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60 Melliphant, by his contrivances, kept up so much outward appearance, that none but Sir Howard was acquainted with the real state of his finances. Even his neighbour, Mrs. Belmour, seemed in ignorance as to the truth, or otherwise her heart might have relented, and not have allowed her to co-operate with him in the villainous plot he had laid to hurry an unsuspecting and innocent victim into the gulph of want, penury, and wretchedness! to involve in the merited fate of the detestable Melliphant, the lovely and guileless Rosilia!

Light-minded and superficial, little did Mrs. Belmour give herself a moment's concern as to the real character of one whom she devoted herself so freely to serve. Insensible to misfortunes on his own account, Melliphant had no pity to bestow upon the misfortunes of others; entirely ruled and guided by his passions, instead of subjecting them to restraint; debased and vicious in principle, his constant endeavour was to make it appear that the Truths of Christianity were calculated alone to infuse terror into the prejudiced and unenlightened.

Notwithstanding, however, the utter derision with which he viewed the holy precepts of the Gospel, he was ever careful to dissemble with Rosilia in his real opinions, and conceal from her his apostacy from her creed; well aware that the most decided firmness of principle was singularly opposed in her to softness and flexibility. Bent, therefore, as he was on the subduing of her heart, it was one of his fixed