Priscilla was what might be called an epitome of feminine perfection. She was about four feet four inches in height, slender, and finely proportioned; her eyes were jetty black, with the deep diamond's water; her teeth, in the Oriental phrase, were like a flock of sheep newly washed, and close feeding in the flowery pastures of Jehoshaphat; the roses of Sharon bloomed upon each cheek, the coral of Euphrates composed her lips, and the lilies of Lebanon were diffused over the remainder of her beauteous body. Her disposition was mild to excess of gentleness, and her delicacy so refined, that she appeared alarmed and sensitive at the approach of man.

With all those singularly exquisite endowments, it may naturally be supposed that our charming little heroine soon became an object of admiration with the opposite sex; but such was her effeminate timidity, that it was for a long time she never would be prevailed upon to encounter the dangers of matrimony. At length, however, she was persuaded, and Mr. Henry Ayrtoun, who, though many years older than herself, and of a broken constitution, was so far a proficient in love, as to secure her fair hand, and as he, and all the world hoped, the chaste resident of her soft bosom also.

Having enjoyed a lengthened honeymoon in the country, the young votaries of Hymen repaired to the capital, were introduced at St. James's, and commenced a life of that gaiety and fashion which their fortune and birth entitled them to — their mansion was the frequent rendezvous of high life, and, as might be naturally expected in an age of so much gallantry, the lovely mistress thereof an object of admiration and love- many sighed in secret, and some few ventured to disclose their passion, but in vain; our connubial heroine remained inflexible, and the marriage-vow seemed to bind, not only her fidelity, but her passions.

In the midst of this metropolitan career an accident occurred, which not only put an end to all its enjoyments, but commanded an immediate return to Somersetshire. The venerable father of our heroine being suddenly taken ill, had closed his accounts with mortality, and the presence of both the daughter and her husband became indispensable. Many of the town servants were discharged, but among those retained, and taken into the country, was a favourite footman, whose particular avocation it was to attend upon our heroine.