the human mind to let go its hold of some semblance of happiness, that Julia ingeniously considered this species of public and negative information as a kind of correspondence with her lover. She required these resources of an active spirit, sharpened by misery, to bear up against the species of persecution to which she was now, in domestic life, exposed,

Sometimes indeed Amelia, who was, as we have before said, neither destitute of sensibility or generosity, would see the cruelty of her own conduct, and reproach herself for it. Her manner would then seem to bespeak the indulgence of Julia's superior mind for an unhappy creature, whose concealed, but ungovernable passions were destroying alike her health and peace.

Then she would be, for a few days, all kindness, attention, and prevenance, bestowing on Julia a portion of those fond endearments which had so completely subjugated her brother,

But

But Miss Somerville, who had too fre quently experienced the inefficacy of this repentance, the transient nature of these fits of remorse, was rather oppressed than soothed by these blandishments; and at length, quite unable to return the carti cious regard of a person she had ceased to esteem, she found Amelia penitent, if possible, more insupportable than Amelia haughty, petulant, and unjust.

Captain De Ross left town the day he announced he should do so, but had re turned since that period; and Amelia persisted in seeing him in private, when she was denied to every other visitor. Secure in the pride of rectitude, she made light of Julia's remonstrances, as the scruples of a little mind, and would sometimes give an indignant answer, and sometimes answer playfully-"I repeat it, your Pastor Fido is a more dangerous person than my African magician."

"What is this African magician?" one day Somerville inquired, with that dislike

VOL. IV.

I

men

men commonly betray on observing any secret intelligence between the females of their family.

"It is a foolish joke of lady Claremont's, my love, totally unworthy your attention," answered answered Amelia, mildly. "Charlotte calls my cousin, Armine de Ross, on account of his expedition into Africa, and almost miraculous escape, the African Magician. I am not sorry for the opportunity of referring our disputes, however, to you. My state of health not allowing me to receive indifferent visitors, and my cousin, De Ross, being very soon to leave this part of the world for the Brazils, I have been guilty of seeing him once or twice during his stay in town, when it was not in my power to be found surrounded by a complete cercle.' This does not meet your sister's ideas of propriety; but, to you, the kindest, most attentive of husbands, who have always seemed to take a particular pleasure at seeing me in the anidst of my family, I submit myself with

out

1

cap

out fear. If you forbid the visits of tain De Ross, I obey without an effort; if you do not, I shall continue to permit his inquiries during the short period he remains here, and despise the misconstructions of malice."

As she concluded this artful speech, Amelia turned her eye, beaming with dovelike softness when she addressed Horatio, towards Julia, with a look as dark as hatred could bestow. Never in his life had Somerville been more embarrassed. In his soul he detested the sight of captain De Ross, and entirely coincided with his sister's opinion; but how vex his charming, high-spirited Amelia?-"To be sure, my dear," he answered, in a hesitating voice, "when I said I liked to see you surrounded by your family, I rather had your aunts and sisters in view than your male relatives. But if, as you say, this African Marabout, your dark, fierce-looking cousin, is going to set sail for the Antipodes I mean for the Brazils, he is cer

tainly welcome, at any time, to call to take leave."

"You were always a dear, kind soul,” said Amelia, embracing him, and affecting to see nothing but what was obliging in this speech; "and now I hope, Miss Somerville, your outrageous delicacy is satisfied."

"My opinion remains what it was, dear Mrs. Somerville!" Julia answered, with unaffected gentleness. "As I never called in question the real propriety of your conduct, my brother's decision cannot increase my respect for it. All I ventured to observe was, that captain De Ross is too young, and you are too lovely, to allow him any flattering distinctions, without risking the malicious censures of the world."

Amelia was out of patience.“ This well becomes you,” she said—“ you, who refuse an alliance which would make us all happy, to persevere in an unrequited attachment to a man who now thinks not

of