though, to be sure, a wise man should always hold it in mind, that delays are dangerous; and as my very good friend and neighbour, Mr. Deputy Groggram said at the club last night, it is highly proper that we, who are to furnish the supplies, should strictly investigate

Lord Clarisford, who had watched the countenance of his lady, saw that her patience was exhausted, and that the suppressed thunder of her indignation would, in another instant, be hurled at the of fending cit, who was, with so much self-approbation, displaying his oratorical powers to the annoyance of her dignity; to ward off the storm he cut short his speech, and, with a good-humoured smile, asked Bridgemore if he had no French merchandize, no lace or silk, to shew the countess ?

"Nothing of the sort, my lord," replied Bridgemore" came from home in such a hurry, I protest I never once thought about patterns."

"Pray,

"Pray, sir," asked lady Clarisford, "if you have neither brought silk nor lace, what are your commands?"

"Commands, my lady!" returned Bridgemore, feeling a little awkward at the stately manner of the countess; " I have no commands nor business neither of my own-I walked all the way from Lombard-street to Cavendish-square, purely to oblige this here young lady."

"And why could not you tell me so before," said the countess," without compelling me to listen to your speeches about taxes, investigation, and deputy Groggram. Come forward, young woman -you have smuggled lace, have you? Well, you need not tremble so—you are perfectly safe, I promise you-why don't you let me see it?-here are no customhouse officers present-you need not be affraid to produce it."

The young lady was greatly agitated, and clung to the arm of Bridgemore for support, who, advancing nearer to the

countess,

countess, said—" Your ladyship is under a little bit of a mistake-this here young lady is not a smuggler of lace-she comes on a different sort of business-she comes to claim a home with you-this is your ladyship's sister, Miss Fitzallan."

Lady Clarisford started from her seat, as the lovely weeping girl endeavoured to throw herself into her arms, with difficulty articulating-" Georgina, my dear, dear sister! receive to your protection the orphan Rosella!"

Lady Clarisford haughtily and coldly repulsed her." Really," said she," this is most astonishing effrontery!-the melancholy fate of the Andromeda frigate is authenticated-it is too certain that general Fitzallan and his daughter perished; and now, after the dreadful intelligence being so long confirmed, do you expect to impose upon my credulity?-you must suppose me an idiot-a driveller: whospeak, girl-who has set you upon this artful scheme?"

:

"Gracious Heaven!" exclaimed the weeping Rosella, "is this my reception? -is this the sister in whose affection I hoped to be consoled for the loss of my dear, dear father?"

66

Impostor!" returned lady Clarisford, with the voice and look of a fury; "impostor! presume not to call yourself my sister! I must be mad, did I believe so improbable a circumstance, as that you alone should escape the tempest, in which so many lives were lost-how did you avoid the fate of your companions? by what miracle, pray, were you preserved? did some powerful enchanter snatch you from the waves, or did you swim to shore on the back of a dolphin? You are very young, child, but you appear to be quite perfect in your lesson; the trick though is too palpable to succeed, and I am astonished, Mr. Bridgemore, that you, who have so many obligations to my family, should countenance and assist such an abominable plot, and bring forward this impostor."

"Oh,

"Oh, Heaven protect me! I am no impostor!-My father-my sainted father, would I had perished with you!" murmured Rosella, as she sunk, pale and fainting, at the feet of lady Clarisford.

Lord Clarisford tenderly raised and reclined her on an ottoman, at the same moment accusing his wife of barbarity, and avowing his belief that the suffering stranger was really the daughter of general Fitzallan.

Extremely well performed indeed!" said the countess, scornfully observing the attention paid by the earl to the insensible Rosella; "positively the girl faints as well as Miss O'Niel! But, as I am not disposed to witness any more of her fine acting, I desire, Mr. Bridgemore, that you will immediately remove this artful creature from my house. I am not so easily duped as lord Clarisford is, and I promise you, sir, till you can bring undeniable proof that the girl is Rosella Fitzallan, I shall not consider myself bound to resign to her the smallest