ore importunity than ever; yet had the generosity to conceal this
sacrifice from me, and to wish it should be concealed for ever.

These sentiments, so noble, so peculiar to my Rivers, prevented an
explanation, and hid from us, for some time, the circumstances which
now make our happiness so perfect.

How infinitely worthy is Rivers of all my tenderness!

My father has sent to speak with me in his apartment: I should have
told you, I this morning went to Bellfield, and brought from thence my
mother's picture, which I have just sent him.

Adieu! Your faithful
Emily Rivers.

LETTER 227.

To Mrs. Rivers, Bellfield, Rutland.

London, Sunday.

No words, my dear Emily, can speak our joy at the receipt of your
two last letters.

You are then as happy as you deserve to be; we hope, in a few days,
to be witnesses of your felicity.

We knew from the first of your father's proposal to Rivers; but he
extorted a promise from us, never on any account to communicate it to
you: he also desired us to detain you in Berkshire, by lengthening our
visit, till your marriage, lest any friend of your father's in London
should know his design, and chance acquaint you with it.

Fitzgerald is _Monsieur le Majeur_, at your ladyship's service:
he received his commission this morning.

I once again congratulate you, my dear, on this triumph of
tenderness: you see love, like virtue, is not only its own reward, but
sometimes intitles us to other rewards too.

It should always be considered, that those who marry from love,
_may_ grow rich; but those who marry to be rich, will _never_
love.

The very idea that love will come after marriage, is shocking to
minds which have the least spark of delicacy: to such minds, a marriage
which begins with indifference will certainly end in disgust and
aversion.

I bespeak your papa for my _cecisbeo_; mine is extremely at
your service in return.

But I am piqued, my dear. "Sentiments so noble, so peculiar to your
Rivers--"

I am apt to believe there are men in the world--that nobleness of
mind is not so very _peculiar_--and that some people's sentiments
may be as noble as other people's.

In short, I am inclined to fancy Fitzgerald would have acted just
the same part in the same situation.

But it is your great fault, my dear Emily, to suppose your love a
phoenix, whereas he is only an agreable, worthy, handsome fellow,
_comme un autre_.

I suppose you will be very