ceived it, that, notwithstanding the high opinion I entertain of that gentleman's accomplishments and merit, I was impressed with the opinion that you had a probability of passing a more tranquil and happy life as the wife of a husband of a character in some respects different from Mr. Mordaunt's.

After thanking his lordship for the honour he had done me by his visit, I said, whatever influence my long friendship with your parents, and your own partiality, might incline you to allow me, I should be cautious of using it in an affair of this nature, especially as I was fully convinced, and I believed your nearest relations were of the same opinion, that you yourself were by far the most competent judge.'

His lordship began to hint something respecting fortune and terms, particularly what he himself was inclined to do. I interrupted him, saying, that it was not necessary for his lordship to enter at all into that subject; because I knew. enough of your disposition to be convinced that what he aimed at would neither be promoted nor retarded by considerations of that nature.' I own, my dear, that, when I began this epistle, my intention was to have stated certain considerations which I thought of more importance to your happiness than those which I prevented his lordship from entering into, and which I wished you very seriously to reflect upon before you gave a decided answer to Mr. Mordaunt; but I have just received your letter, which proves that you have reflected on that sufficiently already; and I have no longer any hesitation in advising you to accept of that gentleman's proposal. It must be acknowledged, that, in the whole of his conduct towards you, he has behaved with delicacy, honour, and integrity. He has never risked a word or action that could offend a woman of sense and virtue. This is a stronger proof of genuine love, in a man of his free character, than it would be in one of stricter manners. In short, my dear, I am convinced that he loves and esteems you as he ought; and you own that he has some hold of your heart. Yes, my dear, he certainly has

some hold of it and I am clear that he will always keep his hold. What is next to be done, therefore? Why, you must determine to give him your hand, and engage to love, honour, and obey him, the rest of your life.-It must be so, my dear; there is no alternative for you. When you return from Heathfield to Ashwood, you will acquaint Mrs. Sommers that this is my advice. As soon as I know of your having done so, I should like to have the pleasure of communicating it to Lord Mordaunt ; who, I believe, left me with the impression, that I did not much approve of the alliance. I have a high esteem for his lordship, and am impatient to be re-established in his good graces, which I am persuaded this intelligence will accomplish.

You will forgive me, my dear Horatia, for not being of those sentiments sooner. Old maids are apt to be prudish; but you will see that I shall love Mr. Mordaunt as much as I always admired him, when I witness, as I am persuaded I shall, that he makes the best of wives the happiest. Heaven bless you!

D. FRANKLIN.

LETTER CXV.

COLONEL SOMMERS to LORD MORDAUNT.

Heathfield.

In the hurried letter* I wrote immediately after my arrival at this place, I had time only to assure your lordship, that no fatal effect had happened in consequence of the unlucky incident; and that, at all events, your brother would be found entirely blameless. I was happy to be able to give you those assurances directly, to prevent your being too much alarmed by the exaggerated and false rumours that are generally spread on such occasions. I now write better informed, and at more leisure. Miss Proctor had been staying for a considerable time at my

VOL. VII.

*The letter here alluded to is omitted.
2 M

house, during the absence of her father from his. At his return home, the young lady set out to join him; and was accompanied by Miss Clifford and Mr. Mordaunt, I proposed to go to Mr. Proctor's a few days after, and return with my friend Mordaunt.

Your brother had informed Mrs. Sommers and me of his passion for Miss Clifford. Indeed we had both observed it, before he gave us that information. We were equally persuaded that the young lady entertained a partiality for him, and greatly rejoiced when he told us that your lordship approved of the sentiments he cherished for her. Mrs. Sommers was peculiarly delighted with the idea of seeing the companion of her youth, the friend she esteemed above all other women, united to the most intimate, and most honoured friend of her husband.

Fraught with those pleasing hopes, Mrs. Sommers and I were discoursing together, when I received a letter by express from Mr. Proctor, requiring my immediate attendance at Heathfield, on a business of importance.

The detail I shall now give your lordship is in consequence of a very careful investigation of all the circum

stances.

