The novels of Charles Brockden Brown, consisting of Wieland;or, The transformation. Arthur Mervyn; or, Memoirs of the year 1793. Edgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a sleep-walker. Jane Talbot. Ormond; or, The secret witness. Clara Howard; or, The enthusiasm of love. With a memoir of the author.

168 JANE TALBOT.
disgraceful in the violation of a seal, which scared me
away from this scheme.
At length, reproaching myself for this indecision, and
leaving my conduct to be determined by circumstances,
I went directly to her house.
Miss Jessup was unwell; was unfit to see company;
desired me to send up my name. I did not mention my
name to the servant, but replied I had urgent business,
which a few minutes' conversation would despatch. I was
admitted.
I found the lady in a careless garb, reclining on a sofa,
wan, pale, and of a sickly aspect On recognising me,
she assumed a languidly-smiling air, and received me with
much civility. I took my seat near her. She began to
talk:" I am very unwell; got a terrible cold, coming from
Dover; been laid up ever since; a teasing cough, no
appetite, and worse spirits than I ever suffered. Glad
you've come to relieve my solitude; not a single soul to
see me; Mrs. Talbot never favours a body with a visit.
Pray, how's the dear girl? Hear her mother's come;
heard, it seems, of your intimacy with Miss Seeker; determined to revenge your treason to her goddess; vows
she shall henceforth have no more to say to you."
While waiting for admission, I formed hastily the resolution in what manner to conduct this interview. My
deportment was so solemn, that the chatterer, glancing
at my face in the course of her introductory harangue,
felt herself suddenly chilled and restrained:"Why, what now, Colden? You are mighty grave,
methinks. Do you repent already of your new attachment? Has the atmosphere of Philadelphia reinstated
Jane in all her original rights?"'"Proceed, madam. When you are tired of raillery,
I shall beg your attention to a subject in which your
honour is deeply concerned; to a subject which allows
not of a jest."'"Nay," said she, in some little trepidation, "if you
have any thing to communicate, I am already prepared
to receive it."
"Indeed, Miss Jessup, I have something to communi