 utter stranger must appear, I never beheld her in my life till this moment.
Then how, pray, has she been so unlucky as to fall under your displeasure.
My displeasure! cried she, embarrassed; oh not at all. I merely dislike

her appearance. She looks sulky and proud, and I hate those sort of people.
She is very unfortunate indeed, returned he. I then contrived to put a period to the subject by calling Fanny's attention to another object; for I dreaded the suspicion and curiosity her simplicity might excite in Mr. Roatsley, who seemed both amused and astonished at her conversation.
Not for a moment during the remainder of the evening did he leave us; and by the vivacity of his discourse, and the amiable gentleness of his manner, he insensibly restored my tranquillity, dissipated my confusion, and inspired me with a flow of spirits almost equal to what appears natural to himself.
When all was concluded, he attended us to Mrs. Hindon's carriage; and requested leave, in polite terms, to indemnify himself, he said, for his late disappointment by waiting on us again.

I have not spent an evening so agreeably since that we passed at Dover. Indeed I even give last night greatly the preference, it having all the advantages of a most painful contrast to enhance its value. My sufferings in the early part of the evening conferred a double relish on the satisfaction of the succeeding.
I feel myself now relieved from a load of uneasiness which I supported with much anxiety; for I am convinced from Roatsley's behaviour last night, nay from the very expression of his countenance, that we are completely justified in his opinion, at least with regard to the vile aspersions so cruelly circulated against us.
Sir Edward Sudbury, who did not observe us till near the conclusion of the last dance, joined us before we left the house, and requested me to introduce him to Mrs. Hindon; which, as I wished that lady to remain ignorant of the circumstances of our acquaintance, was rather

disagreeable to me; however I had no choice, and fortunately contrived to evade her enquiries by informing her of my own accord that I had been in company with him at Mrs. Weldon's.
We are beginning to grow extremely impatient for dispatches from Nice. Mr. Howard tells us that by course of post we ought to have received letters before this time; and surely on this subject little time for consideration is required. Why then does Lord Belmont retain us in suspence.
JAN. 25.
Mrs. Hindon being rather indisposed
