r pere_: I must hide my letter.

_Bon soir. _

LETTER 89.

To Miss Rivers, Clarges Street.

Quebec, March 6.

I cannot account, my dear, for what has happened to me. I left
Madame Des Roches's full of the warm impatience of love, and flew to my
Emily at Silleri: I was received with a disdainful coldness which I did
not think had been in her nature, and which has shocked me beyond all
expression.

I went again to-day, and met with the same reception; I even saw my
presence was painful to her, therefore shortened my visit, and, if I
have resolution to persevere, will not go again till invited by Captain
Fermor in form.

I could bear any thing but to lose her affection; my whole heart was
set upon her: I had every reason to believe myself dear to her. Can
caprice find a place in that bosom which is the abode of every virtue?

I must have been misrepresented to her, or surely this could not
have happened: I will wait to-morrow, and if I hear nothing will write
to her, and ask an explanation by letter; she refused me a verbal one
to-day, though I begged to speak with her only for a moment.

Tuesday.

I have been asked on a little riding party, and, as I cannot go to
Silleri, have accepted it: it will amuse my present anxiety.

I am to drive Mademoiselle Clairaut, a very pretty French lady: this
is however of no consequence, for my eyes see nothing lovely but Emily.

Adieu!
Your affectionate
Ed. Rivers.

LETTER 90.

To Miss Rivers, Clarges Street.

Silleri, Wednesday morning.

Poor Emily is to meet with perpetual mortification: we have been
carrioling with Fitzgerald and my father; and, coming back, met your
brother driving Mademoiselle Clairaut: Emily trembled, turned pale, and
scarce returned Rivers's bow; I never saw a poor little girl so in
love; she is amazingly altered within the last fortnight.

Two o'clock.

A letter from Mrs. Melmoth: I send you a copy of it with this.

Adieu!
Yours,
A. Fermor.

LETTER 91.

To Miss Montague, at Silleri.

Montreal, March 19.

If you are not absolutely resolved on destruction, my dear Emily, it
is yet in your power to retrieve the false step you have made.

Sir George, whose good-nature is in this instance almost without
example, has been prevailed on by Mr. Melmoth to consent I should write
to you before he leaves Montreal, and again offer you his hand, though
rejected in a manner