I believe your lordship knows that Mr. Clifford, though possessed of several estimable qualities and accomplishments, is of a fiery and impetuous temper, which, at different periods of his life, has involved him in dangers and difficulties, and sometimes has nearly proved fatal to himself or others. The affair he had with your brother, in Germany, was of this nature. Mr. Mordaunt is as entirely free from blame on this occasion as he was on that, which threatened very dreadful consequences. The recollection of how much he was to blame in that affair might have rendered Mr. Clifford more circumspect on the present occasion; but, by a strange fatality, it had a different effect. Previous to his leaving London, he had a disagreement with his sister, on a subject with which I fancy your lordship is in some degree acquainted. He came to the country with unfavourable impressions of your brother. An incident that occurred at my house in

creased these to a rancorous degree; though, had he taken the trouble to examine the case, and weigh the cir cumstances with coolness, he would have seen, that those which his disturbed imagination imputed to design, were accidental.

Mr. Clifford was distractedly fond of Miss Proctor. There is reason to believe she did not discourage his pas sion. When his sister arrived at my house, she discovered that there was a correspondence between them, which she thought might prove dangerous to her young friend ; and, therefore, prevailed on her to break it off. This exasperated Clifford more than ever against his sister, who, he imagined, had interfered at the instigation of Mr. Mordaunt, whom he suspected to be fond of Miss Proctor. And he also imputed her sudden coldness to himself to a rising passion for your brother. All those loose and incoherent conjectures his irritated and jealous imagination linked together into a chain of probability, which acquired additional strength when he heard that Miss Clifford had conducted Miss Proctor to her father's, accompanied by your brother.

When he was ruminating on these incidents, a letter was delivered to him, which seemed to agitate him in a violent degree. He wrote to your brother, desiring an interview with him at a place which he mentioned. He sent this letter by his servant, who is now here, and from whom I learnt this and other circumstances. Who the letter was from, the servant has no knowledge nor suspi cion; but it is clear, from the effect it produced on Mr. Clifford, that the import of it was to irritate him against your brother; and very probably it is the production of an inveterate enemy of both.

This letter was delivered to Mr. Mordaunt at a time when his mind was so much occupied with the charms of Miss Clifford, that he was not struck with the style; which, at another time, he would probably have been; and he found himself so agreeably engaged, that he could not think of leaving his company. He therefore answer

ed, that he wished the meeting to be postponed to some future day, unless Mr. Clifford could conveniently come to Heathfield."

The jaundiced eye of Mr. Clifford viewed this as a new insult; he loaded his pistols, mounted his horse, and rode to Mr. Proctor's. He asked for Mr. Mordaunt; and, being told that he was with Miss Proctor, he desired to be shown into his apartment, and that Mr. Mordaunt might be informed that a gentleman wished to speak with him.'

As soon as your brother entered the room, Mr. Clifford bolted the door, pulled two pistols out of his pocket, laid them on the table, and said,— They are both loaded, sir; take your choice, and let me have immediate satisfaction.". • Satisfaction for what?'

• You well know for what, sir. Come, sir, which do you choose ?'

• I choose neither.'

By God, sir, you shall take one.'-So saying, Mr. Clifford took up one of the pistols, and went to the wall, desiring your brother to do the same, that as soon as he should pronounce he was ready, they might fire together.' Mr. Clifford,' said your brother, you are one of the last men on earth against whom I would fire a pistol.' That won't do, sir.-By heaven! one or other of us shall not go alive out of this room.'.

You ought to recollect that you were under some such mistake as this once before.'

'I do recollect all I owe you, sir, and am come to settle the account.'

• You have been deceived by some villain, Mr. Clifford.'

'I know I have.-D-n you, sir, take the pistol.— We shall be interrupted,' added he, hearing some noise at the door; then, advancing to the table, and taking up the pistol which still lay upon it, he held it with the butend to Mr. Mordaunt, saying,— Take the pistol, sir, and retire to the wall, as I shall; for, by heavens ! I am not to be talked from my purpose."