AMELIA. BOOK VII. CHAP. I. A very short Chapter, and consequently requiring no Preface. MRS. BENNET having fastened the door, and both the ladies having taken their places, she once or twice offered to speak, when passion stopped her utterance; and after a minute's silence, she burst into a flood of tears. Upon which, Amelia expressing the utmost tenderness for her, as well by her look as by her accent; cried'What can be the reason, dear Madam, of all this ́ emotion ?'—' O Mrs. Booth! answered she,—' I ' find I have undertaken what I am not able to per'form-You would not wonder at my emotion, if you knew you had an adulteress and a murderer ' now standing before you.' Amelia turned pale as death at these words, which Mrs. Bennet observing, collected all the force she was able, and a little composing her countenance, cried, 'I see, Madam, I have terrified you with such dreadful words; but I hope you will not think me guilty of these crimes in the blackest 'degree. Guilty!' cries Amelia. O Heavens !' - I believe indeed your candour,' continued Mrs. Bennet, will be readier to acquit me than I am to 'acquit myself-Indiscretion, at least, the highest, 'most unpardonable indiscretion, I shall always lay to my own charge; and when I reflect on the 'fatal consequences, I can never, never forgive my'self.' Here she again began to lament in so bitter a manner that Amelia endeavoured, as much as she could (for she was herself greatly shocked), to sooth and comfort her; telling her that if indiscretion was her highest crime, the unhappy consequences made her rather an unfortunate than a guilty person; and concluded by saying,- Indeed, Madam, you have raised my curiosity to the highest pitch, and I beg you will proceed with your story.' Mrs. Bennet then seemed a second time going to begin her relation, when she cried out, I would if possible, tire you with no more of my unfor 'tunate life than just with that part which leads to a catastrophe in which I think you may yourself 'be interested; but I protest I am at a loss where 'to begin.' 'Begin wherever you please, dear Madam,' cries Amelia; but I beg you will consider my im⚫ patience.' I do consider it,' answered Mrs. Bennet; and therefore would begin with that part of my story which leads directly to what con⚫cerns yourself; for how, indeed, should my life ' produce any thing worthy your notice?'' Do 'not say so, Madam,' cries Amelia, I assure you I have long suspected there were some very remarkable incidents in your life, and have only wanted an opportunity to impart to you my desire of hearing them :-I beg therefore you would 'make no more apologies.' I will not, Ma'dam,' cries Mrs. Bennet, and yet I would avoid any thing trivial; though, indeed, in stories of distress, especially where love is concerned, many 'little incidents may appear trivial to those who have never felt the passion, which to delicate ' minds are the most interesting part of the whole." Nay, but, dear Madam,' cries Amelia, this is all preface.' 'Well, Madam,' answered Mrs. Bennet, I will 'consider your impatience.' She then rallied all her spirits in the best manner she could, and began as is written in the next chapter. And here possibly the reader will blame Mrs. Bennet for taking her story so far back, and relating so much of her life in which Amelia had no concern; but, in truth, she was desirous of inculcating a good opinion of herself, from recounting those transactions where her conduct was unexceptionable, before she came to the more dangerous and suspicious part of her character. This I really suppose to have been her intention; for to sacrifice the time and patience of Amelia at such a season to the mere love of talking of herself, would have been as unpardonable in her, as the bearing it was in Amelia a proof of the most perfect good breeding. CHAP. II. The Beginning of Mrs. Bennet's History. I WAS the younger of two daughters of a clergyman in Essex; of one in whose praise, if I should indulge my fond heart in speaking, I think my invention could not outgo the reality. 'He was indeed well worthy of the cloth he wore; • and that, I think, is the highest character a man can obtain. During the first part of my life, even till I reached my sixteenth year, I can recollect nothing to relate to you. All was one long serene day, in looking back upon which, as when we "cast our eyes on a calm sea, no object arises to |