The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

336 TOBIAS SMOLLETT
you shall be met by my brother and myself, who will next day con-
duct you to this place, where, I am sure, you will find yourself per-
fectly at your ease in the midst of an agreeable society.—Dear
Letty, I will take no refusal—if you have any friendship—any
humanity—you will come.—I desire that immediate application
may be made to your mamma; and that the moment her permission
is obtained, you will apprise
Your ever faithful
Oct. 14. LYDIA MELFORD
To Mrs. JERMYN, at her house in Gloucester
DEAR MADAM,
THOUGH I was not so fortunate as to be favoured with an answer
to the letter with which I troubled you in the spring, I still flatter
myself that you retain some regard for me and my concerns. I am
sure the care and tenderness with which I was treated, under your
roof and tuition, demand the warmest returns of gratitude and
affection on my part, and these sentiments, I hope, I shall cherish
to my dying day—At present, I think it my duty to make you
acquainted with the happy issue of that indiscretion by which I
incurred your displeasure.—Ah! madam, the slighted Wilson is
metamorphosed into George Dennison, only son and heir of a
gentleman, whose character is second to none in England, as you
may understand upon inquiry. My guardians, my brother and I,
are now in his house; and an immediate union of the two families
is to take place in the persons of the young gentleman and your poor
Lydia Melford.—You will easily conceive how embarrassing this
situation must be to a young inexperienced creature like me, of
weak nerves and strong apprehensions; and how much the pre-
sence of a friend and confidant would encourage and support me
on this occasion. You know, that of all the young ladies, Miss
Willis was she that possessed the greatest share of my confidence
and affection; and, therefore, I fervently wish to have the happiness
of her company at this interesting crisis.
Mrs. Dennison, who is the object of universal love and esteem,
has, at my request, written to you on this subject, and I now beg