with

One fine day Mrs. Danvers having ordered the carriage, in company Matilda, drove to Kenfington; the gardens were crouded; Matilda obferved that the gentlemen ftared at her with the rudeft familiarity. Hurt at being the object of fuch public fcrutiny, fhe clung to the arm of Mrs. Danvers, and turning down a different walk, was met by two ladies with whom fhe had formed a flight acquaintance at Mrs. Montague's; she eurtfied-a crimson flush overfpread the cheek of each as they turned indignantly from her, without deigning to notice her falute; this was obferved by Mrs. Danvers, who confented to Matilda's earneft entreaty to depart: they had just reached the carriage, when a footman coming up to Matilda, told her that his lady requested that she would never again attempt

G

attempt to notice her, as otherwife she would adopt a difagreeable alternative. Matilda's aftonishment at fuch a message was exceffive; fhe mentioned it to Mrs. Danvers, who laughed at her thinking ferioufly of fuch an inftance of littleminded vanity, and, affigning a plausible reason to quiet her fufpicions, told her to dispel her present groundless ennui, and fhe would take her to an exhibition of pictures. The innocent heart of Matilda overflowed with gratitude to her benefactress at this inftance of delicate attention.

A few evenings after Mrs. Danvers propofed accompanying Matilda to the theatre; the play was Shakefpear's tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Matilda was delighted with Holman's inimitable

performance

performance of Romeo; the full-toned melody of his voice, aided by a face of manly beauty, and on which nature had indelibly ftamped the gentleman, all confpired to give uncommon interest and pathos to the character.

At the

end of the fecond act her attention was called from the ftage by Mrs. Danvers remarking to her a lovely young fellow who fat in an oppofite box; an involuntary exclamation burft from Matilda at discovering it to be Lenox; he was engaged in converfation with a young lady, richly dreffed-it was Lady Frances Delvin. "Do you know him?" faid Mrs. Danvers. "I have seen him at "Mrs. Montague's," faid Matilda, with difficulty endeavouring to fpeak; juft then her eye caught that of IIen y as he was handing an orange to Lady Frances. There

& 2

There was a contemptuous pity in his look as he gazed on her, and averting his face he refumed, with apparent gaiety, his attention to his fair companion; this was too much for Matilda-fhe complained of a head-ache, tottered towards the box door, and fainted: on being brought to the air fhe recovered, and when feated in the carriage a flood of tears gave relief to the anguifh that fwelled her heart.

CHAP. XI.

LENOX's first care, on his arrival at Lisbon, was to write to Matilda. This letter arrived a fortnight after she had quitted Mrs. Montague's, to whose house it was directed, and was delivered to Mifs Montague previous to their departure from London. Convinced, from the poft mark, that Matilda's corref pondent was no other than Lenox, fhe immediately carried the packet to her own room, where, breaking open the