and reflect on, were too decided and too conspicuous not to originate suspicions derogatory to my honour? What would, or what could be thought, when it becomes known that I, every day, spent whole hours in his society, frequently quite alone? No acquittal, could I hope for one, could console me for the appearances of guilt which my own imprudence has created; and I feel that, in thus disregarding propriety, I have sinned against virtue, by furnishing cause for suspicion and evil example."

I tried, but in vain, to speak comfort to her; she is so impressed with a sense of the faultiness of her own conduct, to which alone she attributes all that has occurred, that it is impossible to console her. What a wife would this dear creature have made, had she fallen into good hands! When I think of her youth (she is not yet seventeen), and see the delicacy

and purity of her mind, the freedom from all rancorous passions,-evinced by her entire abstinence from any condemnation of the husband who proved so unfit a guardian for the treasure confided to him, and the severity with which she judges her own conduct, I cannot repress the bitter feelings that arise in my breast.

The action is already commenced, and of this she was apprised by a statement in one of the papers so cruelly sent to her. I tremble for its effect on her in her present weak state. Lord and Lady Vernon are nearly stunned by the weight of this heavy blow; for their very existence seems bound up in their child.

Adieu, my beloved! Ever your own

MARY.

MISS MONTRESSOR TO LA MARQUISE
DE VILLEROI.

My reception from my aunt was as disagreeable as I anticipated, ma chère amie. She suspects that there is some hidden motive for my return, and has assailed me with a thousand questions. When she learns the cause, she will be furious; for she always seems prepared to judge me as unfavourably as possible on every occasion, and loves Augusta so much, that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to persuade her that she could do, nay, dream of, wrong.

I asked Augusta to write to me, but she has not yet complied with my request: I have a fearful presentiment that she is ill; and this apprehension haunts me so continually, that there are moments when I would

the

give worlds that I had never interfered in her ill-assorted marriage, or plotted for its annulment. I have heard from Lord Annandale, who says he has put all en train for the action. I threw his letter from me with dislike and contempt; yet it is to wed this man that I have stooped to destroy the reputation, perhaps peace of mind, of one of the most faultless of her sex! And yet, how far less unworthy is he than am I! for he is the dupe of my vile artifice, and knows not that his wronged wife is innocent. We are strange creatures; for I, who have the heart and head to plot against Augusta, have not the courage to contemplate the possible results of my scheme. Should

she continue as wretched as when I saw her, or should she die But I will not, dare

not, anticipate so fearful a catastrophe

a

catastrophe that would preclude me from ever again knowing a moment's peace.

I am become strangely nervous of late; my sleep, too, is troubled by dreams, all of which have Augusta for their object. I see her ever, with that pale, but beautiful face, which reproaches me for having wronged her. A thousand recollections of her affection and confidence rise up to upbraid me; but, above the memory of the noble manner in which she received my assertion of innocence of the charge, but too well founded, of my first and fatal error.

all,

Now that the hope, which has hitherto cheered me, of eventually securing her happiness in a union with Lord Nottingham, has disappeared, the consciousness of the atrocity of my guilty scheme weighs heavily on my mind. Would to Heaven I had never entered on it! Too late I feel that I did not comprehend this pure-minded woman: I believed her, like too many of those we have known, incap