. I ought indeed to have possessed both sense and resolution sufficient for acting without counsel; but you may rest assured never, never, shall I risque my peace by granting another promise to the same purport. I have suffered too

severely from this ill judged concealment, and shall take the first opportunity of informing Mrs. Hindon that I am determined in my resolution never again to listen to her nephew on the subject, of his passion—never indeed shall he have an opportunity of tormenting me more.
To calm her, I gave her my word I should not mention one syllable of the matter to Mrs. Hindon. Yet I was somewhat at a loss how to proceed. To apply to Mr. Howard, was to hazard engaging him in a quarrel with his sister in law; nor could I myself resent her behaviour while we were partaking of her civilities. I resolved therefore to be silent on the subject; and by never quitting Fanny's side, who herself wished to avoid any intercourse with Wilmot, so to regulate her manner in future as entirely to destroy the hopes to which his vanity and her imprudence had given rise. Yet I could hardly talk to the artful

woman this morning at breakfast with any degree of temper.
FEB. 14.
Sir Edward spent yesterday evening here; and really grows so very particular, both in his attentions and conversation, that I begin to feel the necessity of a reserve, which his modesty, and the obligations I owe him, render very unpleasant. Adieu! my Sophia. I have just received your delightful packet. Ah my love! are there no hopes, now you are so near as Paris, that your father may be prevailed with to pay England a visit. Oh that I were with you to solicit this favour on my knees.
H. SEYMOUR.

TO MISS BEAUMONT.
FEB. 15.
WELL, Sophia, our doom is at last determined. My grandfather's answer is arrived. Yet not addressed to us: that would have been a condescension too great. He has not even deigned to acknowledge my letter; but has ordered Lady Linrose to inform us. But let her Ladyship's letter speak for itself.
TO LAURENCE HOWARD, ESQ.
SIR,
I was this day favored with an answer from Nice, and I delay not a moment in

acquainting you with the result of your application, although I am extremely sorry to premise that it is not of a nature that can either prove agreeable to your own wishes or to those of the young ladies committed to your charge.
In spite of the indefatigable trouble I have taken,
