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'Perhaps you are not aware, sir, that Miss Clifford is left without a sixpence. Poor child, after having been so petted, and dressed out, and made—” "Such a fool of--you may as well say it at once, Sophy."

"Yes, aunt; she certainly was made a fool of, and terribly spoilt besides. Well, sir, as I was saying, she is now to be turned adrift in the world, to shift for herself. Of course, young Mr. Fullerton cannot do any thing for her, for he is a minor, and, besides, I understand he is not over-rich himself. The house at Godsholme is to be sold, I believe, or, at any rate, let; and he is going to live with his guardian, Mr. Sykes, at Addlethorpe, in Lincolnshire."

"No, Sophy; Silvertop, in Northamptonshire."

"Well, well, Addlethorpe, or Silvertop, or some such place--one can't be particular about names."

No, thought I, nor about facts either, apparently. So I said, "Miss Burr, are you quite sure of this ?"

"Positive, sir; I have it on the very best authority. Miss Howe told me, and she had it from Mrs. Ware, who heard it from Mr. Watt, and he must know, for he is in Messrs. Badger and Bateman's office, and Mr. Bateman was Mrs. Fullerton's solicitor."

In common with their other acquaintance, I made it a rule never to believe above half of what either Miss Prowle or Miss Burr told me; and in the pre

sent instance a minute report which had come through so many hands might easily have caught up considerable inaccuracies by the way, without any intentional misrepresentation on the part of the narrators. Still I felt that there must be a foundation of truth; and it grieved me to think of Mildred Clifford's destitute condition. So I was about to make some further inquiries; but this did not suit Miss Prowle's purpose. Having said enough to make me uncomfortable, she had neither any wish to be cross-examined, nor to impart to me any further information. lest her companion should have been more communicative, she sent her out of the room on some trivial errand, and enjoyed the triumph of her own superior knowledge. However, I was not to be driven from the field without one more effort: "Do you know," I asked, "what is to become of poor Miss Clifford ?"

And

"No, indeed, sir, I have not troubled myself to inquire; for I cannot say that I feel any peculiar interest about her. She seems strong enough and stout enough to make her way in the world; and if she has to rough it a little, her betters have done so before her."

"You speak, Miss Prowle, as if she had arrived at a time of life in which she would be competent to judge and act for herself. She cannot be more than twelve or thirteen, I should think; and a child of that age can hardly be expected to make her way in the

world.'"

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'Sir, I really know nothing about Miss Clifford,

or her age, or her expectations; I only know she is as forward, pert, ill-mannered a young lady as ever it was my misfortune to meet with."

"Indeed?" I exclaimed;

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I am surprised to hear it. But why should you say so?"

"Oh, she gives herself as many airs as if she were a duchess. It is not a month ago since I saw her pass that window, and invited her into the house; and, will you believe it? she actually told me she couldn't do so without Mrs. Fullerton's leave. I wonder whether she thought I should poison her! Well, sir, having a question or two to put to her, in spite of her rudeness, I went out into the street, and only just inquired whether she had heard Mrs. Fullerton say why Major Crabley set off for London in such a hurry? Upon which she stared me full in the face, and exclaimed, O dear no, maʼam; Mrs. Fullerton told me (when I asked her what you bade me before) to remember that we have nothing to do with other people's affairs; and that no gossip can be a good neighbour or a good Christian. So I never ask about such things.' Pretty well that, wasn't it, sir? a little pert chit!"

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Indeed," said I, I can only love the poor child's honesty and truth, and her simple manner of doing what she had been bidden, and of keeping in mind the principles she had been taught. Had she been a few years older, she would probably not have expressed herself in such plain terms. But really I can see nothing offensive in what she said; and, ex

cuse me, Miss Prowle, but I must make the remark -why should it offend you, unless you had a monitor within which told you that you are yourself not altogether blameless on this score? I do not wish to revert to past conversations on this subject, for I see it annoys you; but, believe me, you would be a far happier person while you live, and will lie down at last to die with far more peace of mind, if you would bring yourself to judge less harshly of others, and more severely of yourself."

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Sir, you will permit me to judge for myself what is best for my own happiness. When I need your advice, I will ask for it," exclaimed Miss Prowle, with a face pale with anger, and in a tone which shewed me that any attempt to prolong the discussion would be hopeless. So, after a few words of conciliation and kindness, I took my leave.

As I left the house, I could not but feel that I had not only failed in being of any service to Miss Prowle herself, but had increased her dislike to Mildred Clifford. I had certainly spoken too bluntly. However, what was done could not be undone; and, with the thought of these rumoured changes at Godsholme, and of the sorrows of its bereaved inhabitants foremost in my mind, I determined to avail myself of the privileges of an old friend, and therefore shaped my course at once towards that venerable mansion.

The Mynchery.

How for God's altar may that arm be bold
Where cleaves the rust of sacrilege of old?
Oh, would my country once believe,
But once her contrite bosom heave,
And but in wish or vow restore

But one fair shrine despoil'd of yore!
How would the windows of th' approving sky
Shower down the dews on high!

Arm'd Levites then, within the temple-dome, Might we the foe await, nor yet profane God's home.

Lyra Apostolica.

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