III

eatdealtookindtoherwhenhewasinStaffordshireherbehaviourtohim,independentofhergeneralcharacter,hasbeensoinexcusablyartfulandungeneroussinceourmarriagewasfirstinagitationthatnoonelessamiableandmildthanhimselfcouldhaveoverlookeditallandthough,ashisbrother’swidow,andinnarrowcircumstances,itwaspropertorenderherpecuniaryassistance,IcannothelpthinkinghispressinginvitationtohertovisitusatChurchhillperfectlyunnecessary.Disposed,however,ashealwaysistothinkthebestofeveryone,herdisplayofgrief,andprofessionsofregret,andgeneralresolutionsofprudence,weresufficienttosoftenhisheartandmakehimreallyconfideinhersinceritybut,asformyself,Iamstillunconvinced,andplausiblyasherladyshiphasnowwritten,IcannotmakeupmymindtillIbetterunderstandherrealmeaningincomingtous.Youmayguess,therefore,mydearmadam,withwhatfeelingsIlookforwardtoherarrival.Shewillhaveoccasionforall