This was kindly done.  He conversed upon indifferent subjects, and invited me to ride, and take tea with your mamma, to which I readily consented.  We found her at home, and passed the time agreeably, excepting the alloy of your absence.  Mr. Boyer touched lightly on the subject of our last evening’s debate, but expatiated largely on the pleasing power of love, and hoped that we should one day both realize and exemplify it in perfection.  When we returned he observed that it was late, and took his leave, telling me that he should call to-morrow, and begged that I would then relieve his suspense.  As I was retiring to bed, the maid gave me a hint that Major Sanford’s servant had been here and left a letter.  I turned instantly back to my mamma, and, telling her my information, demanded the letter.  She hesitated, but I insisted on having it; and seeing me resolute, she reluctantly gave it into my hand.  It contained the following words:—­

“Am I forsaken? am I abandoned?  O my adorable Eliza, have you sacrificed me to my rival? have you condemned me to perpetual banishment without a hearing?

“I came this day to plead my cause at your feet, but was cruelly denied the privilege of seeing you.  My mind is all anarchy and confusion.  My soul is harrowed up with jealousy.  I will be revenged on those who separate us, if that distracting event take place.  But it is from your lips only that I can hear my sentence.  You must witness its effects.  To what lengths my despair may carry me I know not.  You are the arbitress of my fate.

“Let me conjure you to meet me in your garden to-morrow at any hour you shall appoint.  My servant will call for an answer in the morning.  Deny me not an interview, but have pity on your faithful SANFORD.”

I wrote for answer that I would meet him to-morrow, at five o’clock in the afternoon.

I have now before me another night for consideration, and shall pass it in that employment.  I purpose not to see Mr. Boyer till I have conversed with Major Sanford.

Thursday morning.—­The morning dawns, and ushers in the day—­a day, perhaps, big with the fate of your friend.  What that fate may be is wrapped in the womb of futurity—­that futurity which a kind Providence has wisely concealed from the penetration of mortals.

After mature consideration, after revolving and re-revolving every circumstance on both sides of the question, I have nearly determined, in compliance with the advice of my friends and the dictates of my own judgment, to give Mr. Boyer the preference, and with him to tread the future round of life.

As to the despair of Major Sanford, it does not much alarm me.  Such violent passions are seldom so deeply rooted as to produce lasting effects.  I must, however, keep my word, and meet him according to promise.

Mr. Boyer is below.  My mamma has just sent me word that he wished to see me.  My reply was, that I had lain down, which was a fact.