ionable circle, my admiration equalled my friendship--and
when fate permitted me to behold you in the tender light of my
betrothed wife, my soaring love left those humbler passions at a
distance.

"That you have still my friendship, my admiration, and even my
love, I will not attempt to deceive either myself or you by
disavowing; but still, with a firm assurance, I declare, that
prudence outweighs them all; and I have not, from henceforward, a
wish to be regarded by you, in any other respect than as one 'who
wishes you well.' That you ever beheld me in the endearing
quality of a destined and an affectionate husband, (such as I
would have proved) was a deception upon my hopes: they
acknowledge the mistake, and are humbled--but I entreat you to
spare their farther trial, and for a single week do not insult me
with the open preference of another. In the short space of that
period I shall have taken my leave of you--_for ever._

"I shall visit Italy, and some other parts of the Continent; from
whence I propose passing to the West Indies, in order to inspect
my possessions there: nor shall I return to England till after a
few years' absence; in which time I hope to become once more
reconciled to the change of state I am enjoined--a change I now
most fervently wish could be entirely dispensed with.

"The occasion of my remaining here a week longer, is to settle
some necessary affairs, among which the principal is, that of
delivering to a friend, a man of worth and of tenderness, all
those writings which have invested me with the power of my
guardianship--he will, the day after my departure, (without one
upbraiding word) resign them to you in my name; and even your
most respected father, could he behold the resignation, would
concur in its propriety.

"And now, my dear Miss Milner, let not affected resentment,
contempt, or levity, oppose that serenity, which, for the week to
come, I wish to enjoy. By complying with this request, give me to
believe, that, since you have been under my care, you think I
have, at least, faithfully discharged some part of my duty. And
wherever I have been inadequate to your wishes, attribute my
demerits to some infirmity of mind, rather than to a negligence
of your happiness. Yet, be the cause what it will, since