Soothing speeches and caresses unbent, in considerable degree, the resolution of Miss Collings, and though she continued firmly determined not to marry a youth whom she regarded as the first of human beings, and destined to arrive at the highest situations, yet she felt that she could not exercise the same firmness in resisting the repetition of former errors. She was resolved not to live with him, and even, if possible, to estrange herself from his knowledge: but her purpose was not immediately executed. Several days passed, the transactions of which we shall not particularize, but content ourselves with observing, that nothing is more dangerous to the votaries of penitence, than renewed intercourse with the partners of frailty. Poor Jenny, with all her virtuous intentions, passed the chief part of her time with Hamilton.--One evening she expressed an earnest inclination to see the Fair Penitent. Our hero attended her to Drury-lane, where she beheld the effects of indiscretion so strongly drawn by the poet, exhibited with such force and poignant effect, doubly poignant to the conscious _Calistas_. Our fair penitent had never seen Mrs. Siddons, and had no idea that it was possible for acting to approach so near to actual life and feeling. In the scene between Calista and her parent, she, in great agitation, exclaimed, “That is no acting, heavenly God, that is natural.” In the last scene her interest was wound up to the highest pitch. When Calista is frantic, poor Collings was frantic also; when Calista died, Collings gave one shriek, and became lifeless in her lover’s arms. With much difficulty she recovered her consciousness, but not her perfect recollection, and gazing eagerly in our hero’s face, and pressing him to her arms, she said, “You are not Lothario, I was undone by myself.” At length entirely recovering the use of her reason, and becoming sensible that she had exposed herself, she was extremely distressed, and begged immediately to retire, and was conducted home to a lodging which Hamilton had provided in his neighbourhood. There she was taken very ill; the consequence was, a very premature change in her condition.--Whilst she was recovering, our hero, aware that his finances could not easily bear this additional expence, without additional resources, resolved to exert his literary abilities, and to feel his way by gratuitous essays and newspapers, and had the satisfaction to see that his performances were received with flattering approbation. Understanding that one of the earliest stages of literary progress was reporting debates, he offered his services for that purpose. His exertions were received with applause, and procured him so much emolument as to afford his Jenny a country lodging, which he thought necessary for the re-establishment of her health. During her convalescence Miss Collings formed her plans: ardent to adhere in future to the dictates of virtue, and knowing the weakness of her