man put into his hand, with a grave but undaunted aspect.

The first of these which young Blessington unfolded contained an exhortation from the writer to Mr. Camden, to try what effect his parental advice would have over the young man's conduct, which was far from satisfactory. It detailed many irregularities of which he had been guilty, interlarded with numerous expressions of interest in our hero, and regret at being the person to convey such unpleasant intelligence. The other was nearly of the same import, except that it mentioned his having engaged himself in a connection from which it was feared he would experience great difficulty in divesting himself. "At this circumstance (ran the words of the letter) I am the more concerned, as I know he had an attachment before he left England." Anger flashed over Conrad's brow, as this last, the severest calumny, presented itself to his sight; and raising his eyes, and fixing them full upon Mr. Camden's countenance, while, with his teeth firmly set, he said calmly, "And all this you can, and do believe, sir?"

Ere the Rector had time to reply, the door

opened, and Agnes entered: a start, and a scream of surprise escaped her, when she saw her father's companion. Conrad's natural impulse made him rush towards her, but the thought of what her opinion of him must be, after the letter he had just perused, made his proud blood boil in his veins, and caused a hesitation which might have alarmed the poor girl, had she observed it. But she forgot, in the delight of the moment, every thing but the certainty of Conrad's presence. Conrad, her lover! stood before her, and every report or assertion which had been raised against him vanished into air:

"At once she sought and sunk in his embrace;
If he had driven her from that resting-place,
His had been more or less than human heart,
But, good or ill, it bade her not depart.”

No; indignant as he was, he could not forbear clasping the beloved girl to his breast. After a moment's pause, which neither party attempted to shorten, Conrad said, pointing to the letter, which now lay upon the floor, "Can you look upon me, Agnes, after reading that?"

"Ah, dear Conrad!" she replied, bursting into tears, "I do not, I will not believe your

guilt. Indeed, I never have credited the truth of that letter."

"Is it possible, Agnes, you have not joined the cry against me!-yet your father fully believes my culpability;" then turning to Mr. Camden, while Agnes sat down, and gave way to her tears, he continued - "May I ask, if you have any thing farther to disclose, sir? or am I acquainted with the worst ?"

"All, Conrad, is now known to you," said he, in a voice of emotion.

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And, by Heaven! it is enough, if it should injure me in the opinion of your daughter,” answered Blessington, with bitterness. "But-I have no hesitation in declaring the whole of those letters to be base fabrications. That is not my late father's writing."

"Your father, Conrad!" exclaimed Mr. Camden, in surprise; "was Colonel Taylor your father?"

"He was, sir; but of that more hereafter. I repeat, that is not his handwriting, neither was that the initial of his Christian name." As he spoke, he pointed to a G, which preceded the signature of the letter. "I, who knew him several years as an intimate friend, before he

N

revealed himself, ought to be acquainted with these things, which, though trifling, are proofs of the falsity of the statement contained in that paper. You early taught me, sir, the beauty,. the holiness of truth, and the sanctity of an oath; and let me assure you, that a soldier venerates them equally with yourself. My character has been vilely traduced, and were my life to be required at this moment, I could safely affirm that I am not a traitor to my vow of constancy. By that Almighty power before whom I stand, I swear, that I have never entertained an instant's affection for another than Agnes, either in this or any other land! Many of my brother officers are yet living who can confirm the rectitude of my behaviour. As to the letters, sir, their mysterious loss a few days, I trust, will elucidate, as on that head I am as ignorant as yourself.Do you think, my best and early friend, and you also, my adored Agnes, I should have subjected myself to such painful reproaches, had I not felt convinced of my innocence? If I had been such as you have been informed, should I not rather have avoided your invectives, by still absenting myself? Should I have been so anxious to return to the girl I once loved, and had so cruelly

forsaken? No, sir! I should never have dared to present myself before you. I should have sought the society of others as vile as myself, and endeavoured to forget what I was, and what I might have been. But you reject me! If you do not, or will not believe me, I —”

"Conrad! Conrad!" exclaimed Agnes, catching him by the arm, "do not distract my father. See, he is ill!" And such indeed appeared the case; for, with a quivering lip, and pallid countenance, Mr. Camden sat motionless in his chair. The affectionate daughter flew to his assistance, while Conrad pressed his hand to his lips in silent agitation.

In a few minutes Mr. Camden said, “Forgive me, my dear Conrad; I do believe you. Again I receive you as my son as the husband of my Agnes.”—The good man took a hand of each, and clasping them in both of his, continued, "May you be the blessing of each other, and find that happiness which is the reward of virtue!"

With what delight did the unjustly suspected Conrad embrace his future wife, and then place himself beside her, to hear and to recount all that had occurred since they parted. Emily's