 sisterly affection, which she seemed so long to have felt for me, and yet to have lost in one moment; possessed with this imagination I ran, or rather flew to her apartment but on opening the door, was surprized to see Lord N—, who appeared very earnest in conversation with her ladyship.
THIS gentleman had been very particular to me, ever since our residence at Bristol; he was

young, polite, and master of a large independent fortune; but these advantages had made me rather decline, than encourage his acquaintance, lest the busy tongues of men, or rather women, might have pronounced him a lover—an epithet, which is of all others most hateful to a delicate, pre-engaged heart.
On my entrance, the conversation became general. Lady Anne affected to treat me with her usual tenderness, but I too plainly saw, that she only affected it. After some little time she withdrew abruptly, and left me alone with lord N—. A thousand disagreeable things rushed into my mind at once, but above all, I feared a declaration of love from his lordship, which, though I was determined to refuse, must have distressed me extremely, as I could not to the world, assign any justifiable cause for my refusal.
I ROSE from my seat with trepidation, and rang the bell for breakfast. I hoped this would be a hint for his lordship to retire—on the contrary, he said, it was very fortunate for him that I called for tea, as he had not touched any thing but a glass of water, that day, and should have absolutely forgot that eating was necessary, if I had not reminded him of it; but since I had, he hoped I would allow him the honour of breakfasting with me.
I COOLLY bowed assent, and the moment the tea table was removed, said I must retire, to put on my riding dress, as I had promised to meet a lady on the downs, and feared I should keep her waiting. Lord N— saw my confusion, pitied and believed it, by saying he would not trespass farther on my leisure, but hoped I would permit him the honour of paying me a visit in the afternoon: he did not wait for my reply, and I thought myself infinitely obliged to

him, for even postponing the embarassment, in which I knew I should be too soon involved.
AS soon as lady Anne and I were alone, after dinner she congratulated me, with a serious air, on the important conquest I had made, enumerated the great advantages of such a match, and said she
