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his visit, nor did the Colonel himself seem to desire it; so he soon returned back to his Amelia, whom he found performing the office of a cook, with as much pleasure as a fine lady generally enjoys in dressing herself out for a ball.

CHAP. III.

In which the History looks a little backwards.

BEFORE we proceed farther in our history, we shall recount a short scene to our reader which passed between Amelia and Mrs Ellison whilst Booth was on his visit to Colonel Bath. We have already observed that Amelia had conceived an extraordinary affection for Mrs Bennet, which still increased every time she saw her; she thought she discovered something wonderfully good and gentle in her countenance and disposition, and was very desirous of knowing her whole history.

She had a very short interview with that lady this morning in Mrs Ellison's apartment. As soon, therefore, as Mrs Bennet was gone, Amelia acquainted Mrs Ellison with the good opinion she had conceived of her friend, and likewise with her curiosity to know her story; "For there must be something uncommonly good," said she," in one who can so truly mourn for a husband above three years after his death."

"O,' cries Mrs Ellison, "to be sure the world must allow her to have been one of the best of wives. And indeed, upon the whole, she is a good sort of woman; and what I like her the best for is, a strong resemblance that she bears to yourself in the form of her person, and still more in her voice. But for my own part, I know nothing remarkable in her fortune, unless what I have told you, that she was the daughter of a clergyman, had little or no fortune, and married a poor parson for love, who left her in the utmost distress. If you please I will shew you a letter which she writ to me at that time, though I insist upon your promise never to mention it to her; indeed you will be the first person I ever shewed it to." She then opened her scrutoire, and taking out the letter, delivered it to Amelia, saying, "There, madam, is, I believe, as fine a picture of distress as can well be drawn."

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corpse, and threaten to deny it burial. For Heaven's sake, send me, at least, some advice. Little Tommy stands now by me crying for bread, which I have not to give him.—I can more than that I am,

"Your most distressed humble servant, "M. BENNET."

Amelia read the letter over twice, and then returning it, with tears in her eyes, asked how the poor creature could possibly get through such distress.

"You may depend upon it, madam," said Mrs Ellison," the moment I read this account, I posted away immediately to the lady. As to the seizing the body, that I found was a mere bugbear; but all the rest was literally true. I sent immediately for the same gentleman that I recommended to Mr Booth, left the care of bury. ing the corpse to him, and brought my friend and her little boy immediately away to my own house, where she remained some months in the most miserable condition. I then prevailed with her to retire into the country, and procured her a lodging with a friend at St Edmundsbury, the air and gaiety of which place by degrees recovered her, and she returned in about a twelvemonth to town, as well, I think, as she is at present.

"I am almost afraid to ask," cries Amelia; " and yet I long methinks to know what is become of the poor little boy."

"He hath been dead," says Mrs Ellison, "a little more than half a year; and the mother lamented him at first almost as much as she did her husband; but I found it indeed rather an easier matter to comfort her, though I sat up with her near a fortnight upon the latter occa

sion."

"You are a good creature," said Amelia, "and I love you dearly."

"Alas! madam," cries she, "what could I have done, if it had not been for the goodness of that best of men, my noble cousin! His lordship no sooner heard of the widow's distress from me, than he immediately settled one hund red and fifty pounds a year upon her during her life."

"Well! how noble, how generous was that!" said Amelia." I declare I begin to love your cousin, Mrs Ellison."

"And I declare if you do," answered she, "there is no love lost, I verily believe: if you had heard what I heard him say yestesday be hind your back

"Why, what did he say, Mrs Ellison?” cries Amelia.

"He said," answered the other, "that you was the finest woman his eyes ever beheld.— Ah! it is in vain to wish, and yet I cannot help wishing too.-O Mrs Booth! if you had been a single woman, I firmly believe I could have

made you the happiest in the world. And I sincerely think, I never saw a woman who deserved it more."

"I am obliged to you, madam," cries Amelia," for your good opinion; but I really look on myself already as the happiest woman in the world. Our circumstances, it is true, might have been a little more fortunate; but, O my dear Mrs Ellison, what fortune can be put in the balance with such a husband as mine?"

