I hastened up stairs to my closet, and found the billet to contain, in a
hand that seemed disguised, and bad spelling, the following words:
'Twenty contrivances have been thought of to let you know your danger:
but all have proved in vain. Your friends hope it is not yet too late to
give you this caution, if it reaches your hands. The 'squire is
absolutely determined to ruin you; and, because he despairs of any other
way, he will pretend great love and kindness to you, and that he will
marry you. You may expect a parson, for this purpose, in a few days; but
it is a sly artful fellow, of a broken attorney, that he has hired to
personate a minister. The man has a broad face, pitted much with the
small-pox, and is a very great companion. So take care of yourself.
Doubt not this advice. Perhaps you'll have had but too much reason
already to confirm you in the truth of it. From your zealous well-
wisher, 'SOMEBODY.'
Now, my dear father and mother, what shall we say of this truly
diabolical master! O, how shall I find words to paint my griefs, and his
deceit! I have as good as confessed I love him; but, indeed, it was on
supposing him good.--This, however, has given him too much advantage.
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