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The triumphs of a true feminine heart are short upon these discomfitures. In a very few seconds she laid her hand upon the cuff of my coat, in order to finish her reply; so some way or other, God knows how, I regained my fituation.

-She had nothing to add.

I forthwith began to model a different conversation for the lady, thinking from the fpirit as well as moral of this, that I had been mistaken in her character; but upon turning her face towards me, the spirit which had animated the reply was fled the muscles relaxed, and I be held the fame unprotected look of distress which first won me to her interest-ne. lancholy! to see such sprightliness the prey of forrow. I pitied her from my foul; and though it may feem ridiculous enough to a torpid heart, - I could have taken

f

her

her into my arms, and cherished her, though it was in the open street without blufhing.

The pulsations of the arteries along my fingers preffing across hers, told her what was pafling within me: she looked down a filence of fome moments followed.

I fear, in this interval, I must have made fome flight efforts towards a clofer compreffion of her hand, from a fubtle sentation I felt in the palm of my ownnot as if she was going to withdraw hers-but, as if she thought about itand I had infallibly loft it a fecond time, had not inftinct more than reason directed me to the last resource in these dangers to hold it loosely, and in a manner as if I was every moment going to release it, of myself; so she let it continue till

Mon

Monfieur Dessein returned with the key; and in the mean time I set myself, to confider how I should undo the ill impreffions which the poor monk's story, in cafe he had told it her, must have planted in her breast against me.

THE SNUFF-BOX.

CALAIS.

THE good old monk was within fix

paces of us, as the idea of him cross'd my mind; and was advancing towards us a little out of the line, as if uncertain whether he should break in upon us or no. He ftopp'd, however, as foon as he came up to us, with a world of franknefs; and having a horn snuff-box in his hand, he presented it open to me-You shall tafte mine-faid I, pulling out my box (which was a finall tortoise one) and putting it into his hand-'Tis most excellent, faid the monk; Then do me the favour, I replied, to accept of the box and all, and when you take a pinch out

of it, fometimes recollect it was the peace

offering offering of a man who once used you unkindly, but not from his heart.

The poor monk blush'd as red as scarlet. Mon Dieu! faid he, pressing his hands together-you never ufed me unkindly. I should think, faid the lady, he is not likely. I blush'd in my turn; but from what movements, I leave to the few who feel to analyse - Excuse me, Madame, replied I-I treated him most unkindly; and from no provocations-Tis impossible, said the lady.My God! cried the monk, with a warmth of afseveration which seemed not to belong to him-the fault was in me, and in the indifcretion of my zeal-The lady opposed it, and I joined with her in maintaining it was impoffible, that a spirit so regulated as his, could give offence to any.

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