During two years this pittance had been augmented from other
sources, to twenty-three pounds, but the last year it had shrunk within
its original bounds, and was yielded so grudgingly, that she could not
feel sure of its continuance from one quarter to another. More than
once it had been withheld on slight pretences, and she was in constant
dread lest it should be entirely withdrawn.
"It is with extreme reluctance," observed she, "that I have so far
exposed my unfortunate situation; but I thought you expected to know
something more of it, and I feared that Colonel Wildman, deceived by
appearances, might think that I am in no immediate want, and that the
delay of a few weeks, or months, respecting the inquiry, can be of no
material consequence. It is absolutely necessary to the success of the
business that Colonel Wildman should know the exact state of my
circumstances without reserve, that he may be enabled to make a correct
representation of them to any gentleman whom he intends to interest,
who, I presume, if they are not of America themselves, have some
connections there, through whom my friends may be convinced of the
reality of my distress, if they pretend to doubt it, as I suppose they
do.
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