be mortal, and that she could not possibly survive many hours. Having ad ministered what he imagined would alleviate the acuteness of her agony, he left her to the care of Louisa, who sat by her for several hours, and had, at the end of that time, the mournful task of closing her eyes, and receiving her last sigh on her bosom. She had been unable to speak from the time she ceased in the chaise, though she appeared very desirous of making some communication to Louisa; but finding herself unable, an imploring look, which seemed to entreat her forgiveness, was all her greatest efforts could produce.

Louisa, who had understood her silent, though expressive wish to obtain her pardon, most readily assured her of it, and had the satisfaction to perceive a gleam of joy illume the fading countenance of the dying penitent, who, pressing feebly

the hand which held hers, expired with a sigh of resignation.

b ont

The shock which the dreadful accident had occasioned Louisa, added to the subsequent fatigue she suffered, threw her into a lingering nervous fever, which lasted her some days.

The stranger had applied to Louisa for directions relative to the interment of her friend (as he imagined she was); but as she could not direct him to any of t of the deseased's friends, except the Countess of Delville, of whose immediate abode she was uncertain, after waiting some days, she was committed to her parent earth; and though the last duties were performed for her by strangers, yet was she not unpitied or unwept; her untimely fate having called forth the sincere commiseration of the stranger, who, considering himself in some measure the cause of the fatal catastrophe, was

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unremitting in paying every respect to the dead, as well as solicitous to contribute to the comfort of the survivor, for whom he procured the best advice the country would afford, and would not think of pursuing his journey till he saw her recovered, or safely restored to her friends.

1

As Louisa gained strength, she reflected with astonishment on the peculiarity of her situation; and though she could not for a moment rejoice at the fate which had overtaken her late conductress, yet did she acknowledge with gratitude the interposition of Providence in her behalf, and tremble with awe at the conviction, that punishment the most severe is sometimes inflicted on the perpetrators of guiit, even in the commission of it; when the soul is rendered so totally unfit to appear before its just judge.

"But for this event, so fatal to the

mistaken person, who without cause was my enemy," said she, "I should now perhaps have been a second time made an associate with beings plunged in the lowest state of wretchedness to which. suffering humanity is condemned. And who can tell but that my mind (already weakened by long confinement, and smarting under the disappointment of hopes, which have hitherto sustained me) might not have sunk under the accumuIated woes heaped upon me, and lost the remembrance of them, in total oblivion."

A

To the stranger, who was a man apparently near fifty years of age, and of manners the most mild and conciliating, she resolved to confide her real situation, and procure his advice and protection, till she could obtain that of some one of her early friends.

She was not long without an opportunity offering for her to put this design

in execution; the stranger having sent to inquire if she was able to see him, and would admit him to converse with her for a few minutes.

Louisa returhed a polite answer to his message, saying she would attend him in the parlour, as she was well enough to leave her room.

On her entrance, the stranger arose, and apologised for having, he feared, been the means of her leaving her chamber sooner than by her looks he believed she was able to do it..

Nothing but the most urgent neces

で

sity, my dear young lady," said he, could have induced me to seek this interview; but letters which I have received compel me to hasten from this place to London, where an affair of the utmost consequence demands my preI wished therefore to ask you if you thought yourself capable of undertaking the journey, or, if not, if

sence.

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