Prepared as Matilda had been, by the anonymous letter, to expect such intelligence, no words can express her feelings at receiving this letter; overcome with grief, she retired to her apartment and gave loose to the painful emotions that oppressed her. After a little time she grew more composed: "Is a heart like his worth regretting? (cried she.) Could he, if his love had been founded on esteem, so soon have offered his addresses to another? O, no! it was only a transient affection, not imprinted on the heart, but vanished with my person: how fortunate then our hands were not joined; how miserable should I have found myself, if united for life to so fickle a disposition."
Whilst this impression was strong upon her, she took up her pen and wrote the following answer:
"Dear madam,
"Accept, I beseech you, my warmest acknowledgements for your very friendly and obliging letter: your candid communications
