Letter I.
Miss Lucy Selby to — Miss Harriet Byron.

Ashby–Canons, January 10.

Your resolution to accompany Mrs. Reeves to London, has greatly alarmed your three lovers: and two of them, at least, will let you know that it has. Such a lovely girl as my Harriet, must expect to be more accountable for her steps than one less excellent and less attractive.

Mr. Greville, in his usual resolute way, threatens to follow you to London; and there, he says, he will watch the motions of every man who approaches you; and, if he find reason for it, will early let such man know his pretensions, and the danger he may run into, if he pretend to be his competitor. But let me not do him injustice; though he talks of a rival thus harshly, he speaks of you more highly than man ever spoke of woman. Angel and goddess are phrases you have been used to from him; and though spoken in his humorous way, yet I am sure he most sincerely admires you.

Mr. Fenwick, in a less determined manner, declares, that he will follow you to town, if you stay there above one fortnight.

The gentle Orme sighs his apprehensions, and w hes you would change your purpose. Though hopeless, he says, it is some pleasure to him that he can think himself in the same county with you; and much more, that he can tread in your footsteps to and from church every Sunday, and behold you there. He wonders how your grandmamma, your aunt, your uncle, can spare you. Your cousin Reeves’s surely, he says, are very happy in their influences over us all.

Each of the gentlemen is afraid, that by increasing the number of your admirers, you will increase his difficulties: but what is that to them, I asked, when they already know, that you are not inclined to favour any of the three?

If you hold your resolution, and my cousin Reeves’s their time of setting out, pray let me know, and 1 will attend you at my uncle Selby’s, to wish you a good journey, much pleasure in town, and a return with a safe and sound heart. My sister, who, poor dear girl, continues extremely weak and low, will spare me for a purpose so indispensable. I will not have you come to us. I know it will grieve you to see her in the way she is in. You too much take to heart the infirmities of your friends which you cannot cure; and as your grandmamma lives upon your smiles, and you rejoice all your friends by your cheerfulness, it would be cruel to make you sad.

Mr. Greville has just left us. He dropt in upon us as we were going to dinner. My grandmother Selby you know is always pleased with his rattling. She prevailed on him to alight, and sit down with us. All his talk was of you. He repeated his for-mer threatenings (as I called them to him) on your going to town. After dinner, he read us a letter from Lady Frampton relating to you. He read us also some passages from the copy of his answer, with design, I believe, that I should ask him to leave it behind him. He is a vain creature, you know, and seemed fond of what he had written. I did ask him. He pretended to make a scruple oi’t your seeing it; but it was a faint one. However, he called for pen and ink; and when it was brought him, scratched over two passages, and that with so many little flou-rishes (as you will see) that he thought they could not be read. But the ink I furnished him with, happening to be paler than his, you will find he was not cunning enough. I promised to return it.

Send me a line by the bearer, to tell me if your resolution holds as to the day.

Adieu, my dearest Harriet. May angels protect and guide you whithersoever you go!

LUCY SELBY.


Letter II.
Mr. Greville to Lady Frampton. [Inclosed in the preceding.]

Northampton, January 6. Your ladyship demands a description of the person of the celebrated Miss Byron in our neighbour-hood; and to know, whether, as report tells you, love has listed me in the number of her particular admirers? — Particular admirers you well distin-guish; since every one who beholds her admires her.

Your ladyship confines your enquiries to her per-son, you tell me: and you own, that women are much more solicitous about the beauties of that, than of the mind. Perhaps it may be so; and that their envy is much sooner excited by the one than the other. But who, madam, can describe the per-son of Miss Harriet Byron, and her person only; animated as every feature is by a mind that bespeaks all human excellence, and dignifies her in every air, in every look, in every motion?

No man living has a greater passion for beauty than I have. Till I knew Miss Byron, I was one of those who regarded nothing else in the sex. Indeed, I considered all intellectual attainments as either useless or impertinent in women. Your ladyship knows what were my free notions on this head, and has rebuked me for them. A wise, a learned lady, I considered as a very unnatural character. I wanted women to be all love, and nothing else. A very little prudence allowed I to enter into their composition; just enough to distinguish the man of sense from the fool; and that for my own sake. You know I have vanit}^ madam: but lovely as Miss Byron’s person is, I defy the greatest sensualist on earth not to admire her mind more than her person. What a triumph would the devil have, as I have often thought, when I have stood contemplating her per-fections, especially at church, were he able to raise up a man that could lower this angel into woman? — Pardon me! — Your ladyship knows my mad way of saying every thing that rises to my thoughts.

Sweetness of temper must make plain features glow: what an effect must it then have upon fine ones? Never was there a sweeter-tempered woman. Indeed from sixteen to twenty, all the sex (kept in humour by their hopes, and by their attractions) are said to be good-tempered; but she is remarka-bly so. She is just turned of twenty, but looks not more than seventeen. Her beauty hardly yet in its full blow, will last longer, I imagine, than in an ear-lier blossom. Yet the prudence visible in her whole aspect, gave her a distinction, even at twelve, that promised what she would be at a riper age.

Yet with all this reigning good-nature visible in her face and manner, there is such a native dignity in all she says, in all she does (though mingled with a frankness that shews her mind’s superiority to the minds of almost all other women) that it damps and suppresses, in the most audacious, all imaginations of bold familiarity.

I know not, by my soul, how she does this nei-ther: yet so it is. She jests; she raillies: but I cannot railly her again. Love, it is said, dignifies the adored object. Perhaps it is that which awes me.

And now will your ladyship doubt of an affirma-tive answer to your second question, Whether love has listed me in the number of her particular ad-mirers?

He has: and the devil take me if I can help my-self: and yet I have no encouragement — nor any — body else; that’s my consolation. Fenwick is deeper in, if possible, than I. We had at our first acquaintance, as you have heard, a tilting-bout on the occasion: but are sworn friends now; each having agreed to try his fortune by patience and perseverance; and being assured that the one has no more of her favour to boast of, than the other*. “ We have indeed blustered away between us half a score more of her admirers. Poor whining Orme, however, perseveres. But of him we make no account: he has a watery head, and though he finds a way, by his sister, who visits at Mr Selby’s, and is much esteemed there, to let Miss Byron know his passion for her, notwithstanding the negative he has received; yet doubt we not that she is safe from a flame that he will quench with his tears, before it can rise to a head to disturb us.

“You ladies love men should whine after you; but never yet did I find, that where a blustering fellow was a competitor, the lady married the milksop.”

* The passages in this letter thus marked (") are those which in the preceding one are said to be scratched out; but yet were legible by holding up the letter to the light.

But let me in this particular do Miss Byron justice: how she manages it I cannot tell; but she is cour-teous to all; nor could ever any man charge her either with pride or cruelty. All I fear, is, that she has such an equality in her temper, that she can hard-ly find room in her heart for a particular love: Nor will, till she meets with one whose mind is nearly as faultless as her own; and the general tenor of whose life and actions calls upon her discretion to give her leave to love. “ This apprehension I owe to a conversation I had with her grandmother Shirley; a lady that is an ornament to old age; and who hint-ed to me, that her grand-daughter had exceptions both to Fenwick and me, on the score of a few indulgencies that perhaps have been too public; but which all men of fashion and spirit give themselves, and all women, but this, allow of, or hate not men the worse for. But then what is her objection to ‘Jrme? lie is a sober dog.”

She was but eight years old when her mother died She also was an excellent woman. Her death •was brought on by grief for that of her husband; which happened but six months before — a rare instance!

The grandmother and aunt, to whom the girl is dutiful to a proverb, will not interfere with her choice. If they are applied to for their interest, the answer is constantly this: the approbation of their Harriet must be first gained, and then their consent is ready.

There is a Mr. Deane, a man of an excellent character for a lawyer; but indeed he left off prac-tice on coming into possession of a handsome estate. He was the girl’s godfather. He is allowed to have great influence over them all. Harriet calls him papa. To him I have applied; but his answer is the very same: his daughter Harriet must choose for herself: all motions of this kind must come first from her.

And ought I to despair of succeedingwith the girl herself? I, her Greville; not contemptible in person; an air — free and easy, at least; having a good estate in possession; fine expectances besides; dressing well, singing well, dancing well, and blest with a mo-derate share of confidence; which makes other women think me a clever fellow: she, a girl of twenty; her fortune between ten and fifteen thousand pounds only; for her father’s considerable estate, on his demise, for want of male heirs, went with the name; her grandmother’s jointure not more than 5001. a year. — And what though her uncle Selby has no children, and loves her, yet has he nephews “and nieces of his own, whom he also loves; for this Harriet is his wife’s niece.

I will not despair. If resolution, if perseverance will do, and if she be a woman, she shall be mine — and so I have told her aunt Selby, and her uncle too; and so I have told Miss Lucy Selby, her cousin, as she calls her, who is highly and deservedly in her favour; and so indeed have I more than once told the girl herself.

But now to the description of her person — Let me die, if I know where to begin. She is all over love-liness. Does not every — body else who has seen her tell you so? Her stature; shall I begin with her stature? She cannot be said to be tall; but yet is some — thing above the middling. Her shape-^-But what care I for her shape? I, who hope to love her still more, though possession may make me admire her less, when she has not that to boast of? We young fellows who have been abroad, are above regarding English shapes, and prefer to them the French neg-ligence. By the way, I think the foreign ladies in the right, that they aim not at what they cannot at-tain. Whether we are so much in the right to come into their taste, is another thing. But be this as it will, there is so much ease and dignity in the per-son, in the dress, and in every air and motion, of Miss Harriet Byron, that fine shapes will ever be in fashion where she is, be either native or fo-reigner the judge.

Her complexion is admirably fair and clear. I have sat admiring her complexion, till I have ima-gined I have seen the life-blood flowing with equal course through her translucent veins.

Her forehead, so nobly free and open, shews dig-nity and modesty, and strikes into one a kind of awe, singly contemplated, that (from the delight which accompanies the awe) I know not how to describe. Every single feature, in short, will bear the nicest examination; and her whole face, and her neck, so admirably set on her finely-proportioned shoulders — let me perish, if, taking her altogether, I do not hold her to be the most unexceptionable beauty I ever beheld. But what still is her particular excel-lence, and distinguishes her from all other English women (for it must be acknowledged to be a charac-teristic of the French women of quality) is the grace which that people call plii/siogjiomi/, and we may call expression: had not her features and her complexion been so fine as they are, that grace alone, that soul shining out in her lovely aspect, joined with the ease and gracefulness of her motion, would have made her as many admirers as beholders.

After this, shall I descend to a more particular description? — I will.

Her cheek — I never saiv a cheek so beautifully turned; illustrated as it is by a charming carmine flush, which denotes sound health. A most bewitching dimple takes place in each when she smiles; and she has so much reason to be pleased with her-self, and with all about her (for she is the idol of her relations) that I believe from infancy she never frowned; nor can a frown, it is my opinion, sit upon her face for a minute. Would to Heaven I were considerable enough with her to prove the contrary!

Her mouth — There never was so lovely a mouth. But no wonder; since such rosy lips, and such ivory and even teeth, must give beauty to a mouth less charming than hers.

Her nose adds dignity to her other features. Her chin is sweetly turned, and almost imperceptibly dimpled.

Her eyes; — Ay, madam, her eyes! — Good hea-ven! what a lustre, yet not a fierce, but a mild lus — tre! How have I despised the romancing poets for their unnatural descriptions of the eyes of their heroines! But I have thought those descriptions, though absurd enough in conscience, less absurd (allowing something for poetical licence) ever since I beheld those of Miss Harriet Byron.

Her hair is a real and unlaboured ornament to her. All natural its curls: art has no share in the lustre it gives to her other beauties.

I mentioned her neck — Here I dare not trust my-self — Inimitable creature! All-attracting loveliness,

Her arm — Your ladyship knows my passion for a delicate arm. By my soul, madam, your own does not exceed it.

Her hands are extremely fine. Such fingers! And they accustomed to the pen, to the needle, to the harpsichord; excelling in all — O madam; women have souls. I am now convinced they have. I dare own to your ladyship, that once I doubted it, on a supposition that they were given us for tem-porary purposes only. And have I not seen her dance! have I not heard her sing! But indeed, mind and person, she is all harmony.

Then for reading, for acquired knowledge, what lady so young — But you know the character of her grandfather Shirley. He was a man of universal learning, and, from his public employments abroad, as polite as learned. This girl, from seven years of age, when he came to settle in England, to four-teen, when she lost him, was his delight; and her education and instruction the amusement of his va-cant hours. This is the period, he used to say, in which the foundations of all female goodness are to be laid, since so soon after fourteen they leap into women. The dead languages he aimed not to teach her; lest he should overload her young mind: but in the Italian and French he made her an adept.

Nor were the advantages common ones which she received from his lady, her grandmother, and from her aunt Selby, her father’s sister, a woman of equal worthiness. Her grandmother particularly is one of the most pious, yet most cheerful, of women. She will not permit her daughter Byron, she says, to live with her, for both their sakes. For the girl’s sake, because there is a greater resort of company at Mr. Selby ‘s, than at Shirley manor; and she is afraid, as her grandchild has a serious turn, that her own contemplative life may make her more grave than she wishes so young a woman to be. Youth, she says, is the season for cheerfulness. For her oivn sake, because she looks upon her Harriet’s company as a cordial too rich to be always at hand; and when she has a mind to regale, she will either send for her. fetch her, or visit her at Mrs. Selby’s. One of her letters to Mrs. Selby I once saw. It ran thus — “ You must spare me my Harriet. I am in pain. My spirits are not high. I would not have the undecayed mind yield, for want of using the means, to the decaying body. One happy day with our child, the true child of the united minds of her late excellent parents, will, I hope, effect the cure: if it do not, you must spare her to me hvo.”

Did I not tell you, madam, that it was very diffi-cult to describe the person only of this admirable young lady? But I stop here. A horrid appre-hension comes across me! How do I know but I am praising another maris future wife, and not my own? Here is a cousin of hers, a Mrs. Reeves, a fine lady from London, come down under the cursed influence of my evil stars, to carry this Har-riet away with her into the gay world. Woman! woman! — I beg your ladyship’s pardon; but what angel of twenty is proof against vanity? The first hour she appears, she will be a toast; stars and titles will crowd about her: and who knows how far a paltry coronet may dazzle her who deserves an imperial crown? But, woe to the man, whoever he be, whose pretensions dare to inter-fere (and have any assurance of success) with those of

Your ladyship’s Most obedient and faithful servant,

JOHN GREVILLE.


Letter III.
Miss Harriet Byron to Miss Lucy Selby.

Selby-house, Jan. 16.

I return you inclosed, my Lucy, Mr. Greville’s strange letter. As you asked him for it, he will have no doubt but you shewed it to me. It is better therefore, if he make enquiry whether you did or not, to own it. In this case he will be curious to know my sentiments upon it. He is sensible that my whole heart is open to you.

Tell him, if you think proper, in so many words, that I am far more displeased with him for his impetuosity, than gratified by his flattery.

Tell him, that I think it very hard, that when my nearest relations leave me so generously to my li-berty, a man to whom I never gave cause to treat me with disrespect, should take upon himself to threaten and controul me.

Ask him, What are his pretences for following me to London, or elsewhere?

If I had not had reasons before to avoid a more than neighbourly civility to him, he has now fur-nished me with very strong ones. The threatening lover must certainly make a tyrant husband. Don’t you think so, Lucy? But make not supposals of lover or husband to him: these bold men will turn shadows into substance in their own favour.

A woman who is so much exalted above what she can deserve, has reason to be terrified, were she to marry the complimenter (even could she suppose him so blinded by his passion as not to be absolutely insincere) to think of the height she must fall from in his opinion, when she has put it into his power to treat her but as what she is.

Indeed I both despise and fear a very high complimenter. — Despise him for his designing flattery, supposing him not to believe himself; or, if he mean what he says, for his injudiciousness. \fear him, lest he should (as in the former case he must hope) be able to raise a vanity in me, that would sink me beneath his meanness, and give him cause to triumph over my folly, at the very time that I am full of my own wisdom.

High-strained compliments, in short, always pull me down; always make me shrink into myself. Have I not some vanity to guard against? I have no doubt but Mr. Greville wished I should see this letter: and this gives me some little indignation against myself; for does it not look as if, from some faults in my conduct, Mr. Greville had formed hopes of succeeding by treating me like a fool?

I hope these gentlemen will not follow me to town, as they threaten. If they do, I will not see them, if I can any way avoid it. Yet, for me to appear to them solicitous on this head, or to desire them not to go, will be in some measure to lay my-self under an obligation to their acquiescence. It is not therefore for me to hope to influence them in this matter, since they expect too much in return for it from me; and since they will be ready to found a merit in their passion even for disobliging me.

I cannot bear, however, to think of their dangling after me wherever I go. These men, my dear, were we to give them importance with us, would be greater infringers of our natural feedom than the most severe parents; and for their owisakes: where-as parents, if ever so despotic (if not unnatural ones indeed) mean solely our good, though headstrong girls do not always think so. Yet such, even such c in be teazed out of their wills, at least out of their duty, by the men who stile themselves lovers, when they are invincible to all the entreaties and commands of their parents.

O that the next eight or ten years of my life, if I find not in the interim a man on whom my whole undivided heart can fix, were happily over! As hap-pily as the last alike important four years! To be able to look down from the elevation of thirty years, my principles fixed, and to have no capital folly to re-proach myself with, what a happiness would that be !

My cousin Reeves’s time of setting out holds; the indulgence of my dearest friends continues; and my resolution holds. But I will see my Nancy before I set out. What! shall I enter upon a party of pleasure, and leave in my heart room to reflect, in the midst of it, that there is a dear suf-fering friend who had reason to think I was afraid of giving myself pain, when I might, by the balm of true love and friendly soothings, administer comfort to her wounded heart? — No, my Lucy, believe me, if I have not generosity enough, I have sel-fishness enough, to make me avoid a sting so severe as this would be, to your

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter IV.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Grosvenor-street, Tuesday, Jan. 24. We are just arrived. We had a very agreeable journey.

I need not tell you that Mr. Greville and Mr. Fenwick attended us to our first baiting; and had a genteel dinner ready provided for us: the gen-tleman will tell you this, and all particulars.

They both renewed their menaces of following me to London, if I staid above one month. They were so good as to stretch their fortnight to a month.

Mr. Fenwick, in very pathetic terms, as lie found an opportunity to engage me alone for a few mi-nutes, besought me to love him. Mr. Greville was as earnest with me to declare that I hated him. Such a declaration, he said, was all he at present wished for. It was strange, he told me, that he could neither prevail on me to encourage his love, nor to declare my hatred. He is a whimsical creature.

I raillied liim with my usual freedom; and told him, that if there were one person in the world that I was capable of hating, I could make the less scruple to oblige him. lie thanked me for that.

The two gentlemen would fain have proceeded farther: but as they are never out of their way, I dare say, they would have gone to London; and there have dangled on till we should not have got rid of them, for my whole time of being in town,

I was very gravely earnest with them to leave us, when we stept into the coach in order to proceed. Fenwick, you dog, said Mr. Greville, we must re-turn; Miss Byron looks grave. Gravity, and a rising colour in the finest face in the world, indi-cate as much as the frowns of other beauties. And in the most respectful manner they both took leave of mo; insisting, however, on my hand, and that I would wish them well.

I gave each my hand; I wish you very well, gentlemen, said I: and I am obliged to your ci-vility in seeing me so far on my journey: especially as you are so kind as to leave me here.

Why, dear madam, did you not spare your espe-cially, said Mr. Greville? — Come, Fenwick, let us retire, and lay our two loggerheads together, and live over again the past hour, and then hang our-selves.

Poor Mr. Orme! The coach, at our first setting out, passed by his park-gate, you know. There was he — on the very ridge of the highway. I saw him not till it was near him. He bowed to the very ground, with such an air of disconsolateness! — Poor Mr. Orme! — I wished to have said one word to him, when we had passed him: but the coach flew — Why did the coach fly! — But I waved my hand, and leaned out of the coach as far as I could, and bowed to him.

O Miss Byron, said Mrs. Reeves (so said Mr. Reeves) Mr. Orme is the happy man.

Did I think as you do, I should not be so desirous to have spoken to him: but, methinks, I should have been glad to have once said, Adieu, Mr. Orme; for Mr. Orme is a good man.

But, Lucy, my heart was softened at parting with my dear relations and friends; and when the heart is softened, light impressions will go deep.

My cousins’ house is suitable to their fortune: very handsome, and furnished in taste. Mrs. Reeves, knowing well what a scribbler I am, and am expected to be, has provided me with pen, ink, and paper, in abundance. She readily allowed me to take early possession of my apartment, that I might pay punctual obedience to the commands of all my friends on setting out. These, you know, were to write in the first hour of my arrival: and it was allowed to be to you, my dear. But, writing thus early, what can have occurred?

My apartment is extremely elegant. A well-furnished book-case is, however, to me the most attracting ornament in it? — Pardon me, dear pen and ink! I must not prefer any thing to you, by whose means I hope to spend some part of every day at Selby-house; and even at this distance amuse with my prattle those friends that are always so partial to it.

And now, my dear, my revered grandmamma, I ask your blessing — yours, my ever-indulgent aunt Selby — and yours, my honoured and equally beloved uncle Selby. Who knows but you will now in absence take less delight in feazing your ever-du-tiful Harriet? But yet I unbespeak not my monitor.

Continue to love me, my Lucy, as I shall endea-vour to deserve your love: and let me know how our dear Nancy does.

My heart bleeds for her. I should have held myself utterly inexcusable, had I accepted of your kindly intended dispensation, and come to town for three whole months, without repeating to her, by word of mouth, my love and my sympathizing concern for her. What merit does her patience add to her other merits! How has her calamity endeared her to me! If ever I shall be heavily af — flicted, (jod give me her amiable, her almost me — ritorious patience in sufferings!

To my cousin Iiolles’s, and all my other relations, friends, companions, make the affectionate compliments of your

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter V.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Jan. 23. You rejoice me, my dear, in the hopes which, you tell me, Dr. Mitchell from London gives you in relation to our Nancy. May our incessant prayers for the restoration of her health be answered!

Three things my aunt Selby, and you, in the name of every one of my friends, injoined me at parting. The first, To write often, very often, were your words. This injunction was not needful: my heart is with you; and the good news you give me of my grandmamma’s health, and of our Nancy, enlarges that heart. The second, To give you a description of the persons and characters of the peo — ple 1 am likely to be conversant with in this great town. And, thirdly, Besides the general account which you all expected from me of the visits I made and received, you injoined me to acquaint you with the very beginnings of every address (and even of every silent and respectful distinction, were your words) that the girl whom you all so greatly favour, might receive on this excursion to town.

Don’t you remember what my uncle Selby an-swered to this? — I do: and will repeat it, to shew, that his correcting cautions shall not be forgotten.

The vanity of the sex, said he, will not suffer any thing of this sort to escape our Harriet. Wo-men make themselves so cheap at the public places in and about town, that new faces are more enquired after than even fine faces constantly seen. Harriet has an honest artless bloom in her cheeks; she may attract notice as a novice: but wherefore do you fill her head with an expectation of conquests? Wo-men, added he, offer themselves at every public place, in rows, as at a market. Because three or four silly fellows here in the country (like people at an auction, who raise the price upon each other above its value) have bid for her, you think she will not be able to set her foot out of doors, without increasing the number of her followers.

And then my uncle would have it, that my head would be unable to bear the consequence which the partiality of my other friends gave me.

It is true, my Lucy, that we young women are too apt to be pleased with the admiration pretended for us by the other sex. But I have always endea-voured to keep down any foolish pride of this sort, by such considerations as these: that flattery is the vice of men: that they seek to raise us in order to lower us, and in the end to exalt themselves on the ruins of the pride they either hope to find, or inspire: that humility, as it shines brightest in a high condition, best becomes a flattered woman of all women: that she who is puffed up by the praises of men, on the supposed advantages of person, an-swers their end upon her; and seems to own, that she thinks it a principal part of hers, to be admired by them: and what can give more importance to them, and less to herself, than this? For have not women souls as well as men, and souls as capable of the noblest attainments, as theirs? Shall they not therefore be most solicitous to cultivate the beau-ties of the mind, and to make those of person but of inferior consideration? The bloom of beauty holds but a very i’ew years; and shall not a woman aim to make herself mistress of those perfections that will dignify her advanced age? And then may she be as wise, as venerable — as my grandmamma. She is an example for us, my dear: who is so much respected, who is so much beloved, both by old and young, as my grandmamma Shirley?

In pursuance of the second injunction, I will now describe some young ladies and gentlemen who paid my cousins their compliments on their arrival in town.

.Miss Allestree, daughter of Sir John Allestree, was one. She is very pretty, and very genteel, easy, and free. I believe I shall love her.

Miss Bramber was the second. Not so pretty as Miss Allestree; but agreeable in her person and air. A little too talkative, I think.

It was one of my grandfather’s rules to me, not impertinently to start subjects, as if I would make a:i ostentation of knowledge; or as if 1 were fond of indulging a talking humour: but frankness and complaisance required, he used to say, that we women should unlock our bosoms, when we were called upon, and were expected to give our sen-timents upon any subject.

Miss Bramber was eager to talk. She seemed, even when silent, to look as if she was studying for something to say, although she had exhausted two or three subjects. This charge of volubility, I am the rather inclined to fix upon her, as neither Mr. nor Mrs. Reeves took notice to me of it, as a thing extraordinary; which, probably, they would have done, if she had exceeded her usual way. And yet, perhaps, the joy of seeing her newly arrived friends might have opened her lips. If so, your pardon, sweet Miss Bramber!

Miss Sally, her younger sister, is very amiable and very modest: a little kept down, as it seems, by the vivacity of her elder sister; between whose ages there are about six or seven years: so that. Miss Bramber seems to regard her sister as one whom she is willing to remember as the girl she was two or three years ago; for Miss Sally is not above seventeen.

What confirmed me in this, was, that the younger lady was a good deal more free when her sister was withdrawn, than when she was present; and again pursed-up her really pretty mouth when she re-turned: and her sister addressed her always by the word child, with an air of eldership; while the other called her sister, with a look of observance.

These were the ladies.

The two gentlemen who came with them, were, Mr. Barnet, a nephew of Lady Allestree, and Mr. Somner.

Mr. Somner is a young gentleman lately married; very affected, and very opinionated. I told Mrs.

Reeves, after he was gone, that I believed he was a dear lover of his person; and she owned he was. Yet had he no great reason for it. It is far from extraordinary; though he was very gaily dressed. His wife, it seems, was a young widow of great fortune; and till she gave him consequence by falling in love with him, he was thought to be a modest good sort of young man; one that had not discovered anymore perfections in himself, than other people beheld in him; and this gave her an excuse for liking him. But now he is loquacious, forward, bold, thinks meanly of the sex; and, what is worse, not the higher of the lady, for the preference she has given him.

This gentleman took great notice of me; and yet in such a way, as to have me think, that the approbation of so excellent a judge as himself, did me no small honour.

Mr. Barnet is a young man, that I imagine will be always young. At first I thought him only a fop. He affected to say some things, that, though trite, were sententious, and carried with them the air of observation. There is some degree of merit in having such a memory, as will help a person to repeat and apply other men’s wit with some tolerable propriety. But when he attempted to walk alone, he said things that it was impossible a man of common sense could say. I pronounce therefore boldly about him: yet by his outward appearance he may pass for one of your pretty fellows; for he dresses very gaily. Indeed if he has any taste, it is in dress; and this he has found out; for he talked of little else, when he led the talk; and boasted of several parts of his. What finished him with me, was, that as often as the conversation seemed to take a serious turn, he arose from his seat, and hummed an Italian air; of which however he knew nothing: but the sound of his own voice seemed to please him.

This fine gentleman recollected some high-flown compliments, and, applying them to me, looked as if he expected I should value myself upon them.

No wonder that men in general think meanly of us women, if they believe we have ears to hear, and folly to be pleased with, the frothy things that pass under the name of compliments, from such random-shooters as these.

Miss Stevens paid us a visit this afternoon. She is the daughter of Colonel Stevens, a very worthy man. She appears sensible and unaffected; has read, my cousin says, a good deal; and yet takes no pride in shewing it.

Miss Darlington came with her. They are related. This young lady has, I find, a pretty taste in poetry. Mrs. lleeves prevailed on her to shew us three of her performances. And now, as it was with some reluctance that she shewed them, is it fair to say any thing about them? I say it only to you, my friends. — One was on the parting qftivo lovers; very sensible; and so tender, that it shewed the fair writer knew how to describe the pangs that may be inno-cently allowed to arise on such an occasion. — One on the morning-datvn, and sun-rise; a subject that gave credit to herself; for she is, it seems, a very early riser. I petitioned for a copy of this, for the sake of two or three of my dear cousins, as well as to confirm my own practice; but I was modestly re-fused. — The third was on the death of a favourite linnet; a little too pathetic for the occasion; since were Miss Darlington to have lost her best and dearest friend, I imagine she had in this piece, which is pretty long, exhausted the subject; and must borrow from it some of the images which she introduces to heighten her distress for the loss of the little songster. It is a very difficult matter, I believe, for young persons of genius to rein-in their imaginations. A great flow of spirits, and great store of images crowding in upon them, carry them too frequently above their subject; and they are apt rather to say all that may be said on their fa-vourite topics, than what is proper to be said. But it is a pretty piece, however.

Thursday morning.

Lady Betty Williams supped with us the same evening. She is an agreeable woman, the widow of a very worthy man, a near relation of Mr. Reeves. She has a great and just regard for my cousin, and consults him in all affairs of importance. She seems to be turned of forty; has a son and a daughter; but they are both abroad for education.

It hurt me to hear her declare, that she cared not for the trouble of education; and that she had this pleasure, which girls brought up at home seldom give their mothers; that she and Miss Williams always saw each other, and always parted, as lovers.

Surely there must be some fault either in the temper of the mother, or in the behaviour of the daughter; and if so, I doubt it will not be amended by seeing each other but seldom. Do not lovers thus cheat and impose upon one another?

The young gentleman is about seventeen;” his sister about fifteen: and, as I understand she is a very lively, and, ’tis feared, a forward girl, shall we wonder, if in a few years time she should make such a choice for her husband as Lady Betty would least of all choose for a son-inlaw? What influence can a mother expect to have over a daughter from whom she so voluntarily estranges herself? and from whose example the daughter can receive only hearsay benefits?

But after all, methinks I hear my correcting uncle ask, May not lady Betty have better reasons for her conduct in this particular, than she gave you? — She may, my uncle, and I hope she has: but I wish she had condescended to give those better reasons, since she gave any; and then you had not been troubled with the impertinent re-marks of your saucy niece.

Lady Betty was so kind as to take great notice of me. She desired to be one in every party of plea-sure that I am to be engaged in. Persons who were often at public places, she observed, took as much delight in accompanying strangers to them, as if they were their own. The apt comparisons, she said; the new remarks; the pretty wonder; the agreeable passions excited in such, on the occasion; always gave her high entertainment: and she was sure from the observation of such a young lady, civillybowing tome, she should be equally delighted and improved. I bowed in silence. I love not to make disqualifying speeches; by such we seem to intimate that we believe the complimenter to be in earnest, or perhaps that we think the compliment our due, and want to hear it cither repeated or confirmed; and yet, possibly, we have not that pretty confusion, and those transient blushes, ready, which Mr. Greville archly says are always to be at hand when we affect to disclaim the praises given us.

Lady Betty was so good as to stop there; though the muscles of her agreeable face shewed a polite promptitude, had I, by disclaiming her compliments, provoked them to perform their office.

Am I not a sauey creature?

I know I am. But I dislike not Lady Betty, for all that.

I am to be carried by her to a masquerade, to a ridotto; when the season comes, to llanelagh and Vauxhall: in the mean time, to balls, routs, drums, and-so-forth; and to qualify me for these latter, I am to be taught all the fashionable games. Did my dear grandmamma, twenty or thirty years ago. think she should live to be told, that to the dancing-master, the singing or music-master, the high mode would require the gaming-master to be added for the completing of the female education?

Lady Betty will kindly take the lead in all these diversions.

And now, Lucy, will you not repeat your wishes, that I return to you with a sound heart? And are you not afraid that I shall become a modern fine lady? As to the latter fear, I will tell you vchen you shall suspect me — If you find that I prefer the highest of these entertainments, or the opera itself, well as I love music, to a good play of our favourite Shakespeare, then, my Lucy, let your heart ake for your Harriet: then, be apprehensive that she is laid hold on by levity; that she is captivated by the eye and the ear; that her heart is infected by the modern taste; and that she will carry down with her an appetite to pernicious gaming; and, in order to support her extravagance, will think of punishing some honest man in marriage.

James has signified to Sally his wishes to be allowed to return to Selby-house. I have not there — fore brought him the new liveries I designed for him on coming to town. I cannot bear an uncheerful brow in a servant; and he owning to me, on my talking with him, his desire to return, I have promised that he shall, as soon as Mr. Reeves has pro vided me with another servant. — Silly fellow! But I hope my aunt will not dismiss him upon it. The servant I may hire, may not care to go into the country perhaps, or may not so behave, as that I should choose to take him down with me. And James is honest; and his mother would break her heart, if he should be dismissed our service,

Several servants have already offered themselves; but, as I think people are answerable for the cha-racter of such as they choose for their domestics, I find no small difficulty in fixing. I am not of the mind of that great man, whose good-natured reason for sometimes preferring men no way deserving, was, that he loved to be a friend to those whom no other person would befriend. This was carrying his goodness very far (if he made it not an excuse for himself, for having promoted a man who proved bad aftervoards, rather than as supposing him to be so at the time); since else, he seemed not to consider, that every bad man he promoted, ran away with the reward due to a better.

Mr. and Mrs. Reeves are so kind to me, and their servants are so ready to oblige me, that I shall not be very uneasy, if I cannot soon get one to my mind. Only if I could fix on such a one, and if my grandmamma’s Oliver should leave her, as she supposes he will, now he has married Ellen, as soon as a good inn offers, James may supply Oliver’s place, and the new servant may continue mine instead of James.

And now that I have gone so low, don’t you wish me to put an end to this letter? — I believe you do.

Well then, with duty and love ever remembered where so justly due, believe me to be, my dear Lucy, Your truly affectionate

HARRIET BYRON.

I will write separately to what you say of Mr. Greville, Mr. Fenwick, and Miss Ormc; yet hope to be time enough for the post.


Letter VI.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Sat. Jan. 28. As to what you say of Mr. Greville’s concern on my absence (and, I think, with a little too much feeling for him) and of his declaring himself unable to live without seeing me; I have but one fear about it; which is, that he is forming a pretence from his violent love, to come up after me: and if he does, I will not see him, if I can help it.

And do you indeed believe him to be so much in love? By your seriousness on the occasion, you seem to think he is. O my Lucy! What a good heart you have! And did he not weep when he told you so? Did he not turn his head away, and pull out his handkerchief! — O these dissemblers! The hyaena, my dear, was a male devourer. The men in malice, and to extenuate their own guilt, made the creature & female. And yet there may be male and female of this species of monsters. But as women have more to lose with regard to reputation than men, the male hyaena must be infinitely the. more dangerous creature of the two; since he will come to us, even into our very houses, fawning, cringing, weeping, licking our hands; while the den of the female is by the highway-side, and wretched youths must enter into it, to put it in her power to devour them.

Let me tell you, my dear, that if there be an art-ful man in England, with regard to us women (art — ful equally in his free speaking, and in his syco — phancies) Mr. Greville is the man; and he intends to be so too, and values himself upon his art. Does he not as boldly as constantly, insinuate, that flat-tery is dearer to a woman than her food? Yet who so gross a flatterer as himself, when the humour is upon him? And yet at times he wants to build up a merit for sincerity or plain-dealing, by saying free things.

It is not difficult, my dear, to find out these men, were we earnest to detect them. Their chief strength lies in our weakness. But however weak we are, I think we should not add to the triumph of those who make our weakness the general subject of their satire. We should not prove the justice of their ridicule by our own indiscretions. But the traitor is within us. If we guard against ourselves, we may bid defiance to all the arts of man.

You know, that my great objection to Mr. Gre — ville is for his immoralities. A man of free prin — ciples, shewn by practices as free, can hardly make a tender husband, were a woman able to get over considerations that she ought not to get over. Who shall trust for the performance of his second duties, the man who avowedly despises hh first? Mr. Gre-ville had a good education: he must have taken fains to render vain the pious precepts of his wor-thy father; and still more to make a jest of them.

Three of his women we have heard of, besides her whom he brought with him from Wales. You know he has only affected to appear decent since he has cast his eyes upon me. The man, my dear, must be an abandoned man, and must have a very hard heart, who can pass from woman to woman, without any remorse for a former, whom, as may be supposed, he has by the most solemn vows se-duced. And whose leavings is it, my dear, that a virtuous woman takes, who marries a profligate?

Is it not reported that his Welshwoman, to whom, at parting, he gave not sufficient for a twelve-month’s scanty subsistence, is now upon the town? Vile man! He thinks it to his credit, I have heard, to own it a seduction, and that she was not a vicious creature till he made her so.

One only merit has Mr. Greville to plead in this hlack transaction: it is, that he has, by his whole conduct in it, added a warning to our sex. And shall I, despising the warning, marry a man, who, specious as he is in his temper, and lively in his conversation, has shown so bad a nature?

His fortune, as you say, his great. The more inexcusable therefore is he for his niggardliness to his Welshwoman. On his fortune he presumes: it will procure him a too easy forgiveness from others of our sex: but fortune without merit will never do with me, were the man a prince.

You say, that if a woman resolves not to marry till she finds herself addressed to by a man of strict virtue, she must be for ever single. If this be true, what wicked creatures are men? What a dreadful abuse of passions, given them for the noblest pur-poses, are they guilty of!

I have a very high notion of the marriage-state. I remember what my uncle once averred; that a woman out of wedlock is half useless to the end of her being. How indeed do the duties of a good wife, of a good mother, and a worthy matron, well performed, dignify a woman! Let my aunt Selby’s example, in her enlarged sphere, set against that of any single woman of like years moving in her nar-row circle, testify the truth of the observation. My grandfather used to say, that families are little communities; that there are but few solid friendships out of them; and that they help to make up wor-thily, and to secure, the great community, of which they are so many miniatures.

But yet it is my opinion, and I hope that I never by my practice shall discredit it, that a woman who, with her eyes open, marries a profligate man, had, generally, much better remain single all her life; since it is very likely, that by such a step she defeats, as to herself, all the good ends of society. What a dreadful, what a presumptuous risque runs she, who marries a wicked man, even hoping to re-claim him, when she cannot be sure of keeping her own principles! — Be not deceived; evil communication corrupts good ‘manner s; is a caution truly apostolical.

The text you mention of the unbelieving husband being converted by the believing wife, respects, as I take it, the first ages of Christianity; and is an instruction to the converted wife to let her uncon — verted husband see in her behaviour to him, while he beheld her chaste conversation coupled with fear, the efficacy upon her own heart of the excellent doc-trines she had embraced. It could not have in view the woman who, being single, chose a. pagan husband in hopes of converting him. Nor can it give encour-agement for a woman of virtue and religion to marry a profligate in hopes of reclaiming him. Who can touch pitch, and not be defiled?

As to Mr. Fenwick, I am far from having a bet-ter opinion of him than I have of Mr. Greville. You know what is whispered of him. He has more decency however: he avows not free principles, as the other does. But you must have observed how much he seems to enjoy the mad talk and free sen-timents of the other: and that other always bright — ens up and rises in his freedoms and impiety on Mr. Fenwick’s sly applauses and encouraging coun-tenance. In a word, Mr. Fenwick, not having the same lively things to say, nor so lively an air to carry them off, as Mr. Greville has, though he would be thought not to want sense, takes pains to show that he has as corrupt a heart. If I thought anger would not give him consequence, I should hardly forbear to show myself displeased, when he points by a leering eye, and by a broad smile, the free jest of the other, to the person present whom he thinks most apt to blush, as if for fear it should be lost; and still more, when on the modest cheek’s showing the sensibility of the person so insulted, he breaks out into a loud laugh, that she may not be able to recover herself.

Surely these men must think us women egregious hypocrites: they must believe that we only affect modesty, and in our hearts approve of their free-dom: for, can it be supposed, that such as call themselves gentlemen, and who have had the edu-cation and opportunities that these two have had, would give themselves liberties of speech on pur-pose to affront us ?

I hope I shall find the London gentlemen more polite than these our neighbours of the fox-chace: and yet hitherto I have seen no great cause to prefer them to the others. But about the court, and at the fashionable public places, I expect wonders. Pray Heaven, I may not be disappointed!

Thank Miss Orme, in my name, for the kind wishes she sends me. Tell her, that her doubts of my affection for her are not just; and that I do really and indeed love her. Nor should she want the most explicit declarations of my love, were I not more afraid of her in the character of a sister to a truly respectable man, than doubtful of her in that of a friend to rut’: in which latter light, I even joy to consider her. But she is a little naughty, tell her, because she is always hading to one subject. And yet, how can I be angry with her for it, if her good opinion of me induces her to think it in my power to make the brother happy, whom she so dearly and deservedly loves? 1 cannot but esteem her for the part she takes. — And this it is that makes me afraid of the artlessly-artful Miss Orme.

It would look as if I thought my duty, and love? and respects, were questionable, if in every letter I repeated them to my equally honoured and beloved benefactors, friends, and favourers. Sup — pose them therefore always included in my sub — scription to you, my Lucy, when I tell you that I am, and will be,

Your ever-affectionate

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter VII.
Mr. Selby to Miss Byron.

Selby-house, Jan. 30. Well! and now there wants but a London lover or two to enter upon the stage, and Vanity–Fair will be proclaimed, and directly opened. Greville every where magnifying you in order to justify his flame for you: Fenwick exalting you above all women: Orme adoring you, and by his hum-ble silence saying more than any of them: pro posals besides from this man: letters from that! What scenes of flattery and nonsense have I been witness to for these past three years and half, that young Mr. Elford began the dance? Single! Well may you have remained single till this your twen-tieth year, when you have such ehoice of admirers, that you don’t know which to have. So in a mer-cer’s shop, the tradesman has a fine time with you women; when variety of his rich wares distract you; and fifty to one at last, but as well in men as silks, you choose the worst, especially if the best is offered at first, and refused. For women know belter how to be sorry, than to amend.

“It is true, say you, that we young women are apt to be pleased with admiration” — Oil oh! Are you so? And so I have gained one point with you at last; have I?

“But I have always endeavoured” [And I, Har-riet, wish you had succeeded in your endeavours] “ to keep down any foolish pride” — Then you own that pride you have? — Another point gained! Con-science, honest conscience, ivill now-and-then make you women speak out. But now I think of it, here is vanity in the very humility. Well say you endea-voured, when female pride, like love, though hid under a barrel, will flame out at the bung.

Well, said I, to your aunt Selby, to your grand-mamma, and to your cousin Lucy, when we all met to sit in judgment upon your letters, now I hope you’ll never dispute with me more on this flagrant love of admiration which I have so often observed swallows up the hearts and souls of you all; since your Harriet is not exempt from it; and since with all your speciousness, with all her prudence, with all her caution, she (taken with the qualm of conscience) owns it.

But, no, truly! All is right that you say: all is right that you do! — Your very confessions are brought as so many demonstrations of your diffi-dence, of your ingenuousness, and I cannot tell what.

Why, 1 must own, that no father ever loved his daughter as I love my niece: but yet, girl, your faults, your vanities, I do not love. It is my glory, that 1 think myself able to judge of my friends as they deserve; not as being my friends. Why, the best beloved of my heart, your aunt herself — you know, I value her now more, now less, as she deserves. But with all those I have named, and with all your relations, indeed, their Harriet cannot be in fault. And why? Because you are related to them; and because they attribute to themselves some merit from the relation they stand in to you. Super eroga-torians all of them (I will make words whenever I please) with their attributions to you; and because you are of their sex, forsooth; and because I accuse you in a point in which you are all concerned, and so make a common cause of it.

Here one exalts you for your good sense; because you have a knack, by help of a happy memory, of making every thing you read, and every thing that is told you, that you like, your own (your grand-father’s precepts paiticularly); and because, I think, you pass upon us as your own what you have borrowed, if not stolen.

Another praises you for your good-nature — The deuce is in it, if a girl who has crowds of admirers after her, and a new lover wherever she shows her bewitching face; who is blest with health and spi-rits; and has every-body for her friend, let her de serve it or not; can be z//-natured. Who can such a one have to quarrel with, trow?

Another extols you for your cheerful wit, even when displayed, bold girl as you are, upon your uncle; in which indeed you are upheld by the wife of my bosom, whenever I take upon me to tell you what ye all, even the best of ye, are.

Yet sometimes they praise your modesty: and why your modesty? — Because you have a skin in a manner transparent; and because you can blush — I was going to say, whenever you please.

At other times, they will find out, that you have features equally delicate and regular; when I think, and I have examined them jointly and separately, that all your taliivgness is owing to that open and cheerful countenance, which gives them a gloss (or what shall I call it?) that we men are apt to be pleas-ed with at first sight. A gloss that takes one, as it were, by surprize. But give me the beauty that grows upon us every time we see it; that leaves room for something to be found out to its advan-tage, as we are more and more acquainted with it.

“Your correcting uncle,” you call me. And so I will be. But what hope have I of your amendment, when every living soul, man, woman, and child, that knows you, puffs you up? There goes Mr. Selby! I have heard strangers say — And who is Mr. Selby? another stranger has asked — Why, Mr. Selby is uncle to the celebrated Miss Byron. — Yet I, who have lived fifty years in tin’s country, should think I might be known on my oivn account, and not as the uncle of a girl of twenty.

“Am I not a saucy creature?” in another place you ask. And you answer, “ I know I am.” I am glad you do. Now may I call you so by j’our own authority, I hope. But with your aunt, it is only the effect of your agreeable vivacity. What abomi-nable partiality! E’en do what you will, Harriet, you’ll never be in fault. I could almost wish — But I won’t tell you what I wish neither. But some-thing must betide you, that you little think of; de pend upon that. AH your days cannot be halcyon ones. I would give a thousand pounds with all my soul, to see you heartily love: ay, up to the very ears, and unable to help yourself! You are not thirty yet, child: and, indeed, you seem to think the time of danger is not over. I am glad of your consciousness, my dear. Shall I tell Greville of your doubts, and of your difficulties, Harriet? As to the ten coming years, I mean? And shall I tell him of your prayer to pass them safely? — But is not this wish of yours, that ten years of bloom were over-past, and that you were arrived at the thirtieth year nf your age, a very singular one? — A flight! a mere Might! Ask ninety-nine of your sex out of an hundred, if they would adopt it.

In another letter you ask Lucy, “ If Mr. Greville has not said, that flattery is dearer to a woman than her food.” Well niece, and what would you be at? Is it not so? — I do aver, that Mr. Greville is a sen-sible man; and makes good observations.

“Men’s chief strength, you say, lies in the weakness of women.” Why so it does. Where else should it lie? And this from their immeasurable love of admiration and flattery, as here you seem to acknowledge of your own accord, though it has been so often perversely disputed with me. Give you women but rope enough, you’ll do your own business.

However, in many places you have pleased me: but no-where more than when you recollect my averment (without contradicting it; which is a rarity!) “ that a woman out of wedlock is half use-less to the end of her being.” Good girl! That was an assertion of mine, and I will abide by it. Lucy simpered when we came to this place, and looked at me. She expected, I saw, my notice upon it; so did your aunt: but the confession was so frank, that I was generous; and only said, True as the gospel.

I have written a long letter: yet have not said one quarter of what I intended to say when I began. You will allow that you have given your correcting uncle, ample subject. But you fare something the better for saying, “ you unbespeak not your monitor.”

You own that you have some vanity. Be more free in your acknowledgments of this nature (you may; for are you not a woman?) and you’ll fare something the better for your ingenuousness; and the rather, as your acknowledgment will help me up with your aunt and Lucy, and your grandmamma, in an argument I will not give up.

I have had fresh applications made to me — But I will not say from whom: since we have agreed long ago not to prescribe to so discreet a girl, as in the main we all think you, in the articles of love and marriage.

With ah your faults I must love you. I am half ashamed to say how much I miss you already. We are all naturally cheerful folks: yet, I don’t know how it is; your absence has made a strange chasm at our table. Let us hear from you every post: that will be something. Your doting aunt tells the hours on the day she expects a letter. Your grandmother is at present with us, and in heart I am sure regrets your absence: but as your tenderness to her has kept you from going to London for so many years, she thinks she ought to be easy. Her example goes a great way with us all, you know; and particularly with

Your truly affectionate (though correcting) uncle,

GEO. SELBY.


Letter VIII.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Tuesday, January 31. I am already, my dear Lucy, quite contrary to my own expectation, enabled to obey the third gene-ral injunction laid upon me at parting, by you, and all my dear friends; since a gentleman, not incon-siderable in his family or fortune, has already beheld your Harriet with partiality.

Not to heighten your impatience by unnecessary parade, his name is Folder. He is a young gentle-man of an handsome independent fortune, and still larger expectations from a Welch uncle now in town, Sir Rowland Meredith, knighted in his sheriffalty, on occasion of an address which he brought tip to the king from his county.

Sir Rowland, it seems, requires from his nephetr, on pain of forfeiting his favour for ever, that he mar-ries not without his approbation: which, he de clares, he never will give, except the woman be of a good family; has a gentlewoman’s fortune; has had the benefit of a religious education; which he considers as the best security that can be given for her good behaviour as a wife, and as a mother; so for-ward does the good knight look! Her” character unsullied: acquainted with the theory of the do-mestic duties, and not ashamed, occasionally, to en ter into the direction of the practice. Her fortune, however, as his nephew will have a good one, he declares to be the least thing he stands upon; only that he would have her possessed of from six to ten thousand pounds, that it may not appear to be a match of mere love, and as if his nephew were taken in, as he calls it, rather by the eyes than by the understanding. Where a woman can have such a fortune given her by her family, though no greater, it will be an earnest, he says, that the family she is of have worth, as he calls it, and want not to owe obligations to that of the man she marries.

Something particular, something that has the look of forecast and prudence, you’ll say, in the old knight.

O but I had like to have forgot; his future niece must also be handsome. He values himself, it seems, upon the breed of his horses and dogs, and makes polite comparisons between the more noble, and the less noble animals.

Sir Rowland himself, as you will guess by his par-ticularity, is an old batchelor, and one who wants to have a woman made on purpose for his nephew: and who positively insists upon qualities, before In-knows her, not one of which, perhaps, his future niece will have.

Don’t you remember Mr. Tolson, of Derbyshire? he was determined never to marry a widow. If he did, it should be one who had a vast fortune, and who never had a child. And he had still a more particular exception; and that was to a woman who had red hair. He held his exceptions till he was forty; and then being looked upon as a determined batchelor, no family thought it worth their while to make proposals to him; no woman to throw out a net for him (to express myself in the stile of the gay Mr. Greville); and he at last fell in with, and married, the laughing Mrs Turner: a widow, who had little or no fortune, had one child, a daughter, living, and that child an absolute ideot; and, to complete the perverseness of his fate, her hair not only red, but the most disagreeable of reds. The honest man was grown splenetic: disregarded by every body, he was become disregardful of himself: he hoped for a cure of his gloominess, from her cheerful vein; and seemed to think himself under obligation to one who had taken notice of him, when nobody else would. Batchelors’ wives! Maids’ children! These old saws always mean something.

Mr. Fowler saw me at my cousin Reeves’s the first time. I cannot say he is disagreeable in his person: but he seems to want the mind I would have a man blessed with, to whom J am to vow love and honour. I purpose, whenever I marry, to make a very good and even a dutiful wife [must I not vow obe-dience? and shall I break my marriage-vow?]: I would not, therefore, on any consideration, marry a man, whose want of knowledge might make me stagger in the performance of my duty to him; and who would perhaps command from caprice, or want cf understanding, what I should think unreasonable to be complied with. There is a pleasure and a credit in yielding up even one’s judgment in things indifferent, to a man who is older and wiser than one’s self: but we are apt to doubt in one of a contrary character, what in the other we should have no doubt about: and doubt, you know, of a per-son’s merit, is the first step to disrespect: and what, but disobedience, which lets in every evil, is the next?

I saw instantly that Mr. Fowler beheld me with a distinguished regard. We women, you know [let me for once be aforehand with my uncle] are very quick in making discoveries of this nature. But every — body at table saw it. He came again next day. and besought Mr — Reeves to give him his inte-rest with me. without asking any questions about my fortune: though he was even generously particular as to his own. He might, since he has an unexcep-tionable one. Who is it in these cases that forgets to set foremost the advantages by which he is distinguished? While fortune is the last thing talked of by him who has little or none: and then Love, love, love % is all his crv.

Mr. Reeves, who has a good opinion of Mr. Fowler, in answer to his enquiries, told him, that he believed I was disengaged in my affections: Mr. Fowler rejoiced at that. That I had no questions to ask: but those of duty: which indeed, he said, was a stronger tie with me than interest. He praised my temper, and my frankness of heart: the latter at the expence of mv sex: for which I least thanked him. when he told me what he had said. In short, he acquainted him with every thing that was necessary, and more than was necessary for him to know, of the favour of my family, and of my good Mr. Deane, in referring all proposals of this kind to myself; mingling the detail with commendations, which only could be excused by the goodness of his own heart, and accounted for bv Ids partiality to his cousin.

Mr. Fowler expressed great apprehensions on mv cousin’s talking of these references of mv grand-mother, aunt, and Mr. Deane. to myself, on occa — sions of this nature; which, he said, he presumed had been too frequent for his hopes.

If you have any hope, Mr. Fowler, said Mr. Reeves, it must be in your good character; and that much preferably to your clear estate and great expectations. Although she takes no pride in the number of her admirers, yet it is natural to suppose, that it has made her more difficult: and her diffi-culties are enhanced, in proportion to the generous confidence which all her friends have in her discretion. And when I told him. proceeded Mr Reeves, that your fortune exceeded greatly what Sir Row-land required in a wife for him; and that you had, as well from inclination, as education, a serious turn: Too much, too much, in one person, cried he out. As to fortune, he wished you had not a shilling; and if he could obtain your favour, he should be the happiest man in the world.

O my good Mr. Reeves, said I, how have you over-rated my merits! Surely, you have not eiven Mr. Fowler your interest? If you haie, should you not. for his sake, have known something of my mind before you had eet me out thus, had I even deserved your high opinion? — Mr. Fowler might have reason to repent the double well-meant kindru >s of his friend, if men in these days were used to break their hearts for love.

It is the language I do and must talk of you in, to every body, returned Mr. Reeves: is it not the

’— “hat those most taik who know you best?

Where the world is inclined to favour, replied I, it i> apt to ¦ ¦ — rati . as much as it will:.’ .ifr-rate where ¦ ‘ disfavours. In this case, you should not have proceeded so far as to engage a gentleman’s hopes. What may be the end of all this, but to make a compassionate nature, as mine has been thought to be, if Mr. Fowler should be greatly in earnest, uneasy to itself, in being obliged to shew pity, where she cannot return love?

What I have said, I have said, replied Mr. Reeves. Pity is but one remove from love. Mrs. Reeves (there she sits) was first brought to pity me; for never was man more madly in love than I; and then I thought myself sure of her. And so it proved. I can tell you I am no enemy to Mr. Fowler.

And so, my dear, Mr. Fowler seems to think he has met with a woman who would make a fit wife for him: but your Harriet, I doubt, has not in Mr. Fowler met with a man whom she can — think a fit husband for her.

The very next morning, Sir Rowland himself —

But now, my Lucy, if I proceed to tell you all the fine things that are said of me, and to me, what will my uncle Selby say? Will he not attribute all I shall repeat of this sort, to that pride, to that va-nity, to that fondness of admiration, which he, as well as Mr. Greville, is continually charging upon all our sex?

Yet he expects that I shall give a minute account of every thing that passes, and of every conversation in which I have any part. Flow shall I do to please him? And yet I know I shall best please him, if I give him room to find fault with me. But then should he for my faults blame the whole sex? Is that just?

You will tell me, I know, that if I give speeches and conversations, I ought to give them justly: that the humours and characters of persons cannot be known unless I repeat xvhat they say, and their manner of saying: that I must leave it to the speakers and complimenters to answer for the likeness of the pictures they draw: that I know best my own heart, and whether I am puffed up by the praises given me: that if I am, I shall discover it by my superciliousness; and be enough punished on the discovery, by incurring, from those I love, deserved blame, if not contempt, instead of preserving their wished-for esteem. — Let me add to all this, that there is an author (I forget who) who says, “ It is lawful to repeat those things, though spoken in our praise, that are necessary to be known, and cannot otherwise be come at.”

And now let me ask, Will this preamble do, once for all?

It will. And so says my aunt Selby. And so says every one but my uncle. Well then I will proceed, and repeat all that shall be said, and that as well to my disadvantage as advantage; only resolving not to be exalted with the one, and to do my endeavour to amend by the other. And here, pray tell my uncle, that I do not desire he will spare me; since the faults he shall find in his Harriet shall always put her upon her guard. — Not, however, to conceal them from his discerning eye; but to amend them.

And now, having, as I said, once for all, prepared you to guard against a surfeit of self-praise, though delivered at second or third hand, I will go on with my narrative — But hold — my paper reminds me that I have written a monstrous letter — I will therefore, with a new sheet, begin a new one. Only adding to this, that I am, and ever will be,

Your affectionate

HARRIET BYRON.

P.S. Well, but what shall I do now? — I have just received my uncle’s letter. And, after his charge upon me of vanity and pride, will my parade, as above, stand me in any stead? — I must trust to it. Only one word to my dear and ever-ho-noured uncle — Don’t you, Sir, impute to me a belief of the truth of those extravagant compli-ments made by men professing love to me; and I will not wish you to think me one bit the wiser, the handsomer, the better, for them, than I was before.


Letter IX.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Thursday, February 2.

The very next morning Sir Rowland himself paid his respects to Mr. Reeves.

The knight, before he would open himself very freely as to the business he came upon, desired that lie might have an opportunity to see me. I knew nothing of him, nor of his business. We were just going to breakfast. Miss Allestree, Miss Bramber, and MissDolyns, ayoung lady of merit, were with us.

Just as we had taken our seats, Mr. Reeves intro-duced Sir Rowland, but let him not know which was Miss Byron. He did nothing at first sitting down, but peer in our faces by turns; and fixing his eye upon Miss Allestree, he jogged Mr. Reeves with his elbow — Hay, Sir? — audibly whispered he,

Mr. Reeves was silent. Sir Rowland, who is short-sighted, then looked under his bent brows, at Miss Bramber; then at Miss Uolyns; and then at me — Hay, Sir? whispered he again.

He sat out the first dish of tea with an impatience equal, as it seemed, to his uncertainty. And at last taking Mr. Reeves by one of his buttons, desired a word with him. They withdrew together; and the knight, not quitting hold of Mr. Reeves’s button, Ad’s-my-life, Sir, said he, I hope I am right. I love my nephew as I love myself. I live but lor him. He ever was dutiful to me his uncle. If that be Miss Byron who sits on the right-hand of your lady, with the countenance of an angel, her eyes sparkling with good humour, and blooming as a May-morning, the business is done. I give my consent. Although I heard not a word pass from her lips, I am sure she is all intelligence. 5ly boy shall have her. The other young ladies are agreeable: but if this be the lady my kinsman is in love with, he shall have her. How will she outshine all our Caermarthen ladies; and yet we have charming girls in Caermarthen! — Am I, or am I not right, Mr. Reeves, as to my ne-phew’s^ame, as they call it?

The lady you describe, Sir Rowland, is Miss Byron.

And then Mr. Reeves, in his usual partial man-ner, let his heart overflow at his lips in my favour.

Thank God, thank God! said the knight. Let us return. Let us go in again. I will say some-thing to her to make her speak: but not a word to dash her. I expect her voice to be music, if it be as harmonious as the rest of her. By the softness or harshness of her voice, let me tell you, Mr. Reeves, I form a judgment of the heart, and soul, and manners, of a lady. ’Tis a criterion, as they call it, of my own; and I am hardly ever mistaken. Let us go in again, I pray ye.

They returned, and took their seats; the knight making an awkward apology for taking my cousin out.

Sir Rowland, his forehead smoothed, and his face shining, sat swelling, as big with meaning, yet not knowing how to begin. Mrs. Reeves and Miss Al-lestree were talking at the re-entrance of the gen — tlemen. Sir Rowland thought he must say some — thing, however distant from his main purpose. Breaking silence therefore; You, ladies, seemed to be deep in discourse when we came in. What-ever were your subject, I beg you will resume it.

They had finished, they assured him, what they had to say.

Sir Rowland seemed still at a loss. He hemmed three times; and looked at me with particular kindness. Mr. Reeves then, in pity to his fulness, asked him how long he proposed to stay in town?

He had thought, he said, to have set out in a week; but something had happened, which he believed could not be completed under a. fortnight. Yet I want to be down, said he; for I had just finished, as I came up, the new-built house I design to present to my nephew when he marries. I pretend, plain man as I am, to be a judge, both of taste and elegance [Sir Rowland was now set a going] . All I wish for is to see him happily settled. Ah, ladies! that I need not go further than this table for a wife for my boy?

We all smiled, and looked upon each other.

You young ladies, proceeded he, have great ad-vantages in certain cases over us men; and this (which I little thought of till it came to be my own case) whether we speak for our kindred or for our-selves. But will you, madam, to Mrs. Reeves, will you, sir, to Mr. Reeves, answer my questions — as to these ladies? — I must have a niece among them. My nephew, though I say it, is one whom any lady may love: and as for fortune, let me alone to make him, in addition to his own, all clear as the sun, worthy of any woman’s acceptance, though she were a duchess.

We were all silent, and smiled upon one another.

What I would ask then, is, Which of the ladies before me — Mercy! I believe by their smiling, and by their pretty looks, they are none of them engaged. I will begin with the young lady on your right hand. She looks so lovely, so good-natured, and so condescending! — Mercy! what an open fore-head! — Hem! — Forgive me, madam; but I believe you would not disdain to answer my question your-self. Are you, madam, are you absolutely and bond Jide, disengaged? or are you not?

As this, Sir Rowland, answered I, is a question I can best resolve, I frankly own, that I am disengaged.

Charming! charming! — Mercy! Why now what a noble frankness in that answer! — No jesting mat-ter! You may smile, ladies. I hope, madam, you say true: I hope I may rely upon it, that your affections are not engaged.

You may, Sir Rowland. I do not love, even in jest, to be guilty of an untruth.

Admirable! — But let me tell you, madam, that I hope you will not many days have this to say. Ad’s-my lite! sweet soul! how I rejoice to see that charm — ing flush in the finest cheek in the world! But hea — ven forbid that I should dash so sweet a creature! — Well, but now there is no going further. Excuse me, ladies; I mean not a slight to any of you: but now, you know, there is no going further:— And will you, madam, permit me to introduce to you, as a lover, as an humble servant, a very proper and agreeable young man? Let me introduce him: he is my nephew. Your looks are all graciousness. Per-haps you have seen him: and if you are really dis engaged, you can have no objection to him; of that I am confident. And I am told, that you have no-body that either can or will controul you.

The more controulable for that verj — reason, Sir Rowland.

Ad’s-my-life, I like your answer. Why, madam, \ on must be full as good as you look to be. I wish I were a young man myself for your .sake! But tell me, madam, will you permit a visit from mv nephew this afternoon? — Come, come, dear young lady, be as gracious as you look to be. Fortune must do. Had you not a shilling, I should rejoice in such a niece; and that is more than I ever said in my life before. My nephew is a sober man, a modest man. lie has a good estate of his own: a clear 2000l. a year. I will add to it in my life-time as much more. Be all this good company witnesses for me. I am no flincher. It is well known that the word of Sir Rowland Meredith is as good as his bond at all times. I love these open doings. I love to be above-board. What signifies shilly-shally? What says the old proverb?

Happy is the wooing

That is not long a doing.

But, Sir Rowland, said I, there are proverbs that may be set against your proverb. You hint that I have seen the gentleman: now I have never yet seen the man whose addresses I could encourage.

O, I like you the better for that. None but the giddy love at first sight. Ad’s-my-life, you would have been snapt up before now, young as you are, could you easily have returned love for love. Why, madam, you cannot be above sixteen?

O, Sir Rowland, you are mistaken. Cheerfulness, and a contented mind, make a difference to advan-tage of half a dozen years at any time. I am much nearer twenty-one than nineteen, I assure you.

Nearer to twenty-one than nineteen, and yet so freely tell your age without asking!

Miss Byron, Sir Rowland, said Mrs. Reeves, is young enough at twenty, surely, to her own age.

True, madam; but at twenty, if not before, time always stands still with women. A lady’s age once known, will be always remembered; and that more for spite than love. At twenty-eight or thirty, I be lieve most ladies are willing to strike off half a dozen years at least. — And yet, and yet, (smiling, and looking arch) I have always said (pardon me, la-dies) that it is a sign, when women are so desirous to conceal their age, that they think they shall be good tor nothing when in years. Ah. ladies! shaking his head, and laughing, Avomen don’t think of that. But how I admire you, madam, for your frankness! Would to the Lord you were twenty-four! — I would have no woman marry under twenty-four: and that, let me tell you, ladies, for the following reasons — standing up, and putting the fore-finger of his right-hand, extended with a flourish, upon the thumb of his left.

O, Sir Rowland! I doubt not but you can give very good reasons. And I assure you, I intend not to marry on the wrong side, as I call it, of twenty-four.

Admirable, by mercy! but that won’t do neither. The man lives not, young lady, who will stay your time, if he can have you at his. I love your noble frankness. Then such sweetness of countenance (sitting down, and audibly whispering, and jogging my cousin with his elbow I such dove-like eyes, daring to tell all that is in the honest heart! — I am a phvsiognomist. madam (raising his voice to me.) Ad’s-my-life, you are a perfect paragon! Say you will encourage my boy. or you will be worse off; for (standing up again) I will come and court you my-self A good estate gives a man confidence; and. when I set about it — Hum! — (one hand stuck in his side; flourishing with the other) no woman yet, I do assure you — ever won my heart as you have done.

O Sir Rowland, I thought vou were too wise to be swayed bv first impressions: none but the giddy, you know, love at first sight, c

Admirable! admirable indeed! I knew you had wit at will; and I am sure you have wisdom. Know you, ladies, that tvit and wisdom are two different things, and are very rarely seen together? Plain man as I appear to be (looking on himself first on one side, then on the other, and unbuttoning his coat two buttons to let a gold braid appear upon his waistcoat) I can tell ye, I have not lived all this time for nothing. I am considered in Wales — Hem! — But I will not praise myself. — Ad’s-my-life! how do this young lady’s perfections run me all into tongue! — But I see you all respect her as well as I; so I need not make apology to the rest of you young ladies, for the distinction paid to her. I wish I had as many nephews as there are ladies of ye disengaged: by mercy, we would be all of kin.

Thank you, Sir Rowland, said each of the young ladies, smiling, and diverted at his oddity.

But as to my observation, continued the knight, that none but the giddy love at first sight; there is no general rule without exception, you know: every man must love you at first sight. Do I not love you myself? and yet never did I see you before, nor any-body like you.

You know not what you do, Sir Rowland, to raise thus the vanity of a poor girl. How may you make conceit and pride run away with her, till she become contemptible for both in the eye of every person whose good opinion is worth cultivating ?

Ad’s-my-life, that’s prettily said! But let me tell you, that the she who can give this caution in the midst of her praisings, can be in no danger of being run away with by her vanity. Why, madam! you extort praises from me! I never ran on so glibly in praise of mortal woman before. You must cease to look, to smile, to speak, I can tell you, if you would have me cease to praise you!

‘Trs well you are not a young man, Sir Rowland, said Miss Allestree. You seem to have the art of engaging a woman’s attention. You seem to know how to turn her own artillery against her; and, as your sex generally do, to exalt her in courtship, that you may have it in your power to abase her afterwards.

Why, madam, I must own, that we men live to sixty, before we know how to deal with you ladies, or with the world either; and then we are not fit to engage with the one, and are ready to quit the other. An old head upon a young pair of shoulders would make rare work among ye. But to the main point (looking very kindly on me): I ask no questions about you, madam. Fortune is not to be mentioned. I want you not to have any. Not that the lady is the worse for having a fortune: and a man may stand a chance for as good a wife among those who have fortunes, as among those who have none. I adore you for your frankness of heart. Be all of a piece now, I beseech you. You are disengaged, you say: Will you admit of a visit from my nephew? My boy may be bashful. True love is always mo-dest and diffident. You don’t look as if you would dislike a man for being modest. And I will come along with him myself’.

And then the old knight looked important, as one who, if he lent his head to his nephew’s shoulders, had no doubt of succeeding.

What, Sir Kowland! admit of a visit from your nephew, in order to engage him in a three years courtship? I have told you that I intend not to marry till I am twenty-four.

Twenty-four, I must own, is the age of marriage I should choose for a lady; and for the reasons aforesaid. — But, now I think of it, I did not tell you my reasons — These be they — f2

Down went his cup and saucer; up went his left hand ready spread, and his crooked finger of his right hand, as ready to enumerate.

No doubt, Sir Rowland, you have very good rea-sons.

But, madam, you must hear them — And I shall prove —

I am convinced, Sir Rowland, that twenty-four is an age early enough.

But I shall prove, madam, that you are twenty, or twenty — one —

Enough, enough, Sir Rowland: What need of proof when one is convinced?

But you know not, madam, what I was driving at —

Well but, Sir Rowland, said Miss Bramber, will not the reasons you could give for the proper age at twenty-four, make against yourwishes in this case?

They will make against them, madam, in general cases: but in this particular case they will make for me: for the lady before me is —

Not in my opinion, perhaps, Sir Rowland, will your reasons make for you: and then your exception in my favour will signify nothing. And besides, you must know, that I never can accept of a compliment that is made me at the expence of my sex.

Well then, madam, I hope you forbid me in fa-vour to my plea. You are loth to hear any-thing for twenty-four against twenty-one, I hope?

That is another point, Sir Rowland.

Why, madam, you seem to be afraid of hearing my reasons. No man living knows better than I, how to behave in ladies’ company. I believe 1 should not be so little of a gentleman, as to offend the nicest ear. No need indeed! no need indeed! looking archly; ladies on certain subjects are very quick.

That is to say, Sir Rowland, interrupted Mrs. Reeves, that modesty is easily alarmed.

If any-thing is said, or implied, upon certain sub-jects, that you would not be thought to understand, ladies know how to be ignorant.

And then he laughed.

Undoubtedly, Sir Rowland, said I, such company as this need not be apprehensive, that a gentleman like you, should say any-thing unsuitable to it. But do you really think affected ignorance can be ever graceful, or a proof of true delicacy? Let me ra-ther say, That a woman of virtue would be wanting to her character, if she had not courage enough to express her resentment of any discourse that is meant as an insult upon modesty.

Admirably said again! But men will sometimes forget, that there are ladies in company.

Very favourably put for the men, Sir Rowland. But pardon me, if 1 own, that I should have a mean opinion of a man, who allowed himself to talk even to men what a woman might not hear. A pure heart whether in man or woman, will be always, in every company, on every occasion, pure.

Ad’s-my-life, you have excellent notions, madam! i wanted to hear you speak just now: and now you make me, and every one else, silent — Twenty-one! why what you say would shame sixty-one. You must have kept excellent company all your life! — Mercy! if ever I heard the like from a lady so young! — What a glory do you reflect back upon all who had any hand in your education! Why was I not born within the past thirty years? I might then have had some hopes of you myself! — And this brings me to my former subject, of my nephew — But, Mr. Reeves, one word with you, Mr. Reeves. I beg your par-don, ladies: but the importance of the matter will f3 excuse me: and I must get out of town as soon as I can — One word with you, Mr. Reeves.

The gentlemen withdrew together: for breakfast by this time was over. And then the knight opened all his heart to Mr. Reeves, and besought his inte-rest. He would afterwards have obtained an audi — ence, as he called, of me: but the three young la — dies having taken leave of us, and Mrs. Reeves and I being retired to dress, I excused myself.

He then desired leave to attend me tomorrow evening: but Mr. Reeves pleading engagements till Monday evening, he besought him to indulge him with his interest in that long gap of time, as he called it, and for my being then in the way.

And thus, Lucy, have I given you an ample ac-count of what has passed with regard to this new servant; as gentlemen call themselves, in order to become our masters.

’Tis now Friday morning. We are just setting out to dine with Lady Betty. If the day furnishes me with any amusing materials for my next pacquet, its agreeableness will be doubled to

Your ever-affectionate

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter X.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Friday night. Some amusement, my Lucy, the day has afforded: indeed more than I could have wished. A large pacquet, however, for Selby-house.

Lady Betty received us most politely. She had company with her, to whom she introduced us, and presented me in a very advantageous character.

Shall I tell you how their first appearance struck me, and what I have since heard and observed of them?

The first I shall mention was Miss Cantillon; very pretty; but visibly proud, affected, and conceited.

The second Miss Clements; plain; but of a fine understanding, improved by reading; and who having no personal advantages to be vain of, has, by the cultivation of her mind, obtained a preference in every one’s opinion over the fair Cantillon.

The third was Miss Barnevelt, a lady of mas-culine features, and whose mind belied not those features; for she has the character of being loud, bold, free, even fierce when opposed; and affects at all times such airs of contempt of her own sex, that one almost wonders at her condescending to wear petticoats.

The gentlemen’s names were Walden and Sin-gleton; the first, an Oxford scholar of family and fortune; but quaint and opinionated, despising every one who has not had the benefit of an university education.

Mr. Singleton is a harmless man; who is, it seems, the object of more ridicule, even down to his very name, among all his acquaintance, than I think he by any means ought, considering the apparent inoffensiveness of the man, who did not give himself his intellects; and his constant good-humour, which might intitle him to better quarter; the rather too as he has one point of knowledge, which those who think themselves his superiors in understanding do not always attain, the knowledge of himself; for he is humble, modest, ready to confess an inferiority to every one: and as laughing at a jest is by some taken for high applause, he is ever the first to bestow that commendation on what others say; though it must be owned, he now and then mistakes for a jest what is none: which, however, may be gene-rally more the fault of the speakers than of Mr. Singleton; since he takes his cue from their smiles, especially when those are seconded by the laugh of one of whom he has a good opinion.

Mr. Singleton is in possession of a good estate, which makes amends for many defects; he has a turn, it is said, to the well-managing of it; and no-body understands his own interest better than he; by which knowledge, he has opportunities to lay obligations upon many of those, who behind his back think themselves intitled by their supposed superior sense to deride him: and he is ready enough to oblige in this way: but it is always on such se-curities, that he has never given cause for spend — thrifts to laugh at him on that account.

It is thought that the friends of the fair Cantillon would not be averse to an alliance with this gentle-man: while I, were I his sister, should rather wish, that he had so much wisdom in his weakness, as to devote himself to the worthier Pulcheria Clements (Lady Betty’s wish as well as mine) whose fortune, though not despicable, and whose humbler views, would make her think herself repaid, by his fortune, the obligation she would lay him under by her ac-ceptance of him.

Nobody, it seems, thinks of a husband for Miss Barnevelt. She is sneeringly spoken of rather as a young Jbllotv, than as a woman; and who will one day look out for a wife for herself. One reason indeed, she every-where gives, for being satisfied with being a woman; which is, that she cannot be married to a WOMAN.

An odd creature, my dear. But see what women get by going out of character. Like the bats in the fable, they are looked upon as mortals of a doubtful species, hardly owned by either, and laughed at by both.

This was the company, and all the company, besides us, that Lady Betty expected. But mutual civilities had hardly passed, when Lady Betty, having been called out, returned, introducing, as a gen — tleman who would be acceptable to every one, Sir Hargrave Pollexfen. He is, whispered she to me, as he saluted the rest of the company, in a very gallant manner, a young baronet of a very large estate, the greatest part of which has lately come to him by the death of a grandmother, and two uncles, all very rich.

When he was presented to me, by name, and I to him, I think myself very happy, said he, in being admitted to the presence of a young lady so cele-brated for her graces of person and mind. Then, addressing himself to Lady Betty, Much did I hear, when I was at the last Northampton races, of Miss Byron: but little did I expect to find report fall so short of what I see.

Miss Cantillon bridled, played with her fan, and looked as if she thought herself slighted: a little scorn intermingled with the airs she gave her-self.

Miss Clements smiled, and looked pleased, as if she enjoyed, good-naturedly, a compliment made to one of the sex which she adorns by the goodness of her heart.

Miss Barnevelt said, she had, from the moment I first entered, beheld me with the eye of a lover. And freely taking my hand, squeezed it. — Charming creature! said she, as if addressing a country innocent, and perhaps expecting me to be covered with blushes and confusion.

The baronet, excusing himself to Lady Betty, assured her, that she must place this his bold intru-sion to the account of Miss Byron; he having been told that she was to be there.

Whatever were his motive, Lady Betty said, he did her favour; and she was sure the whole company would think themselves doubly obliged to Miss Byron.

The student looked as if he thought himself eclipsed by Sir Hargrave, and as if, in revenge, he was putting his fine speeches into Latin, and trying them by the rules of grammar; a broken sentence from a classic author bursting from his lips; and, at last, standing up, half on tip-toe (as if he wanted to look down upon the baronet) he stuck one hand in his side, and passed by him, casting a contemptuous eye on his gaudy dress.

Mr. Singleton smiled, and looked as if delighted with all he saw and heard. Once indeed he tried to speak: his mouth actually opened, to give pas-sage to his words; as sometimes seems to be his way before the words are quite ready: but he sat down satisfied with the effort.

It is true, people who do not make themselves contemptible by affectation should not be despised. Poor and rich, wise and unwise, we are all links of the same great chain. And you must tell me, my dear, if I, in endeavouring to give true descriptions of the persons I see, incur the censure I pass on others who despise any one for the defects they cannot help.

Will you forgive me, my dear, if I make this letter as long as my last?

No, say.

Well then, I thank you for a freedom so consistent with our friendship: and conclude with assur — ances, that I am, and ever will be,

Most affectionately yours,

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XI.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

It was convenient to me, Lucy, to break off just where I did in my last; else I should not have been so very self-denying as to suppose you had no cu-riosity to hear, what undoubtedly I wanted to tell. Two girls talking over a new set of company, would my uncle Selby say, are not apt to break off very abruptly; not she especially of the two, who has found out a fair excuse to repeat every compliment made to herself; and when perhaps there may be a new admirer in the case.

May there so, my uncle? And which of the gen-tlemen do you think the man? The baronet, 1 suppose, you guess. — And so he is.

Well then, let me give you, Lucy, a sketch of him. But consider; I form my accounts from what I have since been told, as well as from what I observed at the time.

Sir Hargrave Pollexfen is handsome and genteel; pretty tall, about twenty-eight or thirty. His complexion is a little of the fairest for a man, and a little of the palest. He has remarkably bold eyes; rather approaching to what we would call goggling: and he gives himself airs with them as if he wished to have them thought rakish: perhaps as a recom-mendation, in his opinion, to the ladies. Lady Betty, on his back being turned, praising his per-son, Miss Cantillon said, Sir Hargrave had the finest eyes she ever saw in a man. They were manly, meaning ones.

He is very voluble in speech; but seems to owe his volubility more to his want of doubt, than to the extraordinary merit of what he says. Yet he is thought to have sense; and if he could prevail upon himself to hear more, and speak less, he would better deserve the good opinion he thinks himself sure of. But as he can say any-thing without hesi-tation, and excites a laugh by laughing himself at all he is going to say, as well as at what he has just said, he is thought infinitely agreeable by the gay, and by those who wish to drown thought in merriment.

Sir Hargrave, it seems, has travelled: but he must have carried abroad with him a great number of follies, and a great deal of affectation, if he has left any of them behind him.

But, with all his foibles, he is said to be a man of enterprize and courage; and young women, it seems, must take care how they laugh with him: for he makes ungenerous constructions to the disadvantage of a woman whom he can bring to seem pleased with his jests.

I will tell you hereafter, how I came to know this, and even worse, of him.

The taste of the present age seems to be dress; no wonder, therefore, that such a man as Sir Har-grave aims to excel in it. What can be misbe — stowed by a man on his person, who values it more than his mind? But he would, in my opinion, bet-ter become his dress, if the pains he undoubtedly takes before he ventures to come into public, were less apparent: this I judge from his solicitude to preserve all in exact order, when in company; for he forgets not to pay his respects to himself at every glass; yet does it with a seeming consciousness, as if he would hide a vanity too apparent to be concealed; breaking from it, if he finds himself ob — served, with a half-careless yet seemingly dissatis — fied air, pretending to have discovered something amiss in himself. This seldom fails to bring him a compliment: of which he shows himself very sen-sible, by affectedly disclaiming the merit of it; per — haps with this speech, bowing with his spread hand on his breast, waving his head to and fro — By my soul, Madam (or Sir) you do me too much honour.

Such a man is Sir Hargrave Pollexfen.

He placed himself next to the country girl; and laid himself out in fine speeches to her, running on in such a manner, that I had not for some time an opportunity to convince him, that I had been in company of gay people before. He would have it that I was a perfect beauty, and he supposed me very young — very silly of course: and gave him-self such airs, as if he were sure of my admiration.

I viewed him steadily several times; and my eye once falling under his, as I was looking at him, I dare say, he at that moment pitied the poor fond heart, which he supposed was in tumults about him; when, at the very time, I was considering whether, if I were obliged to have the one or the other, as a punishment for some great fault I had committed, my choice would fall on Mr. Singleton, or on him. I mean, supposing the former were not a remarkably obstinate man; since obstinacy in a weak man, I think, must be worse than tyranny in a man of sense. — If indeed a man of sense can be a tyrant.

A summons to dinner relieved me from his more particular addresses, and placed him at a distance from me.

Sir Hargrave, the whole time of dinner, received advantage from the supercilious looks and behaviour of Mr. Walden; who seemed, on every-thing the baronet said (and he was seldom silent) half to despise him; for he made at times so many different mouths of contempt, that I thought it was impossi-ble for the same features to express them. I have been making mouths in the glass for several mi-nutes, to try to recover some of Mr. Walden’s, in order to describe them to you, Lucy; but I cannot for my life so distort my face as to enable me to give you a notion of one of them.

He might perhaps have been better justified in some of his contempts, had it not been visible, that the consequence which he took from the baronet, he gave to himself; and yet was as censurable one way, as Sir Hargrave was the other.

Mirth, however insipid, will occasion smiles; though sometimes to the disadvantage of the mirth-ful. But gloom, severity, moroseness, will always disgust, though in a Solomon. Mr. Walden had not been taught that: and indeed it might seem a little ungrateful [don’t you think so, Lucy?] if wo-men failed to reward a man with their smiles, who scrupled not to make himself a — monkey (shall I say?) to please them.

Never before did 1 see the difference between the man of the town, and the man of the college, displayed in a light so striking as in these two gentle — men in the conversation after dinner. The one seemed resolved not to be pleased; while the other laid himself out to please every-body; and that in a manner so much at his own expence, as frequently to bring into question his understanding. By a second silly thing he banished the remembrance of the first; by a third the second; and so on; and by continually laughing at his own absurdities, left us at liberty to suppose that his folly was his choice; and that, had it not been to divert the company, he would have made a better figure.

Mr. Walden, as was evident by his scornful brow, by the contemptuous motions of his lip, and by his whole face affectedly turned from the baronet, grudged him the smile that sat upon every one’s countenance; and for which, without distinguishing whether it was a smile of approbation or?iot, he looked as if he pitied us all, and as if he thought himself cast into unequal company. Nay twice or thrice he addressed himself, in preference to every one else, to honest simpering Mr. hingleton: who, for his part, as was evident, much better relished the baronet’s flippancies, than the dry significance of the student. For, whenever Sir Hargrave spoke, Mr. Singleton’s mouth was open: but it was quite otherwise with him, when Mr. W alden spoke, even at the time that he paid him the distinction of ad-dressing himself to him, as if he were the principal person in the company.

But one word, by the bye, Lucy — Don’t you think it is very happy for us foolish women, that the generality of the lords of the creation are not much wiser than ourselves? Or, to express myseif in other words, That owr-wisdom is as foolish a thing to the full, as moderate folly! — But, hush! I have done. — I know that at this place my uncle will be ready to rise against me.

After dinner, Mr. Walden, not choosing to be any longer so egregiously eclipsed by the man of the town, put forth the scholar

By the way, let me ask my uncle, if the word scholar means not the learner, rather than the learned? If it originally means no more, I would suppose that formerly the most learned men were the most modest, contenting themselves with being thought but learners; for as my revered first instructor used to say, the more a man knows, the more he will find he has to know.

Pray, Sir Hargrave, said Mr. Walden, may I ask you — You had a thought just now, speaking of love and beauty, which I know you must have from Tibullus [and then he repeated the line in an heroic accent; and, pausing, looked round upon us women]

Which university had the honour of finishing your studies, Sir Hargrave? I presume you were brought up at one of them.

Not I, said the baronet: A man, surely, may read Tibullus, and Virgil too, without being indebted to either university for his learning.

No man, Sir Hargrave, in my humble opinion [with a decisive air he spoke the word humble’] can be well-grounded in any branch of learning, who has not been at one of our famous universities.

I never yet proposed, Mr. Walden, to qualify myself for a degree. My chaplain is a very pretty fellow. He understands Tibullus, I believe [immoderately laughing, and by his eyes cast in turn upon each person at table, bespeaking a general smile] — And of Oxford, as you are.

And again he laughed: but his laugh was then such a one as rather shewed ridicule than mirth: a provoking laugh, such a one as Mr. Greville often affects when he is in a disputing humour, in order to dash an opponent out of countenance, by getting the laugh, instead of the argument, on his side.

My uncle, you know, will have it sometimes, that his girl has a satirical vein. I am afraid she has — But this I will say for her: she means no ill-nature: she loves every-body: but not their faults: as her uncle in his letter tells her. Nor wishes to be spared for her own. Nor, very probably, is she, if those who see her, write of her to their chosen friends as she does to hers, of them.

Shall I tell you what I imagine each person of the company I am writing about (writing in cha-racter) would say of me to their correspondents? — It would be digressing too much, or I would.

Mr. Walden in his heart, I dare say, was re-venged on the baronet. He gave him such a look, as would have grieved me the whole day, had it been given me by one whom I valued.

Sir Hargrave had too much business for his eyes with the ladies, in order to obtain their counte-nance, to trouble himself about the looks of the men. And indeed he seemed to have as great a contempt for Mr. Walden, as Mr. Walden had for him.

But here I shall be too late for the post. Will this stuff go down with you at Selby-house, in want of better subjects?

Every-thing from you, my Harriet —

Thank you! thank you, all, my indulgent friends! So it ever was. Trifles from those we love, are ac-ceptable. May I deserve your love.

Adieu, my Lucy! — But tell my Nancy, that she has delighted me by her letter.

H. B.


Letter XII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

What is your opinion, my charming Miss Byron? said the baronet: May not a man of fortune, who has not received his education and polish [he pronounced the word polish with an emphasis, and another laugh] at an university, make as good a figure in social life, and as ardent a lover, as if he had?

I would have been silent: but, gazing in my face, he repeated, What say you to this, Miss Byron?

The world, Sir Hargrave, I have heard called an university: but, is it not an obvious truth, that nei-ther a learned, nor what is called a fine education, has any other value than as each tends to improve the morals of men, and to make them wise and good? g3

The world an university! replied Mf. Walden. Why, truly, looking up to Sir Hargrave’s face, and then down to his feet, disdainfully, as if he would measure him with his eyes, I cannot but say, twisting his head on one side, and with a drolling accent, that the world produces very pretty scholars — for the ladies —

The baronet took fire at being so contemptuously measured by the eye of the student; and I thought it was not amiss, for fear of high words between them, to put myself forward.

And are not women, Mr. Walden, resumed I, one half in number, though not perhaps in value, of the human species? — Would it not be pity, Sir, if the knowledge that is to be obtained in the lesser university should make a man despise what is to be acquired in the greater, in which that knowledge was principally intended to make him useful?

This diverted Sir Hargrave’s anger: Well, Mr. Walden, said he, exultingly rubbing his hands, what say you to the young lady’s observation? By my soul it is worth your notice. You may carry it down with you to your university; and the best scholars there will not be the worse for attending to it.

Mr. Walden seemed to collect himself, as if he were inclined to consider me with more attention than he had done before; and waving his hand, as if he would put by the baronet, as an adversary he had done with, I am to thank you, madam, said he, it seems, for your observation. And so the lesser university —

I have great veneration, Mr. Walden, interrupted I, for learning, and great honour for learned men — But this is a subject —

That you must not get off from, young lady.

I am sorry to hear you say so, Sir — But indeed I must.

The company seemed pleased to see me so likely to be drawn in; and this encouraged Mr. Walden to push his weak adversary.

Know you, madam, said he, any-thing of the learned languages?

No, indeed, Sir — Nor do I know which, particu-larly, you call so.

The Greek, the Latin, madam.

Who, I, a woman, know any-thing of Latin and Greek! I know but one lady who is mistress of both; and she finds herself so much an owl among the birds, that she wants of all things to be thought to have unlearned them.

Whj’, ladies, I cannot but say, that I should ra-ther choose to marry a woman whom I could teach something, than one who would think herself quali-fied to teach me.

Is it a necessary consequence, Sir, said Miss Cle-ments, that knowledge, which makes a man shine, should make a woman vain and pragmatical? May not two persons, having the same taste, improve each other? Was not this the case of Monsieur and Madame Dacier?

Flint and steel to each other, added Lady Betty.

Turkish policy, I doubt, in you men, proceeded Miss Clements — No second brother near the throne. That empire some think the safest which is founded in ignorance.

We know, Miss Clements, replied Mr. Walden, that you are a well-read lady. But I have nothing to say to observations that are in every-body’s mouth — Pardon me, madam.

Indeed, Sir, said Mr. Reeves, I think Miss Cle-ments should not pardon you. There is, in my opi — nion, great force in what she said.

But I have a mind to talk with this fair lady, your cousin, Mr. Reeves. She is the very woman that 1 wish to hold an argument with, on the hints she threw out.

Pardon me, Sir. But I cannot return the compliment. I cannot argue.

And yet, madam, I will not let you go offso easily. You seem to be very happy in your elocution, and to have some pretty notions, for so young a lady.

I cannot argue, Sir.

Dear Miss Byron, said Sir Hargrave, hear what Mr. Walden has to say to you.

Every one made the same request. I was silent, looked down, and played with my fan.

When Mr. Walden had liberty to say what he pleased, he seemed at a loss himself, for words.

At last, I asked you, madam, I asked you (hesi-tatingly began he) whether you knew any-thing of the learned languages? It has been whispered to me, that you have had great advantages from a grand-father, of whose learning and politeness we have heard much. He was a scholar. He was of Christ-church, in our university, if I am not mistaken — To my question you answered, That you knew not particularly which were the languages that I called the learned ones: and you have been pleased to throw out hints in relation to the lesser and the greater university; by all which you certainly mean something —

Pray, Mr. Walden, said I—

And pray, Miss Byron — I am afraid of all smattercrs in learning. Those who know a little — and ladies cannot know to the bottom — The\ have not the happiness of an university edu-cation —

Nor is every man at the university, I presume, Sir, a Mr. Walden. my Lucy! I have since been told, that this pragmatical man has very few admirers in the uni-versity to which, out of it, he is so fond of boast — ing a relation.

He took what I said for a compliment — Why, as to that, madam — bowing — But this is a misfortune to ladies, not a fault in them — But, as I was going to say, Those who know little, are very seldom sound, are very seldom orthodox, as we call it, whether respecting religion or (earning; and as it seems you lost your grandfather too early to be well-grounded in the latter (in the former Lady Betty, who is my informant, says, you are a very good young lady) I should be glad to put you right if you happen to be a little out of the way.

I thank you, Sir, bowing, and (simpleton!) still playing with my fan. But, though Mr. Reeves said nothing, he did not think me very politely treated. Yet he wanted, he told me afterwards, to have me drawn out.

He should not have served me so, I told him; especially among strangers, and n:en.

Now, madam, will you be pleased to inform me, said Mr. Walden, whether you had any particular meaning, when you answered, that you knew not which I called the learned languages? You must know, that the Latin and Greek are of those so called.

I beg, Mr. Walden, that 1 may not be thus singled out — Mr. Reeves — Sir — yon have had an university education. Pray relieve your cousin.

Mr. Reeves smiled; bowed his head; but said nothing.

You were pleased, madam, proceeded Mr. Wal-den, to mention one learned lady; and said that she looked upon herself as an owl among the birds. — 5

And you, Sir, said, that you had rather (and I believe most men are of your mind) have a woman you could teach —

Than one who would suppose she could teach me — I did so.

Well, Sir, and would you have me be guilty of an ostentation that would bring me no credit, if I had had some pains taken with me in my education? But indeed, Sir, I know not any-thing of those you call the learned languages. Nor do I take all learning to consist in the knowledge of languages*.

* This argument is resumed, Vol. XIV. by a more compe-tent judge both of learning and languages than Mr. Walden.

All learning! — Nor I, madam — But if you place not learning in language, be so good as to tell us what you do place it in?

He nodded his head with an air, as if he had said, This pretty Miss has got out of her depth: I believe I shall have her now.

I would rather, Sir, said I, be a hearer than a speaker; and the one would better become me than the other. I answered Sir Hargrave, because he thought proper to apply to me.

And I, madam, apply to you likewise.

Then, Sir, I have been taught to think, that a learned man and a linguist may very well be two persons +.

+ In other words, that science or knowledge, and not language merely, is learning.

Be pleased to proceed, madam.

Languages, undoubtedly, Sir, are of use, to let us into the knowledge for which so many of the antients were famous — But —

Here I stopt Every one’s eyes were upon me. I was a little out of countenance.

In what a situation, Lucy, are we women? — If we have some little genius, and have taken pains to cultivate it, we must be thought guilty of affectation, whether we appear desirous to conceal it, or submit to have it called forth.

But, what, madam? Pray proceed, eagerly said Mr. Walden — But, what, madam?

But have not the moderns, Sir, if I must speak, the same advantages which the antients had, and some which they had not? The first great genius’s of all had not human example, had not human precepts —

Nor were the first genius’s of all (with an empha-sis, replied Mr. Walden) so perfect, as the observa — tions of the genius’s of after-times, which were built upon their foundations, made them; and they others. Learning, or knowledge, as you choose to call it, was a progressive thing: and it became necessary to understand the different languages in which the sages <jf antiquity wrote, in order to avail ourselves of their learning.

Very right, Sir, I believe. You consider skill in languages than as a vehicle to knowledge — Not, I presume, as science itself.

I was sorry the baronet laughed; because his laughing made it more difficult for me to get off, as I wanted to do.

Pray, Sir Hargrave, said Mr. Walden, let not every thing that is said be laughed at. I am fond of talking to this young lady; and a conversation upon this topic may tend as much to edification, perhaps, as most of the subjects with which wc have been hitherto entertained.

Sir Hargrave took an empty glass, and with it hu-morously rapped his own knuckles, bowed smiled, and was silent; by that act of yielding, which had gracefulness in it, gaining more honour to himself, than Mr. Walden obtained by his rebuke of him, however just.

-Novo, madam, if you please, said Mr. Walden (and he put himself into a disputing attitude) a word or two with you, on your vehicle, and-so-forth.

Pray spare me, Sir: I am willing to sit down quietly. I am unequal to this subject. I have done.

But, said the baronet, you must not sit down quietly, madam: Mr. Walden has promised us edi~ Jication; and we all attend the effect of his promise.

No, no, madam, said Mr. Walden, you must not come off so easily. You have thrown out some extraordinary things for a lady, and especially for so young a lady, From you we expect the opinions of your worthy grandfather, as well as your own notions. He no doubt told you, or you have read, that the competition set on foot between the learning of the antients and moderns, has been the sub — ject of much debate among the learned in the latter end of the last century.

Indeed, Sir, I know nothing of the matter. I am not learned. — My grandfather was chiefly intent to make me an English, and, I may say, a Bible scho-lar. I was very young when I had the misfortune to lose him. My whole endeavour has been since, that the pains he took with me, should not be cast away.

I have discovered you, madam, to be a Parthian lady. You can fight flying, I see. You must not, J tell you, come off” so easily for what you have thrown out. Let me ask you, Did you ever read The Tale of a Tub’?

Sir Hargrave laughed out, though evidently in the wrong place.

How apt are laughing spirits, said Mr. Walden, looking solemnly, to laugh, when perhaps they ought — There he stopt — [to be laughed at, I suppose he had in his head.] But I will not, however, be laughed out of my question. — Have you, madam, read Swift’s Tale of a Tub? — There is such a book, Sir Hargrave; looking with an air of contempt at the baronet.

I know there is, Mr. Walden, replied the baronet, and again laughed — Have ymi, madam? to me. Pray let us know what Mr. Walden drives at. I have, Sir.

Why then, madam, resumed Mr. Walden, you no doubt read, bound up with it, The Battle of the Books; a very fine piece, written in favour of the antients, and against the moderns; and thence must be acquainted with the famous dispute I men-tioned. And this will shew you, that the moderns are but pygmies in science compared to the an-tients. And, pray, shall not the knowledge which enables us to understand and to digest the wisdom of these immortal antients be accounted learning? — Pray, madam, nodding his head, answer me that. how these pedants, whispered Sir Hargrave to Mr. Reeves, strut in the livery and brass buttons of the antients, and call their servility learning!

You are going beyond my capacity, Sir. I believe what you say is very just: yet the antients may be read, I suppose, and not understood. — But pray, Sir, let the Parthian fly the field. I promise you that she will not return to the charge. Escape, not victory, is all she contends for.

All in good time, madam — But who, pray, learns the language but with a view to understand the author?

No-body, I believe, Sir. But yet some who read the antients, may fail of improving by them.

I was going to say something further; but the baronet, by his loud and laughing applause, disconcerted me; and I was silent.

And here I must break off till I return from the play: and then, or in the morning early, I will begin on another sheet.


Letter XIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Now, Lucy, will I resume the thread of an argument, that you, perhaps, will not think worth re — membering; yet, as I was called upon by every one to proceed, I would not omit it, were it but to have my uncle’s opinion whether I was not too pert, and too talkative; for my conscience a little reproaches me. You know I have told him, that I will not unbespeak my monitor.

Mr. Walden told me, I seemed to think, that the knowledge we gather from the great antients is hardly worth the pains we take in acquiring the languages in which they wrote.

Not so, Sir. I have great respect even for lin-guists: Do we not owe to them the translation of the sacred books? — But methinks I could wish that such a distinction should be made between language and science, as should convince me, that that confu-sion of tongues, which was intended for a punish — ment of presumption in the early ages of the world, should not be thought to give us our greatest glory in these more enlightened times.

Well, madam, ladies must be treated as ladies. But I shall have great pleasure, on my return to Oxford, in being able to acquaint my learned friends, that they must all turn fine gentlemen, and laughers [jVIr. Reeves had smiled as well as the baronet]] and despise the great antients as men of straw, or very shortly they will stand no chance in the ladies’ favour.

Good Mr. Walden! Good Mr. Walden! laughed the baronet, shaking his embroidered sides, let me, let me, beg your patience, while I tell you, that the young gentlemen at both universities are already in more danger of becoming fine gentlemen than fine scholars.

And then again he laughed; and looking round him, bespoke, in his usual way, a laugh from the rest of the company.

Mr, Reeves, a little touched at the scholar’s re-ference to him, in the word laughers, said, It were to be wished, that, in all nurseries of learning, the manners of youth were proposed as the principal end. It is too known a truth, that the attention paid to languages has too generally swallowed up all other and more important considerations; insomuch that sound morals and good breeding themselves are obliged to give way to that which is of little moment, but as it promotes and inculcates those. And learned men, I am persuaded, if they dared to speak out, would not lay so much stress upon mere lan-guages as you seem to do, Mr. Walden.

Learning here, replied Mr. Walden, a little pee-vishly, has not a fair tribunal to be tried at. As it is said of the advantages of birth or degree, so it may be said of learning; No one despises it that has pretensions to it. But, proceed, Miss Byron, if you please.

Very true, I believe, Sir, said I: But, on the other hand, may not those who have either, or both, value themselves too much on that account?

I knew once, said Miss Clements, an excellent scholar, who thought, that too great a portion of life was bestowed in the learning of languages; and that the works of many of the antients were more to be admired for the stamp which antiquity h 2 has fixed upon them, and for the sake of their purity in languages that cannot alter (and whose works are therefore become the standard of those lan-guages) than for the lights obtained from them by men of genius, in ages that we have reason to think more enlightened, as well by new discoveries as by revelation.

I am even tempted to ask, continued she, Whe-ther the reputation of learning is not oftener ac~ quired by skill in those branches of science which principally serve for amusement to inquisitive and curious minds, than by that in the more useful sort. Here Mr. Walden interrupted her; and turning to me, as to the weaker adversary; yet with an air that had severity in it; I could almost wish, said he (and but almost, as you are a lady) that you* madam, knew the works of the great antients in their original languages.

Something, said Miss Clements, should be left for men to excel in. I cannot but approve of Mr. Wal den’s word almost.

She then whispered me; Pray, Miss Byron, proceed (for she saw me a little out of countenance at Mr. Walden’s severe air) — Strange, added she, still whispering, that people who know least how to argue, should be most eager to dispute. Thank Heaven, all scholars are not like this.

A little encouraged; Pray, Sir, said I, let me ask one question — Whether you do not think that our Milton, in his Paradise Lost, shews himself to be a very learned man? And yet that work is written wholly in the language of his own country, as the works of Homer and Virgil were in that of theirs:— and they, I presume, will be allowed to be learned men. Milton, madam, let me tell you, is infinitely obliged to the great antients; and his very fre-quent allusions to them, and his knowledge of their mythology, shew that he is.

His knowledge of their mythology, Sir! — His own subject so greatly, so nobly, so divinely, above that mythology! — I have been taught to think, by a very learned man, that it was a condescension in Milton to the taste of persons of more reading than genius in the age in which he wrote, to introduce so often as he does, his allusions to the pagan my-thology: and that he neither raised his sublime subject, nor did credit to his vast genius, by it.

Mr. Addison, said Mr. Walden, is a writer ad-mired by the ladies. Mr. Addison, madam, as you will find in your Spectators [sneeringly he spoke this^ gives but the second place to Milton, on comparing some passages of his with some of Homer.

If Mr. Addison, Sir, has not the honour of being admired by the gentlemen, as well as by the ladies, I dare say Mr. Walden will not allow, that his au-thority should decide the point in question: and yet, as I remember, he greatly extols Milton. But I am going out of my depth — Only permit me to say one thing more — If Homer is to be preferred to Milton, he must be the sublimest of writers; and Mr. Pope, admirable as his translation of the Iliad is said to be, cannot have done him justice.

You seem, madam, to be a very deep English scholar. But say you this from your own observation, or from that of any other?

I readily own, that my lights are borrowed, re-plied I. I owe the observation to my godfather Mr. Deane. He is a scholar; but as great an ad-mirer of Milton as of any of the antients. A gen — tleman, his particular friend, who was as great an ad — mirer of Homer, undertook from Mr. Pope’s trans lation of the Iliad, to produce passages that in sub — limity exceeded any in the Paradise Lost. The gentlemen met at Mr. Deane’s house, where I then was. They allowed me to be present; and this was the issue: the gentlemen went away convinced, that the English poet as much excelled the Grecian in the grandeur of his sentiments, as his subject, founded on the Christian system, surpasses the pagan.

The debate, I have the vanity to think, said Mr. Walden, had I been a party in it, would have taken another turn; for I do insist upon it, that without the knowledge of the learned languages* a man cannot understand his own.

I opposed Shakespeare to this assertion: but wished on this occasion, that I had not been a party in this debate; for the baronet was even noisy in his applauses of what I said; and the applause of empty minds always gives one suspicion of having incurred it by one’s over-forwardness.

He drowned the voice of Mr. Walden, who two or three times was earnest to speak; but not finding himself heard, drew up his mouth, as if to a contemptuous whistle, shrugged his shoulders, and sat collected in his own conscious worthiness: his eyes, however, were often cast upon the pictures that hung round the room, as much better objects than the living ones before him.

But what extremely disconcerted me, was a free-dom of Miss Barnevelt’s; taken upon what I last said, and upon Mr. Walden’s hesitation, and Sir Hargrave’s applauses: she professed that I was able to bring her oxvn sex into reputation with her. Wis-dom, as I call it, said she, notwithstanding what you have modestly alleged to depreciate your own, when it proceeds through teeth of ivory, and lips of coral, receives a double grace. And then clasping one of her mannish arms round me, she kissed my cheek.

I was surprised, and offended; and with the more reason, as Sir Hargrave, rising from his seat, declared, that since merit was to be approved in that manner, he thought himself obliged to follow so good an example.

I stood up, and said, Surely, Sir, my compliance with the request of the company, too much I fear at my own expence, calls rather for civility than freedom, from a gentleman. I beg, Sir Hargrave — There I stopt; and I am sure looked greatly in earnest.

He stood suspended till I had done speaking; and then, bowing, sat down again; but, as Mr. Reeves told me afterwards, he whispered a great oath in his ear, and declared, that he beheld with transport his future wife; and cursed himself if he would ever have another; vowing, in the same whisper, that were a thousand men to stand in his way, he would not scruple any means to remove them.

Miss Barnevelt only laughed at the freedom she had taken with me. She is a loud and fearless laugher. She hardly knows how to smile: for as soon as any thing catches her fancy, her voice immediately bursts her lips, and widens her mouth to its full extent. Forgive me, Lucy. I believe I am spiteful.

Lady Betty and Miss Clements, in low voices, praised me for my presence of mind, as they called it, in checking Sir Hargrave’s forwardness.

Just here, Lucy, I laid down my pen, and stept to the glass, to see whether I could not please my-self with a wise frown or two; at least with a solem — nity of countenance, that, occasionally, I might dash with it my childishness of look; which cer-tainly encouraged this freedom of Miss Barnevelt. But I could not please myself. My muscles have never been used to any-thing but smiling: so fa-voured, so beloved, by every one of my friends; a heart so grateful for all their favours — How can I learn now to frown; or even long to look grave?

All this time the scholar sat uneasily-careless.

In the mean time Mr. Reeves, having sent for from his study (his house being near) Bishop Burnet’s History of his own Times, said he would, by way of moderatorship in the present debate, read them a passage, to which he believed all parties would subscribe: and then read what I will tran-scribe for you from the conclusion to that perform — ance:

‘ I have often thought it a great error to waste young gentlemen’s years so long in learning Latin, by so tedious a grammar. I know those who are bred to the profession in literature, must have the Latin correctly; and for that the rules of gram-mar are necessary: but these rules are not at all requisite to those, who need only so much Latin, as thoroughly to understand and delight in the Roman authors and poets.

‘ But suppose a youth had, either for want of me-mory, or of application, an incurable aversion to Latin, his education is not for that to be despaired of: there is much noble knowledge to be had in the English and French languages: geography, history, chiefly that of our own country, the know-ledge of nature, and the more practical parts of the mathematics (if he has not a genius for the demonstrative) may make a gentleman very knowing, though he has not a word of Latin’ [And why, I would fain know, said Mr. Reeves, not a gentlewo-man?]. ‘ There is a fineness of thought, and a no — bleness of expression, indeed, in the Latin authors’ [This makes for your argument, Mr. Walden] ‘ that will make them the entertainment of a man’s whole life, if he once understands and reads them with delight’ [Very well, said Mr. Walden!] But if this can — not be attained to, I would not have it reckoned that the education of an ill Latin scholar is to be given over.’

Thus far the bishop.

We all know, proceeded Mr. Reeves, how well Mr. Locke has treated this subject. And he is so far from discouraging the fair sex from learning languages, that he gives us a method in his Trea-tise of Education, by which a mother may not only learn Latin herself, but be able to teach it to her son. Be not, therefore, ladies, ashamed either of your talents or acquirements. Only take care, you give not up any knowledge that is more laudable in your sex, and more useful, for learning; and then I am sure you will, you must, be the more agreeable, the more suitable companions for it, to men of sense. Nor let any man have so narrow a mind as to be apprehensive for his own prerogative, from a learned woman. A woman who does not behave the better the more she knows, will make her husband uneasy, and will think as well of herself, were she utterly illiterate; nor would any argument convince her of her duty. Do not men marry with their eyes open? And cannot they court whom they please? A conceited, a vain mind in a wo-man cannot be hidden. Upon the whole, I think it may be fairly concluded, that the more a woman knows, as well as a man, the wiser she will generally be; and the more regard she will have for a man of sense and learning.

Here ended Mr. Reeves.

Mr. Walden was silent; yet shrugged up his shoulders, and seemed unsatisfied.

The conversation then took a more general turn, in which every one bore a part. Plays:, fashion, dress, and the public entertainments, were the sub-jects.

Miss Cantillon, who had till now sat a little uneasy, seemed resolved to make up for her silence: but did not shine at all where she thought herself most intitled to make a figure.

But Miss Clements really shone. Yet in the eye of some people, what advantages has folly in a pretty woman, over even wisdom in a plain one? Sir Har-grave was much more struck with the pert things spoken without fear or wit, by Miss Cantillon, than with the just observations that fell from the lips of Miss Clements.

Mr. Walden made no great figure on these fashionable subjects; no, not on that of the plays: for he would needs force into conversation, with a preference to our Shakespeare, his Sophocles, his Euripides, his Terence; of the merits of whose per-formances, how great soever, no one present but Mr. Reeves and himself could judge, except by translations.

Sir Hargrave spoke well on the subject of the reigning fashions, and on modern dress, so much the foible of the present age.

Lady Betty and Mrs. Reeves spoke very properly of the decency of dress, and propriety of fashions, as well as of public entertainments.

Miss Clements put in here also with advantage to herself.

Nor would Mr. Walden be excluded this topic. But, as the observations he made on it, went no deeper than what it was presumed he might have had at second-hand, he made a worse figure here, than he did on his more favourite subject. He was, however, heard, till he was for bringing in his Spar-tan jacket (I forget what he called it) descending only to the knees of the women, in place of hoops; and the Roman toga for the men.

Miss Barnevelt broke in upon the scholar; but by way of approbation of what he said; and went on with subjects of heroism, without permitting him to rally and proceed, as he seemed inclined to do.

After praising what he said of the Spartan and Roman dresses, she fell to enumerating her heroes, both antient and modern. Achilles, the savage Achilles, charmed her. Hector, however, was a good clever man: yet she could not bear to think of his being so mean as to intreat a favour, though of her heroic Achilles. He deserved for it, she said, to have his corpse dragged round the Trojan walls at the wheels of the victor’s chariot. Alexander the Great was her dear creature; and Julius Caesar was a very pretty felloxo.

These were Miss Barnevelt’s antient heroes.

Among the moderns, the great Scanderbeg, our Henry V. Henry IV. of France, Charles XII. of Sweden, and the great Czar Peter, who my grand-father used to say was worth them all, were her fa — vourites.

All this while honest Mr. Singleton had a smile at the service of every speaker, and a loud laugh always ready at the baronet’s.

Sir Hargrave seemed not a little pleased with the honest man’s complaisance; and always directed himself to him, when he was disposed to be merry.

Laughing, you know, my dear, is almost as catching as gaping, be the subject ever so silly; and more than once he shewed by his eyes, that he could have devoured Miss Cantillon for generally adding her affected Te-he (twisting and bridling behind her fan) to his louder Hah, hah, hah, hah.

What a length have I run! How does this narra-tive letter-writing, if one is to enter into minute and characteristic descriptions and conversations, draw one on! — I will leave off for the present: yet have not quite dismissed the company (though I have done with the argument) that I thought to have parted with before I concluded this letter.

But 1 know I shall please my uncle in the livelier parts of it, by the handle they will give him against his poor niece. My grandmother, and aunt Selby, will be pleased, and so will you, my Lucy, with all I write, for the writer’s sake: such is their and your partial love to

Their and your ever-grateful

HARRIET.


Letter XIV.
*Miss Byron. In Continuation.

By the time tea was ready, Lady Betty whisper-ingly congratulated me on having made so consider — able a conquest, as she was sure I had, by Sir Har — grave’s looks.

She took notice also of a gallant expression of his, uttered, as she would have it, with an earnestness that gave it a meaning beyond a common com pliment. My cousin Reeves had asked Miss Cle — ments if she could commend to me an honest, mo — dest man-servant? J, said Sir Hargrave, can. I my — self shall be proud to wear Miss Byron’s livery; and that for life.

Miss Cantillon, who was within hearing of this, and had seemed to be highly taken with the baro-net, could hardly let her eyes be civil to me; and yet her really pretty mouth, occasionally, worked it-self into forced smiles, and an affectation of com plaisance.

Sir Hargrave was extremely obsequious to me all the tea-time; and seemed in earnest a little uneasy in himself: and after tea he took my cousin Reeves into the next room; and there made your Harriet the subject of a serious conversation; and desired his interest with me.

He prefaced his declaration to Mr. Reeves, with assuring him, that he had sought for an opportunity more than once, to be admitted into my company, when he was last at Northampton; and that he had not intruded himself then into this company, had he not heard I was to be there.

He made protestations of his honourable views; which looked as if he thought they might be doubt-ed, if he had not given such assurances. A tacit implication of an imagined superiority, as well in consequence as fortune.

Mr. Reeves told him, It was a rule which all my relations had set themselves, not to interfere with my choice, let it be placed on whom it would.

Sir Hargrave called himself a happy man upon this intelligence.

He afterwards, on his return to company, found an opportunity, as Mrs. Reeves and I were talking at the further part of the room, in very vehement terms, to declare himself to me an admirer of per-fections of his own creation; for he volubly enumer — ated many; and begged my permission to pay his respects to me at Mr. Reeves’s.

Mr. Reeves, Sir Hargrave, said I, will receive what visits he pleases in his own house. I have no permission to give.

He bowed, and made me a very high compliment, taking what I said for a permission, i

What, Lucy, can a woman do with these self-flatterers?

Mr. Walden took his leave: Sir Hargrave his: he wanted, I saw, to speak to me, at his departure; but I gave him no opportunity.

Mr. Singleton seemed also inclined to go, but knew not how; and having lost the benefit of their example by his irresolution, sat down.

Lady Betty then repeated her congratulations. How many ladies, said she, and fine ladies too, have sighed in secret for Sir Hargrave. You will have the glory, Miss Byron, of fixing the wavering heart of a man who has done, and is capable of doing, a great deal of mischief.

The ladies, madam, said I, who can sigh in secret for such a man as Sir Hargrave, must either deserve a great deal of pity, or none at all.

Sir Hargrave, said Miss Cantillon, is a very fine gentleman; and so looked upon, I assure you: and he has a noble estate.

It is very happy, replied I, that we do not all of us like the same person. I mean not to disparage Sir Hargrave; but I have compassion for the ladies who sigh for him in secret. One woman only can be his wife; and perhaps she will not be one of those who sigh for him; especially were he to know that she does.

Perhaps not, replied Miss Cantillon: but I do assure you, that I am not one of those who sigh for Sir Hargrave.

The ladies smiled.

I am glad of it, madam, said I. Every woman should have her heart in her own keeping, till she can find a worthy man to bestow it upon.

Miss Barnevelt took a tilt in heroics.

Well, ladies, said she, you may talk of love and love as much as you please: but it is my glory, that

I never knew what love was. I, for my part, like a brave man, a gallant man: one in whose loud praise fame has cracked half a dozen trumpets. But as to your milksops, your dough-baked lovers, who stay at home and strut among the women, when glory is to be gained in the martial field; I despise them with all my heart. I have often wished that the foolish heads of such fellows as these were cut off in time of war, and sent over to the heroes to fill their cannon with, when they batter in breach, by way of saving ball.

I am afraid, said Lady Betty, humouring this ro-mantic speech, that if the heads of such persons were as soft as we are apt sometimes to think them, they would be of as little service abroad as they are at home.

O, madam, replied Miss Barnevelt, there is a good deal of lead in the heads of these fellows. But were their brains, said the shocking creature, if any they have, made to fly about the ears of an enemy, they would serve both to blind and terrify him.

Even Mr. Singleton was affected with this horrid speech: for he clapt both his hands to his head, as if he were afraid for his brains.

Lady Betty was very urgent with us to pass the evening with her; but we excused ourselves; and when we were in the coach, Mr. Reeves told me, that I should find the baronet a very troublesome and resolute lover, if I did not give him counte-nance.

And so, Sir, said I, you would have me do, as I have heard many a good woman has done, marry a man, in order to get rid of his importunity.

And a certain cure too, let me tell you, cousin, said he, smiling.

We found at home, waiting for Mr. Reeves’s return, Sir John Allestree: a worthy sensible man, of plain and unaffected manners, upwards of fifty.

Mr. Reeves mentioning to him our past enter-tainment and company, Sir John gave us such an account of Sir Hargrave, as helped me not only in the character I have given of him, but let me know that he is a very dangerous and enterprising man. He says, that laughing and light as he is in company, he is malicious, ill-natured, and designing; and sticks at nothing to carry a point on which he has once set his heart. He has ruined, Sir John says, three young creatures already under vows of marriage.

Sir John spoke of him as a managing man, as to his fortune: he said, That though he would, at times, be lavish in the pursuit of his pleasures; yet that he had some narrownesses which made him despised, and that most by those for whose regard a good man would principally wish; his neighbours and tenants.

Couldyouhave thought, my Lucy, that this laughing, fine-dressing man, could have been a man of malice; of resentment; of enterprize; a cruel man? Yet Sir John told two very bad stories of him, besides what I have mentioned, which prove him to be all I have said.

But I had no need of these stories to determine me against receiving his addresses. What I saw of him was sufficient; though Sir John made no man-ner of doubt (on being told by Mr. Reeves, in confidence, of his application to him for leave to visit me) that he was quite in earnest; and making me a compliment, added, that he knew Sir Har-grave was inclined to marry; and the more, as one half of his estate, on failure of issue male, would go at his death to a distant relation whom he hated; but for no other reason than for admonishing him, when a school-boy, on his low and mischievous pranks.

His estate, Sir John told my cousin, is full as considerable as reported. And Mr. Reeves, after Sir John went away, said, What a glory will it be to you, cousin Byron, to reform such a man, and make his great fortune a blessing to multitudes; as I am sure would be your endeavour to do, were you Lady Pollexfen!

But, my Lucy, were Sir Hargrave king of one half of the globe, I would not go to the altar with him.

But if he be a very troublesome man, what shall I say to him? I can deal pretty well with those, who will be kept at arms length; but I own, I should be very much perplexed with resolute wretches. The civility I think myself obliged to pay every one who professes a regard for me, might subject me to inconveniencies with violent spirits, which, protected as I have been by my uncle Selby, and my good Mr. Deane, I never yet have known. O my Lucy, to what evils, but for that protection, might not I, a sole, an independent young woman, have been exposed? Since men, many men, are to be looked upon as savages, as wild beasts of the desert; and a single and independent woman they hunt after as their proper prey.

To have done with Sir Hargrave for the present, and I wish I may be able to say for ever; Early in the morning, a billet was brought from him to Mr. Reeves, excusing himself from paying him a visit that morning (as he had intended) by reason of the sudden and desperate illness of a relation, whose seat was near Reading, with whom he had large concerns, and who was desirous to see him before he died. As it was impossible that he could return under three days, which, he said, would t 3 appear as three years to him, and he was obliged to set out that moment; he could not dispense with himself for putting in his claim, as he called it, to Miss Byron’s favour, and confirming his declaration of yesterday. In very high strains, he professed himself her admirer; and begged Mr. and Mrs. Reeves’s interest with her. One felicity, he said, he hoped for from his absence, which was, that as Miss Byron, and Mr. and Mrs. Reeves, would have time to consider of his offers; he presumed to hope he should not be subjected to a repulse.

And now, my Lucy, you have before you as good an account as 1 can give you of my two new lovers.

How I shall manage with them, I know not: but I begin to think that those young women are hap-piest, whose friends take all the trouble of this sort upon them; only consulting their daughters’ inclinations as preliminaries are adjusting.

My friends indeed pay a high compliment to my discretion, when they so generously allow me to judge for myself: and we young women are fond of being our own mistresses: but I must say, that to me this compliment has been, and is, a painful one; for two reasons; That I cannot but consider their goodness as a task upon me, which requires my ut-most circumspection, as well as gratitude; and that they have shewn more generosity in dispensing with their authority, than I have done whenever 1 have acted so as to appear, though hit to appear, to accept of the dispensation: let me add besides, that now, when I find myself likely to be addressed to by mere strangers, by men who grew not into my knowledge insensibly, as our neighbours Greville, Fenwick, and Orme, did, I cannot but think it has the appearance of confidence, to stand out to receive, as a creature uncontroulable, the first motions to an address of this awful nature. Awful indeed might it be called, were one’s heart to incline towards a particular person.

Allow me then for the future, my revered grand-mamma, and you, my beloved and equally honoured uncle and aunt Selby, allow me to refer myself to you, if any person offers to whom I may happen to have no strong objections. As to Mr. Fowler, and the baronet, I must noio do as well as I can with them. It is much easier for a young woman to say no, than yes. But for the time to come I will not have the assurance to act for myself. I know your partiality for your Harriet too well, to doubt the merit of your recommendation.

As Mr. and Mrs. Reeves require me to shew them what I write, they are fond of indulging me in the employment: you will therefore be the less surprised that 1 write so much in so little a time, Miss Byron is in her closet; Miss Byron is “writing; is an excuse sufficient, they seem to think, to every-body, because they allow it to be one to them: but besides, I know they believe they oblige you all by the opportunity they so kindly give me of shewing my duty and love where so justly due.

I am, however, surprised at casting my eye back. Two sheets! and such a quantity before! — Uncon-scionable, say; and let me, echo-like, repeat, Unconscionable

HARRIET BYRON.

Sunday night. Letters from Northamptonshire, by Farmer Jen-kins! I kiss the seals. What agreeable things, now, has my Lucy to say to her Harriet? Dis-agreeable ones she cannot write, if all my beloved friends are well.


Letter XV,
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Monday, February 6.

And so my uncle Selby, you tell me, is making observations in writing, on my letters; and waits For nothing more to begin with me, than my conclusion of the conversations that offered at Lady Betty’s.

And is it expected that I should go on furnishing weapons against myself? It is.

Well; with all my heart. As long as I can contribute to his amusement; as long as my grand — mamma is pleased and diverted with what I write, as well as with his pleasantries on her girl; I will proceed.

Well, but will you not, my Harriet, methinks you ask, write with less openness, with more reserve, in apprehension of the rod which you know hangs over your head?

Indeed I will not. It is my glory, that I have not a thought in my heart which I would conceal from any one whom it imported to know it, and who would be gratified by the revealing of it. And yet I am a little chagrined at the wager which you tell me my uncle has actually laid with my grand-mamma, that I shall not return from London with a sound heart.

And does he teaze you, my Lucy, on this subject, with reminding you of your young partiality for Captain Duncan, in order to make good his assertion of the susceptibility of us all?

Why so let him. And why should you deny, that you were susceptible of a natural passion?

You must not be prudish, Lucy. If you are not, all his raillery will lose its force.

What better assurance can I give to my uncle, and to all my friends, that if I were caught, I would own it, than by advising you not to be ashamed to confess a sensibility which is no disgrace, when duty and prudence are our guides, and the object worthy?

Your man indeed was not worthy, as it proved; but he was a very specious creature; and you knew not his bad character, when you suffered liking to grow into love.

But when the love-fever was at the height, did you make any-body uneasy with your passion? Did you run to the woods and groves to record it on the barks of trees? — No! — You sighed in silence indeed: but it was but for a little while. I got your secret from you; not, however, till it betrayed itself in your pined countenance; and then the man’s discovered unworthiness, and your own discretion, enabled you to conquer a passion to which you had given way, supposing it unconquerable, because you thought it would cost you pains to contend with it.

As to myself, you know I have hitherto been on my guard. I have been careful ever to shut the door of my heart against the blind deity, the moment I could imagine him setting his incroaching foot on the threshold, which I think liking may be called. Had he once gained entrance, perhaps I might have come off but simply.

But I hope I am in the less danger of falling in love with any man, as I can be civil and courteous to all. When a stream is sluiced off into several channels, there is the less fear that it will overflow its banks. I really think I never shall be in love with any-body, till duty directs inclination.

Excuse me, Lucy. I do now-and-then, you know, get into a boasting humour. But then my punishment, as in most other cases, follows my fault: my uncle pulls me down, and shews me, that I am not half so good as the rest of my friends think me.

You tell me, that Mr. Greville will be in London in a very few days. I can’t help it. He pretends business, you say; and (since that calls him up) intends to give himself a month’s pleasure in town, and to take his share of the public entertainments. Well, so let him. But I hope that I am not to be either his business or entertainment. After a civil neighbourly visit, or so, I hope, I shall noi. be tormented with him.

What happened once betwixt Mr. Fenwick and him gave me pain enough; exposed me enough, surely! A young woman, though without her own fault, made the occasion of a rencounter between two men of fortune, must be talked of too much for her own liking, or she must be a strange creature. What numbers of people has the unhappy rashness of those two men brought to stare at me? And with what difficulty did my uncle and Mr. Deane bring them into so odd a compromise, as they at last came into, to torment me, as I may call it, by joint consent, notwithstanding all I could say to them; which was the only probable way, shocking creatures! to prevent murder?

But, Lucy, what an odd thing is it in my uncle, to take hold of what I said in one of my letters, that I had a good mind to give you a sketch of what I might suppose the company at Lady Betty’s would say of your Harriet, were each to write her character to their confidents or correspondents, as she has done theirs to you!

I think there is a little concealed malice in my uncle’s command: but I obey.

To begin then — Lady Betty, who owns she thinks favourably of me, I will suppose would write to her Lucy, in such terms as these: But shall I suppose every one to be so happy, as to have her Lucy?

‘ Miss Byron, of whom you have heard Mr. Reeves talk so much, discredits not, in the main, the character he has given her. We must allow a little, you know, for the fondness of relationship.

‘ The girl has had a good education, and owes all her advantages to it. But it is a country and bookish one: and that won’t do every-thing for one of our sex, if any-thing. Poor thing! she never was in town before! — But she seems docile, and, for a country girl, is tolerably genteel: I think, there-fore, I shall receive no discredit by introducing her into the beau monde.’

Miss Clements, perhaps, agreeable to the goodness of her kind heart, would have written thus:

‘ Miss Byron is an agreeable girl: she has invited me to visit her; and I hope I shall like her better and better. She has, one may see, kept worthy persons’ company; and I dare say, will preserve the improvement she has gained by it. She is lively and obliging: she is young; not more than twenty; yet looks rather younger, by reason of a country bloom, which, however, misbecomes her not; and gives a modesty to her first appearance, that prepossesses one in her favour. What a cast-away would Miss Byron be, if knowing so well, as she seems to know, what the duty of others is, she would forget her own!’

Miss Cantillon would perhaps thus write:

‘ There was Miss Harriet Byron of Northamp-tonshire; a young woman in whose favour report has been very lavish. I can’t say that I think her so very extraordinary: yet she is well enough for a country girl. But though I do not impute to her a very pert look, yet if she had not been set up for something beyond what she is, by all her friends, who, it seems, are excessively fond of her, she might have had a more humble opinion of herself than she seems to have when she is set a talking. She may, indeed, make a figure in a country assembly; but in the London world she must be not a little awk-ward, having never been here before.

* I take her to have a great deal of art. But to do her justice, she has no bad complexion: that, you know, is a striking advantage: but to me she has a babyish look, especially when she smiles; yet I suppose she has been told that her smiles become her; for she is always smiling — so like a simpleton, I was going to say!

‘ Upon the whole, I see nothing so engaging in her as to have made her the idol she is with every-body — And what little beauty she has, it cannot last. For my part, were I a man, the clear bru-nette — But you will think I am praising my — self.’

Miss Barnevelt would perhaps thus write to her Lucy — To her Lucy! — Upon my word I will not let her have a Lucy — She shall have a brother man to write to, not a woman, and he shall have a fierce name.

We will suppose, that she also had been describing the rest of the company:

< Well but, my dear Bombardino, I am now to give you a description of Miss Byron. ’Tis the softest, gentlest, smiling rogue of a girl — 1 protest, I could five or six times have kissed her, for what she said, and for the manner she spoke in — for she has been used to prate; a favourite child in her own family, one may easily see that. Yet so pret-tily loth to speak till spoken to! — Such a blushing little rogue! — ’Tis a dear girl, and I wished twenty times as I sat by her, that I had been a man for her sake. Upon my honour, Bombardino, I believe if I had, I should have caught her up, popt her under one of my arms, and run away with her.’

Something like this, my Lucy, did Miss Barnevelt once say.

Having now dismissed the women, I come to Mr. Singleton, Mr. Walden, and Sir Hargrave.

Mr. Walden (himself a Pasquin) would thus per-haps have written to his Marforio:

‘ The first lady, whom, as the greatest stranger, I shall take upon me to describe, is Miss Harriet Byron of Northamptonshire. In her person she is not disagreeable; and most people think her pretty. But, what is prettiness? Why, nevertheless, in a woman, prettiness is — pretty: What other word can I so fitly use of a person, who, though a little sightly, cannot be called a beauty?

‘ I will allow, that we men are not wrong in ad-miring modest women for the graces of their per — sons; but let them be modest; let them return the compliment, and revere us for our capaciousness of mind: and so they will, if they are brought up to know their own weakness, and that they are

K but domestic animals of a superior order. Even ignorance, let me tell you, my Marforio, is pretty in a woman. Humility is one of their principal graces. Women hardly ever set themselves to acquire the knowledge that is proper to men, but they neglect for it, what more indispensably belongs to women. To have them come to their husbands, to their brothers, and even to their lo-vers when they have a mind to know any-thing out of their way, and beg to be instructed and inform-ed, inspireth them with the becoming humility which I have touched upon, and giveth us import-ance with them.

‘ Indeed, my Marforio, there are very few topics that arise in conversation among men, upon which women ought to open their lips. Silence becomes them. Let them therefore hear, wonder, and improve, in silence. They are naturally contentious, and lovers of contradiction’ [something like this Mr. Walden once threw out: and you know who, my Lucy — but I am afraid — has said as much] ‘ and shall we qualify them to be disputants against ourselves?

‘ These reflections, Marforio, are not foreign to my subject. This girl, this Harriet Byron, is ap-plauded for a young woman of reading and obser — vation. But there was another lady present, Miss Clements, who (if there be any merit to a woman in it) appeareth to me to excel her in the compass of her reading; and that upon the strength of her own diligence and abilities; which is not the case with this Miss Harriet; for she, truly, hath had some pains taken with her by her late grandfather, a man of erudition, who had his education among us. This old gentleman, I am told, took it into his head, having no grandson, to give this girl a bookish, turn; but he wisely stopt at her mother-tongue; only giving her a smattering in French and Italian.

‘ As I saw that the eyes of every one were upon her, I was willing to hear what she had to say for herself. Poor girl! she will suffer, I doubt, for her speciousness. Yet I cannot say, all things considered, that she was very malapert: that quality is yet to come. She is young.

‘ I therefore trifled a little with her: and went further than I generally choose to go with the reading species of women, in order to divert an inunda — tion of nonsense and foppery, breaking in from one of the company; Sir Hargrave Pollexfen: of whom more anon.

‘ You know, Marforio, that a man, when he is provoked to fight with an overgrown boy, hath every-body against him: so hath a scholar who engageth on learned topics with a woman. The sex must be flattered at the expence of truth. Many things are thought to be pretty from the mouth of a woman, which would be egregiously weak and silly proceeding from that of a man. His very eminence in learning, on such a contention, would tend only to exalt her, and depreciate himself. As the girl was every-body ‘s favourite, and as the baronet seemed to eye her with particular regard, I spared her. A man would not, you know, spoil a girl’s fortune.’

But how, Lucy, shall I be able to tell what I imagine Sir Hargrave would have written? Can I do it, if I place him in the light of a lover, and not either underdo his character as such, or incur the censure of vanity and conceit?

Well, but are you sure, Harriet, methinks my uncle asks, that the baronet is really and truly so egre — giously smitten with you, as he pretended he was? ‘k2

Why, ay! That’s the thing, Sir!

You girls are so apt to take in earnest the compliments made you by men! —

And so we are. But our credulity, my dear Sir, is a greater proof of our innocence, than men’s professions are of their sincerity. So, let losers speak, and winners laugh.

But let him be in jest, if he will. In jest or in earnest, Sir Hargrave must be extravagant, I ween, in love-speeches. And that I may not be thought wholly to decline this part of my task, I will sup-pose him professing with Hudibras, after he has praised me beyond measure, for graces of his own creation;

The sun shall now no more dispense His own, but Harriet’s influence. Where-e’er she treads, her feet shall set The primrose and the violet: Ali spices, perfumes, and sweet powders, Shall borrow from her breath their odours: Worlds shall depend upon her eye, And when she frowns upon them, die.

And what if I make him address me, by way of apostrophe, shall 1 say? (writing to his friend) in the following strain ?

My faith [my friend’] is adamantine As chains of destiny, I’ll maintain; True, as Apollo ever spoke, Or oracle from heart of oak: Then shine upon me but benignly, With that one, and that other pigsnye; The sun and day shall sooner part, Than love or you shake off my heart.

Well, but what, my Harriet, would honest Mr. Singleton have written, had he written about you?

Why thus, perhaps, my Lucy: and to his grand-mother; for she is living.

* We had rare fun at dinner, and after dinner, my grandmother.

* There was one Miss Barnevelt, a fine tall portly young lady.

* There was Miss Clements, not handsome, but very learned, and who, as was easy to perceive, could hold a good argument, on occasion.

* There was Miss Cantillon; as pretty a young ladv as one would wish to behold in a summer s day.

* And there was one Miss Byron, a Northampton-shire lady, whom I never saw before.

* There was Mr. Walden, a most famous scholar. I thought him very entertaining; for he talked of learning, and such-like things; which I know not so much of as I wish I did; because my want of knowing a little Latin and Greek has made my understanding look less than other men’s. O my grandmother! what a wise man would the being able to talk Latin and Greek have made me! And yet 1 thought that now-and-then Mr. Walden made too great a. fuss about his.

* But there was a rich and noble baronet; richer than me, as they say, a great deal; Sir Hargrove Pollcxfun, if I spell his name right. A charming man! and charmingly dressed! and so many fine things he said, and was so merry, and so facetious, that he did nothing but laugh, as a man may say! And I was as merry as him to the full. W r hy not?

* O my grandmother! What with the talk of the young country lady, that same Miss Byron; for they put her upon talking a great deal; what with the famous scholar; who, however, being a learned man, could not be so merry as us; what with Sir Hargrave (I could live and die with Sir Hargrave: you never knew, my grandmother, such a bright man as Sir Hargrave), and what with one thing, and what with another, we boxed it about, and had rare fun, as I told you — So that when I got home, and went to bed, I did nothing but dream of being in the same company, and three or four times waked myself with laughing.’

There, Lucy! — Will this do for Mr. Singleton? It is not much out of character, I assure you.

Monday afternoon. This knight, this Sir Rowland Meredith! — He is below, it seems; his nephew with him; Sir Row-land, my Sally tells me, in his gold button and but — ton-hole coat, and full-buckled wig; Mr. Fowler as spruce as a bridegroom. — What shall I do with Sir Rowland?

I shall be sorry to displease the good old man; yet how can I avoid it?

Expect another letter next post: and so you will, if I did not bid you; for have I missed one yet? Adieu, my Lucy.

H. B.


Letter XVL
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Monday night, ) Feb  luesdaymorn. J

Sir Rowland and his nephew, tea being not quite read}’, sat down with my cousins; and the knight, leaving Mr. Fowler little to say, expatiated so hand-somely on his nephew’s good qualities, and great passion for me, and on what he himself proposed to do for him in addition to his own fortune, that my cousins, knowing I liked not the gentlemen in our own neighbourhood, and thought very indifferently of Sir Hargrave, were more than half inclined to promote the addresses of Mr. Fowler; and gave them both room to think so.

This favourable disposition set the two gentlemen up. They were impatient for tea, that they might see me.

By the time I had sealed up my letters, word was brought me that tea was ready; and I went down.

The knight, it seems, as soon as they heard me coming, jogged Mr. Fowler. — Nephew, said he, pointing to the door, see what you can say to the primrose of your heart! — This is now the primrose season with us in Caermarthen, Mr. Reeves.

Mr. Fowler, by a stretch of complaisance, came to meet and introduce me to the company, though at home. .The knight nodded his head after him, smiling; as if he had said, Let my nephew alone to galant the lady to her seat.

I was a little surprised at Mr. Fowler’s approaching me the moment 1 appeared, and with his taking my hand, and conducting me to my seat, with an air; not knowing how much he had been raised by the conversation that had passed before.

He bowed. I courtesied, and looked a little sil-lier than ordinary, I believe.

Your servant, young lady, said the knight. Love-lier, and lovelier, by mercy! How these blushes be come that sweet face! — But, forgive me, madam, it is not my intent to dash you.

Writing, Miss Byron, all day! said Mrs. Reeves. We have greatly missed you.

My cousin seemed to say this, on purpose to give me time to recover myself.

I have blotted several sheets of paper, said I, and had just concluded.

I hope, madam, said the knight, leaning forward his whole body, and peering in my face under his bent brows, that tve have not been the cause of has-tening you down.

I stared. But as he seemed not to mean any thing, I would not help him to a meaning by my own over-quickness.

Mr. Fowler had done an extraordinary thing, and sat down, hemmed, and said nothing; looking how-ever, as if he was at a loss to know whether he or his uncle was expected to speak.

The cold weather was then the subject; and the two gentlemen rubbed their hands, and drew nearer the hre, as if they were the colder for talking of it. Many hems passed between them, now the uncle looking on the nephew, now the nephew on the uncle: at last they fell into talk of their new-built house at Caermarthen, and the furnishing of it.

They mentioned afterwards, their genteel neigh-bourhood, and gave the characters of half-a-dozen people, of whom none present but themselves ever heard; but all tending to shew how much they were valued by the best gentry in Caermarthenshire.

The knight then related a conversation that had once passed between himself and the late Lord Mansell, in which that nobleman had complimented him on an estate of a clear 30001. a-year, besides a good deal of ready cash, and with supposing that he would set up his nephew when at age (for it was some years ago) as a representative for the county. And he repeated the prudent answer he gave his lordship, disavowing such a design, as no better than a gaming propensity, as he called it, which had ruined manjr a fair estate.

This sort of talk, in which his nephew could bear a part (and indeed they had it all between them) held the tea-time; and then having given them-selves the consequence they had seemed to intend, the knight, drawing his chair nearer to me, and winking to his nephew, who withdrew, began to set forth to me the young gentleman’s good qualities; to declare the passion he had for me; and to beg my encouragement of so worthy, so proper, and so xvell-favoured a young man; who was to be his sole heir; and for whom he would do such things, on my account, as, during his life, he would not do for any other woman breathing.

There was no answering a discourse so serious with the air of levity which it was hardly possible to avoid assuming on the first visit of the knight.

I was vexed that I found myself almost as bash-ful, as silly, and as silent, as if I had thoughts of encouraging Mr. Fowler’s addresses. My cousins seemed pleased with my bashfulness. The knight I once thought, by the tone of his voice, and his hum, would have struck up a Welsh tune, and danced for joy.

Shall I call in my kinsman, madam, to confirm all I have said, and to pour out his whole soul at your feet? My boy is bashful: but a little favour from that sweet countenance will make a man of him. Let me, let me, call in my boy. I will go for him myself; and was going.

Let me say one word, Sir Rowland — before Mr. Fowler comes in — before you speak to him — You have explained yourself uncxceptionably. I am obliged to you and Mr. Fowler for your good opi-nion: but this can never be.

How, madam! Can never be! — I will allow that you shall take time for half-a-dozen visits, or so, that you may be able to judge of my nephew’s qualities and understanding, and be convinced from bis own mouth, and heart, and soul, as I may say, of his love for you. No need of time for him. He, poor man! is fixed, immoveably fixed: but say you will take a week’s time, or so, to consider what you can do, what youtw// do — and that’s all I at present crave, or indeed, madam, can allow you.

I cannot doubt,?iozv, Sir Rowland, of what my mind will be a week hence, as to this matter.

How, madam! — Why we are all in the suds, then! — Why, Mr. Reeves, Mrs. Reeves! Whew! with a half-whistle — Why, madam, we shall, at this rate., be all untwisted! — But (after a pause) by mercy I will not be thus answered! — Why, madam, would you have the conscience to break my poor boy’s heart? — Come, be as gracious as you look to be — Give me your hand — [he snatched my hand.] In respect to his years I withdrew it not] and give my boy your heart. — Sweet soul! Such sensible, such good-natured mantlings I— Why you can’t be cruel, if you would! — Dear lady I say you will take a little time to consider of this matter. Don’t repeat those cruel words, “ It can never be.” — What have you to object to my boy?

Mr. Fowler, both by character and appearance, Sir Rowland, is a worthy man. He is a modest man; and modesty —

Well, and so he is — Mercy! I was afraid that his modesty would be an objection —

It cannot, Sir Rowland, with a modest woman. I love, I revere, a modest man: but, indeed, I cannot give hope, where I mean not to encourage any.

Your objection, madam, to my nephew? — You must have seen something in him you dislike.

I do not easily dislike, Sir; but then I do not easily like: and I never will marry any man, to whom I can-not be more than indifferent.

Why, madam, he adores you — He —

That, Sir, is an objection, unless I could returnhis love. My gratitude would be endangered.

Excellent notions! — With these notions, madam, you could not be ungrateful.

That, Sir, is a risque I will never run. How many bad wives are there, who would have been good ones, had they not married either to their dislike, or with indifference? Good beginnings, Sir Rowland, are necessary to good progresses, and to happy conclusions.

Why so they are. But beginnings that are not bad, with good people, will make no bad progresses, no bad conclusions.

No bad is not good, Sir Rowland; and in such a world as this, shall people lay themselves open to the danger of acting contrary to their duty? Shall they suffer themselves to be bribed, either by conveniencies, or superfluities, to give their hands, aud leave their hearts doubtful or indifferent? It would not be honest to do so.

You told me, madam, the first time I had the honour to see you, that you were absolutely and bona fide disengaged — I told you truth, Sir.

Then, madam, we will not take your denial. We will persevere. We will not be discouraged! What a deuce! Have I not heard it said, that faint heart never won fair lady?

I never would give an absolute denial, Sir, were I to have the least doubt of my mind, if I couid ba-lance, I would consult my friends, and refer to them; and their opinion should have due weight with me. But for your nephew s sake, Sir Rowland, while his esteem for me is young and conquerable, urge not this matter farther. I would not give pain to a wor-thy heart.

As I hope for mercy, madam, so well do Hike your notions, that if you will be my niece, and let me but converse with you once a day, I will be content with 1001. a-year, and settle upon you all I have in the world.

His eyes glistened; his face glowed; an honest earnestness appeared in his countenance.

Generous man! Good Sir Rowland! said I. I was affected. I was forced to withdraw.

I soon returned, and found Sir Rowland, his hand-kerchief in his hand, applying very earnestly to my cousins: and they were so much affected too, that on his resuming the subject to me, they could not help putting in a word or two on his side of the question.

Sir Rowland then proposed to call in his nephew, that he might speak for himself. My boy may be over-awed by love, madam: true love is always fearful: yet he is no milksop, I do assure you. To men he has courage. How he will behave to yoic y madam, I know not; for, really, notwithstanding that sweetness of aspect, which I should have thought would have led one to say what one would to you (in modesty I mean) I have a kind of I-cannot-tell-what for you myself. Reverence it is not neither, I think — I only reverence my Maker — And yet I believe it is. Why, madam, your face is one of God Almighty’s wonders in a little compass! — Pardon me — You may blush — But be gracious now! — Don’t shew us, that, with a face so encou-ragingly tender, you have a hard heart.

Sir Rowland, you are an excellent advocate: But pray tell Mr. Fowler —

I will call him in — And was rising.

No, don’t. But tell Mr. Fowler, that I regard him on a double account; for his own worth’s sake, and for his uncle’s: but subject me not, I once more entreat you, to the pain of repulsing a worthy man. I repeat, that I am under obligation to him for the value he has for me: I shall be under more, if he will accept of my thanks as all I have to return.

My dear Miss Byron, said Mr. Reeves, oblige Sir Rowland so far, as to take a little time to consider — God bless you on earth and in heaven, Mr. Reeves, for this! You are a good man — Why, ay, take a little time to consider — God bless you, madam, take a little time. Say you will consider. You know not what a man of understanding my nephew is. Why, madam, modest as he is, and awed by his love for you, he cannot shew half the good sense he is mas-ter of.

Modest men must have merit, Sir. But how can you, Mt. Reeves, make a difficult task more diffi-cult? And yet all is from the goodness of your heart. You see, Sir Rowland thinks me cruel: I have no cruelty in my nature. I love to oblige. I wish to match you in generosity, Sir Rowland. — Ask me for any thing but myself, and I will endea-vour to oblige you.

Admirable, by mercy! Why every thing you say, instead of making me desist, induces me to perse-vere. There is no yielding up such a prize, if one can obtain it. Tell me, Mr. Reeves, where there is such another woman to be had, and we may give up Miss Byron: but I hope she will consider of it. — Pray, madam — But I will call in my nephew. And out he went in haste, as if he were afraid of being again forbidden.

Mean time my cousins put it to me — But before I could answer them, the knight, followed by his nephew, returned.

Mr. Fowler entered, bowing in the most repect-ful manner. He looked much more dejected than when he approached me at my first coming down.

His uncle had given him a hint of what had passed between us.

Mr. Fowler and I had but just sat down, when the knight said to Mr. Reeves (but took him not by the button, as in his first visit) one word with you, Sir — Mr. Reeves, one word with you, if you please.

They withdrew together; and presently after Mrs. Reeves went out at the other door; and I was left alone with Mr. Fowler.

We both sat silent for about three or four mi-nutes. 1 thought I ought not to begin; Mr. Fowler knew not how. He drew his chair nearer to me; then sat a little farther off; then drew it nearer again; stroked his ruffles, and hemmed two or three times; and at last, You cannot, madam, but ob-serve my confusion, my concern, my, my, my con fusion! — It is all owing to my reverence, my re — spect, my reverence, for you — hem! — He gave two gentle hems, and was silent.

I could not enjoy the modest man’s awkwardness. — Every feature of his face working, his hands and his knees trembling, and his tongue faltering, how barbarous had I been, if I could — O Lucy, what a disqualifier is love, if such agitations as these are the natural effects of that passion!

Sir Rowland has been acquainting me, Sir, said I, with the good opinion you have of me. I am very much obliged to you for it. I have been telling Sir Rowland —

Ah, madam! Say not what you have been telling Sir Rowland; he has hinted it to me. Imustindeed confess my unworthiness; yet I cannot forbear as-piring to your favour. Who that knows what will make him the happiest of men, however unworthy he may be, can forbear seeking his happiness? I can only say, I am the most miserable of men, if —

Sill CHARLES GRANDISONT. Ill

Good Mr. Fowler, interrupted I, indulge not a hope that cannot be answered. I will not pretend to say, that I should not merit your esteem, if I could return it; because to whomsoever I should give my hand, I would make it a point of duty to deserve his affection: but for that very reason, and that I may have no temptation to do otherwise, I must be convinced in my own mind that there is not a man in the world whom I could value more than him I chose.

He sighed. I was assured, madam, said he, that your heart was absolutely disengaged; on that as-surance I founded my presumptuous hope.

And so it is, Mr. Fowler. 1 have never yet seen a man whom 1 could wish to marry.

Then, madam, may I not hope, that time, that my assiduities, that my profound reverence, my unbounded love —

Mr. Fowler, think me not either insensible or ungrateful. But time, I am sure, can make no alteration in this case. I can only esteem you, and that from a motive which I think has selfishness in it, because you have shewn a regard for me.

No selfishness in this motive, madam; it is amiable gratitude. And if all the services of my life, if all the adoration —

I have a very indifferent notion of sudden impres-sions, Mr. Fowler: but I will not question the sin — cerity of a man I think so worthy. Sir Rowland has been very urgent with me. He has wished me to take time to consider. I have told him I would, if I could doubt: but that I cannot. For your own sake therefore, let me intreat you to place your affections elsewhere. And may you place them happily!

You have, madam, I am afraid, seen men whom you could prefer to me —

Our acquaintance, Mr. Fowler, is very short. It I. 2 would be no wonder if I had. Yet I told you truly, that I never yet saw a man whom I could wish to marry.

He looked down, and sighed.

But, Mr. Fowler, to be still more frank and explicit with you, as I think you a very worthy man; I will own, that were any of the gentlemen 1 have hitherto known to be my lot, it must be, I think, in compassion (in gratitude, I had almost said) one (who nevertheless it cannot be) who has professed a love for me ever since I was a child. A man of honour, of virtue, of modesty; such a man as I believe Mr. Fowler is. His fortune indeed is not so considerable as Sir Rowland says yours will be; but, Sir, as there is no other reason on the comparison, why I should prefer Mr. Fowler to him, 1 should think the worse of myself as long as I lived, if I gave a preference over such a tried affection to fortune only. And now, Sir, I expect that you will make a generous use of my frankness, lest the gentleman, if you should know him, may hear of it. And this I request for his sake, as I think I never can be his; as for yours I have been thus explicit.

I can only say, that I am the most miserable of men! — But will you, madam, give me leave to visit Mr. Reeves now-and-then?

Not on my account, Mr. Fowler. Understand it so; and if you see me, let it be with indifference, and without expectation from me; and I shall always behave myself to you, as to a man who has obliged me by his good opinion.

He bowed: sat in silence: pulled out his hand-kerchief. — 1 pitied him.

But let me ask all you, my friends, who love Mr. Orme, Was I wrong? 1 think I never could love Mr. Fowler, as a wife ought to love her husband — May he meet with a worthy woman who can! And surely so good, so modest a man, and of such an ample fortune, easily may; while it maybe my lot, if ever I marry, to be the wife of a man, with whom I may not be so happy, as either Mr. Orme or Mr. Fowler would probably make me, could I prevail upon myself to be the wife of either — O my uncle! often do I reflect on your mercer’s shop.

Mr.Fowler arose, and walked disconsolately about the room, and often profoundly, and, I believe (not Greville-like) sincerely sighed. His motion soon brought in the knight and Mr. Reeves at one door, and Mrs. lleeves at the other.

Well! What news? What news? — Good, I hope, said the knight with spread hands — Ah my poor boy! Thus a-la-mort! Surely, madam —

There he stopt, and looked wistfully at me; then at my cousins — Mr. Reeves, Mrs. Reeves, speak a good word for my boy. The heart that belongs to that countenance cannot be adamant surely. — Dear young lady, let your power be equalled by your mercy.

Mr. Fowler, Sir Rowland, has too much gene-rosity to upbraid me, I dare say. Nor will you think me either perverse or ungenerous, when he tells you what has passed between us.

Have you given him hope, then? God grant it, though but distant hope! Have you said you will consider — Dear, blessed lady! —

Sir, interrupted I, how good you are to your nephew! How worthily is your love placed on him! What a proof is it of his merit, and of the goodness of your heart! — I shall always have an esteem for you both! Your excuse, Sir Rowland: yours, Mr. Fowler. Be so good as to allow me to withdraw.

I retired to my own apartment, and throwing myself into a chair, reflected on what had passed; after a while recollected myself to begin to write it down for you.

As soon as I had withdrawn, Mr. Fowler with a sorrowful heart, as my cousins told me, related all that 1 had said to him.

Mr. Reeves was so good as to praise me for what he called my generosity to Mr. Orme, as well as for my frankness and civility to Mr. Fowler.

That was the deuce of it, Sir Rowland said, that were they to have no remedy, they could not find any fault in me to comfort themselves with.

They put it over and over to my cousin, Whether time and assiduity might not prevail with me to change my mind? And whether an application to my friends in the country might not, on setting every thing fairly before them, be of service? But Mr. Reeves told them, that now I had opened so freely my mind, and had spoken so unexpectedly, yet so gratefully in favour of Mr. Orme, he feared there could be no hopes.

However, both gentlemen, at taking leave, re-commended themselves to Mr. and Mrs. Reeves for their interests; and the knight vowed that I should not come off so easily.

So much, and adieu, my Lucy, for the addresses of worthy Mr. Fowler. Pray, however, for your Harriet, that she may not draw a worse lot.

Tuesday morning.

At a private concert last night with my cousins and Miss Clements; and again to be at a play this night; I shall be a racketer, I doubt.

Mr. Fowler called here this morning. Mrs. Reeves and I were out on a visit. But Mr. Reeves was at home, and they had a good deal of discourse about me. The worthy man spoke s© despairingly of his success with me, that I hope, for his own sake, I shall hear no more of his addresses; and with the more reason, as Sir Rowland will in a few days set out for Caermarthen.

Sir Rowland called afterwards; but Mr. Reeves was abroad; and Mrs. Reeves and I were gone to Ludgate-hill to buy a gown, which is to be made up in all haste, that 1 may the more fashionably attend Lady Betty Williams to some of the public entertainments. I have been very extravagant; but it is partly my cousin’s fault. I send you inclosed a pattern of my silk. I thought we were high in the fashion in Northamptonshire; but all my clothes are altering, that I may not look frightful, as the phrase is.

But shall I as easily get rid of the baronet, think you, as I hope I have of Mr. Fowler? He is come to town, and by his own invitation (in a card to Mr. Reeves) is to be here tomorrow afternoon. What signifies my getting out of the way? He will see me at another time; and I shall increase my own diffi-culties and his consequence, if he thinks I am afraid of him.


Letter XVII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Wednesday night.

Sir Hargrave came before six o’clock. He was richly dressed. He asked for my cousin Reeves. I was in my closet, writing. He was not likely to be the better received for the character Sir John Allestree gave of him.

He excused himself for coming so early, on the score of his impatience, and that he might have a little discourse with them, if I should be engaged, before tea-time.

Was I within? — I was. — Thank heaven! — I was very good.

So he seemed to imagine that I was at home, in compliment to him.

Shall I give you, from my cousins, an account of the conversation before I went down? You know Mrs. Reeves is a nice observer.

He had had, he told my cousins, a most uneasy time of it, ever since he saw me. The devil fetch him, if he had had one hour’s rest. He never saw a woman before whom he could love as he loved me. By his soul, he had no view, but what was strictly honourable.

He sometimes sat down, sometimes walked about the room, strutting, and now-and-then adjusting something in his dress that nobody else saw wanted it. He gloried in the happy prospects before him: not but he knew I had a little army of admirers: but as none of them had met with encouragement from me, he hoped there was room for him to flatter himself that he might be the happy man.

I told you, Mr. Reeves, said he, that I will give you carte blanche as to settlements. What I do for so prudent a woman, will be doing for myself. I am not used, Mr. Reeves, to boast of my fortune [then, it seems, he went up to the glass, as if his person could not fail of being an additional recom-mendation;] but I will lay before you, or before any of Miss Byron’s friends (Mr. Deane, if she pleases — ) my rent-rolls. There never was a better-conditioned estate. She shall live in town, or in the country, as she thinks fit; and in the latter, at which of my seats she pleases. I know I shall have no will but hers. I doubt not your friendship, Mr. Reeves. I hope for yours, madam. I shall have great plea-SIK CHARLES GRANDISON. 117 sure in the alliance I have in view, with every indi-vidual of your family — As if he would satisfy them of his friendship, in the near relation, as the only matter that could bear a doubt.

Then he ran on upon the part I bore in the conversation at Lady Betty Williams’s — By his soul, only the wisest, the wittiest, the most gracefully modest of women — that was all — Then Ha, ha, ha, hah, poor Walden! What a silly fellow! He had caught a Tar-tar! — Ha, ha, ha, hah — Shaking his head and his gay sides: Devil take him if he ever saw a prig so fairly taken in! — but I was a sly little rogue! — He saw that! — By all that’s good, I must myself sing small in her company! — I will never meet at hard-edge with her — If I did — (and yet I have been thought to carry a good one) 1 should be confoundedly gapped, I can see that. But, continued he, as a woman is more a husband’s than a man is a wife’s [Have all the men this prerogative-notion, Lucy? You know it is a better man’s] I shall have a pride worth boasting of, if I can call such a jewel mine. Poor Walden! — Rot the fellow! — I warrant he would not have so knowing a wife for the world. — Ha, ha, ha, hah! He is right: it is certainly right for such narrow pedants to be afraid of learned wo-men! — Methinks, I see the fellow, conjurer like, circumscribed in a narrow circle, putting into Greek what was better expressed in English; and forbid-ding every one’s approach within the distance of his wand! Hah, hah, hah! — Let me die, if I ever saw a tragi-comical fellow better handled! — Then the faces he made — Did you ever, Mr. Reeves, see in your life, such a parcel of disastrous faces made by one man?

Thus did Sir Hargrave, laughingly, run on; nor left he hardly any-thing for my cousins to say, or to do, but to laugh with him, and to smile at him.

On a message that tea was near ready, I went down. On my entering the room, he addressed me with an air of kindness and freedom: Charming Miss Byron! said he, I hope you are all benignity and compassion. You know not what I have suffered since I had the honour to see you last; bowing very low; then rearing himself up, holding back his head; and seemed the taller for having bowed.

Handsome fop! thought I to myself. I took my seat: and endeavoured to look easy and free, as usual; finding something to say to my cousins, and to him. He begged that tea might be postponed for half an hour; and that, before the servants were admitted, I would hear him relate the substance of the conversation that had passed between him and Mr. and Mrs. Reeves.

Had not Sir Hargrave intended me an honour, and had he not a very high opinion of the efficacy of eight thousand pounds a-year in an address of this kind, I dare say, he would have supposed *a little more prefacing necessary: but, after he had told me, in a few words, how much he was attracted by my character before he saw me, he thought fit directly to refer himself to the declaration he had made at Lady Betty Williams’s, both to Mr. Reeves and my-self; and then talked of large settlements; boasted of his violent passion; and besought my favour with the utmost earnestness.

I would have played a little female trifling upon him, and affected to take his professions only for polite raillery, which men call making love to young women, who perhaps are frequently but too willing to take in earnest what the wretches mean but in jest; but the fervour with which he renewed (as he called it) his declarations, admitted not of fooling; and yet his volubility might have made questionable the sincerity of his declarations. As therefore I could not think of encouraging his addresses, I thought it best to answer him with openness and unreserve.

To seem to question the sincerity of such profes-sions as you make, Sir Hargrave, might appear to you as if I wanted to be assured. But be pleased to know that you are directing your discourse to one of the plainest-hearted women in England; and you may therefore expect from me nothing but the simplest truth. I thank you, Sir, for your good opinion of me; but I cannot encourage your ad-dresses.

Youcannot, madam, encourage my addresses! And express yourself so seriously! Good heaven! [He stood silent a minute or two, looking upon me, and upon himself; as if he had said, Foolish girl! knows she whom she refuses?] I have been assured, madam, recovering a little from his surprise, that your affections are not engaged. But surely it must be a mistake: some happy man —

Is it, interrupted I, a necessary consequence, that the woman who cannot receive the addresses of Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, must be engaged?

Why, madam — As to that — 1 know not what to say — But a man of my fortune, and I hope, not ab-solutely disagreeable either in person or temper; of some rank in life — He paused; then resuming — What, madam, if you are as much in earnest as you seem, can be your objection? Be so good as to name it, that I may know, whether I cannot be so happy as to get over it?

We do not, we cannot, all like the same person. Women, I have heard say, are very capricious. Per-haps I am so. But there is a something (we cannot always say what) that attracts or disgusts us.

Disgusts! madam — Disgusts! Miss Byron.

I spoke in general, Sir: I dare say, nineteen wo-men out of twenty would think themselves favoured in the addresses of Sir Hargrave Pollexfen.

But you, madam, are the twentieth that I must love: and be so good as to let me know —

Pray, Sir, ask me not a reason for a peculiarity. Do you not yourself shew a peculiarity in making me the twentieth?

Your merit, madam-It would be vanity in me, Sir, interrupted I, to allow a force to that plea. You, Sir, may have more merit, than perhaps the man I may happen to ap-prove of better; but — shall I say? (Pardon me, Sir) You do not — You do not (hesitating) — hit my fancy — Pardon me, Sir.

If pardon depends upon my breath, let me die if I do! — Not hit your fancy, madam! [And then he looked upon himself all around] Not hit your fancy, madam!

I told you, Sir, that you must not expect any-thing from me but the simplest truth. You do me honour by your good opinion; and if my own heart were not, in this case, a very determined one, I would answer you with more politeness. But, Sir, on such an occasion as this, I think it would not be honourable, it would not be just, to keep a man in an hour’s suspense, when I am in none myself.

And are you then (angrily) so determined, Miss Byron?

I am, Sir.

Confound me! — And yet I am enough confounded! — But I will not take an answer so con trary to my hopes. Tell me, madam, by the since — sIR CHARLES GRAXDISOX. 121 rity which you boast; Are you not engaged in your affections? Is there not someone happy man, whom you prefer to all men?

I am a free person, Sir Hargrave. It is no impeachment of sincerity, if a free person answers not every question that may be put to her, by those to whom she is not accountable.

Very true, madam. But as it is no impeachment of your freedom to answer this question either ne-gatively or affirmatively, and as you glory in your frankness, let me beseech you to answer it; Are you, madam, or are you not, disengaged in your affections?

Excuse me, Sir Hargrave; I don’t think you are intitled to an answer to this question. Nor, perhaps, would you be determined by the answer 1 should make to it, whether negative or affirmative.

Give me leave to say, madam, that I have some little knowledge of Mr. Fenwick and Mr. Greville, and of their addresses. They have both owned that no hopes have you given them; yet declare that they mill hope. Have you, madam, been as explicit to them, as you are to me?

I have, Sir.

Then they are not the men I have to fear — Mr. Orme, madam —

Is a good man, Sir.

Ah! madam! — But why then will you not say that you are engaged?

If I own I am; perhaps it will not avail me: it will still much less, if I say I am not.

Avail you! dear Miss Byron! I have pride, madam. If I had not, I should not aspire to your favour. But give me leave to say [and he reddened with anger] that my fortune, my descent, and my ardent affection for you, considered, it may not disavail you. Your relations will at least think so, if I

M may have the honour of your consent for applying to them.

May your fortune, Sir Hargrave, be a blessing to you! It will, in proportion as you do good with it. But were it twice as much, that alone would have no charms for me. My duties would be increased with my power. My fortune is an humble one; but were it less it would satisfy my ambition while I am single; and if I marry, I should not desire to live beyond the estate of the man I choose.

Upon my soul, madam, you must be mine. Every word you speak adds a rivet to my chains.

Then, Sir, let us say no more upon this subject.

He then laid a title to my gratitude from the passion he avowed for me.

That is a very poor plea, Sir, said I, as you your-self would think, I believe, were one of our sex, whom you could not like, to claim a return of love from you upon it.

You are too refined, surely, madam.

Refined! what meant the man by the word in this place?

I believe, Sir, we differ very widely in many of our sentiments.

We will not differ in one, madam, when I know yours; such is the opinion I have of your prudence, that I will adopt them, and make them my own.

This may be said, Sir, but there is hardly a man in the world that, saying it, would keep his word: nor a woman, who ought to expect he should.

But you will allow of my visits to your cousins, madam?

Not on my account, Sir.

You will not withdraw if I come? You will not refuse seeing me?

As you will be no visitor of mine, I must be allowed to act accordingly. Had I the least thought of encouraging your addresses, I would deal with you as openly as is consistent with my notions of modesty and decorum.

Perhaps, madam, from my gay behaviour at Lady Betty Williams’s, you think me too airy a man. You have doubts of my sincerity: you question my honour.

That, Sir, would be to injure myself.

Your objections, then, dear madam? Give me, I beseech you, some one material objection.

Why, Sir, should you urge me thus? — When I have no doubt, it is unnecessary to look into my own mind for the particular reasons that move me to disapprove of the addresses of a gentleman whose pro fessions of regard for me, notwithstanding, intitle him to civility and acknowledgment.

By my soul, madam, this is very comical:

I do not like thee, Dr. Fell; The reason why, 1 cannot tell — But I don’t like thee, Dr. Fell.

Such, madam, seem to me to be your reasons.

You are very pleasant, Sir. But let me say, that if you are in earnest in your professions, you could not have quoted any thing more against you than these humorous lines; since a dislike of such a nature as is implied by them, must be a dislike arising from something resembling a natural aver-sion; whether just or not is little to the purpose.

I was not aware of that, replied he: but I hope yours to me is not such a one.

Excuse me, cousin, said I, turning to Mrs. Reeves; but I believe I have talked away the tea-time.

I think not of tea, said she.

Hang tea, said Mr. Reeves. m 2

The devil fly away with the tea-kettle, said Sir Hargrave; let it not have entrance here, till I have said what I have further to say. And let me tell you, Miss Byron, that though you may not have a dying lover, you shall have a resolute one: for 1 will not cease pursuing you till you are mine, or till you are the wife of some other man.

He spoke this fiercely, and even rudely. I was disgusted as much at his manner, as with his words.

I cannot, replied I, but congratulate myself on one felicity, since I have been in your company, Sir; and that is, That in this whole conversation (and I think it much too long) I have not one thing to re-proach myself with, or be sorry for.

Your servant, madam, bowing — But I am of the contrary opinion. By heaven, madam, [with anger and an air of insolence I think] you have pride, madam —

Pride, Sir!

Cruelty. —

Cruelty, Sir!

Ingratitude, madam.

I thought it was staying to be insulted. All that Sir John Allestree had said of him, came into my head.

Hold, Sir (for he seemed to be going on): pride, cruelty, ingratitude, are crimes black enough. If you think I am guilty of them, excuse me that I re-tire for the benefit of recollection. — And, making a low courtesy, I withdrew in haste. He besought me to return; and followed me to the stair’s foot.

He shewed his pride, and his ill-nature too, before my cousins, when I was gone. He bit his lip: he walked about the room; then sitting down, he la-mented, defended, accused, and re-defended him — self; and yet besought their interest with me.

He was greatly disturbed, he owned, that with such honourable intentions, with so much power to make me happy, and such a will to do so, he should be refused; and this without my assigning one reason for it.

And my cousins (to whom he again referred on that head) answering him, that they believed me disengaged in my affections — D— him, he said, if he could account then for my behaviour to him.

He, however, threatened Mr. Orme: who [if any) he said, was the man I favoured. I had acknow-ledged, that neither Greville nor Fenwick were. My proud repulse had stung him, he owned. He begged, that they would send for me down in their names.

They liked not the humour he seemed to be in well enough to comply with his request; and he sent up in his own name.

But I returned my compliments; I was busy in writing [and so I was — to you, my Lucy]; I hoped Sir Hargrave, and my cousins, would excuse me. I put them in to soften my refusal.

This still more displeased him. He besought their pardon; but he would haunt me like a ghost. In spite of man and devil I should be his, he had the presumption to repeat: and went away with a flaming face.

Don’t you think, my dear, that my cousin Reeves was a little too mild in his own house; as I am under his guardianship? But perhaps he was the more pa-tient for that very reason; and he is one of thebest — naturedmen in England. And then 80001. a-year! — Yet why should a man of my counsin’s independent fortune — But grandeur will have its charms!

Thus did Sir Hargrave confirm all that Sir John Allestree had said of his bad qualities: and I think I am more afraid of him than ever I was of any man M 3 before. I remember, that mischievous is one of the bad qualities Sir John attributed to him: and re-vengeful another. Should I ever see him again on the same errand, I will be more explicit, as to my being absolutely disengaged in my affections, if I can be so without giving him hope, lest he should do pri-vate mischief to some one on my account. Upon my word, I would not, of all the men I have ever seen, be the wife of Sir Hargrave Pollexfen.

And so much for this first visit of his. I wish his pride may be enough piqued to make it the last.

But could you have thought he would have shewn himself so soon? — Yet he had paraded so much, before I went down, to my cousins, and so little ex pected a direct and determined repulse, that a man of his self-consequence might, perhaps, be allowed to be the more easily piqued by it.

Lady Betty has sent us notice, that on Thursday next, there will be a ball at the Opera house in the Hay-market. My cousins are to choose what theirs will be; but she insists, that my dress shall be left to her. I am not to know what it is to be, till the day before, or the very day. If I like it not, she will not put me to any expence about it.

You will easily imagine, upon such an alternative, I shall approve of it, be it what it will. I have only requested, that I may not be so remarkably dressed, as to attract the eyes of the company: if I am, I shall not behave with any tolerable presence of mind.


Letter XVIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Friday, February 10. One of Mr. Greville’s servants has just been here, with his master’s compliments. So the wretch is come to town. I believe I shall soon be able to oblige him: he wishes, you know, to provoke me to say I hate him.

Surely I draw inconveniencies upon myself by being so willing to pay civility for esteem. Yet it is in my nature to do so, and I cannot help it without committing a kind of violence on my temper. There is no merit, therefore, in my behaviour, on such oc-casions. Very pretty self-deception! — I study my own ease, and (before I consider) am ready to call myself patient, and good humoured, and civil, and to attribute to myself I know not how many kind and complaisant things; when I ought, in modesty, to distinguish between the virtue and the necessity.

I never was uncivil, as I call it, but to one young gentleman; a man of quality (you know who I mean); and that was, because he wanted me to keep secret his addresses to me, for family considerations. The young woman who engages to keep her lover’s secrets in this particular, is often brought into a plot against herself, and oftener still against those to whom she owes unreserved honour and duty: and is not such a conduct also an indirect confession, that you know you are engaging in something wrong and unworthy?

Mr. Greville’s arrival vexes me. I suppose it will not be long before Mr.Fenwick comes too. I have a good mind to try to like the modest Mr. Orme the better, in spite.

Saturday morning, February II.

I shall have nothirfg to trouble you with, I think, but scenes of courtship. Sir Rowland, Sir Har-grave, and Mr. Greville. all met just now at our breakfast-time.

Sir Rowland came first; a little before breakfast was ready. After enquiries of Mr. Reeves whether I held in the same mind, or not; he desired to have the favour of one quarter of an hour’s conversation with me alone.

Methinks I have a value for this honest knight. Honesty, my Lucy, is good sense, politeness, ami-ableness, all in one. An honest man must appear in every light with such advantages, as will make even singularity agreeable. I went down directly.

He met me; and taking my not-withdrawn hand, and peering in my face, Mercy! said he, the same kind aspect! The same sweet and obliging counte-nance! How can this be? But you must be gra — cious! You tvill. Say you will.

You must not urge me, Sir Rowland. You will give me pain if you lay me under a necessity to re-peat —

Repeat what? Don’t say a refusal. Dear madam, don’t say a refusal! Will you not save a life? Why, madam, my poor boy is absolutely and bonajide broken-hearted. I would have had him come with me: but, no, he could not bear to teaze the beloved of his soul! Why there’s an instance of love now! Not for all his hopes, not for his life’s sake could he bear to teaze you! None of your fluttering Jack a-dandy’s, now, would have said this! And let not such succeed, where modest merit fails! — Mercy! You are struck with my plea! Don’t, don’t, God bless you now, don’t harden your heart on my ob-servation. I was resolved to set out in a day or two: but I will stay in town, were it a month, to see my boy made happy. And, let me tell you, I would not wish him to be happy unless he could make you so. — Come, come —

I was a little affected. I was silent.

Come, come, be gracious; be merciful. Dear lady, be as good as you look to be. One word of comfort for my poor boy. 1 could kneel to you for one word of comfort — Nay, I will kneel; taking hold of my other hand, as he still held one; and down on his knees dropt the honest knight.

I was surprised. I knew not what to say, what to do. I had not the courage to attempt to raise him. Yet to see a man of his years, and who had given himself a claim to my esteem, kneel; and, with glistening eyes, looking up to me for mercy, as he called it, on his boy; how was 1 affected! — But, at last, Rise, dear Sir Rowland, rise, said I: you call out for mercy to me; yet have none upon me. O how you distress me!

I would have withdrawn my hands; but he held them fast. I stamped in tender passion [I am sure it was in tender passion] now with one foot, now with the other; Dear Sir Rowland, rise; I cannot bear this. I beseech you rise [and down I dropt involuntarily on one knee], What can I say? Rise, dear Sir, on my knee I beg of you kneel not to me: indeed, Sir, you greatly distress me! Pray let go my hands.

Tears ran down his cheeks — And do I distress you, madam! And do you vouchsafe to kneel to me? — I will not distress you: for the world I will not distress you.

He arose, and let go my hands. I arose too abashed. He pulled out his handkerchief, and hastening from me to the window, wiped his eyes. Then turning to me, What a fool I am! What a mere child I make of myself! How can I blame my boy? O madam! have you not one word of comfort to send by me to my boy? Say, but, you will see him. Give him leave to wait on you: yet, poor soul! (wiping his eyes again) he would not be able to say a word in his own behalf. — Bid me bring him to you: bid us come together.

And so I could, and so I would, Sir Rowland, if no other expectations were to be formed than those of civility. But I will go farther to shew my regard for you, Sir: let me be happy in your friendship, and good opinion: let me look upon you as my father: let me look upon Mr. Fowler as my brother: I am not so happy, as to have either father or bro-ther. And let Mr. Fowler own me as his sister; and every visit you make me, you will both, in these characters, be dearer to me than before. — But, O my father! (already will I call you father!) urge not your daughter to an impossibility!

Mercy! Mercy! What will become of me! What will become of my boy, rather!

He turned from me, with his handkerchief at his eyes again, and even sobbed: Where are all my pur-poses! Irresistible lady! — But must I give up my hopes! Must my boy be told — And yet, do you call mejather; and do you plead for my indulgence as if you were my daughter?

Indeed I do; indeed I must. I have told Mr. Fowler, with so much regard for him, as an honest, as a worthy man —

Why that’s the weapon that wounds him, that cuts him to the heart! Your gentleness, your openness — And are you determined? Can there be no hope?

Mr. Fotvler is my brother, Sir; and you are my father. — Accept me in those characters.

Accept you! Mercy! Accept you! — Forgive me, madam, (catching my hand, and pressing it with his lips) you do me honour in the appellation: but if your mind should change on consideration, and from motives of pity —

Indeed, indeed, Sir Rowland, it cannot change.

Why then, I, as well as my nephew, must acqui-esce with your pleasure. But, madam, you don’t know what a worthy creature he is. 1 will not, however, teaze you. — But how, but how, shall I see Mr. Reeves? I am ashamed to see him with this baby in my face.

And I, Sir Rowland, must retire before I can ap-pear. Excuse me, Sir (withdrawing); but I hope you will breakfast with us.

I will drink tea with you, madam, if I can make myself fit to be seen, were it but to claim you for my daughter: but yet had much rather you would be a farther remove in relation: would to God you would let it be niece!

I courtesied, as a daughter might do, parting with her real father; and withdrew.

And now, my Lucy, will you not be convinced that one of the greatest pains (the loss of dear friends excepted) that a grateful mind can know, is to be too much beloved by a worthy heart, and not to be able to return his love?

My sheet is ended. With a new one I will begin another letter. — Yet a few words in the margin — I tell you not, my dear, of the public entertainments to which Lady Betty is continually contriving to draw me out. She intends by it to be very obliging, and is so: but my present reluctance to go so very often, must not be overcome, as it pos-sibly would be too easily done, were I to give way to the temptation. If it be, your Harriet may turn gadder, and never be easy but when she is forming parties, or giving way to them, that may make the home, that hitherto has been the chief scene of her pleasures, undelightful to her. Bad habits are sooner acquired than shaken off, as my grand-mamma has often told us.


Letter XIX.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Who would have thought that a man of Sir Row-land’s time of life, and a woman so young as I, could have so much discomposed each other? I obeyed the summons to breakfast, and entered the room at one door, as he came in at the other. In vain had I made use of the short retirement (o conceal my emotion from my cousins. They also saw Sir Rowland’s by his eyes, and looked at him, at me, and at each other.

Mercy! said Sir Rowland, in an accent that seemed between crying and laughing, You, you, you, madam, are a surprising lady! I, I, I never was so affected in my life. And he drew the back of his hand cross first one eye, then the other.

O Sir Rowland, said I, you are a good man. How affecting are the visible emotions of a manly heart!

My cousins still looked as if surprised; but said nothing.

O my cousins, said I, I have found a father in Sir Rowland; and I acknowledge a brother in Mr. Fowler.

Best of women! Most excellent of creatures! And do you oiv)i me? He snatched my hand, and kissed it. What pride do you give me in this open acknowledgment! If it must not be niece, why then I will endeavour to rejoice in my daughter, I think. But yet, my boy, my poor boy — But you are all goodness: and with him I say, I must not teaze you.

What you have been saying to each other alone, said Mrs. Reeves, I cannot tell; but I long to know. Why, madam, I will tell you — if I know how — You must know, that I, that I, came as an ambas-sador extraordinary from my sorrowful boy: yet not desired; not sent; I came of my own accord, in hopes of getting one word of comfort, and to bring matters on before I set out for Caermarthen.

