rest, and she counted the hours the next day till the carriage came for her. When she reached Devonshire-place, and entered the house, all the servants she observed, wore the most solemn air, walking about on tip-toe, and the universal gloom made her shudder, as Denham in silence conducted her to the chamber where Lady Archdale reposed on the bed; for she could not now get up. 66 "Is it you, my child?" murmured her ladyship, in a feeble voice; come and embrace me." " Amelrosa advanced with a bursting heart, but whose feelings she struggled to repress, not to alarm her, and beheld the most striking alteration in her person for the worse. She talked wildly and incoherently; her countenance and manners were entirely altered, except in the regard she expressed for Amelrosa, and affliction at at being separated from her; to which she was obliged to yield in compliance with the desire of her physician and friends. Even the last interview they had endeavored to prevail with her to avoid; but their united arguments could not persuade her to act otherwise; being determined to risk any thing, rather than deprive herself of the gratification of seeing her, especially as she was going to take a long journey. "Is it possible, my dear madam, in your delicate state of health." ""Tis but too true; however, my love, though I am rather averse to this expedient; but the advice I receive, is to visit my country seat in Wiltshire, as the air, it is said, will be very beneficial to me. I am to have a bed made in my carriage, and to travel so slowly, that it cannot hurt me. If I get better, which I very much doubt, for the world seems to fade from me, and I hope soon to join my beloved children, I will most certainly take you to live with me; nor shall any persuasions prevent it; but as I am now situated, I think it would be wrong to confine you to a sick room, when you are only lately recovered from indisposition yourself: yet, should you ever reside with me again, you shall not quit me, till you are united to your Montague." For several hours her ladyship retained Amelrosa, who perceiving she was faint and exhausted with talking for such a length of time, offered to take her leave; but frequently when she attempted it, and Lady Archdale had given her consent, she would call her back again, make her sit down, kiss her, and look wistfully at her, and with the utmost reluctance, at last permitted her to go; saying, she should send for her again before she left London. Had Amelrosa's affection admitted of encrease, this interview would have augmented it; as her ladyship's continued af fection fection for her was evident, though her long estrangement had given the people near her an opportunity of gaining such an influence, that they continually deceived and practised on the excellence of her heart, to wean her from having Amelrosa with her, by making her ladyship believe, it was not conducive to the young lady's happiness, and afterwards that it would be detrimental to her health. Lady Arehdale appeared so very ill, that she did not like then to trouble her with her wish to quit the Stanhopes'; but when she saw her again, if she was better, intended mentioning the circumstance. Fortunately, however, not long after their interview, Amelrosa accidentally met a lady, whom she had often seen at the house of her benefactress, and received from her the painful information, that her ladyship had left town the preceding day, and apparently felt a great repugnance at leaving it. The lady added, that she un derstood derstood Lady Archdale had wept bitterly on making her will, which she was advised to do by Mr. Kennedy. This intelligence unutterably affected her, having indulged the hope that she should once more have. seen her esteemed friend, before she began her journey, as she had promised her that happiness. To banish, if possible, sensations 'most uneasy, that notwithstanding every effort pervaded her mind, she tied on her hat and cloak, and went to visit Minette. She found her sitting in a great arm chair, with her infant reposing on her bosom, and the semblance of melancholy and despair, though pathetically lovely. A French cap of the finest point lace, shaded her interesting countenance, whose transparent fairness was heightened by a hectic bloom. A ruddy strong-built country looking woman was with her, and she informed Amelrosa that this person was a wet nurse that she had hired for her child, finding herself too |