hed there.----

_King Lear._

The billet which Mowbray received, and read in his sister's presence,
contained these words:--

"Sir,--Clara Mowbray has few friends--none, perhaps, excepting
yourself, in right of blood, and the writer of this letter, by right
of the fondest, truest, and most disinterested attachment, that ever
man bore to woman. I am thus explicit with you, because, though it
is unlikely that I should ever again see or speak to your sister, I
am desirous that you should be clearly acquainted with the cause of
that interest, which I must always, even to my dying breath, take in
her affairs.

"The person, calling himself Lord Etherington, is, I am aware, in
the neighbourhood of Shaws-Castle, with the intention of paying his
addresses to Miss Mowbray; and it is easy for me to foresee, arguing
according to the ordinary views of mankind, that he may place his
proposals in such a light as may make them seem highly desirable.
But ere you give this person the encouragement which his offers may
seem to deserve, please to enquire whether his fortune is certain,
or his rank indisputable; and be not satisfied with light evidence
on either point. A man may be in possession of an estate and title,
to which he has no better right than his own rapacity and
forwardness of assumption; and supposing Mr. Mowbray jealous, as he
must be, of the honour of his family, the alliance of such a one
cannot but bring disgrace. This comes from one who will make good
what he has written."

On the first perusal of a billet so extraordinary, Mowbray was inclined
to set it down to the malice of some of the people at the Well,
anonymous letters being no uncommon resource of the small wits who
frequent such places of general resort, as a species of deception safely
and easily executed, and well calculated to produce much mischief and
confusion. But upon closer consideration, he was shaken in this opinion,
and, starting suddenly from the reverie into which he had fallen, asked
for the messenger who had brought the letter. "He was in the hall," the
servant thought, and Mowbray ran to the hall. No--the messenger was not
there, but Mowbray might see his back as he walked up the avenue.--He
hollo'd--no answer was returned--he ran after the fellow, whose
appearance was that of a countryman. The man quickened his pace as he
saw himself pursued, and when