The novels of Charles Brockden Brown, consisting of Wieland;or, The transformation. Arthur Mervyn; or, Memoirs of the year 1793. Edgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a sleep-walker. Jane Talbot. Ormond; or, The secret witness. Clara Howard; or, The enthusiasm of love. With a memoir of the author.

JANE TALBOT. 209
LETTER LV.
To Henry Colden.
My mother allows me, and even requires me, to write
to you. My reluctance to do so is only overcome by
the fear of her displeasure; yet do not mistake me, my
friend. Infer not from this reluctance that the resolution of being henceforward all that my mother wishes
can be altered by any effort of yours.
Alas! how vainly do I boast my inflexibility! My
safety lies only in filling my ears with my mother's remonstrances and shutting them against your persuasive
accents. I have therefore resigned myself wholly to my
mother's government. I have consented to be inaccessible to your visits or letters.
I have few claims on your gratitude or generosity; yet
may I not rely on the humanity of your temper? To
what frequent and severe tests has my caprice already
subjected your affection! and has it not remained unshaken and undiminished? Let me hope that you will
not withhold this last proof of your affection for me.
It would greatly console me to know that you are
once more on filial and friendly terms with your father.
Let me persuade you to return to him; to beseech his
favour. I hope the way to reconcilement has already
been paved by the letter jointly addressed to him by my
mother and myself; that nothing is wanting but a submissive and suitable deportment on your part, to restore
you to the station you possessed before you had any
knowledge of me. Let me exact from you this proof of
your regard for me. It is the highest proof which it
will henceforth be in your power to offer, or that can
ever be received by JANE TALBOT.
18*