 easily have credited an account of the extravagancies which Sir George was guilty of, during her illness.
I find, Louisa, that when these philosophic gentlemen are thrown the least

out of their bias, they are not a bit more steady than ourselves; and
"Hang up philosophy"
should be the motto of them all, whenever their passions are thoroughly interested.—But not to treat my brother too severely, his was a very particular case; and had his treasure been snatched from his arms, almost in the moment he had recovered it, the trial would, I think, have been too severe for human fortitude.

The messenger returned from Toulouse while Delia was in the utmost danger; we did not therefore at that time trouble ourselves to inquire what Mrs. Colville had said, or done, on this extraordinary occasion; but we are since informed, that she absolutely insists on her daughter's being dead and buried, and denies

her having placed her in the convent—It is shocking to think how very near she was to speaking truth, at the very time she uttered this falsehood.
She sent off another express to the superior of the Ursulines, with a letter to tell her, that more than her life depended on her steadiness in denying her ever having received Delia into the convent; and promising to give a thousand guineas to the foundation, provided she took care to secrete her effectually.
The good old lady has put this letter into my brother's possession, and he in return, has made a present to the sisterhood of five hundred pounds.—This paper would be proof sufficient against Mrs Colville, if we had not a still more

undoubted evidence in the person of our dear Delia.
The moment her health is established, we shall return to England, and, notwithstanding my joy at her recovery, shall quit St. Omers with regret, as I cannot prevail on my beloved Mrs. Walter to accompany us.—She and her sweet little girl are perfectly idolized in the convent; and I fear if Mrs. Walter's situation would admit of her taking the veil, that she would certainly pass the remainder of her days in that quiet asylum.
To prevent this, I wish long life to the most worthless being upon earth—I should not specify Colonel Walter here, if Mrs. Colville were not alive.—I wish they were married together, and then I

am pretty sure there is not a pair, in the drawing-room of Pandaemonium, that would not readily give them due place and precedence—But I will have done with these infernals—and now for your long, too long unanswered letter
