to be gained by the
marriage, and that these better feelings of humanity are allowed to be
exercised, and not interfered with by the adverse party, who is
satisfied with its own Mammon share. But the struggle is to come when
the evil spirit finds itself defrauded of its portion, and then attempts
to destroy the influence of the good. He does love me now, and would
have continued to love me, if disappointment will not tear up his still
slightly-rooted affections. Now comes my task to cherish and protect
it, till it has taken firm root, and all that woman can do shall be
done. I felt that all that I required was time.

"`Where are we going?' said I.

"`About twenty miles from London,' replied my husband, `after which,
that is to-morrow, you shall decide upon our future plans.'

"`I care not where,' replied I, `with you place is indifferent, only do
not refuse me the first favour that I request of you.'

"`Depend upon it I will not,' replied he.

"`It is this, dearest, take me where you will, but let it be three
months before we return or come near London. You must feel my reason
for making this request.'

"`I grant it with pleasure,' replied he, `for three months I am yours,
and yours only. We will live for one another.'

"`Yes, and never let us mention any thing about future prospects, but
devote the three months to each other.'

"`I understand you,' replied the colonel, `and I promise you it shall be
so. I will have no correspondence even--there shall be nothing to annoy
you or vex you in any way.'

"`For three months,' said I, extending my hand.

"`Agreed,' said he, `and to tell you the truth, it would have been my
own feeling, had it not been yours. When you strike iron, you should do
it when it is hot, but when you have to handle it, you had better wait
till it is cool; you understand me, and now the subject is dropped.'

"My husband has adhered most religiously to his word up to the present
time, as you will see by the date of this letter. We are now visiting
the lakes of Cumberland. Never could a spot be better situated for the
furtherance of my wishes. The calm repose and silent beauty of these
waters must be reflected upon the mind of any one of feeling, which the
colonel certainly does not want, and when you consider that I am
exerting all the art which poor woman has to please, I do hope and pray
to heaven that I may succeed in entwining myself round his heart before
his worldly views a