his sword by my brother's repeatedly threatening (upon his excusing
himself out of regard to me) to brand me ir he did not; and, by all
the inquiry I could make, that he was again the sufferer from my
uncles in a more violent manner than I have related.

The same circumstances were related to my father and other relations
by Mr. Symmes; but they had gone too far in making themselves parties
to the quarrel either to retract or forgive; and I was forbidden to
correspond with him, or to be seen a moment in his company.

One thing however I can say, but that in confidence, because my mother
commanded me not to mention it:--That, expressing her apprehension of
the consequences of the indignities offered to Mr. Lovelace, she told
me, she would leave it to my prudence to do all I could to prevent the
impending mischief on one side.

I am obliged to break off. But I believe I have written enough to
answer very fully all that you have required of me. It is not for a
child to seek to clear her own character, or to justify her actions,
at the expense of the most revered ones: yet, as I know that the
account of all those further proceedings by which I may be affected,
will be interesting to so dear a friend (who will communicate to
others no more than what is fitting) I will continue to write, as I
have opportunity, as minutely as we are used to write to each other.
Indeed I have no delight, as I have often told you, equal to that which
I take in conversing with you by letter, when I cannot in person.

Mean time, I cannot help saying, that I am exceedingly concerned to
find, that I am become so much the public talk as you tell me I am.
Your kind, your precautionary regard for my fame, and the opportunity