I heard their voices in the court-yard:--if I had look'd out at the window, it might not have been unnatural,--I own my inclinations led to it.--Inclination should never take place of prudence;--by following one, we are often plung'd into difficulties;--by the other we are sure to be conducted safely:--instead, then, of indulging my curiosity to see how he look'd--how he spoke at taking leave of this dwelling;--whether his eyes were directed to the windows, or the road;--if he rid slow or fast;--how often he turn'd to gaze, before he was out of sight:--instead of this, I went to Mrs. Jenkings's apartment, and remain'd there 'till I heard they were gone, then return'd to my own; since which I have wrote down to this period. Perhaps I should have ran on farther, if a summons from Lady Powis did not call me off. I hope now to appear before her with tolerable composure.--I am to go in the coach alone.--Well, it will seem strange!--I shall think of my _late_ companion;--but time reconciles every thing.--_This_ was my hope, when I lost my best friend, the lov'd instructress of my infant years.--_Time_, all healing _Time!_ to _that_ I fear I must look forward, as a lenitive against many evils. Two days!--only two days!--and then, adieu, my dear friends at the Abbey;--adieu, my good Mr. and Mrs. Jenkings!--and you _too_, my friendly-hearted Edmund, adieu! Welcome,--doubly welcome, every moment which brings me nearer to that when I shall kiss the hands of my honour'd Lady;--when I shall be able to tell you, in person, ten thousand things too much for my pen;--when you will kindly say, Tell me all, my Fanny, tell me every secret of your heart.--Happy sounds!--pleasing sounds! these will be to your grateful and affectionate F. WARLEY. LETTER XXV. Miss WARLEY to the same. _From Mr. Jenkings's_. Now, my dear Lady, am I ready for my departure:--Sir James and Lady Powis reconciled to my leaving them;--yet how can I call it reconciled, when I tear myself from their arms as they weep over me?--Heavens! how tenderly they love me!--Their distress, when I told them the day was absolutely fix'd; when I told them the necessity of my going, _their_ distress nothing could equal but my _own_.--I thought my heart would have sunk within me!--Surely, my Lady, my affection for them is not a common affection;--it is _such_ as I hear your dear self;--it is _such_ as I felt for my revered Mrs. Whitmore.--I cannot dwell on this subject--indeed I cannot. I almost wish I had not kept the day so long a secret.--But suppose I had not,--would their concern have been lessen'd?