 James, in which she concisely informed her of what had happened.
    The honest Serjeant, who had been on his Legs almost the whole Day, now
returned, and brought Amelia a short Letter from her Husband; in which he gave
her the most solemn Assurances of his Health and Spirits, and begged her with
great Earnestness to take Care to preserve her own; which if she did, he said he
had no doubt but that they should shortly be happy. He added something of Hopes
from my Lord, with which Mrs. Ellison had amused him; and which served only to
destroy the Comfort that Amelia received from the rest of his Letter.
    Whilst Amelia, the Serjeant and his Lady were engaged in a cold Collation,
for which Purpose a cold Chicken was procured from the Tavern for the Ladies,
and two Pound of cold Beef for the Serjeant; a violent knocking was heard at the
Door, and presently afterwards Colonel James entered the Room. After proper
Compliments had past, the Colonel told Amelia, that her Letter was brought to
Mrs. James while they were at Table, and that on her shewing it him, he had
immediately rose up, made an Apology to his Company, and took a Chair to her. He
spoke to her with great Tenderness on the Occasion, and desired her to make
herself easy; assuring her, that he would leave nothing in his Power undone to
serve her Husband. He then gave her an Invitation, in his Wife's Name, to his
own House, in the most pressing Manner.
    Amelia returned him very hearty Thanks for all his kind Offers; but begged
to decline that of an Apartment in his House. She said, as she could not leave
her Children, so neither could she think of bringing such a Trouble with her
into his Family; and tho' the Colonel gave her many Assurances that her Children
as well as herself would be very welcome to Mrs. James, and even betook himself
to Entreaties, she still persisted obstinately in her Refusal.
    In real Truth, Amelia had taken a vast Affection for Mrs. Atkinson, of the
Comfort of whose Company she could not bear to be deprived in her Distress; nor
to exchange it for that of Mrs. James, to whom she had lately conceived no
little Dislike.
    The Colonel, when he found he could not prevail with Amelia to accept his
Invitation, desisted from any further Solicitations. He then took a Bank-bill of
fifty Pounds from his Pocket-Book, and said, - »You will pardon me, dear Madam,
if I chuse to impute your
