 earth should make him relinquish; if, therefore, I wished to revisit my friends, I knew on what terms I could do so; bid me seriously reflect on my situation, as he was not a man to be trisled with; that he had my father's approbation, nor did he sear losing it by any step he had, or might be compelled to take, in order to accomplith his purpose; that I was his by the most solemn promise; as to those I made, he knew me too well to put any trust in them.
His cool determined manner terrified me, Sophia, infinitely more than any other could have done. I retired to the apartment allotted me, plunged in the deepest despair, and there gave free vent to my unavailing tears.
Next morning I found myself extremely ill; he sent up to beg he might be permitted to see me.—Alas! was it in my power to prevent it by a refusal? He

came, and appeared alarmed at the condition in which he found me; I had not undressed, but had thrown myself on the bed, where I lay the whole night without closing my eyes.
I was soon after seized with a fever, which I sincerely hoped would have put an end to all my troubles. I believe he now very sincerely repented the step he had taken, fearing the fatal consequences likely to ensue.
I musst confess every possible care was taken of me during my illness, no doubt as much, or more perhaps for his own sake than mine. I kept my bed for several days, and when able to leave it, he again requested admittance.
I now found his behaviour much changed; he, with a tenderness I did not think him capable of, implored me to consent, without obliging him to have recourse to compulsive measures, which he wished to avoid; declared he loved me with unabated passion, that it should be the study of his life to make me happy, begged I would forget the past, confessed he had been much to blame, that he had made use of some harsh expressions, for

which he was now truly concerned, &c. &c.
My only reply was as before, restore me to my friends, and depend on my gratitude, and the promise I have already made to give up Lord Sommerville.
Whether he would at last have complied with my request, Sophia, heaven knows! I am rather inclined to think he would, since he must have been sensible it would have been no easy matter to have married me without my consent, though he had
