out of Europe. A creature so artful, so corrupt, and so full of the lowest information can scarcely be conceived in a Christian country. Added to these defects, she was wasteful in the extreme at once haughty and familiar with her inferiors, and full of high expectations respecting her future lot in life.

My aunt was pleased at observing my attachment to her relation, and encouraged it to the utmost of her power; and with this view she invited me and Almeria to her side of the house, showed us her stores of rich silks, muslin, shawls, and jewels, and made us both some very superb presents. When not with my aunt, we used to romp about the verandahs, gossip with the ayahs, and sometimes take a turn to Calcutta, to visit certain of Almeria's acquaintance, who were not much better than herself. In the mean time, I saw very little of Anna, and as she could neither follow me nor expostulate with me, my alienation from her became more and more marked.

While things were in this state, my uncle was suddenly called up the country on some particular business, and it was expected would be absent some time. He took a very affectionate leave of us; particularly so (I thought) of Anna, of whom he was very fond, inform ing us, as he was going out of our room, that we might make up a packet for Mrs. Finchley, having spoken to a friend who was going to England, to convey it

for us.

Dear Anna, immediately on this permission, busied herself as well as she was able, in seeing such things prepared as she thought might be useful to her friends at Falmouth: but I am sorry to say that I interested myself very slightly in this work, and a very few days after my uncle was gone, left it all to her; for he was no sooner clear of Calcutta than my aunt gave me leave to visit Almeria. It was on occasion of this visit that my rebellious spirit broke out without restraint towards Anna, and it was then I showed how thoroughly I had been spoiled by prosperity.

As my aunt never came to her room, and as she was not able to leave it from excessive weakness, they never met it was therefore from me that she learned of my intended visit, and it was not till the morning of the day appointed for my short journey that I opened the subject to her

"O, Minny! dear, dear Minny!" she exclaimed, raising herself from the sofa, "don't go-if you love me, don't go."

"O, but I must," I answered, "I have promised."

66

"As you value me," she said, as you love me-as you value the memory of your governess, of your country-as you fear your God, don't go, my Minny. I entreat, I supplicate you-" and she burst into tears.

"But I must," I replied, "I have given my word." "Never mind your promise," she answered. "Say you will wait till your uncle's return-say any thingsay I am ill-say you can't leave me. Oh! Minny, Minny, don't go.'

"Pshaw!" I replied, "but I must" (for I had learned to use many contemptuous expressions).

"Once again let me entreat you," said my precious friend, taking my hand, "if you love the memory of your early days-of those who took care of you in babyhood-grant me but this one request-don't go, dear Minny, at least till your uncle returns." I heard Almeria call me, and broke from her without giving any answer; and in a short time afterward I was on my way to Mr. Aratoon's house.

CHAPTER XI.

Ermina persists in leaving Anna-Her visit to the Aratoons-The society, conversation, and amusements there-Mr. Townley's unexpected return-Ermina returns home-Her alarm and remorse on finding Anna so much worse.

I CAN hardly suppose but that my readers will have lost all regard for me, before they have arrived at this point of my history; and yet, perhaps, they may wish to know what more I have to relate, if not for my sake, for that of my lovely Anna. I must do myself the jus tice to say, that I was very unhappy when I got into my own little carriage to proceed to the house of my new friend; and even as we were going along, when 1 looked on her as she sat in the place of the carriage opposite to me that place which had so often been oc

cupied by the sweet companion of my childhood, I could not refrain from many comparisons by which Almeria was no gainer.

I forget what passed during our drive, for I was not myself: my heart was far away from where I really was, and a thousand scenes of infancy were continually presenting themselves to my mind, in all of which my Anna acted some conspicuous part. We arrived at Mr. Aratoon's just as the family were sitting down to dinner, for the old gentleman chose to dine at an early hour, and surely such a motley group as assembled round this dinner-table, in a large shadowy back-room behind the hall, I had never before witnessed. Here were riches without elegance, magnificence without taste, and profusion without order. Every dish was spiced, seasoned, perfumed, and compounded in so strange a way that I could relish nothing; and though there were so many of us, conversation flagged in a most extraordinary degree. After dinner all the family dispersed, and Almeria with the sister next in age to herself, whose name was Sacharissa, or something very like it, withdrew me to a suite of rooms up-stairs, which belonged to themselves, and which was terminated by a little closet, where was a balcony, which hung over the wall of the house into the bazar, or narrow street below. This balcony was generally screened by blinds or checks, which last are blinds curiously composed of painted grass. I presently found that this closet was the favourite apartment of these two sisters, and here we lay down on low sofas, the two sisters having summoned their women to fan them, drive away the flies, and perform other services of the same kind. Among these women was one of superior dignity, who came waddling into the closet, as she was exceedingly corpulent, and sitting herself down in the circle formed by our couches, began to chew trawn, and roll it about in her mouth like one perfectly at her ease. I was presently made to understand that this old lady was Almeria's nurse, and a very great favourite of the family: hence the state she took upon herself.

