will not to him, to me, your father you know,
under your own precious hand. The Lord be good unto me! But I shall
never see the she that will strike my fancy, as you have done. But what
a dreadful thing would it be, if you, who are so much courted and admired
by many fine gallants, should at last be taken with a man who could not
be yours! God forbid that such a disastrous thing should happen! I
profess to you, madam, that a tear or two have strayed down my cheeks at
the thoughts of it. For why? Because you played no tricks with any man:
you never were a coquette, as they call them. You dealt plainly,
sincerely, and tenderly too, to all men; of which my nephew and I can
bear witness.

Well, but what now is the end of my writing?--Lord love you, cannot,
cannot you at last give comfort to two honest hearts? Honester you never
knew! And yet, if you could, I dare say you would. Well, then, and if
you can't, we must sit down as contented as we can; that's all we have
for it.--But, poor young man! Look at him, if you read this before him.
Strangely altered! Poor young man!--And if as how you cannot, why then,
God bless my daughter; that's all. And I do assure you, that you have
our prayers every Lord's day, from the bottom of our hearts.

And now, if you will keep a secret, I will tell it you; and yet, when I
began, I did not intend it: the poor youth must not know it. It is done
in the singleness of our hearts; and if you think we mean to gain your
love for us by it, I do assure you, that you wrong us.--My nephew
declares, that he never will marry, if it be not somebody: and he has
made his will, and so have I his uncle; and, let me tell you, that if as
how I cannot have a niece, my daughter shall be the better for having
known, and treated as kindly, as power was lent her,

Her true friend, loving father, and obedient servant,
ROWLAND MEREDITH.

Love and service to Mr. and Mrs. Reeves, and all friends who inquire
after me. Farewell. God bless you! Amen.

***

Have you, could you, Lucy, read this letter with dry eyes? Generous,
worthy, honest men! I read but half way before Mr. Fowler--Glad I was,
that I read no further. I should not have been able to have kept his
uncle's secret, if I had; had it been but to disclaim the acceptance of
the generous purpose. The carrying it into effect would exceedingly
distress me, besides the pain the demise of the honest man would give me;
and the more, as I bespoke the fa