The servant coming in, and a loud rap, rap, rap, at the door, put a stop to Sir Rowland’s narrative. In apprehension of company, I breathed on my hand, and put it to either eye: and Sir Rowland hemmed twice or thrice, and rubbed his, the better to conceal their redness, though it made them red-der than before. He got up, looked in the glass: would have sung. Toll, doll — Hem, said he; as if the muscles of his face were in the power of his voice. Mercy! All the infant still in my eye — Toll — doll — Hem! — I would sing it away if I could. Sir Hargrave entered bowing, scraping to me, and with an air not ungraceful.

Servant, Sir, said the knight (to Sir Hargrave’s silent salute to him) bowing, and looking at the baronet’s genteel morning dress, and then at his own — Who the deuce is he! whispering to Mr. Reeves; who then presented each to the other by name.

The baronet approached me; I have, madam, a thousand pardons to ask — Not one, Sir.

Indeed I have — And most heartily do I beg — You are forgiven, Sir — But I will not be so easily forgiven.

Mercy! whispered the knight to Mr. Reeves, I don’t like ‘n. Ah! my poor boy: no wonder at this rate! —

You have not much to fear, Sir Rowland (re-whispered my cousin) on this gentleman’s account.

Thank you, thank you — And yet ’tis a fine figure of a man! whispered again Sir Rowland: nay, if she can withstand him — But a word to the wise, Mr. Reeves! — Hem! — I am a little easier than I was.

He turned from my cousin with such an air, as if from contrasted pleasure and pain, he would again have sung Toll, doll.

The servant came in with the breakfast: and we had no sooner sat down, as before, than we were alarmed by another modern rapping. Mr. Reeves was called out, and returned, introducing Mr. Gre-ville.

Who the deuce is he? whispered to me Sir Row-land (as he sat next me) before Mr. Reeves could name him.

Mr. Greville profoundly bowed to me. I asked after the health of all our friends in Northampton-shire.

Have you seen Fenwick, madam? No, Sir.

A dog! I thought he had played me a trick. I missed him for three days — But (in a low voice) if you have not seen him, I have stolen a march upon him! — Well, I had rather ask his pardon than he should ask mine. I rejoice to see you well, madam! (raising his voice) But what! — looking at my eyes. Colds are very rife in London, Sir — I am glad it is no worse; for your grandmamma, and all friends in the country, are well.

I have found a father, Mr. Greville (referring to Sir Rowland) since I came to town. This good gentleman gives me leave to call him father.

No son! — I hope, Sir Rowland, you have no son, said Mr. Greville: the relation comes not about that way, I hope. And laughed, as he used to do, at his own smartness.

The very question, I was going to put, by my soul, said the baronet.

No! — said the knight: but I have a nephetv, gen-tlemen — a very pretty young fellow! And I have this to say before ye all (I am downright Dunsta-ble) I had much rather call this lady niece than daughter. And then the knight forced a laugh, and looked round upon us all.

O Sir Rowland, replied I, I have uncles, more than one — I am a niece: but I have not had for many years till now the happiness of a father.

And do you own me, madam, before all this gay company? — The first time I beheld you, I remem-ber I called you a perfect paragon. Why, madam, you are the most excellent of women!

We are so much convinced of this, Sir Rowland, said the baronet, that I don’t know, but Miss Byron’s choosing you for a father, instead of an uncle, may have saved two or three throats.

And then he laughed. His laugh was the more seasonable, as it softened the shockingness of his expression.

Mr. Greville and Sir Hargrave had been in company twice before in Northamptonshire at the races: but now-and-then looked upon each other with envious eyes; and once or twice were at cross-purposes, but my particular notice of the knight made all pass lightly over.

Sir Rowland went first away. He claimed one word with his daughter in the character of a father.

I withdrew with him to the further end of the

Not one word of comfort? not one word, madam? — to my boy? whispered he.

My compliments (speaking low) to my brother, Sir. I wish him as well and as happy as 1 think he deserves to be.

Well but — Well but-Only remember, Sir Rowland, that you act in character. I followed you hither, on the strength of your authority, as a. father; I beg, Sir, that you will preserve to me that character.

Why God in heaven bless my daughter, if only daughter you can be. Too well do 1 understand you! I will see how my poor nephew will take it. If it can be no otherwise, I will prevail upon him, I think, to go down with me to Caermarthen for a few months. — But as to those two fine gentlemen, madam — it would grieve me (’tis a folly to deny it) to say I have seen the man that is to supplant my nephew.

/ will act in character, Sir Rowland: as your daughter, you have a right to know my sentiments on this subject — You have not yet seen the man you seem to be afraid of.

You are all goodness, madam — my daughter — and I cannot bear it!

He spoke this loud enough to be heard; and Mr. Greville and the baronet both, with some emotion, rose, and turned about to us.

Once more, Sir Rowland, said I, my compli-ments to my brother — Adieu!

God in heaven bless you, madam, that’s all-Gentlemen, your servant. Mrs. Reeves, yourmost obedient humble servant. Madam, to me, you will allow me, and my nephew too, one more visit, I hope, before I set out for Caermarthen.

I courtesied, and joined my cousins. Away went the knight, brushing the ground with his hat, at his going out. Mr. Reeves waited on him to the outward door.

‘Bye, bye, to you, Mr. Reeves — with some emotion (as my cousin told me afterwards) — A wonder — ful creature! By mercy, a wonderful creature! — I go away with my heart full; yet am pleased; I know not why neither, that’s the jest of it — ‘Bye, Mr. Reeves, I can stay no longer.

An odd mortal! said the man of the town — But he seems to know on which side his bread is buttered.

A whimsical old fellow! said the man of the coun-try. But I rejoice that he has not a son; that’s all.

A good many frothy things passed not worth re-lating. I wanted them both to be gone. They seemed each to think it time; but looked as if neither cared to leave the other behind him.

At last, Mr. Greville, who hinted to me, that he knew I loved not too long an intrusion, bowed, and, politely enough, took his leave. And then the baronet began, with apologizing for his behaviour at taking leave on his last visit.

Some gentlemen, I said, had one way, some another, of expressing themselves on particular occa-sions: he had thought fit to shew me what was his.

He seemed a little disconcerted. But quickly recovering himself, he could not indeed excuse him-self, he said, for having then called me cruel — Cruel he hoped he should not find me — Proud — I knew not what pride was. Ungrateful — I could not be guilty of ingratitude. He begged me to forgive his peremptoriness — He had hoped (as he had been assured, that my affections were absolutely disen-gaged) that the proposals he had to make, would have been acceptable; and so positive a refusal, without any one reason assigned, and on his first visit, had indeed hurt his pride (he owned, he said, n 3 that he had some pride) and made him forget that he was addressing himself to a woman who deserved and met with the veneration of every one who approached her. He next expressed himself with apprehensions on Mr. Greville’s arrival in town. He spoke slightly of him. Mr. Greville, I doubt not, will speak as slightly of Sir Hargrave. And if I believe them both, I fancy I shall not injure either.

Mr. Greville’s arrival, I said, ought not to concern me. He was to do as he thought fit. I was only desirous to be allowed the same free agency that I was ready to allow to others.

That could not be, he said. Every man who saw me, must wish me to be his; and endeavour to ob-tain his wishes.

And then making vehement professions of love, he offered me large settlements; and to put it in my power to do all the good that he knew it was in my heart to do — And that I should prescribe to him in every thing as to place of residence, excursions, even to the going abroad to France, to Italy, and wherever I pleased.

To all which I answered as before; and when he insisted upon my reasons for refusing him, I frankly told him, though I owned it was with some reluct-ance, that I had not the opinion of his morals that I must have of those of the man to whom I gave my hand in marriage.

Of my morals, madam! (starting; and his colour went and came) My morals, madam! — I thought he looked with malice: but I was not intimidated: and yet my cousins looked at me with some little surprise for my plain dealing, though not as blaming me.

Be not displeased, Sir, with my freedom. You call upon me to make objections. I mean not to upbraid you; that is not my business; but thus called upon, I must repeat — I stopt.

Proceed, madam, angrily.

Indeed, Sir Hargrave, you must pardon me on this occasion, if I repeat that I have not that opinion of your morals —

Very well, madam —

That I must have of those of the man on whose worthiness I must build my hopes of present happiness, and to whose guidance entrust my future This, Sir, is a very material consideration with me, though I am not fond of talking upon it, except on ¦proper occasions, and to proper persons; but, Sir, let me add that I am determined to live longer single. I think it too early to engage in a life of care: and if I do not meet with a man to whom I can give my whole heart, I never will marry at all [O how ma-liciously looked the man!] — You are angry, Sir Hargrave, added I; but you have no right to be so. You address me as one who is her own mistress. And though I would not be thought rude, I value myself on my openness of heart.

He arose from his seat. He walked about the room muttering, “ You have no opinion of my morals ‘ — By heaven, madam! — But I will bear i t all — Yet, “No opinion of my morals!” — I cannot bear that —

He then clenched his fist, and held it up to his head; and snatching up his hat, bowing to the ground to us all, his face crimsoned over (as the time before) he withdrew.

Mr. Reeves attended him to the door — “ Net like my morals!” said he — I have enemies, Mr. Reeves. “ Not like my morals!” — Miss Byron treats politely every body but me, Sir. Her scorn may be repaid — Would to God I could say with scorn, Mr. Reeves. — Adieu. Excuse my warmth. — Adieu.

And into his chariot he stept, pulling up the glasses with violence; and, as Mr. Reeves told us, rearing up his head to the top of it, as he sat swelling. And away it drove.

His menacing airs, and abrupt departure, terrified me. I did not recover myself in an hour.

A fine husband for your Harriet would this half madman make! — O Mr. Fowler, Sir Rowland, Mr. Orme, what good men are you to Sir Hargrave! Should I have known half so much as I do of his ill qualities, had I not refused him? Drawn in by his professions of love, and by 80001. a year, I might have married him; and, when too late, found myself miserable, yoked with a tyrant and madman, for the remainder of a life begun with happy prospects, and glorying in every one’s love!


Letter XX.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Monday, February 13. I have received my uncle’s long letter. And I thank him for the pains he has taken with me. He is very good. But my grandmamma and my aunt are equally so, and, in the main, much kinder, in acquitting me of some charges which he is pleased to make upon his poor Harriet. But, either for caution or reproof, I hope to be the better for his letter.

James is set out for Northamptonshire: pray re-ceive him kindly. He is honest: and Sally has «;iven me a hint, as if a sweetheart is in his head: if so, his impatience to leave London may be ac-counted for. My grandmamma has observed, that young people of small or no fortunes should not be discouraged from marrying: Who that could be masters or mistresses would be servants? The honest poor, as she has often said, are a very va-luable part of the creation.

Mr. Reeves has seen several footmen, but none that he gave me the trouble of speaking to till just now: when a well-looking young man. about twen-ty-six years of age, offered himself, and whom 1 believe I shall like. Mrs. Reeves seems mightily taken with him. He is well-behaved, has a very sensible look, and seems to merit abetter service.

Mr. Reeves has written for a character of him to the last master he lived with; Mr. Bagenhall, a young gentleman in the neighbourhood of Reading; of whom he speaks well in the main; but modestly objected to his hours, and free way of life. The young man came to town but yesterday, and is with a widow sister, who keeps an inn in Smithfield. I have a mind to like him, and this makes me more particular about him.

His name is William Wilson: he asks pretty high wages: but wages to a good servant are not to be stood upon. What .signify forty or fifty shillings a year? An honest servant should be enabled to lay up something for age and infirmity. Hire him at once, Mrs. Reeves says. She will be answerable for his honesty from his looks, and from his answers to the questions asked him.

Sir Hargruve has been here pgain. Mrs. Reeves, Miss Clements, and I, were in the back room to-gether. We had drank tea; and I excused myself to his message, as engaged.

Me talked a good deal to Mrs. Reeves: sometimes high, sometimes humble. He had not intended, he said, to have renewed his visits. My disdain had stung him to the heart: yet he could not keep away. He called himself names. He was determined I should be his; and swore to it. A man of his for-tune to be refused, by a lady who had not (and whom he wished not to have) an answerable fortune, and no preferable liking to any other man [there Sir Hargrave was mistaken; for I like almost every man I know, better than him]; his person not contemptible [and then, my cousin says, he surveyed himself from head to foot in the glass]; was very, very unaccountable.

He asked if Mr. Greville came up with any hopes?

Mr. Reeves told him that I was offended at his coming, and he was sure he would not be the bet-ter for his journey.

He was glad of that, he said. There were two or three free things, proceeded he, said to me in conversation by Mr. Greville; which I knew not well what to make of: but they shall pass, if he has no more to boast of than I. I know Mr. Gre-ville’s blustering character; but I wish the carrying of Miss Byron were to depend upon the sword’s point between us. I would not come into so paltry a compromise with him as Fenwick has done. But still the imputing want of morals to me, sticks with me. Surely I am a better man, in point of morals, than either Greville or Fenwick. What man on earth does not take liberties with the sex? You know, Mr. Reeves! women were made for us; and they like us not the worse for loving them. Want of morals! — And objected to me by a lady! — Very extraordinary, by my soul! — Is it not better to sow all one’s wild oats before matrimony, than run riot afterwards? — What say you, Mr. Reeves?

Mr. Reeves was too patient with him. He is a mild man: yet wants not spirit, my cousin says, on occasion. He gave Sir Hargrave the hearing; who went away, swearing, that I should be his, in spite of man or devil.

Monday night.

Mr. Greville came in the evening. He begged to be allowed but ten words with me in the next room. I desired to be excused. You know, Sir, said I, that I never complied with a request of this nature, at Selby-house. He looked hard at my cou — sins; and first one, then the other, went out. He then was solicitous to know what were Sir Har-grave’s expectations from me. He expressed himself uneasy upon his account. He hoped such a man as that would not be encouraged. Yet his ample fortune! — Woman! woman! — iiut he was neither a wiser nor a better man than himself; and he hoped Miss Byron would not give a prefer-ence to fortune merely, against a man who had been her admirer for so long a time; and who wanted neither will nor pow r er to make her happy.

It was very irksome to me, I answered, to be obliged so often to repeat the same things to him. I would not be thought affronting to any-body, especially to a neighbour with whom my friends were upon good terms: but I did not think myself answerable to him, or to any one out of my own family, for my visitors; or for whom my cousin lleeves’s thought fit to receive as theirs.

Would I give him an assurance, that Sir Har-grave should have no encouragement?

No, Sir, I will not. Would not that be to give you indirectly a kind of controul over me? Would not that be to encourage a hope, that I never tvill encourage?

I love not my own soul, madam, as 1 love you; I must, and will, persevere. If I thought Sir Har-grave had the least hope, by the great God of heaven, I would pronounce his days numbered.

I am but too well acquainted with your rashness, Mr. Greville. What formerly passed between you and another gentleman, gave me pain enough. In such an enterprise your own days might be numbered as well as another’s. But I enter not into this subject — Henceforth be so good as not to impute incivility to me, if I deny myself to your visits.

I would have withdrawn —

Dear Miss Byron (stepping between me and the door) leave me not in anger. If matters must stand as they were, I hope you can, I hope you tuill, assure me, that this Sir Fopling —

What right have you, Sir, to any assurance of this nature from me?

None, madam — but from your goodness — Dear Miss Byron, condescend to say, that this Sir Har-grave shall not make any impression on your heart. For his sake say it, if not for mine. I know you care not what becomes of me; yet let not this milk-faced, and tyger-hearted fop, for that is his cha — racter, obtain favour from }ou. Let your choice, if it must fall on another man, and not on me, fall on one to whose superior merit, and to whose good fortune, I can subscribe. For your own fame’s sake, let a man of unquestionable honour be the happy man; and vouchsafe as to a neighbour, and as to a well-wishing friend only (I ask it not in the light of a lover) to tell me that Sir Hargrave Pol-lexfen shall not be the man.

Whnt, Mr. Greviile, lot me ask you, is your businti-s in town?

Pay chief business, madam, you may guess at. I had s hint of this man’s intentions given me; and that lie has the vanity to think he shall succeed. But if I can be assured that you will not be prevailed upon in favour of a man, whose fortune is so ample —

You will then return to Northamptonshire?

“Why, madam, I can’t but say that now I am in town, and that I have bespoke a new equipage, and-so-forth —

Nay, Sir, it is nothing to me, what you will or will not do: only be pleased to remember, that as in Northamptonshire your visits were to my uncle Selby, not to me, they will be here in London, to my cousin Reeves’s only.

Too well do I know that you can be cruel if you will: but is it your pleasure that I return to the country?

My pleasure, Sir! — Mr. Grcville is surely to do as he pleases. I only wish to be allowed the same liberty.

You are so very delicate, Miss Byron! So very much afraid of giving the least advantage —

And men are so ready to take advantage — But yet, Mr. Greville, not so delicate as just. I do assure you, that if I were not determined —

Determined! — Yes, yes! you can be steady, as Mr. Selby calls it! I never knew so determined a woman in my life. I own, it was a little inconve-nient for me to come to town just now: and say, that you would ivish me to leave London; and that neither this Sir Hargrave, nor that other man, your new father’s nephew (What do you call him? Fore-gad, madam, 1 am afraid of these new relations) shall make any impression on your heart; and that you will not withdraw when I come here; and I will set out next week; and write this very night to let Fenwick know how matters stand, and that I am coming down but little the better for my jour-ney: and this may save you seeing your other tormentor, as your cousin Lucy says you once call-voi.. ix. o ed that poor devil, and the still poorer devil before you.

You are so rash a man, Mr. Greville (and other men may be as rash as you), that I cannot say but it would save me some pain —

O take care, take care, Miss Byron, that you express yourself so cautiously, as to give no advan-tage to a poor dog, who would be glad to take a journey to the farthest part of the globe to oblige you. But what say you about this Sir Hargrave, and about your new brother? — Let me tell you, madam, I am so much afraid of those whining, insinuating, creeping dogs, attacking you on the side of your compassion, and be d — n’d to them (Orme for that) that I must have a declaration. And now, madam, can’t you give it with your usual caution? Can’t you give it, as I put it, as to a neigh — bour, as to a well-wisher, and-so-forth, not as to a lover?

Well then, Mr. Greville, as a neighbour, as a well-wisher; and since you own it was inconvenient to your affairs to come up — I advise you to go down again.

The devil! how you have hit it! Your delicacy ought to thank me for the loop-hole. The condition, madam; the condition, if I take your neigh” hourly advice?

Why, Mr. Greville, I do most sincerely declare’ to you, as to a neighbour and well-wisher, that I ne-ver yet have seen the man to whom I can think of giving my hand.

Yes, you have! By Heaven you have (snatching my hand): you shall give it to me! — And the strange wretch pressed it so hard to his mouth, that he made prints upon it with his teeth.

Oh! cried I, withdrawing my hand, surprised, and ny face, as I could feel, all in a glow.

And Oh! said he, mimicking (and snatching my other hand, as I would have run from him) and pat-ting it, speaking through his closed teeth, You may — be glad you have a hand left. By my soul, I could cat you.

This was your disconsolate, fallen-spirited Gre-ville, Lucy!

I rushed into the company in the next room. He followed me with an air altogether unconcerned, and begged to look at my hand; whispering to Mrs. Reeves; By Jupiter, I had like to have eaten up your lovely cousin. I was beginning with her hand. I was more offended with this instance of his as-surance and unconcern, than with the freedom itself; because that had the appearance of his usual gaiety with it. I thought it best, however, not to be too serious upon it. But next time he gets me by him-self, he shall eat up both my hands.

At taking leave, he hoped his mad flight had not discomposed me. See, Miss Byron, said he, what you get by making an honest fellow desperate! — But you insist upon my leaving the town? As a neighbour, as a icell-ivisher, you advise it, madam? Come, come, don’t be afraid of speaking after me, when I endeavour to hit your cue. I do advise you —

Conditions remember! You know what you have declared — Angel of a woman! said he again through his shut teeth.

I left him; and w r ent up stairs; glad I had got rid of him.

He has since seen Mr. Reeves, and told him, he will make me one visit more before he leaves Lon-don: and pray tell her, said he, that I have actually written to my brother tormentor Fenwick, that I am returning to Northamptonshire.

I told you, that Miss Clements was with me when o 2

Sir Hargrave came last. I like her every time I see her, better than before. She has a fine under-standing; and if languages, according to my grand — father’s observation, need not be deemed an indis — pensable part of learning, she may be looked upon as learned.

She has engaged me to breakfast with her tomorrow morning; when she is to shew me her books, needleworks, and other curiosities. Shall I not fancy myself in my Lucy’s closet? How continually, amid all this fluttering scene, do I think of my dear friends in Northamptonshire! Express for me love, duty, gratitude, every sentiment that fills the heart of your

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXI.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Tuesday morning, February 14.

I have passed an agreeable two hours with Miss Clements, and am just returned. She is extremely ingenious, and perfectly unaffected. I am told, that she writes finely; and is a Madame de Sevigne to her correspondents. I hope to be one of them. But she lun> not, I find, suffered her pen to run away with her needle; nor her reading to interfere with that housewifery which the best judges hold so indispensable in the character of a good woman. I revere her for tiiis, as her example may be produced as one, in answer to such as object (I am afraid sometimes too justly, but I hope too gener-ally) against learning in women. Methinks, how — ever, 1 would not have learning the principal dis tinction of the woman I love. And yet, where talents are given, should we wish them to be either uncultivated or unacknowledged? Surely, Lucy, we may pronounce, that where no duty is neglected for the acquirement; where modesty, delicacy, and a teachable spirit, are preserved, as characteristics of the sex, it need not be thought a disgrace to be supposed to know something.

Miss Clements is happy as well as your Harriet, in an aunt, that loves her. She has a mother living, who is too great a self-lover, to regard any-body else as she ought. She lives as far off as York, and was so unnatural a parent to this good child, that her aunt was not easy till she got her from her. Mrs. Wimburn looks upon her as her daughter, and intends to leave her all she is worth.

The old lady was not very well; but she obliged us with her agreeable company for half an hour.

Miss Clements and I agreed to fall in occasionally upon each other without ceremony.

I should have told you, that the last master of the young man, William Wilson, having given him in writing a very good character, I have entertained him; and his first service was attending on me to Miss Clements.

Lady Betty called here in my absence. She is, it seems, very full of the dresses, and mine in parti-cular; but 1 must know nothing about it, as yet. We are to go to her house to dress, and to proceed from thence in chairs. She is to take care of every thing. You shall know, my Lucy, what figure I am to make, when I know it myself.

The baronet also called at my cousins while I was out. He saw only Mr. Reeves. He staid about a quarter of an hour. He was very moody and sullen, it seems. Quite another man, Mr. lleeves said, thanhe had ever seen him before. Not o 3 one laugh; not one smile. All that fell from his lips was Yes or No; or by way of invective against the sex. It was “ The devil of a sex.” It was a cursed thing, he said, that a man could neither be happy with them, nor without them. Devil’s bails was another of his compliments to us. He hardly mentioned my name.

Mr. Reeves at last began to railly him upon his moodiness; and plainly saw, that to avoid shewing more of his petulance (when he had not a right to shew any) to a man of Mr. Reeves’s consideration, and in his own house, he went away the sooner. His footmen and coachman, he believed, had an ill time of it; for, without reason, he cursed them, swore at them, and threatened them.

What does the man haunt us for? — Why brings he such odious humours to Mr. Reeves’s?

But no more of such a man, nor of any-thingelse, till my next. Only,

Adieu, my

LUCY.


Letter XXII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Wednesday morning, February 15. Mr. Grcville took leave of us yesterday evening, in order to set out this morning, on his return home. He would fain have engaged me for half an hour, alone; but I would not oblige him.

He left London, he said, with some regret, because of the fluttering Sir Margrave, and the creeping Mr. Fowler: but depended upon my declaration that 1 had not in either of them seen the man I could encourage. Either of them were the words he chose to use; for, in compliment to himself, he would not repeat my very words, that I had not yet seen any man to whom I could give my hand. Shall I give y ou a f ew particulars of what passed between me and this very whimsical man? — 1 will. He had been enquiring, he said, into the charac-ter and pretensions of my brother Fowler; and in tended, if he could bring Orme and him together, to make a match between them, who should out-whine the other.

Heroes, I told him, ought not to make a jest of those, who, on comparison, gave them all their ad-vantages.

He bowed, and called himself my servant — and with an affected laugh, Yet, madam, yet, madam, I am not afraid of these piping men: though you have compassion for such watery headed fellows, yet you have only compassion.

Respectful love, Mr. Greville, is not always the indication either of a weak head, or a faint heart; any more than the contrary is of a true spirit.

Perhaps so, madam. But yet I am not afraid of these two men.

You have no reason to be afraid of any body, on my account, Mr. Greville. I hope not.

You will find, Sir, at last, that you had better take my meaning. It is obvious enough.

But I have no mind to hang, drown, or pistol myself.

Mr. Greville still! — Yet it would be well if there were not many Mr. Grevilles.

I take your meaning, madam. You have explained it heretofore. It is, that I am a libertine; that we have all one dialect; and that I can say nothing new, or that is worthy of your attention —

There, madam! May I not be always sure of your meaning, when I construe it against myself?

I wish, Sir, that my neighbour would give me leave to behave to him as to my neighbour —

And could you, madam, supposing love out of the question (which it cannot be), could you, in that case, regard me as your neighbour?

Why not, Sir?

Because I believe you hate me; and I only want you to tell me that you do.

I hope, Sir, I shall never have reason given me to hate any man.

But if you hate any one man more than another, is it not me? [I was silent] Strange, Mrs. Reeves, turning to her, that Miss Byron is not susceptible either of love or hatred!

She is too good to hate any-body; and as for love, her time seems not to be yet come.

When it is come, it will come with a vengeance, I hope.

Uncharitable man! said I, smiling.

Don’t smile: I can’t bear to see you smile: Why don’t you be angry at me? —— Angel of a creature! with his teeth again closed, don’t smile: I cannot bear your bewitching smiles!

The man is out of his right mind, Mrs. Reeves. I don’t choose to stay in his company.

I would have withdrawn. He besought me to stay; and stood between me and the door. 1 was angry.

He whimsically stamped — Obliging creature! — I besought you to forbear smiling — You frown-Do, God for ever bless you, my dear Miss Byron, let me be favoured with another frown.

Strange man! and bold as strange! — I would have passed to the door, but he set his back against it.

These are the airs, you know, Lucy, for which I used to shun him.

Pish! said I, vexed to be hindered from with-drawing.

Another, another such a frown said the confident man, and I am happy! — The last has left no trace upon your features: it vanished before I could well behold it. Another frown, I beseech you; another pish —

I was really angry. — Bear witness [looking around him] Bear witness! Once did Miss Byron endeavour to frown: and, to oblige whom? — Her Greville!

Mr. Greville, you had better — I stopt. I was vexed. 1 knew not what I was going to say.

How better, madam! Am I not desperate? — But had 1 better? Say, repeat that again — Had I better — Better what?

The man’s mad. O my cousins, let me never again be called to this man.

Mad! — And so I am. Mad for you. I care not who knows it Why don’t you hate me? He snatched at my hand; but I started back. You own that you never yet loved the man who loved you. Such is your gratitude! — Say, you hate me.

I was silent, and turned from him peevishly.

Why then (as if I had said I did not hate him) say you love me; and I will look down with contempt upon the greatest prince on earth.

We should have had more of this — But the rap of consequence gave notice of the visit of a person of consideration. It was Sir Hargrave.

The devil pick his bones, said the shocking Gre-ville. 1 shall not be civil to him.

He is not your guest, Mr. Greville, said 1 — afraid that something affronting might pass between two spirits so unmanageable; the one in an humour so whimsical, the other so very likely to be moody.

True, true; replied he. I will be all silence and observation. — But I hope you will not noiv be for retiring

It would be too particular, thought I, if I am: yet I should have been glad to do so.

The baronet paid his respects to every one in a very set and formal manner; nor distinguished me.

Silly, as vain! thought I: Handsome fop! to ima-gine thy displeasure of consequence to me!

Mr. Greville, said Sir Hargrave, the town I understand is going to lose you.

The town, Sir Hargrave, cannot be said to have found me.

How can a man of your gallantry and fortune find himself employment in the country, in the winter, I wonder?

Very easily, when he has used himself to it, Sir Hargrave, and has seen abroad in greater perfection than you can have them here, the kind of diversions you all run after, with so keen an appetite.

In greater perfection! I question that, Mr. Gre-ville: and I have been abroad; though too early, I own, to make critical observations.

You may’ question it, Sir Hargrave, but I don’t.

Have we not from Italy the most famous singers, Mr. Greville, and from thence, and from France, for our money, the most famous dancers in the world?

No, Sir. They set too great a value in Italy, let me tell you, upon their finest voices, and upon their finest composers too, to let them turn strollers.

Strollers do you call them? Ha, ha, ha, hah! — Princely strollers, as we reward them! And as to composers, have we not Handel?

There you say something, Sir Hargrave. But you have but one Handel in England: they have Several in Italy.

Is it possible? said every one.

Let me die, said the baronet, with a forced laugh, if I am not ready to think that Mr. Greville has run into the fault of people of less genius than himself. He has got such a taste for foreign performers, that he cannot think tolerably of those of his own coun-try, be they ever so excellent.

Handel, Sir Hargrave, is not an Englishman: but I must say, that of every person present, I least expected from Sir Hargrave Pollexfen this observation.

[He then returned the baronet’s laugh, and not without an air of mingled anger and contempt.]

Xor I this taste for foreign performances and compositions from Mr. Greville; for so long time as thou hast been a downright country gentleman.

[Indeed, thought I, you seem both to have changed characters. But I know how it comes about: let one advance what he will, in the present humour of both, the other will contradict it. Mr. Greville knows nothing of music: what he said was from hearsay: and Sir Hargrave is no better ground-ed in it.]

A downright country gentleman! repeated Mr. Greville, measuring Sir Hargrave with his eye, and putting up his lip.

Why, pr’ythee now, Greville, thou what-shall-I-call-thee? thou art not offended, I hope, that we are not all of one mind; Ha, ha, ha, hah!

I am offended at nothing you say, Sir Hargrave.

Nor I at any thing you look, my dear, Ha, ha, ha, hah.

Vet his looks shewed as much contempt for Mr. Greville as Mr. Greville’s did for him. How easily might these combustible spirits have blown eacb other up! Mr. Reeves was once a little appre-hensive of consequences from the airs of both.

Mr. Greville turned from Sir Hargrave to me: Well, Miss Byron, said he; but as to what we were talking about —

This he seemed to say, on purpose, as I thought by his air, to alarm the baronet.

I beg pardon, said Sir Hargrave; turning with a stiff air to me: I beg pardon, Miss Byron, if I have intruded —

We were talking of indifferent things, Sir Har-grave, answered I— Mere matters of pleasantry.

I was more in earnest than in jest, Miss Byron, replied Mr. Greville.

We all, I believe, thought you very whimsical, Mr. Greville, returned I.

What was sport to you, madam, is death to me.

Poor Greville! Ha, ha, ha, hah (affectedly laugh-ed the baronet): but I know you are a joker. You are a man of wit [this a little softened Mr. Greville, who had begun to look grave upon Sir Hargrave] Come, pr’ythee, man, give thyself up to me for this night; and I will carry thee to a private concert; where none but choice spirits are admitted; and let us see if music will not divert these gloomy airs, that sit so ill upon the face of one of the liveliest men in the kingdom.

Music! Ay, if Miss Byron will give us a song, and accompany it with the harpsichord, I will despise all other harmony.

Every one joined in his request: and I was not backward to oblige them, as I thought the conver-sation bore a little too rough a cast, and was not likely to take a smoother turn.

Mr. Greville, who always enjoys any jest that tends to reflect on our sex, begged me to sing that whimsical song set by Galliard, which once my uncle made me sing at Selby-house, in Mr. Gre-ville’s hearing. You were not there, Lucy, that day, and perhaps may not have the book, as Gal-liard is not a favourite with you.

Chloe, by all the powers above,

To Damon vow’d eternal love:

A rose adorn’d her sweeter breast;

She on a leaf the vow imprest:

But Zephyr, by her side at play,

Love, vow, and leaf, blew quite away.

The gentlemen were very lively on the occasion; and encored it: but I told them, That as they must be better pleased with the jest on our sex contained in it, than they could be with the music, I would not, for the sake of their own politeness, oblige them.

You will favour us, however, with your Discreet Lover, Miss Byron, said Mr. Greville. That is a song written entirely upon your own principles.

Well then I will give you it, said I, set by the same hand.
THE DISCREET LOVER.

Ye fair, that would be blest in love,

Take your pride a little lower;

Let the swain whom you approve,

Rather like you, than adore.

Love, that rises into passion.

Soon will end in hate or strife:

But from tender inclination,

Flow the lasting joys of life.

These two light pieces put the gentlemen into good humour; and a deal of silly stuff was said to me, by way of compliment, on the occasion, by Sir Hargrave and Mr. Greville; not one word of which I believed.

The baronet went away first, to go to his concert. He was very cold in his behaviour to me at taking leave, as he had been all the time.

Mr. Greville soon after left us, intending to set out this morning.

He snatched my hand at going. I was afraid of a second savage freedom, and would have with-drawn it. — Only one sigh over it; but one sigh, Oh! — said he, an Oh, half a yard long — and pressed it with his lips — But remember, madam, you are watched; I have half a dozen spies upon you: and the moment you find the man you can favour, up comes your Greville, cuts a throat, and flies his country.

He stopt at the parlour-door — One letter, Mis* Byron — Receive but one letter, from me.

No, Mr. Greville; but I wish you well.

Wishes! that, like the bishop’s blessing, cost you nothing. I was going to say No, for you: but you were too quick. It had been some pleasure to have denied myself, and prevented the mortification of a denial from you.

He went away; every one wishing him a good journey, and speaking favourably of the odd creature. Mrs. Reeves, in particular, thought fit to say, that he was the most entertaining of all my lovers: but if so, what “is it they call entertaining? and what are those others, whom they call my lovers?

The man, said I, is an immoral man; and had he not got above blushes, and above being hurt by love, he could not have been so gay, and so enter-taining, as you call it.

Miss Byron says true, said Mr. Reeves. I never knew a man who could make a jesting-matter of the passion in the presence of the object, so very deeply in love, us to be hurt by a disappointment. There sits Mrs, Reeves. Did I ever make a jest of my love to you, madam?

No indeed, Sir; had I not thought you most deplorably in earnest, you had not had any of my pity.

That’s a declaration in point. Either Mr. Orme, or Mr. Fowler, must be the happy man, Miss Byron.

Indeed, neither.

But why? They have both good estates. They both adore you. Sir Hargrave I see you cannot have. Mr. Greville dies not for you, though he would be glad to live with you. Mr. Fenwick is a still less eligible man, I thinly. Where can you be better than with one of the two I have named?

You speak seriously, cousin: I will not answer lightly: but neither of those gentlemen can be the man: yet I esteem them both because they are good men.

Well, but don’t you pity them?

I don’t know what to say to that: you hold, that pity is but one remove from love: and to say I pity a man who professes to love me, because I cannot consent to be his, carries with it, I think, an air of arrogance, and looks as if I believed he must be unhappy without me, when possibly there may be hundreds of women, with any one of whom he might be more truly happy.

Well, this is in character from you, Miss Byron: but may I ask you now, Which of the two gentle-men, Mr. Orme, or Mr. Fowler, were you obliged to have one of them, would you choose?

Mr. Orme, I frankly answer. Have I not told Mr. Fowler so?

Well, then, what are your objections, may I ask, to Mr. Orme? He is not a disagreeable man in his person. You own that you think him a good man.

His sister loves you; and you love her. What is your objection to Mr. Orme?

I don’t know what to say. I hope I should per-form my duty to the man to whom I shall give my vows, be he who he will; but I am not in haste to marry. If a single woman knows her own happiness, she will find that the time from eighteen to twenty-four is the happiest part of her life. If she stay till she is twenty-four, she has time to look about her, and if she has more lovers than one, is enabled to choose without having reason, on looking back, to reproach herself for hastiness. Her fluttering, her romantic age (we all know something of it, I doubt) is over by twenty-four, or it will hold too long: and she is then fit to take her resolutions, and to settle. I have more than once hinted, that I should be afraid to engage with one who thinks too highly of me beforehand. Nothing violent can be lasting, and I could not bear when I had given a man my heart with my hand (and they never shall be separated) that he should behave to me with less affection than he shewed to me before I was his. As I wish not now to be made an idol of, I may the more reasonably expect the constancy due to friendship, and not to be affronted with his indif-ference after I had given him my whole self. In other words, I could not bear to have my love slighted: or to be despised for it, instead of being encouraged to shew it. And how shall extravagant passion warrant hopes of this nature — if the man be not a man of gratitude, of principle, and a man whose love is founded in reason, and whose object is mind, rather than person?

But Mr. Orme, replied Mr. Reeves, is all this. Such, I believe, is his love.

Be it so. But if I cannot love him so well as to wish to be his (a man, I have heard my uncle, as well as Sir Hargrave, say, is his oivn; a woman is a man’s); if I cannot take delight in the thought of bearing my part of the yoke with him; in the belief, that, in case of a contrariety of sentiments, I cannot give up my judgment, in points indifferent, from the good opinion, I have of his; what but a fondness for the state, and an irksomeness in my present situation, could bias me in favour of any imn? Indeed, my cousin, I must love the man to whom I would give my hand, well enough to be able, on cool deliberation, to ivish to be his wife; and for his sake (with my whole heart) choose to quit the single state, in which I am very happy.

And you are sure that your indifference to Mr. Orme is not, either directly or indirectly, owing to his obsequious love of you; and to the milkiness of his nature, as Shakespeare calls it?

Very sure! All the leaning towards him that I have in preference, as I think, to every other man who has beheld me with partiality, is, on the contra-ry, owing to the grateful sense I have of his respect to me, and to the gentleness of his nature. Does not my behaviour to Mr. Greville, to Mr. Fen-wick, to Sir Hargrave, compared with my treat — ment of Mr. Orme, and Mr. Fowler, confirm what. I say?

Then you are, as indeed I have always thought you, a nonsuch of a woman.

Not so; your own lady, whom you first brought to pity you, as I have heard you say, is an instance that I am not.

Well, that’s true; but is she not, at the same time, an example, that pity melts the soul to love?

I have no doubt, said Mrs. Reeves, but Miss Byron may be brought to love the man she can pity. p3

But, madam, said I, did you not let pity grow into love, before you married Mr. Reeves?

I believe I did; smiling.

Well then I promise you, Mr. Reeves, when that comes to be the case with me, I will not give pain to a man I can like to marry.

Very well, replied Mr. Reeves: and I dare say, that at last Mr. Orme will be the man. And yet how you will get off with Sir Hargrave, I cannot tell. For Lady Betty Williams, this very day, told me, that he delared to her, he was resolved you should be his. And she has promised him all her interest with you, and with us; and is astonished that you can refuse a man of his fortune and address, and who has many, very many, admirers, among people of the first rank.

The baronet is at the door. I suppose he will expect to see me.

Wednesday afternoon.

Sir Hargrave is just gone. He desired to talk with me alone. I thought I might very well decline obliging him, as he had never scrupled to say to me all he had a mind to say before my cousins; and as he had thought himself of consequence enough to behave moodily; and even made this request rather with an air of expectation, than of respect; and 1 accordingly desired to be excused. He stalk-ed about. My cousins, first one, then the other, withdrew. His behaviour had not been so agreea-ble, as to deserve this compliance: I was vexed they did

He offered, as soon as they were gone, to take my hand.

I withdrew it.

Madam (said he, very impertinently angry) you would not do thus to Mr. Greville: you would not do thus to any man but me.

Indeed, Sir, I would, were I left alone with him.

You see, madam, that I cannot forbear visiting you. My heart and soul are devoted to you. I own I have pride. Forgive me; it is piqued. I did not believe I should have been rejected by any lady, who had no dislike to a change of condition; and was disengaged. You declare that you are so; and I am willing, I am desirous, to believe you. — And yet that Greville —

There he stopt, as expecting me to speak.

To what purpose, Sir Hargrave, do you expect an answer to what you hint about Mr. Greville? It is not my way to behave with incivility to any man who professes a regard for me —

Except to me, madam —

Self-partiality, Sir, and nothing else, could cause you to make this exception.

Well, madam, but as to Mr. Greville — ¦

Pray, Sir Hargrave —

And pray, Miss Byron —

I have never yet seen the man who is to be my husband.

By G— said the wretch, fiercely (almost in the language of Mr. Greville on the like occasion) but you have — And if you are not engaged in your af-fections, the man is before you.

If this, Sir Hargrave, is all you wanted to say to me, and would not be denied saying it, it might have been said before my cousins. I was for leaving him.

You shall not go. I beg, madam — Putting him-self between me and the door.

What further would Sir Hargrave say [[standing still, and angry] What further would Sir Hargrave say?

Have you, madam, a dislike to matrimony?

What right have you, Sir, to ask me this question?

Do you ever intend to enter into the state?

Perhaps I may, if I meet with a man to whom I can give my whole heart.

And cannot that man be I? — Let me implore you, madam. I will kneel to you [and down he dropt on his knees.] I cannot live without you. For God’s sake, madam! Your pity, your mercy, your gratitude, your love! I could not do this before any-body, unless assured of favour. I implore your favour.

[Foolish man! It was plain, that this kneeling supplication was premeditated.]

Sir, what undue humility! — Could I have re-ceived your address, none of this had been necessary.

Your pity, madam, once more, your gratitude, your mercy, your love.

Pray, Sir, rise.

He swore by his God, that he would not, till I had given him hope —

No hope can I give you, Sir. It would be cheating, it would be deluding you, it would not he honest, to give you hope.

You objected to my morals, madam: have you any other objection?

Need there any other?

But I can clear myself.

To God, and to your conscience, then do it, Sir. I want you not to clear yourself to me.

But, madam, the clearing myself to you, would be clearing myself to God, and my conscience.

What language is this, Sir? But you can be nothing to me: indeed you can be nothing to me — Rise, Sir; rise or I leave you.

I made an effort to go. Fie caught my hand; and arose — Then kissed it, and held it between both his.

For God’s sake, madam —

Pray, Sir Hargrave —

Your objections? I insist upon knowing your objections. My person, madam — Forgive me, I am not used to boast — My person, madam —

Pray, Sir Hargrave.

— Is not contemptible. My fortune —

God bless you, Sir, with your fortune.

— Is not inconsiderable. My morals —

Pray, Sir Hargrave! Why this enumeration to me?

¦ — Are as unexceptionable as those of most young men of fashion in the present age.

[I am sorry if this be true, thought I to myself]

You have reason, I hope, Sir, to be glad of that.

My descent —

Is honourable, Sir, no doubt.

My temper is not bad. I am thought to be a man of vivacity, and of cheerfulness. — I have courage, madam — And this should have been seen, had I found reason to dread a competitor in your favour.

I thought you were enumerating your good qua-lities, Sir Hargrave.

Courage, madam, magnanimity in a man, ma-dam —

Are great qualities, Sir. Courage in a right cause, I mean. Magnanimity, you know, Sir, is greatness of mind.

And so it is; and I hope —

And I, Sir Hargrave, hope you have great reason to be satisfied with yourself: but it would be very grievous to me, if I had not the liberty so to act, so to govern myself, in essential points, as should leave me as well satisfied with ?wj/-self.

This, I hope, may be the case, madam, if you encourage my passion: and let me assure you, that no man breathing ever loved a woman as I love you. My person, my fortune, my morals; my descent, my temper (a man in such a case as this may be allowed to do himself justice) all unexceptionable; let me die if I can account for your — your — your refusal of me in so peremptory, in so unceremonious a man-ner, slap-dash, as I may say, and not one objection to make, or which you will condescend to make!

You say, Sir, that you love me above all women: would you, can you, be so little nice, as to wish to marry a woman who does not prefer you to all men? — If you are, let me tell you, Sir, that you have assigned a reason against yourself, which I think I ought to look upon as conclusive.

I make no doubt, madam, that my behaviour to you after marriage, will induce you, in gratitude as well as justice, to prefer me to all men.

Your behaviour after marriage, Sir! — Never will I trust to that, where —

Where what, madam?

No need of entering into particulars, Sir. You see that we cannot be of the same mind. You, Sir Hargrave, have no doabt of youi merit —

I know, madam, that I should make it the business as well as pleasure of my life, to deserve you.

You value yourself upon your fortune, Sir —

Only as it gives me power to make you happy.

Riches never yet, of themselves, made any-body happy. I have already as great a fortune as I wish for. You think yourself polite. —

Polite, madam! — And I hope —

The whole of what I mean, Sir Hargrave, is this: you have a very high opinion of yourself: you may have reason for it; since you must know yourself, and your own heart, better than I can pretend to do: but would you, let me ask you, make choice of a woman for a wife, who frankly owns, that she cannot think so highly, as you imagine she ought to think of you? — In justice to yourself, Sir —

By my soul, madam, haughtily, you are the only woman who could thus —

Well, Sir, perhaps I am. But will not this singu-larity convince you, that I can never make you happy, nor you me? You tell me that you think highly of me; but if I cannot think so highly of you, pray, Sir, let me be intitled to the same freedom in my refusal that governs you in your choice.

He walked about the room; and gave himself airs that shewed greater inward than even outward emotion.

I had a mind to leave him; yet was not willing to withdraw abruptly, intending, and hoping, to put an end to all his expectations for the future. I there-fore in a manner asked for leave to withdraw.

I presume, Sir, that nothing remains to be said but what may be said before my cousins. And, courtesying, was going.

He told me with a passionate air, that he was half-distracted; and complained of the use I made of the power I had over him. And as I had near opened the door, he threw himself on his knees to me against it, and undesignedly hurt my finger with the lock.

He was grieved. I made light of it, though in pain, that he might not have an opportunity to flourish upon it, and to show a tenderness winch I doubt is not very natural to him.

How little was I affected with his kneeling, to what I was with the same posture in Sir Rowland! Sir Hargrave supplicated me as before. I was forced in answer to repeat some of the same things that I had said before.

I would fain have parted civilly. He would not permit me to do so. Though he was on his knees, he mingled passion, and even indirect menaces, with his supplications. I was forced to declare, that I never more would receive his visits.

This declaration he vowed would make him desperate, and he cared not what became of him.

I often begged him to rise; but to no purpose, till I declared that I would stay no longer with him: and then he arose, rapt out an oath or two; again called me proud and ungrateful; and followed me into the other room to my cousins. He could hardly be civil to them: he walked two or three turns about the room: at last, Forgive me, Mr. Reeves, forgive me, Mrs. Reeves, said he, bowing to them; more stiffly to me — And yon forbid my future visits, madam, said he, with a face of malice.

I do, Sir; and that for both our sakes. You have greatly discomposed me.

Next time, madam, I have the honour of attending you, it will be, I hope — [he stopt a moment, but still looking fiercely] to a happier purpose. And away he went.

Mr. Reeves was offended with him, and discour-aged me not in my resolution to avoid receiving his future visits. You will now therefore hear very little farther in my letters of this Sir Hargrave Pol-lexfen.

And yet I wish I do not see him very soon. But it will be in company enough if 1 do: at the mas-querade, I mean, tomorrow night; for he never misses going to such entertainments.

Our dresses are ready. Mr. Reeves is to be a hermit; Mrs. Reeves a nun; Lady Betty a lady ab-bess: but I by no means like mine, because of its gaudiness: the very thing I was afraid of.

They call it the dress of an Arcadian princess: but it falls not in with any of my notions of the pastoral dress of Arcadia.

A white Paris net sort of a cap, glittering with spangles, and incircled by a chaplet of artificial flowers, with a little white feather perking from the left ear, is to be my head-dress.

My masque is Venetian.

My hair is to be complimented with an appear-ance, because of its natural ringlets, as they call my curls, and to shade my neck.

Tucker and ruffles blond lace.

My shape is also said to be consulted in this dress. A kind of waistcoat of blue satin trimmed with silver point d’Espagne, the skirts edged with silver fringe, is made to sit close to my waist by double clasps, a small silver tassel at the end of each clasp; all set off with bugles and spangles, which make a mighty glitter.

But I am to be allowed a kind of scarf of white Persian silk; which, gathered at the top, is to be fastened to my shoulders; and to fly loose behind me.

Bracelets on my arms.

They would have given me a crook; but I would not submit to that. It would give me, I said, an air of confidence to aim to manage it with any tole-rable freedom; and I was apprehensive, that I should not be thought to want that from the dress itself. A large Indian fan was not improper for the expected warmth of the place; and that contented me.

My petticoat is of blue satin, trimmed and fringed as my waistcoat. I am not to have a hoop that is perceivable. They wore not hoops in Arcadia.

What a sparkling figure shall I make! Had the ball been what they call a subscription ball, at which Q people dress with more glare than at a common one, this dress would have been more tolerable.

But they all say, that I shall be kept in counte-nance by masques as extravagant, and even more ridiculous.

Be that as it may, I wish the night was over. I dare say, it will be the last diversion of this kind I ever shall be at; for I never had any notion of mas-querades.

Expect particulars of all in my next. I reckon you will be impatient for them. But pray, my Lucy, be fanciful, as I sometimes am, and let me know how you think every-thing will be before-hand; and how many pretty-fellows you imagine, in this dress, will be slain by your

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXIII.
Mr. Reeves to George Selby, Esq.

Dear Mr. Selby, Friday, February 17.

No one, at present, but yourself, must see the contents of what I am going to write.

You must not be too much surprised.

But how shall I tell you the news; the dreadful news? — My wife has been ever since three this morning in violent hysterics upon it.

You must not — But how shall 1 say, you must not, be too much affected, when we are unable to support ourselves? my cousin Selby! — We know not what is become of our dearest Miss Byron!

I will be as particular as my grief and surprise will allow. There is a necessity for it, as you will find.

Mr. Greville, as I apprehend — But to particulars first.

We were last night at the ball in the Hay-market.

The chairmen who carried the dear creature, and who, as well as our chairmen, were engaged for the night, were inveigled away to drink somewhere. They promised Wilson, my cousin’s servant, to return in half an hour.

It was then but little more than twelve.

Wilson waited near two hours, and they not re-turning, he hired a chair to supply their place.

Between two and three, we all agreed to go home. The dear creature was fatigued with the notice every — body took of her. Every-body admired her. She wanted to go before; but Lady Betty prevailed on her to stay a little longer.

I waited on her to her chair, and saw her in it before I attended Lady Betty and my wife to theirs.

I saw that neither the chair, nor the chairmen, were those who brought her. I asked the meaning; and received the above particulars after she was in the chair.

She hurried into it because of her dress, and being warm, and no less than four gentlemen fol-lowing her to the very chair.

It was then near three.

I ordered Wilson to bid the chairmen stop when they had got out of the crowd, till Lady Betty’s chair and mine, and my wife’s, joined them.

I saw her chair move, and Wilson with his lighted flambeaux before it; and the four masques who fol-lowed her to the chair return into the house.

When our servants could not find that her chair had stopt, we supposed that in the hurry, the fellow heard not my orders; and directed our chairmen to Q2 proceed; not doubting but we should find her got home before us.

We had before agreed to be carried directly home: declining Lady Betty’s invitation to resume our own dresses at her house, where we dressed for the ball.

We were very much surprised at finding her not arrived: but concluding, that, by mistake, she was carried to Lady Betty’s, and was there expecting us, we sent thither immediately.

But, good God! what was our consternation, when the servants brought us word back, that Lady Betty had not either seen or heard of her!

Mr. Greville, as I apprehend —

But let me give you all the lights on which I ground my surmises.

Last night Lady Betty Williams had a hint given her, as she informed me at the masquerade, that Mr. Greville, who took leave of my cousin on Tues-day evening in order to set out for Northampton — shire the next morning, was neither gone, nor in tended to go; being, on the contrary, resolved to continue in town perdue, in order to watch my cousin’s visiters.

He had indeed told her, that she would have half a dozen spies upon her; and threw out some hints of jealousy of two of her visiters.

Sir Hargrave Pollexfen in a harlequin dress was at the ball: he soon discovered our lovely cousin, and notwithstanding his former ill-nature on being rejected by her, addressed her with the politeness of a man accustomed to public places.

He found me out at the side-board a little before we went off; and asked me, if I had not seen Mr. Greville there? 1 said, No.

He asked me, if I had not observed a masque distinguished by a board-brimmed half-slouched hat, with a high flat crown, a short black cloak, a dark lantern in his hand, holding it up to every one’s masque; and who, he said, was saluted by every-body as Guido Vaux? That person he said was Mr. Greville.

I did indeed observe this person; but recollected not, that he had the air of Mr. Greville; but thought him a much more bulky man. But that, as he intended to have it supposed he had left the town, might be easily managed.

Mr. Greville, you know, is a man of enterprize.

He came to town, having professedly no other material business but to give obstruction to my cousin’s visiters. He saw she had two new ones. He talked at first of staying in town, and partaking of its diversions, and even of bespeaking a new equipage.

But all of a sudden, though expecting Mr. Fen-wick would come up, he pretended to leave the town, and to set out directly for Northamptonshire, without having obtained any concession from my cousin in his favour.

Laying all these circumstances together, I think it is hardly to be doubted, but Mr. Greville is at the bottom of this black affair.

You will therefore take such steps on these lights as your prudence will suggest to you. If Mr. Gre-ville is not come down — If Mr. Fenwick — what would I say?

The less noise, however, the affair makes, till we can come at certainty, the better.

How I dread what that certainty may be! — Dear creature!

But I am sure you will think it advisable to keep this dreadful affair from her poor grandmother. And I hope your good lady — Yet her prudent ad-vice may be necessary. tt3

I have six people out at different parts of the town, who are to make enquiries among chairmen, coachmen, &c.

Her new servant cannot be a villain — What can one say? — What can one think?

We have sent to his sister, who keeps an inn in Smithfield. She has heard nothing of him.

I have sent after the chairmen who carried her to this cursed masquerade. Lady Betty’s chairmen, who had provided the chairs, knew them, and their number. They were traced with a fare from White’s to Berkeley-square.

Something may be discovered by means of those fellows, if they were tampered with. They are afraid, I suppose, to come to demand their but half-earned money. Woe be to them if they come out to be rascals!

I had half a suspicion of Sir Hargrave, as well from the character given us of him by a friend of mine, as because of his unpolite behaviour to the dear creature on her rejecting him: and sent to his house in Cavendish — square, to know if he were at home; and if he were, at what time he returned from the ball.

Answer was brought, that he was in bed, and they supposed would not be stirring till dinner-time, when he expected company: and that he returned not from the ball till between four and five this morning.

We sent to Mr. Greville’s lodgings. He has ac-tually discharged them; and the people think (as he told them so) that he is set out for the country. But he is master of contrivances enough to manage this. There can be no thought that he would give out otherwise to them, than he did to us. Happy! had we found him not gone. Mr. Greville must be the man!

You will be so good, as to dispatch the bearer instantly with what information can be got about Mr. Greville.

Ever, ever yours!

ARCHIBALD REEVES.


Letter XXIV.
Mr. Selby to Archibald Reeves, Esq. [In answer to the preceding.]

Saturday, February 13. O Mr. Reeves! — Dear sweet child! — Flower of the world! —

But how could I keep such dreadful tidings within my own breast? —

I low could I conceal my consternation? — My wife saw it. She would know the cause of it.

I could not tell her the fatal news — Fatal news indeed! It will be immediate death to her poor grandmother —

We must keep it from her as long as we can! — But keep it from her! — And is the dearest creature spirited away? — O Mr. Reeves! —

I gave my wife your letter She fainted away, before she had read it through.

Masquerades, I have generally heard said, were more silly than wicked: but they are now, I am convinced, the most profligate of all diversions.

Almost distracted, cousin! — You may well be so: we shall all be quite distracted — Dear, dear creature! What may she not have suffered by this time?

Why parted we with such a jewel out of our sight?

You would not be denied: you mould have her to that cursed town.

Some damned villain, to be sure! — Greville it is not.

Greville was seen late last night, alighting at his own house from a post-chaise. He had nobody with him.

In half an hour, late as it was, he sent his compliments to us to let us know that he had left the dear child well, and (in his usual style) happier than she would make him. He knows that our lives are bound up in hers.

Find out where she is: and find her safe and well: or we will never forgive those who were the cause of her going to London.

Dear soul! She was over persuaded! — She was not fond of going!

The sweetest, obliging creature! — What is now become of her! — What by this time may she not have suffered! —

Search every-where — But you will, no doubt! — Suspect every-body — This Lady Betty Williams — Such a plot must have a woman in it. Was she not Sir Hargrave’s friend? — This Sir Hargrave — Greville it could not be. Had we not the proof I mentioned, Greville, bad as he is, could not be such a villain.

The first moment you have any tidings, bad or good, spare no expence —

Greville was this moment here.

We could not see him. We did not let him know the matter.

He is gone away, in great surprise, on the ser-vants telling him that we had received some bad news, which made us unfit to see any-body. The servants could not tell him what: yet they all guess by your livery, and by our grief, that something has befallen their beloved young lady. They are all in tears — and they look at us, when they attend us, with such inquisitive, yet silent grief! — We are speechless before them; and tell them our wills by motions, and not by words.

Good God! — After so many happy years! — Hap-py in ourselves! to be at last in so short a time made the most miserable of wretches!

But this had not been, if — But no more — Good God of heaven, what will become of poor Mrs. Shirley! — Lucy, Nancy, will go distracted — But no more — Hasten your next — And forgive this distracted letter. I know not what I have written. But I am

Yours,

GEORGE SELBY.


Letter XXV.
Mr Reeves to George Selby, Esq. [In continuation of Letter XXIII.]

Lady Betty’s chairmen have found out the first chairmen.

The fellows were made almost dead drunk. They are sure something was put into their liquor. They have been hunting after the footmen, who enticed them, and drank them down. They describe their livery to be brown, trimmed and turned up with yellow; and are in the service of a merchant’s relict, who lives either in Mark-lane, or Mincing-lane; they forgot which; but have not yet been able to find them out. Their lady, they said, was at the mas-querade. They were very officious to scrape ac — quaintance with them. We know not any-body who gives this livery: so no lights can be obtained by this part of the information. A cursed deep-laid villany! — The fellows are resolved, they say, to find out these footmen, if above ground; and the chair-men who were hired on their failure.

Every hour we have one messenger or other re-turning with something to say; but hitherto with nothing to the purpose. This has kept me within. O Mr. Selby, I know not what to direct! I know not what to do! I send them out again as fast as they return: yet rather show my despair, than my hope.

Surely this villany must be Mr. Greville’s. Though I have but just dispatched away my ser-vant to you, I am impatient for his return.

I will write every hour, as any-thing offers, that I may have a letter ready to send you by another man, the moment Ave hear any-thing. And yet I expect not to hear any-thing material, but from you.

We begin to suspect the servant (that Wilson) whom my cousin so lately hired. Were he clear of the matter, either he, or the chairmen he hired, must have been heard of. He would have return-ed. They could not all three be either murdered or secreted.

These cursed masquerades! — Never will I—

O Mr. Selby! Her servant is, must be a villain! — Sarah, my dear cousin’s servant (my poor wife can think of nothing. She is extremely ill) Sarah took it into her head to have the specious rascal’s trunk broke open. It felt light, and he had talked, but the night before, of his stock of clothes and linen, to the other servants. There was nothing of value found in it; not of six-pence value. The most specious villain, if a villain. Every-body liked him. The dear creature herself was pleased with him. He knew every thing and every-body — Cursed be he for his adroitness and knowledge! We had made too many en quiries after a servant for her.

Eleven o’clock. I am just returned from Smithfield. From the villain’s sister. He comes out to be a villain — This Wilson I mean — A practised villain!

The woman shook her head at the enquiry which I made, half out of breath, after what was become of him. She was afraid, she said, that all was not right: but was sure her brother had not robbed.

He had been guilty, I said, of a villany that was a thousand times worse than robbery.

She was inquisitive about it; and I hinted to her what it was.

Her brother, she said, was a young man of parts and understanding, and would be glad, she was sure, of getting a livelihood by honest services. It was a sad thing that there should be such masters in the world, as would put servants upon bad practices.

I asked after the character of that Bagenhall, whose service her brother last lived in? and impru-dently I threatened her brother.

Ah, Sir! was all the answer she made, shaking her head.

I repeated my question, Who was that Bagen-hall? —

Excuse me, Sir, said she. I will give no other answer, till I hear whether my brother’s life may be in danger or not. She abhorred, she said, all base practices as much as any-body could do: and she was sorry for the lady, and for mo.

I then offered to be the making of her brother, were it possible to engage him before any violence was done to the lady. I asked, if she knew where to send to him?

Indeed she did not. She dared to sav, she should not hear of him for one while. Whenever he had been drawn in to assist in any out-of-the-way pranks [see, Mr. Selby, a practised villain! ] he kept away from her till all was blown over. Those who would take such steps, she feared, would by this time have done the mischief.

How I raved!

I offered her money, ahandsome sum, if she would tell me what she knew of that Bagenhall, or of any of her brother’s employers: but she refused to say one word more, till she knew whether her brother’s life were likely to be affected or not.

I left her, and hastened home, to enquire after what might have happened in my absence: but will soon see her again, in hopes she may be wrought upon to drop some hints, by which something may be discovered — But all this time, What may be the fate of the dear sufferer! — I cannot bear my own thoughts!

Lady Betty is inexpressibly grieved —

I have dispatched a man and horse (God knows to what purpose) to a friend I have at Reading, to get him to enquire after the character of this Ba-genhall. There is such a man, and he is a man of pleasure, as Sir John Allestree informs me — Ac-cursed villain, this Wilson! He could not bear with his master’s constant bad hours, and profligate course of life, as he told our servants, and Mrs. Sarah! — Specious impostor!

One o’clock. Lady Betty’s chairmen have found out, and brought with them, one of the fellows whom that vile Wilson hired. The other was afraid to come. I have secured this fellow: yet he seems to be inge-nuous: and 1 have promised, that if* he prove inno — cent, he shall be rewarded instead of being punished: and the two chairmen, on this promise, are gone to try to prevail upon his partner to come, were it but to release the other, as both insisted upon their innocence.

And now will you be impatient to know what ac-count this fellow gives.

O Mr. Selby! The dear, dear creature — But before I can proceed, I must recover my eyes.

Two o’clock.

This fellow’s name is Macpherson. His partner’s M’Dermot. This is Macpherson’s account of the matter.

Wilson hired them to carry his young lady to Paddington — To Paddington! A vile dog! —

They objected distance and danger; the latter, as Macpherson owns, to heighten the value of the ser-vice.

As to the danger, Wilson told him, they would be met by three others of his fellow-servants, armed, at the first fields: and as to the distance, they would be richly rewarded; and he gave them a crown apiece earnest, and treated them besides with brandy.

To prevent their curiosity, and entirely to remove their difficulties, the villain told them, that his young lady was an heiress, and had agreed to go off from the masquerade with her lover: but that the gentle-man would not appear to them till she came to the very house, to which she was to be conveyed.

She thinks, said the hellish villain, that she is to be carried to May–Fair chapel, and to be married di-rectly; and that the minister (unseasonable as the hour is) will be there in readiness. But the gentle-man, who is a man of the utmost honour, intends first to try whether he cannot obtain her friends’ consent. So when she finds her way lengthened, proceeded the vile wretch, she will perhaps be frightened vol. ix. R and will ask me questions. I would not for the world disoblige her; but here she must be cheated for her own sake; and when all is over, will value me the more for the innocent imposture. But whatever or-ders she may give you, observe none but mine, and follow me. You shall be richly rewarded, repeated the miscreant. Should she even cry out, mind it not: she is full of fears, and hardly holds in one mind for an hour together.

He farther cautioned them not to answer any questions which might possibly be asked of them, by the person who should conduct his young lady to her chair; but refer to himself: and in case any other chairs were to go in company with hers, he bid them fall behind, and follow his flambeau.

Macpherson says, that she drew the curtains close (because of her dress, no doubt) the moment I had left her, after seeing her in the chair.

The fellows, thus prepossessed and instructed, speeded away, without stopping for our chairs. Yet my cousin must have heard me give that direction.

They had carried her a great way before she called out: and then she called three times before they would hear her: at the third time they stopt, and her servant asked her commands. Where am I, William? Just at home, madam, answered he. Surely you have taken a strange round-about way. We are come about, said the rascal, on purpose to avoid the crowd of chairs and coaches.

They proceeded onwards, and were joined by three men, as Wilson had told them they would; but they fancied one of them to be a gentleman; for he was muffled up in a cloak, and had a silver-hilted sword in his hand: but he spake not. He gave no directions: and all three kept aloof, that they might not be seen by her.

At Marybone,she again called out; William, Wil-‘A liam, said she, with vehemence: the Lord have mercy upon me! Where are you going to carry me? Chairmen, stop! Stop chairmen! Set me down! — William! — Call my servant, chairmen! —

Dear soul! Her servant! Her devil!

The chairmen called him. They lifted up the head. The side-curtains were still drawn, and M’Dermot stood so close, that she could not see far before her. Did you not tell me, said the villain to them, that it was not far about? — See how you have frighted my lady! — Madam, we are now almost at home.

They proceeded with her, saying, they had indeed mistaken their way; but they were just there, and hurried on.

She then undrew the side-curtains — Good God of heaven protect me! they heard her say — I am in the midst of fields — They were then at Lissom Green.

They heard her pray; and Macpherson said, he began then to conclude, that the lady was too much frightened, and too pious to be in a love-plot.

But, nevertheless, beckoned by their villanous guide, they hurried on: and then she screamed out, and happening to see one of the three men, she begged his help for God’s sake.

The fellow blustered at the chairmen, and bid them stop. She asked for Grosvenor Street. She was to be carried, she said, to Grosvenor Street.

She was just there, that fellow said — It can’t be, Sir! it can’t be! — Don’t I see fields all about me? — I am in the midst of fields, Sir.

Grosvenor Square, madam, replied that villain; the trees and garden of Grosvenor Square.

What a strange way have you come about, cried her miscreant! And then trod out his flambeau; while another fellow took the chairmen’s lantern r 2 from them; and they had only a little glimmering star-light to guide them.

She then, poor dear soul! screamed so dismally, that Macpherson said, it went to his heart to hear her. But they following Wilson, who told them they were just landed, that was his word, he led them up a long garden-walk, by a back way. One of the three men having got before, opened the garden-door, and held it in his hand; and by the time they got to the house to which the garden seemed to belong, the dear creature ceased screaming.

They too well saw the cause, when they stopt with her. She was in a fit.

Two women, by the assistance of the person in the cloak, helped her out, with great seeming tenderness. They said something in praise of her beauty, and expressed themselves concerned for her, as if they were afraid she was past recovery: which apparently startled the man in the cloak.

Wilson entered the house with those who carried in the dear creature; but soon came out to the chair-men. They saw the man in the cloak (who hung about the villain and hugged him, as in joy) give the rascal money; who then put a guinea into each of their hands; and conveyed them through the garden again, to the door at which they entered; but refused them light, even so much as that of their own candle and lantern. However, he sent another man with them, who led them over rough and dirty by-ways into a path that pointed London-ward; but plainly so much about with design to make it difficult for them to find out the place again. # *

The other fellow is brought hither. He tells exactly the same story.

I asked of both, what sort of a man he in the cloak was: but he so carefully muffled himself up, and so little appeared to them, either walking after them, or at the house, that I could gain no light from their description.

On their promise to be forth-coming, I have suf-fered them to go with Lady Betty’s chairmen to try if they can trace out their own footsteps, and find the place.

How many hopeless things must a man do, in an exigence, who knows not what is right to be done! * *

I have enquired of Lady Betty, who it was that told her, Mr. Greville was not gone out of town, but intended to lie perdue; and she named her informant. I asked how the discourse came in? She owned, a little awkwardly. I asked whether that lady knew Mr. Greville? She could not say whether she did, or not.

I went to that lady: Mrs. Preston, in New Bond Street. She had her intelligence, she told me, from SirHargravePollexfen; who had hinted to her, that he should take such notice of Mr. Greville, as might be attended with consequences; and she was the rea-dier to intimate this to Lady Betty, in order to pre vent mischief.

Now, Mr. Selby, as the intimation that the dark-lantern figure at the masquerade was Mr. Greville, came from Sir Hargrave, and nobody else; and we saw nothing of him ourselves; how do we know — And yet Mr. Greville intended that we should believe him to be out of town. — Yet even that intima — tion came from Sir Hargrave — And furthermore, was it not likely that he would take as much care to conceal himself from Sir Hargrave, as from us? — But I will go instantly to Sir Hargrave’s house. He was to dine at home, and with company. If I cannot R 3 see him; if he should be absent — But no more till I return.

Mr. Selby! I believe I have wronged Mr. Gre-ville. The dear soul, I am afraid, is fallen into even worse hands than his.

I went to Sir Hargrave’s house. He was not at home. He ivas at home. He had company with him. He was not to be spoken with. These were the dif-ferent answers given me by his porter, with as much confusion as I had impatience; and yet it was evident to me, that he had his lesson given him. In short, I have reason to think, that Sir Hargrave came not home all night. The man in the cloak, I doubt, was he. Now does all that Sir John Allestree said of the malicious wickedness of this devilish man, and his arrogant behaviour to our dear Miss Byron, on her rejecting him, come fresh into my memory. And is she, can she be, fallen into the power of such a man? — Rather, much rather, may my first surmises prove true. Greville is surely (exceptionable as he is) a better man, at least abetter-natured man, than this; and he can have no thoughts less honourable than marriage: but this villain, if he be the villain — I can-not, I dare not, pursue the thought.

The four chairmen are just returned. They think they have found the place; but having gained some intelligence (intelligence which distracts me!) they hurried back for directions.

They had asked a neighbouring alehouse-keeper, if there were not a long garden (belonging to the house they suspected) and a back-door out of it to a dirty lane and fields. He answered in the affirmative, The front of this house faces the road.

They called for some hot liquors; and asked the landlord after the owners. Heknew nothing of harm of them, hesaid. They hadlived there near a twelve-month in reputation. The family consisted ofa widow, whose name is Awberry, her son, and two daughters. The son (a man of about thirty years of age) has a place in the Custom-house, and only came down on a Saturday, and went up on Monday. But an odd circumstance, he said, had alarmed him that very morning.

He was at first a little shy of telling what it was. He loved, he said, to mind his own business: what other people did was nothing to him: but, at last, he told them, that about six o’clock in the morning he was waked by the trampling of horses; and looking out of his window, saw a chariot-and-six, and three or four men on horseback, at the widow Awberry’s door. He got up. The footmen and coachmen were very hush, not calling for a drop of liquor, though his doors were open; a rare instance, he said, where there were so many men-servants together, and a coachman one of them. This, he said, could not but give a greater edge to his curiosity.

About seven o’clock, one of the widow’s daugh-ters came to the door, with a lighted candle in her hand, and directed the chariot to drive up close to the house. The alehouse-keeper then slipt into an arbour-like porch, next door to the widow’s; where he had not been three minutes before he saw two persons come to the door; the one a tall gentleman in laced clothes, who had his arms about the other, a person of middling stature, wrapt up in a scarlet cloak; and resisting, as one in great distress, the other’s violence; and begging not to be put into the chariot, in a voice and accent that evidently shewed it was a woman.

The gentleman made vehement protestations of honour; but lifted the lady into the chariot. She struggled, and seemed to be in agonies of grief; and on being lifted in, and the gentleman going in after her, she screamed out for help; and he observed in the struggling, that she had on, under her cloak, a silver-laced habit [the masquerade habit, no doubt! J: her screaming grew fainter and fainter, and her voice sounded to him as if her mouth were stopped: and the gentleman seemed to speak high, as if he threatened her.

Away drove the chariot. The servants rode after it.

In about half an hour, a coach and four came to the widow’s door; the widow and her two daughters went into it, and it took the same road.

The alehouse-keeper had afterwards the curiosity to ask the maid-servant, an ignorant country wench, whither her mistresses went so early in the morning? She answered they were gone to Windsor, or that way, and would not return, she believed, in a week. this damned Sir Hargrave! He has a house upon the forest. I have no doubt but he is the villain. Who knows what injuries she might have sustained before she was forced into the chariot? — God give me patience! Dear soul! Her prayers! Her strug-gling! Her crying out for help! Her mouth stopt! O the villain!

I have ordered as many men and horses as two of my friends can furnish me with, to be added to two of my own (we shall be nine in all) to get ready with all speed. I will pursue the villain to the world’s end, but I will find him.

Our first course shall be to his house at Windsor. If we find him not there, we will proceed to that Bagenhalfs, near Reading.

It would be but losing time, were I to go now to Paddington. And when the vile widow and her daughters are gone from home, and only an ignorant wench left, what can we learn of her more than is already told us?

I have, however, accepted Lady Betty’s offer of her steward’s going with the two chairmen, to get what farther intelligence he can from Paddington, against my return.

I shall take what I have written with me, to form from it a letter less hurrying, less alarming, for your perusal, than this that I have written at such snatches of time, and under such dreadful uncertainties, would be to you, were I to send it; that is to say, if I have time, and if I am able to write with any certainty — O that dreaded certainty!

At four in the morning the six men I borrow, and myself, and two of my servants, well armed, are to rendezvous at Hyde–Park Corner. It is grievous that another night must pass. But so many people cannot be got together as two or three might.

My poor wife has made me promise to take the as-sistance of peace-officers, wherever I find either the villain, or the suffering angel.

Where the road parts we shall divide, and enquire at every turnpike; and shall agree upon our places of meeting.

I am harassed to death: but my mind is the great-est sufferer.

O my dear Mr. Selby! We have tidings — God be praised, we have tidings — Not so happy indeed as were to be wished: yet the dear creature is living, and in honourable hands — God be praised!

Read the inclosed letter directed to me.

Miss Byron is in safe and honourable hands. The first moment she could give any account of herself, she besought me to quiet your heart, and your lady’s, with this information.

She has been cruelly treated.

Particulars, at present, she cannot give.

She was many hours speechless.

But don’t fright yourselves: her fits, though not less frequent, are weaker and weaker.

The bearer will acquaint you who my brother is; to whom you owe the preservation and safety of the loveliest woman in England; and he will direct you to a house where you will be welcome with your lady (for Miss Byron cannot be removed) to convince yourselves that all possible care is taken of her, by, Sir,

Your humble servant, Friday, February 17. CHARLOTTE GRANDISON.

In jits! — Has been cruelly treated! — Many hours speechless! — Cannot be removed! — Her solicitude, though hardly herself, for our’ ease! — Dearest, dear creaturel — But you will rejoice with me, my cou-sins, that she is in such honourable hands.

What I have written must now go. I have no time to transcribe.

I have sent to my two friends to let them know, that I shall not have occasion for their people’s as-sistance.

She is at a nobleman’s house, the Earl of L. near Colnebrook.

My wife, harassed and fatigued in mind as she has been on this occasion, and poorly in health, wanted to go with me: but it is best first for me to see how the dear creature is.

I shall set out before day, on horseback. My ser-vant shall carry with him a portmanteau of things, ordered by my wife. My cousin must have made a strange appearance in her masquerade dress, to her deliverer.

The honest man who brought the letter [he looks remarkably so; but had he a less agreeable counte-nance, he would have been received by us as an an — gel, for his happy tidings] was but just returnedfrom Windsor, whither he had been sent early in the morning, to transact some business, when he was dispatched away to us with the welcome letter. He could not therefore be so particular as we wished him. What he gathered was from the housekeeper; the men-servants, who were in the fray [a fray there was!] being gone to town with their master. But what we learnt from him, is, briefly, as follows:

His master is Sir Charles Grandison; a gentleman who has not been long in England. I have often heard mention of his father, Sir Thomas, who died not long ago. This honest man knew not when to stop in his master’s praise. He gives his young lady also an excellent character.

Sir Charles was going to town in his chariot and six when he met (most happily met!) our distressed cousin.

Sir Hargrave is the villain!

I am heartily sorry for suspecting Mr. Greville.

Sir Charles had earnest business in town; and he proceeded thither, after he had rescued the dear creature, and committed her to the care of his sis-ter. — God for ever bless him!

The vile Sir Hargrave, as the servant understood, was wounded. Sir Charles, it seems, was also hurt. Thank God it was so slightly, as not to hinder him from pursuing his journey to town after the glorious act.

I would have given the honest man a handsome gratuity: but he so earnestly besought me to excuse him, declaring that he was under an obligation to the most generous of masters to decline all gifts, that I was obliged to withdraw my hand.

I will speed this away by Richard Fennell. I will soon send you farther particulars by the post: not unhappy ones, I hope.

Excuse, mean time, all that is amiss in a letter the greatest part of which was written in such dreadful uncertainty, and believe, that I will be Ever yours,

ARCHIBALD REEVES.


Letter XXVI.
Mr. Reeves to George Selby, Esq.

DEAR SIR, Saturday, February 18.

I am just returned from visiting my beloved cousin. You will be glad of every minute particular, as I can give it to you, relating to this shocking affair; and to her protector and his sister. There are not such another brother and sister in England.

I got to the hospitable mansion by nine this morning. I enquired after Miss Byron’s health; and, on giving in my name, was shewn into a handsome par-lour, elegantly furnished.

Immediately came down to me a very agreeable young lady; Miss Grandison. I gave her a thousand thanks for the honour of her letter, and the joyful information it had given me of the safety of one so deservedly dear to us.

She must be an excellent young lady, answered she. I have just left her — You must not see her yet —

Ah, madam, said I, and looked surprised and grieved, I believe —

Don’t affright yourself, Sir. Miss Byron will do Very well: but she must be kept quiet. She has had a happy deliverance — She —

O madam, interrupted I, your generous, your no-ble brother —

Is the best of men, Mr. Reeves: his delight is in doing good. — And, as to this adventure, it has made him, I am sure, a very happy man.

But is my cousin, madam, so ill, that I cannot be allowed to see her for one moment?

She is but just come out of a fit. She fell into it in the relation she would have made of her story, on mentioning the villain’s name by whom she has suf-fered. She could give only broken and imperfect accounts of herself all day yesterday, or you had heard from me sooner. When you see her, you must be very cautious of what you say to her. We have a skilful physician, by whose advice we proceed.

God for ever bless you, madam!

He has not long left her. He advises quiet. She has had a very bad night. Could she compose her-self, could she get a little natural rest, the cure is performed. Have you breakfasted, Sir?

Breakfasted, madam! My impatience to see my cousin allowed me not to think of breakfast.

You must breakfast with me, Sir. And when that is over, if she is tolerable, we will acquaint her with your arrival, and go up together. I read your impa-tience, Sir: we will make but a very short break — fasting. I was just goingto breakfast.

She rang. It was brought in.

I longed, I said, as we sat at tea, to be acquainted with the particulars of the happy deliverance.

We avoid asking any questions that may affect her. I know very little of the particulars myself. My bro-ther was in haste to get to town. The servants that were with him at the time, hardly dismounted: he s doubted not but tbe lady (to whom he referred me for the gratifying my curiosity) would be able to tell me every thing. But she fell into fits, and as I told you, was so ill, on the recollection of what she had suffered —

Good God! said I, what must the dear creature have suffered!

— That we thought fit to restrain our curiosity, and so must you, till we see Sir Charles. I expect him before noon.

I am told, madam, that there was a skirmish. I hope Sir Charles —

I hope so too, Mr. Reeves, interrupted she. I long to see my brother as much as you can do to see your cousin — But on my apprehensions, he as-sured me upon his honour, that he was but very slightly hurt. Sir Charles is no qualifier, Sir, when he stakes his honour, be the occasion either light or serious.

I said, I doubted not but she was very much sur-prised at a lady’s being brought in by Sir Charles, and in a dress so fantastic.

I was, Sir. I had not left my chamber: but hastened down at the first word, to receive and welcome the stranger. My maid, out of breath, burst into my room — Sir Charles, madam, beseeches you this moment to come down. He has saved a lady from robbers (that was her report) a very fine lady! and is come back with her. He begs that you will come down this instant.

I was too much surprised at my brother’s unex-pected return, and too much affected with the lady’s visible grief and terror, to attend to her dress, when I first went down. She was sitting, dreadfully trem-bling, and Sir Charles next her, in a very tender manner, assuring her of his and of his sister’s kindest protection. I saluted her, continued the lady: Welcome, welcome, thrice welcome to this house, and to me —

She threw herself on one knee to me. Distress had too much humbled her. Sir Charles and I rais-ed her to her seat. You see before you, madam, said she, a strange creature, aud looked at her dress: but I hope you will belivc I am an innocent one, Th?o vile appearance was not my choice. Fie upon me! I must be thus dressed out for a masquerade; Hated diversion! I never had a notion of it. Think not haixlly, Sir, turning to Sir Charles, her hands clasped and held up, of her whom you have so generously delivered. Think not hardly of me, ma-dam, turning to me: I am not a bad creature. That vile, vile man! — She could say no more.

Charlotte, said my brother, you will make it your first care to raise the spirits of this injured beauty; your next, to take her directions, and inform her friends of her safety. Such an admirable young lady as this, cannot be missed an hour, without exciting the fears of all her friends for her. I repeat, madam, that you are in honourable hands. My sister will have pleasure in obliging you.

She wished to be conveyed to town; but looking at her dress, I offered her clothes of mine; and my brother said, if she were very earnest, and thought herself able to go, he would take a horse, and leave the chariot, and he was sure that I would attend her thither.

But before she could declare her acceptance of this offer, as she seemed joyfully ready to do, her spirits failed her, and she sunk down at my feet.

Sir Charles just staid to see her come to herself: and then — Sister, said he, the lady cannot be re-moved. Let Dr. Holmes be sent for instantly. I know you will give her your best attendance. I will be with you before noon tomorrow. The lady is s2 too low, and too weak, to be troubled with questions now. Johnson will be back from Windsor. Let him take her commands to any of her friends. Adieu, dear madam — [Your cousin, Sir, seemed likely to faint again] Support yourself. Repeating, You are in safe and honourable hands; bowing to her, as she bowed in return, but spoke not — Adieu, Charlotte; and away went the best of brothers.

And God Almighty bless him, said I, wherever he goes!

Miss Grandison then told me, that the house I was in belonged to the Earl of L. who had lately married her eldest sister; about three mouths ago, they set out, she said, to pay a visit to my lord’s estate and relations in Scotland, for the first time, and to settle some affairs there: they were expected back in a week or fortnight: she came down but last Tuesday, and that in order to give directions for every thing to be prepared for their reception. It was happy for your cousin, said she, that I ob-tained the favour of my brother’s company; and that he was obliged to be in town this morning. He intended to come back to carry me to town this even — ing. We are a family of love, Mr. Reeves. We are true brothers and sisters — But why do I trouble you with these things now? We shall be better acquainted. I am charmed with Miss Byron.

She was so good as to hurry the breakfast: and when it was over, conducted me up stairs. She bid me stay at the door, and stept gently to the bed-side, and opening the curtain, I heard the voice of our cousin.

Dear madam, what trouble do I give! were her words.

Still talk of trouble, Miss Byron? answered Miss Grandison, with an amiable familiarity; you will not forbear — Will you promise me not to be surprised at the arrival or’ your cousin Reeves?

SIR CHARLES GRANDISOX. 197

I do promise — I shall rejoice to see him.

Miss Grandison called to me. — I approached; and catching my cousin’s held-out hand — Thank God, thank God, best beloved of a hundred hearts! said I, that once more 1 behold ) r ou! that once more I see you in safe and honourable hands! — I will not tell you what we have all surFered.

No, don’t, said she — You need not — But, O my cousin! I have fallen into the company of angels.

Forbear, gently patting her hand, forbear these high flights, said the kind lady, or I shall beat my charming patient. I shall not think you in a way to be quite well, till you descend.

She whispered me, that the doctor had expressed fears for her head, if she were not kept quiet. Then raising her voice, Your cousin’s gratitude, Mr. Reeves, is excessive. You must allow me, smiling, to beat her. When she is well, she shall talk of angels, and of what she pleases.

But, my dear Mr. Selby, we who know how her heart overflows with sentiments of gratitude, on every common obligation, and even onbutintentional ones, can easily account for the high sense she must have of those she lies under for such a deliver-ance by the brother, and of such kind treatment from the sister, both absolute strangers, till her distresses threw her into their protection.

I will only ask my dear Miss Byron one question, said I (forgetting the caution given me below by Miss Grandison), Whether this villain, by his vio-lence — [meant marriage, I was going to say] But interrupting me, You shall not, Mr. Reeves, said Miss Grandison, smiling, ask half a question, that may revive disagreeable remembrances. Is she not alive, and here, and in a way to be well? Have patience till she is able to tell you all.

My cousin was going to speak: My dear, said the s 3 lady, you shall not answer Mr. Reeves’s question, if it be a question that will induce you to look back-ward. At present you must look only forward. And are you not in my care, and in Sir Charles Grandison’s protection?

I have done, madam, said I, bowing — The desire of taking vengeance —

Hush, Mr. Reeves! — Surely! — Smiling, and holding her finger to her lip.

It is a patient’s duty, said my cousin, to submit to the prescriptions of her kind physician: but were I ever to forgive the author of my distresses, it must be for his being the occasion of bringing me into the knowledge of such a lady: and yet to lie under the weight of obligations that I never can re — turn — Here she stopt.

I took this as a happy indication that the last vio-lence was not offered: if it had, she would not have mentioned forgiving the author of her distress.

As to what you say of obligation, Miss Byron, returned Miss Grandison, let your heart answer for mine, had you and I changed situations. And, if on such a supposition, you can think, that your huma-nity would have been so extraordinary a matter, then shall you be at liberty, when you are recover-ed, to say a thousand fine things: till when, pray be silent on this subject.

Then turning to me, See how much afraid your cousin Byron is of lying under obligation. I am afraid she has a proud heart: has she not a very proud heart, Mr. Reeves?

She has a very grateful one, madam, replied I.

She turned to my cousin: Will you, Miss Byron, be easy under the obligations you talk of, or will you not?

I submit to your superiority, madam, in every thing, replied my cousin: bowing her head.

She then asked me, if I had let her friends in the country know of this shocking affair?

I had suspected Mr. Greville, I said, and had written in confidence to her uncle Selby — my poor grandmamma — O my good aunt Sel-by, and my Lucy — I hope —

Miss Grandison interposed humorously, inter-rupting — I will have nothing said that begins with 0. Indeed, Miss Byron, Mr. Reeves, I will not trust you together — Cannot you have patience —

We both asked her pardon. My cousin desired leave to rise — But these odious clothes, said she —

If you are well enough, child, replied Miss Grandison, you shall rise, and have no need to see those odious clothes, as you call them. I told them Mrs. lteeves had sent her some of her clothes. The portmanteau was ordered to be brought up.

Then Miss Grandison, sitting down on the bed by my cousin, took her hand; and, feeling her pulse, Are you sure, my patient, that you shall not suffer if you are permitted to rise? Will you be calm, serene, easy? Will you banish curiosity? Will you endeavour to avoid recollection?

I will do my endeavour, answered my cousin. Miss Grandison then rung, and a maid-servant coming up, Jenny, said she, pray give your best assistance to my lovely patient. But be sure don’t let her hurry her spirits. I will lead Mr. Reeves into my dressing-room. And when you are dress-ed, my dear we will either return to you here, or expect you to join us there, at your pleasure.

And then she obligingly conducted me into her dressing-room, and excused herself for refusing to let us talk of interesting subjects. I am rejoiced, said she to find her more sedate and composed than hitherto she has been. Her head has been greatly in danger. Her talk, for some hours, when she did talk, was so wild and incoherent, and she was so full of terror, on every one’s coming in her sight, that I would not suffer any body to attend her but myself.

I left her not, continued Miss Grandison, till eleven:” and the housekeeper, and my maid, sat up in her room all the rest of the night.

I arose before my usual time to attend her. I slept not well myself. I did nothing but dream of robbers, rescues, and murders: such an impression had the distress of this young lady made on my mind.

They made me a poor report, proceeded she, of the night she had passed. And as I told you, she fainted away this morning, a little before you came, on her endeavouring to give me some account of her affecting story.

Let me tell you, Mr. Reeves, I am as curious as you can be, to know the whole of what has befallen her. But her heart is tender and delicate: her spirits are low: and we must not pull down with one hand, what we build up with the other: my brother also will expect a good account of my charge.

I blessed her for her goodness. And finding her desirous of knowing all that I could tell her, of our cousin’s character, family, and lovers, I gave her a brief history, which extremely pleased her. Good God, said she, what a happiness is it, that such a lady, in such a distress, should meet with a man as, excellent, and as much admired as herself! My -brother, Mr. Reeves, can never marry but he must break half a score hearts. Forgive me, that I bring him in, whenever any good person, or thing, or action, is spoken of. Every-body, I believe, who is strongly possessed of a subject, makes every-thing seen, heard, or read of, that bears the least resem-blance, turn into and serve to illustrate that subject.

But here I will conclude this letter, in order to send it hy the post. Besides, I have been so much fatigued in body and mind, and my wife has also been so much disturbed in her mind, that I must give way to a call of rest.

I will pursue the subject, the now agreeable sub-ject, in the morning; and perhaps shall dispatch what I shall farther write, as you must be impatient for it, by an especial messenger.

Sir Rowland was here twice yesterday, and once today. My wife caused him to be told, that Miss Byron, by a sudden call, has been obliged to go a little way out of town for two or three days.

He proposes to set out for Caermarthen the beginning of next week. He hoped he should not be denied taking his corporal leave of her.

If our cousin has a good day tomorrow, and no return of her fits, she proposes to be in town on Monday. I am to wait on her, and Sir Charles and his sister, at breakfast on Monday morning, and to attend her home; where there will be joy indeed, on her arrival.

Pray receive for yourself, and make for me to your lady, and all friends, my compliments of congratulation.

I have not had either leisure or inclination, to enquire after the villain, who has given all this disturbance.

Ever, ever yours, Saturday night. ARCHIBALD REEVES.


Letter XXVII.
From Mr. Reeves to George Selby, Esq. In Continuation.

Miss Grandison went to my cousin, to see how she bore rising, supposing her near dressed.

She soon returned to me. The most charming woman, I think said she, I ever saw! But she trem-bles so, that I have persuaded her to lie down. I answered for you, that you would stay dinner.

I must beg excuse, madam. I have an excellent wife. She loves Miss Byron as her life: she will be impatient to know —

Well, well, well, say no more, Mr. Reeves: my brother has redeemed one prisoner, and his sister has taken another: and glad you may be, that it is no worse.

I bowed, and looked silly, I believe.

You may look, and beg and pray, Mr. Reeves. When you know me better, you will find me a very whimsical creature: but you must stay to see Sir Charles. Would you go home to your wife with half your errand? She won’t thank you for that, I can tell you, let her be as good a woman as the best. But, to comfort you, we give not into every modern fashion. We dine earlier than most people of our condition. My brother, though in the main, above singularity, will nevertheless, in things lie thinks right, be governed by his own rules, which are the laws of reason and convenience. You are on horseback; and, were I you, such good news as I should have to carry, considering what might have happened, would give me wings, and make me fly through the air with it.

I was about to speak: Come, come, I will have no denial, interrupted she; I shall have a double pleasure, if you are present when Sir Charles comes, on hearing his account of what happened. You are a good man, and have a reasonable quantity of won-der and gratitude, to heighten a common case into the marvellous. So sit down, and be quiet.

I was equally delighted and surprised at her hu-morous raillery, but could not answer a single word. If it be midnight before you will suffer me to depart, thought I, I will not make another objection.

While this amiable lady was thus entertaining me, we heard the trampling of horses — My bro-ther! said she, I hope! — He comes! pardon the fondness of a sister, who speaks from sensible effects — A father and a brother in one!

Sir Charles entered the room. He addressed himself to me in a most polite manner. Mr. Reeves! said he, as I understand from below — Then turning to his sister, Excuse me, Charlotte. I heard this worthy gentleman was with you: and I was impatient to know how my fair guest —

Miss Byron is in a good way, I hope, interrupted she, but very weak and low-spirited. She arose and dressed; but I have prevailed on her to lie down again.

Then turning to me with a noble air, he both welcomed and congratulated me.

Sir Charles Grandison is indeed a fine figure. He is in the bloom of youth. I don’t know that I have-ever seen a handsomer or genteeler man. Well might his sister say, that if he married, he would break half a score hearts. this vile Pollexfen! thought 1, at the moment; could he draw upon, has he hurt, such a man as this?

After pouring out my acknowledgments, in the name of several families, as well as in my own, 1 could not but enquire into the nature of the hurt he had received.

A very trifle! — My coat only was hurt, Mr. Reeves. The skin of my left shoulder raked a little, putting his hand upon it.

Thank God, said I: Thank God, said Miss Grandison — But so near I— O the villain! what might it have been! —

Sir Hargrave pent up in a chariot, had great disadvantage. My reflections on the event of yester — day, yield me the more pleasure, as I have, on en quiry, understood that he will do well again, if he will be ruled. I would not, on any account, have had his instant death to answer for. But no more of this just now. Give me the particulars of the young lady’s state of health. I left her in a very bad way. — You had advice?

Miss Grandison gave her brother an account of all that had been done; and of every-thing that had passed since he went away; as also of the cha-racter and excellencies of the lady whom he had rescued.

I confirmed what she said in my cousin’s favour; and he very gratefully thanked his sister for her care, as a man would do for one the nearest and dearest to him.

We then besought him to give an account of the glorious action, which had restored to all that knew her, the darling of our hearts.

I will relate all he said, in the first person, as nearly in his own words as possible, and will try to hit the coolness with which he told the agreeable story.

‘ You know, sister, said he, the call I had to town. It was happy, that I yielded to your importunity to attend you hither.

‘ About two miles en this side Hounslow, I saw a chariot-and-six driving at a great rate. I also had ordered Jerry to drive pretty fast.

‘ The coachman seemed inclined to dispute the way with mine. This occasioned a few moments stop to both. I ordered my coachman to break the way. I don’t love to stand upon trifles. My horses were fresh: I had not come far.

‘ The curtain of the chariot we met was pulled down. I saw not who was in it; but on turning out of the way, I knew, by the arms, it was Sir Har-grave Pollexfen’s.

‘ There was in it a gentleman, who immediately pulled up the canvas.

‘ I saw, however, before he drew it up, another person, wrapt up in a man’s scarlet cloak.

‘ For God’s sake! help, help! cried out the per-son: For God’s sake, help!

‘ I ordered the coachman to stop.

‘ Drive on, said the gentleman; cursing his coachman: drive on, when I bid you.

‘ Help! again cried she, but with a voice as if her mouth was half stopt.

‘ I called to my servant on horseback to stop the postilion of the other chariot: and I bid Sir Har-grave’s coachman proceed at his peril.

‘ Sir Hargrave called out, on the contrary side of the chariot (his canvas being still up on that next me) with vehement execrations, to drive on.

‘ I alighted, and went round to the other side of the chariot.

‘ Again the lady endeavoured to cry out. I saw Sir Hargrave struggle to pull over her mouth a handkerchief, which was tied round her head. He swore outrageously.

‘ The moment she beheld me, she spread out both her hands — For God’s sake —

‘ Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, said I, by the arms. — You are engaged, I doubt, in a very bad affair.

‘ I am Sir Hargrave Pollexfen; and am carrying a fugitive wife — Your own wife, Sir Hargrave?

* Yes, by G — said he; and she was going to elope from meata damned masquerade — See! drawing aside the cloak, detected in the very dress!

‘ O no! no! no! said the lady —

‘ Proceed, coachman, said he, and cursed and swore.

‘ Let me ask the lady a question, Sir Hargrave.

‘ You are impertinent, Sir. Who the devil are you?

‘ Are you, madam, Lady Pollexfen? said I.

‘ O no! no! no! — was all she could say —

‘ Two of my servants came about me; a third held the head of the horse on which the postilion sat. Three of Sir Hargrave’s approached on their horses; but seemed as if afraid to come too near, and parleyed together.

‘ Have an eye to those fellows, said I. Some base work is on foot. You’ll presently be aided by passengers. Sirrah, said I to the coachman (for he lashed the horses on) proceed at your peril.

‘ Sir Hargrave then, with violent curses and threatenings, ordered him to drive over every one that opposed him.

* Coachman, proceed at your peril, said I. Ma-dam, will you —

‘ O Sir, Sir, Sir, relieve, help me for God’s sake! I am in a villain’s hands! Tricked, vilely tricked into a villain’s hands! Help, help, for God’s sake!

‘ Do you, said 1, to Frederick, cut the traces, if you cannot otherwise stop this chariot. Bid Jerry cut the reins, and then seize as many of those fel-lows as you can. Leave Sir Hargrave to me.

; The lady continued screaming and crying out lor help.

‘ Sir Hargrave drew his sword, which he had held between his knees in the scabbard; and then called upon his servants to fire at all that opposed his progress.

‘ My servants, Sir Hargrave, have fire-arms as well as yours. They will not dispute my orders. Don’t provoke me to give the word.

‘ Then addressing the lady, Will you, madam, put yourself into my protection?

‘ O yes, yes, yes, with my whole heart — Dear good 8ir, protect me!

‘ I opened the chariot door. Sir Hargrave made a pass at me. Take that, and be damn’d to you, for your insolence, scoundrel! said he.

‘ I was aware of his thrust, and put it by; but his sword a little raked my shoulder.

‘ My sword was in my hand; but undrawn.

‘ The chariot-door remaining open (I was not so ceremonious, as to let down the foot-step to take the gentleman out) I seized him by the collar before he could recover himself from the pass he had made at me; and with a jerk, and a kind of twist, laid him under the hind-wheel of his chariot.

‘ I wrenched his sword from him, and snapped it, and flung the two pieces over my head.

‘ His coachman cried out for his master. Mine threatened his if he stirred. The postilion was a boy. My servant had made him dismount, before he joined the other two, whom I had ordered aloud to endeavour to seize (but my view was only to ter-rify) wretches who, knowing the badness of their cause, were before terrified.

‘ Sir * largrave’s mouth and face were very bloody. I believe I might hurt him with the pommel of my sword. t2

‘ One of his legs, in his sprawling, had got between the spokes of his chariot-wheel. I thought that was a fortunate circumstance for preventing .further mischief; and charged his coachman not to stir with the chariot, for his master’s sake.

‘ He cried out, cursed, and swore. I believe he was bruised with the fall. The jerk was violent. So little able to support an offence, Sir Hargrave, upon his own principles, should not have been so ready to give it.

‘ 1 had not drawn my sword: I hope I never shall be provoked to do it in a private quarrel. I should not, however, have scrupled to draw it on such an occasion as this, had there been an absolute neces-sity for it.

‘ The lady, though greatly terrified, had disen-gaged herself from the man’s cloak. I had not leisure to consider her dress; but I was struck with her figure, and more with her terror.

* I offered my hand. I thought not now of the foot-step, any more than I did before: she not of any-thing, as it seemed, but her deliverance.

‘ Have you not read, Mr. Reeves (Pliny, I think, gives the relation), of a frighted bird, that, pursued by a hawk, flew for protection into the bosom of a man passing by?

‘ In like manner, your lovely cousin, the moment I returned to the chariot-door, instead of accepting of my offered hand, threw herself into my arms. — O save me! save me! — She was ready to faint. She could not, I believe, have stood.

‘ I carried her round Sir Hargrave’s horses, and seated her in my chariot. — Be assured, madam, said I, that you are in honourable hands. I will convey you to my sister, who is a young lady of honour and virtue.

‘ She looked out at one window, then at the other, in visible terror, as if fearing still Sir Hargrave. Fear nothing, said I: I will attend you in a moment. I shut the chariot door.

‘ I then went backward a few paces (keeping however, the lady in my eye) to see what had become of my servants.

‘ It seems, that at their first coming up pretty near with Sir Hargrave’s horsemen, they presented their pistols.

‘ What shall we do, Wilkins, or Wilson, or some such name, said one of Sir Hargrave’s men to an-other, all three of them on their defence? Fly for it, answered the fellow. We may swing for this. I see our master down. There may be murder.

‘ Their consciences put them to flight.

‘ My servants pursued them a little way; but were returning to support their master, just as 1 had put the lady into my chariot.

‘ I saw Sir Hargrave at a distance, on his legs, supported by his coachman. He limped; leaned his whole weight upon his servant: and seemed to be in agonies.

‘ I bid one of my servants tell him who I was.

‘ He cursed me, and threatened vengeance. lie cursed my servant; and still more outrageously his own scoundrels, as he called them.

•’ I then stept back to my chariot.

‘ Miss Byron had, through terror, sunk down at the bottom of* it; where she lay panting, and could only say, on my approach, Save me! save me!

‘ I re-assured her. I lifted her on the seat, and brought her to my sister; and what followed, I sup-pose, Charlotte, bowing to her, you have told Mr. Reeves.’

We were both about to break out in grateful ap-plauses; but Sir Charles, as if designing to hinder us, proceeded: t3

‘ You see, Mr. Reeves, what an easy conquest this was. You see what a small degree of merit falls to my share. The violator’s conscience was against him. The consciences of his fellows were on my side. My own servants are honest worthy men. They love their master. In a good cause I would set any three of them against six who were engaged in a bad one. Vice is the greatest coward in the world, when it knows it will be resolutely opposed. And what have good men, engaged in a right cause, to fear?’

What an admirable man is Sir Charles Grandison J— Thus thinking! thus acting!

I explained to Sir Charles who this Wilson was, whom the others consulted, and were directed by; and what an implement in this black transaction.

To what other man’s protection in the world, Mr. Selby, could our Miss Byron have been obliged, and so little mischief followed?

Sir Hargrave, it seems, returned back to town. What a recreant figure, my dear Mr. Selby, must he make, even to himself! — A villain!

Sir Charles says, that the turnpike-men at Small-bury Green told his servants, on their attending him to town after the happy rescue, a formidable story of a robbery committed a little beyond Hounslow by half a dozen villains on horseback, upon a gen-tleman in a chariot-and-six; which had passed through that turnpike but half an hour before he was attacked; and that the gentleman, about an hour and half before Sir Charles went through, returned o town, wounded, for advice; and they heard him groan as he passed through the turnpike.

I should add one circumstance, said Sir Charles: Do you know, Charlotte, that you have a rake for your brother? — A man on horseback, it seems, came to the turnpike gate, whilst the turnpike-men were telling my servants this story. Nothing in the world, said he, but two young rakes in their chariots-and-six, one robbing the other of a lady. I, and two other passengers, added the man, stood aloof to see the issue of the affair. We expected mischief; and some there was. One of the by-standers was the better for the fray; for he took up a silver-hilted sword, broken in two pieces, and rode off with it.

Sir Hargrave, said Sir Charles, smiling, might well give out that he was robbed; to lose such a prize as Miss Byron, and his sword besides.

I asked Sir Charles, if it were not adviseable to take measures with the villain?

He thought it best, lie said, to take as little notice of the affair as possible, unless the aggressor stirred in it. Masquerades, added he, are not creditable places for young ladies to be known to be insulted iit them. They are diversions that fall not in with the genius of the English commonalty. Scandal will have something to say from that circumstance, however causeless. But Miss Byron’s story, told by herself, will enable you to resolve upon your future measures.

So, Sir Charles seems not to be a friend to mas-querades.

I think, were I to live a hundred years, I never would go to another. Had it not been for Lady Betty — She has, indeed, too gay a turn for a woman of forty, and a mother of children. Miss Byron, I dare say, will be afraid of giving the lead to her for the future. But, excepting my wife and self, nobody in town has suffered more than Lady Betty on this occa-sion. Indeed she is, I must say, an obliging, well — meaning woman: and she also declares (so much has she been affected with M iss Byron’s danger, of which she takes herself to be the innocent cause) that she will never again go to a masquerade.

I long to have Miss Byron’s account of this horrid affair. — God grant, that it may not be such a one, as will lay us under a necessity — But as our cousin has a great notion of female delicacy — I know not what 1 would say — We must have patience a little while longer.

Miss Grandison’s eyes shone with pleasure all the time her brother was giving his relation.

I can only say, brother, said she, when he had done, that you have rescued an angel of a woman; and you have made me as happy by it, as yourself.

I have a generous sister, Mr. Reeves, said Sir Charles.

Till I knew my brother, Mr. Reeves, as I now know him, I was an inconsiderate, unreflecting girl. Good and evil, which immediately affected not my-self, were almost alike indifferent to me. But he has awakened in me a capacity to enjoy the true plea-sure that arises from a benevolent action.

Depreciate not, my Charlotte, your own worth. Absence, Mr. Reeves, endears. I have been long abroad: not much above a year returned! But when you know us better, you will find I have a partial sister.

Mr. Reeves will not then think me so. But I will go and see how my fair patient does.

She went accordingly to my cousin.

O Sir Charles, said 1, what an admirable woman is Miss Grandison!

My sister Charlotte, Mr. Reeves, is, indeed, an excellent woman. I think myself happy in her: but I tell her sometimes, that I have a still more excellent sister: and it is no small instance of Char-lotte’s greatness of mind, that she herself will allow me to say so.

Just then came in the ladies: the two charming creatures entered together, Miss Grandison support- ing my trembling cousin: but she had first acquaint-ed her, that she would find Sir Charles in her dress — ing-room.

She looked indeed lovely, though wan, at her first entrance; but a fine glow overspread her cheeks, at the sight of her deliverer.

Sir Charles approached her, with an air of calmness and serenity, for fear of giving her emotion. She cast her eyes upon him, with a look of the most respectful gratitude.

I will not oppress my fair guest with many words: but permit me to congratulate you, as I hope I may, on your recovered spirits — Allow me, madam —

And he took her almost-motionless hand, and conducted her to an easy chair that had been set for her. She sat down, and would have said some thing; but only bowed to Sir Charles, to Miss Grandison, and me; and reclined her head against the cheek of the chair.

Miss Grandison held her salts to her. She took them into her own hands, and smelling to them, raised her head a little: Forgive me, ma-dam. Pardon me, Sir! — O my cousin, to me — How can I— So oppressed with obligations! — Such goodness! — No words! — My gratitude! — My full heart! —

And then she again reclined her head, as giving up hopelessly the effort she made to express her gratitude.

You must not, madam, said Sir Charles, sitting down by her, over-rate a common benefit. — Dear Miss Byron (permit me to address myself to you, as of long acquaintance) by what Mr. Reeves has told my sister, and both have told me, I mast think yesterday one of the happiest days of my life. I am sorry that our acquaintance has begun so much at your cost: but you must let us turn this evil ap-pearance into real good. I have two sisters: the world produces not more worthy women. Let me henceforth boast that I have three: and shall I not then have reason to rejoice in the event that has made so lovely an addition to my family?

Then taking her passive hand with the tenderness of a truly-affectionate brother, consoling a sister in calamity, and taking his sister’s 5 and joining both; Shall I not, madam, present my Charlotte to a sis-ter? And will you not permit me to claim as a bro — ther under that relation? Miss Byron’s christian name, Mr. Reeves? Harriet, Sir.

My sister Harriet, receive and acknowledge your Charlotte. My Charlotte —

Miss Grandison arose, and saluted my cousin; who looked at Sir Charles with reverence, as well as gratitude; at Miss Grandison with delight; and at me with eyes lifted up: and, after a little struggle for speech; How shall I bear this goodness! said she — This, indeed, is bringing good out of evil! Did I not say, cousin, that I was fallen into the company of angels?

I was afraid she would have fainted. We must endeavour, Mr. Reeves, said Sir Charles to me, to lessen the sense our Miss Byron has of her past danger, in order to bring down to reasonable limits, the notion she has of her obligation for a common relief.

Miss Grandison ordered a few drops on sugar — You must be orderly, my sister Harriet, said she. Am I not your elder sister? My elder sister makes me do what she pleases.

Oh! madam! said my cousin — Call me not madam; call me your Charlotte. My brother has given mc and himself a sister — Will you not own me?

How can a heart bowed down by obligation, and goodness never to be returned, rise to that lovely fa-miliarity, by which the obligers so generously dis tinguish themselves? My lips and my heart, I will be so bold as to say, ever went together: but how — And yet so sweetly invited. My — my — my Char-lotte (withdrawing her hand from Sir Charles, and clasping both her arms round Miss Grandison’s neck, the two worthiest bosoms of the sex joining as one) take your Harriet, person and mind-May I be found worthy, on proof, of all this good — ness!

Lady Betty has just left us. I read to her what I have written since my visit to Colnebrook. She shall not, she says, recover her eyes for a week to come.

The women, Mr. Selby, are ever looking forward on certain occasions. Lady Betty and my wife extended their wishes so far, as that they might be able to call Miss Grandison and our Miss Byron sisters; but by a claim that should exclude Sir Charles as a brother to one of them.

Should Sir Charles — But no more on this subject — Yet one word more: When the ladies had men-tioned it, 1 could not help thinking that this grace — ful and truly fine gentleman seems to be the only man, whom our cousin has yet seen, that would meet with no great difficulty from her on such an application.

Bul Sir Charles has a great estate, and still greater expectations from my Lord W. His sister says, he would break half a score hearts, were he to mar-ry — So for that matter would our Miss Byron. But once more — Not another word, however, on this subject.

I staid to dine with this amiable brother and sister. My cousin exerted herself to go down, and sat at table for one half-hour: but changing countenance, once or twice, as she sat, Miss Grandison would attend her up, and make her lie down. I took leave of her, at her quitting the table.

On Monday I hope to see her once more among us.

If our dear Miss Byron cannot write, you will perhaps have one letter more, my dear Mr. Selby, from

Your ever affectionate,

ARCHIBALD REEVES.

My servant is this moment returned with your let-ter. Indeed, my dear Mr. Selby, there are two or three passages in it, that would have cut me to the heart,* had not the dear creature been so happily restored to our hopes.


Letter XXVIII.
Mr. Reeves. In Continuation.

Monday night, February 20. I will write one more letter, my dear Mr. Selby, and then I will give up my pen to our beloved cou-sin.

I got to Colnebrook by nine this morning. I had the pleasure to find our Miss Byron recovered beyond my hopes. She had a very good night on Sa — turday; and all Sunday, she said, was a cordial day to her from morning till night; and her night was quiet and happy.

Miss Grandison staid at home yesterday to keep my cousin company. Sir Charles passed the great-* See Letter xxiv. est part oi’ the day in the library. The two ladies were hardly ever separated. My cousin expresses herself in raptures, whenever she speaks of this bother and sister. Miss Grandison, she says (and indeed every one must see it) is one of the frankest and most communicative of women. Sir Charles appears to be one of the most unreserved of men, as well as one of the most polite. He makes not his guests uneasy with his civilities: but you see freedom and ease in his whole deportment: and the stranger cannot doubt but Sir Charles will be equally pleased with freedom and ease, in return. I had an encouraging proof of the justness of this observation this morning from him, as we sat at breakfast. I had expressed myself, occasionally, in such a manner as shewed more respect than freedom: My dear Mr. Reeves, said he, kindred minds will be intimate at first sight. Receive me early into the list of your friends: I have already numbered you among mine. I should think amiss of myself, if so good a man as I am assured Mr. Reeves is, should, by his distance, shew a diffidence of me, that would not permit his mind to mingle with mine.

Miss Grandison, my cousin says, put her on re-lating to her, her whole history; and the histories of the several persons and families to whom she is related.

Miss liyron concluding, as well as I, that Sir Charles would rather take his place in the coach, than go on horseback to town: and being so happily recovered, as not to give us apprehension about her bearing tolerably the little journey: I kept my horse in our return, and Sir Charles went in the coach. This motion coming from Miss Byron, I raillied her upon it when 1 got her home: but she won’t forgive me, if she knows that I told you whose the motion vol, ix. u was. And yet the dear creature’s eyes sparkled with pleasure when she had carried her point.

I was at home near half an hour before the coach arrived; and was a welcome guest.

My dear Mrs. Reeves told me, she had expected our arrival before dinner, and hoped Sir Charles and his sister would dine with us. I hoped so too, I told her.

I found there Lady Betty and Miss Clements, a favourite of us all, both impatiently waiting to see my cousin.

Don’t be jealous, Mr. Reeves, ‘said my wife, if after what I have heard of Sir Charles Grandison, and what he has done for us, I run to him with open arms.

I give you leave, my dear, to love him, replied I; and to express your love in what manner you please.

I have no doubt, said Lady Betty, that 1 shall break my heart, if Sir Charles takes not very par-ticular notice of me.

He shall have my prayers, as well as my praises, said Miss Clements.

She is acquainted with the whole shocking affair.

When the coach stopt, and the bell rung, the ser-vants contended who should first run to the door. I welcomed them at the coach. Sir Charles handed out Miss Byron, I Miss Grandison: Sally, said my cousin, to her raptured maid, take care of Mrs. Jenny.

Sir Charles was received, by Mrs. Reeves, as I expected. She was almost speechless with joy. He saluted her: but I think, as I tell her, the first motion was hers. He was then obliged to go round; and my cousin, I do assure you, looked as if she would not wish to have been neglected.

As soon as the ladies could speak, they poured out their blessings and thanks to him, and to Miss Grandison; whom, with a most engaging air, he present — ed to each lady; and she, as engagingly, saluted her sister Harriet by that tender relation, and congratulated them, and Miss Byron, and herself upon it; kindly bespeaking a family relation for herself through her dear Miss Byron, were her words.

When we were seated, my wife and Lady Betty wanted to enter into the particulars of the happy deliverance, in praise of the deliverer; but Sir Charles interrupting them, My dear Mrs. Reeves, said he, you cannot be too careful of this jewel. Every thing may be trusted to her own discretion: but how can we well blame the man who would turn thief for so rich a treasure? I do assure you, my sister Harriet (Do you know, Mrs. Reeves, that I have found my third sister? Was she not stolen from us in her cradle?) that if Sir Hargrave will repent, I will forgive him for the sake of the temptation.

Mrs. Reeves was pleased with this address, and has talked of it since.

I never can forgive him, Sir, said Miss Byron, were it but —

That he has laid you under such an obligation, said Miss Grandison, patting her hand with her fan, as she sat over against her: But hush, child! You said that before! — And then turning to Mrs. Reeves, Has not our new-found sister a very proud heart, Mrs. Reeves?

And, dearest Miss Grandison, replied my smiling, delighted cousin, did you not ask that question before?

I did, child, I did, but not of Mrs. Reeves — A compromise however — Do you talk no more of obli-gation, and I’ll talk no more of pride.

Charlotte justly chides herHarriet, saidSirCharles. What must the man have been that had declined his u 2 aid in a distress so alarming? Not one word more therefore upon this subject.

We were all disappointed, that this amiable bro-ther and sister excused themselves from dining with us. All I mean of our own family: for Lady Betty and Miss Clements, not being able to stay, were glad they did not.

They took leave, amidst a thousand grateful blessings and acknowledgments; Miss Grandison promis — ing to see her sister Harriet very soon again; and kindly renewing her wishes of intimacy.

When they went away, There goes your heart, • Miss Byron, said Mrs. Reeves.

True, answered Miss Byron, if my heart have no place in it for any-thing but gratitude, as I believe it has not.

Miss Grandison, added she, is the most agreeable of women —

And Sir Charles, rejoined Mrs. Reeves, archly, is the most rfw-agreeable of men.

Forbear cousin, replied Miss Byron, and blushed.

Well, well, said Lady Betty, you need not, my dear, be ashamed, if it be so.

Indeed you need not, joined in Miss Clements: I never saw a finer man in my life. Such a lover, if one might have him —

If, if — replied Miss Byron — But till if is out of the question, should there not be such a thing as discretion, Miss Clements?

No doubt of it, returned that young lady; and if it be to be shewn by any woman on earth, where there is such a man as this in the question, and in such circumstances, it must be by Miss Byron.

Miss Byron was not so thoroughly recovered but that her spirits bjegan to flag. We made her retire, and, at her request, excused her coming down to dinner.

I told you I had accepted the offer made by Lady Betty, when we were in dreadful uncertainty, that her steward should make further enquiries about the people at Paddington. Nothing worth mentioning has occurred from those enquiries; except confirming, that the widow and her daughters are not peo — ple of bad characters. In all likelihood they thought they should entitle themselves to the thanks of all Miss Byron’s friends, when the marriage was completed with a man of Sir Hargrave’s fortune.

The messenger that I sent to enquire after that Bagenhall’s character, has informed us, that it is a very profligate one; and that he is an intimate of Sir Margrave: but no more is necessary now, God be praised, to be said of him.

The vile wretch himself, I hear, keeps his room; and it is whispered, that he is more than half-crazed; insomuch that his very attendants are afraid to go near him. We know not the nature of his hurt; but hurt he is, though in a fair way of recovery. He threatens, it seems, destruction to Sir Charles, the moment he is able to go abroad. God preserve one of the worthiest and best of men!

Sir Hargrave has turned off all the servants, we are told, that attended him on his shocking, but happily-disappointed, enterprize.

Miss Byron intends to write to her Lucy by tomorrow’s post (if she continue mending) an ample account of all that she suffered from the date of her last letter, to the hour of her happy deliverance. 1 am to give her minutes, to the best of my recollection, of what I have written to you: that so the ac — count may be as complete as possible, and that she may write no more than is consistent with the series, which she is required to preserve. She begins this evening, she bids me tell you, that you may be as little a while in suspense about her as possible: but uS if she cannot finish by tomorrow night, she will have an opportunity to dispatch her letter on Wednesday by a servant of Mr. Greville’s, whom he left in town with some commissions, and who promises to call for any-thing we may have to send to Selby-house.

Sir Rowland — But let my cousin write to you upon that and other matters. She knows what to say on that subject better than I do.

Mean time I heartily congratulate every one of the dear family upon the return and safety of the darling of so many hearts; and remain, dear Mr. Selby,

Your most faithful and obedient servant,

ARCHIBALD REEVES.


Letter XXIX.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Monday, February 20. Is it again given me to write to you, my Lucy! and in you, to all my revered friends! To write with cheerfulness! To call upon you all to rejoice with me! — God be praised!

“What dangers have I escaped! How have my head and my heart been affected! I dare not, as yet, think of the anguish you all endure for me.

With what wretched levity did I conclude my last letter! Giddy creature, that I was, vain and foolish! But let me begin my sad story. Your impatience all this while must be too painful. Only let me premise, that gaily as I boasted, when I wrote to you so conceitedly, as it might seem, of my dress, and of conquests, and I know not what nonsense, I took no pleasure at the place, in the shoals of fools that swam after me. I despised myself and them. De+ spised! I was shocked at both.

Two Lucifers were among them; but the worst, the very worst Lucifer of all, appeared in a harlequin dress. He hopped and skipt, and played the fool about me; and at last told me, He knew Miss Byron; and that he was, as he called himself, the despised, the rejected, Sir Hargrave Pollexfen.

He behaved, however, with complaisance; and I had no apprehension of what I was to suffer from his villany.

Mr. Reeves has told you, that he saw me into the chair, provided for me by my vile new servant. O my Lucy! One branch of my vanity is entirely lopt off. I must pretend to some sort of skill in phy-siognomy! Never more will I, for this fellow’s sake, presume to depend on my judgment of people’s hearts framed from their countenances.

Mr. Reeves has told you every thing about the chair, and the chairmen. How can I describe the misgivings of my heart when I first began to suspect treachery! But when I undrew the curtains, and found myself farther deluded by another false heart, whose help I implored, and in the midst of fields, and soon after the lights put out, I pierced the night air with my screams, till I could scream no more. I was taken out in fits; and when I came a little to my senses. I found myself on a bed, three women about me; one at my head, holding a bottle to my nose, my nostrils sore with hartshorn, and a strong smell of burnt feathers; but no man near me.

Where am I? Who are you, madam? And who are you? Where am I? were the questions 1 first asked.

The women were a mother and two daughters. The mother answered, You are not in bad hands.

God grant you say truth! said I.

No harm is intended you; only to make you one of the happiest of women. We would not be concerned in a bad action.

I hope not: I hope not: let me engage your pity, madam. You seem to be a mother: these young gentlewomen, I presume, are your daughters. Save me from ruin, I beseech you, madam: save me from ruin, as you would your daughters.

These young women are my daughters. They are sober and modest women. No ruin is intended you. One of the richest and noblest men in England is your admirer: he dies for you. He assures me, that he intends honourable marriage to you. You are not engaged, he says: and you must, and you shall, be his. You may save murder, madam, if you consent. He resolves to be the death of any lover whom you encourage.

This must be the vile contrivance of Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, immediately cried I out: Is it not? Is it not? Tell me; I beg of you to tell me.

I arose, and sat on the bed-side; and at that moment in came the vile, vile Sir Hargrave.

I screamed out. He threw himself at my feet. I reclined my head on the bosom of the elderly person, and by hartshorn and water they had much ado to keep me out of a fit. Had he not withdrawn; had he kept in my sight; I should certainly have fainted. But holding up my head, and seeing only the wo-men, I revived: and began to pray, to beg, to offer rewards, if they would facilitate my escape, or procure my safety: but then came in again the hated man.

I beg of you, Miss Byron, said he, with an air of greater haughtiness than before, to make yourself easy, and hear what I have to say. It is in your own choice, in your own power, to be what you please, and to make me what you please. Do not therefore needlessly terrify yourself. You see I am a deter-mined man. Ladies, you may withdraw —

Not and leave me here! — And as they went out, I pushed by the mother, and between the daugh-ters, and followed the foremost into the parlour; and then sunk down on my knees, wrapping my arms about her: O save me! save me! said I.

The vile wretch entered. I left her, and kneeled to him. I knew not what I did. I remember, I said, wringing my hands, If you have mercy; if you have compassion; let me now, now, I beseech you, Sir, this moment, experience your mercy.

He gave them some motion, I suppose, to with-draw (for by that time the widow and the other daughter were in the parlour); and they all three retired.

I have besought you, madam, and on my knees too, to shew me mercy; but none would } 7 ou shew me, inexorable Miss Byron! Kneel, if you will; in your turn kneel, supplicate, pray; you cannot be more in earnest than I was. Now are the tables turned.

Barbarous man! said I, rising from my knees. My spirit was raised; but it as instantly subsided. I beseech you, Sir Hargrave, in a quite frantic way, wringing my hands, and coming near him, and then running to the window, and then to the door (with-out meaning to go out at either, had they been open; for whither could I go?) and then again to him: Be not, I beseech you, Sir Hargrave, cruel to me. I never was cruel to any-body. You know I was civil to you; I was very civil —

Yes, yes, and very determined. You called me no names. I call you none, Miss Byron. You were very civil. Hitherto I have not been uncivil. But remem-ber, madam — But, sweet and ever-adorable creature, and he clasped his arms about me, your very terror is beautiful! I can enjoy your terror, madam — And the savage would have kissed me. My averted head frustrated his intention; and at his feet I besought him not to treat the poor creature, whom he had so vilely betrayed, with indignity.

I don’t hit your fancy, madam!

Can you be a malicious man, Sir Hargrave?

You don’t like my morals, madam!

And is this the way, Sir Hargrave, are these the means you take, to convince me that I ought to like them?

Well, madam, you shall prove the mercy in me, you would not shew. You shall see that I cannot be a malicious man; a revengeful man: and yet you have raised my pride. You shall find me a moral man.

Then, Sir Hargrave, will I bless you from the bottom of my heart!

But you know what will justify me, in every eye, for the steps I have taken. Be mine, madam. Be legally mine. I offer you my honest hand. Consent to be Lady Pollexfen — No punishment, I hope — Or, take the consequence.

What, Sir! justify by so poor, so very poor, a compliance, steps that you have so basely taken! — Take my life, Sir: but my hand and my heart are my own: they never shall be separated.

I arose from my knees, trembling, and threw my-self upon the window-seat, and wept bitterly.

He came to me. I looked on this side, and on that, wishing to avoid him.

You cannot fly, madam. You are securely mine: and mine still more securely you shall be. Don’t provoke me: don’t make me desperate. By all that’s good and holy —

He cast his eyes at my feet; then at my face; then threw himself at my feet, and embraced my knees with his odious arms.

I was terrified. I screamed. In ran one of the daughters — Good Sir! Pray Sir! — Did you not say you would be honourable?

Her mother followed her in — Sir, Sir! In my house —

Thank God, thought I, the people here are better than I had reason to apprehend they were. But, O my Lucy, they seemed to believe, that marriage would make amends for every outrage.

Here let me conclude this letter. I have a great deal more to say.


Letter XXX.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

What a plague, said the wretch to the women, do you come in for? I thought you knew your own sex better than to mind a woman’s squalling They are always ready, said the odious fellow, to put us in mind of the occasion we ought to give them for crying out. I have not offered the least rudeness —

I hope not, Sir. I hope my house — So sweet a creature —

Dear blessed, blessed woman (frantic with terror, and mingled joy, to find myself in better hands than I expected — Standing up, and then sitting down, I believe at every sentence) Protect me! Save me! Be my advocate! Indeed I have not deserved this trea-cherous treatment. Indeed I am a good sort of crea ture (I scarce knew what I said): all my friends love me: they will break their hearts, if any misfortune befal me: they are all good people: you would love them dearly if you knew them: Sir Hargrave may have better and richer wives than I: pray prevail upon him to spare me to my friends, for their sake. I will forgive him for all he has done.

Nay, dear lady, if Sir Hargrave will make you his lawful and true wife, there can be no harm done, surely.

I will, I will, Mrs. Awberry, said he. I have promised, and I will perform. But if she stand in her own light — She expects nothing from my morals — If she stand in her own light; and looked fiercely —

God protect me! said I: God protect me!

The gentleman is without, Sir, said the woman. how my heart, at that moment, seemed to be at my throat! What gentleman? thought I. Some one come to save me! — O no!

And instantly entered the most horrible-looking clergyman that I ever beheld.

This, as near as I can recollect, is his description — A vasttall, big-boned, splay-footed man. A shabby gown; as shabby a wig; a huge red pimply face; and a nose that hid half of it, when he looked on one side, and he seldom looked fore-right when I saw him. He had a dog’s-eared common-prayer-book in his hand, which once had been gilt; opened, horrid sight! at the page of matrimony!

Yet I was so intent upon making a friend, when a man, a clergyman appeared, that I heeded not, at his entrance, his frightful visage, as I did afterwards.

I pushed by Sir Hargrave, turning him half round with my vehemence, and made Mrs. Awberry totter; and throwing myself at the clergyman’s feet, Man of God, said I, my hands clasped, and held up; Man of God! Gentleman! Worthy man! — A good cler-gyman must be all this! — If ever you had children! save a poor creature! basely tricked away from all her friends! innocent! thinking no harm to any-body! I would not hurt a worm! I love every-body!

— Save me from violence! Give not your aid to sanctify a base action.

The man snuffled his answer through his nose. When he opened his pouched mouth, the tobacco hung about his great yellow teeth. He squinted upon me, and took my clasped hands, which were buried in his huge hand: Rise, madam! Kneel not to me! No harm is intended you. One question only: Who is that gentleman before me, in the silver-laced clothes? What is his name? —

He is Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, Sir: a wicked, a very wicked man, for all he looks so!

The vile wretch stood smiling, and enjoying my distress.

O madam! A very hon-ourable man! bowing, like a scyophant, to Sir Hargrave.

And who pray, madam, are you? What is your name?

Harriet Byron, Sir: a poor innocent creature (looking at my dress) though I make such a vile ap-pearance — Good Sir, your pity! And I sunk down again at his feet.

Of Northamptonshire, madam? You are a single woman! Your uncle’s name —

Is Selby, Sir. A very good man — I will reward you, Sir, as the most grateful heart —

All is fair! All is above-board: all is as it was re-presented. I am above bribes, madam. You will be the happiest of women before day-break — Good people .’ — The three women advanced.

Then I saw what an ugly wretch he was!

Sir Hargrave advanced. The two horrid creatures raised me between them. Sir Hargrave took my struggling hand; and then I saw another ill-looking man enter the room, who I suppose was to give me to the hated man.

Dearly beloved, began to read the snuffling mon-ster — x my Lucy! Does not your heart ake for your Harriet? Mine has seemed to turn over and over, round and round, I don’t know how, at the recital. — It was ready to choak me at the time.

I must break off”, for a few minutes.


Letter XXXI.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

I was again like one frantic. Read no more! said and, in my frenzy, dashed the book out of the mi-nister’s hand, if a minister he was. I beg your par — don, Sir, said I; but you must read no further. I am basely betrayed hither. I cannot, I will not, be his.

Proceed, proceed, said Sir Hargrave, taking my hand by force; virago as she is, I will own her for my wife — Are you the gentle, the civil, Miss Byron, madam? looking sneeringly in my face.

Alas! my Lucy, I was no virago: I was in a perfect frenzy: but it was not an unhappy frenzy; since in all probability it kept me from falling into fits; and fits, the villain had said, should not save me.

Dearly beloved, again snuffled the wretch. O my Lucy! I shall never love these words. How may odious circumstances invert the force of the kindest words! Sir Hargrave still detained my struggling hand.

I stamped, and threw myself to the length of my arm, as he held my hand. No dearly beloved’s, said I. I was just beside myself. What to say, what to do, I knew not.

The cruel wretch laughed at me; No dearly beloved’s! repeated he, Very comical, ‘faith, and laughed again: but proceed, proceed, doctor.

We are gathered together here in the sight of God, read he on.

This affected me still more. I adjure you, Sir, to the minister, by that God in whose sight you read we are gathered together, that you proceed no fur-ther. I adjure you, Sir Hargrave, in the same tre — mendous name, that you stop further proceedings. My life take: with all my heart, take my life: but my hand never, never, will I join with yours.

Proceed, doctor: doctor, pray proceed, said the vile Sir Hargrave. When the day dawns, she will be glad to own her marriage.

Proceed at your peril, Sir, said I. If you are really and truly a minister of thatGodwhosepresencewhat you have read supposes, do not proceed: do not make me desperate. — Madam, turning to the widow, you are a mother, and have given me room to hope you are a good woman; look upon me as if I were one of those daughters, whom I see before me: could you see one of them thus treated? Dear young wo-men, turning to each, can you unconcernedly look on, and see a poor creature, tricked, betrayed, and thus violently, basely, treated, and not make my case your own? Speak for me! Plead for me! Be my ad-vocates! Each of you, if ye are women, plead for me, as you would yourselves wish to be pleaded for, in my circumstances, and were thus barbarously used!

The young women wept. The mother was moved.

I wonder I kept my head. My brain was on fire.

Still, still, the unmoved Sir Hargrave cried out, Proceed, proceed, doctor: tomorrow before noon, all will be as it should be.

The man who stood aloof (the sliest, sodden-faced creature I ever saw) came nearer — To the question, doctor, and to my part, if you please! — Am not I her father? — To the question, doctor, if you please! x 2

— The gentlewoman will prepare her for what is to follow.

O thou man! of heart the most obdurate and vile! And will ye, looking at every person, one hand held up (for still the vile man griped the other quite benumbed hand in his iron paw) and adjuring each, Will ye see this violence done to a poor young creature? — A soul, gentlewomen, you may have to an — swer for. I can die. Never, never, will I be his.

Let us women talk to the lady by ourselves, Sir Hargrave. Pray your honour, let us talk to her by ourselves.

Ay, ay, ay, said the parson, by all means: let the ladies talk to one another, Sir. She may be brought to consider.

He let go my hand. The widow took it. And was leading me out of the room — Not up-stairs, I hope, madam, said I.

Youshan’t then, said she. Come, Sally; come, Deb; let us women go out together.

They led me into a little room adjoining to the parlour: and then, my spirits subsiding, I thought I should have fainted way. I had more hartshorn and water poured down my throat.

When they had brought me a little to myself, they pleaded with me Sir Hargrave’s great estate. — What are riches to me? Dirt, dirt, dirt! I hate them. They cannot purchase peace of mind: I want not riches.

They pleaded his honourable love — I my invin-cible aversion.

He was a handsome man — The most odious in my eyes of the human species. Never, never, should my consent be had to sanctify such a baseness.

My danger! And that they should not be able-to save me from worse treatment —

How! — Notable.’ — Ladies, madam, is not this your own house? Cannot you raise a neighbourhood? Have you no neighbours? A thousand pounds will I order to be paid into your hands for a present before the week is out: I pledge my honour for the payment; if you will but save me from a violence, that no worthy woman can see offered to a distressed young creature! — A thousand pounds! — Dear ladies! Only to save me, and see me safe to my friends!

The wretches in the next room, no doubt, heard all that passed. In at that moment came Sir Har-grave: Mrs. Awberry, said he, with a visage swell — ed with malice, young ladies, we keep you up; we disturb you. Pray retire to your own rest: leave me to talk with this perverse woman. She is mine. Pray, Sir Hargrave, said Mrs. Awberry — Leave her to me, I say:— Miss Byron, you shall be mine. Your Grevilles, madam, your Fenwicks, your Ormes, when they know the pains and the expence I have been at, to secure you, shall confess me their superior — Shall confess —

In wickedness, in cruelty, Sir, you are every man’s superior.

You talk of cruelty, Miss Byron! triumphing over scores of prostrate lovers, madam! You re-member your treatment of me, madam! kneeling, like an abject wretch, at your feet! Kneeling for pity! But no pity could touch your heart, madam:— Ungrateful, proud girl! — Yet am I not humbling you; take notice of that: I am not humbling you: I am proposing to exalt you, madam. Vile, vile debasement, said I. To exalt Miss Byron into Lady Pollexfen. And yet if you hold not out your hand to me —

He would have snatched my hand. I put it behind me. He would have snatched the other: I put that behind me too: and the vile wretch would then have kissed my undefended neck: but, with both my hands I pushed his audacious forehead from me. Charming creature! he called me, with passion in his look and accent: then, Cruel, proud, ungrate-ful: and swore by his Maker, that if I would not give my hand instantly, instead of exalting me, he would humble me. Ladies, pray withdraw, said he. Leave her to me: either Lady Pollexfen, or what I please; rearing himself proudly up! She may be happy if she will. Leave her to me.

Pray, Sir, said the youngest of the two daughters; and wept for me.

Greatly hurt, indeed, to be the wife of a man of my fortune and consequence! But leave her to me, I say. — I will soon bring down her pride: What a devil, am I to creep, beg, pray, entreat, and only for a ivifef But, madam, said the insolent wretch, you will be mine upon easier terms, perhaps.

Madam, pray madam, said the widow to me, consider what you are about, and whom you refuse. Can you have a handsomer man? Can you have a man of a greater fortune? Sir Hargrave means nothing but what is honourable. You are in his power —

In his power, madam! returned I: I am in yours. You are mistress of this house. I claim the protection of it. Have you not neighbours? Your protec — tion I put myself under. Then clasping my arms about her, Lock me from him till you can have help to secure to you the privilege of your own house; and deliver me safe to my friends, and I will share my fortune with your two daughters.

The wicked man took the mother and youngest daughter each by her hand, after he had disengaged the former from my clasping arms, and led them to the door. The elder followed them of her own ac-cord. They none of them struggled against going. I begged, prayed, besought them not to go, and when they did, would have thrust myself out with them: but the wretch, in shutting them out, squeezed me dreadfully, as I was half in, half out; and my nose gushed out with blood.

I screamed: he seemed frighted: but instantly re-covering myself — So, so, you have done your worst 1 — You have killed me, I hope. I was out of breath; my stomach was very much pressed, and one of my arms was bruised. I have the marks still; for he clapt to the door with violence, not knowing, to do him justice, that I was so forward in the door-way.

I was in dreadful pain. 1 talked half wildly, I re-member. I threw myself in a chair — So, so, you have killed me, I hope — Well, now I hope, now I hope you are satisfied. Now may you moan over the poor creature you have destroyed: for he expressed great tenderness and consternation; and I, for my part, felt such pains in my bosom, that having never felt such before, I really thought I was bruised to death: repeating my foolish So, so — But I forgive you, said I— Only, Sir, call to the gentlewomen, Sir — Retire, Sir. Let me have my own sex only about me. My head swam: my eyes failed me; and I fainted quite away.


Letter XXXII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

I understood afterwards that he was in the most dreadful consternation. He had fastened the door upon me and himself; and for a few moments was not enough present to himself to open it. Yet crying out upon his God to have mercy upon him, and running about the room, the women hastily rapped at the door. Then lie ran to it, opened it, Cursed himself, and besought them to recover me, if pos-sible.

They said I had death in my face: they lamented over me: my nose had done bleeding: but, careful of his own safety in the midst of his terror, he took my bloody handkerchief; if I did not recover, he said, that should not appear against him; and he hasted into the next room, and thrust it into the fire; by which were sitting, it seems, the minister and his helper, over some burnt brandy.

O gentlemen! cried the wretch, nothing can be done to-night. Take this; and gave them money. The lady is in a fit. I wish you well home.

The younger daughter reported this to me after-wards, and what follows: They had desired the maid, it seems, to bring them more firing, and a jug of ale; and they would sit in the chimney-corner, they said, till peep of day: but the same young woman who was taken off from her errand, to assist me, finding me, as they all thought, not likely to recover, ran in to them, and declared, that the lady was dead, cer-tainly dead; and what, said she, will become of us all? This terrified the two men. They said, It was then time for them to be gone. Accordingly, taking each of them another dram, they snatched up their hats and sticks, and away they hurried; hoping, the doctor said, that, as they were innocent, and only meant to serve the gentleman, their names, whatever happened, would not be called in question.

When I came a little to myself, I found the three women only with me. I was in a cold sweat, all over shivering. There was no fire in that room: they led me into the parlour, which the two men had quitted; and sat me down in an elbow-chair; for I could hardly stand, or support myself; and chafed my temples with Hungary-water.

Wretched creatures, men of this cast, my Lucy, thus to sport with the healths and happiness of poor creatures whom they pretend to love! I am afraid I never shall be what I was. At times I am very sen-sible at my stomach of this violent squeeze.

The mother and elder sister left me soon after, and went to Sir Hargrave. I can only guess at the result of their deliberations by what followed.

The younger sister, with compassionate frankness, answered all my questions, and let me know all the above particulars. Yet she wondered that I could refuse so handsome and so rich a man as Sir Har-grave.

She boasted much of their reputation. Her mo-ther would not do an ill thing, she said, for the world: and she had a brother who had a place in the Custom-house, and was as honest a man, though she said it, as any in it. She owned that she knew my vile servant; and praised his fidelity to the ma-sters he had served, in such high terms, as if she thought all duties were comprised in that one, of obeying his principles, right or wrong. Mr. Wil-liam, she said, was a pretty man, a genteel man, and she believed he was worth money; and she was sure would make an excellent husband. I soon found that the simple girl was in love with this vile, this specious fellow. She could not bear to hear me hint any — thing in his disfavour, as, byway of warning to her, I would have done. But she was sure Mr. William was a downright honest man; and that if he were guilty of any bad thing, it was by command of those to whom he owed duty; and they are to be answerable for that, you know, madam.

We were broke in upon, as I was intending to ask more questions (for I find this Wilson was the prime agent in all this mischief) when the elder sister called out the younger: and instantly came in Sir Hargrave.

He took a chair, and sat down by me, one leg thrown over the knee of the other; his elbow upon that knee, and his hand supporting his bowed down head; biting his lips; looking at me, then from me, then at me again, five or six times, as in malice.

Ill-natured, spiteful, moody wretch! thought I (trembling at his strange silence, after such hurt as he had done me, and what I had endured, and still felt in my stomach and arm) what an odious creature thou art!

At last I broke silence. I thought I would be as mild as I could, and not provoke him to do me far-ther mischief. Well have you done, Sir Hargrave, (have you not?) to commit such a violence upon a poor young creature that never did nor thought you evil!

I paused. He was silent.

What distraction have you given to my poor cou-sin Reeves’s! How my heart bleeds for them!

I stopt. He was still silent.

I hope, Sir, you are sorry for the mischief you have done me; and for the pain you have given to my friends! — I hope, Sir —

Cursed! said he.

I stopt, thinking he would go on: but he said no more; only changing his posture; and then resuming it.

These people, Sir, seem to be honest people. I hope you designed only to terrify me. Your bringing me into no worse company is an assurance to me that you meant better than —

Devils all! interrupted he —

I thought he was going on; but he grinned, shook his head, and then again reclined it upon his hand.

I forgive you, Sir, the pain you have given me. — But my friends — As soon as day breaks (and I hope that is not far off) I will get the women to let my cousin Reeves —

Then up he started — Miss Byron, said he, you are a woman; a true woman — And held up his hand, clenched. I knew not what to think of his intention.

Miss Byron, proceeded he, after a pause, you are the most consummate hypocrite that I ever knew in my life: and yet I thought that the best of you all could fall into fits and swoonings whenever you pleased.

/ was now silent. I trembled.

Damn’d fool! ass! blockhead! ‘woman’s fool! — I ought to be d — n’d for my credulous folly! — I tell you, Miss Byron — Then he looked at me as if he were crazy; and walked two or three times about the room.

To be dying one half-hour, and the next to look so provoking —

I was still silent.

I could curse myself for sending away the parson. I thought I had known something of women’s tricks — But yet your arts, your hypocrisy, shall not serve you, madam. What I failed in here, shall be done elsewhere. By the great God of heaven, it shall.

I wept. I could not then speak.

Can’t you go into fits again? Can’t you? said the barbarian; with an air of a piece with his words; and using other words of the lowest reproach.

God deliver me, prayed I to myself, from the hands of this madman!

I arose, and as the candle stood near the glass, I saw in it my vile figure, in this abominable habit, to which, till then, I had paid little attention. O how I scorned myself!

Pray, Sir Tlargrave, said I, let me beg that you will not terrify me further. I will forgive you for all you have hitherto done, and place it to my own. account, as a proper punishment for consenting to be thus marked for a vain and foolish creature. Your abuse, Sir, give me leave to say, is low and unmanly: but in the light of a punishment I will own it to be all deserved: and let here my punishment end, and I will thank you; and forgive you with my whole heart.

Your fate is determined, Miss Byron.

Just then came in a servant-maid with a capu-chin, who whispered something to him: to which he answered, That’s well —

He took the capuchin; the maid withdrew; and approached me with it. I started, trembled, and was ready to faint. I caught hold of the back’ of the elbow-chair.

Your fate is determined, madam, repeated the sa-vage — Here, put this on — Now fall into fits again —— Put this on!

Pray, Sir Hargrave —

And pray, Miss Byron: what has not been completed here, shall be completed in a safer place; and that in my own way — Put this on, I tell you. Your compliance may yet befriend you.

Where are the gentlewomen? Where are —

Gone to rest, madam — John, Frank, called he out.

In came two men-servants.

Pray, Sir Hargrave — Lord protect me — Pray, Sir Hargrave — Where are the gentlewomen? — Lord protect me!

Then running to the door, against which one of the men stood — Man, stand out of the way, said I. But he did not: he only bowed.

I cried out, Mrs. 1 forget your name: Miss

And t’other Miss 1 forget your names —— If you are good creatures, as 1 hoped you were —

I called as loud as my fears would let me.

At last came in the elder sister — O madam! good young gentlewoman! I am glad you are come, said I.

And so am I, said the wicked man — Pray, Miss Sally, put on this lady’s capuchin.

Lord bless me! for why? for what? I have no capuchin!

I would not permit her to put it on, as she would have done.

The savage then wrapt his arms about mine, and made me so very sensible, by his force, of the pain I had had by the squeeze of the door, that I could not help crying out. The young woman put on the capuchin, whether I would or not.

Now, Miss Byron, said he, make yourself easy; or command a fit, it is all one: my end will be bet-ter served by the latter — Miss Sally, give orders.

She ran out with the candle. Frank, give me the cloak, said SirHargrave.

The fellow had a red cloak on his arm. His bar-barous master took it from him. To your posts, said he.

The two men withdrew in haste. Now, my dear-est life, said he, with an air of insult, as I thought, you command your fate, if you are easy.

He threw the cloak about me.

I begged, prayed, would have kneeled to him; but all was in vain: the tyger-hearted man, as Mr. Greville had truly called him, muffled me up in it, and by force carried me through a long entry to the fore-door. There was ready a chariot-and-six; and that Sally was at the door with a lighted candle.

I called out to her. I called out for her mother; for the other sisier. I besought him to let me say but six words to the widow.

But no widow was to appear; no younger sister; she was perhaps more tender-hearted than the elder: and in spite of all my struggles, prayers, resistance, he lifted me into the chariot.

Men on horseback were about it. I thought that Wilson was one of them; and so it proved. Sir Hargrave said to that fellow, You know what tale to tell, if you meet with impertinents. And in he came himself.

I screamed. Scream on, my dear, upbraidingly said he; and barbarously mocked me, imitating, low wretch! the bleating of a sheep [Could you not have killed him for this, my Lucy?] Then rearing himself up, Now am I lord of Miss Byron! exulted he.

Still I screamed for help; and he put his hand before my mouth, though vowing honour and such sort of stuff; and, with his unmanly roughness, made me bite my lip. And away lashed the coachman with your poor Harriet.
Letter XXXIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

As the chariot drove by houses, I cried out for help once or twice, at setting out. But under pretence of preventing my taking cold, he tied a handkerchief over my face, head, and mouth, having first muffled me up in the cloak; pressing against my arm with his whole weight, so that I had not my hands at liberty. And when he had done, he seized them, and held them both in his left-hand, while his right-arm thrown round me, kept me fast on the seat: and except that now and then my struggling head gave me a little opening, I was blinded.

But at one place on the road, just after I had screamed, and made another effort to get my hands free, I heard voices; and immediately the chariot stopt Then how my heart was filled with hope! But, alas! it was momentary. I heard one of his men say (that Wilson I believe) The best of hus-bands, I assure you, Sir; and she is the worst of wives.

I screamed again. Ay, scream and be d — n’d, I heard said in a stranger’s voice, if that be the case. Poor gentleman! I pity him with all my heart. And immediately the coachman drove on again.

The vile wretch laughed; That’s you, my dear; and hugged me round. You are the d — n’d wife. And again he laughed: By my soul, I am a charming contriver! Greville, Fenwick, Orme, where are you now? — By my soul, this will be a pretty story to tell when all your fears are over, my Byron!

I was ready to faint several times. I begged for air: and when we were in an open road, and I sup-pose there was nobody in sight, he vouchsafed to pull down the blinding handkerchief, but kept it over my mouth; so that, except now-and-then that I struggled it aside with my head (and my neck is still, my dear, very stiff with my efforts to free my face) I could only make a murmuring kind of noise.

The curtain of the fore-glass was pulled down, and generally the canvas on both sides drawn up. But I was sure to be made acquainted when we came near houses, by his care again to blind and stifle me.

A little before we were met by my deliverer, I had, by getting one hand free, unmuffled myself so far as to see (as I had guessed once or twice before by the stone pavements) that we were going through a town; and then I again vehemently screamed. But he had the cruelty to thrust a handkerchief y 2 into my mouth, so that I was almost strangled; and my mouth was hurt, and is still sore, with that and his former violence of the like nature.

Indeed, he now-and-then made apologies for the cruelty, to which, he said, he was compelled, by my invincible obstinacy, to have recourse. I was sorely hurt, he said, to be the wife of a man of his consi-deration! But I should be that or worse. He was in for it (he said more than once) and must proceed. I might see that all my resistance was in vain. He had me in his net: and, d — n him, if he were not revenged for all the trouble I had given him. You keep no terms with me, my Byron, said he once; and d — n me, if 1 keep any with you!

I doubted not his malice: his love had no ten-derness in it: but how could I think of being con senting, as I may say, to such barbarous usage, and by a man so truly odious to me? What a slave had I been in spirit, could I have qualified on such villanous treatment as I had met with! or had 1 been able to desert myself!

At one place the chariot drove out of the road, over rjough ways, and little hillocks, as I thought, by its rocking; and then, it stopping, he let go my hands, and endeavoured to sooth me. He beg-ged I would be pacified, and offered, if I would for — bear crying out for help, to leave my eyes un muffled all the rest of the way. But I would not, I told him, give such a sanction to his barbarous violence.

On the chariot’s stopping, one of his men came up, and put an handkerchief into his master’s hands, in which were some cakes and sweet-meats; and gave him also a bottle of sack, with a glass. Sir Hargrave was very urgent with me to take some of the sweet-meats, and to drink aglass of the wine: but I had neither stomach nor will to touch either.

He eat himself very cordially. God forgive me, I wished in my heart, there were pins and needles in every bit he put into his mouth.

He drank two glasses of the wine. Again he urged me. I said, I hoped I had eat and drank roy last.

You have no dependence upon my honour, ma-dam, said the villain; so cannot be disappointed much, do what I will. Ungrateful, proud, vain, ob-stinate, he called me.

What signifies, said he, shewing politeness to a woman, who has shewn none to me, though she was civil to every other man? Ha, ha, ha, hah! What, my sweet Byron, I don’t hit your fancy! — You dorit like my morals! laughing again. My lovely fly, said the insulting wretch, hugging me round in the cloak, how prettily have 1 wrapt you about in my web!

Such a provoking low wretch! — I struggled to free myself; and unhooked the curtain of the fore-glass: but he wrapt me about the closer, and said he would give me his garter for my girdle, if I would not sit still, and be orderly. Ah, my charming Byron! said he, ycur opportunity is over — All your struggles will not avail you — Will not avail you. That’s a word of your own, you know. I will, however, forgive you, if you promise to love me now. But if you stay till I get you to the allotted place; then, madam, take what follows.

I saw that I was upon a large, wild, heath-like place, between two roads, as it seemed. I asked nothing about my journey’s end. All I had to hope for as to an escape (though then I began to despair of it) was upon the road, or in some town. My journey’s end, I knew, must be the beginning of new trials; for I was resolved to suffer death rather than to marry him. What I now was most y 3 apprehensive about, was, of falling into fits; and I answered to his barbarous insults as little as possi-ble, that I might not be provoked beyond the little strength I had left me.

Three or four times he offered to kiss me; and cursed my pride for resisting him; making him clasp a cloud, was his speech (aiming at wit) instead of his Juno; calling the cloak a cloud.

And now, my dear Byron, said he, if you will not come to a compromise with me, I must dress you again for the journey. We will stop at a town a little further (beckoning to one of his men, and, on his approaching, whispering to him, his whole body out of the chariot) and there you shall alight; and a very worthy woman, to whom I shall intro-duce you, will persuade you, perhaps, to take refreshment, though I cannot.

You are a very barbarous man, Sir Hargrave. I have the misfortune to be in your power. You may dearly repent the usage 1 have already re-ceived from you. You have made my life of no es — timation with me. I will not contend.

And tears ran down my cheeks. Indeed I thought my heart was broke.

He wrapt me up close, and tied the handkerchief about my mouth and head. I was quite passive.

The chariot had not many minutes got into the great road again, over the like rough and sometimes plashy ground, when it stopt on a dispute between the coachman, and the coachman of another chariot-and-six, as it proved.

Sir Hargrave had but just drawn my handkerchief closer to my eyes, when this happened. Hinder not my tears from flowing, said I; struggling to keep my eyes free, the cloak enough muffling me, and the handkerchief being over my mouth; so that my voice could be but just heard by him, as I ima-gine.

He looked out of his chariot, to see the occasion of this stop; and then I found means to disengage one hand.

I heard a gentleman’s voice directing his own coachman to give way.

I then pushed up the handkerchief with my disen-gaged hand, from my mouth, and pulled it down from over my eyes, and cried out for help; Help for God’s sake!

A man’s voice (it was my deliverer’s, as it hap-pily proved) bid Sir Hargrave’s coachman proceed at his peril.

Sir Hargrave, with terrible oaths and curses, or-dered him to proceed, and to drive through all op position.

The gentleman called Sir Hargrave by his name; and charged him with being upon a bad design.

The vile wretch said, he had only secured a run-away wife, eloped to, and intending to elope from, a masquerade, to her adulterer [Horrid!] he put aside the cloak, and appealed to my dress.

I cried out, No, no, no, five or six times repeated; but could say no more at that instant, holding up then both my disengaged hands for protection.

The wicked man endeavoured to muffle me up again, and to force the handkerchief, which I had then got under my chin, over my mouth; and bru-tally cursed me.

The gentleman would not be satisfied with Sir Hargrave’s story. He would speak to me. Sir Hargrave called him impertinent, and other names; and asked, Who the devil he was? with rage and contempt. — The gentleman, however, asked me, and with an air that promised deliverance, if I were Sir Hargrave’s wife.

No, no, no, no — I could only say.

For my own part, I could have no scruple, dia* tressed as I was, and made desperate, to throw my-self into the protection, and even into the arms, of my deliverer; though a very fine young gen-tleman. It would have been very hard, had 1 fallen from bad to bad; had the sacred name of protector been abused by another Sir Hargrave, who would have had the additional crime of betraying a confi-dence to answer for. But, however this had proved, an escape from the present evil was all I had in my head at the time.

But you may better conceive, than I can express, the terror I was in, when Sir Hargrave drew his sword, and pushed at the gentleman with such words as denoted (for I could not look that way) he had done him mischief. But when I found my oppressor, my low-meaning, and soon after low-laid oppressor, pulled out of the chariot, by the brave, the gallant man (which was done with such force, as made the chariot rock) and my protector safe; I was as near fainting with joy, as before I had been with terror. I had shaken off the cloak, and untied the handker-chief

He carried me in his arms (I could not walk) to his own chariot.

I heard Sir Hargrave curse, swear, and threaten. I was glad, however, he was not dead.

Mind him not, madam, fear him not, said Sir Charles Grandison, [You know his noble name, my Lucy]: Coachman, drive not over your master: take care of your master; or some such words he said, as he lifted me into his own chariot. He came not in, but shut the chariot-door, as soon as he had seated me.

He just surveyed, as it were, the spot, and bid a servant let Sir Hargrave know who he was; and then came back to me.

Partly through terror, partly through weakness,

I had sunk to the bottom of the chariot. He opened the door, entered, and, with all the tenderness of a brother, soothed me, and lifted me on the seat once more. He ordered his coachman to drive back to Colnebrook. In accents of kindness, he told me, that he had there at present the most virtuous and prudent of sisters, to whose care he would commit me, and then proceed on his journey to town.

How irresistibly welcome to me was his supporting arm, thrown round me, as wejleiv back, com pared to that of the vile Sir Hargrave!

Mr. Reeves has given you an account from the angelic sister — O my Lucy, they are a pair of angels!

I have written a long, long letter, or rather five letters in one, of my distresses, of my deliverance: and, when my heart is stronger, I will say more of the persons, as well as minds, of this excellent brother and his sister.

But what shall I do with my gratitude? O my dear, I am overwhelmed with my gratitude: I can only express it in silence before them. Every look, if it be honest to my heart, however, tells it: re-verence mingles with my gratitude — Yet there is so much ease, so much sweetness, in the behaviour of both — O my Lucy! Did I not find that my vene-ration of both is equal; did I not, on examination, find, that the amiable sister is as dear tome, from her experienced tenderness, as her brother from his re-membered bravery (which must needs mingle awo with my esteem); in short, that I love the sister, and revere the brother; I should be afraid of my gratitude.

I have over-written myself. I am tired. O my grandmamma, you have never yet, while I have been in London, sent me your ever valued blessing under your own hand: yet, I am sure I had it; and your blessings, my dear uncle and aunt Selby; and your prayers, my Lucy, my Nancy, and all my loves; else my deliverance had not perhaps followed my presumptuous folly, in going dressed out, like the fantastic wretch I appeared to be, at a vile, a foolish, masquerade. — How often, throughout the several stages of my distress, and even in my deli-verance, did 1 turn my eye to myself, andfrom my — self, with the disgust that made a part, and that not a light one, of my punishment!

And so much, my Lucy, for masquerades, and masquerade dresses, for ever!

Pray letnotany-body unnecessarily be acquainted with this shocking affair: particularly neither Mr. Greville nor Mr. Fenwick. It is very probable, that they (especially Mr. Greville) would be for challenging Sir Hargrave, were it only on a suppo-sition that it would give him an interest in me in the eye of the world. You know that Mr. Greville watches for all opportunities to give himself consequence with me.

Were any farther mischief to happen to any-body, I should be grieved beyond measure. Hitherto I have reason to think, that a transaction so shocking is not very unhappily concluded. May the vile man sit himself down satisfied, and I shall be willing to do so too; provided I never more behold his face.

* *

Mr. Reeves will send you, with the above packet, a letter from Sir Charles Grandison, inclosing one from that vile Wilson. I can write no more just now, and they will sufficiently explain themselves. Adieu, my dearest Lucy. I need not say how much I am, and ever will be,

Your faithful and affectionate

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXXIV.
Sir Cha. Grandison to Arch. Reeves, Esq.

Dear Sir, Canterbury, February 22.

The inclosed long letter is just now brought to me. I pretend not to judge of the writer’s penitence. Yet his confessions seem ingenuous; and he was not under any obligation to put them on paper.

As I presume that you will not think it adviseable to make the ineffectual attempt upon Miss Byron public by a prosecution, perhaps your condescending to let the man’s sister know, that her brother, if in earnest, may securely pursue the honest pur-poses he mentions, may save the poor wretch from taking such courses as might be fatal, not only to himself, but to innocent persons who otherwise may suffer by his being made desperate.

The man, as you will see by his letter, if you had not a still stronger proof, has abilities to do mischief. He has been in bad hands, as he tells us, from his youth upwards, or he might have been an useful member of society. He is a young man; and if yet he could be made so, his reformation will take from the number of the profligate, and add to that of the hopeful; and who knows how wide the circle of his acquaintance is, and how many of them maybe influenced by his example either way? If he marry the not-dishonest young woman, to whom he seems to be contracted, may not your lenity be a means of securing a whole future family on the side of moral honesty?

His crime, as the attempt was frustrated, is not capital: and, not to mention the service of such an evidence as this, should Sir Margrave seek for a legal redress, as he sometimes weakly threatens, my hope makes me see a further good that may be brought about by this man’s reformation: wicked masters cannot execute their base views upon the persmm of the innocent, without the assistance of wicked ser-vants. What a nest of vipers may be crushed at once, or, at least, rendered unhurtful, by depriving the three monsters he names of the aid of such an agent? Men who want tosave appearances, and have estates to forfeit, will sometimes be honest of neces-sity, rather than put themselves into the power of untried villains.

You will be so good as to make my compliments to your lady, and to our lovely ward. You see, Sir, that I join myself with you in the honour of that agreeable relation.

I hope the dear lady has perfectly recovered her health and spirits. I am, good Mr. Reeves,

Your most faithful and obedient servant,

CHARLES GRANDISON.


Letter XXXV.
To Sir Charles Grandison, Bart.

Saturday, February 18. In what an odious light must that wretch appear before the worthiest of men, who cannot but abhor himself.

I am the unhappy man who was hired into the service of the best of young ladies: whom I was the means of betraying into the power of Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, from the ball in the Hay-market on Thursday night last.

Your honour has made yourself an interest in Miss Byron’s fate, as I may say, by your powerful protection. Pardon me if I give you some account of myself, and of transactions which perhaps will otherwise never be known: and this in justice to all round.

My parentage was honest. My education was above my parentage. I set out with good principles: but I fell into a bad service. I was young, and of a good natural disposition; but had not virtue enough to resist a temptation: I could not say No, to an unlawful thing, when my principals commanded my assent.

I was, at first setting out, by favour of friends, taken as clerk to a merchant. In process of time I transacted his business at the Custom-house. He taught me to make light of oaths of office; and this by degrees made me think light of all moral obligations, and laid the foundation of my ruin.

My master’s name was Bagenhall. He died; and I was to seek employ. His brother succeeded to his fortune, which was very large: he was brought up to no business: he was a gentleman: his seat is near Reading. I was recommended by him to the service of a gentleman who was nominated to go abroad on a foreign embassy. I will name his name, lest your honour would imagine I have any design to evade the strictest truth; Sir Christopher Lucas; I was to be this gentleman’s master of the horse abroad.

The first service my new master employed me in, was to try to get for him the pretty daughter of an honest farmer.

I had been out of place for a twelvemonth. Had I had twenty shillings aforehand in the world, I would, I think, have said no. Nevertheless I consulted, in confidence, my late master’s brother upon it. The advice he gave me, was, not to boggle at it: But if, he said, I could manage the matter so, as to cheat Sir Christopher, and get the girl for him, and keep the secret, he would give me 501. I abhorred the double treachery of young Mr. Bagenhall: but undertook to serve Sir Christopher; and carried on a treaty with the farmer for his daughter; as if she were to be the wife of Sir Christopher; but not to be owned till he returned from abroad; no, not even if ehe should prove with child.

I found, in the course of my visits at the farmer’s, so much honesty both in father and mother, and so much innocence in the daughter, that my heart re-lented; and I took an opportunity to reveal Sir Chris — topher’s base design to them; for the girl was de signed to be ruined the very first moment that Sir Christopher could be alone with her. Your honour may believe, that I enjoined all three strict secrecy.

Nevertheless this contriving devil of a master found a way to get the young woman by other means; and, in amorous dalliance, she told him to whom he was obliged for not succeeding before.

In rage he turned me out of his service, in the most disgraceful manner; but without giving any other reasons, than that he knew me to be a villain; and that I knew myself to be one; nor would he give me a character: so I was quite reduced; and but for the kindness of a sister, who keeps an inn in Smithfield, I should have starved, or been ob-liged to do worse.

I should have told your honour, that the poor farmer and his wife both died of grief in half a year. An honest young man, who dearly loved the young woman, was found drowned soon after: it is feared he was his own executioner. Sir Christopher went not on his embassy. His preparations for it, and his expensive way of life, before and after, reduced him: and he has been long a beggar, as 1 may say. The poor young woman is now, if living, on the town. I taw her about half a year ago in St. Martin’s Round-“house, taken upas a common prostitute, and charged with picking a pocket. She was a pretty creature, and had a very pious turn, when I knew her first. Her father had gone beyond himself in her education: and this was the fruit. What has such a man as Sir Christopher to answer for! — But it is come home to him. I rejoice that this wickedness was not added to my score.

But heavy scenes I had enough afterwards. Being utterly destitute, except what my sister did for me, and not enduring to be a burden to her, I threw my-self upon my master Bagenhall. He employed me in mean offices, till his pander died (he is a very profligate man, Sir!): and then he promoted me to a still meaner.

In this way, I grew a shameless contriver. He introduced me to Sir Hargrave Follexfen, and to Mr. Merceda, a Portuguese Jew. In the service of these three masters, good heaven forgive me! what villa-nies was I not the means of perpetrating; Yet I ne — ver was so hardened, but I had temporary remorses. But these three gentlemen would never let me rest from wickedness: yet they kept me poor and neces-sitous; as the only means to keep me what they called honest; for they had often reason to think, that had I had any other means of subsistence, I would have been really honest.

I was now Mr. Bagenhall’s constant servant. Sir Hargrave and Mr. Merceda used to borrow me; but I must say Sir Hargrave is an innocent man to the other two. They caressed me, I speak it to my shame, as a man fit for their turn. I had contrivance; temper; I knew something of every-body. But my sister knows my frequent compunctions; and that I hated the vile eourse I w r as in. She used to lecture me enough. She is a good woman.

Will your honour have patience with me a little longer?

Sir Hargrave on the seventh of this month came to my master Bagenhall at Reading, with whom he had double business: one was to take a bond and! judgment of him (Sir Hargrave is no better than an usurer): Mr. Bagenhall has lived a most extravagant life: the other was to borrow me. Mr. Merceda had a scheme on foot at the same time, which he was earnest to engage me in; but it was too shocking; and Mr. Bagenhall came into Sir Hargrave’s.

Sir Hargrave told them, he designed nothing more than a violation, if he could get my assistance, of the most beautiful woman in the world. And, Sir, to see the villany of the other two; they both, unknown to each other, made proposals to me, to trick Sir Hargrave, and to get the lady, each for himself.

But to me, Sir Hargrave swore, that he was fully resolved to leave this wicked course of life. Bagen-hall and Merceda, he said, were devils; and he would marry, and have no more to say to them. All that was in his view was honest marriage. He said he had never been in the lady’s company but once, and that was the day before at Lady Betty Williams’s. He said he w r ent thither, knowing she was to be there: for having for some time had it in his head to marry, this was the lady he had pitched upon in his mind, from the character he had of her from every mouth at the Northampton races.

Now, said he, I shall have some difficulty to ob-tain her, notwithstanding my fortune is so great; for every one who sees her is in love with her; and he named several gentlemen who laid close siege to her.

She brought a servant up with her, said he, who pines after the country, and is actually gone, or soon will. Her cousin enquires of every one after a proper servant for her. You, Wilson, said he, are hand — some and genteel; he was pleased to say so. You have a modest humble look: you know all the duties of a servant: get yourself entertained, and your for-tune is made for life, if by your means I obtain the lady. I have already tendered myself, said he. Per-haps she will have me in a few days. I don’t expect to be denied, if she be disengaged, as it is said she is. If you can get into her service, you will find out every-thing. This is all that is to be done: but you must never mention my name, nor ever know any-thing of me, as I go and come.

Sir Hargrave declared, that his heart was burnt up with the love of the lady: and if he succeeded (as he had little doubt, even without my help, had I been actually in Merceda’s service) you will, said he, as my lady’s servant, be mine of course; you shall ne-ver wear a livery 4 and you shall be my gentleman, till I can get a place for you in the customs. This, may it please your honour, he knew I had long aimed at; and it had been often promised by him-self, and my other two masters; and was their first promise when they wanted to engage me in any of their schemes, though they never thought more of it when the service was over. If I got but myself engaged, I was, on the day I entered into my lady’s service, to have as an earnest ten guineas.

Encouraged by such promises (and the project being an honester one than ever Sir Hargrave, or either of the other two, had sought to engage me in) I offered my service to my lady; and, on Mr. Bagenhall’s writing a good character of me, was ac-cepted.

I could have been happy in the service of this lady all the days of my life. She is all goodness: all the servants, every-body, gentle and simple, adored her: but she, unexpectedly, refusing to have Sir Hargrave, and he being afraid that one of her three or four lovers would cut him out, he resolved z3 to take more violent measures than he had at first intended.

If any man was ever mad in love, it was Sir Hargrave. But then he was as mad with anger to be refused. Sir Hargrave was ever thought to be one of the proudest men in England: and he complained that my lady used him worse than she did any-body else. But it was not her way to use any any-body ill, I saw that.

Nevertheless he was resolved to strike a bold stroke for a wife, as were his words from the title of a play: and between us we settled the matter in one night: for I had found means to get out unknown to the family.

It will be trespassing too much upon your ho-nour’s patience, to be very particular in our con trivances. I will be as brief as possible.

My lady was to go to a masquerade. I got into the knowledge of every-thing about it. The maids were as full of the matter as their master and mis-tresses.

Itwasagreed tomake the chairmen fuddled. Two of Mr. Merceda’sjbotmen were to undertake the task. Brandy was put into their liquor, to hasten them.

They were soon overcome. The weather was cold: they drank briskly, and were laid up safe. I then hired too chance chairmen, and gave them orders, as had been contrived.

I had twenty guineas given me in hand, for my encouragement; in which were included the promised ten.

I had, when I was my first master Bagenhall’s clerk, made acquaintance with several clerks of the Custom-house, particularly with one Awberry, a so-ber modest man; who has two sisters; to one of whom I am contracted, and always, for two years past, intended to make my wife, as soon as I should be in any way to maintain her. The mother is a widow. All of them are very honest people.

Mr. Awberry the brother being assured by me (and I was well assured of it myself, and had no doubt about it) that marriage was intended; and knowing Sir Hargrave’s great estate (and having indeed seen Sir Hargrave on the occasion, and re-ceived his protestations of honour) engaged his mo — ther and sisters in it; and the result, as to them and me, was, that I was to receive, as soon as the knot was tied, a hundred guineas besides the twenty; and moreover an absolute promise of a place; and twenty pounds a year till I got it; and then my marriage with young Mrs. Awberry was to follow.

The widow has an annuity of thirty pounds, which, with her son’s salary, keeps them above want.

She lives at Paddington. There is a back door and garden, as it happens, convenient to bring any-body in, or carry any-body out, secretly; and hither it was resolved, if possible, that the lady should be brought, and a Fleet parson and his clerk ready sta-tioned, to perform the ceremony; and then all that the bridegroom wished was to follow of course.

Sir Hargrave doubted not (though he was fruitful in contrivances, and put many others in practice) but he should be detected if he carried the lady to his own house. And as he was afraid that the chair-men (notwithstanding several other artful contriv — ances) would be able to find out the place they carried her to, he had ordered his chariot-and-six to be at the widow Awberry ‘s by six in the morning, with three servants on horseback, armed, and a horse and pistols besides. After marriage and consummation, he was resolved to go to his house on the forest, but not to stay there; but to go to Mr. Merceda’s house near Newbury, where he doubted not but he should be secret till he thought fit to produce the lady as Lady Pollexfen: and often, very often, did he triumph on the victory he should obtain over her other lovers, and over her own proud heart, as he would have it to be.

The parson, Sir, came: the clerk was there: but what with fits, prayers, tears, and one thing or other (at one time the lady being thought irrecoverable, having received some unintended hurt in her strug-gling to get out of a door, as I heard it was) Sir Hargrave in terror dismissed the parson; and re-solved to carry the lady (who by that time was re — covered) in the chariot to his seat at Windsor; and then, staying there only to marry, go to New-bury; and from thence break out by degrees, as the matter should be taken.

My lady screamed, resisted, and did all that woman could do, to get free: and more than once, people who heard her cry out for help were put on a wrong scent: and had we not met with your honour (who would see with your own eyes, and hear with your own ears) the affair had been all over in the way Sir Hargrave wished, and was at so much pains and expence to effect. For, Sir, the chariot generally drove so fast, that before passengers could have resolved whether to interfere or not, we should have been out of sight or reach.

Sir Hargrave is in the greatest rage with us all, because we stood not better by him. He refuses any favour to me, and threatens to pistol me the moment he sees me. That’s to be my reward.

We were four at setting out from Paddington: but one of the servants was dispatched to prepossess an old servant of Sir Hargrave’s mother, at Colne-brook, who keeps there a kind of haberdashery shop; and where he proposed to get some refreshment for the lady, if he could make her take any. For my part, I wonder how she kept out of fits on the road. She had enow of them at Paddington,

The two servants who staid about Sir Hargrave, are discharged with all the marks of indignation that a master incensed by such a disappointment could express; and, as I said before, he is resolved to pistol me the moment he sees me. Yet I too well served him for the peace of my conscience.

A coach-and-four was ordered to carry the widow and her two daughters to Reading, to the New Inn there, where they were to reside for a week or so, till all was blown over; and that they might be out of the way of answering questions: and my brother Awberry, as I call him, and hope to make him (for he is a very honest man) was to go to them there.

And there, in all probability, had Sir Hargrave succeeded, and been as good as his word, should I have been the husband of as tender-hearted a young woman as any in the parish she lives in.

Here is a very long letter, may it please you, Sir. I have shortened it, however, as much as I could: but in hatred to myslf, and the vile ways I have, by excess of good-nature, and by meeting with wicked masters, been drawn into — For the clearing of my sister’s character, who lives in credit among her neighbours, and of every other person who might otherwise have been suspected — In justice to Mrs. Awberry’s and her two daughters, and her son’s characters — And in justice no far to Sir Hargrave’s, as that he intended marriage (and had he not, he would have found no friends in his designs at Pad-dington) and so far as to clear him of having not offered the least incivility to my lady — [Had he intended, or been provoked so to do, he was too well watched by the widow, and her daughters, to have been permitted; and that by my own request, which was, that they should be ready to run in whenever they heard her cry out, and that they would not leave Sir Hargrave alone with my lady for six minutes, till their hands were joined in wed-lock] — In justice I say to all these persons, I thought proper thus to give you, Sir, all that I knew relating to this wicked transaction. And if, may it please your honour, I were to be taken up, I could say no more before a magistrate; except this, which I had like to have forgot; which is, that had it not been for me, some mischief might have been done, between Sir Hargrave’s servants and yours, if not to your honour’s person.

All that I most humbly beg, is the pardon of so sweet a lady. I have chosen, ever-to-behonoured Sir, to write to you, whose goodness is so generally talked of, and who have so nobly redeemed and protected her. Mr. Reeves, 1 know, has suffered too much in his mind to forgive me. He is a worthy gentleman. I am sorry for the disturbance I have given him. I have hopes given me, that I shall get employment on the keys, or as a tide-waiter extra-ordinary.

Please the Lord, I will never, never more, be the tool of wicked masters. All I wish for is, to be able to do justice to the love of an honest young woman* and I am resolved, whether so enabled or not, to starve, rather than to go any more, no, not for a single hour, into the service of the ini-quitous gentlemen 1 have so often named in this long letter.

If I might be assured, that I may pursue unmo-lested any honest calling, so as that I may not be tempted or driven into unhappy courses, my heart would be at rest.

There might have been murder in this affair: that shocks me to think of. O Sir, good, excellent, brave, and the most worthy of gentlemen, you have given to me as great a deliverance, as you have to the lady: yea, greater; for mine may be a deliver-ance, if I make a proper use of it, of soul as well as body — Which God grant, as also j’our honour’s health and prosperity, to the prayers of Your honour’s ever-devoted

Humble servant,

WILLIAM WILSON.

I thought 1 had something else to say: something it is of high importance: your life is threatened, Sir: God preserve your precious life. Amen!


Letter XXXVI.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Friday, February 24. My cousin Reeves has given assurance to the sister of that Wilson, that he may, unmolested by any of us, pursue the best means he can fall upon for the obtaining of an honest livelihood.

In every-thing it is determined to follow the ad-vice of my deliverer.

What a letter is that fellow’s! What men are there in the world!

Of such we have read: but I hoped, that I might have escaped suffering by any such.

We are extremely disturbed at the fellow’s post-script: and the more, as we are told by several peo — ple, that Sir Hargrave will not sit down quietly; buL threatens vengeance upon Sir Charles. I wish I had not come to London.

I hope my grandmamma’s spirits are not affected by what she knows of the matter. It was very good of my aunt Selby to take the measures she did, in softening every circumstance, and not to let her know any-thing till the danger was over. But indeed it was but the natural effect of that prudence which regulates all the actions of my honoured aunt.

My grandmamma has such strength of mind, that now she knows I am safe, and not unhappy, I dare say she will by degrees bear to hear my narrations read. She will be more uneasy if she thinks any-thing is kept from her.

Yet I know that her tenderness and her love for her Harriet will cost her some anguish, some sighs, some tears, as she reads, or hears read, the cruelty her girl has been treated with: who, so tenderly brought up, so greatly indulged, never before knew what harshness was. But then she will have more joy, I hope, in my deliverance, than she will have pain in my sufferings. And pray let her know, that I am every day less and less sensible of the pain in my stomach, of which I was so apprehensive, as really, at the time, to think it a mortal blow. My grandmamma has told us girls, you know, my Lucy, twenty and twenty frightful stories of the vile enterprizes of men, against innocent creatures; and will therefore call to mind stories which have concluded much worse than, blessed be God, mine has done.

Just now I have received a congratulatory pacquet of letters:

One from my aunt Selby, such a sweetly kind, such a truly maternal letter!

One from my dearest grandmamma. I will put it next my heart, whenever I feel there any of that pain, of which she is so kindly apprehensive.

One from Nancy — Dear girl! — She is very gene-rous to forget her own malady to condole and con gratulate me. Your brother James, my Lucy, has written me a very kind letter. He is a good young man: God keep him so! What a mischievous creature is a bad man!

I have a charming letter, by the post, from my godfather Deane: he has heard nothing of what has happened; and I am sure is too solicitous for my welfare, to take it well, if I do not let him know something about it: I will therefore soon write to him.

But your letter, my Lucy! — What, I warrant, you thought I had forgot your letter in the enume-ration of the contents of the precious pacquet! If I had, your goodness, your love, might have made you forgive me: but I never would have forgiven myself.

But you and I, my dear, write for all to see what we write: and so I reserved yours to be last-mentioned. Only I slid in my godfather Deane’s between; not because I love him better than I do my Lucy — No, that is impossible! — But because I had a mind to shew you, that I was hastening to be quite well, and so assumed my little saucy tricks, and surprises, as if it were possible for me to be heedless, where my love to my Lucy was in the question.

And so you expect the particular character and description of the persons of this more than amiable brother and sister. Need you to have told me that you do? And could you think that after having wasted so many quires of paper in giving you the characters of people, many of whom deserved not to be drawn out from the common crowd of mor-tals, I would forbear to give yoxi those of persons who adorn the age in which they live, and even human nature?

You don’t question, you say, if I begin in their praises, but my gratitude will make me write in a sublime style; so you phrase it; and are ready, you promise me, to take with allowance, all the fine things from me, which Mr. Reeves has already taught you to expect.

You may be right in your expectations, as far as I know; for my grandfather (so many years ago) used to say, that his little Byron was an enthusiast in her gratitude. But, however, when I say any-thing of the exalted minds, of the expanded hearts, of the amiable manners, of this happy brother and sister, which seems to exceed, in my praises, the bounds you will all be willing to set me, then let the overflowings be carried to account of the grateful enthusiasm, and only to that.

