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been obtained within the last two or three years of my life； and I have thus far seen nothing of Society； in England or in any other civilized part of the world。 I can be a competent witness； it seems； in spite of these disadvantages。 Anyhow； I mean to tell the truth。
My father was a French colonist in the island of Saint Domingo。 He died while I was very young； leaving to my mother and to me just enough to live on； in the remote part of the island in which our little property was situated。 My mother was an Englishwoman。 Her delicate health made it necessary for her to leave me； for many hours of the day； under the care of our household slaves。 I can never forget their kindness to me； but； unfortunately； their ignorance equaled their kindness。 If we had been rich enough to send to France or England for a competent governess we might have done very well。 But we were not rich enough。 I am ashamed to say that I was nearly thirteen years old before I had learned to read and write correctly。
Four more years passedand then there came a wonderful event in our lives； which was nothing less than the change from Saint Domingo to England。
My mother was distantly related to an ancient and wealthy English family。 She seriously offended those proud people by marrying an obscure foreigner； who had nothing to live on but his morsel of land in the West Indies。 Having no expectations from her relatives； my mother preferred happiness with the man she loved to every other consideration； and I； for one； think she was right。 From that moment she was cast off by the head of the family。 For eighteen years of her life； as wife； mother； and widow； no letters came to her from her English home。 We had just celebrated my seventeenth birthday when the first letter came。 It informed my mother that no less than three lives； which stood between her and the inheritance of certain portions of the family property； had been swept away by death。 The estate and the fortune which I have already mentioned had fallen to her in due course of law； and her surviving relatives were magnanimously ready to forgive her at last！
We wound up our affairs at Saint Domingo； and we went to England to take possession of our new wealth。
At first； the return to her native air seemed to have a beneficial effect on my mother's health。 But it was a temporary improvement only。 Her constitution had been fatally injured by the West Indian climate； and just as we had engaged a competent person to look after my neglected education； my constant attendance was needed at my mother's bedside。 We loved each other dearly； and we wanted no strange nurses to come between us。 My aunt （my mother's sister） relieved me of my cares in the intervals when I wanted rest。
For seven sad months our dear sufferer lingered。 I have only one remembrance to comfort me； my mother's last kiss was mineshe died peacefully with her head on my bosom。
I was nearly nineteen years old before I had sufficiently rallied my courage to be able to think seriously of myself and my prospects。
At that age one does not willingly submit one's self for the first time to the authority of a governess。 Having my aunt for a companion and protectress； I proposed to engage my own masters and to superintend my own education。
My plans failed to meet with the approval of the head of the family。 He declared （most unjustly； as the event proved） that my aunt was not a fit person to take care of me。 She had passed all the later years of her life in retirement。 A good creature； he admitted； in her own way； but she had no knowledge of the world； and no firmness of character。 The right person to act as my chaperon； and to superintend my education； was the high…minded and accomplished woman who had taught his own daughters。
I declined； with all needful gratitude and respect； to take his advice。 The bare idea of living with a stranger so soon after my mother's death revolted me。 Besides； I liked my aunt； and my aunt liked me。 Being made acquainted with my decision； the head of the family cast me off； exactly as he had cast off my mother before me。
So I lived in retirement with my good aunt； and studied industriously to improve my mind until my twenty…first birthday came。 I was now an heiress； privileged to think and act for myself。 My aunt kissed me tenderly。 We talked of my poor mother； and we cried in each other's arms on the memorable day that made a wealthy woman of me。 In a little time more； other troubles than vain regrets for the dead were to try me； and other tears were to fill my eyes than the tears which I had given to the memory of my mother。
II。
I MAY now return to my visit； in June； 1817； to the healing springs at Maplesworth。
This famous inland watering…place was only between nine and ten miles from my new home called Nettlegrove Hall。 I had been feeling weak and out of spirits for some months； and our medical adviser recommended change of scene and a trial of the waters at Maplesworth。 My aunt and I established ourselves in comfortable apartments； with a letter of introduction to the chief doctor in the place。 This otherwise harmless and worthy man proved； strangely enough； to be the innocent cause of the trials and troubles which beset me at the outset of my new life。
The day after we had presented our letter of introduction； we met the doctor on the public walk。 He was accompanied by two strangers； both young men； and both （so far as my ignorant opinion went） persons of some distinction； judging by their dress and manners。 The doctor said a few kind words to us； and rejoined his two companions。 Both the gentlemen looked at me； and both took off their hats as my aunt and I proceeded on our walk。
I own I thought occasionally of the well…bred strangers during the rest of the day； especially of the shortest of the two； who was also the handsomest of the two to my thinking。 If this confession seems rather a bold one； remember； if you please； that I had never been taught to conceal my feelings at Saint Domingo； and that the events which followed our arrival in England had kept me completely secluded from the society of other young ladies of my age。
The next day； while I was drinking my glass of healing water （extremely nasty water； by the way） the doctor joined us。
While he was asking me about my health； the two strangers made their appearance again； and took off their hats again。 They both looked expectantly at the doctor； and the doctor （in performance of a promise which he had already made； as I privately suspected） formally introduced them to my aunt and to me。 First （I put the handsomest man first） Captain Arthur Stanwick； of the army； home from India on leave； and staying at Maplesworth to take the waters； secondly； Mr。 Lionel Varleigh； of Boston； in America； visiting England； after traveling all over Europe； and stopping at Maplesworth to keep company with his friend the Captain。
On their introduction； the two gentlemen； observing； no doubt； that I was a little shy； forbore delicately from pressing their society on us。
Captain Stanwick； with a beautiful smile； and with teeth worthy of the smile； stroked his whiskers； and asked me if I had found any benefit from taking the waters