might be agreeable or serviceable in his weak state of health. The interesting invalid gracefully thanked Lord Courtney for his attention, adding, "I have trespassed on Lord Drelincourt's kindness ever since I took up my abode here, by making his grounds my constant wałk; but of late, my foolish Mary," smiling affectionately on his daughter, " has deprived me of that pleasure: she was frightened one morning by meeting a dog, when she was alone, and I never could persuade her to walk there after, though she repeatedly acknowledged, that it was only a puppy which had so much alarmed her." It was not Mary alone who blushed at these words, and Henry replied, with same confusion, that, though he was glad the cause of her fright was so harmless, yet he was sorry Captain Macdonald's walks should be interrupted by any thing unpleasant; but that for the future, he would take care to prevent every obstacle, and hoped to have the pleasure of seeing them resumed.

On

On their departure, the young men found ample food for conversation. Edmund admired the fire of the old veteran, tempered with an interesting melancholy, which at once announced that he had been unfortunate, and undeservedly SO. Henry dwelled on the animated graces of the daughter, her native innocence, and unaffected modesty; and from that day, he thought only of cnltivating an acquaintance, which he had so fortunately commenced. It was easy to prevail on the Earl to honor the Captain with a visit; to be poor, infirm, and unfortunate, were always claims on his compassion; but when, added to these, he heard that. Macdonald was a brave officer, and a man of family, he felt that he also owed him his respect.

CHAP.

СНАР. ХІІІ.

Such fate to suffering worth is given,
Who long with want and woes has striven,
By human pride or cunning driven

To misery's brink.

Till wrench'd of every stay but heaven,
He ruined sink.

BURNS.

CAPTAIN Macdonald was highly gratified by his lordship's attention, though his health declined too rapidly to allow him to profit much by it. Henry was a frequent visitor at the cottage, and his conversation and soothing kindness relieved the hours of pain, and enlivened those of languor. The Captain was fond of chess, and Henry frequently played with him; whilst Mary, working by her father's side, lost all fear of the puppy that had alarmed

her

her in the park. Henry had the resolution to treat her merely with civility, and the kind of affectionate politeness due to an amiable child, as he always affected to regard her. Unfortunately the Captain considered her entirely as such, and he would often expatiate to her, on the humane attentions, and compassionate friendliness of Lord Courtney, as wonderful in a young man of his rank, particularly when joined to such varied talents and inexhaustible spirits. But he never for one moment suspected that any motive, more powerful than compassion, urged the constancy of these visits.

The winter was now`rapidly advancing, and Captain Macdonald's worn-out constitution, appeared incapable of resisting its rigor. Henry was shocked one day to observe an evident change in him; for though the motives of his intimacy, could not for a moment bear scrutinizing, yet it was impossible not to become attached to the society, and charmed with the virVOL. I. tues

K

tues of the very man, towards whom, seduced by the sophistry of self-love, and encouraged by the relaxed morality of the present day, he was meditating an injury sharper than the serpent's tooth." Captain Macdonald Macdonald saw the emotion which Henry could not hide, and after thanking him for his numerous attentions, he added, "I fear I shall never have it in my power to shew you, that they have not been bestowed on one, ungrateful for them. I am well aware of my danger, and as a christian and a soldier, I can meet death with resignation and courage; but as a father, I shrink from it; you, my Lord, have seen the innocent gaiety, and the unceasing affection of my poor child; ever since her mother's death, she has been my hope and solace; Alas! I shall leave her unprovided for, and unprotected; and this sad reflection. renders her presence, which was my sole pleasure, now painful to me. I cannot, my Lord, give a greater proof of my

esteem