fian. You must assist me to express my

gratitude."

"I would with all my heart," returned she; "but your ladyship confers benefits so well, you cannot be at a loss how to receive them."

Thaddeus took the chair which a servant set for him, and, with mingled pleasure and admiration, turned his eyes on the lovely woman whom he had rescued. She threw off her cloak and veil, and displayed a figure, and countenance, so full of dignity and interest, that he formed an immediate desire to secure her acquaint

ance.

Her ladyship begged him to lay aside his great-coat, as she must insist upon his supping with her. There was a commanding softness in her manner, and a gentle, yet unappealable decision in her voice, which he could not withstand; and he prepared to obey, although he was aware, that the fashion and richness of the military dress concealed under his coat, would

would give her ideas, which his situation could not answer.

The lady did not notice his hesitation, but, ringing the bell, desired the servant to take the gentleman's hat and coat. Thaddeus instantly saw in the looks of both the ladies what he feared.

"I perceive," said the elder, as she took her seat, "that my deliverer is in the army; yet I do not recollect having seen that uniform before."

he.

"I am not an Englishman," returned

"Not an Englishman!" exclaimed Miss Egerton, "and speak the language so accurately! You cannot be French?” "No, madam; I had the honour of serving under the king of Poland."

"Then, his was a very gallant court I suppose," rejoined Miss Egerton, with a smile; "for I am sorry to say, that there are few about St. James's, who would have ventured to have done what you did by lady Tinemouth."

The

The count returned the young lady's

smile.

"I have seen too little, madam, of Englishmen of rank, to shew any gallantry in defending this part of my sex against so fair an accuser." Indeed he recollected the officers in the park, and the perfidy of Somerset, and thought, that he had no reason to give them more of his respect, than their countrywoman considered fit to bestow.

"Come, come, Maria," cried lady Tinemouth; "though no woman has less cause to speak well of mankind than I have, I will not permit my countrymen to be run down in toto. I dare say this gentleman will agree with me, that it shews neither a candid nor a patriot spirit."

"I dare say he will not

lady Tinemouth.

agree with you, No gentleman yet,

who had his wits about him, ever agreed with an elder lady against a younger. Now, Mr. Gentleman! for it seems that

is

is the name by which we are to address you, what do you say?"

Thaddeus almost laughed at the singular way she had chosen to ask his name; and, allowing some of the gloom, which generally obscured his fine eyes, to disperse, he answered her with a smile, "My name is Constantine."

"Well, you have replied to my last question first; but I will not let you off about my bearish countrymen. Don't you think, Mr. Constantine, that I may call them so, without any breach of good manners to them, or duty to my country? For you see her ladyship hangs much upon patriotism.”

Lady Tinemouth shook her head.

"O Maria, Maria, you are a strange mad-cap."

"I don't care for that; I will have Mr. Constantine's unprejudiced reply. I am sure, if he had taken as long a time in answering your call, as he does mine, the ruffian might have killed and eaten you

too,

too, before he moved to your assistance. Come, sir, may I not say that they are bears?"

66

Certainly. A pretty woman may say any thing."

"Positively, Mr. Constantine, I won't endure contempt! Say such another word, and I will call you as abominable an animal as the worst of them."

"But I am not a proper judge, Miss Egerton. I have never been in company with any of these men; so, to be impartial, I must suspend my opinion."

"And not believe my word ?”

Thaddeus bowed.

"There, lady Tinemouth," cried she, affecting pet, "take your champion to yourself; he is too great a savage for me.".

"Thank you, Maria," returned her ladyship, giving her hand to the count to lead her to the supper-room; "This is the way she quarrels with every man that comes into my house, and then her ill humour