 transaction so cruel and unnatural as that of renouncing us. He would not have passed himself upon us for a stranger, concealed the relationship of which he was ashamed, and courted our acquaintance under a borrowed form while he possessed a title so indisputable to our notice, had he chosen to have claimed it.
Perhaps indeed his mother had laid her injunctions on him to remain neuter in this affair till Lord Belmont's intentions were made known. But am I blinded by prepossession when I assert that to desert us after our accidental rencontre, and that profusion of professions of which it was productive, to withdraw his attention and

regard only when from the renunciation of his family and from the peculiarity of our circumstances he knew it was become essential to us, is a step which even parental duty can by no means justify. Common minds may argue in that manner, may in that manner act from motives of cold obedience, but if his heart is composed of materials so frigid, so correct, it is a loss little to be regretted. I am offended Sophia, and perhaps unjustly; but I had weakly flattered myself our sentiments were in some measure congenial; and his conduct has proved so opposite from what I am certain mine in similar circumstances would have been, that I am severely wounded.
But my warmth may perhaps have led my conclusions too far. Lord Belmont's resolution relative to us, must have arrived during his grandson's absence at his election, in which case he can hardly as yet have been informed of it, nor consequently

have determined how he will in future conduct himself. His return to town, which will probably happen in the course of a few days, must therefore explain whether or not I have done him injustice. If he yet shews himself in the light of our relation, and disavows his part of the family compact, I shall confess him wholly entitled to the too favourable opinion I have hitherto entertained of him.
I wish things may not be still worse with regard to Mr. Benseley's affairs than Mr. Howard has acknowledged; for that worthy friend is extremely thoughtful; and altho' I wished exceedingly to have a little private conversation with him in order to consult about our future plans, I could find no opportunity, for he left the parlour immediately after he had done breakfast, and has been abroad all the morning. No time however is to be lost in deciding. I am now doubly

anxious that our country scheme may take place; and am labouring to become eager for it; endeavouring to represent it to myself in the gaiest colours,
