life; the latter carefully warns her charge against the surprizes of a nameless passion, which she describes, as more dangerous and destructive than the most baneful disease; the former enlivens her heart in the spring of life with that genial warmth which is proper to the season; the latter would have her remain always as cold and cheerless as an ice-cave. These opposite systems of two equally kind mothers, caused the flexible heart of the maiden to be never strictly obedient to either, and influenced by both these opposing means, she took a path that was dictated by neither. Mela prized the virtue and decency her education had taught her to respect, but her heart grew susceptible of the most tender impressions. Frank was the first youth who had awakened nature’s dormant feelings, and she had a secret inclination towards him, which she scarcely avowed to herself, but which every less inexperienced maiden would have called love; and leaving his neighbourhood, therefore, grieved her very much. It had at first filled her beautiful eyes with tears; and now made her kindly