Which shall I begin with? You will have a sharp look-out upon me, you say: Ah, my Lucy! I know what you mean. But I am safe from every-thing but my gratitude, I will assure you.

And so, if I begin with the character of the bro-ther, then will you join with my uncle, shake your head, and cry, Ah! my Harriet! If I begin with the sister, will you not say, that I save my choicest sub-ject for the last? How difficult is it to avoid censure, when there is a resolution taken to be censorious.

Well, but keep a look-out, if you please, my Lucy: not the least shadow of reserve shall it give to my heart: my pen shall be honest to that heart; and I shall be benefited, I am sure, by thejhithful wounds of such affectionate, and equally-beloved as revered friends — And so, pen, take thy course.

Miss Grandison — Yes, my volant, my self-conducted quill, begin with the sister, say my Lucy what she pleases —

Miss Grandison is about twenty-four; of a fine stature: she has dignity in her aspect; and a very penetrating black eye, with which she does what she pleases: her hair is black, very fine, and naturally curls: she is not fair; but her complexion is delicate and clear, and promises a long duration to her love-liness: her features are generally regular: her nose is a little aquiline; but that is so far from being a blemish, that it gives a kind of majesty to her other features: her teeth are white and even: her mouth is perfectly lovely, and a modest archness appears in her smiles, that makes one both love and fear her, when she begins to speak. She is finely shaped; and, in her air and whole appearance, perfectly gen-teel.

She herself says, that before her brother came to England, she was thought to be proud, pert, and lofty: but 1 hardly believe her; for the man lives not, it is my belief, who in fourteen months time (and Sir Charles has not been longer arrived) could so totally eradicate those qualities in a mind of which they had taken possession, as that they should not occasionally shew themselves.

She has charming spirits. I dare say she sings well, from the airs she now-and-then warbles in the gaiety of her heart, as she goes up and down stairs; she is very polite; yet has a vein of raillery, that, were she not polite, would give one too much apprehension for one’s ease: but I am sure she is frank, easy, and good humoured: and, by turning over all the just and handsome things which are attributed to herself, to her brother’s credit, she must be equally humble and generous.

She says, she has but lately taken a very great liking to reading: but I am ready to question what she says, when she speaks any-fhing that some would construe to her disadvantage. She pretends, that she was too volatile, too gay, too airy, to be confin-ed to sedentary amusements. Her father, however, according to the genteelest and most laudable mo-dern education for women, had given her a master, who taught her history and geography; in both A a 2 which she acknowledges she made some progress. Ire music, she owns she has skill: but I am told by her maid who attended me by her young lady’s direction, and who delights to praise her mistress, that she reads and speaks French and Italian: that she writes finely; and is greatly admired for her wit, prudence, and obligingness. Nobody, said Jenny (who is a sensible young woman, a clergyman’s daughter, well educated, and very obliging) can stand against her good-natured raillery: her brother, she says, is not spared: but he takes delight in her vivacity, and gives way to it; when it is easy to see, that he could take her down, if he pleased. And then, added this good young woman, she is an excellent manager in a family, finely as she is educated [I rejoiced to hear that, for the honour of our reading ladies, as in Miss Clement’s case]: she knows every-thing, and how to direct what should be done, from the private family-dinner, to a sump-tuous entertainment: and every day inspects, and approves, or alters, the bill of fare: by the way, my Lucy, she is an early riser — Do you mind that? And so can do every-thing with ease, pleasure, and with-out hurry and confusion: for all her servants are early risers of course. What servants can for shame be in bed, at a reasonable hour to be up, when they have a master or mistress’s example for early rising?

Yet this fine lady loves to go to the public places, and often goes, and makes a brilliant figure there. She has time for them, and earns her pleasures by her early rising.

Miss Grandison, Jenny tells me, has two humble servants [I wonder she has not two-and-twenty]: one is Sir Walter Watkyns, a man of a large estate in Somersetshire; the other is Lord G. son of the Earl of G.; but neither of them highly approved by her: yet Jenny says, they are both of them hand- some men, and admired by the ladies: this makes me afraid that they are modern men; and pay their court by the exterior appearance, rather than by interior worth. Who, my Lucy, that has heard what my late grandfather has said, and my grandmamma still says, of the men in their youthful days, will not say, that we have our lots cast in an age of petits maitres, and insignificants?

Such an amiable woman is Miss Charlotte Grandison — May I be found, on further acquaintance, but half as amiable in her eyes, as she is in mine! — Don’t be jealous, Lucy! I hope I have a large heart. I hope there is room in it for half a dozen sweet female friends! — Yes, although another love were to intervene I could not bear, that even the affection due to the man of my choice, were I to marry, should, like Aaron’s rod, swallow up all the rest.

But now for her brother — my deliverer! —

But pray now, Lucy, dont’tyou come with your sharp look-out: I warrant you will expect on this occasion to read the tumults of the poor girl’s heart in her character and description of a man, to whom she is so much obliged! — But what if she disappoint you, and yet do justice to his manifold excellencies? What, if she find some faults in him, that his sister has not?

Parading Harriet, methinks you say! Teazing girl! Go on, go on; leave it to us to find you out: and take care that the very faults you pretend to discover, do not pass for a colour only, and lead to your detection.

Thank you., Lucy, for your caution: but I will not be obliged to it. My pen shall follow the dic-tates of my heart; and if it be as honest to me, as I think it is to every-body else, I hope 1 have nothing to fear either from ijour look-out, or, which is still a sharper, my uncle Selby’s. A a 3

Sir Charles Grandison, in his person, is really a very fine man. He is tall; rather slender than full; his face in shape is a fine oval: he seems to have florid health; health confirmed by exercise.

His complexion seems to have been naturally too fine for a man: but as if he were above being re-gardful of it, his face is overspread with a manly sunniness [I want a word] that shews he has been in warmer climates than England: and so it seems he has; since the tour of Europe has not contented him. He has visited some parts of Asia, and even of Africa, Egypt particularly.

I wonder what business a man has for such fine teeth, and so fine a mouth, as Sir Charles Grandison might boast of, were he vain.

In his aspect there is something great and noble, that shews him to be of rank, Were kings to be chosen for beauty and majesty of person, Sir Charles Grandison would have few competitors. His eye — Indeed, my Lucy, his eye shews, if possible, more of sparkling intelligence than that of his sister —

Now pray be quiet, my dear uncle Selby! What is beauty in a man to me? You all know, that I never thought beauty a qualification in a man.

And yet, this grandeur in his person and air is accompanied with so much ease and freedom of manners, as engages our love with our reverence. His good breeding renders him very accessible. His sister says, he is always the first to break through the restraints, and to banish the diffidences, that will generally attend persons on a quite new acquaintance. He may; for he is sure of being acceptable in whatever he does or says,

Very true, Lucy: shake your head if you please.

In a word, he has such an easy, yet manly politeness, as well in his dress, as in his address (no singu — larity appearing in either) that were he not a fine figure of a man, but were even plain and hard-featured, he would be thought (what is far more eligible in a man, than mere beauty) very agreeable.

Sir Charles Grandison, my dear, has travelled, we may say, to some purpose

Well might his sister tell Mr. Reeves, that when-ever he married, he would break half a score hearts.

Upon my word, Lucy, he has too many personal advantages for a woman, who loved him with peculi-arity, to be easy with, whatever may be his virtue, from the foible our sex in general love to indulge for handsome men. For, O my dear, women’s eyes are sad giddy things; and will run away with their sense, with their understandings, beyond the power of being overtaken either by stop thief, or hue-and-cry.

I know that here you will bid me take care not to increase the number of the giddy: and so I will, my Lucy.

The good sense of this real fine gentleman is not as lean find, rusted over by sourness, by moroseness; he is above quarrelling with the world for trifles: but he is still more above making such compliances with it, as would impeach either his honour or conscience. Once Miss Grandison, speaking of her brother, said, My brother is valued by those who know him best, not so much for being a handsome man; not so much for his birth and fortune; nor for this or that single worthiness; as for being, in the great and yet comprehensive sense of the word, a good man . And at another time she said, that he lived to himself, and to his own heart; and that, though he had the happiness to please every-body, yet he made the judgment or approbation of the world matter but of second consideration. In a word, added she, Sir Charles Grandison, my brother

(and when she looks proud, it is when she says, mi y brother) is not to be misled either by false glory, or false shame, which he calls, The great snares of virtue.

What a man is this, so to act! — What a woman is this, so to distinguish her brother’s excellencies!

What a poor creature am I, compared to either of them! And yet I have had my admirers. So per-haps may still more faulty creatures among their inferiors. If, my Lucy, we have so much good sense as to make fair comparisons, what have we to do but to look up, rather than downward, in order to ob-tain the grace of humility.

But let me tell you,:ny dear, that Sir Charles does not look to be so great a self-denier, as his sister seems to think him, when she says, he lives to him-self, and to his own heart, rather than to the opi — nion of the world.

He dresses to the fashion, rather richly, ’tis true, than gaudily; but still richly: so that he gives his tine person its full consideration. He has a great deal of vivacity in his whole aspect; as well as in his eve. Mrs. Jenny says, that he is a great admirer of handsome women. His equipage is perfectly in taste, though not so much to the glare of taste, as if he aimed either to inspire or shew emulation. He seldom travels without a set, and suitable attend-ants; and, what I think seems a little to savour of singularity, his horses are not docked: their tails are only tied up when they are on the road This I took notice of when we came to town. I want, methinks, my dear, to find some fault in his out-ward appearance, were it but to make you think me impartial; my gratitude to him, and my vene-ration for him, notwithstanding.

But if he be of opinion that the tails of these no-ble animals are not only a natural ornament, but are of real use to defend them from the vexatious insects that in summer are so apt to annoy them (as Jenny once told me was thought to be his reason for not depriving his cattle of a defence, which nature gave them) how far from a dispraise is this humane consideration! And how, in the more minute as well as we may suppose in the greater instances, does he deserve the character of the man of mercy, who will be merciful to his beast!

I have met with persons, who call those men good, that yet allow themselves in liberties which no good man can take. But I dare say, that Miss Grandison means by good, when she calls her brother, with so much pride, a good man, what I, and what you, my Lucy, would understand by the word.

With so much spirit, life, and gallantry, in the first appearance of Sir Charles Grandison, you may suppose, that had I not been so dreadfully terrified and ill-used, and so justly apprehensive of worse treatment; and had I been offered another protection; I should hardly have acted the frighted bird flying from the hawk, to which, as Mr. Reeves tells me, Sir Charles (though politely, and kindly enough, yet too sensibly for my recollection) compared me. Do you wonder, Lucy, that I cannot hold up my head, when I recollect the figure I must make in that odious masquerade-habit, hanging by my clasping arms about the neck of such a young gentleman? Can 1 be more effectually humbled than by such a recollection? And yet is not this an instance of that false shame in me, to which Sir Charles Grandison is so greatly superior?

Surely, surely, I have had my punishment for my compliances with this foolish world. False glory, and false shame, the poor Harriet has never been totally above. Why was I so much indulged? Why was I allowed to stop so many miles short of my journey’s end, and then complimented, as if I had no farther to go? — But surely, I was past all shame, when I gave my consent to make such an appear-ance as I made, among a thousand strangers, at a masquerade!

But now, I think, something offers of blame in the character of this almost faultless man, as his sister, and her Jenny, represent him to be.

I cannot think, from a hint given by Miss Grandison, that he is quite so frank, and so unreserved, as his sister is. Nay, it was more than a hint: I will repeat her very words; she had been mentioning her own openness of heart, and yet confessing that she would have kept one or two things from him, that affected him not. ‘ But as for my brother, said she, he winds one about, and about, yet seems not to have more curiosity than one would wish him to have. Led on by his smiling benignity, and fond of his attention to my prattle, I have caught myself in the midst of a tale of which I intended not to tell him one syllable.

‘ O Sir Charles! where am I got? have I said; and suddenly stopt.

‘ Proceed, my Charlotte! No reserves to your nearest friend.

‘ Yet he has his, and I have winded and winded about him, as he had done about me; but all to no purpose.

‘ Nevertheless, he has found means, insensibly, to set me on again with my own story, till I had told him all I knew of the matter; and all the time I was intending only that my frankness should be an example to him; when he, instead of answering my wishes, double-locked the door of his heart, and left not «o much as the key-hole uncovered by which I might have peeped into it; and this in one or two points, that I thought it imported me to know. And then have I been ready to scold.’

Now this reserve to such a sister, and in points that she thinks it imports her to know, is what I do not like in Sir Charles. A friend as well as a sister! ought there to be a secret on one side, when there is none on the other? Very likely, he would be as reserved to a wife: and is not marriage the highest state of friendship that mortals can know? And can friendship and reserve be compatible? Surely, No.

His sister, who cannot think he has one fault, excuses him, and says, that her brother has no other view in drawing her on to reveal her own heart, but the better to know how to serve and oblige her.

But then, might not the same thing be said in behalf of the curiosity of so generous a sister? Or, is Sir Charles so conscious of his own superiority, as to think he can give advice to her, but wants not hers to him? Or, thinks he meanly of our sex, and highly of his own? Yet there are but two years dif-ference in their age: and from sixteen to twenty — four, I believe, women are generally more than two years aforehand with the men in ripeness of under-standing; though, after that time, the men may ripen into a superiority.

This observation is not my own; for I heard a very wise man once say, That the intellects of wo-men usually ripen sooner than those of men; but that those of men, wh^n ripened, like trees of slow growth, generally hold longer, are capable of higher perfection, and serve to nobler purposes.

Sir Charles has seen more of the world, it may be said, than his sister has: he has travelled. But is not human nature the same in every country, allowing only for different customs? — Do not iove, hatred, anger, malice, tdi the passions in short, good or bad, shew themselves by like eft jcis in the laces, hearts, and actions of the people of every country?

And let men make ever such strong pretensions to knowledge, from their far-fetched and dear-bought experience, cannot a penetrating spirit learn as much from the passions of a Sir Hargrave Pollexfen in England, as it could from a man of the same or the like ill qualities, in Spain, in France, or in Italy? And why is the Grecian Homer, to this day, so much admired, as he is in all these nations, and in every other nation where he has been read, and will be, to the world’s end, but because he writes from nature? And is not the language of nature one language throughout the world, though there are different modes of speech to express it by?

But I shall go out of my depth. All I mean (and, from the frankness of my own heart, you will expect from me such a declaration) is, that I do not love that a man so nearly perfect, be his motives what they will, should have reserves to such a sister. Don’t you think, Lucy, that this seems to be a kind of “fault in Sir Charles Grandison? Don’t you think, that it would mingle some fear in a sister’s love of him? And should one’s love of so amiable a brother be dashed or allayed withjear? He is said to be a good man: and a good man I dare say he is: What secrets can a good man have, that such a sister, living with him in the same house, and disdaining not, but, on the contrary, priding herself in, the title of her brother’s housekeeper, should not be made acquainted with? Will a man so generous look upon her as he would upon a mere housekeeper? — Does not confidence engage confidence? — And are they not by nature, as well as inclination, friends?

But I fancy I am acting the world, in its male-volence, as well as impertinence: that world, which thinks itself affronted by great and superior merit; and takes delight to bring down exalted worth to its own level. But, at least, you will collect from what I have written, an instance of my impartiality; and see, that, though bound to Sir Charles by a tie of gratitude which never can be dissolved, I cannot excuse him, if he be guilty of distance and reserve to his generous sister, which she is above shewing to him.

If I am allowed to be so happy, as to cultivate this desirable acquaintance [and I hope it is not their way to leave those whom they have relieved and raised, in order to shine upon, and bless, only neiv objects of compassion] then will I closely watch every step of this excellent man; in hope, however, to find him as perfect as report declares him, that I may fearlessly make him my theme, as I shall delight to make his sister my example. And if I were to find any considerable faults in him, never fear, my dear, but my gratitude will enlarge my charity in his favour. But I shall, at the same time, arm my heart with those remembered failings, lest my gra-titude should endanger it, and make me a hopeless fool.

Now, my uncle, do not be very hard on your niece. I am sure, very sure, that I am not in dan-ger as yet: and indeed I will tell you, by my Lucy, whenever I find out that I am. Spare, therefore, my dear uncle Selby, all your conjectural constructions.

And indeed you should in pity spare me, my dear Sir, at present; for my spirits are still weak: I have not yet forgiven myself for the masquerade affair; especially since Mr. Reeves has hinted to me, that Sir Charles Grandison (as he judges from what he dropt about that foolish amusement) approves not of masquerades. And yet self-partiality has sug-gested several strong pleas in my favour; indeed by way of extenuation only. How my judge, conscience, will determine upon those pleas, when

B B counsel has been heard on both sides, I cannot say yet I think, that an acquittal from this brother and sister would go a great waj r to make my conscience easy.

I have not said one half of what I intended to say of this extraordinary man. But having imagined, from the equal love I have to his admirable sister, that I had found something to blame him for, my impartiality has carried me out of my path; and I know not how to recover it, without going a great way back. Let therefore what I have further to say, mingle in with my future narratives, as new occa-sions call it forth.

But yet [ will not suffer any other subject to interfere with that which fills my heart with the praises, the due praises, of this worthy brother and sister; to which I intended to consecrate this rambling and very imperfect letter: and which here 1 will conclude, with assurances (however needless I hope they are) of duty, love, and gratitude, where so much due from your

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXXVII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

February 24, and 25. Now have I near a week to go back, my Lucy, with my current narrative, having been thrown behind-hand by the long letters I have been obliged to write, to give you an account of my distress, of my deliverance, of the characters of this noble brother and sister, and a multitude of coincidences and re-flections, which all my dear friends expect, as they fall in, from the pen of their Harriet. And this let-Silt CHARLES GRANDISON. 279 ter shall therefore be a kind of diary of that week; only that I will not repeat what my cousin Reeves has told me he has written.

On Monday I was conducted home in safety, by my kind protector, and his amiable sister.

Mrs Reeves, Lady Betty, and Miss Clements, are in love with them both.

My cousin has told you, how much they disap-pointed us in declining to stay dinner. What shall we do, if they are not as fond of our company as we are of theirs? W T e are not used to be slighted, you know: and to be slighted by those we love, there can be no bearing of that: but I hope this will not be the case.

At tea, the name of Sir Rowland Meredith car-ried me instantly down.

Mr. Reeves had told the good knight, on his calling on the Friday. Saturday, Sunday, and on this day, before we returned from Colnebrook, that I had been over-fatigued at the masquerade on Thursday night [and so 1 xxias]; and was gone a lit-tle way out of town. Carriedhe should have said: I was carried, with a witness!

Sir Rowland took notice, that I must have had a smart illness for the time, by my altered countenance. You are, and must be, ever lovely, Miss Byron: but I think you look not quite so serene, you don’t look so composed, as you used to do But I was afraid you were denied to my longing sight. I was afraid you would let your papa go down to Caermarthen, without giving him an opportunity to bless his cross girl. It is in vain, I fear, to urge you — He stopt, and looked full in my face — Pray, Sir Rowland, said I, how does my brother Fowler?

Why, ay, that’s the deuce of it! Your brother Fowler. But as the honest man says, so say I; I b b 2 will not teaze you. But never, never, will you have — But no more of that — I come to take my leave of you. I should have set out this very morning, could I have seen you on Saturday, or yesterday: but I shall go tomorrow morning early. You are glad of that, madam, I am sure.

Indeed, Sir Rowland, I shall always respect and va-lue you: and I hope I shall have your good wishes, Sir — Yes, yes, madam, you need not doubt it. And I will humble all the proud women in Wales, by telling them of Miss Byron.

You tell me, my Lucy, that you were all moved at one of the conversations I gave you between the knight, Mr. Fowler, and myself.

Were I to be as particular in my account of what passed on Sir Rowland’s taking leave of me, as I was on that other occasion, and were you to judge by the effect his honest tenderness had on me, as I craved his blessing, and as he blessed me (the big tears, unheed-ed by himself, straying down his reverend cheeks) I think you would have been in like manner affected. Mr. Fowler is to go down after him — If — if — if, said the knight, looking fervently in my face —

I should be glad, I said, to see, and to wish my brother a good journey.

Tuesday morning early I had a kind enquiry after my rest, from MissGrandison, in her brother’s name, as well as in her own. And about eleven o’clock came the dear lady herself. She would run up stairs to me, following Sally — In her dressing-room, say you? — She shall not come down.

She entered with the maid — Writing,my dear! said she. I one day hope, my Harriet, you will shew me all you write — There, there (sitting down by me) no bustle. And how does my fair friend? — Well — I see very well — To a lover — or of a lover — that’s the same thing. —

Thus, sweetly familiar, ran she on.

Mrs. Reeves entered: Excuse me, madam, said Miss Grandison; this is but one of my flying visits, as I call them: my next shall be to you. But per-haps I may not make it in form neither: we are relations, you know. How does Mr. Reeves? He is a good man. At home? —

He is, madam, and will be rejoiced —

I know he will — Why, madam, this our Byron, our Harriet, I should say, looks charmingly! — You had best lock her up. There are many more Sir Hargraves in the world, than there are Miss Byrons.

She told me, that Sir Charles had set out that morning early for Canterbury. He will be absent two or three days, said she. He charged me with his compliments. He did nothing but. talk of his new-found sister, from the time he parted with you. I shall promote your interest with him, in order to strengthen my own. I want to find him out.

Some love-engagements, I suppose, madam? said Mrs. Reeves — It is impossible but the ladies —

The ladies! Ay, that’s the thing! The deuce is in them! They will not stay to be asked. These men, the best of them, love nothing but what is attended with difficulty. But all his love-matters he keeps to himself; yet knows all mine — except one little entan-glement — Mr. Reeves hears not what we say (looking about her): but you, my dear, shall reveal to me your sneaking passion, if you have one, and I will discover mine — But not to you, Mrs. Reeves. No married women shall I trust with what lies in the innermost fold of my heart. Your husbands are always the wiser/or tvhat you know; though they can keep their own counsel: and then, Harriet, Satan-like, the ungenerous wretches, becoming both tempters and accusers, laugh at us, and make it wonderful for a woman to keep a secret. b b 3

The ladies will not stay to be ashed, Lucy! — An odd hint! — These men, the best of them, love nothing but what comes to them with difficulty:— he keeps all his love-matters to himself. — All! my Lucy! — But indeed she had said before, that if Sir Charles married, half a dozen hearts would be broken!

This is nothing to me, indeed. But, once more, I wonder why a man of a turn so laudable, should have any secrets? The more a good man permits any one to know of his heart, the more good he might do, by way of example. — And has he, can he have, so many love-secrets, and yet will he not let them tran-spire to such a sister? — Whom (and so she once hinted) it imported to know something of them. But, he knows best. I am very impertinent to be more concerned for his sister, than she is for herself. But I do love her. And one can no more bear to have those slighted whom we love, than one’s self.

It is very difficult, Lucy, to know one’s self. I am afraid I have a little spice of censoriousness in my temper, which I knew nothing of till now: but, no, it is not censoriousness neither. I cannot be so mean, as to be censorious: and yet I can now, me-thinks (for the first time) a little account for those dark spirits who may be too much obliged; and who, despairing to be able ever to return the obligation, are ready to quarrel with the obliger.

Spiteful men say, that we women know not our-selves; know not our own hearts. I believe there is something of truth in the aspersion: but as men and women are brothers and sisters, as I may say, are not the men equally censurable? And should not we wo-men say so, were we to be as spiteful as they? Must it needs be, that a daughter of the same father and mother must be more silly, more unsteady, more ab-surd, more impertinent, than her brother? I hopenot.

Mrs. Reeves, not knowing, as she said afterwards, but Miss Grandison might have something to say to me, withdrew.

I believe 1 told you last Sunday, said Miss Grandison, of a cousin that we have: a good-natured young fellow: he supped with us last night. Sir Charles was so full of your praises, yet not letting him into your history, that he is half-wild to see you. God forbid, thought I, wben she had gone only thus far, that tins cousin should be proposed! — What an easy thing is it, my Lucy, to alarm a woman on the side of her vanity!

He breakfasted with me this morning, continued she, after Sir Charles had set out; and knowing that I intended to make you a flying visit, he besought me to take him with me: but I would not, my dear, bring an inundation of new admirers upon you: he has a great acquaintance; and is very bold, though not indecent: he is thought to be a modern wit, you must know; and, to speak after an admirable writer, a minute philosopher; and thinks he has something to say for himself when his cousin is not present. Be-fore Sir Charles arrived, and when we were in ex pectation of his coming, being apprised that Sir Charles had a serious turn, he threatened to play upon him, and, as he phrased it, to bamboozle him; for these wits and witlings have a language peculiar to themselves. But on Sir Charles’s arrival, in two conversations, he drew in his horns, as we say; and now reverences those good qualities which he has not, however, the grace to imitate. Now I will not answer, but you may have a visit from him to see the loveliest woman in England. If he comes, see him, or not, as you please; and think not yourself under any civil obligation to my brother, or me, to go out of your own way: but I hope he will not be so impertinent. I don’t wish you to see him out of my brother’s company; because you will see him then to his own advantage. And yet he has such a notion that we women love to be admired, and to have handsome things said to us, that he imagines, the visit of a man, made for that purpose, will give him as free a welcome to the finest woman in the world, as painters give to those who come to see their pic-tures, and for the like reason. But no more of Mr. Grandison. Yet I thought proper to prepare you, if he should take so confident a liberty. I thanked her

Well but, my dear, you seem to have a long parcel of writing before you; one, two, three, four — Eight leaves — Upon my word! — But Mr. Reeves told me you are a writer; and that you gave an account of all that befel you, to our grandmother Shirley, to our uncle and aunt Selby, to our cousins Lucy and Nancy — You see I remember every name: and will you one day let me see what j’ou write? Most willingly, madam —

Madam! interrupted she. So formal! Charlotte say. With all my heart, my ever-amiable, my ever kind, Charlotte

So, so — Well may the men say we love flattery, when rather than want it, we will flatter one another. I was going to disclaim flattery: Hush, hush, hush, my dear! I doubt not your sincerity. You are a grat jful and good girl: but dare you, will you, shew me ail and every-thing about that Greville, that Orme, that Fowler, that Fenwick? — You see, I for-get none of the names that your cousin Reeves told me of on Saturday last, and which I made you talk of last Sunday.

All and every-thing, Miss Grandison: But will you tell me of your gentleman?

Will I! No doubt of it: How can young women be together one quarter of an hour, and not lead one another into talk of their lovers? Lord, my dear, these seerets, bir Charles once said, are the cement pf young women’s friendships.

And could Sir Charles —

Could Sir Charles! — Yes, yes, yes. Do you think a man can be a judge of human nature, and leave ¦women out of the question? Why, my dear, he finds us out in a minute. Take care of yourself, Harriet — If —

I shall be afraid of him —

What if you have a good conscience, my dear! —

She then looked very archly. She made me blush.

She looked more archly. I blushed, I believe, a deeper dye.

Did I not tell you, Lucy, that she could do what she pleased with her eyes? — But what did she mean by this?

In my conscience, my Harriet, little or much, I believe we women are all rogues in our hearts.

And does Miss Grandison say that from her own conscience?

I believe I do: but I must fly: I have ten more visits to pay before I go home to dress. You will tell me all about your fellows, you say?

And you will tell me about your entanglement, as you called it.

Why that’s a difficulty upon me: but you must encourage me by your freedom, and we will take up our wretches, and lay them down again, one by one, as we run them over, and bid them lie still and be quiet till we recal them to our memory.

But I have not one lover, my Charlotte, to tell you of: I always gave them their dismission —

And I have but two, that at present I care to own; and they won’t be dismissed: but then I have half a dozen, I believe, that have said extravagant things to me; and we must look upon them as lovers elect, you know, who only want to be coquetted with.

Miss Grandison, I hope, cannot think of coquet-ting?

Not much: only a little now-and-then, to pay the men in their own coin

Charming vivacity! said I. I shall be undone, if you don’t love me.

No fear, no fear of that! — I am a whimsical creature: but the sun is not more constant in his course than I am steady in my friendships. And these communications on both sides will rivet us to each other, if you treat me not with reserve.

She arose to go in a hurry. Abate, my dear Charlotte, of half your other visits, and favour me with your company a little longer.

Give me 6ome chocolate then; and let me see your cousin Reeves’s: I like them. Of the ten visits, six of the ladies will be gone to sales, or to plague trades-men, and buy nothing: any-where rather than at home: The devil’s at home, is a phrase: and our mo-dern ladies live as if they thought so Two of the other four called upon me, and hardly alighted: I shall do so by them. The other two I shall have paid my compliments to in one quarter of an hour.

I rang for chocolate; and to beg my cousins company.

They wanted but the word: in they came. My apartment (which she was pleased to admire) then became the subject of a few moments’ conversation: and then a much better took place: Sir Charles, I mean.

I asked, If her brother had any relations at Can-terbury?

I protest I don’t know, said she: but this I know, that I have none there. Did I not hint to you, that Sir Charles has his secrets? — But he sometimes loves to play with my curiosity: he knows I have a reasonable quantity of that.

Were I his sister —

Then you must do as he would have you, Harriet

I know him to be steady in his purposes: but he is besides so good, that I give up any-thing to oblige him —

Your entanglement, Charlotte? asked I, smiling. Mr. Reeves knows nothing from that word .

Why, yes, my entanglement; and yet I hate to think of it: so no rtiore of that. It is the only secret I have kept from him; and that is, because he has no suspicion of the matter: if he had, though ray life were to be the forfeit, I believe he would have it.

She told us, that she expected us soon to dine with her in St. James’s Square: but that she must fix Sir Charles. I hope, said she, you will often drop in upon me; as I will upon you. From this time, we will have nothing but conversation visits between us; and we wili leave the modern w orld to themselves; and be Queen Elizabeth’s women. I am sorry to tell you — Let me whisper it —

And she did; but loud enough for every one to hear: Although I follow the fashion, and make one fool the more for it, I despise above one half of the women I know.

Miss Grandison, affectedly whispered I again, should not do so; because her example is of weight enough to amend them.

I’ll be hanged if Miss Byron thinks so, re-whisper-ed she. The age is too far gone. Nothing but a national calamity can do it. But let me tell you, that, at the same time, I despise more than one half of the men. But, speaking out, You and I will try to think ourselves wiser than any — body else; and we shall have this comfort, we shall not easily find any of our sex, who by their superior wisdom will give us reason to think ourselves mistaken.

But adieu, adieu, and adieu, my agreeable friends: let me see you, and you, and you, turning to each of the three, as often as is convenient, without cere-mony: and remember we have been acquainted these hundred years.

Away she hurried, forbidding me to go out of my apartment. Mrs. Reeves could not overtake her. Mr. Reeves had much ado to be in time to make his compliment. She was in her chariot before he could offer his hand. ’

How pretty it was, my Lucy, in Miss Grandison, to remember the names of all my dear friends! She told me, indeed, on Sunday, that she should.

If travelling into foreign countries gives ease and politeness, would not one think that Miss Grandison has visited every European court, as well as her brother? If she has not, was it necessary for Sir Charles to go abroad to acquire that freedom and ease which his sister has so happily attained with-out stirring out of the kingdom?

These men had not best despise us, Lucy. There is not, I hope, so much difference in the genius of the two sexes as the proud ones among theirs are apt to imagine; especially when you draw compa-risons from equal degrees in both.

O Mr. Walden, take care of yourself, if ever again you and I meet at Lady Betty’s! — But this abomi-nable Sir Hargrave! Not one word more of meeting at Lady Betty’s! There saw I first the wretch that still, on recollection, strikes terror into my heart.

Wednesday, a visit from Miss Clements and Lady Betty took me off my writing about two hours; yet I over-writ myself, and was obliged to lie down for about two more. At night we had Sir John A lies-tree, and his nephew, Miss Allestree, Miss Cle — ments, and Lady Betty, at supper, and cards. But my stomach paining me, about eleven I was per-mitted to retire to bed.

On Thursday I finished my letters, relating my distresses, and deliverance. It was a dreadful sub-ject. I rejoiced when I had concluded it.

Silt CHARLES ORANDISON. 289

Tlie same day Mr. Reeves received Sir Charles’s letter, inclosing that of the wretched Wilson. I have often heard my grandfather observe, that men of truly great and brave spirits are most tender and merciful; and that, on the contrary, men of base and low minds are cruel, tyrannical, insolent, wherever they have power. What this short letter, so full of lenity, of mercy, of generous and humane care for the future good of a criminal, and extended to unborn families, as well as to all his acquaintance and friends in being, enables one to judge of the truly heroic Sir Charles Grandison; and what I have experienced of the low, grovelling, unmanly insults of Sir Hargrave Pollexfen (I a poor defenceless silly girl, tricked into his power); are flagrant proofs of the justice of the observation.

I wish with all my heart, that the best woman in the world were queen of a great nation: and that it were in my power, for the sake of enlarging Sir Charles’s ability to do good, to make him her consort: then am I morally sure, that I should be the humble means of making a whole people happy!

But as we had all been informed from other hands, of Sir Hargrave’sthreatenings of Sir Charles’s life, Wilson’s postscript has fastened a weight on my heart, that will not be removed till the danger is overblown.

This day I had Miss Grandison’s compliments, with tender enquiries, brought me; and a desire, that as she supposed my first visit would be one of thankful duty, meaning to church (for so I had told her it should) my next might be to her.

Yesterday I received the welcome packet from so many kind friends; and 1 prosecuted with the more vigour, for it, my writing-task. How easily do we glide into subjects that please us! — How swiftly flies the pen! — The characters of Sir Charles and of Miss Grandison were the subjects; and I was amazed to find how much I had written in so short a time.

Miss Grandison sent me in the evening of this day her compliments joined with those of her bro-ther, who was but just returned from Canterbury.

I wonder what Sir Charles could do at Canter-bury so many days, and to have nobody there whom his sister knows.

She would have made me a visit, she sent me word; but that as she expected her brother in the morning, she had intended to have brought him with her. She added, that this morning {Saturday) they should both set out for Colnebrooke, in hopes of the Earl and Countess of L. arriving there as this night from Scotland.

Do you think, Lucy, it would not have been ge-nerous in Sir Charles to have made one visit, before he set out for so many days, to that Canterbury, to the creature on whom he had laidsuch an obligation? I can only mean as to the civility of the thing, you must think; since he was so good as to join in, nay, to propose, the further intimacy, as a brother, and friend, and so-forth — I wish that Sir Charles be as sincere in his professions as his sister. He may in his travels (possibly he may) have mistaken some gay weeds for fine flowers, and picked them up, and brought them with him to England: and yet, if he has done so, he will, even then, be superior to thou-sands, who travel, and bring home nothing but the weeds of foreign climates.

He once said, as Miss Grandison told me, that the Countess of L. is still a more excellent woman than my Charlotte. Ah! Sir Charles! You can tell fibs, I believe. I will not forgive in you, those slighter deviations, which we are too apt to pass by in other, even tolerable, men.

I wish you may be in earnest, my good Sir, in proposing to cultivate an intimate friendship with me, as

SIE CHARLES GRANDISON. 291 that of a brother to a sister [Shake your head, my Lucy, if you will, I mean no more] that I may be intitled to tell you your faults, as I see them. In your sister Harriet you shall find, though a respect-ful, yet an open-eyed monitor. Our Charlotte thinks you cannot be wrong in any-thing.

All I fear is, that Sir Charles’s tenderness was designed to be excited only while my spirits were weak. Yet he bespoke a brotherly relation to me, before Mr. Reeves, when he brought me home, and sup-posed me stolen from his family in my infancy. That was going farther than was necessary, if he thought to drop the fraternal character soon.

But might not my own behaviour alarm him? The kind, the considerate man, is perhaps compassionate in his intention. Not distinguishing aright my bash-ful gratitude, and down-cast eye, he might be afraid, lest I should add one to the half-score, that his sister says will die if he marry.

If this be so, what, my dear, will your Harriet deserve, if his caution does not teach her some?

After all, I believe, these men in general think our hearts are made of strange combustible materials. A spark struck, a match thrown in — But the best of men, this admirable man, will, I hope, find himself mistaken, if he thinks so of your Harriet.

What ails me, that I am grown such a boaster! Surely, this horrid attempt of Sir Hargrave has not affected my brain. Methinks I am not, some how or other, as I used to be in my head, or heart, I know not which.

Do you, Lucy, bring me back again, by your reminding love, if you think there is any alteration in your Harriet, for the worse: and the rather, as it may prevent my uncle —

But what makes me so much more afraid of my uncle, that I used to be? — Yet men in their raillery, cc2

[don’t, however, read this paragraph to him] are so — I don’t know how — so ww-tender — But let me fall into the hands of my indulgent grandmamma, mid aunt Selby, and into your gentle hands, and all will be as it should beBut what was my subject, before this last seized, and ran away with, my pen? I did not use to wan-der thus, when I had a beaten path before me. O this vile, vile Sir Hargrave! If I have a fault in my head that did not use to be there, it is entirely owing to him. I am sure my heart is not wrong.

But I can write nothing now but of Miss Grandi-son and her brother. What entirely new scenes are opened to me by my distress? — May I have cause, as Sir Charles wished, to reap good from the evil!

I will endeavour to bring Miss Clements into an acquaintance with these worthies; that is to say, if I have myself the interest to preserve my footing in their favour.

Lady Betty resolves to recommend herself. She ivill be acquainted with them, she says, whether they will or not. And yet I could not bear for Lady Betty that she should be slighted by those whom she dotes upon. That, surely, is one of the heaviest of evils. And yet self-hvc, where it is evidently inherent, will enable one to get over it; I believe, pretty soon; though nothing but that and pride can, in sacli. Of some use, therefore, you’ll be apt to say, are pride and self-love. Why, yes, and so they are, where they arc a part of a person’s habit. But, O my Lucy, will not a native humility render this pride, whose genuine offspring are resentment and ill-will, absolutely unnecessary, and procure for us, unmingled with mortification, the esteem we wish for in the hearts of the worthy?

As to the rest of my new acquaintance in town, who, till I knew this admirable sister and. brother, took up so much of my paper, though some of them are doubtless very worthy; Adieu — That is to say, m cho&en subjects — Adieu! says your

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXXVIII.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Saturday night. Lord have mercy upon me, my dear! — What shall I do? — The vile Sir Hargrave has sent a challenge to Sir Charles] — What may be the event — O that I had not come to London! — This is a copy of the letter, that communicates it. — It is from that Ba-genhall. But this is the copy of the letter — I will endeavour to transcribe it — But, no, I cannot — My Sally shall write it over. Lord bless me! What shall I do?

TO MISS BYRON. madam, Cavendish Square, February 25.

You mighteasily believe, that the affair betwixt Sir Hargrave Pollexfen and Sir Charles Grandison could not, after so violent an insult as the former received from the latter, end without consequences.

By all that’s sacred, Sir Hargrave knows not that I write.

There is but one way that I can think of to prevent bloodshed; and that, madam, seems to be in your own power.

Sir Hargrave insists upon it, that he meant you nothing but honour. You know the use or abuse o. cc 3 the power he had obtained over you. If he behaved with indecency, he tells me not the truth.

To make a young lady, whatever were her merit, the wife of a man of near 10,000Z. a year, and who had declared herself absolutely disengaged in her affections, was not doing dishonour to her, so much as to himself, in the violent measures his love obliged him to take to make her so.

Now, madam, Sir Charles Grandison was utter-ly a stranger to you; as Sir Hargrave intended so honourably by you; and as you are not engaged in your affections; if you will consent to be Lady Pol-lexfen; and if Sir Charles Grandison will ask pardon for his unprovoked knight-errantry; I will not be Sir Hargrave’s second in the affair, if he refuse to accept ofsuch satisfactioninfull for the violence he sustained. I solemnly repeat, that Sir Hargrave knows no-thing of my writing to you. You may (but I insist upon it, as in confidence to every — body else) consult your cousin Reeves on the subject. Your honour given, that you will in a month’s time be Sir Har-grave’s, will make me exert all my power with him (and I have reason to think that is not small) to induce him to compromise on those terms.

I went to Sir Charles’s house this afternoon, with a letter from Sir Hargrave. Sir Charles was just stepping into his chariot to his sister. He opened it; and, with a civility that became his character, told me he was just going with his sister to Colnebrook, to meet dear friends on their return from Scotland: that lie should return on Monday; that the pleasure he should have with his long-absent friends, would not permit him to think of the contents till then: but that the writer should not fail ofsuch an answer as a gentleman ought to give.

Now, madam, 1 was so much charmed with Sir Charles Grandison’s fine person and politeness, and his character is so extraordinary, that I thought this interval between this night and Monday morning a happy one. And 1 took it into my head to make the above proposal to you; and I hope you will think it behoves you, as much as it does me, to prevent the fatal mischief that may otherwise hap-pen to men of their consideration.

I have not the honour of being personally known to you, madam; but my character is too generally established for any one to impute to me any other motives for this my application to you, than those above given. A line left for me at Sir Hargrave’s, in Cavendish Square, will come to the hands of, madam,

Your most obedient humble servant,

JAMES BAGENHALL.

O my dear! What a letter! — Mr. Reeves, Mrs. Reeves, are grieved to the heart. Mr. Reeves says, that if Sir Hargrave insists upon it, Sir Charles is obliged, in honour, to meet him — Murderous, vile word honour! What, at this rate, is honour! The very opposite to duty, goodness, piety, religion; and to every thing that is or ought to be sacred among men.

How shall I look Miss Grandison in the face? Miss Grandison will hate me! — To be again the oc-casion of endangering the life of such a brother!

But, what do you think? — Lady Betty is of opinion — Mr. Reeves has consulted Lady Betty Williams, in confidence — Lady Betty says, that if the matter can be prevented — Lord bless me! she says, I ought to prevent it! — What! by becoming the wife of such a man as Sir Hargrave! so unmanly, so malicious, so low a wretch! — What does Lady Betty mean? — Yet were it in my power to save the life of Sir Charles Grandison, and I refused to do it; for selfish reasons refused; for the sake of my worldly happiness; when there are thousands of good wives, who are miserable with bad husbands — But will not the sacrifice of my life be accepted by this sanguinary man! That, with all my heart, would I make no scruple to lay down. If the wretch will plunge a dagger in my bosom, and take that for satisfaction, I will not hesitate one moment.

But my cousin said, that he was of opinion, that Sir Charles would hardly be brought to ask pardon. How can I doubt, said I, that the vile man, if he may be induced by this Bagenhall to compromise on my being his wife, will dispense with that punctilio, and wreak on me, were I to be his unhappy property, his whole unmanly vengeance? Is he not spiteful, mean, malicious? — But, abhorred be the thought of my yielding to be the wife of such a man! — Yet, what is the alternative? Were I to die, that wretched alternative would still take place: his malice to the best of men would rather be whetted than blunted by my irrevocable destiny! O my Lucy! violent as my grief was, dreadful as my apprehensions were, and unmanly as the treatment I met with from the base man, I never was distressed till now!

But should Miss Grandison advise, should she insist upon my compliance with the abhorred condition (and has she not a right to insist upon it, for the sake of the safety of her innocent brother?) can I then refuse my compliance with it? — Are we not taught, that this world is a state of trial, and of mor-tification? And is not calamity necessary to wean our vain hearts from it? And if my motive bo a mo-tive of justice and gratitude, and to savealifo much more valuable to the world than my own; and which, but forme had not been in danger — Ought I— And yet — Ah! my Lucy! what can [ say? — How unhappy! that I cannot consult this dear lady, who has such an interest in a life so precious, as I might have done, had she been in town!

O Lucy! What an answer, as this unwelcome, this wicked mediator gives it, was that which the exeellent man returned to the delivered challenge — “ I am going to meet dear friends on their return from Scotland! “ What a meeting of joy will be here saddened over, if they know of this shocking challenge! And how can his noble heart overflow with pleasure on this joyful occasion, as it would otherwise have done, with such an important event in suspense, that may make it the last meeting which this affectionate and most worthy of families will ever know! How near may be the life of this dear brother to a period, when he congratulates the safe arrival of his brother and sister! And who can bear to think of seeing, ere one week is over-past, the now rejoicing and harmonious family, clad in mourning for the first of brothers, and first of men? And I, my Lucy, I, the wretched Harriet Byron, to be the cause of all!

And could the true hero say, “ That the pleasure he should have on meeting his long-absent friends would not permit him to think of the contents of such a letter, till Monday; but that then the waiter should not fail of such an answer — as a gentleman ought to give?” — O my dear Sir Charles! [on this occasion he is, and ought to be, very dear to me] How I dread the answer which vile custom, and false honour, will oblige you, as a gentleman, to give! And is there no way with honour to avoid giving such an answer, as distracts me to be told (as Mr. Reeves tells me) must be given, if I, your Harriet, interpose not, to the sacrifice of all my happiness in this life?

But Mr. Reeves asks, May not this Bagenhall, though he says Sir Hargrave knows nothing of his writing, have written in concert with him? — What if he has, does not the condition remain? And will not the resentment, on the refusal, take place? — And is not the challenge delivered into Sir Charles’s hands? A nd has he not declared, that he will send an answer to it on Monday? This is carrying the mat-ter beyond contrivance or stratagem. Sir Charles, so challenged, will not let the challenger come offso easily. He cannot, in real honour, now, make proposals for qualifying; or accept of them, if made to him. And is not Monday the next day but one? — Only that day between, for which I have been preparing my grateful heart to return my silent praises to the Almighty, in the place dedicated to his honour, for so signal a deliverance! And now is my safety to be owing, as it may happen, to a much better person’s destruction! * *

I was obliged to lay down my pen. — See how the blistered paper — It is too late to send away this let-ter: if it were not, it would be barbarous to torment you with it, while the dreadful suspense holds.

Sunday morning.

I am unable to write on in the manner I used to do. Not a moment all the night past did I close my eyes: how they are swelled with weeping! I am preparing, however, to go to church: there will I renew my fervent prayers, that my grateful thanksgiving for the past deliverance may be bless-ed to me in the future event!

Mr. Reeves thinks, that no step ought to be, or can be taken in this shocking affair, till Sir Charles returns, or Miss Grandison can be consulted. He has taken measures to know every motion of the vile Sir Hargrave.

Lord bless me, my dear! the man has lost three of his fore-teeth! A man so vain of his person! how must he be exasperated!

Mr. Reeves also will be informed of Sir Charles’s arrival the moment he comes to town. He has pri-vate information that the furious Sir Hargrave has with him a man skilled in the science of offence, with whom he is practising — O my dear, how this distracts me!

For Mr. Reeves or me to answer this Bagenhall, Mr. Reeves says, is not to be thought of, as he is a wicked man, and was not likely to have written the alarming letter from good principles. I once indeed proposed to write — I knew not what to do, what to propose — Can you write, said Mr. Reeves, and promise or give hope to Sir Hargrave?

O no, no! answered I.

If you could, it is my opinion, that Sir Charles and his sister would both despise you, however self-denying and laudable your motive might be.


Letter XXXIX.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Monday morning, February 27. What a dreadful day was yesterday to me; and what a still worse night had I, if possible, than the former! My prayers, I doubt, cannot be heard, since they have not that affiance with them that they used to be attended with. How happy was I before I came to London! I cannot write: I cannot do any-thing. Mr. Reeves is just informed, that Sir Charles and Lord L. and the two sisters, arrived in town late last night. O my Lucy, to return such an answer, I doubt, as Sir Charles thinks a gentleman ought to send. Good heaven! how will this end?

Eight o’clock.

I have received this moment the following billet.

MY DEAR HARRIET,

Prepare yourself for a new admirer: my sister L. and 1 are resolved to breakfast with you, unless you forbid us by the bearer. If we find you to have made an attempt to alter your usual morning ap-pearance, we shall suspect you of a desire to triumph over us in the conciousness of your superior graces. It is a sudden resolution. You should otherwise have had notice last night; and yet it was late before we came to town. — Have you been good? Are you quite recovered? But in half an hour I hope to ask you an hundred thousand questions.

Compliments to our cousins.

CH. GR.

Here is a sweet sprightly billet. Miss Grandison cannot know, the countess cannot know, any-thing of the dreadful affair, that has given to my coun-tenance, and I am sure will continue on it, an appearance, that, did I not always dress when I arose for the morning, would make me regardless of that Miss Grandison hints at.

What joy, at another time, would the honour of this visit have given us! But even now, we have a melancholy pleasure in it: just such a one, as the sorrowing friends of the desperate sick experience, on the coming-in of a long-expected physician, although they are in a manner hopeless of his success. But a coach stops —

I ran to the dining-room window. O my dear! It is a coach! but only the two ladies! Good God! — Sir Charles at this moment, at this moment, my bod insr heart tells mc —

Twelve o’clock.

My heart is a little lighter: yet not unapprehen-sive — Take my narrative in course, as I shall en deavour to give you the particulars of every-thing that passed in the last more than agreeable three hours.

I had just got down into the great parlour, before the ladies entered. Mr. Reeves waited on them at their coach. He handed in the countess. Miss Grandison in a charming humour entered with them. There, Lady L. first know our cousin Reeves, said she —

The countess, after saluting Mrs. Reeves, turned to me — There, Lady L. said Miss Grandison, That’s the girl! That’s our Harriet! [Her ladyship salut-ed me] But how now! said Miss Grandison, look — ing earnestly in my face. How now, Harriet! — Excuse me, Lady L. (taking my hand) I must rec-kon with this girl; leading me to the window — How now, Harriet! — Those eyes! — Mr. Reeves, cousin, Mrs. Reeves! What’s to do here!

Lively and ever amiable Miss Grandison, thought I, how will, by-and-by, all this sweet sunshine in your countenance be shut in!

Come, come, 1 ivill know, proceeded she, making me sit down, and taking my hand as she sat by me; I ivill know the whole of the matter. — That’s my dear, for I tried to smile — An April eye — Would to heaven the month was come which my Harriet’s eye anticipates.

I sighed. Well, but why that heavy sigh? said she. — Our grandmother Shirley —

I hope, madam, is very well.

Our aunt Selby? Our uncle Selby? Our Lucy?

All well I hope.

What a deuce ails the girls then? Take care I don’t have cause to beat you! — Have any of your fellows hanged themselves? — And are you concern-ed they did not sooner find the rope? — But come, we will know all by-and-by.

Charlotte, said Lady L. approaching me [I stood up] you oppress our new sister: 1 wish, my dear, you would borrow a few of our younger sister’s blushes. Let me take you out of this lively girl’s hands: I have much ado to keep her down, though I am her elder sister. Nobody but my brother can manage her.

Miss Grandison, madam, is all goodness.

We have been all disturbed, said Mrs. Reeves [I was glad to be helped out] in the fear that Sir Hargrave Pollexfen — madam! He dare not; he will not:— he’ll be glad to be quiet, if you’ll let him, said the countess.

It was plain they knew nothing of the challenge. You have not heard any-thing particular, asked Miss Grandison, of Sir Hargrave?

I hope your brother, madam, has not, answered I. Not a word, I dare say.

You must believe, ladies, said I, that I must be greatly affected, were any-thing likely to happen to my deliverer; as I should have been the unhappy cause. Such a family harmony to be interrupted-Come, said Miss Grandison, this is very good of you: this is like a sister: but I hope my brother will be here by-and-by.

And Lord L. added the obliging countess, wants to see you, my dear. Come, Miss Byron, if Char-lotte is naught, we will make a party against her; and she shall be but my second-best sister. I hope, my Lord and Sir Charles will come together, if they can but shake off wicked Everard, as we call a kinsman, whom Sir Charles has no mind to intro-duce to you, without your leave.

But we’ll not stay breakfast for them, said Miss Grandison: they were not certain: and desired we would not. — Come, come, get us some breakfast; Lady L. has been up before her hour; and I have told you, Harriet, that I am an early riser. I don’t choose to eat my gloves. — But I must do something to divert my hunger: and stepping to the harpsi-chord, she touched the keys in such a manner, as shewed she could make them speak what language she pleased.

I attended to her charming finger: so did every one. But breakfast coming in — No but I won’t, said she. anticipating our requests; and continuing the air by her voice, ran to the table: Hang cere-mony, said she, sitting down first; let slower souls compliment: and taking some muffin, I’ll have break-fasted before these Pray madams, and Pray my dears, are seated.

Mad girl! Lady L. called her. These, Mrs, Reeves, arc always her airs with us: but I thought she would have been restrained by the example of her sister Harriet. We have utterly spoiled the girl by our fond indulgence. But, Charlotte, is a good heart to be everywhere pleaded for a whimsical head?

Who sees not the elder sister in that speech? re-plied Miss Grandison: but I am the most generous creature breathing; yet nobody finds it out. For why do I assume these silly airs, but to make you, Lady L. shine at my expence?

Still, Lucy, the contents of that Bagenhall’s let-ter hung heavy at my heart. But as I could not be sure but Sir Charles had his reasons for concealing the matter from his sisters, I knew not how to enter directly into the subject: but, thought I, can-not I fish something out for the quiet of my own heart; and leave to Sir Charles’s discretion the man-ner of his revealing the matter to his sisters, ot otherwise? d d 2

Did your ladyship, said I to Lady L. arrive on Saturday [I knew not how to begin] at the hospitable house at Colnebrook, my asylum?

I did: and shall have a greater value for that house than ever I had before, for its having afforded a shelter to so valued a lady.

You have been told, ladies, I suppose, of that Wilson’s letter to Sir Charles?

We have: and rejoice to find that so deep a plot was so happily frustrated.

His postscript gives me concern.

What were the contents of it?

That Sir Hargrave breathed nothing but revenge.

Sir Charles told us nothing of that: but it is not unlikely that a man so greatly disappointed should rave and threaten. I am told that he is still, either by shame, or illness, confined to his chamber.

At that moment, a chariot stopt at the door: and instantly, It is Lord L. and Sir Charles with him, said Miss Grandison.

I dared not to trust myself with my joy. I hur-ried out at one of the doors, as if I had forgot something, as they entered at the other. I rushed into the back parlour — Thank God! thank God! said I— My gratitude was too strong for my heart: I thought I should have fainted.

Do you wonder, Lucy, at my being so much af-fected, when I had been in such a dreadful suspense, and had formed such terrible ideas of the danger of one of the best of men, all owing to his serving and saving me?

Surprises from joy, I fancy, and where gratitude is the principal spring, are sooner recovered from than surprises which raise the more stormy passions. Mrs. Reeves came into me: My dear! your with-drawing will be noticed. I was just coming in, said I: and so I was. I went in.

Sir Charles bowed low to me: so did my lord. srR CHARLES GRANDISON. 305

Permit me, madam, said Sir Charles, to present Lord L. to you: he is our brother — Our late-found sister Harriet, my lord.

Sir Charles, said Miss Grandison, Miss Byron, and Mr. and Mrs. Reeves, have been tormenting themselves about a postscript to that footman’s let-ter. You told not us of that postscript.

Who minds postscripts, Charlotte? Except indeed to a lady’s letter. One word with you, good Miss Byron; taking my hand, and leading me to the win-dow.

How the fool coloured! I could feel my face glow.

O Lucy! What a consciousness of inferiority fills a mind not ungenerous, when it labours under the sense of obligations it cannot return!

My sister Charlotte, madam, was impatient to present to you her beloved sister. Lady L. was as impatient to attend you. My Lord L. was equally-desirous to claim the honour of your acquaintance. They insisted upon my introducing my lord. I thought it was too precipitate a visit, and might hurt your delicacy, and make Charlotte and me appear, as if we had been ostentatiously boasting of the opportunities that had been thrown into our hands, to do a very common service. I think I see that you are hurt. Forgive me, madam, I will follow my own judgment another time. Only be assured of this, that your merits, and not the service, have drawn this visit upon you.

I could not be displeased at this polite address, as it helped me to an excuse for behaving so like a fool, as he might think, since he knew not the cause.

You are very obliging, Sir. My Lord and Lady L. do me great honour. Miss Grandison cannot do any-thing but what is agreeable to me. In such company, I am but a common person: but my gra-titude will never let me look upon your seasonable d n 3 protection as a common service. I am only anxious for the consequences to yourself. I should have no pretence to the gratitude I speak of, if I did not own, that the reported threatenings, and what Wilson writes by way of postscript, have given me disturb-ance, lest your safety should, on my account, be brought into hazard.

Miss Byron speaks like herself: but whatever were to be the consequences, can you think, madam, that a man of any spirit could have acted otherwise than I did? Would I not have been glad, that any man would have done just the same thing, in favour of my sister Charlotte? Could I behave with greater moderation? I am pleased with myself on looking back; and that I am not always: there shall no consequences follow, that I am not forced upon in my own necessary defence.

We spoke loud enough to be heard: and Miss Grandison, joining us, said, But pray, brother, tell us, if there be grounds to apprehend any-thing from what the footman writes?

You cannot imagine but Sir Hargrave would blus-ter and threaten: to lose such a prize, so near as he thought himself to carrying his point, must affect a man of his cast: but are ladies to be troubled with words? Men of true courage do not threaten.

Shall I beg one word with you, Sir Charles? said Mr. Reeves.

They withdrew to the back parlour: and there Mr. Reeves, who had the letter of that Bagenhall, shewed it to him.

He read it — A very extraordinary letter! said he; and gave it back to him — But pray, what says Miss Byron to it? — Is she willing to take this step in consideration of my safety?

You may believe, Sir Charles, she is greatly distressed.

As a tender-hearted woman, and as one who thinks already much too highly of what was done, she may be distressed: but does she hesitate a moment upon the part she ought to take? Does she not despise the writer and the writing? — I thought Miss Byron —

He stopt, it seems, and spoke and looked warm; the first time, said Mr. Reeves, that I thought Sir Charles, on occasion, passionate.

I wish, Lucy, that he had not stopt, I wish he had said what he thought Miss Byron. I own to you, that it would go to my heart, if I knew that Sir Charles Grandison thought me a mean creature.

You must think, Sir Charles, that Miss Byron —

Pray, Mr. Reeves, forgive me for interrupting you; What steps have been taken upon this letter?

None, Sir.

It has not been honoured with notice; not with the least notice?

It has not.

And could it be supposed by these mean men (all men are mean, Mr. Reeves, who can bepremedi-tatedly guilty of a baseness) that I would be brought to ask pardon for my part in this affair? No man, Mr. Reeves, would be more ready than myself to ask pardon, even of my inferior, had I done a wrong thing: but never should a prince make me stoop to disavow a right one.

But, Sir Charles, let me ask you, Has Sir Har-grave challenged you? Did this Bagenhall bring you a letter?

Sir Hargrave has: Bagenhall did: but what of that, Mr. Reeves? I promised an answer on Mon-day. I would not so much as think of setting pen to paper on such an account, to interrupt for a moment the happiness I had hoped to receive in the meeting of a sister and her lord, so dear to me: an answer I have accordingly sent him this day.

You have sent him an answer, Sir! — I am in great apprehensions —

You have no reason, Mr. Reeves, I do assure you. But let not my sisters, nor Lord L. know of this matter. Why should I, who cannot have a moment’s uneasiness upon it, for my own sake, have the need-less fears and apprehensions of persons to whom I wish to give nothing but pleasure, to contend with? An imaginary distress, to those who think it more than imaginary, is a real one: and 1 cannot bear to see my friends unhappy.

Have you accepted, Sir — Have you —

I have been too much engaged, Mr. Reeves, in such causes as this: I never drew my sword but in my own defence, and when no other means could defend me. I never could bear a designed insult. I am naturally passionate. You know not the pains it has cost me, to keep my passion under: but I have suffered too much in my after-regret, when I have been hurried away by it, not to endeavour to restrain its first sallies.

I hope, Sir, you will not meet —

I will not meet any man, Mr. Reeves, as a duel-list: I am not so much a coward, as to be afraid of being branded for one. I hope my spirit is in ge-neral too well known for any one to insult me on such an imputation. Forgive the seeming vanity, Mr. Reeves: but I live not to the world: I live to myself; to the monitor within me.

Mr. Reeves applauded him with his hands and eyes; but could not in words. The heart spoke these last words, said my good cousin. How did his face seem to shine in my eyes!

There are many bad customs, Mr. Reeves, that I grieve for: but for none so much as this of preme-ditated duelling. Where is the magnanimity of the man that cannot get above the vulgar breath? How many fatherless, brotherless, sonless families have mourned all their lives the unhappy resort to this dreadful practice! A man who defies his fellow-creature into the field, in a private quarrel, must first defy his God; and what are his hopes, but to be a murderer? to do an irreparable injury to the inno-cent family and dependents of the murdered? — But since you have been let into the matter so far, by the unaccountable letter you let me see, I will shew you Sir Hargrave’s to me. — This is it, taking it out of his pocket-book.

You did well, Sir Charles Grandison, to leave your name. My scoundrels were too far off their master to inform themselves, who the person was that insulted an innocent man (as to him, innocent, how — ever) on the highway. You expected to hear from me, it is evident; and you should have heard before now, had I been able from the effects of the unmanly surprise you took advantage of, to leave my chamber. I demand from you the satisfaction due to a gentleman. The time your own; provided it exceed not next Wednesday; which will give you opportunity, I suppose, to settle your affairs; but the sooner the better. The place, if you have no objection, Kensington Gravel-pits. I will bring pistols for your choice; or you may for mine, which you will. The rest may be left to my worthy friend Mr. Bagenhall, who is so kind as to carry you this, on my part; and to some one whom you shall pitch upon, on yours. Till when, I am

Your humble servant,

HARGRAVE POLLEXFEN

Saturday.

I have a copy of my answer somewhere — Here it is. You will wonder, perhaps, Mr. Reeves, on such a subject as this, to find it a long one. Had Sir Hargrave known me better than he does, six lines might have been sufficient.

SIR,

Mr.Bagenhallgave me yours on Saturday last, just as I was stepping into my chariot to go out of town. Neither the general contents, nor thetime mentioned in it, made it necessary for me to alter my measures, My sister was already in the chariot. I had not done well to make a woman uneasy. I have many friends; and I have great pleasure in promoting theirs, I promised an answer on Monday.

My answer is this — I have ever refused (and the occasion has happened too often) to draw my sword upon a set and formal challenge. Yet I have reason to think, from the skill I pretend to have in the weapons, that in declining to do so, I consult my conscience rather than my safety.

Have you any friends, Sir Hargrave? Do they love you? Do you love them? Are you desirous of life for their sakes? for your own? — Have you ene-mies to whom your untimely end would give plea — sure? — Let these considerations weigh with you; they do, and always did, with me. I am cool: you cannot be so. The cool person, on such an occasion as this, should put the warm one on thinking: this however as you please.

But one more question let me ask you — If you think I have injured you, is it prudent to give me a chance, were it but a chance, to do you a still greater injury?

You were engaged in an unlawful enterprise. If you would not have done by me in the same situation, what I did by you, you are not, let me tell you, Sir Hargrave, the man of honour, that a man of honour should be solicitous to put upon a foot with himself.

I took not an unmanly advantage of you, Sir Har-grave: you drew upon me: I drew not in return. You had a disadvantage in not quittingyour chariot; after the lunge you made at me, you may be thank-ful that I made not use of it.

I should not have been sorry had I been able to give the lady the protection she claimed, with less hurt to yourself: for I could have no malice in what I did: although I had, and have still, a just abhor-rence of the violence you were guilty of to a helpless woman; and who I have found since merited better treatment from you; and indeed merits the best from all the world; and whose life was endangered by the violence.

I write a long letter, because I propose only to write. Pardon me for repeating, that the men who have acted as you and I have acted, as well with re-gard to the lady, as to each other, cannot, were their principles such as would permit them to meet, meet upon a foot.

Let any man insult me upon my refusal, and put me upon my defence, and he shall find that numbers to my single arm shall not intimidate me. Yet, even in that case, I would much rather choose to clear myself of them as a man of honour should wish to do, than either to kill or maim any man. My life is not my own: much less is another man’s mine. Him who thinks differently from me, I can despise as heartily as he can despise me. And if such a one imagines, that he has a title to my life, let him take it: but it must be in my own way, not in his.

In a word, If any man has aught a^ain^t me, and will not apply for redress to the laws of his country, my goings out, and comings in, are always known; and I am any hour of the day to be found, or met with, wherever I have a proper call-. My sword is a sword of defence, not of olfence. A pistol I only carry on the road, to terrify robbers: and I have found a less dangerous weapon sometimes sufficient to repel a sudden insult. And now, if Sir Hargrave Pollexfen be wise, he will think himself obliged for this not unfriendly expostulation, or whatever he pleases to call it, to

His most humble servant,
CHARLES GRANDISON.


Monday.

Mr. Reeves besought Sir Charles to let him shew me these letters. You may, Mr. Reeves, said he; since I intend not to meet Sir Hargrave in the way he prescribes.

As I asked not leave, my Lucy, to take copies of them, I beg they may not be seen out of the venera-ble circle.

I know I need not say how much I am pleased with the contents of the latter: I doubt not but you all will be equally so: yet, as Sir Charles himself expects not that Sir Hargrave will rest the matter here; and indeed says he cannot, consistently with the vulgar notions of honour; do you think I can be easy, as all this is to be placed to my account?

But it is evident, that Sir Charles is. He is go-verned by another set of principles, than those of false honour; and shews, what his sister says to be true, that he regards first his duty, and then wh at is called honour. How does the knowledge of these his excellencies raise him in my mind! Indeed, Lucy, I seem sometimes to feel, as if my gratitude had raised a throne for him in my heart; but yet as for a near friend, as a beloved brother only. My reverence for him is too great — Assure yourself, my dear, that this reverence will always keep me right.

Sir Charles and Mr. Reeves returning into company, the conversation took a general turn. But, oppressed with obligations as I am, I could not be lively. My heart, as Miss Grandison says, is, I believe, a proud one. And when I thought of what might still happen (who knows, but from assassination, in resentment of some very spirited strokes in Sir Charles’s letter, as well as from the disgrace the wretch must carry in his face to the grave?) I could not but look upon this fine man who seemed to pos-sess his own soul in peace, sometimes with concern, and even with tender grief, on supposing, that now, lively and happy as he seemed to be, and the joy of all his friends, he might possibly, and perhaps in a few hours — How can I put down my horrid thoughts!

At other times, indeed, I cast an eye of some pleasure on him (when he looked another way) on thinking him the only man on earth, to whom, in such distress, I could have wished to owe the obli-gations 1 am under to him. His modest merit, thought I, will not make one uneasy: he thinks the protection afforded but a common protection. He is accustomed to do great and generous things. I might have been obliged to a man whose fortune might have made it convenient for him to hope such advantages from the risque he run for me, as pru-dence would have made objections to comply with, not a little embarrassing to my gratitude.

But here, my heart is left free. And O, thought I, now-and-then, as I looked upon him, Sir Charles Grandison is a man with whom I would not “wish to be in love. I, to have so many rivals! He, to be so much admired! Women not to stay till they are asked, as Miss Grandison once said; his heart must be proof against those tender sensations, which grow into ardour, and glow, in the bosom of a man pur-suing dijirst and only love.

I warrant, my Lucy, if the truth were known, although Sir Charles has at Canterbury, or at one place or other, his half-score ladies, who would break their hearts if he were to marry, yet he knows not anyone of them whom he loves better than another. And all but right! All but justice, if they will not stay till they are asked!

Miss Grandison invited Mr. and Mrs. Reeves, and me, to dinner, on Wednesday, and for the rest of the day and evening. It was a welcome invitation.

The countess expressed herself pleased with me. Poor and spiritless as was the figure which I made in this whole visit, her prepossession in my favour from Miss Grandisonmust have been very great and generous.

And will you not, before now, have expected that I should have brought you acquainted with the per-sons of Lord and Lady L. as I am accustomed to give you descriptions of every one to whom I am introduced?

To be sure we have, say you.

Well, but my mind has not always been in tune to gratify you. And, upon my word, I am so much humbled with one thing and another, that I have lost all that pertness, I think, which used to give such a liveliness to my heart, and alertness to my pen, as made the writing task pleasant to me, because I knew that you all condescended to like the flippant airs of your Harriet.

Lady L is a year older than Sir Charles: but has that true female softness and delicacy in her features, which make her perfectly lovely; and she looks to be two or three years younger than she is. She is tall and slender; and enjoys the blessings of health and spirits in a high degree. There is something of more dignity and sprightliness in the air and features of Miss Grandison, than in those of Lady L.: but there is in those of the latter, so much sweetness and complacency, that you are not so much afraid of her as you are of her sister. The one you are sure to love at first sight: the otheryou will be ready to ask leave to let you love her; and to be ready to promise that you will, if she will spare you: and yet, whether she will or not, you cannot help it.

Lady L. is such a wife, I imagine, as a good wo-man should wish to be thought. The behaviour of my lord to her, and of her to my lord, is free, yet respectful; and affectionate, but not apishly fond. One sees their love for each other in their eyes All love-matches are not happy: this was a match of love; and does honour to it. Every — body speaks of Lady L. with equal affection and respect, as a discreet and prudent woman. MissGrandison,by her livelier manner, is not so well understood in those lights as she ought to be; and, satisfied with the worthiness of her own heart, is above giving herself concern about what the world thinks of it.

Lord L. is not handsome; but he is very agreeable. He has the look of an honeht good man; and of a man of understanding. And he is what he looks to be. He is genteel, and has the air of a true Bri-tish nobleman; one of those, I imagine, who would have been respected by his appearance and manners, in the purest times, a hundred or two years (or how long?) ago.

I am to have the family-history of this lord and lady, on both sides, and of their loves, their dif-ficulties, and of the obligations they talk of being under to their brother, to whom both my lord and lady behave with love that carries the heart in every word, in every look.

What, my dear, shall we say to this brother? Does he lay every-body that knows him under obli-gation? And is there no way to be even with him E e 2 in any one thing? I long to have some intimate conversation with Miss Grandison, by which I shall perhaps find out the art he has of making every — body proud of acknowledging an inferiority to him.

I almost wish I could, while I stay in town, devote half my time to this amiable family; without breaking in upon them so much as to be thought impertinent. The other half ought to be with my kind cousin Reeves’s. I never shall make them amends for the trouble I have given them.

How I long for Wednesday, to see all the family of the Grandisons — They are all to be there — On several accounts I long for that day: yet this Sir Har grave —

I have written, my dear, as usual, very unreserv-edly. I know that I lie more open than ever to my uncle’s observations. But if he will not allow for weakness of heart, of head, and for having been frighted out of my wits and cruelly used; and for further apprehensions; and for the sense I have of obligations that never can be returned; why then I must lie wholly at his mercy — But if he should find me to be ever so silly a creature, J hope he will not make his particular conclusions general in disfavour of the sex.

Adieu, my dear Lucy! — And in you, adieu all the dear and revered friends, benefactors, lovers, of your

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XL.
Mrs. Selby to Miss Harriet Byron.

Selby-house, February 25.

My dearest Harriet.

Although we have long ago taken a resolution, never to dictate to your choice; yet. we could not excuse ourselves, if we did not acquaint you with any proposal that is made to us, on your account, that you might encourage it, or otherwise, as you thought fit.

The dowager Lady D. wrote me a letter some time ago (as you will see by the date): but insisted, that I should keep the contents a secret in my own bosom, till she gave me leave to reveal it. She has now given me that leave, and requested that I will propose the matter to you. I have since shewn what has passed between her ladyship and me, to your grandmamma, Mr. Selby, and Lucy. They are all silent upon it; for the same reasons, that I give you not my opinion; that is to say, till you ask it.

But do we not see, my dearest child, that some-thing has happened, within a very few days past, that must distance the hope of every one of your admirers, as they come to be acquainted with the circumstances and situation you are now in? My dear love, you will never be able to resist the impulses of that gratitude which always opened and expanded your worthy heart.

Your uncle’s tenderness for you, on such a prospect, has made him suppress hL inclination to rally you. He professes to pity you, my dear. While, says he, the sweet girl was vaunting herself, and refusing this man; and dismissing that; and imagining herself out of the reach of the deity, to which,

sooner or later, all women bow; I spared her not; but now, that I see she is likely to be over head and ears in the passion, and has so much to be said for her excuse if she is caught; and as our side must perhaps be the hoping side, the gentleman’s the triumphant; I pity her too much for what may be the case, to teaze her with my animadversions; es-pecially after what she has suffered from the vile Sir Hargrave.

By several hints in your letters, it is impossible, my dear, that we can be aforehand with your incli-nations. Young women in a beginning love are al ways willing to conceal themselves from themselves; they are desirous to smother the fire, before they will call out for help, till it blazes, and frequently becomes too powerful to be extinguished by any help. They will call the passion by another name; as, gratitude, suppose: but, my Harriet, gratitude so properly founded as yours is can be but another name for love. The object so worthy, your own heart so worthy, consent of minds must bring it to love on one side; perhaps on both, if the half-score of ladies you have heard of are all of them but mere moderns. But that, my dear, is not to be sup-posed; since worthy hearts find out, and assimilate with, each other. Indeed, those ladies may be such as are captivated with outward figure. A handsome man need not to have the great qualities of a Sir Charles Grandison, to engage the hearts of the ge-nerality of our sex. But a good man and a hand — some man, if he has the vivacity that distinguishes Sir Charles, may marry whom he pleases. If we women love a handsome man, for the sake of our eye, we must be poor creatures indeed, if we love not good men for the sake of our hearts.

What makes us apprehensive for you, my Harriet, is this: that we every one of us are in love ourselves

SIK CHARLES GRANDISON. 319 with this fine young gentleman. Your uncle has fallen in with Mr. Dawson, an attorney of Notting-ham, who acts for Sir Charles in some of his affairs; and gives him such a character respecting his goodness to his tenants and dependents only, as will render credible all that even the fondest love, and warmest gratitude, can say in his praise.

We can hardly tell sometimes how to regret (though your accounts of your sufferings and danger cut us to the heart as we read them) the base attempt of Sir Hargrave: were all to end as we wish, we should not regret it: but that, my Harriet, is our fear. What will become of me, said your grand-mamma, if, at last, the darling of my heart should be entangled in a hopeless passion?

If this is likely to be the case, while the fire I spoke of is but smothering, and while but here and there a spark escapes your struggling efforts to keep it down, resolve, my dear, to throw cold water on it, and quench it quite. And how is this to be done, but by changing your personal friendship with the amiable family, into a correspondence by pen and ink, and returning to our longing arms, before the flame gets a-head?

When you are with us, you may either give hope to the worthy Orme, or encourage the proposal 1 inclose, as you please.

As you are not capable of the mean pride of seeing a number of men in your train, and have always been uneasy at the perseverance of Mr.Fenwick and Mr. Greville — As you have suffered so much from the natural goodness of your heart, on the urgency of that honest man Sir Rowland Meredith in his nephew’s favour; and still more from the baseness of that wicked Sir Hargrave — As your good cha-racter, and lovely person, engage you more and more admirers — And, lastly, as it would be the highest comfort that your grandmamma and your uncle, and I, and all your friends and well-wishers, could know, to see you happily married — We cannot but wish for this pleasure and satisfaction; the sooner you give it to us, the better.

But could there be any hope — You know what I mean — A royal diadem, my dear, would be a despicable thing in the comparison.

Adieu, my best love. You are called upon, in my opinion, to a greater trial than ever yet you knew, of that prudence for which you have hitherto been so much applauded by every one, and parti-cularly by

Your truly maternal

MARIANiNA SELBY.


Letter XLI,
From the Countess Dowager of D. to Mrs. Selby.

‘[Inclosed in the preceding’] .

January 23.

Give me leave, madam, to address myself to you, though personally unknown, on a very particular occasion; and, at the same time, to beg of you to keep secret, even from Mr. Selby, and the party to be named as still more immediately concerned in the subject, till I give my consent; as no one creature of my family, not even my son, does, or shall know f.-orn me till you approve of it.

My lord has just entered into his twenty-fifth year. There are not many better young men among the nobility. His minority gave an opportunity to me, and his other trustees, to put him in possession,

SIK CHARLES GRANDISON. 321 when he came of age, of a very noble and clear es-tate; which he has not impaired. His person is not to be found fault with. He has learning, and is allowed to have good sense, which every learned man has not. His conduct, his discretion, in his travels, procured him respect and reputation abroad. You may make enquiry privately of all these matters.

We are, you must believe, very solicitous to have him happily married. He is far from being an undu-tiful son. Indeed he was always dutiful. A dutiful son gives very promising hopes of making a good husband. He assures me that his affections are disengaged, and that he will pay the most particular regard to my recommendation.

I have cast about for a suitable wife for him. I look farther than to the person of a woman; though my lord will by no means have beauty left out in the qualifications of a wife. I look to the family to whom a lady owes her education and training up. Quality, however, I stand not upon. A man of qua-lity, you know, confers quality on his wife. An ancient and good gentleman’s family is all I am so-licitous about in this respect. In this light, yours, madam, on all sides, and for many descents, is unexceptionable. I have a desire, if all things shall be found to be mutually agreeable, to be related to it: and your character, as the young lady has been brought up under your eye, is a great inducement with me.

Your niece Byron’s beauty, and merits, as well as sweetness of temper, are talked of by every-body Not a day passes, but we hear of her to her great advantage. Now, madam, will you be pleased to an-swer me one question, with that explicitness which the importance of the case, and my own intended explicitness to you, may require from woman to wo-man? Especially, as I ask it of you in confidence.

Are then Miss Byron’s affections absolutely disengaged? We are very nice, and must not doubt in this matter.

This is the only question I will ask at present. If this can be answered as I wish, others, in a treaty of this important nature, will come into consideration on both sides.

The favour of a line as soon as it will suit your convenience, will oblige, madam,

Your most faithful and obedient servant,

M. D.


Letter XLII.
Mrs. Selby to the Countess Dowager of D.

January 27.

Madam,

I am greatly obliged to your ladyship for your good opinion of me, and for the honour you do me, and all our family, in the proposed alliance.

I will answer your ladyship’s question with the requisite explicitness.

Mr. Greville, Mr. Orme, and Mr. Fenwick, all of this county, have respectively made application to us for our interest, and to Miss Byron for her fa-vour: but hitherto without effect; though the terms each proposes might intitle him to consideration.

Miss Byron professes to honour the married state, and one day proposes to make some man happy in it, if it be not his own fault: but declares, that she has not yet seen the man to whom with her hand she can give her heart.

In truth, madam, we are all neutral on this occa-sion. We have the highest opinion of her discre — tion. She has read, she has conversed; and yet there is not in the county one who would make a more prudent manager in a family. We are all fond of her even to doting. Were she not our child, we should love her for her good qualities, and sweetness of manners, and a frankness that has few examples among young women.

Permit me, madam, to add one thing; about which Miss Byron, in her turn, will be very nice. Your ladyship is pleased to say, that my lord’s affections are disengaged. Were his lordship a prince, and hoped to succeed with her, they must not be so, after he had seen and conversed with her. Yet the future happiness, and not pride, would be the consi-deration with her: for she has that diffidence in her own merits, from which the worthy of both sexes cannot be totally free. This diffidence would increase too much for her happiness, were she to be thought of with indifference by any man on earth, who hoped to be more than indifferent to her.

As to other questions, which, as this is answered, your ladyship thinks may come to be asked. I choose?*«-asked (having no reserves) to acquaint your ladyship that Miss Byron has not, in her own power, quite 15,0001. She has, it is true, reversion-ary expectations: but we none of us wish that they should for many years take place; since that must be by the death of Mrs. Shirley, her grandmother, who is equally revered and beloved by all that know her: and whose life is bound up in the happiness of her grand-daughter.

I will strictly obey your ladyship in the secrecy enjoined; and am, madam, Your ladyship’sobligedandfaithful humble servant, MARIANNA SELBY.


Letter XLIII.
From the Countess Dowager of D. to Mrs. Selby.

February 23.

I should sooner have answered yours, had I not waited for the return of my son, who had taken a little journey into Wales, to look into the condition of a small estate he has there, which he finds capable of great improvement; and about which he has given proper orders.

I took the first opportunity to question him in re-lation to his inclinations to marriage, and whether he had a regard to any particular woman: and having received an answer to my wishes, I mentioned Miss Byron to him, as a young lady that I should think, from the general good character she bore, would make him an excellent wife.

He said, he had heard her much talked of, and always to her advantage. I then shewed him, as in confidence, my letter, and your answer. There can be, said I, (on purpose to try him) but one objection on your part; and that is fortune: 15,0001. to a noble-man, who is possessed of 12,000l. a year, and has been offered four times the portion, may be thought very inadequate. The less to be stood upon, replied he, where the fortune on my side is so considerable. The very answer, my dear Mrs. Selby, that I wished him to make.

I asked him, if I should begin a formal treaty with you, upon what he said. He answered, that he had heard from every mouth, so much said in praise of Miss Byron’s mind, as well as person, that he desired I would; and that I would directly endeavour to obtain leave for him to visit the young lady.

I propose it accordingly. I understand, that she is at present in London. I leave it to your choice, madam, and Mrs. Shirley’s, and Mr. Selby’s (to whom now, as also to Miss Byron, you will be so good as to communicate the affair) whether you will send for her down to receive my lord’s visit and mine; or whether we shall wait on her in town.

I propose very high satisfaction to myself, if the young people approve of each other, in an alliance so much to my wishes in every respect. I shall love the Countess of D. as well as any of you can do Miss Byron: and as she has not at present a mother, I shall with pleasure supply that tender relation to her, for the sake of so many engaging qualities, as common fame, as well as good Mrs. Selby, says she is mistress of.

You will dispatch an answer as to the interview. I am impatient for it. I depend much upon the frankness of the young lady, which you make a part of her agreeable character. And am, madam,

Your affectionate and faithful humble servant,

M. D.


Letter XLIV.
Miss Byron to Mrs. Selby.

London, February 23. Indeed, my dear and ever indulgent aunt Selby, you have given me pain; and yet I am very ungrateful, I believe, to say so: but if I feel the pain (though perhaps I ought not) should I not own it?

What circumstances, what situation, am I in, ma-dam, that I cannot be mistress of myself? That shall turn my uncle’s half-feared, though always agreea-ble, raillery into pity for me?

“Over head and ears in the passion” — “I to be on the hoping side; the gentleman on the triumphant” — “It is impossible for you, my friends, to be aforehand with my inclinations” — “A beginning love to be mentioned, in which one is willing to conceal one’s self from one’s self!” Fires, flames, blazes, to follow! — Gratitude and love to be spoken of as synonymous terms — Ah! my dear aunt, how could you let my uncle write such a letter, and then copy it, and send it to me as yours?

And yet some very tender strokes are in it, that no man, that hardly anybody but you among women, could write.

But what do you do, madam, when you tell your Harriet of your own prepossessions in favour of a man who, as you thought, had before in my eye too many advantages? Indeed you should have taken care not to let me know, that his great qualities had impressed you all so deeply: and my grandmamma to be so very apprehensive too for the entangled girl I Hopeless passion, said she? Entangled in a hopeless passion! O let me die before this shall be deserved to be said of your Harriet!

Then again rises to your pen, smothering and escaped sparks; and I am desired to hurry myself to get cold water to quench the flame — Dear, dear madam, what images are here? And applied — To whom? — And by whom? — Have I written any-thing so very blazing? — Surely I have not. But you should not say you will all forgive me, if this be my sad situation. You should not say, how much you are your — selves, all of you, in love with this excellent man; and talk of Mr. Dawson, and of what he says of him: but you should have told me, that if I suffer my gra-titude to grow into love, you will never forgive me; then should I have had a call of duty to check or controul a passion, that you were afraid could not be

Well, and there is no way left for me, it seems, but to fly for it! To hurry away to Northampton-shire, and either to begin a new treaty with Lord D. or to give hope to an old lover. Poor Harriet Byron! And is it indeed so bad with thee? And does thy aunt Selby think it is?

But is there no hope that the man will take pity of thee? When he sees thee so sadly entangled, will he not vouchsafe to lend an extricating hand?

Oh, no — Too much obliged, as thou already art, how canst thou expect to be farther obliged? Oblig-ed in the highest degree?

But let me try if I cannot play round this bright, this beamy taper, without singeing my wings! I fancy it is not yet quite so bad with me! At least, let me stand this one visit of tomorrow: and then if I find reason to think I cannot stand it, I will take the kind advice, and fly for it; rather than add another hope-less girl to the half-score that perhaps have been long sighing for this best of men.

But even then, my aunt, that is to say, were I to fly, and take shelter under your protecting wings, I shall not, I hope, think it absolutely necessary to light up one flame, in order to extinguish another. I shall always value Mr. Orme as a friend; but indeed I am less than ever inclined to think of him in a nearer light.

As to Lady D.‘s proposal, it admits not with me of half a thought. You know, my dearest aunt, that I am not yet rejected by one with whom you are all in love — But this seriously I will own (and yet I hope nothing but my gratitude is engaged, and that indeed is a very powerful tie) that since I have seen and known Sir Charles Grandison, I have not only (as before) an indifference, but a dislike, to all other men. And I think> if 1 know my own heart, I had rather converse but an hour in a week with him, and with Miss Grandison, than be the wife of any man I have ever seen or known.

If this should end at last in love, and if I should be entangled in a hopeless passion, the object of it would be Sir Charles Grandison: he could not insult me; and mean, as the word pity in some cases sounds, I had rather have his pity, than the love of any other man.

You will, upon the strength of what I have said, be so good, dear madam, as to let the Countess of D. know, that I think myself highly obliged to her, for her favourable opinion of me: that she has by it interested all my good wishes in her son’s happiness; and that I was always of opinion, that equality of fortune and degree, though not absolutely neces-sary to matrimonial felicity, was however a circum — stance not to be slighted: but you, madam, can put my meaning in better, in fitter words, when you are assured, that it is my meaning, to give an absolute, though grateful, negative to this proposal. And I do assure you that such is my meaning; and that I should despise myself, were I capable of keeping one man in suspense, even had I hope of your hope, while I was balancing in favour of another.

I believe, madam, I have been a little petulant, and very saucy, in what I have written: but my heart is not at ease: and I am vexed with these men, one after another, when Sir Hargrave has given me a surfeit of them; and only that the bad has brought me into the knowledge of the best, or I could resolve never more to hear a man talk to me, no not for one moment, upon a subject, that is become so justly painful to one who never took pleasure in their airy adulation;

I know you will, with your usual goodness, and so will my grandmamma, and so will my uncle Selby, pardon all the imperfections of, dearest madam, Your and their ever dutiful

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XLV.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Tuesday evening, February 28. Mr. Reeves, my dear, is just returned from a visit he made in St. James’s Square. I transcribe a paper giving an account of what passed between Mr. Bagenhall and Sir Charles in relation to the shocking affair which has filled me with so much apprehension; and which Sir Charles, at my cousin’s request, allowed him to put in his pocket.

Mr. Bagenhall came to Sir Charles yesterday evening with a message from Sir Hargrave, demanding a meeting with him, the next morning, at a particular hour, at Kensington Gravel-pits. Sir Charles took Mr. Bagenhall with him into his study; and, asking him to sit down, Mr. Bagenhall said, That he was once concerned in an affair of this nature, which had been very much misrepresented afterwards; and that he had been advised to take a step which Sir Charles might think extraordinary: which was, that he had brought with him a young gentleman, whom he hoped, for Sir Hargrave’s satisfaction, as well as to do justice to what should pass between them, Sir Charles would permit to take minutes of their convex ution; and that he was in the hall.

Let not a gentleman be left in the hall, said Sir Charles; and, ringing, directed him to be shewn into the study to them. Yet, Mr. Bagenhall, said he, I see no occasion for this. Our conversation on the subject you come to talk of, can be but short.

Were it to hold but two minutes, Sir Charles —

What you please, Mr. Bagenhall.

The young gentleman entered; and pen and ink were set before him. He wrote in short hand: and read it to the gentlemen; and Sir Charles, as it was to be transcribed for Sir Hargrave, desiring a copy of it, it was sent him the same night.
A CONFERENCE BETWEEN SIR CHARLES GRANDISON, BART. AND JAMES BAGENHALL, ESQ.

Sir Ch. You have told me, Mr. Bagenhall, Sir Hargrave’s demand. Have you seen, Sir, the answer I returned to his letter?

Mr. Bagenhall. I have, Sir.

Sir Ch. And do you think, there needs any other, or further?

Mr. B. It is not, Sir Charles, such an answer as a gentleman can sit down with.

Sir Ch. Do you give that as your oven opinion, Mr. Bagenhall? Or, as Sir Hargrave’s?

Mr. B. As Sir Hargrave’s, Sir. And I believe it would be the opinion of every man of honour.

Sir Ch. Man of honour! Mr. Bagenhall. A man of honour would not have given the occasion which has brought you and me, Sir, into a personal know-ledge of each other. I asked the question, supposing there could be but one principal in this debate.

Mr.B. Ibegpardon: Imeant not that there should be two.

Sir Ch. Pray, Sir, let me ask you, Do you know the particulars of Sir Hargrave’s attempt, and of his violence to the lady?

Mr. B. Sir Hargrave, I believe, has given me a very exact account of every-thing. He meant not dishonour to the lady.

Sir Ch. He must have a very high opinion of him-self, if he thought the best he could do for her, would be to do her honour — Sir, pray put that down. — > Repeating what he said to the writer, that he might not mistake.

Sir Ch. But do you, Mr. Bagenhall, think Sir Hargrave was justifiable, as a man of honour, in what he did?

Mr. B. I mean not, as I told you, Sir Charles, to make myself a principal in this affair. I pretend not to justify what Sir Hargrave did to the lady.

Sir Ch. I hope then you will allow me to refer to my answer to Sir Hargrave’s letter. I shall send him no other. I beg your pardon, Mr. Bagenhall, I mean not a disrespect to you.

Air. B. No other, Sir Charles?

Sir Ch. Since he is to see what this gentleman writes, pray put down, Sir, that I say, The answer I have written, is such a one as he ought to be satis-fied with: such a one as becomes a man of honour to send, if he thought fit to send any: and such a one as a man who has acted as Sir Hargrave acted by a woman of virtue and honour, ought to be thankful for. — Have you written that, Sir?

Writer. I have, Sir.

Sir Ch. Write further, if you please; That I say, Sir Hargrave may be very glad, if he hear no more of this affair from the lady’s natural friends: that, however, I shall rid him of all apprehensions of that nature; for that I still consider the lady as under my protection, with regard to any conse-quences that may naturally follow what happened on Hounslow-heath; That I say, I shall neglect no proper call to protect her farther: but that his call upon me to meet him, must be such a one as my own heart can justify; and that it is not my way to obey the insolent summons of any man breathing. — And yet, what is this, Mr. Bagenhall, but repeating what I wrote?

Mr. B. You are warm, Sir Charles.

Sir Ch. Indeed I am not: I am only earnest. As Sir Hargrave is to be shewn what passes, I say more than otherwise I should choose to say.

Mr. B. Will you name your own time and place, Sir Charles?

Sir Ch. To do what?

Mr. B. To meet Sir Hargrave.

Sir Ch. To do him good — To do good to my bitterest enemy, I would meet him. Let him know, that I wrote a very long letter, because I would discharge my mind of all that I thought necessary to say on the occasion.

Mr. B. And you have no other answer to return?

Sir Ch. Only this — Let Sir Hargrave engage him-self in a like unworthy enterprize; and let the lady, as this did, claim my protection; and I will endea-vour to give it to her, although Sir Hargrave were surrounded by as many men armed, as he has in his service; that is to say, if a legal redress were not at hand: if it were, I hold it not to be a point of bravery to insult magistracy, and to take upon myself to be my own judge; and, as it might happen, another man’s executioner.

Mr. B. This is nobly said, Sir Charles: but still Sir Hargrave had not injured you, he says. And as I had heard you were a man of an excellent charac-ter, and know Sir Hargrave to be a man of courage, I took it into my head, for the prevention of mischief, to make a proposal in writing to the lady, whom Sir Hargrave loves as his own soul; and if she had come into it —

Sir Ch. A strange proposal, Mr. Bagenhall. Could you expect any-thing from it?

Mr. B. Why not, Sir Charles? She is disengaged, it seems. I presume, Sir, you do not intend to make court to her yourself?

Sir Ch. We are insensibly got into a parley, upon a subject that will not bear it, Mr. Bagenhall. Tell

Sir Hargrave — or, write it down from my lips, Sir (speaking to the writer) that I wish him to take time to enquire after my character, and after my motives in refusing to meet him on the terms he expects me to see him. Tell him, that I have, before now, shewn an insolent man, that I way be provoked: but that, when I have been so, I have had the hap-piness to chastise such a one without murdering him, and without giving any advantage over my own life, to his single arm.

Mr. B. This is great talking, Sir Charles. Sir Ch. It is, Mr. Bagenhall. And I should be sorry to have been put upon it, were I not in hope, that it may lead Sir Hargrave to such enquiries as may be for his service as much as for mine.

Mr. B. I wish, that two such spirits were better acquainted with each other, or that Sir Hargrave had not suffered so much as he has done, both in person and mind.

Sir Ch. What does all this tend to, Mr. Bagenhall? I look upon you as a gentleman; and the more, for having said, you were solicitous to prevent further mischief, or I should not have said so much to so little purpose. And once more, I must refer to my letter. Mr. B. I own I admire you for your spirit, Sir. But it is amazing to me, that a man of such spirit can refuse to a gentleman the satisfaction which is demanded of him.

Sir Ch. It is owing to my having some spirit, that I can, fearless of consequences, refuse what you call satisfaction to Sir Hargrave, and yet be fearless of insult upon my refusal. I consider myself as a mor-tal man: I can die but once: once I must die: and if the cause be such as will justify me to my own heart, I, for my oivn sake, care not whether my life be demanded of me tomorrow, or forty years hence: but, Sir (speaking to the writer) let not this, that I have now said, be transcribed from your notes: it may to Sir Hargrave sound ostentatiously. I want not, that any-thing should be read or shewn to him, that would appear like giving consequence to myself, except for Sir Hargrave’s own sake.

Mr. B. I beg, that it may not be spared. If you are capable of acting as you speak; by what I have heard of you in the affair on Hounslow-heath; and by what I have heard from you in this conversation; and sec of you; I think you a wonder of a man, and should be glad it were in my power to reconcile you to each other.

Sir Ch. I could not hold friendship, Mr. Bagen-hall, with a man that has been capable of acting as Sir Hargrave has acted, by an innocent and helpless young lady. But I will name the terms on which I can take by the hand, wherever I meet him, a man to whom I can have no malice: these are they, That he lay at the door of mad and violent passion the il-legal attempt he made on the best of women: that he express his sorrow for it; and, on his knees, if he pleases (it is no disgrace to the proudest man to kneel to an injured lady) beg her pardon; and confess her clemency to be greater than he deserves, if she give it.

Mr. B. Good God! — Shall that be transcribed, Sir Charles?

Sir Ch. By all means: and if Sir Hargrave is a man that has in his heart the least spark of true magnanimity, he will gladly embrace the opportunity of acting accordingly: and put down, Sir, that sor-row, that contrition, is all the atonement that can be made for a perpetrated evil.

A faithful narrative. HENRY COTES.

February 27.

Does not your heart glow, my Lucy, now you have read (as 1 suppose you have) this paper? And do not the countenances of every one of my revered friends round you [pray look!] shine with admiration of this excellent man? And yet you all loved him before: and so you think I did. Well, I can’t help your thoughts! — But I hope I shall not be undone by a good man!

You will imagine, that my heart was a little agi-tated, when I came to read Mr. Bagenhall’s question, Whether Sir Charles intended to make court to me himself? I am sorry to tell you, Lucy, that I was a little more affected than I wished to be. Indeed, I shall keep a look-out, as you call it, upon myself. To say truth, I laid down the paper at that place, and was afraid to read the answer made to it. When I took it up, and read what followed, I might have spared, I saw, my foolish little tremors. See how frank I continue to be: but if you come not to this paragraph before you are aware, you need not read it to my uncle.

Mr. Bagenhall went away so much pleased with Sir Charles (as he owned) that Mr. Reeves encourages me to hope, some way may be found to prevent further mischief. Yet the condition, which Sir Charles has proposed for my forgiving the wretch — Upon my word, my dear, I desire not to see Sir Hargrave either upon his knees, or upon his feet: I am sure I could not see him without very violent emotions. His barbarity, his malice, his cruelty, have impressed me strongly: nor can I be glad to see the wretch with his disfigured mouth and lip. His lip, it seems, has been sewed up, and he wears a great black-silk patch upon the place.

I can’t find that Sir Charles has heard from the exasperated man, since Mr. Bagenhall left him yesterday.

I hope nothing will happen to overcloud tomorrow. I propose to myself as happy a day, as, in the present situation of things, can be given to your

HARRIET BYRON.




Volume II.


Letter I.
Miss Harriet Byron to Miss Lucy Selby.

Wednesday night, March 1. Mr. Fowler set out yesterday for Gloucestershire, where he has an estate. He proposes to go from thence to Caermarthen, to the worthy Sir Rowland. He paid a visit to Mr. Reeves, and desired him to present to me his best wishes and respects. He declared that he could not possibly take leave of me, though he doubted not but I would receive him with goodness, as he called it. But it was that which cut him to the heart: so kind, and so cruel, he said, he could not bear it.

I hope, poor Mr. Fowler will be more happy than I could make him. Methinks, I could have been half-glad to have seen him before he went: and yet but half-glad: since, had he shewn much concern, I should have been pained. vol. x. b

Take now, my dear, an account of what passed this day in St. James’s Square.

There were at Sir Charle6 Grandison’s, besides Lord and Lady L. the young Lord G. one of Miss Grandison’s humble servants; Mr. Everard Grandison; Miss Emily Jervois, a young lady of about fourteen, a ward of Sir Charles; and Dr. Bartlett, a divine; of whom more by-and-by.

Sir Charles conducted us into the drawing-room adjoining to the dining-room; where only were his two sisters. They received my cousins and me with looks of love.

I will tell you, said Sir Charles, your company, before I present them to you. Lord L. is a good man. I honour him as such; and love him as my sister’s husband.

Lady L. bowed, and looked round her, as if she took pride in her brother’s approbation of her lord.

Mr. Everard Grandison, proceeded he, is a sprightly man. He is prepared to admire you, Miss Byron. You will not believe, perhaps, half the handsome things he will say to you; but yet, will be the only person who hears them, that will not.

Lord G. is a modest young man: he is genteel, well-bred; but is so much in love with a certain young lady, that he does not appear with that dignity in her eye [Why blushes my Charlotte?] that otherwise perhaps he might.

Are notyow, Sir Charles, a modest man?

*No comparisons, Charlotte. Where there is a double prepossession; no comparisons! But Lord G. Miss Byron, is a good kind of young man. You’ll not dislike him, though my sister is pleased to think

No comparisons, Sir Charles. That’s fair, Charlotte. 1 will leave Lord G. to the judgment of Miss Byron. Ladies can better account for the approbation and dislikes of ladies than we men can.

Dr. Bartlett you will also see. He is learned, prudent, humble. You’ll read his heart in his countenance, the moment he smiles upon you. Your grandfather, madam, had fine curling silver hair, had he not? The moment I heard that you owed obligation to your grandfather’s care and delight in you, 1 figured to myself, that he was just such a man, habit excepted: your grandfather was not a clergyman, I think. When I have friends whom I have a strong desire to please, I always endeavour to treat them with Dr. Bartlett’s company. He has but one fault; he speaks too little: but were he to speak much, every one else would wish to be silent.

My ward Emily Jervois is an amiable girl. Her father was a good man; but not happy in his nuptials. He bequeathed to my care, on his death-bed, at Florence, this his only child. My sister loves her. I love her for her own sake, as well as for her father’s. She has a great fortune: and I have had the happiness to recover large sums, which her father gave over for lost. He was an Italian merchant; and driven out of England by the unhappy temper of his wife. I have had some trouble with her; and, if she be living, expect more.

Unhappy temper of his wife, Sir Charles! You are very mild in your account of one of the most abandoned of women.

Well, but, Charlotte, I am only giving brief hints of Emily’s story, to procure for her an interest in Miss Byron’s favour, and to make their first acquaintance easy to each other. Emily wants no prepossession in Miss Byron’s favour. She will be very ready herself to tell her whole story to Miss Byron. Meantime, let us not say all that is just to say of the mother, when we are speaking of the daughter.

I stand corrected, Sir Charles.

Emily, madam (turning to me), is not constantly resident with us in town. She is fond of being every-where with my Charlotte.

And where you are, Sir Charles, said Miss Grandison.

Mr. Reeves whispered a question to Sir Charles, which was seconded by my eyes; for I guessed what it was: whether he had heard anything further of Sir Hargrave?

Don’t be anxious, said Sir Charles. All must be Well. People, long used to error, don’t, without reluctance, submit to new methods of proceeding. All must be well.

Sir Charles, stepping out, brought in with him Miss Jervois. The gentlemen seem engaged in conversation, said he. But 1 know the impatience of this young lady to pay her respects to Miss Byron.

He presented her to us: This dear girl is my Emily. Allow me, madam, whenever Miss Grandison shall be absent, to claim for her the benefit of your instruction, and your general countenance, as she shall appear worthy of it.

There are not many men, my Lucy, who can make a compliment to one Lady, without robbing, or, at least, depreciating another. How often have you and I observed, that a polite brother is a black Swan?

I saluted the young lady, and told her, I should be fond of embracing every opportunity that should offer, to commend myself to her favour.

Miss Emily Jervois is a lovely girl. She is tall, genteel, and has a fine complexion; and, though pitted with the smallpox, is pretty. The sweetness of her manners, as expressed in her aspect, gives her great advantage. I was sure, the moment I saw her, that her greatest delight is to please.

She made me two or three pretty compliments; and, had not Sir Charles commended her to me, I should have been highly taken with her.

Mr. Grandison entered; and, as if I were not to hear, said: Upon my honour, Sir Charles, I can stay no longer: to know that the finest woman in England is under the same roof with me; yet to be so long detained from paying my respects to her I can’t bear it. And in a very gallant manner, as he seemed to intend, he paid his compliments, first to me, and then to my two cousins: and whispering, yet loud enough to be heard, to Miss Grandison, swore by his soul, that report fell short of my perfections and I can’t tell what.

Did I not tell you, that you would say so, Sir? said Miss Grandison.

I did not like the gentleman the better for what I had heard of him: but, perhaps, should have been less indifferent to his compliment, had I not before been acquainted with Mr. Greville, Mr. Fenwick, and Sir llargrave Pollexfen. The men of this cast, I think, seem all alike. Poor creatures! how from my heart But, indeed, now that I have the honour to know these two sisters, I despise myself.

Sir Charles, addressing himself to my cousins and me, Now, said he, that my cousin Grandison has found an opportunity to introduce himself; and that I have presented my ward to you; we will, if you please, see how Lord L. Lord G. and Dr. Bartlett, are engaged.

He led my cousin Reeves into the dining-room.

Lord L. addressed us with great politeness.

After Sir Charles had presented the doctor to my cousins, he respectfully took my hand: Were there fiftv ladies here, mv good Dr. Bartlett, whom you had never seen before, you would, I am sure, from the character you have had of Miss Byron, be under no difficulty of reading that character in this young lady’s face. Miss Byron, behold, in Dr. Bartlett, another grandfather!

I reverence, said I, good Dr. Bartlett. I borrow Sir Charles’s thought: the character he has given you, Sir, is stamped in your countenance. I should have venerated you wherever I had seen you.

The gentleman has such a truly venerable aspect, my Lucy, I could not help saying this.

Sir Charles’s goodness, madam, said he, as it ever did, prevents my wishes. I rejoice to see, and to congratulate, a new sister, restored, as I will call it in the language of Miss Grandison, to the best of families.

Just then came in a servant, and whispered to Sir Charles: Shew the gentleman, said Sir Charles, into the drawing-room, next the study.

Mr. Grandison came up to me, and said many silly things. I thought them so at that time.

Mr. Reeves soon after was sent for out by Sir Charles. I did not like his looks on his return.

Dinner being ready to be served, and Sir Charles, who was still with the gentleman, summoned to it, he desired we would walk down, and he would wait upon us by the time we were seated.

Some new trouble, thought 1, of which I am the cause, I doubt.

Presently came in Sir Charles, unaffectedly smiling and serene. God bless you, Sir! thought I His looks pleased me better than my cousin’s.

But, my dear, there is something going forward that I cannot get out of my cousin. 1 hoped I should, when I got home. The gentleman to whom Sir Charles was called out, was certainly that Ba-genhall. Mr. Reeves cannot deny that. I guessed it was, by Sir Charles sending in for Mr. Reeves. It must be about me.

We had several charming conversations. Sir Charles was extremely entertaining. So unassuming, so lively, so modest! It was also delightful to see the attention paid to him by the servants as they waited at table. They watched every look of his. I never saw love and reverence so agreeably min-gled in servants’ faces in my life. And his com mands were delivered to them with so much gentleness of voice and aspect, that one could not but conclude in favour of both, that they were the best of servants to the best of masters.

Mr. Grandison was very gallant in his speeches to me; but very uncivil with his eyes.

Lord L. said but little; but what he did say, deservedly gained attention.

E very-body reverenced Dr. Bartlett, and was at-tentive when he spoke; and would, I dare say, on his own account, had not the master of the house, by the regard he paid him, engaged every one’s ve-neration for him. Many of the questions which Sir Charles put to him, as if to inform himself, it was evident he could himself have answered: yet he put them with an air of teachableness, if I may so express myself; and received the doctor’s answers to them with as much satisfaction, as if he were then newly enlightened by them. Ah, my Lucy! you ima-gine, I dare say, that this admirable man lost nothing in my eyes, by this his polite condescension. Reserve, and a politeness that had dignity in it, shewed that the fine gentleman and the clergyman were not separated in Dr. Bartlett. Pity they should be in any of the function!

Sir Charles gave Lord G. an opportunity to shine, by leading the discourse into circumstances and details, which Lord G. could best recount. My lord has been a traveller. He is a connoisseur in anti-quities, and in those parts of nice knowledge, as I, a woman, call it, with which the Royal Society here, and the learned and polite of other nations, entertain themselves.

Lord G. appeared to advantage, as Sir Charles managed it, under the awful eye of Miss Grandi-son. Upon my word, Lucy, she makes very free with him. I whispered her, that she did A very Miss — Howe, said I. To a very Mr. Hickman, re-whispered she. But here’s the difference: I am not determined to have Lord G. Miss Howe yielded to her mother’s recommendation, and intended to marry Mr. Hickman, even when she used him worst. One time or other (archly continued she the whis-per, holding up her spread hand, and with a countenance of admiration) my Lord G. is to shew us his collection of butterflies, and other gaudy insects: Will you make one?

Of the gaudy insects? whispered l. Fie, Harriet! One of the party, you know, 1 must mean. Let me tell you, I never saw a collection of these various insects that I did not the more admire the Maker of them, and of all us insects, whatever I thought of the collectors of the minute ones. Another word with you, Harriet These little playful studies may do well enough with per-sons who do not want to be more than indifferent to us: but do you think a lover ought to take high delight in the painted wings of a butterfly, when a fine lady has made herself all over butterfly to at-tract him? Eyes off, Sir Charles! for he looked, though smilingly, yet earnestly, at us, as we whis-pered behind Lady L.‘s chair; who heard what was said, and was pleased with it.


Letter II.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Thursday morning, March 2.

I should have told you, that Miss Grandison did the honours of the table; and I will go round it; for I know you expect I should. But 1 have not yet done with Lord G. Poor man! he is exces-sively in love, I see that. Well he may. What man would not, with Miss Grandison? Yet is she too superior, I think.

What can a woman do, who is addressed by a man of talents inferior to her own? Must she throw away her talents? Must she hide her light under a bushel, purely to do credit to the man? She can-not pick and choose, as men can. She has only her negative; and, if she is desirous to oblige her friends, not always that. Yet it is said, women must not encourage fops and fools. They must encourage men of sense only. And it is xxell said. But what can they do, if their lot be cast only among foplings? If the men of sense do not offer themselves? And pray, may I not ask, if the taste of the age, among the men, is not dress, equipage, and foppery? Is the cultivation of the mind any part of their study? The men, in short, are sunk, my dear: and the women but barely swim.

LordG. seems a little too finical in hisdress. And yet I am told, that Sir Walter Watkyns outdoes him in foppery. What can they mean by it, when Sir Charles Grandison is before them? He scruples not to modernize a little; but then you see, that it is in compliance with the fashion, and to avoid sin-gularity; a fault to which great minds are perhaps too often subject, though he is so much above it.

I want to know, methinks, whether Sir Charles is very much in earnest in his favour to Lord G. with regard to Miss Grandison. I doubt not, if he be, but he has good reasons for it.

Were this vile Sir Hargrave out of my head, I could satisfy myself about twenty and twenty things, that now and then I want to know.

Miss Jervois behaved very discreetly. With what pleasure did she hang on every word that fell from the lips of her guardian! I thought more than once of Swift’s Cadenus and Vanessa. Poor girl! how I should pity her, were she insensibly to suffer her gratitude to lead her to be in love with her bene-factor! Indeed, I pity everybody who is hopelessly in love.

Now don’t shake your head, my uncle! Did I not always pity Mr. Orme, and Mr. Fowler? You know I did, Lucy.

Miss Jervois had a smile ready for every one; but it was not an implicit, a childish smile. It had distinction in it; and shewed intelligence. Upon the whole, she said little, and heard all that was said with attention: and hence I pronounce her a very discreet young lady.

But I thought to have done with the men first; and here is Mr. Grandison hardly mentioned; who, yet, in his own opinion, was not the last of the men at table.

Mr. Grandison is a man of middling stature; not handsome in my eyes; but so near being handsome, that he may be excused, when one knows him, for thinking himself so; because he is liable to make greater mistakes than that.

He dresses very gaily too. He is at the head of the fashion, as it seems, he thinks; but, however, is one of the jirst in it, be it what it will. He is a great frequenter of the drawing-room; of all manner of public spectacles; a leader of the taste at a new play, or opera. He dances, he sings, he laughs; and values himself on all three qualifications: and yet certainly ha3 sense; but is not likely to improve it much; since he seems to be so much afraid of suffering in the consequence he thinks himself of, that whenever Sir Charles applies himself to him, upon any of his levities, though but by the eye, his consciousness, however mild the look, makes him shew an uneasiness at the instant: he reddens, sits in pain; calls for favour by his eyes and his quivering lips; and has, notwithstanding, a smile ready to turn into a laugh, in order to lessen his own sensi-bility, should he be likely to suffer in the opinion of the company: but every motion shews his consciousness of inferiority to the man, of whose smile or animadversions he is so very apprehensive.

What a captious, what a supercilious husband, to a woman who should happen to have a stronger mind than his, would Mr. Grandison make! But he va-lues himself upon his having preserved his liberty.

I believe there are more bachelors now in Eng-land, by many thousands, than were a few years ago: and, probably, the numbers of them (and of single women, of course) will every year increase. The luxury of the age will account a good deal for this; and the turn our sex take in imdomesticating them-selves, for a good deal more. But let not those worthy young women, who may think themselves des tined to a single life, repine over-much at their lot; since, possibly, if they have had no lovers, or having had one, two, or three, have not found a husband, they have had rather a miss than a loss, as men go. And let me here add, that I think, as matters stand in this age, or indeed ever did stand, that those wo-men who have joined with the men in their insolent ridicule of old maids, ought never to be forgiven: no, though Miss Grandison should be one of the ridiculers. An old maid may be an odious charac-ter, if they will tell us, that the bad qualities of the persons, not the maiden state, are what they mean to expose: but then they must allow, that there are old maids of twenty; and even that there are widows and wives of all ages and complexions, who, in the abusive sense of the words, are as much old maids, as the most particular of that class of females.

But a word or two more concerning Mr. Grandison.

He is about thirty-two. He has had the glory of ruining two or three women. Sir Charles has restored him to a sense of shame [all men, I hope, are born with it]; which, a few months ago, he had got dbove. And he does not now entertain ladies with instances of the frailty of individuals of their sex; which many are too apt, encouragingly, to smile at; when I am very much mistaken, if every woman would not find her account, if she wishes herself to be thought well of, in discouraging every reflection that may have a tendency to debase or expose the sex in general. How can a man be suf-fered to boast of his vileness to one woman, in the presence of another, without a rebuke, that should put it to the proof, whether the boaster was, or was not, past blushing?

Mr. Grandison is thought to have hurt his for-tune, which was very considerable, by his free living, and an itch of gaming; to eure him of which, Sir Charles encourages him to give him his company at all opportunities. He certainly has understanding enough to know how to value the favour; for he owns to Miss Grandison, that he both loves and fears him; and now-and-then tells her, that he would give the world, if he had it, to be able to be just what Sir Charles is! Good God! at other times he has broke out, what an odious creature is a rake! How I hate myself, when I contemplate the excellencies of this divine brother of yours!

I shall say nothing of Sir Charles in this place. You, I know, my Lucy, will admire me for my for-bearance.

Lady L. and Miss Grandison were the graces of the table. So lively, so sensible, so frank, so po-lite, so good-humoured, what honour do they and their brother reflect back on the memory of their mother! Lady Grandison, it seems, was an excel-lent woman. Sir Thomas was not, I have heard, quite unexceptionable. How useful, if so, are the women in the greater, as well as in the lesser, parts of domestic duty, where they perform their duty! And what have those, who do not, to answer for, to God, to their children, and even to their whole sex, for the contempts they bring upon it by their use-lessness, and perhaps extravagance; since, if the human mind is not actively good, it will generally be actively evil.

Dr. Bartlett I have already spoken of. How did he enliven the conversation, whenever he bore a part in it! So happy an elocution, so clear, so just, so’ solid, his reasoning! I wish I could remember every word he said.

Sir Charles observed to us, before we satv him, that he was not forward to speak: but, as I hinted, he threw the occasions in his way, on purpose to draw him out: and at such times, what he said was easy, free, and unaffected: and whenever a subject was concluded, he had done with it. His modesty, in short, made him always follow rather than lead a subject, as he very well might do, be it what it would, I was charmed with the Brachman’s prayer: which he, occasionally, gave us on the antient Per-sians being talked of.

Looking up to the rising sun, which it was sup-posed they worshipped, these were the words of the Brachman:

“O thou (meaning the Almighty) by whom thou (meaning the sun) art enlightened, illu-minate my mind, that my actions may be agreeable to thy will! ”

And this I will think of, my Lucy, as often as my early hour, for the future, shall be irradiated by that glorious orb.

Every-body was pleased with Mr. and Mrs. Reeves. Their modesty, good sense, and amiable tempers, and the kind, yet not ostentatious regard which they express to each other (a regard so cre-ditable to the married state) cause them to be al ways treated and spoken of with distinction.

But I believe, as I am in a scribbling vein, I must give you the particulars of one conversation; in which farther honour was done to Dr. Bartlett.

After dinner, the countess drawing me on one side, by both my hands, said; Well, our other sister, our new-found sister, let me bespeak your favour. I am in pain lest you should not love us as well as you do our Northamptonshire relations, bold as that hope is.

You overcome me, madam, with your goodness.

Miss Grandison then coming towards us, Dear Miss Grandison, said I, help me to words

No, indeed, I’ll help you to nothing. I am jea-lous. Lady L. don’t think to rob me of my Harriet’s preferable love, as you have of Sir Charles’s. I “will be best sister here. But what was your subject?

Yet I will answer my own question. Some pretty compliment, I suppose; women to women. Women hunger and thirst after compliments. Rather than be without them, if no men are at hand to flatter us, we love to say handsome things to one another; and so teach the men to find us out.

You need not be jealous, Charlotte, said the countess: you may be sure. This saucy girl, Miss Byron, is ever frustrating her own pretensions. Can flattery, Charlotte, say what we will, have place here? But tell me, Miss Byron, how you like Dr. Bartlett?

Ay, tell us, Harriet, said Miss Grandison, how you like Dr. Bartlett? Pray, Lady L. don’t antici-pate me: I propose to give our new sister the history of us all: and is not Dr. Bartlett one of us? She has already given me the history of all her friends, and of herself: and I have communicated to you, like a good sister, all she has told me.

I considered Dr. Bartlett, I said, as a saint; and, at the same time, as a man of true politeness.

He is indeed, said the countess, all that is worthy and amiable in man. Don’t you see how Sir Charles admires him?

Pray, Lady L. keep clear of my province. Here is Sir Charles. He will not let us break into par-ties.

Sir Charles heard this last sentence. Yet I won-der not, said he, joining us, that three such women get together: goodness to goodness is a natural attraction. We men, however, will not be excluded. Dr. Bartlett, if you please

The doctor approached in a most graceful man-ner Let me again, Miss Byron, present Dr. Bartlett to you, as a man that is an honour to his cloth; and that is the same thing, as if I said, to human nature [the good man bowed in silence]; and Miss Byron to you, my good doctor (taking my hand) as a lady most worthy your distinguished regard.

You do me too much honour, Sir, said I. I shall hope, good Dr. Bartlett, by your instructions, to be enabled to deserve such a recommendation.

My dear Harriet, said the countess, snatching my other hand, you are a good girl; and that is more to your honour than beauty.

Be quiet, Lady L. said Miss Grandison.

Mr. Grandison came up What? Is there not another hand for me?

I was vexed at his interruption. It prevented Dr. Bartlett from saying something that his lips were opening to speak with a smile of benignity.

How the world, said Sir Charles, smiling, will push itself in! Heart, not hand, my dear Mr. Grandison, was the subject.

Whenever you, Sir Charles, and the doctor, and these ladies, are got together, I know I must be unseasonable: but if you exclude me such company, how shall I ever be what you and the doctor would have me to be?

Lord L. and Lord G. were coming up to us: See your attraction, Miss Byron, said Lady L.

But, joined in Miss Grandison, we will not leave our little Jervois by herself, expecting and longing! Our cousins Reeves only that when they are together, they cannot want company should not be thus left. Is there more than one heart among U6? This man’s excepted, humorously pushing Mr. Grandison, as if from the company Let us be orderly, and take our seats.

How cruel is this! said Mr. Grandison, appealing to Sir Charles.

Indeed I think it is a little cruel, Charlotte.

Not so: let him be good then. Till when, may all our sex say, to such men as my cousin has been

“Thus let it be done by the man, whom, if he were good, good persons would delight to honour.”

Shame, if not principle, said Lord L. smiling, would effect the cure, if all ladies were to act thus. Don’t you think so, cousin Everard?

Well, well, said Mr. Grandison, I will be good, as fast as I can: but, doctor, what say you? Rome was not built in a day.

I have great hopes of Mr. Grandison, said the doctor. But, ladies, you must not, as Mr. Grandison observed, exclude from the benefit of your conversation, the man whom you wish to be good.

What! not till he is good? said Miss Grandison. Did I not say, we should delight to honour him when he was?

But, what, Sir Charles? (come, I had rather take my cue from you, than any-body; what) are the signs which I am to give to be allowed

Only these, my cousin When you can be serious on serious subjects; yet so cheerful in your seriousness, as if it sat easy upon you; when you can, at times, prefer the company and conversation of Dr. Bartlett, who is not a solemn or severe man, to any other: and, in general, had rather stand well in his opinion, than in that of the gayest man or woman in the world.

Provided yours, Sir Charles, may be added to the doctor’s

Command me, Mr. Grandison, whenever you two are together. We will not oppress you with our sub-jects. Our conversation shall be that of men, of cheerful men. You shall lead them and change them at pleasure. The first moment (and I will watch for it) that I shall imagine you to be tired or uneasy, I will break off the conversation; and you shall leave us, and pursue your own diversions without a question.

You were always indulgent to me, Sir Charles, said Mr. Grandison; and I have retired and blushed to myself, sometimes, for warding your indulgence.

Tea was preparing. Sir Charles took his own seat next Lord L. whom he set in to talk of Scot-land. He enjoyed the account my lord gave of the pleasure which the countess, on that her first jour-ney into those parts, gave to all his family and friends; as Lady L. on her part acknowledged she had a grateful sense of their goodness to her.

I rejoice, said Sir Charles, that the sea divides us not from such worthy people, as you, my lord, have given us a relation to. Next visit you make (Charlotte, I hope, will accompany me) I intend to make one in your train, as I have told your lord-ship before.

You will add to our pleasure, Sir Charles. All my relations are prepared to do you honour.

But, my lord, did not the ladies think a little hardly of your lordship’s engagement? that a man of your merit should go from Scotland for a wife? I do assure you, my lord, that in all the countries I have been in, I never saw finer women than I have seen in Scotland; and, in very few nations, though six times as large, greater numbers of them.

I ivas to be the happiest of men, Sir Charles, in a Grandison I thank yon, bowing.

It is one of my felicities, my lord, that my sister calls herself yours.

Lady L. whispering me, as I sat between her and Miss Grandison, The two worthiest hearts in the world, Miss Byron! my lord L.‘s, and my bro-ther’s!

With joy I congratulate your ladyship on both, re-whispered I. May God long continue to you two such blessings!

I thought of the vile Sir Hargrave at the time.

I can tell you how, said Mr. Grandison, to repay that nation You, Sir Charles, shall go down, and bring up with you a Scottish lady.

I was vexed with myself for starting. I could not help it.

Don’t you think, Lucy, that Sir Charles made a very fine compliment to the Scottish ladies? I own, that I have heard the women of our northern coun-ties praised also. But are there not, think you, as pretty women in England?

My sister Harriet, applied Sir Charles to me, you need not, I hope, be told that I am a great ad-mirer of fine women.

I had like to have bowed I should not have been able to recover myself, had I so seemed to apply his compliment.

I the less wonder that you are, Sir Charles, because in the word Jine, you include mind as well as person.

That’s my good girl! said Miss Grandison, as she poured out the tea: and so he does.

My dear Charlotte, whispered I Pray, say some-thing encouraging to Lord G. He is pleased with everybody; but nobody says any-thing to him; and he, I see, both loves and fears you.

Hush, child! whispered she again. The man’s best when he is silent. If it be his day to love, it is his day to f tar. What a deuce! shall a woman’s time be never?

That’s good news for my lord: shall I hint to him, that his time will come?

Do, if you dare. I want you to provoke me. She spoke aloud.

I have done, said I.

My lord what do you think Miss Byron says?

For Heaven’s sake, dear Miss Grandison!

Nay, I will speak it.

Pray, madam, let me know, said my lord.

You will know Miss Grandison in time, said Sir Charles. I trust her not with any of my secrets, Miss Byron.

The more ungenerous you, Sir Charles; for you get out of me all mine. I complained of you, Sir, to Miss Byron, for your reserves at Colnebrook.

Be so good, madam, said my lord ——

Nay, nothing but the mountain and the mouse. Miss Byron only wanted to see your collection of insects.

Miss Byron will do me great honour

If Charlotte won’t attend you, madam, said the countess, to my Lord G.‘s, I will.

Have I not brought you off, Harriet? whispered Miss Grandison Trust me another time. She will let you know the day before, my lord.

Miss Grandison, my lord, said I, loves to alarm. But I will with pleasure wait on her, and Lady L. whenever they please.

You will see many things worth your notice, madam, in Lord G.‘s collection, said Sir Charles to me. But Charlotte thinks nothing less than men and women worthy of hers; her parrot and squir-rel, the one for its prattle, the other for its vivacity, excepted.

Thank you, Sir Charles But pray do you be quiet! I fear nobody else.

Miss Byron, said Lady L. pray spare her not: I see you can make Charlotte be afraid of two.

Then it must be of three, Lady L. You know my reverence for my elder sister.

Indeed but I don’t. I know only, that nobody can better tell, what she should do, than my Char-lotte: but I have always taken too much delight in your vivacity, either to wish or expect you to rein it in.

You acted by me like an indolent parent, Lady L. who miscals herself indulgent. You gave me my head for your own pleasure; and when I had got it, though you found the inconvenience, you chose rather to bear it, than to take the pains to restrain me But Sir Charles, whatever faults he might have had when he was from us, came over to us finished. He grew not up with us from year to year: his blaze dazzled me; and I have tried over and over, but cannot yet get the better of my reverence for him.

If I have not my sister’s love, rather than what she pleasantly calls her reverence, I shall have a much worse opinion of my own outward behaviour, than of her merit.

Your outward behaviour, Sir Charles, cannot be in fault, said Lord L.: but I join with my sister Charlotte, in her opinion of what is.

And 1 too, said Lady L. for I am a party This is it. Sir Charles Who that lies under obligations which they cannot return, can view the obliger but with the most delicate sensibility?

Give me leave, said Miss Emily, her face crim-soned over with modest gratitude, to say, that I am one, that shall ever have a reverence, superior to my love, for the best of guardians.

Bhishes overspread my face, and gave a tacit acknowledgment, on my part, of the same sensibi-lity, from the same motives.

Who is it, joined in Dr. Bartlett, that knows my patron, but must acknowledge

My dear Dr. Bartlett, interrupted Sir Charles, from you, and from my good Lord L. these fine things are not to be borne. From my three sisters, looking at me for one, and from my dear word, I cannot be so uneasy, when they will not be restrained from acknowledging, that I have succeeded in my endeavours to perform my duty to them.

I long to know, as I said once before, the parti-culars of what Sir Charles has done, to oblige everybody in so high a manner. Don’t you, Lucy? Bless me! what a deal of time have I wasted since I came to town! I feel as if I had wings, and had soared to so great a height, that every thing and person that I before beheld without dissatisfaction, in this great town, looks diminutive and little, under my aking eye. Thus, my dear, it must be in a bet-ter world, if we are permitted to look back upon the highest of our satisfactions in this.

I was asked to give them a lesson on the harpsi-chord after tea. Miss Grandison said, Come, come, to prevent all excuses, I will shew you the way.

Let it then be, said Mr. Grandison, Shakespeare’s Cuckow. You have made me enter with so much comparative shame into myself, that I must have something lively to raise my spirits.

Well, so it shall, replied Miss Grandison. Our poor cousin does not know what to do with himself when you are got a little out of his reach.

That is not fair, Charlotte, said Sir Charles. It is not that graceful manner of obliging, in which you generally excel. Compliance and reflexion are not to be coupled.

Well, well, but I will give the good man his Cuckow, to make him amends.

Accordingly she sung that ballad from Shake-speare; and with so much spirit and humour, as delighted every-body.

Sir Charles being a judge of music, I looked a little sillier than usual, when I was again called upon.

Come, my dear, said the kind countess, I will prepare you a little further. When you see your two elder sisters go before you, you will have more courage.

She sat down, and played one of Scarlatti’s les-sons; which, you know, are made to shew a fine hand. And surely, for the swiftness of her fingers, and the elegance of her manner, she could not be equalled.

It is referred to you, my third sister, said Sir Charles (Vho had been taken aside by Mr. Reeves; some whispering talk having passed between them] to favour us with some of Handel’s music: Mrs. Reeves says, she has heard you sing several songs out of the Pastoral, and out of some of his finest oratorios.

Come hither, come hither, my sweet Harriet Here’s his Alexander’s Feast: my brother admires that, I know; and says it is the noblest composition that ever was produced by man; and is as finely set as written.

She made me sit down to the instrument.

As you know, said I, that great part of the beauty of this performance arises from the proper transitions from one different strain to another, any one song must lose greatly, by being taken out of its place: and I fear

Fear nothing, Miss Byron, said Sir Charles: your obligingness, as well as your observation, intitle you to all allowances.

I then turned to that fine air,

Softly sweet, in Lydian measures, Soon he sooth’d his soul to pleasures.

Which not being set so full with accompanying symphonies, as most of Mr. Handel’s are, I per-formed with the more ease to myself, though I had never but once before played it over.

They all, with more compliments than I dare re-peat, requested me to play and sing it once more.

Dare repeat I methinks I hear my uncle Selby say, The girl that does nothing else but repeat her own praises, comes with her if 1 dare repeat.

Yes, Sir, I answer; for compliments that do not elevate, that do not touch me, run glibly off my pen: but such as indeed raise one’s vanity; how can one avovo that vanity by writing them down? But they were resolved to be pleased before I began.

One compliment, however, from Sir Charles, I cannot, I find, pass over in silence. He whispered Miss Grandison, as he leaned upon my chair, How could Sir Hargrave Pollexfen have the heart to endeavour to stop such a mouth as that!

And now, having last night, and this morning, written so many sides, it is time to break off. Yet I could give you many more particulars of agreeable conversation that passed, were I sure you would not think me insufferably tedious; and did not the unkind reserve of my cousin Reeves, as to the business of that Bagenhall, rush upon my me-mory with fresh force, and help to tire my fingers. I am the more concerned, as my cousin himself seems not easy; but is in expectation of hearing something, that will either give him relief, or add to his pain.

Why, Lucy, should our friends take upon them-selves to keep us in the dark, as to those matters which it concerns us more to know, than perhaps any-body else? There is a tenderness sometimes shewn on arduous occasions in this respect, that gives as much pain, as we could receive from the most explicit communication. And then, all the while, there is so much strength of mind, and discretion, supposed in the person that knows an event, and such weakness in her that is to be kept in igno-ranee, that But I grow as saucy as impatient. Let me conclude, before I expose myself to reproof for a petulance, that I hope is not natural to your

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter III.
Miss Harriet Byron to Miss Lucy Selby.

Thursday night, March 2. And what do you think was the reason of Mr. Reeves’s reserves? A most alarming one. I am obliged to him, that he kept it from me, though the uncertainty did not a little affect me. Take the account of it, as it comes out.

I told you in my former, that the person to whom Sir Charles was sent for out, was Mr. Bagenhall; and that Sir Charles had sent in for Mr. Reeves, who returned to the company with a countenance that I did not like so well as I did Sir Charles’s. I now proceed to give you, from minutes of Mr. Reeves, what passed on the occasion.

Sir Charles took Mr. Reeves aside This unhappy man (Sir Hargrave, I mean, said he) seems to me to want an excuse to himself, for putting up with a treatment which he thinks disgraceful. When we have to deal with children, humours must be a little allowed for. But you will hear what the proposal is now. Let not the ladies, however, nor the gentlemen, within, know any-thing of the matter till all is over. This is a day devoted to pleasure. But you % Mr. Reeves, know something of the mat-ter; and can answer for your fair cousin.

He then led Mr. Reeves in to Mr. Bagenhall.

‘This, Sir, is Mr. Reeves. Sir Hargrave, in short, Mr. Reeves, among other demands that I cannot comply with (but which relate only to myself, and therefore need not be mentioned) insists upon an introduction to Miss Byron. He says, she is ab-solutely disengaged Is she, Sir?

I dare say she is, answered my cousin.

This gentleman has been naming to me Mr. Greville, Mr. Orme, and others.

No one of them has ever met with the shadow of encouragement from my cousin. She is above keeping any man in suspense, when she is not in any herself. Nothing has given her more uneasiness than the number of her admirers.

Miss Byron, said Sir Charles, must be admired by every one that beholds her; but still more by those who are admitted to the honour of conversing with her. But Sir Hargrave is willing to build upon her disengagement something in his own favour. Is there any room for Sir Hargrave, who pleads his sufferings for her; who vows his honourable intentions even at the time that he was hoping to gain her by so unmanly a violence; and appeals to her for the purity, as he calls it, of his behaviour to her all the time she was in his hands who makes very large offers of settlements Is there any room to hope, that Miss Byron

No, none at all, Sir Charles

What! not to save a life, Mr. Reeves? said Mr. Bagenhall.

If you mean mine, Mr. Bagenhall, replied Sir Charles, I beg that may not be considered. If Sir Hargrave means his own, I will pronounce that it is safe from any premeditated resentment of mine. Do you think Miss Byron will bear to see Sir Hargrave, Mr. Reeves? I presume he intends to beg pardon of her. Will she consent to receive a visit from him? But is not this wretched trifling, Mr. Ba-genhall?

You will remember, Sir Charles, this is a proposal of mine: what I hoped might be agreed to by Sir Hargrave; but that I was willing to consult you before I mentioned it to him.

I beg your pardon, Mr. Bagenhall: I now re-member it.

If ever man doted upon a woman, said Mr. Ba-genhall, Sir Hargrave dotes on Miss Byron. The very methods he took to obtain her for a wife, shew that most convincingly. You will promise not to stand in his way, Sir?

I repeat, Mr. Bagenhall, what I have heretofore told you; That Miss Byron {you 11 excuse me, Mr. Reeves) is still under my protection. If Sir Har-grave, as he ought, is inclined to ask her pardon; and if he can obtain it, and even upon his own terms; I shall think Miss Byron and he may be happier together, than at present I can imagine it possible. I am not desirous to be any-way considered, but as her protector from violence and insult; and that I ivill be, if she claim it, in defiance of a hundred such men as Sir Hargrave. But then, Sir, the occasion must be sudden: no legal relief must be at hand. I will not, either for an adversary’s sake, or my own, be defied into a cool and premeditated vengeance.

But, Sir Charles, Sir Hargrave has some hard-ships in this case. You will not give him the satisfaction of a gentleman: and, according to the laws of honour, a man is not intitled to be treated as a gentleman, who denies to one

Of whose making, Mr. Bagenhall, are the laws of honour you mention? I own no laws, but the laws of God and my country. But, to cut this matter short, tell Sir Hargrave, that, little as is the d2 dependence a man of honour can have upon that of a man, who has acted by a helpless woman, as he has acted by Miss Byron, I will breakfast with him m his own house tomorrow morning, if he contra-dicts it not. I will attribute to the violence of his passion for the lady, the unmanly outrage he was guilty of. I will suppose him mistaken enough to imagine, that he should make her amends by mar-riage, if he could compel her hand; and will trust my person to his honour, one servant only to walk before his door, not to enter the house, to attend my commands, after our conversation is over. My sword, and my sword only, shall be my companion: but this rather, that I would not be thought to owe my safety to the want of it, than in expectation, after such confidence placed in him, to have occa-sion to draw it in my own defence. And pray, Mr. Bagenhall, do you, his friend, be present; and any other friends, and to what number he pleases.

When 1 came to this place in my cousin’s mi-nutes, I was astonished; I was out of breath upon it.

Mr. Bagenhall was surprised; and asked Sir Charles, if he were in earnest?

I would not be thought a rash man, Mr. Bagen-hall. Sir Hargrave threatens me: I never avoid a threatener. You seem to hint, Sir, that I am not intitled to fair play, if I consent not to meet him with a murderous intention. With such an intention I never will meet any man; though I have as much reason to rely on the skill of my arm, as on the jus-tice of my cause. If foul play is hinted at, I am no more safe from an assassin in my bedchamber, than in Sir Hargrave’s house. Something must be done by a man who refuses a challenge, to let a chal-lenger see (such is the world, such is the custom) that he has better motives than fear, for his refusal. I will put Sir Hargrave’s honour to the fullest test; tell him, Sir, that I will bear a great deal; but that I will not be insulted, were he a prince. And you really would have me I would, Mr. Bagenhall. Sir Hargrave, I see, will not be satisfied, unless something extraordinary be done: and if I hear not from you, or from him, I will attend him by ten tomorrow morning in an amicable manner, to breakfast at his own house in Cavendish Square.

I am in terror, Lucy, even in transcribing only. Mr. Reeves, said Sir Charles, you undo me, if one word of this matter escape you, even to your wife. Mr. Reeves begged, that he might attend him to Sir Kargrave’s.

By no means, Mr. Reeves. Then, Sir Charles, you apprehend danger. I do not. Something, as I said, must be done. This is the shortest and best method to make all parties easy. Sir Hargrave thinks himself slighted. He may infer, if he pleases, in his own favour, that I do not despise a man, in whom I can place such a confidence. Do you, Mr. Reeves, return to company; and let no one know the occasion of your absence, or of mine, from it.

I have told you, my dear, what a difference there was in the countenances of both, when each sepa-rately entered the dining-room. And could this great man (surely 1 may call him great) could he, in such circumstances, on his return, give joy, pleasure, entertainment, to all the company, without the least cause of suspicion of what had passed?

Mr. Reeves, as I told you, singled out Sir Charles in the evening to know what had passed after he left him and Mr. Bagenhall. Sir Charles acquainted him, that Mr. Bagenhall had proposed to let him know that night, or in the morning, how

Sir Hargrave approved of his intended visit. He has, accordingly, signified to me already, said Sir Charles, that Sir Hargrave expects me.

And will you go, Sir?

Don’t give yourself concern about the matter, Mr. Reeves. All must end well. My intention is, not to run into mischief, but to prevent it. My prin-ciples are better known abroad, than they are in England. I have been challenged more than once by men who knew them, and thought to find their safety from them. I have been obliged to take some extraordinary steps to save myself from insult; and those steps have answered my end, in more licentious countries than this. I hope this step will preserve me from calls of this nature in my own country.

For God’s sake, Sir Charles

Be not uneasy on my account, Mr. Reeves. Does not Sir Hargrave value himself upon his fortune? He would be loth to forfeit it. jQfirs fortune is my security. And am I not a man of some consequence myself? Is not the affair between us known? Will not therefore the cause justify me, and condemn him? The man is turbulent; he is uneasy with himself; he knows himself to be in the wrong. And shall a man, who resolves to pay a sacred regard to laws divine and human, fear this Goth? ’Tis time enough to fear, when I can be unjust. If you value my friendship, as I do yours, my good Mr. Reeves, proceeded he, I shall be sure of your absolute silence. I will attend Sir Hargrave by ten to-mor-row morning. You will hear from me, or see me at your own house, by twelve.

And then it was, as Mr. Reeves tells me, that Sir Charles turned from him, to encourage me to give the company a lesson from Dryden’s Alex ander’s Feast.

Mr. Reeves went out in the morning. My cousin says, he had been excessively uneasy all night. He now owns, he called in St. James’s Square, and there breakfasted with Lord and Lady L. Miss Grandi-son, Miss Emily, and Dr. Bartlett. Sir Charles went out at nine in a chair; one servant only at-tending him: the family knew not whither. And his two sisters were fomenting a rebellion against him, as they humorously called it, for his keeping from them (who kept nothing from him) his motions, when they and my lord were together, and at his house: but my lord and Miss Emily pleasantly re-fused to join in it. Mr. Reeves told us, on his return, that his heart was so sunk, that they took great notice of his dejection.

About three o’clock, just as Mr. Reeves was determined to go to St. James’s Square again, and, if Sir Charles had not been heard of, to Cavendish Square (though irresolute what to do when there) the following billet was brought him from Sir Charles. After what I have written, does not your heart leap for joy, my Lucy? dear sir, Half an hour after two.

I will do myself thehonour of visiting Mrs. Reeves Miss Byron, and you, at your usual tea-time, if you are not engaged. I tell the ladies here, that those who have least to do, are generally the most busy people in the world. I can therefore be only an-swerable, on this visit, for, Sir,

Your most humble servant,

CHARLES GRANDISON.

Then it was, that, vehemently urged both by my cousin and me, Mr. Reeves gave us briefly the cause of his uneasiness.

About six o’clock, Sir Charles came in a chair,

He was charmingly dressed. I thought him, the moment he entered, the handsomest man I ever saw in my life. What a transporting thing must it be, my Lucy, to an affectionate wife, without restraint, without check, and performing nothing but her duty, to run with open arms to receive a worthy hus-band, returning to her after a long absence, or from an escaped danger! How cold, how joyless! But no! I was neither cold, nor joyless; for my face, as I felt it, was in a glow; and my heart was ready to burst with congratulatory meaning, at the visible safety, and unhurt person, of the man who had laid me before under such obligations to him, as were too much for my gratitude. O do not, do not tell me, my dear friends, that you love him, that ^ou wish me to be his. I shall be ready, if you do, to wish I dont know what I would say: but your wishes were always the leaders of mine.

Mrs. Reeves, having the same cause for apprehen-sion, could hardly restrain herself when he entered the room. She met him at the door, her hand held out, and with so much emotion, that Sir Charles said, How well, Mr. Reeves, you have kept my secret! Mr. Reeves told him, what an uneasiness he had laboured under from the preceding evening; and how silent he had been, till his welcome billet came.

Then it was that both my cousins, with equal freedom, congratulated him.

And I’ll tell you how the fool, the maiden fool, looked, and acted. Her feet insensibly moved to meet him, while he was receiving the freer compli-ments of my cousins. I courtesied bashfully: it was hardly noticeable; and, because unnoticed, I paid my compliments in a deeper courtesy. And then, finding my hand in his, when I knew not whe-ther I had a hand or not I am grieved, Sir, said I, to be the occasion, to be the cause And I sighed for one reason (perhaps you can guess what that was) and blushed for two; because I knew not what to say, nor how to look; and because I was under obligations which I could not return.

He kindly saved my further confusion, by making light of what had passed: and, leading me to a seat, took his place by me.

May I ask, Sir Charles? said my cousin Reeves, and stopt.

The conversation was too tedious and too various, to be minutely related, Mr. Reeves. But Sir Har-grave had, by Mr. Bagenhall’s desire, got his shorthand writer in a closet; and that unknown to me, till all was over. I am to have a copy of what passed. You shall see it, if you please; when it is sent me. Mean time, what think you of a compro-mise at your expence, Miss Byron?

I dare abide by every-thing that Sir Charles Grandison has stipulated for me.

It would be cruelty to keep a lady in suspense, where doubt will give her pain, and cannot end in pleasure. Sir llargrave is resolved to wait upon you: are you willing to see him?

If, Sir, you would advise me to see him.

I advise nothing, madam. Pursue your inclinations. Mr. Keeves is at liberty to admit whom he pleases into his house. Miss Byron to see in it, or wheresoever she is, whom she pleases. I told him my mind very freely: but I left him determined to wait on you. I have reason to believe he will behave very well. I should be surprised, if he does not in the humblest manner ask your pardon: and yours, Mr. Reeves, and your lady’s. But if you have any apprehensions, madam, (to me) I will be ready to attend you at five minutes’ notice, before he shall be admitted to your presence

It is very good, Sir, said Mr. Reeves, to be ready to favour Miss Byron with your countenance, on such an occasion. But I hope we need not give you the trouble in this house.

Sir Charles went away soon after; and Mr. Reeves has been accusing himself ever since, with answering him too abruptly, though he meant nothing but the truest respect. And yet as I have written it, on re-perusal, I don’t above half like Mr. Reeves’s answer. But where high respect is entertained, grateful hearts will always, I believe, be accusing themselves of imperfections, which none other see, or can charge them with.

As Sir Charles is safe, and I have now nothing toapprehend but Sir Hargrave’s visit, I will dispatch this letter with assurances that I am, my dear Lucy, Your ever-affectionate

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter IV.
Miss Harriet Byron to Miss Lucy Selby.

Friday, one o’clock, March S. Sir Charles has just sent the impatiently-expected paper, transcribed by the short-hand writer from the minutes of the conversation that had passed on Sir Charles’s intrepid visit at Sir Hargrave’s. In-trepid, I call it: but had I known of it as Mr. Reeves did, before the event, in some measure, justified the rashness, I should have called it rash, and been for proposing to send peace-officers to Cavendish Square, or taking some method to know whether he were safe in his person; especially when three o’clock approached; and his dinner-time is earlier than that of most other people of fashion.

Mr. Reeves has been so good as to undertake to transcribe this long paper for me, that I may have time to give you an account of three particular visits which I have received. I asked Mr. Reeves, if it were not a strange way of proceeding in this Ba-genhali to have his short-hand writer, and now turned listener, always with him? He answered, It was not an usual way; but, in cases of this nature, where murder, and a trial, were expected to follow the rashness, in a court of justice, he thought it carried with it, though a face of premeditation, yet a look of fairness; and there was no doubt but the man had been in bad scrapes before now, and was willing to use every precaution for the future.

THE PAPER.

On Thursday morning, March the 2d, 17. . . . I Henry Cotes, according to notice given me the preceding evening, went to the house of Sir Hargrave Pol-lexfen, baronet, in Cavendish Square, about half an hour after eight in the morning, in order to take minutes, in short-hand, of a conversation that was expected to be held between the said Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, and Sir Charles Grandison, baronet, upon a debate between the said gentle-men; on which I had once before attended James Bagenhall, esquire, at the house of the said Sir Charles Grandison in St. James’s Square; and from which consequences were apprehended, thai might make an exact account of what passed, of great importance.

I was admitted, about nine o’clock, into the with-drawing-room; where were present the said Sir Hargrave, the said James Bagenhall, Solomon Merceda, esquire, and John Jordan, esquire: an<3 they were in full conversation about the reception that was to be given to the said Sir Charles Grandison; which not being a part of my orders or business, 1 had no command to take down, but the contrary.

And that I might with the less interruption, take minutes of the expected conversation, I was or-dered to place myself in a large closet adjoining to the said withdrawing-room, from which it was separated by a thin wainscot-partition: but, lest the said Sir Charles should object to the taking of the said minutes, I was directed to conceal myself there till called forth; but to take the said minutes fairly and truly, as, upon occasion, I would make oath to the truth thereof.

About half an hour after nine o’clock, I heard Mr. Bagenhall, with an oath, that denoted, by the voice, eagerness and surprise, say, Sir Charles was come. And immediately a footman entered, and said, “ Sir Charles Grandison!”

Then three or four of the gentlemen spoke toge-ther pretty loud and high: but what they said 1 thought not in my orders to note down. But this is not improper to note: Sir Hargrave said, Give me that pair of pistols, and let him follow me into the garden. By G he shall take one.

No, no! I heard Mr. Merceda say; who being a foreigner, I knew his voice from the rest No, no! That must not be.

And another voice, I believe by the lisp, it was Mr. Jordan’s, say, Let us, Sir Hargrave, hear what a man so gallant has to say for himself. Occasions may arise ajlervcards.

Mr. Bagenhall, whose voice I well knew, said, Damn his blood, if a hair of Sir Charles Grandison’s head should be hurt on this visit.

Do I, d n ye all, said Sir Hargrave, offer any-thing unfair, when 1 would give him the choice of the pistols? What in your own garden! A pretty story, which soever drops! said Mr. Merceda. The devil’s in it, if he may not be forced now to give you the satisfaction of a gentleman elsewhere. Desire Sir Charles (d n his blood, said Sir Har-grave) to come in. And then [as I saw through a knot-hole that I just then, hunting for a crack in the wainscot-partition, discovered] Sir Charles entered; and I saw, that he looked very sedate and cheerful; and he had his sword by his side, though in a morning-dress. And then the conversation began, as follows: Sir Charles. Your servant, Sir Hargrave. Mr. Bagenhall, yours. Your servant, gentlemen.

Mr. Bagenhall. Yours, Sir Charles. You are a man of your word. This gentleman is Mr. Jordan, Sir Charles. This gentleman is Mr. Merceda.

Sir Ch. Mr. Merceda! I have heard of Mr. Merceda. I have been very free, Sir Hargrave, to invite myself to breakfast with you.

Sir Hargrave. Yes, by G . And so you have before now. Have you any-body with you, Sir? If you have, let them walk in. Sir Ch. Nobody, Sir.

Sir Har. These are gentlemen, Sir. They are men of honour. They are mi/ friends.

Sir Ch. They look like gentlemen. I suppose every man a man of honour, till 1 find him other-wise.

Sir Har. But don’t think I have them here to intimidate

Sir Ch. Intimidate, Sir Hargrave! I know not what it is to be intimidated. You say, the gentle-men are your friends. I come with a view to in ”” 44614 crease, and not diminish, the number of your friends.

Sir Har. “ Increase the number of my friends! ” What! with onewho robbed meof the only woman on earth that is worth having! And who, but for the unmanly advantage taken of me, had been my wife before the day was over, Sir! And yet to re-fuse me the satisfaction of a gentleman, Sir! But I hope you are now come

Sir Ch. To breakfast with you, Sir Hargrave Don’t be warm. I am determined, if possible, not to be provoked But I must not be ill-treated.

Sir Har. Why then, Sir, take one of those two pistols. My chariot shall carry us

Sir Ch. No-where, Sir Hargrave. What has hitherto passed between us was owing to accident. It is not my way to recriminate. To your own heart, however, I appeal: that must convince you, that the method you took to gain the lady, rendered you unworthy of her. I took no unmanly advan-tage of you. That I refused to meet you in the way you have demanded, gives me a title to call myself your best friend

Sir Har. “ My best friend,” Sir!

Sir Ch, Yes, Sir. If either the preservation of your own life, or the saving you a long regret for taking that of another, as the chance might have been, deserves your consideration. In short, it depends upon yourself, Sir Hargrave, to let me know whether you were guilty of a bad action from mad and violent passion, or from design, and a natural bias, if I may so call it, to violence; which alone can lead you to think of justifying one bad action by another.

Sir Har. Then, Sir, account me a man of natural violence, if you please. Who shall value the opinion of a man that has disgracefully G d you, Sir

Do you see what marks I shall carry to my grave

Sir Ch. Were I as violent as you, Sir Hargrave, you might carry those marks to your grave, and not wear them long. Let us breakfast, Sir. That will give you time to cool. Were I even to do as you would have me, you will best find your account in being cool. You cannot think I would take such an advantage of you, as your passion would give me.

Mr. Bagenhall. Nobly said, by Heaven! Let us breakfast, Sir Hargrave. Then you will be cooler. Then will you be fitter to discuss this point, or any other.

Mr. Merceda. Very right. You have a noble enemy, Sir Hargrave.

Sir Ch. I am no man’s enemy, Mr. Merceda. Sir Hargrave should consider, that, in the occasion for all this, he was to blame; and that all mi/ part in the affair was owing to accident, not malice.

Mr. Jordan. I doubt not, Sir Charles, but you are ready to ask pardon of Sir Hargrave, for your part

Sir Ch. Ask pardon, Sir! No! I think I ought to have done just as 1 did. Were it to do again, I should do it, whoever were the man.

Sir Har. See there! See there! Mr. Bagenhall, Mr. Merceda, Mr. Jordan! See there! Hear that! Who can have patience?

Sir Ch. I can tell you who ought to have patience, Sir Hargrave. I should have a very mean opinion of any man here, called upon as I was, if he had not done just as I did: and a still meaner than 1 have of you, Sir Hargrave, had you, in the like case, refused assistance to a woman in distress. But I will not repeat what I have written.

Sir Har. If you are a man, Sir Charles Grandi-e 2 son, take your choice of one of those pistols, G d n you! I insist upon it.

And I saw through the knot-hole, that Sir Har-grave arose in passion.

Sir Ch. As I am a man, Sir Hargrave, I will not. It might look to an angry man like an insult, which I am above intending, were I to say, that I have given, on our Jirst interview, proofs that I want not courage. I give you now, as I think, the highest I can give, in refusing your challenge. A personal insult I know how to repel. I know how to defend myself But, as I said, I will not repeat any-thing I have written.

Mr. Mer. But, Sir Charles, you have threatened a man of honour in what you have written, if we take you right, with a weapon that ought to be used only to a scoundrel; yet refuse

Sir Ch. The man, Sir, that shall take it into his head to insult me, may do it with the greater safety, though perhaps not with impunity, as he may be assured I will not kill him for it, if I can help it. I can play with my Weapons, Sir (it may look like boasting); but will not play with any man’s life, nor consent to make a sport of my own.

Sir Har. D n your coolness, Sir! I cannot bear

Sir Ch. Curse not your safety, Sir Hargrave.

Mr. Jor. Indeed, Sir Charles, I could not bear such an air of superiority

Sir Ch. It is more than an air, Mr. Jordan. The man who can think of justifying one violent action by another, must give a real superiority against him-self. Let Sir Hargrave confess his fault I have Eut him in the way of doing it, with all the credit to imself that a man can have who has committed a fault and I offer him my hand.

Sir Har. Damnable insult! What! own a fault to a man who, without any provocation, has dashed my teeth down my throat; and, as you see Gen-tlemen say, Can I, ought I, novo, to have patience?

Sir Ch. I intended not to do you any of this mis-chief, Sir Hargrave. I drew not my sword, to return a pass made by yours Actually received a raking on my shoulder from a sword that was aimed at my heart. I sought nothing but to hinder you from doing that mischief to me, which I was re-solved not to do to you. This, Sir Hargrave, this, gentlemen, was the state of the case; and the cause such, as no man of honour could refuse engaging in. And now, Sir, I meet you, upon my own invitation, in your own house, unattended, and alone, to shew you, that I have the same disposition as I had from the first, to avoid doing you injury: and this it is, gentlemen, that gives me a superiority to Sir Hargrave, which he may lessen, by behaving as I, in this case, would behave to him.

Mr. Bag. By G this is nobly said.

Mr. Jur. I own, Sir Hargrave, that I would sooner veil to such a man as tins than to a king on his throne.

Sir Har. D n me, if I forgive him, with these marks about me! I insist upon your taking one of these pistols, Sir. Gentlemen, my friends, he boasts of his advantages: he may have some from his cursed coolness: he can have none any other way. Bear witness, I forgive him if he lodges a brace of bullets in my heart Take one of those pistols, Sir. They are equally loaded Bear witness, if I die, that I have provoked my fate. But I will die like a man of honour.

SirCh. To die like a man of honour, Sir Har-grave, you must have lived like one. You should be sure of your cause. But these pistols are too ready a mischief. Were I to meet you in your own way, Sir Hargrave, I should not expect, that a man so enraged would fire his over my head, as I should be willing to do mine over his. Life I would not put upon the perhaps involuntary twitch of a finger.

Sir Har. Well then. The sword. You came, though undressed, with your sword on.

Sir Ch. I did; and for the reason I gave to Mr. Bagenhall. I draw it not, however, but in my own defence.

Sir Har. (Rising from his seat) Will you favour me with your company into my own garden? Only you and I, Sir Charles. Let the gentlemen, my Iriends, stay here. They shall only look out of the windows, if they please Only to that grass-plot, Sir (pointing as I saw) If you fall, I shall have the worst of it, from the looks of the matter, killing a man in my own garden: if I fall, you will have the evidence of my friends to bring you off.

Sir Ch. I need not look at the place, Sir Har-grave. And since, gentlemen, it is allowed, that the {>istols may be dismissed; and since, by their lying oaded on the table, they seem but to stimulate to mischief; you will all excuse me, and you, Sir Har-grave, will forgive me

And so saying, he arose, with great tranquillity, as I saw; and taking the pistols, lifted up the sash that was next to that at which Sir Hargrave stood, and discharged them both out of the window.

By the report, the writer is sure they were well loaded.

Jn ran a crowd of servants, men and women, in dismay. The writer sat still in the closet, knowing the matter to be no worse. One of the men cried out, This is the murderer! And they all (not seeing their master, as I suppose, at the window be yond Sir Charles, and who afterwards owned himself too much surprised to stir or speak) were for making up to Sir Charles.

Sir Charles then retiring, put his hand upon his sword: but mildly said, My friends, your master is safe. Take care I hurt not any of you.

Sir Har. I am safe Begone, scoundrels!

Mr. Bag. Begone! Quit the room. Sir Hargrave is safe.

Mr. Mer. 1 u, t> i

Mr. Jar. \ Be g one! Begone!

The servants, as I saw, crowded out as fast as they came in.

Sir Charles, then stepping towards Sir Hargrave, said, You will, some time hence, Sir, think the discharge of those pistols much happier than if they had been put to the use designed when they were loaded. I offer you my hand: it is an offer that is jiot to be twice refused. If you have malice to me, I have none to you. I invited myself to breakfast with you. You and your friends shall be welcome to dine with me. My time is near expired (looking at his watch) for Sir Hargrave seemed too irreso-lute either to accept or refuse his hand.

Mr. Jor. I am astonished! Why, Sir Charles, what a tranquillity must you have within you! The devil take me, Sir Hargrave, if you shall not make up matters with such a noble adversary.

Mr. Mer. He has won me to his side. By the great God of heaven, I had rather have Sir Charles Grandisonfor my friend than the greatest prince on earth!

Mr. Bag. Did I not tell you, gentlemen? D n me, if I have not hitherto lived to nothing but to my shame! I had rather be Sir Charles Grandison in this one past hour, than the Great Mogul all my life.

Sir Hargrave even sobbed, as I could hear by his voice, like a child. D n my heart, said he, in broken sentences And must I thus put up and must I be thus overcome? By G, by G, Grandison, you must, you must, walk down with me into the garden. I have something to propose to you: and it will be in your own choice either to compromise, or to give me the satisfaction of a gen-tleman: butyoumust retire with me into the garden.

Sir Ch. With all my heart, Sir Hargrove.

And taking offhis sword, he laid it on the table.

Sir Har. And must I do so too? D n me, if I do! Take up your sword, Sir.

Sir Ch. I will, to oblige you, Sir Hargrave. It will be always in my choice to draw it, or not.

Sir Har. D n me, if I can live to be thus treat-ed! Where the devil have you been till now? But you must go down with me into the garden.

Sir Ch. Shew me the way, Sir Hargrave.

They all interposed: but Sir Charles said, Pray, gentlemen, let Sir Hargrave have his way. We will attend you presently.

The writer then came out, by the gentlemen’s leave, who staid behind, at the windows. They expressed their admiration of Sir Charles. And Mr. Merceda and Mr. Bagenhall (the writer mentions it to their honour) reproached each other, as if they had no notion of what was great and noble in man till now.

Sir Charles and Sir Hargrave soon appeared in sight; walking, and conversing earnestly. The subject, it seems, was, some proposals made by Sir Hargrave about the lady, which Sir Charles would not comply with. And when they came to the grass-plot, Sir Hargrave threw open his coat and waistcoat, and drew; and seemed, by his motions, to insist upon Sir Charles’s drawing likewise. Sir Charles had his sword in one hand; but it was unSIK CHARLES GKANDISON. 45 drawn: the other was stuck in his side: his frock was open. Sir Hargrave seemed still to insist upon his drawing, and put himself into a fencing attitude. Sir Charles then calmly stepping towards him, put down Sir Hargrave’s sword with his hand, and put his left-arm under Sir Hargrave’s sword-arm. Sir Hargrave lifted up the other arm passionately: but Sir Charles, who was on his guard, immediately laid hold of it, and seemed to say something mildly to him; and letting go his left-hand, led him towards the house; his drawn sword still in his hand. Sir Hargrave seemed to expostulate, and to resist being led, though but faintly, and as a man overcome with Sir Charles’s behaviour; and they both came up together, Sir Charles’s arm still within his sword-arm [The writer retired to his first place]. D n me, said Sir Hargrave, as he entered the room, this man, this Sir Charles, is the devil He has made a mere infant of me. Yet, he tells me, he will not be my friend neither, in the point my heart is set upon. He threw his sword upon the floor. This only I will say, as I said below, Be my friend in that one point, and I will forgive you with all my soul.

Sir Ch. The lady is, must be, her own mistress, Sir Hargrave. I have acquired no title to any influ-ence over her. She is an excellent woman. She would be a jewel in the crown of a prince. But you must allow me to say, she must not be terrified. I do assure you, that her life has been once in dan-ger already: all the care and kindness of my sister and a physician could hardly restore her.

.Sir Har. The most inflexible man, devil I should say, I ever saw in my life! But you have no objection to my seeing her. She shall see (yet how can I forgive you that?) what I have suffered in my person for her sake. If she will not be mine, these marks shall be hers, not yours. And though I will not terrify her, I will see if she has no pardon, no pity for me. She knows, she very well knows, that I was the most honourable of men to her, when she was in my power. By all that’s sacred, I intended only to make her Lady Pollexfen. I saw she had as many lovers as visiters, and I could not bear it. You, Sir Charles, will stand my friend, and if money and love will purchase her, she shall yet be mine.

Sir Ch. I promise you no friendship in this case, Sir Hargrave. All her relations leave her, it seems, to her own discretion; and who shall offer to lead her choice? What I said below, when you would have made that a condition, I repeat I think she ought not to be yours; nor ought you, either for your own sake or hers, to desire it. Come, come, Sir Hargrave, consider the matter better. Think of some other woman, if you are disposed to marry. Your figure-Sir Har. Yes, by G, I make a pretty figure now, don’t I?

Sir Ch. Your fortune will make you happier in marriage with any other woman, after what has hap-pened, than this can make you. For my own part, let me tell you, Sir Hargrave, I would not marry the greatest princess on earth, if I thought she did not love me above all other men, whether I deserved her love or not.

Sir Har. And you have no view to yourself in the advice you give? Tell me that I insist upon your telling me that.

Sir Ch. Whenever I pretend to give advice, I should abhor myself, if I did not wholly consider the good of the person who consulted me; and if I had any retrospection to myself, which might in the least affect that person.

The breakfast was then brought in. This that follows was the conversation that passed at and after breakfast.

Mr. Bag. See what a Christian can do, Mer-ceda. After this, will you remain a Jew?

Mr. Mer. Let me see such another Christian, and I will give you an answer. You, Bagenhall, I hope, will not think yourself intitled to boast of your Christianity?

Mr. Bag. Too true! We have been both of us sad dogs.

Sir Har. And I have been the most innocent man of the three; and yet, that’s the devil of it, am the greatest sufferer. Curse me, if I can bear to look at myself in the glass!

Mr. Jor. You should be above all that, Sir Har-grave. And let me tell you, you need not be ashamed to be overcome, as you are overcome. You really appear to me a greater, and not a less, man, than you did before, by your compromising with such a noble adversary.

Sir Har. That’s some comfort, Jordan. But, d n me, Sir Charles, I will see the lady: and you shall introduce me to her, too.

Sir Ch. That cannot be What! shall I introduce a man to a woman, whom I think he ought no more to see, than she should see him? If I thought you would go, I might, if she requested it, be there, lest, from what she has suffered already, she should be too much terrified.

Sir Har. What, Sir! You would not turn Quixote again?

Sir Ch. No need, Sir Hargrave. You would not again be the giant who should run away with the lady.

The gentlemen laughed.

Sir Har. By G, Sir, you havtf carried your matters very triumphantly.

Sir Ch. I mean not triumph, Sir Hargrave. But where either truth or justice is concerned, I hope I shall never palliate.

Mr. Bag. Curse me, if I believe there is such an-other man in the world!

Sir Ch. I am sorry to hear you say that, Mr. Bagenhall. Occasion calls not out every man equally.

Sir Har. Why did I not strike him? D n me, that must have provoked you to fight.

Sir Ch. Provoked, in that case, I should have been, Sir Hargrave. I told you, that I would not bear to be insulted. But, so warranted to take other methods, I should not have used my sword. The case has happened to me before now: but I would be upon friendly terms with you, Sir Hargrave.

Sir Har. Curse me, if I can bear my own littleness!

Sir Ch. When you give this matter your cool at-tention, you will find reason to rejoice, that an enterprize begun in violence, and carried on so far as you carried it, concluded not worse. Every oppor-tunity you will have for exerting your good qualities, or for repenting of your bad, will contribute to your satisfaction to the end of your life. You could not have been happy, had you prevailed over me. Think you, that a murderer ever was a happy man? I am the more serious, because I would have you think of this affair. It might have been a very serious one.

Sir Har. You know, Sir Charles, that I would have compromised with you below. But not one point

Sir Ch. Compromise, Sir Hargrave! As I told you, I had no quarrel with you: you proposed conditions, which I thought should not be complied with. I aimed not to carry any point. Self-defence, I told you, was the whole of my system.

Mr. Bog. You have given some hints, Sir Charles, that you have not been unused to affairs of this kind.

Sir Ch. I have before now met a challenger; but it was when I could not avoid it; and with the reso-lution of standing only on my own defence, and in the hope of making an enemy a friend. Had I

Mr. Bag. What poor toads, Merceda, are we!

Mr. Mer. Be silent, Bagenhall; Sir Charles had not done speaking. Pray, Sir Charles

Sir Ch. I was going to say, that had I ever premeditatedly given way to a challenge, that I could have declined, I should have considered the accept-ance of it as the greatest blot of my life. I am naturally choleric: yet, in this article, I hope I have pretty much subdued myself. In the affair between Sir Hargrave and me, I have the pleasure to re-flect, that passion, which I hold to be my most dangerous enemy, has not had, in any one moment, an ascendancy over me.

Sir Har. No, by my soul! And how should it? You came off too triumphantly; you were not hurt: you have no marks to shew. May I be cursed, if, in forgiving you, which yet I know not how to do, I do not think myself the greater hero!

Sir Ch. I will not contest that point with you, Sir Hargrave. There is no doubt but the man who can subdue his passion, and forgive a real injury, is a hero. Only remember, Sir, that it was not owing to your virtue that I was not hurt; and that it was not my intention to hurt you.

Mr. Jor. I am charmed with your sentiments, Sir Charles. You must allow me the honour of your acquaintance. We all acknowledge duelling to be criminal: but no one has the courage to break through a bad custom.

Sir Ch. The empty, the false glory, that men have to be thought brave, and the apprehension of being deemed cowards among men, and among women too, very few men aim to get above.

Mr. J or. But you, Sir Charles, have shewn that re-putation and conscience are entirely reconcileable.

Mr. Bag. You have, by Heaven! And I beg of you, Sir, to allow me to claim your further ac-quaintance. You may save a soul by it. Merceda, what say you?

Mr. Mer. Say! What a devil can I say? But the doctrine would have been nothing without the example.

Sir Har. And all this at my expence! But, Sir Charles, I must, I will have Miss Byron.

‘ Mr. Jor. I think every-thing impertinent, that hinders me from asking questions for my information and instruction, of a man so capable of giving both on a subject of this importance. Allow me, Sir Charles, to ask a few questions, in order to confirm me quite your proselyte.

Sir Ch. [taking out his watch, as I saw] Time wears. Let my servant be called in. The weather is cold. I directed him to attend before the door.

It was immediately ordered, with apologies.

Sir Ch. Ask me, Mr. Jordan, what questions you please.

Mr. Jor. You have been challenged more than once, I presume.

Sir Ch. I am not a quarrelsome man: but as it was early known that I made it a principle not to engage in a duel, I was the more subjected, I have reason to think, for that, to inconveniencies of this nature.

Mr. Jor. Had you always, Sir Charles, that mag-nanimity, that intrepidity, that steadiness, I know not what to call it, which we have seen and admire in you

Sir Ch. I have always considered spirit as the di-stinction of a man. My father was a man of spirit. I never feared man, since I could write man. As I never sought danger, or went out of my way to meet it, I looked upon it when it came, as an unavoidable evil, and as a call upon me for fortitude. And hence I hardly ever wanted that presence of mind in it which a man ought to shew: and which sometimes, indeed, was the means of extricating me from it.

Sir Har. An instance of which this morning, I suppose you think, has produced?

Sir Ch. I had not that in my head. In Italy, indeed, I should hardly have acted as in the instance you hint at. But in England, and, Sir Hargrave, T was willing to think, in Cavendish Square, I could not but conclude myself safe. I know my own heart. I wished you no evil, Sir. I was calm. 1 expected to meet you full of fire, full of resentment: but it is hard, thought I (as some extraordinary step seems necessary to be taken) if I cannot content myself with that superiority (excuse me, Sir Hargrave) which my calmness, and Sir Hargrave’s passion, must give me over him, or any man. My sword was in my power. Had I even apprehended assas-sination, the house of an English gentleman could not have been the place for it; and where a confi-dence was reposed. But one particular instance, I own, I had in my mind, when I said what I did.

All the gentlemen besought him to give it.

Sir Ch. In the raging of the war, now, so season-ably for all the powers at variance, concluded, I was passing through a wood in Germany, in my way to f2

Manheim. My servant at some distance before me, was endeavouring to find out the right road, there being more than one. He rode back affrighted, and told me he had heard a loud cry of murder, succeeded by groans, which grew fainter and fainter, as those of a dying person; and besought me to make the best of my way back. As I was thinking to do so (though my way lay through the wood, and 1 had got more than half-way in it) I beheld six Pan-dours issue from that inner part of the wood, into which, in all probability, they had dragged some unhappy passenger; for I saw a horse bridled and saddled, without a rider, grazing by the road-side. They were well armed. I saw no way to escape. They probably knew every avenue in and out of the wood: I did not. They stopped when they came within two musquet-shots of me, as if they had waited to see which way I took. Two of them had dead poultry slung across their shoulders, which shewed them to be common plunderers. I took a resolution to ride up to them. I bid my servant, if he saw me attacked, make the best of his way for his own security, while they were employed either in rifling or murdering me; but, if they suffered me to pass, to follow me. He had no portmanteau to tempt therm That, and my other baggage, I had caused to be sent by water to Manheim. I am an Englishman, gentlemen, said I (judging, if Au-strians, as I supposed they were, that plea would not disavail me): I am doubtful of my way. Here is a purse; holding it out. As soldiers, you must be gentlemen: it is at your service, if one or two of you will be so kind as to escort and guide me through this wood. They looked upon one an-other: I was loth they should have time to deliberate I am upon business of great consequence.

Pray direct me the nearest way to Manheim. Take these florins.

At last, one that seemed of authority among them, held out his hand; and, taking the purse, said something in Sclavonian; and two of them, with their pieces slung on their shoulders, and their sabres drawn, led me out of the wood in safety; but hoped, at parting, my farther generosity. I found a few more florins for them; and they rode back into the wood; I suppose to their fellows; and glad I was to come off so well. Had I either seemed afraid of them, or endeavoured to escape, probably I had been lost. Two persons were afterwards found murdered in the wood; one of them, per-haps, the unhappy man whom my servant had heard cry out, and groan.

Mr. Jor. I feel now very sensibly, Sir Charles, your danger and escape. Your fortitude indeed was then of service to you.

Sir Har. But, Sir Charles, methinks I shall be easier in myself, if you give me one instance of your making, before now, an enemy, a friend. Have you one in point?

Sir Ch. Stories of this nature come very ill from a man’s own mouth.

Sir Har. 1 must have it, Sir Charles. A brother-sufferer will better reconcile me to myself.

Sir Ch. If you will not excuse me then, I will tell you the story.

Mr. Jor. Pray, Sir

Sir Ch. I had a misunderstanding at Venice with a young gentleman of the place. He was about twenty-two. I was a year younger.

Mr. Bag. At the Carnival, I suppose! About a lady, Sir Charles?

Sir Ch. He was the only son of a noble Venetian family, who had great expectations from him. He f 3 was a youth of genius. Another nohle family at Urbino, to which he was to be allied in marriage, had also an interest in his welfare. We had made a friendship together at Padua. I was at Venice by his invitation, and stood well with all his famity. He took offence against me, at the instigation of a designing relation of his; to own the truth, a lady, as you suppose, Mr. Bagenhall, his sister. He would not allow me to defend my innocence to the face of the accuser; nor yet to appeal to his father, who was a person of temper as well as sense. On the contrary, he upbraided me in a manner that I could hardly bear. I was resolved to quit Venice; and took leave of his whole family, the lady excepted, who would not be seen by me. The father and mo-ther parted with me with regret. The young gentleman had so managed, that I could not with honour appeal to them; and, at taking leave of him in their presence, under pretence of a recommenda-tory letter, he gave into my hand a challenge. The answer I returned, after protesting my innocence, was to this effect: “ I am setting out for Verona in a few hours. You know my principles; and I hope will better consider of the matter. I never, while I am master of my temper, will give myself so much cause of repentance to the last hour of my life, as I should have, were I to draw my sword to the irreparable injury of any man’s family; or to run the same risk of injuring my own, and of incurring the final perdition of us both! ”

Mr. Mer. This answer rather provoked than sa-tisfied, I suppose?

Sir Ch. Provocation was not my intention. I designed only to remind him of the obligations we were both under to our respective families, and to throw in a hint of a still superior consideration. It was likely to have more force in that Roman Catholic country than, I am sorry to say it, it would in thig Protestant one.

Sir Har. How, how, Sir Charles, did it end?

Sir Ch. I went to Verona. He followed me thi-ther; and endeavoured to provoke me to draw. Why should I draw? said I. Will the decision by the sword be certainly that of justice? You are in a passion. You have no reason to doubt either my skill or my courage [on such an occasion, gentle-men, and with such a view, a man may perhaps be allowed to give himself a little consequence]; and solemnly once more do I avow my innocence; and desire to be brought face to face with my accusers.

He raved the more for my calmness. I turned from him with intent to leave him. He thought fit. to offer me a personal insult I now, methinks, blush to tell it He gave me a box on the ear, to provoke me draw

Mr. Mer. And did you draw, Sir?

Mr. Bag. To be sure, you then drew?

Mr. Jor. Pray, Sir Charles, let us know. You could not then help drawing? This was a provocation that would justify a saint.

-Sir Ch. He had forgot in that passionate moment, that he was a gentleman. I did not remember that I was one. But 1 had no occasion to draw.

Sir Har. What a plague You did not cane him?

Sir Ch. He got well after a fortnight’s lying-by.

Sir Har. Damnation!

Sir Ch. 1 put him into possession of the lodgings I had taken for myself, and into proper and safe hands. He was indeed unable for a day or two to direct for himself. I sent, for his friends. His servant did me justice as to the provocation. Then it was that I was obliged, in a letter, to acquaint the father of a discovery I had made, which the son had refused to hear; which, with the lady’s confession, convinced them all of my innocence. His father acknowledged my moderation; as the young gentleman himself did, desiring a renewal of friendship: but as I thought the affair had gone too far for a cordial reconciliation, and knew that he would not want instigators to urge him to resent an indignity, which he had, however, brought upon himself, by a greater offered to me, I took leave of him and his friends, and re-visited some of the German courts; that of Vienna in particular; where I resided some time.

In the mean while, the young gentleman married. His lady, of the Altieri family, is an excellent wo-man. He had a great fortune with her. Soon after his nuptials, he let me know, that, as he doubted not, if I had drawn my sword, I should, from his violence at the time, have had his life in my power, he could not but acknowledge that he owed all his acquisitions, and the best of wives, as well as the happiness of both families, with that life, to me.

I apply not this instance: but, Sir Hargrave, as I hope to see you married, and happy, though it can never be, I think, to Miss Byron, such gene-rous acknowledgments as misbecome not an Italian, I shall then hope for from an Englishman.

Sir Har. And had your Italian any marks left him, Sir? Depend upon it, I shall never look into a glass, but I shall curse you to the very pit!

Sir Ch. Well, Sir Hargrave: this only I will add; That be as sensible as you will, and as I am, of the happy issue of this untoward affair, I will never expect a eompliment from you, that shall tend to your abasement.

Mr. Jor. Your hand, Sir Hargrave, to Sir Charles

Sir Har. What! without terms? Curse me, if I do! But let him bring Miss Byron in his hand to me (that is the least he can do): then may I thank him for my wife.

Sir Charles made some smiling answer: but the writer heard it not.

Sir Charles would then have taken leave: but all the gentlemen, Sir Hargrave among the rest, were earnest with him to stay a little longer.

Mr. Jor. My conversion must be perfected, Sir Charles. This is a subject that concerns us all. We shall remember every tittle of the conversation; and think of it, when we do not see you. Let me beg of you to acquaint me, how you came to differ from all other naen of honour in your practice, as well as in your notions, upon this subject?

Sir Ch. I will answer your question, Mr. Jordan, as briefly as I can.

My father was a man of spirit. He had high notions of honour, and he inspired me early with the same. I had not passed my twelfth year, when he gave me a master to teach me what is called, the sci-ence of defence. 1 was fond of the practice, and soon obtained such a skill in the weapons, as pleased both my father and master. I had strength of body beyond my years: the exercise added to it. I had agility; it added to my agility: and the praises given me by my father and master, so heightened my courage, that I was almost inclined to wish for a subject to exerciseit upon. My mother was an excellent woman: she had instilled into my earliest youth, almost from infancy, notions of moral rectitude, and the first principles of Christianity; now rather ridiculed than inculcated in our youth of condition. She was readv sometimes to tremble at the consequences, which she thought might follow from the attention which I paid (thus encouraged and applauded) to this practice: and was continually reading lectures to me upon true magnanimity, and upon the law of kindness, benevolence, and forgiveness of injuries. Had I not lost her so soon as I did, I should have been a more perfect scholar than I am in these noble doc-trines. As she knew me to be naturally hasty, and very sensible of affronts; and as she had observed, as she told me, that even in the delight she had brought me to take in doing good, I shewed an over-readiness, even to rashness, which she thought might lead me into errors, that would more than overbalance the good I aimed to do; she redoubled her efforts to keep me right: and on this particular acquirement of a skill in the management of the weapons, she frequently enforced upon me an ob-servation of Mr. Locke: “ That young men, in their warm blood, are often forward to think they have in vain learned to fence, if they never shew their skill in a duel.”

This observation, insisted upon, and inculcated, as she knew how, was very seasonable at that time of danger. And she never forgot to urge upon me, that the science I was learning, was a science properly called of defence, and not of offence; at the same time endeavouring to caution me against the low company into which a dexterity at my weapons might lead me, as well as against the diversions themselves exhibited at the infamous places where those brutal people resorted: infamous even by name *, as well as in the nature of them.

From her instructions, I had an early notion, that it was much more noble to forgive an injury than to resent it: and to give a life, than to take it. My father (I honour his memory!) was a man of gaiety, of munificence. He had great qualities. But my mother was my oracle. And he was always so just to her merit, as to command me to consider her as

Hockley in the Hole, Bear–Garden, &c. such; and the rather, he used to say, as she distin-guished well between the false glory and the true; and would not have her boy a coward.

Mr. Mer. A good beginning, by my life!

Mr. Jor. Pray proceed, Sir Charles. I am all attention.

Sir Har. Ay, ay, we all listen.

Mr. Bag. Curse him that speaks next, to inter-rupt you.

