and faint with fatigue, she entered the inn, and implored assistance.

But, come, come along." "I thought | immure himself from the world than of going to the admiral's sir." "To be break the oath he had pledged to Lucy, sure, to be sure! we'll be under weigh in or disoblige his uncle by marrying witha minute." "Yet, sir, perhaps he will out his consent, knowing that the old not see me, or it may be injurious to his gentleman was ambitious for his nephew interests; and I would willingly die to to look for a wife agreeable to the high serve him, for he has a feeling heart." prospects in view before him, and equally “A what? a feeling heart? Why are convinced that to thwart his inclinations you here then? But come along, sweet- would but annihilate all his hopes, and heart!" and discharging the reckoning, cast him adrift upon the world. Such they set off in company. was the state of affairs when Lucy left Of all the eccentric beings in this ec- her home to endeavour to gain an intercentric world, old Admiral M- was view with her lover, and fell in with old the most eccentric. He had risen solely Will, who in early life, according to his by merit, from the station of cabin-boy own account, had sailed with the admito vice-admiral of the white; and 'twas ral, and was now going to pay him a ever his boast that he had never skulk'd visit, and see some of his old messmates, in great men's pockets, nor been afraid of whom the principal part of the houseto dip his hands in a tar-bucket. "I hold was composed. She had been came in at the hawse-holes," he would plundered by some villains of all she say," and didn't creep in at the cabin possessed at day-break, but still contiwindows." He had been known to ab-nued her journey, till, worn with hunger sent himself from home for weeks together; and no one could tell where he went, or what had become of him, till his repeated acts of generous bounty discovered the track he had taken. He would frequently return home without previous notice, enter the house unobserved, ring the bell, and order refreshments, as if he had never quitted it. Not an old sailor that had ever sailed with him but was welcome to partake of his cheer; and those who had been his messmates previous to his mounting the uniform, if of good character, but not so successful as himself, always sat at his table. Possessed of an immense fortune, which he was accustomed to say was drawn from the Spanish stocks-yet without children, for he was a bachelor -he had adopted his nephew, determined to leave him the bulk of his property. The young man, who really was naturally of an amiable disposition, on this accession to his uncle's favour, associated with some of the dashing characters of the day, and became tinctured with their vices and follies. He had been introduced to the family of Lieu-placed, of which Lucy partook sparingly, tenant B, by a brother officer; and that acquaintance which terminated so fatally for poor Lucy was begun. Yet he passionately loved her; but, fearing the condemnation of the admiral, and the loss of his patronage, he had withdrawn himself from Exeter without even bidding her farewell, choosing rather to

The shades of evening fell on the landscape as they passed under the avenue of trees that led to Grove House. Will, having promised to exert himself in obtaining an interview between Mr. M- and his convoy, left her at a short distance, and proceeded onward. Almost overpowered by her reflections, and every pulse throbbing violently with agitation, she leaned against the trunk of a tree, expecting to see the being whom, next Heaven, she loved most tenderly. 'Twas now grown too dark to distinguish objects, but she could hear footsteps approaching, and she sunk without sense or motion to the ground. On recovery she found herself sitting on a couch in a small room, and the old housekeeper, with other females, sedulously administering to her necessity. Her eye glanced wildly around for another object, while the old lady strove to soothe her mind, informing her that 'twas herself who had discovered her in the avenue, at the request of Will. Refreshments were

desirous of knowing, yet trembling to ask, whether Mr. M- was in the house, or had seen the worthy veteran, her kind conductor.

Pray, sir," said the admiral, entering the room abruptly where his nephew was sitting alone, and ruminating upon his own hapless condition, but more upon

the object of his sincere attachment, lit- |
tle imagining that she was at that mo-
ment under the same roof-" pray, sir,
what does that man deserve who robs a
friend of his dearest treasure-who, steal-when Lucy herself appeared!
ing into the confidence of a young and
artless girl, under the flag of affection,
turns pirate, and plunders his prize with
remorseless cruelty?" The young man
sat petrified, for these questions were
precisely accordant to his own feelings
previous to the entrance of his uncle.
"Answer me!" exclaimed the admiral,
raising his voice-" answer me direct-
ly?" "I cannot, sir; I am too deeply
sensible of error." "Or what does he
merit," continued the admiral, "who,
contrary to the views of a relative that
has raised him to opulence, first con-
tracted himself to a young female,
and then deserted her!" "Infamy!
infamy and disgrace!" exclaimed the
agonized M-
"I feel all--all,
and shudder!" "You have judged right,
sir your acquaintance with the poor
distressed child of Lieutenant B-

agitated than M— while these orders
were given. He fixed his eyes upon
the door in anxious expectancy; but
what were his feelings-what his agony

I have just received information of, and
your own lips have condemned you.'
."
"Not so much as my heart, sir," replied
M-
"Pass what sentence you
please; but, oh! suffer me to expiate
my fault! do not drive me to despera-
tion!" ""Tis well, sir, you are con-
vinced of your error;" and, ringing the
bell violently, a servant appeared. "Or-
der Mr. M's horse to the door;" then,
turning to the young man, “This is no
longer a home for you however, you
shall first have the satisfaction of facing
your accuser; and again ringing the bell,
directed another servant to introduce the
stranger. No culprit ever stood more

He

would have rushed towards her; but his uncle caught his arm, and in a voice that made the poor girl tremble, "No, sir! would you again coil like a snake about your victim? would you once more sting a bosom whose only fault was loving a villain? Go, sir! you have forfeited all pretensions to my favour—you have degraded my name-you have degraded yourself. Go, and never let me see your face again!" This was too much for poor Lucy; she had expected a private interview with her lover, and imagined, when she quitted the housekeeper's apartment, 'twas for that purpose the folding-doors of the drawingroom were thrown open. How great then was her surprise and distress when she found herself in the presence of the admiral! He was habited in an immense cloak that covered his whole person, and his laced cocked hat upon his head; but the sentence was no sooner pronounced than Lucy knelt before him imploring mercy. M-, at the same moment, threw himself by her side, caught her upraised hand, joined it in his own, and offered his petitions with her's. The old admiral dashed the tears from his eyes, and, overcome by the scene, grasped their united hands, and blessed them. But who can express the astonishment, the gratitude, of Lucy, when throwing off his cloak and hat, he appeared before her as her generous benefactor, protector, and guide—even old WILL BLOCK.

END OF VOL. I.

LONDON:

JOSEPH LAST, 3, Edward-street, Hampstead-road.