Mr. Reeves, who has a good opinion of Mr. Fowler, in answer to his enquiries, told him, that he believed I was disengaged in my affections: Mr. Fowler rejoiced at that. That I had no questions to ask: but those of duty: which indeed, he said, was a stronger tie with me than interest. He praised my temper, and my frankness of heart: the latter at the expence of mv sex: for which I least thanked him. when he told me what he had said. In short, he acquainted him with every thing that was necessary, and more than was necessary for him to know, of the favour of my family, and of my good Mr. Deane, in referring all proposals of this kind to myself; mingling the detail with commendations, which only could be excused by the goodness of his own heart, and accounted for bv Ids partiality to his cousin.

Mr. Fowler expressed great apprehensions on mv cousin’s talking of these references of mv grand-mother, aunt, and Mr. Deane. to myself, on occa — sions of this nature; which, he said, he presumed had been too frequent for his hopes.

If you have any hope, Mr. Fowler, said Mr. Reeves, it must be in your good character; and that much preferably to your clear estate and great expectations. Although she takes no pride in the number of her admirers, yet it is natural to suppose, that it has made her more difficult: and her diffi-culties are enhanced, in proportion to the generous confidence which all her friends have in her discretion. And when I told him. proceeded Mr Reeves, that your fortune exceeded greatly what Sir Row-land required in a wife for him; and that you had, as well from inclination, as education, a serious turn: Too much, too much, in one person, cried he out. As to fortune, he wished you had not a shilling; and if he could obtain your favour, he should be the happiest man in the world.

O my good Mr. Reeves, said I, how have you over-rated my merits! Surely, you have not eiven Mr. Fowler your interest? If you haie, should you not. for his sake, have known something of my mind before you had eet me out thus, had I even deserved your high opinion? — Mr. Fowler might have reason to repent the double well-meant kindru >s of his friend, if men in these days were used to break their hearts for love.

It is the language I do and must talk of you in, to every body, returned Mr. Reeves: is it not the

_’— “hat those most taik who know you best?

Where the world is inclined to favour, replied I, it i> apt to ■ ■ — rati . as much as it will:.’ .ifr-rate where ■ ‘ disfavours. In this case, you should not have proceeded so far as to engage a gentleman’s hopes. What may be the end of all this, but to make a compassionate nature, as mine has been thought to be, if Mr. Fowler should be greatly in earnest, uneasy to itself, in being obliged to shew pity, where she cannot return love?