Sir Ch. But what indelibly impressed upon my heart my mother’s lessons, was an occurrence, which, and the consequences of it, I shall ever deplore. My father, having taken leave of my mother, on a proposed absence of a few days, was, in an hour after, brought home, as it was thought, mortally wounded in a duel. My mother’s surprise on this occasion threw her into fits, from which she never after was wholly free. And these, and the dangerous way he continued in for some time, brought her into an ill state of health; broke, in short, her constitution; so that in less than a twelvemonth, my father, to his inexpressible anguish of mind (continually reproaching himself on the occasion) lost the best of wives, and my sisters and I the best of mothers and instructors.

My concern for my father, on whom I was an hourly attendant throughout the whole time of his confinement; and my being by that means a witness of what both he and my mother suifered; completed my abhorrence of the vile practice of duelling. I went on, however, in endeavouring to make myself a master of the science, as it is called; and, among the other weapons, of the staff; the better to enable me to avoid drawing my sword, and to impower me, if called to the occasion, to give and not take, a life; and the rather, as the custom was so general, that a young man of spirit and fortune, at one time or other, could hardly expect to escape a provocation of this sort.

My father once had a view, at the persuasion of my mother’s brother, who was a general of note and interest in the Imperial service, and who was very fond of a military life, and of me, to make a soldier of me, though an only son; and I wanted not, when a boy, a turn that way: but the disgust I had conceived, on the above occasion, against duelling, and the consideration of the absurd alternative which the gentlemen of our army are under, either to accept a challenge, contrary to laws divine and human, or to be broke, if they do not (though a soldier is the least master of himself, or of his own life, of any man in the community) made me think the English service, though that of my country, the least eligible of all services. And for a man who was born to so considerable a stake in it, to devote himself to another, as my uncle had done, from prin-ciples which I approved not, I could not but hesitate on the proposal, young as I was. As it soon became a maxim with me, not to engage, even in a national cause, without examining the justice of it, it will be the less wondered at, that I could not think of any foreign service.

Mr. Bag. Then you have never seen service, Sir Charles?

Sir Ch. Yes, I made one campaign as a volun-teer, notwithstanding what I have said. I was then in the midst of marching armies, and could not tell how to abate the ardour those martial movements had raised in my breast. But unless my country were to be unjustly invaded by a foreign enemy, I think I would not, on any consideration, be drawn into the field again.

Mr. Jor. But you lead from the point, Mr. Ba- genhall: Sir Charles was going to say somewhat more on the subject of duelling.

Sir Ch. When I was thus unhappily deprived of my mother, my father, in order to abate my grief [I was very much grieved] was pleased to consent to my going abroad, in order to make the grand tour, as it is called; having first visited all the Bri-tish dominions in Europe, Gibraltar and Minorca excepted. I then supposing I might fall into cir-cumstances that might affect the principles my mother had been so careful to instil into me, and to which my father’s danger, and her death, had added force, it was natural for me to look into history, for the rise and progress of a custom so much and so justly my aversion; and which was so contrary to all laws divine and human, and particularly to that true heroism which Christianity injoins, when it recommends meekness, moderation, and humility, as the glory of the human nature. But I am run-ning into length.

Again Sir Charles took out his watch. They were clamorous for him to proceed.

When I found, continued he, that this unchristian custom owed its rise to the barbarous northern nations, who had, however, some plea to make in excuse, which ive have not, as they were governed by particular lords, and were not united under one head or government, to which, as to a last resort, persons supposing themselves aggrieved, might ap-peal for legal redress; and that these barbarous nations were truly barbarous, and enemies to all politeness; my reasoning on this occasion added new force to prejudices so well founded.

The gentlemen seemed afraid, that Sir Charles had done speaking. They begged he would go on.

I then had recourse, proceeded he, to the histo-ries of nations famous for their courage. That of

G the Romans, who by that quality obtained the empire of the world, was my first subject. I found not any traces in their history, which could countenance the savage custom. When a dispute happened, the challenge from both parties generally was, “ That each should appear at the head of the army the next engagement, and give proofs of his intrepidity against the common foe.” The instance of the Horatii and Curiatii, which was a public, a national combat, as I may call it, affords not an exception to my observation. And yet even that, in the early ages of Rome, stands condemned by a better example. For we read, that Tullus challenged Albanus, general of the Albans, to put the cause of the two nations upon the valour of each captain’s arm, for the sake of sparing a greater effusion of blood: but what was the answer of Albanus, though the inducement to the challenge was so plausible? “ That the cause was a public, not a private one; and the decision lay upon the two cities of Alba and Rome.”

Many ages afterwards, Augustus received a chal-lenge from Mark Antony. Who, gentlemen, thought of branding as a coward that prince, on his answering, “ That if Antony were weary of his life, he might find many other ways to end it than by his sword? ”

Metellus, before that, challenged by Sertorius, answered with his pen, not his sword, “ That it was not for a captain to die the death of a common soldier.”

The very Turks know nothing of this savage cus-tom: and they are a nation that raised themselves by their bravery from the most obscure beginnings, into one of the greatest empires on the globe, as at this day. They take occasion to exalt themselves above Christians, in this very instance; and think it a scandal upon Mussulmans to quarrel, and endea-vour to wreak their private vengeance on one another.

All the Christian doctrines, as I have hinted, are in point against it. But it is dreadful to reflect, that the man who would endeavour to support his argu-ments against this infamous practice of duelling, by the laws of Christianity, though the most excellent of all laws [Excuse me, Mr. Merceda, your own are included in them] would subject himself to the ridi-cule of persons who call themselves Christians. 1 have mentioned therefore Heathens and Mahomet-ans; though in this company, perhaps But I hope I need not, however, remind any-body here, that that one doctrine of returning good for evil, is a nobler and more heroic doctrine than either of those people, or your own, Mr. Merceda, ever knew.

Mr. Jor. You have shewn it, Sir Charles, by example, by practice, to be so. I never saw a hero till now.

Sir Ch. One modern instance, however, of a chal-lenge refused, I recollect, and which may be given, by way of inference, at least, to the advantage of my argument. The army of the famous mareschal Turenne, in revenge for injuries more than hostile, as was pretended, had committed terrible depre-dations in the Palatinate. The elector, incensed at the unsoldierly destruction, challenged the mares-chal to a single combat. The mareschal’s answer was to this effect: “ That if the trust which the king his master had reposed in him, would permit him to accept of his challenge, he would not refuse it; but, on the contrary, would deem it an honour to measure his arms with those of so illustrious a prince: but that, for the sake of his master’s ser-vice, he must be excused.”

Now, though I think the mareschal might have returned a still better answer (though this was not g 2 a bad one for a military man); yet where we can, as Christians and as men, plead the divine laws, and have not, when we meet, as private subjects, the mareschal’s, nor even the Goths excuse, I think the example worthy consideration.

And if, gentlemen, I have argued before now, or should I hereafter argue, as follows, to a challenger, shall I deserve either to be branded or insulted?

“Of what use are the laws of society, if magis-tracy may be thus defied? Were I to accept of your challenge, and were you to prevail against me, who is to challenge you; and if you fall, who him by whose sword you perish? Where, in short, is the evil to stop? But I will not meet you: my system is self-defence, and self-defence only. Put me upon that, and I question not but you will have cause to repent it. A premeditated revenge is that which I will not meet you to gratify. I will not dare to risk the rushing into my Maker’s presence from the consequences of an act, which cannot, in the man that falls, admit of repentance, and leaves for the survivor’s portion nothing but bitter re-morse. I fear not any more the reproaches of men, than your insults on this occasion. Be the latter offered to me at your peril. It is perhaps as happy for you as for myself, that I have a fear of an higher nature. Be the event what it will, the test you would provoke me to, can decide nothing as to the justice of the cause on either side. Already you will find me disposed to do you the justice you pretend to seek. For your own sake, therefore, con sider better of the matter; since it is not impossible, but, were we to meet, and both survive, you may exchange, what you will think a real disgrace, for an imaginary one.”

And thus, gentlemen, have I almost syllogisti-ally argued with myself on this subject:

Courage is a virtue; Inordinate passion is a vice: Such passion, therefore, cannot be courage. Does it not then behove every man of true honour to shew, that reason has a greater share than resentment in the boldness of his resolves? And what, by any degree, is so reasonable as a regard to our duty? You called upon me, gentlemen, to communicate my notions on this important subject. I have the more willingly obeyed you, as I hope Sir Hargrave, on the occasion that brought us to this not unhappy breakfasting, will be the better satisfied that it has so ended; and as, if you are so good as to adopt them, they may be of service to others of your friends, in case of debates among them. Indeed, for my own sake, I have always been ready to communicate my notions on this head, in hopes sometimes to be spared provocation: for, as I have owned, I am passionate: I have pride: I am often afraid of myself; and the more, because I am not naturally, I will presume to say, a timid man.

Mr. Bag. ‘Fore God, Sir Hargrave, somebody has escaped a scouring, as the saying is.

Mr. Mer. Ay, by my life, Sir Hargrave, you had like to have caught a Tartar.

Sir Ch. The race is not always to the swift, gentle-men. Sir Hargrave’s passion would, doubtless, have laid him under disadvantage. Defence is guarded: offence exposes itself.

Mr. Bag. But, Sir Charles, you despise no man, I am sure, for differing from you in opinion. I am a Catholic

Sir Ch. A Roman catholic No religion teaches a man evil. I honour every man who lives up to what he professes. g 3

Mr. Bag. But that is not the case with me, I doubt.

Mr. Mer. That is out of doubt, Bagenhall.

Mr. Jor. The truth is, Mr. Bagenhall has found his convenience in changing. He was brought up a Protestant. These dispensations, Mr. Bagenhall!

Mr. Mer. Ay, and they were often an argument in Bagenhall’s mouth, for making me his proselyte.

Sir Ch. Mr. Bagenhall, I perceive, is rather of the religion of the court than of that of the church of Rome.

Mr. Bag. But what I mean, by telling you I am a Catholic, is this: I have read the opinion of some of our famous casuists, that, in some cases, a pri-vate man may become his own avenger, and challenge an enemy into the field.

Sir Ch. Bannes and Cajetan, you mean; one a Spaniard, the other an Italian. But the highest au-thority of your church is full against them in this point. The council of Trent treats the combatants who fall as self-murderers, and denies them christian burial. It brands them, and all those who by their presence countenance and abet this shocking and unchristian practice, with perpetual infamy; and condemns them to the loss of goods and estates. And furthermore, it deprives, ipso jure, all those sovereign princes, who suffer such acts of violence to be perpe-trated with impunity in the lands and cities which they hold of the church, of all the territories so held. I need not add to this, that Lewis the XI Vth’s edict against duelling was the greatest glory of his reign. And permit me to conclude with observing, that the base arts of poisoning, by the means of treacherous agents, and the cowardly practice of assassination by bravoes hired on purpose to wreak a private re-venge, so frequent in Italy 5 are natural branches of this old Gothic tree. And yet (as I have before hinted) the barbarous northern nations had pleas to make in behalf of duelling, from their polity, which we have not from ours; Christianity out of the question.

The gentlemen said, they would very seriously reflect upon all that had passed in this uncommon conversation.

Sir Har. Well, but, Sir Charles, I must recur to my old note Miss Byron She must be mine. And I hope you will not stand in my way.

Sir Ch. The lady is her own mistress. I shall be glad to see any and all of you, gentlemen, in St. James’s Square.

Mr. Bag. One thing I believe it is proper to mention to Sir Charles Grandison. You know, Sir, that I brought a young man to your house, to take mi-nutes of the conversation that passed between you and me there, in apprehension of consequences. In like apprehensions, I prevailed upon Sir Hargrave

Sir Har. And now, Bagenhall, I could curse you for it. The affair confound it! that I meant to be recorded for my own justification, has turned out to his honour. Now am I down in black and white, for a tame fool. Is it not so?

Mr. Jor. By no means. If you think so, Sir Hargrave, you have but ill profited by Sir Charles’s noble sentiments.

Sir Ch. How is this, Mr. Bagenhall?

Mr. Bag. I prevailed upon Sir Hargrave to have the same young man, who ishonest, discreet, and one of the swiftest short-hand writers of the age, to take a faithful account of every-thing that has passed; and he is in that closet.

Sir Ch. I must say, this is very extraordinary But as I always speak what I tl ink, if I am not afraid of my own recollection, I need not of any man’s mi-nutes.

Mr. Bag. You need not in this case, Sir Charles. Nothing has passed, as Sir Hargrave observes, but what makes for your honour. We that set him to work, have more need to be afraid than you. We bid him be honest, and not spare any of us. We little thought matters would have ended so ami-cably.

Mr. Jor. Thank God they have!

Mr. Mer. A very happy ending, I think!

Sir liar. Not except Miss Byron consents to wipe out these marks.

Mr. Bag. Mr. Cotes, your task is over. Pray step in with what you have done.

The writer obeyed. Mr. Bagenhall asked, If the minutes should be read? Sir Hargrave swore No; except, as he said, he had made a better figure in the debate. Sir Charles told them, he could not stay to hear them: but that, as they were written, and as he had been allowed before a copy of what passed between him and Mr. Ba-genhall, he should be glad to have one now; and the rather, as Sir Hargrave should have an instance, after he had perused it, of his readiness to condemn himself, if he found he had been wanting either to his own character, or to that of any man present.

They consented that I should send Sir Charles the first fair copy. Sir Charles then took his leave.

The gentlemen all stood silent for several minutes, when they returned from attending him to the door, looking upon one another as if each expected the other to speak: but when they spoke, it was all in praise of Sir Charles, as the most modest, the most polite, the bravest, and noblest. of men. Yet his maxims, they said — were confoundedly strange; impossible for such sorry dogs as them (that was their phrase) to practise.

But Sir Hargrave seemed greatly disturbed and dejected. He could not, he said, support himself under the consciousness of his own inferiority. But what could I do? said he. The devil could not have made him fight. Plague take him! he beat me out of my play.

And yet, said Mr. Merceda, a tilting-bout seems no more to him than a game at pushpin.

You would have thought so, said Sir Hargrave, had you observed with what a sleight, and with what unconcernedness, he pushed down my drawn sword with his hand (though he would grant me nothing) and took me under the arm, and led me in to you, as though he had taken me prisoner. The devil has long, continued he, owed me a shame: but who would have thought he had so much power over Sir Charles Grandison, as to get him to pay it me? But, however, I never will be easy till Miss Byron is Lady Pollexfen.

I take leave, honoured Sir, to observe, that a few things are noted in this copy, which to avoid giving offence, will not be in that I shall write for the gentlemen. I was ordered to shew it to Mr. Ba-genhall, before you had it; but, for this reason, I shall excuse myself, as having not remembered that command.

This, therefore, is a true copy of all that passed, taken to the best of the ability of, Sir, giye me leave to subscribe,

Your very great admirer and most humble servant,

HENRY COTES.



CONTINUATION OF MISS BYRON’S LETTER.

What a pacquet, including the short-hand writer’s paper, transcribed by my cousin Reeves, shall I send you this time! I will not swell it by reflections on that paper (that would be endless); but hasten to give you some account of the visiters I men-tioned.

Sir Hargrave Pollexfen came without any previous notice about nine o’clock.

My heart sunk, when his chair stopt at the door, and I was told who was in it.

He was shewn into the great parlour. My cousin Reeves’s soon attended him. He made great apo-logies to them (and so Mr. Reeves said he ought) for the disturbance he had given them.

He laid all to love Prostituted name! made a cover to all acts of violence, indiscretion, folly, in both sexes!

I was in my own apartment. Mrs. Reeves came up to me. She found me in terror; and went down and told him so; and begged, that he would not insist upon seeing me.

The whole intent of this visit, he said, was to beg me to forgive him. It was probable, that I should have the same emotion upon his first visit at any other time; and he entreated the favour of seeing me. lie had a right, he said, to see me: he was a sufferer for my sake. They saw, he told them, that he was not the man he had been; and as he had been denied, and been brought to deny himself, the sa-tisfaction due to a gentleman, from a man whom he had never offended, he insisted on having the opportunity given him of seeing me, and receiving my forgiveness, as what would consolidate his recon-ciliation with Sir Charles Grandison.

There was no resisting this plea. And down I trembled; I can hardly say walked. Notwithstanding all my little reasoning with my-self, to behave with the dignity of an injured person; yet the moment I saw him approach me, at my entrance into the parlour, I ran to Mr. Reeves, and caught hold of his arm, with looks, I doubt not, of terror. Had Sir Charles Grandison been there, I suppose, I should have run to him in the same manner.

Ever-dear and adorable goodness! (werehiswords, coming to me) how sweet is this terror, and how just! I have forgiven worse injuries, pointing to his mouth. I meant nothing but honour to you.

Honour, Sir! Cruelty, Sir! Barbarity, Sir! How can you wish to see the creature whom you so wickedly treated?

I appeal to yourself, madam, if I offered the least indecency! For all I have suffered by my mad enterprize, what but disgrace

Disgrace, Sir, was your portion, Sir (half out of breath) What ivould you, Sir? Why this visit? What am I to do?

I hardly knew what I said; and still I held Mr. Reeves’s arm.

Forgive me, madam: that is what you are to do: pardon me: on my knee I beg your pardon. And ne dropt down on one knee.

Kneel not to me, Sir Pray do not kneel You bruised, you hurt, you terrified me, Sir And, Lord bless me! I was in danger of being your wife, Sir?

Was not this last part of my answer a very odd one? But the memory of what I suffered at the time, and of the narrow escape I had, left me not the least presence of mind, on his address to me, kneeling.

He arose. In danger of being my tuife, madam! Only that the method I took was wrong, madam!

Miss Byron, you see, is in terror, Sir Hargrave. Sit down, my love (taking my hand, and leading me to the fire-side) How you tremble, my dear! You see, Sir Hargrave, the terror my cousin is in You see

I do I do; and am 6orry for the occasion We will all sit down. Compose yourself, dear Miss By-ron And (holding up his clasped hands to me) I beseech you, forgive me.

Well, Sir, I forgive you I forgive you, Sir.

Were you not in so much disorder, madam-Were it to be seasonable now I would tell you what I have further to beg. I would

Speak, Sir, now; and never let me

Suffer an interruption, madam I am too appre-hensive of that word never. You must allow ot my address. I ask you not any favour, but as I shall behave myself in future.

Yes, yes, Sir, your behaviour But, Sir, were you to become the best man in the world, this, this, is the last time that I ever

Dear Miss Byron! And then he pleaded his pas-sion; his fortune; his sufferings A wretch! [Yet I had now-and-then a little pity for his disfigured mouth and lip] His resolutions to be governed by me in every act of his life The settlement of one half of his estate upon me. The odious wretch mentioned children,my dear younger children. He ran on in such a manner as if he had been drawing up marriage articles all the way hither.

Upon my absolutely renouncing him, he asked me, Jf Sir Charles Grandison had not made an impression on my heart?

What, Lucy, could make me inwardly fret at this question? I could hardly have patience to reply.

I now see, my dear, that I have indeed a great deal of pride.

Surely, Sir Hargrave, I am not accountable to you

You are not, madam: but I must insist upon an answer to this question. If Sir Charles Grandison has made an application to you for favour, I can have no hope.

Sir Charles Grandison, Sir, is absolutely disin-terested. Sir Charles Grandison has made There I stopt; I could not help it.

No application to my cousin, I assure you, Sir Hargrave, said Mr. Reeves. He is the noblest of men. Had he any such thoughts, I dare say, he would be under difficulties to break his mind, lest such a declaration should be thought to lessen the merit of his protection.

A good thought of Mr. Reeves. And who knows, mv Lucy, but there may be some foundation for it?

Protection! D n it! But I am the easier upon this assurance. Let me tell you, Mr. Reeves, that, had I not found him to be a wonder of a man, mat-ters should not have ended as they seem at present to have done.

But, Sir Hargrave, said Mrs. Reeves, permit me to say, as I know Miss Byron’s mind, that there cannot be the least room to imagine that Miss By-ron

Dear Mrs. Reeves, forgive me. But I cannot receive a denial from any other mouth than hers. Is there no room for a sincere penitent to hope for mercy from a sweetness so angelic, and who is ab-solutely disengaged!

You have had mine already, Sir Hargrave, said I. I am amazed, that, knowing my mind before your wicked insult upon me, you should have any expect-ation of this kind after it. vol. x. n

He again vowed his passion, and such staff.

I think, Lucy, I never shall be able, for the future, to hear with patience any man talk of love, of passion, and such nonsense.

Let me summarily add, for I am tired of the sub-ject, that he said a hundred impertinent things, sillier than any of those said by Mr. Grandison in my praise [indeed every thing of this nature now ap-pears siUy to me] He insisted upon a preference to Mr. Greville, Mr. Fenwick, Mr. Orme. He re-solved not to despair, as his sufferings for my sake had given him (as he said he presumed to tell me) some merit in his own opinion if not in mine; and as his forgiveness of the man who had injured him, ought, he thought, to have some weight in his favour.

He took leave of my cousins and me in a very respectful manner. 1 wish him no harm. But I hope I shall never see him again.

And now, Lucy, with the end of this very disagreeable visit, I will conclude my letter; and shall have another long one ready for the next post.


Letter V.
Miss Harriet Byron to Miss Lucy Selby.

March 3. I had not recovered myself after Sir Hargrave’s visit, when Lady L. and Miss Grandison called, as they said for a moment; however, this agreeable moment lasted two hours. Miss Grandison, the instant she saw me, challenged me Hey day! What’s the matter with our Harriet, Mrs. Reeves? And, patting my neck Why these flutters, child Per-turbations delightful, or undelightful, Harriet, whether? 3

I told her who had been here, and but just left me; and, by the help of my cousins, gave them the par-ticulars of what had passed.

They were greatly pleased; and the more, they said, as their brother, on seeing them uneasy, had acquainted them, that all matters between him and Sir Hargrave were accommodated; but had not had opportunity to tell them more.

Let me reckon with you, Harriet, said Miss Gran-<lison (taking my hand with a schooling air): I am half-jealous of you: Lady L. has got the start of me in my brother’s affections: but she is my elder sister; first come, first served; I can bear that: but I will not be cut out by a younger sister.

What is now to follow? thought I; and I fluttered like a fool; the more for her arch look, as if she would read my heart in my eyes.

Increased palpitation (O the fool!) made it look as if I took her jest for earnest. What a situation am I in!

Dear Charlotte, said Lady L. smiling, you shall not thus perplex our sweet sister. My dear, don’t mind her. You’ll know her better in time.

Be quiet, Lady L. I shall have it all out.

All what out? said I. O Miss Grandison, how you love to alarm!

Well, well, I’ll examine farther into these perturb-ations another time. I have beat the bush before now for one hare, and out have popt two. But all I mean is; a paper, a letter (my brother called it a paper) was brought to him sealed up. He rewarded the bringer; but sent it directly away unopened (that we found out) to you, Harriet. Now, child, if I allow of his reserves, I will not allow of i/ours. Pray answer me fairly and truly; What are the contents of that paper?

They give the particulars of the conversation ii 2 that passed in the alarming interview between Sir Charles

And Sir Hargrave. That’s my good girl. You see, Lady L. how this young thief will steal away the affections of our brother from us both. He has shewed us nothing of this. But if you would not have me jealous, Harriet, be sure keep no one secret of your heart from me

That relates merely to myself, I think I will not.

Then you’ll be a good girl: and I’ll give my love for you the reins without a pull-back.

Just then a servant came in with a card.

“Lady D.‘s compliments to Mrs. Reeves and Miss Byron; and if it would be agreeable, she will wait on them presently, for one quarter of an hour. She is obliged to go out of town early in the morning.’’

What shall I do now? said I. I was in a flutter; not being fully recovered from that into which Sir Hargrave’s visit had thrown me.

What now? What now? said Miss Grandison. Ah! Harriet, we shall find you out by degrees.

By the way, Lucy, you are fond of plays; and it is come into my head, that, to avoid all says-I’s and all says-she’s, I will henceforth, in all dialogues, write names in the margin: so fancy, my dear, that you are reading in one of your favourite volumes.

Harriet. Do you know Lady D.?

Miss Gr. Very well: but I did not know that you did, Harriet.

Lady I.. And I know she has a son: and I know she wants him to marry.

Harriet. That I may keep no secrets from my two sisters, my aunt Selby has written to me

Miss Gr. Lately?

Harriet. Very lately.

Miss Gr. O! because you had not told me of that.

Mrs. Reeves. And pray, ladies, what is Lady D.‘s character?

LadyL. She isavery sensible and prudent woman.

Miss Gr. I am not very intimate with her: but have seen her in two or three of my visits. I have always thought her so. And pray, Harriet, don’t you want to know what character my lord bears?

Harriet. My lord is nothing to me. I have an-swered. I have given my negative.

Miss Gr. The deuce you have! Why, the man has a good 12,0001. a-year.

Harriet. I don’t care.

Miss Gr. What a deuce ails the girl!

Then humourously telling on her fingers Orme, one; Fenwick, txvo; Greville, three; Fowler, four; ‘I want another finger; but I’ll take in my thumb Sir HARGRAVE^Ve; And now (putting the forefinger of one hand on the thumb of the other) Lord D. six! And none of them the man! De-pend upon it, girl, pride will have a fall.

What could she mean by that? Sir Charles Grandison’s sisters, I hope, will not But I believe she meant nothing.

Have I pride, Miss Grandison? coldly and grave-ly asked I, as my cousin observed to me afterwards.

Miss Gr. Have you pride? Yes, that you have; or you have ivorse.

What could this mad lady mean by this? And what could I mean? For I had tears in my eyes. I was very low-spirited at that moment.

Lady L. Well, but Miss Byron, shall we be impertinent, if we stay to see the lady? I have a great value for her. She has been an admirable exe-cutrix and trustee for her son; and was as good a wife. I was just going; but, as she goes out of town tomorrow, will stay to pay my compliments to her. We can withdraw till you have had your talk, ii 3

Miss Gr. Does she come to persuadeyou, Harriet r to retract your refusal?

Harriet. I know not her business. I wrote my mind to my aunt Selby. But I believe my aunt could not have written, and the countess received what she wrote, by this time. But do not go: we can have no private talk.

Miss Gr. Well, but now I will tell you, without punishing your curiosity further, what Lord D’s character is. He is as sober a man as most of the young nobility. His fortune is great. In sense he neither abounds, nor is wanting; and that class of men, take my word for it, are the best qualified of all others to make good husbands to women of superior talents. They know just enough to induce them to admire in her, what they have not in them-selves. If a woman has prudence enough to give consequence to such a one before folks, and will behave as if she thought him her superior in under-standing, she will be able to make her own will a law to him; by the way of / mill, Shall I? Or, If you please, my dear, I will do tvhatlthiulcfit. But a fool and a wit are the extreme points, and equal-ly unmanageable. And now tell me, Harriet, what can be your motive for refusing such a man as this?

Harriet. I wish, my dear, you would not talk to me of these men. I am sick of them all Sir Har-grave has cured me

Miss Gr. You fib, my dear But did you ever see Lord D.?

Harriet. No, indeed!

Miss Gr. “ No, indeed! “ YY T hy then you are a simpleton, child. What, refuse a man, an earl too! in the bloom of his years, 12,000 good pounds a-year! yet never have seen him Your motives, child! Your motives! I wish you are not already There she stopt.

Harriet. And I wish, Miss Grandison, with all my heart, if that would tame you, that you were in love over head and ears, and could not help it!

Miss Gr. And wish you me that for spite, or to please me? I am in love, my dear; and nothing keeps me in countenance, but having company among the grave ones. Dearly do I love to find girls out. Why, I found our Lady L. before she would own a tittle of the matter. So prim! “ And hoiv can you think so, Charlotte? Who, I, in love! No, indeed! No man has a place in my heart! “ Then 1 was resolved to have her secret out. I began with my roundabouts, and my suppose’ ‘s A leer as thus [I was both vexed and pleased with her archness] And then & suppose Then came a blush “ Why, Char-lotte, I cannot but say, that if I were obliged to have the one man or the other “ Then came a sigh, endeavoured in haste to be returned to the heart whence it came; and when it could not find its way back, to be cut into three halves, as the Irishman said; that is, into two half-sighs, and a hem; and a “ Get you gone, for an impertinent.” As much as to say, “ You have it!” And when I found I had, and she owned it; why then I put my mad head to her grave one; and we had but one heart betwixt us.

Lady L. (laughing) Out of breath, Charlotte, I hope.

Miss Gr. Not yet How often have I kept watch and ward for her! Sometimes have I lent her my dressing-room for their love-meetings: yet, for the world, she would not marry without her papa’s consent: no, but like the rest of us, she would suf-fer her affections to be engaged, without letting him know a syllable of the matter. Very true, Lady L. what signifies looking serious? Lady L. Strange creature!

Miss Gr. Once or twice did I change dresses with her. In short, I was a perfect Abigail to her in the affair: and, let me tell you, two sisters, agreed to manage a love-affair, have advantages over even a lady and her woman.

Lady L. Mad creature!

Miss Gr. All this I did for her without fee or re-ward; only from the dear delight of promoting the good work, and upon the christian principle of Do as you would be done by. Is not all this true, Lady L.? Deny it if you can.

Lady L. And have you done, Charlotte? Ah! my dear Miss Byron, you’ll never do any-thing with this girl, except you hear all she has to say. And if you have a secret, ’tis better to let her know it at first. Charlotte is a generous girl, after all; but sometimes, as now, a very impertinent one

What could these ladies mean by this, I wonder? If they suspect me to love somebody, surely this is not the way, that two such ladies, in generosity, should take; when they think I have no engagement; and know that the doubt must lie on their brother’s side, whom, with all their roundabouts y as they call them, they cannot fathom.

I would give any thing, methinks, to know, if Sir Charles was ever in love.

Just then a rapping at the door made us suppose it was the countess. It was. After compliments to Mrs. Reeves and me, she embraced Lady L. very affectionately, and Miss Grandison kindly; asking the first after Lord L.‘s health, and the other after her brother: He is the man of all men, Miss Grandison, said she, that I want to see. We shall be in town soon, for a month or two; and then you must make me known to one, whom every-body calls the best of men: as here, said she, coming up again to me, I have longed to be acquainted with one of the best of women.

Ladj/L. Miss Byron is, indeed, an excellent young woman. We do ourselves the honour of calling her sister.

Lady D. What an encouragement is that to be good? Even in this age, bad as it is, true merit will never want admirers. And let me say, that where beauty and goodness meet, as here, they adorn each other.

Agreeable Lady D.! thought I: my heart will not. suggest a thought in favour of your son; but I shall easily be in love wiihyou. The heart hardly deserves praise, my Lucy, that is not fond of it from the worthy.

Her ladyship took Lady L. aside; and said some-thing to her. Lady L. answered with a No, as I suppose: to which Lady D. replied, I am glad of that; adding, I am not afraid of saying any thing to a person of Lady L.‘s known prudence.

Ah! my Lucy! She asked Lady L. I dare say, whether the acknowledged sisterhood extended to the brother, as a brother, or as something else And, by her cheerful and condescending court to me afterwards, and to Mrs. Reeves, was satisfied by Lady L.‘s answer, I make no doubt, that there is room for Lord D.‘s address, for any-thing on Sir Charles’s part.

I will not he mean, Lucy! Greatly as I admire somebody, these excellent sisters shall not find me entangled in an hopeless passion.

Her ladyship took my hand, and led me to the window. I was brought to town, said she, on an extraordinary occasion, two days ago; and must set out on my return in the morning. I thought I would not miss the opportunity of paying my compliments to a young lady, of whom I had heard every-body speak with great commendation. I make no doubt hut your good aunt Selby has There she stopt.

My aunt has sent me up two of your ladyship’s letters, and copies of her answers.

I am pleased with your frankness, my dear. It was that part of your character that engaged me. Young women, in these cases, are generally either so affected, so starched (as if they thought there was something shameful in a treaty of this kind) or they are so awkward, that I have not patience with them. You have all the modesty Indeed, my dear, your goodness of heart shines out in every feature of your face.

Your ladyship does me high honour.

I am pleased even with that acknowledgment. The discretion of a person is often most seen in mi-nuteness. Another would have made disqualifying speeches But compliments made to the heart by one who is not accustomed to flatter; such compliments, I mean, as it would be culpable for a person not to be able to verify; shouldnotbe disclaimed. To say truth, my dear, I did not intend to mention one word of the matter to you, on this first visit. I only wanted to see you, and to converse with you a little, that I might make report accordingly to my son; who, however, knows not that I should pay my compliments to you; but the moment I saw you, your aspect confirmed all that I had heard said in your favour; and seeing you also so much caressed by two ladies of characters so established; and no less pleased with what I observed of Mr. and Mrs. Reeves [you are a family of good people]; I was resolved to be as frank as you are, and as your aunt Selby has been She is a good woman Indeed, madam, she is

Accordingly, I have singled you out, in the face of every-body present You will have the discretion to caution them on this subject, till you have seen my son ( I am sure there can be no doubt on his side) and till you know whether you shall approve of our proposals, or not: and, without hesitation, I bespeak your good opinion of me till then. I am sure, my dear Miss Byron, we shall be very happy in each other. If you and my lord are happy, you and I must be so But, when the knot is tied, I will be only your visiter, and that at your own invitation. I am thought to be a managing woman: managing women are not generally the best to live with. You, I understand, are an excellent ceconomist f A glo-rious character in this age for a young woman! Persons of the highest quality ought not to think themselves above it]. One person’s method may differ from another’s} yet both may be equally good, and reach the same end. My son has found the benefit of my ceconomy: nevertheless, his wife shall not have cause to think, that, where she means well, I will prefer my methods to hers. If ever I give ad-vice, it shall be only when you ask it: and then, if you do not take it, I will not be angry; but allow, that having weighed the matter well, you prefer your own judgment, on the best convictions. Peo-ple who are to act for themselves, should be always left to judge for themselves; because they only are answerable for their own actions. You blush, my dear, I hope I don’t oppress you. I would not oppress modesty so happily blended with frankness.

I was affected with her goodness. What an amia-ble frankness! O that all husbands’ mothers Were like your ladyship! said I What numbers of hap-py daughters-inlaw would there then be, that now are not so!

Charming creature! said she. Proceed. I am glad I don’t oppress you with my prate.

Oppress me, madam! You delight me! Talk of a bad world! I ought, I am sure, to think it a good one! In every matronly lady I have met with a mother: in many young ladies, as those before us, sisters: in their brother, a protector: if your lady-ship has not heard on what occasion, I shall be ready to acquaint you with it.

Sweet child! Charming frankness! I have seen, I have heard, enough of you for my present purpose We will return to company Such company as I find you in, is not to be had at all times. I will restore you to them.

But, madam, declining her leading hand

But what, my dear!

Have you not, madam? But your ladyship could not have received any letter from my aunt Selby I wrote

I have not. I could not, as you say. But I shall find a letter from her, perhaps, on my return. You approve, I hope, of the proposal, if you shall have no objection to my son?

My aunt, madam, will let you know

I will not have it otherwise than I wish it to be Remember that I value you for the frankness you are praised for A little female trifling to my son, if you will, in order to be assured of his value for you (and men love not all halcyon courtships) but none to me, my love. I’ll assist you, and keep your counsel, in the first case, if it be necessary. He shall love you above all the women on earth, and convince you that he does, or he shall not call you his But no female trifling to his mother, child! We women should always understand one another.

Because I would not be thought to be an insin-cere creature, a triflcr, I think I ought to mention to your ladyship, that it would be a great, a very great part of my happiness, to be deemed worthy of gour friendship without

Without what? You do well perhaps to blush! Without what?

Without the relation if you please.

I was confounded with her goodness, Lucy. Here, my dear, is another superior character I fancy her maiden-name was Grandison.

But I don’t please. So no more of this. Let us join company. And, taking my hand with the goodness of a real mother: yet her brow a little overclouded; she made apologies to them for taking me aside; and said, she could trust to their prudence, she was sure, as they must needs guess at her view; and therefore she offered not to put a limit to their conjectures, since denial or evasion would but, in this case, as it generally did, defeat its own end, and strengthen what it aimed to weaken.

Is there no obtaining such a mother, thought I, without marrying Lord D.? And should I refuse to see him, if an interview is desired, especially when Lady L. has seemed to encourage the countess to think, somebody has no thoughts Indeed I don’t desire that that somebody should If I don’t know what I was going to add to that if: but pray tell my grandmamma, that I hope her Harriet will never give her cause to lament her being entangled in a hopeless passion. No, indeed!

But, my Lucy, one silly question to you, who have been a little entangled, and more happily disen-tangled: I catch myself of late in saying him and he, and writing to you somebody, and such-like words, instead of saying and writing boldly, as I used to do, Sir Charles, and Sir Charles Grandison; which would sound more respectfully, and yet am sure I want not respect. What is the meaning of this? Is it a sign Ah! my Lucy! you said you would keep a sharp look-out; and did I not say I would upon myself? Surely I said truth: surely you will think so, when you see such little silly things as these do not escape me. But when you think me i too trifling, my dear, don’t expose me. Don’t read it out in the venerable circle. That to some may appear very weak and silly, which by others will be thought excusable, because natural. It would be wrong (as I yet never did it) to write separately to you. And what have I in my heart, were it to be laid open to all the world, that I should be afraid I was going to write, that I should be asluimed of? But I think 1 am a little ashamed, at times, for all that Ah, Lucy! don’t add, “ And so I ought.”

Lady D. repeated her desire of being acquainted with Sir Charles. She has no daughter: so it was purely for the sake of his great character. She heard, she said, that he was the politest of brothers. That was always a good sign with her. Pie gives you, MissGrandison, I am told, a great deal of his company.

Miss Grandison said, that their brother, she believed, was one of the busiest men in the kingdom, who was not engaged in public affairs; and yet the most of a family-man. I endeavour, said she, to make home delightful to him. I never break in upon him when he is in his study, without leave: indeed I seldom ask it! for when he is inclined to give me his company, he requests, as a favouryrom me, what I am always ready to consider as one done to me. And I see he loves me: he is not uneasy in my company: he comes for half an hour, and stays an hour But don’t set me into talking of him; for my heart always dilates, when I enter into the agreeable subject, and I know not where to stop.

Lady L. Charlotte is a happy girl.

Miss GV. And Lady L. is a happy woman; for he loves her as well as he loves me. Indeed he is so good as to say (but I know it is to keep us from pulling caps) that he knows not which heloves best: We have different qualities, he says; and he ad-mires in each what the other has not.

Lady D. But what are his employments? What can he be so much busied in?

Miss Gr. A continual round of good offices. He has a ward. She has a large fortune. The attention he pays to her affairs takes up a good deal of his time. He is his own steward; and then he has a variety of other engagements, of which we ask him not one word; yet long to know something about them. But this we are sure of, that if lie thinks any-thing will give us pleasure, we shall hear of it: if the contrary, he is as secret as the night.

Will nobody say one bad or one indifferent thing of this man, Lucy! There is no bearing these things! O my dear, what a nobody is your poor Harriet?

Lady D. He is one of the handsomest men in England, they tell me.

Miss Gr. Sisters are not judges. They may be partial. His benignity of heart makes his face shine. Had I a lover but half as handsome, as I think my brother, I should make no objection to him on the account of person.

Lady L. But he is the genteelest of men! What think you, sister Harriet?

Harriet. “ Sisters are not judges. They may be partial.”

What meant Lady L. to apply to me? But I had been some time silent. She could not mean any-thing: and both sisters complimented me on recognizing the relation.

Lady D. asked me how long I should stay in town?

I said, I believed not long. I had leave for three months. Those would be soon elapsed: and as my friends were so good as to be pleased with my company, I should rather choose to walk within, than step out of my limits.

The countess, with a nod of approbation, said, i2

With good young people it will be always so: and this is more praise-worthy in Miss Byron, as she may do what she pleases.

Then, taking me a little aside I hope, my dear, you meant nothing contrary to my wishes, when you referred, in so doubtful a manner, to what you had written to your aunt. You don’t answer me! This is a call upon your frankness. Women, when any-thing is depending, on which they have set their hearts, are impatient. Don’t you know that? They love not suspense.

It is painful to me, madam, to decline a proposal that would give me a relation to so excellent a lady But

But what, my dear? Let not maidenly affectation step in with its cold water. You are above it. Woman to woman, daughter to mother You are above it.

Then, turning to the ladies, and to my cousins You don’t know, any of you (we are by ourselves) that Miss Byron’s heart is engaged? Miss Grandi-son, let me apply to you: maiden ladies open their hearts to one another. Know you whether Miss Byron has yet seen the man to whom she wishes to give her hand? Her aunt Selby writes to me, that she has not.

Miss Gr. We young women, madam, often know least of our own hearts. We are almost as unwilling to find out ourselves in certain cases, as to be found out by others. Speak, sister Harriet: answer for yourself.

[Was not this grievous, Lucy? And yet what ailed me, tfiat I could not speak without hesitation! But this lady’s condescending goodness Yet this wicked Sir Hargrave! His attempt, his cruel treatment of me, has made me quite another creature than 1 was.]

My aunt Selby, madam, wrote the truth. To say I wish not to marry for some time to come, may sound like an affectation, because I have ever honoured the state But something has happened that has put me out of conceit with myself, and with men too.

Lady D. With all men, child? I will allow for a great many things in a weak mind, that I will not in yours. I have had a hint or two about an insult, or I know not what, from Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, since I came to town: for I have asked after you, my dear: but what is that but a confirmation of your merits i What a disagreeable woman must she be, whom but one man in the world could like?

But excuse me, Miss Byron, I have said abun-dance of impertinent things: I have gone further on this first visit than I intended. You must thank for this that ingenuous and open countenance, which confirms, at first sight, the character I had heard given by every-body who spoke of you. I shall see, perhaps, what your aunt Selby, to whom you refer, writes, when I get down. I shall soon be in town, as I said, for the rest of the winter; and then I will make myself mistress of your whole history from these ladies, and from yourself: and there shall end all my enquiries, and, I hope, all my solicitudes, on an article that is next my heart. Mean time, adieu, my dear Adieu.

She then, courtesy ing to all round, gave her hand to Mr. Reeves, who led her to her chair; leaving us all full of her praises.

Miss Gr. (looking archly) I say nothing as to her particular errand, because I would not be too curious; and because you ask me no questions, Harriet.

Lady L. This must do, Miss Byron: who would not wish for such a mother? i 3

Harriet. Is the mother to be the principal inducement in such an article as this?

Miss Gr. Why, my dear, do you pretend, in such an age of petits-maitres, to live single, till you meet with a man who deserves you? But, Harriet, you must voluntarily open your heart to me. I have a good deal of curiosity; and whenever you are disposed to gratify it, will not withdraw my attention.

Harriet. I will read to you this moment, if you please, ladies, as to my sisters, what Lady D. wrote to my aunt Selby; and what my aunt answered on the occasion.

Miss Gr. That’s my best Harriet! I love to hear how and every-thing about these sort of matters.

Lady L. These girls, Mrs. Reeves, delight in love-subjects; there is a kind of enthusiasm in these matters that runs away with them.

Miss Gr. Say you so, Lady L.? And pray had you ever any of this enthusiasm? And if you had, did matrimony cure you of it? See, Harriet! My sister has not been married many months; yet how quietly she now talks of the enthusiasm of love to us maidens! Ah! my dear Lady L.! women, I see, have their free-masonry, as well as men! Don’t you think so, Mrs. Reeves? A poor secret, after all, I believe, on both sides, whispered the lively lady; but loud enough for every-one to hear what she said.

Lady L. called her a mad girl. But let us be favoured, said she to me, with your communications.

I pulled out the letters. I read the two first pa-ragraphs in my aunt’s letter to me, entire; for they propose the matter, and nothing else.

What follows, said I, is full of love and care, and so forth: but here is one paragraph more I can read to you.

Miss Gr. As much reserve as you please, sister Harriet. I am learning how to deal with you.

Lady L. Why that, Charlotte? No fear that you will tell us more than you have a mind we should know. Regard not, therefore, this threatening, Miss Byron.

Harriet. To own the truth, I cannot read every-thing my aunt writes: but the Countess of D.‘s proposal, and what relates to that, I will read, if you please.

Miss Gr. What you will Read what you will. I find we are not at present so well acquainted, as we shall be hereafter.

What could Miss Grandison mean by that? I read the last paragraph but one, in which my aunt proposes my coming down; and that I will either encourage the countess’s proposal, or accept of Mr. Orme; ending with the earnest desire of my friends to have me married.

I then gave into Miss Grandison’s hand the countess’s first letter;’ and she read it out.

She gave it me back, and thanked me. Were all women, said she, capable of acting thus frankly, the sex would leave affectation to the men monkeys. Remember, Harriet, that your openness of heart is one of the graces for which I principally admire you.

Lady L. O the rogue! Take care of her, Miss Byron! She tells you this, to get out of you all your secrets.

Miss Grandison may easily obtain her end, ma-dam. She need only tell me, what she best likes I should be; and I must try to be that.

MissGr. Good girl! And take this along with you; that when you convince me, that you will not hide, I will convince you, that I will not seek. But what is next?

I then gave into her hand the copy of my aunt Selby’s answer.

Miss Gr. May I read it all?

Harriet. If you please: the fondness of my aunt, and the partiality of

Miss Gr. Away, away, Harriet! No affectation, child!

She read it out. Both sisters praised the heart of the dear and thrice-indulgent writer! and called her their aunt Selby.

I then gave Miss Grandison the countess’s se-cond letter. They were no less pleased with that than with the first.

Miss Gr. But now your opinion of the proposal, child? Will you trust us with that? Have you a copy of what you wrote ?

Harriet. I kept a copy only of what immediately respected the proposal; and that, because it was possible I might want to have recourse to it, as my aunt might, or might not, write farther about it.

I took it out of my pocket-book, and gave it to her to read.

Thank you, child, said she: I should have no curiosity, if I did not love you.

She read it out: it was the paragraph that begins with “ You will, upon the strength of what I have said,” SfC. ending with “ Such is my meaning.” Luckily, I had not transcribed the concluding sen-tence of that paragraph; having been ashamed of the odd words, Hope of your hope.

Lady L. But tvhy should that be your meaning, my dear?

Harriet. I added, I remember, that I was pained by the teazings of these men, one after another; that I never took delight in their airy adulation; and was now the more pained, because of the vile attempt of Sir Hargrave, which had given me a surfeit of the sex.

Miss Gr. A temporary surfeit! It is over, I hope, by this time. But my dear And yet as I owe to your generosity the communication, I would not take occasion from it to teaze you

Harriet. Miss Grandison will oblige me, say what she pleases.

Miss Gr. As you intend to marry Asyourfriends are very desirous that you should As Lady D. is an excellent woman As her son is, as men go, a tole-rable man As he is a peer of the realm; which is something in the scale, though it is not of weight, singly considered As his estate is very considerable As you may have your own terms As you like not any one of your numerous admirers: All these As’s considered, why, why, in the name of goodness, should you give so flat a denial? Yet have not seen the gentleman, and therefore can have no dislikes either to his sense or person? I wish, my dear, you would give such a reason for your denial, a denial so strongly expressed, as one would imagine such a woman as the Countess of D. would be satisfied with, from such a one as Miss Byron.

Lady L. Perhaps, now that Miss Byron has seen what a lady the Countess of D. is

Miss Gr. And now that she has overcome the temporary surfeit

Lady L. She will change her mind.

[Are you not, my dear aunt Selby, are you not, my Lucy, distressed for me at this place? I was at the time greatly so for myself]

Harriet. My mind has been disturbed by Sir Hargrave’s violence: and by apprehensions ot fatal mischiefs that might too probably have followed the generous protection given me: wonder not, there-fore, ladies, if I am unable, on a sudden, to give such reasons for having refused to listen to Lady D.‘s proposal, as you require; although, at the same time, I find not in my heart the least inclina-nation to encourage it.

Miss Gr. You have had your difficulties of late, my Harriet, to contend with: and those you must look upon as a tax to be paid by a merit so conspicuous. Even in this slighter case, as you love to oblige, I can pity you for the situation you are like-ly to be in, betwixt the refused son and the deserving mother. But when you consider, that the plagues of the discreet proceed from other people, those of the indiscreet from themselves, you will sit down with a just compliment to yourself, and be content. You see I can be grave now-and-then, child.

Harriet. May I deserve to be called prudent and discreet! On that condition, I am willing to incur the penalty.

Lady L. Come, ct)me; that is out of the question, my dear: so you are contented of course, or in the way to be so.

The ladies took their leave, and seemed pleased with their visit.

It is now, my dear friends, some-how or other, become necessary, I think, to let you minutely into my situation, that you may advise, caution, instruct me For, I protest, I am in a sort of wilderness. Pray, my Lucy, tell me But it cannot be from love: so I don’t care Yet to lie under such a weight of obligation; and to find myself so much surpassed by these ladies Yet it is not from envy, surely: that is a very bad passion. I hope my bosom has not a place in it for such a mean self-tormentor. Can it be from pride! Pride is a vice that always produces mortification: and proud you all made me of your favour Yet I thought it was grateful to be proud of it.

[I wish I were with you, Lucy. I should ask you abundance of questions; and repose my anxious heart on your faithful bosom; and, at the same time, from your answers, arm it against too great a sensibility, before it is too late.

But, pray, don’t I remember, that you said, you found sighing a relief to you, on a certain occasion? I am serious, my dear. That there was a sort of you-knew-not-what of pleasure in sighing? Yet that it was involuntary? Did you not say, that you were ready to quarrel with yourself, you knew not why? And, pray, had you not a fretting, gnawing pain in your stomach, that made you I can’t tell how to describe it; yet were humble, meek, as if looking out for pity from every-body, and ready to pity every-body? Were you not attentive to stories of people, young women especially, labouring under doubts and difficulties? Was not your humanity raised? yourself-consequencelowered? Butdidyou not think suspense the greatest of all torments? I think, my dear, you lived without eating or drinking; yet looked not pining, but fresh. Your rest I remember it was broken. In your sleep you seemed to be disturbed. You were continually rolling down mountains, or tumbling from precipices or were borne down by tempests, carried away with sudden inundations; or sinking in deep waters; or flying from fires, thieves, robbers

How apt are we to recollect, or to try to recollect, when we are apprehensive that a case may possibly be our own, all those circumstances, of which, while another’s (however dear that other might be to us) we had not any clear or adequate ideas! But I know, that such of these as I recollect not from//o?/, must be owing to the danger, to the terror, I was in from the violence of Sir Hargrave Pollexfen. Often and often do I dream over a-rain what I suffered from him. I am now imploring mercy from him; and meet with nothing but upbraidings and menaces. He is now stopping my mouth with his handkerchief: his horrible clergyman, if a clergy-man he was, is reading the service quite through: and I am contending against the legality of the as-serted marriage. At other times, I have escaped; and he is pursuing me: he gains upon my flying feet; and I wake myself with endeavouring in vain to cry out for help.

But when fancy is more propitious to me, then comes my rescuer, my deliverer; and he is some-times a mighty prince (dreams then make me a perfect romancer) and I am a damsel in distress. The milk-white palfrey once came in. All the marvel-lous takes place; and lions and tigers are slain, and armies routed, by the puissance of his single arm. Now, do not these reveries convince you, that I owe all my uneasiness to what I suffered from Sir Hargrave’s barbarity? I think I must take my aunt’s advice; leave London; and then I shall better find out, whether, as all my friends suspect; and as, to be ingenuous, I myself now begin sometimes to fear, a passion stronger than gratitude has not taken hold of my heart. Of this J am sure; my reasoning fa-culties are weakened. Miss Grandison says, that, in my illness at Colnebrook, I was delirious: and that the doctor they called in was afraid of my head: and should I suffer myself to be entangled in a hopeless passion, there will want no further proof, that my reason has suffered.]

Adieu, my Lucy! VVhat a letter have I written! The conclusion of it, I doubt, will of itself be a suf-ficient evidence of the weakness I have mentioned, both of head and heart, of your

HARRIET.

On perusal of the latter part of this letter [which I have inclosed in hooks] if you can avoid it, Lucy, read it not before my uncle.


Letter VI.
Miss Harriet Byron to Miss Lucy Selby.

Saturday, March 4. This morning Sir Hargrave Pollexfen made Mr. Reeves a visit. He said it was to him; but I was unluckily below; and forced to hear all he had to say, or to appear unpolite.

He proposed visiting my grandmamma and aunt Selby, in order to implore their forgiveness. But Mr. Reeves diverted him from thinking of that.

He had not sought me, he said, at Lady Betty

Williams’s, but from his desire (on the character he had heard of me) to pay his addresses to me, in preference to every other woman. He had laid out for several opportunities to get into my company, before he heard I was to dine there. Particularly he once had resolved to pay a visit in form to my uncle Selby, in Northamptonshire, and had got all his equipage in readiness to set out; but heard that

I was come to town with Mr. and Mrs. Reeves. He actually then set out, he said, for Peterborough, with intent to propose the affair to my godfather

Deane: but found that he was gone to Cambridge: and then, being resolved to try his fate with me, he came to town; and hardly questioned succeeding, when he understood that my friends left me to my own choice; and knowing that he could offer such proposals, as none of the gentlemen who had made pretensions to me, were able to make. His intentions therefore were not sudden, and such as arose upon what he saw of me at Lady Betty William’s; though the part I supported in the conversation there, precipitated his declaration.

He was very unhappy, he said, to have so mor-tally disobliged me; and repeated all his former pleas; his love [rough love, I am sure] compas-sion, sufferings, and I cannot tell what; insisting, that he had forgiven much greater injuries, as was but too apparent.

I told him, that I had suffered more than he could have done, though his burt was more visible than mine: that nevertheless I forgave him; as no bad consequences had followed between him and my protector [Protector! muttered he] But that he knew my mind, before he made that barbarous at-tempt; and I besought him never more to think of me; and he must excuse me to say, that this must be the very last time I ever would see him.

A great deal was said on both sides; my cousins remaining attentively silent all the time: and at last he insisted, that I would declare, that I never would be the wife either of Mr. Greville or Mr. Fenwick: assuring me, that the rash step he had taken to make me his, was owing principally to his apprehension, that Mr. Greville was more likely to succeed with me than any other man.

I owed him, I told him, no such declaration. But Mr. Reeves, to get rid of his importunity, gave it as his opinion, that there was no ground for his apprehensions that I would give my hand to either; and I did not contradict him.

Mr. Bagenhall and Mr. Jordan, before I could get away from this importunate man, came to enquire for him. He then owned, that they came in hope of seeing me; and besought me to favour him and them for one quarter of an hour only.

I was resolved to withdraw: but, at Sir Har-grave’s command, as impertinently given as officiously obeyed, Mr. Reeve’s servant shewed them (his master indeed not contradicting) into the par-lour where we were.

The two strangers behaved with great respect. Never did men run praises higher, than both these gentlemen gave to Sir Charles Grandison. And indeed the subject made me easier in their company than I should otherwise have been.

It is not possible, I believe, for the vainest mind to hear itself profusely praised, without some pain: but it is surely one of the sweetest pleasures in the world, to hear a whole company join in applauding the absent person who stands high in our opinion; and especially if he be one to whose unexceptionable goodness we owe, and are not ashamed to own, obligation.

What further pleased me, was to hear Mr. Bagen-hall declare, which he did in a very serious manner, that Sir Charles Grandison’s great behaviour, as he justly called it, had made such impressions not only upon him, but upon Mr. Merceda, that they were both determined to turn over a ncxv leaf, was his phrase; and to live very different lives from what they had lived; though they were far, they blessed God, fronrbeing before the worst of men.

These gentlemen, with Mr. Merceda and Sir Hargrave, are to dine with Sir Charles today. The}’ both mentioned it with great pleasure: but Sir Hargrave did not seem so well pleased, and doubted of his being able to persuade himself to go. The invitation was given at Mr. Jordan’s motion, who took hold of a slight invitation of Sir Charles’s; Mr. Jordan declaring, that he was resolved not to let slip any opportunity of improving an acquaint-ance with so extraordinary a man. k2

Sir Hargrave talked of soon leaving the town, and retiring to one of his country-seats; or of going abroad, for a year or two, if he must have no hopes Hopes! a wretch!

Yet he shewed so much dejection, and is so really mortified with the damage done to a face that he used to take pleasure to see reflected in the glass (never once looking into either of those in the par-lour he was in, all the time he staid) that I could once or twice have been concerned for him: but when I seriously reflect, I do not know whether his mortification is not the happiest thing that could have befallen him. It wants only to be attended with patience. He is not now an ugly man in his person. His estate will always give him conse-quence. He will now think the better of others; and the worse of himself: he may, much worse; and not want as much vanity as comes to his share.

But say you, my uncle (as I fancy you do) that I also may spare some of my vanity, and not be the worse girl? Ah! no! I am now very sensible of my own defects. I am poor, low, silly, weak Was I ever insolent? Was I ever saucy? Was I ever O my uncle, hide my faults. I am mortified. Let me not reproach myself with having deserved mortification. If I did, I knew it not. I intended not to be saucy, vain, insolent And if I was so, lay it to a flow of health, and good spirits; to time or life; young, gay, and priding myself in every one’s love; yet most in the love, in the fond indul-gence, of all you my good friends: and then you will have some of my faults to lay at your own doors; nor will you, even you, my uncle, be clear of re-proach, because your correction was always mingled with so much praise, that I thought you were but at play with your niece, and that you levelled your blame more at the sex than at your Harriet.

But what have I written against myself! I believe I am not such a low, silly, weak creature, as I had thought myself. For just as 1 had laid down my pen with a pensive air, and to look into the state of my own heart, in order either to lighten, or to confirm, the self-blame I had so glibly written down, Lady L. in her chair, made us a visit. She came up directly to me: I am come to dine with your cou-sins and you, Miss Byron, said she. Shall I be welcome? But don’t answer me. I know I shall.

Mrs. Reeves entered; and acknowledged the favour.

Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, and some of his bre-thren, are to dine with my brother, said my lady; and I, not being obliged to do the honours of the table, with my lord’s consent, made my escape. I cannot endure the wretch who could make such a vile attempt upon you, and who might have mur-dered my brother. Come, will you let me see what you are writing? You can forgive Charlotte’s freedom: will you excuse her sister’s?

I cannot shew your ladyship all I have written; but I will read you some passages of the long let-ter before me.

I told her my subject, and read to her such as I thought. I could read. She raved at Sir Hargrave: wondered he had the confidence to approach me, especially with hope. She praised me: yet said to my cousin Reeves, that he ought to have been denied the house; and the rather, as I was myself very unwilling to see him.

I own, I thought so too. Both my cousins are too good-natured.

We had a great deal of talk about the duel that was so happily prevented. Lady L. gave us an account of that which her father fought; and to the issue of k3 which they owed the loss of the best of mothers: and at and after dinner she piously expatiated on the excellencies of that mother; and demonstrated, what I have often thought of great consequence (my grandmamma’s and aunt Selby’s examples before me affording the noblest proofs) that the con duct of women in their families is of high importance; and that they need not to look out of them so often as they do, to employ themselves; and that not only in the most useful, but in the most delight-ful manner.

My Lord L. having broke from the company at Sir Charles’s, did us the honour to drink tea with us. Every-thing, he said, passed very agreeably among the gentlemen he had left; and it was his opinion, that his brother’s noble behaviour, and the conversation that passed at table, and in which he left him and them engaged, would make more than one convert among them.

He told Lady L. that Sir Charles was to set out on Monday for Canterbury [for Canterbury, Lucy!]; and that he hoped she would give him her company for a few days to Colnebrook. Their new house, he said, would be ready to receive them in a week’s time: it wanted nothing but a thorough airing. And if, said he, you could prevail upon Miss Grandison to be with us till her brother re-turns, and both sisters could induce Miss Byron to make a fourth, we shall be the happiest party in the world; and perhaps may get Sir Charles among us, on his return, for a day or two. I bowed.

I must tell you, my lord, that Charlotte and I thought to offer our attendance on Miss Byron to some of the public entertainments: but your lord-ship’s pleasure shall determine me; and if we could be so happy as to have Miss Byron for our guest, I am sure of my sister; and it would be my preferable wish. Mr. Reeves, Mrs. Reeves, will you spare Miss Byron to me?

I looked, as if for their leave. They gave a smiling assent.

My lord and lady both expressed themselves overjoyed.

This Canterbury ran in my head. It was brought in naturally enough; and Mr. Reeves wondered, that Sir Charles kept secret the motive of his jour-neying thither backward and forward. The godlike man, said Mr. Reeves, in the words of a great poet, has nothing to conceal. For my part, replied my lord, 1 conclude the motive is rather a painful than a pleasurable one. Charlotte accuses her brother of reserves. I never found him reserved: but he loves to play with her curiosit}’, and amuse her: for she is very curious, yet has her secret. Has she not, Lady L.?

Indeed she has, replied my lady Perhaps you, my dear, will be entrusted with it, when you are at Colnebrook together.

Pray, madam, said I to Lady L. may I ask? Does Sir Charles give Lord G. his interest in his addresses to Miss Grandison?

Lady L. My brother wishes Charlotte married. He is a great friend to the married state; especially with regard to our sex.

Mr. Reeves could not miss this opportunity. It is a wonder, said he, that Sir Charles himself does not think of marriage?

Lady L. That is a string that we but just touch sometimes, and away. There is a lady

There she stopt. Had she looked with earnestness at me, I had been undone, I believe.

Let me ask you, Lucy: you have passed the fiery ordeal Did you ever find in yourself a kind of impatience, next to petulance; and in your heart (only for fear of exposing yourself) that you were ready to quarrel, or to be short, with any body that came upon you on a sudden; yet have no business of consequence to engage either your fin-gers or your thoughts? Of late, my dear, I have been very often troubled with this odd sensation. But my whole temper is altering, I believe. I shall grow peevish, perverse, and gloomy, I doubt. O this wicked Sir Hargrave! ]

Pray, my dear, attend for the future to those indexes or hands; and forbear to read out the passages inclosed by them, if j r ou can But if you come upon them before you are aware, why then read on with all my heart.

But to return to Lady L.‘s alarming hint “ There is a lady ”

Mrs. Reeves. That Sir Charles loves, I suppose?

Lady L. That loves Sir Charles; and she has But for the lady’s sake Yet, if it be allowable for any woman to be in love with any man, upon an uncertainty of return, it is for one that is in love with my brother.

Harriet. And cannot Sir Charles make a return? Poor lady!

My cousin afterwards told me, that my upper-lip then quivered like an aspin-leaf. I did not know that it did. I felt not a trembling at my heart; and when the lip trembles, the heart, I think, should be affected. There used to be a close connexion between mine.

Mr. Reeves. Miss Grandison told me, that, if her brother married, half a score women would break their hearts.

Lady L. The words half a score run as glibly off the tongue as half a dozen: but I believe, let the envious, the censorious, malign our sex, and charge us with the love of rakes and libertines, as thev will, if all men were like my brother, there would not be a single woman, and hardly a bad one, in the king-dom. What say you, my lord?

Lord L. My dear life, you know I am all attention, whenever you, or my sister Charlotte, make our brother the subject of your panegyric. If, Miss Byron, you do not choose to hear so much said of this best of men, you will, I doubt, have an ill time of it in the favour you will do us at Colnebrook.

Harriet. My lord, I should be very ungrateful, if I did not hear with pleasure every-thing that shall be said in praise of Sir Charles Grandison.

Lord L. When I am out of conceit with men, as too often they give me cause to be, I think of my brother, and forgive them.

I wonder, Ludy, what every-body means by praising Sir Charles Grandison so much in my hearing! Shall I fly from town to avoid hearing his praises! Yes, say you? But whither? It must not be to Selby-house. Well then, I may as well go to Colnebrook. I shall there be informed of the reasons for all those general applauses; for hitherto I know nothing of his history, to what they tell me I am to know.

These general praises carried us away from a subject that I thought we should once have made more of That one lady And I wanted to know, but had no opportunity to inform myself, whether that lady’s relations, or herself, live at Canterbury. On Monday, it seems, Sir Charles sets out for that Canterbury.

Our noble guests would not stay supper. They had not been gone two hours before I had an hu-morous letter from Miss Grandison. I inclose it.

Saturday night, ten o’clock. Lord and Lady L. rejoice me by telling me, you will accompany them to Colnebrook on Monday.

That’s my good girl! I will go with them for the sake of your company. Yet I had half denied them: And why? Because, if you must know But hush and catch a mouse Because, a certain imperti-nent proposes a visit there; and I had thoughts to take the opportunity of being alone in town, to rid my hands for ever, if possible, of another silly fel-low, of whom, for one month, a great while ago, I thought tolerably.

You and I, Harriet, will open to each other all our hearts. There is one chamber that has two beds in it. We will have that. Our dressing-room shall be common to both. Lady L. is a morning-killer: she always loved her bed: so we shall have charming opportunities for tete-a-tete conversation.

I will drink tea with you tomorrow No, but I won’t: you and your cousin shall drink tea with us Do you hear? I wont be denied. And then we’ll settle how it shall be. I’ll tell you what, my dear If, on my brother’s return from Canterbury, he comes to us at Colnebrook, we will call him to account for all his reserves. Here is this affair of Pollexfen’s: how might it have ended! I tremble to think of it You’ll stand by me: won’t you? I cannot make Lord and Lady L. of my party, or I would have rebelled before now But you and I, my dear, I warrant you Yet you are so grave. Were you always such a grave, such a wise, such a very wise girl, Harriet? Was your grandfather a very sententious man? Was his name Solomon Shirley?

I love wisdom as well as any-body: but wisdom, out of its place, is a prude, my dear. How I ram-ble! You’il come tomorrow I designed but two lines. Adieu. Believe me

Ever yours,

C. G.

I hope, Lucy, I was not wrong in so readily consenting to go to Colnebrook. My own inclination, indeed, was in my compliance; and I begin to mis-trust myself, wherever that strongly leads. Yet why should I undervalue myself? I know my heart to be good. In that I will not yield to any-body. I have no littleness in my mind: naturally I have not. Guard me, O my friends! by your prayers, that no littleness, that is not natural to my heart, may debase it, and make me unworthy of the love you have ever shewn to your

HARRIET BYRON.




Letter VII.
Miss Harriet Byron to Miss Lucy Selby.

Sunday, March 5. My cousins will have it, that I am far gone in a certain passion {they speak quite out] and with a man that has given no encouragement Encouragement! how meanly sounds that word! But I hope they are mistaken. I cannot say, but I might prefer, if I were to have my choice one man to another But that is a different thing from being run away with by so vehement a folly as they are ready to ascribe to me.

Well, but, under this notion, they are solicitous that I should not neglect any opportunity [What a poor creature do they think me! J of ingratiating my-self with the sisters: and therefore I must, by all means, accept of Miss Grandison’s invitation to tea.

I insisted, however, that they should accompany me, as they likewise were invited: and they obliged me I may say themselves too; for they admire the brother and sisters as much as I do.

We found together Lord and Lady L. Miss Grandison, Miss Jervois, Dr. Bartlett, and Mr. Grandison. Sir Charles was in his drawing-room adjoining to the study: a lady with him, they said. What business had I to wish to know whether it was an elderly or young lady? But I must tell you all my follies. When we alighted, a very genteel chair made way for our coach.

Mr.Grandison made up to me; and, as heretofore, said very silly things, but with an air, as if he were accustomed to say such, and to have them received as gallant things, by those to whom he addressed them. How painful is it to a mind not quite at ease, to be obliged to be civil, when the ear is invaded by contemptible speeches, from a man who must think as highly of himself for uttering them, as meanly of the understanding of the person he is speaking to!

Miss Grandison saw me a little uneasy, and came up to us. Mr. Grandison, said she, I thought you had known Miss Byron’s character by this time. She is something more than a pretty woman. She has a soul, Sir: the man who makes a compliment to her on her beauty, depreciates her understanding.

Shethen led me toher seat, and sat downnextme.

Mr. Grandison was in the midst of a fine speech, and was not well pleased. He sat down, threw one leg over the knee of the other, hemmed three or four times, took out his snuff-box, tapped it, let the snuff drop through his ringers, then broke the lumps, then shut it, and twirled it round with the fore-finger of his right-hand, as he held it between the thumb and fore-finger of the other; and was quite like a sullen boy: yet, after a while, tried to recover himself, by forcing a laugh at a slight thing or two said in company, that was not intended to raise one.

I think, my dear, I could have allowed a little more for him, had not his name been Grandison.

We soon adjusted every-thing for the little jour-ney. Mr. Grandison told Miss Grandison, that if she would make him amends for her treatment of him just now, she should put Lord L. upon inviting him. Lord and Lady L. joined to do so. But Miss Grandison would not admit of his going; and I was glad of it.

But, not to affront you, cousin, said she, Miss Byron and I want to have a good deal of particular conversation: so shall not be able to spare you an hour of our company at Colnebrook. But one thing, Sir: my brother sets out for Canterbury to-mor-row: tell him, that roe won’t be troubled with your company: ask him, if he will?

Not in those words neither, cousin Charlotte: but I will offer my attendance; and if he accepts of it, I shall be half as happy as if I went to Colne-brook; and only half, bowing to me.

Why, now, you are a good docible kind of man! I want to hear what will be my brother’s answer: for we know not one syllable, nor can guess at his business at Canterbury.

The tea-equipage being brought in, we heard Sir Charles’s voice, complimenting a lady to her chair; and who pleaded engagement for declining to drink tea with his sister. And then he entered the parlour to us. He addressed my cousins, who were next him, with his usual politeness. He then came to me: How does my good Miss Byron? Not discomposed, I hope, by your yesterday’s visiters. They are all of them in love with you. But you must have been pained I was pained for you, when I heard they had visited you. But extraordinary merit has some forfeitures to pay.

I am sure then, thought I, you must have a great vol. x. L many. Every time I see him, I think he rises upon me in the gracefulness of his behaviour.

I have one agreeable piece of news to tell you, madam. Sir Hargrave will go abroad for a twelve-month. He says, he cannot be in the same kingdom with you, and not see you. He hopes therefore to lessen the torment, by flying from the temptation. Mr. Bagenhall and Mr. Merceda will go with him.

Then whispering me, he said, From a hint in the letter of the penitent Wilson, that Mr. Bagenhall’s circumstances are not happy, and that he is too much in the power of Sir Hargrave; I have prevailed on the latter, in consideration of the other’s accompa-nying him abroad, to make him easy. And, would you believe it? and can you forgive me? I have brought Sir Hargrave to consent to give Wilson the promised 1001. To induce him to do this, Merceda (influenced by the arguments I urged, founded on the unhappy fellow’s confessions in that letter) offered 501. more for his past services to himself: and both, as a proof of the sincerity of their promised reformation. Wilson shall not have the money, but upon his marrying the girl to whom he is contracted: and on my return from a little excursion I am making to Canterbury, I shall put all in a train. And now, let me ask you, once more, Can you forgive me for rewarding, as you may think it, a base servant?

O Sir! how can I answer you? You told me at Colnebrook, that we were to endeavour to bring good out of the evil from which you had delivered me. This indeed is making your words true in a very extensive sense: to make your enemies your friends; to put wicked men into a way of reformation; and to make it a bad man’s interest to be good Forgive you, Sir! From what 1 remember of that poor wretch’s letter, I was obliged to him myself: though vile, he was less vile than he might have been. The young woman behaved with tenderness to me at Paddington: let me therefore add 501. to Mr. Merceda’s 501. as an earnest that I can follow a noble example.

You charm me, madam, said he. I am not disappointed in my opinion of you Wilson, if he give hope of real penitence, shall not want the fourth 501. It would be too good in you, so great a sufferer as you were by his wickedness, to give it: but it will become a man to do it, who has not been injured by him, and who was the occasion of his losing the favour of his employer; and the rather as he was an adviser to his fellow agents to fly, and not to fire at my servants, who might have suffered from a sturdier villain. He has promised repentance and reformation: this small sum will give me a kind of right to enforce the performance. But no more of this just now.

Miss Jervois just then looking as if she would be glad to speak with her guardian, he arose, and taking her hand, led her to the window. She was in a supplicating attitude, as if asking a favour. He seemed to be all kindness and affection to her. Happy girl! Miss Grandison, who had heard enough of what he said of Wilson, to be affected, whispered me, Did I not tell you, Harriet, that my brother was continually employed in doing good? He has invention, forecast, and contrivance. But you see how those qualities are all employed.

O Miss Grandison, said I, I am such a nothing! I cannot, as Sir Hargrave says, bear my own lit-tleness.

Be quiet, said she You are an exceeding good girl! But you have a monstrous deal of pride. Early

I saw that. You are not half so good as the famous

Greek, who losing an election for which he stood, to l 2 be one of 300 only, thanked the gods, that there were in Athens (I think it was) 300 better men than himself. Will you not have honour enough, if it can be said, that, next to Sir Charles Grandi-son, you are the best creature in the world?

Sir Charles led his ward to a seat, and sat down by us.

Cousin Charlotte, said Mr. Grandison, you re-member your treatment of me, for addressing Miss Byron in an open, and I thought, a very polite man-ner: pray where’s your impartiality? Sir Charles has been shut up in his study with a lady who would not be seen by any-body else. But Sir Charles may do any-thing.

I am afraid it is too late, cousin, said Miss Grandison: else it would be worth your while to try for a reputation.

Has Charlotte, Mr. Grandison, said Sir Charles, used you ill? Ladies will do as they please with you gallant men. They look upon you as their own; and you wish them to do so. You must bear the inconvenience for the sake of the convenience.

Well, but, Sir Charles, I am refused to be of the Colnebrook party Absolutely refused. Will you accept of my company? Shall I attend you to Can-terbury?

Are you in earnest, cousin Grandison? Will you oblige me with your company?

VV ith all my heart and soul, Sir Charles.

With all mine, I accept your kind offer.

This agreeably surprised his sisters as well as me: but why then so secret, so reserved, to them?

Mr. Grandison immediately went out to give or-ders to his servant for the journey.

A good-natured man! said Sir Charles. Char-lotte, you are sometimes too quick upon him Are you not?

Too quick upon him! No, no! I have hopes of him; for he can be ashamed: that was not always the case with him. Between your gentleness and my quickness, we shall make something of him in time. Mr. Grandison immediately returned; and we lost something that Sir Charles was going to reply. But, by some words he dropt,the purport was to blame his sister for not sparing Mr. Grandison before company. I imagine, Sir Charles, that if you take Mr. Grandison with you, one may venture to ask a question, Whether you go to any family at Canterbury, that we have heard of? It is to do good, I am sure.

Your eyes have asked me that question several times, Charlotte. I aim not at making secrets of any-thing I do. I need not on this occasion. Yet you, Charlotte, have your secrets. He looked grave.

Have 1 my secrets, Sir Charles? Pray what do you mean?

She coloured, and seemed sensibly touched. Too much emotion, Charlotte, is a kind of confession. Take care. Then turning it off with a smile See, Mr. Grandison, I am revenging your cause. Alarming spirits love not to be alarmed.

So, Harriet! (whispering to me) I am silenced. Had I told you all my heart, I should half have sus-pected you. How he has fluttered me! Lady L. this is owing to you, whispering her behind my chair. I know nothing; therefore could tell nothing. Conscience, conscience! Charlotte, re-whispered Lady L.

She sat still, and was silent for a little while; Lord and Lady L. smiling, and seeming to enjoy her agreeable confusion. At last But, Sir Charles, you always had secrets. You got out of me two or three of mine without exchange. You

Don’t be uneasy, my Charlotte. I expected a, l3 prompt, not a deliberate reply. My life is a various life. Some things I had better not have known myself. See, Charlotte, if you are serious, you will make me so. I have not any motives of action, I hope, that are either capricious or conceited [Sure-ly, Lucy, he cannot have seen what I wrote to you about his reserves! I thought he looked at me] Only this one hint, my sister: whenever you condescend to consult me, let me have every-thing be fore me, that shall be necessary to enable me to form a judgment But why so grave, Charlotte? Impute all I have said, as a revenge of Mr. Grandison’s cause, in gratitude for his obliging offer of accom-panying me to Canterbury.

Cannot you reward him, Sir Charles, but by pu-nishing me?

A good question, Charlotte. But do you take what I have said in that light?

I have done for the present, Sir: but I hope, when you return, we shall come to an eclaircissement.

Needs it one? Will not better and more interesting subjects have taken place by that time? And he looked at her with an eye of particular meaning.

Now is he beginning to wind about me, whispered she to me, as I told you at Colnebrook. Were he and I alone, he’d have me before I knew where I was. Had he been a wicked man, he would have been a very wicked one.

She was visibly uneasy: but was afraid to say any more on the subject.

Lady L. whispered Ah! Charlotte, you are taken in your own toils. You had better let me into your secret. I would bring you off, if I could.

Be quiet, Lady L.

We then talked of the time in the morning of our setting out for Colnebrook. I thought I read Miss Emily’s mind in her eyes Shall we not have the pleasure of Miss Jervois’s company? said I, to the sisters.

Emily bowed to me, and smiled.

The very thing that Miss Jervois was petitioning to me for, said Sir Charles: and I wished, ladies, to have the motion come from one of you.

Emily shall go with us, 1 think, said Miss Grandison.

Thank you, madam, said she; I will take care not to break in upon you impertinently.

What! dost thou too think we have secrets, child?

Consent with your usual grace, Charlotte: are you not too easily affected? Sir Charles spoke this smiling.

Every thing you say, Sir Charles, affects me.

I ought then to be very careful of what 1 say. If I have given my sister pain, I beg her to forgive me.

I am afraid to go on, whispered she to me. Were he and I only together, my heart would be in his hand in a moment.

I have only this to observe, Miss Grandison, whispered I When you are too hard upon me, I know to whom to apply for revenge.

Such another word, Harriet, and I’ll blow you up!

What could she mean by that? — Bloiv me up! I have locked up my aunt’s last letters, where so much is said about entangling and inclination, and so-forth. When any-thing occurs, that we care not to own, I see by Miss Grandison, that it is easy for the slightest hint to alarm us.

But Sir Charles to say so seriously as he did, “ That his life was a various life; “ and that “ he had better not have known some things himself;” affects me not a little. What can a man of his pru-dence have had to disturb him i But my favourite author says,

Yet, with a sigh o’er all mankind, T grant, In this our day of proof, our land of hope, The good man has his clouds that iutervene,

Clouds that obscure his sublunary day;

But never conquer. Ev’n the best must own,

Patience and resignation are the pillars

Of human peace on earth. Night–Thoughts.

But so — young a man! so prudent! as I said; and so generally beloved! But that he is so, may be the occasion. Some lady, I doubt! What sad people are we women at this rate! Yet some women may have the worst of it. What are your thoughts on all these appearances, Lucy?

Miss Grandison, as I said, is uneasy. These are the words that disturb her: “ Only this one hint, my sister: whenever you condescend to consult me, let me have every-thing before me, that shall be ne-cessary to enable me to form a judgment.” And so they would me in her case.

But it seems plain from Sir Charles’s hint, that he keeps to himself (as Miss Grandison once indeed said in his favour) those intelligences which would disturb her and his other friends, to know. The secret which he would have made of the wicked challenge; his self-invited breakfasting with Sir Hargrave; are proofs, among others, of this: and if this be his considerate motive, what a forward, what a censorious creature have I been, on so many occasions, to blame him for his reserves, and parti-cularly for his Canterbury excursions! I think I will be cautious for the future, how I take upon me to censure those actions, which in such a man I cannot account for.

Miss Grandison, on her brother’s withdrawing with Dr. Bartlett, said, Well, now that my cousin Grandison will accompany my brother to Canter-bury, we shall have that secret out in course.

Lady L. It seems to be your fault, Charlotte, that we have not had it before.

Miss Gr. Be quiet, Lady L.

Mr. Gr. Perhaps not. You’ll find I can keep a secret, cousin; especially if I am desired to do so.

Miss Gr. I shall wonder at that.

Mr. Gr. Why so?

Miss Gr. Shall I give it you in plain English?

Mr. Gr. You don’t use to mince it.

Miss Gr. It would be strange, cousin, if a man should make a secret of an innocent piece of intelli-gence, who has told stories of himself, and gloried in them, that he ought, if true, to have been hanged for. You would have it.

Mr. Gr. I knew I must have the plain English, whether I asked for it or not. But give me leave to say, cousin Charlotte, that you made not so superior a figure just now.

Miss Gr. True, Mr. Grandison. There is but one man in the world, of whom I stand in awe.

Mr. Gr. I believe it; and hope you never design to marry, for that reason.

Miss Gr. What a wretch is my cousin! Must a woman stand in awe of her husband? Whether, Sir, is marriage a state of servitude or of freedom to a woman?

Mr. Gr. Of freedom, as women generally make it Of servitude, if they know their duty. Pardon me, ladies.

Miss Gr. Don’t pardon him. I suppose, Sir, it is owing to your consciousness, that you have only the will, and not the spirit, to awe a woman of sense, that you are a single man at this day.

Lady L. Pray, my lord, what have I done, that you treat me with so much contempt?

Lord L. Contempt! my best life How is that?

Lady L. You seem not to think it worth your while to over-awe me.

Miss Gr. Lord, my dear! how you are mistaken in applying thus to Lord L.! Lord L. is a good man, a virtuous man: none but rakes hold these over-ati’ing doctrines. They know what they deserve; and live in continual fear of meeting with their deserts; and so, if they marry, having the hearts of slaves, they become tyrants. Miss Byron

Mr. Gr. The devil s in it if you two ladies want help. I fly the pit.

Lord L. And I think, Mr. Grandison, you have fought a hard battle.

Mr. Gr. By my soul, I think so too. I have held it out better than I used to do.

Miss Gr. I protest I think you have. We shall brighten you up among us. I am mistaken if there were not two or three smart things said by my cou-sin. Pray, did any-body mind them? I should be glad to hear them again. Do you recollect them yourself, cousin?

Mr. Gr. You want to draw me on again, cousin Charlotte. But the d 1 fetch me, if you do. I’ll leave off while 1 am well.

Miss Gr. Would you have thought it, Lady L.! My cousin has discretion as well as smartness. I congratulate you, Sir: A new discovery! But hush! ’Tis time for both to have done.

Sir Charles entered. Mr. Grandison a sufferer again? said he.

Mr. Gr. No, no! Pretty well off this bout Miss Byron, 1 have had the better end of the staff, I believe.

Harriet. I can’t say that, Sir. But you got off, I think, in very good time.

Mr. Gr. And that’s a victory, to what it used to be, I can assure you. Nobody ever could awe Miss Grandison.

Miss Gr. Coward! You would now begin again, would you Sir Charles loves to take me down.

Mr. Gr. Never, madam, but when you are up; and laughed heartily.

Miss Gr. Witty too! a man of repartee! A ver-bal wit! And that’s half as good as a punster, at any time.

Sir Ch. Fight it out, cousin Grandison. You can laugh on, though the laugh of every other person should be against you.

Mr. Gr. And thou, Brutus? It is time to have done.

As I think these conversations characteristic, I hope the recital of them will be excused. Yet I am sensible, those things that go off well in conversation, do not always read to equal advantage.

They would fain have engaged us to stay supper: but we excused ourselves. I promised to breakfast with them.

I chose not to take my maid with me. Jenny is to be made over to me occasionally, for the time of my stay. Dr. Bartlett had desired to be excused. So our party is only the two sisters, Lord L. Miss Jervois, and I.

Sir Charles and Mr. Grandison are to set out for their journey early in the morning.

Adieu, my Lucy. It is late: and sleepiness promises to befriend your

HARRIET.


Letter VIII.
Mrs. Selby to Miss Byron.* my dearest child, Selby-house, Sunday, March 5.

We are all extremely affected with your present situation. Such apparent struggles betwixt your

This letter and the two that follow it, are inserted in this place, though not received, and answered, till Miss Byron was at Colnebrook, for the sake of keeping entire the subject she writes upon from thence. natural openness of heart, and the confessions of a young, of a new passion, and that so laudably found-ed, and so visibly increasing O my love, you must not affect reserves. They will sit very awkwardly upon a young woman, who never knew what affec-tation and concealment were.

You have laid me under a difficulty with respect to Lady D. She is to be with me on Saturday next. I have not written to her, though you desired I would; since, in truth, we all think, that her proposals deserve consideration; and because we are afraid, that a greater happiness will never be yours and ours. It is impossible, my dear, to imagine, that such a man as Sir Charles Grandison should not have seen the woman whom he could love, before he saw you; or whom he had not been engaged to love by his gratitude, as I may call it, for her love. Has not his sister talked of half a score ladies, who would break their hearts for him, were he to marry? And may not this be the reason why he does not?

You see what an amiable openness of heart there is in the Countess of D. You see, that your own frankness is a particular recommendation of you to her. 1 had told her, that you were disengaged in your affections: by your own disclaiming to her the proposed relation, you have given reason to so wise a lady to think it otherwise; or that you are not so much above affectation, as she had hoped you were. And though we were grieved to read how much you were pushed by Miss Grandison*, yet Lady D. will undoubtedly make the same observations and infer-ences, that Miss Grandison did. And what would you have me do? since you cannot give a stronger instance of your affections being engaged, than by declining such a proposal as Lady 1). made, before

Letter V. you have conversed with, or even seen Lord D. And it becomes not your character nor mine, either to equivocate, or to say the thing that is not.

Lady L. you think (and indeed it appears) hinted to Lady D. that Sir Charles stands not in the way of Lord D.‘s application. I see not therefore, that there can be any room to hope from that quarter. Nor will your fortune, I doubt, be thought consi-derable enough. And as Sir Charles is not engaged by affection, and is generous and munificent, there is hardly room to imagine, but that, in prudence, fortune will have some weight with him. At least, on our side, that ought to be supposed, and to make a part of our first proposals, were a treaty to be begun.

Your grandmamma will write to you with her own hand. I refer myself wholly to her. Her wisdom, and her tenderness for you, we all know. She and I have talked of every-thing. Your uncle will not railly you, as he has done. We still continue re-solved not to prescribe to your inclinations. We are afraid therefore of advising you as to this new proposal. But your grandmamma is very much pleased that I have not written, as you would have had me, a letter of absolute refusal to the countess.

Your uncle has been enquiring into the state of Sir Charles Grandison’s affairs. We have heard so many good things of him, that I have desired Mr. Selby to make no further enquiries, unless we could have some hopes of calling him ours. But do you, my dear, nevertheless, omit nothing that comes to your knowledge, that may let us know in him what a good man is, and should be.

Ilis magnanimity in refusing to engage in a duel, yet acquitting himself so honourably, as to leave no doubt of his courage, is an example, of itself, of a more than human rectitude of thinking and acting.

How would your grandfather have cherished such a young man! We every one of us admire and revere him at the same time; and congratulate you, my dear, and his sisters, on the happy issue of the affair between him and that vile Sir Hargrave.

You will let me know your mind as to the affair of Lord D.; and that by the next post. Be not rash: be not hasty. I am afraid I pushed your delicacy too much in my former. Your uncle says, that you are at times not so frank in directly owning your passion, as from your natural openness of heart he expected you would be, when a worthy object had attracted you: and he triumphs over us, in the ima-gination, that he has at last detected you of affectation in some little degree. We all see, and own, your struggle between virgin-modesty and openness of heart, as apparent in many passages of your let-ters: and we lay part of your reserve to the apprehensions you must have of his raillery: but after you have declared, “ That you had rather converse but one hour in a week with Sir Charles Grandison ” (and his sister you put in: and sisters are good convenient people sometimes to a bashful or beginning lover, of our sex) “ than be the wife of any man you have ever seen or known; and that, mean as the word pity sounds, you would rather have his pity than the love of any other man.” Upon my word, my dear, you need not be backward to speak quite out. Excuse me, my child.

I have just now read the inclosed. Had I known your grandmamma could have written so long a let-ter, I might have spared much of mine. Hers is worthy of her. We all subscribe to it; but yet will be determined by your next, as to the steps to be taken in relation to the proposal of Lady D. But if you love, be not ashamed to own it to us. The man is Sir Charles Grandison.

“With all our blessings and prayers for you, I bid-you, my dear love, adieu.

MARIANNA SELBY.


Letter IX.
Mrs. Shirley to Miss Byron.

Sunday, March 5. Don’t be afraid, don’t be ashamed, my dearest life, to open your whole heart to your aunt Selby and me. You know how we all dote upon you. It is no disgrace for a young woman of virtue to be in love with a worthy man. Love is a natural passion. You have shewn, I am sure, if ever young creature did shew, that you are no giddy, no indiscreet person. Not Greville, with all his gaiety; not Fenwick, with all his adulation; not the more respectable Orme, with all his obsequiousness; nor yet the imploring Fowler: nor the terrifying, the shocking Sir Har-grave Pollexfen; have seen the least shadow of vanity or weakness in you. How happily have you steered through difficulties, in which the love of being admired often involves meaner minds! And how have you, with mingled dignity and courteousness, intitled yourself to the esteem, and even veneration, of those whom you refused! And why refused? Not from pride, but principle; and because you could not love any one of them, as you thought you ought to love the man to whom you gave your hand. And at last, when the man appeared to you, who was worthy of your love; who had so powerfully protected you from the lawless attempt of a fierce and cruel pretender; a man who proved to be the best of brothers, friends, landlords^ masters, and the m 2 bravest and best of men; is it to be wondered at that a heart, which never before was won, should discover sensibility, and acknowledge its fellow-heart? What reason then can^ow have for shame? And why seeks my Harriet to draw a curtain between herself and her sympathising friends? You see, my dear, that we are above speaking slightly, because of our uncertainty, of a man that all the world praises. Nor are you, child, so weak as to be treated with such poor policy.

You were not educated, my dear, in artifice. Dis-guises never sat so ill upon any woman, as they do, in most of your late letters, upon you. Every child in love-matters would find you out. But be it your glory, whether our wishes are, or are not answered, that your affection is laudable; that the object of it is not a man mean in understanding, profligate in morals, nor sordid in degree; but such an one as all we your friends are as much in love with as you can be. Only, my dear love, my Harriet, the support of my life, and comfort of my evil days, endeavour, for my sake, and for the sake of us all. to restrain so far your laudable inclination, as that, if it be not your happy lot to give us, as well as yourself, so desirable a blessing, you may not suffer in your health (a health so precious to me) and put yourself on a foot with vulgar girls run away with by their head-strong passions. The more desirable the object, the nobler the conquest of your passion, if it is to be overcome. Nevertheless, speak out, my dear, your whole heart to us, in order to intitle yourself to our best advice: and as to your uncle Selby, do not let his raillery pain you: he diverts us as well as himself by it: he gains nothing over us in the arguments he affects to hold with us: and you must know, that his whole honest heart is wrapt up in his and our Harriet. Worthy man! He would not, any more than I, be able to support his spirits, were any misfortune to befal his niece.

Your aunt Selby has just now shewn me her letter to you. She repeats in it, as a very strong expression in yours, “That you had rather converse with this excellent man but one hour in a week, than be the wife of any man you have ever seen or known.” It is a strong expression; but, to me, is an expression greatly to your honour; since it shews, that the mind, and not the person, is the principal object of your love.

I knew that, if ever you did love, it would be a love of the purest kind. As therefore it has not so much person in it, as most loves; suffer it not to triumph over your reason; nor, because you cannot have the man you could prefer, resolve against having any other. Have 1 not taught you, that marriage is a duty, whenever it can be entered into with prudence? What a mean, what a selfish — mind must that person have, whether man or woman, who can resolve against entering into the state, because it has its cares, its fatigues, its inconveniencies! Try Sir Charles Grandison, my dear, by this rule. If he forbears to marry on such narrow motives, this must be one of his great imperfections. Nor be afraid to try. No man is absolutely perfect.

But Sir Charles may have engagements, from which he cannot free himself. My Harriet, I hope, will not give way to a passion, which is not likely to be returned, if she find that to be the case. You hope, you prettily said in one of your letters, “ that you shall not be undone by a good man.” After such an escape as you had from Sir Hargrave, I have no fear from a bad one: but, my child, if you are undone by a good one, it must be your own fault, while neither he nor his sisters give you encouragement.

I know, my dear, how these suppositions will hurt your delicacy: but then you must doubly guard yourself; for the reality will be worse wounding to that delicacy, than the supposition ought to be. If there be but one man in the world that can undo you, will you not guard against him?

I long to fold my dearest Harriet to my fond heart: but yet, this that follows, is the advice I give, as to the situation you are now in: Lose no opportunity of cultivating the friendship of his amiable sisters [By the way, if Miss Grandison guesses at your mind, she is not so generous in her raillery as is consistent with the rest of her amiable character] . Never deny them your company, when they request it. Miss Grandison has promised you the history of their family. Exact the performance of that promise from her. You will thus come at further lights, by which you may be guided in your future steps. In particular, you will find out, whe-ther the sisters espouse the interest of any other woman; though Sir Charles’s reservedness, even to them, may not let them know the secrets of his heart in this particular. And if they do not espouse any other person’s interest, why may they not be made your friends, my dear? As to fortune, could we have any hint what would be expected, we would do every-thing in our power to make that matter easy; and must be content with moderate settlements in your favour.

But as I approve of your aunt’s having forborn to write, as you would have had her, to Lady D. What shall we do in that affair? it will be asked.

What? Why thus: Lady D. has made it a point, that you are disengaged in your affections: your aunt has signified to her that you are: you have given that lady a hint, which, you say, overclouded her brow. She will be here on Saturday next.

Then will she, no doubt, expect the openest dealing. And she ought to have it. Her own frankness demands it; and the character we have hitherto supported, and I hope always shall support, requires it. I would therefore let Lady D. know the whole of Sir Hargrave Pollexfen’s attempt [you, my dear, was so laudably frank as to hint it to her] and of the generous protection given you by Sir Charles Grandison. Truth never leaves room for self-reproach. Let your aunt Selby then own, that you had written to her: declining, with the most respectful gratitude, the honour intended you: which she could no otherwise account for, than by supposing, and indeed believing, that you would prefer Sir Charles Grandison, from motives of gra-titude, to any other man: but that you knew nothing of his engagements; nor had reason to look upon any part of his behaviour to you, but as the effect of his general politeness; nor that his sisters meant more by calling you sister, than their brother’’ s sister, as well as theirs.

All this shall be mentioned to Lady D. in strict confidence. Then will Lady D. know the whole truth. She will be enabled, as she ought, to judge for herself. You will not appear in her eye as guilty of affectation. We shall all act in character. If Lady L. and Miss Grandison did (as you suppose) acquaint Lady D. that you were not addressed by their brother, they will be found to have said the truth; and you know, my dear, that we should be as ready to do justice to others’ veracity, as to our own. She will see, that your regard for Sir Charles (if a regard you have, that may be an obstacle to her views) is owing to a laudable gratitude for his protection given to a young woman, whose heart was before absolutely disengaged.

And what will be the consequence? Why, either that her ladyship will think no more of the matter; and then you will be just where you were; or, that she will interest herself in finding out Sir Charles’s engagements: and as you have communicated to Lady L. and Miss Grandison the letters that have passed between Lady D. and your aunt, together with the contents of yours, so far as relates to the proposal; and as Lady D. is acquainted with those two ladies; she will probably inform herself of their sentiments in relation to the one atFair and the other; and the matter on every side, by this means, will sooner come to a decision, than probably it can any other way.

I don’t know whether I express myself clearly. I am not what I was: but blessed be God, that I am what I am! I did not think, that, in so little a time, I could have written so much as I have. But my dear Harriet is my subject; and her happiness is, and has ever been, my only care, since I lost the husband of my youth, the dear man who divided with me that, and all my cares; who had a love for you equal to my own; and who, I think, would have given just 57<cA advice. What would Mr. Shirley have thought? How would he, in the like case, have acted? are the questions I always ask myself, before I give my opinion in any material cases, especially in those which relate to you.

And here let me commend a sentiment of yours, that is worthy of your dear grandfather’s pupil: “ I should despise myself,” say you, “ were I capable of keeping one man in suspense, while I was balancing in favour of another.”

Good young creature, hold fast your principles, whatever befals you. Look upon this world as you have been taught to look upon it. I have lived to a great age: yet, to look backward to the time of my youth, when I was not a stranger to the hopes and fears that now agitate you, what a short space does it seem to be! Nothing withholds my wishes to be released, but my desire of seeing the darling of my heart, my sweet orphan-girl, happy in a worthy man’s protection. O that it could be in But shall we, my dear, prescribe to Providence? How know we what that has designed for Sir Charles Grandison? His welfare is the concern of hundreds, perhaps. He, compared to us, is as the public to the private. I hope we are good people: compara-tively, I am sure, we are good. That, however, is not the way by which we shall be judged hereafter. But yet, to him, we are but as that private.

Don’t think, however, my best love, that I have lived too long to be sensible of what most affects you. Of your pleasures, your pains, I can and do partake. Your late harassings, so tender, so lovely a blossom, cost me many a pang; and still my eyes bear witness to my sensibility, as the cruel scenes are at times read to me again, or as I recal them to memory. But all I mean is, to arm you against feeling too sensibly, when it is known, the event which is now hidden in the bosom of Providence, should it, as is but too likely, prove unfavourable.

You have a great deal of writing upon your hands. We cannot dispense with any of that. But if you write to your aunt Selby (as the time till next Sa-turday is short) that will be writing to us both.

(iod preserve, direct, and bless, my sweet orphan-child! This is the hourly prayer of

Your ever-affectionate grandmother,

HENRIETTA SHIRLEY.


Letter X.
Miss Harriet Byron to Mrs. Selby.

Colnebrook, Tuesday, March 7. I have the favour of yours, and of my dear grand-mamma’s just brought me. The contents are so affecting, that, though in full assembly, as 1 may say, in this delightful family, I begged to be permitted to withdraw, to write to them. Miss Grandison saw my confusion, my puzzle, what shall I call it? To be charged so home, my dear aunt! Such appa-rent struggles And were they, madam, so very apparent? A young, a new passion! And so visibly increasing! fray, madam, if it be so, it is not at its height And is it not, while but in its progress, conquerable? But have I been guilty of affectation? of reserves? If T have, my uncle has been very merciful to the awkward girl.

And you think it impossible, madam, but he has seen women whom he could love, before he saw me? Very likely! But was it kind to turn the word gratitude upon me in such a manner?

I do see what an amiable openness of heart there is in Lady D. I admire her for it, and for her other matronly qualities. What can you do, madam? What can I do? That is the question, called upon as I am, by my grandmamma as well as by you, to speak still plainer, plain as in your opinion I had spoken, and indeed in my own, now I read the free sentence, drawn out and separated from the rest of the letter. My grandmamma forgives, and even praises me, for this sentence. She encour-ages me to speak still plainer. It is no disgrace, she says, for a woman of virtue to be in love with a vorthy man. Love is a natural passion, she tells me: yet cautions me against suffering it to triumph over my reason; in short, not to love till there shall be a certainty of return. And so I can love as I will, when I will, nay whom I will; for if he won’t have me, I am desired not to resolve against marrying some other; Lord D. for example, if he will be so good as to have me.

Well, but upon a full examination of my heart, how do I find it, now I am called upon by my two most venerable friends, to undraw the curtain, and to put off the disguises, through which every child in love’ matters finds me out? Shall I speak my whole heart? To such sympathizing friends, surely 1 ought. Well, then, I own to you, my honoured grand-mamma and aunt, that I cannot think of encouraging any other address. Yet have I no hope. I look upon myself as presumptuous: upon him as too excellent, and too considerable; for he has a great estate, and still greater expectations: and as to personal and intellectual merit, what woman can deserve him! Even in the article of fortune only, you think that, in prudence, a man so munificent should look higher.

Be pleased, therefore, madam, in conformity to my grandmamma’s advice, to tell Lady D. from me, That I think her laudable openness deserves like openness: that your Harriet was disengaged in her affections, absolutely disengaged, when you told her that she was: tell her what afterwards happened: tell her how my gratitude engaged me: that, at first, it was no more; but that now, being called upon, on this occasion, I have owned my gratitude exalted, [it may not, I hope, be said, debased, the object so worthy] ‘ into love’ Yes, say love — since I act too awkwardly in the disguises I have assumed; That, therefore, I can no more in justice. than by inclination, think of any other man: and own to her, that her ladyship has, however, engaged my respectful love, even to reverence, by her goodness to me in the visit she honoured me with; and that, for forsake, had I seen nothing objectionable in Lord D. upon an interview, and further acquaint-ance, I could have given ear to this proposal, pre ferably to any other that had yet been made me, were my heart as free, as it was when she made her first proposal.’ And yet I own to you, my venera-ble friends, that I always think of Mr. Orme with grateful pity, for his humble, for his modest perse-verance. What would I give to see Mr. Orme married to some very worthy woman, with whom he could be happy?

Finally, bespeak for me her ladyship’s favour and friendship; but not to be renewed till my lord is married And may his nuptials be as happy as wished to be by a mother so worthy! But tell her at the same time, that I would not, for twelve times my lord’s 12,000l. a year, give my hand to him, or to any man, while another had a place in my heart; however unlikely it is, that I may be called by the name of the man I prefer.

But tell Lady D. all this in confidence, in the strictest confidence; among more general reason* regarding the delicacy of our sex, for fear the family I am with, who now love, should hate, and, what would be still worse, despise, your Harriet, for her presumption! I think I could not bear that! Don’t mind this great blot Forgive it It would fall My pen found it, before I saw it. # * # #

As to myself; whatever be my lot, I will endea-vour to reap consolation from these and other passages in the two precious letters before me —

“If you love, be not ashamed to own it to us The man is Sir Charles Grandison.”

“My affection is laudable: the object of it is a man not mean in understanding; nor profligate in morals; nor sordid in degree. All my friends are in love with him as well as I.”

“My love is a love of the purest kind.”

“And I ought to acquiesce, because Sir Charles, compared to us, is as the public to the private. Private considerations, therefore, should be as no-thing to me.”

Noble instructions! my dearest two mammas! to which I will endeavour to give their full weight.

And now let me take it a little unkindly, that you call me your orphan-girl! You two, and my honour-ed uncle, have supplied all wanting relations to me: continue then to pray for, and to bless, not your orphan, but your real, daughter, in all love and reverence,

HARRIET BYRON-SHIRLEY-SELBY.


Letter XL
Miss Harriet Byron to Miss Lucy Selby.

Colnebrook, Tuesday, March 7. Here I am, my dear Lucy, returned to this happy asylum: but with what different emotions from the first time I entered it! How did my heart flutter, when one of Sir Charles’s servants, who attended us on horseback, pointed out to us, at the command of the ladies, the very spot where the two chariots met, and the contest began! The recollection pained me: yet do I not owe to that terrifying incident the friendship I am admitted into with so amiable a family?

Miss Grandison, ever obliging, has indulged me in my choice of having a room to myself. I shall have the more leisure for writing to you, my dear friends.

Both she and Lady L. are very urgent with me to shew them some of the letters in our correspond-ence; and Miss Grandison says, if that will encourage me to oblige them, they will shew me some of their brother’s. Who would not be tempted by such an exchange? I am more than half afraid but surely, in such a heap of stuff as I have written, there is something that I can read to them. Shall I be permitted, do you think, to have my letters returned me for this purpose? The remarks of these ladies on what I shall think fit to shew them, will be of great use in helping to settle my judgment. I know I have thrown out many things at random; and, being a young creature, and not passed the age nf fancy, have, in all those sentiments which are not borrowed, been very superficial. How can it be otherwise?

The conversation in the coach turned upon their own family (for I put in my claim to Miss Grandi-son’s former promise on that head); from which I gathered the following particulars.

Sir Thomas Grandison was one of the handsomest men of his time: he had a great notion of magnifi-cence in living; and went deep into all the fashionable diversions, except gaming with cards and dice; though he ran into one as expensive, but which he called a nobler vice: valuing himself upon his breed of race-horses and hunters, and upon his ken-nel; in both which articles he was extravagant to profusion.

His father, Sir Charles, was as frugal as Sir Thomas was profuse. He was a purchaser all his life; and left his son, besides an estate of 6,0001. a year in England, and near 2,0001. a year in Ireland, rich in money.

His lady was of a noble family; sister to Lord W. She was, as you have already been told, the most excellent of women. I was delighted to see her two daughters bear testimony to her goodness, and to their own worth, by their tears. It was impossible, in the character of so good a woman, not to think of my own mamma; and I could not help, on the remembrance, joining my tears with theirs.

Miss Jervois also wept, not only from tenderness of nature, and sympathy, but, as she owned, from regret, that she had not the same reason to rejoice in a living mother, as we had to remember affec-tionately the departed.

What I have written, and shall farther write, to the disadvantages of Sir Thomas Grandison, I ga-ther from what was dropt by one lady, and by the other, at different times; for it was beautiful to ob-serve with what hesitation and reluctance they mentioned any of his failings, with what pleasure his good qualities! heightening the one, and exte-nuating the other. O my Lucy, how would their hearts have overflowed in his praises, had they had such a faultless father, and excellent man, as was my father! Sweet is the remembrance of good pa-rents to good children!

Lady Grandison brought a great fortune to Sir Thomas. He had a fine poetical vein, which he was fond of cultivating. Though his fortune was so ample, it was his person, and his verses, that won the lady from several competitors. He had not, however, her judgment. He was a poet; and I have heard my grandfather say, that to be a poet, re-quires a heated imagination, which often runs away with the judgment.

This lady took the consent of all her friends in n2 her choice; but here seemed a hint to drop frm Lady L. that they consented, because it was her choice; for Sir Thomas, from the day he entered upon his estate, set out in a way that every-body concluded would diminish it.

He made, however, a kind husband, as it is called. His good sense and his politeness, and the pride he took to be thought one of the best-bred men in Eng-land, secured her complaisant treatment. But Lady Grandison had qualities that deserved one of the best and tenderest of men. Her eye and her ear had certainly misled her. I believe a woman, who chooses a man whom every-body admires, if the man be not good, must expect that he will have calls and inclinations, that will make him think the character of a domestic man beneath him.

She endeavoured, at setting out, to engage his companionableness shall I call it? She was fond of her husband. He had reason to be, and was, proud of his wife: but when he had shewed her every-where, and she began to find herself in circumstances, which ought to domesticate a wife of a much gayer turn than Lady Grandison pretended to have, he gave way to his predominant bias; and after awhile, leaving the whole family care to her, for her excel-lence in every branch of which he was continually f (raising her (he did her that justice): he was but ittle at home in the summer; and, in the winter, was generally engaged four months in the diversions of this great town; and was the common patron of all the performers, whether at plays, operas, or concerts.

At first setting out in this way, he was solicitous to carry his lady with him to town. She always cheerfully accepted of his invitation, when she saw lie was urgent with her to go. She would not give a pretence for so gay a man to throw off that regard to appearances, which pride made him willing to keep up. But afterwards, his invitations growing fainter and fainter, and she finding that her presence lengthened the time of his stay in town, and added greatly to his expences (for he never would abate, when they were together, of that magnificence in which he delighted to live in the country) she declined going up: and having by this time her three children, she found it was as agreeable to Sir Thomas, as to herself, that she should turn her thoughts wholly to the domestic duties. Lady Grandison, when she found that she could not bring Sir Thomas to lessen his great expences, supposed it to be wis-dom to endeavour, to the utmost of her power, to enable him to support them without discredit to himself, or visible hurt to his family The children were young, and were not likely to make demands upon him for many years to come.

Here was a mother, my dear! Who will say, that mothers may not be the most useful persons in the family, when they do their duty, and their husbands are defective in theirs? Sir Thomas Grandison’s delight centered in himself; Lady Grandison’s in her husband and children. What a superiority, what an inferiority!

Yet had this lady, with the best ceconomy, no nar-rowness in her heart. She was beloved for her generosity and benevolence. Her poor neighbours adored her. Her table was plenteous. She was hospitable, as well from the largeness of her own heart, as to give credit to her husband; and so far to accom-modate herself to his taste, as that too great a differ — ence might not be seen between his absence and presence. As occasions offered, she would confer benefits in the name of a husband, whom, perhaps, she had not seen of months, and knew not whether she might see for months to come. She was satis-n3 fied, though hers was thejirst merit, with the second merit reflected from that she gave him: “ I am but Sir Thomas’s almoner: I know I shall please Sir Thomas by doing this: Sir Thomas would have done thus: perhaps he would have been more boun-tiful had he been present.”

He had been once absent from this admirable wife six whole months, when he left her but for one: he designed only an excursion to Paris, when he set out; but, when in company as gay as himself, while he was there, he extended his tour; and, what was still more inexcusable, he let his lady hear from him by second-hand only. He never wrote one line to her with his own; yet, on his return, affected to surprise her by a sudden appearance, when she knew not that he was in England.

Was not this intolerably vain in him? The moment he appeared, so secure was he of his lady’s un merited love, that he supposed the joy she would break out into, would banish from her thoughts all memory of his past unkindness.

He asked her, however, after the first emotions (for she received him with real joy) If she could easily forgive him? Forgive you, Sir? Yes, if you can forgive yourself.

This he called severe. Well he might; for it was just. Lady Grandison’s goodness was founded in principle; not in tameness or servility.

Be not serious, Sir Thomas, said my lady; and flung her arms about him. You know, by your question, you were unkind. Not one line from your own hand neither But the seeing you now safe and well compensates me for all the anxieties you have given me in the past six tedious months Can I say they were not anxious ones? But I pity you, Sir, for the pleasure you have lost by so long an absence: let me lead you to the nursery; or, let the dear prattlers come down to receive their father’s blessing. How delightful is their dawning reason! Their improvements exceed my hopes: of what pleasure do you deprive yourself by these long absences!

My dear Miss Grandison, let me write on. I am upon a sweet subject. Why will you tear me from it? Who, Lucy, would not almost wish to be the wife, the half-slighted wife, of a gay Sir Thomas, to be a Lady Grandison?

One reflection, my dear Miss Grandison, let me make, before I attend you; lest I should lose it: What man who now, at one view, takes in the whoje gay, fluttering life of Sir Thomas Grandison, though young, gay, and fluttering, himself, can propose to be more happy than Sir Thomas thought himself? What woman, who, in like manner, can take in the whole, useful, prudent, serene, benevolent, life of Lady Grandison, whatever turn to pleasure, less solid, and more airy, she may have, sees not, from this imperfect sketch, all that they should wish to be; and the transitory vanity of the one, and the solid happiness that must attend the other, as well here as hereafter?

Dear lady! had you not hurried me so, how much better should I have expressed myself!

I come. I come.


Letter XII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Miss Grandison has been making me read aloud some part of the letter I had just writ to you, Lucy. We know, said she, it is about us; but we shall think what you have written, greatly to our disad* vantage, if we cannot hear some of it. Then she insisted (she is an arbitrary dear creature) on my giving the company [it was at tea, and Lord L. present] such histories as she should call for of my own family. On this condition only, said she, will we consent to be made fully known, as I find we shall, if I do not steal away your pen and ink to our grandmother Shirley, our aunt Selby, and even to our Lucy.

Do not you think, Lucy, I ran on with pleasure in describing the persons and tempers of my fa-ther and mother, and relating their fortunes, loves, difficulties; as my grandmamma and aunt had enabled me to do, from what they used to recount in many a long summer-day, and in many a winter-evening, as we girls sat at work Happy memorials! Ay, but do you believe she did not question me about later events? She did, indeed, call upon me for two other histories.

And of whom? methinks you ask.

I won’t tell you, Lucy: but if my aunt should be solicitous to know, and should guess that my uncle’s and hers (so entertaining and instructive) was one pf them; and if you, Lucy, should guess that the history of a young lady, whose discretion got the better of her love, and who cannot he dearer to her-self than she is to me, is the other Why, perhaps, neither my aunt, nor you, my dear, may be much mistaken.

Methinks I would fain rise now-and-then to my former serene-pert ness [Allow you of the words so connected?]: but my heart is heavy.

They were delighted with a certain gentleman’s humorous character and courtship; with his lady’s prudence and goodness, in the one story: and in the other, with the young lady’s victorious discretion. They wish to be personally acquainted with ach, and with my grandmamma. All the worthies in the world, my dear, are not in the Grandison-family.

Before I resume the continuation of the ladies’ family-history, let me ask; don’t you think, my dear, that God has blessed these happy children, for the sake of their excellent mother? And who knows but for their duty to their less deserving fa-ther? It is my notion, that one person’s remissness in duty, where there is a reciprocal one, does not absolve the other party from the performance of his. It is difficult, indeed, to love so well a faulty or re-miss parent, as a kind and good one. But our duty is indispensable; and where it is paid, a blessing may the rather be expected, as the parent has not done his. If, when you do well, and suffer for it, says the apostle, ye take it patiently ‘, this is acceptable xvith God. Not to mention one consideration, which, however, ought not to be left out of the account; that a good child will be no less benefited by the learning, as Sir Charles no doubt is from his father’s unhappy turn; than by the example, as he is from that of his excellent mother.

Lady L. referred to the paper given in by the short-hand writer, for the occasion (as mentioned by Sir Charles) to which these three worthy child-ren owed the loss of such a mother *: and this drew her into a melancholy relation of some very affecting particulars. Among other things, she said, her mother regretted, in her last hours, that she had no opportunity, that she could think just and ho-nourable, to lay by any-thing considerable for her daughters. Her jewels, and some valuable trinkets, she hoped, would be theirs: but that would be at their father’s pleasure. I wish, said she, that my dear girls were to have between them the tenth

* Letter IV. part of what I have saved But I have done but my duty.

I have told you, Charlotte, said the countess, what my mother said to me, a few hours before she died; and I will repeat it to Miss Byron. After having, upon general principles, recommended filial duty, and brotherly and sisterly love to us all; and aftei my brother and sister had withdrawn; My dear Caroline, said she, let me add to the gene-ral arguments of the duty I have been enforcing upon you all, one respecting your interest, and let your sister know it. I am afraid there will be but a slender provision made for my dear girls. Your papa has the notion riveted in him, which is common to men of ancient families, that daughters are but incumbrances, and that the son is to be every-thing. He loves his girls: he loves you dearly: but he has often declared, that, were he to have entire all the fortune that descended to him from his father, he would not give to his daughters, marry whom they would, more than 5,0001. a-piece. Your brother loves you: he loves me. It will be in his power, should he survive your father, to be a friend to you. Love your brother.

To my brother afterwards she said something: I believe, recommending his sisters to him; for we coming in, boy as he was in years, but man in behaviour and understanding, he took each of our hands You remember it, Charlotte [both sisters wept]; and kneeling down; and putting them in my mother’s held-out dying hands, and bowing his face upon all three All, madam All, my dearest, best of mammas, that you have injoined

He could say no more; and our arms were wet with his tears Enough, enough, my son, I distress you! And she kissed her own arm These are precious tears You embalm me, my son, with your tears O how precious the balm! And she lifted up her head to kiss his cheek, and to repeat her blessings to the darling of her heart.

Who could refrain tears, my Lucy, on the repre~ sentation of such a scene? Miss Jervois and I wept, as if we had been present on the solemn occasion.

But, my Charlotte, give Miss Byron some brief account of the parting scene between my father and mother. She is affected as a sister should be Tears, when time has matured a pungent grief into a sweet melancholy, are not hurtful: they are as the dew of the morning to the green herbage.

/cannot, said Miss Grandison Do you, LadyL. Lady L. proceeded My father had long kept his chamber, from the unhappy adventure, which cost him and us all so dear. My mother, till she was forced to take to her bed, was constantly his attendant: and then was grieved she could not at-tend him still.

At last, the moment, happy to her, long dreaded by us, the releasing moment, approached. One last long farewell she wished to take of the man, who had been ever dear to her: and who had cost her so dear. He was told of her desire to be lifted to his bed-side in her bed; for one of his wounds (too soon skinned over) was broken out, and he was confined to his bed. He ordered himself to be carried, in a great chair,;.to hers. But then fol-lowed such a scene

All we three children were in the room, kneeling by the bed-side praying weeping O how inef-fectually Not even hope remaining Best beloved of my soul! in faltering accents, said my mother, her head raised by pillows, so as that she sat upright Forgive the desire of my heart once more to see you! They would not bring me to you! O howl distress you! For my father sobbed; every feature of his face seemed swelled almost to bursting, and working as if in mortal agonies. Charlotte, relieve me!

The sweet lady’s eyes were drowned in tears

I cannot, said Miss Grandison; her handkerchief spread over her face.

Miss Emily sobbed. She held her hand before her eyes: her tears trickled through her fingers.

I was affected beyond measure Yet besought her to proceed. She went on.

I have endeavoured, said my mother, in broken sentences It was my wish It was my pride: indeed, my chiefest pride, to be a good wife!i

O my dear! You have been My father could not say what.

Forgive my imperfections, Sir!

O my dearest life! You had no imperfection: I, I, was all imper He could not speak out the word for his tears.

Bless your children in my sight: God hitherto has blessed them! God will continue to bless them, if they continue to deserve their father’s blessing. Dear Sir Thomas, as you love them, bless them in my sight. I doubt not your goodness to them But the blessing of a dying mother, joined with that of a surviving father must have efficacy!

My father looked earnestly to us all He could not speak.

My brother, following my mother’s dying eye, which was cast upon my father, arose from his knees, and approaching my father’s chair, cast him-self at his feet. My father threw his arms about his neck God bless God bless my son, said he And make him a better man than his father. My mother, demanding the cheek of her beloved son, said, God bless my dearest child, and make you an honour to youf father’s family, and to your mother’s me-mory!

We girls followed my brother’s example.

God bless my daughters! God bless you, sweet loves, said my father; first kissing one, then the other, as we kneeled. God make you as good women as your mother: then, then, will you deserve to be happy.

God bless you, my dear girls, God bless you both, said my mother, kissing each, as you are dutiful to your father, and as you love one another I hope 1 have given you no bad example.

My father began to accuse himself. My brother with the piety of the patriarch’s two best sons, re-tired, that he might not hear his father’s confessions. We followed him to the farther end of the room. The manly youth sat down between us, and hela a hand of each between his: his noble heart was penetrated: he two or three times lifted the hand of each to his lips. But he could only once speak, his heart seeming ready to burst; and that was, as I remember, O my sisters! Comfort your-selves! But who can say comfort?. These tears are equally our duty and our relief.

My mother retained to the last that generosity of mind which had ever distinguished her. She would not permit my father to proceed with his self-accu-sation: Let us look forward, my dearest, my only love, said she. I have a blessed hope before me: I pity, as well as pray for, survivors: you are a man of sense, Sir, and of enlarged sentiments: God di-rect you according to them, and comfort you! All my fear was (and that more particularly for some of the last past months) that / should have been the mournful survivor. In a very few moments all my sufferings will be over; and God give you, when you come to this unavoidable period of all human vanity, vol, x, o the same happy prospects that are now opening to me! O Sir, believe me, all worldly joys are now nothing; less than nothing: even my love of you and of the dear pledges of our mutual love with-holds not novo my wishes after a happier state. There may we meet, and never be separated! Forgive me only, my beloved husband, if I have ever made you for one hour unhappy or uneasy Forgive the petulancies of my love!

Who can bear this goodness? said my father: I have not deserved

Dear Sir, no more Were you not the husband of my choice? And now your grief affects me Leave me, Sir. You bring me back again to earth God preserve you, watch over you, heal you, support you. Your hand, Sir Thomas Grandison, the name that was ever so pleasant in my ears! Your hand, Sir! Your heart was my treasure: I have now, and only now, a better treasure, a diviner love, in view. Adieu, and in this world for ever adieu, my husband, my friend, my Grandison!

She turned her head from him, sunk upon her pillows, and fainted; and so saw not, had not the grief to see, the stronger heart of my father over-come; for he fainted away, and was carried out in his chair by the servants who brought him in. He was in a strong convulsion-fit, between his not half-cured wounds and his grief: and recovered not till all was over with my blessed mother.

After my father was carried out, she came to her-self. Her chaplain was once more admitted. The fatal moment approached. She was asked, if she would see her children again? No, she said; but bid her last blessing be repeated to them, and her charge, of loving one another, in the words of our Sa-viour, as she had loved us: and when the chaplain came to read a text, which she had imperfectly pointed to, but so as to be understood, she repeated, in faltering accents, but with more strength of voice than she had had for an hour before, I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith There is laid up for me a crown of righte-ousness: and then her voice failing, she gave signs of satisfaction, in the hope of being entitled to that crown; and expired in an ejaculation that her ebbing life could not support.

O my Lucy! may my latter end, and the latter end of all I love, be like hers! The two ladies were in speechless tears, so was Miss Jervois, so was I, for some minutes. And for an hour or two, all the joys of life were as nothing to me. Even the regard I had entertained for the excellent son of a lady so excellent, my protector, my deliverer, had, for some hours, subsided, and was as nothing to me. Even now that I have concluded this moving reca-pitulation, it seems as nothing; and the whole world, my dear, is as a bit of dirt under my feet.


Letter XIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

The son was inconsolable upon his mother’s death. He loved his father, but next to adored his mother. His father, though he had given so little attention to his education, was excessively fond of him: and no doubt but he the more easily satisfied himself on this head, as he knew his remissness was so well sup-plied by his lady’s care, which mingled with the cares of the masters of the several sciences, who came home to him, at her desire.

A deep melancholy having seized the young gen-o2 tleman on a loss so irreparable, his father, who him-self was greatly grieved, and the more, as he could not but reproach himself as having at least hastened that loss, was alarmed for his son; and yielded to the entreaties of General W. brother of Lord W. to permit him to travel. The general recommended for a governor to the young gentleman, an officer under him, who had been wounded, and obliged to quit the military service. Sir Thomas allowed hi son 8001. a-year, from the day of his setting out on his travels, which he augmented afterwards to 1,0001. Sir Charles was about seventeen when his mother died.

The two daughters were taken by Lady W. But she dying in about twelve months after Lady Grandison, they returned to their father; who, by that time, had pretty well got over his grief for the loss of his lady, and was quite recovered of the wounds which he received in the duel that cost her her life.

He placed over his daughters, as governess (though they both took exceptions at that title, supposing themselves of age to manage for themselves) the widow of one of his gay friends, Oldham by name, whose fortune had not held out as Sir Thomas’s had done. Men of strong health, I have heard my grand-father say, and of a riotous turn, should not, in mere compassion, keep company with men of feebler constitutions, and make them the companions of their riots. So may one say, I believe, that extravagant men, of great and small fortunes, are equally ill-suited; since the expences which will but shake the one, will quite demolish the other.

Mrs. Oldham had fine qualities, and was an ceco-nomist. She deserved a better husband than had fallen to her lot; and the young ladies, having had a foundation laid by a still more excellent manager, received no small advantage from her skill in family-STR CHARLES GRANDISON. 149 affairs. But it was related to me with reluctance, and as what I must know on a further acquaintance with their ramily, if they did not tell it to me, that Sir Thomas was grateful to this lady in a way that cost her her reputation. She was obliged, in short, in little more than a twelvemonth to quit the coun-try, and to come up to town. She had an indisposition, which kept her from going abroad for a month or two.

LadyL. being then about nineteen, and Miss Grandison about sixteen, they had spirit enough to oppose the return of this lady to her charge. They undertook themselves to manage every-thing at the capital seat in Hampshire.

Sir Thomas had another seat in Essex. Thither, on the reluctance of the young ladies to receive again Mrs. Oldham, he carried her; and they, as well as every-body else, for some time, apprehended they were actually married. She was handsome; well descended; and though she became so unhap-pily sensible of the favours and presents by which Sir Thomas made way to her heart, she had an untainted character when he took her as a governess to the young ladies.

Was not Sir Thomas very, very faulty, with re-gard to this poor woman? She had already suffered enough from a bad husband, to whom she remark-ably well performed her duty. Poor woman! The example to his own daughters was an abominable one. She was the relict of his friend: she was under his protection: thrown into it by her unhappy circumstances. Were not these great aggravations to his crime? Happy for those parents who live not to see such catastrophes as attended this child! This darling, it seems: not undeservedly so; and whom they thought they had not unhappily married to Mr. Oldham And he, poor man! thought him-o3 self not unhappy in Sir Thomas Grandison’s ac-quaintance; though it ended in his emulating him in his expences, with a much less estate; in the ruin of his fortune, which indeed was his own fault; and in the ruin of his wife’s virtue, which was more Sir Thomas’s than hers. May I say so? If I may not (since women, whose glory is their chastity, must not yield to temptation) had not the husband, however, something to answer for, who, with his eyes open, lived at such a rate, against his wife’s dutiful remonstrances, and better example, as re-duced her (after his death ) to the necessity of de pendence on another’s favour, and such another!

Sir Thomas was greatly displeased with his daughters, for resisting him in the return of their governess. He had thought the reason of her with-drawing a secret, because he wished it to be one: and yet her disgrace was, at that time, every — where talked of, but in his presence.

This woman is still living. She has two children by Sir Thomas, who are also living; and one by Mr. Oldham. I shall be told more of her history, when the ladies come to give me some account of their brother’s.

Sir Thomas went on in the same gay fluttering way that he had done all his life. The love of plea-sure, as it is called, was wrought into his habit. He was a slave to it, and to what he called freedom. He was deemed one of the best companions among men, and one of the gallantest men among women. His advantages of person and mind were snares to him. Mrs. Oldham was not the only one of her sex with whom he was intimate: he had another mistress in town, who had a taste for all its gaieties, and who even assumed his name.

He would now-and-then, by way of excursion, and to surprise the young ladies, visit Grandison–Sill CHARLES GRANDISON. 151 hall; but though it was once the seat he most delighted in, neither gave, nor seemed to receive, much pleasure there; hurrying away on a sudden, as if he had escaped from it; though never father had more reason to be pleased wrth the conduct and duty of daughters: and this he often declared, boosting of them in their absence; but snubbing, chiding, and studying to find fault with them, when present.

But what equally surprised and affected them, was, that his son had not been a year abroad, when he prohibited them to write to, or correspond with, him; and, by their brother’s discontinuing to write to them, from about the same time, they supposed that he was under the same prohibition: and so, it seems, he was.

They presumed, their father’s reason for this unkind prohibition was, his fear that his gaieties would have been one of the subjects of the corre-spondence; and the rather, as those gaieties were so likely to affect all three in their fortunes.

The young ladies, however, for some time, continued writing to their brother. Miss Grandison, in mentioning this, said, in her usual sprightly man-ner, that she never had any notion of obeying un reasonable commands; commands so evidently un reasonable as to be unnatural; and she called upon nic to justify her in her notion. The countess also desired me to speak my mind on this subject.

I am apprehensive, said I, of children’s partiality in this respect: if they make themselves their own judges in the performance or non-performance of a duty, inclination, I am afraid, will too often be their guide, rather than right reason. They will be too apt, perhaps, to call those commands unnatural, which are not so unnatural as this seems to be.

But, Harriet, said Miss Grandison, would not you have written on, in the like circumstances?

I believe not, replied I; and partly for this rea-son, because I should have had no doubt but my brother would have the same prohibition; and I should only have shewn my brother, as well as my father (were my father to know it) an instance of my refractoriness without obtaining the desired end; or, if my brother had written, I should have made him a partaker in my fault.

Your answer regards the policy of the thing, Harriet, said Miss Grandison: but ought an unna-tural command

There she stopt: yet by her looks expected me to speak.

I should have thought it hard; but that it was more meritorious to submit, than the contrary. I believe I should have supposed, that my father might have reasons which might not appear to me. But, pray, ladies, how did your brother

O, he was implicit

Will you forgive me, ladies? I should have been concerned, I think, that my brother, in a point of duty, though it were one that might be disputable, should be more nice, more delicate, than his sister.

Miss Emily looked as if she were pleased with me.

Well, you are a good girl, a very good girl, said Miss Grandison: that, whether your doctrine be just or not, is out of dispute.

This prohibition gave the sisters the more sensi-ble concern, as they were afraid it would lay a foundation for distance and indifference in their brother to them; on whom, as their mother had presaged, they were likely, if he survived their father, to have a too great dependence; but more particularly at that time, as their brother had promised, at his taking, leave of them, to write a regular account of all that befel him, and of all that was curious, and wor-thy notice, in the courts and places he visited; and had actually begun to do so; and as he had asked their advice in relation to his governor, who proved not so proper a person for that employment, as was expected; and to which they had answered, with-out knowing, for some time, what was the resolution he took.

They asked their father, from time to time, after the welfare of their brother. He would answer them with pleasure, and sometimes with tears in his eyes, He is all that is dutiful, brave, pious, worthy: and would sometimes add, God reward him! I cannot. But when he mentioned the word dutiful, he would look at them, as if he had in his thoughts their re-sisting him in his intention of reinstating their governess; the only time they could recollect, that they had given him the shadow of displeasure.

The ladies went on, and said, that Sir Thomas, in all companies, gloried in his son. And once Lord W. who himself, on his lady’s death, openly indulged himself in liberties which before he was only sus-pected to take [O my Lucy! how rare a character in this age, is that of a virtuous man!] told some gentlemen, who wondered that Sir Thomas Grandi-son could permit a son so beloved to be absent from him so many years, that the reason Sir Thomas gave, was, that his son’s morals and his own were so different, that he should not be able to bear his own consciousness, if he consented to his return to England. The unhappy man was so habituated to vice, that he could talk familiarly of his gaieties to his intimates, seeming to think them too well known for him to endeavour to conceal them; but, how-ever, would add sometimes, I intend to set about altering my course of life; and then will I send for my son. But, alas! Sir Thomas went on from year to year, only intending: he lived not to begin the promised alteration, nor to see his son.

Yet one awakener he had, that made him talk of beginning the alteration of his way of living imme-diately, and of sending for his son; which last act was to be the forerunner of his reformation.

It happened, that Mrs. Farnborough, the woman he lived with when in town, was struck with the small-pox, in the height of her gaiety and pleasure; for she was taken ill at the opera, on seeing a lady of her acquaintance there, whose face bore too strongly the marks of the distemper, and who, it seems, had made her first visit to that place, ra-ther than to a better. The malady, aided by her terror, proved mortal; and Sir Thomas was so much affected with the warning, that he left town, and, in pursuance of his temporary good resolutions, went down to his daughters; talked of sending for his son; and, for some few months, lived like the man of sense and understanding he was known to be.


Letter XIV.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Lord L. returned from his travels about the time that Mrs. Farnborough was taken ill. He had brought some presents to Sir Thomas from his son, who took all opportunities to send him over curi-osities, some of considerable value; which served at the same time to shew his ceconomy and his duty. He forgot not, in this way, his sisters, though his accompanying letters were short, and merely polite, and such as required no other answer than thanks: only they could discover by them, that he had warm wishes to be allowed to return to

England; but such a submission to his father’s plea-sure, as entirely to give up his own.

Sir Thomas seemed fond of Lord L.: and setting out on Mrs. Farnborough’s death, for Grandison-hall, gave him an invitation to visit him there; for he would listen with pleasure, an hour together, to him, or to any one, who would talk, and give him some account of his son. How predominant must those passions, those habits, be in his heart, which could take place of a love so laudably pa-ternal!

In pursuance of this invitation, Lord L. attended him at the Hall; and there fell in love with the eld-est of the young ladies. He revealed his passion to her. She referred herself wholly to her father. Sir Thomas could not be blind to their mutual af-fection. Every-body saw it. Lord L.‘s passion was of the ardent kind; and he was too honest to wish to conceal it. But yet Sir Thomas could not see it. He behaved, however, with great freedom and civility to my lord; so that the heart of the young lady was insensibly engaged; but Sir Thomas avoid-ed several opportunities which the lover had laid in wait for, to open his mind, and make proposals.

At last, my lord desired an audience of Sir Tho-mas, as upon a subject of the last importance. The baronet, after some little delays, and not without some inauspicious reluctance, granted it: and then my lord revealed his passion to him.

Sir Thomas asked him, if he had made it known to his daughter? and yet must have seen, on an hundred occasions, at breakfast, at dinner, at tea, at supper, how matters stood with both the lovers, if Miss Grandison’s pleasant account of the matter may be depended upon.

Lord L. owned he had; and that he had asked lier leave to make proposals to her father, to whom she wholly referred herself.

Sir Thomas seemed uneasy; and oddly answered, he was sorry for it: he wished his lordship had not put such notions in the girl’s head. Both his daugh-ters would now be set a romaneing, he supposed. They were, till now, modest young creatures, he said. Young women should not too soon be set to look out of themselves for happiness He had known many quiet and orderly girls set a madding by the notice of men. He did not know what bu-siness young fellows had to find out qualifications in other men’s daughters, that the parents of those daughters had not given themselves leisure to discover. A daughter of his, he hoped, had not en couraged such discoveries. It was to him but as yesterday, when they were crowing in the arms of their nurses; and now, he supposed, they would be set a crowing after wedlock.

What an odd father was Sir Thomas, my Lucy! His own life, it is evident, had passed away very pleasantly.

Indeed he could hardly bear to think, he added, of either of his daughters as marriageable yet. They have not been nursed in the town hot-beds, my lord. They are sober country-girls, and good housewives. I love not that girls should marry before they have done growing. A young wife makes a vapourish mother. I forget their age But twenty-six, or twenty-eight, is time enough for a woman, either for the sake of modesty or discretion, to marry.

We may like gay men for husbands, Lucy: some of us do: but, at this rate, those daughters must be very good girls, who can make their best courtesies to their mothers, and thank them for their fancies; or the fathers must be more attentive to their growth than Sir Thomas was to that of his daughters. What have I said? I am here afraid of my uncle. My lord was surprised; and well he might. Sir Thomas had forgot, as Lady L. observed, that he himself thought Miss VV. was not too young at se-venteen, to be Lady Grandison.

My lord was a modest man; he was begging (as it may be called) the young woman, whom of all the women in the world he loved best, of her father, who was a man that knew the world, and had long made a considerable figure in it; and who, for rea-sons which would have held with him had he lived to see her forty, had no mind to part with her. Yet my lord pleaded his passion, her great and good qualities, as acknowledged by himself; and modestly hinted at the unexceptionableness of his own cha-racter, and the favour he stood in with his son; not saying the least word of his birth and alliances, which some lovers, of his rank, would nothave forgot: and, it seems, he was right in forbearing to make these accidents a plea; for Sir Thomas valued himself upon his ancestry; and used to say, that his proge-nitor, in James the First’s time, disgraced it by accepting of the title of baronet.

Sir Thomas allowed something to the plea of hig standing well with his son: Let me tell you, my lord, said he, that I shall take no step in a family-affair of this consequence, without consulting with my son; and the rather, as he is far from expecting so much of my consideration for him. He is the pride of my life.

My lord desired, that his suit might be put upon the issue of his son’s approbation.

But pray, my lord, what fortune do you expect with my girl? Well as you love her, I suppose the return of her love for yours, which you seem not to doubt, will not be enough. Can the poor girl be a p countess without a confounded parcel of dross fast-ened to her petticoat, to make her weight in the other scale?

My circumstances, said my honest Lord L. permit me not, in discretion, to make that compliment to my love, which my heart would with transport make, were they better: but I will lay them faith-fully before you, and be determined by your gene — rosity.

I could not but expect from a young man of your lordship’s good sense, such an answer as this: and yet I must tell you, that we fathers, who know the world, expect to make some advantage of a know-ledge that has cost us so much. I should not dis like a little more romancing in love, from a man that asks for my daughter, though I care not how little of it is shewn by my son to another man’s. Every father thinks thus, my lord; but is not so honest as to oxon it.

I am sure, Sir Thomas, that you would not think a man worthy of your daughter, who had no regard to any-thing, but the gratification of his own wishes; who could think, for the sake of that, of involving a young lady in difficulties, which she never knew in her father’s house.

Why, this, my lord, is well said. You and I may afford to make handsome compliments to one an-other, while compliments only are expected. I have a good share of health: I have not quitted the world so entirely, nor think I ought, as to look upon my-self as the necessary tool of my children, to pro mote their happiness at the expence of my own. My lord, I have still a strong relish for the pleasures of this world. My daughters may be women grown: your lordship seems to hav efound out, that they are; and has persuaded one of them, that she is; and the other will be ready to think she is not three years behind her. This is an inconvenience which you have brought upon me. And as I would be glad to live a little longer for myself, I wish you to withdraw your suit; and leave me to do as well as I can with my daughters. I propose to carry them to town next winter. They shall there look about, them, and see whom they could like, and who could like them, that they may not be liable to after-repentance, for having taken the first man that offered.

My lord told Sir Thomas, that he hoped there could not be reason to imagine, that any thing could possibly arise from his address, that should be incompatible with the happiness of a father And was going on in the same reasonable strain; but Sir Thomas interrupted him

You must not, my lord, suppose I can be a stran-ger to whatever may be urged by a young man on this subject. You say you are in love: Caroline is a girl that any-body may love: but I have not a mind she should marry so soon. I know the incon-venience of early marriages. A man’s children treading upon his heels, and shouldering him with their shoulders: in short, my lord, I have an aversion to be called a grandfather, before I am a grey father [Sir Thomas was not put to it to try to overcome this aversion] . Girls will start up, and look up, and parents cannot help it: but what father, in the vi-gour of his days, would notrmsh to help it? I am not fond of their partnership in my substance. Why should I divide my fortune with novices, when, making the handsome allowances to them, that I do make, it is not too much for myself? My son should be their example. He is within a year as old as my eldest girl. On his future alliances I build, and hope to add by them to the consequence of all my family [Ah! Lucy!]. Girls are said to be sooner women than boys are men. Let us see that they are p 2 so by their discretion, as well as by stature. Let them stay

And here Sir Thomas abruptly broke off the conversation for that time; to the great distress of Lord L. who had reason to regret, that he had a man of wit, rather than a man of reason, to contend with.

Sir Thomas went directly into his closet, and sent for his two daughters; and, though not ill-naturedly, raillied them both so much on their own discoveries, as he wickedly phrased it, and on admitting Lord L. into the secret, that neither of them could hold up her head, for two or three days, in his presence. But, out of it, Miss Caroline Grandison found that she was in love; and the more for Lord L.‘s gene-rous attachment, and Sir Thomas’s not so generous discouragement.

My lord wrote over to young Mr. Grandison, to favour his address. Lady L. permitted me to copy the following answer to his application:

MY LORD,

I have the honour of your lordship’s letter of the 17th. Never brother loved his sisters better than I do mine. As the natural effects of that love, I re-ceive with pleasure the notification of your great regard for my eldest sister. As to myself, I cannot have one objection: but what am I in this case? She is wholly my father’s. I also am his. The consi-deration he gives me in this instance, confounds me: it binds me to him in double duty. It would look like taking advantage of it, were I so much as to offer my humble opinion, unless he were pleased to command it from me. If he does, assure yourself, my lord, that (my sister’s inclination in your lord-ship’s favour presupposed) my voice shall be warmly given, as you wish. I am, my lord, with equal affection and esteem,

Your lordship’s faithful and obedient servant.

Both sisters rejoiced at the perusal of this affec-tionate letter; for they were afraid that the unnatural prohibition of correspondence between them and their brother had estranged his affections from them.

The particulars of one more conversation I will give you, between my lord and Sir Thomas, on this important subject; for you must believe, that Lord L.. could not permit a matter of such consequence to his own happiness to go easily off; especially as nei-ther of the two daughters was able to stand her father’s continual raillery, which had banished from the cautious eyes, and apprehensive countenances of both ladies, all indications of love, though it reigned with the more absolute power in the heart of Miss Caroline, for that concealment.

In this conversation, my lord began with a little more spirit than he finished the former. The coun-tess lent me my lord’s minutes of it; which he took for her to see, and to judge of all that passed at the time.

On my lord’s lively, but respectful, address to Sir Thomas on this occasion, the baronet went directly into the circumstances of my lord, and his expectations.

Lord L. told him frankly, that he paid interest for 15,0001. for sisters’ fortunes; three of whom were living, and single: that he believed two of them would soon be advantageously married; and he should wish to pay them their portions on the day; and was contriving to do so by increasing the incumbrance that his father had left upon the finest part of his estate, to the amount of 50001.; which, and his sisters’ fortunes, were all that lay upon a clear estate of 50001. a year. After he had thus opened him-self, he referred the whole to Sir Thomas’s consideration.

My advice, my lord, is this, said the baronet; p 3

That you should by no means think of marriage till you are clear of the world. You will have 10,0001. to pay directly: you will have the interest of 10,0001. more to pay: and you men of title, on your mar-riages, whether you like ostentation or not, must be ostentatious. Your equipages, your houses, your furniture A certain increase of expence. By no means, my Lord L. think of marriage till you are quite clear of the world, unless you could meet with some rich widow or heiress, who could do the business at once.

Lord L. could only, at first, urge his passion [he durst not his daughter’s affection, and the happiness of both, which were at stake] . Sir Thomas opposed discretion to that plea. Poor passion, Lucy, would,be ashamed to see the sun, if discretion were always to be attended to in treaties of this kind.

Afterwards he told Sir Thomas, that he would accept the lady upon his own terms. He besought his consent to their nuptials. He would wait his own time and-pleasure. He would be content if he gave not Miss Caroline a single shilling.

Sir Thomas was fretful And so. lover-like, you would involve the girl you profess to love, in diffi-culties. I will ask her, if she wants for any-thing with me, that a modest girl can wish for? But, to be serious, it is a plaguy thing for a man to be obliged, by the officious love, as it is called, of a pretender to his daughters, to open his affairs, and expose his cir-cumstances, to strangers. I wish, my lord, that you had let my girls alone. I wish you had not found them out in their country retirement. I should have carried them to town, as I told you, in a few months. Women so brought up, so qualified, and handsome girls, are such rarities in this age, and men worth having are so affrighted at the luxury aud expensiveness of the modern women, that I doubted not but the characters of my gids would have made their fortunes, with very little of my help. They have family, my lord, to value themselves upon, though but spinsters. And let me tell you, since I shall be thought a more unnatural man than I am, if I do not obey the present demand upon me to open my circumstances, 1 owe my son a great deal more than 30,0001.

I don’t understand you, Sir Thomas.

Why, thus, my lord, I explain myself: my father left me what is called rich. I lessened the ready money which he had got together for a purchase he lived not to complete, a great deal. That I looked upon as a deodand: so was not answerable for it: and as 1 was not married, my son had no right in it. “When I was married, and he was given me

Forgive me, Sir Thomas: Your son a rigid And had not your other children

No, my lord: they were girls And as to them, had I increased my fortune, by penuriousness, instead of living like a man, I was determined as to their fortunes

But as I was saying, when Lady Grandison died, I think (though every father does not; nor should I, were he not the best of sons, and did he expect it) the produce of her jointure, which is very considerable, should have been my son’s. As to what I annually allowed him, that it was my duty to allow him, as my son, and for my own credit, had his mo-ther not brought me a shilling. Then, my lord, I have been obliged to take up money upon my Irish estate; which being a family-estate, my son ought to have had come clear to him. You see, my lord, how I expose myself.

You have a generous way of thinking, Sir Thomas, as to your son: but a man of your spirit would despise me, if I did not say, that

I have not so generous a way of thinking for my daughters I will save your lordship the trouble of speaking out, because it is more agreeable from my-self than it would be for any other man to do it. But to this I answer, that the late Earl of L. your lordship’s father, had one son and three daughters I have one son, and two. He was an earl I am but a simple baronet If 50001. apiece is enough for an earl’s daughters, half the sum ought to do for a baronet’s.

Your fortune, Sir Thomas And in England, where estates

And where living, mv lord, will be five times more expensive to you than it need to be, if you can content yourself to live where your estate lies. As for me, I have lived nobly But had I been as rich as my father left me, 50001. should have done with a daughter, I assure you. You, my lord, have your notions: I have mine. Money and a girl you expect from me: I ask nothing of you. As matters stand, if my girls will keep (and I hope they will) I intend to make as good a bargain for them, and with them, as I can. Not near 50001. apiece must they expect from me. I will not rob my son more than I have done. See, here is a letter from him. It is an answer to one I had written, on the refusal of a wretch to lend me, upon my Irish estate, a sum that I wanted to answer a debt of honour, which I had contracted at Newmarket, unless my son (though it is an estate in fee) would join in the security. Does not such a son as this deserve every thing?

I obtained a sight of this letter; and here is a copy:

HONOURED SIR,

I could almost say I am sorry that so superior a spirit as yours should vouchsafe to comply with Mr

O.‘s disagreeable and unnecessary demand. But, at least, let me ask, why, Sir, did you condescend to write to me on the occasion, as if for my consent? Why did you not send me the deeds, ready to sign? Let me beg of you, ever-dear and ever-honoured Sir, that you will not suffer any difficulties, that I can join to remove, to oppress your heart with doubts for one moment. Are you not my father? And did you not give me a mother, whose memory is my glory? That I am, under God, is owing to you. That I am xvhat I am, to your indulgence. Leave me not any-thing! You have given me an education, and I derive from you a spirit, that by God’s blessing on my duty to you, will enable me to make my own fortune: and, in that case, the foundation of it will be yours; and you will be entitled, for that foun-dation, to my warmest gratitude. Permit me, Sir, to add, that, be my income ever so small, I am re-solved to live within it. And let me beseech you to remit me but one half of your present bounty. My reputation is established; and I will engage not to discredit my father. All I have ever aimed at, is, to be in condition rather to lay, than to receive, an obligation. That your goodness has always enabled me to do: and I am rich, through your munificence; richer, in your favour.

Have you any thoughts, Sir, of commanding me to attend you at Paris, or at the Hague; according to the hopes you gave me in your last? I will not, if you do me this honour, press for a return with you to my native country: but I long to throw myself at your feet; and, wherever the opportunity of that happiness shall be given me, to assure you personally of the inviolable duty of your

CHARLES GRANMSON.

Must not such a letter as this, Lucy, have stung to theheart a man of Sir Thomas Grandison’s pride? If not, what was his pride? SirThomashad as good an education as his son: yet could not live within the compass of an income of upwards of 70001. a-year. His son called himself rich with 8001. or 10001. a-year; and though abroad, in foreign countries, desired but half that allowance, that he might contribute, by the other half, to lessen the difficulties in which his father had involved himself by his extravagance.

His father, Lady L. says, was affected with it. He wept: he blessed his son; and resolved, for his sake, to be more cautious in his wagerings than he had hitherto been. Policy, therefore, would have justi-fied the young gentleman’s cheerful compliance, had he not been guided by superior motives. Sir Charles would not, I think one may be sure, have sacrificed to the unreasonable desires even of a father, the for-tune to which he had an unquestionable right: an excess of generosity, amiable indeed, but pitiable, as contrary to the justice that every man owes to him-self, and to those who hereafter may depend upon him; and what I have often heard my grandmamma lament in the instance of the worthy Mr. M. whose family has suffered from an acquiescence with a fa-ther’s extravagance, for which that father was only the more wretched.

Sir Charles’s is the true, the reasonable virtue, that keeps clear of every extreme. O my dear! the Christian religion is a blessed religion! How does honest policy, as well as true greatness of mind, re-commend that noble doctrine of returning good for evil!


Letter XV.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

My lord repeated his request, that he might have Sir Thomas’s consent to his nuptials, upon his own terms; and promised never to expect a single shil-ling in dowry, but to leave the whole of that to time, and to his own convenience and pleasure.

We know, said Sir Thomas, what all this means. You talk, my lord, like a young man. You ought not to think (you once said it yourself) of involving a young woman you love, as well as yourself, in dif-ficulties. I know the world, and what is best to be done, if you will think no more of my daughter. I hope she has discretion. First love is generally Jrst Jolly. It is seldom^ to be encouraged. Your quality, my lord, to say nothing of your merit, will procure you a rich wife from the city. And the city now is as genteel, as polite, as the court was for-merly. The wives and daughters of citizens, poor fellows! are apes of us gentry; and succeed pretty well, as to outward appearance, in the mimicry. You will, by this means, shake off all your father’s sins. I speak in the language of youngfellows, who expect a father to live solely for them, and not for himself. Some sober young men of quality and fortune, af-frighted at the gaiety and extravagance of the modern women, will find out my girls: who, I hope, will have patience. If they have not, let them pur-sue their inclinations: let them take their Jill (Jlove, as Solomon says; and if they run their heads into a hedge, let them stick there by the horns, with all my heart!

See, my dear, what a man a rakish father is! O my good Lady Grandison, how might your choice have punished your children.

I pray to God, Sir Thomas, said my lord, bowing, but angry; I pray to God, to continue me in a dif-ferent way of thinking from yours, if this be yours. Give me leave to say, you are too young a gentle-man to be a father of grown-up children. But I must love Miss Grandison; and still, if possible, poor young lady! more than ever, for what has pass-ed in this conversation. And saying this, he withdrew.

Sir Thomas was very angry at this spirited speech. He sent for his daughter, and forbad her to receive my lord’s addresses. He ordered her never to think of him: and directing Miss Charlotte to be called in, repeated his commands before her; and threatened to turn them both out of his house, if they presumed to encourage any address, but with his knowledge. And don’t think, said he, of going on to engage your affections, as a sensual forwardness is called, and then hope to take advantage of my weakness, to counten-ance your oxon. I know the world: I know your sex. Your sister, I see, Charlotte, is a whining fool: see how she whimpers! Begone from my presence, Caroline! And remember, Charlotte, (for I suppose this impertinent lord’s address to your sister will go near to set you agog) that I expect, whether absent or present, to know of any application that may be made to you, before your liking has taken root in love, as it is called, and while my advice may have the weight that the permission or dissent of a father ought to have.

They both wept, courtesied, and withdrew.

At dinner, Miss Caroline begged to be excused attending her gay and arbitrary father; being excessively grieved, and unfit, as she desired her sister to sav, to be seen. But he commanded her attendance.

Miss Charlotte Grandison told me what this wicked man [Shall I call Sir Charles Grandison’s father so?] said on the occasion: “ Women’s tears are but, as the poet says, the sweat of eyes. Caro-line’s eyes will not misbecome them. The more she is ashamed of herself, the less reason will she give me to be ashamed of her. Let me see how the fool looks, now she is conscious of her folly. Her bash-ful behaviour will be a half-confession; and this is the first step to amendment. Tell her, that a wo-man’s grief for not having been able to carry her point, has always been a pleasure to me. I will not be robbed of my pleasure. She owes it me for the pain she has given me.”

Lord L. and she had parted. He had, on his knees, implored her hand. He would not, he said, either ask or expect a shilling of her father: his estate would and should work itself clear, without injury to his sisters, or postponing their marriage. Her prudence and generosity he built upon: they would enable him to be just to every one, and to preserve his own credit. He would not, he gene-rously said, for the beloved daughter’s sake, utter one reflecting word upon her father, after he had laid naked facts before her. Those, however, would too well justify bin), if he did. And he again urged for her hand, and for a private marriage. Can I bear to think with patience, my dearest Miss Grandison, added he, that you and your sister, according to Sir Thomas’s scheme, shall be carried to town, with minds nobler than the minds, of any women in it, as adventurers, as female fortune-hunt-ers, to take the chance of attracting the eyes and hearts of men, whether worthy or unworthy, purely to save your father’s pocket? No, madam: believe me, I love you not for my own sake merely, though heaven knows you are dearer to me than my life, Q but for yours as well: and my whole future conduct shall convince you, that I do. My love, madam, hasfriendship for its base; and your worthy brother, once, in an argument, convinced me, that Cove might be selfish; thatjriendship could not; and that in a pure flame they could not be disunited; and when they were, that love was a cover only to a baseness of heart, which taught the pretender to it to seek to gratify his own passion, at the expence of the hap-piness or duty of the object pretended to be beloved.

See, my Lucy! Did we girls ever think of this nice, but just, distinction before? And is notjriend-ship a nobler band than love? But is not Lord L. a good man? Don’t you love him, Lucy? Why have I not met with these notions before in the men I have known?

But Miss Caroline was not less generous than my Lord L. No scheme of my father’s shall make me forget, said she, the merits of Lord L. Your lord-ship’s affairs will be made easier by time. I will not embarrass you. Think not yourself under any obli-gation to me. Whenever any opportunity offers to make you easy all at once (for a mind so generous ought not to be laid under difficulties) embrace it: only let me look upon you as my friend, till envy to a happier woman, or other unworthiness in Caroline Grandison, make me forfeit your good opinion.

Generous creature! said my lord. Never will I think of any other wife while you are single. Yet will I not fetter her, who would leave me free. May I, madam, hope, if you will not bless me with your hand now, that my letters will be received? Your father, in forbidding my address to you, has forbid-den me his house. He is, and ought to be, master in it. May I hope, madam, a correspondence

I am unhappy, said she, that, having such a brother as sister never had, I cannot consult him. The dear

Charlotte is too partial to me, and too apt to think of what may be her own case. But, my lord, I depend upon your honour, which you have never given me reason to doubt, that you will not put me upon doing a wrong thing, either with regard to my duty to my father, or to my own character. Try me not with a view to see the power you have over me. That would be ungenerous. I own you have some: indeed a great deal.


Letter XVI.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Tuesday night. You may guess what were my lord’s assurances on this generous confidence in him. They agreed upon a private correspondence by letters. Ah! Lady L. was this quite right, though it came out happily in the event? Does not concealment always imply somewhat wrong? Ought you not to have done your duty, whether your father did his, or not? Were you not called upon, as I may say, to a trial of yours? And is not virtue to be proved by trial? Remember you not who says, “ For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patient’ ly? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” But you, Lady L. lost your excellent mother very early. The worthy young lady would not, however, be prevailed upon to consent to a private marriage; and my lord took leave of her. Their parting was extremely tender; and the amiable Caroline, in the softness of her heart, overcome by my lord’s protestations of everlasting love to her in preference to all Q 2 the women on earth, voluntarily assured him, that she never would receive any other proposal, while he was living, and single.

Sir Thomas shewed himself so much displeased with Lord L. for the freedom of his last speech, that my lord chose not to desire another audience of him; and yet, being unwilling to widen the difference, he took polite leave of the angry baronet in a letter, which was put into his hands just before he had commanded Miss Caroline to attend him at dinner, which she had begged to be excused doing.

Don’t you pity the young lady, Lucy, in this situ-ation? Lord L. having but a little before taken leave of her, and set out for London.

Miss Charlotte told her sister, that, were it she, she should hardly have suffered Lord L. to go away by himself. Were it but to avoid an interview with a father who seemed to have been too much used to women’s tears to be moved by them; and who had such a satirical vein, and such odd notions of love.

I was very earnest to know what passed at this dinner-time.

Miss Grandison said, It is best for me to answer Miss Byron’s curiosity, I believe: as I was a stander-by, and only my father and sister were the players.

Players! repeated Lady L. It was a cruel scene. And I believe, Miss Byron, it will make you not wonder, that I liked Lord L. much the better for being rather a man of understanding than a man of wit.

Miss Grandison began as follows:

I went up with my father’s peremptory, as I may call it, to my sister.

Omy dear mamma! said Caroline, when she found she must go down, on what a new occasion do I want your sweet mediation! But, Charlotte, I can neither walk nor stand

You must then lean upon me, my dear, and creep; love will creep, they say, where it cannot go.

Wicked girl! interrupted Lady L. I remember that was what she said.

I said it to make you smile, if 1 could, and take courage: but you know I was in tears for you, not-withstanding.

You thought of what might befal yourself, Char-lotte.

So I did. We never, I believe, properly feel for others, what does not touch ourselves.

A compassionate heart, said I, is a blessing, though a painful one: and yet there would be no supporting life, if we felt quite as poignantly for others as we do for ourselves. How happy was it for my Char-lotte, that she could smile, when the father’s apprehended lecture was intended for the use of both!

I thank you for this, Harriet. You will not be long my creditor But I will proceed.

Caroline took my advice. She leaned upon me; and creep, creep, creep, down she crept. A fresh stream of tears fell from her eyes, when she came to the dining-room door: her tremblings were increas-ed: and down she dropt upon a window-seat in the passage: I can go no further, said she.

Instantly a voice, that we knew must be observed, alarmed our ears Where are you, Caroline! Char-lotte? Girls! where are you? The housekeeper was in hearing, and ran to us: Ladies! Ladies! Your papa calls! And we, in spite of the weakness of the one, and the unwillingness of the other, recover-ed our feet; and, after half a dozen creeping motions more, found ourselves within the door, and in our father’s sight, my sister leaning upon my arm.

What devil’s in the wind now I What tragedy-movements are here! What measured steps! In some cases, all women are natural actresses. But Q 3 come, Caroline, the play is over, and you mistake your cue.

Good Sir! Her hands held up I wept for her; and for my own remoter case, if you will, Miss Byron.

The prologue is yours, Caroline. Charlotte, I doubt not, is ready with her epilogue. But come, come, it is time to close this farce Take your places, girls; and don’t be fools. A pretty caution, thought I, said Miss Charlotte, when you make us both such!

However, the servants entering with the dinner, ‘we hemmed, handkerchief d, twinkled, took up our knives and forks, laid them down, and took them up again, when our father’s eye was upon us; piddled, sipped; but were more busy with our forks than with our teeth. As for poor sister Caroline, love stuck in her throat. She tried to swallow, as one in a quin-sey; a wry face, and a strained neck, denoting her difficulty to get down but a lark’s morsel And what made her more awkward (I am sure it did me) was a pair of the sharpest eyes that ever were seen in a man’s head, and the man a father (the poor things having no mother, no aunt, to support their spirits) cast first on the one, then on the other; and now-and-then an over-clouded brow, adding to our awkwardness: yet still more apprehensive of dinner-time being over, and the withdrawing of the servants.

The servants loved their young ladies. They at-tended with very serious faces; and seemed glad when they were dismissed.

Then it was that Caroline arose from her seat, made her courtesy, awkwardly enough; with the air of a boarding-school miss, her hands before her.

My father let her make her honours, and go to the door, I rising to attend her; but then called her back; 1 dare say, on purpose, to enjoy her awkwardness, and to punish her.

Who bid you go? Whither are you going, Caro-line? Come back, Charlotte. But it will be always thus: a father’s company is despised, when a girl gets a lover into her head. Fine encouragement for a father, to countenance a passion that shall give himself but a second or third place, who once had a first, in his children’s affections! But I shall have reason to think myself fortunate, perhaps, if my children do not look upon me as their enemy. Come back when I bid you.

We crept back more awkwardly than we went from table.

Sit down We crossed our hands, and stood like a couple of fools.

Sit down when I bid you. You are confoundedly humble. I want to talk with you.

Down sat the two simpletons, on the edge of their chairs; their faces and necks averted.

Miss Grandison then gave the following dialogue. She humourously, by her voice (an humble one for her sister, a less meek one for herself, an imperious one for Sir Thomas) marked the speakers. I will prefix their names.

Sir Thomas. What sort of leave has LordL. taken of you, Caroline? He has sent me a letter. Has he sent you one? I hope he did not think a personal leave due to the daughter, and not to the father.

Charlotte. He thought you were angry with him, Sir, said I [poor Caroline’s answer was not ready].

Sir Tho. And supposed that your sister was not. Very well! What leave did he take of you, girl? woman? What do you call yourself?

Charlotte. Sir, my Lord L. I dare say, intended no disrespect to

I might as well have been silent, Harriet.

Sir Tho. I like not your preface, girl, interrupted he Tell me not what you dare say. I spoke to your sister. Come, sit upright. None of your averted faces, and wry necks. A little more innocence in your hearts, and you’ll have less shame in your countenances. I see what a league there is between you. A promising prospect before me, with you both! But tell me, Caroline, do you love Lord L.? Have you given him hope that you will be his, when you can get the cross father to change his mind; or, what is still better, out of your way for ever? All fathers are plaguy ill-natured, when they do not think of their girls’ fellows, as their foolish girls think of them! Answer me, Caroline!

Caroline (weeping, at his severe speech). What can I say, Sir, and not displease you?

Sir Tho. What! Why, thatyou are all obedience to your father. Cannot you say that? Sure you can say that.

Car. I hope, Sir

Sir Tho. And I hope too. But it becomes you to be certain. Can’t you answer for your own heart?

Car. I believe you think, Sir, that Lord L. is not an unworthy man.

Sir Tho. A man is not more worthy, for making my daughter forget herself, and behave like a fool to her father.

Car. I may behave like a fool, Sir, but not undatifully. You frighten me, Sir. I am unable to hold up my head before you, when you are angry with me.

Sir Tho. Tell me that you have broken with Lord L. as I have commanded you. Tell me, that you will never see him more, if you can avoid it. Tell me, that you will not write to him

Car. Pardon me, Sir, for saying, that Lord L.‘s behaviour to me has been ever uniformly respectful: . he reveres my papa too: how can I treat him with disrespect?

Sir Tho. So! I shall have it all out, presently

Silt CHARLES GRANDISON. 177

Go on, girl And do you, Charlotte, attend to the lesson set you by your eldest sister.

Char. Indeed, Sir, I can answer for the goodness of my sister’s heart, and for her duty to you.

Sir Tho. Well said! Now, Caroline, do you speak up for Charlotte’s heart: one good turn deserves another. But say what you will for each other, I will be my own judge of both your hearts; and facts shall be my test. Do you know, Caroline, whether Charlotte has any lover that is to keep you in countenance with yours?

Car. I dare say, Sir, that my sister Charlotte will not disoblige you.

Sir Tho. I hope, Caroline, you can say as much for Charlotte’s sister.

Car. I hope I can, Sir.

Sir Tho. Then you know my will.

Car. I presume, Sir, it is your pleasure, that I should always remain single.

Sir Tho. Hey-day! But why, pray, does your ladyship suppose so? Speak out.

Car. Because I think, forgive me to say it, that my Lord L.‘s character and his quality are such, that a more creditable proposal cannot be expected. Pray, Sir, forgive me. And she held up her hands, pray pray-fashion, thus

Well said, Caroline! thought I Pull up a cou-rage, my dear! What a deuce

Sir Tho. His quality! Gewgaw! What is a Scottish peerage! And does your silly heart beat after a coronet? You want to be a countess, do you? But let me tell you, that if you have a true value for Lord L. you will not, incumbered as he is with sisters’ fortunes, wish him to marry you.

Car. As to title, Sir, that is of very little account with me, without the good character. As to pru-dence; my Lord L. cannot see any-thing in me to forfeit his prudence for.

Well answered, Caroline! thought I, again said Miss Grandison. In such a laudable choice, all should not be left upon the poor lov-yer!

Sir Tho. So the difficulty lies not with you, I find. You have no objection to Lord L. it” he has none to you. You are an humbled and mortified girl, then. The woman must be indeed in love, who, once thinking well of herself, can give a preference against herself to her lover.

What business had Sir Thomas to say this, my Lucy?

Sir Tho. Let me know, Caroline, what hopes you have given to Lord L. Or rather, perhaps, what hopes he has given you? Why are you silent? An-swer me, girl.

Car. I hope, Sir, I shall not disgrace my father, in thinking well of Lord L.

Sir Tho. Nor will he disgrace himself, proud as are the Scottish beggars of their ancestry, in thinking well of a daughter of mine.

Car. Lord L. though not a beggar, Sir, would think it an honour, Sir

Sir Tho. Well said! Go on: go on. Why stops the girl? And so he ought. But if Lord L. is not a beggar for my daughter, let not my daughter be a beggar for Lord L. But Lord L. would think it an honour, you say To be what? Your husband, I suppose. Answer my question; How stand mat-ters between you and Lord L.?

Car. I cannot, such is my unhappiness! say any thing that will please my father.

Sir Tho. How the girl evades my question! Don’t let me repeat it.

Car. It is not disgraceful, I hope, to own, that I had rather be

There she stopt, and half-hid her face in her bo-som. And I thought, said Miss Grandison, that she never looked prettier in her life.

Sir Tho. Rather be Lord L.‘s wife than my daughter. Well, Charlotte, tell me, when are you to begin to estrange me from your affections? When are you to begin to think your father stands in the way of your happiness? When do you cast your pur-veying eyes upon a mere stranger, and prefer him to your father? I have done my part, I suppose; I have nothing to do but to allot you the fortunes that your lovers, as they are called, will tell you are necessary to their affairs, and then to lie down and die. Your fellows then, with you, will dance over my grave; and I shall be no more remembered, than if I had never been except by your brother.

I could not help speaking here, said Miss Grandison. O Sir! how you wound me! Do all fathers Forgive me, Sir

I saw his brow begin to lour. Sir Tho. I bear not impertinence. I bear not There he stopt in wrath. But why, Caroline, do you evade my question? You know it. Answer it. Car. I should be unworthy of the affection of such a man as Lord L. is, if I disowned my esteem for him. Indeed, Sir, I have an esteem for Lord L. above any man I ever saw. You, Sir, did not always disesteem him My brother

Sir Tho. So! Now all is out! You have the for-wardness What shall I call it? But I did, and I do, esteem Lord L. But as what? Not as a son-inlaw. He came to me as my son’s friend. I in vited him down in that character: he, at that time, knew nothing of you. But no sooner came a single man into a single woman’s company, but you both wanted to make a match of it. You were dutiful: and he was prudent: prudent for himself. I think you talked of his prudence a-while ago. He made his application to you, or you to him, I know not which [Then how poor Caroline wept! Audi, said Miss Charlotte, could hardly forbear saying Barbarous /] And when he found himself sure of you, then was the fool the father to be consulted: and for what? Only to know what he would do for two people, who had left him no option in the case. And this is the trick of you all: and the poor father is to be passive, or else to be accounted a tyrant.

Car. Sir, I admitted not Lord L.‘s address, but conditionally, as you should approve of it. Lord L. desired not my approbation upon other terms.

Sir Who. What nonsense is this? Have you left me any way to help myself? Come, Caroline, let me try you. I intend to carry you up to town: a young man of quality has made overtures to me. 1 believe I shall approve of his proposals. I am sure you will, if you are not prepossessed. Tell me, Are you, have you left yourself at liberty to give way to my recommendation? Why don’t you answer me? You know, that you received Lord L.‘s addresses but conditionally, as I should approve of them. And your spark desired not your approbation upon other terms. Come, what say you to this? What! are you confounded? Well you may, if you cannot answer me as I wish! If you can, why don’t you? You see, I put you but to your own test.

Car. Sir, it is not for me to argue with my father. Surely, I have not intended to be undutiful. Surely, I have not disgraced my family, by admitting Lord L.‘s conditional

Sir Tho. Conditional! Fool! How conditional! Is it not absolute, as to the exclusion of me, or of my option? But I have ever found, that the man who condescends to argue with a woman, especially on certain points, in which nature, and not reason, is concerned, must follow her through a thousand windings, and find himself farthest off when he imagines himself nearest; and at last must content himself, panting for breath, to sit down where he set out; while she gambols about, and is ready to lead him a new course.

Car. I hope

Sir Tho. None of your hopes I will have cer-tainty. May I Come, I’ll bring you to a point, if I can, woman as you are May I receive proposals for you from any other man? Answer me, Yes or No. Don’t deal with me, as girls do with common fathers Don’t be disobedient, and then depend upon my weakness to forgive you. I am no common father. I know the world. I know your sex. I have found more fools in it than I have made. In-deed, no man makes, or needs to make, you fools. You have folly deep-rooted within you. That weed is a native of the soil. A very little watering will make it sprout, and choak the noble flowers that education has planted. I never knew a woman in my life, that was wise by the experience of other people. But answer me: say Can you receive a new proposal? or can you not?

Caroline answered only by her tears.

Sir Tho. Damnably constant, I suppose! So you give up real virtue, give up duty to a father, for fidelity, for constancy, for a fictitious virtue, to a lover! Come hither to me, girl! Why don’t you come to me when I bid you?


Letter XVII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Miss Caroline arose: four creeping steps, her hand-kerchief at her eyes, brought her within her father’s reach. He snatched her hand, quickened her pace, vol. x. R and brought her close to his knees. Poor sister Caroline! thought I: O the iy And I had like, at the time, to have added the syllable rant to myself. He pulled the other hand from her eye. The handkerchief dropt: he might see that it was wet and heavy with her tears. Fain would she have turned her blubbered eye from him. He held both her hands, and burst out into a laugh

And what cries the girl for? Why, Caroline, you shall have a husband, I tell you. I will hasten with you to the London market. Will you be offered at Itanelagh market first? the concert or breakfasting? Or shall I shew you at the opera, or at the play? Ha, ha, hah! Hold up your head, my amorous girl! You shall stick some of your mother’s jewels in your hair, and in your bosom, to draw the eyes of fellows. You must strike at once, while your face is new; or you will be mingled with the herd of women, who prostitute their faces at every polite place. Sweet impatient soul! Look at me, Caro-line. Then he laughed again.

Car. Indeed, Sir, if you were not my father Well said, Caroline! thought I; and trod on her toe.

Sir Tho. Hey-dey! But what then?

Car. I would say you are very cruel.

Sir Tho. And is that all you would say, poor soft thing! in such circumstances, to any other man? Well, but, all this time, you don’t tell me (still holding her hands) whether any other man will not do as well as your Scots-man?

Car. I am not kindly used. Indeed, Sir, you don’t use me kindly. I hope I am not an amorous creature, as you call me. I am not in haste to be married. I am willing to wait your time, your plea-sure; but, as I presume, that there can be no ob — jection to Lord L. I wish not to be carried to any London market.

Sir Tho. (gravely). If 1 am disposed to railly you, Caroline; if I am willing to pass off, in a plea-sant manner, a forwardness that I did not expect in my daughter; and for which, in my heart, I have despised the daughters of other men, though I have not told the wenches so; I will not be answered pertly. I will not have you forget yourself.

Car. (courtesying). Good Sir, permit me to with-draw. I will recollect myself, and be sorry

Sir Tho. And is it necessary for you to withdraw, to recollect your duty? But you shall answer my question How stand you and LordL.? Are you resolved to have him, and none other? Will you wait for him, will he wait for you, till death has numbered me with my ancestors?

Car. O Sir! And she looked down after her dropt handkerchief. She wanted it; and would have with-drawn one of her hands to reach it; and when she could not, the big tears running down her cheeks [yet she looked pretty] down she dropt on her knees Forgive me, Sir, I dread your displeasure But must say, that I am not an amorous girl: and, to convince you that I am not, I will never marry any man living, if it be not Lord L.

I all this time was in agitations for my poor sister. I tired three chairs; and now looked at her; now from her; then at my fingers’ ends, wishing them claws, and the man a husband, instead of a father. Indeed, Miss Byron, I could not but make Caroline’s treatment my own; and, in fancy, not so very re-mote, as you imagined, Lady L. Once I said to myself, If some Lord L. tenders himself to me, and I like him, I will not stand all this. The first moon-light night, if he urge me heartily, and if I am sure the parson is ready, I will be under another protection, despicably as I have always thought of runaway daughters! Should I have done right, Miss Byron?

The example, Miss Grandison! replied I Such a mother as you were blessed with! The world that would have sat in judgment upon the flight of the daughter, would not have known the cruel treatment of the father. I believe,. my dear, you arc glad you had not the trial: and you see how Lady L. is rewarded for her patient duty.

That’s my good Harriet! said Lady L. I love you for your answer. But, sister, you leave me in too much distress. You must release me from my knees, and send me up to my chamber, as fast as you can.

A little patience, Lady L. But what say my minutes? Miss Byron seems all attention. This is a new subject to her. She never had any-body to controul her.

I think I could have borne any-thing from a father or mother, said I, had it pleased God to continue to me so dear a blessing.

Fine talking, Harriet! said Miss Grandison. But let me say, that a witty father is not a desirable cha-racter By the way, ours was as cruel [Shall I say it, Lady L.? You are upon your knees, you know] to two very worthy sisters of his own: one of them ran away from him to a relation in Yorkshire, where she lives still, and as worthy an old maid she is as any in the county: the other died before she could get her fortune paid, or she would have been married to a man she loved, and who loved her: but she left every shilling of her fortune to her maiden sister, and nothing to my father.

It is well my brother is not in hearing, said Lady L. He would not have borne the hundredth part of what we have said. But sufferers will complain. Re-member, however, Charlotte, that I am still upon my knees.

See, my Lucy! Rakish men make not either good husbands, or good fathers; nor yet good bro-thers But, no wonder! The narrow-hearted creatures centre all their delight in themselves ‘Finely do women choose, who, taken in by their specious airs, vows, protestations! become the abject properties of such wretches! Yet a reformed rake, they say, makes the best husband Against general experience this is said But by whom? By the vulgar and the inconsiderate only, surely!

Miss Grandison proceeded.

Sir Tho. You will never marry any other man living! And this is declared, in order to convince me that you are not amorous! Quibbling nonsense! Had you not been amorous, you had not put your-self into a situation, that should give you courage to say this to me. Bold fool! Begone!

She arose.

Yet you shall not go, holding both her hands. And dare you thus declare yourself? What option, I again ask you, is left me? And yet Lord L. and you, as you pretended just now, were determined only on a conditional courtship, as I should, or should not, approve of it! Confound your sex! This ever was, and ever will be, the case. The blind god sets you out, where you mean the best, on a pacing beast; you amble, prance, parade, till your giddy heads turn round; and then you gallop over hedge and ditch; leap fences; and duty, decency, and discretion, are trodden under-ibot!

Poor Miss Caroline! said I, Lucy, to them both I expected this cruel retort.

/ foresaw it, replied Lady L. And this kept me oft’ so long from declaring my preference of Lord L. to all the men in the world; as in justice to his merit, my heart several times bid me do without scruple.

Begone from my presence, said Sir Thomas, proceeded Miss Grandison Yet be still held her hands That little witch! I have been watching her eyes, and every working muscle of her saucy face [meaning poor me, said Miss Grandison]; she takes part with you in all your distresses You are sorely distressed, are you not? Am I not a tyrant with you both? You want to begone, both of you: then shall I be the subject of your free discourses. All the resentment, that now you endeavour to confine, will then burst out: I shall be entitled to no more of your duty than is consistent with your narrow interest: Lord L. will be consulted in preference to me, and have the whole confidence of my daughters against me. I am now, from this hour, to be look-ed upon as your enemy, and not your father. But I will renounce you both; and permit your brother, the joy of my life, and the hope of my better days, to come over: and he shall renounce you, as I do, or I will renounce him; and, in that case, I shall be a father without a child: yet three living by the best of women. How would she

I broke out here, said Miss Grandison, with an emotion that I could not suppress. O my dear mam-ma! How much do we miss you! Were you to have become angel when we were infants, should we have missed you as we do novo? O my dear mamma! This, this, is the time that girls most want a mother.

I was about to fly for it. I trembled at the sternness of my father’s looks, on this apostrophe to my mother. He arose. Caroline, don’t stir, said he; I have something more to say to you. Come hither, Charlotte! and held out both his hands You have burst out at last. I saw your assurance swelling to your throat.

I threw myself at his feet, and besought him to forgive mc!

But taking both my hands in one of his, as I held them up folded Curse me if I do! said he. I was willing you should be present, in hopes to make you take warning by your sister’s folly and inconsistency. Lord L. has been a thief in my house. He has stolen my elder daughter’s affections from me: yet has drawn her in, as pretending that he desired not her favour, but as I approved of his addresses. I do not approve of them. I hope I may be allowed to be my own judge in this case. She however declares she will have nobody else. And have I brought up my children till the years that they should be of use and comfort to me; and continued a widower myself for their sakes [so my father was pleased to say, said Miss Grandison]; and all for a man I ap-prove not? And do you, Charlotte, call your blessed mother from her peaceful tomb, to relieve you and your sister against a tyrant father? What comfort have I in prospect before me, from such daughters? But leave me: leave my house. Seek your fortunes where you will. Take your clothes: take all that belongs to you: but nothing that was your mother’s. I will give you each a draught on my banker for 5001. When that is gone, according to what I shall hear of your behaviour, you shall, or shall not, have more.

Dear Sir, said Caroline, flinging herself on her knees by me, forgive my sister! Dear, good Sir! whatever becomes of mc, forgive your Charlotte.

You are fearless of your destiny, Caroline. You will throw yourself into the arms of Lord L. I doubt not I will send for your brother. But you shall both leave this house. 1 will shut it up the moment you are gone. It shall never again be open-ed while I live. When my ashes are mingled with those of your mother, then may you keep open house in it, and trample under-foot the ashes of both.

I sobbed out, Dear Sir, forgive me! I meant not to reflect upon my father, when I wished for my mother. I wished for her for your sake, Sir, as well as for ours. She would have mediated She would have softened

Sir Tho. My hard heart I know what you mean, Charlotte!

And flung from us a few paces, walking about in wrath, leaving us kneeling at his vacant chair.

He then ringing the bell, the door in his hand, ordered in the housekeeper. She entered. A very good woman she was. She trembled for hei kneeling ladies.

Sir Tho. Beckford, do you assist these girls in getting up every-thing that belongs to them. Give me an inventory of what they take. Their father’s authority is grievous to them. They want to shake it off. They find themselves women-grown. They want husbands

Indeed, indeed, Beckford, we don’t, said Caro-line; interrupted by my father

Do you give me the lie, bold-face?

Pray your honour Goodyour honour intreated honest Beckford: never were modester young ladies. They are noted all over the county for their mo-desty and goodness

Woman, woman, argue not with me. Modesty never forgets duty. Coroline loves not her father. Lord L. has stolen away her affections from me. Charlotte is of her party: and so are you, I find. But take my commands in silence A week longer they stay not in this house

Beckford throwing herself on her knees, repeated Good your honour

We both arose and threw ourselves at his feet

Forgive us! I beseech you, forgive us! For my mamma’s sake, forgive us! said Caroline

For my mamma’s sake, for my brother’s sake, dear Sir, forgive your daughters! cried I, in as rueful an accent as Caroline’s.

