JENKINGS."

I will make no comments on this letter; it cannot concern _me_,--What

can I do about seeing Mr. Jenkings before I go?--

Lord bless me! a chaise and four just stopp'd; Mr. Smith in

it.--Heavens! how my heart throbs!--I did not expect him 'till

to-morrow: I must run to receive him.--How shall I go up to the

Abbey!--how support the last embrace of Sir James and Lady Powis!

Ten at Night, just come from the Abbey.

Torn in pieces!--my poor heart torn in pieces!--I shall never see them

more;--never again be strain'd to their parental bosoms.--Forgive me, my

dearest Lady, I do not grieve that I am coming to _you_; I grieve only

that I go from _them_.--Oh God! why must my soul be divided?

Another struggle too with poor Mrs. Jenkings!--She has been on her

knees:--yes, thus lowly has she condescended to turn me from my purpose,

and suffer Mr. Smith to go back without me,--I blush to think what pain,

what trouble I occasion.--She talks of some _important event_ at hand.

She says if I go, it will, end in the destruction of us all.--What can

she mean by an _important event?_--Perhaps Lord Darcey--but no matter;

nothing, my dear Lady, shall with-hold me from you.--The good woman is

now more calm. I have assured her it is uncertain how long we may be in

London: it is only that has calm'd her.--She says, she is _certain_ I

shall return;--she is _certain_, when Mr. Powis and his Lady arrives, _I

must_ return.--Next Thursday they are expected:--already are they

arrived at Falmouth:--but, notwithstanding what I have told Mrs.

Jenkings, to soften her pains at parting, I shall by Thursday be on my

voyage;--for Mr. Smith tells me the Packet will sail

immediately.--Perhaps I may be the messenger of my own letters:--but I

am determin'd to write on 'till I see you;--that when I look them over,

my memory may receive some assistance.--Good night, my dearest Lady;

Mrs. Jenkings and Mr. Smith expects me.

F. Warley.

Barford Abbey, a Novel: In a Series of Letters · 第 88 / 134 题