severity on the wickedness of Hamilton, and finally declared him totally unworthy of the regard of her young lady. “Ah! my dear Miss Sukey, were I to give my humble opinion, I think he is nothing to come into _compolisom_ with Mr. O’Rourke. Mr. Roger is both more taller and more properer; he has the fear of God before his eyes, he is in a state of grace, and is moreover the best built, best shouldered, and best limbed man one can see in a summer’s day; he is _consarned_ for the good of your soul. If you had seen him how grievously he took to it when you went away without once speaking to him, you would have bepitied the poor youth. Were I as you, Madam, I would give over all thought of your ungrateful cousin and give my mind up to Mr. O’Rourke. He converted you to a state of grace, and enlightened you with the knowledge of the gospel. He would be a loving and a cherishing husband, and not be running after such gilflirts under your nose.” Betty was not altogether disinterested in this praise. Roger, by his piety and other qualifications, had made a very deep impression upon this young woman. He had protested to her that she was the real object of his affection, and that his attentions to Miss Sukey were only bestowed on her account. Roger’s Methodism, like that of many others, admitted a very great laxity in moral practice and the duties of social life. Betty, who had already given him every testimony in her power of her love and affection, desired his promotion and aggrandisement; and was not without the hopes that he might marry the heiress of Etterick, while she might in private share with him some of the benefits of this affinity. Besides remote views, she was not without the apprehension of more urgent circumstances, which for the convenience and welfare of her and _hers_ required an addition to the worldly substance of Mr. Roger O’Rourke. She, therefore, very anxiously endeavoured to detach Miss Sukey from Hamilton. The disappointed affection and pride of Miss Sukey co-operated with the instances of Mrs. Betty, and the cold deportment of Hamilton at the ball conduced powerfully to the same purpose. Our hero had no motive to pretend sentiments and affections which he did not feel. He was disgusted with Miss’s appearance and general demeanour; and not knowing, because not regarding, her sentiments towards himself, he had imputed the adventure in the garden to the influence of prying and impertinent curiosity, and had from that time treated her with an undisguised contempt, which those who most deserve can least bear.--Meanwhile he continued to bestow attention on Jenny Collings, and they had frequent private interviews. Hamilton did not intend to seduce,--Jenny did not intend to be seduced;--but the result was the same as if there had been the deepest premeditation on either side. So true it is that instances occur in the history of love as well as of politics in which _killing is no murder_[3]. Designed seduction,