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fended, if acquainted with his attachments to me, the only thing, he daily protested, which prevented his marrying me.' I heard his oaths, I listened and believed. But how distant was I from suspecting any dishonourable intentions, since, in all the fervour of passion, he would curse his fate, and the vile folly of mankind in suffering priests to obstruct their bless by a foolish ceremony, devised solely for their profit; since, in the sight of God, (if there was a God who took notice of such things) an union of hearts, and mutual oaths and vows, must doubtless constitute a marriage. Much of this I often heard; and love blinded my eyes to its intent.
In the mean time a sudden shock overwhelmed our family in the deepest distress: my father became a bankrupt; and the miseries impending over his children so affected him, that he turned perfectly melancholy. This accident was Mr. **'s triumph: his friendship and tenderness for me on this occasion was such, that I fear it would have prevailed over a heart better fortified. Wonder not, Sir, that it prevailed over me, whose heart was melting with the softest love to him! Cruel deceiver, he persuaded me to leave that distressful scene, and to take possession of a lodging, which he had provided, he told me, till better times would allow him publickly, to acknowledge me as his wife. My
