degree of fever was the confequence of his accident; but after fome days it abated, and, in little more than a week, he was able to join in the society of Venoni and his daughter. He could not help expreffing fome surprise. at the appearance of refinement in the converfation of the latter, much beyond what her fituation feemed likely to confer. Her father accounted for it. She had received her education in the houfe of a lady, who happened to pass through the valley, and to take shelter in Venoni's cottage, (for his house was but a better fort of cottage), the night of her birth. "When her mother died," faid he, "the 66 Signora, whofe name, at her defire, we had "given the child, took her home to her own "houfe; there fhe was taught many things, "of which there is no need here; yet the is "not fo proud of her learning as to with to "leave her father in his old age; and I hope "foon to have her fettled near me for life." But Sir Edward had now an opportunity of knowing Louifa better than from the defcription of her father. Mufic and painting, in both of which arts fhe was a tolerable proficient, Sir Edward had ftudied with fuccefs. Louifa felt a fort of pleasure from her draw ings, ings, which they had never given her before, when they were praised by Sir Edward; and the family-concerts of Venoni were very different from what they had formerly been, when once his guest was fo far recovered as to be able to join in them. The flute of Venoni excelled all the other mufic of the valley; his daughter's lute was much beyond it; Sir Edward's violin was finer than either. But his converfation with Louifa-it was that of a fuperior order of beings! -fcience, tafte, fentiment! it was long fince Louifa had heard thefe founds; amidst the ignorance of the valley, it was luxury to hear them; from Sir Edward, who was one of the moft engaging figures I ever faw, they were doubly delightful. In his countenance, there was always an expreffion, animated and interesting; his fickness had overcome fomewhat of the first, but greatly added to the power of the latter. - Louifa's was not lefs captivating — and Sir Edward had not feen it fo long without emotion. During his illness, he thought this emotion but gratitude; and, when it first grew warmer, he checked it, from the thought of her fituation, and of the debt he owed her. But But the struggle was too ineffectual to overcome, and, of confequence, increased his paffion. There was but one way in which the pride of Sir Edward allowed of its being gratified. He fometimes thought of this as a bafe and unworthy one; but he was the fool of words which he had often despised, the flave of manners he had often condemned. He at last compromifed matters with himself; he refolved, if he could, to think no more of Louifa; at any rate, to think no more of the ties of gratitude, or the reftraints of virtue. Louifa, who trufted to both, now communicated to Sir Edward an important fecret. It was at the clofe of a piece of mufic which they had been playing in the abfence of her father. She took up her lute, and touched a little wild melancholy air, which she had compofed to the memory of her mother. "That," faid fhe, "nobody ever heard except my fa"ther; I play it fometimes when I am alone, "and in low fpirits. I don't know how I "came to think of it now; yet I have fome "reafon to be fad." Sir Edward preffed to know the caufe; after fome hesitation fhe told it all. Her father had fixed on the fon of a neighbour, rich in poffeffions, but rude VOL. III. E e in in manners, for her husband. Against this match she had always protested as strongly, as a sense of duty, and the mildness of her nature, would allow; but Venoni was obftinately bent on the match, and she was wretched from the thoughts of it. " where one cannot love, man, Sir Edward! "To marry, to marry It fuch a was an opportu nity beyond his power of refiftance. Sir Edward preffed her hand; faid it would be profanation to think of such a marriage; praised her beauty, extolled her virtues; and concluded, by fwearing, that he adored her. She heard him with unfufpecting pleasure, which her blushes could ill conceal. Sir Edward ́improved the favourable moment; talked of the ardency of his paffion, the infignificancy of ceremonies and forms, the inefficacy of legal engagements, the eternal duration of thofe dictated by love; and, in fine, urged her going off with him, to crown both their days with happiness. Louifa ftarted at that propofal. She would have reproached him, but her heart was not made for it; fhe could only weep. They were interrupted by the arrival of her father with his intended fon-in-law. He was juft juft fuch a man as Louifa had reprefented him, coarse, vulgar, and ignorant. But Venoni, though much above their neighbour in every thing but riches, looked on him as poorer men often look on the wealthy, and difcovered none of his imperfections. He took his daughter afide, told her he had brought her future husband, and that he intended they should be married in a week at fartheft. Next morning Louifa was indifpofed, and kept her chamber. Sir Edward was now perfectly recovered. He was engaged to go out with Venoni; but, before his departure, he took up his violin, and touched a few plaintive notes on it. They were heard by Louisa. In the evening fhe wandered forth to indulge her forrows alone. She had reached a fequeftered fpot, where fome poplars form ed a thicket on the banks of a little ftream that watered the valley. A nightingale was perched on one of them, and had already begun its accuftomed fong. Louifa fat down on a withered ftump, leaning her cheek upon her hand. After a little while, the bird was fcared from its perch, and flitted from the thicket. Louifa rofe from the ground, and E e 2 burft |