And we each of us took hold of his opened coat, both in tears; and Beckford keeping us company.

Unmoved he went on I intend you a pleasure, girls. I know you want to be freed from my au-thority. You are women-grown. The man who has daughters knows not discomfort with them, till busy fellows bid them look out of their father’s house for that happiness, which they hardly ever find but in it.

We are yours, my papa, said I We are no-body’s else Do not, do not expose your children to the censures of the world. Hitherto our repu-tations are unsullied

Dear Sir, cried Caroline, throw us not upon the world, the wide world! Dear Sir, continue us in your protection. We want not to be in any other.

You shall try the experiment, girls I am not Jit to be your counsellor. Lord L. has distanced me with the one: the other calls upon her departed mother to appear, to shield her from the cruelty of an unnatural father. And Lord L. has the inso-lence to tell me to my face, that I am too young a father to take upon me the management of women — grown daughters. And so I find it. Blubber not, Beckford; assist your young ladies for their departure. A week is the longest time they have to stay in this house. I want to shut it up: never more to enter its gates.

We continued our pleadings.

O Sir, said Caroline, turn not your children out of doors. We are daughters. We never more wanted a father’s protection than now.

What have we done, Sir, cried I, to deserve being turned out of your doors? For every offensive word we beg your pardon. You shall always have dutiful children of us. Permit me to write to my brother

So, so! You mend the matter. You want to interest your brother in your favour You want to appeal to him, do you? and to make a son sit in judgment upon his father! Prate not, girls! En-treat not! Get ready to be gone. I will shut up this house

Wherever you are, Sir, entreated I, there let tis be Renounce not your children, your penitent children.

He proceeded. I suppose Lord L. will as soon find out your person, Caroline, as he has your incli-nation; so contrary to my liking. As to you, Charlotte, you may go down to your old aunt Prue in Yorkshire [He called their aunt Eleanor so from the word Prude~\ She will be able to instruct you, that patience is a virtue; and that you ought not to be in haste to take a first offer for fear you should not have a second.

Poor sister Caroline! He looked disdainfully at her.

You are my father, Sir, said she. All is welcome from you: but you shall have no cause to reproach me. J will not be in haste. And here on my knees, I promise, that I will never be Lord L.‘s, without your consent. I only beg of you, Sir, not to propose to me any other man.

My father partly relented [[partly, Harriet]: I take you at your word, girl, said he: and I insist that you shall not correspond with him, nor see him You answer not to that. But you know my will. And once more, answer or not, I require your obe-dience. Beckford, you may go. Rise, Caroline.

And am I forgiven, Sir? said I Dear Sir, forgive your Charlotte [Yet, Miss Byron, what was my crime?]

Make the best use of the example before you, Charlotte: not to imitate Caroline, in engaging your affections unknown to me. Remember that. She has her plagues in giving me plague. It is fit she should. Where you cannot in duty follow the example, take the warning.

Beckford was withdrawn. He graciously saluted each girl: and thus triumphantly made them express sorrow for Do you know for what, Harriet?

I wish, thought I to myself, Lucy, that these boisterous spirits, either fathers or husbands, were not generally most observed.

But was Miss Grandison’s spirit so easily subdued? thought I.

You smile, Harriet. What do you smile at?

Will you forgive me, if I tell you?

I don’t know.

I depend on your good nature. I smiled to think, Lady L. how finely Miss Grandison has got up since that time.

Miss Gr. O the sly girl! Remember you not, that I was before your debtor?

A good hit, I protest! said Lady L. Yet Charlotte was always a pert girl out of her father’s presence. But I will add a word or two to my sister’s narrative.

My father kept us with him till he read Lord L.‘s letter, which he opened not till then, and plainly as I saw, to find some new fault with him and me on the occasion: but I came off better than I apprehended I should at the time; for I had not seen it. Here is a copy of it.

Lady L. allowed me, Lucy, to take it up with me, when we parted for the night.

Permit me, Sir, by pen and ink, rather than in person, as I think it will be most acceptable to you, to thank you, as I most cordially do, for the kind and generous treatment I have received at your hands, during a whole month’s residence at Grandison-hall, whither I came with intent to stay but three days.

I am afraid I suffered myself to be surprised into an undue warmth of expression when I last went from your presence. I ask your pardon, if so. You have a right in your own child. God forbid that I should ever attempt to invade it! But what a happy man should I be, if my love for Miss Grandison, and that right, could be made to coincide! I may have appeared to have acted wrong in your apprehension, in applying myself first to Miss Grandison. I beg, Sir, your pardon for that also.

But perhaps I have a still greater fault to attone for. I need not indeed acquaint you with it; but I had rather intitle myself by my ingenuousness to your forgiveness, than wish to conceal any-thing from you in an article of this high importance, whe-ther you grant it me or not. I own then, that when I last departed from your angry presence, I directly went to Miss Grandison, and on my knees implored her hand. I presumed that an alliance with me was not a disgraceful one to her; and assured her, that my estate should work itself clear without any expectation from you; as it will, I hope, in a few years, by good management, to which I was sure she would contribute. But she refused me, and resolved to await the good pleasure of her father; yet conde-scendingly giving me, I must honestly add, hopes of her favour, could your consent be obtained.

Thus is the important affair circumstanced.

I never will marry any other woman, while there is the least shadow of hope, that she can be mine. The conversation of the best of young men, your son, for two months, in Italy, and one before that in some of the German courts, has made me ambitious of following such an example in every duty of life: and if I might obtain, by your favour, so dear a wife, and so worthy a brother, the happiest man in the world would then be,

Sir, Your obliged and faithful servant,

L.

Yet my father, said Lady L. called it an artful letter; and observed, that Lord L. was very sure of me, or he had not offered to make a proposal to me, that deserved not to be excused. You were aiming at prudence, girl, in your refusal, I see that, said my father. You had no reason to doubt but Lord L. would hereafter like you the better for declining marriage in that clandestine manner, because the re-fusal would give him an opportunity to make things more convenient to himself. One half of a woman’s virtue is pride, continued he [I hope not truly, said Lady L.]; the other half policy. If they were sure the man would not think the worse of them for it, they would not wait for a second question. Had you had am independent fortune, Caroline, what would you have done? But go; you are a weak, and yet a cunning girl. Cunning is the wisdom of women. Women’s weakness is man’s strength. I am sorry that my daughters are not compounded of less brit-tle i naterials. I wonder that any man who knows the sex, marries.

Thus spoke the rakish, the keeping father, Lucy, en.deavouring to justify his private vices by general re .-flections on the sex. And thus are wickedness and libertinism called a knowledge of the world, a J inowledge of human nature. Swift, for often painting a dunghill, and for his abominable Yahoe story, was complimented with this knowledge: but I hope, that the character of human nature, the character of creatures made in the image of the Deity, is not to be taken from the overflowings of such dirty imagi-nations.

What company, my dear, must those men be sup-posed to have generally kept? How are we authorized to wish (only that good is often produced out of evil, as is instanced in two such daughters, and such a son) that a man of this cast had never had the honour to call a Lady Grandison by his name! And yet Sir Thomas’s vices called forth, if they did not establish, her virtue. What shall we say?

Whatever is, is in its causes just;

But purblind man

Sees but a part o’ th’ chain, the nearest link;

His eyes not carrying to that equal beam,

That poises all, above.

Dryd.

I thought, my Lucy, that the conversation I have attempted to give, would not, though long, appear tedious to you; being upon a new subject, the behaviour of a free-liver of a father to his grown-up daughters, when they came to have expectations upon him, which he was not disposed to answer; and the rather as it might serve to strengthen us, who have had in our family none but good men (though we have neighbours of a different character, who have wanted to be acquainted with us) in our resolution to reject the suits of libertine men by a stronger motive even than for our own sakes: and I therefore was glad of the opportunity of procuring it for you, and for our Nancy, now her recovered health will allow her to look abroad more than she had of late been used to do. I am sure, my grandmamma, and my aunt Selby, will be pleased with it; because it will be a good supplement to the lessons they have constantly inculcated upon us, against that narrow-hearted race of men, who live only for the gratification of their own lawless appetites, and consider all the rest of the world as made for themselves, the worst and most noxious reptiles in it.


Letter XVIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Thus far had the ladies proceeded in their interesting story, when the letters of my grandmamma and aunt were brought me from London. By my an-swer you will see how much I was affected by their contents. The ladies saw my uneasiness, and were curious to know the cause. 1 told them from whence the letters came, and what the subject was; and that my aunt was to give for me, next Saturday, an answer to Lady D. in person.

I then retired to write. When I had dispatched the messenger, the ladies wished to know the reso-lution I had come to. I told them I had confirmed my negative.

Miss Grandison, with archness, held up her hands and eyes. I was vexed she did. Then, Charlotte, said I, spitefully, you would not have declined ac-cepting this proposal.

She looked earnestly at me, and shook her head. Ah, Harriet, said she, you are an unaccountable girl! You will tell the truth; but not the whole truth.

I blushed as I felt; and believe looked silly.

Ah, Harriet! repeated she; looking as if she would look me through.

Dear Miss Grandison! said I.

There is some Northamptonshire gentleman, of whom we have not yet heard. s2

I was a little easier then. But can this lady mean any-thing particular? She cannot be so ungenerous, surely, as to play upon a poor girl, if she thought her entangled. All I am afraid of, is, that my temper will be utterly ruined. I am not so happy in my-self, as I used to be. Don’t you think, Lucy, that taking one thing with another, I am in a situation that is very teazing? But let me find a better subject.

The ladies, at my request, pursued their family-history.

Lord L. and Miss Caroline went on, hoping for a change in Sir Thomas’s mind. He would, no doubt, they said, have been overcome by the young lady’s duty, and my Lord L.‘s generosity, had he not made it inconvenient to himself, to part with money.

He went to town, and carried his daughters with him; and, it is thought, would not have been sorry, had the lovers married without his consent; for, he prohibited anew, on their coming to town, my lord’s visits; so that they were obliged to their sister, as she pleasantly had told Lady L. for contriving to forward their interviews.

Mean time, my lord’s affairs growing urgent, by reason of his two sisters marrying, he gave way to the offers of a common friend of his and Lord W.‘s, to engage that nobleman, who approved of the match, to talk to Sir Thomas on the subject.

Lord W. and the baronet met. My lord was earnest in the cause of the lovers. Sir Thomas was not pleased with his interfering in his family affairs. And indeed a more improper m&n could hardly have been applied to on the occasion: for Lord W. who is immensely rich, was always despised by Sir Thomas for his avarice; and he as much disliked Sir Thomas for what he called hi,s profusion.

High words passed between them. They parted in passion; and Sir Thomas resenting Lord L.‘s ap-peal to Lord W. the sisters were in a worse situa — tion than before; for now, besides having incurred the indignation of their father, their uncle, who was always afraid that Sir Thomas’s extravagance would reduce the children to the necessity of hoping for his assistance, made a pretence of their father’s ill treatment to disclaim all acts of kindness and relation to them.

What concerned the sisters still more, was, my lord’s declared antipathy to their brother; and that for no other reason, but because his father (who, he was sure, he said, could neither love nor hate in a right place) doted on him.

In this sad situation were these lovers, when over-tures were made to Sir Thomas for his younger daughter: but though Miss Charlotte gave him no pretence to accuse her of beginning a love-affair unknown to him; yet those overtures never came to her knowledge from him, though they did from others: and would you have wondered, Harriet, said she, with such treatment before my eyes as Caroline met with, if I had been provoked to take some rash step?

No provocation, replied I, from a father, can justify a rash step in a child. I am glad, and so, I dare say, are you, that your prudence was your safeguard, when you were deprived of that which so good a child might have expected from a fa-ther’s indulgence, especially when a mother was not in being.

Miss Grandison coloured, and bit her lip. Why did she colour?

At last Sir Thomas took a resolution to look into and regulate his affairs, preparative to the leave he intended to give to his beloved son to come over. S3

From his duty, discretion, and good management, he was sure, he said, he should be the happiest of men. But he was at a loss what to do with Mrs. Oldham and her two children. He doubted not but his son had heard of his guilty commerce with her: yet ye cared not, that the young gentleman should find her living in a kind of wife-like state in one of the family-seats: and yet she had made too great a sacrifice to him, to be unhandsomely used; and he thought he ought to provide for his child-ren by her.

While he was meditating this change of measures, that he might stand well with a son, whose character for virtue and prudence made his father half afraid of him, a proposal of marriage was made to him for his son by one of the first men in the kingdom, whose daughter, accompanying her brother and his wife, in a tour to France and Italy, saw and fell in love with the young gentleman at Florence: and her brother gave way to her sister’s regard for him, for the sake of the character he bore among the people of prime consideration in Italy.

Sir Thomas had several meetings on this subject, both with the brother and the earl his father; and was so fond of bringing it to bear, that he had thoughts of reserving to himself an annuity, and making over the whole of his estate to his son, in favour of this match: and once he said, He should by this means do as Victor Amadeus of Savoy did, rid himself of many incumbrances; and, being not a king, was sure of his son’s duty to him.

The ladies found a letter of their brother’s among Sir Thomas’s loose papers, which shewed that this offer had been actually made to him. This is a copy of it:

DEAR AND EVER-HONOURED SIR,

I am astonished at the contents of your last favour. If the proposal made in it arose from the natural greatness of your mind, and an indulgence which I have so often experienced, what shall I say to it? I cannot bear it. If it proceed from proposals made to you, God forbid that I should give your name to a woman, how illustrious soever in her descent, and how high soever the circumstances of her family, whose friends could propose such conditions to my father.

I receive with inexpressible joy so near a hope of the long-wished-for leave to throw myself at your feet in my native country. When I have this hap-piness granted me, I will unbosom my whole heart to my father. The credit of your name, and the knowledge every one has of your goodness to me, will be my recommendation whenever you shall wish me to enlarge the family-connexions.

Till I have this honour, I beseech you, Sir, to discontinue the treaty already begun.

You are pleased to ask my opinion of the lady, and whether I have any objection to her person. I re-member, I thought her a very agreeable woman.

You mention, Sir, the high sense the lady, as well as Lord and Lady N. have of the civilities they received from me. My long residence abroad gives me the power of doing little offices for those of my country, who visit France and Italy. The little ser-vices I did to my lord, and the ladies with him, are too gratefully remembered by them.

I am extremely concerned that you have reason to be displeased with any part of the conduct of my sisters. Can the daughters of such a mother as you had the happiness to give them, forget themselves? Their want of consideration shall receive no coun-tenance from me. I shall let them know, that my love, my esteem, if it be of consequence with them, is not founded on relation, but merit: and that, where duty to a parent is wanting, all other good qualities are to be suspected.

You ask my opinion of Lord L. and whether he has sought to engage me to favour his address to your Caroline. He wrote to me on that subject. I inclose his letter, and a copy of my answer. As to my opinion of him, I must say, that I have not met with any British man abroad, of whose discretion, sobriety, and good-nature, I think more highly than I do of Lord L.‘s. Justice requires of me this tes-timony. But as to the affair between him and my sister, I shall be extremely sorry, if Lord L’sjirst impropriety of behaviour were to you; and if my sister has suffered her heart to be engaged against her duty.

You have the goodness to say, that my return will be a strengthening of your hands: May my own be weakened; may I ever want the power to do good to myself, or to those I love; when I forget, or depart from, the duty owing to the most indulgent of fathers, by his

CHARLES GRANDISON!

What an excellent young man is this! But ob-serve, Lucy; he says he will on his return to Eng — land unbosom his whole heart to his father; and till then, he desires him to discontinue the begun treaty with Lord N. Ah, my dear! What has any new acquaintance to expect, were she to be entangled in a hopeless passion f But let us consider Had Sir Charles been actually married, would his being so, have enabled a woman’s reason to triumph over her passion? If so, passion is surely conquerable: and did I know any-body that would allow it to be so in the one case, and not in the other, I would bid her take shame to herself, and, with deep humiliation, mourn her ungovernable folly.

The above letter came not to the hands of the young ladies till after their father’s death, which happened within a month of his receiving it, and before he had actually given permission for the young gentleman’s return. You may suppose they were excessively affected with the bad impressions their father had sought to make in their brother’s heart, of their conduct; and, when he died, were the more apprehensive of their force.

He had suspended the treaty of marriage for his son till the young gentleman should arrive. He had perplexed himself about his private affairs, which, by long neglect, became very intricate, and of consequence must be very irksome for such a man to look into. He was resolved therefore to leave it to each steward (having persuaded himself, against ap-pearances, to have a good opinion of both) to exa — mine the accounts of the other; not only as this would give the least trouble to himself, but as they had several items to charge, which he had no mind should be explained to his son. Nor were those gentlemen less solicitous to obtain discharges from him; for, being apprised of his reason for looking into his affairs, they were afraid of the inspection of so good a manager as their young master was known to be.

Mr. Filmer, the steward for the Irish estate, came over, on this occasion, with his accounts: the two stewards acted in concert; and, on the report of each, Sir Thomas examined totals only, and ordered releases to be drawn for his signing.

What a degrader even of high spirits, is vice! What meanness was there in Sir Thomes’s pride!

To be afraid of the eye of a son, of whose duty he was always boasting!

But who shall answer for the reformation of an habitual libertine, when a temptation offers? Ob-serve what followed:

Mr. Filmer, knowing Sir Thomas’s frailty, had brought over with him, and with a view to ensnare the unhappy man, a fine young creature, not more than sixteen, on pretence of visiting her aunt who lived in Pallmall, and who was a relation of his wife. She was innocent of actual crime: but her parents had no virtue, and had not made it a part of the young woman’s education; but, on the contrary, had brought her up with a notion that her beauty would make her fortune; and she knew it was all the for-tune they had to give her.

Mr. Filmer, in his attendances on Sir Thomas, was always praising the beauty of Miss Obrien; her genteel descent, as well as figure; her innocence [Innocence! the attractive equally to the attempts of rakes and devils!]: but the baronet, intent upon pursuing his better schemes, for some time, only gave the artful man the hearing. At last, however (for curiosity — sake) he was prevailed upon to make the aunt a visit. The niece was not absent. She more than answered all that Filmer had said in her praise, as to the beauty of her person. Sir Thomas repeated his visits. The girl was well tutored; behaved with prudence, with reserve rather; and, in short, made such an impression on his heart, that he declared to Filmer that he could not live without her.

Advantage was endeavoured to be taken of his infatuation. He offered high terms: but for some time the aunt insisted upon his marrying her niece.

Sir Thomas had been too long a leader in the free world, to be so taken-in, as it is called. But at last, a proposal was made him, from no part of which the aunt declared she would recede, though the poor girl (who, it was pretended, loved him above all the men she had ever seen) were to break her heart for him. A fine piece of flattery, Lucy, to a man who numbered near three times her years; and who was still fond of making conquests!

The terms were: That he should settle upon the young woman 5001. a-year for her life; and on her father and mother, if they could be brought to consent to the (infamous) bargain, 2001. a-year for their joint and separate lives: that Miss Obrien should live at one of Sir Thomas’s seats in England; be allowed genteel equipages, his livery, and even (for her credit-sake, in the eye of her own relations, who were of figure) to be connived at in taking his name. The aunt left it to his generosity to reward her for the part she had taken, and was to take, to bring all this about with the parents and girl.

Sir Thomas thought these demands much too high: he stood out for some time; but artifice being used on all sides to draw him on, love, as it is called (prostituted word!) obliged him to comply.

His whole concern was now, how to provide for this new expence, without robbing, as he called it, his son [daughters were but daughters, and no part of the question with him]; and to find excuses for continuing the young gentleman abroad.

Mrs. Oldham had for some time been uneasy her-self, and made him so, by her compunction on their guilty commerce; and, on Sir Thomas’s communi-cating his intention to recal his son, hinted her wishes to be allowed to quit the house in Essex, and to retire both from that and him; for fear of making the young gentleman as much her enemy, as the two sisters avowedly were.

Sir Thomas, now that he was acquainted with Miss Obrien, better relished Mrs. Oldham’s proposal than otherwise he would have done: and before he actually signed and sealed with Miss Obrien’s aunt, for her niece, he thought it best to sound that unhappy woman, whether she in earnest desired to re — tire; and if so, what were her expectations from him: resolving, in order to provide for both expences, to cut down timber, that, he said, groaned for the ax; but which hitherto he had let stand as a resource for his son, and to enable him to clear incumbrances that he had laid upon a part of his estate.

Accordingly he set out for his seat in Essex.

There, while he was planning future schemes of living, and reckoning upon his savings in several articles, in order the better to support an expence so guiltily to-be incurred; and had actually begun to treat with Mrs. Oldham; who agreed, at the first word, to retire; not knowing but his motive (poor man!) as well as hers, was reformation: There was he attacked by a violent fever; which in three days deprived him of the use of the reason he had so much abused.

Mr. Bever, his English steward, posted down, on the first news he had of his being taken ill, hoping to get him to sign the ready — drawn up releases. But the eagerness he shewed to have this done, giving cause of suspicion to Mrs. Oldham, she would not let him see his master, though he arrived on the second day of Sir Thomas’s illness, which was before the fever had seized his brain.

Mr. Filmerhad been to meet, and conduct to Lon-don, Mrs. Obrien, the mother of the girl, who came over to see the sale of the poor victim’s honour completed [Could you have thought, Lucy, there was such a mother in the world?]; and it was not till the fifth day of the unhappy man’s illness that he got to him, with his releases also ready drawn up, as well as the articles between him and the Obriens, in hopes to find him well enough to sign both. He was in a visible consternation when he found his master so ill. He would have staid in the house to watch the event; but Mrs. Oldham not permitting him to do so, he put up at the next village, in hopes of a favourable turn of the distemper.

On the sixth day, the physicians giving no hopes of Sir Thomas’s recovery, Mrs. Oldham sent to ac-quaint the two young ladies with his danger; and they instantly set out to attend their father.

They could not be supposed to love Mrs. Oldham; and, taking Mr. Grandison’s advice, who accompa-nied them, they let the unhappy woman know, that there was no farther occasion for her attendance on their father. She had prudently, before, that she might give the less offence to the two ladies, re-moved her son by her former husband, and her two children by Sir Thomas; but insisted on continuing about him, and in the house, as well from motives of tenderness, as for her own security, lest she should be charged with embezzlements; for she expected not mercy from the family, if Sir Thomas died.

Poor woman! what a tenure was that by which she held!

Miss Caroline consented, and brought her sister to consent, that she should stay; absolutely against Mr. Grandson’s advice; who, libertine as he was himself, was very zealous to punish a poor Magda-len, who, though faulty, was not so faulty as him — T self. Wicked people, I believe, my dear, are the severest punishers of those wicked people, who ad-minister not to their own particular gratifications. Can mercy be expected from such? Mercy is a virtue.

It was shocking to the last degree to the worthy daughters to hear their raving father call upon no-body so often, as upon Miss Obrien; though they then knew nothing of the girl, nor of the treaty on foot for her; nor could Mrs. Oldham inform them, who or what she was. Sometimes, when the unhappy man was quietest, he would call upon his son, in words generally of kindness and love; once in particular, crying out O save me! save me! my Grandison, by thy presence! I shall be consumed by the fire that is already lighted up in my boiling blood.

On the ninth day, no hope being left, and the physicians declaring him to be a dying man, they dispatched a letter by a messenger to hasten over their brother, who (having left his ward, Miss Emily Jervois, at Florence, in the protection of the worthy Dr. Bartlett) was come to Paris, as he had written, in expectation of receiving there his father’s per-mission to return to England.

On the eleventh day of his illness, Sir Thoma3 came a little to himself. He knew his daughters. He wept over them. He wished he had been kinder to them. He was sensible of his danger. Several times he lifted up his feeble hands, and dying eyes, repeating, God is just. L am, I have been, very wicked! Repentance! Repentance! how hard a task! said he once to the minister who attended him, and whose prayers he desired. And Mrs. Oldham once coming in his sight O Mrs. Oldham! said he, what is this world now? What would I give But repent, repent Put your good resolutions in practice, lest I have more souls than my own to answer for.

Soon after this his delirium returned; and he expired about eleven at night, in dreadful agonies. Unhappy man! Join a tear with mine, my Lucy, on the awful exit of Sir Thomas Grandison, though we knew him not.

Poor man! in the pursuit Poor man! He lived not to see his beloved son!

The two daughters, and Mr. Grandison, and Mrs. Oldham (for her own security) put their respective seals on every place, at that house, where papers, or any thing of value, were supposed to be deposit-ed: and Mr. Grandison, assuming that part of the management, dismissed Mrs. Oldham from the house; and would not permit her to take with her more than one suit of clothes, besides those she had on. She wept bitterly, and complained of harsh treatment: but was not pitied; and was re-ferred by Mr. Grandison to his absent cousin for still more rigorous justice.

She appealed to the ladies; but they reproached her with having lived a life of shame, against better knowledge; and said, That now she must take the consequence. Her punishment was but beginning. Their brother would do her strict justice, they doubted not: but a man of his virtue, they were sure, would abhor her. She had misled their father, they said. It was not in his temper to be cruel to his children She had lived upon their fortunes; and now they had nothing but their brother’s fa-vour to depend upon.

Daughters so dutiful, my Lucy, did right to excuse their father all they could: but Mrs. Oldham suffered for all.

I am so much interested in this important history, t2 that I have not the heart to break into it, to tell you how very agreeably I pass my time with these la-dies, and Lord L. in those parts of the day, when we are all assembled. Miss Emily has a fine mind; gentle, delicate, innocently childish beyond her stature and womanly appearance; but not her years. The two ladies are very good to her. Lord L. is an excellent man.

This is Friday morning: and no Sir Charles! Canterbury is surely a charming place. Was you ever at Canterbury, Lucy?

To-morrow, Lady D. is to visit my aunt. My letter to my aunt will be in time, I hope. I long to know Yet why should I? But Lady D. is so good a woman! I hope she will take kindly my denial; and look upon it as an absolute one.

I have a great deal more of the family-history to give you: 1 wish I could write as fast as we can talk. But, Lucy, concerning the lady, with whose father Sir Thomas was in treaty for his son? Don’t you want to know something more about her? But, ah, my dear, be this as it may, there is a lady, in whose favour both sisters interest themselves. I have found that out. Nor will it be long, I sup-pose, before I shall be informed who she is; and whether or not Sir Charles encourages the proposal.

Adieu, my Lucy! you will soon have another letter from your

HARRIOT BYRON.


Letter XIX.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

You see, my dear, how many important matters depended on the conduct and determination of the young baronet.

Lord L. was at this time in Scotland, where he had seen married two of his three sisters; and was busying himself in putting his affairs in such a way, as should enable him to depend the less either on the justice or generosity of Sir Thomas Grandison, whose beloved daughter he was impatient to call his wife.

Miss Charlotte was absolutely dependent upon her brother’s generosity; and both sisters had reason to be the more uneasy, as it was now, in the worldly-wise way of thinking, become his interest to keep up the distance which their unhappy father had been solicitous to create between them, from a policy low, and entirely unworthy of him.

The unhappy Mrs. Oldham had already received a severe instance of the change of her fortune; and had no reason to doubt, but that the sisters who had always, from the time she was set over them as their governess, looked upon her with an evil eye; and afterwards had but too just a pretence for their aver-sion; would incense against her a brother, whose fortune had been lessened by his father’s profusion. The few relations she had living, were people of honour, who renounced all correspodence with her, from the time she had thrown herself so absolutely into the power of Sir Thomas Grandison: and she had three sons to take care of.

Bevtr and Filmer, the English and Irish stewards, were attending Sir Charles’s arrival with great imt 3 ’ patience, in hopes he would sign those accounts of theirs, to which they had no reason to question but his father would have set his hand, had he not been taken so suddenly ill, and remained delirious almost to the end of his life.

Miss Obrien, her mother, and aunt, I shall mention in another place.

Lord VV. had a great dislike to his nephew, for no other reason, as I have said, than because he was his father’s favourite. Yet were not his nieces likely to find their uncle more their friend for that. He was indeed almost entirely under the management of a woman, who had not either the birth, the edu-cation, the sense, or moderation, of Mrs. Oldham, to put in the contrary scale against her lost virtue; but abounded, it seems, in a low selfish cunning, by which she never failed to carry every point she set her heart upon: for, as is usual, they say, with these keeping men, Lord W. would yield up, to avoid her teazing, what he would not have done to a wife of fortune and family, who might have been a credit to his own; but the real slave imagined himself master of his liberty; and sat down satis-fied with the sound of the word.

The suspended treaty of marriage with Lord N.‘s sister was also to be taken into consideration, either to be proceeded with, or broken off, as should be concluded by both parties.

This was the situation of affairs in the family, when Sir Charles arrived.

He returned not an answer to his sister’s notification of his father’s danger; but immediately set out for Calais, embarked, and the same day arrived at the house of his late father in St. James’s Square. His sisters concluded, that he would be in town nearly as soon as a letter could come; they therefore every hour, for two days together, expected him.

Judge, my dear, from the foregoing circumstances (sisterly love out of the question, which yet it could not be) how awful must be to them, after eight or nine years’ absence, the first appearance of a bro-ther, on whom the whole of their fortunes depend — ed; and to whom they had been accused by a fa — ther, now so lately departed, of want of duty; their brother’s duty unquestionable!

In the same moment he alighted from his post-chaise, the door was opened; he entered; and his two sisters met him, in the hall.

The graceful youth of seventeen, with fine curling auburn locks waving upon his shoulders; delicate in complexion; intelligence sparkling in his fine free eyes; and good humour sweetening his lively fea-tures; they remembered: and, forgetting the wo — manly beauties into which their own features were ripened in the same space of time, they seemed not to expect that manly stature and air, and that equal vivacity and intrepidity, which every one who sees this brother, admires in his noble aspect: an aspect then appearing more solemn than usual; an unburied and beloved father in his thoughts.

O my brother! said Caroline, with open arms: but, shrinking from his embrace; May I say, my brother? and was just fainting. He clasped her in his arms, to support her^

Charlotte surprised at her sister’6 emotion, and affected with his presence, ran back into the room they had both quitted, and threw herself upon a settee.

Her brother followed her into the room, his arm round Miss Caroline’s waist, soothing her; and, with eyes of expectation, My Charlotte! said he, his inviting hand held out, and hastening towards the settee. She then found her feet: and throwing her arms about his neck, he folded both sisters to his bosom: Receive, my dearest sisters, receive your brother, your friend; assure yourselves of my unabated love.

That assurance they said, was balm to their hearts; and when each was seated, he, sitting over-against them, looked first on one, then on the other; and, taking each by the hand, Charming women! said he: how I admire my sisters! You must have minds answerable to your persons. What pleasure, what pride, shall I take in my sisters!

My dear Charlotte! said Miss Caroline, taking her sister’s other hand, has not our brother, now we see him near, all the brother in his aspect? His goodness only looks stronger, and more per-fect: What was I afraid of?

My heart also sunk, said Charlotte: I know not why. But we feared Indeed, Sir, we both feared O my brother! Tears trickling down the cheeks of each We meant not to be undutiful

Love your brother, my sisters, as he will endea-vour to deserve your love. My mother’s daughters could not be undutiful! Mistake only! Unhappy misapprehension! We have all something Shades as well as lights there must be! A kind, a dutiful veil

He pressed the hand of each with his lips, arose, went to the window, and drew out his handkerchief.

What must he have had in his thoughts? No doubt, but his father’s unhappy turn, and recent departure! No wonder, that such a son could not, without pious emotion, bear the reflections that must crowd into his mind at that instant!

Then, turning towards them, Permit me, my dear sisters, said he, to retire for a few moments. He turned his face from them. My father, said he, demands this tribute. I will not ask your excuse, my sisters.

They joined in the payment of it; and waited on him to his apartment, with silent respect. No cere-mony, I hope, my Caroline, my Charlotte. We were true sisters and brother a few years ago. See your Charles as you saw him then. Let not ab-sence, which has increased my love, lessen yours.

Each sister took a hand, and would have kissed it. He clasped his arms about them both, and saluted them.

He cast his eye on his father’s and mother’s pic-tures with some emotion; then on them; and again saluted each.

They withdrew. He waited on them to the stairs head. Sweet obligingness! Amiable sisters! In a quarter of an hour I seek your presence.

Tears of joy trickled down their cheeks. In half an hour he joined them in another dress, and re-saluted his sisters with an air of tenderness, that ba — nished fear, and left room for nothing but sisterly love.

Mr. Grandison came in soon after. That gen-tleman, who (as I believe I once before mentioned) had affected, in support of his own free way of life, to talk how he would laugh at his cousin Charles, when he came to England, on his pious turn, as he called it; and even to boast that he would enter him into the town-diversions, and make a man of him; was struck with the dignity of his person, and yet charmed with the freedom of his behaviour. Good God! said he to the ladies afterwards, what a fine young man is your brother! What a self-denier was your father!

The ladies retiring, Mr. Grandison entered upon the circumstances of Sir Thomas’s illness and death; which, he told the sisters, he touched tenderly: as tenderly, I suppose, as a man of his unfeeling heart could touch such a subject. He inveighed against

Mrs. Oldham; and with some exultation over her, told his cousin what they had done as to her; and exclaimed against her for the state she had lived in; and the difficulty she made to resign Sir Thomas to his daughters’ care in his illness; and particularly for presuming to insist upon putting her seal with theirs to the cabinets and closets, where they supposed were any valuables.

Sir Charles heard all this without saying one word, either of approbation or otherwise.

Are you not pleased with what we have done, as to this vile woman, Sir Charles?

I have no doubt, cousin, replied Sir Charles, that every-thing was designed for the best.

And then Mr. Grandison, as he told the sisters, ridiculed the unhappy woman on her grief, and mortified behaviour, when she was obliged to quit the house, where, he said, she had reigned so long lady paramount.

Sir Charles asked, If they had searched for or found a will?

Mr. Graiidison said, They had looked in every probable place; but found none.

What I think to do, cousin, said Sir Charles, is to inter the venerable remains (I must always speak in this dialect, Sir) with those of my mother. This, I know, was his desire. I will have an elegant, but not sumptuous monument erected to the memory of both, with a modest inscription, that shall rather be matter of instruction to the living, than a panegyric on the departed. The funeral shall be decent, but not ostentatious. The difference in the expence shall be privately applied to relieve or assist distress-ed housekeepers, or some of my father’s poor te — nants, who have large families, and have not been wanting in their honest endeavours tomaintain them. My sisters, I hope, will not think themselves negr lected, if 1 spare them the pain of conferring with them on a subject that must afflict them.

These sentiments were new to Mr. Grandison. He told the sisters what Sir Charles had said. I did not contradict him, said he: but as Sir Thomas had so magnificent a mind, and always lived up to it, I should have thought he ought to have been honour-ed with a magnificent funeral. But I cannot but own, however, that what your brother said had something great and noble in it.

The two ladies, on their brother’s hinting his intentions to them, acquiesced with all he proposed; and all was performed according to directions which he himself wrote down. He allowed of his sisters’ compliance with the fashion: but he in person saw performed, with equal piety and deco-rum, the last offices.

Sir Charles is noted for his great dexterity in business. Were I to express myself in the language of Miss Grandison, I should say, that a sun-beam is not more penetrating He goes to the bottom or an affair at once, and wants but to hear both sides of a question to determine; and when he deter-mines, his execution can only be staid by perverse accidents, that lie out of the reach of human fore-sight: and when he finds that to be the case, yet the thing right to be done, he changes his methods of proceeding: as a man would do, who finding him-self unable to pursue his journey by one road, be cause of a sudden inundation, takes another, which, though a little about, carries him home in safety.

Ag soon as the solemnity was over, Sir Charles, leaving every-thing at Grandison-hall as he found it, and the seals unbroken, came to town, and, in the presence of his sisters, broke the seals that had been affixed to the cabinets and escritoires in the house there.

The ladies told him, that their bills were ready for his inspection; and that they had a balance in their hands. His answer was, I hope, my sisters, we shall have but one interest. It is for you to make demands upon me, and for me to answer them as I shall be able.

He made memorandums of the contents of many papers, with surprising expedition; and then locked them up. He found a bank-note of 3501. in the pri-vate drawer of one of the bureaus in the apartment that was his father’s. Be pleased, my sisters, said he, presenting it to Miss Caroline, to add that to the money in your hands, to answer family calls.

He then went with his sisters to the house in Essex. When there, he told them, it was neces-sary for Mrs. Oldham (who had lodgings at a neighbouring farm-house) to be present at the breaking of the seals, as she had hers affixed; and accordingly sent for her.

They desired to be excused seeing her.

It will be a concern to me, said he, to see her: but what ought to be done, must be done.

The poor woman came with fear and trembling.

You will not, Lucy, be displeased with an account of what passed on the occasion. I was very atten-tive to it, as given by Miss Grandison, whose me — mory was aided by the recollection of her sister. And, as I am used to aim at giving affecting scenes in the very words of the persons, as near as I can, to make them appear lively and natural, you will expect that I should attempt to do it in this case.

Sir Charles, not expecting Mrs. Oldham would be there so soon, was in his stud with his groom and coachman, looking upon his horses: for there were most of the hunters and racers, some of the finest beasts in the kingdom.

By the mistake of Miss Caroline’s maid, the poor woman was shewn into the room where the two ladies were. She was in great confusion; cour-tesied; wept; and stood, as well as she could stand; but leaned against the tapestry-hung wall.

How came this? said Miss Caroline to her maid. She was not to be shewn in to us.

I beg pardon; courtesying, and was for with-drawing; but stopt on Charlotte’s speech to her My brother sent for you, madam Not toe, I assure you. He says it is necessary, as you thought fit to put your seal with ours to the locked-up places, that you should be present at the breaking them. Yet he will see you with as much pain as you give us. Prepare yourself to see him. You seem mighty unfit No wonder!

You have heard, Lucy, that Charlotte attributes a great deal of alteration for the better in her temper, and even in her heart, to the example of her brother.

Indeed, I am unfit, very unfit, said the poor wo-man. Let me, ladies, bespeak your generosity: a little of your pity: a little of your countenance. I am, indeed, an unhappy woman!

And so you deserve to be.

I am sure we are the sufferers, said Caroline. Lord L. as she owned, was then in her head, as well as heart.

If I may withdraw without seeing Sir Charles, I should take it for a favour. I find I cannot bear to see him. I insist not upon being present at the breaking the seals. I throw myself upon your mercy, ladies, and upon his.

Cruel girls! shall I call them, Lucy? I think I will Cruel girls! They asked her not to sit down though the} r saw the terror she was in: and that she had the modesty to forbear sitting in their pre sence. vol. x. u

What an humbling thing is the consciousness of having lived faultily, when calamity seizes upon the heart! But shall not virtue be appeased, when the hand of God is acknowledged in the words, coun-tenance, and behaviour of the offender! Yet, per — haps, it is hard for sufferers Let me consider Have I, from my heart, forgiven Sir Hargrave Pol-lexfen? I will examine into that another time.

And so you have put yourself into mourning, ma-dam?

Shall I say, that Caroline said this, and what fol-lows? Yet I am glad it was not Charlotte, me — thinks; for Caroline thought herself a sufferer by her, in an especial manner However, I am sorry it was either.

Pretty deep too! Your weeds, I suppose, are at your lodgings

You have been told, Lucy, that Mrs. Oldham by many was called Lady Grandison; and that her birth, her education, good sense, though all was not sufficient to support her virtue against necessity and temptation (poor woman!) might have given her a claim to the title.

Indeed, ladies, I am a real mourner: but I never myself assumed a character, to which it was never in my thought to solicit a right.

Then, madam, the world does you injustice, ma-dam, said Charlotte.

Here, ladies, are the keys of the stores; of the confectionary; of the wine-vaults: you demanded them not, when you dismissed me from this house. I thought to send them: but by the time I could f>rovide myself with a lodging, you were gone; and eft only two common servants, besides the groom and helpers: and I thought it was best to keep the keys, till I could deliver them to your order, or Sir Charles’s. I have not been a bad manager, ladies, considered as a housekeeper. All I have in the world is under the seals. I am at yours and your brother’s mercy.

The sisters ordered their woman to take the keys, and bring them to the foot of their thrones. Dear ladies, forgive me, if you should, by surprise, see this. I know that you think and act in a different manner now.

Here comes my brother! said Caroline.

You’ll soon know, madam, what you have to trust to from him, said Charlotte.

The poor woman trembled, and turned pale. O how her heart must throb!


Letter XX.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Sir Charles entered. She was near the door. His sisters were at the other end of the room.

He bowed to her Mrs. Oldham, I presume, said be Pray, madam, be seated. I sent to you, that you might see the seals Pray, madam, sit down.

He took her hand, and led her to a chair not far distant from them; and sat down in one between them and her.

His sisters owned, they were startled at his complaisance to her. Dear ladies! they forgot, at that moment, that mercy and justice are sister-graces, and cannot be separated in a virtuous boom.

Pray, madam, compose yourself; looking upon her with eyes of anguish and pity mingled, as the ladies said, they afterwards recollected with more approbation than at the time. What, my Lucy, u2 must be the reflections of this humane man, respecting his father, and her, at that moment!

He turned to his sisters, as if to give Mrs. Oldham time to recover herself. A flood of tears relieved her. She tried to suppress her audible sobs, and, most considerately, he would not hear them. Her emotions attracting the eyes of the ladies, he took them off, by asking them something about a picture that hung on the other side of the room.

He then drew his chair nearer to her; lam not a stranger to your melancholy story, Mrs. Oldham Be not discomposed

He stopt to give her a few moments’ time to re-cover herself Resuming; See in me a friend, ready to thank you for all your past good offices, and to forget all mistaken ones.

She could not bear this. She threw herself at his feet. He raised her to her chair.

Poor Mr. Oldham, said he, was unhappily care-less! Yet I have been told he loved you, and that you merited his love Your misfortunes threw you into the knowledge of our family. You have been a faithful manager of the affairs of this house By written evidences I can justify you; evidences that no one here will, I am sure, dispute.

It was plain, that his father had written in her praise, as an ceconomist; the only light in which this pious son was then willing to consider her. Indeed, I have And would still have been No more of that, madam. Mr. Grandison, who is a good-natured man, but a little hasty, has told me that he treated you with unkindness. He owns you were patient under it. Patience never yet was a so-litary virtue. He thought you wrong for insisting to put your seal: but he was mistaken: you did right, as to the thing; and I dare say you did not wrong in the manner. No one can judge properly of another, that cannot be that very other in imagi-nation, when he takes the judgment-seat.

O my brother! O my brother said both ladies, at one time half in admiration, though half-concerned at a goodness so eclipsing.

Bear with me, my sisters. We have all something to be forgiven for.

They knew not how far they were concerned, in his opinion, in the admonition, from what their fa-ther had written of them. They owned, that they were mortified: yet knew not how to be angry with a brother, who though more than an equal sufferer with them, could preserve his charity.

He then made a motion, dinner-time, as he said, not being near, for chocolate; and referred to Mrs. Oldham to direct it, as knowing best where every-thing was. She referred to the delivered-up keys. Caroline called in her servant, and gave them to her. Sir Charles desired Mrs. Oldham to be so good as to direct the maid.

The ladies easily saw, that he intended by this, to relieve the poor woman by some little employment; and to take the opportunity of her absence, to endeavour to reconcile them to his intentions, as well as manner of behaving to her.

The moment she was gone out of the room, he thus addressed himself to the ladies.

My dear sisters, let me beg of you to think fa-vourably of me on this occasion. I would not dis oblige you for the world. I consider not the case of this poor woman, on the foot of her own merits, with regard to us. Our father’s memory is concerned. Was he accountable to us, was she, for what each did? Neither of them was. She is intitled to justice, for its own sake: to generosity, for ours: to kindness, for my father’s. Mr. Grandison accused her of living in too much state as he called u3 it. Can that be said to be her fault? With regard to ms, was it any-body’s? My father’s magnificent spirit was well known. He was often at this house. Wherever he was, he lived in the same taste. He praises to me Mrs. Oldham’s ceconomy in several of his letters. He had a right to do what he would with his own fortune. It was not ours till now. Whatever he has left us, he might have still lessened it. That ceconomy is all that concerns us in inter-est; and that is in her favour. If any act of kind — ness to my sisters was wanting from the parent, they will rejoice, that they deserved what they hoped to meet with from him: and where the parent had an option, they will be glad, that they acquiesced under it. He could have given Mrs. Oldham a title to a name that would have commanded our respect, if not our reverence. My sisters have enlarged minds: they are daughters of the most charitable, the most forgiving, of women. Mr. Grandison (it could not be you) has carried too severe a hand to-wards her. Yet he meant service to us all. I was willing, before I commended this poor woman to your me?cy (since it was necessary to see her) to judge of her behaviour. Is she not humbled enough? From my soul I pity her. She loved my father; and I have no doubt but mourns for him in secret; yet dares not own, dares not plead, her love. I am willing to consider her only as one who has exe-cuted a principal office in this house: it becomes us so to behave to her, as that the world should think we consider her in that light only. As to the living proofs (unhappy innocents!) I am concerned, that what are the delight of other parents, are the disgrace of this. But let us not, by resentment, pub — lish faults that could not be hers only. Need I say more? It would pain me to be obliged to it. With pain have I said thus much The circumstances of the case are such, that I cannot give it its full force. I ask it of you as a favour, not as a right (I should hate myself, were I capable of exerting to the utmost any power that may be devolved upon me) that you will be so good as to leave the conduct of this affair to me. You will greatly oblige me, if you can give me your cheerful acqui-escence.

They answered by tears. They could not speak.

By this time Mrs. Oldham returned; and, in an humble manner, offered chocolate to each young lady. They bent their necks, not their bodies, with cold civility, as they owned; each extending her stately hand, as if she knew not whether she should put it out or not.

Methinks I see them. How could such gracious girls be so ungracious, after what Sir Charles had said?

Their brother, they saw, seemed displeased. He took the salver from Mrs. Oldham. Pray, madam, sit down, said he, offering her a dish, which she declined; and held the toasted bread to his sisters; who then were ready enough to take each some And when they had drank their chocolate; Now, Mrs. Oldham, said he, I will attend you Sisters, you will give me your company.

They arose to follow him. The poor woman courtesied, I. warrant, and stood by while they pass-ed: and methinks I see the dear girls bridle, and walk as stately, and as upright, as duchesses may be supposed to do in a coronation-procession.

Miss Grandison acknowledged, that she grudged her brother’s extraordinary complaisance to Mrs. Oldham; and said to her sister, as arm in arm they went out, Politeness is a charming thing, Caroline!

I don’t quite understand it, replied the other.

They did not intend their brother should hear what they said: but he did; and turned back to them (Mrs. Oldham being at a distance, and, on his speaking low, dropping still further behind them): Don’t you, my sisters, do too little, and I will not do too much. She is a gentlewoman. She is unhappy from within. Thank God, you are not. And she is not now, nor ever was, your servant.

They reddened, and looked upon each other in some confusion.

He pressed each of their hands, as in love. Don’t let me give you concern, said he; only permit me to remind you, while it is yet in time, that you have an opportunity given you to shew yourselves Grandisons.

When they came to the chamber in which Sir Thomas died, and xvhich was his usual apartment, Mrs. Oldham turned pale, and begged to be excused attending them in it. She wept. You will find every-thing there, Sir, said she, to be as it ought. I am ready to answer all questions. Permit me to wait in the adjoining drawing-room.

Sir Charles allowed her request.

Poor woman! said he: how unhappily circum-stanced is she, that she dares not, in this company, shew the tenderness, which is the glory, not only of the female, but of the human nature!

In one of the cabinets in that chamber they found a beautiful little casket, and a paper w^fered upon the back of it; with these words written in Sir Thomas’s hand, My wife’s jewels, &c.

The key was tied to one of the silver handles.

Had you not my mother’s jewels divided between you? asked he.

My father once shewed us this casket at Grandi-son-hall, answered Caroline. We thought it was still there.

My dear sisters, let me ask you: Did my father forbear presenting these to you, from any declared misapprehension of your want of duty to him?

No, replied Miss Caroline. But he told us, they should be ours when we married. You have heard, I dare say, that he was not fond of seeing us dressed.

It must have been misapprehension only, had it been so. You could not be undutiful to a. father.

He would not permit it to be opened before him: but, presenting it to them, Receive your right, my sisters. It is heavy. I hope there is more than jewels in it. I know that my mother used to deposit in it her little hoard. I am sure there can be no dispute between such affectionate sisters, on the parti — tion of the contents of this casket.

While their brother was taking minutes of papers, the ladies retired to open the casket.

They found three purses in it; in one of which was an India bond of 500/. inclosed in a paper, thus inscribed by Lady Grandison From my maiden money. 120 Carolus’s were also in this purse in two papers; the one inscribed, From my aunt Mary; the other, From my aunt Catharine.

In the second purse were 115 Jacobus’s, in a pa-per, thus inscribed by the same lady, Presents made at different times by my honoured mother, Lady W. three bank-notes, and an India bond, to the amount of 300/.

The third purse was thus labelled, as Lady L. shewed me by a copy she had of it in her memo-randum book.

“For my beloved son: in acknowledgment of his duty to his father and me from infancy to this hour, Jan. 1, 17 . . . Of his love to his sisters Of the generosity of his temper; never once having taken advantage of the indulgence shewn him by parents so fond of him, that, as the only son of an ancient family, he might have done what he pleased with them Of his love of truth: and of his modesty, courage, bene-volence, steadiness of mind, docility, and other great and amiable qualities, by which he gives a moral assurance of making A GOOD MAN. GOD grant it. Amen!”

The ladies immediately carried this purse, thus labelled, to their brother. He took it; read the la-bel, turning his face from his sisters, as he read; Excellent woman! said he, when he had read it, Being dead, she speaks. May her pious prayer be answered! looking up. Then opening the purse, he found five coronation-medals of different princes in it, and several others of value; a gold snuff-box, in which, wrapt in cotton, were three diamond rings; one signified to be his grandfather’s; the two others, an uncle’s and brother’s of Lady Grandison: but what was more valuable to him than all the rest, the ladies said, was a miniature picture of his mother, set in gold; an admirable likeness, they told me; and they would get their brother to let me see it.

Neglecting all the rest, he eagerly took it out of the shagreen case; gazed at it in silence; kissed it; a tear falling from his eye. He then put it to his heart; withdrew for a few moments; and re-turned with a cheerful aspect.

The ladies told him what was in the other two purses. They said they made no scruple of ac-cepting the jewels; but the bonds, the notes, and the money, they offered to him.

He asked, If there were no particular direction upon either? They answered, No.

He took them; and emptying them upon the table, mingled the contents of both together; there may be a difference in the value of each: thus mingled, you, my sisters, will equally divide them between you. This picture (putting his hand on his bosom, where it yet was) is of infinitely more value than all the three purses contained besides.

You will excuse these particularities, my dear friends: but if you do not, I can’t help it. We are all apt, I believe, to pursue the subjects that most delight us. Don’t grudge me my pleasure! Perhaps I shall pay for it. I admire this man more than I can express.

Saturday night And no Sir Charles Grandison. With all my heart.


Letter XXI.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

When Sir Charles and his sisters had looked over every other place in his father’s apartment, they followed Mrs. Oldham to hers.

A very handsome apartment, upon my word!

How could Miss Grandison She knew the situation the unhappy woman had been in: mistress of that house.

Her brother looked at her.

Mrs. Oldham shewed them which of the furniture and pictures (some of the latter valuable ones) she had brought into the house, saved, as she said, from the wreck of her husband’s fortune But, said she, with the consent of creditors. I, for my part, did not wrong any body.

In that closet, Sir, continued she, pointing to it, is all that I account myself worth in the world;

Mr. Grandison was pleased to put his seal upon the door. I besought him to let me take 50/. out of it; having but very little money about me: but he would not: his refusal, besides the disgrace, has put me to some shifts. But, weeping, I throw my-self upon your mercy, Sir.

The sisters frankly owned, that they hardened each other by fault-finding. They whispered, that she expected no mercy from them, it was plain. O what a glory belongs to goodness, as well in its influences, as in itself! Not even these two amiable sisters, as Miss Charlotte once acknowledged, were so noble in themselves before their brother’s arrival, as they are now.

Assure yourself of justice, madam, said Sir Charbs. Mr. Grandison is hasty: but he would have done you justice, I dare say. He thought he was acting for a trust. You may have letters, you may have things, here in this closet, that we have no business with. Then, breaking the seal; I leave it to you, to shew us any-thing proper for us to take account of. The rest I wish not to see.

My ladies, Sir They will be pleased to

Yes, Mrs. Oldham, said Caroline: and was put-ting herself before her brother, and so was her sis — ter, while Sir Charles was withdrawing from the closet: but he took each by her hand, interrupting Caroline

NO, Mrs. Oldham Do you lay out things as you please; we will step into the next apartment.

He accordingly led them both out.

You are very generous, Sir, said Miss Grandison.

I would be so, Charlotte. Ought not the private drawers of women to be sacred?

But such a creature, Sir said Miss Caroline

Every creature is intitled to justice Can ladies forget decorum? You see she was surprised by Mr.

Grandison. She has suffered disgrace: has been put to difficulties.

Well, Sir, if she will do justice

Remember (with looks of meaning) whose houses Iceeper she was.

They owned they were daunted [and so, dear ladies, you ought to have been] but not convinced at that instant. It is generous to own this, ladies; because the behaviour makes not for your honour.

Mrs. Oldham, with tears in her eyes, came cour-tesying to the ladies and their brother, offering to conduct them into her closet. They found, that she had spread on her table in it, and in the two win-dows, and in the chairs, letters, papers, laces, fine linen, &c.

These papers, Sir, said she, belong to you. I was lid to keep them safe [Poor woman! she knew not how to say, by whom bid.] You will see, Sir, the seals are whole.

Perhaps a will, said he.

No, Sir, I believe not. I was told they belonged to the Irish estate. Alas! and she wiped her eyes, I have reason to think, there was not time for a will

I suppose, Mrs. Oldham, you urged for a will-said Miss Charlotte.

Indeed, ladies, I often did; I own it.

I don’t doubt it, said Miss Caroline.

And very prudently, said Sir Charles. I myself have always had a will by me. I should think it a kind of presumption to be a week without one.

In this drawer, Sir, are the money, and notes, and securities, that I have been getting together; I do assure you, Sir, very honestly pulling out a drawer in the cabinet.

To what amount, Mrs. Oldham, if I may be so sold? asked Caroline.

No matter, sister Caroline, to what amount, said Sir Charles. You hear Mrs. Oldham say, they are honestly got together. I dare say, that my father’s bounty enabled even his meanest wrvants to save money. I would not keep one, that I thought did not. I make no comparisons, Mrs. Oldham: you are a gentlewoman.

The two ladies only whispered to each other, as they owned, So we think! Were there ever such perverse girls? I am afraid my uncle will think himself justified by them on this occasion, when he asserts, that it is one of the most difficult things in the world to put a woman right, when she sets out wrong. If it be generally so with us, I am sure we ought to be very careful of prepossession. And has he not said, Lucy, that the best women, when wrong, are most tenacious? It may be so: but then, I hope, he will allow, that at the time they think themselves right.

I believe there is near 12001. said Mrs. Oldham, and looked, the ladies observed, as if she was afraid of their censures.

Near 12001. Mrs. Oldham! said Miss Charlotte. Lord, sister, how glad would we have been some-times of as many shillings between us!

And what, Caroline, what, Charlotte, young ladies as you were, only growing up into women, and in your father’s house, would you have done with more than current money? Now you have a claim to independency, I hope that 12001. will not be the sum of either of your stores.

They courtesied, they said; but yet thought 1 2001. a great saving. Dear ladies! how could you forget, and what a pain would it have been for your brother to have reminded you, that Mrs. Oldham had tvco children; to say nothing of a third !

Trembling, as they owned, Here, saidshe; in this private drawer, are some presents I disclaim them. Jf you believe me, ladies, I never wished for them. I never was seen in them but once. I never shall wear them offering to pull out the drawer.

Forbear, Mrs. Oldham. Presents are yours. The money in that drawer is yours. Never will I either disparage or diminish my father’s bounty. He had a right to do as he pleased. Have not we, to do as we please? Had he made a will, would they not have been yours? If you, Mrs. Oldham, if you, rny sisters, can tell me of any-thing he but intended or inclined to do by any one of his people, that intention will I execute with as much exactness, as if he had made a will, and it was part of it. Shall we do nothing but legal justice? The law was not made for a man of conscience.

Lord bless me, my Lucy! what shall I do about this man?

Here (would you believe it?) I laid down my pen; pondered, and wept, for joy; I think, it “was for joy, that there is such a young man in the world; for what else could it be? And now, with a watery eye, twinkle, twinkle, do I resume it.

His sisters owned, they were confounded; but that still the time was to come when they were to approve, from their hearts, of what he said and did. Mrs. Oldham wept at his goodness. She wept, I make no doubt also, as a penitent. If my ladies, said she, will be pleased to And seemed to be about making an oifer to them of the jewels, as I suppose.

My sisters, Mrs. Oldham, said Sir Charles, inter-rupting her, are Grandisons. Pray, Madam hold — ing in her hand, which was extended to the drawer — She took out of another drawer 401. and some silver. This, Sir, is money that belongs to you. I x 2 received it in Sir Thomas’s illness. 1 hare some other moneys; and my accounts wanted but a few-hours of being perfected, when I was dismissed. They shall be completed, and laid before you.

Let this money, Mrs. Oldham, be a part of those accounts; declining, then, to take it.

There are letters, Sir, said she. I would with-hold nothing from you. I know not, if, among some things, that I wish not any-body to see, there are not concerns, that you ought to be made ac-quainted with, relating to persons and things, par — ticularly to Mr. Bever and Mr. Filmer, and their accounts. I hope they are good men You must see these letters, I believe.

Let me desire you, Mrs. Oldham, to make such extracts from those letters, or any others, as you think will concern me; and as soon as you can; for those gentlemen have written to me to sign their accounts; which, they hint, had my father’s appro-bation.

She then told Sir Charles (as I have already re-lated) how earnest Mr. Bever was to get to the speech of Sir Thomas; and how mortified Mr. Fil-mer was to find him incapable of writing his name; which both said was all that was wanted.

An honest man, said Sir Charles, fears not inspection. They shall want no favour from me. I hope nothing but justice from them.

She then shewed him some other papers; and, while he was turning them over, the ladies and she withdrew to another apartment, in which, in two mahogany chests, was her wardrobe. They owned they were curious to inspect it, as she had always made a great figure. She was intending to oblige them; and had actually opened one of the chests, and, though reluctantly, taken out a gown, when Sir Charles entered.

He seemed displeased; and, taking his sisters aside, Tell me, said he, can what this poor woman seems to be about, proceed from her own motion? I beg of you to say, you put her upon it. I would not have reason to imagine, that any woman, in such cir-cumstances, could make a display of her apparel.

Why, the motion is partly mine, I must needs say, answered Charlotte.

Wholly, I hope; and the compliance owing to the poor woman’s mortified situation. You are young women. You may not have considered this matter. Do you imagine, that your curiosity will yield you pleasure? Don’t you know what to expect from the magnificent and bountiful spirit of him, to whose memory you owe duty?

They recollected themselves, blushed, and desired Mrs. Oldham to lock up the chest. She did; and seemed pleased to be excused from the mortifying task.

Ah, my Lucy, one thing I am afraid of; and that is, that Sir Charles Grandison, politely as he behaves to us all, thinks us women in general very contemptible creatures. I wish I knew that he did; and that for two reasons: that I might have something to think him blameable for: and to have the pride of assuring myself, that he would be convinced of that fault, wore he to be acquainted with my grand-mamma, and aunt.

But, do you wonder, that the sisters, whose minds were thus opened and enlarged by the example of such a brother, hlazing upon them all at once, as I may say, in manly goodness, on his return from abroad whither he set out a stripling, should, on all occasions, break out into raptures, whenever they mention their brother? Well may Miss Grandi-son despise her lovers, when she thinks of him and of them at the same time. x 3

Sunday. Sir Charles is in town, we hear; came thither but last night Nay, for that matter, his sisters are more vexed at him than I am. But what pretence have I to be disturbed? But I say of him, as I do of Lady D.: he is so good, that one would be willing to stand well with him. Then he is my brother, you know.


Letter XXII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

After Sir Charles had inspected into every-thing in this house, and taken minutes of papers, letters, writings, &c. and locked up the plate, and other valuables, in one room, he ordered his servants to carry into Mrs. Oldham’s apartment all that belonged to her; and gave her the key of that; and directed the housekeeper to be assisting to her in the removal of them, at her own time and pleasure, and to suffer her to come and go, at all times, with freedom and civility, as if she had never left the house, were his words.

How the poor woman courtesied and wept! The dear girls, I am afraid, then envied her and perhaps expressed a grudging spirit; for they said, this was their brother’s address to them at the time:

You may look upon the justice I aim at doing to persons who can claim only justice from me, as an earnest, that I will do more than justice to my beloved sisters: and you should have been the first to have found the fruits of the love I bear you, had I not been afraid, that prudence would have nar-rowed my intentions. The moment I know what I can do, I will do it; and I request you to hope large-ly: if I have ability, I will exceed your hopes.

My dear sisters, continued he, and took one hand of each, I am sorry, for your spirits’ sake, that you are left in my power. The best of women was always afraid it would be so. But the moment I can, I will give you an absolute independence on your brother, that your actions and conduct may be all your own.

Surely, Sir, said Caroline (and they both wept) we must think it the highest felicity, that we are in the power of such a brother. As to our spirits, Sir–She would have said more; but could not; and Charlotte took it up where her sister left off: Best of brothers, said she Our spirits shall, as much as possible (I can answer for both) be guided here-after by yours. Forgive what you have seen amiss in us But we desire to depend upon our good behaviour. We cannot, we will not, be independent of you.

We will talk of these matters, replied he, when we can do more than talk. I will ask you, Caroline, after your inclinations; and you, Charlotte, after yours, in the same hour that 1 know what I can do for you both, in the way of promoting them. Enter, mean time, upon your measures: reckon upon my best assistance: banish suspense. One of my first pleasures will be, to see you both happily married.

They did not say, when they related this to me, that they threw themselves at his feet, as to their better father, as well as brother: but I fancy they did.

He afterwards, at parting with Mrs. Oldham, said, I would be glad to know, madam, how you dispose of yourself: every unhappy person has a right to the good offices of those who are less embarrassed. When you are settled, pray let me know the man-ner: and if you acquaint me with the state of your affairs, and what you propose to do for and with those who are intitled to your first care, your confidence in me will not be misplaced.

And pray, and pray, asked I of the ladies, what said Mrs Oldham? How did she behave upon this?

Our Harriet is strangely taken with Mrs. Old-ham’s story, said Miss Grandison Why she wept plentifully, you may be sure. She clasped her hands, and kneeled to pray to God to bless him, and all that She could not do otherwise.

See, Lucy! But am I, my grandmamma, am I, my aunt, to blame? Is it inconsistent with the strictest virtue to be charmed with such a story? May not virtue itself pity the lapsed? O yes, it may! I am sure, you, and Sir Charles Grandison, will say it may. A while ago, I thought myself a poor creature, compared to these two ladies: but now I believe I am as good as they in some things. But they had not such a grandmamma and aunt as I am blessed with: they lost their excellent mother, while they were young; and their brother is but lately come over: and his superior excellence, like sunshine, breaking out on a sudden, finds out, and brings to sight, those spots and freckles, that were hardly before discoverable.

Sir Charles desired Mrs. Oldham would give in writing what she proposed to do for herself, and for those ivho rcere under her care. She did, at her first opportunity. It was, That she purposed going to London, for the sake of the young people’s education: of turning into money what jewels, clothes, and plate, she should think above her then situation in life: of living retired in a little way: and she gave in an estimate of her worth: to what amount the ladies knew not: but this they know, that their brother allows her an annuity, for the sake of her ons by his father: and they doubt not but he will be still kinder to them, when they are old enough to be put into the world.

This the ladies think an encouragement to a guilty life. I will not dare to pronounce upon it, because I may be thought partial to the generous man: but should be glad of my uncle’s opinion. This, how-ever, may be said, That Sir Charles Grandison has no vices of his own to cover by the extensiveness of his charity and beneficence; and if it be not goodness in him to do thus, it is greatness; and this, if it be not praise-worthy, is the first instance that I have known goodness and greatness of soul separahle.

The brother and sisters went down, after this, to Grandison-hall: and Sir Charles had reason to be pleased with the good order in which he found every-thing there.


Letter XXIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

The next thing the ladies mentioned was, Sir Charles’s management with the two stewards.

I will not aim at being very particular in this part of the family-history.

When Sir Charles found that his father had left the inspection of each steward’s account to the other, he entered into the examination of the whole him-self: and though he allowed them several disputable and unproved charges, he brought them to acknow-ledge a much greater balance in his favour, than they had made themselves debtors for. This was the use he made of detecting them, to his sisters. You see, sisters, that my father was not so profuse as some people thought him. He had partners in his es-tate; and I have reason to think that he often paid interest for his own money.

On his settling with Filmer, the treaty with Miss Obrien came out. Mr. Filmer had, by surprise, brought that beautiful girl into Sir Charles’s presence; and he owned to his sisters, that she was a very lovely creature.

But when the mother and aunt found, that he only admired her as a man would a fine picture, they insisted that Sir Thomas had promised to marry Miss Obrien privately; and produced two of his letters to her, that seemed to give ground for such an expectation. Sir Charles was grieved, for the sake of his father’s memory, at this transaction; and much more on finding that the unhappy man went down to his seat in Essex, his head and heart full of this scheme, when he was struck with his last illness.

A meeting was proposed by Filmer, between Sir Charles, the mother, the aunt, and himself, at the aunt’s house in Pallmall. Sir Charles was very desirous to conceal his father’s frailty from the world. He met them: but before he entered into discourse, made it his request to be allowed half an hour’s conversation with Miss Obrien by herself; at the same time, praising, as it deserved, her beauty.

They were in hopes, that she would be able to make an impression on the heart of so young and so lively a man; and complied. Under pretence of preparing her for so unexpected a visit, her aunt gave her her cue: but, instead of her captivating him, he brought her to such confessions, as suffi-ciently let him into the baseness of their views.

He returned to company, the young woman in his hand. He represented to the mother the wickedness of the part she had come over to act, in such strong terms, that she fell into a fit. The aunt was terrified. The young creature wept; and vowed that she would be honest.

Sir Charles told them, That if they would give him up his father’s two letters, and make a solemn promise never to open their lips on the affair; and would procure for her an honest husband, he would give her 10001. on the day of marriage; and, if she made a good wife, would be further kind to her.

Filmer was very desirous to clear himself of having any hand in the blacker part of this plot. Sir Charles did not seem solicitous to detect and expose him: but left the whole upon his conscience. And having made before several objections to his account, which could not be so well obviated in England, he went over to Ireland with Filmer; and there very speedily settled every-thing to his own satisfaction; and, dismissing him more genteelly than he deserved, took upon himself the management of that estate, directing several obvious improvements to be made; which are likely to turn to great account.

On his return, he heard that Miss Obrien was ill of the small-pox. Ke was not, for her own sake, sorry for it. She suffered in her face, but still was pretty and genteel: and she is now the honest and happy wife of a tradesman near Golden Square; who is very fond of her. Sir Charles gave with her the promised sum, and 1001. more for wedding clothes.

One part of her happiness and her husband’s is, that her aunt, supposing she had disgraced herself by this match, never conies near her: and her mother is returned to Ireland to her husband, great-ly dissatisfied with her daughter on the same account.

While these matters were agitating, Sir Charles forgot not to enquire what steps had been taken with regard to the alliance proposed between himself and Lady Frances N.

He paid his first visit to the father and brother of that lady.

All that the sisters know of the matter, is, that the treaty was, on this first visit, entirely broken off”. Their brother, however, speaks of the lady, and of the whole family, with great respect. The lady is known to esteem him highly. Her father, her bro-ther, speak of him every-where with great regard: Lord N. calls him the finest young gentleman in England. And so, Lucy, I believe he is. Sir Charles Grandison, Lord N”. once said, knows bet-ter by non-compliance, how to create friendships, than most men do by compliance.

Lady L. and Miss Grandison, who, as I have before intimated, favour another lady, once said to him, that the earl and his son Lord N. were so constantly speaking in his praise, that they could not but think that it would at last be a match between him and Lady Frances. His answer was, The lady is infinitely deserving: but it cannot be.

I am ready to wish, he would say, what can be, that we need not Ah, Lucy! I know not what I would say: but so it will always be with silly girls, that distinguish not between the would and the fJiouId: one of which is your

HARRIET BYROV.


Letter XXIV.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

I will proceed with the family-history.

Sir Charles forgot not, on his arrival in England, to pay an early visit to Lord W. his mother’s bro-ther, who was then at his house near Windsor.

I have told you, that my lord had conceived a dislike to him; and that for no other reason but because his father loved him. Lord W. was laid up with the gout when he came: but he was instantly admitted to his stately presence. The first salutations, on one side, were respectful; on the other, coldly civil. My lord often surveyed his kinsman from head to foot, as he sat; as if he were loth to like him, I suppose; yet knew not how to help it. He found fault with Sir Thomas. Sir Charles told him, That it was a very ingrateful thing to him to hear his father spoken slightly of. He desired his lordship to forbear reflections of that sort. My father, said he, is no more. I desire not to be made a party in any disputes that may have happened between him and your lordship. I come to attend you as a duty which I owe to my mother’s memory; and I hope this may be done without wounding that of my father.

You say well, said my lord; but I am afraid, kinsman, by your air and manner, and speech too, that you want not your father’s proud spirit.

I revere my father for his spirit, my lord. It might not always be exerted as your lordship, and his other relations, might wish: but he had a manly one. As to myself, I will help your lordship to my character at once. I am, indeed, a very proud man. I cannot stoop to flatter, and, least of all men, the

Y great and the rich: finding it difficult to restrain this fault, it is my whole study to direct it to laudable ends; and I hope, that I am too proud to do any-thing unworthy of my father’s name, or of my mother’s virtue.

Why, Sir (and looked at him again from head to foot) your father never in his whole life said so good a thing.

Your lordship knew not my father as he deserved to be known. Where there are misunderstandings between two persons, though relations, the charac-ter of either is not to be taken from the other. But, my lord, this is, as I said before, a visit of duty: I have nothing to ask of your lordship, but your good opinion; and that no longer than I deserve it.

My lord was displeased. “ You have nothing to ask of me! “ repeated he. Let me tell you, inde-pendent Sir, that I like not your speech. You may leave me, if you please: and when I want to see you again, I will send for you.

Your servant, my lord. And let me say, that I will not again attend you, till you do. But when you do, the summons of my mother’s brother shall be cheerfully obeyed, notwithstanding this unkind treatment of Lord IV.

The very next day, my lord hearing he was still at Windsor, viewing the curiosities of the place, sent to him: he directly went. My lord expressed himself highly pleased with his readiness to come, and apologized to him for his behaviour of the day before. He called him nephew, and swore, that he was just such a young man as he had wished to see. Your mother used to say, proceeded he, that you could do what you would with her, should you even be unreasonable: and I beg of you to ask me no fa-vour but what is fit for me to grant, for fear I should grudge it after I had granted it; and call in question, what no man is willing to do, my own discre — tion.

He then asked him about the methods he intended to take with regard to his way of life. Sir Charles answered, That he was resolved to dispose of his racers, hunters, and dogs, as soon as he could: that he would take a survey of the timber upon his estate, and sell that which would be the worse for standing; and doubted not but that a part of it in Hampshire would turn to good account: but that he would plant an oakling for every oak he cut down, for the sake of posterity: he was determined, he said, to let the house in Essex; and even to sell the estate there, if it were necessary, to clear incumbrances; and to pay off the mortgage upon the Irish estate; which he had a notion was very improveable.

What did he propose to do for his sisters; who were, he found, absolutely in his power?

Marry them, my lord, as soon as I can. I have a good opinion of Lord L. My eldest sister loves him. I will enquire what will make him easy: and easy I will make him, on his marriage with her, if it be in my power. I will endeavour to make the younger happy too. And when these two points are settled, but not before, because 1 will not deceive the family with which I may engage, I will think of myself.

Bravo! bravo! said my lord; and his eyes, that were brimful some moments before, then ran over. As I hope to be saved, I had a good mind to to to And there he stopt.

I ask only for your approbation, my lord; or cor-rection, if wrong. My father has been very regard — ful of my interests. He knew my heart, or he would perhaps have been more solicitous for his daughters: I don’t find that my circumstances will be very nar-Y 2 row: and if they are, I will live within compass, and even lay up. I endeavour to make a virtue of my pride, in this respect: I cannot live under obli-gation. I will endeavour to be just; and then, if I can, I will be generous. That is another species of my pride. I told your lordship, that if I could not conquer it, I would endeavour to make it innocent at least.

Bravo! bravo! again cried my lord And threw his arms about his neck, and kissed his cheek, though he screamed out at the same time, having hurt his gouty knee with the effort.

And then, and then said my lord, you will marry yourself. And if you marry with discretion, good Lord, what a great man will you be! And how I shall love you! Have you any thoughts of marriage, kinsman? Let me be consulted in your match, and and and you will vastly oblige me. Now I believe, I shall begin to think the name of Grandison has a very agreeable sound with it. What a fine thing it is for a young man to be able to clear up his mother’s prudence so many years after she is gone, and lessen his father’s follies! Your father did not use me well; and I must be allowed some-times to speak my mind of him.

That, my lord, is the only point on which your lordship and I can differ.

Well, well, we woii’t differ Only one thing, my dear kinsman: if you sell, give me the preference. Your father told me, that he would mortgage to any man upon God’s earth sooner than to me. I took that very heinously.

There was a misunderstanding between you, my lord. My father had a noble spirit. He might think, that there would be a selfishness in the ap-pearance, had he asked of your lordship a favour.

Little-spirited men sometimes choose to be obliged to relations, in hopes that payment will be less ri-gorously exacted, than by a stranger

Ah kinsman! kinsman! That’s the white side of the business.

Indeed, my lord, that would be a motive with me to avoid troubling your lordship in an exigence, were it to happen. For mistrusts will arise from possibilities of being ungrateful, when perhaps there is no room, were the heart to be known, for the suspicion.

Well said, however. You are a young man that one need not be afraid to be acquainted with. But what would you do as a lender?,Would you think hardly of a man that wanted to be obliged to you? no! But in this case I would be determined by prudence: If my friend regarded himself as the first person in the friendship; me but as the second, in cases that might hurt my fortune, and disable me from acting up to my spirit, to other friends; 1 would then let him know, that he thought as meanly of my understanding as of my justice.

Lord W. was delighted with his nephew’s notions. He over and over prophesied, That he would be a great man.

Sir Charles, with wonderful dispatch, executed those designs, which he had told Lord W. he would carry into effect. And the sale of the timber he cut down in Hampshire, and which lay convenient for water-carriage, for the use of the government, fur-nished him with a very considerable sum.

I have mentioned, that Sir Charles on his setting out for Florence to Paris, to attend his father’s leave for his coming to England, had left his ward Miss Jervois, at the former place, in the protection of good Dr. Bartlett. He soon sent for them both over, and placed the young lady with a discreet y3 widow-gentlewoman, who had three prudent daugh-ters; sometimes indulging her with leave to visit his sisters, who are very fond of her, as you have heard. And now let me add, That she is an humble peti-tioner to me, to procure her the felicity, as she calls it, to be constantly resident with Miss Grandi-son. She will be, she says, the best girl in the world, if she may be allowed this favour; and not one word of advice, either of her guardian, or of Miss Grandison, or of Lady L. shall be lost upon her And besides, as good women, said she, as Mrs. Lane and her daughters are, what protection can women give me, were my unhappy mother to be troublesome, and resolve to have me, as she is continually threatening?

What a new world opens to me, my Lucy, from the acquaintance I am permitted to hold with this family! God grant that your poor Harriet pay not too dearly for her knowledge! She would, I believe you think, were she to be entangled in a hope — less love.


Letter XXV.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Lord L. came to town from Scotland within two or three months of Sir Charles’s arrival in England. His first visit was to the young baronet; who, on my lord’s avowing his passion for his sister, and her acknowledging her esteem for him, introduced him to her, and put their hands together, holding them between both his: With pleasure, said he, I join hands where hearts so worthy are united. Do me, my lord, the honour, from this moment, to look upon me as your brother. My father, I find, was a little embarrassed in his affairs . He loved his daugh-ters, and perhaps was loth that they should early claim another protection: but had he lived to make himself easy, I have no doubt, but he would have made them happy. He has left that duty upon me And 1 will perform it.

His sister was unable to 6peak for joy. My lord’s tears were ready to start.

My father, proceeded Sir Charles, in one of his letters to me, acquainted me with the state of your lordship’s affairs. Reckon upon my best services: promise, engage, undertake. The brother, my lord, hopes to make you easy: the sister will make you happy.

Miss Charlotte was affected with this scene; and she prayed with her hands and eyes lifted up, that God would make his power as large as his heart: the whole world would then, she said, be benefited either by his bounty, or his example.

Do you wonder now, my dear Mr. Reeves, that Miss Grandison, Lady L. and Lord L. know not how to contain their gratitude, when this benefi-cent-minded brother is spoken of?

And has not my Charlotte, said he, turning to-wards her, and looking at Miss Caroline, some happy man, that she can distinguish by her love? You are equally dear to me, my sisters. Make me your confident, Charlotte. Your inclinations shall be my choice.

Dear Miss Grandison, why did you mislead me by your boasts of unreservedness? What room was there for reserves to such a brother? And yet it is plain, you have not let him know all your heart; and he seems to think so too. ^nd now you are uneasy at a hint he has thrown out of that nature.

Two months before the marriage, Sir Charles put into his sister’s hands a paper sealed up. Receive these, my Caroline, said he, as from your father’s bounty, in compliance with what your mother would have wished, had we been blessed with her life. When you oblige Lord L. with one hand, make him, with the other, this present: and intitle your-self to all the gratitude, with which I know his worthy heart will overflow, on both occasions. I have done but my duty. I have performed only an article of the will, which I have made in my mind for my father, as time was not lent to make one for himself.

He saluted her, and withdrew, before she broke the seal: and when she did, she found in it bank-notes for 10,0001.

She threw herself into a chair, and was unable for some time to stir; but recovering herself, hurried out to find her brother. She was told, he was in her sister’s apartment. She found him not there, but Charlotte in tears. Sir Charles had just left her. What ails my Charlotte?

O this brother, my Caroline! There is no bearing his generous goodness. See that deed! See that paper that lies upon it! She took it up; and these were the contents of the paper:

“I have just now paid my sister Caroline the sum that I think she would have been intitled to expect from my father’s bounty, and the family circum-stances, had life been lent him to settle his affairs, and make a will. I have an entire confidence in the discretion of my Charlotte: and have, by the inclosed deed, established for her, beyond the power of revocation, that independency as to fortune, to which, from my father’s death, I think her intitled. And for this, having acted but as an executor, I claim no merit, but that of having fulfilled the sup-posed will of either of our parents, as either had survived the other. Cherish, therefore, in your grateful heart, their memory. Remember, that when you marry, you change the name of Grandi-son. Yet, with all my pride, what is name? Let the man be worthy of you: and be he who he will that you intitle to your vows, I will embrace him, as the brother of

Your affectionate

CHARLES GRANDISON.

The deed was for the same sum as he had given her sister, and to carry interest.

The two sisters congratulated, and wept over, each other, as if distressed To be sure they vuere distressed.

Caroline found out her brother: but when she approached him, could not utter one word of what she had meditated to say: but, dropping down on one knee, blessed him, as she owned, in heart, both for Lord L. and herself; but could only express her gratitude by her lifted-up hands and eyes.

Just as he had raised and seated her, entered to them the equally grateful Charlotte. He placed her next her sister, and drawing a chair for himself, taking a hand of each, he thus addressed himself to them:

My dear sisters, you are too sensible of these but due instances of my brotherly love. It has pleased God to take from us our father and mother. We are more than brothers and sisters; and must supply to each other the wanting relations. Look upon me only as an executor of a will, that ought to have been made, and perhaps would, had time been given. My circumstances are greater than I expected; greater, I dare say, than my father thought they would be. Less than I have done, could not be done, by a brother who had poiver to do this. You don’t know how much you will oblige me, if you never say one word more on this subject. You will act with less dignity than becomes my sisters, if you look upon what I have done in any other light than as your due.

O my aunt! be so good, as to let the servants f>repare my apartment at Selby-house. There is no iving within the blazing glory of this man! But, for one’s comfort, he seems to have one fault; and he owns it And yet, does not acknowledgment annihilate that fault! O no! for he thinks not of correcting it. This fault is pride. Do you mind tohat a stress he lays now-and-then on the family-name? and, as above, Dignity, says he, that becomes my sisters! Proud mortal! O my Lucy! he is proud; too proud, I doubt, as well as too considerable in his fortunes What would I say? Yet, I know who would study to make him the happiest of men Spare me, spare me here, my uncle; or ra-ther, skip over this passage, Lucy.

Sir Charles, at the end of eight months from his father’s death, gave Caroline, with his own hand, to Lord L.

Charlotte has two humble servants, Lord G. and Sir Walter Watkyns, as you have seen in my former letters; but likes not either of them.

Lord L. carried his lady down to Scotland, where she was greatly admired and caressed by all his relations. How happy for your Harriet was their critically — proposed return, which carried down Sir Charles and Miss Charlotte to prepare every — thing at Colnebrooke for their reception!

Sir Charles accompanied my Lord and Lady L. as far on their way to Scotland as York; where he made a visit to Mrs. Eleanor Grandison, his father’s maiden sister, who resides there. She, having heard of his goodness to his sisters, and to every-body else with whom he had concerns, longed to see him; and on this occasion rejoiced in the opportunity he gave her to congratulate, to bless, and applaud, her nephew.

What multitudes of things have I farther to tell you, relating to this strange man! Let me call him names.

I enquired after the history of the good Dr. Bart-lett: but the ladies said, As they knew not the whole of it, they would refer me to the doctor him-self. They knew however enough, they said, to reverence him as one of the most worthy and most pious of men. They believed, that he knew all the secrets of their brother’s heart.

Strange, methinks, that these secrets lie so deep! Yet there does not seem any thing so very forbid-ding, either in Sir Charles or the doctor, but that one might ask them a few innocent questions. And yet 1 did not use to be so very curious neither. Why should I be more so than his sisters? Yet persons coming strangers into a family of extraordi-nary merit, are apt, I believe, to be more inquisitive about the affairs and particularities of that family, than those who make a part of it: and when they have no other motive for their curiosity, than a desire to applaud and imitate, I see not any great harm in it.

I was also very anxious to know, what, at so early an age (for Sir Charles was not then eighteen) were the faults he found with the governor appointed for him. It seems, the man was not only profligate himself, but, in order to keep himself in countenance, laid snares for the young gentleman’s virtue; which, however, he had the happiness to escape; though at an age in which youth is generally unguarded. This man was also contentious, quarrelsome, and a drink-er; and yet (as Sir Charles at the time acknowledged to his sisters) it had so very indifferent an appear-ance, for a young man to find fault with his gover — nor, that, as well for the appearance-sake, as lor the man’s, he was very loth to complain, till he became insupportable. It was mentioned, as it ought, greatly to the honour of the young gentleman’s frankness and magnanimity, that when, at last, he found him-self obliged to complain of this wicked man to his father, he gave him a copy of the letter he wrote, as soon as he sent it away. You may make, Sir, said he, what use you please of the step I have taken. You see my charge. I have not aggravated it. Only, let me caution you, that, as I have not given you by my own misconduct any advantage over me, you do not make a still worse figure in my reply, if you give me occasion to justify my charge. My father loves his son. I must be his son. An altercation cannot end in your favour.

But, on enquiry into the behaviour of this bad man (who might have tainted the morals of one of the finest youths on earth) which the son besought the father to make, before he paid any regard to his complaints, Sir Thomas dismissed him, and made a compliment to his son, that he should have no other governor for the future than his own discretion.*

Miss Jervois’s history is briefly this: She had one of the best of fathers: her mother is one of the worst of women. A termagant, a swearer, a drinker, unchaste Poor Mr. Jervois! I have told you, that he (a meek man) was obliged to abandon his country, to avoid her. Yet she wants to have her daughter under her own tuition Ter-rible! Sir Charles has had trouble with her. O lie expects to have more Poor Miss Jervois!

* See further, Letter XXXVII.

Miss Emily’s fortune is very great. The ladies^ say, not less “than 50,0001. Her father was an Ita-lian and Turkey merchant: and Sir Charles, by his management, has augmented it to that sum, by the recovery of some thousands of pounds which Mr.

Jervois had thought desperate. * *

And thus have I brought down, as briefly as I was able, though writing almost night and day (and greatly indulged in the latter by the ladies, who saw my heart was in the task,) the history of this family, to the time when I had the happiness (by means, however, most shockingly undesirable) to be first acquainted with it.

And now a word or two to present situations.

Sir Charles is not yet come down, Lucy. And this is Monday! Very well! He has made excuses by his cousin Grandison, who came down with my cousin Reeves on Sunday morning; Vastly busy, no doubt! He will be here tomorrow, I think, he says. His excuses were to his sisters and Lord L. I am glad he did not give himself the importance with your Harriet, to make any to her on his ab-sence.

Miss Grandison complains, that I open not my heart to her. She wants, she says, to open hers to me; but as she has intricacies that I cannot have, she says I must begin: she knows not hoxv, she pretends. What her secrets may be, I presume not to guess: but surely I cannot tell a sister, who, with her sister, favours another woman, that I have a regard for her brother; and that before I can be sure he has any for me.

She will play me a trick, she just now told me, if I will not let her know who the happy man in North-amptonshire is, whom I prefer to all others. That there is such a one someichcrc, she says, she has no vol. x, z doubt; and if she find it out before I tell her, she will give me no quarter, speaking in the military phrase; which sometimes she is apt to do. Lady L. smiles, and eyes me with great attention, when her sister is raillying me, as if she, also, wanted to find out some reason for my refusing Lord D. I told them an hour ago, that I am beset with their eyes, and Lord L.‘s; for Lady L. keeps no one secret of her heart, nor, I believe, any body’s else that she is mistress of, from her lord. Him, I think, of all the men I know (my uncle not excepted) I could soonest entrust with a secret. But have I, Lucy, any to reveal? It is, I hope, a secret to myself, that never will be unfolded, even to myself, that I love a man, who has not made professions of love to me. As to Sir Charles Grandison But have done, Har-riet! Thou hast named a name, that will lead thee Whither will it lead me?

More than I am at present my own, I am, and will be ever, my dear Lucy,

Your affectionate

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXVI.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Monday, March 13. I will now tell you, who the lady is, to whom the two sisters have given their interest.

It is Lady Anne S. the only daughter of the Earl of S. A vast fortune, it seems, independent of her father; and yet certain of a very great one from him. She is to be here this very afternoon, on a visit to the two ladies. With all my heart. I hope she is” a very agreeable lady. I hope she has a capacious mind. 1 hope I don’t know what to hope And why? Because I find myself out to be a selfish wretch, and don’t wish her to be so fine and so good a woman, as I say I do. Is love, if I must own love, a nar-rower of the heart? I don’t know whether, while it is in suspense, and is only on one side, it be not the parent of jealousy, envy, dissimulation; making the person pretend generosity, disinterestedness, and 1 cannot tell what, but secretly wishing, that her rival may not be so worthy, so lovely, as she pretends to wish her to be. Ah! Lucy, were one sure, one could afford to be generous: one might then look down with pity upon a rival, instead of being mortified with apprehensions of being looked down upon.

But I will be just to the education given me, and the examples set me. Whatever I shall be able to do, or to wish, while I am in suspense; when any happy woman becomes the wife of Sir Charles Grandison, I will revere her; and wish her, for his sake as well as her own, all the felicities that this world can afford; and if I cannot do this from my heart, I will disown that heart.

The two ladies set upon Mr. Grandison on Sun-day, to get out of him the business that carried Sir Charles so often of late to Canterbury. But though he owned, that he was not injoined secrecy, he af-fected to amuse them, and strangely to romance; hinted to them a story of a fine woman in love with him, and he with her; yet neither of them thinking of marriage: Mr. Grandison valued not truth, nor scrupled solemn words, though ludicrously uttered, to make the most improbable stuff perplexing and teazing; and then the wretch laughed immoderately at the suspense he supposed he had caused.

What witless creatures what mere nothings, are these beaux, fine fellows, and laughers, of men! How silly must they think us women! And how silly indeed are such of us, as can keep in counte-nance, at our own expence, their folly!

He was left alone with me for half an hour last night; and, in a very serious manner, besought me to receive his addresses. I was greatly displeased with the two sisters; for I thought they intended to give him this opportunity, by their manner of with-drawing. Surely, thought I, I am not sunk so low in the eyes of the ladies of such a family as this, as to be thought by them a fit wife to the only worthless person in it, because I have not the fortune of Lady Anne S. I will hear, thought I, what Miss Grandison says to this; and although I had made excuses to my cousin Reeves’s, at their request, for staying here longer than I had intended, 1 will get away to town as fast as I can. Proud as they are of the name of Grandison, thought I, the name only won’t do with Harriet B)ron. I am as proud as they.

I said nothing of my resentment; but told both ladies, the moment I saw them, of Mr. Grandison’s declaration. They expressed themselves highly displeased with him for it; and said, they would talk to him. Miss Grandison said, his fortune was indeed very considerable, notwithstanding the extra — vagance of his youth: but it was a high degree of confidence, in a man of such free principles, to think himself entitled to countenance from in short, from such a lady, as your Harriet, Lucy; what-ever you may think of her in these days of her hu — miliation.

She added the goodness of my heart to her compliment. I hope it is not a bad one. Then it was that I told them of my thoughts of going to town on the occasion: and the two ladies instantly went to their cousin, and talked to him in such a manner, that he promised, if no more notice were taken of the matter, never again to give occasion for them to reprimand him on this subject. He had, indeed, he owned, no very strong aspirations after matrimony; and had balanced about it a good while, before he could allow himself to declare his passion so serious-ly: but only, as it was probable, that he might at one time or other enter the pale, he thought he never in his life saw a woman with whom he could be so happy, as with me.

But you see, Lucy, by this address of Mr. Grandison, that nothing is thought of in the family of another nature. What makes me a little more af-fected than otherwise I believe I should be, is, that all you, my dear friends, are so much in love with this really great, because good, man. It is a very happy circumstance for a young woman, to look forward to a change of condition with a man, of whom every one of her relations highly approves. But what can’t be, can’t. I shall see what merit Lady Anne has by-and-by. But if fortune Indeed, my dear, were I the first princess on earth, I would have no other man, if I might have him. And so I say, that am but poor Harriet Byron. By this time Lady D. will have taken such measures, I hope, as will not disturb me in my resolution. It is fixed, my dear. I cannot help it. I must not, I ought not, I therefore mil not, give my hand, whatever has passed between that lady and my aunt, to any man living, and leave a preference in my heart against that man. Gratitude, justice, virtue, decency, all forbid it.

And yet, as I sec no hope, nor trace for hope, I have begun to attempt the conquest of my hopeless What shall I call it? Passion Well, if I must call it so, I must. A child in love matters, if I did not, would Jind me out, you know. Nor will I, how z 3 ever hopeless, be ashamed of owning it, if I can he lp it. Is not reason, is not purity, is not delicacy, with me? Is it person that I am in love with, if I am in love? No: it is virtue, it is goodness, it is generosity, it is true politeness, that I am eap-^ tivated by; all centred in this one good man. What then have I to be ashamed of? And yet I am a little ashamed now-and-then, for all that.

After all, that love, which is founded on fancy, or exterior advantages, is a love, I should think, that may, and oftentimes ought to be overcome: but that which is founded on interior worth; that blazes out when charity, beneficence, piety, fortitude, are signally exerted by the object beloved; how can such a love as that be restrained, damped, suppressed? How can it, without damping every spark of generous goodness, in what my partial grandmamma calls a fellow heart, admiring and longing to promote and share in such glorious phi-lanthropy?

Philanthropy! Yes, my uncle: why should wo-men, in compliance with the petulance of narrow — minded men, forbear to use words that some seem to think above them, when no other single word will equally express their sense? It will be said, they need not write. Well then, don’t let them read: and carry it a little further, and they may be forbid-den to speak. And every lordly man will then be a Grand Signor, and have his mute attendant.

But won’t you think my heart a little at ease, that I can thus trifle? I would fain have it be at ease; and that makes me give way to any cheerful idea that rises to my mind.

The ladies have made me read to them several passages out of my letters to you before I send them. They are more generous than I think I wish them to be, in allowing me to skip and pass over sentences and paragraphs as I please: for is not this allowing that I have something to write, or have written something that they think I ought to keep from their knowledge; and which they do not desire to know? With all my heart. I will not be mean, Lucy.

Well, Lucy, Lady Anne has been here, and is gone. She is an agreeable woman. I can’t say but she is very agreeable. And were she actually Lady Grandison, 1 think I could respect her. I think I could But O, my dear friends, what a happy creature was I, before I came to London!

There was a good deal of discourse about Sir Charles. She owned, that she thought him the handsomest man she ever saw in her life. She was in love with his great character, she said. She could go no-where, but he was the subject. She had heard of the affair between him and Sir Har-grave; and made me a hundred compliments on the occasion; and said, That her having heard, that I was at Colnebrook, was one inducement to her, to make this visit.

It seems, she told Miss Grandison, That she thought me the prettiest creature she ever beheld. Creature was her word We are all creatures, ’tis true: but I think I never was more displeased with the sound of the word creature, than I was from Lady Anne.

My aunt’s letter relating to what passed between her and Lady D. is just brought me.

And so Lady D. was greatly chagrined! I am sorry for it. But, my dear aunt, you say that she is not displeased with me in the main, and commends my sincerity. That, I hope, is but doing mc justice. I am very glad to find, that she knew not how to get over my prepossession in favour of ano-ther man. It was worthy of herself, and of my Lord D.‘s character. I shall always respect her. I hope this affair is quite over.

My grandmamma regrets the uncertainty 1 am in: but did she not say herself, that Sir Charles Grandison was too considerable in his fortune; in his merit? That we were but as the private, he the pub-lic, in this particular? What room is there then for regret? Why is the word uncertainty used? We may be certain And there’s an end of it. His sisters can railly me; “ Some happy man in Northampton-shire!” As much as to say, “ You must not think of our brother.” “ Lady Anne S. has a vast for-tune.” Is not that saying, “ What hope can i/mt have, Harriet Byron?” Well, I don’t care: this life is but a passage, a short and a dark passage, to a better: and let one justle, and another elbow; another push me, because they know the weakest must give way; yet I will endeavour steadily to pursue my course, till I get through it, and into broad and open day.

One word only more on this subject There is but one man in the world, whom 1 can honestly marry, my mind continuing what it is. His I can-not expect to be: I must then of necessity be a single woman as long as I live. Well! And where is the great evil of that? Shall I not have less cares, less anxieties? I shall. And let me beg of my dear friends, that none of you will ever again mention marriage to your

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXVII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Tuesday, March 14.

Sir Charles is come at last! He came time enough to breakfast, and with him the good Dr. Bartlett. My philosophy, I doubt, is gone again, quite gone; for one while at least. I must take sanctuary, and that very soon, at Selby-house.

Every word that passes now, seems to me worth repeating. There is no describing how the presence of this man animates every one in company. But take only part of what passed.

We were in hopes, Sir Charles, said Lord L. that we should have had the pleasure of seeing you before now.

My heart was with you, my lord: and (taking my hand; for he sat next me, and bowing) the more ardently, I must own, for the pleasure I should have shared with you all, in the company of this your lovely guest.

[What business had he to take my hand? But indeed, the character of brother might warrant the freedom.]

I was engaged most part of last week in a very melancholy attendance, as Mr. Grandison could have informed you.

But not a word of the matter, said Mr. Grandison, did I tell the ladies; looking at his two cousins. I amused them, as they love to do all mankind, when they have power.

The ladies, I hope, cousin, will punish you for this reflection.

I came not to town till Saturday, and found a billet from Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, inviting himself,

Mr. Merceda, Mr. Bagenhall, and Mr. Jordan, to pass the Sunday evening with me in St. James’s Square. The company was not suitable to the day, nor the day to the purposed meeting. I made my excuses, and desired them to favour me at break-fast on Monday morning. They came. And when we were all in good humour with one another, I proposed, and was seconded by Mr. Jordan, that we would make a visit You will hardly guess to whom, Miss Byron It was to the widow Awberry at Paddington.

I started, and even trembled. What I suffered there, was all in my mind.

He proceeded then to tell me, that he had, though not without some difficulty on Sir Hargrave’s part, actually engaged him to draw upon his banker for the 100/. he had promised Wilson; Mr. Merceda on his banker for 50/. and he himself generously added 50/. more; and, giving, as he said, the air of a frolic to the performance of a promise, they all of them went to Paddington. There, satisfying them-selves of the girl’s love for Wilson; and of the widow’s opinion of Wilson’s good intention by the girl; they let them know, that the sum of 200*. was deposited in Sir Charles’s hands to be paid on the day of marriage, as a portion for the young woman; and bid them demand it as soon as they thought fit. Neither Wilson nor the widow’s son was there. The widow and her daughters were overjoyed at this unexpected good news.

They afterwards shewed Sir Charles, it seems, every scene of my distress; and told him, and the gentlemen, all but Sir Hargrave (who had not pa-tience to hear it, and went into another room) my whole sad story. Sir Charles was pleased to say, That he was so much affected with it, that he had some little difficulty, on joining Sir Hargrave, to be as civil to him as he was before he heard the relation.

To one condition, it seems, the gentlemen insisted Sir Charles should consent, as an inducement for them to comply with his proposal. It was that Sir Charles should dine with Sir Hargrave and the company at his house on the forest, some one day in the next week, of which they would give him notice. They all insisted upon it; and Sir Charles said, he came the more readily into the proposal, as they declared, it would be the last time they should see him for at least a twelvemonth to come; they being determined to prosecute their intended tour.

Wilson and young A wberry waited on Sir Charles the same evening. The marriage is to be celebrated in a few days. Wilson says, that his widow-sister in Smithfield will, he is sure, admit him into a partner-ship with her, now that he shall have something to carry into the stock; for she loves his wife-elect; and the saving both of body and soul will be owing, he declared (with transport that left him speechless) to Sir Charles Grandison.

Every body was delighted with the relation he gave. Dear Sir Charles, said Mr. Grandison, let me be allowed to believe the Roman catholic doc-trine of supererogation; and let me express my hope, that I, your kinsman, may be the better for your good works. If all you do, is but necessary, the Lord have mercy upon me!

Miss Grandison said, if I had written to my friends the account of what I suffered from the vile attempt of Sir Hargrave, as she doubed not but I had, Lady L. as well as herself, would take it for a particular mark of my confidence, if they might be allowed to peruse it.

When I am favoured, replied I, with the return of my letters, I wUl very cheerfully communicate to you, my dear ladies, my relation of this shocking affair.

They all expressed a pleasure in my frankness. Sir Charles said, he admired me heyond expression, for that noble criterion of innocence and goodness.

There, Lucy!

I think there is nothing in that part, but what they may see.


Letter XXVIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

The two sisters and Lord L. were then solicitous to know what was the occasion, which he called melancholy, that had engaged his attendance so many days at Canterbury.

It is really a melancholy occasion, replied he. You must not be surprised, my lord, nor you, my sisters, if you see me in mourning in a few days. His sisters started. And so, truly, must I. But I am his third sister, you know. He seemed in haste to explain himself, lest he should keep us in painful suspense. My journeyings to Canterbury have been occasioned by the melancholy necessity of visiting a sick friend, who is now no more.

You had all such an opinion, said Mr. Grandison, that I could keep no secret, that

You were resolved, interrupted Miss Grandison, to say any-thing but the truth. Indeed, cousin, you had better have been silent at this time Is there a necessity, brother, for us to go into mourning?

There is not. I had a true value for the departed. But custom will oblige me to mourn outwardly, as an executor only. And I have given orders about that, and other necessary matters.

Did we know the deceased gentleman, brother? said Lady L.

No. His name was Danby. He was an eminent merchant; an Englishman; but, from his youth, settled in France. He had for months been in a languishing state of health; and at last, finding his recovery desperate, was desirous to die in his native country. He landed at Dover about two months ago: but his malady so greatly increased, that he was obliged to stop at Canterbury in his way to town; and there at last he yielded to the common destiny. The body was to be brought to town as this night. I have ordered it to an undertaker’s. I must lock myself up for a day or two, when I go to town. His concerns are large; but, he told me, not intricate. He desired, that his will might not be opened till after his interment; and that that might be private. He has two nephews and a niece. I would have had him join them in the trust with me: but he re-fused to do so. An attempt once had been made upon his life, by villains set at work by a wicked brother, father of those nephews, and that niece, of which they were innocent: they are worthy young people. I had the happiness to save his life: but had no merit in it; for my own safety was involved in his. I am afraid he has been too grateful.

But, my good brother, said Miss Grandison, were you not a little reserved on this occasion? You went and returned, and went and returned, to Canterbury, and never said one word to us of the call you had to go thither. For my part, I thought there was a lady in the case, I do assure you.

My reserve as you call it, Charlotte, was rather accidental, than designed, and yet I do now-and-then treat your agreeable curiosity as mariners are said to

A A do a whale; I throw out a tub to divert it. But this was too melancholy an occasion to be sported with. I was affected by it. Had the gentleman lived to come to town, you would all have been acquainted with him. I love to communicate pleasure, but not pain; when, especially, no good end can be answer-ed by the communication. I go to different places, and return, and hardly think it worth troubling my sisters with every movement. Had I thought you had any curiosity about my little journeyings to Canterbury, you should have had it answered. And yet 1 know my sister Charlotte loves to puzzle, and find out secrets where none are intended.

She blushed; and so did I. Your servant, Sir, was all she said.

But, Charlotte, proceeded he, you thought it was a lady that I visited: you know not your brother. I never will keep a secret of that nature from you, my good lord, nor from you, my sisters, when I find myself either encouraged or inclined to make a se-cond visit. It is for your sex, Charlotte, to be very chary of such secrets; and reason good, if you have any doubt, either of the man’s worthiness, or of your own consequence with him.

He looked very earnestly at her, but smiled.

So, brother! 1 thank you, humorously rubbing one side of her face (though she needed not to do so, to make both cheeks glow) this is another box on the same ear. 1 have been uneasy, I can tell you, Sir, at a hint you threw out before you last went to Canterbury, as if I kept from you something that it behoved you to know. Now pray, Sir, will you be pleased to explain yourself?

And, since you put it so strongly to me, Char-lotte, let me ask you, Have you not?

And let me ask you, Sir Do you think I have?

Perhaps, Charlotte; your solicitude on this sub- ject, now, and the alarm you took at the time, on a very slight hint, might warrant

No warrants, brother! Pray be so good as to peak all that lies on your mind.

Ah, Charlotte! and looked, though smilingly, with meaning.

I will not bear this Ah, Charlotte! and that meaning look.

And are you willing, my dear, to try this cause?

I demand my trial.

Charming innocence! thought I, at the time Now shall 1 hail some fault, I hope, in this almost perfect brother. 1 triumphed in my mind, for my Charlotte.

Who shall hr your judge?

Yourself, Sir.

God giant you may Ik? found guilty, cousin, said Mr. Grandison, for vour plaguing of me.

Has that wretch, looking at Mr. Grandison, insi-nuated any-thing? She stopt.

Are you afraid, my sister?

I would not give that creature any advantage over me.

Sir Ch. I think /would, if there were fair room You have too often all the game in your own hand*. You should allow Mr Grandison his chance.

Mist dr. Not to arise from such un observing by-stander, as my brother.

Sir Ch. Conscious, Charlotte!

Miss dr. May he not

Sir Ch. Ma,/ he, is doubtful: May be No, implies May be Yet.

Lady L. You have made Charlotte uneasy: indeed, brother, you have. The poor girl has been harping upon this string, ever since you have been gone.

Sir Ch. I am sorry what I said pressed so hard Do i/oii. Lady L. if this delinquency comes to trial, offer yourself as an advocate for Charlotte? a A 2

Lady L. I know not any act of delinquency she has committed.

Sir Ch. The act of delinquency is this Shall I, Charlotte, explain myself?

Miss Gr. Teazing man! How can you

Mr. Grandison rubbed his hands, and rejoiced. Miss Grandison was nettled. She gave Mr. Grandi-son such a look! I never saw such a contemptuous one Pray, Sir, do you withdraw, if you please.

Mr. Gr. Not I, by the mass! Are you afraid of a trial in open court? O-ho, cousin Charlotte!

Miss Gr. Have I not a cruel brother, Miss Byron?

Lord L. Our sister Charlotte really suffers, Sir Charles.

Sir Ch. I am sorry for it. The innocent should not suffer. We will drop the cause.

Lady L. Worse and worse, brother.

Sir Ch. How so, Lady L.? Is not Charlotte innocent?

Dr. Bartlett. If an advocate be required, and you, Sir Charles, are judge, and not a pleader in this cause, I offer myself to Miss Grandison.

Sir Ch. A very powerful one she will then have. You think her cause a just one, doctor, by your offer. Will you, Charlotte, give Dr. Bartlett a brief? Or have you given him one?

Dr. Bart. I have no doubt of the justice of the cause.

Sir Ch. Nor of the justice of the accuser, I hope. I cannot be a. judge in it.

Lady L. Nay, then! Poor Charlotte!

Miss Gr. I wish, cousin Grandison, you would withdraw.

Mr. Gr. 1 wish, cousin Charlotte, you would not wish it.

Miss Gr. But are you serious, brother?

Sir Ch. Let us call another cause, sister, if you please. Prav, my lord, what visiters have you had since I had the honour to attend yon?

Miss dr. Nay, brother Don’t think

Sir Ch. Be quiet, Charlotte.

Lady L. Your own words, sister! Rut we had a visit from Lady Anne S. yesterday.

[I was glad to hear Lady L. say this. But no-thing came of it.”]

Sir Ch. You have seen Lady Anne more than once, my Emily: How do you like Lady Anne?

Miss Emily, Very well, Nr. She is a very agreeable lady. Don’t you think so, Sir?

Sir Ch. I do. But, Charlotte (and looked ten-derly upon her) I must not have you uneasy.

She sat vexc d her complexion raised; and pla\ — ing with a lump of sugar; and sometimes twirling round and round a tea-cup; for the tea-things, through earnestness of talking, were not taken away, though the servants were withdrawn.

Mr. (ir. Well, I will leave you together, I think. Poor cousin Charlotte! [Hising, he tapped her shoulder] Poor cousin Charlotte! Ha, ha, ha, hah!

Miss d> . Impertinence! with a look, the fellow to that she gave him before.

Miss Emily. 1 will withdraw, if you please, ma-dam; rising, and courtesying.

Miss (riaiuiison nodded her assent. And Emily withdrew liken ise.

Dr. Bartlett offered to do so. Miss Grandison seemed not to disapprove of his motion: but Sir Charles said, The doctor is retained on your part, Charlotte: he must hear the charge. Shall Si iss Byron be judge?

I begged to be excused. The matter began to look like earnest.

Miss tir. (whispering me) I wish, Harriet, I had opened my whole heart to you. Your nasty scrib-bling! Eternally at \our pen; or I had. a a:i

Then I began to be afraid for her. Dear Miss Grandison! re-whispered I, it was not for me to ob-trude Dear Miss Grandison, my pen should never have interfered, if

MissGr. (still whispering) One should be courted out of some sort of secrets. One is not very for-ward to begin some sort of discourses Yet the sub — jects most in our hearts, perhaps. But don’t despise me. You see what an accuser I have: and so gene-rous a one too, that one must half condemn one’s self at setting out.

Harriet (whispering). Fear nothing, my Char-lotte. You are in a brother’s hands.

Miss Gr. Well, Sir Charles; and now, if you please, for the charge. But you say, you cannot be judge and accuser: Who shall be judge?

Sir Ch. Your own heart, Charlotte. I desire all present to be your advocates, if their judgment be with you: and if it be not, that they will pity you in silence.

He looked smilingly serious. Good Heaven! thought I.

Miss Gr. Pity me I Nay, then But, pray, Sir, your charge?

Sir Ch. The matter is too serious to be spoken of in metaphor.

Miss Gr. Good God! Hem! and twice more she hemmed Pray, Sir, begin. Begin while I have breath.

Lord and Lady L. and Dr. Bartlett, and I, looked very grave; and Miss Grandison looked, in general, fretfully humble, if I may so express myself: and every-thing being removed, but the table, she played with her diamond ring; sometimes pulling it off, and putting it on; sometimes putting the tip of her fin-ger in it, as it lay upon the table, and turning it round and round, swifter or slower, and stopping through downcast vexation, or earnest attention, as she found herself more or less affected What a sweet confusion!

SirCh. You know, my dear Charlotte, that I, very early after my arrival, enquired after the state of your heart. You told me it was absolutely free.

Miss Gr. Well, Sir.

Sir Ch. Not satisfied with your own acknowledgment; as I know that young ladies are too ant to make secrets of a passion that is not in itself illaudable [I know not why, when proper persons make enqui-ries, and for motives not ungenerous]; I asked your elder sister, who scrupled not to own hers, whether there were any one man, whom you preferred to an-other? She assured me, that the knew not of any one.

Lady L. My sister knows I said truth.

Mm Gr. Well, well, Lady L. nobody doubts your veracity.

Sir Ch. Dear Charlotte, keep your temper.

Miss Gr. Pray, Sir, proceed And the ring turned round very fast.

Sir Ch. On several occasions I put the same question, and had the same assurances. My reason for repeating my question, was owing to an early intel-ligence Of which more by-and-by.

Mist Gr. Sir!

Sir ( ‘h . A nd that I might either provide the money that was due to her as my sister, or take time to pay it, according to the circumstances of her engagement; and take from her all apprehensions of con troul, in a case that might anect the happiness of her life These, and brotherly love, were the mo-tives of my enquiry.

Miss Gr. Your generosity, Sir, was without example.

Sir Ch. Not so, I hope. My sisters had an equi-table, if not a legal, right to what has been done. I found, on looking into my affairs, that, by a mo-derate calculation of the family — circumstances, no man should think of addressing a daughter of Sir Thomas Grandison, without supposing himself intitled, either by his merits or fortune, to expect 10,0001. with her. And this, even allowing to the son the customary preferences given to men as men; though given for the sake of pride, perhaps, rather than natural justice. For does not tyrant custom make a daughter change her name in marriage, and give to a son, for the sake of name only, the estate of the common ancestor of both?

This generous hint affected me. It was nearly my own case, you know. I might otherwise have been a rich heiress, and might have had as strong pretensions to be distinguished by the Grandisons, for my fortune, as any Lady S. in the kingdom. But worthless as those are, to whom, for the sake of the name, my father’s estate is passed, I never grudged it to them till I came acquainted with these Grandisons.

Lord L. But who, Sir Charles, but you

Sir Ch. Pray, my lord, let not your generosity mis-lead you to think that a favour, which is but a due. We shall not be judged by comparison. The laws of truth and justice are always the same. What others would not have done in the like situation, that let them look to: but what is the mortal man, who would make an unjust advantage of mortality?

Miss Grandison pulled out her handkerchief, put it to her eyes, and then in her lap; and putting half on, and half off, by turns, her ring, looked nov, — and-then at me, as if she wished me to pity her.

Indeed, Lucy, I did pity her: everyone did; and so did her judge, I dare say, in his heart. But jus-tice, my Lucy, is a severe thing. Who can bear a trial, if the integrity and greatness of this man’s heart is to be the rule, by which their actions are to be examined? Yet you shall hear how generous he was.

Mil CHARLES GRANDISON. 273

Sir Ch. Allow me, for Miss Byron’s sake, who has been but lately restored to our family, to be a little more particular, than otherwise I need to be. I had not been long in England, before Sir Walter Wat-kyns desired my interest with my sister. I told him, That she was entirely ber own mistress; and that I should not offer to lead her choice. Lord G. made bis court to ber likewise; and, applying to me, received the same answer.

I entered, however, into serious talk with my sister upon this subject. She asked me what I thought of each gentleman. I told her frankly.

Miss dr. And pray, brother, be so good as to repeat what you said of them. Let Miss Byron be judge whether either of the portraits was very inviting.

Sir Ch. I told her, Miss Byron, that Sir Walter would, I presumed, be thought the handsomer man of the two. He was gay, lively, genteel; and had that courage in his air and manner, that ladies were seldom displeased with. I had not, however, discoveredany great depth in him. My sister, I ima — gined, if she married him, would have the superiority in good sense: but I questioned whether Sir Walter would easily find that out; or allow it, if be did. He u as a brisk man for an hour, and might have wit and sense too; but indeed I hardly ever saw him out of ladies’ company; and he seemed to be of opinion, that Hash rather than fire, was what would recom-mend him to them. Sometimes I have thought, I told her, that women of sense should punish such men with their contempt, and not reward them with their approbation, for thus indirect!) affronting tin ir understandings: but that I had known women of sense approve a man of that character; and each woman must determine for herself, what appeared most agreeable to her.

Miss Gr. (whispering) Well, Harriet

Hnr. (whispering) Don’t interrupt him.

Sir Ch. You remember, my dear Charlotte, that it was in this kind of way I spoke of Sir Walter Watkyns; and added, That he was independent; in possession of the family-estate, which I believed was a good one; and that he talked handsomely to me of settlements.

I do remember this, said Miss Grandison; and whispering me, I am afraid, said she, he knows too much; but the person he cannot know. Well, Sir, and pray be pleased to repeat what you said of Lord G.

Sir Ch. Lord G. I told you, was a gay-dressing man, but of a graver cast tban the other. The fa-shion, rather than his inclination, seemed to govern his outward appearance. He was a modest man, and I feared had too much doubt of himself to appear with that dignity in the eye of a lively woman, which should give him a first consequence with her.

Miss Gr. Your servant, Sir.

Sir Ch. I believed he would make a good husband: so perhaps might Sir Walter: but the one would bear, the other perhaps must be borne with. Ladies, as well as men, I presumed, had some foibles, that they would not care to part with. As to fortune, I added, that Lord G. was dependent on his father’s pleasure. He had, indeed, his father’s intire appro-bation, 1 found, in his address: and I hoped that a sister of mine would not wish for any man’s death, for the sake of either title or fortune. You have seen Lord G. Miss Byron?

Har. What, Sir Charles, was Miss Grandison’s answer?

[I did not care to give any opinion, that might cither hurt or humour my Charlotte.]

Sir Ch. Charlotte told me, in so many words, That

.MR CHARLES C.RANDFSOX. 275 she did not approve of either. Eaeh gentleman, said I, has besought me to be his advocate: a task that I have not undertaken. I only told them, that I would talk to my sister upon the subject: but I did not think a brother ought to expect an influence over a sister, when the gentlemen suspected their own. You will remember, said I to my sister, that women cannot choose where they will; and that the same man cannot be every-thing She desired me to fell her which of the two I would prefer? First, said I, let me repeat the question 1 nave more than once put to you: Have you any the least shadow of a preference in your heart, to any third person? What was my sister’s answer? She said, she had not. And yet, had I not had the private intelligence I hinted at, 1 should have been apt to imagine, that I had some reason to repeat the question, from the warmth, both of manner and accent, with which she declared, that she approved of neither. Women, 1 believe, do not often, with earnestness, reject a man who is not quite disagreeable, and to whose quality and fortune there can be no objection, if they are absolutely unprejudiced in another’s favour.

We women looked upon one another. I have no ffnnfit, thought I. but Sir Charles came honestly by his Knowledge of us.

The dear Charlotte sat uneasy. He proceeded.

However, I now made no question but my sister’s affections were absolutely disengaged. My dear Charlotte, said I, I would rather be excused telling fou which gentleman’s suit I should incline to favour, est my opinion should not have your inclination with it: and your mind, by that means, should sutler any embarrassment. She desired to know it.

Mix* dr. You were very generous, Sir; I owned you were, in tfn> point, as well as in all other-;. Sir CJi. I then declared in favour of Lord G. as the man who would be most likely to make her happy; who would think himself most obliged to her for her favour: and I took the liberty to hint, that though I admired her for her vivacity, and even, when her wit carried its keenest edge, loved to be awakened by it, and wished it never to lose that edge; yet I imagined, that it would hurt such a man as Sir Wal-ter. Lord G. it would enliven: and I hoped, if she took pleasure in her innocent sallies, that she would think it something so to choose, as that she should not be under a necessity of repressing those sprightly powers, that very seldom were to be wished to be reined in.

Miss Gr. True, Sir. You said, very seldom, I remember.

Sir Ch. I never will flatter either a prince, or a lady; yet should be sorry to treat either of them rudely. She then asked me after my own inclinations. I took this for a desire to avoid the subject we were upon; and would have tvithdraum; but not in ill-humour. There was no reason for it. My sister was not obliged to follow me in a subject that was not agreeable to her: but I took care to let her know, that her question was not a disagreeable one to me; but would be more properly answered on some other occasion. She would have had me to stay. For the sake of the former subject, do you ask me to stay, Charlotte? No, said she.

Well then, my dear, take time to consider of it; and at some other opportunity we will resume it. Thus tender did I intend to be, with regard to my sister’s inclinations.

Miss Grandison wiped her eyes And said, but with an accent that had a little peevishness in it, You wanted not, Sir, all this preparation. No-body has the shadow of belief, that you could be wrong.

Sir Ch. If this, Charlotte, be well said; if, in that accent, it be generously said; I have done And from my heart acquit you, and as cordially condemn my-self, if I have appeared in your eye to intend to raise my own character, at the expence of yours. Be-lieve me, Charlotte, I had much rather, in a point of delicacy, that the brother should be found faulty than the sister: and let it pass, that I am so And only tell me, in what way you would wish me to serve you?

Miss Gr. Pardon me, brother. You can add forgiveness to the other obligations under which I labour. I was petulant.

Sir Ch. I do; most cordially I do.

Miss Gr. (wiping her eyes) But won’t you proceed, SirY

Sir Ch. At another opportunity, madam.

Miss Gr. Madam! Nay, now you are indeed angry with me. Pray, proceed.

.Sir Ch. I am not: but you shall allow me an hqur’s conversation with you in your dressing-room, when you please.

Miss Gr. No! Pray, proceed Every one here is dear to me. Every one present must hear either my acquittal or condemnation. Pray, Sir, proceed Miss Byron, pray sit still Pray (for we were all rising to go out) keep your seats. 1 believe 1 have been wrong. My brother said, you must pity me in silence, if you found me faulty. Perhaps 1 shall be obliged to you for your pity Pray, Sir, be pleased to acquaint me with what you know of my faults.

Sir Ch. My dear Charlotte, I have said enough to point your fault to your own heart. If you know it; that, I hope, is sufficient. Do not imagine, my dear, that I want to controul you But He stopt.

Miss Gr. But what, Sir? Pray, Sir And she trembled with eagerness.

Sir Ch. But it was not right to And yet, I wish that I were mistaken in this point, and my sister not wrong!

Miss Gr. Well, Sir, you have reason, I suppose, to think there she stopt

Sir Ch. That there is a man whom you can ap-prove of notwithstanding

Miss Gr. All I have said to the contrary. Well, Sir, if there be, it is a great fault to have denied it.

Sir Ch. That is all I mean It is no fault for you to prefer one man to another. It is no fault in you to give this preference to any man, without consulting your brother. I proposed that you should be entirely mistress of your own conduct and actions. It would have been ungenerous in me, to have sup-posed you accountable to me, who had done no more than my duty by you. Dear Charlotte, do not imagine me capable of laying such a load on your free will: but I should not have been made to pronounce to Lord G. and even to the earl his fa-ther (on their enquiries whether your affections were or were not engaged) in such a manner as gave them hopes of succeeding.

Miss Gr. Are you sure, Sir?

Sir Ch. O my sister, how hard fought (now must I say?) is this battle! I can urge it no further. For your sake, I can urge it no further.

Miss Gr. Name your man, Sir!

Sir Ch. Not my man, Charlotte Captain An-derson is not my man.

He arose; and taking her motionless hand, pressed it with his lips: Be not too much disturbed, said he. I am distressed, my sister, for your distress I think, more than I am for the error: and, saying this, bowing to her, he withdrew.

He saw and pitied her confusion. She was quite confounded. It was very good of him to withdraw, to give her time to recover herself. Lady L. gave her her salts. Miss (irundison hardly ever wanted salts hefore.

O what a poor creature am I, said she, even in my own eyes! Don’t despise me, Harriet Dr. Hartlctt, can you excuse me for so sturdy a pcrse-vt ranee? Forgive me, my lord! Lady L. be in dulgent to a sister’s fault. Hut my brother will always see me in this depreciating light! “A battle hard fought,” indeed! How one error, persisted in, produces another!

When Sir Charles heard her voice, as talking, every one soothing, and pitying her, he returned. She would have risen, with a disposition seemingly, as it she would have humbled herself at his feet: but he took her folded hands in one of his, and with the other drew a chair close to her, and sat down: with what sweet majesty, and mingled compassion ii> his countenance! Miss Grandison’s consciousness made it terrible only to her. Forgive me, Sir! were her words.

Dear Charlotte, I do. We have all something to be forgiven for. We pity others then most cordially, when we want pity ourselves. Remember only, in the eases of other persons, to soften the severity of your virtue.

He had Mrs. Oldham in his thoughts, as we all afteru ards concluded.

We know not, said he, to what inconvfniendes a small departure from principle will lead: and now let us look forward. Hut first, Had you rather ih< w me into your dressing-room?

Miss tir. 1 have no wish to conceal anv-thing from the persons present. 1 will only withdraw fur a few moments.

She went out. I followed her. And then, wanting somebody to divide her fault with, the dear Charlotte blamed my nasty scribbling again: but for that, said she, I should have told you all.

And what, my dear, would that have done? re-turned I That would not have prevented

No; but yet you might have given me your ad-vice: I should have had the benefit of that; and my confessions would have been, then, perhaps, aforehand with his accusations. But, forgive me, Harriet

O my Charlotte, thought I to myself, could you but rein-in your charming spirit, a little, very little, you would not have had two forgivenesses to ask instead of one.


Letter XXIX.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Miss Grandison desired me to return to the company. I did. She soon followed me: took her seat; and, with an air of mingled dignity and concern, delivered herself after this manner.

If it be not too late, after a perseverance in error so obstinate, to reinstate myself in my brother’s good opinion, dearer to me than that of the whole world besides, my ingenuousness shall make atonement for that error.

Sir Ch. I would spare my sister the Miss Gr. I will not be spared, Sir:Pray hear me I would not, in order to extenuate my own faults (I hope I have not many) seek to throw blame upon the absent; much less upon the everlastingly absent: and yet my brother’s piety must not be offended, if

I am obliged to say something that may seem to cast a shade on a memory Be not hurt, Sir I will he favourable to that memory, and just to my own fault. You, Harriet, would no more excuse me, than my brother, if I failed in either.

I bowed, and blushed. Sir Charles looked at me, with a benign aspect.

My father, proceeded she, thought fit to be, or to seem to be, displeased with something that passed between him and Lord L. on the application made by my lord to him for my sister.

Sir Ch. He was not willing, perhaps, that a treaty of marriage should be begun but at Ins own first motion, however unexceptionable the man, or the proposal.

Miii dr. Every one knows that my father had great abilities; and they were adorned with a viva-city and spirit, that, wherever pointed, there was no resisting. He took his two (laughters to task upon this occasion; and being desirous to discourage in them, at that time, any thoughts of marriage, he exerted, besides his authority, on this occasion (which 1 can truly say, had due weight with us both) that vein of humour and raillery for which he as noted; insomuch that his poor girls were confound-ed, and unable to hold up their heads. My sister, in particular, was made to be ashamed of a passion, that surely no young woman, the object so worthy, ought to be ashamed of. May father also thought tit (perhaps for im’ reasons) to acquaint us, that he designed for us but small fortunes: and this depreciated me with myself. My sister had a stronger mind, and had better prospects. I could not but ap-prehend from what my tisler suffered, what must be my suffering! in turn; and I thought I could be induced to take an\ step, however rash, where virtue was not to be wounded, rather than undergo what BBS she underwent from the raillery of a man so lively, and so humorous, and who stood in so venerable a degree of relation to me. While these impressions were strong in my mind, Captain Anderson, who was quartered near us, had an opportunity to fall into my company at an assembly. He is a sprightly man, and was well received by every — body: and par-ticularly a favourite of three young ladies, who could hardly be civil to each other, on his account: and this, I own, when he made assiduous court to me, in preference to them, and to every other woman, gave him some consequence with me: and then, being the principal officer in that part of the country, he was caressed as if he were a general. A daughter of Sir Thomas Grandisonwas deemed a prize worthy of his ambition, by every-body, as well as by himself: while this poor daughter, dreading the difficulties that her sister had met with, and being led to think, by what her father declared to both sisters, that two or three thousand pounds would be the height of her fortune, had only to apprehend, that a captain either of horse or foot, who had been perhaps for years a frequenter of public places, both in town and coun-try, in hopes of raising his fortune, would think himself but poorly paid for his pains (where she even to obtain her father’s pardon) should she engage without waiting for his consent; as she was urged to do, by letters, which he found ways unsuspect-edly to send her I hope, Sir, I hope, my lord, and you, my two sisters, that you will notv, from what I have said, acquit me of insincerity, though you cannot of past indiscretion.

Nevertheless, my pride at times was piqued: sometimes 1 declared off; at other times was prevailed upon by arts which men are masters of, to go on again; till I found myself entangled, and at a loss to know how to go either backward or forward.

The gentleman was indeed of a genteel family: but the object of my sister’s regard had so much to be said for him; stood so well with my brother; and even with my father; was so much the man of qua-lity in every respect; that a rash step in me, I could not but think, would be looked upon as the more disgraceful, on that account; and that if I married Captain Anderson, I must be rejected, scorned, for a while, if not for ever.

And what title, often thought I, when I permitted myself seriously to think, have I to give my father a son, my brother, my sister, my Lord L. (should he and my sister marry) a brother, whom they would not have chosen, nor will probably own? Have not they a better right to reject him for their relation, than I have to choose him for my husband? And shall Charlotte Grandison, the (laughter of the most

[>rudent of mothers, take a step that shall make her >e looked upon as the disgrace of her family? Shall she be obliged to follow a soldier’s fortune into dif-ferent quarters, and perhaps distant legions? Such as these were, at times, my reasonings; and fierhaps they would have had the less force with me, lad I, in giving myself a husband, had none of these relations living, on whom to obtrude a new one, to their dislike, by my marriage.

I lence I could not bear to reveal the matter to my sister, who, in her choice, had so much advantage over me. I thought within these few weeks past, 1 could reveal it to my new-found sister; and it was one of my motives to come hither, ut your invitation. Lord and Lady L. when you told me she \mi> to obliging as to accompany you down: but she was everlastingly writing; and I was shy of forcing an opportunity, as none agreeably offered.

Sir Ch. I would not interrupt you, Charlotte

But may I ask, if this whole affair was carried on by letter? Did you not sometimes see each other?

Miss Gr. We did. But our meetings were not frequent, because he was at one time quartered in Scotland: at another, was sent to Ireland; where he staid six or seven months; at others, in distant parts of the kingdom.

Sir Ch. In what part of the king’s dominions is the captain now?

Miss Gr. Dear Sir, could not the person who ac-quainted you with the affair, inform you of that?

Sir Ch. (smiling) The person could, madam; and did. He is in London.

Miss Gr. I hope, my brother, after the freedom of my confession, and an ingenuousness that is not often found in such cases as this, will not be so unkind as to imagine, that I ought to have traps laid for me, as if 1 were not now at last frank and unre-served.

Sir Ch. Exceedingly just, Charlotte! exceedingly just!* I beg your pardon. I said, we had all some-thing to be forgiven for. I am not however ques — tioning you, with intent to cast a stone; but to lend you a hand.

Miss Gr. O that we had had liberty granted to us, having such a brother, to correspond with him! Happy shall I be, if I can atone

There she stopt.

Sir Ch. Proceed with your story, my dear Char-lotte. Greatly does the atonement overbalance the fault!

Miss Gr. (bowing to her brother) Captain Ander-son is in town. I have seen him twice. I was to have seen him at the play, had I not come down to Colnebrook. Not a tittle of the truth will I hide from you. Now I have recovered the right path, not one wry step will I ever again wilfully take. I have suffered enough by those I had taken, though I endeavoured to carry it off as well as I could (even sometimes by a spirit of bravery) when it lay heavy here putting her hand to her heart.

Sir Charles rose from his seat; and taking one of his sister’s hands between both his, Worthy sister! Amiable Charlotte! After this noble frankness, I must not permit you to accuse yourself. An error gracefully acknowledged, is a victory won. If you think Captain Anderson worthy of your heart, he shall have a place in mine; and I will use my interest with Lord and Lady L. to allow of his rela — tion to them. Miss Byron and Dr. Hart let t will look upon him as their friend.

He sat down again; his countenance shining with brotherly love.

Miss Gr. O Sir, what shall I say? You add to my difficulties by your goodness. I have told you how 1 had entangled myself. Captain Anderson’s address began with hones of a great fortune, which he imagined a daughter of Sir ffiomasGrandison could not fail, first or last, to have. That this was his principal motive, has been, on many occasions (on too many lor his advantage) visible to me. My allowance of his address, as I have hinted, was owing to my apprehensions, that I should not be a fortune worthy of a more generous man. At that time, our life was a confined one; and I girlishly wished for liberty MATRIMONY and LIBERTY Girlish connexion! as I have since thought.

We could none of us help smiling at this lively sally: but she went on more seriously.

I thought at first, that I could break with him when I would: but he holds me to it; and the more, since he has heard of your goodness to me; and builds great hopes of future preferment on the alliance.

Sir Ch. But do you not love Captain Anderson, my sister?

Miss Gr. I believe I love him as well a6 he loves me. His principal view, as I have said, has come out, avowedly, to be to my fortune. If I regulate my esteem for him by his for me, I ought not, for the very reason that he likes me, to approve of him.

Sir Ch. I do not wonder that the captain is desirous to hold you to it, to use your words: but, my dear Charlotte, answer me, Have you had less liking to Captain Anderson since your fortune is ascer-tained, and absolutely in your own power, than you had before?

Miss Gr. Not on that account, if I know my heart: but he has been a much more earnest suiter since your goodness to me was generally known, than before. hen public report had made me ab-solutely dependent on my brother; and diminished (beyond the truth, as it has proved) the circum-stances of the family; and when my sister and I were unhappy between our fears and our hopes; I then heard but little from Captain Anderson; and that little was so prudent, and so cold But I had found out the man before.

Lord and Lady L. with warmth of voice, called him unworthy man. I thought him so; and so, by his looks, did Dr. Bartlett.

Sir Ch. Poor man! He seems to have been too prudent, to trust even to Providence. But what, my sister, are now your difficulties?

Miss Gr. They proceed from my folly Captain Anderson appeared to me at first, a man of sense, as well as an agreeable man in his person and air. He had a lively and easy elocution. He spoke without doubt; and 1 had therefore the less doubt of his understanding. The man who knows how to say agree — able things to a woman, in an agreeable manner, has her vanity on his side; since, to doubt his veracity, would be to question her own merit When he came to wite, ray judgment was even still more engaged in his favour than before. Hut when he thought himself on a safe footing with me, he then lost his hand-writing, and his stile, and even his orthogra-phy. I blush to say it; and I then blushed to see it. Sir C/i. Men will be men. It is natural for us, when we find out our imperfections, to endeavour to supply them, or to gloss them over to those, whose good opinion of us we wish to engage I have known men who are not so ready a the cap-tain seems to have been, to find out tin ir own defects. Captain Anderson, perhaps, lost his let-ter-writer, by the shifting of quarters. Hut it is strange that a man of family, as the captain is, should l)i’ so very illiterate.

Miss dr. His early wildncsses, as I afterwards heard, made him run from school, before he had ac-quired common school-learning. His friends bought him a pair of colours. That was all they would ever do for him: and his father marrying a second wife, by whom he had children, considered not him is one. This came out to be his story. Hut he di played himself to me in very different lights. He pretended t<> have a pretty ‘state, which, though nut lurgc, was well-conditioned, and capable of improvement; besides very considerable expectations. A mind that would not impose on another, must least bear to be imposed upon itself: but I could not help d %p:sing him, when 1 found myself so grossly imposed upon by thi — letters he had procured to be written for him; and that he was not either the man of scum’, or learning, that he would have had me think him.

Sir I’ll. Hut what was the safe bating, sister, that he thought he was upon with you?

Miss. OSir! while all these good appearances held in his favour, he had teazed me into a promise,

And when he had gained that point, then it was, or soon after, that he wrote to me with his own hand. And yet, though he convinced me by doing so, that he had before employed another, it was a point agreed upon, that our intercourse was to be an ab-solute secret; and I trembled to find myself exposed to his scribe, a man I knew not, and who must cer-tainly despise the lover whom he helped to all his agreeable flourishes; and, in despising him, must probably despise me. Yet I tuill say, that my let-ters were such as I can submit to the severest eye. It was indeed giving him encouragement enough, that I answered him by pen and ink; and he presumed enough upon it, or he had never dared to teaze me for a promise, as he did for months before I made him one.

Sir Ch. Women should never be drawn in to fetter themselves by promises. On the contrary, they ought always to despise, and directly to break with, the man who offers to exact a promise from them. To what end is a promise of this kind endeavoured to be obtained, if the urger suspects not the fitness of his addresses in the eyes of those who have a right to be consulted; and if he did not doubt either his own merit, or the lady’s honour, and feared her returning discretion? Therefore wanted to put it out of her own power to be dutiful; or (if she had begun to swerve, by listening to a clandestine ad-dress) to recover herself? Your father, my dear (but you might not know that) could have absolved you from this promise *. You have not now, how-ever, any-body to controul you: you are absolutely your own mistress: and I see not but a promise But pray, of what nature was this promise?

Miss Gr. O my folly! I declared, that I never would marry any other man without his consent, while he was single. By this means (to my confu-sion) I own that I made him my father, my guar — dian, my brother; at least, I made the influences over me, of such of them as had been living, of no avail, in the most material artiele of my life; teased, as I told you, into it; and against my judgment.

Soon after, he let me know, as I said, in his own hand-writing, what an illiterate, what a mere super-ficial man I had entered into treaty with. And ever since I have been endeavouring by pen, as well as in person, to get him to absolve me from my rash promise: and this was my view and endeavour before I had a title to the independenee, in which, Sir, you was so good as to establish me.

I once thought, proceeded she, that he would easily have complied 1 and have looked out elsewhere for a wife; for I sought not to fette r him, as you justly call it; he was not of so much consequence with me; and this renders me, perhaps, the less excuseable: but you held me not long enough in sus — pense, as to the great things you intended to do for me, to enable me to obtain that release from Captain Anderson, which I was meditating to procure, before he knew what those were.

All this time I kept my own secret. I had not confidence enough in the steps 1 had so rash)} taken (indeed had not humility enough) to make any living creature acquainted with my situation: and this was the reason, I suppose, that I never was guested at, or found out. The proverb says, Two can keep a strrct when one u awai/; but my Harriet knows [I bowed] that I very early, in my knowledge of her, dropt hints of an entanglement, as I ludicrously called it; for 1 could not, with justice, say love.

Sir Charming frankness! How do your shine through your very mistakes! Hut there are many women who have suffered themselves to vol. x. c c be worse entangled, even beyond recovery, when they have not had to plead the apprehensions which you had at entering into this affair.

Miss Gr. You are Sir Charles Grandison, Sir: I need not say more. We often dread, in rash engagements, to make those communications, which only can be a means to extricate us from the diffi-culties into which we have plunged ourselves. Had I, for the last six or seven years of my life, known my brother as I now know him; had 1 been indulged in a correspondence with him in his absence; not a step would I have taken, but with his approbation.

Sir Ch. Perhaps I was too implicit on this occa-sion: but I always thought it more safe, in a disputable case, to check, than to give way to, an inclination. My father knew the world. He was not an ill-na-tured man He loved his daughters. I had not the vanity to imagine, that my sisters, the youngest near as old as myself, would want my advice, in material articles: and to break through a father’s commands, for the sake merely of gratifying myself I could not do it: and as a considerate person, when he has lost a dear friend, and more particularly a parent, is apt to recollect with pleasure those instances in which he has given joy to the departed, and with pain the contrary; methinks I am the more satisfied with my-self, for having obeyed a command, that however, at the time, I knew not how to account for.

Miss Gr. You are happy, brother, in this recol-lection. I should be more unhappy than I am (on your principles) had I vexed my father in this affair. Thank God he knew nothing of it. But now, Sir, I have told you the whole truth I have not aggra-vated the failings of Captain Anderson; nor wish to do so; for the man that once I had but the shadow of a thought to make one day my nearest relation, is intitled, I think, to my good ivishes, though he prove not quite so worthy as I once believed him.

Permit me, however, to add, that Captain An-derson is passionate, overbearing: I have never of late met him, hut with great reluctance: had I not come to Colnebrook, 1 should have seen him, as I confessed; but it was with the resolution that I had for a considerable time past avowed to him, Never to be his; and to be a single woman all my life, if he would not disengage me of my rash, my foolish promise. And now be pleased (looking round her to every one present) to advise me what to do.

Lord L. 1 think the man utterly unworthy of you, sister Charlotte. I think you are right to resolve never to have him. iMiiif L. Without waiting for my brother’s opi-nion, I must say, that he acts most ungenerously and unworthily, to hold you to an unequal promise: a promise, the like of which you offered not to bind him by. I cannot, Charlotte, think you bound by such a promise: and the poor trick of getting ano-ther person to write his letters for him, and expos — ing my sister to a stranger, and against stipulation How 1 should hate him! What say you, sister Harriet ‘i

Harriet. I should be unworthy of this kind confidence, if, thus called upon, 1 did not say some — thing, though it came out to be next to nothing There seems not to have been any strong atlection, any sympathy of soul, if I may so express myself, at any time, Miss(irundison, between you and Captain Anderson, 1 think?

Sir Ch. A very proper question.

Miss (ir. There was not, on either side. I believe. 1 have hinted at My motives, anil at his. In every letter of his, he gave me cause to confirm what 1 have said of his self-interestedness: and now his principal plea to hold me to my promise, is, his interest. 1 would not to him, 1 never did, plead c c 2 mine; though his example would excuse me, if I did.

LordL. Was the promise given in writing, sister? Miss Gr. Indeed it was. She looked down. Harriet. May I be pardoned, madam? The sub-stance of your promise was, That you would never marry any other man without his consent, while he remained unmarried Did you promise, that, if ever you did marry at all, it should be to him?

Miss Gr. No. He wanted me to promise that; but I refused. And now, my Harriet, what is your advice?

Harriet. I beg to hear Dr. Bartlett’s opinion, and yours, Sir (to Sir Charles) before I presume to give mine.

Sir Charles looked at the doctor. The doctor referred himself to him.

Sir Ch. Then, doctor, you must set me right, if I am wrong. You are a casuist.

As to what Lord L. has said, I think with his lordship, that Captain Anderson appears not, in any of his conduct, to be worthy of Miss Grandison: and in truth, I don’t know many who are. If I am partial, excuse the brother.

She bowed. Every one was pleased, that Miss Grandison was enabled to hold up her head, as she did, on this compliment from her brother.

Sir Ch. I think also, if my sister esteems him not, she is in the right to resolve never to be his. But what shall we say, as to her promise, Never to be the wife of any other man without his consent, while he remains unmarried? It was made, I apprehend, while her father was living; who might, I believe, doctor, you will allow, have absolved her from it: but then, her very treating with him since to dispense with it, shews, that in her own conscience she thinks herself bound by it.

Every one being silent, he proceeded.

Lady L. is of opinion, that he acts ungenerously and unworthily, to endeavour to hold her to an unequal promise: but what man, except a very gene — rous dm’ indeed, having obtained an advantage over such a woman as Charlotte [she reddened] would not try to hold it? Must he not, by giving up this advantage, vote against himself? Women should be sure of the men in whom they place a confidence that concerns them highly. Can you think that the man who engages a woman to make a promise, does not intend to hold her to it? When he t eazes her to make it, he as good as tells her he does, let what will happen to make her wish she had not.

Miss dr. O my brother! The repetition of that word teaxesi Are you not raillying me? Indeed I deserve it.

Sir Ch. Men gain all their advantages by tcazinpr, by promises, by imjwrtunities Be not concerned, inv Charlotte, that I use your word.

MissGr. () my brother, what shall I do, if you raillv me on my folly?

Sir Ch. 1 mean not to raillv you. But I know something of my own sex; and must have been very negligent of my opportunities, if I knew not some-thing of the world [I thought, Lucy, he would here have used the word other, instead of the word world.] We have heard her reason for not binding the cap-tain by a like promise: which was, that she did not value him enough to exact it: and was not that his misfortune i

She i apprehensive of blame on this head: but her situation will be considered: I must not repeat the circumstances. I was grieved to hear that my sisters had been in such circumstances? What pity, that those who believe they best know the sex, think themselves intitlcd to treat it with least respect! t C 3

[How we women look upon one another’] I should hope in charity [in charity, Lucy!] and for the true value I bear it, as I think a good woman one of the greatest glories of the creation, that the fault is not generally in the sex.

As to the captain’s artifice to obtain a footing by letters of another man’s writing; that was enough indeed to make a woman, who herself writes finely, despise him when she knew it. But to what will not some persons stoop to gain a point, on which their hearts are fixed? This is no new method. One signal instance I will mention. Madam Main-tenon, it is reported, was employed in this way, by a favourite mistress of Louis XIV. And this was said to be the means of introducing her to the mo-narch’s favour, on the ruins of her employer. Let me repeat that women should be sure of their men, before they embark with them in the voyage of love. Hate the man, says Lady L. for exposing her to the letter-ivriter! Exposing! Let me say, that wo-men, who would not be exposed, should not put themselves out of their own power. O Miss Byron! (turning, to my confusion, to me, who was too ready to apply the first part of the caution) be so good as to tell my Emily, that she must never love a man, of whose love she is not well assured: that she must never permit a man to know his consequence with her, till she is sure he is grateful, just, and gene-rous; and that she must despise him as a mean and interested man, the first moment he seeks to engage her in a promise. Forgive me, Charlotte: you so generously blame yourself, that you will not scruple to have your experience pleaded for an example to a young creature, who may not be able, if entangled, to behave with your magnanimity.

Seasonably did he say this last part, so imme-diately after his reference to me; for I made Miss

SIB CHARLES GRANDISON. 295

Grandison’s confusion a half-cover for my own; and I fear but a half-cover.

I find I must not allow myself to be long from you, my dear friends; at least, in this company. Miss Cantillon, Miss Barnevelt, and a half a dozen more misses and masters, with whose characters and descriptions I first paraded; Where are you? Where can I find you? My heart, when I saw you at Lady Betty Williams’s, was easy and unapprehensive; I could then throw my little squibs about me at plea-sun —; and not fear, by their return upon me, the singeing of my own clothes


Letter XXX.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

But now what remains to be done for our sister? asked Lady L. Charlotte looked round her, as seconding the qut’stion. Every one referred to Sir Charles.

In the first place, let me assure you, my dear Char-lotte, resumed he, that if you have but the shadow of a preference for Captain Anderson; and if you believe, from what has passed between you, and from the suspense you have kept him in (winch may have been a hindrance to his fortune or preferment) that you ought to be his, whether in justice, or by inclination; I will amicably meet him, in order to make and to receive proposals. If we do not find him grateful or generous, we will make him so, by our example; and I will begin to set it.

Every one was affected: Dr. Bartlett as much as any-body. Miss Cirandison could hardly sit still: her chair was uneasy to her: while her brother looked like one who was too much accustomed to acts . of beneficence, to suppose he had said any thing extraordinary.

Miss Grandison, after some hesitation, replied, Indeed, Sir, Captain Anderson is not worthy of being called your brother. I will not enter into the particulars of his unworthiness; because I am determined not to have him. He knows I am: nor does my promise engage me to be his. Had he virtue, had he generosity But indeed he has not either, in the degree that would make me respect him, as a woman should respect her husband.

Sir Ch. Well then, Charlotte, I would have you excuse yourself, if you have given him hopes of meeting him; let him know that you have acquaint-ed me with all that has passed between you; and that you refer yourself wholly to me; but with a resolution (if such be your resolution) never, to be his.

Miss Gr. I shall dread his violent temper

Sir Ch. Dread nothing! Men who are violent to a woman when they have a point to carry by being so, are not always violent to men. But 1 shall treat him civilly. If the man ever hoped to call you his, he will be unhappy enough in losing such a prize. You may tell him, that I will give him a meeting wherever he pleases. Mean time, it may not be amiss, if you have no objection, to shew me some of the letters that have passed between you; of those particularly, in which you have declared your reso-lution not to be his; the farther backward, the bet — ter, if from the date of such you have always been of the same mind.

Miss Gr. You shall see the copies of all my let-ters; and all his, if you please. And you will gather from both, Sir, that it was owing to the unhappy situation 1 thought myself in, from the unkind treatment my sister met with, and to the being forbidden to expect a fortune that would intitle me to look up to a man of figure in the world, that I was ever ap-proachable by Captain Anderson.

SirCh. Unhappy! But let us look forward. I will meet Captain Anderson. If there are any letters, in which he has treated my sister unhandsomely, you must not let me see them. My motive for looking into any of them, is service to you, Charlotte, and not curiosity. Hut let me, nevertheless, see all that is necessary to the question, that I may not, when I meet him, hear any-thing from him, that I have not heard from you; and which may make for him, and against you. 1 do assure you, that I will allow in his favour, all that shall appear favourable to him, though against my sister. I may meet him preju-diced, but not determined i and 1 hope you see by my behaviour to you, Charlotte, that were you and he to have been fond lovers in your letters, you need not be afraid of my eye. I never am severe on lovers’ foibles. Our passions may be made subservient to excellent purposes. Don’t think you have a supercilious brother. A susceptibility of the passion called love, I condemn not as a fault; but the contrary. Your brother, ladies (looking upon all three; is no stoic.

And have yon been in love. Sir Charles Grandi-son i thought 1 to myself. Shall I, Lucy, be sorry, or shall I be glad, if he has? Hut after all, is it not strange, that in all this time one knows so little of his history while he was abroad? And yet, he said, that he was not angry at his sister for questioning him on the subject. Had I been Ins sister, questions of that sort would not have been to be now asked.

Hut here is a new task for her brother. I shall long to know how this affair will end.

The trial of Miss Grandison, as she called it, being thus happily over, and Miss Emily and Mr. Grandison desired to walk in, Sir Charles took no-tice, with some severity on our sex, on the general liking, which women have for military men. He did not know, he said, whether the army were not beholden to this approbation, and to the gay appear — ance officers were expected to make, rather than to a true martial spirit, for many a gallant man.

What say you, Emily? said he: Do not a cockade, and a scarlet coat, become ajine gentleman, and help to make him so, in your eyes?

Be pleased, Sir, to tell me how such a one should look in my eyes, and I will endeavour to make them conform to your lessons.

He bowed to the happy girl: For my part, said he, I cannot but say, that I dislike the life of a sol-dier in general; whose trade is in blood; who must be as much a slave to the will of his superiors in command, as he is almost obliged to be a tyrant to those under him.

But as to the sex, if it were not, that ladies, where love and their own happiness interfere, are the most incompetent judges of all others for themselves Pardon me

Your servant, Sir, said Lady L. And we all bowed to him.

How can a woman, proceeded he, who really loves her husband, subject herself, of choice, to the necessary absences, to the continual apprehensions, which she must be under for his safety, when he is in the height of what is emphatically called his duty? He stopt. No answer being made, Perhaps, resumed he, it may be thus accounted for: women are the most delicate part of the creation. Con-scious of the weakness of their sex, and that they stand in need of protection (for apprehensiveness,

Sin CHARLES GRANDISON. 299 the child of prudence, is as characteristic in them, as courage in a man) thev naturally love hrave men And are not all military men supposed to be brave?

But how are they mistaken in their main end, supposing tltU to be it!

I honour a good, a generous, a brave, an humane .soldier: but were such a one to be the bravest of men, how can his wife expect constant protection from the husband who is less his own, and conse-quently less Iters, than almost any other man can be (a sailor excepted); and who must therefore, of-tener than any other man, leave her exposed to those insults, from which she seems to think he can best defend her?

Lady L. (smiling) But may it not be said, Sir, that those women who make soldiers their choice, e, in some degree, a rank with heroes; when they can part with thtir husbands for the sake of their country’s glory?

Sir ( ‘h. Change your word glory for safety, Lady L. and your question will be strengthened. The word and thing called glory, what mischief has it not occasioned! As to the question itself, were you serious, let every one, I answer, who can plead the motive, be entitled to the praise that is due to it.

Miss dr. There is so much weight in what mv brother has said, that 1 thank Heaven, 1 am not in danger of being the wife of a soldier.

We, “ho knew what she alluded to, smiled at it; and Mr.Cirandison looked about him, as if he wanted to find more in the words, than they could import to him; and then was very earnest to know how his cousin had come oH*.

Sir Ch. Triumphantly, cousin. Charlotte’s sup-fiosed fault has brought to light additional excel* encies.

Mr. Gr. I am sorry for that with all my soul * There was no bearing her before And now what will become of me?

Miss Gr. You have nothing new to fear, Mr. Grandison, I assure you. I have been detected in real faults. I have been generously treated; and repent of my fault. Let me have an instance of like ingenuousness in you; and I will say, there are hopes of us both.

Mr. Gr. Your servant, cousin. Either way I must have it. But were you to follow the example by which you own yourself amended, I might have the better chance, perhaps, of coming up to you in ingenuousness.

Lord L. Upon my word, sister Charlotte, Mr. Grandison has said a good thing.

Miss Gr. I think so too, my lord. I will put it down. And if you are wise, Sir (to him) ask me to sew up your lips till tomorrow dinner-time.

Mr. Grandison looked offended.

Sir Ch. Fie, Charlotte!

I am glad, thought I, my good Miss Grandison, that you have not lost much spirit by your trial!

Miss Grandison has shewed me some of the letters that passed between Captain Anderson and her. How must she have despised him, had she been drawn in to give him her hand! And the more for the poor figure he would have made as a brother to her brother! How must she have blushed at every civi-lity paid him in such a family! Yet from some pas — sages in his letters, I dare say, he would have had the higher opinion of himself; first for having suc-ceeded with her, and next for those very civilities.

And thus had Sir Thomas Grandison, with all his pride, like to have thrown his daughter, a woman of high character, fine understanding, and an exalted mind, into the arms of a man, who had neither fortune, nor education, nor yet good sense, nor generosity of heart, to countenance his pretensions to such a lady, or her for marrying beneath herself. This is a copy of what Miss Grandison has writ-ten to send to Captain Anderson.

SIR,

Had I had a generous man to deal with, I needed not to have exposed myself to the apprehended cen-sures of a brother, whose virtues made a sister, less perfect than himself, afraid that he would think her unworthy of that tender relation to him, from the occasion. But he is the noblest of brothers. He pities me; and undertakes to talk with you, in the most friendly manner, at your own appointment, upon a subject that has long greatly distressed me; as xcel/ you know. I will not recriminate, as I might: but this assurance I must, for the hundredth time, repeat, that I never can, never will be to you, any other than

CHARLOTTE GRANDISON.

She is dissatisfied with what she has written, but I tell her, I think it will do very well.


Letter XXXI.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Thursday, March 16. Sir Charles has already left us. He went to town this morning on the affairs of his executorship. He breakfasted with us first.

Dr. Bartlett, with whom already I have made myself very intimate, and who, I find, knows his whole heart, tells me he is always fully employed. That we knew before No wonder then, that he is not in love. He has not had leisure, I suppose, to attend to the calls of such an idle passion.

You will do me the justice to own, that in the round of employments I was engaged in at IS el by-house, I never knew any-thing of the matter: but indeed there was no Sir Charles Grandison; first to engage my gratitude; and then my heart. So it is; I must not, it seems, deny it. If I did, “ a child in love-matters would detect me.” * * my Lucy! I have been hard set by these sisters. They have found me out; or rather, let me know, that they long ago found me out. I wili tell you all as it passed.

I had been so busy with my pen, that, though accustomed to be first dressed, wherever I was, I was now the last. They entered my dressing-room arm in arm: and I have since recollected that they looked as if they had mischief in their hearts; Miss Grandison especially. She had said, she would play me a trick.

I was in some little hurry, to be so much behind-hand, when I saw them dressed.

Miss Grandison would do me the honour of assisting me, and dismissed Jenny, who had but just come in to offer her service.

She called me charming creature twice, as she was obligingly busy about me; and the second time said, Well may my brother, Lady L. say what he did of this girl!

With too great eagerness, What, what, said I I was going to add did he say? But catching myself up, in a tone of less surprise designing to turn it off What honour you do me, madam, in this your kind assistance!

Miss Grandison looked archly at ne; then turning to Lady L. This Harriet of ours, said she, is more than half a rogue.

Punish her then, Charlotte, said Lady L. You have, though with much ado, heen brought to speak out yourself; and so have acquired a kind of right to punish those u ho affect disguises to their best friends.

Lord bless me, ladies! And down I sat What, what I was going to say, do you mean? Hut stopt, and I felt my face glow.

What, what! rejK’ated Miss Grandison My swirt girl can say nothing hut What, uhat! One of my fellows. Sir Walter Watkyns, is in her head, I suppose Did you ever sec Wat Watkyns, Harriet i *

My handkerchief was in my hand, as I was going to put it on. 1 was unable to throw it round my neck. (.) how the fool throbbed, and trembled!

Miss Or Confirmation, Lady L.! Confirmation!

Lady L. I think so, truly but it wanted nunc to me. liar. I am surprised! Pray ladies, what can you mean by tins sudden attack?

Miss Gr. And what, Harriet, can you mean by these What, what’s, and this Midden emotion? (iive me your handkerchief! What doings are here!

She snatched it out of my trembling hand, and put it round my neck Why this palpitation? Ah! Harriet! Why won’t you make confidents of your two sisters: do you think we have not found you out before this? liar. Found me out! How found me out! Dear Miss Grandison, you are the most alarming lady that ever lived!

I stood up, trembling.

Miss Gr. Am I so? But to cut the matter short [Sit down, Harriet. You can hardly stand] Is it such a disgraceful thing for a fine girl to be in love?

Har. Who I, I, in love!

Miss Gr. (laughing) So, Lady L. you see that Harriet has found herself out to be a fine girl! Disqualify now; can’t you, my dear? Tell fibs. Be affected. Say you are not a fine girl, and-so-forth.

Har. Dear Miss Grandison It was your turn yesterday. How can you forget?

Miss Gr. Spiteful too! My life to a farthing, you pay for this, Harriet! But, child, I was not in love Ah! Harriet! That gentleman in Northamptonshire Did you think we should not find you out?

This heartened me a little.

Har. O madam, do you think to come at any-thing by such methods as this? I ought to have been aware of Miss Grandison’s alarming ways.

Miss Gr. You pay for this, also, Harriet. Did you not say, that I should take the reins, Lady L.? I will have no mercy on our younger sister for this abominable affectation and reserve.

Har. And so, ladies, I suppose you think, that Mr. Orme

Lady L. Take the reins, Charlotte (making a motion with a sweet pretty air, with her handker-chief, as if she tossed her something); I myself, Harriet, am against you now. I wanted a trial of that frankness of heart, for which I have heard you so much commended: and, surely, you might have shewed it, if to any persons living, to your two sisters.

Miss Gr. No more, no more, Lady L. Have you not left her to me? I will punish her. You will have too much lenity. And now tell me, Harriet

Don’t you love Mr. Orme better than any man you ever yet saw?

Har. Jndeed I do not.

Miss Gr. Whom do you love better, Harriet?

Har. Pray Miss Grandison!

Miss Gr. Am] pray, Miss Byron! liar. Resume the reins, Lady L. Pray do! Miss Grandison has no mercy! Yet met with a {rreat deal yester

Miss dr. Yesterday? Very well! But then I was ingenuous

Har. And am not I? Pray, Lady L.

Lady L. I think not.

And she seemed a little too cruelly to enjoy the flutter I was in.

Miss Gr. And you say, that there is no one gen-tleman in Northamptonshire

Har. What is the meaning of this, ladies? But I do assure you, there is not

Miss Gr. See, Lady L. there arc some questions that the girl can answer readily enough.

I believe I looked serious. 1 was silent. Indeed my very soul was vexed.

Miss Gr. Ay, Harriet, he sullen: don’t answer any questions at all. That’s your only way, now And then we go no further, you know. But tell me Don’t you repent, that you have given a denial to Lady 1).?

Har. I won’t he sullen, ladies. Yet I am not pleased to be thus

Miss Gr. Then own yourself a woman, Harriet; and that, in some certain instances, you have both affectation, and reserve. There arc some cases, my dear, in which it is impossible but a woman must bo guilty of affectation.

Har. Well then, suppose I am. I never pretended to be clear of the foibles which you impute I) d 3 to the sex. I am a — weak, a very weak creature: you see I am

And I put my hand in my pocket for my hand-kerchief.

Miss Gr. Ay, weep, love. My sister has heard me say that I never in my life saw a girl so lovely in tears.

Har. What have I done to deserve

Miss Gr. Such a compliment! Hay? But you shan’t weep neither. Why, why, is this subject so affecting, Harriet?

Har. You surprise me! Parted with you but an hour or two ago and nothing of these reproaches. And now, all at once, both ladies

Miss Gr. Reproaches, Harriet!

Har. I believe so. I don’t know what else to call them.

Miss Gr. What! Is it a reproach to be taxed with love.

Har. But the manner, madam

Miss Gr. The manner you are taxed with it, is the thing then Well, putting on a grave look, and as-suming a softer accent You are in love, however: but with whom? is the question Are we, your sis-ters, intitled to know with whom?

Surely, ladies, thought I, you have something to say, that will make me amends for all this intolerable teazing: and yet my proud heart, whatever it were to be, swelled a little, that they should think that would be such high amends, which, however, I by myself, communing only with my own heart, would have thought so.

Lady L. (coming to me, and taking my hand) Let me tell you, our dearest Harriet, that you are the most insensible girl in the world, if you are not in love And noiv what say you?

Har. Perhaps 1 do know, ladies, enough of the passion, to wish to be less alarmingly treated.

They then sitting down, one on either side of me; each took a hand of the trembling fool.

I think I tviil resume the reins, Charlotte, said the countess. We are both cruel. But tell us, my lovely sister, in one word tell your Caroline, tell your Charlotte, if you have any confidence in our love (and indeed we love you, or we would not have teaz-ed you as we have done) if there be not one man in the world, whom you love above all men in it?

I was silent. I looked down. I had, in the same moment, an ague, in its cold, and in its hot fit. They vouchsafed, each, to press with her lips the passive hand each held.

Be nut afraid to speak out, my dear, said Miss Grandison. Assure yourself of my love; my true .utterly love. I once intended to lead the way to the opening of your heart by the discovery of my own, before my brother, as I honed, could have found me out But nothing can be hid

Madam! ladies! said I, and stood up in a hurry, and, in as great a discomposure, sat down again Your brother has not, could not I would die befon

Miss Gr. Amiable delicacy! He has not But say you, Harriet, he could not? If you would not be tea/.ed, don’t aim at reserves But think you, that we could not see, on a hundred occasions, your heart at your eyes? That we could not affix a proper meaning to those sudden throbs just here, patting my neck; those half-suppressed, but always involuntary sighs [I sighed] Ay, just such as that [I was confounded] But to be serious, we do assure you, Harriet, that had we not thought ourselves under some little obligation to Lady Anne S. we should have talked to you before on this subject. The friends of that lady have been very solicitous with us And Lady Anne is not averse

Har. Dear ladies! withdrawing the hand that Miss Grandison held, and taking out my handker-chief; you say, you love me! Won’t you despise whom you love? I do own

There I stopt; and dried my eyes.

Lady L. What does my Harriet own?

Har. O madam, had I a greater opinion of my own merit, than I have reason to have (and I never had so little a one, as since I have known you two) I could open to you, without reserve, my whole heart But one request I have to make to you You must grant it.

They both in a breath asked what that was.

Har. It is, that you will permit your chariot to carry me to town this very afternoon. And long shall not that toxvn hold your Harriet Indeed, indeed, ladies, I cannot now ever look your brother in the face And you will also both despise me! I know you will!

Sweet, and as seasonable as sweet (for I was very much affected) were the assurances they gave me of their continued love.

Miss Gr. We have talked with our brother this morning

Har. About me! I hope he has not a notion, that There I stopt.

Lady L. You were mentioned: but we intend not to alarm you further. W r e will tell you what passed. Lady Anne was our subject.

I was all attention.

Miss Gr. We asked him if he had any thoughts of marriage? The question came in properly enough, from the subject that preceded it. He was silent: but sighed, and looked grave [Why did Sir Charles Grandison sigh, Lucy?] . We repeated the question. You told us, brother, said I, that you do not intend to resume the Jreaty begun by my father for Lady

Frances N. What think you of Lady Anne S.? We need not mention to you how considerable her fortune is; what an enlargement it would give to your power of doing good; nor what her disposition and qualities are: her person is far from being disagreeable: and she has a great esteem for you.

I think Lady Anne a very agreeable woman, re-plied he: but if she honours me with a preferable esteem, she gives me regret; because it is not in my power to return it.

Not in your/jotwr, brother?

It is not in my power to return it.

O Lucy! how my heart fluttered! The ague-fit came on again; and I was hot and cold, as before, almost in the same moment.

They told me, they would not teaze me further. Hut there are subjects that cannot be touched upon without raising emotion in the bosom of a person who hopes, and is uncertain. O the cruelty of sus-pense! How every new instance of it tears. in pieces my before almost bursting heart!

Mit> dr. My brother went on You have often hinted to me at distance this subject. 1 will not, as I might, answer your question, now so directly put, by saying, that it is my wish to see you, Charlotte, happily married, before I engage myself. Hut. per-haps, 1 shall be better enabled some time hence, than I am at present, to return such an answer as you may expect from a brother.

Now, my Harriet, we are afraid, by the words, \ot in hit power; and by the hint, that he cannot at present answer our questions as he may be ena-bled to do some time hence; we are afraid, thai some foreign lady

They had raised my hopes; and now, exciting my fears by so well-grounded an apprehension, they were obliged for their pains to hold Lady L.‘s salts to my nose. I could not help exposing myself; my heart having been weakened too by their teazings before. My head dropt on the shoulder of Miss Grandison. Tears relieved me.

I desired their pity. They assured me of their love; and called upon me, as I valued their friend-ship, to open my whole heart to them.

I paused. I hesitated. Words did not immedi-ately offer themselves. But at last, I said, Could I have thought myself intitled to your excuse, la-dies, your Harriet, honoured, as she was, from the first, with the appellation of sister, would have had no reserve to her sisters: but a just consciousness of my own unworthiness overcame a temper, that, I will say, is naturally frank and unreserved. Now, however

There I stopt, and held down my head.

Lady L. Speak out, my dear What Novo

Miss Gr. What Nozv, however

Harriet. Thus called upon; thus encouraged And I lifted up my head as boldly as I could (but it was not, I believe, very boldly) I will own, that the man, who by so signal an instance of his bravery and goodness engaged my gratitude, has possession of my whole heart.

And then, almost unknowing what I did, I threw one of my arms, as I sat between them, round Lady L.‘s neck, the other round Miss Grandison’s; my glowing face seeking to hide itself in Lady L.‘s bosom.

They both embraced me, and assured me of their united interest. They said, They knew I had also Dr. Bartlett’s high regard: but that they had in vain sought to procure new lights from him; he constantly, in every — thing that related to their brother, referring himself to him: and they assured me, that I had likewise the best wishes and interest of Lord L. to the fullest extent.

This, Lucy, is some consolation must 1 say? some case to my pride, as to what the family think of me: but yet, how is that pride mortified, to be thus obliged to rejoice at this strengthening of hope to obtain an interest in the heart of a man, of whose engagements Done of us know any-thing! But if, at lu>t, it shall prove, that that worthiest of hearts is disengaged; and if I can obtain an interest in it; be pride out of the question! The man, as my aunt wrote, is Sir Charles Grandison.

I was very earnest to know, since my eyes had been such tell-tales, if their brother had any suspi-cion of my regard for him.

They could not, they said, either from his words or behaviour, gather that he had. lie had not been so much with me,;s they had been. Nor would they wish that he should suspect me. The best of men, they said, loved to have difficulties to conquer. Their brother, generous as he was, was a man.

Yet, Lucy, 1 thought at the time of what he said at Sir Hargrave Pollexfen’s, as recited by the short-hand-writer That he would not marry the greatest princess on earth, it he were not assured, that she loved him above all the men in it.

I fancy, m\ dear, that we women, when we love, and .ire doubtful, sutler a great deal in the apprehen-sion, at one time, of disgusting the object of our passion by too forward a love; and, at another, of disobliging him by too great reserve. Don’t you think so?

The ladies said, They were extremely solicitous to see their brother married. They wished it were to me, rather than to any other woman; and kindly added, That 1 had their hearts, even at the time when Lady Anne, by a kind of previous i ngagement, had their voices.

And thcu they told me what their brother said of me, with the hint of which they began this alarming conversation.

When my brother had let us know, said Miss Grandison, that it was not in his power to return a preferable esteem for a like esteem, if Lady Anne honoured him with it; I said If Lady Anne had as many advantages to boast of, as Miss Byron has, could you then, brother, like Lady Anne?

Miss Byron, replied he, is a charming woman.

Lady L. (slily enough, continued Miss Grandison) said, Miss Byron is one of the prettiest women I ever beheld. I never saw in any face, youth, and dignity, and sweetness of aspect, so happily blended.

On this occasion, Lucy, my vanity may, I hope, revive, so long as I repeat only, and repeat justly.

“Forgive me, Lady L. replied my brother But as Alexander would be drawn only by Apelles; so would I say to all those who leave mind out of the description of Miss Byron, that they are not to describe her. This young lady” [you may look proud, Harriet!] “ has united in her face, feature, complexion, grace, and expression, which very few women, even of those who are most celebrated for beauty, have singly in equal degree: but, what is infinitely more valuable, she has a heart that is equally pure and open. She has a fine mind: and it is legible in her face. Have you not observed, Charlotte, added he, what intelligence her very silence promises? And yet, when she speaks, she never disappoints the most raised expectation.”

I was speechless, Lucy.

Well, brother, continued Miss Grandison If there is not every-thing you say in Miss Byron’s face and mind, there seems to me little less than the warmth of love in the description You are another Apelles, Sir, if his colours were the most glowing of those of all painters.

My eyes had the assurance to ask Miss Grandison, what answer he returned to this? She saw they had.

Ah! Harriet! smiling That’s a meaning look, with all its bashfulness. This was my brother’s answer “ E very-body must love Miss Byron You know, Charlotte, that I presented her to you, and you to her, as a third sister: and what man better loves his sisters, than your brother?”

We both looked down, Harriet; but not quite so silly, and so disappointed, as you now look

Dear Miss Grandison!

Well, then another time don’t let your eyes ask questions, instead of your lips.

Third sister! my Lucy! Indeed I believe I looked silly enough. To say the truth, I ivas disappointed.

I far. And this was all that passed? You hear by my question, ladies, that my lips will keep my eyes in countenance.

Mist dr. It was; for he retired as soon as he had said this. liar. How retired, madam? Any discompo You laugh at ray folly; at my presumption perhaps.

They both smiled. No, I can’t say that there seemed to be, either in his words or manner, any distinguishing emotion: any great discompo lie \n.is about to retire before.

Well, ladies, I will only say, that the best thing I can do, is, to borrow a chanot-and-six, and drive away to Northamptonshire.

Hut why so, Harriet?

Because it is impossible but I must suffer in your brother’s opinion, every time he sees me, and that whether I am silent or speaking.

They made me tine eompliments: but they would indeed have been fine ones, could they have made them from their brother.

Well, but Lucy, do you think, that had Sir Charles Grandison meant any-thing, he would have expressed himself to his sisters in such high terms, be fore he had said one very distinguishing thing to me? Let me judge by myself Men and women, I believe, are so much alike, that, put custom, tyrant-custom, out of the question, the meaning of the one may be generally guessed at by that of the other, in cases where the heart is concerned. What civil, what po-lite things, could I allow myself to say to and of Mr. Orme, and Mr. Fowler! llow could 1 praise the ho-nesty and goodness of their hearts, and declare my pity for them! Because I meant nothing more by it all, than a warmer kind of civility; tha,t I was not afraid to let go, as their merits pulled And now, methinks, 1 can better guess, than I could till now, at what Mr. Greville meant, when he wished me to declare, that I hated him Sly wretch! since the woman who uses a man insolently in courtship, cer-tainly makes that man of more importance to her, than she would wish him to think himself.

But why am 1 studious to torment myself? What will be, must. “ Who knows what Providence has designed for Sir Charles Grandison?” May he be happy! But indeed, my Lucy, your Harriet is much otherwise at this time.


Letter XXXII.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

I will not let you lose the substance of a very agreeable conversation, which we had on Tuesday night after supper. You may be sure, Lucy, I thought it the more agreeable, as Sir Charles was drawn in to bear a considerable part in it. It would bo impossible to give you more than passages, because the subjects were various, and the transitions so quick, by one person asking this question, an-other that, that I could not, were I to try, connect them as 1 endeavour generally to do.

Of one subject, Lucy, 1 particularly oxve you some account.

Miss Grandison. in her lively way (and lively she was, notwithstanding her trial so lately over) led me into talking of the detested masquerade. She put me upon recollecting the giddy scene, which those dreadfully interesting ones that followed it, had made me wish to blot out of my memon

I spiired you at the time. Harriet, said she. I asked you do questions about the masquerade, when you flew to us first, poor frighted bird! with all your gay plumage about you.

I coloured a deep crimson, I believe. What were Sir Charles’s first thoughts of me, Lucy, in that fan-tastic, that hated dress r 1 The simile of the bird too was Am, you know; snd Charlotte looked very archly.

My dear Miss Grandison, spare me still. 1 et me forget, that ever I presumptuously ventured into such a scene of folly.

Do not call it by harsh names, Miss Byron, said Sir Charles. We are too much obliged to it.

Can I, Sir Charles, call it by t <> harsh a name, when 1 think, how fatal, in numberless ways, the i vent might have proved! Hut I do not speak only with reference to that. Don’t think, my dear Miss Grandison, that my dislike to myself, and to this foolish diversion, springs altogether from what befel me. 1 had on the spot the same contempts, the same disdain of invself. the same dislike of all those who seemed capable of joy on the light, the foolish occasion.

My good Charlotte, said Sir Charles, smiling, is less timorous than her younger sister. She might be persuaded, I fancy, to venture Under your conduct, Sir Charles. You know, Lady L. and I, who have not yet had an opportunity of this sort, were trying to engage you against the next subscription-ball.

Indeed, said Lady L. our Harriet’s distress has led me into reflections I never made before on this kind of diversion; and I fancy her account of it will perfectly satisfy my curiosity.

Sir Ch. Proceed, good Miss Byron. I am as cu-rious as your sisters, to hear what you say of it. The scene was quite new to you. You probably expected entertainment from it. Forget for a while the accidental consequences, and tell us how you were at the time amused.

Amused, Sir Charles! Indeed I had no opinion of the diversion, even before I went. I knew I should despise it. I knew I should often wish my-self at home before the evening was over. And so indeed I did. I whispered my cousin Reeves more than once, O madam! this is sad, this is intolerable, stuff! This place is one great Bedlam! Good Hea-ven! Could there be in this one town so many crea — tures devoid of reason, as are here got together? I hope we are all here.

Yet you see, said Miss Grandison, however Lady L. is, or seems to be, instantaneously reformed, there were two, who would gladly have been there: the more, you may be sure, for its having been a diver-sion prohibited to us, at our first coming to town. Sir Charles lived long in the land of masquerades O my dear! we used to please ourselves with hopes, that when he was permitted to come over to Eng-land, we should see golden days under his auspices.

Sir Ch. (smiling) Will you accompany us to the next subscription-ball, Miss Byron?

I,SirCharles, should be inexcusable, if I thought Miss Gr. (interrupting, and looking archly) Not under our brother’s conduct, Harriet?

Indeed, my dear Miss Grandison, had the diver-sion not been prohibited, had you once seen the wild, the senseless confusion, you would think just as I do: and you would have one stronger reason against countenancing it by your presence; for who, at this rate, shall make the stand of virtue and decorum, if such ladies as Miss Grandison and Lady L. do not? But I speak of the common masquerades, which I believe are more disorderly. I was disgusted at the freedoms taken with me, though but the common freedoms of the place, by persons who singled me from the throng, hurried me round the rooms, and engaged me in fifty idle conversations; and to whom, by the privilege of the place, I was obliged to be bold, pert, saucy, and to aim at repartee and smartness: the current wit of that witless place. They once got me into a count ry-dance. No prude could come, or if she came, could be a prude there.

SirL’k. Were you not pleased, Miss Byron, with the tir*t coup d’oeil of that gay apartment?

A momentary pleasure: but when I came to re-flect, the bright light, striking on mv tinsel dress, I thought myself the more conspicuous fool. Though kept in countenance, as I am, 1>\ scores of still more ridiculous figure*, what, thought I, arc other people’s follies to nu r” Am I to make an appearance that shall want the countenance of the vainest, if not the silliest, part of the creation? What would my good grandfather have thought, could he have seen his Harriet, the girl (excuse me; they were my thoughts at the time) whose mind he took pains to form and enlarge, mingling in a habit so preposterously rich and gaudy, with a crowd of satyrs, harlequins, scara-mouches, fauns, and dryads; nay, o( witches and t e 3 devils: the graver habits striving which should most disgrace the characters they assumed, and every one endeavouring to be thought the direct contrary of what he or she appeared to be?

Miss Gr. Well then, the devils, at least, must have been charming creatures!

Ladt/L. But, Sir Charles, might not amasquerade, if decorum were observed, and every one would support with wit and spirit the assumed character

Mr. Gr. Devils and all, Lady L.

LadyL. It is contrary to decorum for such shocking characters to be assumed at all: but might it not, Sir Charles, so regulated, be a rational, and an almost instructive, entertainment?

Sir Ch. You would scarcely be able, my dear sis-ter, to collect eight or nine hundred people, all wits, and all observant of decorum. And if you could, does not the example reach down to those who are capable of taking only the bad and dangerous part of a diversion: which you see by every common newspaper is become dreadfully general?

Mr. Gr. Well, Sir Charles, and why should not the poor devils in loxu life divert themselves as well as their betters? For my part, I rejoice when I see advertised an eighteen-penny masquerade, for all the pretty ‘prentice souls, who will that evening be Arcadian shepherdesses, goddesses, and queens.

Miss Gr. What low profligate scenes couldst thou expatiate upon, good man! if thou wert in proper company! I warrant those goddesses have not wanted an adorer in our cousin Everard.

Mr. Gr. Dear Miss Charlotte, take care! I protest, you begin to talk with the spite of an old maid.

Miss Gr. There, brother! Do you hear the wretch? Will not you, knight-errant like, defend the cause of a whole class of. distressed damsels, with our good Yorkshire aunt at the head of them?

Sir Ch. Those general prejudices and aspersions, Charlotte, are indeed unjust and cruel. Yet I am tor having every body marry. Bachelors, cousin Everard, and maids, when long single, are looked upon as houses long empty, which nobody cares to take. As the house in time, by long disuse, will be thought by the vulgar hunted by evil spirits, so will the others, by the many, be thought possessed by no good ones.

The transition was some-how made from hence to the equitableness that ought to be in our judg-ments of one another. We must in these cases, said Sir Charles, throw merit in one scale, demerit in the other: and if the former weigh down the lat-ter, we must in charity pronounce to the person’s advantage. So it is humbly hoped we shall finally be judged ourselves: for who is faultless?

Yet, said he, for my own part, that 1 may not be wanting to prudence, 1 have sometimes, where the merit is not very striking, allowed persons, at first acquaintance, a short lease only in my good opinion; some for three, some for six, some for nine, others for twelve months, renewable, or not, as they answer expectation. And by this means I leave it to every one to make his own character with me; I preserve my charity, and my complacency; and enter directly with frankness, into conversation with him; and generally continue that freedom to the end of the respective person’s lease.

Miss Gr. I wonder how many of your leases, bro-ther, have — been granted to ladies?

Sir Ch. . Many, Charlotte, of the friendly sort: but the kind you archly mean, are out of the question at present. We were talking of esteem.

This insensibly led the conversation to love and courtship; and he said [What do you think he said, Lucy] That he should not, perhaps, were he in love, be over-forward to declare his passion by words; but rather shew it by his assiduities and veneration, unless he saw, that the suspense was painful to the object; and in this case it would be equally mean and insolent not to break silence, and put himself in the power of her, whose honour and delicacy ought to be dearer to him than his own.