"I am afraid, dear madam," answered Mrs Ellison, "you would not hold the scale fairly. I acknowledge, indeed, Mr Booth is a very pretty gentleman; Heaven forbid I should endeavour to lessen him in your opinion; yet, if I was to be brought to confession, I could not help saying, I see where the superiority lies, and that the men have more reason to envy Mr Booth, than the women have to envy his lady."

"Nay, I will not bear this," replied Amelia. "You will forfeit all my love, if you have the least disrespectful opinion of my husband. You do not know him, Mrs Ellison; he is the best, the kindest, the worthiest of all his sex. I have observed, indeed, once or twice before, that you have taken some dislike to him. I cannot conceive for what reason. If he hath said or done any thing to disoblige you, I am sure I can just ly acquit him of design. His extreme vivacity makes him sometimes a little too heedless; but, I am convinced a more innocent heart, or one more void of offence, was never in a human bo

som.

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Nay, if you grow serious," cries Mrs Ellison, "I have done. How is it possible you should suspect I had taken any dislike to a man to whom I have always shewn so perfect a regard? But to say I think him, or almost any other man in the world, worthy of yourself, is not within my power with truth. And since you force the confession from me, I declare, I think such beauty, such sense, and such goodness united, might aspire, without vanity, to the arms of any monarch in Europe."

"Alas! my dear Mrs Ellison," answered Amelia, "do you think happiness and a crown so closely united? how many miserable women have lain in the arms of kings! Indeed, Mrs Ellison, if I had all the merit you compliment me with, I should think it all fully rewarded with such a man as, I thank Heaven, hath fallen to my lot; nor would I, upon my soul, exchange that lot with any queen in the universe."

"Well, there are enow of our sex," said Mrs Ellison, "to keep you in countenance; but I shall never forget the beginning of a song of Mr Congreve's, that my husband was so fond of, that he was always singing it ;

Love's but a frailty of the mind, "When 'tis not with ambition join'd.'

VOL. I.

Love without interest makes but an unsavoury dish, in my opinion."

"And, pray, how long hath this been your opinion ?" said Amelia, smiling.

"Ever since I was born," answered Mrs Ellison; "at least, ever since I can remember." "And have you never," said Amelia, "deviated from this generous way of thinking?" "Never once," answered the other, "in the whole course of my life."

"O, Mrs Ellison! Mrs Ellison!" cries Amelia, "why do we ever blame those who are disingenuous in confessing their faults, when we are so often ashamed to own ourselves in the right. Some women now, in my situation, would be angry that you had not made confidantes of them; but I never desire to know more of the secrets of others, than they are pleased to entrust me with. You must believe, however, that I should not have given you these hints of my knowing all, if I had disapproved of your choice. On the contrary, I assure you I highly approve it. The gentility he wants, it will be easy in your power to procure for him; and as for his good qualities, I will myself be bound for them; and I make not the least doubt, as you have owned to me yourself that you have placed your affections on him, you will be one of the hap-. piest women in the world.'

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Upon my honour," cries Mrs Ellison, very gravely, "I do not understand one word of what you mean.'

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"Upon my honour, you astonish me," said Amelia; " but I have done."

Nay then," said the other, "I insist upon knowing what you mean."

"Why, what can I mean," answered Amelia, "but your marriage with Serjeant Atkinson ?"

"With Serjeant Atkinson!" cries Mrs Ellison eagerly; " my marriage with a serjeant!" "Well, with Mr Atkinson then, Captain Atkinson, if you please; for so I hope to see him."

"And have you really no better opinion of me," said Mrs Ellison, "than to imagine me capable of such condescension? what have I done, dear Mrs Booth, to deserve so low a place in your esteem? I find, indeed, as Solomon says, Women ought to watch the door of their lips. How little did I imagine that a little harmless freedom in discourse, could persuade any one that I could entertain a serious intention of disgracing my family! for of a very good family am I come, I assure you, madam, though I now let lodgings. Few of my lodgers, I believe, ever came of a better."

"If I have offended you, madam," said Amelia," I am very sorry, and ask your pardon; but, besides what I heard from yourself, Mr Booth

told me."

"O yes," answered Mrs Ellison, "Mr Booth, I know, is a very good friend of mine. Indeed, 2 P

I know you better than to think it could be your own suspicion. I am very much obliged to Mr Booth truly.'

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Nay," cries Amelia," the serjeant himself is in fault; for Mr Booth, I am positive, only repeated what he had from him."

