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.

184 JANE TALBOT.
ingratitude which it has been my lot to meet with in the
child of my affections!"
Something like this has my mother already said to me,
in the course of an affecting conversation, in which I ventured to plead for you. And have I, then, resolved to
trample on such goodness?
Whither, my friend, shall I fly from a scene like this?
Into thy arms? And shall I find comfort there? can I
endure life, with the burden of remorse which generosity
like this will lay upon me?
But I tell you, Henry, I am resolved. I have nothing
but evil to choose. There is but one calamity greater
than my mother's anger. I cannot mangle my own vitals.
I cannot put an impious and violent end to my own life.
Will it be mercy to make her witness my death? and can
I live without you? If I must be an ingrate, be her and
not you the victim. If I must requite benevolence with
malice and tenderness with hatred, be it her benevolence
and tenderness, and not yours, that are thus requited.
Once more, then, note well. The hour of ten; the
station near the door; a duly-qualified officiator previously
engaged; and my destiny in this life fixed beyond the
power of recall. The bearer of this will bring back your
answer. Farewell. Remember. J. TALBOT.
LETTER XLVI.
To James Montford.
December 9.
ONcE more, after a night of painful musing or troubled
repose, I am at the pen. I am plunged into greater difficulties and embarrassments than ever.
It was scarcely daylight, when a slumber into which I
had just fallen was interrupted by a servant of the inn.
A girl was below, who wanted to see me. The description quickly proved it to be Molly. I rose and directed
her to be admitted.
She brought two letters from her mistress, and was told
to wait for an answer. Jane traversed her room, half