While they were disputing the point, an interesting youth brought to Mirabel a letter from a friend, recommending the bearer as a page to attend him on his travels; he had scarcely read the letter, and told the youth that he would accept his services, when Lamorce, the fair incognita, who had bewildered his imagination, came from the theatre; she was in great distress, her carriage and servants were no where to be found, and Mirabel, enraptured, made her an offer of his. Duretete, who did not much admire this lady, rudely interfered, and offered to procure a hackney coach; but Mirabel again and again urging his services, they were with great delicacy and reluctance accepted, and he led her off in triumph.

Oriana, the mock page, was alarmed at this encounter; and, urged by jealousy, sprung behind the carriage, resolving to know the issue. They drove a considerable distance, and alighted at a very handsome house in the outlets of the town. Mirabel to his unspeakable joy, was invited to supper, at the same time the lady requested he would send his servants away, as an equipage standing at her door late at night might be injurious to her reputation. With this request he most readily complied, only stipulating that his page should remain, as he was a stranger from the country, and, not knowing his way about the town, might probably fall into some danger; the lady agreed to this, and all the rest of his servants were dismissed.

Mirabel was in raptures at his success with the beautiful incognita, she admired a splendid ring upon his finger his gallantry was put to the test, but it was rather too valuable (being worth seven hundred pounds) to be lightly given away. His happiness was of short duration; for Lamorce leaving him, in a few minutes returned with four fellows, whose appearance too plainly bespoke their trade of robbery

and murder. He was struck with horror; but soon recovering his presence of mind, assumed the utmost gaiety, and, by not showing any suspicion or alarm, hoped he might hit upon some lucky expedient to save his life; yet what that expedient could be he was at a loss to judge. They all took their seats at a table, Lamorce at the head, and began to drink wine. One of the bravoes, handing Mirabel a glass, inquired how he liked it, and hoped it pleased his palate.

"Very good, (replied he, tasting and retasting); very good; yes, pretty good but I have some most excellent wine in my cellar; if you will allow me, madam, to send for a few flasks, you will say it far excels this."

The bravoes, desirous of getting all they could, agreed to have the wine, and the page was called up to receive directions. Orianna was horror-struck at the sight of these men, but concealed her terror under the mask of simplicity: they invited her to take wine; and she accepted the invitation, as it gave her a better opportunity of examining the countenances of all present

After she had dránk, Mirabel gave the directions: "Here, boy, take this key, go to my butler and order him to send me half a dozen flasks of the red

Burgundy marked a thousand, and be sure you make haste. I long to entertain my good friends here."

"Where did you get this pretty boy, Sir?" inquired Lamore.

"Out of Picardy, madam; this is his first errand; and if he does it well I'll encourage him." Mirabel, as he spoke, cast a look of meaning upon the boy; who, bowing, said, "The red Burgundy, Sir ?"

"The red Burgundy marked a thousand, and be sure you make haste." As he gave the key he glanced another look of deep meaning, and then turning to his companions, assumed his accustomed gaiety.

Soon afterwards supper was announced; Mirabel handed the lady to the table, and at her request took his seat at her right hand; he eat, drank, laughed, talked, and whiled the time away, yet still the page with the wine did not arrive, and the bravoes began to be impatient. Mirabel assured them it would come ere long, and offered to sing a song: this prolonged the period of delay; but the men began to grow restless; and Lamorce, leaving the table, begged Mirabel to return to the drawing room, and she would soon be with him. He obeyed her, and was immediately followed by the four bravoes, who, throwing off all restraint, declared their mode, of life telling him that had the wine come, they would have trifled a little more time away; but as his stupid booby had most likely lost himself, they should wait no longer, but proceed to business; and each drawing his huge sword, asked him jocosely whose weapon he preferred, as they had all done tolerable execution.

Mirabel was brave; but his single arm, opposed against four sturdy ruffians, scarcely afforded a shadow of hope; yet he resolved to sell his life dearly, and therefore wrested a sword from the hands of one

of them, (for his own sword, with his ring, watch and purse, had been already taken from him), thus holding them at bay for some minutes. But in the very instant that he was in danger of being overpowered, a loud knocking at the street door arrested their attention; "The wine! gentlemen, the wine!" exclaimed Mirabel, "let us drink and be friends." The ruffians sheathed their swords, as the page entered the room. Mirabel's heart died within him, at sight of the boy alone.

La

"Oh!

"The wine, child? where is the wine?" said he faintly. "It is here, Sir;" replied the page, opening the door,-when ten armed soldiers rushed into the room, and presented their muskets, followed by Duretete, Old Mirabel, Dugard, and Bisarre. morce, alarmed by the loud knocking, came to inquire the cause, and was immediately seized by Duretete: "Ha! ha!" said he triumphantly, "I'll take care of you, madam. Good Lord! what a blessing to think that I shall be revenged on one woman at least before I die." They were committed to the custody of the soldiers, while Mirabel fell on the neck of his preserver, and burst into tears. my charming boy, how shall I repay your kindness? how evince my gratitude? name what reward you will, I pledge myself to perform what you require." The page took off his cap, the blushing cheeks and flowing auburn locks declared the truth; it was Oriana, the faithful Oriana! He caught her to his heart, expressed his gratitude, and entreated her, if she could forgive all his previous follies, to accept his hand, and permit him by a life of devotion to prove the sincerity of his vows. In a few days after this happy period they were united; Mirabel, fully awakened to a sense of his former weakness and impropriety of conduct, called all the better qualities of his disposition into full display; and the flimsy

rakish, whimsical, inconstant lover, proved a faithful, affectionate, and tender husband.

He loved, nor longer blush'd to own that love;
Nor felt ashamed to bow before the shrine
Of female excellence; surpassing all
The vapourish joys of inconsistency.
Domestic virtue was his idol now;

The name of faithful wife increased his pride;
And all his future life was harmony,

With lightness or frivolity unmixed!