 the rejected application to our grandfather. Though how particulars of such importance in the family should have been concealed from his knowledge it is impossible to conjecture. There is indeed a mystery in this affair which Mr. Howard, Fanny, and myself, attempt in vain to unravel. Is

it too fanciful to imagine that Lady Linrose, fearing the known generosity of her amiable son's disposition might lead him to act against the wishes of Lord Belmont, may have determined on keeping him wholly in ignorance. I am bewildered in a variety of imaginary opinions, and not a little secretly delighted at finding myself enabled to exculpate him from those charges of pride and duplicity, which in spite of a too insinuating partiality, have sometimes painfully recurred to my mind.
Can it be, my Sophia! that Roatsley has been so long ignorant, and what is equally astonishing and unaccountable, has been informed from the lips of Mrs. Hindon only, that we are so nearly allied by the ties of blood? Yet what are these ties? how weak, how insufficient alone either to produce friendship or to excite esteem or admiration! The connection is indeed productive of satisfaction,

merely from the idea that it is a foundation for intercourse and a pretext for intimacy. I think however, even in common politeness, he ought to have appeared less dejected than he did upon the discovery. His silence and embarrassment during our last interview evidently confess what little satisfaction he derived from the information.
I have been reading Mrs. Hindon's letter once more; and tho' shock'd at the indelicacy too visibly expressed in almost every line, now that I am cool there are some passages in it which do not wholly displease me. How feeling, how considerate, how noble, has been Roatsley's conduct. His heart is indeed open to every call of distress, and to every sentiment of compassion. How amiable is his delicacy compared to that of his partner in the generous transaction. It pains me not, nay I should be gratified, to receive an obligation from my cousin, distinct

from the sordid and humiliating consideration of money matters. The anxiety and trouble therefore which were exerted on this occasion, dilate my heart and animate my gratitude. I am alone hurt that the representations of my officious agent were dictated with so little judgment as to excite his pity, and so little refinement as to mortify my feelings. To this was owing the distressing and unsuccessful attempt to wound me still more severely by pecuniary favours.
I have received a letter from Miss Parsons, who promised at parting sometimes to let me hear from