What say you to this, Lucy?

Some think, proceeded he, that the days of court-ship are the happiest days of life. But the man, who, as a lover, thinks so, is not to be forgiven. Yet it must he confessed, that hope gives an ardour which subsides in certainty.

Being called upon by Lord L. to be more expli-cit; I am not endeavouring, said he, to set up my particular humour for a general rule. For my own sake, I would not, by a too early declaration, drive a lady into reserves; since that would be to rob myself of those innocent freedoms, and of that complacency, to which an honourable lover might think himself intitled; and which might help him [don’t be affrighted, ladies!] to develope the plaits and folds of the female heart.

This developement stuck with us women a little. We talked of it afterwards. And Miss Grandison then said, It was well her cousin Everard said not that. And he answered, Sir Charles may with more safety steal a horse, than I look over the hedge.

Miss Gr. Ay, cousin Grandison, that is because you are a rake. A name, believe me, of at least as much reproach, as that of an old maid.

Mr. Gr. Aspersing a whole class at once, Miss Charlotte! ’Tis contrary to your own maxim: and a class too (this of the rakes) that many a generous-spirited girl chooses out of, when she would dispose of herself, and her fortune.

Miss Gr, How malapert this Everard!

What Sir Charles next said, made him own the character more decently by his blushes.

The woman who chooses a rake, said he, does not consider, that all the sprightly airs for which she preferred him to a better man, either vanish in ma-trimony, or are shewn to others, to her mortal dis quiet. The agreeable will be carried abroad: the disagreeable will be brought home. If he reform (and yet bad habits are very difficult to shake off) he will probably, from the reflections on his past guilty life, be an unsociable companion, should deep and true contrition have laid hold on him: if not, what has she chosen? He married not from honest principles: a rake despises matrimony: if still a rake, what hold will she have of him? A rake in passion is not a man in love. Such a one can seldom be in love: from a laudable passion he cannot. He has no delicacy. His love deserves a vile name: and if so, it will be strange, if in his eyes a common woman excel not his modest wife.

What he said, was openly approved by the gentle-men; tacitly by the ladies.

The subject changing to marriages of persons of unequal years; I knew, said Lord L. a woman of character, and not reckoned to want sense, who married at twenty a man of more than fifty, in hopes of burying him; but who lived with her upwards of twenty years; and then dying, she is now in treaty with a young rake of twenty-two. She is rich; and, poor woman! hopes to be happy. Pity, Sir Charles, she could not see the picture you have been drawing.

Retribution, replied Sir Charles, will frequently take its course. The lady, keeping in view one steady purpose: which was, that she would marry a young man, whenever death removed the old one; forgot, when she lost her husband, that she had been growing older for the last twenty years; and will now very probably be the despised mate to the young husband, that her late husband was to her. Thirty years hence, the now young man will perhaps fall into the error of his predecessor, if he outlive the wife he is going to take, and be punished in the same way. These are what may be called punishments in kind. The violaters of the social duties are fre-quently punished by the success of their own wishes. Don’t you think, my lord, that it is suitable to the divine benignity, as well as justice, to lend its sanctions and punishments in aid of those duties which bind man to man?

Lord L. said some very good things. Your Har-riet was not a mute: but you kno*v, that my point is, to let you into the character and sentiments of Sir Charles Grandison: and whenever I can do them tolerable justice, I shall keep to that point. You will promise for me, you say, Lucy I know you will.

But one might have expected that Dr. Bartlett would have said more than he did, on some of the subjects: yet Mr. Grandison, and he, and Miss Emily, were almost equally, and attentively, silent, till the last scene: and then the doctor said, I must shew you a little translation of Miss Emily’s from the Italian. She blushed, and looked as if she knew not whether she should stay or go. I shall be glad to see any-thing of my Emily’s, said Sir Charles. I know she is a mistress of that language, and ele-gant in her own. Pray, my dear (to her) let us be obliged, if it will not pain you.

She blushed, and bowed.

I must first tell you, said the doctor, that I was the occasion of her choosing so grave a subject as you will find that of the sonnet from which hers is taken.

A sonnet! said Miss Grandison. My dear little poetess, you must set it, and sing it to us.

No, indeed, madam, said Miss Jervois, blushing still more, Dr. Bartlett would by no means have me a poetess, I am sure: and did you not, madam, speak that word, as if you meant to call me a name?

I think she did, said Sir Charles: nor would I have my Emily distinguished by any name, but that of a discreet, an ingenious, and an amiable young woman. The titles of toit, and poetess, have been disgraced too often by Sappho’s and Corinna’s an-cient and modern. Was not this in your head, sis — ter? But do not be disturbed, my Emily Qthe poor girl’s eyes glistened]: I mean no check to liveliness and modest ingenuity. The easy productions of a fine fancy, not made the business of life, or its boast, confer no denomination that is disgraceful, but very much the contrary.

I am very glad, for all that, said Miss Jervois, that my little translation is in plain prose: had it not, I should have been very much afraid to have it seen.

Even in that case, you need not to have been afraid, my good Miss Jervois, said Dr. Bartlett: Sir Charles is an admirer of good poetry: and Miss Grandison would have recollected the Philomela’s, the Orinda’s, and other names among her own sex, whose fine genius does it honour.

Your diffidence and sweet humility, my Emily, said Lady L. would, in you, make the most envied accomplishments amiable.

I am sure, said the lovely girl, hanging down her head, tears ready to start, I have reason to be af-fected with the subject. The indulgent mother is described with so much sweet tenderness O what pleasures do mothers lose, who want tenderness.

We all, either by eyes or voices, called for the sonnet, and her translation. Dr. Bartlett shewed them to us; and I send copies of both.
SONNET OF VINCENZIO DA FILICAJA.

Qual madre i figli con pietoso affetto

Mira, e d’amor si strugge a lor davante;

E un bacia in f route, ed un si slringe at petto,

TJno Hen sii i ginocchi, un suite piante,

E mentrt agli atli, a i gemiti, aW aspetto

Lor voglie intende diverse, e tante,

A questi un guardo, a quei dispensa un detlo,

E se ride, o s’adira, e sempre amante:

Tal per noi Provvidenza alia infinita

Veglia, e questi conferta, e quei provvede,

E tutti ascolta, eporge a tutti aita.

E se niega talor gratia, o mercede,

O niega sol, perche a pregar ne invito;

O negar finge, e nel negar concede.

“See a fond mother incircled by her children; with pious tenderness she looks around, and her soul even melts with maternal love. One she kisses on the forehead; and clasps another to her bosom. One she sets upon her knee; and finds a seat upon her foot for another. And while, by their actions, their lisping words, and asking eyes, she understands their various numberless little wishes, to these she dispenses a look; a word to those; and whether she smiles or frowns, ’tis all in tender love.

“Such to us, though infinitely high and awful, is Providence: so it watches over us; comforting these; providing for those; listening to all; assisting every one: and if sometimes it denies the favour we implore, it denies but to invite our more earnest prayers; or, seeming to deny a blessing, grants one in that refusal.”

When the translation was read aloud, the tears that before were starting, trickled down the sweet girl’s cheeks. But the commendations every one joined in, and especially the praises given her by her guardian, drove away every cloud from her face.


Letter XXXIII.
Sir Charles Grandison to Miss Grandison.

My Dear Charlotte, Friday, March 17.

I have already seen Captain Anderson. Richard Saunders, whom I sent with your letter, as soon as I came to town, found him at his lodgings near Whitehall. He expressed himself, on reading it, before the servant, with indiscreet warmth. 1 would not make minute enquiries after his words, because I intended an amicable meeting with him.

We met at four yesterday afternoon, at the Co-coa-tree in Pallmall: Lieut. Col. Mackenzie, and Major Dillon, two of his friends, with whom I had no acquaintance, were with him. The captain and I withdrew to a private room. The two gentlemen entered it with us.

You will on this occasion, I know, expect me to be particular: yet must allow, that I had no good cause to manage; since those points that had most weight (and which were the ground of your objections to him when you saw him in a near light) could not be pleaded without affronting him; and if they had, would hardly have met with his allow-ance; and could therefore have no force in the argument.

On the two gentlemen entering the room with us, without apology or objection, I asked the captain, if they were acquainted with the affair we met upon? He said they were his dear and inseparable friends, and knew every secret of his heart. Per-haps in this case, Captain Anderson, returned I, it were as well they did not.

We are men of honour, Sir Charles Grandison, said the major, briskly. vol. x. F F

I don’t doubt it, Sir. But where the delicacy of a lady is concerned, the hearts of the principals should be the whole world to each other. But what is done, is done. I am ready to enter upon the affair before these gentlemen, if you choose it, captain.

You will find us to be gentlemen, Sir Charles, said the colonel.

The captain then began, with warmth, his own story. Indeed he told it very well. I was pleased, for my sisters sake (pardon me, Charlotte) that he did. He is not contemptible, either in person or understanding. He may be said, perhaps, to^>e an illiterate, but he is not an ignorant man; though not the person whom the friends of my Charlotte would think worthy of the first place in her heart.

After he had told his story (which I need not re-peat to you) he insisted upon your promise: and his two friends declared in his favour, with airs, each man, a little too peremptory. I told them so; and that they must do me the justice to consider me as a man of some spirit, as well as themselves. I came hither with a friendly intention, gentlemen, said I. I do not love to follow the lead of hasty spirits: but if you expect to carry any point with me, it must not be either by raised voices, or heightened complexions.

Their features were all at once changed; and they said, they meant not to be warm.

I told the captain, that I would not enter into a minute defence of the lady, though my sister. I owned, that there had appeared a precipitation in her conduct. Her treatment at home, as she ap-prehended, was not answerable to her merits. She was young, and knew nothing of the world. Young ladies were often struck by appearances. You, Captain Anderson, said I, have advantages in per-son and manner, that might obtain for you a young lady’s attention: and as she believed herself cir-cumstanced in her family, I wonder not that she lent an ear to the addres of a gallant man; whose command in that neighbourhood, and, I doubt not, whose behaviour in that command, added to his consequence. But I take it for granted, Sir, that you met with difficulties from her, when she came to reflect upon the disreputation of a young wo-man’s carrying on clandestinely a correspondence with a man, of whose address her father, then living, was not likely to approve. There was none of that violent passion on either side, that precludes reason, discretion, duty. It is no wonder then, that a woman of Charlotte Grandison’s known good sense, should reflect, should consider: and perhaps the less, that you should therefore seek to engage her by promise. But what was the promise? It was not the promise that, it seems, you sought to engage her to make; To be absolutely yours, and no other man’s: but it was, That she would not marry any other man without your consent, while you remained single. An unreasonable promise, however, I will presume to say, either to be proposed, or submitted to.

Sir! said the captain, and looked the soldier.

I repeated what I last said.

Sir! again said the captain; and looked upon his friends, who pointed each his head at the other, and at him, by turns as if they had said, Very free language!

For, Sir, proceeded I, did it not give room to think, that you had either some doubts of your own merit with the lady, or of her affection and steadiness? And in either case, ought it to have been proposed? ought it to have been made? For my part. I should disdain to think of any woman for ff2 a wife, who gave me reason to imagine, that she was likely to balance a moment, as to her choice of me, or any other man.

Something in that! said the colonel.

As you explain yourself, Sir Charles, said the major

The captain, however, sat swelling. He was not so easily satisfied.

Your motive, we are not to question, captain, was love. Miss Grandison is a young woman whom any man may love. By the way, where a man is assured of a return in love, there is no occasion for a promise. But a promise tvas made. My sister is a woman of honour. She thinks herself bound by it; and she is content to lead a single life to the end of it, if you will not acquit her of this promise. Yet she leaves, and at the time did leave, you free. You will have the justice, Sir, to allow, that there is a generosity in her conduct to you, which remains for you to shew to her, since a promise should not be made but on equal terms. Would you hold her to it, and be not held yourself? She desires not to hold you. Let me tell you, captain, that if I had been in your situation, and had been able to prevail upon myself to endeavour to bring a lady to make me such a promise, I should have doubted her love of me, had she not sought to bind me to her by an equal tie. What! should I have said to myself, Is this lady dearer to me than all the women upon earth? Do I seek to bind her to me by a solemn promise, which shall give me a power over her? And has she so little regard for me, as not to value, whether I marry any other woman?

The gentlemen looked upon one another; but were silent. I proceeded.

Let us set this matter in its true light. Here is a young woman, who had suffered herself to be embarrassed in a treaty, that her whole heart, she as — sures me, was never in. This luas her fault. But know we not how inextricable are the entanglements of love, as it is called, when young women are brought to enter into correspondence with men? Our sex have opportunities of knowing the world, which the other have not. Experience, gentlemen, engaging with inexperience, and perhaps to the difference of twice the number of years [Sir! said the captain!] the combat must be too unequal. How artfully do men endeavour to draw in the women whom they think it worth their while to pursue! But would any man here wish to marry a woman, who declares that she was insensibly drawn in beyond her purpose? Who shewed, when she refused to promise that she would be his, in preference to all other men, that she did not love him above all other men? Who, when she was prevailed on to fetter herself, made him not of consequence enough to herself to bind him? And, in a word, who has long ago declared to him, and steadily persists in the declaration, That she never will be his You seem, gentlemen, to be men of spirit. Would you wish to marry the first woman on earth on these terms, if you could obtain her? which, however, is not the case; since Miss Grandison’s promise extends not so far as to oblige her to marry Captain Anderson.

The captain did not, he told me, like some part of what 1 had said; and still less some of the words I had used: and seemed to be disposing his fea-tures to take a fiercer turn than became the occasion. I interrupted him therefore: I met you not, captain, said I, either to hear, or to obviate cavils upon words. When 1 have told you, that I came with an amicable intention, I expect to he believed. 1 in tend not offence. But let us be men. Iamperhapi a younger man by ten vears than any one present: i? f 3 but I have seen the world, as much as any man of my age; and know what is due to the character of a gen-tleman, whether it be Captain Anderson’s, or my own: and expect not wilful misconstructions.

All I mean is, Sir, said the captain, that I will not be treated contemptuously, no, not even by the brother of Miss Grandison.

The brother of Miss Grandison, Sir, is not ac-customed to treat any man contemptuously. Don’t treat yourself so, and you are safe from unworthy treatment from me. Let me add, Sir, that I permit every man to fix his character with me, as he pleases. I will venture to say, I have a large charity; but I extend it not to credulity: but yet will always allow a third person to decide upon the justice of my intentions and actions.

The captain said that he ascribed a great deal of my sister’s posilivenessin her denial of him (those were his words) to the time of my arrival in England; and he doubted not, that I had encouraged the proposals, either of Sir Walter Watkyns, or of Lord G. because of their quality and fortunes: and hence his difficulties were increased.

And then up he rose, slapt one hand upon the table, put the other on his sword, and was going to say some very fierce things, prefacing them with damning his blood; when I stood up: Hold, captain; be calm, if possible Hear from me the naked truth: I will make you a fair representation; and when I have done, do you resume, if you think it necessary, that angry air you got up with, and see what you’ll make of it.

His friends interposed. He sat down, half out of breath with anger. His swelled features went down by degrees.

The truth of the matter is strictly and briefly this. All my sister’s difficulties (which, perhaps, were greater in apprehension than in fact) ended with my father’s life. I made it my business, on my arrival, as soon as possible, to ascertain my sisters’ fortunes. Lord L. married the elder. The two gentlemen you have mentioned made their addresses to the younger. I knew nothing of you, Captain Anderson. My sis-ter had wholly kept the affair between you and her, in her own breast. She had not revealed it even to her sister. The reason she gives, and to which you, Sir, could be no stranger, was, that she was determined never to be yours. The subject requires explicitness, Captain Anderson: and I am not ac-customed to palliate, whenever it does. She hoped to prevail upon you to leave her as generously free, as she had left you. I do assure you, upon my ho-nour, that she favours not either of the gentlemen. I know not the man she does favour. It is I, her brother, not herself, that am solicitous for her mar-rying. And upon the indifference she expressed to change her condition, on terms to which no objection could be made, I supposed she must have a secret preference to some other mam I was after-wards informed, that letters had passed between her and you, by a lady, who had it from a gentleman of your acquaintance. You have shewn me, Sir, by the presence of these gentlemen, that you were not so careful of the secret, as my sister had been. They looked upon one another.

I charged my sister, upon this discovery, with re-serve to me: but offered her my service in her own way: assuring her, that if her heart were engaged, the want of quality, title, and fortune, should not be of weight with me; and that whomsoever she ac-cepted for her husband, him would I receive for my brother.

The colonel and the major extravagantly applaud-a behaviour on this occasion, which deserved no more than a common approbation.

She solemnly assured me, proceeded I, that although she held herself bound by the promise which youth, inexperience, and solicitation, had drawn her in to make, she resolved to perform it by a perpe-tual single life, if it were insisted upon. And thus, Sir, you see, that it depends upon you to keep Charlotte Grandison a single woman, till you marry some other lady (a power, let me tell you, that no man ought to seek to obtain over a young woman) or, generously to acquit her of it, and leave her as free asshe hasleft you. And now, gentlemen (to the major and colonel) if you come hither not so much parties as judges, I leave this matter upon your consideration; and will withdraw for a few moments.

I left every mouth ready to burst into words; and walked into the public room. There I met with Colonel Martin, whom I had seen abroad: and who had just asked after Major Dillon. He, to my great surprise, took notice to me of the business that brought me thither.

You see, my sister, the consequence you were of to Captain Anderson. He had not been able to for-bear boasting of the honour you had done him. Dear Charlotte How unhappy was the man, that your pride should make you think yourself concerned to keep secret an affair that he thought a glory to him to make known to many! For we see (shall I not say, to the advantage of this gentleman’s character?) that he has many dear and inseparable friends, from whom he concealed not any secret of his heart.

Colonel Mackenzie came out soon after, and we withdrew to the corner of the room. He talked a great deal of the strength of the captain’s passion; of the hopes he had conceived of making his fortune, through the interest of a family to which he imputed consideration: he made me many compliments: he talked of the great detriment this long suspended affair had been to his friend; and told me, with a grave countenance, that the captain was grown as many years older, as it had been in hand; and was ready to rate very highly so much time lost in the prime of life. In short, he ascribed to the captain the views and the disappointments of a military for-tune-hunter too plainly for his honour in my eye, had 1 been disposed to take proper notice of the meaning of what he said.

After having heard him out, I desired the colonel to let me know what all this meant, and what were the captain’s expectations.

He paraded on again, a long time; and asked me at last, if there were no hopes that the lady

None at all, interrupted I. She has steadily declared as much. Charlotte Grandison is a woman of fine sense. She has great qualities. She has insupe-rable objections to the captain, which are founded on a more perfect knowledge of the man, and of her own heart, than she could have at first. It is not my intention to depreciate him with his friend: I shall not, therefore, enter into particulars. Let me know, colonel, what the gentleman pretends to. He is passionate, I see: I am not a tame man: but God forbid, that Captain Anderson, who hoped to be benefited by an alliance with the sister, should receive hurt, or hard treatment, from her brother!

Here Colonel Martin, who had heard something of what was said, desired to speak with Colonel Mackenzie. They were not so distant, but my ear unavoidably caught part of their subject. Colonel Martin expatiated, in a very high manner, on my character, when I was abroad. He imputed bravery to me (a great article among military men, and with you ladies ) and I know not how many good qualities And Colonel Mackenzie took him in with him to the other two gentlemen: where, I suppose, every-thing that had passed was repeated.

After a while, I was desired by Colonel Martin in the name of the gentlemen, to walk in; he himself sitting down in the public room.

They received me with respect. I was obliged to hear and say a great many things, that I had said and heard before: but at last two proposals were made me; either of which, they said, if complied with, would be taken as laying the captain under very high obligation.

Poor man! I had compassion for him, and closed with one of them; declining the other for a reason which I did not give to them. To say truth, Char-lotte, I did not choose to promise my interest in be half of a man, of whose merit I was not assured, had I been able to challenge any, as perhaps I might by Lord W.‘s means; who stands well with proper per-sons. A man ought to think himself, in some mea — sure, accountable for warm recommendations; espe — cially where the public is concerned: and could I give my promise, and be cool as to the performance? And I should think myself also answerable to a worthy man, and to every one connected with him, if I were a means of lifting one less worthy over his head. I chose therefore to do that service to him, for which I am responsible only to myself. After I have said this, my sister must ask me no questions.

I gave a rough draught, at the captain’s request, of the manner in which I would have releases drawn. Colonel Martin was desired to walk in. And all the gentlemen promised to bury in silence all that had ever come to their knowledge, of what had passed between Charlotte Grandison, and Captaiu Anderson.

Let not the mentioning to you these measures, hurt you, my sister. Many young ladies of sense and family have been drawn into still greater incon-veniencies than you have suffered. Persons of emi — nent abilities ( I have a very high opinion of my Charlotte’s ) seldom err in small points. Most young women, who begin a correspondence with our designing sex, think they can stop when they will. But it is not so. We and the dark spirit that sets us at work, which we sometimes mis-call love, will not permit you to do so. Men and women are devils to one another. They need no other tempter.

All will be completed tomorrow; and your writ-ten promise, of consequence, given up. I congratu — late my sister on the happy conclusion of this affair. You are now your own mistress, and free to choose for yourself. I should never forgive myself, were I, who have been the means of freeing you from one controul, to endeavour to lay you under another. Think not either of Sir Walter, or of Lord G. if your heart declare not in favour of either. You have sometimes thought me earnest in behalf of Lord G. But I have never spoken in his favour, but when you have put me upon answering objections to him, which 1 have thought insufficient: and indeed, Charlotte, some of your objections have been so slight, that I was ready to believe, you put them for the pleasure of having them answered.

My Charlotte need not doubt of admirers, where-ever she sets her foot. And I repeat, that whoever be the man she inclines to favour, she may depend upon the approbation and good offices of

Her ever-affectionate brother,

CHARLES GRANDISON.


Letter XXXIV.
Miss Harriet Byron to Miss Selby.

Friday, March 13. I send you inclosed ( to be returned by the first opportunity) Sir Charles’s letter to his sister, acquaint — ing her with the happy conclusion of the affair be tween Captain Anderson and her. Her brother, as you will see, acquits her not of precipitation. If he did, it would have been an impeachment of his jus-tice. O the dear Charlotte! how her pride is piqued at the meanness of the man! But no more of this subject, as the letter is before you.

And now, my dear and honoured friends, let me return you a thousand thanks for the great pacquet of my letters, just sent me, with a most indulgent one from my aunt, and another from my uncle.

I have already put into the two ladies’ hands, and my lord’s, without reserve, all the letters that reach to the masquerade affair, from the time of my setting out for London; and when they have read those, I have promised them more. This confidence has greatly obliged them; and they are employed, with no small earnestness, in perusing them.

This gives me an opportunity of pursuing my own devices And what, besides scribbling, do you think one of them is? A kind of persecution of Dr. Bartlett; by which, however, I suspect that I myself am the greatest sufferer. He is an excel-lent man; and I make no difficulty of going to him in his closet; encouraged by his assurances of wel-come.

Let me stop to say, my Lucy, that when I ap-proach this good man in his retirement, surrounded by his books, his table generally covered with those on pious subjects, I, in my heart, congratulate the saint, and inheritor of future glory; and, in that great view, am the more desirous to cultivate his friendship.

And what do you think is our subject? Sir Charles, I suppose, you guess And so it is, either in the middle or latter end of the few conversations we have yet had time to hold: but, I do assure you, we begin with the sublimest; though I must say, to my shame, that it has not so much of my heart, at present, as once it had, and I hope again will one day have The great and glorious truths of Christianity, are this subject; which yet, from this good Dr. Bartlett, warms my heart, as often as he enters into it. But this very subject, sublime as it is, brings on the other, as of consequence: for Sir Charles Grandison, with-out making an ostentatious pretension to religion, is the very Christian in practice, that these doctrines teach a man to be. Must not then the doctrines introduce the mention of a man who endeavours humbly to imitate the divine example? It was upon good grounds he once said, That as he must one day die, it was matter of no moment to him, whether it were tomorrow, or forty years hence.

The ladies had referred me to the doctor himself for a more’ satisfactory account than they had given me, how Sir Charles and he first came acquainted. I told him so, and asked his indulgence to me in this enquiry.

He took it kindly. He had, he said, the history of it written down. His nephew, whom he often employs as his amanuensis, should make me out, from that little history, an account of it, which I might shew, he was pleased to say, to such of my select friends, as I entrusted with the knowledge of my own heart.

I shall impatiently expect the abstract of this little history; and the more, as the doctor tells me, there will be included some particulars of Sir Charles’s behaviour abroad in his younger life, and of Mr. Beauchamp, whom the doctor speaks of with love, as his patron’s dearest friend, and whom he calls a second Sir Charles Grandison.

See, my Lucy, the reward of an open heart. My communicativeness has been already encouraged with the perusal of two letters from the same exceirent man to Dr. Bartlett; to whom, from early days (as I shall be soon more particularly informed) he has given an account of all his conduct and movements.

The doctor drew himself in, however, by reading to Lord L. and the ladies, and me, a paragraph or two out of one of them: and he has even allowed me to give my grandmamma and aunt a sight of them. Return them, Lucy, with the other letter, by the very next post. He says, he can deny me nothing. I wish I may not be too bold with him As for Miss Grandison, she vows, that she will not let the good man rest till she gets him to communi-cate what he shall not absolutely declare to be a se — cret, to us three sisters,and my Lord L. If the first man, she says, could not resist one woman, how will the doctor deal with three, not one of them behind-hand with thejirst in curiosity? And all loving him, and whom he professes to esteem? You see, Lucy, that Miss Grandison has pretty well got up her spirits again.

Just now Miss Grandison has related to me a conversation that passed between my Lord and Lady L. herself, and Dr. Bartlett; in which the subject was their brother and I. The ladies and my lord are intirely in my interests, and regardful of my punctilio. They roundly told the doctor, that, being extremely earnest to have their brother marry, they knew not the person living whom they wished to call his wife preferably to Miss Byron; could they be sure that I were absolutely disengaged. Now, doctor, said Miss Grandison, tell us frankly, What is your opinion of our choice for a more than no-minal sister.

I will make no apologies, Lucy, for repeating all that was repeated to me of this conversation.

Lord L. Ay, my good Doctor Bartlett, let us have your free opinion.

Dr. B. Miss Byron (I pronounce upon knowledge, for she has more than once, since I have been down, done me the honour of entering into very free and serious conversations with me) is one of the most excellent of women.

And then he went on, praising me for ingenuousness, seriousness, cheerfulness, and for other good qualities, which his partiality found out in me: and added. Would to heaven that she were neither more nor less than Lady Grandison!

God bless him! thought I Don’t you join, my Lucy, to say, at this place, you, who love me so dearly, God bless you, Doctor Bartlett?

Lady L. Well, but, doctor, you say that Miss By-ron talks freely with you; cannot you gather from her whether she is inclined to marriage? Whether she is absolutely disengaged? Lady D. made a proposal to her for Lord D. and insisted on an answer to this very question: that matter is gone off. As our guest, we would not have Miss Byron think us impertinent. She is very delicate. And as she is so amiably frank hearted, those things she chooses not to mention of her own accord, one would not, you know, officiously put to her.

This was a little too much affected. Don’t you i;c2 think so, Lucy? The doctor, it is evident by his answer, did.

Dr. B. It is not likely that such a subject can arise between Miss Byron and me: and it is strange, me-thinks, that ladies calling each other sisters, should not be absolutely mistresses of this question.

Lord L. Very right, Doctor Bartlett. But ladies will, in these points, take a compass before they explain themselves. A man of Dr. Bartlett’s pene — tration and uprightness, ladies, should not be treated with distance. We are of opinion, doctor, that Miss Byron, supposing that she is absolutely disen-gaged, could make no difficulty to prefer my brother to all the men in the world. What think you?

Dr. B. I have no doubt of it: she thinks herself under obligation to him. She is goodness itself. She must love goodness. Sir Charles’s person, his vivacity, his address, his understanding What wo-man would not prefer him to all the men she ever saw? He has met with admirers among the sex in every nation in which he has set his foot [Ah! Lucy!]. You, ladies, must have seen, forgive me (bowing to each) that Miss Byron has a more than grateful respect for your brother.

Miss Gr. We think so, doctor; and wanted to know if you did: and so, as my lord says, fetched a little compass about; which we should not have done to you. But you say, that my brother has had numbers of admirers Pray, doctor, is there any one lady (we imagine there is) that he has preferred to another, in the different nations he has travelled through?

Lord L. Ay, doctor, we want to know this; and if you thought there were not, we should make no scruple to explain ourselves, as well to Miss Byron, as to my brother.

Don’t you long to know what answer the doctor

Sill CHARLES GRANDISON. 341 returned to this, Lucy? I was out of breath with impatience, when Miss Grandison repeated it to me.

The doctor hesitated And at last said; I wish with all my heart, Miss Byron could be Lady Grandison.

Miss Gr. Could be? Could be, said each.

And could be? said the fool to Miss Grandison, when she repeated it, her heart quite sunk.

Dr. B. (smiling) You hinted, ladies, that you are not sure, that Miss Byron is absolutely disengaged. But, to be open and above-board, I have reason to believe, that your brother would be concerned, if he knew it, that you should think of putting such a question as this to any-body but himself. Why don’t you? He once complained to me, that he was afraid his sisters looked upon him as a reserved man; and condescended to call upon me to put him right, if I thought his appearance such as would give you grounds for the surmise. There are two or three affairs of intricacy that he is engaged in, and par-ticularly one, that hangs in suspense; and he would not be fond, I believe, of mentioning it, till he can do it with certainty: but else, ladies, there is not a more frank-hearted man in the world, than your brother.

See, Lucy, how cautious we ought to be in passing judgment on the actions of others, especially on those of good men, when we want to fasten blame upon them; perhaps with a low view (envying their superior worth) to bring them down to our own level! For are we not all apt to measure the merits of others by our own standard, and to give praise or dispraise to actions or sentiments, as they square with our own?

Lord L. Perhaps, Dr. Bartlett, you don’t think’ yourself at liberty to answer, whether these particu-g g ‘6 lar affairs are of such a nature, as will interfere with the hopes we have of bringing to effect a marriage between my brother and Miss Byron?

Dr. B. 1 had rather refer to Sir Charles himself on this subject. If any man in the world deserves from prudence and integrity of heart to be happy in this life, that man is Sir Charles Grandison. But he is not quite happy.

Ah, Lucy! The doctor proceeded. Your bro-ther, ladies, has often said to me, That there was hardly a man living who had a more sincere value for the sex than he had; who had been more distinguished by the favour of worthy women; yet who had paid dearer for that distinction than he had done.

Lady L. Paid dearer! Good Heaven!

Miss Gr. How could that be?

Lord L. I always abroad heard the ladies reckon upon Sir Charles, as their own man. His vivacity, his personal accomplishments, his politeness, his generosity, his bravery! Every woman who spoke of him, put him down for a man of gallantry. And is he not a tridy gallant man? I never mentioned it before But a Lady Olivia, of Florence, was much talked of, when I was in that city, as being in love with the handsome Englishman, as our brother was commonly called there

Lady Olivia! Lady Olivia! repeated each sister; and why did not your lordship?

Because, though she was in love with him, he had no thoughts of her: and, as the doctor says, she is but one of those who, wherever he set his foot, admired him.

Bless me, thought I, what a black swan is a good man! Why (as 1 have often thought, to the credit of our sex) will not all the men be good?

Lady L. My lord, you must tell us more of this Lady Olivia.

Lord L . I know very little more of her. She was reputed to be a woman of high quality and fortune, and great spirit. I once saw her. She is a fine figure of a woman. Dr. Bartlett can, no doubt, give you an account of her.

Miss Gr. Ah, doctor! What a history could you give us of our brother, if you pleased! But as there is no likelihood that this lady will be any thing to my brother, let us return to our first subject.

Lady L. By all means. Pray, Dr. Bartlett, do you know what my brother’s opinion is of Miss Byron?

Dr. B. The highest that man can have of woman.

Lady L. As we are so very desirous to see my brother happily married, and think he never could have a woman so likely to make him happy, would you advise us to propose the alliance to him? We would not to her, unless we thought there were room to hope for his approbation, and that in a very high degree.

Dr. B. I am under some concern, my dear ladies, to be thought to know more of your brother’s heart, than sisters do, whom he loves so dearly, and who equally love him. I beseech you, give me not so much more consequence with him than you imagine you have yourselves. I shall be afraid, if you do, that the favour I wish to stand in with you, is owing more to your brother’s distinction of me, than to your own hearts.

Lord L. I see not why we may not talk to my brother directly on this head. Whence is it, that we are all three insensibly drawn in, by each other’s example, to this distance between him and us? It is not his fault. Did we ever ask him a question, that he did not directly answer, and that without shewing the least affectation or reserve?

Miss Gr. He came over to us all at once so per-fect, after an eight or nine years absence, with so much power, and such a will to do us good, that we were awed into a kind of reverence for him.

Lady L. Too great obligations from one side, will indeed create distance on the other. Grateful hearts will always retain v a sense of favours heaped upon them.

Dr. B. You would give pain to his noble heart, did he think, that you put such a value upon what he has done I do assure you, that he thinks he has hardly performed his duty by his sisters: and, as occasions may still offer, you will Jind he thinks so. But let me beg of you to treat him without reserve or diffidence; and that you would put to him all those questions which you would wish to be an-swered. You will find him, I dare say, very candid, and very explicit.

Miss Gr. That shall be my task, when I next see him. Rut, dear Doctor Bartlett, if you love us, communicate to us all that is proper for us to see, of the correspondence that passes between him and you.

The doctor, it seems, bowed; but answered not.

So you see, Lucy, upon the whole, that I have no great reason to build so much, as my uncle, in his last letter, imagines I do, on the interest of these ladies and my Lord L. with their brother. Two or three intricate affairs on his hands: one of them still in suspense; of which, for that reason, he makes a secret: he is not quite happy: greatly distinguished by the favour of worthy women: who would wonder at that? But has paid dear for the distinction! W hat can one say? What can one think? He once said himself, that his life was a various life; and that some unhappy things had befallen him. If the pru-dence of such a man could not shield him from mis — fortune, who can be exempted from it? And from xaorthy women too! That’s the wonder! But is this Olivia one of the “worthy women? I fancy he must despise us all. I fancy he will never think of incumbering himself with one of a sex, that has made him pay so dear for the general distinction he has met with from it. As to his politeness to us; a man may afford to shew politeness to those he has resolved to keep at distance from his heart.

But, ah, Lucy! There must be one happy wo-man, whom he wishes not to keep at distance. This is the affair, that hangs in suspense; and of which, therefore, he chooses to say nothing. *

I have had the pleasure of a visit from my god-father Deane. He dined with us this day in his way to town. The ladies, Dr. Bartlett, and my Lord L. are charmed with him. Yet I had pain mingled with my pleasure. He took me aside, and charged me so home He was too inquisitive. I never knew him to be so very urgent to know my heart. But I was frank: very frank: I should hardly have been excuseable, if I had not, to so good a man, and so dear a friend. Yet he scarce knew how to be sa-tisfied with my frankness.

He will have it, that I look thinner and paler than I used to do. That may very well be. My very soul, at times I know not how I am Sir Charles is in suspense too, from somebody abroad. From my heart I pity him. Had he but some faults; some great blemishes; I fancy I should be easier about him. But to hear nothing of him, but what is so greatly praise-worthy, and my heart so delighted with acts of beneficence And now, Mr. Deane, at this visit, running on in his praises, and commending, instead of blaming me, for my presumptuous thoughts; nay, exalting me, and telling me, that I. deserve him that I deserve Sir Charles Grandison! Why did he not chide me? Why did he not dissuade me? Neither fortune nor merit answerable! A man who knows so well what to do with fortune! The Indies, my dear, ought to be his! What a king would he make! Power could not corrupt such a mind as his. Caesar, said Dr. Bart-lett, speaking of him before Mr. Deane and all of us, was not quicker to destroy, than Sir Charles Grandison is to relieve. Emily’s eyes, at the time, ran over with joy at the expression; and, drying them, she looked proudly round on us all, as if she had said, This is my guardian!

But what do you think, Lucy? Mr. Deane will have it, that he sees a young passion in Miss Jervois for her guardian! God forbid! A young love may be conquered, I believe; but who shall caution the innocent girl? She must have a sweet pleasure in it, creeping, stealing upon her. How can so unexperienced an heart, ‘the object so meritorious, resist or reject the indulgence? But, O my Emily! sweet girl! do not let your love get the better of your gratitude, lest it make you unhappy! and, what would be still more affecting to a worthy heart, make the generous object of a passion that cannot be gratified, unhappy; and for that very reason; because he cannot reward it! See you not already, that, with all his goodness, he is not quite happy? lie is a sufferer from worthy women! O my Emily, do not you add to the infelicity of a man, who can make but one woman happy; yet wishes to befriend all the world But hush! selfish adviser! Should not Harriet Byron have thought of this in time? Yet ehe knew not, that he had any previous engage-ments: and may death lay his cold hand upon her heart, before she become an additional disturbance to his! He knows not, I hope he guesses not, though Dr. Bartlett has found me out as well as the sisters, that I am captivated, heart and soul, by his merits. May he never know it, if the knowledge of it would give him the shadow of uneasiness!

I owned to Mr. Deane, that my Lord L. and the ladies were warmly interested in my favour. Thank God for that! he said All must happen to his wish. Nay, he would have it, that Sir Charles’s goodness would be rewarded in having such a wife: but what wife can do more than her duty to any husband who is not absolutely a savage? How then can all I could do, reward such a man as this?

But, Lucy, don’t you blush for me, on reading this last page of my writing? You may, since I blush myself on re — perusing it. For shame, Harriet Byron, put a period to this letter! I will; nor sub-scribe to it so much as the initials of my name.


Letter XXXV.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett. [Inclosed in the preceding.’]

Friday, March 17. Last night I saw interred the remains of my worthy friend Mr. Danby. I had caused his two nephews and his niece to be invited: but they did not at-tend.

As the will was not to be opened till the funeral was over, about which the good man had given me verbal directions; apprehending, I believe, expostu-lations from me, had I known the contents; I sent to them this morning to be present at the opening. Their attorney, Mr. Sylvester, a man of charac-ter, and good behaviour, brought me a letter, signed by all three, excusing themselves on very slight pretences, and desiring that he might be present for them. I took notice to him, that the behaviour of his principals over-night and now, was neither re-spectful to the memory of their uncle; nor civil, with regard to me. He honestly owned, that Mr. Danby having acquainted his two nephews, a little before he died, that he had made his will, and that they had very little to expect from him, they, who had been educated by his direction, and made mer-chants, at his expence, with hopes given them, that he would, at his death, do very handsomely for them, and had never disobliged him, could not be present at the opening of a will, the contents of which they expected to be so mortifying to them.

I opened it in presence of this gentleman. The preamble was an angry one; giving reasons for his resentment against the fatherof these young persons, who (though his brother) had once, as I hinted to you at Colnebrook, made a very shocking attempt upon his life. I was hurt, however, to find a re-sentment carried so far as against the innocent child — ren of the offender, and into the last will of so good a man; that will so lately made, as within three weeks of his death; and he given over for three months before.

Will the tenderness due to the memory of a friend permit me to ask, Where would that resentment have stopt, had the private man been a mo — narch, which he could carry into his last will?

But see we not, on the other hand, that these children, had they power, would have punished their uncle, for disposing, as he thought fit, of his own fortune; no part of which came to him by inheri-tance?

They had been educated, as I have 6aid, at his expence; and, in the phrase of business, well put out: expences their careless father would not have been at: he is, in every light, a bad man. How much better had these children’s title been to a more considerable part of their uncle’s estate than he has bequeathed to them, had they been thankful for the benefits they had actually received! Bene-fits, which are of such a nature, that they cannot be taken from them.

Mr. Danby has bequeathed to each of the three, one thousand pounds; but on express condition, that they signify to his executor, within two months after his demise, their acceptance of it, in full of all demands upon his estate. If they do not (ten-der being duly made) the three thousand pounds are to be carried to the uses of the will.

He then appoints his executor; and makes him residuary legatee; giving for reason, that he had been the principal instrument in the hand of Provi-dence, of saving his life.

He bequeaths some generous remembrances to three of his friends in France; and requests his executor to dispose of three thousand pounds to charitable uses, either in France or England, as he thinks fit, and to what particular objects he pleases.

And, by an inventory annexed to the will, his effects in money, bills, actions, and jewels, are made to amount to upwards of thirty thousand pounds sterling.

Mr. Sylvester complimented me on this great xuindjall, as he called it; and assured me, that it should be his advice to his clients, that each take his and her legacy, and sit down contented with it: and he believed, that they the rather would, as,

H H from what their uncle had hinted, they apprehend-ed, that the sum of a hundred pounds each, was all they had to hope for.

I enquired into the inclinations and views of the three; and received a very good general account of them; with a hint, that the girl was engaged in a love-affair.

Their father, after his vile attempt upon his bro-ther’s life, was detested by all his friends and rela — tions, and went abroad; and the last news they heard of him was, that he was in a very ill state of health, and in unhappy circumstances, in Barba-does: and very probably by this time is no more.

I desired Mr. Sylvester to advise the young people to recollect themselves; and said, that I had a disposition to be kind to them: and as he could give me only general accounts of their views, prospects, and engagements, I wished they would, with marks of confidence in me, give me particular ones: but that, whether they complimented me as I wished, or not, I was determined, for the sake of their uncle’s memory, to do all reasonable service to them. Tell them, in a word, Mr. Sylvester, and do you forgive the seeming vanity, that I am not accus-tomed to suffer the narrowness of other people’s hearts to contract mine.

The man went away, very much pleased with what I had said; and in about two hours sent me a note, in the names of all his clients, expressing gratitude and obligation; and requesting me to allow him to introduce them all three to me this af — ternoon.

I have some necessary things to do, and persons to see, in relation to my deceased friend, which will be dispatched over a dish of tea. And there-fore 1 have invited the honest attorney, and his three clients, to sup with me.

I will not send this to Colnebrook, where I hope you are all happy [All must; for are they not all good? And are not you with them?] till I accom-pany it with the result of this evening’s conversa — tion. Yet I am too fond of every occasion that offers to tell you what, however, you cannot doubt, how much 1 am yours, not to sign to that truth the name of

CHARLES GRANDISON.


Letter XXXVI.
Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation.

Friday night, March 17. Mr. Sylvester, an honest pleasure shining in his countenance, presented to me, first, Miss Danby; then, each of her brothers; who all received my welcome with a little consciousness, as if they had something to reproach themselves with, and were generously ashamed to be overcome. The sister had the least of it: and I saw by that, that she was the least blameable, not the least modest; since I dare say she had but followed her brother’s lead; while they looked down and bashful, as having all that was done amiss to answer for.

Miss Danby is a very pretty, and very genteel young woman. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Edward Danby are agreeable in their persons and manners, and want not sense.

In the first moment 1 dissipated all their uneasiness; and we sat down together with confidence in each other. The honest attorney had prepared them to be easy after the first introduction.

I otter not to read to you, said I, the will of your h h 2 uncle. It is sufficient to repeat what Mr. Sylvester has, no doubt, told you; That you are each of you intitled by it to a thousand pounds.

They all bowed; and the elder brother signified their united consent to accept it upon the terms of the will.

Three thousand pounds more are to be disposed of to charitable uses, at the discretion of the execu-tor: three other legacies are left to three different gentlemen in France: and the large remainder, which will not be less than four-and-twenty thousand pounds, falls to the executor, and residuary legatee, equally unexpected and undesired.

The elder brother said, God bless you with it, Sir. The second said, It could not have fallen to a worthier man. The young lady’s lips moved: but words proceeded not from them. Yet her eyes shewed, that her lips made me a compliment.

It is ungenerous, Dr. Bartlett, to keep expecting minds in suspense, though with a view of obliging in the end. The surprise intended to be raised on such an occasion, carries in its appearance an air of insult. I have, said I, a great desire to do you ser-vice. Now let me know, gentlemen (I will talk to the young lady singly, perhaps) what your expect-ations were upon your uncle; what will do for each of you, to enable you to enter the world with advan-tage in the way you have been brought up; and as I told your worthy friend, Mr. Sylvester, I will be ready to do you all reasonable service. But, hold, Sir; for Mr. Thomas Danby was going to speak; you shall consider before you answer me. The mat-ter is of importance. Be explicit. I love openness and sincerity. I will withdraw, till you have consulted together. Command me in when you have determined.

I withdrew to my study: and, in about a quarter of an hour, they let me know, that they were ready to attend me. I went in to them. They looked upon one another. Come, gentlemen, don’t fear to speak: consider me, for your uncle’s sake, as your brother.

The elder brother was going to speak; but hesi-tating, Come, said I, let me lead you into the matter Pray, Sir, what is your present situation? What are your present circumstances?

My father, Sir, was unhappy My father

Well, Sir, no more of your father He could do nothing for you. Your whole dependence, I presume, was upon your uncle.

My uncle, Sir, gave us all our education My uncle gave each brother a thousand guineas for putting out each to a merchant; five hundred only of which sums were so employed; and the other five hundred guineas are in safe hands.

Your uncle, Sir, all reverence to his memory, was an excellent man.

Indeed, Sir, he was.

And what, Sir, is the business you were brought up to?

My master is a West–India merchant.

And what, Mr. Danby, are your prospects in that way?

Exceeding hopeful, Sir, they would have been My master intended to propose to my uncle, had he lived to come — to town, to take me in a quarter-partner with him directly; and in a twelvemonth’s time, a half-partner.

A very good sign in your favour, Sir. You must have behaved yourself well. And will he now do it?

Ah! Sir And was silent.

Upon what terms, Mr. Danby, would he have ii ii 3 proposed to your uncle to take you in a quarter-partner?

Sir he talked of

Of what?

Four thousand pounds, Sir. But my uncle never gave us hopes of more than three thousand guineas each, besides the thousand he had given: and when he had so much reason to resent the unhappy steps of my father, he let us know, that he would not do any-thing for us: and, to say truth, the thousand pounds left us in the will, Is more than we expected.

Very ingenuous. I love you for your sincerity. But, pray, tell me, Will four thousand pounds be well laid out in a quarter-partnership?

To say truth, Sir, my master had a view, at the year’s end, if nothing unexpected happened to prevent it, to give me his niece in marriage; and then to admit me into half of the business, which would be equivalent to a fortune of as much more.

And do you love the young woman?

Indeed I do.

And does she countenance your address?

If her uncle I don’t doubt, if her uncle could have prevailed upon my uncle

Well, Sir, I am your uncle’s executor. Now, Sir, (to Mr. Edward Danby) let me know your situation; your prospects?

Sir, I was put to a French wine-merchant. My master is in years. I am the sole manager of his business; and he would leave off to me, I believe, and to his nephew, who knows not so much of it as I do; nor has the acquaintance, either in France or England, that I have; could I raise money to pur-chase half the stock.

And what, Sir, is necessary for that purpose?

O Sir! at least six thousand pounds. But had my uncle left me the three thousand I once hoped for, I could have got the other half at an easy interest; for I am well beloved, and have always borne a good character.

What did you suppose your uncle would do with the bulk of his fortune (you judged it, I suppose, to be large) if you expected no more than three thousand guineas each at the most, besides what he had given you?

We all thought, Sir, said Mr. Edward Danby, it would be yours, from the time that he owed his life to your courage and conduct. We never entertained hopes of being his heirs general: and he several times told me, when I was in France, that^ou should be his heir.

He never hinted that to me. What I did was as necessary to be done for my own safety, as for his. He much over-rated my services. But what are your prospects, Mr. Edward Danby, in the French wine-trade?

Sir, very great!

And will your master leave off to you and his ne-phew, think you?

I dare say he would, and be glad of retiring to Enfield, where he has a house he is so fond of, that he would be continually there, by his good-will.

And have you, Sir, any prospect of adding to your circumstances by marriage?

Women are a drug, Sir. I have no doubt of of-fers, if once I were my own master.

I started. His sister looked angry. His brother was not pleased: Mr. Sylvester, who, it seems, is an old bachelor, laughed

A true merchant this already! thought I.

Well, now, shall I have your consents, gentlemen, to take your sister aside? Will you trust yourself with me, Miss Danby? Or had you rather answer my questions in company?

Sir, your character, your goodness, is so well known, I scruple not to attend you.

I took her hand, and led her to my study, leaving the door open to the drawing-room in which they were. I seated her. Then sat down, but still held her hand.

Now, my dear Miss Danby, you are to suppose me, as the executor of your uncle, his representa-tive. If you had that good uncle before you, and he was urging you to tell him what would make you happy, with an assurance, that he would do all in his power towards it; and if you would open your mind freely to him; with equal freedom open it to me. There was only this difference between us: he had resentments against your father, which he car-ried too far when he extended them to his innocent children [but it was an atrocious attempt, that embittered his otherwise benevolent spirit]: I have no resentment; and am armed with his power, and have all the will he ever could have, to serve you. And now, let me know, what will effectually do it?

The worthy girl wept. She looked down. She seemed as if she were pulling threads out of her handkerchief: but was unable to return any other answer, than what her eyes, once cast up, as if to Heaven, made for her.

Give me, my good Miss Danby (I would not distress you) give me, as your brothers did of their si — tuation, some account of yours. Do you live with either of your brothers?

No, Sir. I live with an aunt: my mother’s sister.

Is she good to you?

Yes, Sir, very good. But she has children; and cannot be so good as she would be to me. Yet she has always been kind; and has made the best of my uncle’s allowance for my education: and my for-tune, which is unbroken, is the same sum that he gave my brothers: and it is in good hands: and the interest of it, with my aunt’s additional goodness and management, enables me to make a genteel figure: and, with my own housewifery, I never have wanted some little matters for my pocket.

Good girl! thought I Mercantile carle! thy bro-ther Edward, pretty one! How dared he to say, that women are drugs? Who, in their ceconomy, short as their power is, are generally superior to men!

Your uncle was very good to put you upon a foot with your brothers, in his bounty to them; as now he has also done in his will: and assure yourself, that his representative will be equally kind to you as to your brothers. But shall I ask you, as your uncle would have done Is there any one man in the world, whom you prefer to another?

She was silent; looked down; and again picked her handkerchief.

I called in her elder brother (not the drug — mer-chant) and asked him, What he knew of his sister’s affections?

Why, my good Dr. Bartlett, are these women ashamed of owning a laudable passion? Surely there is nothing shameful in discreet love.

Her brother sacquainted me with the story of her love; the good girl blushing, and looking down all the while, with the consciousness of a sweet thief, who had stolen a heart, and, being required to re-store it, had been guilty of a new cheat, and given her own instead of it.

The son of Mr. Galliard, an eminent Turkey-merchant, is the man with whom she has made this exchange. His father, who lives in the neighbour-hood of her aunt, had sent him abroad, in the way of his traffick; partly with a view to prevent his mar-rying Miss Danby, till it should be seen whether her uncle would do any-thing considerable for her: and he was but just returned; and, in order to be allowed to stay at home, had promised his father never to marry without his consent: but nevertheless loved his sister, Mr. Danby said, above all women; and declared that he never would be the husband of any other.

I asked, whether the father had any objections, but those of fortune, to his son’s choice; and was answered, No. He could have no other, the young man, like a brother, said: there was not a more virtuous and discreet young woman in the kingdom than his sister, though he said it, that should not say it.

Though you say it, that should say it. Is not our relation intitled to the same justice that we would do to another?

We must not blame indiscriminately, continued I, all fathers who expect a fortune to be brought into their family, in some measure equivalent to the benefit the new-comer hopes to receive from it; espe — cially in mercantile families, if the young man is to be admitted into a share with his father; who, by the way, may have other children He has

Something by way of equivalent for the part he gives up, should be done. Love is a selfish deity. He puts two persons upon preferring their own interests, nay, a gratification of their passion often against their interests, to those of every — body else; and reason, discretion, duty, are frequently given up in a competition with it. But love, nevertheless, will not do every-thing for the ardent pair. Parents know this: and ought not to pay for the rashness they wish to prevent, but cannot.

They were attentive. I proceeded, addressing myself to both in the mercantile stile.

Is a father, who, by his prudence, has weathered many a storm, and got safe into port, obliged to re-embark in the voyage of life, with the young folks, who perhaps, in a little while, will consider him as an incumbrance, and grudge him his cabin? Pa-rents (though a young man, I have always thought in this manner) should be indulgent; but children, when they put themselves into one scale, should allow the parent his due weight in the other. You are angry at this father, are you not, my dear Miss Danby?

I said this, to hear what answer she would re-turn.

Indeed I am not. Mr. Galliard knows best his own affairs, and what they require. I have said so twenty and twenty times: and young Mr Galliard is convinced, that his father is not to be blamed, having other children. And, to own the truth (looking on the floor) we both sit down, and wish together, now-and-then: but what signifies wishing?

My sister will now have two thousand pounds: perhaps when old Mr. Galliard sees, that’s his son’s affections

Old Mr. Galliard, interrupted I, shall be asked to do nothing inconvenient to himself, or that is not strictly light by his other children: nor shall the niece of my late worthy friend enter into his family, with discredit to herself.

Notice being given, that supper was ready, I took the brother and sister each by the hand; and, entering the parlour with them, Enjoy, said I, the little repast that will be set before you. If it he in my power to make you all three happy, happy you shall be.

It must give great pleasure, my dear Dr. Bartlett, you will believe, to a man of my lively sensations, to see three very different faces in the same persons, from those they had entered with, I imagined more than once, as the grateful eyes of the sister, and tongues of the brothers, expressed their joy, that I saw my late worthy friend looking down upon us, delighted, and not with disapprobation, upon his choice of an executor, who was determined to sup-ply the defects, which the frailty of human nature, by an over-strong resentment on one hand, and an overflowing gratitude on the other, had occasioned.

I told Mr. Thomas Danby, that besides his legacy, he might reckon upon five thousand pounds, and enter accordingly into treaty for and with his mas-ter’s niece.

Mr. Edward Danby I commissioned, on the strength of the like additional sum, to treat with the gentleman he had served.

And you, my good Miss Danby, said I, shall ac-quaint your favoured Mr. Galliard, that, besides the twothousand pounds alreadyyours, you will have five thousand pounds more at his service. And if these sums answer not your full purposes, I expect you will let me know; since, whether they do or not, my respect to the memory of your worthy uncle shall be shewn to the value of more than these three sums to his relations. I never will be a richer man than I ought to be: and you must inform me what other relations you have, and of their different situations in life, that I may be enabled to amend a will made in a long and painful sickness, which might sour a disposition that was naturally all benevolence.

They wept; looked at one another; dried their eyes; and wept again. I thought my presence pain-ful to them; and withdrew to my study; and shut the door, that I might not add to their pain.

At my return Do you Do you, referred each brother to the other: and Mr. Thomas Danby get-ting up to speak, I see, my friends, said I, your grateful hearts in your countenances. Do you think my pleasure is not at least, equal to yours? I am more than rewarded in the consciousness of having endeavoured to make a right use of the power entrusted to me. You will each of you, I hope (thus set forward) be eminent in his particular business.. The merchants of Great Britain are the most useful members of the community. If 1 have obliged you, let me recommend to you, each in his several way, according to his abili’y, and as opportunity may of-fer to raise those worthy hearts, that inevitable ca — lamities shall make spiritless. Look upon what is done for you, not as the reward of any particular merits in yourselves, but as your debt to that Pro-vidence, which makes it a principal part of your religion, to do good to your fellow-creatures. In a word, let me injoin you, in all your transactions, to remember mercy, as well as justice.

The brothers, with folded hands, declared, that their hearts were opened by the example set them: and they hoped, would never be shut. The sister looked the same declaration.

Mr. Sylvester, raised with this scene of gratitude, tears in his honest eyes, said, that he should be impatient till he had looked into his affairs, and through his acquaintance, in order to qualify him-self to Jo some little good, after such a self-reward — ing example.

If a private man, my dear Dr. Bartlett, could be a means of expanding thus the hearts of four persons, none of them unworthy, what good might not prin-ces, and those who have princely fortunes, do? — yet, you see, I have done nothing but mere justice. I have not given up any-thing that was my own, before this will give me a power, that perhaps was put into my hands, as a new trial of the integrity of my heart.

But what poor creatures are we, my dear friend, that the very avoiding the occasion of a wrong action should gladden our hearts, as with the consci — ousness of something meritorious!

At parting, I told the nephews, that I expected to hear from them the moment any-thing should be brought to effect; and let their masters and them agree, or not, I would take the speediest methods that could be fallen upon, to transfer them, and to their sister,’ such actions and stocks, as would put them in full possession of what they were intitled to, as well by my promise, as by their uncle’s will.

I was obliged to injoin them silence.

Their sister wept; and when I pressed her hand at taking leave of her, gratefully returned the pressure; but in a manner so modest (recollecting herself into some little confusion) that shewed gratitude had possession of her whole heart, and set her above the forms of her sex.

The good attorney, as much raised, as if he were one of the persons benefited, joined with the two brothers in invoking blessings upon me.

So much, my dear Dr. Bartlett, for this night. The past day is a day that I am not displeased with.


Letter XXXVII.
Dr. Bartlett to Miss Byron.

March 18.

I present to you, madam, the account you desired to see, as extracted by my kinsman from my papers. You seem to wish it to be hastened for you; it is not what it might have been; but mere facts, I presume, will answer your intention. Be pleased, there — fore, to accept it with your usual goodness. * *

“Dr. Bartlett went abroad as governor of a young man of quality; Mr. Lorimer, I am to call him, to conceal his real name. He was the very reverse of young Mr. Grandison. He was not only rude and ungovernable; but proud, ill-natured, malicious, even base.

“The doctor was exceedingly averse to take upon him the charge of the wicked youth abroad; having had too many instances of the badness of his nature while in England: but he was prevailed upon by the solicitations of his father (who represented it as an act of the greatest charity to him and his family) as well as by the solemn promises of good beha-viour from the young man; for he was known to re — gard the advice of Dr. Bartlett more than that of any other person.

“The doctor and Mr. Lorimer were at Turin, when young Mr. Grandison (who had been some months in France) for the first time arrived in that city; then in the eighteenth year of his age.

“Dr. Bartlett had not a more profligate pupil, than Mr. Grandison had agovernor; though recom-mended by General W. his uncle by the mother’s side. It used to be observed in places where they made but a few days’ residence, that the young gen-tleman ought to have been the governor, Monsieur Oeutzer the governed. Mr. Grandison had, in short, the happiness, by his prudence, to escape se-veral snares laid for his virtue, by a wretch, who hoped, if he could betray him into them, to silence the remonstrances of the young man, upon his evil conduct; and to hinder him from complaining of him to his father.

“Mr. Grandison became acquainted with Dr. Bartlett at Turin: Monsieur Creutzer, at the same time commenced an intimacy with Mr. Lorimer; and the two former were not more united from good qualities, than the two latter were from bad.

“Several riotous things were done by Creutzer and Lorimer, who, whatever the doctor could do to separate them, were hardly ever asunder. One of their enormities fell under the cognizance of the civil magistrate: and was not made easy to Lorimer without great interest andexpence; while Creutzer fled to Rome, to avoid condign punishment; and wrote to Mr. Grandison to join him there.

“Then it was, that Mr. Grandison wrote (as he had often ineffectually threatened to do) to represent to his father the profligacy of the man; and to re-quest him to appoint him another governor; or to permit him to return to England till he had made choice of one for him; begging of Dr. Bartlett, that he would allow him, till he had an answer from his father, to apply to him for advice and instruction.

“The answer of his father was, That he heard of his prudence from every mouth: that he was at li-berty to choose what companion he pleased: but that he gave him no governor but his own discretion.

“Mr. Grandison then, more earnestly than before, and with an humility and diffidence, suited to his natural generosity of temper, that never grew upon indulgence, hesought the doctor’s direction: and when they were obliged to separate, they esta-blished a correspondence, which never will end but with the life of one of them.

“Mr. Grandison laid before the doctor all his plan; submitting his conduct to him, as well with regard to the prosecution of his studies, as to his travels: but they had not long corresponded in this manner, when the doctor let him know, that it was needless to consult him aforehand; and the more so, as it often occasioned a suspension of excellent re-solutions: but he besought him to continue to him an account of all he undertook, of all he performed, and of every material incident of his life; not only as his narrations would be matter of the highest entertainment to him; but as they would furnish him with lessons from example, that might be of greater force upon the unhappy Lorimer, than his own precepts.

“While Lorimer was passing through but a few of the cities in Lombardy, Mr. Grandison made almost the tour of Europe; and yet gave himself time to make such remarks upon persons, places, and things, as could hardly be believed to be the obser-vations of so young a man. Lorimer meantime, was engaged in shews, spectacles, and in the diver-sions of the places in which he lived, as it might be said, rather, than through which he passed.

“The doctor, at one time, was the more patient with these delays, as he was willing that the carni-val at Venice should be over, before he suffered his pupil to go to that city. But Lorimer, suspecting his intention, slipt thither unknown to his governor, at the very beginning of it; and the doctor was forced to follow him: and when there, had the mor-tification of hearing of him (for the young man avoid — ed his governor as much as possible) as one of the most riotous persons there.

“In vain did the doctor, when he saw his pupil, set before him the example of Mr. Grandison; a much younger man. All the effect which the reading of Mr. Grandison’s letters had upon him, was to make him hate the more both his governor and that gentleman. By one of these letters only, did he do himself temporary credit. It was written some months before it was shewn him, and described some places of note through which Mr. Grandison had passed, and through which the doctor and his charge had also more lately passed. The mean creature contrived to steal it, and his father having often urged for a specimen of his son’s observations on his travels, he copied it almost verbatim, and transmitted it as his own to his father; only letting the doctor know, after he had sent it away, that he had written.

“The doctor doubted not, but Lorimer had exposed himself; but was very much surprised, when he received a congratulatory letter from the father on his son’s improvements, mingled with some little asperity on the doctor, for having set out his son to his disadvantage: ‘ I could not doubt,’ said the fond father, ‘ that a son of mine had genius: he wanted nothing but to apply.’ And then he gave orders for doubting the value of his ne^t remittance.

“The doctor took the young gentleman to task about it. He owned what he had done, and gloried in his contrivance. But his governor thought it incumbent upon him to undeceive the father, and to save him the extraordinary part of his remittance.

“The young man was enraged at the doctor, for exposing him, as he called it, to his father, and for the check he was continually giving to his lawless appetites; and falling into acquaintance with a cour-tezan, who was infamous for ruining many young travellers by her subtle and dangerous contrivances, they joined in a resolution to revenge themselves on the doctor, whom they considered as their greatest enemy.

“Several projects they fell upon: one in parti-cular, was, to accuse him, by a third hand, as con cerning himself with affairs of state in Venice: a crime, which in that jealous republic, is never over-looked, and generally ends fatall}’ for the accused; who, if seized, is hardly ever heard of afterwards.

From this danger he narrowly escaped, by means of his general good character, and remarkable inoffen-siveness, and the profligateness of his accusers: nor knew he his danger till many months afterwards. The doctor believes that he fared the better for being an Englishman, and a governor to the son of a British nobleman, who made so considerable a figure in England: because the Italians in general reap so much advantage from the travellers of this nation, that they are ready to favour and encourage them above those of any olhe\

‘ The doctor had been very solicitous to be ac-quitted of his ungracious charge. In every letter he wrote to England, this was one of his prayers: but still the father, who knew not what to do with his son at home, had besought his patience: and wrote to his son in the strongest terms, after reproaching him for his ungraciousness, to pay an implicit obe-dience to the doctor.

“The father was a learned man. Great pains had been taken with Lorimer, to make him know something of the ancientGreek and Roman histories, the father was very desirous, that his son should see the famous places of old Greece, of which he him-self had read so much: and, with great difficulty, the doctor got the young man to leave Venice, where the vile woman, and the diversions of the place, had taken scandalous hold of him.

“Athens was the city, at which the father had desired they would make some stay; and from thence visit other parts of the Morea: and there the young maii found his woman got before him, according to private agreement between them.

‘ It was sometime before the doctor fmnd out, that the very woman who had acted so abandoned a part with Lorimer at Venice, was his mistress at Athens: and when he did, he applied, on some fresh enormities committed by Lorimer, to the tribunal which the Christians have there, consisting of eight venerable men chosen out of the eight quarters of the city, to determine causes among Christians; and they taking cognizance of the facts, the wicked woman suborned wretches to accuse the doctor to the cadi, who is the Turkish judge of the place, as a dangerous and disaffected person: and the cadi being, as it was supposed, corrupted by presents, got the vayvode, or governor, to interfere; and the doctor was seized and thrown into prison: his christian friends in the place were forbidden to interpose in his favour; and pen and ink, and all access to him, were prohibited.

“The vile woman, having concerted measures with the persons she had suborned, for continuing the doctor in his severe confinement, set out with her paramour for Venice; and there they rioted as before.

“Mr. Beauchamp, a young man of learning and fine parts, happened to make an acquaintance with Mr. Grandison in the island of Candia, where they met as countrymen, which from a sympathy of minds, grew immediately into an intimacy that will hardly ever end. This young gentleman, in the course of his travels, visiting Athens, about this time, was informed of the doctor’s misfortune, by one of the eight Christians, who constituted the tri-bunal above-mentioned, and who was an affectionate friend of the doctor’s, though forbidden to busy him-self in his cause; and Mr. Beauchamp (who had heard Mr. Grandison speak of the doctor with an uncommon affection) knowing that Mr. Grandison was then at Constantinople, dispatched a man on purpose, to acquaint him with the affair, and with all the particulars he could get of the case, authenti-catedasmuch as the nature of the thins: would admit.

“Mr. Grandison was equally grieved and asto-nished at the information. He instantly applied to the English ambassador at the Porte, as also to the French minister there, with whom he had made an acquaintance: they to the grand vizir: and an or-der was issued for setting the doctor at liberty. Mr. Grandison, in order to urge the dispatch of the chiaux, who carried it, accompanied him, and ar-rived at Athens, just as the vay vode had determined to get rid of the whole affair in a private manner (the doctor’s finances being exhausted) by the bow-string. The danger endeared the doctor to Mr. Grandison; a relief so seasonable endeared Mr. Grandison to the doctor; to them both Mr. Beau-champ, who would not stir from Athens, till he had seen him delivered; having busied himself in the interim, in the best manner he could (though he was obliged to use caution and secrecy) to do him ser-vice, and to suspend the fatal blow.

“Here was a cement to a friendship (that had been begun between the young gentlemen from likeness of manners) between them and the doctor, whom they have had the goodness ever since to re-gard, as their father: and to this day it is one of the doctor’s delights to write to his worthy son Beau-champ all that he can come at, relating to the life and actions of a man, whom the one regards as an example, the other as an honour to the human race.

“It was some time before the doctor knew for certain that the ungracious Lorimer had been consenting to the shocking treatment he had met with; for the wretches whom the vile woman had suborn-ed, had made their escape from Athens before the arrival of Mr. Grandison and the chiaux; the fla-gitious youth had written to his father, in terms of the deepest sorrow, an account of what had befallen his governor; and his father had taken the best mea-sures that could be fallen upon at so great distance, for the doctor’s succour and liberty; but in all probability, he would have been lost before those mea — sures could have taken effect.

“Lorimer’s father, little thinking that his son had connived at the plot formed against his governor, besought him, when he had obtained his liberty, not to leave his son to his own devices. The doctor, as little thinking then that Lorimer had been capable of a baseness so very villanous, in compassion both to father and son, went to Venice, and got him out of the hands of the vile woman; and then to Rome: but there, the unhappy wretch continuing his profligate courses, became at last a sacrifice to his dis soluteness; and his death was a deliverance to his family, to the doctor, and to the earth.

“On his death-bed he confessed the plot, which the infamous courtezan had meditated against the doctor at Venice, as well as his connivance at that which she had carried into execution at Athens. He died in horror not to be described; begging for longer life, and promising reformation on that condition. The manner of his death, and the crimes he confessed himself guilty of, by the instigation of the most abandoned of women, besides those committed against his governor, so shocked and grieved the docter, that he fell ill, and his recovery was long doubtful.

“Mean time Mr. Grandison visited some parts of Asia and Africa, Egypt particularly; corresponding all the time with Dr. Bartlett, and allowing the cor-respondence to pass into the hands of Mr. Beau — champ; as did that which he held with Mr. Beauchamp, to be communicated to the doctor.

“When Mr. Grandison returned to Italy, finding there his two friends, he engaged the doctor to accompany Mr. Beauchamp in that part of his tour into some of the eastern regions, which he himself had been particularly pleased with, and, as he said, wanted to be more particularly informed of: and therefore insisted, that it should be taken at his own expence. He knew that Mr. Beauchamp had a step-mother, who had prevailed on his father to take off two-thirds of the allowance he made him on his travels.

“Mr. Beauchamp very reluctantly complied with the condition so generously imposed on him by his beloved friend: another of whose argument was, that such a tour would be the most likely means to establish the health of a man equally dear to both.

“Mr. Grandison never was at a loss for arguments to keep in countenance the persons whom he bene-fitted; and to make their acceptance of his favours appear not only to be their duty, but an obligation laid on himself.

“Mr. Grandison himself, when the two gentle-men set out on their tour, was engaged in some af — fairs at Bologna and Florence, which gave him great embarrassment.

“Dr. Bartlett and Mr. Beauchamp visited the principal islands of the Archipelago; after which the doctor left the young gentleman pursuing his course to Constantinople, with intention tovisitsome parts of Asia, and took the opportunity of a vessel that was bound for Leghorn, to return thither.

“His health was happily established; and knowing that Mr. Grandison expected the long desired call from his father to return to England, and that it was likely that he could be of use to his ward Miss Jervois, and her affairs, in her guardian’s absence he was the more desirous to return to Italy.

“Mr. Grandison rejoiced at his arrival: and soon after set out for Paris, in order to attend there the expected call; leaving Emily, in the interim, to bis care.

“Lorimer’s father did not long survive his son. He expressed himself in his last hours highly sensible of the doctor’s care of his unhappy boy; and earn-estly desired his lady to see him handsomely rewarded for his trouble. But not making a will: and the lady having, by her early over-indulgence, ruined the morals of her child (never suffering him to be either corrected or chidden, were his enormities ever so flagrant) she bore a secret grudge to the doctor for his honest representations to her lord of the young man’s immoralities: and not even the inter-position of a Sir Charles Grandison has hitherto been able to procure the least acknowledgment to the doctor; though the loss as well of his reputation as life, might have been the consequence of the faithful services he had endeavoured to render to the profligate youth, and in him to the whole family.”


Letter XXXVIII.
Dr. Bartlett. In Continuation.

[Inclosing the proceeding.’]

Thus far, dear Miss Byron (delight of every one who is so happy as to know you!) reach my kins-man’s extracts from my papers. I will add a few particulars in answer to your enquiries about Mr. Beauchamp, if writing of a man I so greatly love, I can write but. a few.

Mr. Beauchamp is a fine young man in his person: when I call him a second Sir Charles Grandison, you and the ladies, and my Lord L. will conceive a very high idea of his understanding, politeness, and other amiable qualities. He is of an ancient family. His father, Sir Harry Beauchamp, tenderly loves him, and keeps him abroad equally against both their wills; especially against Mr. Beauchamp’s, now his beloved friend is in England. This is done to humour an imperious, vindictive woman, who, when a widow, had cast her eyes upon the young gentle-man for a husband; imagining, that her great wealth (her person not disagreeable) would have been a temptation to him. This, however, was unknown to the father; who made his addresses to her much about the time that Mr. Beauchamp had given an absolute denial (perhaps with too little ceremo-ny) to an overture made to him by a friend of hers. This enraged her. She was resolved to be revenged on him, and knowing him to be absolutely in his father’s power, as to fortune, gave way to SirHarry’s addresses; and on her obtaining such terms as in a great measure put both father and son in her power, she married Sir Harry.

She soon gained an absolute ascendant over her husband. The son, when his father first made his addresses to her, was allowed to set out on his travels with an appointment of 6001. a year. She never rested till she had got 4–001. a year to be struck off; and the remaining 2001. were so ill remitted, that the young gentleman would have been put to the great-est difficulties, had it not been for the truly friendly assistance of Mr. Grandison.

Yet it is said, that this lady is not destitute of some good qualities, and in cases where the son is not the subject, behaves very commendably to Sir Harry; but being a managing woman, and Sir Harry loving his ease, she has made herself his receiver and trea-surer; and by that means has put it out of his power vol. x. K to act as paternally by his son as he is inclined to do, without her knowing it.

The lady and Sir Harry both, however, profess to admire the character of Sir Charles Grandison, from the letters Mr. Beauchamp has written from time to time to his father; and from the general report in his favour; and on this, as well I, as Mr. Beauchamp, found our hope, that if Sir Charles, by some unsuspected way, can make himself personally ac — quainted with the lady, he will be able to induce her to consent to her son-inlaw’s recal; and to be re-conciled to him; the rather as there is no issue by this marriage; whose interests might strengthen the lady’s animosity.

Mr. Beauchamp, in this hope, writes to Sir Charles that he can, and will pay all due respect to his father’s wife, and, as such, treat her as his mo-ther, if she will consent to his return to his native country: but declares, that he would stay abroad all his life, rather than his father should be made unhappy, by allowing of his coming over against the consent of so high-spirited awoman. In the mean time he proposes to set out from Vienna, where he now is, for Paris, to be near, if Sir Charles, who he thinks can manage any point he undertakes (and who in this, will be seconded by his father’s love) can prevail with his mother-inlaw.

I long ladies, to have you all acquainted with this other excellent young man. You, Miss Byron, I am sure, in particular, will admire Sir Charles Grandison’s, and my Beauchamp: of spirit so manly, yet of manners so delicate, I end as I began; he is a second Sir Charles Grandison.

I shall think myself, ladies very happy, if I can find it in my power to oblige you, by any communi-cations you would wish to be made you. But let me once more recommend it to you, Lady L. Lord L. and Miss Grandison, to throw off all reserves to the most affectionate of brothers. He will have none to you, in cases which he knows will give you pleasure: and if he forbears of his own accord to acquaint you with some certain affairs, it is, because the issue of them is yet hidden from himself.

As to Lady Olivia, mentioned to you by good Lord L. she never can be more to my patron than she now is.

Allow me to be, my good Miss Byron, with a true paternal affection,

Your admirer and humble servant,

AMBROSE BARTLETT.

SUBJOINED IN A SEPARATE PAPER, BY MISS BYRON TO HER LUCY.

How is this, Lucy? Let me collect some of the contents of these letters. “ If Sir Charles forbear, of his own accord to acquaint his sisters with some certain affairs” “ Issue hidden from himself.” “ Engaged in some affairs at Bologna and Florence, that embarrass him” [/s, or xvas so engaged, means the doctor?] “ Sir Charles Jiot reserved; yet re-served.” How is all this, Lucy?

But does the doctor say, “ That I shall particu-larly admire Mr. Beauchamp?” What means the doctor by that? But he cannot affront me so much as to mean any-thing bui to shew his own love to the worthy young man. The doctor longs for us to see him: if I do see him, he must come quickly: for shall I not soon return to my last, my best re-fuge, the arms of my indulgent grandmamma and aunt? I shall.

But, dear Lucy, have you any spite in you? Are you capable of malice deadly malice? If you are, sit down and wish the person you hate to be in love with a man (I must, it seems, speak out) whom she thinks, and every-body knows, to be su-perior to herself, in every quality, in every endow — ment, both of mind and fortune; and be doubtful (far, far worse is doubtful than sure!) among some faint glimmerings of hope, whether his affections are engaged; and if they are not, whether he can re-turn Ah, Lucy! you know what I mean Don’t let me speak out.

But one word more Don’t you think the doc-tor’s compliment at the beginning of this letter, a little particular?” Delight of E VERY-ONE who is so happy as to know you.” Charming words! But are they or are they not, officiously inserted? Am I the delight of Sir Charles Grandison’s heart? Does he not know me? Weak, silly, vain, humble, low, yet proud Harriet Byron! Begone, paper mean confession of my conjecturing folly Ah, Lucy, I tore the paper half through, as you’ll see, in anger at myself; but I will stitch it to the doc-tor’s letter, to be taken off by you, and to be seen by nobody else.




Volume III.


Letter I.
Miss Harriet Byron to Miss Lucy Selby.

Saturday, March 18. Self, my dear Lucy, is a very wicked thing; a sanctifier, if one would give way to its partialities, of actions, which, in others, we should have no doubt to condemn. Delicacy, too, is often a misleader; an idol, at whose shrine we sometimes offer up our sincerity; but, in that case, it should be called indelicnci/.

Nothing, surely, can be delicate, that is not true, or that gives birth to equivocation: yet how was I pleased with Lord and Lady L. and Miss Grandison, for endeavouring to pass me off to good Dr. Bartlett in the light I had no title to appear in! As if my mind, in a certain point, remained to be known; and would so remain, till the gentleman had discovered his.

And are there some situations, in which a woman must conceal her true sentiments? In which it would be thought immodesty to speak out? Why was I born with a heart so open and sincere? But why, indeed, as Sir Charles has said in his letter relating to the Danbys, should women be blamed, for owning modestly a passion for a worthy and suitable object? Is it, that they will not speak out, lest, if their wishes should not be crowned with success by one man, they should deprive themselves of a chance to succeed with another? Do they not propose to make the man they love, happy? And is it a crime to acknow-ledge, that they are so well disposed to a worthy ob — ject? A worthy object, I repeat; for that is what will warrant the open heart. What a littleness is there in the custom that compels us to be insincere? And suppose we do not succeed with a first object, shall we cheat a future lover with the notion that he was the first?

Hitherto I had acted with some self-approbation: I told Mr. Greville, Mr. Fenwick, Mr. Orme, Mr. Fowler, that I had not seen the man to whom I could wish to give my hand at the altar: but when I found my heart engaged, I was desirous Lady D. should know that it was. But yet, misled by this same notion of delicacy, I could think myself obliged to the two sisters, and my lord, that they endeavour-ed to throw a blind over the eyes of good Dr. Bart — lett: when the right measure, I now think, would have been, not to have endeavoured to obtain lights from him, that we all thought he was not commis-sioned to give: or, if we had, to have related to him the whole truth, and not have put on disguises to him; but to have left him wholly a judge of the fit, and the unfit.

And this is love, is it? that puts an honest girl upon approving of such tricks? Begone, love! I banish thee, if thou wouldst corrupt the simplicity of that heart, which was taught to glory in truth.

And yet, I had like to have been drawn into a greater fault; for, what do you think? Miss Grandison had (by some means or other; she would not tell me how) in Dr. Bartlett’s absence on a visit to one of the canons of Windsor, got at a letter brought early this morning from her brother to that good man, and which he had left opened on his desk.

Here, Harriet, said she, is the letter so lately brought, not perhaps quite honestly come at, from my brother to Dr. Bartlett (holding it out to me). You are warmly mentioned in it. Shall I put it where 1 had it? Or will you so far partake of my fault as to read it first?

O, Miss Grandison! said I: and am 1 warmly mentioned in it? Pray oblige me with the perusal of it. And 1 held out my more than half guilty hand, and took it: but (immediately recollecting myself) did you not hint that you came at it by means not honest? Take it again; I will not partake of your fault. But, cruel Charlotte! how could you tempt me so? And I laid it on a chair.’

Read the first paragraph, Harriet. She took it up, unfolded it, and pointed to the first paragraph. Tempter! said I, how can you wish me to imi-tate our first pattern! And down I sat, and put both my hands before my eyes. Take it away, take it away, while yet 1 am mnocent! Dear Miss Grandison, don’t give me cause for self reproach. I will not partake of your ackn^ivlec/gcd fault.

She read a line or two; and then said, Shall I read farther, Harriet? The very next word is your name. 1 will

No, no, no, said I, putting my fingers to my ears. Yet, had you come honestly by it, I should have longed to read it By what means b2

Why, if people will leave their closet-doors open, let them take the consequence.

If people will do so But was it so? And yet, if it was, would you be willing to have your letters looked into?

Well then, I will carry it back Shall I? (holding it out to me) Shall I, Harriet? I will put it where I had it Shall I? And twice or thrice went from me, and came back to me, with a provoking archness in her looks.

Only tell me, Miss Grandison, is there any — thing in it that you think your brother would not have us see? But I am sure, there is, or the obliging Dr. Bartlett, who has shewn us others, would have fa-voured us with communicating the contents of this.

I would not but have seen this letter for half I am worth! O Harriet! there are huch things in it Bo-logna! Paris! Grandison-hall!

Begone, Siren: letters are sacred things. Re-place it Don’t you own, that you came not honestly by it? And yet

Ah! Lucy, I was ready to yield to the curiosity she had raised: but, recollecting myself. Begone, said I: carry back the letter: I am afraid of myself.

Why, Harriet, here is one passage, the contents of which you must be acquainted with in a very little while

I will not be tempted. Miss Grandison. I will stay till it is communicated to me, be it what it will. But you may be surprised, Harriet, at the time, and know not what answer to give to it. You had as good read it Here, take it Was there ever such a scrupulous creature? It is about you and Emily — About me and Emily! O Miss Grandison, what can there be about me and Emily?

And where’s the difference, Harriet, between ask-SIK CHARLES (iRANDISOV. 5 ing rae about the contents, and reading them? But I’ll tell you

No, you shall not: I will not hear the contents. I never will ask you. Can nobody act greatly but your brother? Let you and me, Charlotte, be the better for his example. You shall neither read them, nor tell me of them. I would not be so used myself.

Such praises did 1 never hear of woman! Oh, Harriet! Such praises

Praises, Charlotte! From your brother! O this curiosity! the first fault of our first parent! But I will not be tempted. If you provoke me to ask questions, laugh at rae, and welcome: but I beseech you, answer me not. Dear creature, if you love me, replace the letter; and do not seek to make me mean in my own eyes.

How you reflect upon me, Harriet! But let me ask you. Are you willing, as a third sister, to take Emily into your guardianship, and carry her down with you into Northamptonshire? Answer me that.

Ah! Miss Grandison! And is there such a proposal as that mentioned! But answer me not, I beseech you Whatever proposal is intended to be made me, let it be made: it will be too soon, whenever that is, if it be a disagreeable one.

But let me say, madam (and tears were in my eyes) that I will not be treated with indignity by the best man on earth. And while I can refuse to yield to a thing that I think unworthy of myself (you are a sister, madam, and have nothing either to hope or fear) I have a title to act with spirit, when occasions call for it.

My drar, you are serious Twice madam, in one breath! 1 will not for^:ve you. You ought now to hear that passage read which relates to you and Emily, if you will not read it yourself. B 3

And she was looking for it; I suppose, intending to read it to me.

No, Miss Grandison, said I, laying my spread hand upon the letter; I will neither read it, nor hear it read. I begin to apprehend, that there will be occasion for me to exert all my fortitude; and while it is yet in my power to do a right or a wrong thing, I will not deprive myself of the consciousness of having merited well, whatever may be my lot Ex-cuse me, madam.

I went to the door, and was opening it when she ran to me Dear creature! you are angry with me; but how that pride becomes you! There is a dignity in it that awes me. O Harriet! how infinitely does it become the only woman in the world, that is wor-thy of the best man in it! Only say, you are not an — gry with me. Say that you can and do forgive me.

Forgive you, my Charlotte! I do. But can you say, that you came not honestly by that letter, and yet forgive yourself? But, my dear Miss Grandison, instantly replace it; and do you watch over me, like a true friend, if in a future hour of weakness you shoqld find me desirous to know any of the contents of a. paper so naughtily come at. I own that I had like to have been overcome: and if I had, all the information it would have given me, could never have recompensed me for what I should have suf-fered in my own opinion, when 1 reflected on the means by which I had obtained it.

Superior creature! how you shame me! I will re-place the letter. And I promise you, that if I can — not forget the contents of it myself (and yet they are glorious to my brother) I will never mention any of them to you; unless the letter be fairly communicated to you, and to us all.

I threw my arms about her neck. She fervently teturned the sisterly embrace. We separated; she retiring at one door, in order to go up to replace the letter; 1 at the other, to re-consider all that had passed on the occasion. And I hope 1 shall love her the better for taking so kindly a behaviour so contrary to what her own had been.

Well, but, don’t you congratulate me, my dear, on my escape from my curiosity? I am sure my grandmamma, and my aunt, will be pleased with their girl. Yet it was a hard struggle, I own: in the suspense I am in; a very hard struggle. But though wishes will play about my heart, that I knew such of the contents as it might concern me to know; yet I am infinitely better pleased that I yielded not to the temptation, than I should have been if 1 had. And then, methinks, my pride is gratified in the superiority this lady ascribes to me over herself, whom so lately I thought greatly my superior.

Yet what merit have I in this? Since if I had considered only rules of policy, I should have been utterly wrong, had I yielded to the temptation: for what use could I have made of any knowledge I might have obtained by this means? If any proposal is to be made me, of what nature soever, it must, in that case, have appeared to be quite new to me: and what an affectation must that have oc-casioned, what dissimulation, in your Harriet? And how would a creature, educated as I have been, have behaved under such trials as might have arisen from a knowledge so faultily obtained?

And had I been discovered; had 1 given cause of suspicion, either to Dr. Bartlett, or Sir Charles; I should have appeared as the principal in the fact: it would have been mean to accuse MissGrandison, as the tempter, in a temptation yielded to with my eyes open. And should I not have cast a slur upon that curiosity which Dr. Bartlett before had not re —^1 fused to gratify, as well as shut myself out from all future communications and confidence?

It is very possible, besides, that, unused as I have been to artifice and disguise, I should have betrayed myself; especially had I found any of the contents of the letter very affecting.

Thus you see, Lucy, that policy, as well as rec-titude of manners, justifies me: and in this parti — cular I am an happy girl.

MissGrandison has just now told her sister what passed between us. Lady L. says, she would not have been Miss Grandison, in taking the letter, by what means soever come at; for how, said she, did I know what secrets there might be in it, before I read it? But I think verily, when it kad been got at, and oflPered me, I could not have been Miss Hyron.

And she threw her arms about me; Dear creature, aid she, you vmst be Lady Grandison

Must! said MissGrandison: she shall.

Miss Grandison talked to L^dy L. of its being likely that her brother would go to Bologna: of a visit he is soon to make to Grandison-hall; and she to go with him: of his going to Paris, in order to settle some matters relating to the will of his late friend Mr. Danby

Well, Lucy, my time in town is hastening to its period. Why am I not reminded, that my three allotted months are near expired? Will you receive the poor girl, who perhaps will not be able to carry down with her the heart she brought up? And yet, to go down to such dear friends without it, what an ungrateful sound has that!

Miss Grandison began to talk of other subjects relating to her brother, and that greatly to his praise. I could have heard all she had to say with infinite pleasure. I do love to hear him praised.

But, as I doubted not but these subjects arose from the letter so surreptitiously obtained, I restrained myself, and withdrew.*

Of what a happy temper is Miss Grandison! She was much affected with the scene that passed between us; but all is over with her already. One lesson upon hei harpsichord sets every-lhing right with her. She has been railiying Lord L with as much life and spirit, as if she had done nothing to be vexed at. Had I been induced by her to read the letter which she got at dishonestly, as she owned, what a poor figure should I have made in my own eyes, for a month to come!

But did she not as soon overcome the mortification given her by her brother, on the detection of Captain Anderson’s affair? How unmercifully did she railly me, within a few hours after! Vet, she has fine quahties. One cannot help loving her I do love her. But is it not a weakness to look M-ith-out abatement of affection on those faults in one person which we should hold utterly inexcusable in another? In Miss Grandison’s case, however, don’t say it is, Lucy. O what a partiality! Yet she has within these few minutes owned, that she thought the step she had taken a faulty one, before she came to me with the letter; and hoped to induce me to countenance her in what she had done.

I called her a little Satan on this occasion. But, after all, what if the dear Charlotte’s curiosity wa more for my sake than her own? No motive of friendship, you will say, can justify a wrong action Why no, Lucy: that is very true; but if you knew Miss Grandison, you would love her dearly.


Letter II.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett.

[JTie letter which Miss Byron refused to read, or hear read.”]

Friday night, March 17. I HOPE my Lord L. and my sisters will be able to make Colnebrook so agreeable to Miss Byron, that I may have the pleasure of jSnding her there in the beginning of the week.

My Lord W. is in town. He has invited me to dine with him tomorrow; and must not be denied, was a part of his message, brought me by Halden his steward, who says, That his lordship has some-thing of consequence to consult me upon.

When, my dear friend, shall I find time for my-self? Pray make my compliments to my Lord L. and to my three sisters; and tell them from me, that when I have the happiness of being in their company, then it is that I think I give time to myself.

I have a letter from Bologna: from the faithful Camilla. The contents of it give me great concern. She urges me to make one more visit there. She tells me, that the bishop said in her hearing, it would be kind, if I would. Were such a visit to be requested generally; and it were likely to be of service; you may believe that I would cheerfully make it.

I should go, for a fortnight at least, to Grandison-hall. Burgess has let me know, that the workmen have gone almost as far as they can go without my farther orders. And the churchwardens have sig-nified to me, that the church is completely beau — tified, according to my directions; so that it will be ready to be opened on the Sunday after next, at farthest; and entreat my presence, both as patron, and benefactor. I will now hasten my designed alterations at the Hall.

I had rather not be present at the opening. Yet the propriety of my being there will probably prevail upon me to comply with the entreaties of the churchwardens; who in their letter signify the expectations of Sir Samuel Clarke, Sir William Turner, and Mr. Barnham, of seeing me, and my sister Charlotte. You will be pleased to mention this to her.

I wish, without putting a slight upon good Mr. Dobson, that you^ my dear friend, could oblige us with the first sermon. All then would be decent, and worthy of the occasion; and the praise would be given properly, and not to the agent. But as it would be a little mortifying to Mr. Dobson (of whose praise only I am apprehensive) so much as to hint such a wish, I will write to him, that he will oblige me if he say not one word, that shall carry the eyes of the audience to my seat.

The execution of the orders I gave, that five other pews should be equally distinguished and or-namented with mine, carries not with it the appear — ance of affectation; does it, my good Dr. Bartlett? especially as so many considerable families have seats there? I would not seem guilty of a false mo-desty, which, breaking out into singularity, would give the suspicion of a wrong direction, in cases where it may be of use to suppose a right one.

What can I do in relation to my Emily? She is of the stature of woman. She ought, according to the present taste, to be introduced into public life. I am not fond of that life: and what knowledge she will gain by the introduction, she had better be without. Yet I think we should conform something to the taste of the times in which we live. Women’s minds have generally a lighter turn than those of men. They should be innocently indulged. And on this principle it was, that last winter I attended her, and my sisters, very often to the places of public entertainment; that she, having seen every thing that was the general subject of polite conversation, might judge of such entertainments as they deserve; and not add expectation (which runs very high in young minds, and is seldom answered) to the ideal scenes. This indulgence answered as I wish. Emily can now hear talk of the emulation of actors, and managers, and of the other public di-versions, with tranquillity; and be satisfied, as she reads, with representing over again to herself the parts in which the particular actors excelled. And thus a boundary is set to her imagination: and that by her own choice; for she thinks lightly of them, when she can be obliged by the company of my two sisters and Lord L.

But new scenes will arise, in an age so studious as this, to gratify the eye and the ear. From these a young woman of fortune must not be totally excluded. I am a young man; and as Emily is so well grown for her years, I think I cannot so properly be her introducer to them, as 1 might, were I fifteen or twenty years olden

I live to my own heart; and I know (I think I do) that it is not a bad one: but as I cannot intend any-thing with regard to my Emily, I must, for her sake, be more observant of the world’s opinion, than I hope 1 need to be for my own. You have taught me, that it is not good manners to despise the world’s opinion, though we should regard it only in the second place.

Emily has too large a fortune. I have a high opinion of her discretion. But she is but a girl. Women’s eyes are wanderers; and too often bring home guests that are very troublesome to them, and whom, once introduced, they cannot get out of the house.

I wish she had only ten thousand pounds. She would then stand a better chance for happiness, than she can do, I doubt, with five times ten; and would have five persons, to one that she has now, to choose out of: for how few are there who can make proposals to the father or guardian of a girl who has 50,0001?

Indeed there are not wanting in our sex forward spirits, who will think that sum not too much for their merits, though they may not deserve 5,0001. nor even one. And hence arises the danger of a woman of great fortune from those who will not dare to make proposals to a guardian. After an introduction (and how easy is that now made, at public places!) a woman of the greatest fortune is but a woman, and is to be attacked, and prevailed upon, by the same methods which succeed with a person of the slenderest; and perhaps is won with equal, if not with greater ease; since, if the lady has a little romance in her head, and her lover a great deal of art and flattery, she will call that romantic turn generosity, and, thinking she can lay the man who has obtained her attention, under obli-gation, she will meet him her full half-way.

Emily is desirous to be constantly with us. My sister is very obliging. I know she will comply with whatever I shall request of her in relation to Emily. But where the reputation of a lady is concerned, a man should not depend too much upon his own character, especially a young man, be it ever so unexceptionable. Her mother has already given out foolish hints. She demands her daughter The unhappy woman has no regard to truth. Her own character lost, and so deservedly, will she have any tenderness for that of Emily? Who will scruple to believe, what a mother, though ever so wicked, will report of her daughter under twenty, and her guar-dian under thirty, if they live constantly together? Her guardian, at the same time, carrying his heart in his countenance, and loving the girl; though with as much innocence, as if she were his sister. Once I had thoughts of craving the assistance of the court of Chancery for the protection of her person and fortune: but a hint of this nature distressed her for many days, unknown to me. Had I been acquainted that she took it so heavily, I would not have made her unhappy for one day.

I have looked out among the quality for a future husband for her: but, where can I find one with whom I think she will be happy? There are many who would be glad of her fortune. As I said, her fortune is too large. It is enough to render every man’s address to her suspected; and to make a guardian apprehensive, that her person, agreeable as it is, and every day improving, and her mind opening to advantage every hour of her life, would be but the second, I/’ the second, view of a man professing to love her. And were she to marry, what a damp would the slights of a husband give to the genius of a young woman, whose native modesty would always make her want encouragement!

I have also cast an eye over the gentry within ray knowledge: but have not met with one whom I could wish to be the husband of my Emily. So tender, so gentle, so ductile, as she is, a fierce, a rash, an indelicate, even a careless or indifferent man, would either harden her heart, or shorten her life: and as the latter would be much more easy to be effected than the former, what must she suffer before she could return indifference for disrespect; and reach the quiet end of it!

See what a man Sir Walter Watkyns is! My sister only could deal with such an one. A supe-riority in her so visible, he must fear her: yet a generosity so great, and a dignity so conspicuous, in her whole behaviour, as well as countenance, he must love her: every body’s respect to her, would oblige love and reverence from him. But my weak-hearted, diffident Emily, what would she do with such a man?

What would she do with a Sir Hargrave Pol-lexfen? What with such a man, as Mr, Greville, as Sir Hargrave describes him? I mention these men; for are there not many such?

I am not apt to run into grave declamations against the times; and yet, by what I have seen abroad, and now lately since my arrival, at home, and have heard from men of greater observation, and who have lived longer in the world, than I have, I cannot but think, that Englishmen are not what they were. A wretched effeminacy seems to prevail among them. Marriage itself is every day more and more out of fashion; and even virtuous women give not the institution so much of their countenance, as to discourage by their contempt the free livers. A good woman, as such, has there-fore but few chances for happiness in marriage. Yet shall 1 not endeavour, the more endeavour, to save and serve my Emily?

I have one encouragement, since my happy ac-quaintance with Miss Byron, to think that the age is not entirely lost to a sense of virtue and goodness. See we not how every-body reveres-Zierf Even a Sir Hargrave PoUexfen, a Greville, a Fenwick, men of free lives, adore her. And at the same time she meets with the love of all good men, and the respect of women, whether gay or serious. But 1 am afraid, that the first attraction with men, is her beauty. I am afraid, that few see in that admirable young lady what 1 see in her: a mind great and noble: a sin-cerity beyond that of women: a goodness unaf — fected, and which shews itself in action, and not merely in words, and outward appearance: a wit lively and inoffensive: and an understanding solid and useful: all which render her a fit companion, either in the social or contemplative hour: and yet she thinks herself not above the knowledge of those duties, the performance of which makes an essential of the female character.

But I am not giving a character of Miss Byron to you, my good Dr. Bartlett, who admire her as much as I do.

Do you think it impossible for me to procure for my Emily such a guardian and companion as Miss Byron, on her return to Northamptonshire, would make her? Such worthy relations as she would introduce her tO; would be a further happiness to my ward.

I am far from undervaluing my sister’s good qualities: but if Emily lives with her, she must live also with me. Indeed the affairs in which I am engaged for other people ( if I may call those who have a claim upon me for every instance of my friendship, other people) will occasion me to be often absent. But still, while Grandison-hall, and St James’s Square, are the visible places of resi-dence equally of the guardian and ward, Emily’s mother will tell the world, that we live together.

Miss Jervois does not choose to return to Mrs. Lane; and indeed I don’t think she would be safe there in a family of women, though very worthy ones, from the attempts of one of the sex, who, having brought her into the world, calls herself her mother; and especially now that the unhappy woman has begun to be troublesome there. 1 beg of you,

SIH CHARLES GRANUISON. 17 therefore, my dear Dr. IJartlett, who know more of my heart and situation than any one Hving (my dear Beauchamp excepted) to consider what I have written, and give me your opinion of that part of it, which relates to Miss Byron and Emily.

I was insensibly drawing myself in to enumerate the engagements, which at present press most upon me. Let me add to the subject I must soon go to Paris, in order finally to settle such of the affairs of my late worthy friend, as cannot be so well done by any other hand. The three thousand pounds, which he has directed to be disposed of to charitable uses, in France as well as in England, at the discretion of his executor, is one of them.

Perhaps equity will allow me to add to this limited sum from what will remain in my hands after the establishment of the nephews and niece. As fliey are young, and brought up with the hope that they will make a figure in the world by their diligence, 1 would not, by any means, make them independent on that. The whole estate, divided among them, would not be sufficient to answer that purpose hap-pily, though it might be enough to abate the edge of their industry.

The charity that I am most intent upon promoting in France, and in England too, is, that of giving little fortunes to young maidens in marriage with honest men of their own degree, who might, from such an outsetting, begin the world, as it is called, with some hope of success.

By this time, my dear Dr. Bartlett, you will guess that 1 have a design upon you. It is, that you will assist me in executing the will of my late friend. Make enquiries after, and recommend to me, objects worthy of relief You were very desirous, some time ago, to retire to the Hall: but I knew not how to spare you; and I hoped to attend you thither. c3

You shall now set out for that place as soon as you please. And that neither may be (or as little as possible) losers by the separation, every thing that we would say to each other, were we together, thnt^ as we used to do, we will say by pen and ink. We will be joint executors, in the first place, for this sum of 30001.

Make enquiries then, as soon as you get down, for worthy objects The industrious poor, of all persuasions, reduced either by age, infirmity, or ac-cident; those who labour under incurable maladies; youth, of either sex, capable of beginning the world to advantage, but destitute of the means; these, in particular, are the objects we both think worthy of assistance. You shall take 5001. down with you, for a beginning.

It is my pride, it is my glory, that I can say, Dr. Bartlett and Charles Grandison, on all benevolent occasions, are actuated by one soul. My dear friend, adieu.


Letter III.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Saturday night, March 18. I HAVE furnished the ladies, and my lord, with more letters. And so they have all my heart before them! I don’t care. The man is Sir Charles Grandison; and they railly me not so much as before, while they thought I affected reserves to them. Indeed it would be cruel, if they did; and I should have run away from them.

I am glad you all think, that the two sisters used me severely. They really did. But I have this jrati$cation of my pride in reflecting upon their treatment of me 1 would not have done so by them, had situations been exchanged: and I think myself nearer an equality with them, than I had thought myself before. But they arc good women, and my sincere friends and well-wishers; and I forgive them: and so mitst my grandmamma.

I am sorry, methinks, that her delicacy has been offended on the occasion. And did she weep at the hearing read my account of that attack made upon her girl by the over-lively Charlotte? O the dear, the indulgent,parent! How tender was it of my aunt too, to be concerned for the poor Harriet’s delicacy, so hard put to it as she was! It did indeed (as she distinguishes in her usual charming manner) look, as if they put a great price upon their intended friendship to me, with regard to my interest in their brother’s heart: as if the favour done to the humbled girl, if they could jointly procure for her their brother’s countenance, might well allow of their raillery Don’t, pray don’t, mj^ dear grand-mamma, call it by a severer name. They did not, I am sure they did not, mean to hurt me so much, as I really was hurt. So let it pass. Humour and raillery are very difficult things to rein in. They are ever curveting like a prancing horse; and they will often throw the rider who depends more upon his skill in managing them, than he has reason to do.

My uncle was charmed with the scene: and thiqks the two ladies did just as he would have done. He means it a compliment to their delicacy ^ I presume: but I am of my aunt Selby’s opinion, that their o-^we-roua brother would not have given them thanks for their raillery to the poor frighted Harriet. I am very happy, however, that my behaviour and frankness on the occasion are not disapproved at Selby — house, and Shirley-manor, and by you, my Lucy. And here let that matter rest.

Should I not begin to think of going back to you all, my Lucy? I believe I blush ten times a day, when alone, to find myself waiting and waiting as if for the gracious motion; yet apprehending that it never imll^ never can, be made; and all you, my friends, indulging an absence, that your goodness makes painful to you, in the same hope. It looks Don’t it, Lucy? so like a design upon I don’t know how it looks! But at times, 1 can’t endure myself. And yet while the love of virtue (perhaps a little too personal ) is the foundation of these designs, these waitings, these emotions, I think, I am not wholly inexcusable.

I am sure I should not esteem him, were he not the good man he is Pray let me ask you Do you think he can always go on thus triumphantly? So young a man So admired, so applauded Will lie ‘never be led into doing something unworthy of his character? If he could, do you think I should then be partial to him O no! 1 am sure 1 should not! 1 should disdain him I might grieve, I might pity But what a multitude of foolish notions come into the head of a silly girl, who, little as she knows, knows more of any thing, or of any body, than she knows of herself! *

I wish my godfather had not put it in my head, that Emily is cherishing (perhaps unknown to her-self) a flame that will devour her peace. For, to be sure, this young creature can have no hope that Yet 50,0001. is a vast fortune. But it can never buy her guardian. Do you think such a man as Sir Charles Grandison has a price? I am sure he iias not.

I watch the countenance, the words, the air of the girl, when he is spoken of: and with pity I see, that he cannot be named, but her eyes sparkle. Her eye is taken off her work or book, as she happens to be engaged in either, and she seems as if she would look the person through who is praising her guar-dian. For the life of her she cannot work and hear. And then she sighs Upon my word, Lucy, there is no such thing as proceeding with his praises before her the girl so sighs So young a creature! Yet how can one caution the poor thing?

But what makes me a little more observant of her, than I should otherwise perhaps have been (additional to Mr. Dean’s observation) is a hint given me by Lady L. which perhaps she has from Miss Grandison, and she not unlikely from the stolen letter: for Miss Grandison hinted at it, but I thought it was only to excite my curiosity [when one is not in good humour, hoAv one’s very stile is encum-bered!]: the hint is this, that it is more than pro bable, it will be actually proposed to me, to take down with me to Northamptonshire this young lady I, who want a governess myself, to be Mwilet it be proposed.

In a conversation that passed just now, between us women, on the subject of love (a favourite topic with all girls), this poor thing gave her opinion unasked; and, for a young girl, was quite alert, I thought. She used to be more attentive than talkative.

I whispered Miss Grandison once, Don’t you think Miss Jervois talks more than she used to do, madam?

I think she does, madam, re-whispered the arch lady.

I begyour pardon Charlotte, then.

You have it, Harriett then. But let her prate. She is not often in the humour.

Nay, with all my heart; I love Miss Jervois: but I can’t but watch when habits begin to change. And I am always afraid of young creatures exposing themselves when they are between girls and women.

I don’t love whispering, said Miss Jervois, more pertly than ever: but my guardian loves me; and you, ladies, love me; and so my heart is easy.

Her heart easy! Who thought of her heart? Her guardian loves her! Emily shan’t go down with me, Lucy,

, Sunday morning, March 19. but, Lucy, we are alarmed here on Miss Jer-vois’s account, by a letter which Dr. Bartlett re — ceived a little late last night from Sir Charles; so shewed it us not till this morning as we were at breakfast. The unhappy woman, her mother, has made him a visit. Poor Emily! Dear child! what a mother she has!

I have so much obliged the doctor by delivering into his hands the papers that our other friends have just perused (and, let me say, with high appro-bation) that he made no scruple of allowing me to send this letter to you. I asked the favour, as I know you will all now be very attentive to whatever relates to Emily. Return every thing the doctor shall entrust me with by the first opportunity.

By the latter part of this letter you will find, that the doctor has acquainted Sir Charles with his sis-ter’s wishes of a correspondence with him by letter. He consents to it, you will all see; but upon terms that are not likely to be complied with by any of his three sisters; for he puts me in. Three sisters!

His third sister! The repetition has such an offici-ousness in it. He is a good man; but he can be severe upon our sex It u not in woman to be unre-served You’ll find that one of the reflections upon us: he adds; And, to be impartial, perhaps they shoidd not. Why so? But is not this a piece of advice given to myself, to make me more reserved than I am? But he gives not himself opportunity to see whether I am or am not reserved. I won’t be mean, Lucy, I repeat for the twentieth time. I won’t deserve to be despised by him No! though he were the sovereign of the greatest empire on earth. In this believe your

HARRIET BYRON.
Letter IV.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett.

[inc/osed in the preceding,’^

March 18. I HAVE had a visit, my dear and reverend friend, from Emily’s mother. She will very probably make one also at Colnebrook, before I can be so happy as to get thither, I dispatch this therefore, to apprise you and Lord L. of such a probability; which is the greater, as she knows Emily to be there, through the inadvertence of Saunders, and finds me to be in town. I will give you the particulars of what passed between us, for your better information, if she goes to Colnebrook.

I was preparing to attend Lord W. as by appointment, when she sent in her name to me.

I received her civilly. She had the assurance to make up to me with a full expectation that I would salute her; but I took, or rather received, her ready hand, and led her to a chair by the fireside. You have never seen her. She thinks herself still haiKi-some; and, did not her vices make her odious, and her whole aspect shew her heart, she would not be much mistaken.

How does Emily, Sir? gallanting her fan: Is the girl here? Bid her come to me. 1 mil see her.

She is not here, madam.

“Where is she then? She has not been at Mrs. Lane’s for some time.

She is in the best protection: she is with my two sisters.

And pray, Sir Charles Grandison, what do you intend to do with her? Tlie girl begins to be wo-manly.

She laughed; and her heart spoke out at her eyes.

Tell me what you propose to do with her? You know, added she, affecting a serious air, that she is my child.

If, madam, you deserve to be thought her mother, you will be satisfied with the hands she is in.

Pish! I never loved you good men: where a fine girl comes in their way, 1 know what I know^

She looked wantonly, and laughed again.

I am not to talk seriously with you, Mrs. Jervois; but what have you to say to my ward?

Hay! Why, you know, Sir, I am her mother: and 1 have a mind to have the care of her person myself. You must (so her father directed) have the care of her fortune: but I have a mind, for her repu-tation-sake, to take the girl out of the hands of so voung a guardian. I hope you will not oppose me?

If this be all your business, madam, I must be excused. I am preparing, as you see, to dress.

Where is Emily? I ivill see the girl.

If your motive be motherly love, httle, madam, sin CHARLES GRANDISON. 25 as you have acted the mother by her, you shall see her when she is in town. But her person, and repu-tation, as well as fortune, must be ray care.

I am married, Sir: and my husband is a man of honour.

Your marriage, madam, gives a new reason why Emily must not be in your care.

Let me tell you, Sir, that my husband is a man of honour, and as brave a man as yourself; and he will see me righted.

Be he who he will, he can have no business with Emily. Did you come to tell me you are married, madam?

I did, Sir. Don’t you wish me joy?

Joy, madam! I wish you to deserve joy, and you will then perhaps have it. You’ll excuse me I shall make my friends wait.

I could not restrain my indignation. This woman marries, as she calls it, twice or thrice a year.

Well, Sir, then you will find time, perhaps, to talk with Major O’Hara. He is of one of the best families in Ireland. And he will not let me be rob-bed of my daucrhter.

Major O’Hara, madam, has nothingto do with the daughter of my late unhappy friend. Nor have I any-thing to say to him. Emily is in my protection; and I am sorry to say, that she never had been so, were not the woman who calls herself her mother, the per-son least fit to be entrusted with her daughter. Per — mit me the favour of leading you to your chair.

She then broke out into the language in which she always concludes these visits. She threatened me with the resentments of Major O’Hara; and told me, he had been a conqueror in half a dozen duels.

I offered my hand. She refused it not. I led her to her chair.

I will call again tomorrow afternoon, said she (threatening with her head); perhaps with the ma-jor, Sir. And I expect you will produce the little harlotry.

I left her in silent contempt. Vile woman!

But let nothing of this escape you to my Emily. I think she should not see her but in my presence. The poor girl will be terrified into fits, as she was the last time she saw her, if she comes, and I am not there. But possibly I may hear no more of this wicked woman for a month or two. Having a power to make her annuity either one or two hundred pounds, according to her behaviour, at my own discretion, the man she has married, who could have no inducement, but the annuity, if he has married her, will not suffer her to incur such a reduction of it; for, you know, I have always hitherto paid her two hundred pounds a year. Her threatening to see me tomorrow may be to amuse me while she goes. The woman is a foolish woman; hut, being accustomed to intrigue, she aims at cunning and contrivance.

I am now hastening to Lord W. I hope his wo-man will not be admitted to his table, as she ge — nerally is, let who will be present; yet, it seems, knows not how to be silent, whatever be the sub-ject. I have never chosen either to dine or sup with my lord, that I might not be under a necessity of objecting to her company; and were I not to object to it, as I am a near kinsman to my lord, and know the situation she is in with him, my complais-ance might be imputed to motives altogether un worthy of a man of spirit.

Yours of this morning was brought to me, just as I was concluding. I am greatly interested in one paragraph in it.

You hint to me that my sisters, though my ab-sences are short, would be glad to receive now-and — then a letter from me. You, my dear friend, have

SIH CHARLES GRANDISON. 2? engaged me into a kind of habit, which makes me write to you with ease and pleasure. To you, and to our Heauchamp, methinks, I can write any-thing. Use, it is true, would make it equally agreeable to’ me to write to my sisters. I would not have them think that there is a brother in the world, that better loves his sisters than I do mine: and now, you know, I have three. But why have they not signified as much to me? Could I give pleasure to any whom I love, without giving great pain to myself, it would be unpardonable not to do it.

I could easily carry on a correspondence with my sisters, were they to be very earnest about it: but then it must be a correspondence: the writing must not be all of one side. Do they think I should not be equally pleased to hear what they are about, from time to time; and what, occasionally, their senti-ments are upon persons and things? If it fall in your way, and you think it not a mere temporary wish (for young ladies often wish and think no more of the matter); then propose the condition But, caution them, that the moment I discover, that they are less frank, and more reserved than I am, there will be an end of the correspondence. My three sisters are most amiably frank, for women But thus chal-lenged, dare they enter the lists, upon honour, with a man, abrother, upon equal terms? () no! They dare not. It is not in women to be unreserved in some points; and (to be impartial) perhaps they should not: yet, surely, there is now-and-then a man, a brother, to be met with, who would be the more grateful for the confidence reposed in him.

Were this proposal to be accepted, I could write to them many of the things that I communicate to you. I have but few secrets. I only wish to keep from relations so dear to me, things that could not possibly yield them pleasure. I am sure 1 could trust to your judgment, the passages that might be read to them from my letters to you.

Sometimes, indeed, I love to divert myself with Charlotte’s humorous curiosity; for she seems, as I told her lately, to love to suppose secrets, where there are none, for a compliment to her own sagacity, when she thinks she has found them out; and I love at such times to see her puzzled, and at a fault, as a punishment for her declining to speak out.

You have told me heretofore, in excuse for the distance, which my txvo elder sisters observe to their brother, when 1 have complained of it to you, that it proceeded from awe, from reverence for him. But why should there be that awe, that reverence? Sure-ly, my dear friend, if this is spontaneous, and invin — cible, in them, there must be some fault in ray be haviour, some seeming want of freedom in my man — ner, with which you will not acquaint me: it is otherwise impossible, that between brothers and sis-ters, where the love is not doubted on either side, Euch a distance should subsist. You must consult them upon it, and get them to explain themselves on this subject to you; and when they have done so, tell rrie of my fault, and I will endeavour to render myself more agreeable (more familiar, shall I say?) to them. But I will not by any means excuse them, if they give me cause to think, that the distance is owing to the will and the power I have been blessed with to do my duty by them. What would this be, but indirectly to declare, that once they expected not justice from their brother? But no more of this subject at present. I am impatient to be with you all at Colnebrook; you cannot think hovo impatient. Self-denial is a very hard doctrine to be learned, my good Dr. Bartlett. So, in some cases, is it found to be, by your

CHARLES GRANDISON.


Letter V.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Colnebrook, Sunday eveniii^t Poor Emily! her heart is almost broken. This ig-noble passion, what a mean spirited creature had it like to have made me! Be quiet, be quiet, Lucy! I will call it ignoble. Did you ever know me before so little? And had it not like to have put me upon being hard-hearted, envious, and I can’t tell what, to a poor fatherless girl, just starting into woman, and therefore into more danger than she ever was in before; wantingtobeprotected from whom? From a mother. Dreadful circumstance! Yet 1 was ready to grudge the poor girl her guardian, and her inno-cent prattle! But let me be despised by the man I love, if I do not conquer this new-discovered envy, jealousy, littleness, at least with regard to this unhappy girl, whose calamity endears her to me.

Dear child, sweet Emily; you shall go down with me, if it be proposed. My grandmamma, and uncle, and aunt, will permit me to carry you with me. They are generous; they have no little passion to mislead their beneficence: they are what I hope to be, now I have found myself out And what if her gratitude should make her heart overflow into love, has she not excuse for it, if Harriet has any?

Well, but to the occasion of the poor Emily’s distress. About twelve this day, soon after Lord L. and the two sisters and I, came from church (for Emily happened not to go) a coach and four stopped at the gate, and a servant in a sorry livery, alighting from behind it, enquired for Lord L. Two gentle-men, who by their dress and appearance were mili — tary men, and one lady, were in it.

My lord ordered them to be invited to alight, and received them w^ith his usual politeness.

Don’t let me call this unhappy woman Emily’s mother; O’Hara is the name she owns.

She addressed herself to my lord: I am the mo-ther of Emily Jervois, my lord: this gentleman, Major O’Hara, is my husband.

“The major bowed, strutted, and acknowledged her for his wife: And this gentleman, my lord, is Captain Salmonet, a very brave man: he is in fo-reign service. His lady is my own sister.

My lord took notice of each.

I understand, my lord, that my daughter is here. I desire to see her.

One of my lord’s servants, at that time passing by the door which was open. Pray, Sir, said she to him, let Miss Jervois know, that her mamma is come to see her. Desire her to come to me.

Major. I long to see my new daughter; I hear ghe is a charming young lady, she may depend upon the kindness of a father from me.

Capt. De man of honour and good nature be my broder’s general cha-rac^-er, I do assure your lordship.

He spoke English as a Frenchman, my lord says; but pronounced the word character as an Irishman.

Major (bowing). No need of this, my dear friend. My lord has the cha-ract-er of a fine gentleman him-self, and knows how to receive a gentleman who waits upon him with due respect.

Lord L. I hope I do. But, madam, you know whose protection the lady is in.

Mrs. O’Hara. I do, my lord. Sir Charles Grandison is a very fine gentleman.

Capt. De vinest cha-roc^-er in de vorld. By my salvation, every body say so.

Mrs. O^Hara. But Sir Charles, my lord, is a very sill CHARLES GRANDISON. 31 young gentleman to be a guardian to so young a creature; especially now that she is growing into woman. I have had some few faults, I own. Who lives, that has not? But I have been basely scanda-lized. My first husband had /<m; and much greater than I had. He was set against me by some of his own relations: vile creatures! He left me, and went abroad; but he has answered for all by this time; and for the scanty allowance he made me, his great fortune considered: but as long as my child will be the better for it, that I can forgive. Emily, my dear!

She stepped to the door on hearing the rustling of silks, supposing her at hand; but it was Miss Grandison, followed by a servant with chocolate, to afford her a pretence to see the visiters; and at the same time having a mind to hint to them, that they were not to expect to be asked to stay to dinner.

It is to Miss Grandison that I owe the description of each, the account of what passed, and the broken dialect.

Mrs. O’Hara has been a handsome woman; but well might Sir Charles be disgusted with her aspect. She has a leering, sly, yet confident eye; and a very bold countenance. She is not ungenteel; yet her very dress denotes her turn of mind. Her complexion, sallowish, streaked with red, makes her face (which is not so plump as it once has been) look like a withering John-apple that never ripened kindly.

Miss Grandison has a way of saying ill-natured things, in such a good-natured manner, that one can-not forbear smiling, though one should not altogether approve of them; and yet sometimes one would be ready to wonder how she came by her images.

The major is pert, bold, vain, and seemed parti-cularly fond of his new scarlet coat, and laced waist — coat. He is ctNTtainly, Miss Giandison says, a low man, though a soldier. Anderson, added she, i worth fifty of him. His face, fiery and highly pim-pled, is set off to advantage by an enormous solitaire. His bad and straggling teeth are shewn continually by an affected laugh, and his empty discourse is interlarded with oaths, which, with my uncle’s leave, I shall omit.

Captain Salmonet, she says, appeared to her in a middle way between a French beau and a Dutch boor; aiming at gentility with a person and shape uncommonly clumsy.

They both assumed military airs, which not sitting naturally, gave them what Miss Grandison called the swagger of soldierly importance.

Emily was in her own apartment, almost fainting with terror; for the servant, to whom Mrs. O’Hara had spoken, to bid her daughter come to her, had officiously carried up the message.

To what Mrs. O’Hara had said in defence of her own character, my lord answered, Mr, Jervois had a right, madam, to do what he pleased with a for-tune acquired by his own industry. A disagree — ment in marriage is very unhappy; but in this case, as in a duel, the survivor is hardly ever in fault. I have nothing to do in this matter. Miss Jervois is ig very happy in Sir Charles Grandison’s protection. She thinks so; and so does every body that knows her. It is your misfortune if you do not.

Mrs. O’Hara. My lord, I make no dispute of Sir Charles’s being the guardian of her fortune; but no father can give away the authority a mother has, as well as himself, over her child.

Major. That child a daughter too, my lord.

Lo7-d L. To all this I have nothing to say. You will not be able, I believe, to persuade my brother Grandison to give up his ward’s person to you, ma-dam.

Mrs. O^Hara. Chancery may, my lord

Lord L. I have nothing to say to this, madam. No man in England knows better what is to be done, in this case, than Sir Charles Grandison; and no man will be readier to do what is just and fitting, without law; but I enter not into the case; you must not talk to me on this subject.

Miss Gr. Do you think, madam, that your mar-riage intitles you the rather to have the care of Miss Jervois?

Major (with great quickness). I hope, madam, that my honour, and my cha-rac^-er

Miss Gr. Be they ever so unquestionable, will not intitle you, Sir, to the guardianship of Miss Jervois’s person.

Major. I do not pretend to it, madam. But I hope that no father’s will, no guardian’s power, is to set aside the natural authority which a mother has over her child.

Lord L. This is not my affair. I am not inclined to enter into a dispute with you, madam, on this subject.

Mrs. 0*Hara. Let Emily be called down to her mother. I hope I may see my child. She is in this house, my lord. I hope I may see my child.

Major. Your lordship, and you, madam, will allow, that it would be the greatest hardship in the world, to deny to a mother the sight of her child.

Capt. De very greatest hardship of all hardships. Your lordship will not refuse bo let de daughter come to her moder.

Lord L. Her guardian perhaps will not deny it. You must apply to him. He is in town. Miss Jer-yois is here but as a guest. She will be soon in town. I must not have her alarmed. She has very ireak spirits.

Mrs, O^Hara. Weak spirits, my lord! A child to have spirits too weak to see her mother! And she felt for her handkerchief.

Miss Gr. It sounds a Httle harshly, I own, to deny to a mother the sight of her daughter; but unless my brother wpre present, I think, my lord, it cannot be allowed.

Major. Not allowed, madam!

Capt. A moder to be denied to see her daughter! Jesu! and he crossed himself.

Mrs. O’Hara (putting her handkerchief to hide her eyes, for it seems she wept not). I am a very unhappy mother indeed

Major (embracing her). My dearest honey! My love! I must not bear these tears Would to God Sir Charles was here, and thought fit But I came not here to threaten You, my lord, are a man of the greatest honour; so is Sir Charles. But what-ever were the misunderstandings between husband and wife, they should not be kept up and propa-gated between mother and child. My wife at pre sent desires only to see her child: that’s all my lord. Were your brother present, madam, he would not deny her this. Then again embracing his wife, My dear soul, be comforted. You will be allowed to see your daughter; no doubt of it. I am able to protect and right you My dear soul, be comforted.

She sobbed. Miss Grandison says; and the good-natured Lord L. was moved Let Miss Jervois be asked, said he, if she chooses to come down.

I will go to her myself, said Miss Grandison.

She came down presently again

Miss Byron and Miss Jervois, said she, are gone out together in the chariot.

Major. Nay, madam

Capt. Upon my salvation this must not pass And he swaggered about the room.

Mrs. O’Hara looked with an air of incredulity.

SIK CIIAULES GRANDrSON.

It was true, however; for the poor girl being ready to faint, I was called in to her. Lady L. had been making a visit in the chariot; and it had just brought her back. O save me, save me, dear madam, said Miss Emily to me, wringing her hands. I can-not, I cannot see my mother out of my guardian’s presence. And she will make me own her new hus-band. I beseech you, save me; hide me.

I saw the chariot from the window, and, without asking any questions, I hurried Miss Emily down stairs, and conducted the trembling dear into it; and stepping in after her, ordered the coachman to drive any where except towards London: and then the poor girl threw her arms about my neck, smo-thering me with her kisses, and calling me by all the tender names that terror and mingled gratitude could suggest to her.

Miss Grandison told the circumstances pretty near as above; adding, I think, my lord, that Miss Emily wants not apology for her terror on this oc-casion. That lady, in her own heart, knows that the poor girl has reason for it.

Madam, said the major, my wife is cruelly used. Your brother But I shall talk to him upon the sub-ject. He is said to be a man of conscience and honour: I hope I shall find him so. I know how to protect and right my wife.

And I will stand by my broder and his lady, said the captain, to de very last drop of my blood. He looked fierce, and put his hand on his sword.

Lord L. You don’t by these airs mean to insult me, gentlemen If you do

Major. No, no, my lord. But we must seek our remedy elsewhere. Surprising! that a mother is denied the sight of her daughter! Veri/ surprising!

Capt. Very surprising, indeed! Ver dis to be done in my country in France English liberty! Begar ver pretty liberty! A daughter to be sup-ported against her moder Whew! Ver pretty li — berty, by my salvation!

Mrs. O’Hara. And is indeed my vile child run away to avoid seeing her mother? Strange! Does she always intend to do thus? She must see me And dearly shall she repent it!

And she looked fierce, and particularly spiteful; and then declared, that she would stay there till Emily came back, were it midnight.

Lord L. You will have my leave for that, madam?

Major. Had we not best go into our coach, and let that drive in quest of her? She cannot be far off. It will be easy to trace a chariot.

Lord L. Since this matter is carried so far, let me tell you, that, in the absence of her guardian, I will protect her. Since Miss Jervois is thus averse, she shall be indulged in it. If you see her, madam, it must be by the consent, and in the presence, of her guardian.

Major. Well, my dear, since the matter stands thus; since your child is taught to shun you thus; let us see what Sir Charles Grandison will say to it. He is the principal in this affair, and is not privileged, li’he thinks fit and there he stopped, and blustered; and offered his hand to his bride I am able both to protect and right you, madam; and I rvill. But you have a letter for the girl, written on a supposition that she was not here. Little did you, or I, think, that she was in the house when we came; and that she should be spirited away to avoid paying her duty to her mother.

Very true. And, very true, said each; and Mrs. O’Hara pulled out the letter, laying it on one of the chairs; and desired it might be given to her daughter. And then they all went away, very much dissatisfied; the two men muttering and threatening, and resolving, as they said, to make a visit to Sir

Charles.

I hope we shall see him here very soon. I hope these wretches will not insult him, or endanger a life so precious. Poor Emily! I pity her from my heart.

She is as much grieved on this occasion, as I was, in dread of the resentment of Sir Hargrave Pollexfen. Let me give you some account of what passed between Emily and me: you will be charmed with her beautiful simplicity.

When we were in the chariot, she told me, that the last time she saw her mother, it was at Mrs. Lane’s. The bad woman made a pretence of private business with her daughter, and withdrew with her into another room, and then insisted that she should go oflP with her, unknown to any body. And because I desired to be excused, said she, my mother laid her hands upon me, and said she would trample me under her foot. It is true (unhappy woman!) she was

[Then the dear girl whispered me, though nobody was near us sweet modest creature, loth to reveal this part of her mother’s shame even to me aloud, and blushed as she spoke ] she was in her cups. My mamma is as naughty as some men in that re-spect: and I believe she would have been as good as her word; but on my screaming (for I was very much frighted) Mrs. Lane, who had an eye upon us, ran in with two servants, and one of her daughters, and rescued me. She had torn my cap Yet it was a sad thing, you know, madam, to see one’s mother put out of the house against her will. And then she raised the neighbourhood. Lord bless me, I thawght I should have died. I did fail into tits. Then was Mrs. Lane forced to tell every one what a sad woman my mother was! It was such a disgrace to me I It was a month before I could go to church, or look any body in the face. But Mrs. Lane’s character was of her side; and my guardian’s goodness was a help Shall I say a help against my mother? Poor woman! we heard afterwards, she was dead; but my guardian would not believe it. If it would please God to take me, I should rejoice. Many a tear does my poor mother, and the trouble I give to the best of men, cost me, when nobody sees me; and many a time do 1 cry myself to sleep, when I think it impossible I should get such a kind relief.

I was moved at the dear girl’s melancholy tale. I clasped my arms about her, and wept on her gentle bosom. Her calamity, which was the greatest that could happen to a good child, I told her, had endeared her to me: I would love her as my sister.

And so I will: dear child, I will for ever love her. And I am ready to hate myself for some passages in my last letter, O how deceitful is the heart! 1 could not have thought it possible that mine could have been so narrow.

-The dear girl rejoiced in my assurances, and promised grateful love to the latest hour of her life.

Indeed, madam, I have a grateful heart, said she, for all I am so unhappy in a certain relation. I have none of those sort of faults that give me a resemblance in any way to my poor mother. But how shall I make out what I say? you will mistrust me, I fear: you will be apt to doubt my principles. But will you promise to take my heartrin your hand, and guide it as you please? Indeed it is an honest one. I wish you saw it through and through. If ever I do a wrong thing, mistrust my head, if you please, but not my heart. But in every thing I will be directed by you; and then my head will be as right as my heart.

I told her that good often resulted from evil. It was a happy thing perhaps for both, that her mo-ther’s visit had been made. Look upon me, my dear Emily, as your entire friend. We will have but one heart between us.

Let me add, Lucy, that if you find me capable of drawing this sweet girl into confessions of her infant love, and of making ungenerous advantage of them, though the event were to be fatal to my peace if I did not; I now call upon all you, my dear friends, to despise and renounce the treacherous friend in Harriet Byron.

She besought me to let her write to me; to let her come to me for advice, as often as she wanted it, whether here, in my dressing-room, or chamber, or at Mr. Reeves’s, when I went from Colnebrook.

I consented very cheerfully, and at her request, (for indeed, said she, I would not be an intruder for the world) promised, by a nod at her entrance, to let her know, if she came when I was busy, that she must retire, and come another time.

You are too young a lady, added she, to be called my mamma Alas! I have never a mamma, you know: but I will love you, and obey you, on the holding up of your finger, as I would my mother, were she as good as you.

Does not the beautiful simplicity of this charming girl affect you, Lucy? But her eyes swimming in tears, her earnest looks, her throbbing bosom, her hands now clasped about me, now in one ano-ther, added such graces to what she said, that it is impossible to do justice to it: and yet I am affected as I write.

Indeed, her calamity has given her an absolute possession of my heart. I, who had such good pa-rents, and have had my loss of them so happily al leviated, and even supplied, by a grandmamma and an aunt so truly maternal, as well as by the love of every one to whom 1 have the happiness to be re-lated; how unworthy of such blessings should I be, if I did not know how to pity a poor girl, who must reckon a living mother as her heaviest misfortune! k2

Sir Charles, from the time of the disturbance which this mihappy woman made in Mrs. Lane’s neighbourhood, and of her violence to his Emily, not only threatened to take from her that moiety of the annuity which he is at liberty to withdraw; but gave orders that she should never again be allowed to see his ward, but in his presence: and she has been quiet till of late, only threatening and demanding. But now she seems, on this her marriage with Major O’Hara, to have meditated new schemes, or is aiming, perhaps, at new methods to bring to bear an old one; of which Sir Charles had private inti-mation given him by one of the persons to whom, in her cups, she once boasted of it: which was, that as soon as Miss Emily was marriageable, she would endeavour, either by fair means, or foul, to get her into her hands: and if she did, but for one week, she should the next come out the wife of a man she had in view, who would think half the fortune more than sufficient for himself, and make over the other half to her; and then she should come into her right, which she deems to be half of the fortune of which her husband died possessed.

This that follows is a copy of the letter left for Emily by this mother; which, though not well spelled, might have been written by a better wo-man, who had hardships to complain of which might have intitled her to pity.

MY DEAR EMILT,

If you have any love, any duty left, for an unhappy mother, whose faults have been barbarously aggravated, to justify the ill usage of a husband who was not faultless; 1 conjure you to insist upon making me a visit, either at my new lodgings in Dean Street, Soho; or that you will send me word where I pan see you, supposing I am not permitted to see you as this day, or that you should not be at Colnebroolc, where, it seems, you have been some days. I cannot believe that your guardian, for his own reputation-sake, as well as for justice-sake, as he is supposed to be a good man, will deny you if you insist upon it; as you ought to do, if you have half the love for me, that I have for you.

Can 1 doubt that you mil insist upon it? I cannot. I long to see you: I long to lay you in my bosom. And 1 have given hopes to Major O’Hara, a man of one of the best families in Ireland, and a very worthy man, and a brave man too, who knows how to right an injured wife, if he is put to it, but who wishes to proceed amicably, that you will not scru-ple, as my husband, to call him father.

I hear a very good account of your improvements, Emily; and I am told that you are grown very tall and pretty, O my Emily! Wliat a grievous thing is it to say, that 1 am told these things; and not to have been allowed to see you; and to behold your growth, and those improvements, which must re-joice my heart, and do, though I am so basely belied as I have been! Do not you, Emily, despise her that bore you. It is a dreadful thing, with such fortunes as your father left, that I must be made poor and dependent; and then be despised for being so.

But if you, my child, are taught to be, and will be, one of those: what, though I have such happy prospects in my present marriage, will be my me, but a bitter death, which your want of duty will hasten? For what mother can bear the contempts of her child? And in that case your great fortune will not set you above God’s judgments. But better things are hoped of my Emily, by her

Indulgent, though heretofore

Saturday, March 18. unhappy mother,

HELEN O’HARA. e3

My lord thought fit to open this letter: he is sorry that he did; because the poor girl is so low-spirited, that he does not choose to let her see it; but will leave it to her guardian to give it to her, or not, as he pleases.

Miss Grandison lifted up her hands and eyes as she read it. Such a wretch as this, said she, to re-mind Emily of God’s judgments; and that line writ — ten as even as the rest! How was it possible, if her wicked heart could suggest such words, that her fingers could steadily write them? But indeed she verifies the words of the wise man; There is no txjickedness like the wickedness of a woman.

We all long to see Sir Charles. Poor Emily, in particular, will be unhappy till he comes.

While we expect a favoured person, though rich in the company of the friends we are with, what a diminution does it give to enjoyments that would be complete, were it not for that expectation? The mind is uneasy, not content with itself, and always looking out for the person wanted.

Emily was told, that her mother left a letter for her; but is advised not to be solicitous to see it till her guardian comes. My lord owned to her, that he had opened it; and pleaded tenderness, as he justly might, in excuse of having taken that liberty. She thanked his lordship, and said, it was for such girls as she to be directed by such good and kind friends.

She has just now left me. I was writing, and wanted to close. I gave her a nod, with a smile, as agreed upon a little before. Thank you, thank you, dear madam, said she, for this freedom. She stopped at the door, and, with it in her hand, in a whispering accent, bending forwards. Only tell me, that you love me as well as you did in the chariot.

Indeed, my dear, I do; and better, I think, if pos-sible; because I have been putting part of our con versation upon paper, and so have fastened your merits on my memory.

God bless you, madam, I am gone; and away she tript.

But I will make her amends, before I go to rest; and confirm all that I said to her in the chariot; for most cordially I can.

I am, my dear Lucy, and will be, Ever yours,

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter VI
Mr. Deane to Mrs. Selby.

London, Friday nij;ht, March 17, You wished me, my dear Mrs Selby, as I was obliged to go to London on my own affairs, to call at Colnebrook, and to give you my observations on the state of matters there; and whether there were any likelihood of the event we are all so desirous should be brought about; and particularly, if an opportunity offered, that I would at distance sound Sir Charles himself on the subject. I told you, that you need not be afraid of my regard to our dear child’s delicacy; and that she herself should not have reason to mis-trust me on this nice subject.

It seems his great engagements in town, and some he has had in Kent, have hindered him from giving LordL.and hissisters,muchof his company, though our Harriet is there; which they all extremely regret.

I dined at Colnebrpt)k. Lord L. is a very worthy and agreeable man. Lady L. and Miss Grandison are charming women. Miss Jervois is a pretty young lady. But more of her bye-and-bye. The cou-sin Grandison you spoke of, is gone down to Gran — dison-hall, whither Sir Charles himself thinks short — ly of going But this and other distant matters I refer to our Harriet’s own account.

My visit to Sir Charles is most in my head, and I will mention that, and give place to other obser-vations afterwards.

After dinner I pursued my journey to London. As my own business was likely to engage me for the whole time I had to stay in town, I alighted at his house in St. James’s Square; and was immediately, on sending in my name, introduced to him.

Let me stop to say, he is indeed a very fine gen-tleman. Majesty and sweetness are mingled in every feature of his face; and the latter, rather than the former, predominates in his whole behaviour. Well may Harriet love him.

I told him, that I hoped on my coming to town on particular affairs, he would excuse the intrusion of a man who was personally a stranger to him; but who had long wished for an opportunity to thank him for the relief he had given to a young lady, in whom I claimed an interest that was truly paternal. At the same time I congratulated him on the noble manner in which he had extricated himself to the confusion of men, whom he had taught to find out, and to be ashamed, that they were savages.

He received my compliments as a man might be supposed to do, to whom praise is not a new thing; and made me very handsome ones, declaring himself acquainted with my character, with my connections with your family, and with one of the most excellent of young ladies. This naturally introduced the praises of our Harriet; in which he joined in so high and so just a strain, that I saw his heart was touch-ed. I am sure it is: so set yours at rest. It must do. E very-thing is moving, and that not slowly, to the event so desirable. I led to the graces of her person: he to those of her mind. He allowed her to be, for both, one of the most perfect beauties he had ever seen. In short, Mrs. Selby, I am convinced, that the important affair will ripen of itself. His sisters. Lord L. Dr. Bartlett, all avowedly in our lovely girl’s favour, and her merit so extraordinary; it must do. Don’t you remember what the old song says?

When Phoebus doM his beams display. To tell men gravely ti>at ‘lis day. Is, to suppose them blind.

All I want, methinks, is, to have them oftener to-gether. Idleness, I believe, is a great friend to love. I wish his affairs would let him be a little idle. They must be dispatched soon, be they what they will; for Lord L. said, that when he is master of a subject, his execution is as swift as thought. Sir Chai’les hinted, that he should soon be obliged to go to France. Seas are nothing to him Dr. Bartlett said, that he considers all nations as joined on the same continent, and doubted not but if he had a call, he would undertake a journey to Constantinople or Pekin, with as little difficulty as some others would (he might have named me for one) to the Land’s-end. Indeed he appears to be just that kind of man. Yet he seems not to have any of that sort of fire in his constitution, that goes off with a bounce, and leaves nothing but vapour and smoke behind it.

You are in doubt about our girl’ti fortune. It is not a despicable one. He may, no question, have a woman with a much greater: and so may she a man. What say you to Lady D ‘s proposal, rejected for his sake; at hap-hazard too, as the saying is? But let it once come to that question, and leave it to me to answer it.

You bid me to remark how Harriet looks. She is as lovely as ever; but, I think, not quite so lively, and somewhat paler; but it is a clear and healthy, not a sickly paleness; and there is a languor in her fine eyes, that I never saw in them before. She never was a pert girl; but she has more meekness and humility in her countenance, than, methinks, I could wish her to have; because it gives to Miss Grandison, who has fine spirits, some advantages, in conversation, over Harriet, that, if she had, me-thinks she should not take. But they perifectly understand one another.

But now for a word or two about Miss Jervois. I could not but take notice to our Miss Byron, of the greediness with which she eats and drinks the praises given her guardian; of the glow that overspreads her cheeks, and of a sigh that now-and-then seems to escape even her own observation, when he is spoken of [so like a niece of mine, who drew herself in, and was afterwards unhappy]; and by these symp-toms I conclude, that this young creature is certainly giving way to love. She has a very great fortune, is a pretty girl, and an improving beauty. She is tall and womanly. I thought her sixteen or seven-teen; but it seems she is hardly fourteen. There is as much difference in girls as in fruits, as to their maturing as I may say. My mother, I remember, once said of an early bloom in a niece of hers, that such were born to woe. I hope it won’t be so with this; for she certainly is a good young creature, but has not had great opportunities of knowing either the world, or herself. Brought up in a confined man-ner in her father’s house at Leghorn, till twelve or thirteen; what opportunities could she have? No mother’s wings to be sheltered under; her mother’s wickedness giving occasion the more to straighten her education, and at a time of life so young, and in so restraining a country as Italy, for girls and young

SIU CHARLES GRANDISON. 47 maidens; and, since brought over, put to board with a retired country gentlewoman What can she know, poor thing? She has been but a little while with Miss Grandison, and that but as a guest: so that the world before her is all new to her: and, indeed, there seems to be in her pretty wonder, and honest declarations of her whole heart, a sim-plicity that sometimes borders upon childishness, though at other times a kind of womanly prudence. I am not afraid of her on our Harriet’s account; and yet Harriet (lover-like, perhaps) was alarmed at my hinting it to. her: but I am on her oxun. I wish, as I said before. Sir Charles was more among them: he would soon discover whose love is fit to be discountenanced, and whose to be encouraged; and, by that means, give ease to twenty hearts. For I cannot believe, that such a man as this would he guilt 1/ (1 will call it) of reserve to such a young lady as ours, were he but to have the shadow of a thought that he has an interest in her heart.

My affairs are more untoward than I expected: but on my return to Peterborough I will call at Shirley-manor and Selby-house and then (as I hope to see Sir Charles again, either in London, or at Colnebrook) I will talk to you of all these matters. Mean time believe me to be

Your affectionate and faithful humble servant, THOMAS DEANE.

Letter VII.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Monday, March 20. After we had taken leave of one another for the night, I tapt at Emily’s chamber — door; which being immediately opened by her maid, Is it you, my dear Miss Byron, said she, running to me? How good this is!

I am come, my dear, late as it is, to pass an agreeable half-hour with you, if it will not be unseasonable.

That it can never be.

You must then let your Anne go to bed, said I: else, as her time is not her own, 1 shall shorten my visit. 1 will assist you in any little services myself. I have dismissed Jenny.

God bless you, madam, said she; you consider every-body. Anne tells me, that the servants, throughout the house, adore you: and I am sure their principals do Anne, youmay go to your rest.

Jenny, who attends me here, has more than once hinted to me, that Miss Jervois loves to sit up late, either reading, or being read to by Anne; who, though she reads well, is not fond of the task.

Servants, said I, are as sensible as their masters and mistresses — They speak to their feelings. I question not but they love Miss Jervois as well as they do me. 1 should as soon choose to take my measures of the goodness of principals by their ser-vants’ love of them, as by any other rule. Don’t you see, by the silent veneration and assiduities of the servants of Sir Charles Grandison, how much they adore their master?

I am very fond of being esteemed by servants, said she, from that very observation of my guardian’s goodness, and his servants’ worthiness, as well as from what my maid tells me all of them say of you. But you and my guardian are so much alike in every-thing, that you seem to be born for one another.

And then she sighed involuntarily; yet seemed not to endeavour to restrain or recal her sigh.

Why sighs my dear young friend? Why sighs my Emily?

That’s good of you, to call me your Emily. My guardian calls me his Emily. I am always proud when he calls me so I don’t know why I sigh: but I have lately got a trick of sighing, 1 think. Will it do me harm? Anne tells me it will; and says, I must bnak myself of it. She says, it is not pretty in a young lady to sigh: but where is the unprettiness of it?

Sighing is said to be a sign of bqjng in love; and young ladies

Ah! madam! and yet you sigh very often

I felt myself blush.

I often catch myself sighing, my dear, said I. It fs a tricky as you call it, which I would not have you learn.

But I have reason for sighing, madam; which you have not Such a mother! A mother that I wanted to be good, not so much to me, as to herself: a mo-ther so unhappy, that one must be glad to run away from her. My poor papa! so good as he was to every-body, and even to her, yet had his heart broken O madam! (flinging her arms about me, and hiding her face in my bosom) have 1 not cause to sigh?

I was greatly moved: so dutifully sensible of her calamity! ami for such a calamity, who would not?

Such a disgrace too! said she, raising her head. Poor woman! Yet sht has the worst of it. Do you think that that is not enough to make one sigh?

Amiable goodness! (kissing her cheek) I shall love you too well.

You are too good to me: you must not be so good to me: that, even that will make me sigh. My guar-dians goodness to me gives me pain; and I think verily, I sigh more since last I left Mrs. Lane, and have seen more of his goodness, and how every body admires, and owns obligation to, him, than I did before. To have a stranger, as one may say, and so very fine a gentleman, to be so good to one, and to have such an unhappy mother, who gives Am so much trouble how can one help sighing for both reasons?

Dear girl! said I, my heart overflowing with compassion for her, you and I are bound equallj, by the tie of gratitude, to esteem him.

Ah, madam, you will one day be the happiest of all women and. so you deserve to be. ^

What means my Emily?

Don’t I see, don’t I hear, what is designed to be brought about by Lord and Lady L. and Miss Grandison? And don’t I hear from my Anne, what every — body expects and wishes for?

Axvdidoes everybody expect and wish, my Emily

I stopped. She went on. And don’t I see that my guardian himself loves you?

Do you think so, Emily?

O how he dwells upon your words when you speak!

You fancy so, my dear.

You have not observed his eyes so much as I have done, when he is in your company. I have watched your eyes, too; but have not seen that you mind him quite so much as he does j^ou Indeed he loves you dearly. And then she sighed again.

But why that sigh, my Emily? Were I so happy as you think, in the esteem of this good man, would you envy me, my dear?

Envy you! I, such a simple girl as I, envy you? No, indeed. Why should I envy you? But tell me now; dear madam, tell me; Don’t you love my guardian?

Every-body does. You, my Emily, love him.

And so 1 do: but you love him, madam, with a hope that no one else will have reason to entertain Dear, now place a little confidence in your Emily: my guardian shall never know it from me, by the least hint. I beg you will own it. You can’t think how you will oblige me. Your confidence in me will give me importance with myself.

Will you, Emily, be as frank-hearted with me, as you would have me be with you?

Indeed I will.

I do, my dear, greatly esteem your guardian.

Esteem! Is that the word? Is that the ladies’ word for love? And is not the word love a pretty word for women? I mean no harm by it, I am sure.

And I am sure you cannot mean harm: I will be sincere with my Emily. But you must not let any one living know what I say to you of this nature. I would prefer your guardian, my dear, to a king, in all his glory.

And so, madam, would I, if I were you. I should be glad to be thought like you in every thing.

Amiable innocence! But tell me, Miss Jervois, Would you not have me esteem your guardian? You know he was my guardian too, and that at an exigence when I most wanted one.

Indeed I would. Would you have me wish such a good young lady as Miss Byron to be ungrateful? No, indeed. And again she sighed.

Why then sighed my Emily? You said you would be frank — hearted.

So I will, madam. But I really can’t tell why I sighed then. I wish my guardian to be the happiest f2 man in the world: I wish you, madam, to be the happiest woman: and how can either be so, but in one another? But I am grieved, I believe, that there seems to be something in the way of your mutual happiness 1 don’t know whether that is all, neither I don’t know what it is If I did, I would tell you But I have such throbs sometimes at my heart, as make me fetch my breath hard I don’t know what it is Such a weight here, as makes me sigh; and I have a pleasure, I think, because I have an ease in sighing What can it be?

Go on, my dear: you are a pretty describer.

Why now, if any-body, as Anne did last time my guardian came hither, were to run up stairs, in an hurry; and to say Miss, miss, miss, your guardian is come! I should be in such a flutter my heart would seem to be too big for my bosom. 1 should sit down as much out of breath, as if 1 had run down a high hill. And, for half an hour, may be, so trem-ble, that I should not be able to see the dear guar — dian that perhaps I had wanted to see. And to hear him with a voice of gentleness, as if he pitied me for having so unhappy a mother, call me his Emily. Don’t you think he has a sweet voice? And your voice, too, madam, is also so sweet Every body says, that even in your common speech your voice is me-lody. Now Anne says my agreeable little flatterer!

I don’t flatter, madam. Don’t call me a flatterer. I am a very sincere girl: indeed 1 am.

I dare say you are; but you raise my vanity, my dear. It is not your fault to tell me what people say of me; but it is mine io be proud of their commend-ations But you were going to tell me what Anne says, on your being so much affected, when she tells you in a hurry that your guardian is come?

Why Anne says, that all those are signs of love.

Foolish creature! And yet so they may: but riot of such love as she means Such a love as she as good as owns she had in her days o Jlutteration, as she whimsically calls them; which, as she explains it, were when she was two or three years older than I am. In the first place, I am very young, you know, madam; a mere girl: and such a simple thing! I never had a mother, nor sister neither; nor a companion of my own sex. Mrs. Lane’s daughters, what were they? They looked upon me as a child, as I was. In the next place, I do love my guardian, that’s true; but with as much reverence, as if he were my father. I never had a thought that had not that deep, that profound reverence for him, as I re-member I had for my father.

But you had not, my dear, any of those flutters, those throbs, that you spoke of, on any returns of your father, after little absences i

Why, no; I can’t say I had. Nor, though I always rejoiced when my guardian came to see me at Mrs. Lane’s, had I, as I remember, any such violent emotions as I have had of late. I don’t know how it is Can you tell me?

Do you not, Lucy, both love and pity this sweet girl? .

My dear Emily, These nre symptoms, I doubt

Symptoms of what, madam? Pray tell me sin-cerely. I wish not to hide a thought of my heart from you.

If encouraged, my dear

What then, madam?

It would be love, I doubt. That sort of love that would make you uneasy

No; that cannot be, surely. Why, madam, at that rate, I should never dare to stand in your presence. Upon my word, I wish no. one in the world, f3 but you, to be Lady Grandison. I have but one fear.

And what’s that?

That my guardian won’t love me so well, when he marries, as he does now.

Are you afraid that the woman he marries will endeavour to narrow so large a heart as his?

No: not if that woman were you. But, forgive my folly! (and she looked down) he would not take my hand so kindly as now he does: he would not look in my face with pleasure, and with pity on my mother’s account, as he does now: he would not call me hh Emily: he would not bespeak every one’s re-gard for his ward.

My dear, you are now almost a woman. He will, if he remains a single man, soon draw back into his heart that kindness and love for you, which, while you are a girl, he suffers to dwell upon his lips. You must expect this change of behaviour soon, from his prudence. You, yourself, my love, will set him the example: you will grow more reserved in your out-ward behaviour, than hitherto there was reason to be.

O, madam! never tell me that! I should break my heart, were I twenty, and he did not treat me with the tenderness that he has always treated me with. If, indeed, he find me an incroacher: if he find me forward, and indiscreet, and troublesome; then let him call me awy-body’s Emily, rather than Jm.

You will have different notions, my dear, before that time

Then, I think, I shan’t desire to live to see the time. Why, madam, all the comfort I have to set against my unhappiness from my mother, is, that so good, so virtuous, and so prudent a man as Sir Charles Grandison, calls me his Emily, and loves me as his child. Would you, madam, were you Lady Grandison (now, tell me, would you) grudge me these instances of his favour and affection?

Indeed, my dear, I would not: if I know my own heart, I would not.

And would you permit me to live with you? Now it is out Will you permit me to live with my guardian and you? This is a question 1 wanted to put to you; but was both ashamed and afraid, till you thus kindly emboldened me.

Indeed I would, if your guardian had no objection.

That don’t satisfy me, madam. Would you be my earnest, my sincere advocate, and plead for me? He would not deny you any thing. And would you (come, madam, I will put you to it) would you say, ‘ Look you here. Sir Charles Grandison; this girl, this Emily, is a good sort cf girl: she has a great fortune. Snares may be laid for her; she has no papa but you: she has, poor thing! [I hope you would call me by names of pity to move him] ‘ no mamma; or is more unhappy than if she had none. Where can you dispose of her so properly, as to let her be with us? I will be her protectress, her friend, her manmia;’ [Yes, do, madam, let me choose a mamma! Don’t let the poor girl be without a mam-ma, if ^ow can give her one. 1 am sure 1 will study to give you pleasure, and not pain] < I insist upon it, Sir Charles, it will make the poor girl’s heart easy. She is told of the arts and tricks of men, where girls have great fortunes; and she is always in dread about them, and about her unhappy mother. Who will form plots against her, if she is with us?’ Dear, dear madam! you are movedin my favour [Who, Lucy, could have forborn being affected by her tender prattle?] She threw her arms about me; I see you are moved ia my favour! And I will be your attendant: I will be your waiting-maid; I wi help to adorn you, and to make you more and mor lovely in the eyes of my guardian.

I could not bear this No more, no more, my lovely girl, my innocent, my generous, my irresistible girl! Were it come to that, [it became me to be unreserved, for more reasons than one, to this sweet child] not one request should. my Emily make, that in heart and mind I would not comply with: not one wish that I would not endeavour to promote and accomplish for her.

I folded her to my heart, as she hung about my neck.

I grieve you 1 would not, for the world, grieve my young mamma, said she Henceforth let me call you my mamma. Mamma, as 1 have heard the word explained, is a more tender name even than mother The unhappy Mrs. Jervois shall be Mrs. O’Hara, if she pleases, and only mother: a child must not re-nounce her mother, though the mother should re — nounce, or worse than renounce, her child.

I must leave you, Emily.

Say then my Emily.

I must leave you, my and more than my Emily You have cured me of sleepiness for this night! O then I am sorry.

No, don’t be sorry. You have given me pain, ’tis true; but I think it is the sweetest pain that ever entered into a human heart. Such goodness! such innocence! such generosity! I thank God, my love, that there is in my knowledge so worthy a young heart as yours.

Now, how good this is! (and again she wrapped her arms about me) And will you go?

I must, I must, my dear! I can stay no longer. But take this assurance, that my Emily shall have a first place in my heart for ever. I will study to pro mote your happiness; and your wishes shall be the leaders of mine.

Then 1 am sure I shall live with my guardian and you for ever, as I may say: and God grant, and down on her knees she dropped, with her arms wrapped about mine, that you may be the happiest of women, and that soon, for my sake, as well as your own, in marriage with the best of men, my guardian! (exultingly, said she): and say, Amen Do, God bless you, madam, say Amen to my prayer.

I struggled from her. O my sweet girl! I cannot bear you! 1 hastened out at the door, to go to my chamber.

You are not angry, madam? following me, and taking my hand, and kissing it with eagerness. Say you are not displeased with me. 1 will not leave you till you do.

Angrj’! my love! who can be angry? How you have distressed me by your sweet goodness of heart!

Thank God, I have not offended you. And now say once more my Emily Say, Good rest to you, my Emily my love and all those tender names and say, God bless you, my child, as if you were my mamma; and 1 will leave you, and 1 shall in fancy go to sleep with angels.

Angels only are fit company for my Emily God bless my Emily! Good night! Be your slumbers happy!

I kissed her once, twice, thrice, with fervor; and away she tript: but stopt at the door, courtesying low, as 1 delighted, yet painfully delighted, looked after her.

Ruminating, in my retirement, on all the dear girl had said, and on what might be my fate; so many difterent thoughts came into my head, that 1 could not close my eyes: I therefore arose before day; and while my thoughts were agitated with the affecting subject, had recourse to my pen.

Do, my Lucy, and do you, my grandmamma, my aunt, my uncle, more than give me leave, bid me, command me, if it shall be proposed, to bring down with me my Emily: and yet she shall not come, if you don’t all promise to love her as well as you do Your for ever obliged

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter VIII.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Monday, March 20. The active, the restless goodness, of this Sir Charles Grandison, absolutely dazzles me, Lucy!

The good Dr. Bartlett has obliged us all with the sight of two letters, which give an account of what he has done for Lord W. his uncle. He has been more than a father to his uncle: does not that sound strange? But he is to be the obligor of every body.

The doctor said, that since Miss Grandison had claimed the benefit of her brother’s permission for him to use his own discretion in communicating to us such of the letters as he was favoured with by Sir Charles, he believed he could not more unexception-ably oblige Lord L. and the sisters, than by reading to them those two letters, as they were a kind of family subject.

After the doctor had done reading, he withdrew to his closet. I stole up after him, and obtained his leave to transmit them to you.

Lucy, be careful of them, and return them when perused.

There is no such thing as pointing out particular passages of generosity, justice, prudence, disinter-estedness, beneficence, that strike one in those letters, without transcribing every paragraph in them. And ah, Lucy! there are other observations to be made: mortifying ones, I fear.

Only let me say, that I think, if Sir Charles Grandison could and would tender himself to my acceptance, I ought to decline his hand. Do you think, if 1 were his, I should not live in continual dread of a separation from him, even by that inevi-table stroke which, alone, could be the means of completing his existence?


Letter IX.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett.

Saturday night, March 18. As soon as I had seen Mrs. Jervois to her chair, I went to attend Lord W.

He received me with great expressions of esteem and affection.

He commanded his attendants to withdraw, and told me, taking my hand, that my character rose upon him from every mouth. He was in love with me, he said. I was my mother’s son.

He commended me for my oeconomy, and complimented into generosity the justice I had done to some of my Jriends.

I frankly own, said he, that at your first arrival and even till now (that I am determined to be the man you, cousin, would wish me to be) I had thought it but prudent to hold back: for I imagined, that your father had lived at such a rate, that you would have applied to me, to extricate you from dif-ficulties; and particularly, for money, to marry your eldest sister, at least. 1 took notice, young man, proceeded he, and I heard others observe, that you had not eyes to see any of your father’s faults; either when he was living, or departed; and this gave me reason to apprehend, that you had your father’s extravagant turn: and I was resolved, if 1 were applied to, to xorap nii/self close about in a general deniaL Else, all I had been gathering together for so many years past, might soon have been dissipated; and sliould only have taken a thorn out of the foot of another, and put it into my own.

And then he threw out some disagreeable reflections on my father’s spirit.

To those I answered, that every man had a right to judge for himself, in those articles for which he himself is only accountable. My father, and your lordship, continued I, had very different ways of thinking. Magnificence was his taste: prudence (so your lordship must account it) is yours. There are people in the world, who would give different names to both tastes: but would not your lordship think it very presumptuous in any man to arraign you at the bar of his judgment, as mistaken in the measures of your prudence?

Look you, nephew, I don’t well know what to make of your speech; but I judge that you mean not to affront me.

I do not, my lord. While you were apprehensive, that you raiglit be a sufferer by me, you acted with your usual prudence to discourage an application.

My father had, in your lordship’s judgment, but one fault; and he was the principal sufferer by it himself: had he looked into his affairs, he would have avoid-sin CHARLES GRANDISON. 61 ed the necessity of doing several things that were disagreeable to him, and must ever be, to a man of spirit. His very timber, that required, as I may say, the a\, would have furnished him with all he wanted: and he paid interest for a less sum of money than actually was in the hands of his stew-ards, unaccounted for.

But what a glory to you, cousin

No compliment to me, my lord, I pray you, to the discredit of my father’s memory. He had a right to do what he did. Your lordship does what you think fit. I too, now I am my own master, do as I please. My taste is different from both. I pursue mine, as he did his. If I should happen to be more right than my father in some things, he might have the advantage of me in others; and in those I happen to do, that are generally thought laudable, what merit have 1? Since all this time (directed by a natural bias) I am pursuing my own predominant passion; and that, perhaps, with as much ardor, and as little power to resist it, as my father had to restrain his.

Bravo! bravo! said my lord Let me ask you, nephew May all young men, if they will, improve by travelling, as you have done? If they may, by my troth, nine parts in ten of those who go abroad, ought to be hanged up at their fatiiers doors on their return.

Very severe, my lord. But thinking minds will be thoughtful, whether abroad or at home: unthinking ones call for our pity.

Well, Sir, I do assure you, that I am proud of my nephew, whatever you are of your uncle: and there are two or three things that I want to talk to you about; and one or two that I would consult you upon.

He rang, and asked, what time dinner would be ready?

In half an hour was the answer.

Mrs. Giffard came in. Her face glowed with pas-sion. My lord seemed affected at her entrance. It was easy to see, that they were upon ill terms with each other; and that my lord was more afraid of her, than she was of him.

She endeavoured to assume a complaisant air to me; but it was so visibly struggled for, that it sat very awkwardly on her countenance; and her lips trembled when she broke silence, to ask officiously, as she did, after the health of my sister Charlotte.

I would be alone with my nephew, said my lord, in a passionate tone.

You shall be alone, my lord, impertinently replied she, with an air that looked as if they had quarrelled more than once before, and that she had made itf up on her own terms. She pulled the door after her with a rudeness that he only could take, and deserve, who was conscious of having degraded himself.

Foolish woman! Why came she in when I was there, except to shew her supposed consequence, at the expence of his honour? She knew my opinion of her. She would, by a third hand, once have made overtures to me of her interest with my lord; but I should have thought meanly of myself, had I not, with disdain, rejected the tender of her services.

A damn’d woman, said my lord; but looked first, as if he would be sure she was out of hearing.

This woman, nephew, and her behaviour, is one of the subjects I wanted to consult you upon.

Defer this subject, my lord, till you have recover-ed your temper. You did not design to begin with it. You are discomposed.

And so I am: and he puffed and panted, as if out of breath. *

I asked him some indifferent questions: to have followed him upon the subject at that time, whatever resolutions he had taken, they would probably have gone ofF, when the passion to which they would have owed their vigour, had subsided.

When he had answered them, his colour and his wrath went down together.

He then ran out into my praises again, and par-ticularly, for my behaviour to Mrs. Oldham; who, he said, lived now very happily, and very exempla-rily; and never opened her lips, when she was led to mention me, but with blessings heaped upon me.

That woman, my lord, said I, was once good. A recovery, where a person is not totally abandoned, is more to be hoped for, than the reformation of one who never was well-principled. All that is wished for, in the latter, is, that she may be made unhurtful. Her highest good was never more than harmlessness. She that was once good, cannot be easy, when she is in a state of true penitence, till she is restored to that from which she was induced to depart.

You understand these matters, cousin: I don’t. But if you’ will favour me with more of your company, I shall, I believe, bethebetter for your notions. But I must talk about this woman, nephew. I am calm now. I must talk of this woman, now I am resolved to part with her; I can bear her no longer. Did you not mind how she pulled the door after her, though you were present?

I did, my lord. But it was plain, that something disagreeable had passed before; or she could not so totally have forgotten herself. But, my lord, we will postpone this subject, if you please. If you your-self lead to it after dinner, I will attend to it with all my heart.

Well, then, be it so. But now tell me, Have you, nephew, any thoughts of marriage?

I have great honour for the state, and hope to be one day happy in it. g2

Well said — And are you at liberty, kinsman, to receive a proposal of that nature?

And then, without waiting for my answer, he proposed Lady Frances N. and said, he had been spoken to on that subject.

Lady Frances, answered I, is a very deserving young lady. My father set on foot a treaty with her family: but it has long been broken off: it can-not be resumed.

Well, what think you of Lady Anne S.? I am told, that she is hkely to be the lady. She has a noble for-tune. Your sisters, I hear, are friends to Lady Anne.

My sisters wish me happily married. I have such an opinion of both those ladies, that it woulil give me some little pain, to imagine each would not, in her turn, refuse me, were I offered to her, as 1 can-not, myself, make the offer. I cannot bear, my lord, to think of returning slight for respect, to my ovon sex: but as to ladies; how can we expect that delicacy and dignity from them, which are the bulwarks of their virtue, if we do not treat them with dignity?

Charming notions! If you had them not abroad, you had them from your mother: she was all that was excellent in woman.

Indeed she was. Excellent woman! She is always before my eyes.

And excellent kinsman too! Now I know your reverence for your mother, I will allow of all you say of your father, because I see it is all from prin-ciple. I have known some men who have spoken with reverence of their mothers, to give themselves dignity; that is to say, for bringing creatures so important as themselves into the world; and who have exacted respect to the good old women, who were merely good old women, as we call them, in order to take the incense offered the parent, into their own nostrils. This was duty in parade.

The observation, my good Dr. Bartlett, I thought above my Lord W. I think I have heard one Hke it, made by my father, who saw very far into men; but was sometimes led, by his wit, into saying a se-vere thing: and yet, whenever I hear a man praised highly for the performance of common duties; as for being a good husband, a good son, or a kind father; though each is comparatively praise-worthy, I conclude, that there is nothing extraordinary to be said of him. To call a man a good friend, is indeed comprising all the duties in one word: for friendship is the balm, as well as seasoning, of life: and a man cannot be defective in amj of the social duties, who is capable of it, when the term is rightly understood.

Well, cousin, since you cannot think of either of those ladies, how should you like the rich and beau-tiful Countess of R.? You know what an excellent character she bears.

I do. But, my lord, I should not choose to marry a widow: and yet, generally, I do not disrespect widows, nor imagine those men to blame who marry them. But as my circumstances are not unhappy, and as riches will never be my principal inducement in the choice of a wife, I may be allowed to indulge my peculiarities; especially as I shall hope (and I should not deserve a good wife if I did not) that, when once married, 1 shall be married for my whole life.

The countess once declared, said my lord, before half a score in company, two of them her particular admirers, that she never would marry any man in the world, except he were just such another, in mind and manners, as Sir Charles Grandison.

Ladies, my lord, who in absence speak favourably of a man who forms not pretensions upon them, nor is likely to be troublesome to them, would soon con<i 3 vince that man of his mistake, were his presumption to rise upon their declared good opinion of him.

I wonder, proceeded my lord, that every young man is not good. I have heard you, cousin, praised in all the circles where you have been mentioned. It was certainly an advantage to you to come back to us a stranger, as I may say. Many youthful follies may perhaps be over-passed, that we shall never know any thing of: but, be that as it will, I can tell you, sir, that 1 have heard such praises of you, as have made my eyes glisten, because of my relation to you. I was told, within this month past, that no fewer than five ladies, out of one circle, declared, that they would stand out by consent, and let you pick and choose a wife from among them.

What your lordship has heard of this nature, let me say, without affecting to disclaim a compliment apparently too high for my merits, is much more to the honour of the one sex than of the other. I should be glad, that poUcy, if not principle (principle might take root, and grow from it) would mend us men.

So should I, nephew: but I [poor man I he hung down his head!] have not been a better man than 1 ought to be. Do you not despise me. in your heart, cousin? You nmst have heard That cursed wo-man But I begin to repent! And the truly good, I believe, cannot be either censorious or uncharita-ble. Tell me, however, Do you not despise me?

Despise my mother’s brother! No, my lord. Yet were a sovereign to warrant my freedom, and there were a likelihood that he would be the better for it; I would, with decency, tell him my whole mind. I am sorry to say it: but your lordship, if you have not had virtue to make you worthy of being imitated, have too many examples among the great, as well as among the middling, to cause you to be censured for insularity. But your lordship adds, to a confession that is not an ungenerous one, that you begin to repent.

Indeed I do. And your character, cousin, has made me half-ashamed of myself. I am not accustomed, my lord, to harangue on these subjects to men who know their duty; but let me say, that your lordship’s good resolutions, to be efficacious, must be built upon a better foundation than occasional disgust or disobligation. But here, again, we are verging to a subject that we are both agreed to defer till after dinner.

I am charmed with your treatment of me, cousin. I shall, for my own sake, adore my sister’s son. Had I consulted my chaplain, who is a good man too, he would have too roughly treated me.

Divines, my lord, must do their duty.

He then introduced the affair between Sir Har-grave Pollexfen and me, of which, I found, he was more particularly informed, than I could have ima-gined-: and after he had launched out upon that, and upon my refusal of a duel, he, by a transition that was very natural, mentioned the rescuedlac/i/, as he called her. I have heard, cousin, said he, that she is the most beautiful woman in England.

I think her so, my lord, replied I; and she has one excellence, that I never before met with in a beauty: she is not proud of it.

I then gave my opinion of Miss Byron in such terms, as njade my lord challenge me, as my sisters once did, on the warmth of my description and praises of her.

And does your lordship think, that I cannot do justice to the merits of such a lady as Miss Byron, but with an interested view? I do assure you, that what 1 have said, is short of what I think of her. But I can praise a lady without meaning a compliment to myself. I look upon it, however, as one o? the most fortunate accidents of my life, that I have been able to serve her, and save her from a forced marriage with a man whom she disliked, and who could not deserve her. There is hardly any thing gives me more pain, than when I see a worthy wo-man very unequally yoked, if her own choice has not been at first consulted; and who yet, though deeply sensible of her misfortune, irreproachably supports her part of the yoke.

You are a great friend to the sex, kinsman. I am. I think the man who is not, must have fallen into bad company; and deserves not to have been favoured with better. Yet, to unwomanly faults, to want of morals, and even to want of deli-cacy, no man is iiiore quick-sighted.

I don’t know how it is; but I have not, at this rate, fallen into the best company: but perhaps it is for want of that delicacy, in my own mind, which you are speaking of.

Were we men, my lord, to value women (and to let it be known that we do) for those qualities which are principally valuable in the sex; the less estimable, if they would not be reformed, would shrink out of our company, into company more suitable to their taste; and we should never want objects worthy of our knowledge, and even of our admiration, to associate with. There is a kind of magnetism in goodness. Bad people will indeed find out bad people, to accompany with, in order to keep one another in countenance; but they are bound toge-ther by a rope of sand; while trust, confidence, love, sympathy, twist a cord, by a reciprocation of bene-ficent offices, which ties good men to good men, and cannot be easily broken.

I have never had these notions, cousin; and yet they are good ones. I took people as I found them; and, to own the truth, meaning to serve myself, ra-ther than any body else; I never took pains to look out for worthy attachments. The people I had to do with, had the same views upon me, as I had upon them; and thus I went on in a state of hostility with all men; mistrusting and guarding, as well as I could, and not doubting that every man I had to do with would impose upon me, if I placed a confidence in him. But as to this Miss Byron, nephew, 1 shall never rest till I see her Pray, what is her fortune? They tell me, it is not above 15,0001. What is that to the offers you have had made you?

Just then we were told, dinner was on the table.

I am wishing for an inclination to rest: but it flies me. The last letter from Beauchamp, dated from Bologna, as well as those from the bishop, afflict me. Why have I such a feeUng heart? Were the unhappy situation of affairs there owing to my own enterprising spirit, I should deserve the pain it gives me. But I should be too happy, had I not these mthout-door perplexities, as I may call them, to torment me. Thank God that they arise not from toithin, though they make themselves too easy a passage to my heart!

My paper is written out. If I am likely to find a drowsy moment, I shall welcome its approacli; if not, 1 will rise, and continue my subject.


Letter X.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett.

Sunday, March 19. I HAVE had two happy hours of forgetfulness; I could not, thougli I tried for it, prevail for more: and I will continue my subject.

After dinner, every attendant being dismissed, my lord, making me first see that nobody was lis-tening in the passages, began as follows:

I am determined, nephew, to part with this Gif-fard. She is the plague of my life, I would have done it half a year ago, on an occasion that I will not mention to you, because you would despise me, if I did, for my weakness: and now she wants to bring in upon me a sister of hers, and her husband, and to part with two other worthy folks, that I know love me; but of whom, for that reason, she is jea-lous; and then they would divide me among them: for this man and his wife have six children; all of whom, of late, make an appearance that cannot be honestly supported.

And have you any difficulty, my lord, in parting with her, but what arises from your own want of re-solution?

The most insolent devil that ever was about a man at one time, and the most whining at another. Don’t despise me, nephew, you know I have taken her as You know what I mean I understand you, my lord. But say, you don’t despise me, Sir Charles Grandison. As I hope to live, I am half afraid of you.

My pity, my lord, where 1 see compunction, is stronger than my censure.

That is well said Now I agreed with this woman, in a weak moment, and she has held me to it, to give her an annuity of 1501. for life; which was to be made up 2501. if I parted with her, without her consent; and here we have been for several months, plaguing one another, whether I shall turn her out of the house, or she will leave me; for she has told me, that she will not stay, unless I take in her sister and brother; yet will not go, because she will then have no more than the 1501 a year: and that is too much for her deserts for these two years past.

Your lordship sees the inconveniences of this way of life; and I need not mention to you, how much happier that state is, which binds a man and woman togethet by interest, as well as by affection, if discretion be not forgotten in the choice. But let me express ray surprise, that your lordship, who has so ample an estate, and no child, should seem to value your peace of mind at so low a rate as lOOl. a year.

I will not let her go away with such a triumph. She has not deserved from me

Pray, my lord, was she of reputation when you took her?

She was a widow

But was her character tolerable in the eye of the world? She might be a greater object of pity for being a widow.

My gouty disorders made me want a woman about me. I hated fellows

Well, my lord, this regards your motive. But have you any previous or later incontinence to charge her with?

I can’t say I have. Her cursed temper would frighten, rather than invite, lovers. I heard it was no good one; but it broke out not to me, till within these two years.

Your lordship, surely, must not dispute the mat-ter with her. If you are determined to part with her, give her the 2.501. a year, and let her go.

To reward a cursed woman for misbehaviour! I cannot do it.

Give me leave to say, that your lordship has deserved some punishment: give her the annuity, not as a reward to her, but as a punishment to yourself.

You hurt my sore place, nephew.

Consider, my lord, that 2501. a year for life, or even for ever, is a poor price, for the reputation of a woman with whom a man of your quality and fortune condescended to enter into treaty. Every quarterly payment must strike her to the heart, if she live to have compunction seize her, when she thinks that she is receiving, for subsistence, the wages of her shame. Be that her punishment. You intimate, that she has so behaved herself, that she has but few friends: part with her, without giving her cause of complaint, that may engage pity for her, if not friends, at your expence. A woman who has lost her repu-tation, will not be regardful oi yours. Suppose she sue you for non-performance of covenants: would your lordship appear to such a prosecution? You cannot be capable of pleading your privilege on a prosecution that would otherwise go against you. You cannot be in earnest to part with this woman, she cannot have offended you beyond forgiveness, if you scruple 1001. a year to get rid of her.

He fervently swore, that he was in earnest; and added, I am resolved, nephew, to marry, and live honest.

He looked at me, as if he expected I should be surprised.

I believe 1 could not change countenance, on such a hint as this. You have come to a good resolution, my lord; and if you marry a prudent woman, your lordship will find the difference in your own reflections, as well as in your reputation and interest. And shall the difference of lOOl. a year Don’t let me say, that I am ashamed for my Lord W.

I knew that you would despise me. Sir Charles.

I know that 1 should despise myself, were I not to deal freely with your lordship in this respect — In-deed, my lord, you have not had so good reason (forgive me!) to think hardly of my father’s spirit, as you had to correct your own.

I cannot bear this, nephew. He looked displeased.

You must not be angry, my lord. I will not bear anger from any man breathing, and keep him company, who, consulting me, shall be displeased with me for speaking my mind with freedom and sin-cerity.

What a man am I talking to! Well, rid me of this torment! [you have spirit, nephew; and no-body can reproach you with acting contrary to your own principles] and I will for ever love you. But talk to her: I hardly dare. She whimpers and sobs, and threatens by turns, and I cannot bare it. Once she was going to tie herself up Would to God I had not prevented her And then (O my folly!) we went on again.

My good Dr. Bartlett, I was ashamed of my uncle. But you see what an artful, as well as insolent woman, this is. What folli/ is there in wickedness! Folly encounters with folly, or how could it succeed so often as it does? Yet my mother’s brother to wish he had suffered a creature with whom he had been familiar, to destroy herself! I could hardly bear him. Only that I thought it would be serving both wretches, and giving both a chance for repent-ance; or I should not have kept my seat But we see in my mother, and in her brother, how habitual wickedness debases, and how habitual goodness exalts the human mind. In their youth they were supposed nearer an equality in their understandings and attainments, than in their maturity, when occa-sion called out into action their respective talents. Bui perhaps the brother was not the better man for the uninterrupted prosperity that attended him, and for having never met with check or controul; whereas the most happily married woman in the world must have a will to which she must sometimes resign her own. What a glory to a good woman must it be, who can not only resign her will, but make so happy an use of her resignation, as my mo-ther did.

My lord repeated his request, that I would talk with the woman; and that directly.

I withdrew, and sent for her accordingly.

She came to me out of breath with passion; and, as I thought, partly with apprehension for what her own behaviour might be before me.

I see, Mrs. Giftard, said I, that you are in great emotion. I am desired to talk with you; a task I am not very fond of: but you will find nothing but civi-lity, such as is due to you for your sex’s sake, from me. Calm therefore your mind: 1 will see you again in a few moments.

I took a turn, and soon came back. Her face looked not quite so bloated; and she burst into tears. She began to make a merit of her services; her care; her honesty; and then inveighed against my lord for the narrowness of his spirit. She paid some comjili-ments to me; and talked of being ashamed to appear before me as a guilty creature; introductory to what she was prepared to say of her sacrifices, the loss of her good name, and the like; on which, with respect to my lord, and his ingratitude to her, as she called it, she laid great stress.

I am never displeased, my dear friend, with the testimony which the most profligate women bear to the honour of virtue, when they come to set a value upon their departure from it.

You have it not to say, Mrs. Giffard, that my lord betfayed, seduced, or deceived you. I say not this so much for reproach, as for justice-sake; and not to suffer you to deceive yourself, and to load him with greater faults than he has been guilty of You were your own mistress: you had no father, mother, husband, to question you, or to be offended with you. You knew your duty. You were treated with as a sole and independent person. One hundred and fifty pounds a year, Mrs. GifFard, though a small price for the virtue of a good woman, which is indeed above all price, is, nevertheless, greatly above the price of common service. I never seek to pal-liate faults of a flagrant nature; though it is not my meaning to affront, a woman especially, and one who supposes herself in distress. You must knoiv, ma-dam, the frail tenure by which you were likely to hold: you stipulated, therefore, for a provision, ac-cordingly. The woman who never hoped to be a wife, can have no hardship, to take the stipulation, and once more give herself the opportunity to re-cover her lost fame. This independence my lord is desirous to give you

What independence, Sir?

One hundred and fifty

Two hundred and fifty. Sir, if you please If my lord thinks fit to dismiss me.

My lord has told me, that that was indeed the stipulation; but he pleads misbehaviour.

I was willing to make a little difficulty of the lOOl. a year, though I thought my lord ought not And as to misbehaviour. Dr. Dartlett, I hardly know how to punish a woman for that, to her keeper. Does she not first misbehave to herself, and to the laws of God and man? And ought a man, that brings her to violate her first duties, to expect from her a regard to a mere discretionary obligation? I would have all these moralists, as they affect to call them-selves, suffer by such libertine principles as cannot be pursued, but in violation of the very first laws of morality.

Misbehaviour! Sir. He makes this plea to cover his own baseness of heart. I never misbehaved, as he calls it, till I saw

H 2

Well, madam, this may lead to a debate that can answer no end. I presume, )‘ou are as willing to leave my lord, as he is to part with you. It must be a wretchedness beyond what I can well imagine, to live a life of guilt (1 must not palliate in this case) and yet of hatred and animosity, with the person who is a partaker in that guilt.

I am put upon a very unequal task, Sir, to talk with you on this subject. My lord will not refuse to see me, I hope. I know what to say to him.

