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father's brother took the management, of his affairs, and the kind protection of my brothers and sister; while I, only I, was lost to them; drowned in a state of insensibility, though not without the tenderest regard to my dear relations; whom I endeavoured to persuade, that I was married to Mr. **; but they were too wise: they could not be deceived; and foretelling me my fate with severity enough, utterly cast me off.
Possessed of Mr. **'s affection, I felt, I conceived no loss or hurt from any other's neglect. And my heart can bear me witness, that I never knew a thought, or indulged a wish from him. Seven months be continued all I could hope: and I began to believe that every thing, (though little enough) which I had heard of formal virtue, was a name; and that outward ceremonies, and the like, tended only to the infelicity of the married state. But soon, too soon, was I awakened from this golden dream. Mr. ** grew thoughtful in my company, began to make his visits less frequent and more short; urging great business in the compting house, the preparation of ships, and I know not what: it gave me pain, but I suspected nothing. One day, however, when I was at the window waiting for him as usual, with fond impatience, a messenger came with a letter: but what words can express my anguish upon reading it! It was to inform me that his father had found out his connection
