means well suited to the last remains of earthly mortality."

However, the evening passed off agreeably enough at the inn; and the next morning they were to reach the place of their destination, Arrowdale Lodge.

The situation, at a distance, bore a very pleasant appearance. The house, it was true, was somewhat out of repair; but the shrubbery and meandering brook were really delightful.

Mr. Arrowdale welcomed them most cordially to their new home; and Fidelia exclaimed, "it was quite a paradise!" But Miss Arrowdale, as soon as she could with any propriety, anxiously enquired "how far it was from thence to Scarborough."-Mr. Arrowdale informed her, "they were within an easy distance both of Scarborough and Burlington Bay; and, though the season for company was not quite arrived for either, yet the sea was always an interesting object at both.”

Miss Arrowdale thought that the country hereabouts appeared to be but thinly inhabited, and asked her brother "whom he conceived to be their best neighbours ?"

He said, "he had the pleasure to assure her, there were many very respectable families, though he could not say they could be ranked amongst the Great. There were Mr. Fairport's wife, son, and daughter. The old gentleman, who had been

formerly a merchant at Hull, had now retired from trade, and settled at an estate he had lately purchased. There was the Reverend Mr. Rosebury, a most excellent scholar, and his family. They were the nearest; and, indeed, there were several very valuable persons resident at all the Market-towns."

To all this Miss Arrowdale only replied, "that at Watering-places, in the season, you could not fail of meeting with some strangers that for the time you might make company of."

The ladies now went to examine the bed-chambers; and, as Miss Arrowdale found the best chamber and dressing-room were allotted to her, for the present she was not altogether discontented.

Dinner being served, she commended the turbot; "for at Paris, as Lady Mary had used to say, they spoiled all that they attempted to boil; and, as to lobster sauce, they knew nothing at all about it. The mutton at Paris was excellent; but she thought that of which she was then partaking was superior."

All this augured tolerably well; and, as the evening was pleasant, and all was new to her, the whole passed off to admiration.

Next morning she expressed some disappointment at finding there were neither newspapers, letters, nor notes, attendant on the breakfast-table; and inquired "what time the post arrived," declar"that she never relished either her coffee or

ing,

her muffins without the prospect of some amusement afterwards."

Fidelia mentioned her father's library, and "that they had brought several new works from town with them."

"Well, child," says Miss Arrowdale, "they may serve, perhaps, to take up for a while on a rainy day. However, as it is fine this morning, you and I will endeavour to explore some of the lions of this neighbourhood."

Just as they were setting out, some of the families before-mentioned took the earliest opportunity of paying their respects; and, finding the ladies equipped for a walk, desired the pleasure of accompanying them through the adjacent territory. On their return, they took some refreshment at the lodge.

Miss Arrowdale expressed much satisfaction at the honour of their early visit; but, as soon as they were gone, remarked to Fidelia, "that they were all excessively ill-dressed. However, it might be better than nothing to return the compliment as soon as convenient. I wonder," continued she, "what poor Lady Mary would have thought of them!"

Mr. Arrowdale thanked his sister "for entertaining his friends with an account of Paris and its environs."

"Oh!" says Miss Arrowdale, "people that are acquainted with the world know how to talk to

every body; and, as your friends, I thought it incumbent upon me to be as civil as possible."

It was now time to change their dress for dinner, and, in going up stairs, Miss Arrowdale whispered slily to Fidelia, "Well, niece, do we dress to day for the Rooks or the Poultry ?”

"I dress from custom," says Fidelia;" if not for myself, it is a respect at least that I ought to pay to the society of my dear father."

Mr. Arrowdale, having received a letter by the post which required his attendance at York on some particular business, proposed to take the ladies with him the first fine day; "when they might have an opportunity of seeing the race-ground and stand, and walk over those parts of the City they had not before viewed; whilst he, if he had any time to spare, would call upon two or three old friends. He meant that they should stay all night

at the hotel."

This gave Miss Arrowdale some spirits; and she hastily ordered her maid to unpack her clothes, and place them in her drawers, after she had assorted what she thought would be most proper and becoming for this little jaunt, whenever it should take place.

After she was gone up stairs, Fidelia said, "My dear father, I am perfectly happy here, if taking us is not quite convenient. My aunt and I surely ought rather to consult your happiness, than persecute you for distant amusements."

"My dearest child," replied he, "your aunt has been accustomed to a life of dissipation; and I wish by kindness only, and the gentlest methods, to wean her from it. Her mind is vacant and unoccupied; and I am afraid she has lost the attractions of youth, without attaining the advantages of age. My sister is now dependant upon me; and pity ought, for a season at least, to supersede the necessity of reproof."

On the day appointed for their little journey, they alighted at the hotel.-Mr. Arrowdale stepped forward, and immediately ordered breakfast; but Miss Arrowdale lingered a little behind, to inquire" whose elegant carriage that was, with those most beautiful horses ?" To which a gentleman who stood close at her elbow immediately replied, "Mine, Madam ; and I am happy they attract your admiration."-Miss Arrowdale curtsied; but Fidelia was quite shocked at this sudden encoun

ter.

The happy possessor of this elegant phaeton was Mr. Francville, of Olden Castle, in their own neighbourhood, who was going to see some horses exercise on the York course; and the maiden aunt felt a secret wish, that the young gentleman would renew his attention, if by chance they were upon the race-ground at the same time.

Mr. Arrowdale having ordered breakfast for them, set out immediately to transact some law business; but accidentally meeting an old friend