happy neither Miss Richland nor his son Leontine seemed disposed to enter into the holy bands of wedlock; and he entreated his good friend, Mr. Honeywood, to intercede with Miss Richland, in favour of his son, as he was known to possess great influence over her. What a request, to ask him to plead with the woman he loved, for her consent to marry another man! Honeywood thought it a hard task, but he could not say no; he must fulfil his promise; it was philosophy; it was universal benevolence; and he must submit. Circumstances, however, intervened, to postpone this painful task, till some discoveries rendered it unnecessary.

Meantime his own affairs were most dreadfully perplexing. He was arrested for the money, for which he had become security. Not prepared for such an event, what was to be done, he could hardly tell; in three days he could raise the money; but in the interim should he go to a prison or sponging house, the affair would become known, and his credit be ruined. In this perplexity he gave a sum of money to induce the bailiff and his follower, to remain in his house for the time required; and dressed

up in his clothes, they were to pass as his friends. To add to his torment, at this very critical period,

even before he had a moment for reflection as to the manner in which he should conduct himself, Miss Richland was announced. Her pretended errand was to thank him for the trouble he had taken in the purchase of some books for her library; but her ostensible motive was curiosity. She had heard of his embarrassment, and wished to relieve him if possible; but it was necessary first to ascertain the positive truth of his immediate distress, a report, which had been industriously brought to her ear by Mr. Lofty, one of Honeywood's pretended friends; who had a motive in wishing him to be degraded in her opinion.

This interview between Mr. Honeywood, Miss Richland, and the two bailiffs, was a strange one: they were introduced as officers, and his most particular friends. The two fellows, suddenly metamorphosed into gentlemen, (at least in their own opinion,) strutted about in their fine clothes; and when seated, lolled in their chairs, joined in, or rather interrupted the conversation, by low and vulgar remarks, all tending to the subject of law, for on no other could they speak. The singularity of their manners surprised Miss Richland. Mr. Flanigan, the bailiff's follower, interrupted one of her remarks, with, "Lord lovee, that's all my eye, ma'am ;" and to some phrase of Honeywood's, he winked and nodded his head, saying, "True, Sir, but if so be as how a gentleman is nabbed you know." Poor Honeywood was ready to sink with confusion; his dis tress was great, yet there was something in it so truly ludicrous, that Miss Richland, sorry as she was for his uneasiness, could scarcely help laughing.

The Heiress, fearful there was some truth in Mr. Lofty's account, had appointed an agent to make im mediate inquiries as to the nature of Honeywood's present embarrassment, and pay whatever sum was requisite; at the same time directing him to keep

her name a profound secret. Sir William was hurt at this circumstance, as it prevented any chance of reformation, which he had hoped this temporary embarrassment might have given rise to; yet, that Miss Richland, a young woman so truly estimable, should feel such an interest in his nephew's fate, was no small testimony in his favour.

He obtained an interview with her, as the man at whose suit Honeywood had been arrested she treated him with reserve; he professed much respect for her, and wished to prevent her being the dupe of her own active benevolence; but she was peremptory; said her directions were already given, and should not be altered; and, Sir William, charmed with her generosity, discovered himself. She felt much confused; but his kind manners and warm expressions of admiration, soon reconciled her to herself.

Miss Richland was the heiress of a considerable fortune; besides which, she possessed claims on government to a great amount,-claims, which, though not positively admitted, had not been denied; but it required ministerial influence to bring her case forward; which influence she in imagination possessed through Mr. Lofty, a particular friend of Mr. Honeywood's, who had been by him introduced to the family of the Croakers; where he was received, and looked up to as a sort of superior being. Mrs. Croaker, who loved every thing bordering upon parade and grandeur, was honoured to excess by the notice of the high and mighty Mr. Lofty; a man who had the ear of both king and parliament; who was the bosom friend of all the ministers; the intimate acquaintance of all persons of rank and fashion; and had more places in his gift, than any other man under the crown. By her, he was ever treated with most assiduous attention; and by Mr. Croaker, was received with the most

profound reverence, from the hopes he entertained of his interference in securing for his ward that ample addition to her fortune which, by the projected union, would add to the aggrandizement of his own family.

By Miss Richland herself he was received with much kindness, from an impulse of gratitude for his services; for which, as he could not have any motive of interest, the obligation was still greater: but Mr. Lofty was not disinterested; Miss Richland and her fortune had very powerful attractions for him; and high and mighty as he was, he had it in contemplation to honour her, by condescending to solicit her hand; when by his services he should be able to make a claim on her affections.

Mr. Lofty's consequence was, however, all assumed; he possessed no power, had no influence with ministers, and was even but little known to persons of rank or fashion. Miss Richland's claims could never have been aided by his exertions; but exertions were making, of which she was totally ignorant. Old Jarvis had, on Sir William's first arrival, pointed out Miss Richland's high esteem for Honeywood, as a circumstance much to his credit ; and Sir William, feeling himself obliged by her kindness to his imprudent nephew, secretly undertook, as a return for her goodness, to use his interest with government to admit her claims: hence her affairs were actually in a state of forwardness; though Mr. Lofty, in all his pretended power, knew it not.

Miss Richland was surprised to learn from Sir William the real character of Mr. Lofty that he was a mere boaster, a professed liar, and a most contemptible character. Lofty, calling at the time this conversation was going on, they entered into a plan to unmask his hypocrisy. He had followed Miss Richland to the house of young Honeywood, for the purpose of making an ostentatious display of

his benevolent intentions to his poor friend; and lamented that his own limited fortune, as a private man, rendered it out of his power to attend to every tax on his benevolence; but proposed a subscription, assuring her he could answer for two dukes, a dozen lords, and half the lower house, who, at his request, would come handsomely forward. He next hinted that he could have procured many places for Mr. Honeywood, but that his abilities were very deficient, as he had frequently remarked to his uncle, Sir William. Miss Richland said she did not know that Sir William Honeywood was a friend of his he, in surprise at her ignorance on so important a subject, proceeded to inform her of his very great intimacy; indeed, of Sir William's obligations to him, as it was his interest procured him the very appointment abroad, which he at this moment enjoyed: he then proceeded to describe his person, manners, and habits; and lamented that his want of dignity prevented his being able to procure him a higher post.

Sir William listened to all this with perfect composure, and at length expressed his pleasure that he possessed such influence with Sir William, as he might greatly promote Miss Richland's interest, by an introduction to him; as he, very fortunately, was just arrived in England.

Lofty was much disconcerted by this intelligence: but instantly recovering his self possession, promised to wait upon Sir William, and secure his influence in her cause; and even introduce the gentleman present who, Miss Richland said, was a friend of hers, and had some papers in his possession, relative to her affairs, which it was requisite to submit to the inspection of Sir William; he should be at leisure in two or three days, and would then see about it, and even bring Sir William to wait upon her.

Miss Richland observed that was totally unnecessary; but if Mr Lofty would favour her friend