While he would disconnect me from another, he mysteriously conceals his own intentions and views.  In conversation with him yesterday, I plainly told him that his conduct was unaccountable; that, if his professions and designs were honorable, he could not neglect to mention them to my mamma; that I should no longer consent to carry on a clandestine intercourse with him; that I hourly expected Mr. Boyer, whom I esteemed, and who was the favorite of my friends; and that, unless he acted openly in this affair before his arrival, I should give my hand to him.

He appeared thunderstruck at this declaration.  All his words and actions were indicative of the most violent emotions of mind.  He entreated me to recall the sentence; for I knew not, he said, his motives for secrecy; yet he solemnly swore that they were honorable.  I replied in the words of the poet,—­

  “Trust not a man; they are by nature cruel,
  False, deceitful, treacherous, and inconstant. 
  When a man talks of love, with caution hear him;
  But if he swear, he’ll certainly deceive you.”

He begged that he might know by what means he had provoked my suspicions; by what means he had forfeited my confidence.  His importunity vanquished my fortitude; and before we parted, I again promised to make him acquainted, from time to time, with the progress of my connection with Mr. Boyer.

Now, my dear friend, I want your advice more than ever.  I am inadvertently embarrassed by this man; and how to extricate myself I know not.  I am sensible that the power is in my hands; but the disposition (shall I confess it?) is wanting.

  “I know the right; and I approve it too;
  I know the wrong, and yet the wrong pursue.”

I have just received a card from Major Sanford, inviting me to ride this afternoon.  At first I thought of returning a negative answer; but, recollecting that Mr. Boyer must soon be here, I concluded it best to embrace this opportunity of talking further with him.  I must now prepare to go, but shall not close this letter, for I intend writing in continuation, as events occur, till this important business is decided.

Tuesday evening.—­The little tour which I mentioned to you this afternoon was not productive of a final determination.  The same plea was repeated over and over again without closing the cause.  On my return I found Mr. Boyer waiting to receive me.  My heart beat an involuntary welcome.  I received him very cordially, though with a kind of pleasure mixed with apprehension.  I must own that his conversation and manners are much better calculated to bear the scrutinizing eye of a refined understanding and taste than Major Sanford’s.  But whether the fancy ought not to be consulted about our settlement in life, is with me a question.

When we parted last I had promised Mr. Boyer to inform him positively, at this visit, when my hand should be given.  He therefore came, as he told me in the course of our conversation, with the resolution of claiming the fulfilment of this promise.