of a parent, and her father in having found a daughter so eminently qualified to confer honour on him. She spoke with confidence of the pleasure her daughters would receive on again meeting their carly friend and companion, but said, they were deprived of that at present by the indisposition of Lady Belmour, and the absence of Mrs. Wilmot, who passed the greater part of her time at the country-seat of her husband.

The worthy Baronet, who had always loved Louisa, was not less profuse in expressions of kindness than his lady had been, and certainly not less sincere. Fitzormond was much pleased with his generous expressions of regard for Louisa, and also with the easy elegance of Lady Stanley; and they parted with mutual expressions of esteem and friendship.

CHAP. VIII.

That mercy I to others shew,

That mercy shew to me.

POPE.

A FEW days after the meeting of Walter Stanley and Louisa, as Fitzormond was sitting with them, and conversing of past events, in which the character of Mr. Melford formed a part of their conversation; a letter was brought him, which proved to be from Mrs. Melford. Having read it, Fitzormond presented it to his daughter, saying, "That unhappy man can no longer be an object to us, my love, of anxiety or dislike: pity for his vices should now predominate over every other feeling: he is gone where his actions will meet the rewarddue to them. And it is our duty, as

beings subject, by the frailties of our nature, to err as he has done, to forgive him from our hearts, and pray that he may obtain the forgiveness of Him to whom he must now render a strict account of his deeds."

"If, as I guess," said Louisa, "Mr. Melford is dead, I freely forgive whatever he has done to injure me; and join you, my dear father, in soliciting the pardon of him, whom he has offended more than us, that his faults may

be no

more remembered." She now read the letter, which was as follows:

form

“SIR,

"To Col. Fitzormond.

Woodbine Farm, near Reading.

I am desired by Mrs. Melford to in

you my master, Mr. Melford, died the day he received your letter. He had been long dangerously ill, and the surprise your letter occasioned him no

doubt hastened the event long expected by his family. Mrs. Melford's surprise at hearing you (who, she says, she supposed dead many years ago) was arrived in England, was not less than that of her husband; and she begs that you and Miss Fitzormond will forgive the ill treatment of her late husband, and come to her, as she has many circumstances to communicate, which will be of great advantage to you. She desires you will present her love to her niece, and believe her your affectionate Aunt. "I am, Sir, your humble Servant, "JOHN WOOD."

Fitzormond, whose generous nature ever willingly flew to succour distress, or alleviate affliction, now proposed setting off immediately to visit his aunt, as she affectionately had stiled herself.

He was not influenced by the prospect which had been held out to him, of ad

vantage to himself, by thus complying with her request, but merely by the performance of a duty he owed to her, as the widow of his uncle, Mr. Courland.

At the particular request of Louisa, who could not bear to be separated from her father, she was allowed to accompany him; and Mr. Stanley, who was as unwilling to be separated from his Louisa, obtained permission to attend them.

On their arrival at Reading, a messenger was sent to announce their intention of waiting on Mrs. Melford, if she was able to see them, who soon returned with a request from that lady, that they would not defer their design, as she was anxiously expecting them.

Leaving Walter Stanley at the inn, Fitzormond and his daughter proceeded to Mrs. Melford's house, and were received by her with her usual bustling civility. Curiosity appeared to have superseded every idea of grief for the