she took upon herself the attendance of the flock, and, however laborious the task, in keeping them from straying beyond the prescribed limits, yet the certain reward in view amply reconciled her to it. On these occasions, too, she would often be joined by Rosilia.
On the reception of the welcome letter, breathless with impatience, the seal was broken, the contents perused; that correspondence so cherished could alone console her for the absence of Philimore. His style was at once elegant, amusing, and instructive; at the same time fervent, impassioned, and exalted in sentiment; blameable and culpable only for being clandestine; what credit otherwise would those letters have reflected upon him, as also upon her to whom they were addressed!
The hopes of speedy church preferment began to be less frequently touched upon, and at length evaded altogether; he trusted, however, to advance in his professional career, and that a good Providence would in time crown his wishes and attachment with success. But, notwithstanding this encouraging language, moments often stole over Philimore when his conscience was far from being at rest on the subject of his passion; when he felt
