customed to; an unufual quantity of company was prefent, and fortunately among the reft, three of the gentlemen who had affifted my father in removing Therefa's effects. The dear girl and myfelf, directed to drefs with more than even birth

day fplendour, were aftonifhed at all this preparation; but after dinner, my father, in the prefence of the whole company, delivered Therefa's fortune into her own hands, greatly augmented in value. Therefa, who was loveliness itself, arose gracefully from her feat, and was going to thank him on her knee, but my father prevented it, by meet

ing, and affectionately embracing her:-"Thank God !" he said, "I have done my duty. Be as true to thyfelf as I have been to thee, and be happy-and God for ever bless thee!"- Having pronounced this, with tears, he retired, to indulge those fenfations which convey the pureft bliss, and mock defcription. Indeed we all felt a part of it, and the tear of fenfibility was in every eye. When my father returned, the glafs circulated "To the long life and happiness of Therefa." She arofe again, and, after thanking the company, requested my father "to continue her father and guardian:

let

let me, dear Sir," fhe added, "let me continue to enjoy your protection, and the friendship of my dear Charlotte, and do with this treasure what seems best to yourself.”—Iembraced her, and we retired till the dancing begun. My father gave her a written acknowledgment for the deposit she left in his hands; and thus happily discharged a trust of fixteen years, with honour to himself, and advantage to Theresa. Ever fince, she has lived fome times in Town, and fome times with us; and happily combines - what feldom are combined-great difcretion and elegant accomplishments.

Con

Conceive then, what I fhould lofe in the death of this amiable girl, and think how her illness dif treffes me. I blush at the length of this letter; but narrative is prolix, and, as the Frenchman faid, "I have not time to shorten it."*-Adieu !

LETTER X.

Y dear Therefa is fo much

MY

recovered, that I fhall be

at Walheim on Saturday. She kindly afcribes the amendment of her health to my prefence. The fact is, that her ftrength has encreased

* Pafcal.

creased ever fince the phyficians left her. They either mistook the nature of her complaint, or of her conftitution. Nature, however, with little affistance, has fo far conquered disease, that I rejoice in the thought of feeing her once more at Walheim. -What felicity in profpect!-to fee Theresa embrace my Carolina ! -and Charlotte made happy by the presence of both!-May no dark cloud intercept those white hours!

LET.