps fears) upon his consciousness of the sin of pride, worked upon my sanguine temper, so that I actually thought it within a possibility that I might again be the approved inmate of Bertha's paternal home.

It never occurred to me that there was another and safer alternative, in returning, by a noble effort of resolution, the

very next day to Oxford. The result was, that I fled from decision, and resolved to trust to the chapter of accidents; perhaps, on some occasions, as good an ally as we can have.

One thing was clear, that I could not leave York without again waiting upon these two interesting friends; in which opinion Granville himself, when I consulted him next morning, concurred; and having previously sent inquiries, and found that the sufferers had passed a good night, we set out after breakfast, Granville to pay duty and offer services, I to submit to whatever doom might be awarded me by the new ally I have mentioned.

What this ally meant yet to do I could not tell, but it was evident, from the hurry and movement we found among Mr. Hastings people, that the present state of things was not the order of the day.

Mr. Hastings was so much recovered, and Bertha so anxious to give him the comforts of home, that after having consulted Sandford, who thought the temporary access he had suffered had subsided, and there was no danger, it was resolved to move homeward that very morning.

Thus I was like an ill-fated mariner, who, after being tempest-tost, and gratified with the sight of port, is suddenly blown off, and driven again to sea. Granville was, of course, to accompany them; and as for me, I had nothing left but to express all wishes for their welfare, and to announce that in a few hours I should be on the way to Oxford.

Bertha said nothing, but, as I thought, looked significantly at her father, who then asked me if this was in consequence of college duty, or only my own wish. "If the first," said he, "I can have nothing to observe; but if you are not obliged to return, I own I should be sorry to part so soon with a young gentleman of so good a name, who always showed so much kindness to my poor son, and lately so much interest about myself. For the first I fear he was but ill-requited; to requite the last may not, I hope, be beyond our power."

I observed Bertha's eyes looked down at these words, yet as if they were not unexpected. Granville looked surprised, and I myself knew not how to look, except that I believe I looked very much like a fool. But as Mr. Hastings evidently waited my answer, I hesitatingly stammered out that my leave of absence was confined to no particular day.

"Then come with us," said Mr. Hastings; "there is just a place in the carriage for you, and God knows I have sufficient need of real friends not to lose them if I can help it."

He said this with a sigh, and Bertha, with a suppressed and trembling voice, as if to herself, observed, "I am sure he was a real friend to him who is gone."

"You will then come with us?" continued Mr. Hastings, looking for my answer.

My heart was full, and I could only bow a too willing con

sent.

END OF VOL. 1.

FBTY

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