etter last night to be carried to the
post-house, as this morning, directed for Miss Howe, under cover to
Hickman. I dare say neither cover nor letter will be seen to have been
opened. The contents but eight lines--To own--'The receipt of her
double-dated letter in safety; and referring to a longer letter, which
she intends to write, when she shall have a quieter heart, and less
trembling fingers. But mentions something to have happened [My detecting
her she means] which has given her very great flutters, confusions, and
apprehensions: but which she will wait the issue of [Some hopes for me
hence, Jack!] before she gives her fresh perturbation or concern on her
account.--She tells her how impatient she shall be for her next,' &c.

Now, Belford, I thought it would be but kind in me to save Miss Howe's
concern on these alarming hints; since the curiosity of such a spirit
must have been prodigiously excited by them. Having therefore so good a
copy to imitate, I wrote; and, taking out that of my beloved, put under
the same cover the following short billet; inscriptive and conclusive
parts of it in her own words.

HAMPSTEAD, TUES. EVEN.

MY EVER-DEAR MISS HOWE,

A few lines only, till calmer spirits and quieter fingers be granted me,
and till I can get over the shock which your intelligence has given me--
to acquaint you--that your kind long letter of Wednesday, and, as I may
say, of Thursday morning, is come safe to my hands. On receipt of your's
by my messenger to you, I sent for it from Wilson's. There, thank
Heaven! it lay. May that Heaven reward you for all your past, and for
all your intended goodness to

Your for-ever obliged,
CL. HARLOWE.

***

I took great pains in writing this. It cannot, I hope, be suspected.
Her hand is so very delicate. Yet her's is written less beautifully than
she usually writes: and I hope Miss Howe will allow somewhat for hurry of
spirits, and unsteady fingers.

My consideration for Miss Howe's ease of mind extended still farther than
to the instance I have mentioned.

That this billet might be with her as soon as possible, (and before it
could have reached Hickman by the post,) I dispatched it away by a
servant of Mowbray's. Miss Howe, had there been any failure or delay,
might, as thou wilt think, have communicated her anxieties to her
fugitive friend; and she to me perhaps in a way I should not have been
pleased with.

Once more wilt thou wonderingly question