hindered him from writing a reply with his own hand to my last.

She pitied my Lord. She pitied poor Mrs. Fretchville too; for she had
the goodness to inquire after her. The dear creature pitied every body
that seemed to want pity. Happy in her own prospects, she had leisure to
look abroad, and wishes every body equally happy.

It is likely to go very hard with Mrs. Fretchville. Her face, which she
had valued herself upon, will be utterly ruined. 'This good, however, as
I could not but observe, she may reap from so great an evil--as the
greater malady generally swallows up the less, she may have a grief on
this occasion, that may diminish the other grief, and make it tolerable.'

I had a gentle reprimand for this light turn on so heavy an evil--'For
what was the loss of beauty to the loss of a good husband?'--Excellent
creature!

Her hopes (and her pleasure upon those hopes) that Miss Howe's mother
would be reconciled to her, were also mentioned. Good Mrs. Howe was her
word, for a woman so covetous, and so remorseless in her covetousness,
that no one else will call her good. But this dear creature has such an
extension in her love, as to be capable of valuing the most insignificant
animal related to those whom she respects. Love me, and love my dog, I
have heard Lord M. say.--Who knows, but that I may in time, in compliment
to myself, bring her to think well of thee, Jack?

But what am I about? Am I not all this time arraigning my own heart?--I
know I am, by the remorse I feel in it, while my pen bears testimony to
her excellence. But yet I must add (for no selfish consideration shall
hinder me from doing justice to this admirable creature) that in this