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Impudent coxcomb!" cries Mrs Ellison, "I shall know how to keep such fellows at a proper distance for the future. I will tell you, dear madam, all that happened. When I rose in the morning, I found the fellow waiting in the entry; and as you had expressed some regard for him as your foster-brother, (nay, he is a very genteel fellow, that I must own,) I scolded my maid for not shewing him into my little backroom; and I then asked him to walk into the parlour. Could I have imagined he would have construed such little civility into an encourage ment?"

"Nay, I will have justice done to my poor brother too," said Amelia; "I myself have seen you give him much greater encouragement than that.'

"Well, perhaps I have," said Mrs Ellison; "I have been always too unguarded in my speech, and cannot answer for all I have said." She then began to change her note, and with an affected laugh, turned all into ridicule; and soon afterwards the two ladies separated, both in apparent good humour; and Amelia went about those domestic offices, in which Mr Booth found her engaged at the end of the preceding chapter.

CHAP. IV.

Containing a very extraordinary Incident.

In the afternoon, Mr Booth, with Amelia and her children, went to refresh themselves in the Park. The conversation now turned upon what passed in the morning with Mrs Ellison, the latter part of the dialogue, I mean, recorded in the last chapter. Amelia told her husband that Mrs Ellison so strongly denied all intentions to marry the serjeant, that she had convinced her the poor fellow was under an error, and had mistaken a little too much levity for serious encouragement; and concluded by desiring Booth not to jest with her any more on that subject.

Booth burst into a laugh at what his wife said. "My dear creature," said he, "how easy is thy honesty and simplicity to be imposed on! how little dost thou guess at the art and falsehood of women! I knew a young lady, who, against her father's consent, was married to a brother officer of mine. And as I often used to walk with her, (for I knew her father intimately well,) she would of her own accord take frequent occasions to ridicule and vilify her husband, (for so he was at the time,) and expressed great wonder and indignation at the report

which she allowed to prevail, that she should condescend ever to look at such a fellow, with any other design than that of laughing at, and despising him. The marriage afterwards became publicly owned, and the lady was reputably brought to-bed. Since which, I have often seen her; nor hath she ever appeared to be in the least ashamed of what she had formerly said, though, indeed, I believe she hates me heartily for having heard it."

"But for what reason," cries Amelia, "should she deny a fact, when she must be so certain of our discovering it, and that immediately?”

"I cannot answer what end she may propose," said Booth. "Sometimes one would be almost persuaded that there was a pleasure in lying itself. But this I am certain, that I would believe the honest serjeant on his bare word, sooner than I would fifty Mrs Ellisons on oath. I am convinced he would not have said what he did to me, without the strongest encouragement; and, I think, after what we have been both witnesses to, it requires no great confidence in his veracity, to give him an unlimited credit with regard to the lady's behaviour."

To this Amelia made no reply; and they discoursed of other matters during the remainder of a very pleasant walk.

When they returned home, Amelia was surprised to find an appearance of disorder in her apartment. Several of the trinkets, which his lordship had given the children, lay about the room; and a suit of her own clothes, which she had left in her drawers, was now displayed upon the bed.

She immediately summoned her little girl up stairs, who, as she plainly perceived the moment she came up with a candle, had half cried her eyes out: for though the girl had opened the door to them, as it was almost dark, she had not taken any notice of this phenomenon in her countenance.

The girl now fell down upon her knees, and cried," For Heaven's sake, madam, do not be angry with me. Indeed, I was left alone in the house; and hearing somebody knock at the door, I opened it, I am sure thinking no harm. I did not know but it might have been you, or my master, or madam Ellison; and immediately as I did, the rogue burst in, and ran directly up stairs, and what he hath robbed you of I cannot tell : but I am sure I could not help it; for he was a great swingeing man, with a pistol in each hand; and, if I had dared to call out, to be sure he would have killed me. I am sure I never was in such a fright in my born days, whereof I am hardly come to myself yet. I believe he is somewhere about the house yet; for I never saw him go out."

Amelia discovered some little alarm at this narrative, but much less than many other ladies would have shewn: for a fright is, I believe,

sometimes laid hold of as an opportunity of disclosing several charms peculiar to that occasion; and which, as Mr Addison says of certain virtues,

-shun the day, and lie conceal'd In the smooth seasons, and the calms of life.

