distinguished me beyond my sister; perhaps this was the mere suggestions of secret vanity: if so, it was however an error which I by no means wished realized; for so much apprehension did it give me, that I could not help avoiding his company; and when in it, my manner uniformly testified coldness and reserve, from the apprehension that my father, (who always confessed that he could not insure the protection of his family after his death, tho' all other particulars he carefully centered in his own bosom) might be induced to overlook the difference of years from the partiality he entertained for his friend, and might use all his influence to prevail

with me to accept of a legal protection in that unfriended state to which his decease was ever liable •o reduce us
I now however condemn this absurd fancy, which I almost blush to confess to you, and which I perceive to have been merely a chimera of my own brain, adopted God knows how, for I think his preference is plainly in my sister's favour, whose innocence and simplicity of manners appear to have warmly interested him. During my illness, on Mr. Howard Fanny naturally relied for support, as she had no other to whom she could fly; and his tender, compassionate attention seems to have cemented a sort of attachment between them; in her mere gratitude alone, and in him the kindness of a guardian—a penchant which from that gentleman's time of life and prudence can never be supposed to disturb the tranquillity of either party, but

which probably adds some strength to his kind activity in our affairs.
As to money matters, about which in your last you are so kindly anxious, I really understand very little of them; but Mr. Benseley, who has ever had the management of all pecuniary business hitherto, undertakes to continue the charge. There is, I believe, the sum of twenty thousand pounds in the English funds, and above two hundred pistoles were found in my father's cabinet for present use. Debts there are none, beyond what a few Louis will discharge; so that you, see we are secured in affluence, and independence is my utmost wish.
You ask me, Sophia, how Fanny, who was a pretty girl of thirteen when you last saw her, has turned out in point of beauty? When she used to visit us in the convent she was a sweet looking child in a stay coat, and I believe you have not since seen her: she is now quite formed;

and though not much, grown, for she is not tall, is extremely