ALL that Mary Cuthbert had just heard had but confirmed the fears which she had previously entertained of Miss Moreton's character; though she could not have suspected that her eccentricities were carried so far, or that she had utterly discarded all that was regular and respectable, and had so widely out stepped the modesty of nature.

The licentious and unprincipled Chevalier was at once the object of her fear and her abhorrence; and she shrunk within herself at the idea of associating and being on terms of apparent intimacy with a being of his stamp.

is no longer allowed me,’ sighed Mary. ‘I am drawn from my humble retirement; and, though I am still in a subordinate station, yet am I exposed to all the dangers and the unpleasantries of a promiscuous society; but let me trust in thee my God. –

This pious quotation seemed to infuse new cheerfulness over her mind; and she was again regaling her eyes with the beauties of nature, when she was startled at hearing a small gate fall of a shrubbery, which led towards the house; and the next moment Montgomery appeared before her.

‘Miss Cuthbert,’ said he, ‘how I rejoice at this accidental encounter! I will not say, I am surprised at it; but I am flattered at thinking that a similarity of sentiment has led us both to admire the beauties of such a morning as this.’

‘This park is very delightfully situated,’ said Mary, returning Montgomery's compliment by a modest curtsey; ‘if I was Miss Moreton, I should spend a great part of my time in it.’