The opportunities which I have had of conversing with you at Mrs. B's, have at last convinced me that merit and riches are far from being connected, and that a woman may have those qualifications necessary to adorn her sex, although adverse fortune has denied her money. I am sure that all those virtues necessary to make me happy in the marriage state, are centred in you, and whatever objection you may have to my person, yet I hope there can be none to my character; and if you will consent to be mine, it shall be my constant study to make your life agreeable, and under the endearing character of a hus. band, endeavor to supply your early loss of the best of parents. I shall expect your answer as soon as possible, for I wait for it with the utmost impatience.

I am your affectionate lover.

SIR,

LETTER 122.

The Young Lady's Answer.

I received your letter yesterday, and gratitude for the generous proposal which you have made, obliges me to thank you heartily for the contents.

As I have no objections either to your person or character, you will give me leave to deal sincerely, and state those things which at present have great weight with me, and perhaps must ever remain unanswered, and hinder me from entering into that state against which I have not the least aversion.

You well know, at least I imagine so, that the proposal you have made me is a secret both to your relations and friends; and would you desire me to rush precipi

tately into the marriage state, where I have the greatest reason to fear that I should be looked upon with contempt by those whom nature had connected me with? I should consider myself obliged to promote the happiness of my husband; and how consistent would a step of that nature be with such a resolution? You know that I was left an orphan, and had it not been for the pious care of Mrs. B. must have been brought up in a state of servitude. You know that I have no fortune, and were I to accept of your offer, it would lay me under such obligations as must destroy my liberty. Gratitude and love are two very different things. The one supposes a benefit received, whereas the other is a free act of the will. Suppose me raised to the joint possession of your fortune, could I call it mine, unless I had brought you something as an equivalent; or, have I not great reason to fear that you yourself may consider me as under obligations inconsistent with the character of a wife? I acknowledge the great generosity of your offer, and would consider myself happy could I prevail with myself to prefer to peace of mind the enjoyment of an affluent fortune. But as I have been very sincere in my answer, so let me beg that you will endeavor to eradicate a passion, which, if nourished longer, may prove fatal to us both.

Yours, with great respect.

MY DEAR SOPHIA,

LETTER 123.

The Gentleman's Reply.

Was it not cruel to start so many objections? Or

could you suppose me capable of so base an action, as to

destroy your freedom and peace of mind? Or do you think that I am capable of ever forgetting you, or being happy in the enjoyment of another? For God's sake do not mention gratitude any more. Your many virtues entitle you to much more than I am able to give; but all that I have shall be yours. With respect to my relations, I have none to consult beside my mother and my uncle, and their consent, and even approbation, are already obtained. You have often heard my mother declare, that she preferred my happiness with a woman of virtue, to the greatest fortune; and although I forgot to mention it, yet I had communicated my sentiments to her before I had opened my mind to you. Let me beg you will lay aside all those unnecessary scruples which only serve to make one unhappy, who is already struggling under all the anxieties of real and genuine love. It is in your power, my dear, to make me happy, and none else can. I cannot enjoy one moment's rest till I have your answer, and then the happy time shall be fixed. Let me beg that you will not start any more objections, unless you are my real enemy; but your tender nature cannot be so cruel. Be mine, my dear, and I am yours forever. My servant shall wait for an answer to your sincere lover, whose sole happiness is centred in you.

Yours most affectionately.

SIR,

LETTER 124.

The Lady's Rejoinder.

I find when one of your sex forms a resolution, you are determined to go through, whatever be the event.

Your answer to my first objection I must confess is satisfactory. I wish I could say so of the others; but I find that if I must comply, I shall be obliged to trust the remainder to yourself. Perhaps this is always the case, and the most cautious have been deceived. However, sir, I have communicated the contents of your letter to Mrs. B. as you know she has been to me as a parent. She has no objection, and I am at last resolved to comply. I must give myself up to you as a poor friendless orphan, and shall endeavour to act consistent with the rules laid down and enforced by our holy religion; and if you should so far deviate from the paths of virtue as to upbraid me with poverty, I have no friends to complain to, but that God who is the "father of the fatherless." But I have a beter opinion of you than to entertain any such fears. I have left the time to your own appointment, and let me beg that you will continue in the practice of that virtuous education which you have received. Virtue is its own reward, and I cannot be unhappy with the man who prefers the duties of religion to gaiety and dissipation. I am yours sincerely.

SIR,

LETTER 125.

From a Lady to a Gentleman, complaining of Indifference.

However light you may make of promises, yet I am foolish enough to consider them as something more than trifles; and am likewise induced to believe that the man who voluntarily breaks a promise will not pay much regard to an oath; and if so, in what light must I consider your conduct? Did I not give you my promise to be

yours, and had you no other reason for soliciting than merely to gratify your vanity? A brutal gratification, indeed, to triumph over the weakness of a woman whose greatest fault was that she loved you. I say loved you, for it was in consequence of that passion I first consented to become yours. Has your conduct, sir, been consistent with my submission, or with your own solemn profession? Is it consistent with the character of a gentleman, first to obtain a woman's consent, and afterwards boast that he had discarded her, and found one more agreeable to his wishes? Do not equivocate, I have two convincing proofs of your insincerity; I saw you yesterday walking with Miss Benson, and am informed that you have proposed marriage to her. Whatever you may think, sir, I have a spirit of disdain, and even of resentment, equal to your ingratitude, and can treat the wretch with a proper indifference, who can make so slight a matter of the most solemn promises. Miss Benson may become your wife, but she will receive into her arms a perjured husband;— nor can ever the superstructure be lasting which is built on such a slight foundation. I leave you to the stings of your own conscience.

I am the injured.

MY DEAR MARIA,

LETTER 126.

The Gentleman's Reply.

For by that name I must still call you; has cruelty entered into your tender nature, or has some designing wretch imposed on your credulity? My dear, I am not what you have represented. I am neither false nor per