along the pavement, it brought to my mind the first night on which I entered this city alone, young, and friendless. I thought of all that had passed since. All rushed into my mind, and I was conveyed back in fancy to the varied scenes in which I had borne a part, when I was roused from my reverie by the coach stopping in front of an inn in Piccadilly. How ill did the scene which presented itself accord with my thoughts. I was glad to escape from the noisy, teasing crowd of porters and idlers into a hackney coach, which I desired might set me down at the residence of Mrs. Davies, who, I felt sure, would gladly and kindly receive me; and I longed to find myself at rest under her friendly roof. What then was my disappointment, when upon a servant coming to the door, he told me that Mrs. Davies had let her house for two years, and that he did not know where she was gone. I was hesitating as to what I was to do, when the coachman asked me roughly where he was to

go.

As I knew no one but Lady Eustace, and

not liking the idea of going to a strange place at that time of night, for it was nearly ten o'clock, I resolved to drive at once to Grosvenor Square, as her ladyship had so often kindly desired me to do so.

The tired horses were some time in dragging the heavy coach there, and when I arrived, I thought I should have sunk with disappointment when the porter informed me that his lord and lady had set off for Ireland only the day before. I must, therefore, have passed them on the road. "How distressing," I exclaimed, "what shall I do?"

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'Why get out and pay me," said the coachman, rudely. "I can't be lugging you all over the town."

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"Pray miss, come in," said the civil porter; my lady has repeatedly given orders that whenever you came we should do every thing to make you comfortable."

Saying this, he opened the coach door, and I hastened into the hall, while he brought in my luggage and discharged the coachman.

In a very short time I was conducted to the

apartment I had usually occupied in this wellregulated and splendid mansion.

The first step I took on the following day was to write to my noble friend, informing her of my abrupt dismissal from Castle Armel, my disappointment in not finding Mrs. Davies at home, my sorrow when I found that I must have passed her ladyship as I came from Ireland, and finally, that I had taken advantage of her kindness in sheltering myself for a short time under her roof.

I next wrote to inform Miss O'Neille of my safe arrival, and then despatched a note to Dr. Matson, to beg him to inform me where I might find Mrs. Davies.

In the course of the morning Dr. Matson called upon me. I found him as kind as ever, but much altered in appearance. He informed me that Mrs. Davies was at present in Yorkshire, as she had been ill and required change of air; that my little friend, Ellen Howard, was in excellent health, and improving daily at the school in which I had placed her at Kensington Gravel Pits, and

where he had frequently visited her at my request. After giving me this information he said, "Now, my dear, I am come to take you back with me, it is dreary for you to be alone, and it will give my wife and myself much pleasure if you will come and stay a week with us."

The kind doctor would take no refusal, so I prepared to accompany him. His excellent lady received me with much kindness, and finding I was determined again to try my fortune, declared that I should remain with her till she could hear of something suitable for

me.

Here I remained two months, as they would not part with me, declaring as every fresh situation offered itself, that it was not good enough for me. I do not think they would have suffered me to leave them at all, so fond had they become of me, had not a circumstance occurred which determined me to hasten my departure. There was residing in the house a young physician of the name of Buckler, about twentyeight years of age, agreeable and good-looking.

He was destined to be Dr. Matson's successor in his house and profession, and had been with him for the last twelve months, to be ready to step into the doctor's practice so soon as he should leave it, which he proposed to do the ensuing summer.

I little thought, when in daily intercourse with this gentleman, that he would be the cause of my quitting the hospitable roof which sheltered me; yet so it was.

After I had been there about seven weeks I was surprised by a proposal of marriage from Dr. Buckler, and upon my refusal of his generous offer, he begged Dr. and Mrs. Matson to use their influence with me in his behalf.

They did so, and seemed both surprised and hurt by my obstinate refusal of so good an offer. As they found that I continued firm, they desisted from pressing me more, saying they would leave it to time; and I feeling that if I remained longer with my kind friends it might be construed into an encouragement of Dr. Buckler's addresses, took the earliest opportunity of telling Mrs. Matson that I

VOL. III.

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