longer. He had been accustomed to similar requests from the emigrant French noblesse: but there was a loftiness, and an air of authority, in the countenance and mien of this person, which surprised and awed him; and with a respect, which even the application could not counteract, he opened the case, and inquired of Thaddeus, what was the price he affixed to it.

"I leave that to you," replied the

count.

"The gold is solid," returned the man, laying it down, "but it is very thin; I cannot give more than three guineas. Though the wo: kmanship is fine, it is not in the fashion of England, and will be of no benefit to me till it is melted."

"You may have it," said Thaddeus, hardly able to articulate, as he again laid the gift of his mother out of his hand.

The man directly paid him down the money, and the count, with a bursting heart, darted out of the shop.

Mrs.

Mrs. Robson was shutting up the windows of her little parlour, when he hastily passed her, and glided up the stairs. Hardly believing her senses, she hastened after him, and just got into the room as he drank off a glass of water.

"Good Lord, sir;" cried she, "where has your honour been? I thought you were all the while in the house, and I would not come near, though I was very uneasy; and there has been poor William crying himself blind, because you desired to be left alone."

Thaddeus was unprepared to make an answer. He was in hopes to have gotten in as he had stolen out, undiscovered; for he determined not to agitate her good mind, by the history of his loss. He would not allow her to know any thing of his embarrassments, from a sentiment of justice, as well as of that pride, which all his sufferings and philosophy could not wholly subdue.

"I have been taking a walk, Mrs. Robson."

"Dear heart! I thought when you staggered back, and looked so ill, after you brought in William, that you had over-walked yourself!"

"No; I fancy my fears had a little discomposed me; and I hoped that more air might do me good; I tried it, and it has but I am grieved for having alarmed you."

This ambiguous speech perfectly satisfied his kind landlady. Thaddeus, much fatigued by a bodily exertion, which, in the present feeble state of his frame, nothing less than the perturbation of his mind could have carried him through, went directly to bed, where tired nature soon found temporary repose in a profound sleep.

CHAP.

CHAP. II.

NEXT morning, the count found himself rather better than worse by the exertions of the preceding day. When Nanny appeared as usual with his breakfast, and little William, (who always sat on his knee, and shared his bread and butter,) he desired her to request her grandmother to send to Mr. Vincent with his compliments, and to tell him, that he was so well at present as to decline any farther medical aid, and, therefore, wished to have his bill.

*

Mrs. Robson, who could not forget the behaviour of the apothecary, undertook to deliver the message herself, happy in the triumph she should enjoy over the littleness of Mr. Vincent's suspicions.

After the lapse of a quarter of an hour,

she re-appeared in the count's room with the apothecary's assistant; who, with many thanks, received the sum total of his accompt, which amounted to three guineas for ten days' attendance.

The man having withdrawn, Thaddeus told Mrs. Robson, he must next defray the smallest part of the vast debt, which his heart should ever owe to her parental care.

"O, bless your honour; it goes to my heart to take a farthing of you! but these poor children," cried she, laying a hand on each, and her eyes glistening; "they look up to me as their all here, and my quarter-day was due yesterday, else, dear sir, I should have scorned to have been like doctor Vincent, and have taken your money the moment you offered it."

My good madam," returned Sobieski, giving her a chair," I am sensible of your kindness; but it is your just due; and the payment of it can never lessen my gratitude for the friendship which you have shewn to me, a poor stranger.

"Then,