“I received your letter with pleasure, instead of
considering it as an intrusion. One thing more being fully stated would have
made it perfectly satisfactory, namely, the sort of income you immediately
possess, and the sort of maintenance Miss
Carpenter, in case of your demise, might reasonably expect.
Though she is of an age to judge for herself in the choice of an object that
she would like to run the race of life with, she has referred the subject to
me. As her friend and guardian, I in duty must try to secure her happiness, by
endeavouring to keep her comfortable immediately, and to prevent her being left
destitute, in case of any unhappy contingency. Her good sense and good
education are her chief fortune; therefore, in the worldly way of talking, she
is not entitled to much. Her brother,
who was also left under my care at an early period, is excessively fond of her;
he has no person to think
| MISS CARPENTER. | 277 |
