, Atkinson, you overcome me. I
scarce ever heard of so much Goodness, nor do I know how to express my
Sentiments of it. But be assured, as for your Money, I will not accept it, and
let it satisfy you, that in my present Circumstances it would do me no essential
Service; but this be assured of likewise, that whilst I live, I shall never
forget the Kindness of the Offer - However, as I apprehend I may be in some
Danger of Fellows getting into the House, for a Day or two, as I have no Guard
but a poor little Girl, I will not refuse the Goodness you offer to shew in my
Protection. And I make no doubt but Mrs. Ellison will let you sit in her Parlour
for that Purpose.«
    Atkinson with the utmost Readiness undertook the Office of Porter; and Mrs.
Ellison as readily allotted him a Place in her Back-parlour, where he continued
three Days together, from Eight in the Morning till Twelve at Night; during
which Time he had sometimes the Company of Mrs. Ellison, and sometimes of Booth,
Amelia, and Mrs. Bennet too; for this last had taken as great a Fancy to Amelia,
as Amelia had to her, and therefore as Mr. Booth's Affairs were now no Secret in
the Neighbourhood, made her frequent Visits during the Confinement of her
Husband, and consequently her own.
    Nothing, as I remember, happened in this Interval of Time, more worthy
Notice than the following Card, which Amelia received from her old Acquaintance
Mrs. James. »Mrs. James sends her Compliments to Mrs. Booth, and desires to know
how she does; for as she hath not had the Favour of seeing her at her own House,
or of meeting her in any public Place, in so long Time, fears it may be owing to
ill Health.«
    Amelia had long given over all Thoughts of her Friend, and doubted not but
that she was as entirely given over by her; she was very much surprized at this
Message, and under some Doubt whether it was not meant as an Insult, especially
from the mention of public Places, which she thought so inconsistent with her
present Circumstances, of which she supposed Mrs. James was well apprized.
However, at the Entreaty of her Husband, who languished for nothing more than to
be again reconciled to his Friend James, Amelia undertook to pay the Lady a
Visit, and to examine into the Mystery of this Conduct, which appeared to her so
unaccountable.
    Mrs. James received her with a
