& not like my Frederica endebted to a fortunate Es::tablishment for the comforts of Life." —

She concluded by demanding my congratulations. –I gave them somewhat awkwardly I beleive; – for in fact, the sudden disclosure of so important a matter took from me the power of speaking with any clear::neſs. — She thanked me however most affectionately for my kind concern in the welfare of herself & herdaughter, & then said,

"I am not apt to deal in profeſsions, my dear M^rs . Vernon, & I never had the convenient talent of af::fecting sensations foreign to my heart; & thereforeI trust you will beleive me when I declare that much as I had heard in your praise before I knew you, I had no idea that I should ever love you asI now do; — And I must farther say that your friend::ship towards me is more particularly gratifying,because I have reason to beleive that some attemptswere made to prejudice you against me. – I only