The Father's Answer

My dear Nanny,

You must believe that your Sister's unadvised Marriage, which she must know would be disagreeable to me, gives me no small Concern; and yet I will assure you that it arises more from my Affection for her, than any other Consideration. In her Education I took all the Pains and Care my Circumstances would admit, and often flattered myself with the Hope that the happy Fruits of it would be made appear in her prudent Conduct. What she has now done is not vicious, but indiscreet; for, you must remember, that I have often declared in her Hearing, that the wild Assertion of a Rake making a good Husband, was the most dangerous Opinion a young Woman could imbibe.

I will not, however, in Pity to her, point out the many Ills I amafraid will attend her Rashness, because it is done, and cannot be helped; but wish she may be happier than I ever saw a Woman who leap’d so fatal a precipice.

Her Husband has this Morning been with me for her Fortune; and it was with much Temper I told him, That as all she could hope for was wholly at my Disposal, I should disburse it in such a manner as I thought would most contribute to her Advantage; and that, as he was a Stranger to me, I should chuse to know he deserved it, before he had the Power over what I intended to do for her. He bit his Lip, and, with a hasty Step, was my humble Servant.

Tell the rash Girl, that I would not have her to be afflicted at this Behaviour in me; for I know it will contribute to her Advantage one way or other: If he married her for her own sake, she will find no Alteration of Behaviour from this Disappointment: But if he married only for her Money, she will soon be glad to find it in my Possession, rather than his. Your Interposition in her Behalf is very sisterly: And you see I have not the Resentment she might expect. But would to God she had acted with your Prudence! For her own sake I wish it.