’What made the wished-for reconciliation, she said, more difficult, was, first, that you yourself acknowledged yourself dishonoured; (and it was too well known, that it was your own fault that you ever were in the power of so great a profligate;) of consequence, that their and your disgrace could not be greater than it was; yet, that you refuse to prosecute the wretch.  Next, that the pardon and blessing hoped for must probably be attended with your marriage to the man they hate, and who hates them as much:  very disagreeable circumstances, she said, I must allow, to found a reconciliation upon.

’As to her own part, she must needs say, that if there were any hope that Mr. Lovelace would become a reformed man, the letter her cousin Morden had read to them from him to you, and the justice (as she hoped it was) he did your character, though to his own condemnation, (his family and fortunes being unexceptionable,) and all his relations earnest to be related to you, were arguments that would weigh with her, could they have any with your father and uncles.’

To my plea of your illness, ’she could not but flatter herself, she answered, that it was from lowness of spirits, and temporary dejection.  A young creature, she said, so very considerate as you naturally were, and fallen so low, must have enough of that.  Should they lose you, which God forbid! the scene would then indeed be sadly changed; for then those who now most resented, would be most grieved; all your fine qualities would rise to their remembrance, and your unhappy error would be quite forgotten.

’She wished you would put yourself into your cousin’s protection entirely, and have nothing to more to say to Mr. Belford.

And I would recommend it to your most serious consideration, my dear Miss Clary, whether now, as your cousin (who is your trustee for your grandfather’s estate,) is come, you should not give over all thoughts of Mr. Lovelace’s intimate friend for your executor; more especially, as that gentleman’s interfering in the concerns of your family, should the sad event take place (which my heart aches but to think of) might be attended with those consequences which you are so desirous, in other cases, to obviate and prevent.  And suppose, my dear young lady, you were to write one letter more to each of your uncles, to let them know how ill you are?—­And to ask their advice, and offer to be governed by it, in relation to the disposition of your estate and effects?—­Methinks I wish you would.

I find they will send you up a large part of what has been received from that estate since it was your’s; together with your current cash which you left behind you:  and this by your cousin Morden, for fear you should have contracted debts which may make you uneasy.

They seem to expect, that you will wish to live at your grandfather’s house, in a private manner, if your cousin prevail not upon you to go abroad for a year or two.