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258 herself to spend the day with Miss Morris; while Philimore, calling in as if by chance, gave rise to no suspicion on his side.

Thus availing themselves of their friend's good-natured, but imprudent sanction, they spent many delightful hours in each other's company. Alas! they little conceived, during those moments of indulgence, what injury they were doing themselves, and what repentance was to follow!

In the fear of being conceived an intruder by the lovers, Miss Morris often withdrew to employ herself in her household occupations, leaving them long intervals together; when, with no prying witness near, giving way to the force of passion, where was Philimore's once boasted self-denial, his strength of virtue, or his honour? and Oriana, yielding to his importunities, often trembled while she had to fly his presence,—for what might be the result of her over-condescension? Happily for her, she had not to encounter in Philimore the systematic hypocrite and seducer of innocence; and, fortunately for her, contrition was awakened in him ere it was too late! To what lengths might not opportunity have driven him, even to tread on the brink of an abyss, which, had he fallen into, would have entombed honour, character—all that is held most sacred in his profession!