rles is appointed to
be secretary to the embassy to ----, now preparing to embark."

Mrs. Harewood burst into tears; but as soon as she could speak, she
expressed her joy, while Ellen, in a broken voice, exclaimed--"Oh, what
will Matilda say, poor girl?"

Edmund rushed out of the room, as if to seek his brother, but Mr. Belmont
well knew it was to conceal his emotion; no other person seemed to notice
Ellen's unfortunate ejaculation, and when the door was closed, Mr. Belmont
congratulated the parents upon a circumstance so honourable and desirable
to their younger son; and as they well knew the sincerity of his character,
and the affection he felt for Charles, they freely confided to him their
feelings at the event; while Ellen innocently declared that she was very
glad he happened to be with them at the time, as he would be a substitute
for dear Charles.

"Ah!" said Mr. Belmont, "if you, Ellen, could persuade your parents, and,
what is in this case of more importance, your _own_ heart, to consider me
not only now, but ever, a member of your family, I should be happy indeed."

Ellen, rather surprised at this speech than its import, for she had long
half hoped, half feared, to think on this interesting but awful subject,
turned to her mother, and hid her blushing cheek upon her shoulder, while
the parents exchanged looks of satisfaction with each other, and esteem
towards the speaker.

"Mine, Ellen," continued Mr. Belmont, "is neither a sudden nor violent
passion; I approach you by no flattery--I dazzle you by no exhibition; but
as I trust both my fortune and character will bear the scrutiny of your
friends, your only task, my sweet girl, is to examine your own heart, and
inquire there how far I am agreeable to your wishes. I have been a silent
admirer of your virtues, and I can be a patient attendant for your
decision."

Ellen gave one glance towards her mother--it answered all her wishes; she
turned, deeply blushing, to Mr. Belmont, and timidly, yet with an air of
perfect confidence, tendered him her hand; she would have spoken, but the
variety of emotion so suddenly called forth by the departure of her
brother, and the declaration of her lover, overpowered her, and he
received thus a silent, but a full consent to his wishes.

In the mean time, Edmund had conquered the more immediate pang that
laboured at his heart, and, entering the library, had grasped the hand of
Charles, and uttered a few words of congratulat