Booth having opened the window, and summoned in two chairmen to his assistance, proceeded to search the house; but all to no purpose; the thief was flown, though the poor girl, in her state of terror, had not seen him escape. But now a circumstance appeared which greatly surprised both Booth and Amelia; indeed, I believe, it will have the same effect upon the reader; and this was, that the thief had taken nothing with him. He had indeed tumbled over all Booth's and Amelia's clothes, and the children's toys, but had left all behind him. Amelia was scarce more pleased than astonish ed at this discovery, and re-examined the girl, assuring her of an absolute pardon, if she confessed the truth, but grievously threatening her if she was found guilty of the least falsehood. "As for a thief, child," says she, "that is certainly not true; you have had somebody with you, to whom you have been shewing the things; therefore tell me plainly who it was."

The girl protested in the solemnest manner that she knew not the person; but as to some circumstances, she began to vary a little from her first account, particularly as to the pistols; concerning which, being strictly examined by Booth, she at last cried," To be sure, sir, he must have had pistols about him." And instead of persisting in his having rushed in upon her, she now confessed, that he had asked at the door for her master and mistress; and that at his desire she had shewn him up stairs, where he at first said he would stay till their return home: "But, indeed," cried she, "I thought no harm; for he looked like a gentlemen-like sort of man. And indeed, so I thought he was for a good while, whereof he sat down, and behaved himself very civilly, till he saw some of master's and miss's things upon the chest of drawers; whereof he cried, "Hey-day! what's here?' and then he fell to tumbling about the things like any mad. Then I thinks, thinks I to myself, to be sure he is a highwayman, whereof I did not dare to speak to him: for I knew Madam Ellison and her maid was gone out, and what could such a poor girl as I do against a great strong man? and besides, thinks I, to be sure he hath got pistols about him, though I cannot indeed, (that I will not for the world,) take my Bible-oath that I saw any; yet to be sure he would have soon pulled them out, and shot me dead, if I had ventured to have said any thing to offend him."

"I know not what to make of this," cried Booth. "The poor girl, I verily believe, speaks

to the best of her knowledge. A thief it could not be; for he hath not taken the least thing; and it is plain he had the girl's watch in his hand. If it had been a bailiff, surely he would have staid till our return. I can conceive no other from the girl's account, than that it must have been some madman."

"O, good sir," said the girl," now you mention it, if he was not a thief, to be sure he must have been a madman; for indeed he looked, and behaved himself too, very much like a madman: for now I remember it, he talked to himself, and said many strange kind of words, that I did not understand. Indeed, he looked altogether as I have seen people in Bedlam; besides, if he was not a madman, what good could it do him to throw the things all about the room in such a manner? and he said something too about my master, just before he went down stairs: I was in such a fright, I cannot remember particularly; but I am sure they were very ill words; he said he would do for him, I am sure he said that, and other wicked bad words too, if I could but think of them."

"Upon my word,” said Booth, "this is the most probable conjecture; but still I am puzzled to conceive who it should be: for I have no madman, to my knowledge, of my acquaintance; and it seems, as the girl says, he asked for me.' He then turned to the child, and asked her if she was certain of that circumstance.

The poor maid, after a little hesitation, answered, "Indeed, sir, I cannot be very positive; for the fright he threw me into afterwards, drove every thing almost out of my mind."

"Well, whatever he was," cries Amelia, "I am glad the consequence is no worse; but let this be a warning to you, little Betty, and teach you to take more care for the future. If ever you should be left alone in the house again, be sure to let no persons in, without first looking out at the window, and seeing who they are. I promised not to chide you any more on this occasion, and I will keep my word; but it is very plain you desired this person to walk up into our apartment, which was very wrong in our absence."

Betty was going to answer-but Amelia would not let her, saying, "Don't attempt to excuse yourself; for I mortally hate a liar, and can forgive any fault sooner than falsehood."

The poor girl then submitted; and now Amelia, with her assistance, began to replace all things in their order; and little Emily hugging her watch with great fondness, declared she would never part with it any more.

