Lord have mercy upon me!--But can it be?

My mother will indeed be astonished!--How can I tell it her!--It was but
last night (upon some jealousies put into her head by your foolish uncle)
that I assured her, and this upon the strength of your own assurances,
that neither man nor devil would be able to induce you to take a step
that was in the least derogatory to the most punctilious honour.

But, once more, can it be? What woman at this rate!--But, God preserve
you!

Let nothing escape you in your letters. Direct them for me, however, to
Mrs. Knolly's, till further notice.


***


Observe, my dear, that I don't blame you by all this--Your relations only
are in fault!--Yet how you came to change your mind is the surprising
thing.

How to break it to my mother, I know not. Yet if she hear it first from
any other, and find I knew it before, she will believe it to be my
connivance!--Yet, as I hope to live, I know not how to break it to her.

But this is teasing you.--I am sure, without intention.

Let me now repeat my former advice--If you are not married by this time,
be sure delay not the ceremony. Since things are as they are, I wish it