I APPLAUD your change of sentiment. Harriot is a good girl, and your conduct is extremely praiseworthy and honourable. It is what her virtues incontestibly merit.—But I advise you certainly to gain your father’s approbation before you proceed so far as to be unable to return. A contrary step might terminate in the utter ruin of you both.——Direct to me at Belleview—for I intend to stop there in my return to Boston.
LETTER IX.
Harrington to Worthy.
Boston.
I HAVE had a conversation with my father on the subject of early marriages, but to no purpose—I will not be certain whether he understood my drift, but all his arguments are applicable to my situation. One must be an adept to argue with him; and interested as he thinks himself in the result of the debate, he can not be prevailed upon to relinquish his settled opinion. I am too much chagrined to write to you even the heads of our conversation. I now stand upon my old ground.
Adieu!
LETTER X.
Worthy to Myra.
Belleview.
I AM very happy at present enjoying the sweets of Belleview with our excellent friend Mrs. Holmes. To dwell in this delightful retreat, and to be blest with the conversation of this amiable woman, cannot be called solitude. The charms of Nature are here beheld in the most luxuriant variety—it is here, diversified with beautiful prospect, the late Mr. Holmes planned his garden; it is elegant, but simple. My time glides off my hands most happily—I am sometimes indulging my solitary reflections in contemplating the sublimity of the scenes around me—and sometimes in conversation with Eliza and the old people.