to a narrower.

I am the enemy of her soul, as well as of her honour!--Confoundedly
severe! Nevertheless, another fib!--For I love her soul very well; but
think no more of it in this case than of my own.

She is to be thrown upon strangers!--And is not that her own fault?--Much
against my will, I am sure!

She is cast from a state of independency into one of obligation. She
never was in a state of independency; nor is it fit a woman should, of
any age, or in any state of life. And as to the state of obligation,
there is no such thing as living without being beholden to somebody.
Mutual obligation is the very essence and soul of the social and
commercial life:--Why should she be exempt from it? I am sure the person
she raves at desires not such an exemption; has been long dependent upon
her; and would rejoice to owe further obligations to her than he can
boast of hitherto.

She talks of her father's curse!--But have I not repaid him for it an
hundred fold in the same coin? But why must the faults of other people
be laid at my door? Have I not enow of my own?

But the grey-eyed dawn begins to peep--let me sum up all.

In short, then, the dear creature's letter is a collection of invectives
not very new to me: though the occasion for them, no doubt is new to her.
A little sprinkling of the romantic and contradictory runs through it.
She loves, and she hates; she encourages me to pursue her, by telling me
I safely may; and yet she begs I will not. She apprehends poverty and
want, yet resolves to give away her estate; To gratify whom?--Why, in
short, those who have been the cause of her misfortunes. And finally,
though she resolves never to be mine, yet she has some regrets at leaving
me, because of the opening prospects of a reconciliation with her
friends.

But never did morning dawn so tardily as this!--Neither is the chariot
yet come.

***

A gentleman to speak with me, Dorcas?--Who can want me thus early?

Captain Tomlinson, sayest thou? Surely he must have traveled all night!
Early riser as I am, how could he think to find me up thus early?

Let but the chariot come, and he shall accompany me in it to the bottom
of the hill, (though he return to town on foot; for the Captain is all
obliging goodness,) that I may hear all he has to say, and tell him all
my mind, and lose no time.

Well, now I am satisfied that this rebellious flight will turn to my
advantage, as all crushed rebellions do to t