to relate. I can write no more; my head is confused, and my heart is faint. Why, why did my evil destiny throw me into the power of this wretch?

I felt so overpowered during the whole evening by the interview of the morning, and the anticipation of that of the night, that my aunt, who seldom shews much interest about me, asked, with unusual kindness, whether I was unwell, and suggested different remedies for my alleged complaints. Touched by her kindness, I was almost on the point of throwing myself at her feet, and confessing the fatal error of my youth, and its consequences, when the newspapers were brought in. On what trifles does the happiness or misery of life sometimes hang! Half an hour later, and I could have had courage to reveal to her the fearful position in which I am placed. I would have implored her to send me away

hated wretch; and she seemed so much more kindly disposed towards me, that she might have taken pity on my despair: but she had no sooner glanced over the papers, than her whole countenance changed, from its recent expression of kindness, to one of scrutinising curiosity and stern severity.

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"Now is the cause of your return explained," said she; as, also, why you appear so pale and agitated. Why did you not tell me that Lady Annandale was driven with ignominy from her husband's home? Yes, I see the cause; the very day you left London! You must have been privy to this disgraceful catastrophe! Who knows how far your evil influence and counsel may have led to it? for she was pure and guileless as an angel when she left her father's roof. Caroline, if you have had aught to do in this affair, may God forgive you, but I never

will. You, who are so many years her senior, who have had such a knowledge of society and its dangers-why was it that you did not prevent this catastrophe? Yes, it will break the heart of her excellent parents to have dishonour stamped on their child!" and here my aunt burst into tears. “And, now 1 remember," she resumed, looking at me with sternness, "how came it, that you yesterday received a letter franked by Lord Annandale? Are you so unfeeling, so faithless a friend, as to maintain a correspondence with the husband who drives Augusta from his house? for it is plain the letter could not be from her. Caroline, I have sometimes accused myself of judging you too harshly. Your irreligion, your levity, and want of womanly reserve, gave me a very bad opinion of you; but I never thought you capable of deserting your friend the moment that she most required the consolation

of your presence, or of keeping up a correspondence with the husband who has denounced her."

I attempted to explain, that, as she went to her father's, I thought it best to come home.

"Then you judged her guilty of the crime with which she is charged?"

I tried to answer an assent; but I could not utter the falsehood.

"How was it possible for her to be culpable even in appearance (for that she is so in reality no person shall ever make me believe)," pursued my aunt, "without your having perceived some impropriety of manner? And when you had perceived, why not have remonstrated and advised? If neither advice nor remonstrance availed, why not have left her house ere she herself was expelled from it? All this mystery

must be explained, Caroline;

VOL. III.

and I warn you,

F

that, unless the explanation proves more satisfactory than I anticipate it will, you will find me a severe judge, and an implacable guardian. I loved Augusta Vernon from her birth, and would have preferred hearing that she was dead to having her name thus dishonoured."

So saying, my aunt rose from her chair and retired to her own room, leaving me overwhelmed with confusion and dread. I withdrew to my chamber, where I am now writing in a state of trepidation I have never before experienced. The great clock in the hall has tolled twelve. It seemed, to my excited feelings, to have a funeral sound; and I almost wished it was my knell, as even death would have been a relief in my present horrible position. The money I possess, not above twenty pounds, is wholly inadequate to procure even a temporary forbearance from my evil genius. The sale of all the trinkets I have would not