poor Bella. But I will be bold to say, that neither she, nor my
brother, nor even my father himself, knows what a heart they have set
a bleeding.

I saw, to my comfort, what effect my sister's absence wrought for me.
--Rise, my noble-minded Niece!--Charming creature! [those were her
kind words] kneel not to me!--Keep to yourself what I now say to you.
--I admire you more than I can express--and if you can forbear
claiming your estate, and can resolve to avoid Lovelace, you will
continue to be the greatest miracle I ever knew at your years--but I
must hasten down after your sister.--These are my last words to you:
'Conform to your father's will, if you possibly can. How meritorious
will it be in you if you do so! Pray to God to enable you to conform.
You don't know what may be done.'

Only, my dear Aunt, one word, one word more (for she was going)--Speak
all you can for my dear Mrs. Norton. She is but low in the world:
should ill health overtake her, she may not know how to live without
my mamma's favour. I shall have no means to help her; for I will want
necessaries before I will assert my right: and I do assure you, she
has said so many things to me in behalf of my submitting to my
father's will, that her arguments have not a little contributed to
make me resolve to avoid the extremities, which nevertheless I pray to
God they do not at last force me upon. And yet they deprive me of her
advice, and think unjustly of one of the most excellent of women.

I am glad to hear you say this: and take this, and this, and this, my
charming Niece! (for so she called me almost at every word, kissing me
earnestly, and clasping her arms about my neck:) and God protect you,
and direct you! But you must submit: indeed you must. Some one day