Rebecca could not read this letter without emotion;
yet did she not hesitate what answer to return; the letter
itself she carefully locked up in her cabinet, but
the bank-bills she sealed up in the following note:
“Rebecca Littleton returns her most grateful acknowledgments
to Sir George Worthy for the kind solicitude
he evinces for her happiness. She begs leave
to return his noble present, which she cannot think of
accepting, as it would lay her under an obligation too
oppressive to a spirit which Sir George is mistaken in
thinking humble. Rebecca feels herself highly satisfied
in the protection of Lady Ossiter, and, though
she feels grateful for the offered friendship of the son
of her ever-lamented benefactress, she must beg leave
to decline it, as the vast distance fortune has placed between
them renders it impossible to cultivate true friendship,
which can only subsist between persons on an
equality with each other. Rebecca wishes to be retained
in the memory of Sir George only as the servant
of his sister, and, at the same time, assures him, the
son of Lady Mary Worthy will ever be retained in her
mind with servent wishes for his happiness.”
When she had sent away this note, she again read
over Sir George's letter; a tear, almost unknown to
herself, fell on it as she perused with attention his offers
of friendship: but she soon recollected herself, hastily
brushed away the token of her weakness, and, returning
the letter to her cabinet, began to prepare for her
removal to town, whither Lady Ossiter intended returning
the next day.
