Intercede with my mother to take it under her protection, and transfer
to it all her affection for me; to train it up in the ways of piety and
virtue, that it may compensate her for the afflictions which I have
occasioned.
One thing more I have to request. Plead for me with my two best friends,
Mrs. Richman and Mrs. Sumner. I ask you not to palliate my faults,--that
cannot be done,--but to obtain, if possible, their forgiveness. I cannot
write all my full mind suggests on this subject. You know the purport,
and can better express it for me.
And now, my dear Julia, recommending myself again to your benevolence,
to your charity, and (may I add?) to your affection, and entreating that
the fatal consequences of my folly, now fallen upon my devoted head, may
suffice for my punishment, let me conjure you to bury my crimes in the
grave with me, and to preserve the remembrance of my former virtues,
which engaged your love and confidence; more especially of that ardent
esteem for you, which will glow till the last expiring breath of your
despairing
ELIZA WHARTON.
LETTER LXX.
TO MR. CHARLES DEIGHTON.
HARTFORD.
I have, at last, accomplished the removal of my darling girl from a
place where she thought every eye accused and every heart condemned her.
She has become quite romantic in her notions. She would not permit me to
accompany her, lest it should be reported that we had eloped together.
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