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.

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CLARA HOWARD; OR,

and understanding of the object. Hitherto her affections
have been wholly free, but' —here Mr. Howard fixed his
eyes, with much intenseness and significance, on my countenance-" her parents will neither be grieved or surprised if, after a residence of some time under the same
roof with her brother Philip, she should no longer be able
to boast her freedom in that respect. If ever circumstances should arise to put my sincerity to the test, you
shall never find me backward to convince you that I
practise no equivocations and reserves, and prescribe no
limitations or conditions, when I grant you the privilege
of calling me father.
"My stay with you at present must be short. I am
going, on business of importance, to Virginia. I shall call
here on my return, which I expect will be soon, and take
you with me to New York, where I purpose to reside for
some time. The interval may be useful to you, in settling and arranging your little matters and equipping
yourself for your journey."
Such, my friend, was the result of this meeting with Mr.
IIoward. Every thing connected with this event was so
abrupt and unexpected, that my mind was a scene of
hurry and confusion till his departure, next morning, left
me at liberty to think on what had passed. He left me
with marks of the most tender affection, with particular
advice in what manner to adjust my affairs, and with a
promise of acquainting me by letter with all his motions.
I waited with some impatience for Mr. Howard's return. Many things had dropped from him, in our short
interview, on which I had now leisure to reflect. His
views with regard to me could not fail to delight my
youthful fancy. I was dazzled and enchanted by the
prospect which he set before me of entering on a new
and more dignified existence, of partaking the society of
beings like Mrs. Howard and her daughter, and of aiding
him in the promotion of great and useful purposes.
One intimation, however, had escaped him, which filled
me with anxious meditations. The young Clara was the
companion of his voyage hither. She had landed on this
shore. To her presence and domestic intercourse I was
about to be introduced, and I was allowed to solicit her