conceal, that, when he appealed to her reason, he felt that
he had some interest in her heart.--The conviction was not more
transporting, than sacred--a thousand times a day, he asked himself how
he had merited such happiness?--and as often he determined to purify the
heart she deigned to inhabit--He intreated to be again admitted to her
presence."

He was; and the tear which glistened in his eye, when he respectfully
pressed her to his bosom, rendered him peculiarly dear to the unfortunate
mother. Grief had stilled the transports of love, only to render their
mutual tenderness more touching. In former interviews, Darnford had
contrived, by a hundred little pretexts, to sit near her, to take her
hand, or to meet her eyes--now it was all soothing affection, and esteem
seemed to have rivalled love. He adverted to her narrative, and spoke
with warmth of the oppression she had endured.--His eyes, glowing with a
lambent flame, told her how much he wished to restore her to liberty and
love; but he kissed her hand, as if it had been that of a saint; and
spoke of the loss of her child, as if it had been his own.--What could
have been more flattering to Maria?--Every instance of self-denial was
registered in her heart, and she loved him, for loving her too well to
give way to the transports of passion.

They met again and again; and Darnford declared, while passion suffused
his cheeks, that he never before knew what it was to love.--

One morning Jemima informed Maria, that her master intended to wait on
her, and speak to her without witnesses. He came, and brought a letter
with him, pretending that he was ignorant of its contents, though he
insisted on having it returned to him. It was from the attorney already
mentioned, who informed her of the death of her child, and hinted, "that
she could not now have a legitimate heir, and that, would she make over
the half of her fortune during life, she should be conveyed to Dover, and
permitted to pursue her plan of travelling."

Maria answered with warmth, "That she had no terms to make with the
murderer of her babe, nor would she purchase liberty at the price of her
own respect."

She began to expostulate with her jailor; but he sternly bade her "Be
silent--he had not gone so far, not to go further."

Darnford came in the evening. Jemima was obliged to be absent, and she,
as usual, locked the door on them, to prevent interruption or
discovery.--The lovers were, at first, embarra