subject which I have acquired from my own happy experience.

"Love to Rosamond--I am afraid she will think I have been too severe upon
Buckhurst Falconer. I know he is a favourite, at least a _protege_ of
hers and of Godfrey. Bid her remember I have acknowledged that he has
talents and generosity; but that which interests Rosamond in his favour
inclines ill-natured me against him--his being one of Caroline's suitors.
I think he has great assurance to continue, in spite of all repulse, to
hope, especially as he does nothing to render himself more worthy of
encouragement. Thank Caroline for her letter; and assure Rosamond, that,
though I have never noticed it, I was grateful for her entertaining
account of M. de Tourville's _vis_: I confess, I am rather late with my
acknowledgments; but the fire at Percy-hall, and many events which rapidly
succeeded, put that whole affair out of my head. Moreover, the story of
Euphrosyne and Count Albert was so squeezed under the seal, that I must beg
notes of explanation in her next. Who the deuce is Euphrosyne? and what
does the letter P--for the rest of the word was torn out--stand for? and is
Count Albert a hero in a novel, or a real live man?

"I saw a live man yesterday, whom I did not at all like to see--Sharpe,
walking with our _good_ cousin, Sir Robert Percy, in close conversation.
This conjunction, I fear, bodes us no good.--Pray, do pray make another
search for _the deed_.

"Your affectionate son,

"ALFRED PERCY."


Soon after this letter had been received, and while the picture of his