me—in short, my dear, as we live not in the age of romance, where the splendors of life are wholly disregarded, it is probable his rising attachment would not have been greatly damped by the knowledge of my being Lord Belmont's grandchild, and possessed of a considerable fortune. Had this been the sole motive, or even the chief one, little should I have prized the flame: but remember he loved me when these particulars were unknown, and laboured for my welfare when a veil of doubtful obscurity was thrown over my situation. These are circumstances to give weight and value to his passion. But these chimeras are now no more. I must drive them from my thoughts for ever; and instead of confessing and indulging, check and conquer them with all the fortitude I can summon to my assistance.

FEB. 16.
Going down this morning to breakfast, I was surprised when I entered to find Lady Farnford and Mrs. Hindon tete a tete, and seemingly in earnest conversation. Good morning, Miss Seymour, cried the latter with a smiling air, the traces of last night's hauteur being entirely vanished from her brow. Lady Farnford likewise accosted me with abundance of civility and kindness, and they insisted on placing me between them.
Come, cried Mrs. Hindon, after a short pause, which she appeared to have employed in considering how she should introduce without abruptness what she intended to say—Why should there be such distance among friends? To tell the plain truth Miss Seymour, I could not shut my eyes all night for thinking in what a destitute and dismal way you and Miss Fanny must live if you are not ruled and persuaded by those who are interested

in you. Here is Lady Farnford, who declares herself as anxious for your welfare as if you were her own children, and who protests that if you were so in fact she should be the first to advise an immediate application to my Lord Belmont. His Lordship cannot see his grandchildren starve, or what is scarcely preferable, justle through life neglected and forgotten, for want of that little which his affluent fortune can spare with ease. Consider he is unacquainted with your misfortune. He concludes you possessed of twenty thousand pounds; and tho' that is but a trifle to what you might reasonably expect, yet no doubt he might imagine it enough to support you genteelly. I assure you in your case, with such just claims, I would not content myself even with a little; and if he finds you mean to make a piece of work about it, take my word for it he will alter his tone