covery of the picture had excited, that determined her to avoid awakening similar emotions. Time would discover whether there was any affinity between the sorrows of these elevated characters, and she resolved to behave with the most guarded caution, not only to the earl, but also to her fair guardian, of whose friendship and prudence she entertained a very low opinion.

CHAP. IV.

Prospero.-Were he not something stain'd

With grief (that beauty's canker) thou might'st call him

A goodly person.

Miranda.-I might call him

Something divine, for nothing natural

I ever saw so noble.

SHAKESPEARE..

THE morning at length arrived which was to introduce the long-talked-of visitor, and Sir Walter ushered in breakfast by observing, "Now, Emily, you will see a real hero: but mind, I have promised my lord you shall not be troublesome."

"Sir "

"Mind what I say, I told Avondel I would not deceive him. Two ladies lived with me, but they were not every-day people. I said you were a good girl, and respected and admired. him very much; but that you were not one of that sort who would want him to trot about the plantations with you, or to parade him round the neighbourhood. I told him you talked little, did not laugh loud, and gave yourself no flighty airs to catch those coxcombs who teach women to think us made to be monkey-keepers; but that I had found you a good nurse, and had taught you to play back gammon.”

"I trust," said Lady Mackintosh, you did equal justice to my character."

"I told him," replied Sir Walter, with a significant bow, "that I wished I had known you twenty years ago, when you were a very fine woman.

"

"I admire your frankness," answered the lady. "It was kind to apprize his lordship that no attack was intended, for as the poet sings, Cupid flies from tresses hoar. "

The baronet was too much engrossed with the scheme of his own preparations to reply. "I shall receive him in great state," said he; "the tenants have set out to meet him, and dinner shall be served in the banqueting room, with a band of music playing in the stone gallery. You, Emily, must be full dressed, with all your jewels on; and remember, my lord is a very fine gentleman; nothing forward or finical will do, you must do the honours of the house quite easily and gracefully, without colouring and trembling as if you had never seen any body but your nurse. He has been used to the first courts in Europe, and all the grandeur and magnificence of the East.

He is

the king of courtesy, and I want you to look like the queen."

"What a task have I undertaken," thought Emily, as she prepared for this formidable reception. "I protest I will never more pity a hero, or long to gaze on a blazing star.' Her trepidation was not diminished by Lady. Mackintosh observing, that she was attired for conquest. ""Tis well,". added she, "that I had no designs. My simple vestments could not attract one look when eclipsed by such a blaze of splendour and beauty. Dear creature, what a tremor you are in. I own your uncle is very alarming, but I will support you. As I live, the cavalcade is coming down the avenue. When it enters the porter's ward the band is to strike up, See the conquering hero comes,' and you are to walk out of the saloon, followed by all the ladies, and the earl is to wait at the