ed, picqued. He attempted in vain, by entreaty, and by raillery, to make her change her purpose; not the grouse which he had ordered his own servant to superintend the dressing of, nor the char that was to be cooked with all the intelligence of those best used to its excellencies, could make her alter her design; she bade the insiduous tempter good night, nor was she aware how deeply her perseverance had wounded his pride and disappointed his hope, until she saw, as she withdrew, his features reflected in a glass, where his looks, "alien from Heaven," shewed plainly that it was not merely a few hours of social or friendly conversation that he sought for in detaining her.

How fast I grow in experience! thought Isabella, and how careful ought those to be in guarding them

selves, who have no other to guard them!

Sir Charles made also his reflections on this little incident. He would willingly have believed that Isabella's prudence arose from a consciousness of weakness; but his was not a heart to be moved to softness, by virtue, even when arrayed in so much loveliness.He was not accustomed to be foiled; and to be so by a child, who had nothing but good sense and honesty to defend her, moved his spirit more to revenge than it excited his admiration or his love.

"If I cannot make her love me," said he, "I shall hate her! and she may find my hate even more baneful than my love."

Isabella, satisfied with herself, and not even resentful to Sir Charles, whose offence, in the world to which she was accustomed, was but of too common

occurrence, was soon sunk in the blissful repose so justly the due of innocence: but Sir Charles lay tossing even on a bed of down, and stung too sharply by the malignancy of his own thoughts to find repose in any posture. Reasoning more from a consciousness of his own designs, than from any probability that they had been penetrated by Isabella, he concluded therefore that she would no more return into his company; and when he sent a respectful message, expressive of a hope that they might breakfast together before each proceeded on their separate way, he looked for nothing but a flat refusal, or an equivocating excuse.

But Isabella had been only prudent, not angry; and felt no reason in her own mind why the half-hour that was to be passed at the breakfast table should not be passed with Sir Charles. His imagination had magnified a sim

ple act of defensive propriety into a premeditated offence. She gave, therefore, a ready assent to his invitation ; and by so doing suggested a doubt in his double mind, whether her withdrawal the night before was fear of herself or anger against him, or, what was worse than either, perfect indiffe

rence.

The latter appeared most likely to be the case, from the ease and serenity with which she rejoined him. All was open and careless. The fineness of the morning, the beauties of the surrounding country, found them topics of conversation until Isabella was informed that her carriage was ready, and the nurse stood waiting for her lady's orders, with the infant in her

arms.

Sir Charles lost not this opportunity of leaving, if possible, the two impressions on Isabella's mind which he most earnestly wished to fix there.

He hung, with well dissembled rapture, over the baby, declared him the loveliest little creature he had ever seen; examined his tiny hands, and peeped under his eye-lids to see if the mother's eye would look out from thence. What a fond father would Sir Charles make-was the inference intended to be given.

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"Had I such a boy," exclaimed he, "I would not, for a day of kings' entreaties, sell him one hour from my embracing;" and can Willoughbyoh! I will scold him roundly for such insouciance!

How negligent a father is Mr. Willoughby-was the consequence which he here wished to have drawn.

Isabella, soon "moved with the touch of blame" imputed to her husband, drew the wrapper gently over the child's face, and, without one reference to the pleasure of their having