seeing this dear friend again so soon; and after taking an affectionate leave of Mr. and Mrs. Arlington and their sweet little girl, and bidding adieu to my kind, though fanciful mistress, I set off in the coach, and reached town the same night.

ON

my arrival in town, I hastened at once to Grosvenor Square, where I found my dear and noble friend waiting to receive me with her usual kindness.

Lord Eustace was gone to Scotland for a month, and she told me she expected I would remain with her till his return.

The following morning she said to me, "I told you I had heard of a situation likely to suit you; should you object to live again at Colonel D'Arcy's?"

I was rather surprised at this question, but

instantly replied, that I had rather not accept a situation except under a lady, and that I did not think myself at all competent to superintend a large establishment. "Besides," added I,

though I would and ought to do any thing in my power for Colonel D'Arcy, I could not subject myself again to the attacks of his terrible sister."

Oh, you need not be afraid of her," returned Lady Eustace, laughing, "as she married, three months ago, a ranting methodist preacher, who has carried her off to America, and who, I have no doubt, has long before this completely tamed her.

"However," added her ladyship, "Colonel D'Arcy will be here himself to-morrow, when he means to speak to you, and then you can give him your answer yourself."

The next day I was summoned into the drawing-room, where I found Colonel D'Arcy alone. As he advanced to meet me, with his usual condescending kindness, I was pleased to see that he looked in better health, though still pale and thin.

"Perhaps you are surprised," he said, "at my wishing to have an interview with you, but however that may be, I trust you will not be displeased at the motives which have induced me to seek it."

Saying this, to my surprise, he took me by the hand, and leading me to a sofa, made me sit beside him.

For a few moments he was silent, when, turning abruptly to me, he said, "Theresa, my dear Theresa, can you consent to receive for a husband a man so much older than yourself that he might rather be considered your father, but who feels for you the tenderest and most disinterested affection?"

I was struck dumb by astonishment, and he

went on.

"I was not aware till you had left me, and I daily missed your gentle and unobtrusive attentions, so associated with the recollections of

one

very dear to us both, that you were so necessary to my happiness, or, I should rather say, my restoration to it. Tell me frankly, Theresa,

do

you think you could be happy with one

who would spend his whole life in endeavouring to make you so?"

It may easily be imagined that I was absolutely overwhelmed with astonishment. That Colonel D'Arcy, the accomplished, grave, rich Colonel D'Arcy, should wish to take for his wife a young, friendless, unknown creature, and who was little better than a menial, was so extraordinary, so unexpected, that it was some time before I could reply. I did not hesitate a moment as to my answer, however great might be the pain it gave me; I therefore, after the most heartfelt expressions of gratitude, assured him that I was still suffering from the effects of a strong attachment which I had entertained for another, and that I thought I never could, indeed never ought, to marry any one else. He seemed very much surprised and shocked at this confession, and said, "You are then engaged, Theresa. If I were certain the person were worthy of you, I should not feel so bitterly my own disappointment."

I replied only by my tears.