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abundance of matter for conversation and mirth； for my part； I am
too sensible of my own weaknesses； to be diverted with those of
other people At present； I have something at heart that employs
my whole attention； and keeps my mind in the utmost terror and
suspence。
Yesterday in the forenoon； as I stood with my brother at the
parlour window of an inn； where we had lodged； a person passed a
horseback； whom （gracious Heaven！） I instantly discovered to be
Wilson！ He wore a white riding…coat； with the cape buttoned up to
his chin； looking remarkably pale； and passed at a round trot；
without seeming to observe us Indeed； he could not see us； for
there was a blind that concealed us from the view。 You may guess
how I was affected at this apparition。 The light forsook my eyes；
and I was seized with such a palpitation and trembling； that I
could not stand。 I sat down upon a couch； and strove to compose
myself； that my brother might not perceive my agitation； but it
was impossible to escape his prying eyes He had observed the
object that alarmed me； and； doubtless； knew him at the first
glance He now looked at me with a stern countenance； then he ran
out into the street； to see what road the unfortunate horseman
had taken He afterwards dispatched his man for further
intelligence； and seemed to meditate some violent design。 My
uncle； being out of order； we remained another night at the inn；
and all day long Jery acted the part of an indefatigable spy upon
my conduct He watched my very looks with such eagerness of
attention； as if he would have penetrated into the utmost
recesses of my heart This may be owing to his regard for my
honour； if it is not the effect of his own pride； but he is so
hot； and violent； and unrelenting； that the sight of him alone
throws me into a flutter； and really it will not be in my power
to afford him any share of my affection； if he persists in
persecuting me at this rate。 I am afraid he has formed some
scheme of vengeance； which will make me completely wretched！ I am
afraid he suspects some collusion from this appearance of
Wilson。 Good God！ did he really appear？
or was it only a phantom； a pale spectre to apprise me of his
death。
O Letty； what shall I do？ where shall I turn for advice and
consolation？ shall I implore the protection of my uncle； who has
been always kind and compassionate。 This must be my last
resource。 I dread the thoughts of making him uneasy； and would
rather suffer a thousand deaths than live the cause of dissension
in the family。 I cannot conceive the meaning of Wilson's coming
hither： perhaps； it was in quest of us； in order to disclose his
real name and situation： but wherefore pass without staying to
make the least enquiry？ My dear Willis； I am lost in conjecture。
I have not closed an eye since I saw him。 All night long have I
been tossed about from one imagination to another。 The reflection
finds no resting place。 I have prayed； and sighed； and wept
plentifully。 If this terrible suspence continues much longer； I
shall have another fit of illness； and then the whole family will
be in confusion If it was consistent with the wise purposes of
Providence； would I were in my grave But it is my duty to be
resigned。 My dearest Letty； excuse my weakness excuse these
blots my tears fall so fast that I cannot keep the paper dry
yet I ought to consider that I have as yet no cause to despair
but I am such a faint…hearted timorous creature！
Thank God； my uncle is much better than he was yesterday。 He is
resolved to pursue our journey strait to Wales。 I hope we shall
take Gloucester in our way that hope chears my poor heart I
shall once more embrace my best beloved Willis； and pour all my
griefs into her friendly bosom。 0 heaven！ is it possible that
such happiness is reserved for
The dejected and forlorn
LYDIA MELFORD
Oct。 4。
To Sir WATKIN PHILLIPS； Bart。 of Jesus college； Oxon。
DEAR WATKIN；
I yesterday met with an incident which I believe you will own to
be very surprising As I stood with Liddy at the window of the
inn where we had lodged； who should pass by but Wilson a…horse
back！ I could not be mistaken in the person； for I had a full
view of him as he advanced； I plainly perceived by my sister's
confusion that she recognized him at the same time。 I was equally
astonished and incensed at his appearance； which I could not but
interpret into an insult； or something worse。 I ran out at the
gate； and； seeing him turn the corner of the street； I dispatched
my servant to observe his motions； but the fellow was too late to
