well whither I am going, but I
will not stay to see this marriage. Could you have believed it
possible--But what folly! Did I not know her situation from the first?
Could I suppose she would break off an engagement of years, with a man
who gives so clear a proof that he prefers her to all other women, to
humor the frenzy of one who has never even told her he loved her?

Captain Fermor assures me all is settled but the day, and that she
has promised to name that to-morrow.

I will leave Quebec to-night; no one shall know the road I take: I
do not yet know it myself; I will cross over to Point Levi with my
valet de chambre, and go wherever chance directs me. I cannot bear even
to hear the day named. I am strongly inclined to write to her; but what
can I say? I should betray my tenderness in spite of myself, and her
compassion would perhaps disturb her approaching happiness: were it
even possible she should prefer me to Sir George, she is too far gone
to recede.

My Lucy, I never till this moment felt to what an excess I loved
her.

Adieu! I shall be about a fortnight absent: by that time she will be
embarked for England. I cannot bring myself to see her the wife of
another. Do not be alarmed for me; reason and the impossibility of
success will conquer my passion for this angelic woman; I have been to
blame in allowing myself to see her so often.

Yours,
Ed. Rivers.

LETTER 27.

To Miss Rivers, Clarges Street.

Beaumont, Oct. 7.

I think I breathe a freer air now I am out of Quebec. I cannot bear
wherever I go to meet this Sir George; his triumphant air is
insupportable; he has, or I fancy he has, all the insolence of a happy
rival; 'tis unjust, but I cannot avoid hating him; I look on him as a
man who has deprived me of a good to which I foolishly fancy I had
pretensions.

My whole behaviour has been weak to the last degree: I shall grow
more reasonable when I no longer see this charming woman; I ought
sooner to have taken this step.

I have found here an excuse for my excursion; I have heard of an
estate to be sold down the river; and am told the purchase will be
less expence than clearing any lands I might take up. I will go and see
it; it is an object, a pursuit, and will amuse me.

I am going to send my servant back to Quebec; my manner of leaving
it must appear extraordinary to my friends; I have therefore made this
estate my excuse. I have written to Miss Fermor that I am goin