might be said to enter on his new state of existence as an English gentleman, free to choose his own mode of seeking such happiness as a very enviable position in society afforded to a worn and disappointed, but yet a warm and generous heart.
The very circumstance of the Riccardini name being proscribed by Lady Anne Granard, would have taken him to her house as a safe resort; but he had loved her husband most sincerely—and, in proportion as he condemned her past conduct and pitied the privations of her situation, so did he sympathize with those dear young creatures who were wont to play on his knee, call him uncle, and kiss him for little presents of which he had not failed to keep up the memory by those which were of more cost, and came from a great distance, which the young generally consider a circumstance which enhances value. He was surprised at finding them become young women, especially Isabella, who was the "little one" when he left England, but had been remembered much better than any other on account of her resemblance to Margarita, and whom, therefore, he was impatient to see, when Lady Anne consigned her to the nursery for want of a second muslin frock.
Mary (as we know) was at that time nursing, or at least enduring, a secret sorrow, Louisa fostering a secret attachment; but the other three innocent girls were all delighted to see the dear young "uncle Frank" again, and could soon have been led to ex-
