perlatively fo, with Sir William in a defert; but bere it is impoffible. Whatever he may think, he would be happy too; at least he appeared fo while with us. Oh! that he could have been fatisfied with our calm joys, which mend the heart, and left thofe falfe delufive ones, which corrupt and vitiate it! Dearest Julia, adieu!

Believe me your faithful

LOUISA GRENVILLE.

To Mifs GRENVILLE.

OUISA! my dearest girl! who do

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you think I have met with ?-No other than Lady Melford! I faw her this day in the drawing-room. I inftantly recognized her ladyfhip, and, catching her eye, made my obeifance to her. She returned my falute, in a manner which feemeď to say, “I don't know you; but I wish

..

to recollect you."-As often as I looked up, I found I engaged her attention.

When their majefties were withdrawn, I was fitting in one of the windows with Lady Anne Parker, and fome other folks about me. I then faw Lady Melford moving towards me. her to take my place. obliging," faid fhe:

I rofe, and preffed "You are very

"I will, if you

please, accept part of it, as I wish to be "informed who it is that is fo polite as to

pay fuch civility to an old woman. Lady Anne, finding we were entering on converfation, wished me a good day, and went off.

"I am perfectly well acquainted with

your features," faid her ladyfhip; "but "I cannot call to my memory what is 46 your name."

"Have you then quite forgot Julia "Grenville, to whom you was fo kind "while fhe was on a visit with your grand"father at L. ?"

Julia Grenville! Aye, fo it is; but, my dear, how came I to meet you in "the drawing-room at St. James's, whom "I thought ftill an inmate of the moun"tains? Has your father refcinded his "refolution

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"refolution of spending his life there? "and where is your fifter?"

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My father," I replied, "is ftill in his "favourite retreat; my fifter refides with "him. I have been in town fome time, "and am at present an inhabitant of it." "To whofe protection could your fa "ther confide you, my dear?"

"To the best protector in the world, madam," I answered, fmiling-“ to an "hufband."

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"A hufband!" fhe repeated, quite aftonifhed, "What, child, are you mar"ried? And who, my dear, is this huf"band that your father could part with you to ?"

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"That gentleman in the blue and filver "velvet, across the room,--Sir William "Stanley. Does your ladyship know "him ?"

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By name and character only," fhe anfwered. "You are very young, my dear, "to be thus initiated in the world. Has "Sir William any relations, female ones "I mean, who are fit companions for "you? This is a dangerous place for H 4 66 young

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young inexperienced girls to be left to "their own guidance."

I mentioned the ladies to whom I had been introduced. "I don't know them,' faid Lady Melford; "no doubt they are "women of character, as they are the "friends of your hufband. I am, how"ever, glad to fee you, and hope you are "happily married. My meeting you here "is owing to having attended a lady who ́ "was introduced; I came to town from "D. for that purpose."

I asked her ladyfhip, if fhe would per-. mit me to wait on her while fhe remained in town. She obligingly faid, "fhe took "it very kind in a young perfon fhewing "fuch attention to her, and fhould always "be glad of my company."

The counfel of Lady Melford may be ' of service to me. I am extremely happy to have seen her. I remember with pleafure the month I paffed at L. I reproach myself for not writing to Jenny Melford. I doubt fhe thinks me ungrateful, or that the bufy fcenes in which I am immerfed have obliterated all former fond remembrances.

brances. I will foon convince her, that the gay infignificant crowd cannot wear away the impreffion which her kindness ftamped on my heart in early childhood.

Your letter is juft brought to my hands. Yes, my dear Louifa, I have not a doubt but that, while I deferve it, I fhall be the im mediate care of heaven. Join your prayers to mine; and they will, when offered with heart-felt fincerity, be heard.

I have nothing to apprehend from Lady Besford.-Such kind of women can never feduce me. She fhews herself too openly; and the difcovery of her character gives mẹ no other concern, than as it too evidently manifefts in my eyes the extreme careleffnefs of Sir William: I own there I am in fome degree piqued. But if he is indifferent about my morals and well-doing in life, it will more abfolutely become my business to take care of myself,—an arduous task for a young girl, furrounded with so many incitements to quit the strait paths,

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