Torn in pieces!--my poor heart torn in pieces!--I shall never see them more;--never again be strain'd to their parental bosoms.--Forgive me, my dearest Lady, I do not grieve that I am coming to _you_; I grieve only that I go from _them_.--Oh God! why must my soul be divided? Another struggle too with poor Mrs. Jenkings!--She has been on her knees:--yes, thus lowly has she condescended to turn me from my purpose, and suffer Mr. Smith to go back without me,--I blush to think what pain, what trouble I occasion.--She talks of some _important event_ at hand. She says if I go, it will, end in the destruction of us all.--What can she mean by an _important event?_--Perhaps Lord Darcey--but no matter; nothing, my dear Lady, shall with-hold me from you.--The good woman is now more calm. I have assured her it is uncertain how long we may be in London: it is only that has calm'd her.--She says, she is _certain_ I shall return;--she is _certain_, when Mr. Powis and his Lady arrives, _I must_ return.--Next Thursday they are expected:--already are they arrived at Falmouth:--but, notwithstanding what I have told Mrs. Jenkings, to soften her pains at parting, I shall by Thursday be on my voyage;--for Mr. Smith tells me the Packet will sail immediately.--Perhaps I may be the messenger of my own letters:--but I am determin'd to write on 'till I see you;--that when I look them over, my memory may receive some assistance.--Good night, my dearest Lady; Mrs. Jenkings and Mr. Smith expects me. F. Warley. LETTER XXVI. Lord DARCEY to Sir JAMES POWIS. London. Even whilst I write, I see before me the image of my expiring father;--I hear the words that issued from his death-like lips;--my soul feels the weight of his injunctions;--_again_ in my imagination I seal the sacred promise on his livid hand;--and my heart bows before Sir James with all that duty which is indispensable from a child to a parent. Happiness is within my reach, yet without _your_ sanction I _will_ not, _dare_ not, bid it welcome;--I _will_ not hold out my hand to receive _it_.--Yes, Sir, I love Miss Warley; I can no longer disguise my sentiments.--On the terrace I should not have disguis'd them, if your warmth had not made me tremble for the consequence.--You remember my arguments _then_; suffer me now to reurge _them_. I allow it would be convenient to have my fortune augmented by alliance; but then it is not _absolutely_ necessary I should make the purchase with my felicity.--A thousand chances may put me in possession of riches;--one event only can put me in possession of content.--Without _it_, what is a fine equipage?--what a splendid retinue?--what a table spread with variety of dishes?