 tell you.'

The lord and the tutor now walked out of the room, and Charles returned to his study; not however without telling Mr. Standfast he would not allow him to play truant in that manner.
The lord told his friend, as soon as they were in a room by themselves, that not finding Colonel Tiltly at home, he had been to Mr. Snaffle's house alone, where he was surprised to find that gentleman had been gone out about an hour, it being then pretty early;
'and as I knew,' continued my lord, 'that if he came you would give him a proper answer, I sat down to wait his return. I had scarcely been there five minutes before his sister came in. Seeing a stranger, as she imagined, she would have retired, but presently recollecting me, she paid me some well-bred acknowledgments for the attention I had the pleasure of paying her last night. I answered this civility, and gave my visit a turn of enquiring after her health; complimenting her, at the same time, on the little prejudice her fears had done her complexion. She lamented her brother

was not at home, but added that she expected him every minute, and begged I would take breakfast.'

'Though I knew my hot-headed gentleman would only be still more exasperated at finding me tete a tete with his sister, I resolved to accept her invitation; nor do I repent of my resolution: for I confess to you I never met with a woman more unaffectedly captivating. You know Standfast I like a sincere candid openness of behaviour, and it was never more strongly manifested than in the sweet manner of this lovely young creature.

'In the course of our conversation on the adventure of yesterday evening, I learnt the real cause of that strange medley of circumstances which introduced a coolness for the first time between my wife and me, gave me a fresh proof of thy kind attachment—here Standfast bowed—and brought me in company with the most lovely woman my eyes ever beheld.

'I was astonished to find myself a great deal more concerned in this business than I imagined, though poor thing she little knew it, but told me the matter as if to an indifferent person; imagining my

conduct last night demanded from her every explanation.'

'You must know this brother of hers is rigidly tenacious of his sister's honour, for he lies under very great obligations to this baronet, who is shortly to be married to her; and she, on her side, partakes so strongly of his generosity, that
