Mr. Jenkings, in our return, entertain'd me with an account of the family for a century past. A few foibles excepted in the character of Sir James, I find he possesses all the good qualities of his ancestors. Nothing could be more pleasing than the encomiums bestow'd on Lady Powis; but she is not exempt from trouble: the _good_ and the _bad_ the _great_ and the _little_, at some time or other, feel Misfortune's touch. Happy such a rod hangs over us! Were we to glide on smoothly, our affections would be fixed here, and here only. I could love Lady Powis with a warmth not to be express'd;--but--forgive me, my dear lady--I pine to know why _your_ intimacy was interrupted.--Of _Lady Mary's_ steadiness and integrity I am convinc'd;--of _Lady Powis_ I have had only a transitory view.--Heaven forbid she should be like such people as from my heart I despise, whose regards are agueish! Appearances promise the reverse;--but what is appearance? For the generality a mere cheat, a gaudy curtain. Pardon me, dear Lady Powis--I am distress'd,--I am perplex'd; but I do not think ill of you;--indeed I cannot,--unless I find--_No_, I cannot find it neither;--something tells me _Lady Mary_, my dear honour'd Lady Mary, will acquit you. We were receiv'd by Mrs. Jenkings, at our return, with a chearful countenance, and conducted to the dining-parlour, where, during our comfortable, meal, nothing was talk'd of but Sir James and Lady Powis:--the kind notice taken of your Fanny mentioned with transport. Thus honour'd,--thus belov'd,--dare I repine?--Why look on past enjoyments with such a wistful eye!--Mrs. Whitmore, my dear maternal Mrs. Whitmore, cannot be recall'd!--Strange perversenss!--why let that which would give me pleasure fleet away!--why pursue that which I cannot overtake!--No gratitude to heaven!--Gratitude to you, my dearest Lady, shall conquer this perverseness;--even now my heart overflows like a swoln river. Good night, good night, dear Madam; I am going to repose on the very bed where, for many years, rested the most deserving of men!--The housekeeper has been relating many of his virtues;--so many, that I long to see him, _though only in a dream_. Was it not before Mr. Powis went abroad, that your ladyship visited at the Abbey?--Yet, if so, I think I should have heard you mention him.--Merit like his could never pass unnotic'd in a breast so similar--Here I drop my pen, lest I grow impertinent.--Once again, good night,--my more than parent:--to-morrow, at an early hour, I will begin the recital to your Ladyship of this day's transactions--I go to implore every blessing on your head, the only return that can be offer'd by F. WARLEY. LETTER III. Miss WARLEY to Lady MARY SUTTON, in continuation. _Barford Abbey_.