I sigh when I pass any particularly charming spot; I feel a tenderness beyond what inanimate objects seem to merit.
I must pay one more visit to the naiads of Montmorenci.
I am just come from the general's assembly; where, I should have told you, I was this day fortnight announced _Madame Fitzgerald_, to the great mortification of two or three cats, who had very sagaciously determined, that Fitzgerald had too much understanding ever to think of such a flirting, coquetish creature as a wife.
I was grave at the assembly to-night, in spite of all the pains I took to be otherwise: I was hurt at the idea it would probably be _the last_ at which I should be; I felt a kind of concern at parting, not only with the few I loved, but with those who had till to-night been indifferent to me.
There is something affecting in the idea of _the last time_ of seeing even those persons or places, for which we have no particular affection.
I go to-morrow to take leave of the nuns, at the Ursuline convent; I suppose I shall carry this melancholy idea with me there, and be hurt at seeing them too _for the last time_.
I pay visits every day amongst the peasants, who are very fond of me. I talk to them of their farms, give money to their children, and teach their wives to be good huswives: I am the idol of the country people five miles round, who declare me the most amiable, most generous woman in the world, and think it a thousand pities I should be damned.
Adieu! say every thing for me to my sweet friends, if arrived.
I have this moment a large packet of letters for Emily from Mrs. Melmoth, which I intend to take the care of myself, as I hope to be in England almost as soon as this.
Good morrow! Yours ever, &c. A. Fitzgerald.
I am just come from visiting the nuns; they expressed great concern at my leaving Canada, and promised me their prayers on my voyage; for which proof of affection, though a good protestant, I thanked them very sincerely.
I wished exceedingly to have brought some of them away with me; my nun, as they call the amiable girl I saw take the veil, paid me the flattering tribute of a tear at parting; her fine eyes had a concern in them, which affected me extremely.
I was not less pleased with the affection the late superior, my good old countrywoman, expressed for me, and her regret at seeing me _for the last time_.