He has requested me to talk with you, madam. As I told you, I am not fond of the task. We have all our faults. God knows what he will pardon, and what he will punish. His pardon, however, in a great measure depends upon yourself. You have health and time, to all appearance, before you: your future life may be a life of penitence. I am no divine, madam; I would not be thought to preach to you but you have now a prospect opened of future happiness, through your mutual misunderstandings, that you never otherwise might have had. And let me make an observation to you; That where hatred or dislike have once taken place of liking, the first separation in such a case as this, is always the best. Affection or esteem between man and woman, once forfeited, hardly ever is recovered. Tell me truth Don’t you as heartily dislike my lord, as he does you?

I do, Sir He is

I will not hear vohat he is, from the mouth of declared prejudice. He has his faults. One .great fault is, that in which you have been joint partakers But if you might, would you choose to live togie-ther to be torments to each other?

I can torment him more than he can me Diabolical temper! Woman! (and I stood up, ^nd looked sternly) can you forget to whom you gay this and o/^whom Is not I-iord W. my uncle?

This (as I intended it should) startled her. She asked my pardon.

What a fine hand, proceeded I, has a peer of the realm made of it! to have this said of him, and per-haps, had you been in his presence, to him, by a woman whose courage is founded in his weakness? Let me tell you, madam

She held up her clasped hands For God’s sake, forgive me, Sir! and stand my friend.

A hundred and fifty pounds a year, madam, is rich payment for ani/ consideration that a woman could give, who has more spirit than virtue. Had you kept that, madam, you would, though the daughter of cottagers, have been superior to the greatest man on earth, who wanted to corrupt you. But thus far, and as a punishment to my lord for his wilful weakness, I will be your friend Retire from my lord: you shall have 250/. a year: and as you were not brought up to the expectation of one half of the for-tune, bestow the hundred a year, that was in debate, upon young creatures of your sex, as an encouragement to them to preserve that chastity, which you, with your eyes open, gave up; and, with the rest, live a life suitable to that disposition; and then, as my fellow-creature, I will wish you happy.

She begged leave to withdraw: she could not, she said, stand in my presence.

I had, indeed, spoken with warmth. She with-drew, trembling, courtesying, mortified: and I re — turned to my lord.

He was very earnest to hear my report. I again put it to him. Whether he adherea to his resolution of parting with his woman? He declared in the af-firmative with greater earnestness than before; and begged to know, if I could manage it that she should go, and that without seeing him? I cannot bear to see her, said he.

Bravoes of the law, cowards and cullies to their paramours, are these keepers, generally. I have ever suspected the courage (to magnanimity they must be strangers) of men who can defy the laws of society. I pitied him: and believing that it would, not be difficult to manage this heroine, who had made her weak lord afraid of her; I said, Have you a mind, my lord, that she shall quit the house this night, and before I leave it? If you have, I think I can undertake that she shall.

And can you do this for me? If you can, you shall be my great Apollo. That will, indeed, make me happy: for the moment you are gone, she will force herself into my presence, and will throw the gout, perhaps, into my stomach. She reproaches me, as if she had been an innocent woman, and I the most ungrateful of men. For God’s sake, nephew, release me from her, and I shall be happy. I would have left her behind me in the country, proceeded he; but she would come with me. She was afraid that I would appeal to you: she stands in awe of nobody else. You will be my guardian angel, if you will rid me of this plague.

Well, then, my lord, you will leave it to me to do the best I can with her: but it cannot be the best on your side, for your honour’s sake, if we do her not that justice that the law would, or ought to do her. In a word, my lord, you must forgive me for saying, that you shall not resume that dignity to distress this woman, which you laid aside, when jou entered into treaty with her.

Well, well, I refer myself to your management: only this 100/. a year Once again, I say, it would hurt me to reward a woman for plaguing me: and 150/. a year is two-thirds more than ever she, or any ^f her family, were intitled to.

“jPhe worst and meanest are intitled to justice, my lord; and I hope your lordship will not refuse to perform engagements that you entered into with your eyes open: you must noty if i take any concern in this affair.

Just then the woman sent in, to beg the favour of an audience, as she called it, of me.

She addressed me in terms above her education. There is something, said she, in your countenance, Sir, so terrible, and yet so sweet, that one must fear your anger, and yet hope for your forgiveness, when one has offended. I was too free in speaking of my lord to his nephew And then she made a compliment to my character, and told me, she would be determined by my pleasure, be it what it would.

How seldom are violent spirits, true spirits! When over-awed, how tame are they, generally, in their submission! Yet this woman was not without art in hers. She saw, that, displeased as she ap-prehended I was with her, I had given her hopes of the payment of the hundred pounds a year penalty; and this made her so acquiescent.

I was indeed displeased with you, Mrs. Giffard; and could not, from what you said, but conclude in your disfavour, in justification of my lord’s complaints against you.

Will you give me leave. Sir, to lay before you the true state of every thing between my lord and me? Indeed, Sir, you don’t know

When two persons, who have lived in familiarity, differ, the fault is seldom wholly on one side: but thus far I judge between you, and desire not to hear particulars: the man who dispenses with a ki.own duty, in such’a case as this before us, must render himself despicable in the eyes of the very person whom he raises into consequence by sinking his own. Chastity is the crown and glory of a woman. The ^Obt pro^igate of men love modesty in the sex, at the very time they are forming plots to destroy it in a particular object. When a woman has sub-mitted to put a price upon her honour, she must ap — pear, at times, despicable in the eyes even of her seducer; and when these two break out into ani-mosity, ought either to wish to live with the other?

Indeed, indeed, Sir, I am struck with remorse: I see my error. And she put her handkerchief to her eyes, and seemed to weep.

I proceeded; You, Mrs. Giffard, doubted the continuance of my lord’s passion: you made your terms, therefore, and proposed a penalty besides. My lord submitted to the terms, and by that means secured his right of dismissing you, at his pleasure; the only conveniency that a man dishonouring himself by despising marriage, can think he has. Between him and you, what remains to be said (though you are both answerable at a tribunal higher than your own) but that you should have separated long ago? Yet you would not consent to it: you would not leave him at liberty to assert the right he had re-served to himself. Strange weakness in him, that he would suffer that to depend upon you! But one weakness is the parent of another.

She then visibly wept.

You found it out, that you could torment your lord in a higher degree than he could torment you; and how, acting upon such principles, you have lived to-gether for some time past, yon have let every one see.

She, on her knees, besought my pardon for the freedom of that expression; not from motives of contrition, as I apprehend; but from those of policy.

She was strong enough to raise herself, without my assistance. She did, unbidden, on seeing me step backward a pace or two, to give her an opportunity to do so; and looked very silly; and the more, for having missed my assisting hand: by which I sup-posed that she had usually better success with my lord, whenever she had prevailed on herself to kneel to him.

It is easy, my good Dr. Bartlett, from small era-vices, to discover day in an artful woman’s heart. Nothing can be weaker, in the eye of an observer, who himself disdains artifice, than a woman who makes artifice her study. In a departure from honest nature, there will be such curvings, as that the eyes, the countenance, will generally betray the heart: and if she either breaks out into uncalled for apolo-gies, or affects undue reserve, she gives room to con firm the suspicion, that all is not right in her mind.

I excuse you, Mrs. Giflard, said 1; my lord has deservedly brought much of what has distressed him, upon himself: but now it is best for you to part. My lord chooses not to see you. I would advise you to remove this very afternoon.

What, t^ir, and not have my 250/. a year!

Will you leave the house this night, if I give you my word

For the whole sum, Sir? Two hundred and fifty pounds a year, Sir?

Yes, for the whole sua.

I will, Sir, with all my heart and soul. Most of my things are in the country. My lord came up in a passion, to talk with you. Sir. Two or three band-boxes are all I have here. Mr Halden (he is my lord’s favourite) shall go down, and see I take no-thing but my own 1 will trust to your word of honour. Sir and leave, for ever, the most ungrateful

Hush, Mrs. GifFard, these tears are tears of pas-sion. There is not a fen)ale feature, at this instant, in your face [What a command of countenance! It cleared up in a moment. I expected it from her] t,

A penitent spirit is an humble, a broken spirit: you shew, at present, no sign of it.

She dropt me a courtesy, with such an air (though not designed, I beheve) as shewed that the benefit she was to reap from the advice, would not be sud-den, if ever; and immediately repeated her ques — tion, if she had my honour for the payment of the entire sum And you don’t insist. Sir (I have poor relations) that I shall pay out the hundred a year, as you mentioned?

You are to do with the whole annuity as you please. If your relations are worthy, you cannot do better than to relieve their necessities. But remem-ber, Mrs. Giffard, that every quarter brings you the wages of iniquity, and endeavour at some atonement.

The woman could too well bear this severity. Had a finger been sufficient to have made her feel, I would not have laid upon her the weight of my whole hand.

She assured me, that she would leave the house in two hours time. I returned to my lord, and told him so.

He arose from his seat, embraced me, and called me his good angel. I advised him to give his orders to Halden, or to whom he thought fit, to do her and himself justice, as to what belonged to her in the country.

But the terms! the terms! cried my lord. If you have brought me off for 150/. I will adore you.

These are the terms (you promised to leave them to me): you pay no more than 150/. a year for her life, till you assure me, upon your honour, that you cheerfully, and on mature consideration, make it up 250/.

How is that! How is that, nephew? Then I never shall pay more, depend upon it.

Nor will I ever ask you.

He rubbed his hands, forgetting the gout; but was remembered by the pain, and cried Oh!

But how did you manage it? I never should have brought her to any thing How did you ma-nage it?

Your lordship does not repent her going?

He swore, that it was the happiest event that could have befallen him. I hope, said he, she will go without wishing to see me Whether she would whine or curse, it would be impossible for me to see her, and be myself.

I believe she will go without desiring to see you; perhaps while I am here.

Thank God! a fair riddance! Thank God! But is it possible, nephew, that you could bring me off for 150/. a year? Tell me truly.

It is: and I tell your lordship, that it shall cost you no more, till you shall know how to value the comfort and happiness of your future life at more than 100/. a year: till then, the respect I pay to my mother’s brother, and the regard I have for his honour, will make me cheerfully pay the 100/. a year in dispute, out of my own pocket.

He looked around him, his head turning as if on a pivot; and at last, bursting out into tears and speech together And is it thus, is it thus, you sub-due me? is it thus you convince me of my shameful littleness? I cannot bear it: all that this woman has done to me, is nothing to this. I can neither leave you, nor stay in your presence. Leave me, leave me, for six minutes only Jesus! how shall I bear my own littleness?

I arose. One word, only, my lord. When I re-enter, say not a syllable more on this subject: let it pass as I put it. I would part with a greater sum than a hundred a year, for the satisfaction of giving to my uncle the tranquillity he has so long wanted in his own house, rather than that a person who has had a dependence upon him, should think herself intitled to complain of injustice from him.

He caught my hand, and would have met it with his lips. 1 withdrew it hastily, and retired; leaving him to recollect himself.

When I returned, he thrust into my hand a paper, and held it there, and swore that 1 should take it. If the wretch live ten years, nephew, said he, that will reimburse you; if she dies sooner, the difference is yours: and, for God’s sake, for the sake of your mother’s memory, don’t despise me; that is all the favour I ask of you; no man on earth was ever so nobly overcome. By all that’s good, you shall chalk me out my path. Blessed be my sister’s memory, for giving me such a nephew! The name of Grandi-son, chat i ever disliked till now, is the first of names: and may it be perpetuated to the end of time!

He held the paper in my hand till he had done speaking. I then opened it, and found it to be a bank note of 1000^. I was earnest to return it; but he swore so vehemently, that he would have it so, that I at last acquiesced; but declared, that I would pay the vohole annuity, as far as the sum went; and this, as well in justice to him, as to save him the pain of attending to an affair that must be grievous to him: and I insisted upon giving him an acknowledgment under my hand, for that sum; and to be accountable to him for it, as his banker would, in the like case.

And thus ended this affair. The woman went away before me. She begged the favour, at the door, of one word with me. My lord started up at her voice: his complexion varied: he whipt as nimbly behind the door, as if he had no gout in his foot. 1 will not see her, said he.

I stepped out. She complimented, thanked me, and wept; yet, in the height of her concern, would have uttered bitter things against my lord: but I stopped her mouth, by telling her, that I was to be her paymaster, quarterly, of the 250/. a year; and she turned her execrations against her lord, into blessings on me: but, after all, departed with re-luctance.

Pride, and not tenderness,, was visibly the occa-sion. Could she have secured her whole annuity, I have no doubt but she would have gratified that pride, by leaving her lord in triumph while she thought her departure would have given him re-gret: but to be dismissed, was a disgrace that affected her, and gave bitterness to her insolent spirit.
Letter XI.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett. In Continuation.

My lord, though he had acquitted himself on the occasion in such a manner as darted into my mind a little ray of my beloved mother’s spirit, could not forbear giving way to his habitual littleness, when he was assured Giffard was out of the house. He called Halden to him, who entered with joy in his countenance, arising (as it came out) from the same occasion; and ordered him to make all his domestics happy on his deliverance, as he meanly called it: asking. If there were any body in the house who loved her? Not a single soul, said Halden; and I am sure, that I may venture to congratulate your lordship, in the names of all your servants: for she was proud, imperious, and indeed a tyranness, to all beneath her. I

I then, for the first time, pitied the woman; and should have pitied her still more (true as this might, in some measure, be) had she not gone away so am-ply rewarded: for, in this little family I looked for — ward to the family of the state; the sovereign and his ministers. How often has a minister, who has made a tyrannical use of power (and even some who have not) experienced, on his dismission, the like treatment from those who, had they had his power, would perhaps have made as — bad an use of it; who, in its plenitude, were fawning, creeping slaves, as these servants might be to this mistress of their lord! We read but of one grateful Cromwell, in all the superb train of Wolsey, when — he had fallen into disgrace; and yet he had in it hundreds, some not ignobly born, and all of them less meanly descended than their magnificent master.

Halden addressed himself to me, as having been the means of making his lord, and his whole house-hold, happy. Let the joy be moderate, Halden, said I: the poor woman might, possibly, have num-bered among her well-wishers (she could not have disobliged every body) some of those, who now will be most forward to load her with obloquy. You must not make her too considerable: it is best for my lord, as well as for those who loved her not, to forget there ever was such a woman; except to avoid her faults, and to imitate her in what was commendable. She boasts of her honesty and management: my lord charges her not with infidelity of any kind.

Halden bowed, and withdrew.

My lord swore, by his soul, that I had not my good name for nothing. Blessed, said he, be the name of the Grandisons! This last plaudit gratified my pride [I need not tell my Dr. Bartlett, that I have pride]; the more gratified it, as Lord W.‘s animosity to my father made him not pleased with his name.

I did not think, when my lord began his story to me, that I should so soon have brought about a sepa-ration of guilt from guilt: but their mutual disgusts had prepared the way; resentment and pride, min-gled with avarice on one side, and self-interested — ness, founded (reasonably) on a stipulation made, and not complied with, on the other; were all that hindered it from taking place as from themselves. A mediator had nothing then to do, but to advise an act of justice, and so to gild it by a precedent of disinterestedness in himself, as should excite an emulation in a proud spirit, which, if not then, must, when passion had subsided, tiave arisen, to make all end as it ought.

When I found my lord’s joy a little moderated, I drew my chair near him. Well, my lord, and now as to your hints of marriage

Blessed God! Why, nephew, you overUtrn me with your generosity. Are you not my next of kin? And can you give your consent, were I to ask it, that I should marry?

I give you not only my consent, as you conde-scendingly phrase it, but my advice, to marry.

Good God! I could not in the like case, do thus. But, nephiew, I am not a young man.

The more need of a prudent, a discreet, a tender assistant. Your lordship hinted, that you liked not men-servants about your person, in your illness. You are often indisposed with the gout: servants will not always be servants, when they find themselves of use. Infirmity requires indulgence: in the very nature of the word and thing, indulgence cannot exist with servility, between man and wife it may: the same interest unites them. Mutual confidence! who can enough value the joy, the tranquillity at least, that results from mutual confidence? A man gives his own consequence to the woman he marries; i2

S8 THE HISTOnY OF and he sees himself respected in the respect paid her: she extends his dignity, and confirms it. There is such a tenderness, such a helpfulness, such a sym-pathy in suffering, in a good woman, that I am al ways for excusing men in years, who marry pru — dently; while I censure, for the same reason, women in years. Male nurses are unnatural creatures! [There is not such a character that can be respectable] Womens’ sphere is the house, and their shining place the sick chamber, in which they can exert all their amiable, and, shall I say, lenient qualities! Marry, my lord, by all means. You are not much more than fifty; but were you seventy, and so often indisposed; so wealthy; no children to rejjine at a mother-inlaw, aud to render your life or hers uncomfortable by their little jealousies: I would advise you to marry. The man or woman deserves not to be benefited in the disposition of your affairs, that would wish you to continue in the hands of mean people, and to rob you of the joys of confidence, and the comfort of tender help, from an equal, or from one who deserves to be made your equal in degree. Only, my lord, marry so, as not to defeat your own end: marry not a gay creature, who will be fluttering about in public, while you are groaning in your chamber, and wishing for her presence.

Blessings on your heart, my nephew 1 Best of men! I can hold no longer. There was no bearing, before, your generosity: what can I say now? But you must be in earnest.

Have you, my lord, asked I, any lady in your eye?

No, said he; indeed I have not.

I was the better pleased with him, that he had not; because I was afraid, that like our Vlllth Hen-ry, he had some other woman in view, which might have made him more uneasy than he would other-wise have been with GiiFard: for though it were better that he should marry, than Hve in scandal; and a woman of untainted character, rather than one who had let the world see that she could take a price for her honour; yet I thought him better jus-tified in his complaints of that woman’s misbeha — viour, than in the other case he would have been: and that it was a happiness to both (if a right use were made of the event) that they had been unable to live on, as they had set out.

He told me, that he should think himself the hap-piest of men, if I could find out, and recommend to him, a Woman, that I thought worthy of his ad-dresses; and even would court her for him.

Your lordship ought not to expect fortune.

I do not.

She should be a gentlewoman by birth and edu-cation; a woman of a serious turn; such a one is not likely in affluence to run into those scenes of life, from which, perhaps, only want of fortune has restrained the gayer creature. I would not have your lordship fix an age, though I think you should not marry a girl. Some women at thirty are more discreet than others at forty: and if your lordship should be blessed with a child or two to inherit your great estate, that happy event would domesti-cate the lady, and make your latter years more happy than your former.

My lord held up his hands and eyes, and tears seemed to make themselves furrows on his cheeks.

He made me look at him, by what he said on this occasion, and with anger, till he explained himself.

By my soul, said he, and clapped his two lifted up hands together, I hate your father: I never heartily loved him; but now I hate him more than ever I did in my life.

My lord!

Don’t be surprised. I hate him for keeping so long abroad a son, who would have converted us both. Lessons of” morality, given in so noble a manner, by regular practice, rather than by preaching theory (those were his words) not only where there is no interest proposed to be served, but arrainst interest, must have subdued us both; and that by our own consents. O my sister! and he clasped his hands, and lifted up his eyes, as if he had the dear object of his brotherly address before him; how have you blessed me, in your son!

This apostrophe to my mother affected me. What a mixture is there in the character of Lord W.! What a good man might he have made, had he been later his own master! His father died before he was of age.

He declared, that I had described the very wife he wished to have. Find out such a one for me, my dear nephew, said he; and I give you carte blanche: but let her not be younger than between forty and fifty. Make the settlements for me: I am very rich: I will sign them blindfold. If the lady be such a one as you s,2Ly I oufrht to love, I voill love her: only let her say, she can be grateful for my love, and for the provision you shall direct me to make for her; and nry first interview with her shall be at the altar.

I think, my friend, I have in my eye such a woman as my lord ought to do very handsome things for, if she condescend to have him. I will not tell you, not even yoti, whom I mean, till I know she will encou-rage such a proposal; and, for her own fortune’s sake, I think she should: but 1 had her not in my thoughts when I proposed to my lord the character of the woman he should wish for.

Adieu, ray dear friend.


Letter XII.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Tuesday, March 21. Dr. Bartlett went to town yesterday. He returned early enough to breakfast with us. He found at dinner with his patron, the whole Danby family, and Mr. Sylvester; as also, the two masters of the young gentlemen, with Mr. Galliard, whose son is in love with Miss Danby, and she with him. There all the parties had confirmed to them the generous goodness of Sir Charles, of which he had assured Mr. Sylvester and the two brothers and sister before.

I am sorry, methinks, the doctor went to town: we should otherwise, perhaps, have had the parti-culars of all, from the pen of the benevolent man. Such joy, such admiration, such gratitude, the doctor says, were expressed from every mouth, that his own eyes, . as well as Mr. Sylvester’s, and most of those present, more than once, were ready to overflow.

Every thing was there settled, and even a match proposed by Sir Charles, and the proposal received with approbation on both sides, between the elder Miss Galliard, and that audacious young man, the drug-merchant; who recovered, by his behaviour in this meeting, his reputation with Sir Charles, and every body.

The doctor says, that Mr. Hervey and Mr. Pous-sin, the two masters of the young gentlemen, are very worthy men; so is Mr. Galliard: and they behaved so handsomely on the occasion, that Sir Charles expressed himself highly pleased with them all. For Mr. Hervey and Mr Galliard offered to accept of less money than Sir Charles made the young people worth; the one for a portion with Miss Danby; the

Other for admitting the elder Danby into a partner-ship with him on his marriage with his niece: but Sir Charles had no notion, he said, of putting young men, of good characters and abilities, to difficulties at their entrance into the world: the greatest expences, he observed, were then incurred. In slight or scanty beginnings, scanty plans must be laid, and pursued. Mr. Galliard then declared, that the younger Danby should have the handsomer for-tune with his daughter, if she approved of him, for the very handsome one Miss Danby would carry to his son.

Sir Charles’s example, in short, fired every one with emulation; and three marriages, with the hap-piest prospects, are likely very soon to follow these noble instances of generosity. Mr. Sylvester proposed the celebration on one day: in that case, the gentle-men joined to hope Sir Charles would honour them with his presence. He assentingly bowed. How many families are here, at once, made happy!

Dr. Bartlett, after he had given us this relation, said, on our joining in one general blessing of his patron, You know not, ladies, you know not, my lord, what a general philanthropist your brother is: his whole delight is in doing good. It has always been so: and to mend the hearts, as well as for-tunes of men, is his glory.

We could not but congratulate the doctor on his having so considerable a hand (as Sir Charles always. Lord L. said, delighted to own) in cultivating his innate good principles, at so critical a time of life, as that was, in which they became acquainted.

The doctor very modestly received the compliment, and, to wave our praises, gave us another instance of the great manner in which Sir Charles conferred benefits; as follows:

He once, said the doctor, when his fortune was not what it now is, lent a very honest man, a mer-chant of Leghorn, when he resided there (as he did sometimes for a month or two together, for the conveniency of the EngHsh chapel) a considerable sum; and took his bond for it: after a while, things not answering to the poor man’s expectation, Mr. Grandison took notice to me, said the doctor, that he appeared greatly depressed and dejected, and occasionally came into his company with such a sense of obligation in his countenance and beha-viour, that he could not bear it: And why, said he, should I keep it in my power to distress a man, whose modesty and diffidence shew, that he deserves to be made easy? I may die suddenly: my exe-cutors may think it but justice to exact payment: and that exaction may involve him in as great diffi-culties as those were, from which the loan delivered Jiim. I will make his heart light. Instead of suf-fering him to sigh over his uncertain prospects at his board, or in his bed, I will make both his board and his bed easy to him. His wife and his five children shall rejoice with him; they shall see the good man’s countenance, as it used to do, shine upon them; and occasionally meet mine with grate-ful comfort.

He then cancelled the bond: and, at the same time, fearing the man’s distress might be deeper than he owned, offered him the loan of a further sum. But, by his behaviour upon it, I found, said Mr. Grandison, that the sum he owed, and the doubt he had of being able to pay it in time, were the whole of the honest man’s grievance. He declined, with gratitude, the additional offer, and walked, ever after, erect.

He is now living, and happy, proceeded the doc-tor; and just before Mr. Grandison left Italy, would have made him some part of payment, from the bap-pier turn in his affairs; which probably was owing to hie revived spirits: but Mr. Grandison asked, What he thought he meant, when he cancelled the obligation? Yet he told him, that it was not wrong in him to make the tender: for free minds, he said, loved not to be ungenerously dealt with.

What a man is this, Lucy!

No wonder, thus gloriously employed, with my Lord W. and the Danbys, said Lord L. and per-haps in other acts of goodness that we know nothing of, besides the duties of his executorship, that we are deprived of his company! But some of these, as he has so good a friend as Dr. Bartlett, he might transfer to him and oblige us more with his presence; and the rather, as he declares it would be obliging himself.

Ah, my lord! said the doctor, and looked round him, his eyes dwelling longest on me You don’t know He stopped. We all were silent. He proceeded Sir Charles Grandison does nothing with — out reason: a good man must have difficulties to encounter with, that a mere man of the world would not be embarrassed by. But how I engage your attention, ladies!

The doctor arose; for breakfast was over Dear doctor, said Miss Grandison, don’t leave us As to that Bologna, that Camilla, that bishop Tell us more of them, dear doctor.

Excuse me, ladies; excuse me, my lord. He bowed, and withdrew.

How we looked at one another! How the fool, in particular, blushed! How her heart throbbed! At what?

But, Lucy, give me your opinion Dr. Bartlett guesses, that 1 an* far from being indifferent to Sir Charles Grandison: he must be assured, that my own heart must be absolutely void oi benevolence, if I did not more and more esteem Sir Charles, for his: and would Dr. Bartlett be so cruel, as to contribute to . a flame that, perhaps, is with difficulty kept from blazing out, as one hears new instances of his gene-rous goodness, if he knevo that Sir Charles Grandi — son was so engaged, as to render it impossible What shall I say? O this cruel, cruel suspense! What hopes, what fears, what contradictory conjectures! But all will too soon perhaps Here he is come Sir Charles Grandison is come no! A false alarm! He is not come: it is only my Lord L. returned from an airing.

I could beat this girl! this Emily! It was owing to her! A chit! How we have fluttered each other! Butsendfor me down to Northamptonshire, my dear friends, before I am quite a fool.

Pray Do you know, Lucy, what is the business that calls Mr. Deane to town, at this season of the year? H e has made a visit to Sir Charles Grandison: for Dr. Bartlett told me, as a grateful compliment, that Sir Charles was much pleased with him; yet Mr. Deane did not tell me, that he designed it. I beseech you, my dear friends Do not But you would not; you could not! I would be torn in pieces: I would not accept of I don’t know what I would say. Only add not disgrace to distress. But I am safe, if nothing be done but at the motion of my grandmamma and aunt Selby. They would not permit Mr. Deane, or any body, to make impro-per visits. But don’t you think, that it must look particular to Sir Charles, to have a visit paid him by a man expressing for me so much undeserved ten-derness and affection, so long after the affair was over which afforded him a motive for it? I dread, as much for Mr. Deane’s sake as my own, every thing that may be construed into officiousness or particularity, by so nice a discerner. Does he not say, that no man is more quick-sighted than himself, to those faults in women wliich are owing to want of delicacy?

I have been very earnest with Lord and Lady L. and Miss Grandison, that they do not suffer their friendship for me to lay me under any difficulties with their brother. They all took my meaning, and promised to consult my punctilio, as well as my inclina — tion. Miss Grandison was more kindly in earnest, in her assurances of this nature, than I was afraid she would be: and my lord said, It was fit that I should find even niceness gratified in this particular.

[I absolutely confide in you, Lucy, to place hooks where I forget to put them; and where, in your delicate mind, you think 1 ought to put them: that they may direct your eye (when you come to read out before my uncle) to omit those passages which very few men have delicacy or seriousness enough to be trusted with. Yet, a mighty piece of sagacity, to find out a girl of little more than twenty, in love, as it is called! and to make a jest of her for it!] [But I am peevish, as well as saucy. This also goes between hooks.]

Adieu, my dear.


Letter XIII
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett.

Monday night, March 20. I AM very much dissatisfied with myself, my dear Dr. Bartlett. What pains have I taken, to conquer those sudden gusts of passion, to which, from my early youth, I have been subject, as you have often heard me confess! yet to find, at times, that I am unequal to myself, shall I say? To myself! will say; since I have been so much artiended by your precepts and example. But I will give you the occasion.

My guests, and you, had but just left me, when the wretched Jervois, and her O’Hara, and another bullying man, desired to speak with me.

I bade the servant shew the woman into the drawing-room next my study, and the men into the ad — joining parlour; but they both followed her into the drawing-room. I went to her, and, after a little stiff civility (I could not help it) asked, If these gentlemen had business with me?

That gentleman is Major O’Hara, Sir: he is my husband. That gentleman is Captain Salmonet: he is the Major’s brother-inlaw. He is an officer of equal worth and bravery.

They gave themselves airs of importance and fa-miliarity; and the major motioned, as if he would have taken my hand.

I encouraged not the motion. Will you, gentle-men, walk this way?

I led the way to my study. “The woman arose and would have come with them.

If you please to stay where you are, madam, I will attend you presently.

They entered; and, as if they would have me think them connoisseurs, began to admire the globes, the orrery, the pictures, and busts.

I took off that sort of attention Pray, gentlemen, what are your commands with me?

I am called Major O’Hara, Sir; I am the hus-band of the lady in the next room, as she told you.

And what, pray. Sir, have I to do, either with you, or your marriage? I pay that lady, as the widow of Mr. Jervois, 2001. a year: 1 am not obliged to pay

K her more than one. She has no demands upon me; much less has her husband.

The men had so much the air of bullies, and the woman is so very wicked, that my departed friend, and the name by which she so lately called the poor Emily, were in my head, and I had too little command of my temper.

Look ye, Sir Charles Grandison, I would have you to know

And he put his left hand upon his sword-handle, pressing it down, which tilted up the point with an air extremely insolent.

What am I to understand by that motion. Sir?

Nothing at all, Sir Charles D nme, if I mean any thing by it

You are called major, you say. Sir Do you bear the king’s commission. Sir?

I have borne it. Sir, if I do not now.

That, and the house you are in, give you a title to civility. But, Sir, I cannot allow, that your mar-riage with the lady in the next room gives you pretence to business with me. If you have, on any other account, pray let me know what it is?

The man seemed at a loss what to say; but not from bashfulness. He looked about him, as if for his woman; set his teeth; bit his lip; and took snuff, with an air so like defiance, that, for fear I should not be able to forbear taking notice of it, I turned to the other: Pray, Captain Salmonet, said I, what are your commands with me?

He spoke in broken English; and said. He had the honour to be Major O’Hara’s brother: he had married the major’s sister.

And why. Sir, might you not have favoured me with the company of all your relations? Have you any business with me. Sir, on your own account?

I come, I come, said he, to see my brother righted, Sir

Who has wronged him? Take care, gentlemen, l)Ow But, Mr. O’Hara, what are your pretensions?

Why, look ye, Sir Charles Grandison (throwing open his coat, and sticking one hand in his side, the other thrown out with a flourish) Look ye, Sir, re-peated he I found my choler rising. I was afraid of myself.

When I treat you familiarly. Sir, then treat me so; till when, please to withdraw

I rang: Frederick came in.

Shew these gentlemen into the little parlour You will excuse me. Sirs; I attend the lady.

They muttered, and gave themselves brisk and angry airs; nodding their heads at each other; but followed the servant into that parlour.

I went to Mrs. O’Hara, as she calls herself.

Well, madam, what is your business with me, ywx)?

Where are the gentlemen, Sir? Where is my husband?

They are both in the next room, and within hear-^ ing of all that shall pass between you and me.

And do you hold them unworthy of your presence, Sir?

Not, madam, while you are before me, and if they had any business with me, or I with them.

Has not a husband business where his wife is?

Neither wife nor husband has business with me.

Yes, Sir, I am come to demand my daughter. I come to demand a mother’s right.

I answer not to such a demand: you know you have no right to make it.

I have been at Colnebrook; she was kept from me: my child was carried out of the house, that I miglit not see her.

And have you then terrified the poor girl?

I have left a letter for her; and I expect to see K 2 her upon it. Her new father, as worthy and ais; brave a man as yourself, Sir, longs to see her

Her new father! madam. You expect to see her! madam What was your behaviour to her, unnatural woman! the last time you saw her? But if you do see her, it must be in my presence, and without ’ your man, if he form pretensions, on your account^ that may give either her or me disturbance.

You are only. Sir, to take care of her fortune; so I am advised: I, as her mother, have the natural right over her person. The Chancery will give it to me.

Then seek your remedy in Chancery: let me never hear of you again, but by the officers of that court.

I opened the door leading into the room where the two men were.

They are not officers, I dare say: common men of the town, I doubt not, new-dressed for the occa-sion. O’Hara, as she calls him, is, probably, one of her temporary husbands only.

Pray walk in, gentlemen, said I, This lad}’ inti-mates to me, that she will apply to Chancery against me. The Chancery, if she has any grievance, will be a proper recourse. She can have no business with me, after such a declaration Much less can either of you.

And opening the drawing-room door that led to the hall, Frederick, said I, attend the lady and the gentlemen to their coach.

I turned from them, to go into my study. The major, as he was called, asked me, with a fierce air, his hand on his sword, If this were treatment due to Gentlemen?

This house, in which, however, you are an intruder. Sir, is your protection; or that motion, and that air, if you mean any thing by either, would cost you dear.

StR CHARLES GRANDISON. lOl

I am, Sir, the protector of my wife: you have insulted her, Sir.

Have I insulted your wife. Sir? And I stepped up to him; but just in time recovered myself, re-membering where I was Take care, Sir But you are safe here Frederick, wait upon the gentlemen to the door

Frederick was not in hearing; the well-meaning man, apprehending consequences, went, it seems,- into the offices, to get together’ some of his fellow-servants.

Salmonet putting himself into violent motion, swore, that he would stand by his friend, his brother, to the last drop of his blood; and, in a posture of offence, drew his sword half-way.

I wish, friend, said I (but could hardly contain myself) that I were in your house, instead of your being in mine But if you would have your sword broken over your head, draw it quite.

He did, with a vapour. D n him, he said, if he bore that! My own house, on sucli an insult as this, should not be my protection; and, retreating, he put himself into a posture of defence.

A^otc, major! A^ow, major! said the wicked wo-man.

Her major also drew, making wretched grimaces.

I was dressed. I knew not but the men were assassins. I drew, put by Salmonet’s sword, closed with him, disarmed him, and, by the same effort, laid him on the floor.

O’Hara skipping about, as if he watched for an opportunity to make a push with safety to himself, lost his sword, by the usual trick whereby a man, any-thing skilled in his weapons, knows how some-times to disarm a less skilful adversary.

The woman screamed, and ran into the hall.

I turned the two men, first one, then the other, out K 3 of the room, with a contempt that they deserved; and Frederick, Richard, and Jerry, who by that time, were got together in the hall, a little too roughly perhaps, turned them into the square.

They limped into the coach they came in: the woman, in terror, was already in it. They cursed, swore, and threatened.

The pretended captain, putting his body half-way eut of the coach, bid my servants tell me, That I was That 1 was And avoiding a worse name, as it seemed No gentleman; and that he would find an opportunity to make me repent the treatment I had given to men of honour, and to a lady.

The major, in eagerness to say something, by way of resentment and menace likewise (beginning with damning his blood) had his intended threatening cut short, by meeting the captain’s head with his, as the other, in a rage, withdrew it, after his speech to the servant: and each cursing the other, one rubbing his forehead, the other putting his hand to his head, away drove the coach.

They forgot to ask for their swords; and one of them left his hat behind him.

You cannot imagine, my dear Dr. Bartlett, how much this idle affair has disturbed me: I cannot for-give myself To be provoked by two such men, to violate the sanction of my own house. Yet they came, no doubt, to bully and provoke me; or to lay a foundation for a demand, that they knew, if personally made, must do it.

My only excuse to myself is, that there were two of them; and that though 1 drew, yet I had the command of myself so far as only to defend myself, when I might have done any thing with them. I have generally found, that those that are the readiest to give offence, are the unfittest, when brought to the test, to support their own insolence.

But my Emily! my poor Emily! How must she be terrified! I will be with you very soon. Let not her know any thing of this idle affair; nor any body but Lord L.

Tuesday morning.

I have just parted with one Blagrave, an attorney, who already had been ordered to proceed against me: but, out of regard to my character, and having, as he owned, no great opinion of his clients, he thought fit to come to me in person, to acquaint me of it, and to inform himself, from me, of the whole affair.

The gentleman’s civility intitled him to expect an account of it: I gave it him.

He told me. That if I pleased to restore theswords, and the hat, by him, and would promise not to stop the future quarterly payments of the 2001. a year, about which they were very apprehensive; he dared to say, that, after such an exertion of spirit, as he called a choleric excess, I should not hear any more of them for one while; since he believed, they had only been trying an experiment: which had been carried farther, he dared to say, than they had designed it should.

He hinted his opinion, that the men were common men of the town; and that they had never been honoured with commissions in any service.

The woman (I know not by what name to call her, since it is very probable, that she has not a real title to that of O’Hara) was taken out of the coach in violent hysterics, as O’Hara told him; who, in consulting Mr. Blagrave, may be supposed to ag-gravate matters, in order to lay a foundation for ao action of damages.

She accused the men of cowardice, before Mr Blagrave; and that in very opprobrious terms.

They excused themselves, as being loth to hurt me; which, they said, they easily could have done; especially before I drew.

They both pretended to Mr. Blagrave, personal damages; but I hope their hurts are magnified.

I am (however that be) most hurt; for I am not at all pleased with myself. They, possibly, though they have no cause to be satisfied with their parts in the fray, have been more accustomed to such scuf-fles, than I; and are above, or rather beneath, all punctilio.

Mr. Blagrave took the swords and the hat with him in the coach that waited for him.

If I thought it would not have looked like a compromise, and encouraged their insolence, I could freely have sent them more than what belonged to them. I am really greatly hurt by the part 1 acted to such men.

As to the annuity; I bid Mr. Blagrave tell the woman, that the payment of that depended upon her future good behaviour; and yet, that I was not sure, that she was intitled to it, but as the voidovo of my friend.

However, I told this gentleman, that no provo-cation should hinder me from doing strict justice, though I were sure that they would go to law with the money I should cause to be paid to them quar-terly. You will, therefore, know. Sir, added I, that the fund which they have to depend upon, to sup-port a law-suit, should they commence one, and think fit to employ in it so honest a man as you seem to be, is 1001. a year. It would be madness, if not injustice, to pay the other lOOl. for such a purpose, when it w as left to my discretion to pay it, or not, with a view to discourage that litigious spirit, which is one, of an hundred, of this poor woman’s bad qualities.

And thus, for the present, stands this affair. I look upon my trouble from this woman as over, till some new scheme arises, either among these people, or from others whom she may consult or employ. You and I, when I have the happiness to attend you and my other friends, will not renew the subject.

I am, &c.


Letter XIV.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Colnebrook, Wednesday, March 22. Sir Charles arrived this morning, just as we had as-sembled to breakfast; for Lady L. is not an early — riser. The moment he entered, sunshine broke out in the countenance of every one.

He apologized to all, but me, for his long absence, especially when theybadsuch a guest, were his words, bowing to me; and I thought he sighed, and looked with tender regard upon me; but I dared not sisk Miss Grandison whether she saw any thing particu-lar in his devoirs to me.

It was owing to his politeness, I presume, that he did not include me in his apologies; because that would have been to suppose, that 1 had expect,‘d him. Indeed I was not displeased, in the main, that he did not compliment me, as a third sister. See, Lucy, what little circumstances a doubtful mind will some-times dwell upon.

I was not pleased that he had been so long absent, and had my thoughts to myself upon it; inclining once to have gone back to London; and perhaps should, could I have fancied myself of importaiice enough to make him uneasy by it [The sex! the sex J

Lucy, will my uncle say; but I pretend not to be above its little foibles]: but the moment I saw him, all my disgusts were over. After the Anderson, the Danby, the Lord W. affairs, he appeared to me in a much more shining light than an hero would have done, returning in a triumphal car covered with lau-rels, and dragging captive princes at his wheels. How much more glorious a character is that of The friend of mankind, than that of The conqueror of nations!

He told me, that he paid his compliments yester-day to Mr. and Mrs. Reeves. He mentioned Mr. Deane’s visit to him; and said very kind, but just things in his praise. I read not any thing in big eyes, or manner, that gave me uneasiness on the visit that other good man made him.

My dear Emily sat generously uneasy, I saw, for the trouble she had been the cause of giving to her best friend, though she knew not of a visit, that her mother, and O’Hara, and Salmonet, made her guar-dian on Monday, as the doctor had hinted to us, without giving us particulars.

Sir Charles thanked me for my goodness, as he called it, in getting the good girl so happily out of her mother’s way, as his Emily would have been too much terrified to see her: and he thanked Lord L. for his tenderness to his ward on that occasion.

My lord gave him the letter which Mrs. Jervois had left for her daughter. Sir Charles presented it to the young lady, without looking into it: she instantly returned it to him, in a very graceful man — ner. We will read it together by-and-by, my Emily, said he. Dr. Bartlett tells me, there is tenderness in it.

The doctor made apologies to him, for having communicated to us some of his letters Whatever Dr. Bartlett does, said Sir Charles, must be right.

SIR CHARLES GRANDISON.

But what say my sisters to my proposal of corre-spondence with them?

We should be glad, replied Lady L. to see all you write to Dr. Bartlett; but could not undertake to write you letter for letter. Why so?

Miss Byron, said Miss Grandison, has put us quite out of heart, as to the talent of narrative letter-writing.

I should be greatly honoured with a sight of such letters of Miss Byron as you, my lord, have seen. Will Miss Byron, applying to me, favour one brother, and exclude another?

Brother! Lucy; I thought he was not, at that time, quite so handsome a man as when he first entered the room.

I was silent, and blushed. I knew not what an-swer to make; yet thought I should say something. May we. Sir Charles, said Miss Grandison, hope for a perusal of your letters to Dr. Bartlett for the same number of weeks past, letter for letter, if we could prevail on Miss Byron to consent to the proposal?

Would Miss Byron consent upon that condition?

What say you, Miss Byron? said my lord.

I answered, that I could not presume to think, that the little chit-chat, which I wrote to please my partial friends in the country, could appear tolerable in the eye of Sir Charles Grandison.

They all answered with high encomiums on my pen; and Sir Charles, in the most respectful manner, insisting upon not being denied to see what Lord L. had perused; and Miss Grandison having said, that I had, to oblige them, been favoured with the return of my letters from the country; I thought it would look like a too meaning particularity, if I refused to oblige him, in the light (though not a very agreeable one, I own, to you, Lucy) of awo^A^r brother: I told him, that I would shew him very willingly, and without condition, all the letters 1 had written, of the narrative kind, from my first coming to London, to the dreadful masquerade affair, and even Sir Har-grave’s barbarous treatment of me, down to the de liverance he had so generously given me.

How did he extol me, for what he called my noble frankness of heart! In that grace, he said, I excelled all the women he had ever conversed with. He as-sured me, that he would not wish to see a line that I was not willing he should see; and that, if he came to a word or passage that he could suppose would be of that nature, it should have no place in his me-mory.

Miss Grandison called out But the conditiouy Sir Charles

Is only this, replied I (I am sure of your candor, Sir); that you will correct me, where I am wrong, in any of my notions or sentiments. I have been very pert and forward in some of my letters; parti-cularly in a dispute that was carried on in relation to learning and languages. If I could not, for improvement-sake, more heartily bespeak your correc — tion than your approbation, I should be afraid of your eye there.

Excellent Miss Byron! Beauty shall not bribe me on your side, if I think you wrong in any point that you submit to my judgment: and if I am beauty-proof, I am sure nothing on earth can bias me.

Miss Grandison said, she would number the let-ters according to their dates, and then would give them to me, that I might make such conditions with her brother, on the loan, as every one might be the better for.

Breakfast being over. Miss Grandison renewed sin CHARLES GRANDISON. 109 the talk of the visit made here by Mrs. O’Hara oa Sunday last. Miss Jervois very prettily expressed her grief for the trouble given her guardian by her unhappy mother. He drew her to him, as he sat, with looks of tenderness; called her his dear Emily; and told her, she was the child of his compassion. Yoa are called upon, my dear, said he, young as you are, to a glorious trial; and hitherto you have shone in it: I wish the poor woman would be but half as much the mother, as you would be the child! But let us read her letter.

His goodness overwhelmed her. He took her mo-ther’s letter out of his pocket: she stood before him, drying her eyes, and endeavouring to suppress her emotion: and when he had unfolded the letter, he put his arm round her waist. Surely, Lucy, he is the tenderest, as well as bravest of men! What would I give for a picture drawn but with half the life and love which shone out in his looks, as he cast his eyes, now on the letter, and now up to his Emily! Poor woman! said he, two or three times, as he read; and, when he had done, You must read it, my dear, said he; there is the mother in it; we will acknowledge the mother, wherever we can find her.

Why did not the dear girl throw her arms about his neck, just then? She was ready to do so. O my best of guardians! said she; and, it was plain, was but just restrained, by virgin modesty, from doing so; her hands caught back, as it were, and rest — ing for a moment on his shoulder: and she looked as much abashed, as if she had not checked herself.

I took more notice of this her grateful motion, than any body else. I was affected with the beau-tiful check, and admired her for it.

And must I, Sir, would you have me, read it? I will retire to my chamber with it.

He rose, took her hand, and, coming with her to me, put it into mine: Be so good, madam, to for-tifV this worthy child’s heart, by your prudence and judgment, while she reads the mother^ in the only instance that I have ever known it visible in this unhappy woman.

Emily and I withdrew into the next room; and there the good girl read the letter; but it was long in reading; her tears often interrupted her: and more than once, as wanting a refuge, she threw her arms about my neck, in silent grief.

I called her twenty tender names; but I could not say much: what could I? The letter in some places affected me. It was the letter of a mother who seemed extremely sensible of hardships. Her guar-dian had promised observations upon it: I knew not then all the unhappy woman’s wickedness: I knew not but the husband might be in some fault. What could I say? I could not think of giving comfort to a daughter at the expence of even a bad mother.

Miss Grandison came to us: she kissed the sob-bing girl, and with tenderness, calling us her two loves, led us into the next room.

Sir Charles, it seems, had owned, in our absence, that Mr. and Mrs. O’Hara, and Captain Salmonet, had made him a visit in town, on their return from Colnebrook, and expressed himself to be vexed at his own behaviour to them.

Miss Jervois gave the letter to her guardian, and went behind his chair, on the back of which she leaned, while he looked into the letter, and made observations upon what he read, as nearly in the following words as I can remember.

An unhappy mother, ivhose faults have been bar-barously aggravated My Emily’s father was an in dulgent husband! He forgave this unhappy woman crimes, which very few men would have forgiven: she was. the wife of his choice: he doted on her* his first forgiveness of an atrocious crime hardened her.

When he could not live with her, he removed from place to place, to avoid her: at last, afraid of her private machinations, which were of the blackest nature, he went abroad, in order to pursue that traffic in person, which he managed to great advan-tage by his agents and factors; having first, however, made an handsome provision for his wife.

Thither, after some time passed in riot and extra-vagance, she followed him.

I became acquainted with him at Florence. I found him to be a sensible and honest man; and every one whom he could serve, or assist, expe-rienced his benevolence. Not a single soul who knew him, but loved him, this wife excepted.

She at that time insisted upon his giving up to her management, his beloved Emily; and solemnly promised reformation, on his compliance. She knew that the child would be a great fortune.

I was with Mr. Jervois, on her first visit to him at Leghorn; and, though I had heard her character to be very bad, was inclined to befriend her. She was specious. I hoped that a mother, whatever wife she made, could not but be a mother; and poor Mr. Jervois had not been forward to say the worst of her. But she did not long save appearances. The whole English factory at Leghorn were witnesses of her flagrant enormities. She was addicted to an excess that left her no guard, and made her a stranger to that grace which is the glory of a woman.

I am told, that she is less frequently intoxicated than heretofore. I should be glad of the least sha-dow of reformation in her. That odious vice led her into every other, and hardened her to a sense of shame. Other vices, perhaps, at first — wanted thai to introduce them; but the most flagitious have been long habitual to her.

Nothing but the justice due to the character of my departed friend, could have induced me to say what I have said of this unhappy woman. Forgive me, my Emily: but shall I not defend your father? I have not said the worst I could say of his wife.

Yet she writes, That her faults have been barbarously aggravated, in order to justify the ill usage of a husband, whom, she says, was not faultless. Ill usage of a husband! Wretched woman! She knew I must see this letter: how could she write thus? She knows that I have authentic proofs in my custody, of his unexceptionable goodness to her; and confessions, under her own hand, of her guilt, and ingratitude to him.

But, my Emily and he arose, and took her hand, her face overwhelmed with tears. You may rejoice in your father’s character: he was a good man, m every sense of the word. With regard to her, he had but one fault; and that was, his indulgence Shall I say, that after repeated elopements, after other men had cast her oflF, he took her back? When she had for-feited his love, hi?, pity operated in her favour; and she was hardened enough to despise the man who could much more easily forgive than punish her. I am grieved to be obliged to say this; but repeat, that the memory of my friend must not be unjustly loaded. Would to heaven that I could suggest the shadow of a plea that would extenuate any part of her vileness, either respecting him or herself; let whose-soever character suffer by it, I would suggest it. How often has this worthy husband wept to me, for those faults of his wife, for which she could not be sorry. i discourage not these tears, my Emily, on what you have heard me say; but let me now dry them up.

He took her own handkerchief, and tenderly wiped her cheeks: it is unnecessary, proceeded he, to say any thing further, at this time, in defence of your father’s character; we come now to other parts of the letter, that will not, I hope, be so affecting to the heart of a good child.

She insists upon your making her a visit, or re-ceiving one from her; she longs, she says, to see you; to lay yoa in her bosom. She congratulates you, on your improvements: she very pathetically calls upon you not to despise her

My dear girl! You shall receive her visit: she shall name her place for it, provided I am present. I shall think it a sign of her amendment, if she is really capable of rejoicing in your improvements. I have always told you, that you must distinguish between the crime and the mother: the one is intitled to your pity; the other calls for your abhorrence Do you choose, my dear, to see your mother? I hope you do. Let not even the faulty have cause to complain of unkindness from us. There are faults that must be left to heaven to punish; and against the consequences of which it behoves us only to guard, for our own sakes. I hope you are in a safe protection, and have nothing to fear from her: you are guarded, therefore. Can my Emily forget the terrors of the last interview, and calmly, in my presence, kneel to her mother?

Whatever you command me to do, I will do.

I would have you answer this letter. Invite her to the house of your guardian I think you should not go to her lodgings: yet, if you incline to see her there, and she insists upon it, I will attend you.

But, Sir, must I own her husband for my father?

Leave that to me, my dear: little things, puncti-lios, are not to be stood upon: pride shall have no concern with u&. But I must first be satisfied, that L 3 the man and she are actually married. Who knows, if they are, but his dependence on her annuity, and the protection she may hope for from him, may make it convenient to both, to live in a more creditable manner than hitherto she has aimed to do? If she save but appearances, for the future, it will be a point gained.

I will in every thing, Sir, do as you would have me.

One thing, my dear, I think I will advise: if they are really married; if there be any prospect of their living tolerably together; you shall, if you please, (your fortune is very large) make them a handsome present; and give hope, that it will be an annual one, if the man behave with civility to your mother. She complains, that she is made poor and dependent. Poor if she be, it is her own fault: she brought not 20{)1. to your father. Ungrateful woman! he mar-ried her, as 1 hinted, for love. With 2001. a year, well paid, she ought not to be poor; but dependent she must be. Your father would have given her a larger annuity, had he not known, by experience, that it was but strengthening her hands to do mis-chief; and to enable her to be more riotous. 1 found a declaration of this kind among his papers, after his death. This his intention, if there could have been any hope of a good use to be made of it, jus-tifies my advice to you, to enlarge her stipend: I will put it in such a way, that you, my dear, shall have the credit of it; and J will take upon myself the ad-vice of restraining it to good behaviour, for their own sakes, and for yours.

O Sir! how good you are! You now give me courage to wish to see my poor mother, in hopes that it will be in my power to do her good: continue to your Emily the blessing of your direction, and 1 shall be a happy girl indeed. O that my mother may be married! that so she may be intitledto the best you shall advise me to do for her.

I doubt her man is a man of the town, added he; but he may have lived long enough to see his follies. She may be tired of the life she has led. I have made several efforts to do her service; but have no hope to reclaim her. I wish she may now be a wife in earnest. But this, I think, shall be my last effort Write, my dear; but nothing of your intention. If she is not married, things must remain as they are.

She hastened up stairs, and very soon returned, with the following lines:

MADAM,

I beseech you to believe, that I am not wanting in duty to my mother. You rejoice my heart, when you tell me, that you love me. My guardian was so good, before 1 could have time to ask him, as to bid me write to you, and to let you know, that he will himself present me to you, whenever you please to favour nie with an opportunity to pay my duty to you, at his house in St. James’s Square.

Let me hope, my dear mamma, that you will not be so angry with your ])oor girl, as you was last time I saw you at Mrs. Lane’s; and then I will see you with all the duty that a child owes to her mother. For I am, and ever will be,

Your dutiful daughter,

EMILIA JERVOIS.

Sir Charles generously scrupled thelast paragraph. We will not, 1 think, Emily, said he, remind a mother, who has written such a letter as that before us, of a behaviour that she should be glad to forget.

Miss Grandison desired it might stand. Who knows, said she, but it may make her ashamed of her outrageous behaviour at that time?

She deserves not generous usage, said Lady L.; she cannot feel it.

Perhaps not, replied Sir Charles; but we should do proper things^or our own sokes, whether the per-sons are capable of feeling them as they ought, or not. What say i/ou, Miss Byron, to this last paragraph?

I was entirely in his way of thinking, and for the reason he gave; but the two ladies having given their opinion in a pretty earnest manner, and my lord saying, he thought it might pass, I was afraid it would look like bespeaking his favour at their expence, if I adopted his sentiments: I therefore declined giving my opinion. But being willing to keep Emily in countenance, who sat suspended in her judgment, as one who feared she had done a wrong thing; I said. It was a very natural paragraph, I thought, from Miss Jervois’s pen, as it was written, I dared to say, rather in apprehension of hard treatment, from what she remembered of the last, than in a spirit of re-crimination or resentment.

The good girl declared it was. Both ladies, and my lord, said, I had distinguished well: but Sir Charles, though he said no more upon the subject, looked upon each sister with meaning; which I won-dered they did not observe. Dr. Bartlett was with — drawn, or I believe he would have had the honesty to speak out, which I had not: but the point was a point of delicacy and generosity; and I thought I should not seem to imagine, that I understood it better than they: nor did I think, that Sir Charles would have acquiesced with their opinion.

Miss Jervois retired, to transcribe her letter. We all separated, to dress; and I, having soon made an alteration in mine, dropt in upon Dr. Bartlett in his closet.

I am stealing from this good man a little improvement in my geography: 1 am delighted with my tutor, and he professes to be pleased with his scholar; but sometimes more interesting articles slide in: but now he had just begun to talk of Miss Jervois, as if he would have led, 1 thought, to the proposal hinted at by Miss Grandison, from the letter she had so clandestinely seen,, of my taking her under my care, when Sir Charles entered the doctor’s apartment. He would have withdrawn, when he saw me; but the doctor, rising from his chair, besought him to oblige us with his company.

I was silly: I did not expect to be caught there. But why was I silly on being found with Dr. Bart-lett? But let me tell you, that I thought Sir Charles himself, at first addressing me, seemed a little unprepared. You invited me in, doctor: here I am. But if you were upon a subject that you do not pur-sue, 1 shall look upon myself as an intruder, and will withdraw. o

We had concluded one subject. Sir, and were beginning another 1 had just mentioned Miss Jer — vois.

Is not Emily a good child, Miss Byron? said Sir Charles.

Indeed, Sir, she is.

We then had some general talk of the unhappy situation she is in from such a mother; and I thought some hints would have been given of his desire that she should accompany me down to Northampton-shire; and my heart throbbed, to think how it would be brought in, and how I should behave upon it: and the more, as I was not to be supposed to have so much as heard of such a designed proposal. What would it have done, had I been prevailed upon to read the letter? but not one word passed, leading to that subject.

I now begin to^^ar, that he has changed his mind, if that was his mind. Methinks I am more fond of having the good girl with us, than I imagined it was possible I ever could have been. What a different appearance have things to us, when they are out of our power, to what they had when we beHcved they were in it?

But I see not, that there is the least Hkelihood that any thing, on which you had all set your hearts, can happen I can’t help it.

Emily, flattering girl! told me, she saw great signs of attachment to me in his eyes and behaviour; but I see no grounds for such a surmise: his affections are certainly engaged. God bless him, whatever his engagements are! When he was absent, encourag-ed by his sisters and Lord L. I thought pretty well of myself; but, now he is present, I see so many excellencies shining out in his mind, in his air and address, that my humility gets the better of my ambition.

Ambition! did I say? Yes, ambition, Lucy. Is it not the nature of the passion we are so foolishly apt to call nobUy to exalt the object, and to lower, if not to debase, one’s self? [You see how Lord W. depreciates me on the score of fortune. I was loth to take notice of that before, because I knew, that were slenderness of fortune the only difficulty, the par-tiality of all my friends for their Harriet would put them upon making efforts that I would sooner die than suffer to be made. This, Lucy, observe, is between hooks.]

I forget the manner in which Lord W.‘s objection was permitted to go off but I remember. Sir Charles made no attempt to answer it: and yet he tells my lord, that fortune is not a principal article with him; and that he has an ample estate of his own. No question but a man’s duties will rise with his oppor-tunities. A man, therefore, may be as good with a less estate, as with a larger; and is not goodness the essential part of happiness? Be our station what it will, have we any concern but humbly to acquiesce in it, and fulfil the duties belonging to that station?

But who, for selfish considerations, can wish to circumscribe the power of this good man? The greater opportunities he has of doing good, the higher must be his enjoyment. No, Lucy, do not let us flatter ourselves.

Sir Charles rejoices, on Sir Hargrave’s having just now, by letter, suspended the appointment till next week, of his dining with him at his house on the forest.


Letter XV.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

I LEFT Sir Charles with Dr. Bartlett. They would have both engaged me to stay longer; but I thought the ladies would miss me, and think it particular to find me with him in the doctor’s closet.

My lord and the two sisters were together in the drawing-room adjoining to the library: on my entrance. Well, Harriet, said Miss Grandison, we will now endeavour to find out my brother: you must be present to yourself, and put in a word now-and-then. We shall see if Dr. Bartlett is right, when he says, that my brother is the most unreserved of men.

Just then came in Dr. Bartlett I think, doctor, said Lady L. we will take your advice, and ask my brother all the questions in relation to his engage-ments abroad, that come into our heads.

She had not done speaking, when Sir Charles entered, and drew his chair next me; and just then 1 thought myself he looked upon me with equal benignity and respect.

Miss Grandison began with taking notice of the letter, from which Dr. Bartlett, she said, had read some passages, of the happiness he had procured to Lord W. in ridding him of his woman. She wished, she told him, that she knew who was the lady he had in his thoughts to commend to my lord for a wife.

I will have a little talk with her before I name her, even to you, my lord, and my sisters. I am sure my sisters will approve of their aunt, if she accept of my lord for ahusband: I shall pay my compliments to her, in my return from Grandison-hall.” Do you, Charlotte, choose to accompany me thither? I must, I think, be present at the opening of the church. I don’t ask you, my lord, nor you, Lady L. so short as my stay will be there I purpose to go down on Friday next, and return the Tuesday following.

Miss Gr. I think, brother, I should wish to be excused. If, indeed, you would stay there a week or fortnight, I could like to attend you; and so, I dare say, would Lord and Lady L.

Sir Ch. I must be in town on Wednesday next week; but you may stay the time you mention: you cannot pass it disagreeably in the neighbourhood of the hall; and there you will find your cousin Grandison: he will gallant you from one neighbour to another: and, if 1 judge by your freedoms with him, you have a greater regard for him, than perhaps you know you have.

Miss Gr. Your servant, Sir, bowing But I will take my revenge Pray, Sir Charles, may 1 ask (we are all brothers and sisters)

Sir Ch. Stop, Charlotte {pleasantly): if you are going to ask any questions by way of revenge, I answer them not.

Miss Gr. Revenge! Not revenge, neither But when my Lord W. as by the passages Dr. Bartlett was so good as to read to us, proposed to you this lady for a wife, and that lady; your answers gave us apprehension that you are not inclined to marry

Ladi/ L. You are very unceremonious, Charlotte.

Indeed, Lucy, she made me tremble. .Sure he can have no notion that I have seen the iv/iole let-ter seen myself named in it.

Miss Gr. What signifies ceremony among relations?

Sir Ch. Let Charlotte have her way.

Miss Gr. Why then, Sir, I would ask Don’t you intend one day to marry?

Sir Ch. I do, Charlotte. I shall not think myself happy till I can obtain the hand of a worthy woman.

I was, I am afraid, Lucy, visibly affected: I knew not how to stay; yet it would have looked worse to go.

Miss Gr. Very well, Sir And pray, Have you not, either abroad or at home, seen the woman you could wish to call yours? Don’t think me imper-tinent, brother.

Sir Ch. You cannot be impertinent, Charlotte. If you want to know any thing of me, it pleases me best, when you come directly to the point.

Miss Gr. Well, then, if I cannot be impertinent: if you are best pleased when you are most freely treated; and if you are inclined to marry; pray why did you decline the proposals mentioned by Lord VV. in behalf of Lady Frances N. of Lady Anne S. and I cannot tell how many more?

Sir Ch. The friends of the first-named lady proceeded not generously with my father, in that affair. The whole family builds too much on the interest and quality of her father. I wanted not to depend upon any public man; I chose, as much as possible,

M to fix my happiness within my own little circle. I have strong passions: I am not without ambition. Had I loosened the reins to the latter, young man as I am, my tranquillity would have been pinned to the feather in another man’s cap. Does this sa-tisfy you, Charlotte, as to Lady Frances?

Miss Gr. Why, yes; and the easier, because there is a lady whom I could have preferred to Lady Frances.

I should not, thought I, have been present at this conversation. Lord L. looked at me. Lord L. should not have looked at me: the ladies did not.

SirCh. Who is she?

Miss Gr. Lady Anne S. you know,. Sir Pray, may I ask. Why that cotild not be?

Sir Ch. Lady Anne is, I believe, a deserving woman; but her fortune must have been my prin-cipal inducement, had I made my addresses to her. I never yet went so low as that alone, for an inducement to see a lady three times.

Miss Gr. Then, Sir, you have made your ad-dresses to ladies abroad, I suppose?

Sir Ch. I thought, Charlotte, your curiosity extended only to the ladies in England.

Miss Gr. Yes, Sir, it extends to ladies in Eng-land, and out of England, if any there be that have kept my brother a single man, when such offers have been made him as we think ivould have been unexceptionable. But you hint then, Sir, that there are ladies abroad

Sir Ch. Take care, Charlotte, that you make as free a respondent, when it comes to your turn, as you are a questioner.

Miss Gr. By your answers to my questions. Sir, teach me how I am to answer yours, if you have any to ask.

Sir Ch, Very well, Charlotte. Have I not an-swered satisfactorily your questions about the ladies you named?

Miss Gr. Pretty well. But, Sir, have you not seen ladies abroad whom you like better than either of those I have named? Answer me to that.

Sir Ch. I have, Charlotte, and at home too.

Miss Gr. I don’t know what to say to you But,

Pray, Sir, have you not seen ladies abroad whom you lave liked better than any you ever saw at home?

Sir Ch. No. But tell me, Charlotte, to what does all this tend?

Miss Gr. Only, brother, that we long to have you happily married; and we are afraid, that your declining this proposal and that, is owing to some pre vious attachment and now all is out.

Lord L. And now, my dear brother, all is out.

Lady L. If our brother will gratify our curiosity Had I ever before, Lucy, so great a call upon me as now, for presence ox mind?

Sir Charles sighed: he paused: and at last said You are very generous, very kind, in your wishes to see me married. I have seen the lady, with whom, of all the women in the world, I think, I could be happy.

A fine blush overspread his face, and he looked down. Why, Sir Charles, did you blush? Why did you look down? The happy, thrice happy woman, was not present, was she? Ah, No! no! no!

SirCh. And now, Charlotte, what other questions have you to ask, before it comes to your turn to answer some that I have to put to you?

Miss Gr. Only one Is the lady a foreign lady?

How every body but I looked at him, expecting his answer! ^He really hesitated. At last, I think, Charlotte, you will excuse me, if I say, that this question gives me some pain Because it leads to another, thatj/made, I cannot at present myself ansvoer M 2

[But why SO, Sir? thought I]: and if not made, it cannot be of any signification to speak to this.

LordL. We would not give you pain, ISir Charles: and yet

Sir Ch. What yet, my dear Lord L.?

LnrdL. When I was at Florence, there was much talk

Sir Ch. Of a lady of that city Olivia, my lord! There was. She has fine qualities, but unhappily blended with others less approveable. But 1 have nothing to wish for from Olivia. She has done me too much honour. I should not so readily have named her now, had she herself beeij more solicitous to conceal the distinction she honoured me with. But your lordship, I dare hope, never heard even ill-Kvill open its mouth to her disreputation, only that she descended too much in her regard for one object.

Lord L. Your character, Sir Charles, was as much to the reputation of her favour, as

Sir Ch. {interrupting) O my lord, how brotherly partial! But this lady out of the question, my peace has been bi’oken by a tender fault in my constitution And yet I would not be without it.

The sweet Emily arose, and, in tearSjVent to the window. A sob, endeavoured to be suppressed, called our attention to her.

Sir Charles went, and took her hand: Wliy weeps my Emily?

Because you, who so well deserve to be happy, seem not to be so.

Tender examples, Lucy, are catching: I had much ado to restrain my tears.

He kindly consoled her. My unhappiness, my dear, said he, arises chiefly from that of other people. I should but for that be happy in myself, because I endeavour to accommodate my mind to bear inevita-ble evils, and to make, if possible, a virtue of neces — sity: but, Charlotte, see how grave you have made us all! and yet I must enter with you upon a sub-ject that possibly may be thought as serious by you, as that which, at present, I wish to quit. “ Wish to quit!” “ The question gave him some

Eain, because it led to another, which he cannot imself at present answer!” What, Lucy, let me ask you before 1 follow him to his next subject, can you gather from what passed in that, already recited? If he is himself at an uncertainty, he may deserve to be pitied, and not blamed: but dont you think he might have answered, whether the lady IS a foreigner or not? How could he hioxu what the next question would have been?

I had the assurance to ask Miss Grandison after-wards, aside, Whether any thing could be made out, or guessed at, by his eyes, when he spoke of having seen the woman he could prefer to all others? For he sat next me; she over against him,

I know not what to make of him, said she: but be the lady native or foreigner, it is my humble opinion, that my brother is in love. He has all the symptoms of it that I can guess by.

I am of Charlotte’s opinion, Lucy. Such tender sentiments: such sweetness of manners: such gen-tleness of voice! Love has certainly done all this for him: and the lady, to be sure, is a foreigner. It would be strange if such a man should not have engaged his heart in the seven or eight years past; and those from eighteen to twenty-six or seven, the most susceptible of a man’s life.

But what means he, by saying, “ His’peace has been broken by a tender mult in his constitution?” Compassion, I suppose, for some unhappy object. I will soon return to town, and there prepare to throw myself into the arms of my dearest relations in North-amptonshire: I shall otherwise, perhaps, add to the m3 number of those who have broken his peace. But it is strange, methinks, that he could not have answer-ed, Whether the lady is a foreigner or not.

Dr. Bartlett, you are mistaken; ijir Charles Grandison is not so very wn-reserved a man, as you said he was.

But Oh! my dear little flattering Emily, how could you tell me, that you watched his eyes, and saw them always kindly bent on me? Yes, per-haps, when you thought so, he was drawing com parisons to the advantage of his fair foreigner, from my less agreeable features!

But this Olivia! Lucy. I want to know some-thing more of //er. “ Nothing,” he says, “ to wish for from Olivia.” Poor lady! Methinks I am very much inclined to pity her, f — Well, but I will proceed now to his next subject. I wish I could find some faults in him. It is a cruel thing to be under a kind of necessity to be angry with a man whom we cannot blame; and yet, in the next conversation, you will see him angry. Don’t you long, Lucy, to see how Sir Charles Grandison will behave when he is angry?


Letter XVI.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Now, Charlotte, said he, (as if he had fully answer-ed the questions put to him O these men!) let me ask you a question or two I had a visit made me yesterday, by Lord G. What, my dear, do you intend to do with regard to him? But, perhaps, you would choose to withdraw with me, on this question. Miss Gr. 1 wish 1 had made to you the same overture of withdrawing Sir Charles, on the questions I put to you: If 1 had, I should have received more satisfaction, I fancy, than I can now boast of.

Sir Ch. I will withdraw with you, if you please, and hear any other questions you have to put to me.

Miss Gr. You can put no questions to me. Sir, that I shall have any objection to answer before this company.

Sir Ch. You know my question, Charlotte. ’

Miss Gr. What would i/ou advise me to do in that affair, brother?

Sir Ch. 1 have only one piece of advice to give you: it is, that you will either encourage or discourage his address if you know your own mind.

Miss Gr. I believe, brother, you want to get rid of me.

Sir Ch. Then you intend to encourage Lord G.?

Mm Gr. Does that follow, Sir?

Sir Ch. Or you could not have supposed, that I w;anted to part with you. But come, Charlotte, let us retire. It is very difficult to get a direct answer to such questions as these, from ladies, before company, though the company be ever so nearly re — lated to them.

Miss Gr. I can answer, before this company, any questions that relate to Lord G.

Sir Ch. Then you don^t intend to encourage him?

Miss Gr. 1 don’t see how that follows, neither, from what I said.

Sir Ch. It does, very clearly. I am not an abso-lute stranger to the language of women, Charlotte. Miss Gr. 1 thought my brother too polite to re-flect upon the sex.

Sir Ch. Is it to reflect upon the sex to say, that I am not an absolute stranger to their language?

Miss Gr. I protest, I think so, in the way you spoke it

Sir Ch. Well then, try if you cannot find a lan-guage to speak in, that may not be capable of such an interpretation.

Miss Gr. I am afraid you are displeased with me, brother. I will answer more directly.

Sir Ch. Do, my Charlotte: I have promised Lord G. to procure him an answer.

Miss Gr. Is the question he puts, Sir, a brief one On or offl

Sir Ch. Trust me, Charlotte! you may, even with your punctilio.

Miss Gr. Will you not advise me, Sir?

Sir Ch. I will To pursue your inclination.

Miss Gr. Suppose, if I knew yours, that that would turn the scale?

Sir Ch. Is the balance even?

Miss Gr. I can’t say that, neither.

Sir Ch. Then dismiss my Lord G.

Miss Gr. Indeed, brother, you are angry with me.

Sir Ch. {addressing himself to me) I am sure, Miss Byron, that I shall find, in such points as this, a very different sister in you, when I come to be favoured with the perusal of your letters. Your cousin Reeves once said. That when you knew your own mind, you nearer kept any one in suspense.

Miss Gr. But I, brother, can’t say that I know my mind absolutely.

Sir Ch. That is another thing; I am silent. Only when you do, I shall take it for a favour, if you will communicate it to me, for your service.

Miss Gr. I am among my best friends Lord L. what is your advice? Sir Charles does not incline to give me his?

Sir Ch. It is owing to my regard to your own inclinations, and not to displeasure or petulance, that I do not.

Lord L. I have a very good opinion of Lord G. What is yours, my dear? to Lady L. ’

— Ladif L. I really think very well of my Lord G. What is yours, Miss Byron?

Harriet. I believe Miss Grandison must be the sole determiner, on this occasion. If she has no objection, I presume to think, that no one else can have any.

Miss Gr. Explain, explain, Harriet

Sir Ch. Miss Byron answers as she always does x-penetration and prudence, with her, never quit com pany. \i I have the honour to explain her sentiments in giving mine, take both as follow: My Lord G. is a good-natured, mild man: he will make a woman happy, who has some share of prudence, though slie has a still greater share of will. Charlotte is very lively: she loves her jest almost as well as she loves her friend

Miss Gr. How, brother }

Sir Ch . And Lord G. will not stand in competition with her, in that respect: there should not be a rivalry in particular qualities, in marriage. I have known a poet commence a hatred to his wife, on her being complimented with making better verses than he. Let Charlotte agree upon those qualities in which she will allow her husband to excel; and he allow, in her, those she has a desire to monopolize: and all may do well.

Miss Gr. Then Lord G. must not be disputed with, I presume, were I to be his wife, on the sub-ject of moths and ‘butterflies.

Sir Ch. Yet Lord G. may give them up, when he has a more considerable trifle to amuse himself with. Pardon me, Charlotte Are you not, as far as we have gone in this conversation, a pretty trifler.^

Miss Gr. {bovoi.ig) Thank you, brother. Tlie epithets pretti/, and young, and little, are great qua-lifiers of harsh words.

Sir Ch. But do you like Sir Walter Watkyns better than Lord G.?

Mist Gr. I think not. He is not, I believe, so good natured a man as the other.

Sir Ch. I am glad you make that distinction, Charlotte.

Miss Gr. You think it a necessary one in my case, I suppose, Sir?

<S7V Ch. I have a letter of his to answer. He is very urgent with me for my interest with you. I am to answer it. Will you tell me, my sister, (giving her the letter) what I shall say?

Miss Gr. {after perusing it) Why, ay, poor man! he is very much in love: but I should have some trouble to teach him to spell: and yet, they say, he has both French and Italian at his fingers ends.

She then began to pull in pieces the letter.

Sir Ch. I will not permit that, Charlotte. Pray return me the letter. A woman is least of all intitled to ridicule a lover whom she does not intend to encourage. If she has a good opinion of herself, she will pity him. Whether she has or not, if she wounds, she should heal. Sir Walter may address himself to a hundred women, who for the sake of his gay appearance and good estate, will forgive him his indiflferent spelling.

Miss Gr. The fluttering season is approaching. One wants now-and-then a dangling fellow or two after one in public: perhaps I have not seen enough oi either of these to determine which to choose. Will you not allow one, since neither of them have very striking merits, to behold them in different lights, in order to enable one’s self to judge which is the most tolerable of the two? Or, whether a still wore tolerable wretch may not oflFer.

She spoke this in her very archest manner, serious as the subject was; aiid seriously as her brother wished to know her inclinations.

Sir Charles turned to Lord L. and gravely said, I wonder how — our cousin Everard is amusing himself at this instant, at the hall.

She was sensible of the intended rebuke, and asked him to forgive her.

Wit, niy lord, continued he, inattentive to the pardon she asked, is a dangerous weapon: but that species of it which cannot shine without a foil, is not a wit to be proud of. The lady before me (what is her name?) and I, have been both under a mistake: I took her for my sister Charlotte: she took me for our cousin Everard.

Every one felt the severity. It seemed to pierce me, as if directed to me. So unusually severe from Sir Charles Grandison; and delivered with such serious unconcern in the manner; I would not, at that moment, have been Miss Grandison for the world.

She did not know which way to look. Lady L. (amiable woman!) felt it for her sister: tears were in the eyes of both.

At last Miss Grandison arose. I will take away the impostor. Sir; and when I can rectify my mis-take, and bring you back your sister, I hope you will receive her with your usual goodness.

My Charlotte! my sister! (taking her hand) you must not be very angry with me. I love to feel the ^ner edge of your wit: but when I was bespeaking your attention upon a very serious subject; a sub-ject that concerned the happiness of your future life, and if yours, mine; and you could be able to say something that became only the mouth of an unprincipled woman to say; now could I forbear to wish that some other woman, and not my sister, had said it? Times and occasions, my dear Char-lotte!

No more, I beseech you, Sir: I am sensible of my folly. Let me retire.

I, Charlotte, will retire; don’t i/ou; but take the comfort your friends are disposed to give you. Emily, one word with you, my dear. She flew to him, and they went out together.

There, said Miss Grandison, has he taken the girl with hira, to warn her against falling into my^ folly.

Dr. Bartlett retired in silence.

Lady L. expressed her concern for her sister; but said, Indeed, Chai’lotte, I was afraid you would carry the matter too far.

Lord L. blamed her. Indeed, sister, he bore with you a great while; and the affair was a serious one. He had engaged very seriously, and even from principle, in it. O Miss Byron! he will be delighted with you, when he comes to read your pa — pers, and sees your treatment of the humble ser — vants you resolved not to encourage.

Yes, yes, Harriet will shine, at my expence: but may she 1 Since I have lost my brother’s favour, I pray to heaven, that she may gain it. But he shall never again have reason to say I take him for my cousin Everard. But was I very wicked, Harriet? Deal fairly with me. Was I very wicked?

I thought you wrong all the way: I was afraid for you. But, for what you last said, about encouraging men to dangle after you, and seeming to aim at making new conquests, I could have chidden you, had you not had your brother to hear it. Will you forgive me? (whispering her) They were the words of, a very coquet; and the air was so arch! Indeed, my Charlotte, you were very much out of the way.

So! Everybody against me! I must have been wrong indeed

The/iTwe, the occasion, was wrong, sister Charlotte, said Lord L. Had the subject been of less weight, your brother would have passed it off as pleasantly as he has always before done your vivacities.

Very happy, replied she, to have such a character, that every-body must be in fault who differs from him or offends him.

In the midst of his displeasure, Charlotte, said Lady L. he forgot not the brother. The subject, he told you, concerned the happiness of your future life; and, if yowrs, his.

One remark, resumed Lord L’. I must make, to Sir Charles’s honour (take it not amiss, sister Char-lotte): not the least hint did he give of your error relating to a certain affair; and yet he must think of it, so lately as he has extricated you from it. His aim, evidently, is, to amend, not to wound.

I think, my lord, retorted Miss Grandison, with a glow in her cheeks, you might have spared your remark. If the one brother did not recriminate, the other needed not to remind. My lord, you have not my thanks for your remark.

This affected good Lady L. Pray, sister, blame not my lord: you will lose my p/^^, if you do. Are not we Jour united in one cause? Surely, Charlotte, we are to speak our whole hearts to each other!

So! I have brought man and wife upon me now. Please the Lord I will be married, in hopes to have somebody on my side. But, Harriet, say, am I wrong again?

I hope, my dear Miss Grandison, replied I, that what you said to my lord, was in pleasantry: and if so, the fault was, that you spoke it with too grave an air.

Well, well, let me take hold of your hand, my dear, to help me out of this new difficulty. I am dreadfully out of luck today, I am sorry I spoke not my pleasantry with a pleasant air Yet were not you likewise guilty of the same fault. Lady L.? Did not you correct me with too grave an air?

I am very willing, returned Lady L. it should pass so: but, my dear, you must not, by your petulance, rob yourself of the sincerity of one of the best hearts in the world; looking with complacency at her lord.

He bowed to her with an affectionate air. Happy couple!

As I hope to live, said Miss Grandison, I thought you all pitied me, when Sir Charles laid so heavy a hand upon me: and so he seemed to think, by what he said at going out. How did you deceive me, all of you, by your eyes!

I do assure you, said my lord, I did pity you; but had I not thought my sister in fault, I should not.

Your servant, my lord. You are a nice distin-guisher.

And B,just one, Charlotte, rejoined Lady L.

No doubt of it, LadyL. and that was your motive too. I beseech you, let me not be deprived of your pity. I have yours also, Harriet, upon the same kind consideration.

Why now this archness becomes you, Charlotte, said I [I was wilHng it should pass so, Lucy]: this is pretty pleasantry.

It is a pretty specimen of Charlotte’s penitence, said Lady L.

I was glad Lady L. spoke this with an air of good humour; but Miss Grandison withdrew upon it, not well pleased.

We heard her at her harpsicord, and we all joined her. Emily also was drawn to us, by the music. Tell me, my dear, said Miss Grandison to her (stopping) Have you not had all my faults laid before you, for your caution?

Indeed, madam, my guardian said but one word about you; and this was it: I love my sister: she has amiable qualities: we are none of us right at all times. You see, Emily, that I, in chiding her, spoke with a little too much petulance.

God for ever bless my brother! said Miss Grandison, in a kind of rapture: but now his goodness makes my flippancy odious to myself Sit down, my child, and play your Italian air.

This brought in Sir Charles. He entered with a look of serenity, as if nothing had passed to disturb him.

When Emily had done playing and singing, Miss Grandison began to make apologies: but he said, Let us forget each other’s failings, Charlotte.

Notice being given of dinner, Sir Charles cora-plaisantly led his sister Charlotte to her seat at the table.

A most intolerable superiority! I wish he would do something wrong; something cruel: if he would but bear malice, would but stiffen his air by resentment, it would be something. As a man, cannot he be lordly, and assuming, and where he is so much regarded, I may say feared, nod his imperial signifi-cance to his vassals about him? Cannot he be im perious to servants, to shew his displeasure with principals? No! it is natural to him to be good and just. His whole aim, as my lord observed, is “ to convince and amend; and not to wound or hnrt.”

After dinner, Miss Grandison put into my hands the parcel of my letters which I had consentd Sir Charles should see. Miss Byron, Sir, said she, will oblige you with the perusal of some of her letters. You will in them see another sort of woman than your Charlotte. May I amend, and be but half as good! When you have read them, you will say, Amen; and, if your prayer take place, will be satisfied with your sister.

He received them from me, standing up, bowing; n2 and’ kissed the papers, with an air of gallantry that I thought greatly became him [O the vanity of the girl! methinks my uncle says, at this place.] He put them in his pocket.

Without conditions, Harriet? said Miss Grandi-son. Except those of candor, yet correction, an — swered I. Again he bowed to me.

I don’t know what to say to it, Lucy; but I think Sir Charles looks highly pleased to hear me praised; and the ladies and my lord miss no opportunity to say kind things of me. But could he not have an-swered Miss Grandison’s question, whether his fa — vourite was a. foreigner, or not? Had any other question arisen afterwards, that he had not cared to answer, he could but have declined answering it, as he did that.

What a great deal of writing does the reciting of half an hour or an hour’s conversation make, when there are three or four speakers in company; and one attempts to write what each says in the Jirst person! I am amazed at the quantity, on looking back. But it iioill be so in narrative letter — writing. Did not you, Lucy, write as long letters, when you went with your brother to Paris? I forget. Only this I remember, that I always was sorry when I came to the end of them. 1 am afraid it is quite otherwise with mine.

By the way, I am concerned that Lady D. is angry with me: yet, methinks, she shews, by her anger, that she had a value for me. As to what you tell me of Lord D’s setting his heart on the proposed alliance, I am not so much concerned at that, because he never saw me: and had the affair been in his own power, ’tis likely he would not have been very solicitous about his success. Many a one, Lucy, I believe, has found an ardour, when repuls — ed, which they would never have known, had they succeeded.

Lady Betty, and Miss Clements, were so good as to make me a visit, this afternoon, in their way to Windsor, where they are to pass two or three days. They lamented my long absence from town; and Lady Betty kindly regretted for me, the many fine entertainments I had lost, both public and private, by my country excursion at this unpropitious season of the year, as she called it; shrugging her shoulders, as if in compassion for my rustic taste.

Good lady! she knew not that I am in company that want not entertainments out of themselves. They have no time to kill, or to delude: on the contrary, our constant complaint is, that time flies too fast: and I am sure,’ for my part, I am forced to be a manager of it; since, between conversation and writing, I have not a moment to spare: and I never in my life devoted so few hours to rest.

Sir Charles spoke very handsomely of Miss Cle-ments, on occasion of Miss Grandison’s saying, she was a plain, but good young woman. She is not a beauty, said he; but she has qualities that are more to be admired than mere beauty.

Would she not, asked Lady L. make a good wife for Lord W.? There is, said Sir Charles, too great a disparity in years. She has, and must have, too many hopes. My Lord W.‘s wife will, probably, be confined six months, out of twelve, to a gouty man’s chamber. She must therefore be one who has outlived half her hopes: she must have been ac-quainted with aflSiction, and known disappointment. She must consider her marriage with him, though as an act of condescension, yet partly as a preferment. Her tenderness will, by this means, be engaged; yet her dignity supported: and if she is not too much in years to bring my lord an heir, he will then be the most grateful of men to her.

My dear brother, said Miss Grandison, forgive N 3 me all my faults: your actions, your sentiments, sliall be the rule of mine! But who can come up to you? The Danbys Lord W.

Any-body may, Charlotte, interrupted Sir Charles, who will be guided by the well-known rule of Doinir to ot/icrs, ns you vcould they should do unto you Were you in the situation of the Danbys, of Lord W. would you not wish to be done by, as I have done, and intend to do, by them? What must be those who, with hungry eyes, wait and wish for the death of a relation? May they not be compared to savages on the sea-shore, who look out impa-tiently for a wreck, in order to plunder and prey upon the spoils of the miserable \ Lord W. has been long an unhappy man, from want of princi-ples: I shall rejoice, if 1 can be a means of con vincing him, by his own experience, that he was in a wrong course, and of making his latter days happy. Would I not, in my decline, wish for a nephew that had the same notions? And can I expect such a one, if 1 set not the example?

Pretty soon after supper, Sir Charles left us; an4 .Miss Grandison seeing me in a reverie, said, I will lay my life, Harriet, you fancy my brother is gone up to read your letters. Nay, you are in the right; for he whispered as much to me, before he with-drew. But do not be apprehensive, Harriet (for she saw me concerned); you have nothing to fear, I am sure.

Lady L. said, that her brother’s notions and mine were exactly alike, on every subject: but yet, Lucy, when one knows one’s cause to be under actual examination, one cannot but have some heart-akes. Yet why? If his favourite woman is di fareignevy what signifies his opinion of my letters? And yet it does: one would be willing to be well thought of by the worthy.




Letter XVII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Thursday, March 23. We sat down early to breakfast this morning: Miss Grandison dismissed the attendants, as soon as Sir Charles entered the room

He addressed himself to me, the moment he saw me: Admirable Miss Byron, said he, what an enter-tainment have your letters given me, down to a certain period! How, at and after that, have they distressed me, for your sufferings from a savage! It is well for him, and perhaps for me, that I saw not sooner this latter part of your affecting story: I have read through the whole parcel.

He took it from his bosom, and, with a respectful air, presented it to me Ten thousand thanks for the favour I dare not hope for further indulgence Yet not to say, how desirous 1 am But forgive me Think me not too great an encroacher I took them.

Surely, brother, said Miss Grandison, you cannot already have read the whole!

I have I could not leave them I sat up late-^ And so, thought 1, did your sinter Harriet, Sir. Well, brother, said Miss Grandison, and what are thejaults?

Faults! Charlotte. Such a noble heart! such an amiable frankness! No prudery! No coquetry! Yet so much, and so justly, admired by as many as have had the happiness to approach her! Then, turning to me, 1 honour you, madam, for the goodness, the greatness of your heart.

How 1 blushed! how I trembled! How, though so greatly flattered, was I dehghted 1

Is Miss Byron, in those letters, all perfect, all faultless, all excellence, Sir Charles? asked Miss Grandison: is there no But I am sensible (though you have raised my envy, I assure you) that Mis& Byron’s is another sort of heart than your poor Charlotte’s.

But I hope, Sir, said I, that you will correct

You called upon me yesterday, interrupted he, to attend to the debate between you and Mr. Walden: I think I have something to observe upon that sub-ject. I told you, that beauty should not bribe me. I have very few observations to make upon it.

Lady L. Will you give us, brother, your opinion, in writing, of what you have read*?

Sir Ch. That would fill a volume: and it would be almost all panegyric.

How flattering! But this foreign lady, Lucy?

Lady L. began another subject.

Pray, brother, said she, let me revive one of the topics of yesterday Concerning Lord G. and Sir Walter Watkyns And I hope you, Charlotte, will excuse me.

Miss Gr. If it can be revived, withoilt reviving the memory of my flippant folly Not else will I excuse you. Lady L. And casting her eye bash-fully round her. Dr. Bartlett withdrew; but as if he had business to do.

Lady L. Then let me manage this article for my sister. You said, brother, that you have engaged to give Lord G. either hope, or otherwise

Sir Ch. Lord G. was very earnest with me for my interest with my sister. I, supposing that she is now absolutely disengaged, did undertake to let him know what room he had for hope, or if any; but told him, that I would not, by any means, endea-vour to influence her.

Lady L. Charlotte is afraid, that you would not, * This subject is spoken to l>y Sir Charles, vol. xiv. of yourself, from displeasure, have revived the sub-ject Not that she values

There she stopt.

Sir Ch. I might, at the time, be a little petulant: but I should have revived the subject, because I had engaged to procure an answer for an absent person, to a question that was of the highest importance to him: but, perliaps, I should have entered into the (Bubject with Charlotte when we were alone.

Lad^ L. She can have no objection, 1 believe, to let all of us, who are present, know her mind, on this occasion.

Miss Gr. To be sure I have not.

Ladi/ L. What signifies mincing the matter? I undertook, at her desire, to recal the subject, because you had seemed to interest yourself in it.

Sir Ch. I think I know as much of Charlotte’s mind already, from what you have hinted, Lady L. as I ought to be inquisitive about.

Lady L. How so, brother! What have I said?

Sir Ch. What meant the words you stopt at Not that she values? Now, though I will not endeavour to lead her choice in behalf of a prince; yet would I be earnest to oppose her marriage with a man for whom she declaredly has no value.

Lady L. You are a little sudden upon me. Sir Charles.

Sir Ch. You must not think the words you stopt at, LadyL slight words: principle, and Charlotte’s future happiness, and that of a worthy man, are concerned here. But perhaps vou mean no more, than to give a little specimen of lady-like pride in those words. It is a very hard matter for women, on such occa.sions as these, to be absolutely right. Dear Mis^ Byron, bowing to me, excuse me. There is one lady in the world that ought not, from what I kaye had the honour to see, on her own account, to take amiss my freedom with her gex, though she perhaps will on that of those she loves. But have I not some reason for what I say, when even Lady L. speaking for her sister on this concerning sub-ject, cannot help throwing in a salvo for the pride of her sex?

Harriet. I doubt not, Sir, but Lady L. and Miss Grandison will explain themselves to your satisfaction.

Lady L. then called upon her sister.

Miss Gr. Why, as to value and all that To be sure Lord G. is not a man, that (and she look-ed round her on each person) that a woman — Hem! that a woman But, brother, I think you are a little too ready to to A word and a blow, as the saying is, are two things. Not that And there she stopt.

Sir Ch. {smiling) O my dear Lord L! What shall we say to these Not that’s? Were I my cousin Everard, I am not sure but I should suppose, when ladies were suspending unnecessarily, or with af-fectation, the happiness of the man they resolve to marry, that they were reflecting on themselves by an indirect acknowledgment of self-denial-Miss Gr. Good God! brother.

I was angry at him, in my mind. How came this good man, thought I, by such thoughts as these, of our sex? What, Lucy, could a woman do with such a man, were he to apply to her in courtship, whe-ther she denied or accepted of him?

Sir Ch. You will consider, Lady L. that you and Charlotte have brought this upon yourselves. That I call female pride, which distinguishes not either time, company, or occasion. You will remember, that Lord G. is not here; we are all brothers and sisters: and why, Charlotte, do you approve of entering upon the subject in this company; yet come with your exceptions, as if Lord G. had his father present, or pleading for him? These Not that she values, and so-forth, are so Uke the deaUngs between petty chap — men and common buyers and sellers, that I love properly (observe that I say properly) to discourage them among persons of sense and honour. But come, Charlotte, enter into your own cause: you are an excellent pleader, on occasion. You know, or at least you ought to know, your own mind. I never am for encouraging agency (Lady L. excuse roe Will you give up yours?) where principals can be present?

Lady L. With all my heart. I stumbled at the very threshold. E’en, Charlotte, be your own ad-vocate. The cause is on.

Miss Gr. Why, I don’t know what to say. My brother will be so peremptory, perhaps

Sir Ch. A good sign for somebody Don’t you think so, madam? to me. But the snail will draw in its horns, if the finger hastily touch it Come, no good sign, perhaps, Charlotte. I will not be pe-remptory. You shall be indulged, if you have not already been indulged enough, in all the pretty aV-cumambages customary on these occasions.

Miss Gr. This is charming! But pray, Sir, what is your advice, on this subject?

Sir Ch. In our former conversation upon it, I told you what I thought of my lord’s good humour: whatofyour vivacity Can you, Charlotte, were you the wife of Lord G. content yourself now-and-then to makehim start, by the lancet-Hke delicacy of your wit, without going deeper than the skin? Without exposing him (and yourself for doing so) to the ridicule of others? Can you bear with his foibles, if he can bear with yours? And if the forbearance is greater on his side, than on yours, can you value Kim for it, and for his good humour?

Miss Gr. Finely run off, upon my word!

Sir Ch. I am afraid only, that you will be able, Charlotte, to do what you will with him. I am sorry to have cause to say, that I have seen very good wo-men who have not known how to bear indulgence! Waller was not absolutely wrong, as to stick, when he said, “ that women were born to be controuled.” If controul is likely to be necessary, it will be with women of such charming spirits as you know whose, Charlotte, who will not confine to time and place their otherwise agreeable vivacities.

Miss Gr. Well, but. Sir, if it should chance to be so, and I were Lord G. ‘supper servant; for controul implies dominion; what a fine advantage would he have in a brother, who could direct him so well (though he might still, perhaps, be a batchelor) how to manage a wife so flippant!

Sir Ch. Batchelors, Charlotte, are close observers. It is not every married couple,if they were solicitous to have a batchelor marry, that should admit him into a very close intimacy with themselves.

Miss Gr. [archly) Pray, Lord L. did we not once hear our cousin Everard make an observation of this nature?

Sir Ch. Fairly retorted, Charlotte! But how came your cousin Everard to make this observation? I once heard you say, that he was but a common ob-server. Every married pair is not Lord and Lady L.

Miss Gr. Well, well, I believe married people must do as well as they can. But may I ask you, brother. Is it owing to such observations as those you have been making, that you are now a single man?

Sir Ch. A fair question from you, Charlotte. I answer, It is not.

Miss Gr. 1 should be glad, with all my heart, to know what is.

Sir Ch. When the subject comes fairly on the srR CHARLES GRAKCISOy. 145 carpet, your curiosity may perhaps be gratified. But tell me, Do you intend that the subject you had engaged Lady L. to introduce, in relation to Lord G. and Sir Walter Watkyns, should be dismissed, at present? 1 mean not to be peremptory, Charlotte: be not afraid to answer.

Miss Gr. Why that’s kind. No, I can’t say, that I do: and yet 1 frankly confess, that 1 had much rather ask, than answer questions. You knoto, Sir, that I have a wicked curiosity.

Sir Ch. Well, Charlotte, you will find me, wicked as you call it, very ready, at a proper time, to gratify it. To some things that you may want to know, in relation to my situation, you needed not now to have been a stranger, had 1 had the pleasure of being more with you, and had you yourself been as explicit as I would have wished you to be. But the crisis is at hand. When I am certain myself, you shall not be in doubt. I would not suppose that my happiness is a matter of indifference to my sisters; and if it be not, I should be ungrateful not to let them know every-thing I know, that is likely to affect it.

See! Lucy. What can be gathered from all this? But yet this speech has a noble sound with it: don t you think it has? It is, I think, worthy of Sir Charles Grandison. But by what clouds does this sun seem to be obscured? He says, howevef, that the crisis is at hand Solemn words, as they strike me. Ah, Lucy! But this is my prayer May the crisis produce happiness to him, let who will be unhappy.

Miss Gr. You are always good, noble, uniform Curiosity, get thee behind me, and lie still! And yet, brother, like a favoured squirrel repulsed, I am afraid it will be soon upon my shoulder, if the crisis be suspended.

*’ Crisis is at hand,” Lucy! I cannot get over these words; and yet they make my heart ake.

Sir Ch. But now, Charlotte, as to your two ad-mirers

Miss Gr. Why, Sir, methinks I would not be a petty-chapwoman, if I could help it: and yet, what can I say? I don’t think highly of either of the men: but, pray now, ivhat Lady L, (affecting an audible whisper) Will you ask a question for nie!

Lady L. What is it, Charlotte?

Miss Gr. ( Whispering, but still loud enough for every one to hear.) What sort of a man is Beau-champ?

Lady L. Mad girl! You heard the question^ brother.

Miss Gr. No 1 You did 7iot hear it. Sir, if it will displease you. The whispers in conversation are no more to be heard, than the asides in a play.

Sir Ch. Both the one and the other are wTong, C arlotte. Whisperings in conversation are cen-surable, to a proverb: the asides, as you call them, and the soliloquies, in a play, however frequent, are very poor (because unnatiiral) shifts of bungling authors to make their performances intelligible to the audience. But am I to have heard your whisper^ Charlotte, or not?

Miss Gr. I think the man my brother so much esteems, must be worth a hundred of such as those we have just now heard named.

Sir Ch. Well,then,Iam supposed to beanswered, I presume, as to the two gentlemen. I will shew you the letter, when written, that I shall send to Sir Walter Watkyns. I shall see Lord G. I suppose, the moment he knows I am in town.

Miss Gr. The Lord bless me, brother! Did you flot say, you would not he iieremptory?

Lord L. Very right. Pray, Sir Charles, don’t let my sister part with the ttw^ without being sure of a third.

Miss Gr. Pray, Lord L. do you be quiet: your sister is in no hurry, I do assure you.

Sir Ch. The female drawback again, Lady L. Not that she values.

Harriet. Well, but, Sir Charles, may I, without ofFence, repeat Miss Grandison’s question in relation to Mr. Beauchamp ?

Miss Gr. That’s my dear creature 1

Sir Ch. It is impossible that Miss Byron can give offence. Mr. Beauchamp is an excellent young man; about five-and-twenty, not more: he is brave, learned, sincere, cheerful: gentle in his manners, agreeable in his person. Has my good Miss Byron any further questions to ask? Your frankness of heart, madam, intitles you to equal frankness. Not a question you can ask, but the answer shall be ready upon my lips.

Is the lady, Sir, whom you could prefer to all others, a foreign or an English Lady? Ah, Lucy! And do you think I asked him this question O no! but I had a mind to startle you. I coidd have asked it, I can tell you: and, if it had been proper, it would have been the first of questions with me: yet had not the answer been such as I had liked, perhaps I should not have been able to stay in company.

I only bowed, and I believe blushed with complacency, at the kind manner, in which he spoke to me: every one, by their eyes, took notice of it with pleasure.

Lady L. Well, brother, and what think you of the purport of Charlotte’s question? Charlotte says, That she does not think highly of either of tb.e other men.

Sir Ch. That, at present, is all that concerns me o2 to know. I will write to Sir Walter: I will let Lord G. know, that there is a man in the clouds that Charlotte waits for: that ladies must not be easily won. Milton justifies you, in his account of the behaviour of your common grandmother, on the first interview between her and the man for whom she was created. Charming copiers! You, Miss Byron, are an exception. You know nothing of affectation. You

Miss Gr. {unseasonably interrupting him) Pray, Sir, be pleased, since we are such fine copiers of the old lady you mentioned, to repeat the lines: I have no remembrance of them.

Sir Ch. She heard me thus; and, though divinely brought, Her virtue, and the conscience of her worth. That wou’d be woo’d, and not unsought be won, Wrought in her so, that, seeing me, she turn’d. I foilow’d her. She wiiat was honour knew, And with obsequious majesty approved My pleaded reason

I have looked for the passage, since, Lucy. He missed several lines.

Now, Charlotte, said Sir Charles, though these lines are a palpable accommodation to the future practice of the daughters of the old lady, as you call her, and perhaps intended for an instruction to thenty since it could not be a natural behaviour in Eve, who was divinely brought to be the wife of Adam, and it beii’g in the state of innocence, could not be conscious of dishonour in receiving his address; yet, if you know what is meant by obsequious majesty, you nad as good try for it: and as you are Jbltoiued, and should not follow, approve of the pleaded reason of one or other of your admirers.

Miss Gr. After hearing the pleaded reason of both, should you not say? I have the choice of two; that bad not Eve. But, hold’ I had like to have beea

Arawn m to be flippant, again: and then you would have enquired after my cousin Everard, and-so-Jorthf and been angry.

Sir Ch, Not noivi, Charlotte: we are now at play together. I see there is constitution in j^our foult. The subjects we are upon, courtship and inarriage, cannot, I find, be talked seriously of by a lady, before company. Shall I retire with you to solitude? Make a lover’s camera obscura for you? Or, could I place you upon the mossy bank of a purling stream, gliding through an enamelled mead; in such a scene, a now despised Lord G. or a Sir Walter, might find his account, sighing at your feet. No witnesses but the grazing herd, lowing love around you: the fea-thered songsters from an adjacent grove, contribut — ing to harmonize and fan the lambent flame

Miss Gr. (interrupting) Upon my word, brother, I knew you had travelled through Greece, but dreamt not that you had dwelt long in the fields o^Ar-ca-dy! But one question let me ask you, concerning your friend Beauchamp We women don’t love to be slighted Whether do you think him too good, or not good enough, for your sister?

Sir Ch, The friendship, Charlotte, that has for some years subsisted, and I hope will for ever sub-sist, between Mr. Beauchamp and me, wants not the tie of relation to strengthen it.

Lord L. Happy Beauchamp!

Sir Ch. Lord L. himself is not dearer to me, brO’ ther as I have the honour to call him, than my Beau-champ. It is one of my pleasures, my Lord, that 1 am assured you will love him, and he you.

Lord L. bowed, delighted; and if he did, his good lady, you may be sure, partook of her lord’s delight. They are a happy pair! They want not sense; they have both fine understandings! But, O! my Lucy, they are not the striking, dazzling qualities in men and women, that make happy. Good sense, and solid judgment, a natural complacency of temper, a desire of obliging, and an easiness to be obliged, procure the silent, the serene happiness, to which the fluttering, tumultuous, impetuous, fervors of passion can never contribute. Nothing violent can be lasting.

Miss Gr. Not that I value There, brother You see, I am a borrower of Lady L.

Ladi/ L. Upon my honour, Charlotte, I believe you led me into those words; so don’t say you bor-rowed them.

Sir Ch. Far be it from me to endeavour to cure women of affectation on such subjects as that which lately was before us I don’t know what is become of it (looking humorously round, as if he had lost something which he wanted to recover); but that, permit me, ladies, to say, may be an affectation in one company,. that is but a necessary reserve in an-other. Charlotte has genius enough, I am sure, to vary her humour to the occasion; and, if she would give herself time for reflection, to know when to be grave, when to be airy.

Miss Gr. I don’t know thaty brother: but let me say for Charlotte, that I believe you sometimes think better of her (as in the present case) sometimes worse, than she deserves. Charlotte has not much reflection; she is apt to speak as the humour comes upon her, without considering much about the fit, or the unfit. It is constitution, you know, brother; and she cannot easily cure it: but she will try. Only, 8ir, be so good as to let me have an answer to my last question. Whether you think your friend too good, or not good enough? Because the answer will let me know what my brother thinks of me; and that, let me tell you, is of very high importance with me.

S/r Ch. You have no reason, Charlotte, to endea-Tour to come at this your end, by indirect or com parative means. Your brother loves you

Miss Gr. With all my faults, Sir?

Sir Ch. With all your faults, my dear; and I had Inmost said, ^;r some of them. I love you for the pretty playfulness, on serious subjects, with which you puzzle yourself, and bewilder me: you see E follow your lead. As to the other part of your question (for I would always answer directly when I can); my friend Beauchamp deserves the best of women. You are excellent in my eyes; but I have known two very worthy persons, who, taken sepa-rately, have been admired by every one who knew them, and who admired each other before marriage, yet not happy in it.

Miss Gr. Is it possible? To what could their unhappiness be owing? Both, I suppose, continuing good?

Sir Ch. To a hundred almost nameless reasons Too little consideration on one side; too much on the other: diversions different: too much abroad the man too much at home will sometimes have the same effect: acquaintance approved by the one-disapproved by the other: one liking the town; the other the country: or either preferring town or country in different humours, or at different times of the year. Human nature, Charlotte

Miss Gr. No more, no more, I beseech you, bro-ther Why this human nature, 1 believe, is a very vile thing; I think, Lady L. I won’t marry at all.

Sir Ch. Some such trifles, as these I have enume-rated, will be likely to make you, Charlotte, with all your excellencies, not so happy as I wish you to be. If you cannot have a man of whose understanding you have a higher opinion than you bttre of jour own, you should think of one who is likely to allow to yours a superiority. If

Miss Grandison interrupted him again: I wished she would not so often interrupt him: I wanted to find out his notions of our sex. I am afraid, with all his politeness, he thinks us poor creatures. But why should not the character of a good, a prudent woman, be as great as that of a good, a prudent man?

Miss Gr. Well, but, ISir; I suppose the gentleman abroad has more understanding than I have.

Sir Ch. A good deal will depend upon what t/omVZ think of that: not what I, or the world, will judge.

Miss Gr. But the judgment of us women gene-, rally goes with the world.

Sir Ch. Not generally, in matrimonial instances. A wife, in general, may allow of a husband’s superior judgment; but in particular cases, and as they fall out one by one, the man may find it difficult, to have it allowed in any one instance.

Miss Gr. I think you said, Sir, that bachelors were close observers.

Sir Ch. We may in the sister, sometimes, see the laife. I admire you, myself, for your vivacity; but I am not sure that a husband would not think himself hurt by it, especially if it be true, as you say, “ that Charlotte has not much reflection, and is apt to speak as the humour comes upon her, without trou-bling herself about the fit or the unfit.”

Miss Gr. O, Sir, what a memory you have! I hope that the man who is to call me his (that’s the dialect, isn’t it?) will not have half your memory.

Sir Ch. For his sake, or your own, do you hope this, Charlotte?

Miss Gr. Let me see Why for both our sakes, I believe. air CJi. You’ll tell the man, in courtship, I hope that all this liveliness is “ constitution;” and “ that you know not how to cure it.”

Miss Gr. No, by no means, Sir: let him in the mistress, as somebody else in the sistevy guess at the “voife, and take warning.

Sir Ch. Very well answered, Charlotte, in the play we are at; but I am willing to think highly of my sister’s prudence; and that she will be happy, and make the man so, to whom she may think fit to give her hand at the altar. And now the question recurs, What shall I say to Lord G.? What to Sir Walter?

Miss Gr. Why I think you must make my compliments to Sir Walter, if you will be so good; and, after the example of qay sister Harriet to the men she sends a grazing, very civilly tell him, he may break his heart as soon as he pleases; for that 1 cannot be his.

Sir Ch. Strange girl! But I wish not to lower this lively spirit You will put your determination into English.

Miss Gr. In plain English, then, I can by no means think of encouraging the address of Sir Walter Watkyns.

Sir Ch. Well, and what shall I say to Lord G.?

Miss Gr. Why that’s the thing I was afraid it would come to this Why, Sir, you must tell him, I think I profess I can’t tell what But, Sir, will you let me know what you would have me tell him?

Sir Ch, I will follow your lead as far as I can Can you, do you think, love Lord G.?

Miss Gr. Love him! love Lord G.? what a question is that! Why no! I verUy believe, I can’t say that.

Sir Ch. Can you esteem him?

Miss Gr. Esteem! Why that’s a quaint word, though z.Jemale one. I believe, if 1 were to marry the honest man, I could be civil to hira, if he would be very complaisant, very observant, and all that Pray, brother, don’t, however, be angry with me. .

Sir Ch. I will not, Charlotte, smiling. It is constitution, you say. But \i you cannot be more than civil; and if he is to be very observant; you’ll make it your agreement with him, before you meet him at the altar, that he shall subscribe to the woman’s part of the vow; and that you shall answer to the man’s.

Miss Gr. A good thought^I believe! I’ll consider of it. If I find, in courtship, the man will bear it, I may make the proposaL Yet I don’t know, but it will be as well to suppose the vow changed, without conditioning for it, as other good women do; and act accordmgl}’. One would not begin with a sin-gularity, for fear of putting the parson out. I heard an excellent lady once advise a good wife, who, however, very little wanted it, to give the man a hearing, and never do any thing that he would wish to be done, except she chose to do it. If the man loves quiet, he’ll be glad to compound.

Harriet. Nay now, Miss Grandison, you are much more severe upon your sex, and upon matrimony, than Sir Charles.

Sir Ch. Have I been severe upon either, my dear Miss Byron?

Harriet. Indeed I think so.

Sir Ch. I am sorry for it; I only intended to be just. See, Charlotte, what a censure, from goodness itself, you draw upon me! But I am to give encouragement {am I?) to Lord G.?

Miss Gr. Do as you please. Sir.

Sir Ch. That is saying nothing. Is there a man in the world you prefer to Lord G.?

Miss Gr. In the world, Sir! A very wide place, I profess.

Sir Ch. You \axQW what I mean by it.

Miss Gr. Why No Yes No What can I say to such a question?

Sir Ch. Help me, Lady L. You know, better than I, Charlotte’s language: help me to understand it.

Lady L. I believe, brother, you may let Lord G, know, that he will not be denied an audience, if he come

Sir Ch. “ Will not be denied an audience, if he come!” And this to Charlotte’s brother! Women! Women! Women! You, Miss Byron, I repeat with pleasure, are an exception In your letters and behaviour we see what a woman is, and what she ought to be Yet, I know, you have too much greatness of mind to accept (as you once told Sir Rowland Me-redith) of a compliment made you at the expence of your sex But my heart does you justice.

Lord L. See, however, brother Grandison, this excellence in the two sisters! You say, indeed, but just things in praise of Miss Byron; but they are more than women: for they enjotj that praise, and the acknowledged superiority of the only woman in Britain to whom they can be inferior.

Do you think I did not thank them both for compliments so high? I did.

You DID, Harriet?

Ah, Lucy! I had a mind to surprise you again. I did thank them; but it was in downcast silence, and by a glow in my cheeks, that was even painful to me to feel.

The sisters have since observed to me (flattering ladies!) that their brother’s eyes But is it not strange, Lucy, that they did not ask him, in this long conversation. Whether his favourite of our sex is ajoreigner, or not? If she be, what signifies the eye of pleasure cast upon your Harriet?

But what do you think was Miss Grandison’s ad-dress to me, on this agreeable occasion? You, my grandmamma, will love her again, I am sure, though she so lately incurred your displeasure.

Sweet and ever amiable Harriet! said she: Sister! friend! enjoy the just praises of two of the best of men! You can enjoy them with equal modesty and dignity; and we can (What say you. Lady L.?) find our praise in the honour you do our sex, and in being allowed to be seconds to you.

And what do you think was the answer of Lady L. (generous woman!) to this call of her sister?

I can cheerfully, said she, subscribe to the visible superiority of my Harriet, as shewn in all her letters, as well as in her whole conduct: but then you, my lord, and you, my brother, who in my eye are the first of men, must not let me have cause to dread, that your Caroline is sunk in yours.

I had hardly power to sit, yet had less to retire; as I had, for a moment, a thought to do. I am glad I did not attempt it: my return to company must have been awkward, and made me look particular. But, Lucy, what is in my letters, do deserve all these fine speeches? But my lord and his sisters are my true friends, and zealous well-wishers. No fear that I shall be too proud, on this occasion; it is humbling enough to reflect, that the worthy three thought it all no more than necessary to establisti me with somebody; and yet, after all, if there be di foreign lady, what signify all these fine, things?

But how (you will ask) did the brother acknow-ledge these generops speeches of his sisters and Lord L.? H ow? W ny as he ought to do. He gave them for their generous goodness to their Harriet, in preference to themselves, such due praises, as more than restored them, in my eye, to the supe-riority they had so nobly given up.

Sir Charles afi,erwards addressed himself to me jointly with hi:> ssters; I see, with great pleasure, said he, the happy understanding that there is between you three ladies: it is a demonstration, to me, of surpassing goodness in you all. To express myself in the words of an ingenious man, to whose works your sex, and i^ yours, ours, are more obliged, than to those of any single man in the British world,

Great souls by instinct to each other turn, Demand alliance, and in friendship burn.*

The two sisters and your Harriet bowed as they sat.

Encouraged by this happy understanding among you, let me hope, proceeded he, that you, Miss Byron, will be so good as to inform yourself, and let me know, what I may certainly depend upon to be our Charlotte’s inclinations with respect to the two gentlemen who court her favour; and whether there is any man that she can or does prefer to the most favoured of either of them. From you I shall not meet with the “ Not that she values” The depre* ciating indifferences, the affected slights, thejiemale circumambages, if I may be allowed the words; the coldly-expressed consent to visits not deserving to be discouraged, and perhaps not intended to be so; that I have had to encounter with in the past conver-sation. I have been exceedingly diverted with my sister’s vivacity: but as the affair is of a very serious nature; as I would be extremely tender in my interposition, having really no choice but hers; and wanting only to know on whom that choice will fall, or whether on any man, at present; on your noble frankness I can rely; and Charlotte will open her mind to you: if not, she has very little profited by the example you have set her in the letters you have permitted her to read.

He arose, bowed, and withdrew: Miss Grandison * Aooisun’s Campaign, called after him, Brother, brother, brother One word Don’t leave us But he only kissed his hand to us at the door; and bowing, with a smiling air left us looking at each other in a silence that held a few moments.


Letter XVIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Lord L. broke the silence. You are a delightful girl, Charlotte; but your brother has had a great deal of patience with you.

O my lord, said she, if we women play our cards right, we shall be able to manage the best and wisest of you all, as we please. It is but persevering, and you men, if not owt-argued, may be o\ii-teazed. But, Harriet upon my word The game seems to be all in your own hands.

We want but my brother to be among us, said Lady L, Beauty would soon find its power: and such a mind And then they complimented me, that their brother and I were born for each other.

Miss Grandison told us all three her thoughts, in relation to the alliance with Lord G. She said, she was glad that her brother had proposed to know her mind from me. Something, Harriet, said she, may rise in the tete-a-tete conversation, that may let us into a little of his own.

But shall I trust myself with him alone, Lucy? Indeed I am afraid of him, o^ my — self, rather. My own concerns so much in my head, I wish I don’t confound them with Miss Grandison’s. A fine piece of work shall I make of it, if I do. If I get it so happily over, as not to be dissatisfied with myscli’. fcr my part in it, I shall think I have had a deliver-ance.

But, Lucy, if all these distinctions paid me in this conversation, and all this confidence placed in me, produce nothing If Why, what if? In one word, Sliould this //be more than //^ Why then it will go the harder, diat’s all, with your Harriet, than if she had not been so much distinguished.

At afternoon-tea, the Danbys being mentioned. Lord L. asked Sir Charles, What was the danger from which he relieved their uncle? And we all joining in requesting particulars, he gave the following, which I will endeavour to repeat, as near as pos — sible, in his own words. My heart interested itself in thje relation.

* Mr. Danby, said he, was a merchant erf” equal eminence and integrity: he was settled at Cambray: he hiid great dealings in the manufactures of cam-brics and lace. His brother Jolm, a very profligate man, liad demanded of him, and took it ill that he denied him, a thousand guineas; for no better rea-son, but because he had generously given that sura to each of the wicked man’s children. Surely, he pleaded, he was as nearly related to his brother as were those his children. No plea is too weak for folly and self-interest to insist upon. Yet my Mr. Danby had often given this brother large sums, wliich he squandered away almost as soon as he received them.

‘ My father used to make remittances to Mr. Danby for my use; for his dealings in other branches of commerce extended to the south of France and Italy: this brought me acquainted with him.

‘ He took a great liking to me. I saw him first at Lyons; and he engaged me to visit him at Cambray, vhenever I should go to Paris or Flanders. p 2

* A ccompanying a friend, soon after, to Paris, I performed my promise.

‘ He had a vdla in the Cambresis, at a small distance from the city, which he sometimes called his cottage, at others his dormitory. It was a little lone house: he valued it for its elegance. Thither, after I had passed two days with him at his house in the city, he carried me.

‘ His brother, enraged at being refused the sum he had so unreasonably demanded, formed a plot to get possession of his whole fortune. My Mr. Danby was a bachelor, and it was known, had, to that time, an aversion to the thought of making his will.

‘ The wretch, in short, hired three ruffians to murder him. The attempt was to be made in this little house, that the fact might have the appearance of being committed by robbers; and the cabintts in the bed-chamber, if there were time for it, after the horrid fact was perpetrated, were to be broke open and rifled, in order to give credit to that appear-ance. The villains were each to be rewarded with a thousand crowns, payable on the wicked man’s getting possession of his brother’s fortune; and they had fifty crowns a piece paid them in hand.

‘ Their unnatural employer waited the event at Calais, though he told them he should be at Dunkirk.

* 1 had one servant with me, who lay with a ser-vant of Mr. Danby in a little room over the stable, about an hundred yards from the house There were only conveniences in the house for Mr Danby and a friend, besides two women-servants in the upper part of it.

About midnight I was alarmed by a noise, as of violence used at the window of Mr. Danby ‘s room. Mine communicated with his. The fastening of the door was a spring-lock, the key of which was on my side.

* I slipt on my clothes in an instant, and, drawing my sword, rushed into the next room, just as one villain, with a large knife in his hand, had seized the throat of Mr. Danby, who, till then, was in a sound sleep. The skin of his neck, and one hand lifted up to defend himself, were slightly wounded before 1 ran the ruffian into the shoulder, as 1 did with my sword, and in the same moment disarmed him, and threw him, witfi violence from the bed, against the door. He roared out, that he was a dead man.

‘ A second fellow had got up to the window, and was half in: he called out, to a third below, to has-ten up after him on a ladder, which was generally left in an outhouse near the little garden,

* I hastened to this second fellow, who then fired a pistol, but happily missed me; and who, feeling my sword’s point in his arm, threw himself, with a little of ray help, out of the window, upon the third fel-low, who was mounting the ladder, and knocked him off: and then both made their escape by the way they came.

* The fellow within had fainted, and lay weltering in his blood.

* By this time the two women-servants had let in our men, who had been alarmed by the report of the pistol, and by the screams of the women from their window; for they ventured not out of their chamber till they were called upon for entrance, by their fellow-servant from below.

* The two footmen, by my direction, bound up the ruffian’s shoulder: they dragged him down into the hall: he soon came to himself, and offered to make an ample confession.

‘ Poor Mr. Danby had crept into my room, and in a corner of it had fainted away. We recovered him with difficulty. p3

‘ The fellow confessed, before a magistrate, the whole villainy, and who set him at work: the other two, being disabled by their bruises from flying far, were apprehended next day. The vile brother was sent after to Dunkirk, according to the intelligence given of him by the fellows; but he having informed himself of what had happened, got over from Calais to Dover.

* The wounded man, having lost much blood, re-covered not. They were all three ordered to be executed; but, being interceded for, the surviving villains were sent to the galleys.

‘ It seems they knew nothing of Mr. Dan by ‘s having a guest with him: if they had, they owned they would have made their attempt another night.’

We were about to deliver our sentiments on this extraordinary event, when Sir Charles, turning to Lady L. Let me ask you, said he (the servant being withdrawn) Has Charlotte found out her own mind?

Yes, yes, Sir; I believe she has opened all her heart to Miss Byron.

Then I shall know more of it in ten minutes, than Charlotte would let me know in as many hours.

Stand by, every — body, said the humorous lady Let me get up, and make my brother one of my best courtesies.

Sir Charles was just then called out to a messen-ger, who brought him letters from town. He re — turned to us, his complexion heightened, and a little discomposed.

I intended, madam, said he, to me, to have re-quested the honour of your company for half an hour in my lord’s library, on the subject we were talking of: but these letters require my immediate attention. The messenger must return with my answers to two of them, early in the morning. You will have the goodness, looking round him, to dispense with my attendance on you at supper. But, perhaps, madam, tme, you will be so good, as, in one word, to say, N, or Yes, for C’harlotte.

Miss Gr. What, Sir, to heghen up without a preface! I beg your pardon. Less than ten xvords shall not da, I assure you, though from my sister Harriet.

SirCh. Who given up, Charlotte? yourself? If so, I have my answer.

Miss Gr. Or Lord G. I have not said which. Would you have my poor lord rejected by a slighting monosyllable only?

Lady L. Mad girl!

Miss Gr. Why, Lady L. don’t you see that Sir Charles wants to take me by implication? But my Lord G. is neither so soon lost, nor Charlotte so easily won. Harriet, if i/oic would give up yourself at a first question, then I will excuse you if you give (q) me as easily: but not else.

Harriet. If Sir Charles thinks a conference upon the subject unnecessary pray don’t let us give him the trouble of holding one. His time, you see, is very precious.

Can you guess, Lucy, at the humour I was in when 1 said this? If you think it was a very good one, you are mistaken; yet I was sorry for it after-wards Foolish self-betrayer! W^hy should I seem to wish for a conference with him? But that was not all To be petulant with such a one, when his heart was distressed; for so it proved: but he was too polite, too great, shall I say? to take notice of my petulance. How little does it make me in my own eyes!

Had I, said he, ever so easily obtained a knowledge of my sister’s mind, I should not have known how to depend upon it, were it not strengthened, madam, from your lips. The conference, therefore, which you gave me hopes you would favour me with, would have been absolutely necessary. I hope Miss Byron will allow me to invite her to it tomorrow morning. The intended subject of it is a very serious one with me. My sister’s happiness, and that of a man not unworthy, are concerned in it, lightly as Charlotte has hitherto treated it. He bowed, and was going.

Miss Gr. Nay, pray, brother You must not leave me in anger.

Sir Ch, I do not, Charlotte. I had rather bear with you, than you should with me. I see you can-not help it. A lively heart is a great blessing. In — dulge it. Now is your time.

Dear doctor, said Miss Grandison, when Sir Charles was gone out, What can be the meaning of my brother’s gravity? It alarms me.

Dr. B. If goodness, madam, would make a heart lively. Sir Charles’s would be as lively as your own; but you might have perceived by his air, when he entered, that the letters brought him affected him too much to permit him to laugh off a light answer to a serious question.

Miss Gr. Dear doctor! But I do now. recollect, that he entered with some little discomposure on his countenance. How could I be so inattentive?

Harriet. And I, too, I doubt, was a little captious.

Dr. D. A very little. Pardon me, madam.

Just then came in the excellent man.

Dr. Bartlett, I would wish to ask you one question, said he.

Miss Gr. You are angry with me, brother.

Sir Ch. No, my dear! But I am afraid I with-drew with too grave an air. I have been a thousand, times pleased with you, Charlotte, to one time displeased; and when 1 have been the latter, you have ^ivays known it; I had something in my hand Uiat rniffecl me a little. But how could patience be pa-tience, if it were not tried? 1 wanted to say a few — words to my good Dr. Bartlett; and, to say truth, being conscious that I had departed a little abruptly, I could not be easy till I apologized in person for it: therefore came to ask the favour of the doctor’^s advice, rather than request it by message.

The doctor and he withdrew together.

In these small instances, said my lord, are the characters of the heart displayed, far more than in greater. What excellence shines out in full lustre, on this unaffected and seemingly little occasion! Fear of offending; of giving uneasiness; solicitude to remove doubts; patience recommended in one short sentence, more forcibly than some would have done it in a long discourse, as well as by example; censuring himself, not from a consciousness of being wrong, but of being taken wrong. Ah t my dear sister Charlotte, we should all edify by such an example But I say no more.

Miss Or. And baveyow nothing to say, Harriet?

Harriet. Very httle, since I have been much to blame myself: yet let me remind my Charlotte, that her brotfter was displeased with her yesterday, for treating too lightly a subject he had engaged in seriously; and that he has been forced to refer to iier friend, rather than to herself, to help him to the knowledge ol’ her mind. O Charlotte! regret you not the occasion given for the expedient? And do you not [ves, 1 see you do] blush for giving it? Yet to see him come voluntarily back, when he had left us in a grave humour, for fear the babies should think him angry with them; O how great is he! and Low little are we!

Miss Gr. Your servant Sister Harriet! You have made a daiuty speech, I think: but, great and good as my brother is, we know how it comes to pass that your pretty imagination is always at work to aggrandize the man, and to lower the babies !

Harriet. I will not say another word on the sub-ject. You are not generous, Charlotte.

She took my hand: Forgive me, my dear I touched too tender a string. Then turning to Miss Jervois, and with the other hand taking hers, Why twinkles thus my girl? I charge you, Emily, tell me all you think.

I am thinking, said she, that my guardian is not happy. To see him bear with every-body; to have him keep all his troubles to himself, because he would not afflict any-body, and yet studj’^ to lighten and remove the troubles of every-body else Did he not say, that he should be happy, but for the unhappiness of other people?

Excellent young creature! said Miss Grandison: I love you every day better and better. For the future, my dear, do not retire, whatever subjects we talk of. I see that we may confide in your discretion. But, well as you love your guardian, say nothing to him of what women talk to women. My Lord L. is aa exception, in this case: he is one of us.

Harriet. O Miss Grandison! what a mixt cha-racter is yours! how good you can be, when you please! and how naughty!

Miss Gr. Well, and you like me, just now? . That’s the beauty of it; to offend and make up, at pleasure. Old Terence was a shrewd man: The falling out of lovers, says he (as Lord L. once quoted him) is the renewal of love. Are we not now bet-ter friends, than if we had never differed? And do you think that I will not, if I marry, exercise my husband’s patience now-and-then for this very pur-pose? Let me alone, Harriet: now a quarrel; now ia reconciliation; I warrant I shall be happier than any of the yawning see-saws in the kingdom. Ever* pasting summers would be a grievance.

Harriet. You may be right, if you are exceeding discreet in your perversenesses, Charlotte; and yet if you are, you will not lay out for a quarrel, I fancy. The world, or you will have better luck than your brother seems to have had, will find you opportu-nities enow, for exercising the tempers of both, without your needing to study for occasions.

Miss Gr. Study for them Harriet! I shan’t study for them, neither: they will come of course.

Harriet. I was about to ask a question But ’tis better left alone.

Miss Gr. I voill have it. What was your question? Don’t you see what a good-natured fool I am? You may say any-thing to me: I won’t be angry.

Harriet. I was going to ask you, if you were ever concerned two hours together, for any fault you ever committed in your life?

Miss Gr. Yes, yes, yes; and for two-and — twenty hours: for sometimes the inconveniencies that fol-lowed my errors, were not presently over, as in a certain case, which I’ll be hanged if you have not in your head, with that sly leer that shews the rogue m your heart; but when I got rid of consequences, no bird in spring was ever more blithe. I carolled away every care at my harpsichord. But Emily will think me mad Remember, child, that Miss Byron is the woman by whose mind you are to form yours: never regard me, when she is in company. But now (and she whimsically arose, and opened the door, and saying Begone, shut it, and coming to her place) 1 have turned my folly out of door.

Friday morning, seven o’clock, I have written for these two days past at every opportunity; and, for the two nights (hardly knowing what sleepiness was) two hours, each night, have contented me. I wonder whether I shall be sum-tnoned by-and-by to the proposed conference: but I am equally sorry and apprehensive, on occasion of the letters which have given Sir Charles Grandisoa so much anxiety: foreign letters, 1 doubt not! I wish this ugly wordjbreign were blotted out of my vocabulary; out of my memory, rather. 1 never, till of late, was so narrow-hearted But that I have said before, twenty times.

I have written How many sheets of paper A monstrous letter Pacquet rather. I will begin a new one, with what shall offer this day. Adieu, till by-and-by, my Lucy J


Letter XIX.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Friday, March 24. The conference, the impatientlj’^ expected confer-ence, my Lucy, is over; and what is the result? Take the account of it as it was brought on, proceeded with, and concluded. Miss Grandison and her lovers were not our only subjects. I will soon be with you, my dear: but I’ll try to be as minute as I used to be, notwithstanding.

Notwithstanding what?

You shall hear, Lucy.

Sir Charles gave us his company at breakfast. He entered with a kind of benign solemnity in his countenance; but the benignity increased, and the solemnity went off, after a little while.

My lord said, he was very sorry that he had met with any-thing to disturb him, in the letters that were brought him yesterday. Emily joined by her eyes, though not in speech, her concern with his lordship’s: Miss Grandison was sedately serious: Lady L. had expectation in her fine face; and Dr. Bartlett sat like a man that was determined to be silent. I had apprehension, and hope, I suppose, struggling in mine, as I knew not whether to wish for the expected conference, or not.

Let us think of nothing, my lord, in this company, said he, but what is agreeable.

He enquired kindly of my health, and last night’s rest, because of a slight cold that had affected my voice: of Emily, Why she was so sad? Of Lady L. and my lord, When they went to town? Of Miss Grandison, Why she looked so meditatingly? that was his word. Don’t you see, Miss Byron, said he, that Charlotte looks as if she had not quite settled the humour she intends to be in for the next half-hour?

Charlotte looks, I believe. Sir, replied^she, as if she were determined to take her humour for the next half-hour from yours, whether grave or airy.

Then returned he, I will not be grave, because I will not have you so. May I hope, madam, by-and-by, addressing himself to me, for the honour of your hand, to my lord’s library?

Sir, I will I will attend you hesitated the simpleton; but she can’t tell how she looked.

Thus, Lucy, was the matter brought on:

He conducted me to my lord’s library. How did I struggle with myself for presence of mind! What a mixture was there of tenderness and respect in his countenance and air!

He seated me; then took his place over-against me. I believe I looked down, and conscious, and silly; but there was such a respectful modesty in his looks, that one could not be uneasy at being now-and-then, with an air of languor, as I thought, con templated by him: especially as, whenever I reared Q my eye-lids to cast a momentary look at him as he spoke, I was always sure to see his eye withdrawn: this gave more freedom to mine, than it possibly otherwise could have had. What a bold creature, Lucy, ought she to be who prefers a bold man! If she be not bold, how silly must she look under his staring confident eye! How must her want of cour-age add to his self-consequence!

Thus he began the subject we were to talk of.

I will make no apology for requesting the favour of this conference with one of the most frank and open-hearted young ladies in the world: I shall have the honour, perhaps, of detaining your ear on more than one subject [how my heart throbbed]: but that which I shall begin with, relates to my Lord G. and our sister Charlotte. I observe from hints thrown out by herself, as well as from what Lady L. said, that she intends to encourage his addresses; but it is easy to see, that she thinks but slightly of him. I am indeed apprehensive, that she is rather induced to favour my lord, from an opinion that he has my interest and good wishes, than from her own inclination. I have told her, more than once, that hers are, and shall be, mine: but such is her vivacity, that it is very difficult for me to know her real mind. 1 take it for granted, that she prefers my lord to Sir Walter,

I believe, Sir But why should I say believe, when Miss Grandison has commissioned me to own, that Lord G, is a man whom she greatly prefers to Sir Walter Watkyns?

Does she, can she, do you think, madam, prefer Lord G, not only to Sir Walter, but to all the men whom she at present knows? In other words, Is there anij man that you think she would prefer to LordG.? I am extremely solicitous for my sister’s happiness; and the more, because of her vivacity, which, I am afraid, will be thought less to become the wife* than the single woman.

I dare say, Sir, that if Miss Grandison thought of any other man in preference to Lord G. she would not encourage his addresses, upon any account.

I don’t expect, madam, that a woman of Char-f iotte’s spirit and vivacity, who has been disappointed by a failure of supposed merit in her first love (if we may so call it) should be deeply in love with a man that has not very striking qualities. She can play with a flame now, and not burn her fingers. Lord G. is a worthy, though not a very brilliant man. Ladies have eyes; and the eye expects to be gratir fied. Hence men of appearance succeed often, where men of intrinsic merit fail. Were Charlotte to consult her happiness, possibly she would have no objection to Lord G. She cannot, in the same man, have every thing. But if Lord G. consulted hisy I don’t know whether he would wish for Charlotte. Excuse me, madam; you have heard, as well as she, my opinion of both men. Sir Walter, you say, has no part in the question; Lord G. wants not underr standing: he is a man of probity; he is a virtuous man, a quality not to be despised in a young noble-man: he is also a mild man; he will bear a great deal. But contempt, or such a behaviour as should look like contempt, in a wife, what husband can bear? I should much more dread, for her sake, the exasperated spirit of a meek man, than the sudden gusts of anger of a passionate one.

Miss Grandison, Sir, has authorized me to say, that if you approve of Lord G.‘s addresses, and will be so good as to take upon yourself the direction of every thing relating to settlements, she will be enr tirely governed by you. Miss Grandison, Sir, has known Lord G. sometime: his good character is well known; and I dare answer, that she will acquit q2 herself with honour and prudence, in everij engagement, but more especially in that which is the highest of all worldly ones.

Pray, madam, may I ask, if you know what she could mean by the questions she put in relation to Mr. Beauchamp? I think she has never seen him. Does she suppose, from his character, that she could perfer him to Lord G.?

I believe, Sir, what she said in relation to that gentleman was purely the effect of her vivacity, and which she never thought of before, and, proba-bly, never will again. Had she meant any-thing by it, I dare say, she would not have put the questions about him in the manner she did.

I believe so; Hove my sister, and Hove my friend. Mr. Beauchamp has delicacy. I could not bear, for her sake, that were she to behold him in the light hinted at, he should imagine he had reason to think slightly of my sister, for the correspondence she car-ried on, in so private a manner, with a man absolutely unworthy of her. But I hope she meant nothing, but to give way to that vein of raillery, which, when opened, she knows not always how to stop.

My spirits were not high: I was forced to take out my handkerchief O my dear Miss Grandison I said I, I was afraid she had forfeited, partly, at least, what she holds most dear, that good opinion of her brother!

Forgive me, madam, ’tis a generous pain that I have made you suffer: I admire you for it. But I think I can reveal all the secrets of my heart to you. Your noble frankness calls for equal frankness; you would inspire it, where it is not. My sister, as I told her more than once in your hearing, has not lost any of my love. I love her, with all her faults; but must not be blind to them. Shall not praise and dispraise be justly given? I have faults, great faults, myself; wliat should I think of the man who called them virtues? How dangerous would it be to me, in that case, were my opinion of his judgment, joined to self-partiality, to leave me to believe him, and ac-’ quit myself?

This, Sir, is a manner of thinking worthy of Sir Charles Grandison.

It is worthy of every man, my good Miss Byron.

But, Sir, it would be very hard, that an indiscre-^ tion (I viust own it to be such) should fasten re-proach upon awomanwho recovered herself so soon, and whose virtue was never sullied, or in danger.

Indeed it would: and therefore it was in tenderness to her that I intimated, that I never could think of promoting an alliance with a man of Mr. Beau’^ champ’s nice notions, were both to incline to it.

I hope. Sir, that my dear Miss Grandison will run no risque of being slighted, by any other man, from a step which has cost her so dear in her peace of mind I hesitated, and looked down.

I know, madam, what you mean. Although I love my friend Beauchamp above all men, yet would 1 do Lord G. or any other man, as much justice, as I would do him. I was so apprehensive of my sister’s indifference to Lord G. and of the difference in their tempers, though both good, that I did my utmost to dissuade him from thinking of her; and when I found that his love was fixed beyond the power of dissuai-sion, I told him of the affair between her and Cap — tain Anderson; and how lately I had put an end to it. He flattered himself, that the indifference, with which she had hitherto received his addresses, was principally owing to the difficulty of her situation; which being now so happily removed, he had hopes pf meeting with encouragement: and doubted not, if he did, of making a merit with her, by his affection and gratitude. And now, madam, give ra q3 your opinion Do you think Charlotte can be won (I hope she can) by indulgence, by love? Let me caution her by you, madam, that it is fit she should still be more careful to restrain her vivacity if she marry a man to whom she thinks she has superior talents, than she need to be if the difference were in his favour.

Permit me to add, that if she should shew herself capable of returning slight for tenderness; of taking such liberties with a man who loves her, after she had given him her vows, as should depreciate him, and, of consequence, herself, in the eye of the world; I should be apt to forget that 1 had more than one sister: for, in cases of right and wrong, we ought not to know either relation or friend.

Does not this man, Lucy, shew us that goodness and greatness are synonymous words!

I think. Sir, replied I, that if Lord G. prove the good-natured man he seems to be; if he dislike not that brilliancy of temper in his lady, which he seems not to value himself xv^on, though he may have qua-lities, at least, equally valuable; I have no doubt but Miss Grandison will make him very happy: for has she not great and good qualities? Is she not ge-nerous, and perfectly good-natured? You know, Sir, that she is. And can it be supposed, that her charming vivacity will ever carry her so far beyond the bounds of prudence and discretion, as to make her forget what the nature of the obligation she will have entered into requires of her?

Well, madam, then I may rejoice the heart of Lord G. by telling him, that he is at liberty to visit my sister, at her coming to town; or, if she come not soon (for he will be impatient to wait on her) at Colnebrook?

I dare say you may. Sir.

As to articles and settlements, I will undertake for all those things; but be pleased to tell her, that she is absolutely at her own liberty, for me. If she shall think, when she sees further of Lord G.‘s tem-per and behaviour, that she cannot esteem him as a wife ought to esteem her husband; I shall not be concerned, if she dismiss him; provided that she keeps him not on in suspense, after she knows her own mind; but behaves to him according to the example set her by the best of women.

I could not but know to whom he designed this compliment; and had like to have bowed; but was glad I did not.

Well, madam, and now I think this subject is concluded. I have already written a letter to Sir Wal — ter, as at the request of my sister, to put an end, in the civilest terms, to his hopes. My Lord G. will be impatient for ray return to town. 1 shall go with the more pleasure, because of the joy I shall be able to give him.

You must be very happy. Sir: since, besides the pleasure you take in doing good for its own sake, you are intitled to partake, in a very high manner, of the pleasures of every one you know.

He was so nobly modest, Lucy, that I could talk to him with more confidence than I believed, at my entrance into my lord’s study, would fall to my share: and I had, besides, been led into a presence of mind, by being made a person of some conse-quence in the love-case of another: but I was soon to have my whole attention engaged in a subject still nearer to my heart; as you shall hear.

Indeed, madam, said he, 1 am not very happy in myself. Is it not right, then, to endeavour, by promoting the happiness of others, to entitle myself to a share of theirs?

If ^ou are not happy, Sir and I stopt. 1 believe

I sighed; I looked down: I took out my handker* chief, for fear I should want it.

There seems, said he, to be a mixture of generous poncern, and kind curiosity, in one of the loveliest and most intelligent faces in the world. My sisters have, in your presence, expressed a great deal of the latter, Had I not been myself in a manner uncertain as to the event that must, in some measure, govern my future destiny, I would have gratified it; espcr pially, as my Lord L. has, of late, joined in it. The crisis, I told them, however, as perhaps you rememr ber, was at hand.

I do remember you said so, Sir, And indeed, l.ucy, it >vas more than perhaps. I had not thought of any words lialf so often, since he spoke them.

The crisis, madam, is at hand: and I had not m-^ended to open my lips upon the subject till it was over, ejfcept to Dr, Bartlett, who knows the whole affair, and indeed every affair of my life: but, as I hinted before, my heart is opened by the frankness pf yours. If you will be so good as to indulge me, I will briefly lay before you a few of the difficulties of my situation; and leave it to you to communicate pr pot, at your pleasure, what I shall relate, to my pKo sisters and Lord L, You four seem to be anir piated by one soul.

I am extremely concerned, Sir I am very much concerned repeated the trembling simpleton [one cheek feeling to myself very cold, the other glowr Jngly wafm, by turns; and now pale, now crimson, perhaps to the eye] that any-thing should make you unhappy. But, Sir, I shall think myself favoured \>y your confidence,

I am interrupted in my recital of his affecting parration. Don’t be impatient, Lucy: I almost \(\^\i I liad not heard it myself.


Letter XX.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

I DO not intend, madam, to trouble you with a hisi tory of all that part of my life which I was obliged to pass abroad from about the seventeenth to near the twenty-fifth year of my age; though perhaps it has been as busy a period as could well be, in the life of a man so young, and who never sought to tread in oblique or crooked paths. After this entrance into it, Dr. Bartlett shall be at liberty to sa — tify your curiosity in a more particular manner; for he and I have corresponded for years with an inti-macy that has few examples between a youth and a man in advanced life. And here let me own the advantages I have received from his condescension; for I found the following questions often occur to me, and to be of the highest service in the conduct of my life ‘ What account shall I give of this to Dr. Bartlett?’ ‘How, were I to give way to this temptation, shall 1 report it to Dr. Bartlett?’ Or, * Shall I be a hypocrite, and only inform him of the best, and meanly conceal from him the worst?*

Thus, madam, was Dr. Bartlett in the place of a second conscience to me: and many a good thing did I do, many a bad one avoid, for having set up such a monitor over my conduct. And it was the more necessary that I should, as I am naturally pas-sionate, proud, ambitious; and as I had the honour of being early distinguished (pardon, madam, the seeming vanity) by a sex, of which no man was ever a greater admirer; and, possibly, the wore distin-guished, as, for my safety-sake, 1 was as studious to decline intimacy with the gay ones of it, however dignified by rank, or celebrated for beauty, as most young men are to cultivate their favour.

Nor is it so much to be wondered at, that I had advantages which every one who travels, has not. Jlesiding for some time at the principal courts, and often visiting the same places, in the length of time I was abroad, I was considered, in a manner, as a native, at the same time, that I was treated with the respect that is generally paid to travellers of figure, as well in France, as Italy. I was very genteelly supported: I stood in high credit with my country-men, to whom I had many ways of being service — able. They made known to every-body my father’s affection for me; his magnificent spirit; the antient families, on both sides, from which I was descended. I kept the best company; avoided intrigues; made not myself obnoxious to serious or pious people, though I scrupled not to avow, M’hen called upon, my own principles. From all these advantages, I was respected beyond my degree.

I should not, madam, have been thus lavish in my own praise, but to account to you for the favour I stood in with several families of the first rank; and to suggest an excuse for more than one of them, which thought it no disgrace to wish me to be allied with them.

Lord L. mentioned to you, madam, and my sis-ters, a Florentine lady, by the name of Olivia. She is, indeed, a woman of high qualities, nobly born, generous, amiable in her features, genteer in her person, and mistress of a great fortune in possession, which is entirely at her own disposal; having not father, mother, brother, or other near relations. 1’he first time I saw her was at the opera. An opportunity offered in her sight, where a lady, insulted by a lover made despjerate by her just refusal of him, claimed and received my protection. What I did, on the occasion, was generally applauded; Olivia, in particular, spoke highly ot’ it. Twice, afterwards, I saw her in company where I was a vi-siter: I had not the presumption to look up t(j her with hope; but my countryman Mr. Jervois gave me to understand, that I might be master of my own fortune with Lady Olivia. I pleaded difference of religion: he believed, he said, that matter might be made easy But could I be pleased with the change, would she have made it, when passion, not conviction, was likely to be the motive? There could be no objection to her person: no bpdy questioned her virtue; but she was violent and imperious in her temper. I had never left mind out of my notions of love: I could not have been happy with her, had she been queen of the globe. I had the mortification of being obliged to declare myself to the lady’s face: it tvas a mortification to me, as much for her sake as my own. I was obliged to leave Florence upon it, for some time; having been apprised, that the spirit of revenge had taken place of a gentler passion, and that 1 was in danger from it.

How often did I lament the want of that refuge in a father’s arms, and in my native country, which subjected me to evils that were more than a match for my tender years, and to all the inconveniencies that can attend a banished man! Indeed I often considered myself in this light; and, as the incon-veniencies happened, was ready to repine; and the more ready, as 1 could not afflict myself with the thought of having forfeited my father’s love: on the contrary, as the constant instances which I received of his paternal goodness, made me still more earnest to acknowledge it at his feet.

Ought I to have forborn, Lucy, shewing a sensi-bility at my eyes on this affecting iiistaace of filial gratitude? If I ought, I wish I had more command of myself: but consider, my dear, the affect — ing subject we were upon. I was going to apologize for the trickling tear, and to have said, as I truly might. Your filial goodness, Sir, affects me: but, with the consciousness that must have accompanied the words, would not that, to so nice a discerner, have been to own, that I thought the tender emotion wanted an apology? These little tricks of ours, Lucy, may satisfy our own punctilio, and serve to keep us in countenance with ourselves (and that, indeed, is doing something); but, to a penetrating eye, they tend only to shew, that we imagined a cover, a veil, wanting; and what is that veil, but a veil of gauze?

What makes me so much afraid of this man’s discernment? Am I not an honest girl, Lucy?

He proceeded.

From this violent lady I had great trouble; and to this day But this part of my story I leave to Dr. Bartlett to acquaint you with. I mention it as a mat-ter that yet gives me concern, for her sake, and as what I find has given some amusement to my sister Charlotte’s curiosity.

But I hasten to the affair which, of all others, has most embarrassed me; and which, engaging my compassion, though my honour is free, gives torture to my very soul.

I found myself not well I thought I should have fainted. The apprehension of his taking it as I wished him not to take it (for indeed, Lucy, I don’t think it was that) made me worse. Had I been by myself, this faintishness might have come over my heart. I am sure it was not that: but it seized me at a very unlucky moment, you’ll say.

With a countenance full of tender concern, he caught my hand, and rang. In ran his Emily. My dear Miss Jervois, said I, leaning upon her Excuse me, Sir And I withdrew to the door; and, when there, finding my faintishncss going off, I turned to him, who attended me thither: 1 am better, Sir, already; I will return instantly. I must beg of you to proceed with your interesting story.

I was well the moment I was out of the study. It was kept too warm, I believe; and I sat too near the fire: that was it, to be sure; and I said so, on my return; which was the moment 1 had drank a glass of cold water.

How tender was his regard for me! He did not abash me by causelesly laying my disorder on his story, and by offering to discontinue or postpone it. Indeed, Lucy, it was not owing to that! I should easily have distinguished it, if it had: on the contrary, as I am not generally so much affected at the moment when any thing unhappy befals me, as I am upon reflection, when I extend, compare, and weigh consequences, I was quite brave in my heart. Any-thing, thought I, is better than suspense. Now will my fortitude have a call to exert itself; and I warrant I bear, as well as he, an evil that is inevita-ble. At this instant, this trying instant, however, I found myself thus brave: so, my dear, it was no-thing but the too great warmth of the room which overcame me.

I endeavoured to assume all my courage; and desired him to proceed; but held by the arm of my chair to steady me, lest my little tremblings should increase. The faintness had left some Uttle trem-blings upon me, Lucy: and one would not care, you know, to be thought affected by any thing in his story. He proceeded.

At Bologna, and in the neighbourhood of Urbino, are seated two branches of a noble family, marquises and counts of Porretta, which boasts its pedigree from Roman princes, and has given to the church two cardinals; one in the latter age, the other in the beginning of this.

The Marchesse della Porretta, who resides in Bologna, is a nobleman of great merit: his lady is illustrious by descent, and still more so for her goodness of heart, sweetness of temper, and prudence. They have three sons, and a daughter

[Ah, that daughter! thought!.]

The eldest of the sons is a general officer, in the service of the King of the two Sicilies; a man of equal honour and bravery, but passionate and haugh-ty, valuing himself on his descent. The second is devoted to the church, and is already a bishop. The interest of his family, and his own merits, it is not doubted, will one day, if he lives, give him a place in the Sacred College. The third, Signor Jeronymo (or as he is sometimes called, the Barone) della Porretta, has a regiment in the service of the King of Sardinia. The sister is the favourite of them all. She is lovely in her person, gentle in her manners, and has high, but just, notions of the nobili^Kofher descent, of the honour of her sex, and of what is due to her own character. She is pious, charitable, beneficent. Her three brothers preferred her inter-ests to their own. Her father used to call her, The pride of his life; her mother, Her other self; her own Clementina!

[Clementina! Ah! Lucy, what a pretty name is Clementina!]

I became intimate with Signor Jeronymo at Rome, near two years before I had the honour to be known to the rest of his family, except by his report, which he made run very high in my favour. He was master of many fine qualities; but had contracted friendship with a set of dissolute young men of rank, with whom he was very earnest to make me acquainted. I allow-ed myself to be often in their company; but, as they were totally abandoned in their morals, it was in hopes, by degrees, to draw him from them: but a love of pleasure hadgotfastholdof him; andhisother companions prevailed over his good-nature. H e had courage, but not enough to resist their libertine at-tacks upon his morals.

Such a friendship could not hold, while each stood his ground; and neither would advance to meet the other. In short, we parted, nor held a correspond-ence in absence: but afterwards meeting, by acci — dent, at Padua, and Jeronymo having, in the interim, been led into inconveniences, he avowed a change of principles, and the friendship was renewed.

It however held not many months: a lady, less celebrated for virtue than beauty, obtained an influ-ence over him, against warning, against promise.

On being expostulated with, and his promise claimed, he resented the friendly freedom. He was passionate; and, on this occasion, less polite than it was natural for him to be: he even defied his friend. My dear Jeronymo! how generously has he acknow-ledged since, the part his friend at that time acted! But the result was, they parted, resolving never more to see each other.

Jeronymo pursued the adventure which had oc-casioned the difference; and one of the lady’s ad — mirers, envying him his supposed 3ucce^s, hired Brescian bravoes to assassinate him.

The attempt was made in the Cremonese. They had got him into their toils in a little thicket at some distance from the road. I, attended by two servants, happened to be passing, when a frig;:ted horse ran cross the way, his bridle broken, and his saddle bloody: this making me apprehend some mischief to the rider, I drove down the opening he came from, and soon beheld a man struggling on the ground with two ruffians; one of whom was just stopping his mouth, the other stabbing him. I leapt out of the post-chaise, and drew my sword, running towards them as fast as I could; and calling to my servants to follow me, indeed calling as if I had a number with me, in order to alarm them. On this, they fled; and I heard them say. Let us make off: we have done his business. Incensed at the villainy, I piwrsued and came up with one of them, who turned upon me. I beat down his trombone^ a kind of blunderbuss, just as he presented it at me, and had wounded and thrown him on the ground; but seeing the other ruffian turning back to help his fellow, and on a sud-den, two othersappearing with their horses, I thought it best to retreat, though I fain would have secured one of them. My servants then seeing my danger, hastened, shouting towards me. The bravoes (per-haps apprehending there were more than two) seemed as glad to get off with their rescued compa-nion as I was to retire. I hastened then to the unhappy man: but how much was I surprised, when I found him to be the Barone della Porretta, who, in disguise, had been actually pursuing his amour! He gave signs of life. I instantly dispatched one of my servants to Cremona, for a surgeon: I bound up, mean time, as well as I could, two of his wounds, one in his shoulder, the other in his breast. He had one in his hip-joint, which disabled him from helping himself, and which I found beyond my skill to do any thing with; only endeavouring, with my handker-chief, to stop its bleeding. 1 helped him into my chaise, stept in with him, and held him up in it, till one of my men told me, they had, in another part of the thicket, found his servant bound and wounded, his horse lying dead by his side. I then alighted, and put the poor fellow into the chaise, he being stiff with his hurts, and unable to stand.

I walked by the side of it; and in this manner moved towards Cremona, in order to shorten the way of the expected surgeon.

My servant soon returned with one. Jeronymo had fainted away. The surgeon dressed him, and proceeded with him to Cremona. Then it was, that, opening his eyes, he beheld, and knew me: and being told by the surgeon, that he owed his preser-vation to me, O Grandison! said he, that I had fol — lowed your advice! that 1 had kept my promise with you! How did I insult you! Can my deliverer forgive me? You shall be the director of my future; life, if it please God to restore me.

His wounds proved not mortal; but he never will be the man he was: partly from his having been unskilfully treated by this his first surgeon; and partly from his own impatience, and the difficulty of curing the wound in his hip-joint. Excuse this particularity, madam. The subject requires it; and Signor Jero-nymo now deserves it, and all your pity.

I attended him at Cremona, till he was able to re-move. He was visited there by his whole family from Bologna. Therenever was a family more affectionate to one another: the suffering of one, is the suffering of every one. The barone was exceedingly beloved by his father, mother, sister, for the sweetness of his manners, his affectionate heart, and a wit so delightfully gay and lively, that his company was sought by every-body.

You will easily believe, madam, from what I have said, how acceptable to the whole family the service was which I had been so happy as to render their Jeronymo. They all joined to bless me; and the more when they came to know that I was the per R 3 son whom their Jeronymo, in the clays of our inti-macy, had higlily extolled in his letters to his sister, and to both brothers; and who now related to them, by word of mouth, the occasion of the coldness that had passed between us, with circumstances as ho-nourable for me, as the contrary for himself: such were his penitential confessions in the desperate condition to which he found himself reduced.

He now, as I attended by his bed or his couch-side, frequently called for a repetition of those arguments which he had, till noiv, derided. He besought me to forgive him for treating them before with levity, and me with disrespect, next, as he said, to insult: and he begged his family to consider me not only as the preserver of his life, but as the restorer of his morals. This gave the whole family the highest opinion of mine; and still more to strengthen it, the generous youth produced to them, though, as I may say, at his own expence (for his reformation was sincere,) a letter which I wrote to lie by him, in hopes to enforce his temporary convictions; for he had a noble nature, and a lively sense of what was due to his character, and to the love and piety of his parents, the bishop, and his sister; though he was loth to think he could be wrong in those pur-suits in which he was willing to indulge himself.

Never was there a more grateful family. The no-YAeJhther was uneasy, because he knew not how to acknowledge, according to the largeness of his heart, to a man in genteel circumstances, the obligation laid upon them all. The mother, with a freedom more amiably great than the Italian ladies are accus-tomed to express, bid her Clementina regard as her fourth brother, the preserver of the third. The ba^ rone declared, that he should never rest, nor recovery till he had got me rewarded in such manner as all the world should think I had honour done me m it

When the barone was removed to Bologna, the whole family were studious to make occasions to get me among them. The general made me promise, when,rw5/ relations, as he was pleased to express him-self, at Bologna, could part with me, to give him my company at Naples. The bishop, who passed all the time he had to spare from his diocese, at Bolog-na, and who is a learned man, in compliment to his Jburth brother, would have me initiate him into the knowledge of the English tongue.

Our Milton has deservedly a name among them. The friendship that subsisted between him and a learned nobleman of their country, endeared his me-mory to them. Milton, therefore, was a principal author with us. Our lectures were usually held in the chamber of the wounded brother, in order to di-vert him: he also became my scholar. The father and mother were often present; and at such times their Clementina was seldom absent. She also called me her tutor; and though she was not half so often present at the lectures as her brothers were, made a greater proficiency than either of them.

[Do you doubt it, Lucy?]

The father, as well as the bishop, is learned; the mother well read. She had had the benefit of a French education; being brought up by her uncle, who resided many years at Paris in a public charac-ter: and her daughter had, under her own eye, advantages in her education which are hardly ever allowed or sought after by the Italian ladies. In such company, you may believe, madam, that I, who was kept abroad against my wishes, passed my time very agreeably. I was particularly honoured with the confidence of the marchioness, who opened her heart to me, and consulted me on every material occurrence. Her lord, who is one of the politest of men, was never better pleased than when he found US together; and not seldom, though we were not engaged in lectures, the fair Clementina claimed a right to be where her mother was.

About this time, the young Count of Belvedere returned to Parma, in order to settle in his native country. His father was a favourite in the court of the Princess of Parma, and attended that lady to Madrid, on her marriage with the late King of Spain, where he held a very considerable post, and lately died there immensely rich. On a visit to this noble family, the young lord saw, and loved Clementina.

The Count of Belvedere is a handsome, a gallant, a sensible man; his fortune is very great: such an alliance was not to be slighted. The marquis gave his countenance to it: the marchioness favoured me with several conversations upon the subject. She was of opinion, perhaps, that it was necessary to know my thoughts, on this occasion; for the younger bro-ther, unknown to me, declared, that he thought there was no way of rewarding my merits to the fa-mily, but by giving me a relation to it. Dr. Bartlett, madam, can shew you, from my letters to him, some conversations, which will convince you, that in Italy, as well as in other countries, there are per-sons of honour, of goodness, of generosity; and who are above reserve, vindictiveness, jealousy, and those other bad passions by which some mark indiscriminately a whole nation.

For my own part, it was impossible (distinguished as I was by every individual of this noble family, and lovely as is this daughter of it, mistress of a thousand good qualities, and myself absolutely disengaged in my affections) that my vanit)— should not sometimes be awakened, and a wish arise, that there might be a possibility of obtaining such a prize: but 1 checked the vanity, the moment I could find it begin to play about and warm my heart. To h?.ve attempted to recommend myselfto the young lady’s favour, though but by looks, by assiduities, I should have thought an infamous breach of the trust and confidence they all reposed in me.

The pride of a family so illustrious in its descent; their fortunes unusually high for the country which, by the goodness of their hearts, they adorned; the relation they bore to the church; my foreign extraction and interest; the lady’s exalted merits, which made her of consequence to the hearts of several il-lustrious youths, before the Count of Belvedere made known his passion for her; none of which the fond family thought worthy of their Clementina, nor any of whom could engage her heart; but, above all, the difference in religion; the young lady so remark-ably stedfaft in hers, that it was with the utmost difficulty they could restrain her from assuming the veil; and who once declared, in anger, on hearing me, when called upon, avow my principles, that she grudged to a heretic the glorj-^ of having saved the Barone della Porretta; all these considerations out-weighed any hopes that might otherwise have arisen in a bosom so sensible of the favours they were continually heaping upon me.

About the same time, the troubles, now so happily appeased, broke out in Scotland: hardly any-thing else was talked of, in Italy, but the progress, and supposed certainty of success, of the young invader. I was often obliged to stand the triumphs and exultations of persons of rank and figure; being known to be warm in the interest of my country. I had a good deal of this kind of spirit to contend with, even in this more moderate Italian family; and this frequently brought on debates which I would gladly have avoided holding: but it was impossible. Every new advice from England revived the disagreeable subject; for the success of the rebels, it was not doubted, would be attended with the restoration of what they called the Catholic rcligion: and Clemen-tina particularly pleased herself, that then her heretic tutor would take refuge in the bosom of his holy mother, the church: and she delighted to say things of this nature in the language I was teaching her, and which, by this time, she spoke very intelligibly.

I took a resolution, hereupon, to leave Italy for a while, and to retire to Vienna, or to some one of the German courts that was less interested than they were in Italy, in the success of the chevalier’s undertaking; and I was the more desirous to do so, as the displeasure of Olivia against me began to grow serious, and to be talked of, even by herself, with less discretion than was consistent with her high spirit, her noble birth, and ample fortune.

I communicated my intention to the marchioness first: the noble lady e — pressed her concern at the thoughts of my quitting Italy, and engaged me to put off my departure for some weeks; but, at the same time, hinted to me, with an explicitness that is pe-culiar to her, her apprehensions, and her lord’s, that I was in love with her Cleuientina. I convinced her of my honour, in this particular; and she so well sa-tisfied the marquis, in this respect, that, on their daughter’s absolute refusal of the Count of Bel-vedere, they confided in me to talk to her in favour of that nobleman. The young lady and I had a conference upon the subject; Dr. Bartlett can give you the particulars. The father and mother, unknown to us both, had placed themselves in a closet adjoining to the room we were in, and which communicated to another, as well as to that: they had no reason to be dissatisfied with what they heard me say to their daughter.

The time of my departure from Italy drawing near, and the young lady repeatedly refusing the Count of

Belvedere, the younger brother (still unknown to me, for he doubted not but I should rejoice at the honour he hoped to prevail upon them to do me) declared in my favour. They objected the more obvious difficulties in relation to religion, and my country: he desired to be commissioned to talk to me on those subjects, and to his sister on her mo-tives for refusing the Count of Belvedere; but they would not hear of his speaking to me on this subject; the marchioness giving generous reasons, on my behalf, for her joining in the refusal; and undertaking herself to talk to her daughter, and to demand of her her reasons for rejecting every proposal that had been made her.

She accordingly closetted her Clementina. She could get nothing from her, but tears: a silence, without the least appearance of sullenness, had for some days before shewn, that a deep melancholy had begun to lay hold of her heart: she was, however, offended when love was attributed to her; yet her mother told me, that she could not but suspect, that she was under the dominion of that passion without knowing it; and the rather, as she was never cheer-ful but when she was taking lessons for learning a tongue, which never, as the marchioness said, was likely to be of use to her.

[’ As the marchioness said’ Ah my Lucy!] The melancholy increased. Her tutor, as he was called, was desired to talk to her. He did. It was a task put upon him, that had its difficulties. It was observed, that she generally assumed a cheer-ful air while she was with him, but said little; yet seemed pleased with every thing he said to her; and the little she did answer, though he spoke in Italian or French, was in her newly-acquired lan-guage: but the moment he was gone, her counte — nance fell, and she was studious to find opportunities to get from company.

[What think you of my fortitude, Lucy? Was I not a good girl? But my curiosity kept up my spi-rits. When I come to reflect, thought I, I shall have it all upon my pillow.]

Her parents were in the deepest affliction. They consulted physicians, who all pronounced her malady to be love. She was taxed with it; and all the indulgence promised her that her heart could wish, as to the object, but still she could not, with patience, bear the imputation. Once she asked her woman, who told her that she was certainly in love, Would you have me hate myself? Her mother talked to her of the passion in favourable terms, and as laudable: she heard her with attention, but made no answer.

The evening before the day I was to set out for Germany, the family made a sumptuous entertainment, in honour of a guest on whom they had con ferred so many favours. They had brought them — selves to approve of his departure the more readily, as they were willing to see, whether his absence would affect their Clementina; and, if it did, in what manner.

They left it to her choice, whether she would appear at table, or not. She chose to be there. They ail rejoiced at her recovered spirits. She was exceeding cheerful: she supported her part of the con versation during the whole evening, with her usual vivacity and good sense, insomuch that I wished to myself, I had departed sooner. Yet it is surprising, thought I, that this young lady, who seemed always to be pleased, and even since these reveries have had power over her, to be most cheerful in my company, should rejoice in my departure; should seem to owe her recovery to it; a departure which every one else kindly regrets; and yet there was nothing in her behaviour or looks that appeared in the least affected. When acknowledgments were made to me of the pleasure I had given to the whole family, she joined in them: when my health and happiness were wished, she added her wishes by cheerful bows, as she sat: when they wished to see me again, before I went to England, she did the same. So that my heart was dilated: I was overjoyed to see such a happy alteration. When I took leave of them, she stood forward to receive my compliments, with a polite French freedom. I offered to press her hand with my lips: My brother’s deliverer, said she, must not affect this distance, and, in a manner, offered her cheek; adding, God preserve my tutor wherever he sets his foot (and in English, God convert you too, cheva-lier! ) May you never want such an agreeable friend as you have been to us!

Signor Jeronymo was not able to be with us. I went up to take leave of him: O my Grandison! said he, and flung his arms about my neck; and will you go? Blessings attend you! But what will become of a brother and sister, when they have lost you?

You will rejoice me, replied I, if you will favour me with a few lines, by a servant whom I shall leave behind me for three or four days, and who will find me at Inspruck, to let me know how you all do; and whether your sister’s health continues.

She must, she shall be yours, said he, if I can manage it. Why, why, will you leave us?

I was surprised to hear him say this: he had never before been so particular.

That cannot, cannot be, said I. There are a thousand obstacles ‘ All of which, rejoined he, that depend upon us, I doubt not to overcome. Your heart is not with Olivia?

They all knew, from that lady’s indiscretion, of the proposals that had been made me, relating to her; and of my declining them. I assured him that my heart was free.

We agreed upon a correspondence, and I took leave of one of the most grateful of men.

But how much was I afflicted when I received at Inspruck the expected letter, which acquainted me, that this sunshine lasted no longer than the next day! The young lady’s malady returned, with redoubled force. Shall I, madam, briefly relate to you the manner in which, as her brother wrote, it operated upon her?

She shut herself up in her chamber, not seeming to regard or know that her woman was in it; nor did she answer to two or three questions that her woman asked her; but, setting her chair with its back to-wards her, over-against a closet in the room, after a profound silence, she bent forwards, and, in a low voice, seemed to be communing with a person in the closet. ‘ And you say he is actually gone? Gone for ever? No, not for ever! ’

Who gone, madam? said her woman. To whom do you direct your discourse?

* We were all obliged to him, no doubt. So bravely to rescue my brother, and to pursue the bravoes; and as my brother says, to put him in his own chaise, and walk on foot by the side of it Why, as you say, assassins might have murdered him: the horses might have trampled him under their feet.’ Still looking as if she were speaking to somebody in the closet.

Her woman stept to the closet, and opened the door, and left it open, to take off her attention to the place, and to turn the course of her ideas; but

Still she bent forward* towards it, and talked calmly, as if to somebody in it: then breaking into a faint laugh, ‘ In love! that is such a silly notion: ai.d yet I love every — body better than 1 love myself.’

Her mother came into the room just then. The young lady arose in haste, and shut the closet door, as if she had somebody hid there, and, throwing her-self at her mother’s feet, My dear, my ever-honoured mamma, said she, forgive me for all the trouble I have caused you But I will, I must, you can’t deny me; I will be God’s child, as well as yours. 1 will go into a nunnery.

It came out afterwards, that her confessor, taking advantage of confessions extorted from her of re-gard for her tutor, though only such as a sister might bear to a brother, but which he had suspected might ‘come to be of consequence, had filled her tender mind with terrors, that had thus affected her head. She is, as 1 have told you, madam, a young lady of exemplary piety.

I will not dwell on a scene so melancholy. How I afflict your tender heart, my good Miss Byron!

[Do you think, Lucy, 1 did not weep? Indeed I didPoor young lady! But my mind was Jitted for the indulging of scenes so melancholy,] Pray, Sir, proceed, said I: what a heart must that be, which bleeds not for such a distress! Pray, Sir, proceed. Be it Dr. Bartlett’s task to give you further proticulars. I will be briefer I will not indulge my own grief.

All that medicine could do, was tried: but her confessor, who, however, is an honest, a worthy man, kept up her fears and terrors. He saw the favour her tutor was in with the whole family: he knew that the younger brother had declared for re-warding him in a very high manner: he had more than once put this favoured man upon an avowal of s2 his principles; and, betwixt her piety and her gra-titude, had raised such a conflict in her mind, as her tender nature could not bear.

At Florence lives a family of high rank and ho-nour, the ladies of which have with them a friend noted for the excellency of her heart, and her genius: and who, having been robbed of her fortune early in life, by an uncle, to whose care she was commit-ted by her dying father, was received both as a com panion and a blessing, by the ladies of the family she has now for many years lived with. She is an En-glish woman and a Protestant; but so very discreet, that her being so, though at first they hoped to proselyte her, gives them not a less value for her; and yet they are all zealous Roman–Catholics. These two ladies, and this their companion, were visiting one day at the Marchese della Poretta’s; and there the distressed mother told them the mournful tale: the ladies, who think nothing that is within the compass of human prudence impossible to their Mrs. Beaumont, wished that the young lady might be entrusted for a week to her care, at their own house at Florence.

It was consented to, as soon as proposed; and Signora Clementina was as willing to go; there having always been an intimacy between the fami-lies; and she (as every-body else) having a high opinion of Mrs. Beaumont. They took her with them on the day they set out for Florence.

Here, again, for shortening my story, I will refer to Dr. Bartlett. Mrs. Beaumont went to the bot-tom of the malady: she gave her advice to the fa — mily upon it. They were resolved (Signer Jeronymo supporting her advice) to be governed by it. The young lady was told, that she should be indulged in all her wishes. She then acknowledged what those were; and was the easier for the acknowledgment, and for the advice of such a prudent friend; and re-turned to Bologna much more composed than when she left it. The tutor was sent for, by common consent; for there had been a convention of the whole family; the Urbino branch, as well as the general, being present. In that, the terms to be proposed to the supposed happy man, were settled; but they were not to be mentioned to him, till after he had seen the lady: a wrong policy, surely.

He was then at Vienna. Signer Jeronymo, in his letter, congratulated him in high terms; as a man, whom he had it now, at last, in his power to re-ward: and he hinted, in general, that the conditions would be such, as it was impossible but he must find liis very great advantage in them: as to fortune, to be sure, he meant.

The friend so highly valued could not but be af-fected with the news: yet, knowing the lady, and the family, he was afraid that the articles of resi-dence and religion would not be easily compromised between them. He therefore summoned up all his prudence to keep his fears alive, and his hope hi suspense.

He arrived at Bologna. He was permitted to pay his compliments to Lady Clementina in her mother s presence. How agreeable, how nobly frank, was the reception from both mother and daughter! How Jiigh ran the congratulations of Jeronymo! He called the supposed happy man brother. The marquis was ready to recognize the Jotirfh son in him. A great fortune additional to an estate bequeathed her by her two grandfathers, was proposed. My father was to be invited over, to grace the nuptials by his presence.

But let me cut short the rest. The terms could not be complied with. For I was to make a formal renunciation of my religion, and to settle in Italy; s3 only once, in two or three years, was allowed, if I pleased, for two or three months, to go to England; and, as a visit of curiosity, once in her life, if their daughter desired it, to carry her thither, for a time to be limited by them.

What must be my grief, to be obliged to disappoint such expectations as were raised by persons who had so sincere a value for me! You cannot, madam, ima-gine my distress: so little as could be expected to be allowed by them to the principles of a man whom they supposed to be in an error that would inevitably cast him into perdition! But when the friendly bro-ther implored my compliance; when the excellent mother, in effect, besought me to have pity on her heart, and on her child’s head; and when the tender, the amiable Clementina, putting herself out of the question, urged me, for my soul’s sake, to embrace the doctrines of her holy mother, the church What, madam But how I grieve you!

[He stopt His handkerchief was of use to him, as mine was to me ^What a distress was here!]

And what, and what?, Sir, sobbing, was the re-sult? Could you, could you resist?

Satisfied in my own faith; entirely satisfied! Having insuperable objections to that I was wished to embrace! A lover of my native country too Were not my God and my country to be the sacrifice, if I complied! but I laboured, I studied, for a compro-mise. I must have been unjust to Clementina’s merit, and to my own character, had she not been dear to me. And indeed I beheld graces in her then, that I had before resolved to shut my eyes against; her rank next to princely; her fortune high as her rank; obstacles from religion, country, that had ap-peared to me insuperable, removed by themselves; and no apprehension left of a breach of the laws of hospitality, which had, till now, made me struggle to behold one of the most amiable and noble-minded of women with indifference. I offered to live one year in Italy, one in England, by turns, if their dear Clementina would live with me there; if not, I would content myself with passing only three months, in every year, in my native country. I proposed to leave her entirely at her liberty, in the article of religion; and, in case of children by the marriage, the daughters to be educated by her, the sons by me; a condition to which his holiness him-self, it was presumed, would not refuse his sanction, as there were precedents for it. This, madam, was a great sacrifice to compassion, to love What could I more!

And would not, Sir, would not Clementina consent to this compromise?

Ah the unhappy lady! It is this reflection that strengthens my grief. She xvould have consented; she was earnest to procure the consent of her friends upon these terms. This her earnestness in my fa-vour, devoted as she was to her religion, excites my compassion, and calls for my gratitude.

What scenes, what distressful scenes, followed! The noble father forgot his promised indulgence; the mother indeed seemed, in a manner, neutral; the youngest brother was still, however, firm in my cause, but the marquis, the general, the bishop, and the whole Urbino branch of the family, were not to be moved; and the less, because they considered the alliance as derogatory to their own honour in the same proportion as they thought it honourable to me; a private, an obscure man, as now they began to call me. In short, I w as allowed, I was desired, to depart from Bologna; and not suffered to take leave of the unhappy Clementina, though on her knees she beg-ged to be allowed a parting interview And wliat was the consequence? Dr. Bartlett must tell the rest. — Unhappy Clementina! Now they wish me to make them one more visit at Bologna! Un-happy Clementina! To what purpose?

I saw his noble heart was too much affected, to answer questions, had I had voice to ask any.

But, O my friends! you see how it is! Can I be so unhappy as he is? As his Clementina is? Well might Dr. Bartlett say, that this excellent man is not happy. Well might he himself say, that he has suffered greatly, even from good women. Well might he complain of sleepless nights. Unhappy Clementina! let me repeat after him, and not happy Sir Charles Grandison! And who, my dear, is happy? Not, I am sure, your

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXI.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

I vik^ forced to lay down my pen. I begin a new letter. I did not think of concluding my former where I did.

Sir Charles saw me in grief, and forgot his own, to applaud my humanity, as he called ii, and sooth me. I have often, said he, referred you, in my nar-rative, to Dr. Bartlett. I will beg of him to let you see any-thing you shall wish to see, in the free and unreserved correspondence we have held. You, that love to entertain your friends with your narrations, will find something, perhaps, in a story like this, to engage their curiosity On their honour and candor, I am sure, 1 may depend. Are they not yonr friends? Would to heaven it were in ray jpower to contribute to their pleasure and yours!

I only bowed. I could only bow,

I told you, madam, that my compassion was engaged; but that my honour was free: I think it is so. But when you have seen all that Dr. Bartlett will shew you, you will be the better able to judge o/“me, andyorme. I had rather be thought favourably of hy Miss Byron, than by any woman in the world.

Who, Sir, said I, knowing only so far as I know of the unhappy Clementina, but must wish her to be

Ah Lucy! there I stopt I had like to have been a false girl! And yet ought I not, from my heart, to have been able to say what I was going to say? I do aver, Lucy, upon repeated experience, that love is a narrower of the heart. Did 1 not use to be thought generous and benevolent, and to be above all selfishness? But am I so now?

And now, madam, said he [and he was going to take my hand, but with an air, as if he thought the freedom would be too great A tenderness so speaking in his eyes; a respectfulness so solemn in his countenance; he just touched it, and withdrew his band] What shall I say I cannot tell what I should say But you, I see, can pity me You can pity the noble Clementina Honour forbids me! Yet honour bids n>e But I cannot be unjust, ungenerous-selfish!

He arose from his seat Allow me, madam, to thank you for the favour of your ear Pardon me for the trouble I see I have given to a heart that is capable of a sympathy so tender.

And, bowing low, he withdrew with precipitation, as if he would not let me see his emotion. He left me looking here, looking there, as if for my heart; and then, as giving it up for irrecoverable, I became for a few moments motionless, and a statue.

A violent burst of tears recovered roe to sense and motion; and just then Miss Grandison (who, having heard her brother withdraw, forbore for a few mi-nutes to enter, supposing he would return) hearing me sob, rushed in. O my Harriet! said she, clasping her arms about me. What is done? Do I, or do I not, embrace my sister, my rent sister, my sister Grandison?

Ah my Charlotte! No flattering hope is now left me No sister! It must not, it cannot be! The lady is But leaf! me, lead me out of this room! I don’t love it! spreading one hand before my eyes, my tears trickling between my fingers Tears that flowed not only for myself, but for Sir Charles Grandison and the unhappy Clementina: for, gather you not, from what he said, that something disastrous has befallen the poor lady? And then, supporting myself with her arm, I hurried out of Lord L.‘s study, and up stairs into my own chamber; she following me Leave me, leave me here, dear creature, said I, for six minutes: 1 will attend you then, in your own dressing-room.

She kindly retired; I threw myself into a chair, indulged my tears for a few moments, and was the fitter to receive the two sisters, who came into my room to comfort me.

But I could not relate what had passed imme-diately with any connexion: I told them only, that all was over; that their brother was to be pitied, not blamed: and that if they would allow me to recol-lect some things that were most aifecting, I would attend them; and they should have my narrative the more exact, for the indulgence.

They staid no longer with me than to see me a little composed.

Sir Charles and Dr. Bartlett went out together in his chariot: he enquired more than once of my health; saying to his sister Charlotte, That he was afraid he had affected me too much, by the melan-choly tale he had been telling me.

He excused himself from dining with us. Poor man! What must be his distress! Not able to see us, to sit with us!

I would have excused myself also, being not very fit to appear; but was not permitted.

I sat, however, but a very little while at table after dinner; yet how tedious did the dinner-time appear! The servants’ eyes were irksome to me; so were Emily’s (dear girl!) glistening as they did, though she knew not for what, but sympathetically, as I may say; she supposing, that all was not as she would have it.

She came up soon after to me One word, my dearest madam (the door in her hand, and her head only within it:) Tell me only that there is no mis-understanding between my guardian and you! Tell me only that

None, my dear! None at all, my Emily!

Thank God! clasping her hands together; thank God! If there were, I should not have known whose part to take! But I won’t disturb you And was going.

Stay, stay my precious young friend! Stay, my Emily! I arose; took her hand: My sweet girl! say, Will you live with me?

God for ever bless you, dearest madam! Willi? It is the wish next my heart.

Will you go down with me to Northamptonshire, my love?

To the world’s end I will attend you, madam: I will be your handmaid; and I will love you better than I love my guardian, if possible.

Ah my dear! but how will you live without seeing your guardian now and then?

Why, he will live with us, won’t he?

No, no, my dear! And you would choose, then, to live with him, not with me; would you?

Indeed but I won’t Indeed I will live and die with you, if you will let me; and I warrant his kind heart will often lead him to us. But tell me, Why these tears, madam? Why this grief? Why do you speak so quick and short? And why do you seem to be in such a hurry?

