I only thought of it when my vanity demanded idle and expensive gratifications, for real wants I knew none.

I was companion of a young lady of higher rank than my own, my relative however, and one of such exquisite kindness of disposition, that she treated me as a sister, and would have shared with me all that she had on earth----I scarce think I can go farther with my story!--something rises to my throat when I recollect how I rewarded her sisterly love!--I was elder than Clara--I should have directed her reading, and confirmed her understanding; but my own bent led me to peruse only works, which, though they burlesque nature, are seductive to the imagination.

We read these follies together, until we had fashioned out for ourselves a little world of romance, and prepared ourselves for a maze of adventures.

Clara's imaginations were as pure as those of angels; mine were--but it is unnecessary to tell them.

The fiend, always watchful, presented a tempter at the moment when it was most dangerous." She paused here, as if she found difficulty in expressing herself; and Lord Etherington, turning, with great appearance of interest, to Lady Penelope, began to enquire, "Whether it were quite agreeable to her ladyship to remain any longer an ear-witness of this unfortunate's confession ?--it seems to be verging on some things--things that it might be unpleasant for your ladyship to hear." "I was just forming the same opinion, my lord; and, to say truth, was about to propose to your lordship to withdraw, and leave me alone with the poor woman.