bring me that satisfaction。 He told me； however； that there was
an inn； called the Red Lion； at that end of the town； where he
supposed the horseman had alighted； but that he would not enquire
without further orders。 I sent him back immediately to know what
strangers were in the house； and he returned with a report that
there was one Mr Wilson lately arrived。 In consequence of this
information I charged him with a note directed to that gentleman；
desiring him to meet me in half an hour in a certain field at the
town's end； with a case of pistols； in order to decide the
difference which could not be determined at our last rencounter：
but I did not think proper to subscribe the billet。 My man
assured me he had delivered it into his own hand； and； that
having read it； he declared he would wait upon the gentleman at
the place and time appointed。
M'Alpine being an old soldier； and luckily sober at the time； I
entrusted him with my secret。 I ordered him to be within call；
and； having given him a letter to be delivered to my uncle in
case of accident； I repaired to the rendezvous； which was an
inclosed field at a little distance from the highway。 I found my
antagonist had already taken his ground； wrapped in a dark
horseman's coat； with a laced hat flapped over his eyes； but what
was my astonishment； when； throwing off this wrapper； he appeared
to be a person whom I had never seen before！ He had one pistol
stuck in a leather belt； and another in his hand ready for
action； and； advancing a few steps； called to know if I was
ready I answered； 'No；' and desired a parley； upon which he
turned the muzzle of his piece towards the earth； then replaced
it in his belt； and met me half way When I assured him he was
not the man I expected to meet； he said it might be so： that he
had received a slip of paper directed to Mr Wilson； requesting
him to come hither； and that as there was no other in the place
of that name； he naturally concluded the note was intended for
him； and him only I then gave him to understand；
that I had been injured by a person who assumed that name； which
person I had actually seen within the hour； passing through the
street on horseback； that hearing there was a Mr Wilson at the
Red Lion； I took it for granted he was the man； and in that
belief had writ the billet； and I expressed my surprize； that he；
who was a stranger to me and my concerns； should give me such a
rendezvous； without taking the trouble to demand a previous
explanation。 He replied； that there was no other of his name in
the whole country； that no such horseman had alighted at the Red
Lion since nine o'clock； when he arrived that having had the
honour to serve his majesty； he thought he could not decently
decline any invitation of this kind； from what quarter soever it
might come； and that if any explanation was necessary； it did not
belong to him to demand it； but to the gentleman who summoned
him into the field。 Vexed as I was at this adventure； I could not
help admiring the coolness of this officer； whose open
countenance prepossessed me in his favour。 He seemed to be turned
of forty； wore his own short black hair； which curled naturally
about his ears； and was very plain in his apparel When I begged
pardon for the trouble I had given him； he received my apology
with great good humour。 He told me that he lived about ten miles
off； at a small farm…house； which would afford me tolerable
lodging； if I would come and take diversion of hunting with him
for a few weeks； in which case we might； perhaps； find out the
man who had given me offence I thanked him very sincerely for
his courteous offer； which； I told him； I was not at liberty to
accept at present； on account of my being engaged in a family
party； and so we parted； with mutual professions of good will and
esteem。
Now tell me； dear knight； what am I to make of this singular
adventure？ Am I to suppose that the horseman I saw was really a
thing of flesh and blood； or a bubble that vanished into air？ or
must I imagine Liddy knows more of the matter than she chuses to
disclose？ If I thought her capable of carrying on any
clandestine correspondence with such a fellow； I should at once
discard all tenderness； and forget that she was connected with me
by the ties of blood But how is it possible that a girl of her
simplicity and inexperience； should maintain such an intercourse；
surrounded； as she is； with so many eyes； destitute of all
opportunity； and shifting quarters every day of her life！
Besides； she has solemnly promised。 No I can't think the girl so
base so