Page 81 (1/1)

Catherine ith her friend again the next day, endeavouring to support her spirits and while away the many tedious hours before the delivery of the letters; a needful exertion, for as the time of reasonable expectation drew near, Isabella beca, and before the letter arrived, had worked herself into a state of real distress But when it did come, where could distress be found? "I have had no difficulty in gaining the consent ofin their power shall be done to forward my happiness," were the first three lines, and in one loas instantly spread over Isabella's features, all care and anxiety seeh for control, and she called herself without scruple the happiest of hter, her son, her visitor, and could have embraced half the inhabitants of Bath with satisfaction Her heart was overfloith tenderness It was "dear John" and "dear Catherine" at every word; "dear Anne and dear Maria" must immediately be made sharers in their felicity; and two "dears" at once before the name of Isabella were not more than that beloved child had noell earned John himself was no skulker in joy He not only bestowed on Mr Morland the high co one of the finest fellows in the world, but swore offall this felicity, was short, containing little more than this assurance of success; and every particular was deferred till Jaain But for particulars Isabella could well afford to wait The needful was coed toeasy; and by what means their inconed, or funded money made over, was a matter in which her disinterested spirit took no concern She knew enough to feel secure of an honourable and speedy establishht over its attendant felicities

She saw herself at the end of a feeeks, the gaze and admiration of every new acquaintance at Fullerton, the envy of every valued old friend in Putney, with a carriage at her command, a new nas on her finger

When the contents of the letter were ascertained, John Thorpe, who had only waited its arrival to begin his journey to London, prepared to set off "Well, Miss Morland," said he, on finding her alone in the parlour, "I aood journey Without appearing to hear her, he walked to the , fidgeted about, hummed a tune, and seemed wholly self-occupied