the least decency from a brother, who has studied, as it seems, rather to
cultivate the malevolence of his natural temper, than any tendency which
one might have hoped his parentage, if not his education, might have
given him to a tolerable politeness.

I doubt not, that you will take amiss my freedom: but as you have
deserved it from me, I shall be less and less concerned on that score, as
I see you are more and more intent to shew your wit at the expense of
justice and compassion.

The time is indeed come that I can no longer bear those contempts and
reflections which a brother, least of all men, is entitled to give. And
let me beg of you one favour, Sir:--It is this, That you will not give
yourself any concern about a husband for me, till I shall have the
forwardness to propose a wife to you. Pardon me, Sir; but I cannot help
thinking, that could I have the art to get my father of my side, I should
have as much right to prescribe for you, as you have for me.

As to the communication you make me, I must take upon me to say, That
although I will receive, as becomes me, any of my father's commands; yet,
as this signification is made by a brother, who has shewn of late so much
of an unbrotherly animosity to me, (for no reason in the world that I
know if, but that he believes he has, in me, one sister too much for his
interest,) I think myself entitled to conclude, that such a letter as you
have sent me, is all your own: and of course to declare, that, while I so
think it, I will not willingly, nor even without violence, go to any
place, avowedly to receive Mr. Solmes's visits.

I think myself so much entitled to resent your infamous hint, and this as
well for the sake of my sex, as for my own, that I ought to declare, as I