e which she knows will consume her?

My mother is well, but will never be happy till you return to
England; I often find her in tears over your letters: I will say no
more on a subject which I know will give you pain. I hope, however, to
hear you have given up all thoughts of settling in America: it would be
a better plan to turn farmer in Rutland; we could double the
estate by living upon it, and I am sure I should make the prettiest
milk-maid in the county.

I am serious, and think we could live very superbly all together in
the country; consider it well, my dear Ned, for I cannot bear to see my
mother so unhappy as your absence makes her. I hear her on the stairs;
I must hurry away my letter, for I don't chuse she should know I write
to you on this subject.

Adieu!
Your affectionate
Lucy Rivers.

Say every thing for me to Bell Fermor; and in your own manner to
your Emily, in whose friendship I promise myself great happiness.

LETTER 68.

To Miss Montague, at Silleri.

Montreal, Feb. 10.

Never any astonishment equalled mine, my dear Emily, at hearing you
had broke an engagement of years, so much to your advantage as to
fortune, and with a man of so very unexceptionable a character as Sir
George, without any other apparent cause than a slight indelicacy in a
letter of his mother's, for which candor and affection would have found
a thousand excuses. I will not allow myself to suppose, what is however
publicly said here, that you have sacrificed prudence, decorum, and I
had almost said honor, to an imprudent inclination for a man, to whom
there is the strongest reason to believe you are indifferent, and who
is even said to have an attachment to another: I mean Colonel Rivers,
who, though a man of worth, is in a situation which makes it impossible
for him to think of you, were you even as dear to him as the world says
he is to you.

I am too unhappy to say more on this subject, but expect from our
past friendship a very sincere answer to two questions; whether love
for Colonel Rivers was the real motive for the indiscreet step you have
taken? and whether, if it was, you have the excuse of knowing he loves
you? I should be glad to know what are your views, if you have any. I
am,

My dear Emily,
Your affectionate friend,
E. Melmoth.

LETTER 69.

To Mrs. Melmoth, at Montreal.

Silleri, Feb. 19.

My dear Madam,

I am too sensible of the rights of fr