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richly extended towards myself; but, otherwise, I should loudly protest against the share of it which that
woman has known.-- "Jane," indeed!--You will observe that I have not yet indulged myself in calling her
by that name, even to you. Think, then, what I must have endured in hearing it bandied between the
Eltons with all the vulgarity of needless repetition, and all the insolence of imaginary superiority. Have
patience with me, I shall soon have done.-- She closed with this offer, resolving to break with me
entirely, and wrote the next day to tell me that we never were to meet again.-- She felt the engagement to
be a source of repentance and misery to each: she dissolved it.--This letter reached me on the very
morning of my poor aunt's death. I answered it within an hour; but from the confusion of my mind, and
the multiplicity of business falling on me at once, my answer, instead of being sent with all the many other
letters of that day, was locked up in my writing-desk; and I, trusting that I had written enough, though but
a few lines, to satisfy her, remained without any uneasiness.--I was rather disappointed that I did not hear
from her again speedily; but I made excuses for her, and was too busy, and--may I add?-- too cheerful
in my views to be captious.--We removed to Windsor; and two days afterwards I received a parcel from
her, my own letters all returned!--and a few lines at the same time by the post, stating her extreme
surprize at not having had the smallest reply to her last; and adding, that as silence on such a point could
not be misconstrued, and as it must be equally desirable to both to have every subordinate arrangement
concluded as soon as possible, she now sent me, by a safe conveyance, all my letters, and requested,
that if I could not directly command hers, so as to send them to Highbury within a week, I would forward
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them after that period to her at--: in short, the full direction to Mr. Smallridge's, near Bristol, stared me in
the face. I knew the name, the place, I knew all about it, and instantly saw what she had been doing. It
was perfectly accordant with that resolution of character which I knew her to possess; and the secrecy
she had maintained, as to any such design in her former letter, was equally descriptive of its anxious
delicacy. For the world would not she have seemed to threaten me.--Imagine the shock; imagine how, till
I had actually detected my own blunder, I raved at the blunders of the post.-- What was to be
done?--One thing only.--I must speak to my uncle. Without his sanction I could not hope to be listened
to again.-- I spoke; circumstances were in my favour; the late event had softened away his pride, and he
was, earlier than I could have anticipated, wholly reconciled and complying; and could say at last, poor
man! with a deep sigh, that he wished I might find as much happiness in the marriage state as he had
done.--I felt that it would be of a different sort.--Are you disposed to pity me for what I must have
suffered in opening the cause to him, for my suspense while all was at stake?--No; do not pity me till I
reached Highbury, and saw how ill I had made her. Do not pity me till I saw her wan, sick looks.--I
reached Highbury at the time of day when, from my knowledge of their late breakfast hour, I was certain
of a good chance of finding her alone.--I was not disappointed; and at last I was not disappointed either
in the object of my journey. A great deal of very reasonable, very just displeasure I had to persuade
away. But it is done; we are reconciled, dearer, much dearer, than ever, and no moment's uneasiness can
ever occur between us again. Now, my dear madam, I will release you; but I could not conclude before.
A thousand and a thousand thanks for all the kindness you have ever shewn me, and ten thousand for the
attentions your heart will dictate towards her.--If you think me in a way to be happier than I deserve, I
am quite of your opinion.--Miss W. calls me the child of good fortune. I hope she is right.--In one
respect, my good fortune is undoubted, that of being able to subscribe myself, Your obliged and
affectionate Son,
F. C. WESTON CHURCHILL.
CHAPTER XV
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