CHAP. XI.

"Riches are vain, vain learning, honour, power, Vain all the pleasures found beneath the sun; Unstable, transient, as the fleeting hour,

Which scarce begins, ere the swift sands be run."

"I am the daughter of the Baron A, in Ireland, and was educated at the best seminary my father could select; I was indulged in every luxury that could be procured for me, and to my present grief was never suffered to. be contradicted.

When I had finished my education, and quitted the abodes of innocence and happiness in which I received it, I resided entirely at home.

By excess of indulgence I soon grew discontented and peevish; thoroughly dissatisfied with the recluse life which I friends then led.

conceived my

By way of affording me a little recreation, my father suffered me to visit the family of Lord Connelly, whose daughters had long been importuning me to spend a few weeks with them.

I accordingly went and met with a most cordial reception from my old school-fellows; the unceasing round of

gaiety and amusements into which we entered, highly delighted me, and I confess, I almost envied the situation of my young friends.

We were making great preparations to attend a splendid masquerade which was about to take place in the neighbourhood; and if I had had resolution to withstand the entreaties and persuasions of the ladies to accompany them, I might perhaps at this moment have been happy in my father's mansion." Here Mrs. Auben was interrupted by her tears, she however in a few minutes recovered herself and proceeded: "the Honourable Miss Connellys intended going in character, Maria as Diana, and Charlotte, whose face and figure were

extremely beautiful, as one of the

graces; I wished to go in a domino, but they insisted on my personating a ballad singer having naturally a pretty good voice; we accordingly went in a very large party. I was highly pleased with the brilliancy of the dresses and the decoration of the rooms; in gazing about me I unfortunately missed my friends, who forgetting that I was not accustomed to be in public had imprudently left me; I immediately began singing a favorite air hoping that they might perhaps be attracted to the place were I was standing.

I was soon intimidated by the number of persons who assembled round me; amongst the crowd I observed an

Adonis, who with his bright black eyes fixed on me seemed wrapt in meditation, and totally regardless of the gaiety, that surrounded him.

He soon made his way up to me and politely offered to assist me in finding my party; I gladly accepted his attention, and was greatly relieved from my embarassment by having a companion through the rooms.

I at length perceived Lord Connelly and hastened towards him, thanking the stranger for his politeness, but I observed that he followed me and in the course of the evening entered into conversation with the gentlemen who were with

ús.