ng your kind letter immediately, that
you might have felt the pleasure it gave me; but ------ came in, and
some other things interrupted me; so that the fine vapour has
evaporated--yet, leaving a sweet scent behind, I have only to tell you,
what is sufficiently obvious, that the earnest desire I have shown to
keep my place, or gain more ground in your heart, is a sure proof how
necessary your affection is to my happiness.--Still I do not think it
false delicacy, or foolish pride, to wish that your attention to my
happiness should arise _as much_ from love, which is always rather a
selfish passion, as reason--that is, I want you to promote my felicity,
by seeking your own.--For, whatever pleasure it may give me to discover
your generosity of soul, I would not be dependent for your affection on
the very quality I most admire. No; there are qualities in your heart,
which demand my affection; but, unless the attachment appears to me
clearly mutual, I shall labour only to esteem your character, instead of
cherishing a tenderness for your person.

I write in a hurry, because the little one, who has been sleeping a long
time, begins to call for me. Poor thing! when I am sad, I lament that all
my affections grow on me, till they become too strong for my peace,
though they all afford me snatches of exquisite enjoyment--This for our
little girl was at first very reasonable--more the effect of reason, a
sense of duty, than feeling--now, she has got into my heart and
imagination, and when I walk out without her, her little figure is ever
dancing before me.

You too have somehow clung round my heart--I found I could not eat my
dinner in the great room--and, when I took up the large knife to carve
for myself, tears rushed into my eyes.--Do not however suppose that I am
melancholy--for, when you are from me, I not only wonder how I can find
fault with you--but how I can doubt your affection.

I will not mix any comments on the inclosed (it roused my indignation)
with the effusion of tenderness, with which I assure you, that you are
the friend of my bosom, and the prop of my heart.

* * * *

* * * * *

LETTER XXII.

H--, August 20.

I WANT to know what steps you have taken respecting ----. Knavery always
rouses my indignation--I should be gratified to hear that the law had
chastised ------ severely; but I do not wish you to see him, because the
business does not now admit of peaceful discussion,