LETTER XLVII.47.

　　To Mrs.Melmoth, at Montreal.

　　Silleri, Dec.26.

　　I entreat you, my dearest Madam, to do me the justice to believe I see my engagement to Sir George in as strong a light as you can do; if there is any change in my behaviour to him, it is owing to the very apparent one in his conduct to me, of which no one but myself can be a judge.As to what you say in regard to my contempt of affluence, I can only say it is in my character, whether it is generally in the female one or not.

　　Were the cruel hint you are pleased to give just, be assured Sir George should be the first person to whom I would declare it.I hope however it is possible to esteem merit without offending even the most sacred of all engagements.

　　A gentleman waits for this.I have only time to say, that Miss Fermor thanks you for your obliging invitation, and promises she will accompany me to Montreal as soon as the river St.Lawrence will bear carriages, as the upper road is extremely inconvenient.

　　I am,

　　My dearest Madam,

　　Your obliged

　　and faithful

　　Emily Montague. The History of Emily Montague