Nature melted within me, as I utter'd this; and Maria observing, as I took out my handkerchief, that it was steep'd too much already to be of ufe, would needs go wash it in the ftream. And where will you dry it,

Maria? faid I.-I'll dry it in my bofom, faid fhe-'twill do me good.

And is your heart ftill fo warm, Maria? faid I.

I touch'd upon the ftring on which hung all her forrows-fhe look'd with wiftful disorder for fome time in my face; and then, without faying any thing, took her pipe, and play'd her fervice to the Virgin-The ftring I had touch'd ceafed to vibrate-in a

VOL. II.

N

moment

moment or two Maria returned to herfelf-let her pipe fall-and rofe

up.

And where are you going, Maria? faid I.-She faid to Moulines.Let us go, faid I, together.-Maria put her arm within mine, and lengthening the ftring, to let the dog follow -in that order we entered Moulines.

MARIA.

MOULINE S.

TH

HO' I hate falutations and greetings in the market-place, yet when we got into the middle of this, I ftopp'd to take my laft look and laft farewel of Maria.

Maria, though not tall, was nevertheless of the first order of fine forms -affliction had touch'd her looks with fomething that was fcarce earthly -ftill fhe was feminine-and fo much. was there about her of all that the heart

N 2

heart wishes, or the eye looks for in woman, that could the traces be ever worn out of her brain, and those of Eliza's out of mine, she should not only eat of my bread and drink of my own cup, but Maria fhould lay in my bofom, and be unto me as a daughter.

Adieu, poor lucklefs maiden!-imbibe the oil and wine which the compaffion of a ftranger, as he journieth on his way, now pours into thy wounds the Being who has twice bruised thee can only bind them up for ever.

THE BOURBONNOIS.

TH

HERE was nothing from which I had painted out for myself so joyous a riot of the affections, as in this journey in the vintage, through this part of France; but preffing through this gate of forrow to it, my fufferings has totally unfitted me in every scene of festivity I faw Maria in the back-ground of the piece, fitting penfive under her poplar and I had got almeft to Lyons before I was able to caft a fhade across her.