any one, but Ethelind saw it, though she took no notice, nor did
Beatrice mention it Before retiring to rest, she read as follows:--

"MY DEAR MISS TREVOR,

"I should ill act up to that fearless line of duty my sacred
calling prescribes, were I not, as a friend, to urge you to reflect
on your present line of conduct, and ask you to pause on it, ere
you wreck, not only the happiness of others but your own, at the
shrine of inordinate vanity. Shall I honestly own, that mine has
narrowly escaped being wrecked; and that, from your own lips, I
learnt such was the case. Believing you good and amiable, as you
seemed, I was fascinated, and allowed my feelings to outrun my
judgment, and yet I can hardly say that such was the case, for I
thought you all a woman should be. Let me warn and entreat you, on
all future occasions, as you wish to be happy, to deal fairly and
truly with him who may seek to win your affection. I was an
unwilling listener to your conversation with Miss Fortescue, the
other day, and there, from your own lips, learnt that while engaged
to another, you scrupled not to receive and encourage my
attentions; and more than that, you declared your resolution, of
holding out hopes you never meant to realize. Had I known you were
bound to another, whatever my feelings had been for you, I had
never sought to win your love, but I fully believed you ingenuous
as you seemed. Had you not met the advances so sincerely made by
me, with such seeming pleasure, whatever the struggle might have
cost me, it had passed in silence. I will candidly own, that while
my respect is lessened, I cannot forget what my feelings towards
you have been. Time alone can heal the peace of mind you have so
recklessly wounded; but I again advise you to reflect seriously on