as amanuensis to my fair sister: and my letter was only intended to express her acknowledgments added to my own, for the polite attention with which you have interested yourself in her affairs.

A deep blush overspread the countenance of Mr. Roatsley at this speech, and an embarrassment took possession of his features little inferior to my own when I added, that he must have concluded me extremely ungrateful to have so long deferred returning my very sincere thanks, for an obligation which should always induce me to consider myself as particularly indebted to him.
His confusion was now augmented; and bowing, he stammered not a little while he repeated—what pleasure he must receive—how delighted he must be—and how happy he should think himself to be of the smallest service to Miss Seymour.
He then turned to address himself to Mr. Bradshaw as if anxious to change the subject; and just at that instant perceiving my sister, for whom he had not even enquired, he left me to pay his compliments to her; but soon returning,

he entered immediately on a new topic, enquired how I had amused myself in the country during the winter, asked if I could really leave town at that gay season without the slightest regret, and placed himself next me, where there happened fortunately to be a vacant seat. His l•te confusion now gave way to a gaiety and animation which convinced me that the ceremony of distant and occasional meetings had not hitherto allowed of that easy intimacy between us which developes without constraint or disguise the real temper of mind. My conscious feelings had always thrown a reserve over my own manner to Mr. Roatsley, which could not fail to affect his; but the unexpected satisfaction of this sudden rencontre had given to both a flow of spirits that would not be restrained, and which while it wholly banished Lady Elizabeth Sedley from my recollection presented Roatsley in a point

of view entirely new and still more insinuating. I had before admired him as a character of real and unassuming dignity. The amiable softness of his address had charmed me; and all I saw, and all I heard of his disposition, (however combated at times by pique and displeasure) had served but to augment my esteem. I had considered him as rather of a grave turn of mind: this evening however, the early part of it at least, fully satisfied me of my error. He was not merely in good spirits, but lively and animated beyond measure, and his friend Captain Bradshaw, who joined us, and who really is a very agreeable young man, added to the gaiety and life of the party.
The commencement of the play