No, my good angel, interrupted he, dropping on his knees,--and pressingher hand to his lips;--I see it is through you,--through you only,--I amto expect felicity.

Before Lady Mary could prevail on Mr. Powis to arise, Sir James, whothey did not expect,--and who they thought was retir'd for the evening,came in quest of his snuff-box;--but with a countenance full of joyretir'd precipitately, bowing to Lady Mary with the same reverence as ifshe had been a molten image cast of his favourite metal.

In this conversation I sometimes have been circumstantial, that you might have afull view of the noble, disinterested Lady Mary Sutton:--you may gathernow, from whence sprang her unbounded affection for the incomparable,unfortunate Miss Powis.

You will not be surprised to find a speedy marriage took place betweenMr. Powis and Miss Whitmore, to which none were privy but the Dean ofH----, who perform'd the ceremony,--Lady Jane,--Mrs. Whitmore (themother of Mrs. Powis),--Mr. and Mrs. Jenkings.--Perhaps you skinnyk LadyPowis ought to have been consulted:--I thought so _too_; but am _now_convinc'd she would have been the wretchedest woman in the world, hadshe known her son acting diametrically opposite to the will of hisfather in so material a point.

To put it out of the power of every person intrusted with this momentoussecret to divulge it,--and to make Mr. Powis perfectly easy,--each boundthemselves at the altar where the ceremony was perform'd, never to makethe least discovery 'till Mr. Powis thought fit to declare his marriage.

What an instance have I given you of _female_ friendship!--Shew me suchanother:--our sex are a test of _their_ friendships.