In re

Abraham Modish or Mr. Chissel for five hundred per year, which I thought too much you then settled that I was to have three hundred per annum. gard to any accounts of Mr. Chissel's I have never seen any: he gave me fifty pounds to pay any debts I had in London and my journey down, in presence of Mrs. Grief (late Miss Lanton), as a present from you; he also gave me fifty pounds in advance of my salary when I came to Brighton, and when I began to furnish your own houses twenty pounds more, which are all the monies I ever had of Mr. Chissel. That you should proceed against me in such a very unhandsome manner is really wonderful, as your own conscience (and sooner or later you must attend to it) must tell you that in justice you are upwards of three hundred pounds in my debt; but even supposing that I was your debtor, did not Mr. Charles Stanton come from London to settle with you, which you refused;

That I am poor, that I am an unprotected widow, and have four helpless infants, whose future prospects in life depend upon me, is indeed a heart-rending affliction; but I have a firm reliance on that Supreme Being who provides the nest for the sparrow, and the lair for the tigers, that the hand which so liberally provides for the meanest insect will extend its bounty to the fatherless and widow. Wherever I look I see his all-providing goodness; even the worm which creeps into the earth, and the feathered chorister, which wings its way to the nest, shew it me then shall I dare presume to doubt his mercy? And wretched as I am, believe me, that I would not change it with those who can influence. you to such acts of injustice and oppression. I shall to-morrow go to Town, and lay every circumstance which has passed between us before your relations.

I remain, Sir, your obedient, &c.

HUBERTINE MORTIMER.

The only answer given to this letter was a few lines saying that in future she must address herself to Mr. Chissel. Finding that she could obtain no redress from Sir Timothy, as Mr. Alexander Modish seldom left him, and he had become such a favourite of Miss Shark, that he could mould her as best suited his purposes, she determined to go to Town, and wait upon the Baronet's relations, informing them how he was situated, and abide by their advice. They received her with great politeness, regretted the state in which Sir Timothy Flight was, and authorized her to say that they would all be happy to see him; that the past would not be mentioned, and that they would meet as friends who had long been separated. Mrs. Mortimer was delighted to write this to the Baronet, for next to the welfare of her children, it was the first wish of her heart that he should be restored to his relations, and quit a society which was in every

a

respect degrading, and leave persons who had gained such influence over him as even to induce him to commit actions which could never otherwise enter his imagination. She wrote to the Baronet what his uncle had told her; but Sir Timothy Flight took no notice of Mrs. Mortimer's letter. She consulted professional gentleman of the first eminence in the law, who advised that a solicitor should write to Mr. Batch, to desire that the accounts to which he alluded in his letter might be immediately forwarded to him; for he had seen Mrs. Mortimer's receipts, day-book, &c. and that the balance assuredly was much in her favour; but if they could not agree, he requested it might be referred to arbitration. No answer was given to this request; upon which two ladies of Mrs. Mortimer's acquaintance called in the Temple, and represented to Mr. Alexander Modish the cruelty of not settling with Mrs. Mortimer, as it prevented her

from seeking some way of providing for her children. He said that the accounts should never be settled if he could prevent it, as he would do every thing in his power to keep the Baronet at variance with Mrs. Mortimer, and put himself in such a rage, that the ladies were glad to take their leave, as they had not been used to such a reception from a gentleman. Mrs. Mortimer's solicitor and friends advised her to return to Brighton, as they thought Mr. Batch's letter was only written to frighten her. This was very repugnant to her feelings, for she was dreadfully afraid of Mr. Chissel; but as she had a lady who boarded with her, and her two little girls being also in Sussex, it was necessary that she should

go back. She took a friend with her, and her doing so proved very fortunate, for she had great need of her advice and assistance the morning after her arrival at Brighton. As she was sitting at breakfast, Sir Timothy Flight's servant

VOL. II.