To Miss Montague, at Silleri.
Montreal, Feb. 10.
Never any astonishment equalled mine, my dear Emily, at hearing you
had broke an engagement of years, so much to your advantage as to
fortune, and with a man of so very unexceptionable a character as Sir
George, without any other apparent cause than a slight indelicacy in a
letter of his mother's, for which candor and affection would have found
a thousand excuses. I will not allow myself to suppose, what is however
publicly said here, that you have sacrificed prudence, decorum, and I
had almost said honor, to an imprudent inclination for a man, to whom
there is the strongest reason to believe you are indifferent, and who
is even said to have an attachment to another: I mean Colonel Rivers,
who, though a man of worth, is in a situation which makes it impossible
for him to think of you, were you even as dear to him as the world says
he is to you.
I am too unhappy to say more on this subject, but expect from our
past friendship a very sincere answer to two questions; whether love
for Colonel Rivers was the real motive for the indiscreet step you have
taken? and whether, if it was, you have the excuse of knowing he loves
you? I should be glad to know what are your views, if you have any. I
am,
My dear Emily,
Your affectionate friend,
E. Melmoth.