re all extremely alarmed and troubled at the dangerous
way your doctor represents you to be in; as well as delighted with the
character he gives you. Would to Heaven the good gentleman had written
sooner! And yet he writes, that you know not he has now written. But it
is all our confidence, and our consolation, that he would not have
written at all, had he thought it too late.

They will prescribe no conditions to you, my dear young lady; but will
leave all to your own duty and discretion. Only your brother and sister
declare they will never yield to call Mr. Lovelace brother; nor will your
father, I believe, be easily brought to think of him for a son.

I am to bring you down with me as soon as your health and inclination
will permit. You will be received with open arms. Every one longs to
see you. All the servants please themselves that they shall be permitted
to kiss your hands. The pert Betty's note is already changed; and she
now runs over in your just praises. What friends does prosperity make!
What enemies adversity! It always was, and always will be so, in every
state of life, from the throne to the cottage.--But let all be forgotten
now on this jubilee change: and may you, my dearest Miss, be capable of
rejoicing in this good news; as I know you will rejoice, if capable of
any thing.

God preserve you to our happy meeting! And I will, if I may say so,
weary Heaven with my incessant prayers to preserve and restore you
afterwards!

I need not say how much I am, my dear young lady,
Your ever-affectionate and devoted,
JUDITH NORTON.

An unhappy delay, as to the chaise, will make it Saturday morning before
I can fold you to my fond heart.

LETTER X

MISS ARAB. HARLOWE, TO MISS CL. HARLOWE
WEDN. MORN. SEPT. 6.

DEAR SISTER,

We have just heard that you are exceedingly ill. We all loved you as
never young creature was loved: you are sensible of that, sister Clary.
And you have been very naughty--but we could not be angry always.

We are indeed more afflicted with the news of your being so very ill than
I can express; for I see not but, after this separation, (as we
understand that your misfortune has been greater than your fault, and
that, however unhappy, you have demeaned yourself like the good young
creature you used to be,) we shall love you better, if possible, than
ever.

Take comfort, therefore, sister Clary, and don't be too much cast down
--whatever your mortification