however delightful, formed but a part, and that liable to a thousand interruptions, and open to a thousand vexations; and at best, like all passions, it tended to its own decay: that should I give way to and gratify this passion at this early period of my life, it would be, in all probability, at the expense of many other natural desires, and the forfeiting of other enjoyments, as well as to the interrupting of many duties, which my education and situation in the world seemed to demand of me; and finally, that I might at a fitter period, and in circumstances more generally suitable, become as much attached to some other female more calculated as a companion for me in the enjoyment of those elegancies to which my fortune might entitle me.

At every step in this wise reasoning, I thought myself gaining strength to overcome my juvenile folly, my long-cherished love fit, when turning round the foot of the green mound I have men

tioned, I heard steps tripping softly on the grass, and instantly after was met full in the face by Mary Ogilvie.

Our start, at first, was nothing; the colour, that mounted into both our faces, was only what might have been expected; but we both seemed to have lost our strength in an instant: and, for myself, it was the beating of my heart, as I looked at her in her white wedding dress, and, as I saw the effect that the same observation of me had upon her, that totally disconcerted me, and almost took away my breath.

We continued to gaze upon each other for a little time, as in mutual astonishment, why we should have individually come hither, and met on this morning, on the most treasured scene of our early love. I held out my hands to her instinctively. She seemed to recover herself, and gave me hers, in a manner which would express the frank confidence of the early friend, yet mixing

with the humility of the consciousness of her relative situation now, and the modest confusion of the bride. She said something, expressing surprise at my being so far from home at this hour, and at finding me lingering about this spot; but, without waiting for my reply, she began to account for herself being here in the wood, by saying that, while the servants were busy, making preparations for the expected company, she had strolled abroad, to be out of the way, and had wandered thus far.

I stood gazing on her as she confusedly told this story, still holding her hands; and replied, with more of passion than wisdom, that she needed not be thus particular in giving me an account of herself; and that the time was when she would not have thought of making excuses for meeting me in this wood. She looked at me with surprise when I uttered this speech, as well she might; and, withdrawing her hands,