of the Baronet's company to dinner. When Sir Timothy came he told her that in future she must not come to his house, as he was told that it was not proper, but he should call frequently to consult with her about his concerns. Mrs. Mortimer was aware that Mr. Alexander Modish had represented the impropriety of her going to Sir Timothy's, because he did not like that she should see what was going on. After this, the Baronet called almost every day on Mrs. Mortimer, but before he had time to seat himself, one or other of the family of the Modishes would enter, and she with pain saw that they acquired such an ascendency over him, that they directed all his actions. She feared it would be totally impossible to save him from ruin; and her situation was now become very distressing, as some persons, whom she did not know, waited on her, to entreat, if she had any influence over Sir Timothy, that she would represent to him that his soli

citors were not to be trusted.

She ventured a second time to do this, and the Baronet confessed his having still more reason to doubt their honesty. It was about this period that he offered to advance Mrs. Mortimer a sum of money to take out a patent for a medicine, which he had invented, and which would cure all maladies. She might have what sum she considered necessary to advertise its excellent qualities; and as he wished her to make a rapid fortune, he would also take a house for her in White Haven, and by importing pine apples from the West Indies, she would be able to serve Covent Garden Market at a reduced price, and consequently secure the whole of the trade. Mrs. Mortimer was shocked when Sir Timothy made these offers; she knew his worth and his charitable disposition, and she lamented that his nervous system should be so deranged; but she had his welfare at heart, and would sooner have starved than have taken advantage of him,

though she was sensible that others did, and her whole study was to frustrate their wicked designs.

Mrs. and Miss Charlotte Modish were extremely civil to Mrs. Mortimer, but at the same time she saw that the whole family were both jealous and afraid of her. The house which Mr. Chissel had taken for Mrs. Mortimer was in a very unpleasant neighbourhood, and she asked Sir Timothy's permission to lett it, and to take another for herself; this he agreed to, but about three weeks after, the gentlemen who rented it of her called to return the key, as the ceilings had fallen in. The Baronet desired that she would consult Mr. Abraham Modish on the subject, and he advised that the key might be delivered to Mr. Chissel, which was done on the same day. Mr. Modish said he had long wished to have some private conversation with Mrs. Mortimer, and he told her that he knew she was a sincere friend of Sir Timothy

Flight's but he also knew that she had represented him and his family in no very favourable light to the Baronet, though he flattered himself, that when she really knew them, she would change her opinion; and he thought it necessary to tell her, he was perfectly aware that the world took great liberties with his character, but it was beneath his notice to attend to such idle reports. As a man of business, he was glad to have such a client as Sir Timothy, but he was concerned for persons of treble his property, as she might see if she would look over his books; that he was under no obligations to the Baronet, for on the contrary, he was deeply in his debt; true, he had. received a large sum of money from Mr. George Equity, but that Sir Timothy was more than that sum in debt when he undertook his affairs, and that he had already advanced him upwards of eight thousand pounds. He therefore trusted, after what he had ex

plained, that Mrs. Mortimer would have too much sense in future to attend to any thing that would prove prejudicial to himself or his family. The world said, indeed, that he wanted, Sir Timothy Flight for his son-in-law, but he could assure her that was not the case. Miss Charlotte Modish had a large independent fortune thank God he could add considerably to it; and the gentle creature had now an admiral, two military men of high rank, besides, others, who had solicited his influence in their favour; but she was inexorable, and could not bring herself to think of leaving her affection-ate parents. To all this Mrs. Mortimer felt herself at a loss to reply, and Mr. Modish proceeded with assuring her, that Sir Timothy Flight's relations would long since have confined him in a madhouse, if he had not prevented it, and that she must be aware, that it was a great loss to them, be