s old age would never
be accomplished. I often accused myself of ingratitude, and felt as if
it were my duty to make every sacrifice to one who had been so kind a
protector; but I was bound by vows to Janet Wilson, and how was it
possible that I could retract?

Virginia's letters were not satisfactory: at first she told me how much
she had been annoyed by the attentions of the young nobleman, and how
very indelicate my mother had been in her conduct; eventually she
informed me that she had been insulted by him, and that, upon
complaining to my mother, the latter had, much to her surprise and
indignation, not only laughed at his extreme forwardness, but pointed
out to Virginia a line of conduct by which he might be entrapped into
marriage; that her refusal to accede to such unworthy devices had
created a serious breach between her mother and herself. She stated the
young man to be extremely silly and weak, and that my mother had gained
great influence over him; and were it not that the presence of the
tutor, who seldom quitted the house, had proved a check, that there was
little doubt but, as far as the young man was concerned, the
disproportionate match would be readily acceded to; that the only person
she had ventured to consult was her dear friend Mrs St. Felix, who had
promised her, if the persecution did not cease, that she would make Mr
Sommerville the tutor aware of what was going on. Virginia described
the latter as an amiable modest young man, who did all in his power to
instruct his pupil, but who was treated with anything but deference in
return.

Relative to Janet she said little, except that she generally called
there every day to make inquiries after me: once or twice she did say
that it was a pity that I was not able to come oftener to Greenwich, as
Janet was not very steady; indeed, considering how young she was,
without a mother, and so little controlled by her father, it was not to
be wondered at.

Such was the state of affairs when I made up my mind that I would speak
to Bramble about my paying my share of the expenses, which I thought
would open his eyes to the real state of my feeling towards Bessy: I did
so; I pointed out to him that I was now earning money fast, and that I
considered it but fair that I should support myself, and not put him to
further expense; that perhaps it would be better that I should take a
house for myself; as I must give a great deal of trouble to Bessy and
Mrs Maddox