all her pretended
simplicity and innocence, I never knew so much romantic invention as she
is mistress of. In short, the girl's head's turned by romances, and
such idle stuff, to which she has given herself up, ever since her
kind lady's death. And she assumes airs, as if she was a mirror of
perfection, and every body had a design upon her.

'Don't mistake me, however; I believe her very honest, and very
virtuous; but I have found out also, that she is carrying on a sort of
correspondence, or love affair, with a young clergyman, that I hope
in time to provide for; but who, at present, is destitute of any
subsistence but my favour: And what would be the consequence, can you
think, of two young folks, who have nothing in the world to trust to of
their own to come together with a family multiplying upon them before
they have bread to eat.

'For my part, I have too much kindness to them both, not to endeavour to
prevent it, if I can; and for this reason I have sent her out of his way
for a little while, till I can bring them both to better consideration;
and I would not, therefore, have you be surprised you don't see your
daughter so soon as you might possibly expect.

'Yet I do assure you, upon my honour, that she shall be safe and
inviolate; and I hope you don't doubt me, notwithstanding any airs she
may have given herself, upon my jocular pleasantry to her, and perhaps
a little innocent romping with her, so usual with young folks of the two
sexes, when they have been long acquainted, and grown up together; for
pride is not my talent.

'As she is a mighty letter-writer, I hope she has had the duty to
apprise you of her intrigue with the young clergyman; and I know not
whether it meets with your countenance: But now she is absent for a
little while, (for I know he would have followed her to your village,
if she had gone home; and there, perhaps, they would have ruined
one another, by marrying,) I doubt not I shall bring him to see his
interest, and that he engages not before he knows how to provide for a
wife: And when that can be done, let them come together in God's name,
for me.

'I expect not to be answered on this head, but by your good opinion, and
the confidence you may repose in my honour: being

'Your hearty friend to serve you.'

'P. S. I find my man John has been the manager of the correspondence, in
which such liberties have been taken with me. I shall soon, in a mann