It is quite impossible to describe the happy scene of explanation which followed.

From that time the two families were almost inseparable.

I often saw the three ladies driving out together. Once I had a very good view of them from the windows of our hotel, when they came there to call on Lady Frances Elton.

They were three lovely women. The countess, a fair, soft, English beauty, about thirty-eight, with blue eyes, and light auburn hair; the baroness, a year her junior, a perfect specimen of an Italian beauty, with dark expressive eyes and jet black locks, while her sweet daughter was a happy mixture of both.

It was amusing to see how much attention was shown by the visitors at Hastings to the wealthy Baroness Kreuznach, which was denied to the same person when called Mrs. Cookson. But such is the world. Let a person be ever so lovely, ever so amiable, but poor, and they will pass unnoticed, or perhaps be neglected and despised; but give them wealth, or consequence, and they are instantly

transformed into "charming people," courted and admired by all.

A year after this event we saw in the papers, that Lord Boscobel was united to his pretty Frederica, and her mother completed the happiness of both by taking up her residence with them.

CHAPTER XI.

"Dim backward as I cast my view,

What sick'ning scenes appear!

What sorrows yet may pierce me through,

Too justly I may fear."

BURNS.

I MUST now return to my own humble ad

ventures.

Towards the middle of June we left Hastings for Twickenham, where Mr. Willoughby was already arrived from Cambridge, and Lady Frances was very anxious to join him.

We were all glad to return to the villa, though we had spent a delightful time at Hastings. So peacefully and happily, indeed, did my days now glide by, that I congratulated myself hourly on having given up my former odious occupation; such at least it had been

to me.

I had received two letters since I left the

Isle of Wight, from my first kind friend, Mrs. Howard, who, as I before said, was settled with her husband in the East Indies.

She had been much grieved at the death of her excellent father, Mr. Moreton, and not a little distressed and indignant that her aunt had thrown me out so roughly and suddenly upon the wide world.

In answer to a second letter that I wrote to Mrs. Howard, when I was living so miserably with Lady McJames, she urgently pressed me to come out to her, promising me a home as long as I liked it under her roof.

This letter I received while so happy under the protection of Lady Frances Elton. I therefore hastened to thank my dear friend, and inform her how pleasantly my circumstances were altered.

In the mean time, every thing went on as calmly and happily as ever.

My attentions were divided between my excellent mistress and Mrs. Pratt. The latter became every day more and more infirm, and I did all in my power, when not occupied with

Lady Frances, to assist and amuse her, and I am sure she deserved any attention I could show her.

One afternoon, when I had left her ladyship taking her usual nap after dinner, I went to read the newspaper to Mrs. Pratt, which she particularly liked to hear; but upon entering our sitting-room, I found that the poor old lady had, like her mistress, fallen into a doze. Shutting the door gently, I hastened to enjoy a walk in the gardens, for the evening was delicious. After strolling about for half an hour, I wandered down to the banks of the majestic Thames, which bounded the grounds, and seating myself on the soft turf, fell into a reverie.

Every thing that had passed since my poor mother's death seemed to rush into my mind, and while the recollection of the painful events caused the tears to fall down my cheeks, I felt the deepest gratitude to that good Providence who had hitherto protected and brought me to my present safe and happy shelter.