or, "indeed, Grace, it strikes me that it would be better thus:" but into what shameful errors might not the opinion of one lead the other? They required a guide, and they sought none, would accept of none. She could not but say with much sorrow, that Mary Bodell, who had appeared all softness and meekness and compliance to Sir James, and by that means had procured a very handsome provision for herself, seemed to forget that Sir James Fitzelm's family had some demands on her attention and observance. She confessed that her own mind had suggested, that Mary would have proved her gratitude to her uncle, by the respect with which she pursued that path his elder children thought most proper for her. She had formerly entertained a much higher opinion of Mary, than she now did. She was afraid Mary had much obstinacy of character, which seemed to her, very incompatible with the softness at which she aimed. Instead of pursuing their studies, Grace and her cousin

were walking in the shrubberies, or, which was still worse, to the town. She did not approve of Miss Grace Fitzelm and Miss Bodell's being seen so often at Northill. If they had been accompanied by Lady Fitzelm, Jane, or herself, there would have been more propriety and respectability. Lady Fitzelm occupied, as indeed they all were, by the late severe loss, could not be supposed to notice every event that occurred,-events that might have a trivial appearance, but it was impossible to calculate with accuracy on the importance of a termination by the insignificance of the commencement. She was resolved to accompany Mary and Grace in future, whether it were agreeable to them or otherwise. priety and utility could not be sacrificed to their inclinations.

Pro

Lady Fitzelm listened to Ann's harangues with great patience. She was occupied by more important subjects. She took a survey of the family that surrounded her, and calculated, with pro

Miss

phetic vision, their future fate. Fitzelm was already virtually disposed of to her satisfaction. She was engaged to a Mr. Rashleigh, the son of a particular friend of the late Sir James. It is true, she had not seen her lover since he had been of an age to play that part with any degree of respectability. Nevertheless, the engagement entered into by the fathers of the lady and gentleman still existed, and it was understood always, and expressed frequently, that Miss Fitzelm would be married as soon as the period of her mourning was expired. Meanwhile she awaited her future husband's arrival with great patience and praiseworthy calmness. She always read his letters quite through twice, and informed Lady Fitzelm and Ann what places he had last visited, where he was at present, and whither he intended to go. Ann generally indited the answers, which Miss Fitzelm copied; for the trouble of invention, or of the arranging of subjects, was an annoyance to which Jane never

submitted, when any other person was willing to endure it for her. She wrote very well, and she always took credit to herself for the elegance and accuracy of her writing, and the excellence of its appearance on a sheet of the finest hotpressed paper. Her fancy was never amused by drawing various portraits, to which it attached the resemblance of her future husband. When she last saw him he was just rising from boyhood, and her imagination was not sufficiently active to sketch a variety of faces in all possible points of view, not one of which she might hereafter find had given her the least idea of such a man as he really was. No; it was sufficient for Miss Fitzelm that the union of herself and Mr. Rashleigh had been her father's project. This, without her having any very high notions of filial duty, was quite sufficient to ascertain, in her mind, the propriety of the plan, and the felicity of the result. It had given a certainty to her prospects of the future, for which she was glad to be indebted to

any one. It was a point to which her reason might grapple, and which she could contemplate with that calmness necessary to the preservation of the tranquillity she so much valued.

Here Lady Fitzelm found nothing but satisfaction. Jane would be united to a man, whose family, fortune, and connex. ions, were exactly such as a daughter of Sir James Fitzelm had a right to expect. They both had a decided rank in life; there was no necessity for them or their friends to assert, I am a gentleman, or, I am the daughter of a gentleman. The fact was indisputable, and well understood. Mr. Rashleigh's fortune was very handsome, and Miss Fitzelm's not despicable : there was, moreover, a title in his family which, it was thought, might, with very little expense, be revived in his favour. This would certainly have given Lady Fitzelm satisfaction; but admitting that the attempt were made and were unsuccessful, Mrs. Rashleigh must always be a woman of great consequence in the neigh