"The voice of the prettiest little actress I have seen this age," answered one of my persecutors.

“No, no, - no, " I panted out, "I am no actress, pray let me go, - pray let me pass."

"By all that's sacred," cried the same voice, which I then knew for Sir Clement Willoughby's, "'tis herself! "

me

"Sir Clement Willoughby," cried I. "O Sir, assist — assist or I shall die with terror!"

"Gentlemen," cried he, disengaging them all from me in an instant, "pray leave this lady to me."

Loud laughs proceeded from every mouth, and two or three said, "Willoughby has all the luck!" But one of them, in a passionate manner, vowed he would not give me up, for that he had the first right to me, and would support it.

"You are mistaken," said Sir Clement; "this lady is-I will explain myself to you another time; but, I assure you, you are all mistaken."

And then, taking my willing hand, he led me off, amidst the loud acclamations, laughter, and gross merriment of his impertinent companions.

As soon as we had escaped from them, Sir Clement, with a voice of surprise, exclaimed, "My dearest creature, what wonder, what strange revolution, has brought you to such a spot as this?"

Ashamed of my situation, and extremely mortified to be thus recognized by him, I was for some time silent, and when he repeated his question, only stammered out, “I have, — I hardly know how, lost myself from my party."

He caught my hand, and eagerly pressing it, in a passionate voice said, "O that I had sooner met with thee!"

Surprised at a freedom so unexpected, I angrily broke from him, saying, "Is this the protection you give me, Sir Clement?"

And then I saw, what the perturbation of my mind had prevented my sooner noticing, that he had led me, though I know not how, into another of the dark alleys, instead of the place whither I meant to go.

"Good God!" I cried, "where am I? going?"

What way are you

"Where," answered he, "we shall be least observed."

Astonished at this speech, I stopped short, and declared I

would go no further.

"And why not, my angel?" again endeavoring to take hand.

my My heart beat with resentment; I pushed him away from me with all my strength, and demanded how he dared treat me with such insolence.

"Insolence?" repeated he.

"Yes, Sir Clement, insolence; from you, who know me, I had a claim for protection, not to such treatment as this."

no com

"By Heaven," cried he, with warmth, "you distract me,why, tell me, why do I see you here? Is this a place for Miss Anville?-these dark walks!no party! - no panion by all that's good, I can scarce believe my senses! Extremely offended at this speech, I turned angrily from him, and, not deigning to make any answer, walked on towards that part of the garden whence I perceived the lights and company.

He followed me; but we were both some time silent. "So you will not explain to me your situation?" said he, at length.

"No, Sir," answered I, disdainfully.

"Nor yet suffer me to make my own interpretation?"

I could not bear this strange manner of speaking; it made my very soul shudder, and I burst into tears.

He flew to me, and actually flung himself at my feet, as if regardless who might see him, saying, "Oh, Miss Anvilleloveliest of women- forgive my-my- I beseech you forgive me; if I have offended, if I have hurt you—I could kill

myself at the thought!"

"No matter, Sir, no matter," cried I, "if I can but find my friends, I will never speak to never see you again!" "Good God! - good Heaven! - my dearest life, what is it I have done? - what is it I have said?"

"You best know, Sir, what and why;- but don't hold me here, let me be gone; and do you!"

"Not till you forgive me! I cannot part with you in anger."

"For shame, for shame, Sir!" cried I, indignantly; "do you suppose I am to be thus compelled?- do you take advantage of the absence of my friends, to affront me?"

"No, Madam," cried he, rising, "I would sooner forfeit my life than act so mean a part. But you have flung me into

amazement unspeakable, and you will not condescend to listen to my request of giving me some explanation."

"The manner, Sir," said I, "in which you spoke that request made and will make me scorn to answer it.

"Scorn! I will own to you, I expected not such displeasure from Miss Anville.'

"Perhaps, Sir, if you had, you would less voluntarily have merited it."

My dearest life, surely it must be known to you that the man does not breathe who adores you so passionately, so fervently, so tenderly, as I do! - why then will you delight in perplexing me?-in keeping me in suspense-in torturing me with doubt?"

are

"I, Sir, delight in perplexing you! You are much mistaken. Your suspense, your doubts, your perplexities, of your own creating; and believe me, Sir, they may offend, but they can never delight me :- but, as you have yourself raised, you must yourself satisfy them."

"Good God! - that such haughtiness and such sweetness can inhabit the same mansion!"

