believe the good lady your mother might have spared herself the
trouble of the last part of her postscript. Well, my dear Betty,
you must lay aside all thoughts of a coach, till I can procure the
command of a regiment." This unconcerned behaviour, while it enabled
me to support my reverse of fortune, at the same time endeared
him to me the more, by convincing me of his disinterested views in
espousing me. I was next day boarded in company with the wife of
another officer, who had long been the friend and confidant of my
husband, at a village not far from London, where they parted with
us in the most melting manner, went to Flanders, and were killed
in sight of one another at the battle of the Wood.

"Why should I tire you with a description of our unutterable
sorrow at the fatal news of this event, the remembrance of which
now fills my aged eyes with tears! When our grief subsided a little,
and reflection came to our aid, we found ourselves deserted by the
whole world, and in danger of perishing by want; whereupon we made
application for the pension, and were put upon the list. Then,
vowing eternal friendship, sold our jewels and superfluous clothes,
retired to this place (which is in the county of Sussex) bought
this little house, where we lived many years in a solitary manner,
indulging our mutual sorrow, till it pleased Heaven to call away
my companion two years ago; since which time I have lingered out
an unhappy being, in hopes of a speedy dissolution, when I promise
myself the eternal reward of all my cares. In the meantime," continued
she, "I must inform you of the character I bear among my neighbours.
My conversation being different from that of the inhabitants of
the village, my recluse way of life, my skill in curing distempers,
which I acquired from books since I settled here, and lastly,
my age having made the common people look upon me as something