'I expect not to be answered on this head, but by your good opinion, and
the confidence you may repose in my honour: being
'Your hearty friend to serve you.'
'P. S. I find my man John has been the manager of the correspondence, in
which such liberties have been taken with me. I shall soon, in a manner
that becomes me, let the saucy fellow know how much I resent his part of
the affair. It is hard thing, that a man of my character in the world
should be used thus freely by his own servants.'
It is easy to guess at the poor old man's concern, upon reading this
letter from a gentleman of so much consideration. He knew not what
course to take, and had no manner of doubt of his poor daughter's
innocence, and that foul play was designed her. Yet he sometimes hoped
the best, and was ready to believe the surmised correspondence between
the clergyman and her, having not received the letters she wrote, which
would have cleared up that affair.
But, after all, he resolved, as well to quiet his own as her mother's
uneasiness, to undertake a journey to the 'squire's; and leaving his poor
wife to excuse him to the farmer who employed him, he set out that very
evening, late as it was; and travelling all night, found himself, soon
after day-light, at the gate of the gentleman, before the family was up:
and there he sat down to rest himself till he should see somebody
stirring.
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