Adieu! my father calls for this letter; it is to go in one of his to New York, and the person who takes it waits for it at the door.

      Ever yours,
          A. Fermor.

LETTER 59.

To Miss Montague, at Silleri.

Dear Madam,

I send you the inclosed from my mother:  I thought it necessary you should see it, though not even a mother’s wishes shall ever influence me to break those engagements which I have had the happiness of entering into with the most charming of women, and which a man of honor ought to hold sacred.

I do not think happiness intirely dependent on rank or fortune, and have only to wish my mother’s sentiments on this subject more agreable to my own, as there is nothing I so much wish as to oblige her:  at all events, however, depend on my fulfilling those promises, which ought to be the more binding, as they were made at a time when our situations were more equal.

I am happy in an opportunity of convincing you and the world, that interest and ambition have no power over my heart, when put in competition with what I owe to my engagements; being with the greatest truth,

    My dearest Madam,
        Yours, &c. 
          G. Clayton.

You will do me the honor to name the day to make me happy.

LETTER 60.

To Sir George Clayton, at Quebec.

Dear Sir,

I have read Mrs. Clayton’s letter with attention; and am of her opinion, that indiscreet engagements are better broke than kept.

I have the less reason to take ill your breaking the kind of engagement between us at the desire of your family, as I entered into it at first entirely in compliance with mine.  I have ever had the sincerest esteem and friendship for you, but never that romantic love which hurries us to forget all but itself:  I have therefore no reason to expect in you the imprudent disinterestedness that passion occasions.

A fuller explanation is necessary on this subject than it is possible to enter into in a letter:  if you will favor us with your company this afternoon at Silleri, we may explain our sentiments more clearly to each other:  be assured, I never will prevent your complying in every instance with the wishes of so kind and prudent a mother.

    I am, dear Sir,
      Your affectionate friend
        and obedient servant,
          Emily Montague.

LETTER 61.

To Miss Rivers, Clarges Street.

I have been with Emily, who has been reading Mrs. Clayton’s letter; I saw joy sparkle in her eyes as she went on, her little heart seemed to flutter with transport; I see two things very clearly, one of which is, that she never loved this little insipid Baronet; the other I leave your sagacity to find out.  All the spirit of her countenance is returned:  she walks in air; her cheeks have the blush of pleasure; I never saw so astonishing a change.  I never felt more joy from the acquisition of a new lover, than she seems to find in the prospect of losing an old one.