be in love with
him if he goes on at this rate: not that it will be to any purpose in
the world; he never would even flirt with me, though I have made him a
thousand advances.

My heart is so light, Lucy, I cannot describe it: I love Emily at my
soul: 'tis three years since I saw her, and there is something so
romantic in finding her in Canada: there is no saying how happy I am: I
want only you, to be perfectly so.

3 o'clock.

The messenger is returned; Sir George is gone with a party of French
ladies to Lake Charles: Emily blushed when the message was delivered;
he might reasonably suppose they would be here to-day, as the wind was
fair: your brother dances with my sweet friend; she loses nothing by
the exchange; she is however a little piqued at this appearance of
disrespect.

12 o'clock.

Sir George came just as we sat down to supper; he did right, he
complained first, and affected to be angry she had not sent an express
from _Point au Tremble_. He was however gayer than usual, and very
attentive to his mistress; your brother seemed chagrined at his
arrival; Emily perceived it, and redoubled her politeness to him, which
in a little time restored part of his good humor: upon the whole, it
was an agreable evening, but it would have been more so, if Sir George
had come at first, or not at all.

The ladies lie here, and we go all together in the morning to
Quebec; the gentlemen are going.

I steal a moment to seal, and give this to the colonel, who will put
it in his packet to-morrow.

LETTER 24.

To Miss Rivers, Clarges Street.

Quebec, Sept. 30.

Would you believe it possible, my dear, that Sir George should
decline attending Emily Montague from Montreal, and leave the pleasing
commission to me? I am obliged to him for the three happiest days of my
life, yet am piqued at his chusing me for a _cecisbeo_ to his
mistress: he seems to think me a man _sans consequence_, with whom
a lady may safely be trusted; there is nothing very flattering in such
a kind of confidence: let him take care of himself, if he is
impertinent, and sets me at defiance; I am not vain, but set our
fortunes aside, and I dare enter the lists with Sir George Clayton. I
cannot give her a coach and six; but I can give her, what is more
conducive to happiness, a heart which knows how to value her
perfections.

I never had so pleasing a journey; we were three days coming down,
because we made it a continual party of pleasure, to