THE

GOOD AUNT;

OR,

A SUMMER IN THE COUNTRY.

CHAP. I.

MR. ROSEVILLE was a gentleman of large fortune; he had been absent from England for a considerable time, being engaged in the West Indies on commercial affairs. Mrs. Roseville was one of those women who, deeply immersed in dissipation, forgot every thing but the fashions of the day. Her heart, however it might be led away by trifles, was not totally devoid of feeling. She would often sigh at the recollection of the time she had spent in the vain pursuits of folly; yet she still continued in the same giddy round. Though past the prime of life, her person was

B

lovely, as her manners were fascinating. Lively to a degree, her friends never considered their parties complete, unless the agreeable Mrs. Roseville made one. Thus caressed and almost idolized, can it be supposed that she had either time or inclination to attend to the education of her daughters, two lovely girls, the one nine, the other twelve years of age. She wished them to make every improvement; yet she well knew, though they had every master, this was not to be attained without the assistance of some kind friend who was interested in their welfare. In this perplexity Mrs. Roseville determined to apply to her sister, a widow lady, who never quit ted her seat in Devonshire, but gave herself up entirely to the education of an only daughter. With her, her children would be taught every thing she wished them to learn; and she knew too well the amiable disposition of her sister to fear a refusal. The next day she accordingly wrote; and in the course of the week had the satisfaction of receiving a most favourable answer. Preparations were immediately made for the departure of the

young people; who, delighted with the thoughts of their journey, after having taken an affectionate farewell of their mother, hastened into the chaise, which soon conveyed them far from the bustle of the metropolis. Emma Roseville, the eldest of the two young ladies, was a fine girl, whose only fault was an excessive indolence, which prevented her making that improvement which appeared so plainly in the lively Caroline, who always obtained the praises of her different masters for the deep attention with which she listened to every thing they explained to her; while her inactive sister never appeared the least interested in what was passing. They remained silent some time after they were seated in the chaise. It was at length broken, by Emma's enquiring of the servant, who accompanied them, "how long they should be on the road?" Oh! a long, long while, I hope, cried Caroline, for nothing in the world can be so delightful as travelling. Do, dear Emma, look out, and see how charming every thing appears, after having seen nothing but houses; these green fields and

trees are indeed beautiful. But tell me, Ann, how long will it be before we reach the end of our journey? The servant replied, she did not know; but supposed it would be some days, as they were to travel by easy stages. Ah! that is just right, continued the delighted girl, I am certain I shall not be tired. I wonder what my aunt will say to us when we get there? I long to see her and her daughter Augusta too; do not you, Emma?

Emma. Oh! yes; but I am almost afraid, mama says they are so very clever!

Caroline. Oh! I shall not mind that at all; for, then, you know they will make us clever

too.

Emma. You, perhaps, but

Caroline. But what, dear Emma? There now, I declare you are quite dull all of a sudden; and the affectionate girl seeing the tears start into the eyes of her sister, threw her arms round her neck, and endeavoured by her caresses to dispel the gloom she had unintentionally occasioned.

For the first time in her life Emma Rose