 25.
Last night Lady Meredith delivered to us a message from Lady Aubrey, intimating that her Ladyship had been for some days past beyond measure anxious to return us personally her grateful acknowledgments for that benevolent hospitality to which she had been so infinitely indebted; but that the weak state of her nerves rendering her liable to be seized with agitation, and discomposed by the most trifling occurrences, Lady Meredith had persuaded her into compliance with the injunctions of her physicians, which were on no account

to hazard any risk of being disordered or disturbed in her present feeble condition; finding herself now, however, much recruited both in strength and spirits, she hoped in a day or two to be well enough to ask the favour of a visit from us in her dressing room, and in the mean while recommended herself, with many kind and polite expressions, to our good wishes.
APRIL 28.
This formidable interview is at last over. Oh! Sophia! I did not imagine it more formidable than it proved.
This morning Lady Meredith came down to the parlour, for she seldom gratifies us with her company till dinner, and requested, in Lady Aubrey's name, the favour of my sister's company and mine above stairs. My heart beat violently

at this message. I felt myself change colour; and involuntarily sat down on the first chair so evidently discomposed, that Lady Meredith concluded I was ill, and said with much kindness, 'tis fortunate, my dear Miss Seymour, that I would not be prevailed with to accept of your most obliging offer of sharing my fatigue and attendance upon my niece, for I should have undoubtedly suspected that you had suffered for your humanity. I am certain you are indisposed. Pray allow me to feel your pulse; for you must know I am reckoned an able physician by the poor people around our seat in the country. You are feverish I am convinced, and must nurse yourself for a day or two.
I assured her I was perfectly well; but she would not give immediate credit to my assertion, and entreated my sister to prevail with me to allow of the physician's attendance. Finding however that we

both made light of the proposal, she left us to prepare her niece for our appearance, who was so feeble and exhausted, that a trifle she said discomposed her spirits, and threw her into a tremor.
Alas! Sophia, this interview, though a circumstance of no moment in the eyes of Lady Meredith, was by no means a trifle to the unfortunate Lady Aubrey; and so wholly did the prospect of it overpower her feelings
