I have seen my divine Emily:  her manner of receiving me was very flattering; I cannot doubt her friendship for me; yet I am not absolutely content.  I am however convinced, by the easy tranquillity of her air, and her manner of bearing this delay of their marriage, that she does not love the man for whom she is intended:  she has been a victim to the avarice of her friends.  I would fain hope—­yet what have I to hope?  If I had even the happiness to be agreable to her, if she was disengaged from Sir George, my fortune makes it impossible for me to marry her, without reducing her to indigence at home, or dooming her to be an exile in Canada for life.  I dare not ask myself what I wish or intend:  yet I give way in spite of me to the delight of seeing and conversing with her.

I must not look forward; I will only enjoy the present pleasure of believing myself one of the first in her esteem and friendship, and of shewing her all those little pleasing attentions so dear to a sensible heart; attentions in which her lover is astonishingly remiss:  he is at Montreal, and I am told was gay and happy on his journey thither, though he left his mistress behind.

I have spent two very happy days at Silleri, with Emily and your friend Bell Fermor:  to-morrow I meet them at the governor’s, where there is a very agreable assembly on Thursday evenings.  Adieu!

      Yours,
          Ed. Rivers.

I shall write again by a ship which sails next week.

LETTER 39.

To John Temple, Esq; Pall Mall.

Quebec, Oct. 18.

I have this moment a letter from Madame Des Roches, the lady at whose house I spent a week, and to whom I am greatly obliged.  I am so happy as to have an opportunity of rendering her a service, in which I must desire your assistance.

’Tis in regard to some lands belonging to her, which, not being settled, some other person has applied for a grant of at home.  I send you the particulars, and beg you will lose no time in entering a caveat, and taking other proper steps to prevent what would be an act of great injustice:  the war and the incursions of the Indians in alliance with us have hitherto prevented these lands from being settled, but Madame Des Roches is actually in treaty with some Acadians to settle them immediately.  Employ all your friends as well as mine if necessary; my lawyer will direct you in what manner to apply, and pay the expences attending the application.  Adieu!

      Yours,
          Ed. Rivers.

LETTER 40.

To Miss Rivers, Clarges Street.

Silleri, Oct. 20.

I danced last night till four o’clock in the morning (if you will allow the expression), without being the least fatigued:  the little Fitzgerald was my partner, who grows upon me extremely; the monkey has a way of being attentive and careless by turns, which has an amazing effect; nothing attaches a woman of my temper so much to a lover as her being a little in fear of losing him; and he keeps up the spirit of the thing admirably.