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.

48

CLARA HOWARD; OR,

period of my friend's absence was nearly expired, and
the hourly expectation of his return prevented me from
visiting Mary in person. Instead of his coming, however,
I at length received a letter from him in these terms.
"Richmond, November 11.
"I shall not call on you at Hatfield. I am weary of
traversing hills and dales; and, my detention in Virginia being longer than I expected, shall go on board a
vessel in this port, bound for New York. Contract, in
my name, with your old friend, for the present accommodation of the girls, and repair to New York as soon as
possible. Search out No. - Broadway. If I am not
there to embrace you, inquire for my wife or daughter,
and mention your name. Make haste: the women long
to see a youth in whose education I had so large a share;
and be sure, by your deportment, not to discredit your
instructor and belie my good report.
"Yours, E. HOWARD."
Being, by this letter, relieved from the necessity of
staying longer at Hatfield, I prepared to visit my friend
at Abingdon. Some six or seven days had elapsed since
my messenger had left with her my last letter, and I had
not since heard from her. I had been enjoined to repair
to New York with expedition, but I could not omit the
present occasion of an interview with Mary. Morton's
claim would produce an essential change in her condition, and I was desirous of discussing with her the validity of this claim, and the consequences of admitting it.
I had not seen Morton since his first visit. I now, in
my way to Abingdon, called at his father's house.
The old man appeared at the door.
His son had visited and stayed with him a few days,
but had afterwards returned to the city. He had gone
thither to settle some affairs, and had promised to come
back in a few weeks. He knew not in what affairs he
was engaged,-could not tell how far he had succeeded,
or whereabouts in the city he resided.
I proceeded to Abingdon, not without some expectation
of Morton's having already accomplished his wishes, and