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.

210 JANE TALBOT.
LETTER LVI.
To lirs. Mon tford.
MADAM: Philadelphia, October 7.
It is with extreme reluctance that I venture to address
you in this manner. I cannot find words to account for
or apologize. But, if you be indeed the sister of Henry
Colden, you cannot be ignorant of me, and of former
transactions between us, and especially the circumstance
that now compels me *to write: you can be no stranger
to his present situation.
Can you forgive this boldness in an absolute stranger
to your person but not to your virtues? I have heard
much of you, from one in whom I once had a little interest; who honoured me with his affection.
I know that you lately possessed a large share of that
affection. I doubt not that you still retain it, and are
able to tell me what has become of him.
I have a long time struggled with myself and my fears
in silence. I know how unbecoming this address must
appear to you, and yet, persuaded that'my character and
my relation to your brother are well known to you, I
have been able to curb my anxieties no longer.
Do then, my dearest madam, gratify my curiosity, and
tell me, without delay, what has become of your brother.
J. TALBOT.
LETTER LVII.
To Jane Talbot.
MY DEAR MADAM: New York, October 9.
You judge truly when you imagine that your character
and history are not unknown to me; and such is my
opinion of you,. that there is probably no person in the
world more solicitous for your happiness, and more desirous to answer any inquiries in a manner agreeable to
you.