To Mrs. Temple, Pall Mall.
Silleri, May 21.
Your letter, Madam, to Miss Fermor, which, by an accident, was first
read by me, has removed the veil which love had placed before mine
eyes, and shewed me, in one moment, the folly of all those dear hopes I
had indulged.
You do me but justice in believing me incapable of suffering your
brother to sacrifice the peace, much less the life, of an amiable
mother, to my happiness: I have no doubt of his returning to England
the moment he receives your letters; but, knowing his tenderness, I
will not expose him to a struggle on this occasion: I will myself,
unknown to him, as he is fortunately absent, embark in a ship which has
wintered here, and will leave Quebec in ten days.
Your invitation is very obliging; but a moment's reflection will
convince you of the extreme impropriety of my accepting it.
Assure Mrs. Rivers, that her son will not lose a moment, that he
will probably be with her as soon as this letter; assure her also, that
the woman who has kept him from her, can never forgive herself for what
she suffers.