but her fear of involving in a quarrel that might prove fatal to those whom she most dearly loved, prevented her from explanations. In such circumstances all that she could do was to avoid his company as much as possible, and when in it to treat him with chilling coldness.--Blossom, who considered his own face and figure as irresistible, imputed this behaviour to artifice and coquetry, and persisted in his scheme. Accordingly, having met with the father and son, he offered them his company, intending to return the hospitality of the family by ruining the daughter. As Blossom and the old gentleman were riding before, John in a few words communicated the heads of his character;--that he was a rich blockhead of a profligate horse-jockey; that he hated his company and conversation, as he was ignorant, impudent, and gross; but that the reception of such fellows was in the country a sacrifice, which must be frequently made to social neighbourhood. Maria was dressed that day with an elegant simplicity, that rendered her irresistibly bewitching. Blossom and Hamilton, different as they were in their sentiments and views, both agreed in being more than ever fired by her charms. Our hero could have instantly married her, to have such corporeal and mental attractions his own; and Blossom would have almost encountered any risk to perpetrate his purpose. He easily saw the fondness of Hamilton, but estimated its nature and object by the grossness and depravity of his own mind. Hamilton, he could not help perceiving, was extremely handsome, and as such might doubtless procure a rich match; he, therefore, could, in Blossom’s opinion, only pursue Maria as a mistress. He could not avoid observing, that Miss Mortimer treated Hamilton with much more complacency than himself. Rivalry and resentment added fresh incentives, and he resolved, cost what it would, to snatch from the stranger so delicious a morsel. Having, both during dinner and after, indulged freely in the bottle, his passion was more and more inflamed, though somewhat dissipated by long and boasting narratives of his own amours. In the drawing-room he became excessively troublesome, and, in the temerity of insolent brutality, conceiving himself not observed by the gentlemen, offered the young lady a gross affront. The eyes of the virtuous and delicate Maria flashed fire. She threw in his face the scalding teapot, and forgetting all her caution, called to her brother to come to turn the fellow out of the house. John hastily seized the offender, who smarting with pain, maddened with liquor and with anger, began to pour out the abuse of enraged vulgarity, calling, he was richer than them all put together. Here’s a fuss, because----, and he stated the offence. John returned this speech by a blow, which levelled Blossom with the ground; and after he recovered, seizing him, and being superior in strength, dragged him to the door, and thrust him out of the house. Blossom, enraged and