Thus ended this odd adventure, not entirely to the satisfaction of Booth: for, besides his curiosity, which, when thoroughly roused, is a very troublesome passion, he had, as is, I believe, usual with all persons in his circumstances, several doubts and apprehensions of he knew not

what. Indeed, fear is never more uneasy, than when it doth not certainly know its object: for on such occasions the mind is ever employed in raising a thousand bugbears and phantoms, much more dreadful than any realities, and, like children, when they tell tales of hobgoblins, seems industrious in terrifying itself.

CHAP. V.

Containing some matters not very unnatural.

MATTERS were scarce sooner reduced into order and decency, than a violent knocking was heard at the door; such indeed as would have persuaded any one not accustomed to the sound, that the madman was returned in the highest spring-tide of his fury.

Instead, however, of so disagreeable an appearance, a very fine lady presently came into the room, no other indeed than Mrs James herself; for she was resolved to shew Amelia, by the speedy return of her visit, how unjust all her accusations had been of any failure in the duties of friendship; she had, moreover, another reason to accelerate this visit, and that was, to congratulate her friend on the event of the duel between Colonel Bath and Mr Booth.

The lady had so well profited by Mrs Booth's remonstrance, that she had now no more of that stiffness and formality which she had worn on a former occasion. On the contrary, she now be haved with the utmost freedom and good-humour, and made herself so very agreeable, that Amelia was highly pleased and delighted with her company.

An incident happened during this visit, that may appear to some too inconsiderable in itself to be recorded; and yet, as it certainly produced a very strong consequence in the mind of Mr Booth, we cannot prevail on ourselves to pass it by.

Little Emily, who was present in the room while Mrs James was there, as she stood near that lady, happened to be playing with her watch, which she was so greatly overjoyed had escaped safe from the madman. Mrs James, who expressed great fondness for the child, desired to see the watch, which she commended as the prettiest of the kind she had ever seen. Amelia caught eager hold of this opportunity to spread the praises of her benefactor. She presently acquainted Mrs James with the donor's name, and ran on with great encomiums on his lordship's goodness, and particularly on his generosity. To which Mrs James answered, "O certainly, madam, his lordship hath universally the character of being extremely generous -where he likes."

In uttering these words, she laid a very strong emphasis on the three last monosyllables,

accompanying them at the same time with a very sagacious look, a very significant leer, and a great flirt with her fan.

The greatest genius the world hath ever produced, observes, in one of his most excellent plays, that

Trifles light as air

Are to the jealous confirmation strong
As proofs of holy writ.

That Mr Booth began to be possessed by this worst of fiends, admits, I think, no longer doubt; for at this speech of Mrs James, he immediately turned pale, and from a high degree of cheerfulness, was all on a sudden struck dumb, so that he spoke not another word till Mrs James left the room.

The moment that lady drove from the door, Mrs Ellison came up stairs. She entered the room with a laugh, and very plentifully rallied both Booth and Amelia concerning the madman, of whom she had received a full account below stairs; and at last asked Amelia, if she could not guess who it was; but, without receiving an answer, went on, saying, "For my own part, I fancy it must be some lover of yours; some person that hath seen you, and so is run mad with love. Indeed, I should not wonder if all mankind were to do the same.-La! Mr Booth, what makes you so grave? why, you are as melancholy as if you had been robbed in earnest. Upon my word, though, to be serious, it is a strange story; and as the girl tells it, I know not what to make of it. Perhaps it might be some rogue that intended to rob the house, and his heart failed him; yet, even that would be very extraordinary. What, did you lose nothing, madam ?"

"Nothing at all," answered Amelia ; "he did not even take the child's watch."

"Well, Captain," cries Mrs Ellison, "I hope you will take more care of the house to-morrow; for your lady and I shall leave you alone to the care of it. Here, madam," said she, "here is a present from my lord to us; here are two tickets for the masquerade at Ranelagh. You will be so charmed with it! it is the sweetest of all diversions."

"May I be damned, madam," cries Booth, "if my wife shall go thither."

Mrs Ellison stared at these words, and, indeed, so did Amelia: for they were spoke with great vehemence. At length the former cried out with an air of astonishment, "Not let your lady go to Ranelagh, sir?"

"

"No, madam," cries Booth, "I will not let my wife go to Ranelagh." "You surprise me," cries Mrs Ellison. "Sure you are not in earnest."

"Indeed, madam," returned he, "I am seriously in earnest. And what is more, I am con

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