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'. 87
of thy mother's error than Talbot's fraud? Could thy
heart so readily impute to him so black a treachery?
Such a prompt and undoubting conclusion it grieves me
to find thee capable of.
How much more likely that Talbot was himself deceived! For it was not by him that thy unfinished letter
was purloined. At that moment he was probably some
thousands of miles distant. It was five weeks before
his return from his Hamburg voyage, when that mysterious incident happened.
Be of good cheer, my sweet girl. I doubt not all will
be well. We shall find the means of detecting and defeating this conspiracy, and of re-establishing thee in
thy mother's good opinion. At present, I own, I do not
see the means; but, to say truth, my mind is clouded by
anxieties, enfeebled by watching and fatigue.
You know why I came hither. I found my friend in
a very bad way, and have no hope but that his pangs,
which must end within a few days, may, for his sake,
terminate very soon. He will not part with me, and I
have seldom left his chamber since I came.
Your letter has disturbed me much, and I seize this
interval, when the sick man has gained a respite from
his pain, to tell you my thoughts upon it. I fear I have
not reasoned very clearly. Some peevishness, I doubt
not, has crept into my style. I rely upon your wonted
goodness to excuse it.
I have much to say upon this affecting subject, but
must take a future opportunity.
I also have received a letter from Mrs. Fielder, of
which I will say no more, since I send you enclosed that,
-and my answer. I wish it had come at a time when my
mind was more at ease, as an immediate reply seemed to
be necessary. Adieu. HEENR COLDEN.