Page:Modern literature (1804 Volume 2).djvu/247

This page needs to be proofread.

moral approbation can prompt in a discerning and polite man towards a young, beautiful, and lovely woman, without any mixture of love. The mother in a great degree, and the daughter much more, had misconstrued these attentions, and neither of them doubted that the increased intercourse that would probably take place during the winter, would produce a declaration. Various engagements with which the daughter would have gladly dispensed, but which the mother thought it necessary to fulfil, detained them till February between Brighton, Bath, and the country; and no explanation having taken place, it was believed by Sir Edward Hamden, and by others, except those in Hamilton's secrets, that Miss Primrose was to bestow her hand and fortune on Mr. Hamilton.

The Countess of Cockatrice, who still