that I cannot be indifferent upon a subject of such importance to her future life.
Adieu, my dear Sir;—send me speedily an answer to this remonstrance, and believe me to be, &c.
LETTER XXVIII.
Mr. Villars to Lady Howard.
Your letter, Madam, has opened a source of anxiety to which I look forward with dread, and which to see closed, I scarcely dare expect. I am unwilling to oppose my opinion to that of your Ladyship, nor, indeed, can I, but by arguments which, I believe, will rather rank me as a hermit, ignorant of the world, and fit only for my cell, than as a proper guardian, in an age such as this, for an accomplished young woman. Yet, thus called upon, it behoves me to explain, and endeavour to vindicate, the reasons by which I have been hitherto guided.
The mother of this dear child,—who was led to destruction by her own imprudence, the hardness of heart of Madame Duval,and
