had been followed by the most preffing general invitations; and as Sir George had an excellent cook, and every luxury and amusement was provided for their entertainment, of which the nature of a country refidence would admit, there were very few who did not avail themselves of so pleasurable a privilege, and her Ladyship had constantly the fatisfaction of feeing her table crouded with well dreffed people, who repaid her in attentions and flattery, for the elegance and profufion with which they were treated.

Among these young, gay, and apparently happy people, poor Sir George was entirely overlooked and loft; he often fat for a confiderable time toge ther wholly unattended to, and stole to a whift table as a refuge from abfolute folitude. Twice a week her Ladyship gave a little ball, and once a month a fête, upon which occafions the whole house

houfe was ornamented and lighted up, with more than usual taste and expence. In order to have thefe entertainments complete, and in perfect ftile, fhe found it expedient to add a confectioner and fecond cook to her lift of domeftics; and no room in the house being of larger dimenfions than thirty feet by twenty-five, it was abfolutely neceffary to have an elegant rotunda erected in the park, for the purpose of receiving a large company commodiously. This building could only be properly compleated under the care and direction of the most fashionable architect in the kingdom; and it was accordingly begun in the moft fuperb and expensive

manner.

The execution of this plan was scarce begun, when it was fuggefted to Lady Maitland, that in order to render it complete, and all of a piece, the park and pleasure grounds, which had been

laid out at least twenty years, and were now quite out of tafte, ought to undergo an entire change of difpofition; that there were great capabilities, which properly managed, would render Woodburn one of the most admired feats in the kingdom. In confequence of this idea, one of the most approved landscape gardeners were engaged, and half the labourers in the country hired to facilitate the work of improvement.

It was her Ladyfhip's particular wish that the whole fhould be finished before the conclufion of September, in order that she might give a grand fête at the opening of the rotunda. But this was found impoffible, and a Bath journey being agreed upon between herself, her mother, and the family of Lord Harland, previous to their return to town, fhe with some difficulty prevailed upon herself to put off the execution of this favourite plan till the enfuing fummer,

and

and content herself with taking leave of the country with a mask ball, as fplendid as the confined fize of her rooms would admit.

From the very different characters, tempers, and difpofitions of Lady Maitland, and her fifter, the reader will not be furprized to hear that little intercourfe had, during the fummer, paffed between them. Two or three morning calls from her Ladyfhip, and a few dining vifits from Mrs. Maitland, which the preffing invitations of Sir George obliged her to pay, was all they had feen of each other. They had very rarely met by accident, for Lady Maitland feldom went from home, where the found herself of greater confequence, and more flattered and attended to than any where else; to which might be added, that in the houfes of any of the neighbouring gentlemen, not only Lady Harland, but her three daughters took

place

place of her, a circumftance which, new as she was to any pretenfions to rank or title, fhe could ill endure. The Baronet would often ftrole down to his brothers, and pafs the morning in chat with Mrs. Maitland, whose virtues and amiable qualities now appeared to him in a ftronger light than ever, and fometimes partake of their focial comfortable meal. But it was with pain they obferved the change in his health and spirits, the former of which was much injured by the irregular hours and unufual mode of life to which he had lately been accustomed, and the former had loft all that chearfulness upon which the pleasure of life fo greatly depends.

The morning of the day upon which the mask was to be given at Woodburn, Sir George spent intirely at Furze-hill. Mrs. Maitland, having found herself indifpofed for fome days, had the morn