lord, Belinda should observe on these dangerous topics a profound silence,
both in her letters and her conversation; that as long as the lady
continued under the protection of her husband, the world might whisper,
but would not speak out; that as to Belinda's own principles, she would be
utterly inexcusable if, after the education she had received, they could
be hurt by any bad examples; that she could not be too cautious in her
management of a man of ----'s character; that she could have no _serious_
cause for jealousy in the quarter she apprehended, as marriage there could
not be the object; and there was such a difference of age, that no
permanent influence could probably be obtained by the lady; that the most
certain method for Miss Portman to expose herself to the ridicule of one
of the parties, and to the total neglect of the other, would be to betray
anxiety or jealousy; that, in short, if she were fool enough to lose her
own heart, there would be little chance of her being wise enough to win
that of------, who was evidently a man of gallantry rather than of
sentiment, and who was known to play his cards well, and to have good luck
whenever _hearts_ were trumps.

Belinda's fears of Lady Delacour, as a dangerous rival, were much quieted
by the artful insinuations of Mrs. Stanhope, with respect to her age, &c.;
and in proportion as her fears subsided, she blamed herself for having
written too harshly of her ladyship's conduct. The idea that whilst she
appeared as Lady Delacour's friend she ought not to propagate any stories
to her disadvantage, operated powerfully upon Belinda's mind, and she
reproached herself for having told even her aunt what she had seen in
private. She thought that she had been guilty of treachery, and she wrote
again immediately to Mrs. Stanhope, to conjure her to burn her last
letter; to forget, if possible, its contents; and to believe that not a
syllable of a similar nature should ever more be heard from her: she was
just concluding with the words--"I hope my dear aunt will consider all