rable lady, and I should be
glad that Mr. Rich found favour in the sight of her father; for I
do believe her heart has been fixed, at least more fixed upon him
than upon any other, for some time. We have been passing a few
days in this dear spot--the nest, I may well call it, of our
affections. My husband, in the days of his bachelorhood, had been
cautioned to take heed of Richmond, as a place so fatal to love,
that never any disengaged young person went thither who returned
again free; and I wonder not at it, for there is a sober and most
happy beauty in its very aspect, that tranquillises and composes
the thoughts to gentleness and affection. We have visited our old
music-master, at whose house we both boarded for the practice of
the lute! He was so pleased to find I still studied! observing
that many married ladies relinquished it soon; and he praised my
husband's execution on the viol in no small degree.

"Adieu, my dear young friend. We crave earnestly to be kindly
thought of by him whom your soul 'delighteth to honour!' May the
blessing of the Lord dwell within your house, and sanctify all
things for your good! Such is the prayer of your true and loving
friend,

"LUCY HUTCHINSON.

"My husband, who is indeed a most kind counsellor in all things,
says that I ought to tender any assistance I can offer, seeing
that I am near London, and you may require sundry habits
befitting a bridal; if so, command my services as fully as you do
my affections."

Lady Frances placed the letter on Constantia's writing-table, and for
some time offered no observation on its contents.

"Is not she a beautiful model for a married woman?" inquired Constantia.

"It was very good of her to remember a giddy pate like me," replied
Frances; "and I do confess that she is one of my perfections, though in
general I hate your pattern-women, where every thing is fitted and
fitting--women of plaster and parchment--to cut one's character by; who
are to be spoken of, not to; who can make no excuse for people's
failings, because they think they are themselves exempt from fault; who
study devout looks, and leer at their lovers from under their
hoods--hole-and-corner flirts, yet held up as pattern-women, bless the
term! to innocent and laughter-loving maidens like myself, who having no
evil to conceal, speak openly, and love not the conventicle."

"But Mrs. Hutchinson