theory; but if you reflect upon the great change of situation Miss
Beverley will experience, upon the new scenes she will see, the new
acquaintance she must make, and the new connections she may form,
you will not wonder at the anxiety of a friend for her welfare."

"But I presume," cried Belfield, with a laugh, "Miss Beverley does
not mean to convey her person to town, and leave her understanding
locked up, with other natural curiosities, in the country? Why,
therefore, may not the same discernment regulate her adoption of new
acquaintance, and choice of new connections, that guided her
selection of old ones? Do you suppose that because she is to take
leave of you, she is to take leave of herself?"

"Where fortune smiles upon youth and beauty," answered Mr Monckton,
"do you think it nothing that their fair possessor should make a
sudden transition of situation from the quietness of a retired life
in the country, to the gaiety of a splendid town residence?"

"Where fortune _frowns_ upon youth and beauty," returned
Belfield, "they may not irrationally excite commiseration; but where
nature and chance unite their forces to bless the same object, what
room there may be for alarm or lamentation I confess I cannot
divine."

"What!" cried Mr Monckton, with some emotion, "are there not
sharpers, fortune-hunters, sycophants, wretches of all sorts and
denominations, who watch the approach of the rich and unwary, feed
upon their inexperience, and prey upon their property?"

"Come, come," cried Mr Harrel, "it is time I should hasten my fair