. I was now
more sensible than ever of the degrees of guilt and misery; all the
affliction I had suffered hitherto was owing to my own credulity and
weakness, and my conscience could only accuse me of venial crimes; but
now that I looked upon myself as a murderer, it is impossible to express
the terrors of my imagination, which was incessantly haunted by the
image of the deceased, and my bosom stung with the most exquisite
agonies, of which I saw no end. At length, Horatio (for so I shall call
my new friend) returned, and telling me I had nothing to fear, delivered
into my hands a billet containing these words.

"Madam,

"As I understand it is of consequence to your peace, I take
this liberty to inform you, that the wounds I received from
Horatio are not mortal. This satisfaction my humanity could not
deny, even to a person who has endeavoured to disturb the
repose as well as the life of

"Lothario."

'Being well acquainted with this hand, I had no reason to suspect an
imposition in this letter, which I read over and over with a transport
of joy, and caressed Horatio so much that he appeared the happiest
man alive. Thus was I won from despair by the menaces of a greater
misfortune than that which depressed me. Griefs are like usurpers,--the
most powerful deposes all the rest. But my raptures were not lasting:
that very letter which in a manner re-established my tranquillity, in a
little time banished my peace. His unjust reproaches, while they waked
my resentment, recalled my former happiness, and filled my soul
with rage and sorrow. Horatio, perceiving the situation of my mind,
endeavoured to divert my chagrin, by treating me with all the amusements
and entertainments of the town. I was gratified with every indulgence I
could desire; introduced into the company of women in my own situation,
by whom an uncommon deference was paid to me; and I began to lose all
remembrance of my former condition, when an accident brought it back to
my view with all its interesting circumstances. Diverting myself one
day with some newspapers, which I had not before perused, the following
advertisement attracted my attention:

'"Whereas a young gentlewoman disappeared from her father's house in the
county of --, about the end of September, on account (as is supposed) of
some uneasiness of mind, and has not been as yet heard of. Whoever
will give any information about her to Mr. -- of G