cilious looks of Mrs. Stanley, had not ventured to address her as an acquaintance. With every part of this family, Ellen was much pleased, and she was glad to hear they intended buying a house in the neighbourhood of Milwood.

THE round of company, and the late hours, Ellen was now obliged to conform to, soon de prived her of that look of health for which she had formerly been both admired and envied: she became pale and dejected, and looked, like all other fashionable ladies, when not supplied by the roses of art, quite worn out in the pursuit of pleasure; but her mother appeared more attached to her, and her father was delighted to observe the admiration she generally attracted.

It was one evening, that she felt herself more than usually unwell, that she begged to be excused from attending the theatre; and though her mother feared the being so long alone would hurt her spirits, after many entreaties and assurances to the contrary, she complied, and Ellen was left to enjoy the evening as she liked. She only feared it would be too short; and on Mrs. Stanley's return, she was so far from finding her complaining of the tediousness of the time, that she appeared surprised to see her so soon. For one moment, Mrs. Stanley wished to obtain this valuable knowledge of thus spending

a few hours quite by herself without being entirely devoured by the spleen; but she recollected, her health and fortune were both such as would allow her to partake of every public amusement, and she need not study for solitary ones, since she was determined never to be alone: yet she congratulated her daughter on being so well able to amuse herself when deprived of every other resource.- "But why had you not sent for a novel," said she, on taking up one of the books Ellen had chosen for the evening, and which was on a serious subject; "would it not have been a better companion than this?"

Ellen answered, with great good-humour r; "not in my opinion, my dear mother; since this book speaks truth, which novels never do."

Mrs. Stanley remarked, "she had some very odd notions ;" and then proceeded to give her an account of the play, and the company she had seen; all of which Ellen endeavoured to appear interested in.

The next morning, she went with her mo ther to one of the Public Libraries, where, at her desire, she had before put her name, with that of Mrs. Stanley, to a raffle. Two or three gentlemen were reading the list of the names of the subscribers; and theirs were repeated among

the rest.

"Who are the Stanleys?" said one of these

fashionable loungers, who either did not know they were in the shop, or pretended to be ignorant of it.

Another answered, they were "rich Nabobs, just come from the East."

"They have one daughter," added another: (Ellen felt her curiosity excited, and her colour rise, as they continued:) " but I hear she is nothing at all, neither handsome, nor accomplished, but very awkward."

Sure," thought Ellen, "I ought not to be mortified at this; I dare say it is the truth, though I have lately heard so much to the contrary."

Her reflections were interrupted by her mother's taking her arm, and walking out of the shop. As she had been speaking to one of the persons in it, she had not heard what [had given Ellen this uneasiness, and therefore wondered at her silence.

As they passed the window, attended by their footman, one of the gentlemen exclaimed, “Ah, that's the Stanley's livery;" and a loud laugh ensued, which still rung in Ellen's ears when far away from the place in which she had heard it.

"What is the matter with you, child?” said Mrs. Stanley; 66 you seem quite stupid." Ellen

knew not whether she should tell her mother the

mortification she had received, or not; when they were joined by another party, and she lost the opportunity; and as no conversation was. particularly addressed to her, she continued to ruminate on it, till she was angry with herself at feeling it as such.

"Have I not acknowledged it to be truth," said she," and why should I be so displeased at it? Unknown to myself, I have contracted a love of admiration; I already begin to look for. praise, and to be hurt if I don't receive it:". and at night she took herself severely to task for allowing it to have this effect. She saw, from this incident, the necessity of increased watch,. fulness over her own heart, and determined to use a greater strictness and attention to things of more consequence than either her accomplish ments or appearance,

CHAPTER IX.

"Retain the sweet simplicity of youth:
"And all thy virtue dictates, dare to do !"

On their return to town, Mr. Stanley entered into a society of gentlemen, to whom he had been introduced at Tunbridge, who were amateurs in music; and he became one likewise, or, at least, so he fancied himself; for, though a very indifferent performer on whatever instrument he attempted, he now expressed quite an enthusiastic fondness for it. His house was filled with instruments of every kind, and both private and public performers frequented it.

Ellen's natural love of music, made her enter into all her father's proposals of this sort: and she was soon one of the first performers on the harp and piano at all their private concerts.

Several ladies, as well as herself, attended, and assisted at these entertainments; but for a long time, Ellen bore the belle, as possessing most taste, and the finest voice.

Mr. Stanley was delighted to hear her praises; and in return, he more readily agreed to her de