or,
feeling that I am happier than I ever was, do you wonder at my sometimes
dreading that fate has not done persecuting me? Come to me, my dearest
friend, husband, father of my child!--All these fond ties glow at my
heart at this moment, and dim my eyes.--With you an independence is
desirable; and it is always within our reach, if affluence escapes
us--without you the world again appears empty to me. But I am recurring
to some of the melancholy thoughts that have flitted across my mind for
some days past, and haunted my dreams.

My little darling is indeed a sweet child; and I am sorry that you are
not here, to see her little mind unfold itself. You talk of "dalliance;"
but certainly no lover was ever more attached to his mistress, than she
is to me. Her eyes follow me every where, and by affection I have the
most despotic power over her. She is all vivacity or softness--yes; I
love her more than I thought I should. When I have been hurt at your
stay, I have embraced her as my only comfort--when pleased with you, for
looking and laughing like you; nay, I cannot, I find, long be angry with
you, whilst I am kissing her for resembling you. But there would be no
end to these details. Fold us both to your heart; for I am truly and
affectionately

Yours

* * * *

* * * * *

LETTER XXIX.

December 28.

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I do, my love, indeed sincerely sympathize with you in all your
disappointments.--Yet, knowing that you are well, and think of me with
affection, I only lament other disappointments, because I am sorry that
you should thus exert yourself in vain, and that you are kept from me.

------, I know, urges you to stay, and is continually branching out into
new projects, because he has the idle desire to amass a large fortune,
rather an immense one, merely to have the credit of having made it. But
we who are governed by other motives, ought not to be led on by him. When
we meet, we will discuss this subject--You will listen to reason, and it
has probably occurred to you, that it will be better, in future, to
pursue some sober plan, which may demand more time, and still enable you
to arrive at the same end. It appears to me absurd to waste life in
preparing to live.

Would it not now be possible to arrange your business in such a manner
as to avoid the inquietudes, of which I