world, and wounded deeply by the perfidy of one in whom he had placed most implicit confidence, and who owed all he possessed to his friendship and countenance, he determined to retire from business, with the wreck of his fortune, and to settle himself in our quiet village, in the neighbourhood of my father, who had been his school -mate in youth . His daughter, like myselfan only child, was the agent in effecting this reform ; and from the first moment we met, I felt myself a different being. To mild and gentle manners , a sprightly and amiable disposition, which had been highly improved by the tuition of a judicious mother, she added the fashionable accomplishments of the day ; and although surpassing all our village belles in loveliness, she seemed wholly unconscious of her superiority. The affectionate regard she entertained for her parents, and her heavenly smile, first won my attention ; and day after day the sight of her added fuel to the flame she had so unconsciously kindled in my bosom. I perceived, soon after our first acquaintance, that my constant visits were anything but agreeable to her parents, who had received the most exaggerated picture of my follies and vices from the neighbours, by whom I was looked upon as a perfect outlaw. From the intimacy existing between the two families, however, they tolerated my presence ; and although my advances were met with timidity on the part of the young lady, it was not long before I flattered myself that I could discover strong proofs of reciprocity of feeling in her disturbed and anxious glances. Matters continued in this state for some time-uncertainty as to the lady's attachment, and want of opportunity, preventing me from declaring my passion -when my father suddenly died , from a stroke of apoplexy, and my mother, who had long been in delicate health , quickly followed him to the grave, having never recovered the shock she received at his loss.
" The merchant no longer thought it worth his while to keep up any show of terms ; but plainly told me, that he could not admit a person of my character into his house ; that it was only from the respect he had borne my parents, that he had refrained from excluding me hitherto. Burning with shame and indignation, I left the house, determined no longer to remain in a place so full of gloomy associations, but to sell my property, and to depart for Londen as soon as possible. I was led, furthermore, to this conclusion, by the circumstance that there was then a young merchant of some fortune, and a
cousin of the dear girl who was now but a part of myself, passing a few weeks at her father's, with the obvious intent ,