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and the hope of happiness once more visited her young and ingenuous mind.

CHAPTER VIII.

Some drops of comfort for the favour'd fall,
But showers of sorrow are the lot of all.

CRABBE.

Pour s'établir dans le monde, on fait tout ce qu'on peut pour y paroître établie. LA ROCHEFOUCAULT.

THE health and serenity which beamed once again in the aspect of Julia imparted a degree of lustre to her beauty, which, since her return to the fashionable world, it had been far from possessing. The soft hope her bosom at length admitted, of becoming, one day, an object of exclusive tenderness to Adolphus, gradually reconciled her to the change she experienced in her brother and sister. As her feelings towards them grew more calm, she began

to

to endure any little negligences on their part with greater temper and patience, and actually became more amiable in their eyes, from having learned to love them less. The secret source of soft happiness which had fixed its abode in her heart, diffused a life-charm over her countenance, which animated every feature. Now that her beauty had acquired maturity and expression, it was pronounced equal to that of the most celebrated of the Miss Somervilles: wherever she moved, she was admired and followed; and it might be said that the gentle flame Julia nourished in her breast, communicated its warmth to all who approached within its dangerous influence.

To these flattering circumstances were added sources of satisfaction of a domestic nature. It was so long since they had heard or seen any thing of captain De Ross, that she began to flatter herself the romantic gentleman was perhaps gone on an expedition to the North Pole.

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His removal gave her sincere pleasure; for, after all the pains she had taken to moderate the excess of a sensibility no longer returned or understood, solicitude for the happiness, the prosperity and honour of her dear-still but too dear brother-was a leading principle in the mind of the affectionate and warm-hearted Julia. Made up herself of gratitude, of love, and tenderness alone, if she knew a feeling resembling ambition, it was for this only brother; and here too she was destined to receive full gratification. Somerville had distinguished himself in a most brilliant manner, in two or three causes of great consequence; every day his fame increased; and as Amelia was fated to be an expensive wife to him, Julia trusted that fame would not come unaccompanied by fortune. This was yet to be seen.

The family were preparing to leave town, when, one morning, Julia, passing by her brother's library, chanced to hear the end of a conversation between him and

Amelia.

Amelia. These conversations were now carried on with fewer expletive "loyes" and " doves" than formerly....

"Impossible, Amelia! Upon my soul, I cannot think of it!" her brother was saying with vehemence. "No, no! sooner hang-drown-starve-return to Roth

bury."

Upon this refusal she heard Amelia go out by the other door, shutting it after her with violence. Miss Somerville ventured to enter her brother's apartment." What proposal was Mrs. Somerville making, dear Horatio," she said, smiling," that could lead you to such desperate extremities ?"

"My dear Julia," returned Somerville, looking surprised, yet not displeased at her intrusion." It was-No, upon my soul, I cannot tell you what it was! These women are destined to be my plague and torment. Not one of them have the least idea of principle-no, not one. I except you, Julia; you always had the strictest principle,

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principle, united to the most yielding sensibility."

Soothed and delighted beyond expression at this rare and unexpected tribute to her mild virtues, Julia besought her brother no longer to keep her a stranger to his affairs; and the harassed Horatio, who had, indeed, been long in want of a judicious and feeling friend, to whom he could unbosom himself, did not resist the advances of natural affection." Why, the truth is, Amelia has taken it into her head (and when Mrs. Somerville takes a thing in her head, it is impossible to get it out again, you know), that nothing will satisfy her but a house at Brighton for the season. It must be a large house too, sufficient to accommodate the precious family occasionally. I had already gone down, and looked at a very handsome and fashionable lodging, but she would not hear of it."

"Is that all, dear Horatio? If you have not the means of gratifying her, have you

not

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