"Do you think your cousin and Connor will make a match of it ?" said Mrs Sefton to Catherine, so soon as their visitors had left them; "she certainly gives him abundance of encouragement-it amazes me, that she can neglect our excellent friend Spencer, for this presuming fop."

"I grieve, indeed," replied Catherine, "to find her thus throwing happiness from her. Spencer certainly was much attached to her, and it is entirely her own fault if she has lost his generous heart. I have quite your prejudice against Connor, and have a strong presentiment of evil from their intimacy."

"In fact your cousin was aiming at higher game, and I am malicious enough to rejoice at her disappointment."

"If," replied Catherine, "I believed there was anything serious in his intentions, I would at once risk Ellinor's displeasure, and intreat her not to commit herself until she knew something of his character and pursuits."

"You had much better let her alone," answered Mrs Sefton; " for, if I read your cousin aright, she would probably give him a double portion of encouragement from mere perverseness. Take my advice, and have nothing to do with their concerns, for, as far as I am able to judge, Miss Lennox is a young lady who has a will of her own, and your interference might only precipitate matters."

66

"I dare say you are right, for I fear one reason of her coldness to Spencer, may be to show that she will not be dictated to; as I had remonstrated with her on her treatment of him."

"This confirms me in my opinion, and I am convinced, that if you let them alone, he will assuredly jilt her. Sefton met a gentleman the other day in Edinburgh, who seems to know Connor well, and who assured him that he was a mere fortunehunter. It was currently reported at Bath, that he had gone down here in chase of a Scotch heiress, to whom he was paying

his devoirs, when her friends hurried her away. He has betted, it seems, a smart sum, that he will carry her off at the Northern Meeting, and it is thought he is merely amusing himself with your cousin, till the time of that meeting arrives, as he does not mean to go north till then, for fear of alarming the lady's friends, who might perhaps prohibit her from appearing there."

"I shall sincerely rejoice, if my cousin escapes this contemptible puppy; but I cannot bear to think of her being jilted by him."

"Oh, my dear, you are much too partial to her for my part, nothing will give me greater pleasure, than to find that she suffers a few twinges of the pain she has inflicted without remorse on others."

"You are harsh, Ellen."

66

No, dear Catherine, I am not harsh; I hope your cousin may meet with this mortification; because, I trust the lesson may have a salutary effect, and teach her to appreciate the difference between the love of

an honourable man, and the disrespectful adulation of an impertinent wretch, such as Connor certainly is. I am certain Charles would interfere, but I understand they contrive to keep their flirtation pretty much out of his sight, and he, expecting Connor's departure north every day, probably attaches little importance to his frequent visits.—But let us go and sit with Amy-she is a delightful, guileless creature; I heartily wish. that Spencer would fall in love with her."

"I am afraid," replied Catherine, smiling," he has suffered too much from hist late fall, to feel inclined to try the experiment soon again."

"You know nothing of the matter, my dear; allow me to tell you that there is much more chance of Spencer falling in love at this present greeting, than in six months hence. Really, Catherine, you are a perfect ignoramus on these subjects."

"Where ignorance is bliss-," said Catherine, attempting to smile.

"Well, my dear," answered Mrs Sefton,

"I counsel you to enjoy the present moment, for, be assured when your time comes, in spite of all your pretended composure, you will suffer as keenly as your more ardent friends. Depend upon it, when once love takes up a position in your heart, he will not easily be driven from his entrenchment-But how, I wonder, have I adopted this military phrase in talking of his godship-I hope it is not ominous!"

"Were you not proposing to join Amy? I fear she will be wearying for us ;" and Catherine appeared so uncomfortable and embarrassed, that Mrs Sefton good-naturedly changed the conversation, and the friends soon after adjourned to Amy's apart

ment.