ch was at the door. Timothy put in my
portmanteau, and mounted the box. I _wept bitterly_. My readers may
despise me, but they ought not; let them be in my situation, and feel
that they have one sincere faithful friend, and then they will know the
bitterness of parting. I recovered myself before I arrived at the
coach, and shaking hands with Timothy, I lost sight of him; for how
long, the reader will find out in the sequel of my adventures.

I arrived at Lady de Clare's, and hardly need say that I was well
received. They expressed their delight at my so soon coming again, and
made a hundred inquiries--but I was unhappy and melancholy, not at my
prospects, for in my infatuation I rejoiced at my anticipated beggary--
but I wished to communicate with Fleta, for so I still call her. Fleta
had known my history, for she had been present when I had related it to
her mother, up to the time that I arrived in London; further than that
she knew little. I was determined that before I quitted she should
know--all. I dared not trust the last part to her when I was present,
but I resolved that I would do it in writing.

Lady de Clare made no difficulty whatever of leaving me with Fleta. She
was now a beautiful creature, of between fifteen and sixteen, bursting
into womanhood, and lovely as the bud of the moss-rose; and she was
precocious beyond her years in _intellect_. I staid there three days,
and had frequent opportunities of conversing with her; I told her that I
wished her to be acquainted with my whole life, and interrogated her as
to what she knew: I carefully filled up the chasms, until I brought it
down to the time at which I placed her in the arms of her mother. "And
now, Fleta," said I, "you have much more to learn--you will learn that
much at my departure. I have dedicated hours every night in writing it
out; and, as you will find, have analysed my feelings, and have pointed
out to you where I have been wrong. I have done it for my amusement, as
it may be of service even to a female."

On the third day I took my leave, and requesting the pony chaise of Lady
de Clare, to take me over to --, that I might catch the first coach that
went westward, for I did not care which. I put into Fleta's hands the
packet which I had written, containing all that had passed, and I bid
her farewell.

"Lady de Clare, may you be happy," said I. "Fleta--Cecilia, I should
say, may God bless and preserve you, and sometimes think