'DEAREST MADAM, 'I am utterly confounded, and must plead guilty to all your just

reproaches. I wish I were master of all but half your caution and

discretion! I hope, after all, this is only a touch of this ill woman's

temper, to shew her power and importance: For I think Mr. B---- neither

can nor dare deceive me in so black a manner. I would expose him all the

world over if he did. But it is not, cannot be in him. I have received

a letter from John Arnold, in which he tells me, that his master is

preparing for his London journey; and believes, afterwards, he will come

into these parts: But he says, Lady Davers is at their house, and is to

accompany her brother to London, or meet him there, he knows not which.

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He professes great zeal and affection to your service: and I find he

refers to a letter he sent me before, but which is not come to my hand.

I think there can be no treachery; for it is a particular friend at

Gainsborough, that I have ordered him to direct to; and this is come

safe to my hands by this means; for well I know, I durst trust nothing

to Brett, at the post-house here. This gives me a little pain; but I

hope all will end well, and we shall soon hear, if it be necessary to

pursue our former intentions. If it be, I will lose no time to provide a

horse for you, and another for myself; for I can never do either God or

myself better service, though I were to forego all my expectations for

it here, I am 'Your most faithful humble servant.'

'I was too free indeed with Mrs. Jewkes, led to it by her dissimulation,

and by her pretended concern to make me happy with you. I hinted, that I

would not have scrupled to have procured your deliverance by any means;

and that I had proposed to you, as the only honourable one, marriage

with me. But I assured her, though she would hardly believe me, that

you discouraged my application: which is too true! But not a word of the

back-door key, etc.' Mrs. Jewkes continues still sullen and ill-natured, and I am almost

afraid to speak to her. She watches me as close as ever, and pretends to

wonder why I shun her company as I do. I have just put under the tiles these lines inspired by my fears, which

are indeed very strong; and, I doubt, not without reason.

'SIR, 'Every thing gives me additional disturbance. The missed letter of John

Arnold's makes me suspect a plot. Yet am I loath to think myself of so

much importance, as to suppose every one in a plot against me. Are you

sure, however, the London journey is not to be a Lincolnshire one? May

not John, who has been once a traitor, be so again?--Why need I be thus

in doubt?--If I could have this horse, I would turn the reins on his

neck, and trust to Providence to guide him for my safeguard! For I would

not endanger you, now just upon the edge of your preferment. Yet, sir, I

fear your fatal openness will make you suspected as accessary, let us be

ever so cautious. 'Were my life in question, instead of my honesty, I would not wish to

involve you, or any body, in the least difficulty, for so worthless a

poor creature. But, O sir! my soul is of equal importance with the soul

of a princess; though my quality is inferior to that of the meanest

slave. 'Save then my innocence, good Heaven! and preserve my mind spotless; and

happy shall I be to lay down my worthless life; and see an end to all my

troubles and anxieties. 'Forgive my impatience: But my presaging mind bodes horrid mischiefs!

Every thing looks dark around me; and this woman's impenetrable

sullenness and silence, without any apparent reason, from a conduct so

very contrary, bid me fear the worst.--blame me, sir, if you think me

wrong; and let me have your advice what to do; which will oblige 'Your most afflicted servant.'




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