a thousand times betrayed the dear secret of
her heart?

My Lucy, we were formed for each other; our souls are of
intelligence; every thought, every idea--from the first moment I
beheld her--I have a thousand things to say, but the tumult of my
joy--she has given me leave to write to her; what has she not said in
that permission?

I cannot go to bed; I will go and walk an hour on the battery; 'tis
the loveliest night I ever beheld, even in Canada: the day is scarce
brighter.

One in the morning.

I have had the sweetest walk imaginable: the moon shines with a
splendor I never saw before; a thousand streaming meteors add to her
brightness; I have stood gazing on the lovely planet, and delighting
myself with the idea that 'tis the same moon that lights my Emily.

Good night, my Lucy! I love you beyond all expression; I always
loved you tenderly, but there is a softness about my heart
to-night--this lovely woman--

I know not what I would say, but till this night I could never be
said to live.

Adieu! Your affectionate
Ed. Rivers.

LETTER 104.

To Mrs. Temple, Pall Mall.

Quebec, 28th March.

I had this morning a short billet from her dear hand, entreating me
to make up a quarrel between Bell Fermor and her lover: your friend has
been indiscreet; her spirit of coquetry is eternally carrying her
wrong; but in my opinion Fitzgerald has been at least equally to blame.

His behaviour at the governor's on Thursday night was inexcusable,
as it exposed her to the sneers of a whole circle of her own sex, many
of them jealous of her perfections.

A lover should overlook little caprices, where the heart is good and
amiable like Bell's: I should think myself particularly obliged to
bring this affair to an amicable conclusion, even if Emily had not
desired it, as I was originally the innocent cause of their quarrel. In
my opinion he ought to beg her pardon; and, as a friend tenderly
interested for both, I have a right to tell him I think so: he loves
her, and I know must suffer greatly, though a foolish pride prevents
his acknowledging it.

My greatest fear is, that an idle resentment may engage him in an
intrigue with the lady in question, who is a woman of gallantry, and
whom he may find very troublesome hereafter. It is much easier to
commence an affair of this kind than to break it off; and a man, though
his heart was disengaged, should be always on his guard against any
thing like an a