I made no answer, but quickening my pace, I walked on silently and sullenly; till this most impetuous of men, snatching my hand, which he grasped with violence, besought me to forgive him, with such earnestness of supplication that, merely to escape his importunities, I was forced to speak, and, in some measure, to grant the pardon he requested: though it was accorded with a very ill grace; but, indeed, I knew not how to resist the humility of his entreaties: yet never shall I recollect the occasion he gave me of displeasure, without feeling it renewed.

We now soon arrived in the midst of the general crowd, and my own safety being then insured, I grew extremely uneasy for the Miss Branghtons, whose danger, however imprudently incurred by their own folly, I too well knew how to tremble for. To this consideration all my pride of heart yielded, and I determined to seek my party with the utmost speed; though not without a sigh did I recollect the fruitless attempt I had made, after the opera, of concealing from this man my unfortunate connections, which I was now obliged to make known.

I hastened, therefore, to the room, with a view of sending young Branghton to the aid of his sisters. In a very short time,

I perceived Madame Duval, and the rest, looking at one of the paintings.

I must own to you, honestly, my dear Sir, that an involuntary repugnance seized me, at presenting such a set to Sir Clement, he who had been used to see me in parties so different! My pace slackened as I approached them, but they presently perceived me.

"Ah, Mademoiselle!" cried M. Du Bois, " Que je suis charmé de vous voir!"

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Pray, Miss," cried Mr. Brown, "where's Miss Polly?" "Why, Miss, you've been a long while gone," said Mr. Branghton; "we we thought you'd been lost. But what have you done with your cousins?"

I hesitated, for Sir Clement regarded me with a look of wonder.

"Pardi," cried Madame Duval, "I shan't let you leave me again in a hurry. Why, here we've been in such a fright!and, all the while, I suppose, you've been thinking nothing about the matter."

"Well," said young Branghton, "as long as Miss is come back, I don't mind, for as to Bid and Poll, they can take care of themselves. But the best joke is, Mr. Smith is gone all about a looking for you."

These speeches were made almost in a breath: but when, at last, they waited for an answer, I told them that, in walking up one of the long alleys, we had been frightened and separated.

"The long alleys!" repeated Mr. Branghton, "and, pray, what had you to do in the long alleys? why, to be sure, you must all of you have had a mind to be affronted!

This speech was not more impertinent to me, than surprising to Sir Clement, who regarded all the party with evident astonishment. However, I told young Branghton no time ought to be lost, for that his sisters might require his immediate protection.

"But how will they get it?" cried this brutal brother; "if they've a mind to behave in such a manner as that, they ought to protect themselves; and so they may for me."

"Well," said the simple Mr. Brown, "whether you go or no, I think I may as well see after Miss Polly."

The father, then interfering, insisted that his son should accompany him; and away they went.

It was now that Madame Duval first perceived Sir Clement;

to whom turning with a look of great displeasure, she angrily said, "Ma foi, so you are comed here, of all the people in the world! I wonder, child, you would let such a such a person as that keep company with you."

"I am very sorry, Madam," said Sir Clement, in a tone of surprise, "if I have been so unfortunate as to offend you; but I believe you will not regret the honor I now have of attending Miss Anville, when you hear that I have been so happy as to do her some service."

Just as Madame Duval, with her usual Ma foi, was beginning to reply, the attention of Sir Clement was wholly drawn from her, by the appearance of Mr. Smith, who coming suddenly behind me, and freely putting his hands on my shoulders, cried, Oho, my little runaway, have I found you at last? I have been scampering all over the gardens for you, for I was determined to find you, if you were above ground. — But how could you be so cruel as to leave us?"

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I turned round to him, and looked with a degree of contempt that I hoped would have quieted him; but he had not the sense to understand me; and, attempting to take my hand, he added, "Such a demure-looking lady as you are, who'd have thought of your leading one such a dance?- Come, now, don't be so coy, only think what a trouble I have had in running after you!"

"The trouble, Sir," said I, "was of your own choice, not mine." And I walked round to the other side of Madame Duval.

-

Perhaps I was too proud, but I could not endure that Sir Clement, whose eyes followed him with looks of the most surprised curiosity, should witness his unwelcome familiarity.

Upon my removal, he came up to me and, in a low voice, said, "You are not, then, with the Mirvans?"

"No, Sir."

"And pray, may I ask, — have you left them long?" "No, Sir."

"How unfortunate I am!--but yesterday I sent to acquaint the Captain I should reach the Grove by to-morrow noon! However, I shall get away as fast as possible. Shall you be long in town?"

"I believe not, Sir."

"And then, when you leave it, which way -- will you allow me to ask, which way you shall travel?”