shewn me, are what I am extremely apprehensive of. And why does my
brother say, my restraint is to be taken off, (and that too at Mr.
Solmes's desire,) when I am to be a still closer prisoner than before;
the bridge threatened to be drawn up; and no dear papa and mamma near me,
to appeal to, in the last resort?

Transfer not, I beseech you, to a brother and sister your own authority
over your child--to a brother and sister, who treat me with unkindness
and reproach; and, as I have too much reason to apprehend, misrepresent
my words and behaviour; or, greatly favoured as I used to be, it is
impossible I should be sunk so low in your opinions, as I unhappily am!

Let but this my hard, my disgraceful confinement be put an end to.
Permit me, my dear Mamma, to pursue my needleworks in your presence, as
one of your maidens; and you shall be witness, that it is not either
wilfulness or prepossession that governs me. Let me not, however, be put
out of your own house. Let Mr. Solmes come and go, as my papa pleases:
let me but stay or retire when he comes, as I can; and leave the rest to
Providence.

Forgive me, Brother, that thus, with an appearance of art, I address
myself to my father and mother, to whom I am forbidden to approach, or to
write. Hard it is to be reduced to such a contrivance! Forgive likewise
the plain dealing I have used in the above, with the nobleness of a
gentleman, and the gentleness due from a brother to a sister. Although
of late you have given me but little room to hope either for your favour
or compassion; yet, having not deserved to forfeit either, I presume to
claim both: for I am confident it is at present much in your power,
although but my brother (my honoured parents both, I bless God, in
being), to give peace to the greatly disturbed mind of