any thing so unfortunately critical as your situation with that vile Walter, when Sir William's arrival was announced: the snare, as you say, seemed contrived by fate—I honour your struggling through it, and not leting the wretch triumph in the success of his scheme, which he certainly would have done, had you carried on the deceit beyond the moment that it was absolutely necessary—I am grieved, but not surprised, at the effect which the anguish of your mind has had upon your constitution; and am, I hope, truly thankful for your recovery—And may it be a perfect one!

Surely, Louisa, you ought to think Lord Lucan to blame, with regard to the picture; he must have hazarded your reputation, by making a confidante of the person who placed it on your table. Can it be possible that the enamoured Harriet can have verified, nay exceeded, the romantic ideas of submissive tenderness, which Prior has given us in the character of his Emma.
I know not what to think; but if Harriet be indeed the confidante of Lord Lucan, she claims the highest degree of admiration, that the strongest fortitude, joined with the tenderest sensibility, can possibly excite—But this character comprehends, perhaps, something more than woman. Do not be outdone by her, my sister, but strive to emulate the virtue which you must admire.

Were you to look minutely into the situation of my heart, you would find that I can practise, as well as preach; for though I perhaps may never be intirely able to eradicate all traces of my weakness for Lord Hume, I have, by a kind of discipline, more severe than any in the Romish church, conquered my desire of speaking of him; nor do I allow even my thoughts the fond, though sad indulgence of contemplating either his faults or merits; for the moment his idea obtrudes itself upon my mind, I snatch up a book, or pen, and drive him directly from that place which he was not worthy to inhabit.
Take notice, that the poets are banished out of my library; and that my present studies are of the reasoning kind,

and call for all my attention—I wish you could be prevailed upon to try this recipe—For indeed I am, for many reasons, more anxious for your recovery even than for my own! My malady can only injure an individual, and that myself: yours, like a contagion, must be fatal to many—Stop the infection then, before it spreads, and you will hereafter reflect, with pleasure, that so many persons, who are, and ought to be, dear to