officiousness of her chaplain.


Under what strange disadvantages had I lodgings to seek for! by an assumed name, with an immediate occasion for them; and no recommendation to any particular house, which I could be sure was a reputable one. Your politeness, and the unexpected offer of your friendship, encouraged me to communicate my distress to you, and to intreat your assistance; and I must still regret the •lucky mistake that brought me hither instead of M•s. Egret's. And now, my dear, you have my whole story before you. Have I not been very unfortunate? and am I not in a men dreadful situation? But what it chiefly concerns me to know, does your judgment acquit me of imprudence and folly in this pr•pi•te flight from my aunt, to whom I owed so many benefits, and on whom I depended •o• support?

"Approve your flight!" cried miss Woodby;
Yes certainly, child: who would not fly from a bigot, a priest, and an old hideous

lover? I protest I would in your case have done the same thing.
Well, that is some comfort,
replied miss Courteney;
but every body will not think as you do; and to a mind of any delicacy, s• nothing is so shocking as to have a reputation to defend; and the step I have taken will no doubt expose me to many unfavourable censures.

"And do you imagine," said miss Woodby,
that with a form so pleasing, and an understanding so distinguished, you will be exempted from the tax that envy is sure to levy upon merit? Don't you know what the most sensible of all poets says:
"Envy will merit as it's shade pursue,
"And like a shadow proves the substance "true.
Take my word for it, it is no great compliment we pay to persons, when we tell them that all the world speaks well of them; for those who are remarkable for any shining qualities will be more envied than admired, and frequently more calumniated than praised. But, child,
pursued the volatile miss Woodby, assuming a sprightly air,
how do you intend to dispose of yourself to-day; it is late: I must go home to dress.


"Dispose of myself," repeated miss Courteney,
even in this solitary chamber; for am determined, since I must stay here a day or two longer, to be as little with my landlady a• possible.

Miss Woodby then fluttered down stairs, followed by her fair friend, who took that opportunity to tell Mrs. Eccles, that she