taken, and I was as indifferent to her as she was to me. I was just
as anxious as she was not to vex Bramble, and equally glad that
confidence was restored between us. Alas! I must have been very blind
not to have perceived what was the true state of her feelings, but I
did not, and after some reflection I determined that I would make her a
confidante of my passion for Janet Wilson; and then I walked to the
post-office to see if there were any letters from Virginia. There was a
letter for me--a double one. As soon as I had paid the money, I opened
it; it was very closely written, and evidently Virginia had much to
communicate to me. I forgot for the moment Bessy and Bramble, thought
only of Janet, and put the letter to my lips as I walked away, that I
might go home and read it. I hurried past Bessy, who was in the parlor,
and went up the stairs into my bedroom, where I took my letter out of my
pocket and commenced it.

"15th April.

"MY DEAR TOM--I shall begin a letter to you now, and fill it up as a
sort of a diary; as it is the best plan, I think, to narrate
circumstances as they actually take place. It is unpleasant to say
anything against my mother, the more so as I believe that she thinks she
has been doing right, and has my interest sincerely at heart: she
appears to consider that an alliance with people of rank cannot be
purchased too dear, and that every attempt is justifiable to secure for
me such an advantage. Little does she know me. If she forgets, I never
shall, that I am the daughter of a Greenwich pensioner, and never would
ally myself with those whose relations would look upon me as a disgrace
to their family. No, Tom; even if I were so heedless as to allow my
affections to be enthralled, I would at any sacrifice refuse to enter
into a family much beyond my condition. I have thought of this often,
and I confess that I am sometimes unhappy. I have been brought up and
educated above my situation in life, and I do not think I ever could
marry a person who was not more refined and educated than those who are
really and truly my equals, But as, at the same time, I never will enter
into a family who might look down upon my parentage, I presume your
little Virginia must remain unmarried. If so, I am content--I have no
wish to alter my present condition. I am happy and respected; and with
the exception of the trifling annoyances which we all must expect and
must submit to, I have no reason to be dissatisfi