THE BALL.

Ill

rifled, by witnessing the death of the innocentbeing she had forsaken in a moment so cri-tical ; and bitter was the sorrow and remorse whicharose from offending him who had hitherto lovedher so fondly and esteemed her so highly. Theseemotions combining with other causes, renderedher soon the inhabitant of a sick-bed, and con-verted a house so lately the abode of happinessand hope, into a scene of sorrow, anxiety, anddeath. Lady Sophia, after much suffering, reco-vered her health; but when she left her chamber shebecame sensible that although pity and kindnesswere shown to her situation, esteem and confidencewere withdrawn. She had no child to divert themelancholy of her solitary hours, and, what was ofmore consequence, no husband who could condolewith her on its loss—silence of the past was theutmost act of tenderness to which Mr. Seymourcould bring himself on this subject, which recurredto him with renewed pain when his anxiety wasremoved for the life of one still dear, though nolonger invaluable.

And all this misery, the fearful prospect of a