o marry another, yet thought duty obliged her to
wait her father's arrival.

She kindly supposed he would see me with her eyes, and, when he knew
me, change his design in my favor: she fancied he would crown her love
as the reward of her obedience in delaying her marriage.

My importunity, and the fear of giving me room to doubt her
tenderness, as her vow prevented such an explanation as would have
satisfied me, bore down her duty to a father whom she had never seen,
and whom she had supposed dead, till the arrival of Mrs. Melmoth's
letters; having been two years without hearing any thing of him.

She married me, determined to give up her right to half his fortune
in favor of the person for whom he designed her; and hoped, by that
means, to discharge her father's obligations, which she could not pay
at the expence of sacrificing her heart.

But she writes to Mrs. Fitzgerald, and will tell you all.

Come and share the happiness of your friends.

Adieu!
Your faithful
Ed. Rivers.

LETTER 226.

To Mrs. Fitzgerald.

Temple-house, Friday.

My Rivers has told you--my sweet friend, in what words shall I
convey to you an adequate idea of your Emily's transport, at a
discovery which has reconciled all her duties!

Those anxieties, that sense of having failed in filial obedience,
which cast a damp on the joy of being wife to the most beloved of
mankind, are at an end.

This husband whom I so dreaded, whom I determined never to accept,
was my Rivers.

My father forgives me; he pardons the crime of love: he blesses that
kind providence which conducted us to happiness.

How many has this event made happy!

The most amiable of mothers shares my joy; she bends in grateful
thanks to that indulgent power who has rewarded her son for all his
goodness to her.

Rivers hears her, and turns away to hide his tears: her tenderness
melts him to the softness of a woman.

What gratitude do we not owe to heaven! may the sense of it be for
ever engraven on our hearts!

My Lucy too; all, all are happy.

But I will tell you. Rivers has already acquainted you with part of
my story.

My uncle placed me, with a servant, in whom he could confide, in a
convent in France, till I was seven years old; he then sent for me to
England, and left me at school eight years longer; after which, he took
me with him to his regiment in Kent, where, you know, our friendship
began, and continued till he changed into