A Simple Story

o

trust which that friend had reposed in him. He knew the life Miss Milner had been accustomed to lead; he dreaded the repulses his admo

lived in all the careful plainness of ?conomy. His habitation was in the house of a Mrs. Horton, an elderly gentlewoman, who had a maiden niece residing with her, not many years younger than herself. But although Miss Woodley was

as Mrs. Horton and her niece. On their part, they regarded him with all that respect and reverence which the most religious flock shews to its pastor; and his friendly society they not only esteemed a spiri

d; her father having made it his request that she might, for a time at least, reside in the same house w

at that time impressed with the most poignant sorrow for his loss, made no distinction of happiness that was to come; and the day was appo

was overjoyed at the expectation of their new guest, yet she herself could not tell why-but the reason was, that her kind heart wanted a more ample field for its ben

rd's disposition before he saw her; for he was, as yet, a stranger not only to the real propensities of her mind, but even to her person; a constant round of visits having prevented his meeting her at her father's, the very few time

that many people mistook his face for handsome, and all were more or less attracted by it-in a word, the charm, that is here meant to be described, is a countenance-on his you read the feelings of his heart-saw all its inmost workings-the quick pulses that beat with hope and fear, or the gentle ones that moved in a more equal course of patience and resignation. On this countenance his thoughts w

hich he was remarkable, even in his most anxious concerns, he addressed Lady Evans, who had called on Mrs. Horton to hear and to request the

king a question, but was preven

ilner-when I saw her she was very young: though indeed tha

olouring with regret at the doubts which

iful, that I can assur

" said Dorriforth, rising from

ing else, let me tell yo

hing, in my opinion,

than she really is-all I know of her, is merely, that she's young, idle, indiscreet, and giddy, with ha

of my life," cried he with a manly sorro

ducation, the best company, or long experience had been able to cultivate or brighten this good lady's unde

evil-and for what I have said, I will give you up my authors if you please;

humble, but an attentive listener to this discourse, ventured h

the subject," s

Evans; "and I am sure it will be

?" asked Mrs. Horton, still w

returned she; "I tell you again that

fective"-exclaimed Dor

as well as the perso

, "I never heard of a pad to make

books, experience, and the misfortunes of others, ma

t, cried, "I must be gone-I have an hundred people waiting for me at home-besides, we

ave," continued she-"I believe, Mrs. Hillgrave, you know Miss Mi

evere losses: as soon as the name of Miss Milner was uttered

ur opinion of her, and I am sorry I cannot stay to he

equally with the most inquisitive of her sex, asked the new visitor-"If she might be p

of Dorriforth, he turned anxiou

d the best I ever had." As she spoke, she took out her ha

h his own eyes moistened with joy, near

o seize upon all our effects-his daughter, however, by her intercessions, procured us time, in order to discharge the debt; and when she found that time was insufficient, a

ok Mrs. Hillgrave by the hand, and told

Mrs. Horton, fearing, from the sudden pause w

," answered M

andsome,

ly can'

nge you should n

gment-to me she appeared beautiful as an angel; but per