To this she obligingly consented, and I thought myself the happiest of mankind.

But how was I surprised one morning on the receipt of the following billet from my charmer:-- SIR,--You must not impute it to levity, or to a worse failing, ingratitude, if, with anguish of heart, I feel myself compelled by irresistible arguments to recall a vow which I fear I made with too little consideration.

I never can be yours.

The reasons of my decision, which is final, are in my own breast, and you must everlastingly remain a stranger to them.

Assure yourself that I can never cease to esteem you as I ought.
CELESTINA.
At the sight of this paper, I ran in frantic haste to Celestina's lodgings, where I learned, to my infinite mortification, that the mother and daughter were set off on a journey to a distant part of the country, to visit a relation, and were not expected to return in less than four months.
Stunned by this blow, which left me without the courage to solicit an explanation by letter, even if I had known where they were, (for the particular address was industriously concealed from me,) I waited with impatience the termination of the period, in the vain hope that I might be permitted to have a chance of softening the harsh decision by a personal interview with Celestina after her return.