Amelia

nson came running into my room, all pale and out of breath, and begged me not to be surprized at his news. I asked him eagerly what was the matter, and if it was anyth

ibe, and generally so dull when describ

arming!-Oh! Mr. Booth, our sex is d-ned by the want of tenderness in y

re was not the least mention of it, or any hint given by which she could possibly conclude I was otherwise than in perfect health. And when I had excused myself, by assigning the true reason, she cried-'O Mr. Booth! and do you know so little of your Amelia as to think

. Booth? Shall I tell you I envy Mrs. Booth of all the women in the world? would you be

ip brought her one from me written with rather more than usual gaiety, and in which there was not the least mention of my indisposition. This, she said, greatly puzzled her and her mother, and the worthy divine endeavoured to persuade her to give credit to my letter, and to impute the other to a species of wit with which the world greatly abounds. This

rent opinion, and advised poor Amelia to apply to an officer whom the governor had sent over in the same shi

eady told you, you will think to be the last person I could suspect; besides, he declared upon his honour that he knew nothing of the matter, and no man's honour is, I believe, more sacred. There was indeed an ensign of a

iscover this secret?

is day," ans

whatever befel you? Yet stay-that could not be neither; for then she would not have doubted whether she should leave dear England on the receipt of the letter. No, it mu

ventured to take such a step without acquainting me. Besides, the poor fellow had, I believe, such a regard for my wife, out of gratitude for the favours she hath done his mother, that I make no doubt

perfect recovery, unless I should observe her remarkable behaviour, s

of it? I do not say this to lessen your opinion of Mrs. Booth. I have no doubt but that she loves you as well as she is capable. But I would not have you think so meanly of our sex as to imagine there are not a thousand women susceptible of true tenderness towards a meritorious man. Believe me, Mr. Booth, if I had received such an account of an accident having happened to such a husband, a mother and

ed Booth with a smile; "however, if yo