a few lines; but I have run into length. I
will now try to recollect my scattered thoughts, and resume my reason;
and shall find trouble enough to replace my affairs, and my own family,
and to supply the chasms you have made in it: For, let me tell you,
though I can forgive you, I never can my sister, nor my domestics; for
my vengeance must be wreaked somewhere.

'I doubt not your prudence in forbearing to expose me any more than is
necessary for your own justification; and for that I will suffer myself
to be accused by you, and will also accuse myself, if it be needful. For
I am, and will ever be, 'Your affectionate well-wisher.'

This letter, when I expected some new plot, has affected me more than
any thing of that sort could have done. For here is plainly his great
value for me confessed, and his rigorous behaviour accounted for in such
a manner, as tortures me much. And all this wicked gipsy story is, as it
seems, a forgery upon us both, and has quite ruined me: For, O my dear
parents, forgive me! but I found, to my grief, before, that my heart
was too partial in his favour; but now with so much openness, so much
affection; nay, so much honour too, (which was all I had before doubted,
and kept me on the reserve,) I am quite overcome. This was a happiness,
however, I had no reason to expect. But, to be sure, I must own to
you, that I shall never be able to think of any body in the world
but him.--Presumption! you will say; and so it is: But love is not a
voluntary thing: Love, did I say?--But come, I hope not:--At least it is
not, I hope, gone so far as to make me very uneasy: For I know not how
it came, nor when it began; but crept, crept it has, like a thief, upon
me; and before I knew what was the matter, it looked like love.

I wish, since it is too late, and my lot determined, that I had not had
this letter, nor heard him take my part to that vile woman; for then I
should have blessed myself in having escaped so happily his designing
arts upon my virtue: but now my poor mind is all topsy-turvied, and I
have made an escape to be more a prisoner.

But I hope, since thus it is, that all will be for the best; and I
shall, with your prudent advice, and pious prayers, be able to overcome
this weakness.--But, to be sure, my dear sir, I will keep a longer time
than a twelvemonth, as a true widow, for a compliment, and more than a
compliment, to your ashes! O the dear word!--How kind, how moving,
how affectionate i