am convinced the attachment and protection of a character like his must secure happiness to the woman whom he honours with his choice, provided her heart is properly disposed for feeling and answering the tenderness of his. If this is however wanting, believe me Mr. Howard himself has too much delicacy to demand the hand which prudence alone bestows on him; and I am certain possesses too large a share both of good sense and modesty to be disobliged. If then you feel the least actual repugnance to this union, after having maturely weighed and considered all sides of the question, hesitate not to tell him so without coquetry or affectation.
Repugnance is a strong word, said she, after a pause. We are under infinite obligations to him, and he is our only friend.

I should be shocked to disoblige him. But he has so surprized me, that I know not what to think of the matter, nor how to collect my scattered thoughts to ponder on the consequences. Now tell me seriously Hermione, what would you do in my case?
Why I will tell you sincerely, said I. Were I you, with your disposition, your gratitude to Mr. Howard, and your indifference to every other man, I believe I should be his wife.
Yet I am not the least in love with him, cried she.
Involuntarily I was about to reply, that being romantically in love was by all accounts far from an indispensible requisite towards happiness in the married state; but conscious how different my own private sentiments were from according with this opinion, I checked myself from touching on an argument that carried not conviction to my own mind, though from

my knowledge of Fanny's temper it might have been not improperly offered to her, and only added, that her own feelings must direct her.
We were interrupted by Mrs. Hindon, who came to inform us that the carriage waited to carry us to afternoon prayers. I believe poor Fanny's devotions were not a little disturbed; and on our return I observed she met the eyes of Mr. Howard with a confusion which seemed to forebode no great severity.
I had evidently shewn on which side my suffrage rested; but I cautiously withheld any advice likely to prejudice her mind, which tho' diffident and fearful, appeared neither averse nor determined.
Adieu. H. SEYMOUR.

TO MISS BEAUMONT.
FEB. 22.
WELL, my dear Sophia, after disappointments so severe, and prospects so chearless and dreary, the scene begins to brighten. Fanny has at last yielded in Mr. Howard's favour, and finds herself perfectly