13 situation in the castle, which I trust will be the first step towards that distinction I am convinced your talents and perseverence will acquire." Had a clap of thunder rolled over the head of Arthur, he could not have been more alarmed than at this com- munication, "What!" said he to himself, to leave my Maria, to quit all those innocent pleasures which I have so long enjoyed, and to embark in the troubled scenes of the political world, Oh God! how wretched is my fate ! "Still," continued he, my father must be obeyed; his ambitious temper will never brook a refusal, and however inconsistant with my own inclinations, his will must be my law." Having finished his soliloquy, during which his' amiable mother regarded him with astonishment; he raised his head, and in a hurried tone, expressed his readiness to comply with his father's wishes. He then left the room and proceeded with a quick pace to impart the gloomy news to Maria, whose anguish exceeded all consolation for a considerable time. In this To discribe the wretchedness of Maria is beyond our powers; suffice it to say, her wretchedness went far beyond the bounds of common lamentation, and approached near distraction than the sorrow of sanity. Arthur at length tore himself from her arms, and re- turned home to make preparations for his journey, which was to commence the ensuing morning at an early hour. It would be needless to describe the delight felt by M'Pherson on receiving instructions to prepare the travelling equipage of Arthur; his hopes were renewed towards Maria, and he trusted by his own wiley machina- ations at length to be able to gain the consummation of his wishes in that quarter. At the dawn of day, Arthur after taking a most affec- tionate leave of his mother, set out for the capital, at- tended by a trusty servant, and in a few days reached his father's house, in Sackville Street, where lie met a most welcome reception.
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