With very little hesitation, therefore, she went through the whole story of what had happened at the playhouse, and the cause of her hasty re

turn.

The length of this narrative gave Lady Bellaston an opportunity of rallying her spirits, and of considering in what manner to act. And as the behaviour of Sophia gave her hopes that Jones had not betrayed her, she put on an air of good humour, and said, I should not have broke in so < abruptly upon you, Miss Western, if I had known " you had company.'

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Lady Bellaston fixed her eyes on Sophia whilst she spoke these words. To which that poor young lady, having her face overspread with › blushes and confusion, answered, in a stammering voice, I am sure, madam, I shall always think the honour of your ladyship's compa'ny-' 'I hope, at least,' cries Lady Bellaston, I interrupt no business. No, madam,' answered Sophia; our business was at an end. Your ladyship may be pleased to remember, I have often mentioned the loss of my pocket-book, which this gentleman, having very luckily found, was so kind to return it to me with the bill ' in it.'

Jones, ever since the arrival of Lady Bellaston, had been ready to sink with fear. He sat kicking his heels, playing with his fingers, and looking more like a fool, if it be possible, than a young booby squire, when he is first introduced into a polite assembly. He began, however, now to recover himself; and taking a hint from the behaviour of Lady Bellaston, who, he saw, did not intend to claim any acquaintance with him, he resolved as entirely to affect the stranger on his

part. He said, Ever since he had the pocketbook in his possession, he had used great diligence in inquiring out the lady whose name was writ in it; but never till that day could be so 'fortunate to discover her.'

Sophia had, indeed, mentioned the loss of her pocket-book to Lady Bellaston; but as Jones, for some reason or other, had never once hinted to her that it was in his possession, she believed not one syllable of what Sophia now said, and wonderfully admired the extreme quickness of the young lady, in inventing such an excuse. The reason of Sophia's leaving the playhouse met with no better credit; and, though she could not account for the meeting between these two lovers, she was firmly persuaded it was not accidental.

With an affected smile, therefore, she saidIndeed, Miss Western, you have had very good luck in recovering your money. Not only as it fell into the hands of a gentleman of honour, but as he happened to discover to whom it belonged. I think you would not consent to have it advertised. It was great good fortune, sir, that you found out to whom the note be'longed.'

'O madam," cries Jones, it was inclosed in a 'pocket-book, in which the young lady's name was written.'

That was very fortunate; indeed,' cries the lady: and it was no less so, that you heard Miss Western was at my house; for she is very little known.'

Jones had at length perfectly recovered his spirits; and as he conceived he had now an oppor tunity of satisfying Sophia, as to the question she had asked him just before Lady Bellaston came in,

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he proceeded thus: Why, madam,' answered he, it was by the luckiest chance imaginable I made this discovery. I was mentioning what I had found, and the name of the owner, the other night, to a lady at the masquerade, who told me, 'she believed she knew where I might see Miss 'Western; and if I would come to her house the next morning, she would inform me. I went according to her appointment, but she was not 6 at home; nor could I ever meet with her till this " morning, when she directed me to your lady6 ship's house. I came accordingly, and did my'self the honour to ask for your ladyship; and ." upon my saying that I had very particular business, a servant showed me into this room; where I had not been long before the young lady returned from the play.'

Upon his mentioning the masquerade, he looked very slily at Lady Bellaston, without any fear of being remarked by Sophia; for she was visibly too much confounded to make any observations. This hint a little alarmed the lady, and she was silent; when Jones, who saw the agitations of Sophia's mind, resolved to take the only method of relieving her, which was by retiring: but be fore he did this, he said, I believe, madam, it is customary to give some reward on these occasions; must insist on a very high one for my honesty-it is, madam, no less than the ho nour of being permitted to pay another visit ❝ here.'

'Sir,' replied the lady, I make no doubt that " you are a gentleman, and my doors are never 'shut to people of fashion.'

Jones then, after proper ceremonials, departed, highly to his own satisfaction, and no less to that of Sophia; who was terribly alarmed lest Lady

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Bellaston should discover what she knew already but too well:

Upon the stairs, Jones met his old acquaintance, Mrs. Honour, who, notwithstanding all she had said against him, was now so well-bred to behave with great civility. This meeting proved indeed a lucky circumstance, as he communicated to her the house where he lodged, with which Sophia was unacquainted.

CHAP. XII.

In which the thirteenth book is concluded.

THE elegant Lord Shaftsbury somewhere objects to telling too much truth; by which it may be fairly inferred, that, in some cases, to lie is not only excusable, but commendable.

And surely there are no persons who may so properly challenge a right to this commendable deviation from truth, as young women in the affair of love; for which they may plead precept, education, and, above all, the sanction, nay, I may say the necessity, of custom; by which they are restrained, not from submitting to the honest impulses of nature (for that would be a foolish prohibition), but from owning them.

We are not, therefore, ashamed to say, that our heroine now pursued the dictates of the above-mentioned right honourable philosopher. As she was perfectly satisfied, then, that Lady Bellaston was ignorant of the person of Jones, so she determined to keep her in that ignorance, though at the expense of a little fibbing.

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Jones had not been long gone, before Lady Bellaston cried,Upon my word, a good pretty young fellow: I wonder who he is; for I don't remember ever to have seen his face before.' Nor I neither, madam,' cries Sophia. I must say he behaved very handsomely in relation ' to my note.?

'Yes; and he is a very handsome fellow,' said the lady: 6 don't you think so?'

I did not take much notice of him,' answered Sophia; but I thought he seemed rather awkward, and ungenteel than otherwise.'

ton: "

• You are extremely right,' cries Lady Bellasyou may see, by his manner, that he hath not kept good company. Nay, notwithstanding his returning your note, and refusing the re( ward, I almost question whether he is a gentleman. I have always observed there is a something in persons well-born, which others can never acquire. I think I will give orders not 'to be at home to him.'

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Nay, sure, madam,' answered Sophia, can't suspect after what he hath done ;-besides, if your ladyship observed him, there was an ele6 gance in his discourse, a delicacy, a prettiness of expression, that, that'

“ I confess,' said Lady Bellaston, the fellow hath words- -And indeed, Sophia, you must 'forgive me, indeed you must.'

I forgive your ladyship!' said Sophia.

Yes, indeed you must!' answered she, laughing; for I had a horrible suspicion when I first came into the room- -I vow you must forgive it; but I suspected it was Mr. Jones ' himself.'

Did your ladyship, indeed?' cries Sophia, blushing, and affecting a laugh.