, by a servant, who finding I was from home, enquired when I was expected to return; and being informed

that our absence was only designed for a week at most, he left it in strict charge to the housekeeper, telling her it must be given into Miss Seymour's own hands, and requesting particular care might be taken of it.
This appearance of precaution conveyed an idea into the good woman that probably the letter contained bills for money; which suspicion induced her, instead of sending it by post to Hilbury Lodge, on finding our stay prolonged, to lock it carefully in her drawer till our arrival should put it in her power to discharge her trust faithfully.
A gentleman, she added, had called that very morning, and having enquired for the housekeeper, had asked what was become of the letter given into her hands by a servant a fortnight before; and finding we were that day expected, had requested her to present it to me immediately on my arrival.

This prelude alarmed me, tho' I knew not why. The woman withdrew: I opened it in trepidation: and what was my astonishment and agitation on perceiving the signature of Linrose. I sunk breathless into a chair, and scarce credited the sense which enabled me to peruse the following lines.
When I consider that perhaps at this moment▪ Miss Seymour does me the injustice to imagine me the most insensible, the most ungrateful of mankind, I tremble to address her; and when I reflect, that from an unhappy fatality of events it is not impossible but that to these accusations, cruel and injurious, may be superadded those of inconsistency and duplicity, I am wholly bereft of the composure with which I should wish to enter on an explanation of my conduct.
Ah! Madam, is it then possible that

you suspect not only the tenderness of my heart but its honour and integrity; that you conclude me so devoid of principle, so lost to shame, as to offer vows to you which are the right of another. Ah! loveliest, most amiable of women! sink me not in my own estimation by acknowledging I was ever for an instant depraved so low in your's. Believe me not capable of a deed so base; a deed— for which violence of passion and force of temptation, even of such temptation as in that case I must have had to encounter, afford but impotent and feeble palliations. No, Madam, had I been fettered by the slightest ties, had my heart sought to insinuate itself into the bosom of sensibility, and success afterwards ungratefully sickened me at the pursuit,