We, the younger individuals of the party, talked to each other for some time, but my reader must excuse my giving any sample of the conversation of my companions. At length Almeria, taking a punkah, or fan, from the hand of one of her ayahs, tapped her nurse on

the back with it, saying, "Well, old woman, have you nothing to say? tell us one of your stories, for the amusement of the little lady." The old lady gave another roll to the beetle-nut that was in her mouth, and then ejecting some of the juice on the pavement, she began her history, and told us a long story, somewhat in the style, though far more gross than those Arabian tales so well known in Europe.

As I understood but one-half of what she said, she soon talked me to sleep, and when I awoke it was dusk, and Almeria was waiting to lead me to the room belonging to her mother, where all the family were assembled.

There we found several strangers, and after drinking coffee, the young people left the old ones to converse, while we, being a motley assemblage of brothers, sisters, and neighbours, withdrew to amuse ourselves in dancing, romping, and various sorts of frolics. The day was finished by a heartless form of prayer, by which I was led to discover that I was with a set of persons whose mode of faith differed very considerably from that in which I had been brought up. I slept with Almeria in her chamber, which was next the closet above spoken of, and was kept awake for some hours by the gossip which passed between her and the old

woman.

Of all gossip none can be worse than low Hindostannee gossip; and it appears to me that no young person can be even comparatively free from corruption who is exposed to hear the tittle-tattle of heathen servants.

We did not rise till late, and we spent much of our morning in lounging and looking over the stores of pedlers who came with boxes to the house, and thus one day after another passed with no variation, excepting from an airing, till nearly a fortnight had expired, during which time I had received only one little note from Anna, written in such a manner as rather surprised me, for the hand seemed strangely changed, the lines crooked, and some words omitted; it however contained only a request that I would return soon-very, very soon.

One afternoon, when, as I before said, I had been about a fortnight with Almeria, the old nurse informed us that there was to be a putulli nantch, or puppetshow, at the opposite house, that very evening.

"Oh!" said Almeria, “then we will go: Ermina has never seen a putulli nantch, and go we will."

The nurse began to expostulate, but her hopeful child bade her hold her tongue; and the next minute the young lady ran out of the room, and did not return for some time.

66

I heard no more of the nantch till we were withdrawn to our bedroom, and then, having dismissed the ayahs, Almeria said to me, Ermina, I have settled it all. When they are all quiet, my brother Caratoon will come and bring the steps, and we will get out by the balcony, and go and see the nantch. Look," said she, calling me to the window, "the house is lighted up already; and don't you hear the tum-tums, and the music?"

"Music!" I said, "do you call that music. It is the most horrid noise I ever heard."-" Well, but," said she, "you will go with me." I refused at first, but my refusal became weaker and weaker, and when Caratoon came with his steps, which were those used by the bearers to light and dress the lamps, I suffered myself to be lifted down into the street, for the balcony was low, or probably the ground had been raised on that side of the building by the rubbish constantly thrown out into the street. I was certainly frightened when I found myself in an open street at this time of night; however, Almeria was presently with me, and her brother leading the way, we were the next moment at the door of the native house where were the lights, the crowd, and the music.

We were received at the door by a man who seemed half a European and half a Hindoo, and taken into a hall of a most shabby appearance, where they were playing off some frightful little puppets, with heads as big as all the rest of their bodies, in a little stage which was placed in one corner of the room.

The intense heat of the apartment, the wild appearance of the spectators, the smell of cocoanut oil, garlic, and tobacco, together with the squeaking of the man who played off the puppets, formed such a complication of disagreeables, that had my conscience been very easy, I must have been excessively uncomfortable; but as it was I was truly wretched, and after half an hour, I begged, prayed, entreated, to be taken back, but all in vain; for Caratoon seemed to be delighted with