 proposed marr age to her—I have it from such authority as admits of none.

No matter how I came by my intelligence, I have more ways than one of diving to the bottom of all their secrets; for this affair, they are stupid enough to imagine, is a profoumd one, and to remain so for a certain time, for reasons which I confess I am at a loss to guess at. But I will do more, Caroline, than keep their abominable secret—I will prevent their putting it in practice.
Yes, however certain she may at this moment think herself; however she may now triumph, it shall be of short duration; if my wits do not fail me, I have a plot in hand which I believe cannot fail to blow all her ridiculous impertinent hopes far from her, and I think a day will come when the perfidious, the designing Sommerville, will bless me for my friendly interposition, in saving him from so preposterous a piece of folly.—But whether or not, my trouble will be amply repaid by the gratification of my revenge.
Do you not honour me, Caroline, for my astonishing command of temper? It is true I have a set of simple souls to deal with; this, indeed, makes my merit the less, yet some contrivance it has cost me,

and a sew falsehoods; but that's a trifle.—My mind is not, thank my stars! formed on a narrow contracted scale; it is free and unfettered by vulgar prejudices; and, of course, perfectly fitted to the work I have in hand.
Ah! how I shall enjoy their mutual disappointment! Nay I already anticipate the pleasure I shall experience.—Poor, ignorant, conceited creature, to fancy Nature ever intended her to figure as Lady Sommerville! The very idea drives me to madness! and the old doating fool of an Aunt too!—Caroline, it will be a scene delightful beyound all possible expression, thus to blast all their hopes at the very moment they look upon them as certain.
I told you formerly, of a fellow her father meant her to marry—my business of late has been to learn every particular relating to that affair; his character, his disposition, place of residence, &c. &c.—all this I am now mistress of, and, to my infinite satisfaction, find him exactly the kind of being I wanted to complete my revenge—rich, low born—of course purse-proud, and overbearing—envying

those who have a family name to boast of, yet affecting to despise them for setting any value on what he calls the most absurd of
