ever effect that in my heart, which choice could not decide. EDMUND endeavoured to explain away the ill appearance of his defign, by wishing her to think, it was only in confequence of the good intentions which she had teftified towardshim; and MARIANNE retiring, left. him in full poffeffion of those feelings, which arife from the mifcarriage and detection of a dishonourable action. As my young friend had been trained up by her deceased mother, to look on me with the most affectionate regard, fhe had accustomed herself, on every occafion, to open her. heart to me without referve.-I perceived how much it was diftreffed by her brother's conduct; and having, immediately immediately on her father's death, invited her to the protection of my roof, I now faw many reafons to infift on her accepting it without delay; -which fhe accordingly foon did,— preferving at the fame time, all thofe appearances, which we both of us wifhed fhould ftill be maintained. -I will not dwell longer on a character which can only afford pain to a man of your turn of mind; let me only add, that EDMUND had free access to my house whenever he pleased, and continued to be received, if not with confidence, yet always with attention;till an event arofe, which of neceffity precluded him from any future intercourfe with us. -MARIANNE's father had teftified a particular regard to a young man of good family, of the name of STER LING, with fome of whofe relations,. he had been much connected; he had alfo fufficient intereft to introduce him fo fortunately into the fervice of the EAST INDIA Company, that by his abilities and good conduct, he was appointed to the command of a fhip, at a much earlier period than young men in general attain fuch promotion; and had, by the time her father died, made one voyage as captain, with great credit and advantage to himfelf, and was on his return from his fecond. The grateful fenfe he ever retained of her father's fervices, made Captain STERLING, when at home, a frequent vifitor at the houfe; and it was about feven months before he returned from his fecond voyage, that he lost his friend and benefactor.-As his fa mily mily and mine, had alfo enjoyed a long intimacy, he was accustomed to call on me often; but I found his vifits now were more than ufually repeated; and foon perceived there was a perfon under my roof, that attracted him more ftrongly than myself; - I thought alfo, that the attachment was apparently reciprocal on the part of my young friend,-and I faw it with infinite pleasure-as I fincerely wished an union, which on both fides bid fo fair for happiness. Captain STERLING was about nine years older than MARIANNE; his figure was pleafing and manly, - he poffeffed great delicacy of fentiment, - and was one who governed his life by the principles of the nicest honour; -he was as much enamoured of her mind, as of her person, and his love was was poffibly heightened by the idea of her being the daughter of a friend, whofe kind offices he ever recollected with the warmest gratitude. Her affection was founded on a bafis equally firm:-She had known him long; - she respected the amiableness of his character,-admired his cheerful, open temper, and regarded him as a protector and companion, with. whom she could, hand in hand, securely tread the paths of future life.—It was a contract, uncontaminated on: either fide by intereft;-and as their wills depended on themselves, they had nothing but their own hearts to confult. There was only one obftacle, which prevented the immediate completion of their wishes:-The reputation that Captain STERLING had ac quired |