It is not for me, my lord, who have met with many amazing turns and incidents which I have not either invited or provoked, to be surprised at any-thing: but if your lordship has any expectations, any demands to make on this subject, it must be from the family of the Marchese della Porretta, and not from me.

Do you think, Sir, that I feel not the sting of this reference? And yet all the family, but one, are in my interest in their hearts; every consideration is on my side; not one, but the plausibility of your generosity, and the speciousness of your person and manners, on yours.

A man, my lord, should not be reproached for qualities, upon which, whether he has them or not, he values not himself. But, let me ask you, Were my pretensions out of the question, has your lord-ship any hope of an interest in the affections of Lady Clementina?

While she is unmarried, I may hope. Had you not come over to os, I make no doubt but I might, in time, have called her mine. You cannot but know, that her absence of mind was no obstacle with me.

I am wholly satisfied in my own conduct, replied I: that, my lord, is a great point with ine: I am not accountable for it to any man on earth. Yet, if you have any doubts about it, propose them. I have a high opinion of the Count of Belvedere, and wish to have him think well of me.

Tell me, chevalier, what your present situation is with Lady Clementina? What is concluded upon between the family and you? And whether Clemen-tina herself has declared for you?

She has not yet declared herself to me. I repeat, that I have a value for the Count of Belvedere, and will therefore acquaint him with more than he has reason to expect from the humour which seems to have governed him in this visit. I am to attend her this afternoon, hy appointment: her family and I understand one another. I have been willing to consider the natural impulses of a spirit so pure, though disturbed, as the finger of Providence. I have hi-therto been absolutely passive: in honour I cannot now be so. This afternoon, my lord

‘ This afternoon,’ trembling; What! this after-noon!

Will my destiny as to Lady Clementina, be deter-mined.

I am distracted. If her friends are determined in your favour, it is from necessity, rather than choice: but if the lady is left, to her oven determination, I am a lost man.

You have given a reason, my lord, for your ac* quiescence, should Lady Clementina determine in my favour But it cannot be a happy circumstance for me if, as you hint, I am to enter into the family of Porretta as an unwelcome relation to any of them; and still less, if my good fortune should make a man, justly valued by all who know him, unhappy.