s
which so much puzzled her. She was fully convinced that my heart was not
hers, but she had no reason to suppose that it was in the possession of
another. Thus did my passion for Janet Wilson in every way prove to me a
source of anxiety. I knew that it was my duty to undeceive Bramble and
Bessy, yet the task was too painful, and I could not make up my mind to
make them unhappy. I felt that I had no right to remain under Bramble's
roof and live at his expense, and, at the same time, I could not find an
opportunity of telling him what my feelings and wishes were, the very
mention of which would at once explain to him that the desire of his old
age would never be accomplished. I often accused myself of ingratitude,
and felt as if it were my duty to make every sacrifice to one who had
been so kind a protector; but I was bound by vows to Janet Wilson, and
how was it possible that I could retract?

Virginia's letters were not satisfactory: at first she told me how much
she had been annoyed by the attentions of the young nobleman, and how
very indelicate my mother had been in her conduct; eventually she
informed me that she had been insulted by him, and that, upon
complaining to my mother, the latter had, much to her surprise and
indignation, not only laughed at his extreme forwardness, but pointed
out to Virginia a line of conduct by which he might be entrapped into
marriage; that her refusal to accede to such unworthy devices had
created a serious breach between her mother and herself. She stated the
young man to be extremely silly and weak, and that my mother had gained
great influence over him; and were it not that the presence of the
tutor, who seldom quitted the house, had proved a check, that there was
little doubt but, as far as the young man was concerned, the
disproportionate match would be readily acceded to; that the only person
she had ventured to consult was her dear friend Mrs. St. Felix, who had
promised her, if the persecution did not cease, that she would make Mr.
Sommerville the tutor aware of what was going on. Virginia described the
latter as an amiable modest young man, who did all in his power to
instruct his pupil, but who was treated with anything but deference in
return.

Relative to Janet she said little, except that she generally called
there every day to make inquiries after me: once or twice she did say
that it was a pity that I was not able to come oftener to Greenwich, as
Janet was not very s