A few days after the meeting of Walter Stanley and Louisa, as Fitzormond was sitting with them, and conversing of past events, in which the character of Mr. Melford formed a part of their conversation; a letter was brought him, which proved to be from Mrs. Melford. Having read it, Fitzormond presented it to his daughter, saying, ‘That unhappy man can no longer be an object to us, my love, of anxiety or dislike: pity for his vices should now predominate over every other feeling: he is gone where his actions will meet the reward due to them. And it is our duty, as/ beings subject, by the frailties of our nature, to err as he has done, to forgive him from our hearts, and pray that he may obtain the forgiveness of Him to whom he must now render a strict account of his deeds.’

‘If, as I guess,’ said Louisa, ‘Mr. Melford is dead, I freely forgive whatever he has done to injure me; and join you, my dear father, in soliciting the pardon of him, whom he has offended more than us, that his faults may be no more remembered.’ She now read the letter, which was as follows:

Sir,

Woodbine Farm, near Reading.

I am desired by Mrs. Melford to inform you my master, Mr. Melford, died the day he received your letter. He had been long dangerously ill, and the surprise your letter occasioned him no/ doubt hastened the event long expected by his family. Mrs. Melford's surprise at hearing you (who, she says, she supposed dead many years ago) was arrived in England, was not less than that of her husband; and she begs that you and Miss Fitzormond will forgive the ill treatment of her late husband, and come to her, as she has many circumstances to communicate, which will be of great advantage to you. She desires you will present her love to her niece, and believe her your affectionate Aunt.