any one whose reputation is tainted; and I, also, am fully aware of the necessity of preserving appearances, and not violating les convenances on which the preservation of society so wholly depends.

"I have had a conclave of ladies with me this morning to consult on this terrible affair. Lady Castlemartin declares, that if we do not shew a proper severity towards Lady Annandale, husbands will begin to suspect that their wives are lenient from a sympathy with the delinquent. A-propos de Lady Castlemartin, she is just now greatly annoyed; for her friend, Lord Eaglesfort, has thrown off her chains, and is about to put on those of Hymen. She is très en colère with him; but, I think, not indisposed to transfer her affections to the Marquess of Nottingham, should he be disposed to console her.

"But, to return to our conclave. Lady F.

says, that if we wish to preserve our own liberty, we must shew no mercy to those who manage so ill as to be detected; thereby, more or less, compromising all their clique: and Lady H. advises, that we at once renounce, not only Lady Annandale, but any woman who countenances her. You will thus, chère Caroline, see the necessity of at once leaving Annandale House; and I will take care to have it well understood, that you declined seeing its mistress from the moment you heard of her guilt.

"I have written to ask poor dear Lord Annandale to dine with us en petit comité. I do so pity him! such a good and kind husband as he was, and so anxious to make his house agreeable; always filling it with the most fashionable people in London. How happy that silly woman might have been, had she only had proper tact! I lose all patience in thinking of her folly.

"Adieu

au revoir! votre amie.”

What think you of notre frau gräfinn's prudery? Is it not amusing? I have detailed all this to you, to postpone relating the painful scene to which I referred at the commencement of my letter, as children put off their tasks until the last moment. Eh bien, donc, ma chère, in defiance of Lord Annandale's and the comtesse's counsel, not to communicate with Augusta, I went to her dressing-room. I had not seen her last evening, as she sent to say she was too unwell to receive a visit from any one; so I passed the evening listening to the vows of her caro sposo, who expresses the utmost impatience to be freed from his present matrimonial fetters, that he may be enabled to put on others, as he says, more to his taste. I found poor Augusta as pale, and nearly as lifeless, as a statue, with an expression of anguish and despair in her countenance, that

might have melted a more stubborn heart than mine. How truly did I wish at that moment that I could accomplish my own schemes without occasioning her a moment's pain! Mais, hélas! that is impossible. I am a strange creature ready to plot, but not capable of beholding the sufferings I inflict without a regret I have not firmness to resist evil, nor hardness enough not to repent yielding to its dictates. I tried to comfort her; but she shook her head, and said,—

"You surely do not know the crime with which I am charged, Caroline, or you could not attempt to console me."

I told her, as gently as I could, that I was fully aware of it; and I saw her shudder as I made the avowal.

"You do not, then, believe me guilty?"

asked she. 66

No, you do not, you cannot

think so ill of me!"

I could not resist expressing my conviction of her perfect innocence (who so well knows it as I do?); and, as she passionately pressed my hand, she burst into a paroxysm of tears, which seemed to relieve her. This little act of confidence and endearment produced such a revulsion in my feelings as to make me wish to throw myself at her feet, and confess the deep injury I had inflicted on her. Tears came to my eyes, and this emotion increased her confidence towards me.

"Lord Annandale," she continued, "has written to say that he can establish my guilt by proofs that admit of no doubt. What they are I know not; I only know - and the God who hears me can be witness of my solemn averment ! that a thought of guilt has never

entered my mind.”

it.)

(And well do I believe

"But, dear Augusta, if, by producing