 ladyship's permission, set out immediately for London; the chaise I had hired is, I suppose, still waiting for me. I hope to have the honour of presenting your letter to lady C— to-morrow or next day at farthest.

"Take my kindest wishes along with you," said the countess, kissing her, and taking a diamond ring from her finger:
wear this for my sake,
said she, giving it to Henrietta;
the intrinsick value of it is but small, but I hope you will consider it as a mark of my esteem for you.

The countess went out of the room as soon as she had spoke these words, leave•• Henrietta extremely affected with her kindness: and all

obstacles to her journey being now removed, she hastened to the gate, placed herself in her postchaise which she found waiting, and in a few moments was out of sight.
Mean time, the countess returned to her company, and told Mr. Cordwain, smiling, that he had nothing to fear from Henrietta's vindictive resolutions. Upon which, miss Cordwain said, she would go up to her, and make her an apology for what had happened; but dinner was that moment served, which made it not necessary for the countess to tell her that Henrietta was gone, in order to prevent her intended civility: but as soon as a proper opportunity offered, she took care to let the young lady know, that her suspicions of Henrietta were very ill grounded; that she was perfectly, virtuous; and likely to remain in the obscure condition of a servant, unless her relations, who were persons of rank and fortune, thought proper to do something for her.
She added, in order to remove all her uneasiness that she had recommended her to a lady who would procure her a place, which was the least she could do for a young woman of her birth, in such unhappy circumstances.
Miss Cordwain was very well satisfied with what the countess had done; being persuaded,

that since she was so desirous the treaty between lord B— and her should go forward, that she would take care to hinder any thing from happening on the part of Henrietta, that might give her cause for disgust.
But poor lord B— was in a truly pitiable situation: he was in love with the person of Henrietta, and the fortune of miss Cordwain; and these different passions by turns equally possessed him, so that it was impossible for him to form any fixed resolution.
When he reflected on the solid advantages that would accrue to him from a marriage with the packer'
