put on these lively airs, I am sick at my soul!--My whole
heart is with my charmer! with what indifference shall I look upon all
the assembly at the Colonel's, my beloved in my ideal eye, and engrossing
my whole heart?

LETTER XXXIII

MISS HOWE, TO MISS ARABELLA HARLOWE
THURSDAY, JULY 20.

MISS HARLOWE,

I cannot help acquainting you (however it may be received, coming from
me) that your poor sister is dangerously ill, at the house of one Smith,
who keeps a glover's and perfume shop, in King-street, Covent-garden.
She knows not that I write. Some violent words, in the nature of an
imprecation, from her father, afflict her greatly in her weak state. I
presume not to direct you what to do in this case. You are her sister.
I therefore could not help writing to you, not only for her sake, but for
your own. I am, Madam,

Your humble servant,
ANNA HOWE.

LETTER XXXIV

MISS ARABELLA HARLOWE
[IN ANSWER.]
THURSDAY, JULY 20.

MISS HOWE,

I have your's of this morning. All that has happened to the unhappy body
you mentioned, is what we foretold and expected. Let him, for whose sake
she abandoned us, be her comfort. We are told he has remorse, and would
marry her. We don't believe it, indeed. She may be very ill. Her
disappointment may make her so, or ought. Yet is she the only one I know
who is disappointed.

I cannot say, Miss, that the notification from you is the more welcome,
for the liberties you have been pleased to take with our whole family for
resenting a conduct, that it is a shame any young lady should justify.
Excuse this freedom, occasioned by greater. I am, Miss,

Your humble servant,
ARABELLA HARLOWE.

LETTER XXXV

MISS HOWE
[IN REPLY.]
FRIDAY, JULY 21.

MISS ARABELLA HARLOWE,

If you had half as much sense as you have ill-nature, you would
(notwithstanding the exuberance of the latter) have been able to
distinguish between a kind intention to you all (that you might have the
less to reproach yourselves with, if a deplorable case should happen) and
an officiousness I owed you not, by reason of freedoms at least
reciprocal. I will not, for the unhappy body's sake, as you call a
sister you have helped to make so, say all that I could say. If what I
fear happen, you shall hear (whether desired or not) all the mind of

ANNA HOWE.

LETTER XXXVI

MISS ARABELLA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE
FRIDAY, JULY 21.

MISS ANNA HOWE,

Your pert letter I have received.