(Inclosed in the preceding.)

Madam

Accident threw in my way your last letter to Miss Matthews, my niece. The perusal of it shocked me beyond expression. I was really horror-struck at the reflection of having permitted, nay, even encouraged an intimacy and correspondence between you. My beloved Arabella has ever been infinitely dear to my heart, and is the chief solace of my declining years. Her whole conduct, hitherto, has been such as made her appear, to my partial eyes, equal to my most sanguine wishes, and I was happy in the conviction that the pains I had bestowed on the beauteous blossom were not in vain. While ignorant of the duplicity of your character, and the large sacrifices you were making to vicious gratifications, her attachment to you met my warmest/ approbation. I applauded her choice of a friend, and readily indulged her with the privilege of enjoying, unrestrained, all those delights which flow from the social intercourse of virtuous friendship. You appeared amiable; I believed you to be so; and considered, that your being a few years her superior in age gave you a degree of influence over her, sufficient to add weight to your sentiments, and the example afforded by your conduct. Thus, I was led to imagine she might be essentially benefited by her intimacy with you. Alas! how have I been deceived in my ideas!

You, Mrs. Wilkins, have endeavoured to counteract all my views for my Arabella, by setting a vicious example before her, and artfully striving to seduce her into the paths of infamy and destruction. But, I thank heaven, my eyes are opened, before it is too late, to shew her the danger and disgrace of continuing to hold any farther intercourse with you. I humbly trust the dear girl's mind is yet uncontaminated; her principles yet unperverted. – Her candor/assures me of it; she deeply regrets her former acquaintance with you. – She blushes for it; and promises to detach herself from you entirely.