George; and talks
something of an offer of a citizen's daughter with fifty thousand
pounds, and the promise of an Irish title. She has, however, observed
that indiscreet engagements are better broke than kept.

Sir George has shewn the letter, a very indelicate one in my
opinion, to my father and me; and has talked a great deal of nonsense
on the subject. He wants to shew it to Emily, and I advise him to it,
because I know the effect it will have. I see plainly he wishes to make
a great merit of keeping his engagement, if he does keep it: he hinted
a little fear of breaking her heart; and I am convinced, if he thought
she could survive his infidelity, all his tenderness and constancy
would cede to filial duty and a coronet.

Eleven o'clock.

After much deliberation, Sir George has determined to write to
Emily, inclose his mother's letter, and call in the afternoon to enjoy
the triumph of his generosity in keeping his engagement, when it is in
his power to do so much better: 'tis a pretty plan, and I encourage him
in it; my father, who wishes the match, shrugs his shoulders, and
frowns at me; but the little man is fixed as fate in his resolve, and
is writing at this moment in my father's apartment. I long to see his
letter; I dare say it will be a curiosity: 'tis short, however, for he
is coming out of the room already.

Adieu! my father calls for this letter; it is to go in one of his to
New York, and the person who takes it waits for it at the door.

Ever yours,
A. Fermor.

LETTER 59.

To Miss Montague, at Silleri.

Dear Madam,

I send you the inclosed from my mother: I thought it necessary you
should see it, though not even a mother's wishes shall ever influence
me to break those engagements which I have had the happiness of
entering into with the most charming of women, and which a man of honor
ought to hold sacred.

I do not think happiness intirely dependent on rank or fortune, and
have only to wish my mother's sentiments on this subject more agreable
to my own, as there is nothing I so much wish as to oblige her: at all
events, however, depend on my fulfilling those promises, which ought to
be the more binding, as they were made at a time when our situations
were more equal.

I am happy in an opportunity of convincing you and the world, that
interest and ambition have no power over my heart, when put in
competition with what I owe to my engagements; being with the greatest
tr