Do I speak quick and short? Do I seem to be in a hurry? Thank you, my love, for your observation. And now leave me: I will profit by it.

The amiable girl withdrew on tiptoe; and I set about composing myself.

I was obliged to her for her observation: it was really of use to me. But you must think, Lucy, that I must be fluttered. His manner of leavinfr me Was it not particular? To break from me so abruptly, 2& I may say And what he said with looks so earnest! Looks that seemed to carry more meaning than his words: and withdrawing without con ducting me out, as he had led me in and as if I don’t know how as if But you will give me your opinion of all these things. I can’t say but I think my suspense is over; and in a way not very desirable Yet But why should I puzzle myself? What must be, must.

At afternoon-tea, the gentlemen not being re-turned, and Emily undertaking the waiter’s office, I gave my lord and the two ladies, though she was present, some account of what had passed, but briefly; and I had just finished, and was quitting the room, as the two gentlemen entered the door.

Sir Charles instantly addressed me with apologies for the concern he had given me. His emotion was visible as he spoke to me. He hesitated: he trem* bled. Why did he hesitate? Why did he tremble?

I told him, I was not ashamed to own, that I was very much affected by the melancholy story. The poor lady, said I, is greatly to be pitied But re-member, Sir, what you promised Dr. Bartlett should do for me.

I have been requesting the doctor to fulfil my engagements.

And I am ready to obey, said the good man. My agreeable task shall soon be performed.

As I was at the door, going up stairs to my closet, I courtesied, and pursued my intention.

He bowed, said nothing, and looked, I thought, as if he were disappointed, that I did not return to company. No, indeed!

Yet I pity him, at my heart: how odd is it, then, to be angry with him? So much goodness, so much sensibility, so much compassion (whence all his woes, I believe) never met together, in a heart so manly.

Tell me, tell me, my dear Lucy Yet tell me no-thing till I am favoured with, and you have read, the account that will be given me by Dr. Bartlett: then, I hope, we shall have every-thing before us.

Saturday, March 25. He [Yet why that disrespectful word? Fie upon me, for my narrowness of heart!] Sir Charles is setting out for town. He cannot be happy, himself: he is therefore giving himself the pleasure of endeavouring to make his friend so. He can enjo^/ the happiness ofhis friends! O the blessing of a benevolent heart! Let the world frown as it will upon such a one, it cannot possibly bereave it of all delight. Fortune, do thy worst! If Sir Charles Grandison cannot be Jiappy with his Clementina, he will make himself a partaker of Lord G.‘s happiness; and as that will secure, if not her own fault, the happiness of his sister, he will not be destitutt^ of felicity. And let me, after his example Ah, Lucy! that I could!

But in time, I hope, I shall deserve, as well as be esteemed, to be the girl of my grandmamma and aunt: and then, of course, be worthy to be called, my dear Lucy, your

HARRIET BYRON.

Saturday noon.

Sir Charles is gone; and I have talked over the matter again with the ladies and Lord L.

What do you think? They all will have it and it is a faithful account, to the very best of my recol-lection They all will have it. That Sir Charles’s great struggle, his great grief, is owing His great struggle (1 don’t know what I write, I think But let it go) is between his compassion for the unhappy Clementina, and his love for somebody else.

But who, my dear, large as his heart is, can be contented with half a heart? Compassion, Lucy 1 The compassion of such a heart It must be love And ought it not to be so to such a woman? Tell me Don’t you, Lucy, with all yours, pity the unhappy Clementina; who loves, against the principles of her religion; and, in that respect, against her inclination, a man who cannot be hers, but by a viola — tion of his honour and conscience? What lai fatality in a love so circumstanced! To love against inclination! What a sound has that! But what an absurdity is this passion called love? Or, rather of what ab-surd things does it make its votaries guilty? Let mine be evermore circumscribed by the laws of reason, of duty; and then my recollections, my reflections, will never give me lasting disturbance! * *

Dr. Bartlett has desired me to let him know what the particular passages are, of which 1 more imme-diately wish to be informed, for our better under — standing the unhappy Clementina’s story, and has promised to transcribe them, 1 have given him a list in writing. I have been half guilty of affectation. I have asked for some particulars that Sir Charles referred to, which are not so immediately interesting: the history of Olivia, of Mrs. Beau-mont; the debates Sir Charles mentioned between himself and Signor Jeronymo: but, Lucy, the par-ticulars I am most impatient for, are these:

His first conference with Lady Clementina on the subject of the Count of Belvedere; which her father and mother overheard.

The conference he was desired to hold with her, on her being first seized with melancholy.

Whether her particularly cheerful behaviour, on his departure from Bologna, is any-where accounted for.

By what means Mrs, Beaumont prevailed on her to acknowledge a passion so studiously concealed from the tenderest of parents.

Sir Charles’s reception, on his return from Vienna.

What regard his proposals of compromise, as to religion and residence, met with, as well from the family, as from Clementina.

The most important of all, Lucy The .last distressful parting: what made it necessary; what happened at Bologna afterwards; and what the poor (‘lementina’s situation now is.

If the doctor is explicit, with regard to this article, we shall be able to account for their desiring him to revisit them at Bologna, after so long an absence, and for his seeming to think it will be to no purpose to oblige them. O Lucy! what a great deal depends upon the answer to this article, as it may happen! But no more suspense, I beseech you. Sir Charles Grandison! No more suspense, I pray you, Dr. Bartlett I My heart sickens at the thought of fur-ther suspense. I cannot bear itl

Adieu, Lucy! Lengthening my letter would be T 2 only dwelling longer (for I know not how to change my subject) on weaknesses and follies that have already given you too much pain for your

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Colnebrook, Monday, March 27. Dr. Bartlett, seeing our impatience, asked leave to take the assistance of his nephew in transcribing from Sir Charles’s letters the passages that will enable him to perform the task he has so kindly undertaken. By this means, he has already presented us with the following transcripts. We have eagerly perused them. When i/ou have done so, be pleased to hasten them up, that my cousin Reeves’s may have the same opportunity. Thei/ are so good as to give cheerfully the preference to the venerable circle, as my cousin, who dined with us yesterday, bid me tell you. O my Lucy! what a glorious young man is Sir Charles Grandison! But he had the happiness of a Dr. Bartlett, as he is fond of owning, to improve upon a foundation that was so pobly laid by the best and wisest of mothers.

DR. BARTLETt’s first LETTER.

My task, my good Miss Byron, will be easy, by the assistance you have allowed me i for what is it, but to transcribe parts of Sir Charles’s letters, ad-ding a few lines here and there, by way of con nexion? And I am delighted with it, as it will make known the heart of my beloved patron in all the lights which the most interesting circumstances can throw upon it, to so many worthy persons as are permitted a share in this confidence. The first of your commands runs thus:

I should imagine, say you, that the debate Sir Charles mentions, betiveen himself and Signor Jeronymo, and his companions, at their Jirst acquaintance, must be not only curious, but edifying.

They are, my good Miss Byron; but as I presume that you ladies are more intent upon being obeyed in the o^Aer articles [See, Lucy, I had better not have dissembled!] I will only at present transcribe for you, with some short connexions, two letters; by which you will see how generously Mr. Grandison sought to recover his friend to the paths of virtue and honour, when he had formed schemes, in conjunction with, and by the instigation of, other gay young men of rank, to draw him in to be a partaker in their guilt, and an abettor of their enterprizes.

You will judge from these letters, madam (with-out shocking you by the recital) what were the common-place pleas of those libertines, despisersof marriage, of the laws of society, and of women, but as they were subservient to their pleasures.

TO THE BARONE DELLA PORRETTA.

Will my Jeronymo allow his friei)d, his Grandison, the liberty he is going to take with him? If the friendship he professes for him be such a one, as a great mind can, on reflection, glory in, he mil. And what is this — liberty, but such as constitutes the es-sence of true friendship? AUdwme, on thisoccasion, to say, that your Grandison has seen more of the world than most men, who have lived no longer in it, have had an opportunity to see. I was sent abroad for iiuprovement, under the care pf a maa t3 who came out to be the most intriguing and profli-gate of those to whom a youth was ever entrusted. I saw in him, the inconvenience, the odiousness, of libertinism; and, by the assistance of an excellent monitor, with whom I happily became acquainted, and (would it not be false shame, and cowardice, if I did not say) by the Divfne assistance, 1 escaped snares that were laid to corrupt my morals: hence my dearest friend will the more readily allow me to impart to him some of the lessons that were of so much use to myself.

I am the rather encouraged to take this liberty, as I have often flattered myself, that I have seen my Jeronymo affected by the arguments urged in the course of the conversations that have been held in our select meetings at Padua, and at Rome; in which the cause of virtue and true honour has been discussed and pleaded,

I have now no hopes of influencing any one of the noble youths, whom, at your request, I have of late so often met: but of you I still have hopes, because you continue to declare, that you prefer my friend-ship to theirs. You think that I was disgusted at the ridicule with which they generally treated the arguments they could not answer: but, as far as I innocently could, I followed them in their levity. I returned raillery for ridicule, and not always, as you know, unsuccessfully; but still they renewed the charge, and we had the same arguments one day to refute, that the preceding were given up. They could not convince me, nor I them,

I quit therefore (yet not without regret) the so-ciety I cannot meet with pleasure: but let not my Jeronymo renounce me. In his opinion I had the honour to stand high, before I was prevailed upon to be introduced to them; we cultivated, with mutual “pleasure, each other’s acquaintance, independent of this association. Let us be to each other, what we were for the first month of our intimacy. You have noble quaUties; but are diffident, and too often suffer yourself to be influenced by men of talents inferior to your own.

The ridicule they have aimed at, has weakened, perhaps, the force of the arguments that I wished to have a more than temporary effect on your heart. Permit me to remind you on paper, of some of them, and urge to you others: the end I have in view is your good, in hopes to confirm, by the efficacy they may have on you, my own principles: nor think me too serious. The occasion, the call that true friend-ship makes upon you, is weighty.

You have shewed me letters fro;n your noble fa-ther, from your mother, from the pious prelate your brother, and others from your uncle, and still, if possible, more admirable ones, from your sister All filled with concern for your present and future welfare! How dearly is my Jeronymo beloved by his whole family! and by such a family! And how ten-derly does he love them all What ought to be the result? Jeronymo cannot be ungrateful. He knows so well what belongs to the character of a dutiful son, an affectionate brother, that I will not attempt to enforce their arguments upon him.

By the endeavours of my friend to find excuses for some of the liberties in which he allows himself, I infer, that if he thought them criminal, he has too much honour to be guilty of them. He cannot say, with the mad Medea,

Video meliora, proboque;

Deteriora sequor.

No! His judgment must be misled, before he can alloxo himself in a deviation. But let him beware; for has not every faulty inclination something to plead in its own behalf? Excuses, my dear friend, are more than tacit confessions: and the health of the mind, as of the body, is impaired by almost imperceptible degrees.

My Jeronymo has pleaded, and justly may he boast of, a disposition to benevolence, charity, ge-nerosity What pity, that he cannot be still more perfect? that he resolves not against meditated injuries to others of his fellow creatures! But re-member, my lord, that true goodness is an uniform thing, and will alike influence every part of a man’s conduct and that true generosity will not be confined to obligations, either written or verbal.

Besides, who, though in the least guilty instance, and where some false virtue may hold out colours to palliate an excess, can promise himself to stop, when once he has thrown the reins on the neck of lawless appetite? And may I not add, that my Jeronymo is not in his own power? He suffers himself to be a led man! O that he would choose his company anew, and be a leader! Every virtue, t^en, that warms his heart, would have a sister-virtue to encourage the noble flame, instead of a vice to damp it.

Justly do you boast of the nobility of your descent; of the excellency of every branch of your family: bear with my question, my lord; Are you determined to sit down satisfied with the honour of your ancestors? Your progenitors, and every one of your family, have given you reason to applaud their worthiness: will you not give them cause to boast oi yours?

In answer to the earnest entreaties of all your friends, that you will marry, you have said, that, were women angels, you would with joy enter into the state But what ought the men to be, who form upon women such expectations?

Can you, my dear lord, despise matrimony, yet hold it to be a sacrament? Can you, defying the maxims of your family, and wishing to have the sister I have heard you mention with such high delight and admiration, strengthen your family-inte — rest in the female hne, determine against adding to its strength in the male?

You have suffered yourself to speak with contempt of the generality of the Italian women, for their illiterateness: let not their misfortune be imputed to them, my noble friend, as their fault. They have the same natural genius’s that used to distin-guish the men and women of your happy climate. Let not the want of cultivation induce you, a learned man, to hold them cheap. The cause of virtue, and of the sex, can hardly be separated.

But, O my friend, my Jeronymo, have I not too much reason to fear, that guilty attachments have been the cause of your slighting a legal one? That you are studying for pretences to justify the way of life into which you have fallen?

Let us consider the objects of your pursuit Alas! there have been more than one! Are they women seduced from the path of virtue by yourself? Who otherwise perhaps would have married, and made useful members of society? Consider, my friend, what a capital crime is a seduction of this kind! Can you glory in the virtue of a sister of your own, and allow yourself in attempts upon the daughter, the sister, of another? And, let me ask, How can that crime be thought pardonable in a man, which renders a woman infamous?

A good heart, a delicate mind, cannot associate with a corrupt one. What tie can bind a woman who has parted with her honour? What, in such a guilty attachment, must be a man’s alternative, but either to be the tyrant of a wretch who has given Uim reason to despise her, or the dupe of one who despises him?

It is the important lesson of life (allow me to be serious on a subject so serious) in this union of soul and body, to restrain the unruly appetites of the latter, and to improve the faculties of the former Can this end be attained by licentious indulgences, and profligate associations?

Men, in the pride of their hearts, are apt to sup-pose, that nature has designed them to be superior to women. The highest proof that can be given, of such superiority, is, in the protection afforded by the stronger to the weaker. What can that man say for himself, or for his proud pretension, who employs all his arts to seduce, betray, and ruin, the creature whom he should guide and* protect Sedulous to save her, perhaps, from every foe, but the devil and himself i

It is unworthy of a man of spirit to be solicitous to keep himself within the boundaries of human laws, on no other motive than to avoid the temporal incon-veniences attending the breach of them. The laws were not made so much for the direction of good men, as to circumscribe the bad. Would a man of honour wish to be considered as one of the latter, rather than as one of those who would have distin-guished the fit from the unfit, had they not been dis criminated by human sanctions? Men are to approve themselves at an higher tribunal than at that of men.

Uhall not public spirit, virtue, and a sense of duty, have as much influence on a manly heart, as a new face? How contemptibly low is that commerce in which mind has no share!

Virtuous love, my dear Jeron)TTio, looks beyond this temponiry scene; while guilty attachments usu-ally find a much earlier period than that of human life. Inconstancy, on one side or the other, seldom fails to put a disgraceful end to them. But were, they to endure for life, what can the reflections upon them do towards softening the agonies of the inevitable hour?

Remember, my Jeronymo, that you are a man, a rational and immortal agent; and act up to the dignity of your nature. Can sensual pleasure be the great end of an immortal spirit in this life?

That pleasure cannot be lasting, and it nmst be followed by remorse, which is obtained either by doing injustice to, or degrading a fellow-creature. And does not a woman, when she forfeits her honour, degrade herself, not only in the sight of the world, but in the secret thoughts of even a profligate lover, destroying her own consequence with him?

Build not, my noble friend, upon penances and absolutions: I enter not into those subjects on which we differ as Catholics and Protestants: but if we would be thought men of true greatness of mind, let us endeavour so to act, as not, in essential ar-ticles, and with our eyes open, either to want abso — lution, or incur penances. Surely, my lord, it is pobler not to offend, than to be obliged to atone.

Are there not, let me ask, innocent delights enow to fill with joy every vacant hour? Believe me, Je-ronymo, there are. Let you and me seek for such, and make them the cement of our friendship.

Religion out of the question, consider what mo-rals and good policy will oblige you to do, as a man born to act a part in public life. What, were the examples set by you and your acquaintance to be generally followed, would become of public order and decorum? What of national honours? How will a regular succession in families be kept,up? You, my lord, boast of your descent, both by fa-ther’s and mother’s side: why will you deprive your children of a distinction in which you glory?

Good children, what a blessing to their parents! But what comfort can the parent have in children born into the world heirs of disgrace, and who, owing their very being to profligate principles, have no fa-mily honour to support, no fair example to imitate^ but must be warned by their father, when bitter experience has convinced him of his errors, to avoid the paths in which he has trod?

How delightful the domestic connexion! Tobring to the paternal and fraternal dwellings, a daughter, a sister, that shall be received there with tender love; to strengthen your own interest in the world by alliance with some noble and worthy family, who shall rejoice to trust to the Barone della Porretta the darling of their hopes This would, to a generous heart, like yours, be the source of infinite delights. But could you now think of introducing to the friends you revere, the unhappy objects of a vagrant affection? Must not my Jeronymo even estrange himself from his home, to conceal from his father, from his mother, from his sister, persons shut out by all the laws of honour from their society? The per-sons, so shut out, must hate the family to whose interests theirs are so contrary. What sincere union then, what sameness of affection, between Jeronymo and the objects of his passion?

But the present hour dances delightfully away, and my friend will not look beyond it. His gay companions applaud and compliment him on his triumphs. In general, perhaps, he allows, ‘ that the welfare and order of society ought to be maintained by submission to divine and human laws; but his single exception for himself can be of no importance.’ Of what, then, is general practice made up? If every one excepts himself and offends in the instance that best suits his inclination, what a scene of horror will this world become! Affluence and a gay disposition tempt to licentious pleasures; penury and a gloomy one to robbery, revenge, and murder. Not one enormity will be without its plea, if once the boundar.es of duty are thrown down. But, even in this universal depravity, would not his crime be much worse, who robbed me of my child from riot and licentiousness^ and under the guise of love and trust, than his who despoiled me of my substance, and had necessity to plead in extenuation of his guilt?

I cannot doubt, my dear friend, but you will take, at least, kindly, these expostulations, though some of them are upon subjects on which our conversations have been hitherto ineffectual. I submit them to your consideration. I can have no interest in making them, nor motive, but what proceeds from that true friendship with which I desire to be thought Most affectionately yours.

You have heard, my good Miss Byron, that the friendship between Mr. Grandison and Signor Je-ronymo was twice broken off: once it was, by the unkindly-taken freedom of the expostulatory letter. Jeronymo, at that time of his life, ill-brooked oppo-sition in any pursuit his heart was engaged in. When pushed, he was vehement; and Mr. Grandison could not be over-solicitous to keep up a friendship with a young man who was under the dominion of his dissolute companions; and who would not allow of re — monstrances, in cases that concerned his morals.

Jeronymo, having afterwards been drawn into great inconveniences by his libertine friends, broke with them; and Mr. Grandison and he meeting by accident at Padua, their friendship, at the pressing instances of Jeronymo, was again renewed.

Jeronymo thought himself reformed; Mr. Grandison hoped he was: but, soon after, a temptation fell in his way, which he could not resist. It was from a lady who was more noted for her birth,beauty, and fortune, than for her virtue. She had spread her snares for Mr. Grandison before Jeronymo became acquainted with her; and revenge, for her slighted advances, taking possession of her heart, she hoped an opportunity would be afforded her of wreaking” it upon him.

The occasion was given by the following letter, which Mr. Grandison thought himself obliged, in honour, to write to his friend, on his attaclnnent; the one being then at Padua, the other at Cremona.

I am extremely concerned, my dear Jeronymo, at your new engagement with a lady, who, though of family and fortune, has shewn but little regard to her character. How frail are the resolutions of men How much in the power of women! But I will not reproach Yet I cannot but regret, that I must lose your company in our projected visits to the German courts: this, however, more for your sake than my own; since to the principal of them I am no stranger. You have excused yourself to me: I wish you had a better motive: but I write rather to warn, than to upbraid you. This lady is mistress of all the arts of woman. She may glory in her conquest; you ought not to be proud oi yours. You mill not, when you know her better. I have had a singular opportunity of being acquainted with her character. I never judged of characters, of womens especially, hy report. Had the Barone della Porretta been the first for whom this lady spread her blandishments, a man so amiable as. he i;, might the more assuredly have depended on tbeciove she professes for him. She has two admirers, men of violence, who, unknown to each other, have equal reason to look upon her as their own. You propose not to marry her. I am silent on this subject. Would to heaven you xuere married to a woman of virtue! Why will you not oblige all your friends? Thus liable as you are But neither do I expostulate. Well do I know the ve-hemence with which you are wont to pursue a new adventure. Yet I had hoped But again I restrain myself. Only let me add, that the man who shall boast of his success with this lady, may have more to apprehend from the competition in which he will find himself engaged, than he can be aware of. Be prudent, my Jeronymo, in this pi^rsuit, for your own sake. The heart that dictates this advice is wholly yours: but, alas! it boasts no further interest in that of its Jeronymo. With infinite regret I subscribe to the latter part of the sentence the once better-regarded name of GRANDISON.

And what was the consequence? The unhappy youth, by the instigation of the revengeful woman, defied his friend, in her behalf. Mr, Grandison, with a noble disdain, appealed to Jeronymo’s cooler deli-beration; and told him, that he never would meet, as a foe, the man he had ever been desirous to consider as his friend. You know, my lord, said he, that I am under a disadvantage in having once been obhged to assert myself, in a country where I have po natural connexions; and where you, Jeronymo, have many. If we meet again, I do assure you, it must be by accident; and if that happens, we shall then find it time enough to discuss the occasion of our present misunderstanding.

Their next meeting was indeed by accident. It was in the Cremonese; when Mr. Grandison saved his life.

And now, madam, let me give you, in answer to your second enquiry,

The particulars of the conference “which Sir Charles xuas put upon holding with Clemen–Una, in favour of the Count of Belvedere; .and vihich her father and mother^ unknown to either qfthemy overhear d p2

You must suppose them seated; a Milton’s Para-dise Lost before them: and that, at this time, Mr. Grandison did not presume that the young lady had any particular regard for him,

Clementina. You have taught the prelate, and you have taught the soldier, to be in love with your Milton, Sir: but I shall never admire him, I doubt. Don’t you reckon the language hard and crabbed? Grandison. I did not propose him to you, madam: your brother chose him. We should not have made the proficiency we have, had I not begun with you by easier authors. But you have heard me often call him a sublime poet, and your ambition (it is a laudable one) leads you to make him your own too soon. Has not your tutor taken the liberty to chide you for your impatience; for your desire of being every-thing at once?

Clem. You have; and I own my fault. But to have done, for the present, with Milton; What shall I do to acquit myself of the addresses of this Count of Belvedere?

Gr. Why ivould youacquityourself of the count’s addresses?

Clem. He is not the man I can like: I have told my father as much, and he is angry with me.

Gr. I think, madam, your father ma^ be a little displeased with you; though he loves you too ten-derly to be angry with you. You reject the count, without assigning a reason.

Clem. Is it not reason enough, that 1 don’t like him?

Gr. Give me leave to say, that the count is a handsome man. He is young; gallant; sensible; of a family antient and noble; a grace to it. He is learned, good-natured: he adores you

Clem. And so let him, if he will; 1 never can like him.

Gr. Dear Lady Clementina! You must not be capricious. You will give the most indulgent pa-rents in the world apprehension that you have cast your thoughts on some other object. Young ladies, except in a case of prepossession, do not often re-ject a person who has so many great and good qua — lities as shine in this gentleman; and where equality of degree, and a father’s and mother’s high appro-bation, add to his merit.

Clem. I suppose you have been spoken to, to talk with me on this subject It is a subject I don’t like. Gr. You began it, madam. Clem. I did so; because it is uppermost with me. I am grieved at my heart, that 1 cannot see the count with my father’s eyes: my father deserves from me every instance of duty, and love, and ve-neration; but I cannot think of the Count of Bel — vedere for a husband.

Gr. One reason, madam? One objection? Clem. He is a man that is not to my mind: a, fawning, cringing man, I think. And a spirit that can fawn, and cringe, and kneel, will be a tyrant in power.

Gr.’ Dear madam, to whom is he this obsequious man, but to you? Is there a man in the world that behaves with a more proper dignity to every one else? Nay, to you, the lover shines out in him, but the man is not forgot. Is the tenderness shewn in a well-placed love, the veneration paid to a deser-vedly beloved object, any derogation to the manly character? Far from it: and shall you think the less of your lover, for being the most ardent, and, I have no knowledge of the man, if he is not the most sincere, of men?

Clem. An excellent advocate! I am sure you Jiave been spoken to Have you not? Tell me truly; perhaps by the Count of Belvedere? u3

Gr. I should not thijih, and, of consequence, not speak, so highly as I do, of the count, if he were capable of asking any man, your father and bro-thers excepted, to plead his cause with you.

Clem. I can’t bear to be children, chevalier. Now you are going to be angry with me too. But has not my mamma spoken to you? Tell me?

Gr. Dear lady, consider, if she had, what you owe to a mother, who, deserving, for her tenderness to her child, the utmost observance and duty, would condescend to put her authority into a mediation. And yet, let me declare, that no person breathing should make me say what I do not — think, whether in favour or disfavour of any man.

Clem. That is no answer. I owe implicit, yes, I will say implicit, duty to my mamma, for her indulgence to me: but what you have said is no direct answer. Gr. For the honour of that indulgence, madam^ I own to you, that your mamma, and my lord too, have wished that their Clementina could or would give one substantial reason why she cannot like the Count of Belvedere; that they might prepare them-selves to acquiesce with it, and the count be induced to submit to his evil destiny.

Clem. And they have wished this to you, Sir? And you have taken upon you to answer their wishes I protest, you are a man of prodigious consequence, with us all; and by your readiness to take up the cause of a man you have so lately known, you seem to know it, too well.

Gr. I am sorry I have incurred your displeasure, madam.

Clem. You have. I never was more angry with you, than I now am.

Gr. I hope you never were angry with me before. I never gave you reason. And if I have now, I beg your pardon.

I arose to go.

Clem. Very humble, Sir! And are for going before you have it. Now call me capricious, again!

Gj: I did not know that you could be so easily displeased, madam. bhe wept.

Ciem. I am a very weak creature: I believe I am wrong: but I never knew what it was to give offence to any-body till within these few months. I love my father, I love my mother, beyond my own life; and to think that now, when I wish most for the continuance of their goodness to me, I am in dan-ger of forfeiting it! 1 can’t bear it! Do ijou for — give me, however. I believe I have been too petu — lant to you. Your behaviour is noble, frank, dis interested. It has been a happiness that we have known you. You are every-body’s friend. But yet I think it is a little officious in you to plead so very warmly for a man of whom you know so little; and when I told you, more than once, I could not like him.

Gr. Honoured as I am, by your whole family, with the appellation of a fourth son, a fourth bro-ther; was I, dear madam, to blame to act up to the character? I know my own heart; and if I have consequence given me, I will act so, as to deserve it; at least, my own heart shall give it to me.

Clem. Well, Sir, you may be right: I am sure you viean to be right. But as it would be a diminution of the count’s dignity, to apply to you for a sup — posed interest in me, which he cannot have, it woujd be much more so, to have you interfere where a father, mother, and other brothers [you see, Sir, I allow your claim of fourth brotherhood] are supposed to nave less weight: so no more of the Count of Bel-vedere, I beseech you, from your mouth.

Gr. One word more, only Don’t let the goodness of your father and mother be construed to the disadvantage of the parental character in them. They have not been positive: they have given their wishes, rather than their commands. Their tenderness for you, in a point so very tender, has made them unable to tell their own wishes to you, for fear they should not meet with yours; yet would be, perhaps, glad to hear one solid objection to their proposal And why? That they might admit of it Impute, therefore, to my officiousness, what you please; and yet I would not wish to disoblige or offend you; but let their indulgence (they never will use their authority) have its full merit with you.

Clem. Your servant, Sir. I never yet had a slight notion of their indulgence; and I hope I never shall. If you imll go, go: but. Sir, next time I am favoured with your lectures, it shall be upon languages, if you please; and not upon lovers.

I withdrew, profoundly bowing. But surely, thought I, the lovely Clementina is capricious.

Thus far my patron. Let me add, that the mar-chioness, having acquainted Mr. Grandison, that her lord and she had heard every word that had passed, expressed her displeasure at her daughter’s petulance; and, thanking him in her lord’s name, as well as for herself, for the generous part he had taken, told him, that Clementina shguld ask his pardon. He begged that, for the sake of their own weight with her on the same subject, she might not know that they had heard what had passed.

I believe that’s best, chevalier, answered the marchioness; that I am apt to think, that the poor girl will be more ready than perhaps one would wish, to make it up with you, were she to find you offended with her in earnest; as you have reason to be, as a disinterested man.

You see, chevalier, I know to whom I am speaking; but both my lord, and self, hope to see her of another mind; and that she will soon be Countess of Belvedere. My lord’s heart is in this alliance; so is that of my son Giacomo.

I come now, madam, to your third command: which is. To give you,

The conference xuhich Sir Charles ivas put upon holding with the unhappy Clementina, on her being seized laith melancholy. [Mr. Grandison still not presuming on any particular favour from Clementina].

The young lady was walking in one alley of the garden; Mr. Grandison, and the marquis and mar-chioness, in another. She was attended by her wo — man, who walked behind her; and with whom she was displeased for endeavouring to divert her; but who, however, seemed to be talking on, though without being answered.

The dear creature! said the marquis, tears in his eyes See her there, now walking slow, now with quicker steps as if she would shake off her Camilla. She hates the poor woman for her love to her: but who is it that she sees with pleasure? Did I think that I should ever behold the pride of my heart, with the pain that I now feel for her? Yet she is lovely in my eye, in all she does, in all she says But, my dear Grandison, we cannot now make her speak, more than Yes, or No. We cannot engage her in a conversation, no not on the subject of her newly-acquired language. See if you can, on any subject.

Ay, chevalier, said the marchioness, do you try to engage her. We have told her, that we will not talk of marriage to her at all, till she is herself inclined to receive proposals. Her weeping eyes thank us for our indulgence. She prays for us with lifted-up hands: she courtesies her thanks, if she stands before us: she bows, in acknowledged gratitude for our goodness to her, if she sits; but she cares not to speak. She is not easy while we are talking to her. See! she is stepping into the Greek temple; her poor woman, unanswered, talking to her. She has not seen us. By that winding walk we can, unseen, place ourselves in the myrtle-grove, and hear what passes.

The marchioness, as we walked, hinted, that in their last visit to the general at Naples, there was a Count MaruUi, a young nobleman of merit, but a soldier of fortune, who would have clandestinely obtained the attention of their Clementina. They knew nothing of it till last night, she said; when herself and Camilla, puzzling to whpt to attribute the sudden melancholy turn of her daughter, and Camilla mentioning what was unlikely, as well as likely; told her, that the count would have bribed her to deliver a letter to the young lady; but that she repulsed him with indignation: he besought her then to take no notice of his offer, to the general, on whom all his fortunes depended. She did not, for that reason, to any-body; but, a few days since, she heard her young lady (talking of the gentlemen she had seen at Naples) mention the young count favourably Now it is impossible there can be any-thing in it, said the marchioness: but do you, how — ever, chevalier, lead to the subject of love, but at distance; nor name Marulli, because she will think you have been talking with Camilla. The dear girl has pride: she would not endure you, if she thought jou imagined her to be in love, especially with ^ man of inferior degree, or dependent fortunes. But on your prudence we wholly rely; mention it, or not, as matters fall in. .

There can be no room for this surmise, my dear, iSaid the marquis; and yet Marulli was lately in Bo-logna: but Clementina’s spirit will not permit her to encourage a clandestine address.

By this time we had got to the myrtle-grove, behind the temple, and over-heard them talk, as fol-lows:

Camilla. And why, why must I leave you, ma>- dam? From infancy you know how I have loved you. You used to love to hold converse with your Camilla. How have I offended you? I will not enter this temple till you give me leave; but indeed, indeed, I must not, I cannot, leave you.

Clem. Officious love! Can there be a greater torment than an officious prating love! if you loved me, you would wish, to oblige me.

Ca7n. I tvill oblige you, my dear young lady, in every-thing I can

Clem. Then leave me, Camilla. I am best when I am alone.: I am cheerfullest when I am alone. You haunt me, Camilla; like a ghost, you haunt me, Ca-milla. Indeed you are but the ghost of my once obliging Camilla.

Cam. My dearest young lady, let me beseech you

Clem. Ay, now you come with your beseeches again: but if you love me, Camilla, leave me. Am I not to be trusted with myself? Were I a vile young creature, suspected to be run away with some base-born man, you could not be more watch-ful of my steps.

Camilla would have entered into farther talk with her; but she absolutely forbad her.

Talk till dooms-day, I will not say one word more to you, Camilla. I will be silent. I will stop my ears.

They were both silent. Camilla seemed to weep.

Now, my dear chevalierj whispered the marquis, put yourself in her sight; engage her into talk about England, or any-thing: you will have an hour good before dinner. I hope she will be cheerful at table: shemust bepresent; our guests will enquire after her. Reports have gone out, as if her head were hurt.

I am afraid, my lord, that this is an unseasonable moment. She seems to be out of humour; and par-don me if I say, that Camilla, good woman as she is, and well meaning, had better give way to her young lady’s humour, at such times.

Then, said the marchioness, will her malady get head; then will it become habit. But my lord and I will remain where we are, for a few minutes, and do you try to engage her in conversation 1 would have her be cheerful before the patriarch, however; he will expect to see her. She is as much his delight as she is ours.

I took a little turn; and, entering the walk, which led to the temple, appeared in her sight; but bowed, on seeing her sitting in it. Her woman stood silent, with her handkei’chief at her eyes, at the entrance. I quickened my steps, as if I would not break into her retirement, and passed by; but, by means of the winding walk, could hear what she said.

She arose; and stepping forward, looking after me. He is gone, said she. Learn, Camilla, of the Chevalier Grandison

Shall I call him back, madam?

No. Yes. No. Let him go. I will walk. You may now leave me, Camilla; there is somebody in the garden who will watch me: or, you may stay, Camilla; I don’t care which: only don’t talk to me when I wish you to be silent.

She went into an alley which crossed that in which I was, but took the walk that led from me. When we came to the centre of both, and were very near each other, I bowed: she courtesied; but not seeming to encourage my nearer approach, I made a motion, as if I would take another walk. She stopt. Learn of the Chevalier Grandison, Camilla repeated she.

May. I presume, madam? Do I not invade

Camilla is a little officious today: Camilla has teazed me Are the poets of your country as severe upon women’s tongues, as the poets of ours?

Poets, madam, of all countries, boast the same inspiration: poets write, as other men speak, to the ir feeling.

So, Sir! You make a pretty compliment to us poor women.

Poets have finer imaginations, madam, than other men; they therefore feel quicker: but as they are not often intitled to boast of judgment (for imagination and judgment seldom go together) they may, perhaps, give the cause, and then break out into satire upon the effects.

Don’t I see before me, in the orange-grove, my father and mother? I do. I have not kneeled to them today. Don’t go, chevalier.

She hastened towards them. They stopt. She bent her knee to each, and received their tender blessings. They led her towards me. You seemed engaged in talk with the chevalier, my dear, said the marquis. Your mamma and I were walking in. We leave you. They did.

The best of parents! said she. O that I were a more worthy child! Have you not seen them, Sir, before today?

I have, madam. They think you the worthiest of daughters: but they lament your thoughtful turn.

They are very good. I am grieved to give them trouble. Have they expressed their concern to you. Sir? I will not be so petulant as I was once before, provided you keep clear of the same subject. You are the confident of us all; and your noble and disinterested behaviour deservedly endears you to every-body.

They have been, this very morning, lamenting the melancholy turn you seem to have taken. With tears, madam, they have been lamenting it.

Camilla, you may draw near: you will hear your own cause supported. The rather draw near, and hear all the chevalier seems to be, going to say; because it may save you and me too a great deal of trouble.

Madam, I have done, said I.

But you must not have done. If you are commissioned, Sir, by my father and mother, I am, I ought to be, prepared to hear all you have to say.

Camilla came up.

^Vhat, madam, can I say? . My wishes for your happiness may make me appear importunate: but what hope have I of obtaining your confidence, when your mother fails?

What, Sir, is aimed at? What is sought to be ob-tained? I am not very well: I used to be a very sprightly creature: I used to talk, to sing, to dance, to play; to visit, to receive visits: and I don’t like to do any of these things now. I love to be alone: I am contented with my own company. Other company is, at times, irksome to me; and I can’t help it.

But whence this sudden turn, madam, in a lady so young, so blooming? Your father, mother, bro-thers, cannot account for it; and this disturbs them. I see it does, and am sorry for it.

No other favourite diversion takes place in your mind. You are a young lady of exemplary piety:

Mtt CHARLES GRANDISON. 231 you cannot pay a greater observance than you always paid, to the duties of religion.

You, Sir, an Englishman, an heretic, give me leave to call you; for are you not so? Do you talk of piety, of religion?

We will not enter into this subject, madam: what I meant

Yes, Sir, I know what you meant And I will own, that I am, at times, a very melancholy strange creature. I know not whence the alteration; but so it is; and I am a greater trouble to myself than I can be to any-body else.

But, madam, there must be some cause And for you to answer the best and most indulgent of mothers with sighs and tears only; yet no obstinacy, no sul-lenness, no petulance, appearing: all the same sweet — ness, gentleness, observance, that she ever rejoiced to find in her Clementina, still shining out in her mind. She cannot urge her silent daughter; her ten-derness will not permit her to urge her: and how can you, my sister (allow of my claim, madam) how can you still silently withdraw from such a mother? How can you, at other times, suffer her to withdraw, her heart full, her eyes running over, unable to stay, yet hardly knowing how to go, because of the ineffectual reports she must make to your sorrowing father; yet the cause of this very great alteration (which they dread is growing into habit, at a time of life when you were to crown all their hopes) a secret fast locked up in your own heart.

She wept, and turned from me, and leaned upon the arm of her Camilla; and then quitting her arm, and joining me, How you paint my obstuiacy, and my mamma’s goodness! 1 only wish with all my soul 1 wish that I was added to the dust of ray ancestors. I who was their comfort, 1 see, novy, must be their torment. x2

Fie, fie, my sister I

Blame me not: I am by no means satisfied with myself. What a miserable being must she be, who is at variance with herself?

I do not hope, madam, that you should place so much confidence in your fourth brother as to open your mind to him: all I beg is, that you will relieve the anxious, the apprehensive heart of the best of mothers; and, by so doing,.enable her to relieve the equally-anxious heart of the best of fathers.

She paused, stood still, turned away her face, and wept; as if half overcome.

Let your faithful Camilla, madam, be commission-ed to acquaint your mamma

But hold. Sir! (seeming to recollect herself) not so fast Open my mind What, whether I have any-thing to reveal, or not? Insinuating man 1 You had almost persuaded me to think I had a secret that lay heavy at my heart: and when, to oblige you, I began to look for it, 1 could not find it. Pray, Sir she stopt.

And pray, madam (taking her hand) do not think of receding thus

You are too free. Sir. Yet she withdrew not her hand.

For a brother, madam? Too free for a brother? And I quitted it.

Well, and what further would my brother?

Only to implore, to beseech you, to reveal to your mamma, to your excellent, your indulgent

Stop, Sir, I beseech you What! Whether I have any-thing to reveal, or not? Pray, Sir, tell me, invent for me, a secret that is fit for me to own; and then, perhaps, if it will save the trouble of enquiries, I may make, at least, my four brothers ‘easy.

I am pleased, however, madam, with your agree- able raillery. Continue but in this temper, and the secret is revealed: enquiry will be at an end.

Camilla, here, is continually teazing me with her persuasions to be in love, as she calls it. That is the silly thing, in our sex, which gives importance to yours: a young creature cannot be grave, cannot indulge a contemplative humour, but she must be in love. I should hate myself, were I to put it in the power of any man breathing to give me uneasiness. I hope, Sir, I hope, that you, my brother, have not so poor, so low, so mean a thought of me.

It is neither^oor, nor loiu; it is not mean, to be in love, madam.

What! not with an improper object?

Madam!

What have I said? You want to But what I have now said, was to introduce what I am going to tell you; that I saw your insinuation, and what it tended to, when you read to me thos6 lines of your Shake-speare; which in your heart, I suppose, you had the goodness, or what shall I call it? to apply to me. Let me see if I can repeat them to you in their original English.

With the accent of her country, she very prettily repeated those lines:

She never told li*r love; But let concealment, like a worm i’ th’ bud. Feed on her damask cheek: she pin’d in thought; And, with a green and yellow melancholy, She sat, like I’atience on a monument, Smiling at grief.

Now, chevalier, if you had any design in your pointing to these very pretty lines, I will only say, you are mistaken; and so are all those who affront and afflict me, with attributing my malady to so great a weakness.

I meant not at the time, madam

Nor now, I hope, Sir

Any such apphcation of the lines. How could I? Your refusal of many lovers; your declining the proposals of a man of the Count of Belvedere’s consequence and merit; though approved of by every one of your friends; are convictions

See, Camilla! interrupting me with quickness, the chevalier is convinced! Pray let me have no more o^ your affronting questions and conjectures on this subject. I tell you, Camilla, I would not be in love for the world, and all its glory.

But, madam, if you will be pleased to assign one cause, to your mamma, for the melancholy turn your lively temper has taken, you will free yourself from asuspicion that gives you pain, as well as displeasure. Perhaps you are grieved, that you cannot comply with your father’s views Perhaps

Assign one cause, again interrupted she Assign one cause! Why, Sir I am not well I am not pleased with myself as I told you.

If it were any-thing that lay upon your mind, your conscience, madam: your confessor

Would not make me easy. He is a good, but [turning aside, and speaking low) a severe man. Ca-milla hears not what I say [she had dropt behind’] . He is more afraid of me, in some cases, than he need to be. And why? Because you have almost per-suaded me to think charitably of people of different persuasions, by your noble charity for all mankind: which I think, heretic as you are, forgive me, Sir, carries an appearance of true Christian goodness in it: though Protestants, it seems, will persecute one another; but you would not be one of those, except you are one man in Italy, another in England.

Your mother, madam, will ask. If you have ho-noured me with any part of your confidence? Her communicative goodness makes her think every-body should be as unreserved as herself. Your fa — ther is so good as to allovo you to explain yourself to me, when he wishes that I could prevail upon you to open your mind to me in the character of a fourth brother. My lord the bishop

Yes, yes, Sir, interrupted she, all our family wor-ships you almost. I have myself a very great regard for you, as the fourth brother who has been the deli-verer and preserver of my third. But, Sir, who can prevail upon you, in anything you are determined upon? Had I any-thing upon my heart, 1 would not tell it to one, who, brought up in error, shuts his eyes against conviction, in an article in which his everlasting good is concerned. Let me call you a Catholic, Sir, and I will not keep a thought of my heart from you. You shall indeed be my brother; and I shall free one of the holiest of men from his apprehensions on my conversing with so determined a heretic as he thinks you. Then shall you, as my brother, command those secrets, if any I have, from that heart in which you think them locked up.

Why, then, madam, will you not declare them to your mamma, to your confessor, to my lord bishop? Did I not say. If any I have? And is your reverend confessor uneasy at the fa-vour of the family to me! How causeless! Have I ever, madam, talked with you on the subject of religion?

Well but, Sir, are you so obstinately determined in your errors, that there is no hope of convincing you? I really look upon you, as my father and mo-ther first bid me do, as my fourth brother: I should be glad that all my brothers were of one religion. Will you allow Father Marescotti and Father Geral-dino to enter into a conference with you on this subject? And if they answer all your objections, will you act according to your convictions?

I will not, by any means, madam, enter upon this subject.

I have long intended, Sir, to propose this matter to you.

You have often intimated as much, madam, though not so directly as now; but the religion of my coun-try is the religion of my choice. I have a great deal to say for it. It will not be heard with patience by such strict professors as either of those you have named. Were I to be questioned on this subject before the Pope, and the whole Sacred College, I would not prevaricate: but good manners will make me shew respect to the religion of the country I happen to be in, were it the Mahometan, or even the Pagan; and to venerate the good men of it: but I never will enter into debate upon the subject as a traveller, a sojourner; that is a rule with me.

Well, Sir, you are an obstinate man, that’s all 1 will say. I pity you; with all my soul I pity you: you have great and good qualities. As I have sat at table with you, and heard you converse on subjects that every one has in silence admired you for, 1 have often thought to myself, surely this man was not designed for perdition! But begone, chevalier; leave me. You are an obstinate man. Yours is the tvorst of obstinacy; for you will not give yourself a chance for conviction.

We have so far departed from the subject we began upon, that it is proper to obey you, madam. I only beg that my sister

Not so far departed from it, perhaps, as you imagine, inten-upted she; and turned a blushing cheek from me But ivhat do you beg of your sis-ter? i

That she will rejoice the most indulgent of pa-rents and the most affectionate of brothers, with a cheerful aspect at table, especially before the pa-triarch. Do not, madam, in silence

You find, Sir, I have been talkative enough with ou. Shall we go throughyour Shakespeare’s Ham-et to-night? Farewell, chevalier. I will try to be cheerful at table: but, if I am not, let not your eye reproach me She took another walk.

I was loth, my dear Dr. Bartlett, to impute to my-self the consequence with this amiable lady, which might but naturally be inferred from the turn which the conversation took; but 1 thought it no more than justice to the whole family, to hasten my departure: and when I hinted to Clementina, that I should soon take leave of them, I was rejoiced to find her unconcerned.

This, my good Miss Byron, is what I find in my patron’s letters relating to this conference. He takes notice, that the young lady behaved herself at table as she was wished to do.

Mr. Grandison was prevailed upon, by the entreaties of the whole family, to suspend his depar — ture for a few days.

The young lady’s melancholy, to the inexpressible affliction of her friends, increased; yet she behaved with so much greatness of mind, that neither her mother nor her Camilla could persuade themselves that love was the cause. They sometimes imagined, that the earnestness with which they solicited the interest of the Count of Belvedere with her, had hurried and affected her delicate spirits; and there-fore they were resolved to say little more on that subject till they should see her disposed to lend a more favourable ear to it: and the count retired to his own palace in Parma, expecting and hoping for such a turn in his favour: for he declared, that it was impossible for him to think of any other woman for a wife.

But Signor Jeronymo doubted not, all this time, of the cause; and, without letting any-body into his opinion, not even Mr. Grandison, for fear a disap-pointment should affect him, resolved to make use of every opportunity that should offer, in favour of the man he loved, from a principle of gratitude, that reigned with exemplary force in the breast of every one of this noble family: a principle which took the firmer root in their hearts, as the prudence, genero-sity, magnanimity, and other great and equally amiable qualities of Mr. Grandison, appeared every day more and more conspicuous to them all.

I will soon, madam, present you with further extracts from the letters in my possession, in pursuance of the articles you have given me in writing. I am not a little proud of my task.

CONTINUATION OF MISS BYROn’s LETTER, BEGUN P. 208.

Can you not, Lucy, . gather from the setting-out of this story, and the short account of it given by Sir Charles in the library-conference, that I shall soon pay my duty to you all in Northamptonshire? I shall, indeed.

Is it not strange, my dear, that a father and mo-ther, and brother, so jealous, as Italians, in general, are said to be, of their women; and so proud as this Bologna family is represented to be of their rank; should all agree to give so fine a man, as this is, in mind, person, and address, such free access^to their daughter, a young lady of eighteen?

Teach her English! Very discreet in the father and mother, surely! And to commission him to talk with the poor girl in favour of a man whom they wished her to marry! Indeed you will say, perhaps, that by the honourable expedient they fell upon, unknown to either tutor or pupil, of listening to all that was to pass in the conference, they found a method to prove his integrity; and that, finding it proof, they were justified to prudence in their future confidence.

With allmy heart, Lucy: if you will excuse these parents, you may. But I say, that a??^-body, though not of Italy, might have thought such a tutor as this was dangerous to a young lady; and the more, for being a man of honour and family. In every case, the teacher is the obliger. He is called 7naster, you know; and where there is a master, a servant is implied. Who is it that seeks not out for a married man, among the common tribe of tutors, whether professing music, dancing, languages, science of any kind? But a tutor such a one as this

Well, but I will leave them to pay the price of their indiscretion.

I am this moment come from the doctor, I insinuated to him, as artfully as I could, some of the above observations. He reminded me, that the marchioness herself had her education at Paris; and says, that the manners of the Italians are very much altered of late years; and that the French freedom begins to take place among the people of condition, in a very visible manner, of the Italian reserve. The women of the family of Porretta, particularly, he says, because of their learning, freedom, and conversableness, have been called, by their enemies, French-women.

But you will see, that honour, and the laws of hospitality, were INIr. Grandison’s guard: and I believe a young flame may be easily kept under. Sir Charles Grandison, Lucy, is used to do only what he ought. Dr. Bartlett once said, that the life of a good man was a continual warfare with his passions. You will see, in the second conference between Mr. Grandison and the lady, upon the melancholy ‘ way she was in, how artfully, yet, I must own, ho-nourably, he reminds her of the brotherly character which he passes under to her! Kow officiously he . sisters her!

Ah, Lucy! your Harriet is his sister too, you know! He has been iLsed to this dialect, and to check the passions of us forward girls; and yet I have gone on confessing mine to the whole venerable circle, and have almost gloried in it to them. Have not also his sisters detected me? While the noble Cle-mentina, as in that admirable passage cited by her

Never told her love.

But let concealment, like a worm i’ th’ bud, Feed on her damask cheek.

How do I admire her for her silence! But yet, had she been circumstanced as your Harriet was, would Clementina have been so very reserved?

Shall I run a parallel between our two cases?

Clementina’s relations Harriet’s relations were were all solicitous for all solicitous, from the hermatryingtheCount first, for an alliance of Belvedere, a man of with their child’s deli-unexceptionable cha — verer. They never had racter, of family, of encouraged any man’s fortune; and who is address; nor had sAc said to be a gallant and and all his nearest and a handsome man, and dearest friends were who adores her, and is partial to her, and soon of her own feith and grew ardent in her fa-country, vour.

What difficulties had Clementina to contend with! It was great in her to endea-vour to conquer a love, which she could not, either in duty, or with her judgment and conscience, ac-knowledge.

No wonder, then, that so excellent a young la-dy suffered conceal — ment, like a worm in the bud, tnjeed on her damask cheeks

Harriet, not knowing of any engagement he had, could have no difficulties to contend with; except inferiori-ty of fortune were one. She had therefore no reason to endeavour to conquer a passion not ignobly founded; and of which duty, judgment, and conscience, approved.

Suspense therefore, only, and not concealment (since every one called upon Harriet to ac-knowledge her love) could feed on her cheek.

And is not suspense enough to make it pale, though it has not yet given it a green and yelloto cast? O what tortures has suspense given me! But cer-taintj’ is now taking place.

What a right method, Lucy, did Clementina, so much in earnest in her own persuasion, take, in this second conference, could she have succeeded, in her solicitude for his change of religion! Could that have been effected, I dare say she would have been less reserved, as to the cause of her melan-choly; especially as her friends were all as indulgent to her as mine are to me.

But my pity for the noble Clementina begins to take great hold of my heart. I long to have the whole before me.

Adieu, Lucy: if I write more, it will be all a re-capitulation of the doctor’s letter. I can think of nothing else.


Letter XXIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation,

Tuesday, March 28. Let me now give you a brief account of what we are doing here. Sir Charles so much rejoiced the heart of Lord G. who waited on him the moment he knew he was in town, that he could not defer his attendance on Miss Grandison, till she left Colne-brook: and got hither by our breakfast-time this morning.

He met with a very kind reception from Lord and Lady L. and a civil one from Miss Grandison; but she is already beginning to play her tricks with him.

O Lucy, where is the sense of parading it with a worthy man, of whose affection we have no reason to doubt, and whose visits we allow?

Silly men in love, or pretending to be in love, generally say hyperbolical things, all, in short, that could be said to a creature of superior order (to an angel): because they know not how to say polite, proper, or sensible things. In like manner, from the same defects in understanding, some of us women act as if we thought coyness and modesty the same thing; and others, as if they were sensible, that if they were not insolent, they must drop into the arms of a lover upon his first question.

But Miss Grandison, in her behaviour to Lord G. is governed by motives of archness, and, I may say, downright roguery of temper. Courtship is play to her. She has a talent for raillery, and in no instance is so successful, yet so improper, as on that subject. She could not spare her brother upon it, though she suffered by it.

Yet had she a respect for Lord G. she could not treat him ludicrously. Cannot a witty woman find her own consequence, but by putting a fool’s coat on the back of a friend? Sterling wit, I imagine, requires not a foil to set it off.

She is indeed good-natured; and this is all LordG. has to depend upon Saving a little reliance that he may make upon the influence her brother has over her. 1 told her, just now, that were I Lord G. I would not wish to have her mine, on any consideration. She called me silly creature, and asked me, If it were not one of the truest signs of love, when men were most fond of the women who were least fit for them, and used them worst? These men, my dear, said she, are very sorry creatures, and know no medium. They will either, spaniel-like, fawn at your feet, or be ready to leap into your lap.

She has charming spirits: I wish I could borrow some of them. But I tell her, that I would not have a single drachm of those over-lively ones which I see she will plaij off upon Lord G. Yet he will be pleased, at present, with any treatment from her; though he wants not feeling, as I can see already Don’t, Charlotte, said I to her, within this half-hour, let him find his own weight in your levity. He ad-mires your wit; but don’t let it wound him.

But perhaps she is the sprightlier, in order to give me, and Lord and Lady L. spirits. They are very good to me, and greatly apprehensive of the story, which takes up, in a manner, my whole attention: so is Miss Grandison: and my sweet Emily, as often as she may, comes up to me when I am alone, and hangs upon my arm, my shoulder; and watches, with looks of love, every turn of my eyes.

I have opened my whole heart to her, for the bet-ter guarding of hers; and this history of Clementina affords an excellent lesson for the good girl. She bjesses me for the lectures I read her on this subject, y2

V and says, that she sees love is a very subtile thing, and, like water, will work its way through the banks that are set up to confine it, if it be not watched, and dammed out in time.

She pities Clementina; and prettily asked my leave to do so. I think, said she, my heart loves her; but not so well as it does you. I long to know what my guardian will do about her. How good is it in her father and mother to love her so dearly! Her two elder brothers one cannot dislike; but Jeronymo is my favourite. He is a man worth saving; isn’t he, madam? But I pity her father and mother, as well as Clementina.

Charming young creature 1 What an excellent heart she has!

Sir Charles is to dine with Sir Hargrave and his friends tomorrow, on the forest, in his way to Grandison-hall. The doctor says, he expects to hear from him, when there. What! will he go by this house, and not call in? With all my heart. We are ow/y sisters! MissGrandison says, sne’ll be hanged (that is her word) if he is not afraid of me. Afraid of me! A sign, if he is, he knows not what a poor forward creature I am. But as he seems to be preengaged Well, but I shall soon know every-thing, as to that. But sure he might call in as he went by.

The doctor says, he longs to know how he ap-proves of the decorations of his church, and of the alterations that are made and making, by his di-rection, at the hall.

He has a great taste, the doctor tells us, yet not an expensive one; for he studies situation and conve-nience, and pretends not to level hills, or to force and distort nature; but to help it, as he finds it, without letting art be seen in his works, where he can possibly avoid it. For he says, He would rather let a stranger be pleased with what he sees, as if it were always so; than to obtain comparative praise by informing him what it was in its former situation.

As he is to be a suitor for Lord W. before he re-turns, he will not, perhaps, be with us, while I am here. He may court for others: he has had very little trouble of that sort for himself, I find.

A very disturbing thought is just come into my head: Sir Charles being himself in suspense, as to the catastrophe of this knotty affair, did not intend to let us know it till all was over As sure as you are alive, Lucy, he had seen my regard for him . through the thin veil that covered it; and began tonJ’ be apprehensive ( generousli/ apprehensive) for the ’ heart of the poor fool; and so has suffered Dr. Bartlett to transcribe the particulars of the story, that they may serve for a check to the over-forward 1 passion of your Harriet.

This thought excites my pride; and that my contempt of myself: near borderers, Lucy! Wliat a little creature does it make me, in my own eyes 1 O Dr. Bartlett, your kindly-intended transcripts shall cure me: indeed they shall.

But now this subject has got uppermost again. What, Lucy, can I do with it?

Miss Grandison says, that I shall be with her every day when I go to town: I can have no exception, she says, when her brother is absent Nor when he is present, I begin now to think.

Lord help me, my dear! I must be so very careful of my punctilio! No, thought I, in the true spirit of prudery, I will not go to Sir Charles’s house for the world: and why? Because he is a single man; and because I think of something that he perhaps has no notion of. But now I may go and visit his sister without scruple, may I not? For he perhaps thinks only of his Clementina And is not this ^ y3 charming difficulty got over, Lucy? But as I said, I will soon be with you.

I told Miss Grandison that I tvould, just now Lovers, said she, are the weakest people in the world; and people of punctilio the most wn-punctilious You have not talked till now of going in such a hurry. Would you have it thought that you staid in town for a particular reason? and, when that ceased, valued nobody else? She held up her finger Consider! said she.

There is something in this, Lucy. Yet what can I do?

But Dr. Bartlett says, he shall soon give me an-other letter.

Farewell, my dear.


Letter XXIV.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Wednesday, March 29. Sir Charles came hither this morning, time enough to breakfast with us.

Lady L. is not an early riser. I am sure this bro-ther of hers is: so is Miss Grandison. If I say I am, my Lucy, I will not allow you to call it boasting, because you will, by so calling it, acknowledge early rising to be a virtue; and if you thought it such, I am sure you would distinguish it by your practice. Forgive me, ray dear; this is the only point in which you and I have differed And why have I In the main so patiently suffered this difference, and not tried to teaze you out of it? Because my Lucy always so well employs her time when she is alive.

But would not one the more wish that well-employed life to be made as long as possible?

I endeavoured to be very cheerful at breakfast; but 1 believemybehaviourwasawkward and affected. After Sir Charles was gone, on my putting the question to the two sisters, Whether it was not so? they acquitted me Yet my heart, when in his company, laboured with a sense of constraint.

My pride made me want to find out pity for me in his looks and behaviour, on purpose to quarrel with him in my mind; for I could not get out of my head that degrading surmise, that he had permitted Dr. Bartlett to hasten to me the history of Clemen-tina, in order generously to check any hopes that I might entertain, before they had too strongly taken hold of my foolish heart.

But nothing of this was discoverable. Respect, tender respect, appeared, as the ladies afterwards took notice, in every word, when he addressed him-self to me; in every look that he cast upon me.

He studiously avoided speaking of the Bologna family. We were not indeed any of us fond of leading to the subject.

I am sure, 1 pitied him.

Pity, my dear, is a softer passion, I dare say, in the bosom of a woman, than in that of a man. There is, there vmst be, I should fancy, more gene-rosity, more tenderness, in the pity of the one, than in that of the other. In a man’s pity [I write in the first case from my own sensibilities, in the other from my apprehensions] there is, too probably, a mixture of insult or contempt. Unhappy, indeed, must the woman be, who has drawn upon her the helpless pity of the man she loves!

The ladies and lord L. will have it, that Sir Charles’s love, however, is not so much engaged for Clementina as his compassion. They are my sincere friends: they see that I am pretty dehcate in my notions of a first love; and they generously endeavour to inculcate this distinction upon me: but to what purpose, when we evidently see, from what we already know of this stor}^, that his engagements, be the motive what it will, are of such a nature, that they cannot be dispensed with while this lady’s destiny is undetermined?

Poor Lady Clementina! From my heart I pity her: and tenderness, I am sure, is the sole motive of my compassion for this fair unfortunate.

Sir Charles set out, immediately after breakfast, for Sir Hargrave’s. He will dine with him, and intends to pass the evening with Lord W. We phall all go to town tomorrow. * *

With this I send the doctor’s second pacquet. O my dear! What a noble young lady is Clementina! What a purity is there in her passion! A letter of Mrs. Beaumont (Mrs. Beaumont herself an excellent woman) will shew you, that Clementina deserves every good wish.. Such a noble struggle did I never hear of, between religion and love. O Lucy! you will be delighted with Clementina: you will even, for awhile, forget your Harriet; or, if you are just, will think of her but next after Clementina! Never did a young lady do more honour to her sex, than is done it by Clementina! A flame the most vehement, suppressed from motives of piety, till, poor lady! it has devoured her intellects!

Read the letter, and be lost, as I was, for half an hour after I had read it, in silent admiration of her fortitude! O my dear! she must be rewarded with a Sir Charles Grandison! My reason, my justice, compel from me my vote in her favour.

My Lord L. and the two ladies admire her as much as T do. They look at me with eyes of tender concern. They say little. What crtw they say? But they kindly applaud me for my unfeigned admiration of this extraordinary young lady. But where is my merit? Who can forbear admiring her?

DR. BARTLETt’s second LETTER.

Your fourth enquiry, madam, is,

Whether the particularly cheerful behaviour of the young lady, on the departure of Mr. Grnndisonjrom Bologna, after a course of melan — choly, is any xohere accounted for?

And your fifth is, What tvere the particulars of

Mrs. Beaumonfs management of the lady, at

Florence, by tuhich she brought her to own her love, after she had so long kept it a secret from her mother, and all her family?

What I shall transcribe, in order to satisfy you, madam, with regard to the fifth article, will include all that you can wish to be informed of, respecting the fourth.

But let me premise, that Mrs. Beaumont, at the request of the marchioness, undertook to give an ac-count of the health of the young lady, and what effect the change of air, of place, and her advice, had upon her mind, after she had been at Florence, for two or three days. She, on the fourth day of their being together, wrote to that lady the desired

particulars. The following is a translation of her etter:

Your ladyship will excuse me for not writing till now, when you are acquainted, that it was not before last night that I could give you any tolerable satisfaction on the subject upon which I had engaged to do myself that honour.

I have made myself mistress of the dear young lady’s secret. Your ladyship guessed it, perhaps, too well. Love, but a pure and laudable love, is the malady that has robbed her of her tranquillity for so long a space, and your splendid family of all comfort: but such a magnanimity shewn, or endea-voured at, that she deserves to be equally pitied and admired. What is it that the dear young lady has not suffered in a conflict between her duty, her religion, and her love?

The discovery, I am afraid, will not give pleasure to your family; yet certainty, in what must be, is better than suspense. You will think me a managing person, perhaps, from the relation I have to give you: but it was the task prescribed me; and you commanded me to be very minute in the account of all my dealings with her, that you might know how to conduct yourselves to her for the cure of the unhappy malady. I obey.

The first and second days, after oiir return to Flo-rence, were passed in endeavouring to divert her, as our guest, in all the ways we could think of: but finding, that company was irksome to her, and that she only bore with it for politeness-sake; I told the ladies, that I would take her entirely into ray own care, and devote my whole time to her service. They acquiesced: and when I told Lady Clemen-tina of my intention, she rejoiced at it, and did me the honour to assure me, that my conversation would be balm to her heart, if she could enjoy it without mixt company.

Your ladyship will see, however, from what I have mentioned of her regard for me, that I had made use of my time in the two past days to ingratiate myself into the favour of your Clementina. She will have me call her nothing but Clementina: excuse there-fore, madam, the freedom of my stile.

She engaged me last night to give her a lesson, as she called it, in an English author. 1 was surprised at her proficiency in my native tongue. Ah, my dear! said I, what an admirable manner of teaching must your tutor have had, if I am to judge by the greac progress you have made in so short a time, ia the acquiring of a tongue that has not the sweetness of your own, though it has a force and expressiveness that is more than equal, I think, to any of the modern languages!

She blushed Do you think so? said she And I saw, by the turn of her eye, and her consciousness, that I had no need to hint to her Count MaruUi, nor any other man.

I took upon me, without pushing her, just then, upon the supposed light dropt in from this little incident, to mention the Count of Belvedere, with dis tinction, as the marquis desired I would.

She said, she could not by any means think of him.

I told her, that as all her family approved highly of the count, I thought they were intitled to know her objections; and to judge of the reasonableness or unreasonableness of them. Indeed, my dear,- said I, you do not, in this point, treat your father and mother with the dutifulness that their indul-gence deserves. I

She started. That is severely said; is it not, madam?

Consider of it, my dear, and if you pronounce it so, after an hour’s reflection, I will call it so, and ask your pardon.

I am afraid, said she, I am iu fault. I have the best and most indulgent of parents. There are some things, some secrets, that one cannot be forward to divulge. One should perhaps be commanded out of them with a high hand.

Your acknowledgment, ray dear, said I, is more generous than the occasion given for it: but if you will not think me impertinent

Don’t, don’t, ask me too close questions, madam, interrupted she; I am afraid I can deny you no-thing.

I am persuaded, my dear Clementina, that the mutual unbosoming of secrets is the cement of faith-ful friendship, and true love. Whenever any new turn in one’s affairs happens, whenever any new lights open, the friendly heart rests not, till it has communicated to its fellow-heart the new lights, the interesting events; and this communicativeness knits the true lover’s knot still closer. But what a solita-riness, what a gloom, what a darkness, must possess that mind which can trust no friend with its inmost thoughts! The big secret, when it is of an interesting nature, will swell the heart till it is ready to burst. Deep melancholy must follow — I would not for the world have it so much as thought, that 1 had not a soul large enough for friendship. And is not the essence of friendship communication, mingling of hearts, and emptying our very soul into that of a true friend?

Why, that’s true. But, madam, a young creature maybe so circumstanced as not to have a true friend; or, if she has near her a person to whom she might communicate her whole mind without doubt of her Jidelity, yet there may be a forbiddingness in the person; a difference in years; in degree; as in my Camilla, who is, however, a very good woman We people of condition, madam, have more courtiers about us than friends: but Camilla’s fault is teazing, and always harping upon one string, and that by my friends commands: it would be therefore more laudable to open my mind to my mother, than to her; as it would be the same thmg.

Very true, my dear: and as you have a mother, who is less of the mother than she would be of the sister, the friend; it is amazing to me, that you have kept such a mother in the dark so long.

What can I say? Ah, madam! There she stopt. At last said, But my mother is in the interest of the man I cannot love.

The question recurs Are not your parents intitled to know your objections to the man whose interest they so warmly espouse?

I have no particular objections. The Count of Belvidere deserves a better wife than I can make him. I should respect him very much, had I a sis-ter, and he made his addresses to her.

Well then, my dear Clementina, if I guess the reason why you cannot approve of the Count of Bel-vedere, will you tell me, with that candour, with that friendship, of the requisites of which we have been speaking, whether I am right or not?

She hesitated. I was silent in expectation.

She then spoke I am afraid of you, madam.

You have reason to be so, if you think me unworthy of your friendship.

What is your guess, Mrs. Beaumont?

That you are prejudiced in favour of some other man; or you could not, if you had a sister, wish her a husband that you thought unworthy of yourself.

I don’t think the Count of Belvedere unworthy neither, madam.

Then my conjecture has received additional strength.

O Mrs. Beaumont! How you press upon me.

If impertinently, say so; and I have done.

No, no, not impertinently, neither; yet you distress me.

That could not be, if I were not right; and if the person were not too unworthy of you, to be acknow-edged.

Mrs. Beaumont! how closely you urge me! What can I say?

If you have any confidence in me If you think me capable of advising you

I have confidence: your known prudence And then she made me compliments, that I could not de^ serve.

Come, my dear Clementina, I will guess again Shall I?

What would you guess?

That there is a man of low degree Of low for-tunes Of inferior sense — Hold, hold, hold^-And do you think that the Clementina before you is sunk so low? If you do, why don’t you cast the abject creature from you?

Well, then, I will guess again That there is a man of a royal house; of superior understanding; of whom you can have no hope.

Mrs. Beaumont! And cannot you guess that this prince is a Mahometan, when your hand is in?

Then, madam, and from the hints your ladyship had given, I had little doubt that Clementina was in love; and that religion was the apprehended diffi-culty. Zealous Catholics think not better of Pro — testants, than of Mahometans: nor, indeed, are zealous Protestants without their prejudices. Zeal will be zeal, in persons of whatever denomination.

I would not, however, madam, like a sudden frost, nip the opening bud.

There is, said I, a young soldier of fortune, who has breathed forth passionate wishes for Clementina.

A soldier of fortune, madam! with an air of disdain. There cannot be such a man living, that can have his wishes answered.

Well, then, to say nothing of him; there is a Roman nobleman a younger brother Of the Bor-ghese house Permit me to suppose him the man. With all my heart, madam. She was easy, while I was at a distance. But if the Chevalier Grandison [she coloured at his name] has done him ill offices

The Chevalier Grandison, madam, is incapable of doing miy man ill offices.

Are you sure, madam, that the chevalier has not art? He has great abilities. Men of great abilities are not always to be trusted. They don’t strike till they are sure.

He has no art, madam. He is aiove art. ‘Hewan^s it not. He is beloved wherever he goes. He is equally noted for his prudence and freedom of heart. He is above art, repeated she, with warmth.

I own, that he deserves every — thing from your fa-mily. I don’t wonder that he is caressed by you all: but it is amazing to me, that, in contradiction to all the prudent maxims and cautions of your country, such a young gentleman should have been admitted I stopt.

Why, now, you don’t imagine, that I that I She stopt, and hesitated.

A prudent woman would not put it in any man’s power to give her a prejudice to persons of unex-ceptionable honour; and to manage

Nay, madam, now has somebody prejudiced you against your countryman He is the most disinter-ested of men.

I have heard young ladies, when he was here, peak of him as a handsome man.

A handsome man! And is not Mr. Grandison an handsome man? Where will you see a man so hand-some?

And do you think he is so very extraordinary a z2 man, as to sense, as I have heard him reported to be? I was twice in his company I thought, indeed, he looked upon himself as a man of consequence.

Nay, madam, don’t say he is not a modest man. It is true, he knows when to speak, and when to be silent: but he is not a confident man; nor is he, in the least, conceited.

Was there so much bravery in his relieving your brother, as some people attribute to him in that hap-py event? Two servants and himself, well armed; the chance of passengers on the same road: the as-sassins that appeared but two; their own guilt to encounter with

Dear, dear, Mrs. Beaumont, with what prejudiced people have you conversed? The Scripture says, A prophet has no honour in his oxvn country; but Mr. Grandison has not much from his own country-woman.

Well, but did Mr. Grandison ever speak to you of any one man, as a man worthy of your favour?

Did he! Yes, of the Count of Belvedere. He was more earnest in his favour than

Really?

Yes, really than I thought he ought to be.

Why so?

Why so? Why because because Why what was it to him you know?

I suppose he was put upon it

I believe so.

Or he would not

I believe, if the truth were known, you, Mrs. Beaumont, hate Mr. Grandison. You are the only person that I ever in my life heard speak of him, even with indifference.

Tell me, my dear Clementina, What are your sincere thoughts of Mr. Grandison, person and mind?

IR CHARLES GRANDISON. 257

You may gather them from what I have said.

That he is a handsome man; a generous, a pru-dent, a brave, a poHte man.

Indeed I think him to be all you have said; and I am not singular.

But he is a Mahometan

A Mahometan! madam. Ah, Mrs. Beaumont!

And ah, my dear Clementina! And do you think I have not found you out? Had you never known Mr. Grandison, you would not have scrupled to have been Countess of Belvedere.

And can you think, madam

Yes, yes, my dear young lady, I can.

My good Mrs. Beaumont, you don’t know what I was going to say.

Be sincere, my dear. Cannot a lover, talking to a second person, be sincere?

What! madam, a man of another religion! A man obstinate in his errors! A man who has never professed love to me! A man of inferior degree! A man who owns himself absolutely dependent upon his father’s bounty! His father living to the height of his estate! Forbid it pride, dignity of birth, duty, religion

Well, then, I may safely take up the praises of Mr. Grandison: you have imputed to me, slight, injus-tice, prejudice against him: let me now show you, that the Prophet has honour xjoith his country-tuoman. Let me collect his character from the mouth of every man who has spoken of him in my hearing or knowledge His country has not in this age sent abroad a private man who has done it more credit. He is a man of honour in every sense of the word. If moral rectitude, if practical religion (your brother the barone testifies this on his own experience) were lost in the rest of the world, it would, without glare or ostentation, be found in him. He is courted by z 3 the best, the wisest, the most eminent men, where-ever he goes; and he does good without distinction of reHgion, sects, or nation: his own countrymen boast of him, and apply to him for credentials to the best and most considerable men in their travels through more countries than one: in France, parti-cularly, he is as much respected as in Italy. He is descended from the best families in England, both by father and mother; and can be a senator of it, whenever he pleases. He is heir to a very consi-derable estate; and is, as I am informed, courted to ally with some of the greatest families in it. Were he not born to a fortune, he would make one. You own him to be generous, brave, handsome

O my dear, dear Mrs. Beaumont! All this is too much, too much! Yet all this I think him to be! I can no longer resist you. I own, I own, that I have no heart but for Mr. Grandison. And now, as I don’t doubt but my friends set you to find out the love-sick girl, how shall I, who cannot disown a secret you have so fairly, and without condition, come at, ever look them in the face? Yet let them know (I will enable you to tell them) how all this came about, and how much I have struggled against a passion so evidently improper to be encouraged by a daughter of their house.

He was, in the first place, as well you know, the preserver of a beloved brother’s life; and thatbrother afterwards owned, that had he followed his friendly advice, he never would have fallen into the danger from which he rescued him.

My father and mother presented him to me, and bid me regard him as a fourth brother; and it was not immediately that I found out, that I could have but three brothers.

My brother’s deliverer proved to be the most amiable and humane, and yet bravest of men.

All my friends caressed him. Neither family forms, nor national forms, were stood upon. He had free access to us all, as one of us.

My younger brother was continually hinting to me his wishes that I were his. Mr. Grandison was above all other reward; and my brother considered me in a kind light, as able to reward him.

My confessor, by his fears and invectives, rather confirmed than lessened my esteem for a man whom I thought injured by them.

His own respectful and disinterested behaviour to me contributed to my attachment. He always ad-dressed me as his sister, when he put on the familiar friend, in the guise of a tutor; I could not therefore arm against a man I had no reason to suspect.

But still I knew not the strength of my passion for him, till the Count of Belvedere was proposed to me with an earnestness that alarmed me: then I considered the count as the interrupter of my hopes; and yet I could not give my friends the reason ivhy I rejected him. How could I, when I had none to give but my prepossession in favour of another man? A prepossession entirely hidden in my own heart.

But still I thought I would sooner die, than be the wife of a man of a religion contrary to my own, I am a zealous Catholic myself: all my relations are zealous Catholics. How angry have I been at this obstinate heretic, as I have often called him; the first heretic, my dear Mrs. Beaumont (for once I did not loveyow) that my soul detested not! For he is as te-nacious a Protestant as ever came out of England. What had he to do in Italy? Why did he not stay at home? Or why, if he must come abroad, did he stay so long among us; yet hold his obstinacy, as if in defiance of the people by whom he was so well received?

These were the reproaches that my heart in si-lence often cast upon him.

I was at first concerned only for his souVs sake: but afterwards, finding him essential to my earthly happiness, and yet resolving never to think of him if he became not a Catholic, I was earnest for his conversion for my own sake; hoping that my friends indulgence to mewould make my wishes practicable; for on his part, I doubted not, if that point were got over, he would think an alliance with our family an honour to him.

But when I found him invincible on this article, I was resolved either to conquer my passion, or die. What did I not undergo in my endeavours to gain this victory over myself! My confessor hurt me, by terrors; mywomanteazedme; my parents, and two elder brothers, and all my more distant relations, urged me to determine in favour of the Count of Belvedere. The count was importunate: the cheva-lier was importunate in the count’s behalf Good Heaven! What could I do? I was hurried, as I may say: I had not time given me to weigh, ponder, re-collect. How could I make my mother, how could I make any-body, my confident? My judgment was at war with my passion; and I hoped it would over-come. I struggled; yet every day the object ap — pearing more worthy, the struggle was too hard for me. O that I had had a Mrs. Beaumont to consult Well might melancholy seize me Silent melan-choly!

At last the chevalier was resolved to leave us. What pain, yet what pleasure, did this his resolution give me! Most sincerely I hoped, that his absence wonld restore my tranquillity.

What a secret triumph did I give myself, on my behaviour to him, before all my friends, on the parting evening! My whole deportment was uniform.

I was ‘cheerful, serene, happy in myself, and I made all my friends so. I wished him happy wherever he set his foot, and whatsoever he engaged in. I thanked him, with the rest of my friends, for the benefits we had received from him, and the. pleasure he had given us, in the time he had bestowed upon us; and I wished that he might never want a friend so agreeable and entertaining as he had been to us all.

I was the more pleased with myself, as I was not under a necessity of putting on stiffness or reserve to hide a heart too much affected, I thought my-self secure, and stood out forwarder than he seemed to hope for, and with more than my offered hand, at the moment of his departure. I thought I read in his eyes a concern, for the first time, that called for a pity which 1 imagined I myself wanted not. Yet I had a pang at parting When the door shut out the agreeable man, never again, thought I, to be opened to give him entrance! I sighed at the reflection: but who perceived it? I never could be insensible in a parting scene, with less agreeable friends: it was the easier for me to attribute to the gentleness of my heart, the instant sensibility. My father clasped me to his bosom: my mother embraced me, without mortifying me by saying for what: my brother the bishop called me twenty fond names: all my friends complimented me, but only on my cheerfulness; and said, I was once more their own Clementina. I went to rest, pleased that I had so happily acquitted myself; and that possibly I contributed to the repose of dear friends, whose repose I had been the cause of disturbing.

But, alas! this conduct was too great for the poor Clementina to maintain: my soul was too high-set You know the rest; and I am lost to the joys of this life: for I never, never, will be the wife of a man, if I viight, who by his religion is an enemy to the faith I never wavered in; nor would ever change, were an earthly crown on the head of the man I love to be the reward; and a painful death, in the prime of my life, the contrary.

A flood of tears prevented farther speech. She hid her face in my bosom. She sighed Dear lady! How she sighed!

This, madam, is the account I have to give of what has passed between your beloved Clementina and me. Never was there a more noble struggle between duty and affection; though her heart was too tender, and, in short, the man’s merits too daz-zling, to allow it to be effectual. She is unwilling that I should send you the particulars: she shall be ashamed, she says, to look her father, her mother, in the face; and she dreads still more, if possible, her confessor’s being made acquainted with the state of her heart, and the cause of her disorder. But I tell her, it is absolutely necessary for her mother to know every-thing that I know, in order to attempt a cure.

This cure, madam, I am afraid will never be effected, but by giving her in marriage to the happy man. I must think hm so. who will be intitled, by general consent, to so great a blessing.

You, madam, will act in this affa!ir as you judge proper: but if you can at Bologna, at Urbino, and Naples, get over your family objections, you will perfiaps find youtselves obliged, such are the young lady’s otvn scruples, on the score of religion, to take pains to persuade her to pursue her inclination, and accept Mr. Grandison for a husband.

Be this as it may, I would humbly recommend a gentle and soothing treatment of her. She never knew yet what, the contrary was; and were she to experience that contrary now, upon an occasion so very delicate, and in which her judgment and her love are, as she hints, at variance, I verily think, she would not be able to bear it. That God direct you for the best, whom you and yours have always served with signal devotion!

I will only add. That since the secret which had so long preyed upon her fine spirits, is revealed, she appears to be much more easy than before; but yet she dreads the reception she shall meet with on her return to Bologna. She begs of me, when that return shall be ordered, to accompany her, in order to enable her, as she says, to support her spirits. She is very desirous to enter into a nunnery. She says, she never can be the wife of any other man; and she thinks she ought not to be his, on whom her heart is fixed.

A word of comfort on paper, from your honoured hand, 1 know, madam, would do a great deal towards healing her wounded heart.

I am, madam, with the greatest veneration and respect,

Your ladyship’s most faithful humble servant, HORTENSIA BEAUMONT.

Let me add, my good Miss Byron, that the mar-chioness sent an answer to this letter, expressing the highest obligation and gratitude to Mrs. Beaumont; and inclosed a letter to her daughter, filled with tender and truly-motherly consolation; inviting her back to Bologna, and her amiable friend with her: promising, in the name of her father and brothers, a most indulgent welcome; and assuring her, that every-thing should be done that could be done, to make her happy in her own way.


Letter XXV.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Wednesday night, March 29. I INCLOSE, ray Lucy, the doctor’s third pacquet. From its contents you will pity Sir Charles, as well as Clementina; and if you enter impartially into the situation of the family, and allow as much to their zeal for a religion they are satisfied with, as you will do for Sir Charles’s steadiness in his, you will also pity them. They are all good; they are all considerate. A great deal is to be said for them; though much more for Sir Charles, who insisted not upon that change of religion in the lady, which they demanded from him.

How great does he appear in my eyes! A confessor, though not a martyr, one may call him, for his religion and country. How deep was his distress! A mind so delicate as his, and wishing for the sake of the sex, and the lady and family, as he did, rather to be repulsed by them, than to be obliged himself to decline their intended favour.

You will admire the lady in her sweetly-modest behaviour, on his first visit before her mother; but more, for the noble spirit she endeavoured to resume in her conversation with him in the garden.

But how great will he appear in your eyes, in the eyes of my grandmother, and aunt Selby, for that noble apostrophe! ‘ But, O my religion and my country! I cannot, cannot, renounce you! What can this short life give, what can it promise, to warrant such a sacrifice! ’

Yet her conduct, you will find, is not inferior to his; firmly persuaded, as she is, of the truth of her religion, and loving him with an ardor that he had from the first restrained in himself from hopelessness.

But to admire her as she deserves, I should tran-scribe all she says, and his account of her whole behaviour. my dear! Who could have acted as Clementina acted! Not, I fear, your

HARRIET BYRON.

DR. BARTLETT’s third LETTER.

The next thing you injoin me in, madam, is, To give you the particulars of Mr. Grandisons reception from the marchioness and her Cle-mentina on his return to Bologna from Vienna, at the invitation of Signor Jeronymo. Mr. Grandison was received at his arrival with great tokens of esteem and friendship, by the mar-quis himself, and by the bishop.

Signor Jeronymo, who still kept his chamber, the introducer being withdrawn, embraced him: and now, said he, is the affair, that I have had so long in view, determined upon. O chevalier! you will be a happy man. Clementina will be yours; you will be Clementina’s: and now indeed do I embrace my brother But I detain you not: go to the happy girl: she is with her mother, and both are ready to receive and welcome you. Allow for the gentle spirit: she will not be able to say half she thinks.

Camilla then appeared, to conduct me, says Mr. Grandison, to her ladies, in the marchioness’s drawing-room. She whispered me in the passage; Welcome, thrice welcome, best of men! Now will you be rewarded for all your goodness!

I found the marchioness sitting at her toilette, richly dressed, as in ceremony; but without attend-ants; even Camilla retired, as soon as she had opened the door for me.

The lovely Clementina stood at the back of her mother’s chair. She was elegantly dressed: but her natural modesty, heightened b}’ a glowing consciousness, that seemed to arise from the occasion, ^ave her advantages that her richest jewels could not have given her.

The marchioness stood up. I kissed her hand You are welcome, chevalier, said she. The only man on earth that I could thus welcome, or is fit to be so welcomed! Clementina, my dear! turning round, and taking her hand.

The young lady had shrunk back, her complexion varying; now glowing, now pale Excuse her voice, said the condescending mother; her heart bids you welcome.

Judge for me, my dear Dr.!artlett, how I must be affected at this gracious reception: I, who knew not the terms that were to be prescribed to me. ‘ Spare me, dear lady, thought I, spare me niy conscience, and take all the world’s wealth and glory to yourselves: I shall be rich enough with Clementina.’

The marchioness seated her in her own chair. I approached her: but how could I with that grateful ardor, that, but for my doubts, would have sprung to my lips? Modest love, however, was attributed to me; and I had the praise voholly for that which was but partly due to it.,

I drew a chair for the marchioness, and, at her command, another for myself. The mother took one hand of her bashful daughter: I presumed to take the other: the amiable lady held down her blusJiing face, and reproved me not, as she did once before, on the like freedom, for being too free. Her mother asked me questions of an indifferent nature; as of my journey; of the courts I had visited since I left them; when I heard from England; after my father; my sisters: the latter questions in a kind way, as if she were asking after relations that were to be her awn.

What a mixture of pain had I with the favour shewn me, and /or the favour shewn me! Fori questioned not but a change of religion would be proposed, and insisted on; and I had no doubt in my mind about my own.

After a short conversation the amiable daughter arose; courtesied low to her mother, with dignity to me; and withdrew.

Ah, chevalier! said the marchiones?, as soon as she was gone, little did I think, when you left us, that we should so soon see you again; and on the account we see you: but you know how to receive your good fortune with gratitude. Your modesty keeps in countenance our forwardness.

I bowed What could I say?

I shall leave, so will my lord, particular subjects to be talked of between the bishop and you. You will, if it be not your own fault, have a treasure in Clementina; and a treasure with her. We shall do the same things for her, as if she had married the man we wished her to have when we thought her affections disengaged. You may believe we love our daughter Else

I applauded their indulgent goodness.

I can — have no doubt, iVJr. Grandison, that you love Clementina above all women.

[I had never seen the woman. Dr. Bartlett, that I coiddhave loved so well, had I not restrained myself, at first, from the high notion I knew they had of their quality and rank; from considerations of the difference in religion; of the trust and confidence the family placed in me; and by the resolution I had made, as a guard to myself from the time of my entering upon my travels, of never aiming to marry a foreigner.]

I assured the marchioness, that I was absolutely disengaged in my affections: that, not having presumed to encourage hopes of the good fortune that seemed to await me, I could hardly yet flatter my-self that so great a happiness was reserved for me.

She answered. That I deserved it all: that 1 knew the value they had for me: that Clementina’s regard was founded in virtue: that my character was my happiness: that, however, what the world would say, had been no small point with them; but that was as good as got over; and she doubted not but all that depended upon me, would, as well from generosity as gratitude, be complied with.

[Here, thought I, is couched the expectation: and if so, would to heaven I had never seen Italy!]

The marquis joined his lady and me soon after,, His features had a melancholy cast. This dear girl, said he, has fastened upon me part of her malady. Parents, chevalier, who are blessed with even hope-Jul children, are not always happy. This girl But no more: she is a good child. In the general eco-nomy of Providence, none of the sons of men are unhappy, but some others are the happier for it. Our son the bishop will talk to you upon terms.

I have hinted to the chevalier, my lord, said the marchioness, the happiness that awaits him.

How doe^ the poor girl? Bashful enough, I suppose!

Indeed, my lord, she cannot look up, answered the lady.

Poor thing! I supposed it would be so.

Why, why, thought I, was I suffered to see this mother, this daughter, before their conditions were proposed to me!

But what indulgent parents are these, Dr. Bart-lett? What an excellent daughter? Yet not to be happy! But how much more unhappily circum- stanc6d did I think myself? I, who had rather have been rejected with disdain by twenty women in turn, than to be obHged to decline the honour intended me by a family I reverenced }

Thus far Mr. Grandison. This, madam, will answer your question, as to the Vlth article; but I believe a few more particulars will be acceptable.

The. marquis led me, proceeds Mr. Grandison, into the chamber of Signor Jeronymo. Your good fortune, chevalier, said he, as we entered it, is owing to Jeronymo, who owes his life to you. I bless God, we are a family that know not what ingratitude means.

I made my acknowledgments both to father and son.

The marquis then went into public affairs; and soon after left us together.

I was considering, whether I had best tell that sincere friend my apprehensions in relation to the articles of religion and residence; for he had with an air of humour congratulated me on the philoso-phical manner in which I bore my good fortune; when Camilla entered, and whispered me of her own head, as she said, That her young lady was just gone into the garden.

I dare say, it toas of her own head: for Camilla has a great deal of good-nature, and is constantly desirous of obliging, where she thinks she shall not offend any body.

Follow her then, said Jeronymo, who heard what Camilla said: Clementina perhaps expects you.

Camilla waited for me at the entrance into the garden. One word. Sir, if you please. I am afraid of the return of my young lady’s thoughtfulness.

She says, she is ashamed of the poor figure she made

A A 3 before her mother: she is sure she must look mean in your eyes. A man to be sent for, Camilla, said she, in compliment to my weakness! Why did not my too indulgent father bid me conquer my folly, or die! O that I had not owned my attachment! Naughty Mrs. Beaumont! Had it not been for you, my own bosom had contained the secret; till shame, and indignation against myself, had burst my heart!* She is resolved to resume a spirit becoming her birth and quality; and I am afraid of her elevations. Her great apprehensions are, that, with all this condescension of her parents, obstacles will arise on ^oMr part. If so, she says, she shall not be able to bear her own reflections, nor look her friends in the face.

My dear Dr. Bartlett, how have I, who have hi-therto so happily escaped the snares by which the feet of unreflecting youth are often entangled by women of light fame, been embarrassed by perverse accidents that have arisen from my friendships with the worthy of the sex! Was there ever a more excel-lent family than this? Every individual of it is excellent. And is not their worthiness, and even their piety, the cause to which our mutual difficul-ties are owing?

But, O my religion and my country! I cannot, cannot renounce you! What can this short life give, what can it promise, to warrant such a sacrifice!

I said nothing to Camilla, you may believe, of what I could or could not do; yet she saw my distress: she took notice of it. Being firmly persuaded of the excellency of her own religion, she wondered that a man of reflection and reading could be of a contrary one. Her heart, she said, as well as the heart of her young lady, boded an unhappy issue to our loves: Heaven avert it! said the honest woman: but what may we not fear by way of judgment, where a young lady Forgive me, Sir prefers a man slie thinks she ought not to prefer; and where a gentleman will not be convinced of errors which the church condemns?

She again begged I would forgive her. I praised her good intention, and sincere dealing; and, leaving her, went into the garden.

I found the young lady in the orange-grove. You have been in that garden. Dr. Bartlett.

She turned her face towards me, as I drew near her; and, seeing who it was, stopt.

Clementina, armed with conscious worthiness, as if she had resumed the same spirit which had ani-mated her on the eve of my departure from Bo — logna, condescended to advance two or three paces towards me.

Lovely woman, thought I, encourage the true dignity that shines in that noble aspect! Who knows what may be our destiny?

I bowed. Veneration, esteem, and concern, from the thought of what that might be, all joined to make my obeisance profound.

I was going to speak. She prevented me. Her air and manner were great.

You are welcome. Sir, said she. My mamma bid me say welcome. I could not then speak: and she was so good to you, as to answer for my heart. My voice is now found: but tell me Do 1 see the same generous, the same noble Grandison, that I have heretofore seen? Or, do I see a man inclined to slight the creature whom her indulgent parents are determined to oblige, even to the sacrifice of all their views?

You see, madam, the same Grandison, his heart only oppressed with the honour done him; and with the fear that the happiness designed for him may yet be frustrated. If it should, how shall I be able to support myself?

What a difficult situation, my dear Dr. Bartlett, was mine! Equally afraid to urge my suit with ardor, or to be imagined capable of being indif-ferent to her favour,]

What do you fear, Sir? You have grounds in your own heart, perhaps, for your fear. If you havcy let me know them. I am not afraid to know them. Let me tell you, that 1 opposed the step taken. I declared that I would sooner die, than it should be taken. It was to you, they said; and you would know how to receive as j’^ou ought the distinction paid you. I have a soul. Sir, not unwor-thy of the spirit of my ancestors: tell me what you fear? I only fear one thing; and that is, that I should be thought to be more in your power than in my own.

Noble lady! And think you, that while my hap-piness is not yet absolutely resolved upon, I have not reason to fear i You will always, madam, be in your own power: you will be most so when in mine. My gratitude will ever prompt me to acknow-ledge your goodness to me as a condescension.

But say; tell me. Sir; Did you not, at first re-ceiving the invitation, despise, in absence, the Clementina, that now perhaps, in presence, you have the goodness to pity?

O that the high-souled Clementina would not think so contemptibly of the man before her, as she must think, when she puts a question that would intitle him to infamy, could he presume to imagine an ansxver to it necessary!

Well, Sir; I shall see how far the advances made on the tvrong side will be justified, or rather counte-nanced, by the advances, or, shall I say (I will if you please) condescensions to be made on yours.

[What a petulance, thought I! But can the ge-nerous, the noble Clementina, knowing that terms will be proposed, with which in honour and conscience I cannot comply, put my regard for her on such a test as this? I will not suppose that she is capable of mingling art with her magnanimity.]

Is this, madam, said I, a generous anticipation? Forgive me; but when your friends are so good as to think me incapable of returning ingratitude for obli-gation, I hope I shall not be classed, by their beloved daughter, among the lowest of mankind.

Excuse me, Sir; the woman who has been once wrong, has reason to be always afraid of herself If you do not think meanly of me, I will endeavour to think well of myself! and then, Sir, I shall think better oi you, if better I can think: for, after all, did I not more mistrust myself ihoxi I doyow, I should not perhaps be so capricious as, I am afraid, I some-times am.

The marquis has hinted to me, madam, that your brother the bishop is to discourse with me on the subject now the nearest to my heart of all others; may I presume to address myself to their beloved daughter upon it, without being thought capable of endeavouring to prepossess her in my favour before my lord and I meet?

I will answer you frankly, Sir: there are preli-minaries to be settled; and, till they are, I that knovo there are, do not think myself at liberty to hear you upon any subject that may tend to prepossession.

I acquiesce, madam: I would not for the world be thought to wish for the honour of your attention, while it is improper for you to favour me with it.

[1 did not know. Dr. Bartlett, but upon a suppo-sition of a mutual interest between us, as I had hoped she would allow, Clementina might wish that I would lead to some particular discourse. Though modesty becomes ours as well as the other sex, yet it would be an indelicacy not to prevent a lady, m some cer-tain cases. But thus discouraged,] Perhaps, madam, said I, the attendance I do myself the honour to pay you here, may not be agreeable to the marquis.

Then, Sir, you will choose, perhaps, to withdraw. But don’t Yes, do.

I respectfully withdrew; but she taking a winding alley, which led into that in which I slowly walked, we met again. I am afraid, said she, I have been a little petulant: indeed, Sir, I am not satisfied with myself. I wish And there she stopt.

What, madam, do you wish? Favour me with your wishes. If it be in mt/ power —

It is not, interrupted she I wish I had not been at Florence*,. The lady I was with, is a good woman; but she was too hard for me. Perhaps (and she sighed) had I not been with her, I had been at rest, and happy, before now; but if I had not, there is a pleasure, as well as pain, in melancholy. But now I am so fretful! If I hated the bitterest enemy I have, as mtich as at times I hate myself, I should be a very bad creature.

This was spoken with an air so melancholy, as greatly disturbed me, God gi-ant, thought I, that the articles of religion and residence may be agreed upon between the bishop and me!

Here, my good Miss Byron, I close this letter. Sir Charles has told you, briefly, the event of the conference between the bishop and him; and I hasten to obey you in your next article.


Letter XXVI.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Thursday morning, Marcli SO. I SEND you now inclosed the doctor’s fourth letter. I believe I must desire my grandmamma and my aunt Selby to send for me down.

We shall all be in London this evening.

Would to Heaven I had never come to it! What of pleasure have I had in it? This abominable Sir Hargrave PoUexfen! But for him I had been easy and happy; since but for him I had never wanted the relief of Sir Charles Grandison; never had known him. Fame might perhaps have brought to my ears, in general conversation, as other persons of distinction are talked of, some of his benevolent actions: and he would have attracted my admiration without costing me one sigh. And yet, had it been so, I should then have known none of those lively sensi-bilities that have mingled pleasure with my pain, on the pride I have had in being distinguished as a sis-ter to the sisters of so extraordinary a man. O that I had kept my foolish heart free! I should then have had enough to boast of for my whole life; enough to talk of to every one: and when I had been asked by my companions and intimates, What diversions, what entertainments, I had been at? I should have said, ‘ I have been in company and conversed with Sir Charles Grandison; and been favoured and distinguished by all his family:’ and I should have passed many a happy winter evening, when my companions came to work and read with me at Selby — house, in answering their questions about all these; and Sir Charles would have been known among us principally by the name of Thejine gentleman } and my young friends would have come about me, and asked me to tell them something more of The excel-lent man.

But now my ambition has overthrown me: aiming, wishing, to be every thing, I am nothing. If I am asked about him, or his sisters, I shall seek to evade the subject: and yet, what other subject can I talk of? For what have I seen, what have 1 known, since I left Northamptonshire, but him and them; and what else, indeed, since I have known this fa-mily, have I wished to see, and to know?

On reviewing the above, how have I, as I see, suffered my childish fancies to delude me into a short forgetfulness oi his, oievery-hoAys, distresses! But, O my Lucy, my heart is torn in pieces; and, I verily think, more for the unhappy Clementina’s sake, than for my own! How severely do I pay for my curiosity! Yet it was necessary that I should know the worst. So Sir Charles seems to have thought, by the permission he has given to Dr. Bartlett, to oblige me.

Your pity will be more raised on reading the letter I inclose, not only for Clementina and Sir Charles, but for the whole family; none of whom, though they are all unhappy, are to be blamed. You will dearly love the noble Jeronymo, and be pleased with the young lady’s faithful Camilla: but, my dear, there is so much tenderness in Sir Charles’s woe It must be love But he ought to love Clementina: she is a glorious, though unhappy young creature. I must not have one spark of ge-nerosity left in my. heart, I must be lost wholly in self, if I did not equally admire and love her.

DR. BARTLETT’s fourth LETTER,

As I remember, madam, Sir Charles mentions to you, in a very pathetic manner, the distress he was in when the terms and conditions, on which he was to be allowed to call the noble Clementina his, were

Kroposed to him; as they were by the bishop. He as briefly told you the terms, and his grief to be obliged to disappoint the expectation of” persons so deservedly dear to him. But you will not, I believe, be displeased, if I dwell a little more on these par-ticulars, though they are not commanded from me. The bishop, when he had acquainted Mr. Grandison with the terms, said, You are silent, my dear Grandison: you hesitate. What, Sir! Is a proposal of a daughter of one of the noblest families in Italy; that daughter a Clementina; to be slighted by a man of a private family; a foreigner; of dependent for-tunes; her dowry not unworthy of a prince’s ac — ceptance? Do you hesitate upon such a proposal as this, Sir?

My lord, I am grieved, rather than surprised, at the proposal: I was apprehensive it would be made. My joy at receiving the condescending invitation, and at the honours done me, on my arrival, other-wise would have been immoderate.

A debate then followed, upon some articles in which the church of Rome and the Protestant churches differ. Mr. Grandison would fain have avoided it; but the bishop, supposing he should have some advantages in the argument, which he met not with, would not permit him. He was very warm with Mr. Grandison more than once, which did not help his cause. The particulars of this debate I will not at this time give you: they would carry me into great length; and I have much to transcribe, that I believe, from what Sir Charles has let me see of your manner of writing to your friends, you would prefer. To that 1 will proceed; after a

B B passage or two, which will shew you how that debate, about the difference in religion, went off.

You will call to mind, chevalier, said the bishop, that your church allows of a possibility of salvation out of its pale Ours does not.

My lord, our church allows not of its members indulging themselves in capital errors, against conviction: but I hope that no more need to be said on this subject.

I think, replied the bishop, we will quit it. I did not expect that you were so firmly rooted in error, as I find you: but to the point on which we began: I. should think it an extraordinary misfortune, were we to find ourselves reduced to the necessity of reasoning a private man into the acceptance of our sister Clementina. Let me tell you, Sir, that were she to know that you but hesitate He spoke with earnestness, and reddened.

Pardon an interruption, my lord: you are disposed to be warm. I will not so much as offer to defend myself from any imputations that may, in displeasure, be cast upon me, as if I were capable of slighting the honour intended me of a lady who is worthy of a prince. I am persuaded that your lordship cannot think such a defence necessary. I am indeed a pri-vate man, but not inconsiderable; if the being able to enumerate a long race of ancestors, whom hitherto I have not disgraced, will give me consideration. But what, my lord, is ancestry. I live to my own heart. My principles were known before I had the condescending invitation. Your lordship would not per — suade me to change them, when I cannot think them wrong; and since, as you have heard, 1 have some-thing to offer, when called upon, in support of them.

You will consider this matter, my dear chevalier. It is you, I think, that are disposed to be warm; but you are a valuable man. We, as well as our sister, wish to have you among us: our church would wish it. Such a proselyte will justify us to every other consideration, and to all our friends. Consider of it, Grandison; but let it not be known to the prin-cipals of our family, that you think consideration necessary: the dear Clementina, particularly, must not know it. Your person, chevalier, is not so dear to the excellent creature, as your soul. Hence it is, that we are all willing to encourage in her a flame so pure, and so bright.

My distress, my lord, is beyond the power of words to describe. I revere, 1 honour, and will to my last hour, the Marquis and Marchioness of Por-retta, and on better motives than for their grandeur or nobility. Their sons You know not, my lord, the pride I have always had to be distinguished even by a nominal relation to them: and give me your Clementina, without the hard conditions you prescribe, and I shall be happy beyond my highest wish. I desire not dowry with her. I have a father on whose generosity and affection F can rely. But I must repeat, my lord, that my principles are so well known, that I hoped a compromise would be accept-ed. I would not for the world compel your sister. The same liberty that I crave, I would allow.

And will you not take time. Sir, to consider! Are you absolutely determined?

If your lordship knew the pain it gives me to say that I am, you would pity me.

Well, Sir, I am sorry for it. Let us go in to Signor Jeronymo. He has been your advocate ever since he knew you. Jeronymo has gratitude; but you, chevalier, have no affections.

I thank God, said I, that your lordship does not do me justice.

He led me into his brother’s apartment. Pb2

There, what did I not suft’er, from the friendship, from the love of that brother, and from the urgency of the bishop! But what was the result?

The bishop asked me, If he were to conduct me to his father, to his mother, to his sister? Or to allow me to depart without seeing them? This was the alternative. My compliance or non-compli-ance was to be thus indicated. I respectfully bowed. I recommended myself to the favour of the two bro-thers, and through them to that of the three truly — respectable persons they had named; and withdrew to my lodgings with a heart sorely distressed.

I was unable to stir out for the remainder of the day. The same chair into which I threw myself, upon my first coming in, held me for hours.

In the evening Camilla, in disguise, made me a visit. On my servant’s withdrawing, revealing her-self, O Sir, said she, what a distracted family have I left! They know not of my coming hither; but I could not forbear this officiousness: I cannot stay. But let me just tell you how unhappy we are; and your own generosity will suggest to you, what is best to be done.

As soon as you were gone, my lord bishop ac-quainted my lady marchioness with what had passed between you. O Sir! you have an affectionate friend in Signer Jeronymo. He endeavoured to soften every-thing. My lady marchioness acquainted my lord with the bishop’s report. 1 never saw that good nobleman in such a passion. It is not necessary to tell you what he said

In a passion with me, Camilla 1

Yes. He thought the whole family dishonoured, Sir.

The Marquis della Porretta is the worthiest of men, Camilla, said I. I honour him But proceed.

The marchioness, in the tenderest manner, broke the matter to my young lady: I was present. She apprehended, that there might be occasion for my attendance, and commanded me to stay.

Before she could speak all she had to say, my young lady threw herself on her knees to her mamma, and blessing her for her goodness to her, begged her to spare the rest. I see, said she, that I, a daugh-ter of the Porretta family, your daughter, madam, ’ am refused. Palliate not, I beseech you, the indigo nity. You need not. It is enough, that I am re-fused. Surely, madam, your Clementina is not so base in spirit, as to need your maternal consolation on such a contempt as this. I feel for my father, for you, madam, and for my brothers, I feel the in^- dignity. Blessings follow the man wherever he goes! It would be mean to be angry with him. He is his own master; and now he has made me my own mistress. Never fear, madam, but this affair now will sit as light upon me, as it ought. His hu-mility will allow him to be satisfied with a meaner wife. You, madam, my father, my brothers, shall not find me mean.

The marchioness embraced, with tears of joy, her beloved daughter. She brought my lord to her, and reported what her daughter had said: he also ten-derly embraced the dear young lady, and rejoiced in her assurances, that now the cure was effected.

But, unseasonably, as the event shewed. Father Marescotti, being talked with, was earnest to be allowed to visit her: Then, he said, was the proper time, the very crisis, to urge her to accept of the Count of Belvedere.

I was bid to tell her, that his reverence desired to attend her.

O let me go, said she, to Florence; to my dear IMrs. Beaumont! To-morrow morning let me go:

BBS and not see Father Marescotti, till I can see him as I wish to see him!

But the good father prevailed: he meant the best.

He was with her half an hour. He left her in a melancholy way. When the marchioness went to her, she found her spiritless, her eyes fixed, and as gloomy as ever. She was silent to two or three of her mother’s questions; and when she did speak, it was with wildness; but declaring, without being so-licited in the Count of Belvedere’s favour, against marrying him, or any man in the world.

Her mother told her, she should go to Florence, as soon as she pleased: but then the humour was off. Would to Heaven she had gone before she saw his reverence! So they all now wish.

Camilla, said she to me, when we were alone, Was it necessary to load the Chevalier Grandison? Was it necessary to inveigh against him? It was ungenerous to do so. Was the man obliged to have the creature whose forwardness had rendered her contemptible in his eyes? I could not bear to hear him inveighed against. But never, never, let me hear his name mentioned. Yet, Camilla, I cannot bear being despised, neither.

She arose from her seat, and from that moment her humour took a different turn. She now talks: she raves: she starts: she neither sits nor stands with quietness She walks up and down her room, at other times, with passion and hurry; yet weeps not, though she makes every-body else weep. She speaks to herself, and answers herself; and, as I guess, repeats part of the talk that passed between Father Marescotti and her: but still. To be despised! are the words she oftenest repeats. Jesu! once, said she To be despised! And by an English Pro-testant! Who can bear that?

In this way, Sir, is Lady Clementina. The sweet-est creature! I see, 1 see, you have compassion, Sir! You never wanted humanity! Generosity is a part of your nature! I am sure you love her I see you love her I pain your noble heart! In-deed, indeed, Sir, Lady Clementina’s love extended beyond the limits of this world: she hoped to be yours to all eternity.

Well might Camilla, the sensible, the faithful, the affectionate Camilla, the attendant from infant years of her beloved Clementina, thus run on, without interruption. I could not speak. And had I been able, to what purpose should I have pleaded to Ca-milla the superior attachment which occasioned an anguish that words cannot describe?

What can I say, but thank you, my good Camilla, for your intention? I hope you have eased your own heart; but you have loaded mine Nevertheless, I thank you. W^ould to Heaven that your lady’s own wishes had been complied with; that she had been encouraged to go to the excellent Mrs. Beaumont! The first natural impulses of the distressed heart often point out the best alleviation. Would to Heaven they had been pursued! I have great dependence on the generous friendship of Signor Jeronymo. All that is in my power to do, I will do. I honour, I venerate, every one of the truly-noble family: I never can deserve their favour. On all occasions, Camilla, let them know my devotion to them.

I beg of God, said she, to put it into your heart to restore the tranquillity of a family which was, till lately, the happiest in Bologna. It may not be yet too late. I beg of you to excuse my officiousness. Pray take no notice that I have waited on you. I shall be wanted.

She was hastening away. Good Camilla, said I, taking a ring of some value from my finger, and forcing it upon hers (she is above accepting of pc-^ cuniary presents, and struggled against this) Accept this as a remembrance, not acknowledgment. I may be forbid the palace of the Marquis della Porretta, and so have no opportunity again to see the equally faithful and obliging Camilla.

What other conditions could have been prescribe ed, Dr. Bartlett, that I should have refused to comply with? How was I anew distressed, at the account Camilla gave me! But my great consolation in the whole transaction is, that my own heart, on the maturest deliberation, acquits me: and the rather, as it is impossible for me to practise a greater piece of self-denial: for can there be on earth a nobler woman than Clementina?

The next morning, early, Mr. Grandison received the following letter from his friend Signor Jeronymo. I translated it, my good Miss Byron, at the time I received it. 1 will send you the translation, only.

MT DEAR CHEVALIER!

Shall I blame you? I cannot. Shall I bfeme my father, my mother? They blame themselves, for the free access you were allowed to have to their Clementina; yet they own, that you acted nobly. But they had forgot that Clementma had eyes. Yet who knew not her discernment? Who knew not her regard for merit, wherever she found it? Can I therefore blame my sister? Indeed* no. Has she a brother whom I can blame? No. But ought I not to blame myself? The dear creature owned, it seems, to Mi-s. Beaumont, that my declaration in your favour, which Avas made long before you knew it, was one of her influences. Must I there-fore accuse myself? If I regard my intention, gratitude, for a life preserved by you, and for a sense of my social duties (soul as well as body indebted to you, though a Protestant yourself) will not suffer it. Is there then nobody whom we can blame for the calamity befallen us? How strangely is that cala-mity circumstanced!

But is there so irreconcileable a difference between the two religions? There is: the bishop says there is: Clementina thinks there is: my father, my mo-ther, think there is.

But does your father think so? Will you put the whole matter on that issue, chevalier?

O no, you will not. You are as determined as we are: yet, surely, with less reason.

But I debate not the matter with you. I know you are a master of the question.

But what is to be done? Shall Clementina perish? Will not the gallant youth who ventured his life so successfully to save a brother, exert himself to preserve a sister?

Come, and see the way she is in Yet they will not admit you into her presence while she is in that way.

The sense she has of her dignity debased, and the perpetual expostulations and apprehensions of her zealous confessor Can the good man think it his duty to wound and tear in pieces a mind tenacious of its honour, and of that of her sex? At last, you see, I have found somebody to accuse. But I come to my motive for giving you this trouble.

It is to request you to make me a visit. Breakfast with me, my dear chevalier, this morning. You will perhaps see nobody else.

Camilla has told me, and only me, that she attend-ed you last night: she tells me how greatly you are grieved. I should renounce your friendship, were you not. At my soul, I pity you, because I knew, long since, your firm attachment to your religion; and because you love Clementina.

I wish I were able to attend i/ou; I would save you the pain of this visit; for 1 know it must pain you: but come, nevertheless.

You hinted to my brother, that you thought, as your principles were so well known, a compromise would be accepted Explain yourself to me upon this compromise. If I can smooth the way between you Yet I despair that any thing will do but your conversion. They love your soul; thei/ think they love it better than you do yourself. Is there not a merit in them, which you cannot boast in return?

The general, I hear, came to town last night: we have not seen him yet. He had business with the gonfalionere. I think you must not meet. He is warm. He adores Clementina. He knew not, till last night, that the bishop broke it to him at that magistrate’s, our unhappy situation. What a disap-pointment! One of the principal views he had in coming was, to do you honour, and to give his sis-ter pleasure. Ah, Sir! he came to be present at two solemn acts: the one your nuptials, in consequence of the other. You must not meet. It would go to my heart, to have offence given you by any of my family, especially in our own house.

Come, however; I long to see you, and to comfort you, whether your hard heart (I did not use to think it a hard one) vvill allow you, or not, to give comfort to

Your ever-affectionate and faithful friend, JERONYMO DELLA PORRETTA.

I accepted of the invitation. My heart was in this family: I longed, before this letter came, to see and to hear from it. The face of the meanest ser-vant belonging to it would have been more than wel — come to me. What, however, were my hopes? Yet, do you think, Dr. Bartlett, that I had not pain in going; a pain that took more than its turn, with the desire I had once more to enter doors that used to be opened to me with so much pleasure on both kiides?

DR. BARTLETT’s fifth LETTER.

Mr. Grandison thus proceeds: I was introduced to Signer Jeronymo. He sat expecting me. He bowed more stiffly than usual, in return to my compliment,

I see, said I, that I have lost my friend.

Impossible, said he. It cannot be.

Then speaking of his sister, Dear creature! said he. A very bad night. My poor mother has been up with her ever since three o’clock: nobody else has any influence with her. These talking fits are worse than her silent ones.

What could I say? My soul was vexed. My friend saw it, and was grieved for me. He talked of indifferent things. I could not follow him in them.

He then entered upon the subject that would not long allow of any other. I expect the general, said he. I will not, I think, have you see each other. I have ordered notice to be given me before any one of the family is admitted while you are with me. If you choose not to see the general, or my father or mother, should they step in to make their morning compliments, you can walk down the back-stairs into the garden, or into the next chamber.

I am not the least sufferer in this distress, replied I. You have invited me. If on your own account you would have me withdraw, I will; but else I cannot conceal myself.

This is like you. It is you yourself. O Grandi-son! that we could be real brothers? In soul we are so. But what is the compromise you hinted at?

I then told him, That I would reside one year in Italy, another in England, by turns, if the dear Cle-mentina would accompany me; if not, but three months in England, in every year. As to religion, she should keep her own; her confessor only to be a man of known discretion.

He shook his head. I’ll propose it as from yourself, if you would have me do so, chevalier. It would do with me; but will not with any-body else. I have undertaken for more than that already; but it will not be heard of. Would to God, chevalier, that you, for my sake, for all our sakes But I know you have a great deal to say on this subject, as you told my brother. New converts, added he, may be zealous; but you old Protestants, Protestants by descent, as I may say, ’tis strange you should be so very sted-fast. You have not many young gentlemen, I be lieve, who would be so very tenacious; such offers, such advantages And surely you must love my sister. All our family, you surely love. I will presume to say, they deserve your love; and they give the strongest proofs that can be given of their regard for you.

Signor Jeronymo expected not an argumentative answer to what he said. My stedfastness was best expressed, and surely it was sufficiently expressed (the circumstances of the case so interesting) by silence.

Just then came in Camilla. The marchioness, Sir, knows you are here. She desires you will not go till she sees you. She will attend you here, I believe.

She is persuading Lady Clementina to be blood-ed. She has an aversion to that operation. She hegs it may not be clone. She has been hitherto, on that account, bled by leeches. The marquis and the bishop are both gone out. They could not bear her solicitations to them to save her, as she called k.

The marchioness soon after entered Care, me-lancholy, yet tenderness, was in her aspect; grief for her daughter’s malady seemed fixed in the lines of her fine face. Keep your seat, chevalier. She sat down, sighed, wept; but would not have had her tears seen.

Had I not been so deeply concerned in the cause of her grief, I could have endeavoured to comfort her. But what could I say? I turned my head aside. I would also have concealed mi/ emotion; but Signer Jeronymo took notice of it.

The poor chevalier, kindly said he, with an accent of compassion

I don’t doubt it, answered she, as kindly, though he spoke not out what he had to say. He may be obdurate; but not ungrateful.

Excellent woman! How was I affected by her generosity! This was taking the direct road to my heart. You know that heart, Dr. Bartlett, and what a task it had.

Jeronymo enquired after his sister’s health; I was afraid to enquire.

Not worse, I hope; but so talkative! poor thing! She burst into tears.

I presumed to take her hand O madam! Will BO compromise! Will no

It ought not, chevalier. I cannot urge it. We know your power, too ivell we know your power, over the dear creature. She will not be long a C a tholic, if she be yours; and you know what we then should think of her precious soul! Better to part with her for ever Yet, how can a mother ^Her tears spoke what her lips could not utter.

Recovering her voice, I have left her, said she, contending with the doctors against being let blood. She wasso earnest with me to prevent it, that I could not stay. It is over by this time She rang.

At that moment, to the astonishment of all three, in ran the dear Clementina herself. A happy es-cape! Thank God! said she Her arm bound up.

She had felt the lancet; but did not bleed more than two or three drops.

O my mamma! And you would have run away from me too, would you! You don’t use to be so cruel; and to leave me with these doctors See! see! and she held out her lovely arm a little bloody, re-garding nobody but her mother; who, as well as we, was speechless with surprise They did attempt to wound; but they could not obtain their cruel ends And I ran for shelter to my mamma’s arms (throwing hers about her neck) Dearest, dearest madam^ don’t let me be sacrificed What has your poor child done, to be thus treated?

O my Clementina!

And O my mapma, too! Have I not suffered enough!

The door opened. She cast her fearful eye to it, clinging faster to her mother. They are come to take me! Begone, Camilla [it was she]; begone, when I bid you! They sha’n’t take me My mamma will save me from them Won’t you, my mamma? clasping more fervently her arms about her neck, and hiding her face in her bosom. Then lifting up her face, Begone, I tell you, Camilla. They sha’n’t have me Camilla withdrew.

Brother! my dear brother! you will protect me: won’t you?

I arose. I was unable to bear this affecting scene She saw me.

Good God! said she. Then in English breaking out into that line of Hamlet, which she had taken great notice of, when we read that play together

Angels, and ministersof grace, defend us!

She left her mother, and stept gently towards me, looking earnestly with her face held out, as if she were doubtful whether it were I, or not.

I snatched her hand, and pressed it with my lips O madam! Dearest lady! I could say no more.

It is he! It is he, indeed, madam! turning her head to her mother, one hand held up, as in sur-prise, as I detained the other.

The son’s arms supported the almost fainting mother; his tears mingling with hers.

For God’s sake! for my sake, dear Grandison! said he, and stopt.

I quitted Clementina’s hand; Jeronymo’s unhealed wounds had weakened him, and 1 hastened to support the marchioness.

O chevalier! spare your concern for me, said he. My child’s head is of more consequence to me, than my own heart.

What was it of distress that 1 did not at that moment feel!

The young lady turning to us Well, Sir, said she, here is sad work! Sad work, to be sure! Some-body is wrong: I won’t say who. But you will not let these doctors use me ill Will you? See here! shewing her bound-up arm to me what they would have done! See! They did get a drop or two; but no more. And I sprung from them, and ran for it.

Her mother then taking her attention, My dear-est mamma! How do you! cc2

O my child! and slie clasped her arms about her Clementina.

Camilla came in. She added by her grief to the distressful scene. She threw her arms, kneeling about the marchioness: O my dearest lady! said she. The marchioness feeling for her salts^ and taking them out of her pocket, and smelling to them; Unclasp me, Camilla, said she: I am bet-ter. Are the doctors gone?

No, madam, whispered Camilla; but they say, it is highly proper; and they talk of blistering!

Not her head, I hope! The dear creature, when she used to value herself upon any thing, took pride, as well she might, in her hair.

Now you are whispering, my mamma And this impertinent Camilla is come Camilla, they shall not have me, I tell you! See, barbarous wretches! what they have done to me already! again holding up her arm, and then with indignation tearing off the fillet.

Her brother begged of her to submit to the ope-ration. Her mother joined her gentle command Well, I won’t love you, brother, said she: you are in the plot against me But here is one who mil protect me; laying her hand upon my arm, and looking earnestly in my face, with such a mixture of woe and tenderness in her eye, as pierced ray very soul.

Persuade her, chevalier, said the marchioness.

My good young lady, will you not obey your mamma? You are not well. Will you not be well? See how you distress your noble brother!

She stroked her brother’s cheek (it was wet with his tears) with a motion inimitably tender, her voice as inimitably soothing Poor Jeronymo! My dear-est brother! ‘And have you not suffered enough from vile assassins? Poor dear brother! and again Stroked his cheek How was I affected!

A fresh gush of tears broke from his eyes Ah, Grandison! said he. why, why, said I, did I accept of your kind invitation? This distress could not have been so deep, had not I been present.

See! see! chevalier, holding out her spread hand to me, Jeronymo weeps He weeps for his sister, I believe. These Look, my hand is wet with them! are the tears of my dear Jeronymo! My hand See! is wet with a brother’s tears! And t/ou, madam, are affected too! turning to her mother. It is a grievous thing to see men weep! What ail they? Yet I cannot weep Have they softer hearts than mine? Don’t weep, chevalier. See, Jeronymo has done! I would stroke your cheek too, if it would stop your tears. But what is all this for? It is because of these doctors, I believe. But, Camilla, bid them begone: they sha’n’t have me.

Dearest madam, said I, submit to your mamma’s advice. Your mamma wishes you to suifer them to breathe a vein It is no more Your Jeronymo also beseeches you to permit them.

And Aoyou wish it too, chevalier? Do t/ou wish to see me wounded? To see my heart bleeding at my arm, I warrant. Say, can i/ou be so hard-hearted?

Let me join with your mamma, with ^owr brother, to entreat it: for your father’s sake, r or

For I/our sake, chevalier? Well will it do you good to see me bleed?

I withdrew to the window. I could not stand this question; put with an air of tenderness for me, and in an accent equally tender.

The irresistible lady (O what eloquence in her disorder!) followed me; and laying her hand on my arm, looking earnestly after my averted face, as if she would not suffer me to hide it from her Will it, will it, comfort you to see me bleed? Come cc3 then, he comforted; I xvilL bleed: but you shall not leave me. You shall see that these doctors shall not kill me quite.

O Dr. Bartlett! How did this address to me torture my very soul!

Camilla, proceeded she, I mil bleed. Madam, to her mother, Will it please you to have me bleed i* “Will it please 7/ow, my Jerony mo? turning to him And, Sir, Sir, stepping to me with quickness, Will it please you? Why then, Camilla, bid the doctors come in. What would I not do to please such kind friends? You grudge not your tears: and as I can-not give you tears for tears, from my eyes, shall not my arm weep?. But do you stand by me, che-valier, while it is done. You will? Won’t you? seeking again with her eye my averted face.

O that my life, thought I, would be an effectual offering for the restoring the peace of mind of this dear lady, and her family! and that it might be taken by any hand but my own! But my conscience! Prepossessed as I am in favour of my own religion, and in disfavour of that I am wished to embrace; how, thought I, can I make a sacrifice of my conscience!

The dear lady was then as earnest for the operation, as before she had been averse to it: but she did and said every thing in a hurry.

The marchioness and my friend were comforted, in hopes that some relief would follow it. The doc-tors were invited in.

Do you stand by me, Sir, said she to me. Come, make haste. But it sha’n’t be the same arm Ca-milla, see, I can bare my own arm It will bleed at this arm, I warrant I will bid it flow. Come, make haste Are you always so tedious? The preparation in all these things, I believe, is woree than the act. Pray, pray, make haste.

They did; though she thought they did not.

Turn your face another way, madam, said the doctor.

Now methinks lam Iphigenia, chevalier, going to be offered looking at me, and from the doctors.

And is this all? The puncture being made, and she bleeding freely.

The doctors were not satisfied with a small quan-tity. She fainted, however, before they had taken quite so much as they intended; and her women carried her out of her brother’s apartment into her own, in the chair she sat in.

Dear Clementina! My compassion and my best wishes followed her.

You see your power over the dear girl, Grandi-son, said her brother.

The marchioness sighed; and looking at me with kind and earnest meaning, withdrew to attend her daughter’s recovery.


Letter XXVII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Receive, my Lucy, the doctor’s sixth letter. The fifth has almost broken the hearts of us all.

DR. BARTLETt’s sixth LETTER.

A scene of another nature took place of this, proceeds Mr. Grandison.

Camilla stept in, and said, the general was come; and was at that moment lamenting with the mar-chioness the disordered state of mind of his beloved sister; who had again fainted away; but was quiet when Camilla came in.

The general will be here presently, said Jerony-mo. Do you choose to see him?

As, perhaps, he has been told I am here, it would look too particular to depart instantly. If he comes not in soon, I will take my leave of you.

I had hardly done speaking, when the general entered, drying his eyes.

Your servant, Mr. Grandison, said he. Brother, How do you? Not the better, I dare say, for the present affliction. Who the devil would have thought the girl had been so deeply aftected? Well, Sir, you have a glorious triumph? Clementina’s heart is not a vulgar one. Her family

My lord, I hope I do not deserve this address! Triumph, my lord! Not a heart in this family can be more distressed than mine.

And is religion, is conscience, really of such force, chevalier?

Let me ask that question, my lord, of your own heart; let me ask it of your brother the bishop; of the other principals of your noble family: and the answer given will be an answer for me.

He seemed displeased. Explain yourself, che-valier.

If, my lord, said I, you think there is so great, so essential, a difference in the two religions, that you cannot consent that I should keep my own; what must I be, who think as highly of my own as you can of yours, to give it up, though on the highest temporal consideration? Make the case your own, my lord.

I can. And were I in your situation, such a wo-man as ray sister; such a family as ours; such a splendid fortune as she will have; I believe, I should not make the scruples you do. My brother the bishop indeed might not have given the same answer; he might have been more tenacious. sill CHARLES GUANDISON. 29T

The bishop cannot be better satisfied with Ais reli-gion than I am with mirie. But I hope, my lord, Jrom tohatyou have said, that I may claim the honour of your friendship in this great article. It is proposed to me, that I renounce my religion: I make no such proposal to your family: on the contrary, I consent that Lady Clementina should keep hers; and I am ready to allow a very handsome provision for a discreet man, her confessor, to attend her, in order to secure her in it. As to residence; I will consent to reside one year in Italy, one in England; and even, if she choose not to go to England at all, I will acquiesce; and visit England myeelf but for three months in every year.

As to the children, Mr. Grandison? said Signor Jeronymo; desirous of promoting the compromise.

I will consent that daughters shall be the mother’s care; the education of sons must be left to me.

What will the poor daughters have done, cheva-lier, sneeringly spoke the general, that they should be left to perdition?

Your lordship, without my entering into the opi-nion of the professors of both religions on this sub — ject, will consider my proposal as a compromise. I would not have begun an address upon these terms with a princess. I do assure you, that mere fortune has no bias with me. Prescribe not to me in the article of religion, and I will, with all my soul, give up every ducat of your sister’s fortune.

Then what will you have to support

My lord, leave that to your sister and me. I will deal honourably with her. If she renounce me on that article, you will have reason to congratulate yourselves.
 our fortune, Sir, by marriage, will be much more considerable than it can be by patrimony, if Clementina be yours: why then should you not look forward to your posterity as Italians? And in thai case

He stopt there. It was easy to guess at liis inference.

I would no more renounce my country than my religion: I would leave posterity free; but would not deprive them of an attachment that I value my-self upon: nor yet my country, of a family that never gave it cause to be ashamed of it.

The general took snuff, and looked on me, and off me, with an air too supercilious. I could not but be sensible of it.

I have no small difficulty, my lord, said I, to bear the hardships of my situation, added to the distress which that situation gives me, to be looked upon in this family as a delinquent, without having done any thing to reproach myself with, either in thought, word, or deed My lord, it is extremely hard.

It is, my lord, said Signor Jeronymo. The great misfortune in the case before us, is, that the Che-valier Grandison has merit superior to that of most men; and that our sister, who was not to be at-tached by common merit, could not be insensible to his.

Whatever were my sister’s attachments, Signor Jeronymo, weknow^owr*; and generous ones they are: but we all know how handsome men may at-tach young ladies, without needing to say a smgle word. The poison once taken in at the eye, it will soon diffuse itself through the whole mass.

My honour, yet, my lord, was never called in question, either by man or woman.

Your character is well known, chevalier Had it not been unexceptionable, we should not have entered into treaty with you on this subject, I do assure you; and it piques us not a little to have a daughter of our house refused. You don’t know the conse* ijuence, I can tell you, of such an indignity offered in this country.

Refused! my lord! To endeavour to obviate this charge, would be to put an affront upon your lord-ship’s justice, as well as an indignity offered to your truly noble house.

He arose in anger, and swore that he would not be treated with contempt.

I stood up too; And if I am, my lord, with indignity, it is not what I have been used to bear.

Signor Jeronymo was disturbed. He said, he had opposed our seeing each other. He knew his bro-ther’s warmth; and I, he said, from the scenes that had before passed, ought perhaps to have shewn more pity than resentment.

It was owing to my regard for the delicacy of your sister, Signor Jeronymo, said 1 (for whom I have the tenderest sentiments) as well as to do justice to my own conduct towards her, rfiat I could not help shewing myself affected by the word refused.

Affected by the tvord refused! Sir, said the general Yes, you have soft words for hard meanings. But I, who have not your choice of words, make use of those that are explained by actions.

I was in hopes, my lord, that I might rather have been favoured with your weight in the proposed compromise, than to have met with your displeasure.

Consider, chevalier, coolly consider this matter; How shall we answer it to our country (we are pub-lic people, Sir) to the church, to v/hich we stand re — lated; to our own character; to marry a daughter of our house to a Protestant? You say you are concerned for her honour: what must we, what can we say in her behalf, if she be reflected upon as a love-sick girl, who, though stedfast in her religion, could refuse men of the first consideration, all of her own religion and country, and let a foreigner, an English-man, carry her oif?

Preserving nevertheless by slipulntinn, you will remember, my lord, her religion. If you shall have so much to answer for to the world with such a sti-pulation in the lady’s favour, what shall I be thought of, who, though 1 am not, nor wish to be, a public man, am not of a low or inconsiderable family, if I, against my conscience, renounce my religion and my country, for a consideration, that, though the highest in private life, is a partial and selfish consi-deration?

No more, no more, Sir If you can despise worldly grandeur; if you can set light by riches, honours, love; my sister has this to be said in her praise, that she is the first woman, that ever I heard of, who fell in love with a philosopher: and she must, I think, take the consequence of such a peculiarity. Her example will not have many followers.

Yes, my lord, it will, said Jeronymo, if Mr. Grandison be the philosopher. If women were to be regimented, he would carry an army into the field without beat of drum.

I was vexed to find an affair that had penetrated my heart, go off so lightly; but the levity shewn by the general was followed by Jeronymo, in order to make the past warmth between us forgotten.

I left the brothers together. As I passed through the saloon, I had the pleasure of hearing, by a whis-per from Camilla, that her young lady was somewhat more composed for the operation she had yielded to.

In the afternoon, the general made me a visit at my lodgings. He told me, he had taken amiss some things that had fallen from my mouth.

I owned that I was at one time warm; but excused myself by his example.

I urged him to promote my interest as to the proposed compromise. He gave me no encouragement; but took down my proposals in writing.

He asked me, if my father were as tenacious in the article of religion as I was.

I told him, that I had forborn to write any-thing of the affair to my father.

That^ he said, was surprising. He had always apprehended, that a man who pretended to be strict in religion, be it what religion it would, should be uniform. He who could dispense with one duty, might with another.

I answered, That having no view to address Lady Clementina, I had only given my father general ac-counts of the favour I had met with from a family so considerable: that it was but very lately that I had entertained any hopes at all, as he must know: that those hopes were allayed by my fears that the articles of religion and residence would be an insuperable obstacle: but that it was my resolution, in the same hour that I could have any prospect of succeeding, to lay all before him; and I was sure of his appro-bation and consent to an alliance so answerable to the magnificence of his own spirit.

The general, at parting, with a haughty air, said, I take my leave, chevalier: I suppose you will not be in haste to leave Bologna. I am extremely sensible of the indignity you have cast upon us all. I arw, and swore We shall not disgrace our sister and our-selves, by courting your acceptance of her. I under — stand, that Olivia is in love with you too. These contentions for you may give you consequence with yourself: but Olivia is not a C/em<?nij/:a. You are in a country jealous of family-honour. Ours is a first family in it.. You know not what you have done. Sir.

What you have said, my lord, I have not deserved of you. It can nof be answered, at least by me. I

D D shall not leave Bologna till I apprise you of it, and till I have the misfortune to be assured, that I cannot have any hope of the honour once designed me. I will only add, that my principles were well knowu before I was written to at Vienna,

And do you reproach us with that step? It was a base one: it had not mi/ concurrence. He went from me in a passion.

I had enough at my heart, Dr. Bartlett, had I been spared this insult from a brother of Clementina. It went very hard with me to be threatened. But I thank God, I do not deserve the treatment.


Letter XXVIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

London, Friday morning, March 31. Here, my Lucy, once more I am. We arrived yesterday in the afternoon.

Lady Betty Williams and Miss Clements have been already to welcome me on my return. My cousin says, they are inseparable. I am glad of it, for Lady Betty’s sake.

Dr. Bartlett is extremely obliging. One would think, that he and his kinsman give up all their time in transcribing for us. 1 send you now his seventh, eighth, and ninth letters. In reading the two latter, we were struck (for the two sistens and my lord were with us) with the nobleness of Clementina. Her mo-tive, through her whole delirium, is so apparently owing to her concern for the soul of the man she loved (entirely regardless of any interest.of her own) that we all forgot what had been so long our wishes, and joined in giving preference to her.

DR. BARTLETT S SEVENTH LETTER.

I had another visit paid me, proceeds Mr. Grandison, two hours after the general left me, by the kind-hearted Camilla, disguised as before.

I come now, chevalier, said she, with the mar-chioness’s connivance, and, I may say, by her com mand; and, at the same time, by the command of Signer Jeronymo, who knows of my last attendance upon you, though no one else does, not even the marchioness. He gave me this letter for you.

But how does the noblest young lady in Italy, Camilla? How does Lady Clementina?

More composed than we could have hoped for from the height of her delirium. It tvas high; for he has but a very faint idea of having seen you this morning.

The marchioness had bid her say, that although I had now given her despair instead of hope, yet that she owed it to my merit, and to the sense she had of the benefits they had actually receiveu at my hands, to let me know, that it was but too likely that resent-ments might be carried to an unhappy length; and that therefore she wished I would leave Bologna for the present. If happier prospects presented, she would be the first to congratulate me upon them.

I opened the letter of my kind Jeronymo. These were the contents:

I am infinitely concerned, my dear Grandison, to find a man equally generous and brave as my brother is, hurried away by passion. You mai/ have acted with your usual magnanimity in preferring your re-ligion to your love, and to your glory. I, for my part, think you to be a distressed man. If you are not, you must be very insensible to the merits of an D D 2 excellent woman, and very ungrateful to the distinction she honours you with. I must write in this stile, and think she does honour by it even to my Grandison. But should the consequences of this affair be unhappy for either of you; if, in particular, for my brother; what cause of regret would our fa-mily have, that o. younger brother was saved by the hand which deprived them of a more worthy elder? If for you, how deplorable would be the reflection, that you saved one brother, and perished by the hand of another! Would to God that his passion, and your spirit, were more moderate! But let me request this favour of you; that you retire to Flo-rence, for a few days, at least.

How unhappy am I, that I am disabled from taking part in a more active mediation! Yet the general admires you. But how can we blame in him a zeal for the honour of his family, in which he would be glad at his soul to include a zeal for yours?

For God’s sake quit Bologna for a few days only. Clementina is more sedate. I have carried it that her confessor shall not at present visit her; yet he is an honest and a pious man.

What a fatality! Every one to mean well, yet every one to be miserable! And can religion be the cause of so much unh appiness? 1 cann ot act, I can only reflect. My dear friend, let me know by a line, that you will depart from Bologna tomorrow; and you will then a little lighten the heart of your

JERONYMO.

I senl my grateful compliments to the marchioness by Camilla. I besought her to believe, that my conduct on this occasion should be such as should merit her approbation. I expressed my grief for the ap-prehended resentments. I was sure that a man so noble, so generous, so brave, as was the man from whom the resentments might be supposed to arise, would better consider of” every-thing: but it was impossible for me, I bid Camilla say, to be far distant from Bologna; because I still presumed to hope for a happy turn in my favour.

I wrote to Signer Jeronymo to the same effect. I assured him of my high regard for his gallant bro-ther; I deplored the occasion which bad subjected me to the general’s displeasure; bid him depend upon my moderation. I referred to my known re-solution of long standing, to avoid a meditated rencounter with any man; urging that he might, for that reason, the more securely rely upon my care to shun any acts of offence either to or from a son of the Marquis della Porretta; a brother of my dear friend Jeronymo, and of the most excellent and beloved of sisters!

Neither the marchioness nor Jeronymo were sa-tisfied with the answers I returned; but what could I do? I had promised the general that I would not leave Bologna till I had apprised him of my intention to do so; and I still was willing, as I bid Camilla tell the marchioness, to indulge my hopes of some happy turn.

The marquis, the bishop, and general, went to Urbino; and there, as I learnt from ray Jeronymo, it was determined, in full assembly, that Grandison, as well from difference in religion, as from inferiority in degree and fortune, was unworthy of their alliance: and it was hinted to the general, that he was equally unworthy of his resentment.

While the father and two brothers were at Urbino, Lady Clementina gave hopes of a sedate mind. She desired her mother to allow her to see me: but the marchioness, believing there were no hopes of my complying with their terms, and being afraid of the consequences, and of incurring blame from the rest of her family, now especially that they were absent, and consulting together on what was proper to be done, desired she would not think of it.

This refusal made Clementina the more earnest for an interview. Signor Jeronymo gave his advice in favour of it. The misfortune he had met with, had added to his weight with the family. It is a fa-mily of harmony and love. They were hardly more particularly fond of Clementina than they were of one another, throughout’ the several branches of it; this harmony among them added greatly to the fa-mily-consequence, as well in public as private. Till the attempt that was made upon their Jeronymo, they had not known calamity.

But the confessor strengthening the marchioness’s apprehensions of what the consequence of indulging the young lady might be, all Jeronymo’s weight would have failed to carry this point had it not been for an enterprize of Clementina, which extremely alarmed them, and made them give into their wishes.

Camilla has enabled me to give the following me-lancholy account of it, to the only man on earth to whom I could communicate particulars, the very re-collection of which tears my heart in pieces.

The young lady’s malady, after some favourable symptoms which went off, returning in another shape; her talkativeness continued: butthehurrywithwhich she spoke and acted, gave place to a sedateness that she seemed very fond of. They did not suffer her to go out of her chamber; which she took not well: but Camilla, being absent about an hour, on her re-turn missed her, and alarmed the whole house upon it. Every part of it, and of the garden, was searched. From an apprehension that they dared not so much as whisper to one another, they dreaded to find her whom they so carefully sought after.

At last, Camilla seeing, as she supposed, one oi

Sm CHARLES GRANDISON. 307 the maid-servants coming down stairs with remarka-ble tranquillity, as she thought, in her air and man — ner; Wretch! said she, how composed do you seem to be in a storm that agitates every body else!

Don’t be angry with me, Camilla, returned the supposed servant.

O my lady! my very Lady Clementina, in Laura’s clothes! “Whither are you going, madam? But let the marchioness know (said she, to one of the wo-men-servants who then appeared in sight) that we have found my young lady What, dear madam, is the meaning of this? Go, Martina (to another wo-man-servant) go this instant to my lady! Dear Lady Clementina, what concern have you given us!

And thus she went on, asking questions of her young lady, and giving orders, almost in the same breath, till the marchioness came to them in a joyful hurry, from one of the pavilions in the garden, into which she had thrown herself; tortured by her fears, and dreading the approach of every servant, with fatal tidings.

The young lady stood still, but with great composure. I Moill go, Camilla, said she; indeed I will. You disturb me by your frantic ways, Camilla, I wish you would be as sedate and calm as. I am: What’s the matter with the woman?

Her mother folding her arms about her O my sweet girl! said she, How could you terrify us thus? What’s the meaning of this disguise? Whither were you going?

Why, madam, I was going on God’s errand; not on my own. What is come to Camilla? The poor creature is beside herself!

O my dear! said her mother, taking her hand, and leading her into her own apartment (Camilla fol-lowing, weeping with joy for having found her) Tell me, said she, tell me, has Laura furnished you with this dress?

Why no, madam: I’ll tell you the whole truth. I went and hid myself in Laura’s room, while she changed her clothes; I saw where she put those she took off; and when she had left her room, I put them on.

And for what? For what, my dear? Tell me what you designed?

I am neither afraid nor ashamed to tell. — It wais God’s errand I was going upon.

What tvas the errand?

Don’t weep then, my dear mamma, and I’ll tell you. Do, let me kiss away these tears. And she tenderly embraced her mother.

Why, I have a great mind to talk to the Chevalier Grandison. I had many fine thoughts upon my pil-low; and I believed I could say a great deal to the purpose to him; and you told me I must not see him: so I thought I would not. But then I had other notions come into my head; and I believed, if I could talk freely to him, I should convince him of his er-rors. Now, thought I, I know he will mind what I say to him, more than perhaps he will my brother the bishop, or Father Marescotti. I am a simple girl, and can have no interest in his conversion; for he has refused me, you know: so there is an end of all matters between him and me. I never was refused before: ‘IFas I, my mamma? I never will be twice i-efused. Yet I owe him no ill-will. And if one can save a soul, you know, madam, there is no harm in that. So it is God’s errand I go upon, and not my own. And shall I not go? Yes, I shall. I know you will give me leave. She courtesied. Silence IS permission! Thank you, madam And seemed to be going.

Well might her mother be silent. She could not speak; but rising, went after her to the door, and taking her hand, sobbed over it her denial (as Ca-nulla described it); and brought her back, and mo — tioned to her to sit down.

She whispered Camilla, What ails my mamma? Can you tell? But see how calm, how composed, lam! This world, Camilla! what a vain thing is this world! and she looked up. And so I shall tell the chevalier. I shall tell him not to refuse heaven, though he has refused a simple girl, who was no enemy to him, and might have been a faithful guide to him thither, for what he knew. Now all these things I wanted to say to him, and a vast deal more; and when I have told him my mind, I shall be easy.

Will my precious girl be easy, broke out into speech her weeping mother, when you have told the chevalier yourmind? You shall tell him your mind, my dear; and God restore my child to peace, and to me!

Well now, my mamma, this is a good sign For if I have moved you to oblige me, why may I not move him to oblige himself? That’s all I have in view. He has been my tutor, and I want, methinks, to return the favour, and be his tutress; and so you will let me go Won’t you?

No, my dear, we will send for him.

Well, that may do as well, provided you will let us be alone together: for these proud men may be ashamed, before company, to own themselves convinced by a simple girl.

But, my dearest love, whither would you have gone? Do you know where the chevalier’s lodgings are? iShe paused. She does not, surely, Camilla!

Camilla repeated the question, that the young lady might herself answer it.

She looked as if considering Then, Why no, truly, said she; I did not think of that: but every-body in Bologna knows where the Chevalier Gran — dison lives Don’t you think so? But when shall he come? That will be better; much better.

You shall go, Camilla, disguised as before. Pro-bably he has not quitted Bologna yet. And let him know, to a tittle, all that has passed, on this attempt of the dear soul If he can bring his mind to comply with our terms, it may not yet be too late: though it ixiiU be so after my lord and my two sons return from Urbino. But small are my hopes from him. If the interview makes my poor child easy, that will be a blessed event: we shall all rejoice in that. Mean time, come with me, my dear But first re-sume your own dress And then we will tell Jero — nymo what we have determined upon. He will be pleased with it, I know.

You tell me, my good Miss Byron, that I cannot be too particular; yet the melancholy tale, I see, affects you too sensibly: as it also does my Lord and Lady L. and Miss Grandison. No wonder, when the transcribing of them has the same effect upon me, as the reading had at my first being favoured with the letters that give the moving particulars.

DR. BARTLETt’s eighth LETTER.

I proceed now to give an account of Mr, Grandi-son’s interview with Lady Clementina.

He had no sooner heard the proceeding particu-lars, than he hastened to her, though with a tor — tured heart.

He was introduced to the marchioness and Sig-ner Jei’onymo, in the apartment of the latter.

I suppose, said the marchioness, after first civili-ties, Camilla has told you the way we are now in. The dear creature has a great desire to talk with you. Who knows, but she may be easier after she has been humoured? She is more composed than ghe was, since she knows she may expect to see you. Poor thing! she has hopes of converting you.

Would to heaven, said Jeronymo, that compas-sion for her disordered mind may have that effect upon my Grandison, which argument has not had! Poor Grandison! I can pity you at my heart. These are hard trials to your humanity! Your distress is written in your countenance!

It is deeper written in my heart, said I.

Indeed, Dr. Bartlett, it was.

The marchioness rang. Camilla came in. See, said she, if Clementina is disposed now to admit of the chevalier’s visit; and ask her, if she will have her mamma introduce him to her.

By all means, was the answer returned.

Clementina at our entrance was sitting at the win-dow, a book in her hand. She stood up. A great, but solemn composure appeared in her air and aspect.

The marchioness went to the window, holding her handkerchief at her eyes. I approached with profound respect her Clementina* but my heart was too full to speak first She could speak. She did, without hesitation

You are nothing to me now, chevalier: you have refused me, you know; and I thank you: you are in the right, I believe. I am a very proud creature. And you saw what trouble I gave to the best of pa-rents and friends. You are certainly in the right. She that can give so much concern to them, must make any man afraid of her. But religion, it seems, is your pretence. TjTow I am sorry that you are an obstinate man. You knoio better, chevalier. I think you should know better. But you have been my tutor. Shall I be yours?

I shall attend to every instruction that you will tionour me with.

But let me, Sir, comfort my marama.

She went to her, and kneeled: Why weeps ray mamma? taking a hand in each of hers, and kissing first one, then the other. Be comforted, my mamma. You see I am quite well. You see I am sedate. Bless your Clementina!

God bless my child!

She arose from her knees; and stepping towards me You are very silent, Sir; and very sad But I don’t want you to be sad. Silent I will allow you to be; because the tutored should be all ear. So I used to be to you.

She then turned her face from me, putting her hand to her forehead I had a great deal to say to you; but I have forgot it all Why do you look so melancholy, chevaHer? You know your own mind; and you did what you thought just and fit Did you not? Tell me, Sir.

Then turning to her weeping mother The poor chevalier cannot speak, madam Yet had nobody to bid him do this, or bid him do that He is sorry, to be sure! Well, but, Sir, turning to me, don’t be sorry. And yet the man who once refused me Ah, chevalier! I thought that was very cruel of you: but I soon got over it. You see how sedate I am now. Cannot you be as sedate as I am?

What could I say? I could not sooth her: she boasted of her sedateness. I could not argue with her. Could I have been hers,, could my compromise have been allowed of, I could have been unreserved in my declarations. Was ever man so unhappily circumstanced.^ Why did not the family forbid me to come near them? Why did not my Jerony-mo renounce friendship with me? Why did this excellent mother bind me to her, by the sweet ties of kindness and esteem; engaging all my reverence and gratitude?

But let rae ask you, chevalier. How could you be so unreasonable as to expect, that I should change my religion, when you were so very tenacious of yours? Were you not very unreasonable to expect this? Upon my word, I believe, you men think, it is no matter for us women to have any consciences, so as we do but study your wills, and do our duty by you. Men look upon themselves as gods of the earth, and on us women but as their ministering ser-vants! But I did not expect that you would be so unreasonable. You used to speak highly of our sex. Good women, you used to say,were angels. And many a time have you made me proud that I was a wo-man. How could you, chevalier, be so unreasonable.

May I, madam, to her mother, acquaint her with the proposals I made? She seems to think, that I insisted upon her change of religion.

It was not designed she should think so: but I remember now, that she would not let me tell all I had to say, when I was making my report to her of what had passed between the bishop and you. It was enough, she said, that she had been refused; she besought me to spare the rest: and since that, she has not been in such a way that we could talk to her on that part of the subject. We took it for granted, that she knew it all, because tve did. Could we have yielded to your proposals, we should have enforced them upon her. If you acquaint her with what you had proposed, it may make her think she has not been despised, as she calls it; the notion of which changed her temper, from over-thoughtful to over-lively.

No need of speaking low to each other, said the young lady. After your slight, Sir, you may let me hear any-thing. Madam! you see how sedate I am. I have quite overcome myself. Don’t be afraid of saying any-thing before me.

Alight, my dearest Lady Clementina! Heaven is my witness, your honoured mamma is my witness, that I have not slighted you! The conditions I had proposed, could they have been complied with, would have made me the happiest of men!

Yes, and me the unhappiest of women. Why you refused me, did you not? And putting both her hands spread before her face; Don’t let it be told abroad, that a daughter of that best of mothers was refused by any man less than a prince! Fie upon that daughter! To be able to stand before the proud refuser! [She walked from me.] I am ashamed’ of myself! O Mrs. Beaumont! but for 7/ou! My se-cret had been buried here, putting one hand on her bosom, holding still the other before her face. But Sir, Sir, coming towards me, don’t speak! Let me have all my talk out And then everlasting silence be my portion!

How her mother wept! How was I affected!

I had a great deal to say to you, I thought: I wanted to convince you of your errors. 1 wanted no favour of you, Sir: mine was a pure, disinterested esteem. A voice from heaven, I thought, bid me convert you. I was setting out to convert you. I should have been enabled to do it, I doubt not: Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings; Do you remember that text. Sir? Could I have gone, when I would have gone I had it all in my head then But now I have lost it O that impertinent Camilla! She must question me The woman addressed me in a quite frantic way. She was vexed to see me so sedate.

I was going to speak Hush, hush, when I bid you! and she put her hand before my mouth. With both my hands I held it there for a moment, and kissed it.

Ah, chevalier I said she, not withdrawing it, I believe you are a flattering man! How can you, to a poor despised girl

Let me now speak, madam Use not a word that I cannot repeat after you. Let me beg of you to hear the proposals I made’

I mentioned them; and added, Heaven only knows the anguish of my soul Hush, said she, interrupting, and turning to her mother I know nothing of these men, madam! Do you think, my mamma, I may believe him? He looks as if one might! Do you think I may believe him?

Her mother was silent, through grief. Ah, Sir! My m.amma, though she is not your enemy, cannot vouch for you! But I will have you bound by your own hand. She stept to her closet in a hurry, and brought out pen, ink, and paper. Come, Sir, you must not play tricks with me. Give me under your hand what you have now said But I will write it, and you shall sign it. She wrote, in an instant, as follows:

The Chevalier Grandison solemnly declares, that he did, in the most earnest manner, of his own accord, propose, that he would allow a certain young creature, if she might be al’ lowed to be his wife, the free use of her re-ligion; and to have a discreet man, at her choice, for her confessor: and that he would never oblige her to go to England with him: and that he would live in Italy with her every’ other year. Will you sign this, Sir? Most willingly. Do then. I did.

And you did propose this? Did he, madam? My dear, he did. And I would have told you so; but that you were affected at his supposed refusal. Why, to be sure, madam, interrupted she, it was a shocking thing to be refused.

Would you have wished us, my dear, to comply with these terms? Would you have chosen to marry a Protestant? A daughter of the house of Porretta, and of the house I sprung from, to marry an English Protestant?

Clementina took her mother aside; but spoke loud enough to be heard:

To be sure, madam, that would have been wrong; but I am glad I was not refused with contempt: that my tutor, and the preserver of my Jeronymo, did not despise me. To say truth, I was afraid he liked Olivia; and so made a pretence.

Don’t you think, my dear, that you would have run too great a hazard of your own faith, had you complied with the chevalier’s proposals?

Why no, surely, madam! Might I not have had as great a chance of converting him, as he could have had of perverting me? I glory in my religion, madam.

So does he, my love, in his.

That is his Jault, madam. Chevalier, stepping towards me, I think you a very obstinate man. I hope you have not heard our discourse.

Yes, my dear, he has: and I desire not but he should.

Would to God, madam, said I to the marchioness, that I had yours and my lord’s interest! From what the dear Lady Clementina has hinted, I might presume

But, Sir, you are wiwifflieM, perhaps, said the young lady. Though I answer for answering’s sake, and to shew that I have no doubt of my stedfastness in an article in which my soul is concerned; yet that is no proof of my attachment to an obstinate I know what! Heretic was, no doubt, in her head.

I took her mother aside: For God’s sake, madam, encourage my presumptuous hopes. Do you not sin CHARLES GRANDISON, 317 observe already, an alteration in the dear lady’s mind? Is she not more unaffectedly sedate than she was before? Is not her mind quieter, now she knows that every thing was yielded up that honour and conscience would permit to be yielded up? See that sweet serenity almost restored to those eyes, tAat within these few moments had a wilder turn!

Ah, chevalier! this depends not on me. And if it did, I cannot allow of my daughter’s marrying a man so bigotted to his errors. Excuse me, Sir! But if you were more indifferent in your religion, I should have more hopes of you, and less objection.

If, madam, I could be indifferent in my religion, the temptation would have been too great to be re-sisted. Lady Clementina, and an alliance with such a family

Ah chevalier! I can give you no hope.

Look at the sweet lady, madam! Behold her, as now, perhaps, balancing in my favour! Think of what she was, the joy of every heart; and what she may be! Which, whatever becomes of me, Heaven avert! And shall not the noble Clementina have her mother for her advocate? God is my witness, that your Clementina’s happiness is, more than my own, the object of my vows. Once more, for your Clementina’s sake (what, alas! is my sake to that) on my knee, let me request your interest: that, joined to my Jeronymo’s, and if the dear lady recede not, if she blast not these budding hopes, will, I doubt not, succeed.

The young lady ran to me, and offering to raise me with both her hands. Rise, chevalier: Shall I raise the chevalier, madam? I don’t love to see him kneel. Poor chevalier! See hjs tears! What is the matter with every body? Why do you weep? My mamma weeps too! What ails every body?

Rise, chevalier, said the marcliioncss. O this E e3 sweet prattler! she will burst my heart asunder! You cannot, Sir, prevail (I cannot ivish that you should) but upon our own terms. And will not this sweet soul move you? Hard-hearted Grandison!

What a fate is mine! rising: with a soul pene-tAted by the disorder of this most excellent of wo — men, and by the distress given by it to a family, every single person of which I both love and reve-rence, to be called hard-hearted! What is it I desire, but that I may not renounce a religion in which my conscience is satisfied, and be obliged to embrace for it, one, to which, though I can love and honour every worthy member of it, I have scruples, more than scru-ples, that my heart can justify, and my reason de fend! You have not, madam, yourself, with a heart all mother and friend, a deeper affliction than mine.

Clementina, all this time, looked with great ear-nestness, now on me, now on her weeping mother And at last, breaking silence [her mother could not speak] and taking her hand, and kissing it, I don’t, said she, comprehend the reason of all this. This house is not the house it was: who, but I, is the same person in it? My father is not the same. My brothers neither: my mamma never has a dry eye, I think: but I don’t weep. I am to be the comforter of you all! And I mil. Don’t weep! Why now you weep the more for my comfortings! O my mamma! What would you say to your girl, if she refused comfort? Then kneeling down and kissing her hand with eagerness, 1 beseech you, my dear mamma, I beseech you, be comforted; or lend me some of your tears What ails me that I cannot weep for you! but turning to me, See, the chevalier weeps too! Then rising, and coming to me, her hand pressing my arm Don’t weep, chevalier, my tutor, my friend, my brother’s preserver! What ails you! Be comforted 1 Then taking her handkerchief out of he r pocket with one hand, still pressing my arm with the other, and putting it to her eyes, and looking upon it No! I thought 1 co7</rfhave wept for you! But why is all this! You see what an example I, a silly girl, can set you Affecting a still sedater countenance.

O chevalier! said the weeping mother, and do you say your heart is penetrated? Sweet creature! wrapping her arms about her; my own Clementina! would to Heaven it were given me to restore my child! O chevalier! if complying with your terms would do it But you are immoveable!

How can that be said, madam, when I have made concessions, that a princely family should not, on a beginning address, have brought me to make? May I repeat, before Lady Clementina

What would he repeat to me? interrupted she. Do, madam, let him say all he has a mind to say. If it will make his poor heart easy, why let him say all he would say Chevalier, speak. Can I be any comfort to you? I would make you all happy, if I could.

This, madam, said I to her mother, is too much! Excellent young lady! Who can bear such tran-scendent goodness of heart, shining through intel — lects so disturbed! And think you, madam, that on earth there can be a man more unhappily circum-stanced than I am?

O my Clementina! said her mother, dear child of my heart! And could you consent to be the wife of a man of a contrary religion to your own? A man of another country? You see, chevalier, I will put your questions to her. A man that is an enemy to the faith of his own ancestors, as well as to your faith?

WTiy, no, madam! I hope he does not expect that I would.

May I presume, madam, to put the question in my own way? But yet I think it may dibtress tiie dear lady, and not. answer the desirable end, if I may not have hope oi your interest in my favour; and of the acquiescence of the marquis and your sons with my proposals.

They will never comply.

Let me then be made to appear insolent, unrea-sonable, and even ungrateful, in the eyes of your Clementina, if her mind can be made the easier by such a representation. If I have no hopes oiyour favour, madam, I must indeed despair.

Had I any hope of carrying your cause, I know not what might be. done: but 1 must not separate myself from my family, in this great article. My dear! to Clementina, you said you should be easier in your mind, if you were to talk to the chevalier alone. This is the only time you can have for it. Your father and brothers will be here tomorrow And then, chevalier, all will be over.

Why, madam, I did think I had a great deal to say to him. And, as I thought I had no interest in what I had to say

Would you wish, my dear, to be left alone with the chevalier? Can you. recollect any-thing that you had intended to say to him, had you made him the visit you designed to make him?

I don’t know.

Then I will withdraw. Shall I, my dear?

Ought I, Sir (You have been my tutor, and many excellent lessons have you taught me though I don’t know what is become of them! Ought 1) to wish my mamma to withdraw? Ought I to have any-thing to say to you, that I could not say before her? I think not.

The marchioness was retiring. I beg of you, madam, said I, to slip unobserved into that closet. You must hear all that passes. The occasion may be critical. Let me have the opportunity of being either approved or censured, as I shall appear to deserve, in the conversation that may pass between the dear lady and me, if you do withdraw. chevalier! You are equally prudent and gene-rous! Why won’t you be one of us? Why won’t you be a Catholic?

She went out at the door, Clementina courtesled to her. I led her eye from the door, and the mar-chioness re-entered, and slipt into the closet.

I conducted the young lady to a chair, which I placed with its back to the closet-door, that her mother might hear all that passed. She sat down, and bid me sit by her.

I was willing she should lead the subject, that the marchioness might observe I intended not to prepossess her.

We were silent for a few moments. She seemed perplexed; looked up, looked down; then on one side, then on the other At last, O chevalier! said she, they were happy times when I was your pupil, and you were teaching me English!

They were indeed happy times, madam.

Mrs. Beaumont was too hard for me, chevalier! Do you know Mrs. Beaumont?

I do. She is one of the best of women.

Why so I think. But she turned and winded me about most strangely. I think I was in a great fault.

How so, madam?

How so! Why to let her get out of me a secret that I had kept from my mother. And yet there never was a more indulgent mother. Now you look, chevalier: but I sha’n’t tell you what the secret was.

I do not ask you, madam.

If you did, I would not tell you. Well, but I had a great deal to say to you, 1 thought. I wish that frantic Camilla had not stopt mc when I was going to you. I had a great deal to say to you.

Cannot you recollect, madam, any part of it?

Let me consider Why, in the first place, I thought you despised me. 1 was not sorry for thatr I do assure you: that did me good. At first it vexed me You can’t think how much. I have a great deal of pride. Sir But, well, I got over that; and I grew sedate You see how sedate I am. Yet this poor man, thought I, whether he thinks so or not (I will tell you all my thoughts, Sir) But don’t be grieved. You see how sedate I am. Yet 1 am a silly girl; you are thought to be a wise man: don’t disgrace your wisdom. Fie! a wise man to be weaker than a simple girl! Don’t let it be said What wa& I saying?

Yet this poor man, ivhether he thinks so, or not, yoxi said, madam.

True! has a soul to be saved. He has taken great pains with me, to teach me the language of England: shall I not take some with him, to teaclv him the language of Heaven! No heretic can leara that, Sir! And I had collected abundance of fin thoughts in my mind, and many pertinent things from the fathers; and they were all in my head But that impertinent Camilla And so they are all gone But this one thing 1 have to say I designed to say something like it, at the conclusion of my discourse with you So it is premeditated, you will say: and so it is. But let me whisper it No I won’t neither But turn your face another way I find my blushes come already But (and she put her spread hand before her face, as if to hide her blushes) Don’t look at me, I tell you Look at the window^ [I did] . Why, chevalier, I did intend to say But stay I have wrote it down somewhere [She pulled out her pocket-book] Here it is. Look anothei* way, when I bid you She read * Let me beseech you, Sir (1 was very earnest, you see) to hate, to despise, to detest (Now don’t look this way) the unhappy Clementina, with all my heart; but, for the sake of your immortal soul, let me conjure you to be reconciled to our holy mother church! ‘ Will you, Sir? following my indeed averted face with her sweet face; for I could not look towards her. iSay you will. I heard you once called an angel of a man: and is it not better to be an angel in heaven? Tender-hearted man! 1 always thought you had sensibility Say you will-r-Not for ray sake 1 told you, that I would content myself to be still despised. It shall not be said, that you did this for a wife! No, Sir, your conscience shall have all the merit of it! And I’ll tell you what; I will lay me down in peace She stood up with a dignity that was aug-mented by her piety; And 1 will say, ‘ Now do thou, O beckoning angel (for an angel will be on the other side of the river The river shall be death, Sir! Now do thou) reach out thy divine hand, O minister of peace! I will wade through these sepa-rating waters; and I will bespeak a place for the man, who, many, many years hence, may fill it! And I will sit next you Ibf ever and ever!’ And this. Sir, shall satisfy the poor Clementina; who will then be richer than the richest! So you see. Sir, as I told my mother, I was setting out on God’s er-rand; not on my own!

For hours might the dear lady have talked on, without interruption from me! — iVIy dear Dr. Bart-lett! what did 1 not suffer?

The marchioness was too near for herself: she could not bear this spiu’ch of her pious, generous, noble daughter. She sobbed; she groaned.

Clementina started She looked;it me. She look-ed round her. Whence came these groans? Didyott groan, Sir? You are not a hard-hearted man, though they say you are. But will you be a Catholic, Sir? Say you will. I won’t be denied. And I will tell you what If I don’t resign to ray destiny in a few, a very few weeks, why then I will go into a nunnery; and then I shall be God’s child, you know, even in this life.

What could I say to her? Dear soul! Her mind was raised above an earthly love. Circumstanced as we were, how could I express the tenderness for her which overflowed my heart? Compassion is a motive that a woman of spirit will reject: and how-could love be here ^/earferf, when the parties believed it to be in my own power to exert it? Could I endeavour to replace myself in her affection, when I refused to comply with their terms, and they with mine? To have argued against her religion, and in defence of my own, her mind so disturbed, could not be done: and ought I, in generosity, in justice to her family, to have attempted to unsettle her in a faith in which she, and all her family, were so well satisfied?

I could only, when I could speak, applaud her piety, and pronounce her an angel of a woman, an ornament ot her sex, and an honour to her religion; and endeavour to wave the subject.

Ah, chevalier! said she, after a silence of some minutes! You are an obstinate man! Indeed you are Yet, I think, you do not despise me. But what says your paper?

She took it out of her bosom, and read it. She seemed affected by it, as if she had not before considered it: and you rert% proposed these terms, Sir? And would you have allowed me the full exercise of my religion? And should I have had my confessor? And would you have allowed me to convert you, if I could? And would you have treated my confessor kindly? And would you have been dutiful to my papa and mamma? And would you have loved my two

Other brothers as well as you do Jeronyrao? And would you have let me live at Bologna? You don’t say, Yes. But do you say, No?

To these terras, madam, most willingly would I have subscribed: and if, my dearest lady, they could have had the wished-for elFect, how happy had I been?

Well! She then paused; and resuming. What shall we say to all these things?

I thought her mother would take it well, to have an opportunity given her to quit the closet, now her Clementina had changed her subject to one so concerning to the whole family. I favoured her doing so. She slipt out, her face bathed in tears, and soon after came in at the drawing-room door.

Ah, madam! said Clementina, paying obeisance to her, I have been arguing and pleading with the chevalier.

Then, speaking low, I believe he may, in time, be convinced: he has a tender heart. But hush, putting her finger to her mouth, and then speaking louder. I have been reading this paper again

She was going on too favourably for me, as it was evident the marchioness apprehended (the first time that I had reason to think she was disinclined to the alliance): for she stopt her: My love, said she, you and I will talk of this matter by ourselves.

She rang. Camilla came in. She made a motion for Camilla to attend her daughter; and withdrew, inviting me out with her.

When we were in another room, Ah, chevalier I said she, how was it possible that you Could with-stand such aheavenly pleader? ^ou cannot love her as she deserves to be loved; you cannot but act nobly, generously; but indeed you are an invinci-ble man.

Not love her, madam! Your ladyship adds distresi to my very great distress! Am I, in your opinion, an ungrateful man! But must I lose your favour, your interest? On that, and on my dear Jeronymo’s, did I build my hopes, and all my hopes.

I know your terms can never be accepted, cheva-lier: and I have now no hopes of you. After this last conversation between you and the dear girl, I can have no hopes of you. Poor soul! She began to waver. O how she loves you! I see you are not to be united: it is impossible. And I did not care to permit a daughter of mine further to expose her-self, as it must have been to no manner of purpose. You are concerned — I should pity you, Sir, if you had it not in your potver to make yourself happy, and us, and ours too.

Little did I expect such a turn in my disfavour from the marchioness.

May I, madam, be permitted to take leave of the dear lady, to whose piety and admirable heart I am so much indebted?

I believe it may as well be deferred, chevalier.

Deferred, madam! The marquis and the general come; and my heart tells me, that I may never be allowed to see her again.

At this time it had better be deferred. Sir.

If it must, I submit God for ever bless you, ma-dam, for all your goodness! God restore to you your Clementina! May you all be happy! Time may do much for me! Time, and my own not disapproving conscience, may But a more unhappy man never passed your gates!

I took the liberty to kiss her hand, and withdrew, with great emotion.

Camilla hastened after me. Chevalier, says she, my lady asks if you will not visit Signor Jero-nymo?

Blessings attend my ever — valued friend! I cannot gee him. I shall complain to hm. My heart will burst before him. Commend me to that true friend, lilessings attend every one of this excellent family! Camilla, obliging Camilla, adieu!

O Ur. Bartlett! But the mother was right. She was to account for her conduct in the absence of her lord. She knew the determination of the family; and her Clementina was on the point of shewing more favour to me, than, as things were circumstanced, it was proper she should shew me: yet they had found out that Clementina, in the way she was in, was not easily diverted from any-thing she took strongly into her head; and they never had accustomed her to contradiction.

Well, Lucy, now you have read this letter, do you not own, that this man, and this woman, can only deserve each other? Your Harriet, my dear, is not worthy to be the handmaid of either. This is not an aflfectation of humility. You will be all of the same opinion, I am sure: and this letter will convince you, that more than his compassion, that his love for Clementina, was engaged. And so itought. And what is the inference but this That your Harriet, were this great difficulty to be vincible, could pretend to hope but for half a heart? There cannot be that fervor, my dear, in a second love, that was in a first. Do you think there can i

DR. BARTLETt’s ninth LETTER.

The young lady, proceeds Mr. Grandison, after I had left her, went to her brother Jeronymo. There I should have found her, had I, as her mo-ther motioned by Camilla, visited my friend: but when I found he was likely to stand alone in his fa-vour to me; when the marchioness had so unex — ff2 pectedly declared herself against the compromise; I was afraid of disturbing his worthy heart, by the grief which at the instant overwhelmed mine.

The following particulars Jeronynio sent me, within three hours after I left their palace.

His sister, making Camilla retire, shewed him the paper which she had written, and made me sign, and asked him what he knew of the contents.

He knew not what had passed between his mo-ther and me; uor did Clementina.

He told her, that I had actually made those proposals. He assured her, that 1 loved her above all women. He acquainted her with my distress.

She pitied me. She thought, she said, that I had not — made any overtures, any concessions: that I despised her; and sensibly asked. Why the cheva-lier was sent for from Vienna? We all knew his mind as to religion, said she.

Then, after a pause. He never could have per-verted me: he would have allowed me a confessor, would he not?

He would, answered Jeronymo

And he would have left me among my friends in Italy?

He would, replied he.

Well, brother, and I should have been glad per-haps to have seen England once; and he would per — haps have brought over his sisters and his father to visit us: and he praises them highly, i/ou know. And if I were their sister, I could have gone over with them, ^ou knoiv. Do you think if I had loved them they would not have loved me? I am not an ill-na-tured creature, i/ou knoxu; and they must be courte — ous: Are they not ^?s sisters? And don’t you think his father would love me? I should have brought no dishonour into his family, you know. Well, but I’ll tell you what, Jeronymo; he is really a tender-hearted man. I talked to him of his soul: and upon my honour, I believe I could have prevailed, in time. Father Marescotti is a severe man, you knotu; and he has been always so much consulted, and don’t love the chevalier, 1 believe: so that I fancy, if I were to have a venerable sweet-tempered man for my confessor, between my love and my confessor’s prudence, we should gain a soul. Don’t you think so, Jeronymo? And that would cover a great many sins. And all his family might be converted too, you know!

He encouraged her in this way of thinking. She beheved, she said, that I was not yet gone. He is so tender-hearted, brother! that is my dependence: and you say, he loves me. Are you sure of that? But I have reason to think he does. He shed tears, as I talked to him, more than once; while my eyes were as dry as they are now. I did not shed one tear. Well, I’ll go to him, and talk with him.

She went to the door; but came back on tiptoe; and in a whispering accent My mammals coming; Hush, Jeronymo! let Hush be the word!

The door opened Here, madam, is your girl! But it is not my mamma: the impertinent Camilla. She follows me as my shadow!

My lady desires to see you, Lady Clementina, in her dressing-room.

I obey. But where is the chevalier?

Gone, madam, gone some time.

Ah, brother! said she, and her countenance fell.

What, gone! said Jeronymo, without seeing me! Unkind Grandison! He did not use to be so unkind.

This was the substance of the advices sent me by my friend Jeronymo.

I acquainted him, in return, by pen and ink, with all that had passed between the marchioness and mej that he might not, by his friendship for me, involve himself in difficulties.

In the morning I had a visit from Camilla, by her lady’s command; with excuses for refusing to allow me to take leave of Clementina. She hoped I was not displeased with her on that account. It was the effiect of prudence, and not disrespect. She should ever regard me, even in a tender manner, as if the desired relation could have taken place. Her lord, and her brother the Conte della Porretta (as he is called) with the general and the bishop, arrived the night before, accompanied by the count’s eldest son, Signor Sebastiano. She had been much blamed for permitting the interview; but regretted it the less, as her beloved daughter was more composed than before, and gave sedate answers to all the questions put to her. But, nevertheless, she wished that I would retire from Bologna, for Clementina’s sake, as well as for my own.

Camilla added from Signor Jeronymo, that he wished to hear from me from the Trentine, or Ve-nice: and as from herself, and in confidence, that her young lady was greatly concerned, that I did not wait on her again before I went away: that she fell into a silent fit upon it; and that her mamma, on her not answering to her questions, for the first time, chid her: that this gave her great distress, but produced what they had so much wished for, a flood of tears; and that now she frequently wept, and lamented to her, What should she do? Her mamma did not love her, and her mamma talked against the chevalier. She wished to be allowed to see him. Nobody now would love her but the che-valier and Jeronymo! It would be better for her to be in England, or any-where, than to be in the sweetest country in the world, and hated.

Camilla told me, that the mai-quis, the count his brother, and the general, had indeed blamed the marchioness for permitting the interview; but were pleased that I was refused taking leave of the young lady, when she seemed disposed to dwell on the conr-tents of the note she had made me sign: they seemed now all of a mind, she said: that were I to comply with their terms, the alliance would not, by any means, be a proper one. Their rank, their degree, their alliances, were dwelt upon: I found that their advantages, in all these respects were heightened; my degree, my consequence, lowered, in order to make the difference greater, and the-difficulties insuperable.

Clementina’s uncle, and his eldest son, both men of sense and honour, who used to be high in her esteem, had talked to her: but could get nothing from her but No, and Yes. Her father had talked to her alone; but they melted each other, and no-thing resulted of comfort to either. Her mother joined him; but she threw herself at her mother’s feet, besought her to forgive her, and not to chide her again. They had intended to discourage her from thinking of me upon any terms. The general and the bishop were to talk to her that morning. They had expressed displeasure at Signor Jeron}^- mo, for his continued warmth in my favour. Fa-ther Marescotti was now consulted as an oracle; and 1 found, that, by an indelicacy of thinking, he imagined, that the husband would set all right: and was for encouraging the Count of Belvedere, and getting me at a distance.

Camilla obligingly offered to acquaint me, from time to time, with what occurred; but I thought it was not right to accept of a servant’s intelligence out of the family she belonged to, unless some one of it authorized her to give it me. Yet, you must believe, I wanted not anxious curiosity on a subject

SO interesting. I thanked her; but said, that it might, if discovered, lay her under inconveniences which would grieve me for her sake. She had the good sense to approve of my declining her offer.

In the morning of the same day, I had a visit made me which I little expected: it was from Father Ma-rescotti. It is a common thing to load an enemy, especially if he be in holy orders, and comes to us in the guise of friendship, with the charge of hypo-crisy: but partiality may be at the bottom of the accusation. Father Marescotti is a zealous Roman-catholic: I could not hope either for his interest, or affection: he could not but wish to frustrate my hopes. As a man in earnest in his own principles, and who knew how stedfast I was in mine, it was his duty to oppose this alliance. He is, perhaps, the honesterman for knowing but little of human nature, and of the tender passions. As to that of love, he seemed to have drawn his conclusions from general observations; he knew not how to allow for particu-lar constitutions, nor to account for the delicacy of such a heart as Clementina’s. Love he thought was always a poor blind boy, led in a string, either by folly, or fancy; and that once the impetus got over, and the lady settled into the common offices of life, she would domesticate herself, and be as happy with the Count of Belvedere, especially as he is a very worthy man, as if she had married the man once most favoured. On this presumption, it was a condescension in such a man, to come to me, and to declare himself my friend; and advise me what to do for promoting the peace of a family which I professed to venerate; and you will hear that his con descension was owing to a real greatness of mind.

I was, from the moment of his entrance, very open, very frank; more go than he expected, as he owned. He told me, that he was afraid I had conceived prejudices against him. The kinder then in him, I said, that he condescended to make me so friendly a visit. I assured him, that I regarded him as a good man. I had indeed sometimes thought him severe; but that convinced me that he was very ipuch in earnest in his rehgion. I was sensible, I said, that we ought always to look to the intention; to put ourselves in the situation of the persons of whose actions we presumed to judge; and even to think well of austerities, which had their foundation in virtue, in whatever manner they affected ourselves.

He applauded me; and said, I wanted so little to be a Catholic, that it was a thousand pities I was not one: and he was persuaded, that I should one day be a proselyte.

This father’s business was, to convince me of the unfitness of an alliance between families so very opposite in their religious sentiments. He went into history upon it. You may believe, that the unhappy consequences which followed the marriage between our Charles I. and the Princess Henrietta of France, were not forgotten. He expatiated upon them: but I observed to him, That the monarch was the sufferer, by the zeal of the queen for her reli-gion, and not the queen, any otherwise than as she was involved in the consequences of those sufferings which she had brought upon him. In short, father, said I, we Protestants, some of us, have zeal; but let us alone, and it is not a persecuting one. Your doctrine of merits makes the zeal of your devotees altogether active, and perhaps the more flaming, in proportion as the person is more honest and worthy.

I lamented, that I was sent fbr from Vienna, upon hopes, though my principles were well known, that otherwise I had never presumed to entertain.

He owned that that was a wrong step: and valued himself that he had not been consulted upon it; and that when he knew it had been taken, he inveighed against it.

And I am afraid, father, said I

He interrupted me Why, I believe so! You have made such generous distinctions in favour of the duty of a man acting in my function, that, I must oxKii, 1 have not been an idle observer on this occasion.

He advised me to quit Bologna. He was profuse in his offers of service in any other affair; and, I dare say, was in earnest.

I told him, That I chose not to leave it precipi-tately, and as if I had done something blame-worthy. I had some hopes of being recalled to my father’s arms. I should set out, when I left Bologna, directly for Paris, to be in the way of such a long-wished-for call: and then, said I, adieu to travelling! Adieu to Italy, for ever! I should have been happy, had I never seen it, but in the way for which 1 have been accustomed to censure the generality of my coun-trymen.

His behaviour at parting was such, as will make me for ever revere him: and will enlarge a charity for all good men of his religion; which yet, before, was not a narrow one. For, begging my excuse, he kneeled down at the door of my antechamber, and offered up, in a very fervent manner, a prayer for my conversion. He could not have given me, any other way, so high an opinion of him: no, not, had he offered me his interest with Clementina, and her fa-mily. I embraced him; as he did me: tears were in his eyes. I thanked him for the favour of this visit; and, recommending myself to his frequent pray-ers, told him, That he might be assured of all the respectful services he should put it in my power to render him. I longed, Dr. Bartlett, to make him a present worthy of his acceptance, had I known what would have been acceptable, and had 1 not been afraid of affronting him. I accompanied him to the outward door. 1 never, said he, saw a Protestant that 1 loved, before. Your mind is still more amiable than your person. Lady Clementina, 1 see, might have been happy with you: but it was not fit, on cur side. He snatched my hand, before I was aware, and honoured it with his lips; and hajstened from me, leaving me at a loss, and looking after him, and for him, when he was out of sight; my mind labouring as under a high sense of obli-gation to his goodness.

Religion and love. Dr. Bartlett, which heighten our relish for the things of both worlds, what pity is it, that they should ever run the human heart either into enthusiasm, or superstition; and thereby debase the minds they are both so well fitted to exalt!

I am equally surprised and affected by the contents of the following letter directed to me. It was put within the door; nobody saw by whom. The daughter of the lady at whose house I lodge, found it, and gave it to one of my servants for me.

Don’t be surprised, chevalier; don’t think amiss of me for my forwardness, I heard some words drop (so did Camilla, but she can’t go out to tell you of them) as if Somebody’s life was in danger. This distracts me. I am not treated as I was ac-customed to be treated. They don’t love me now They don’t love their poor Clementina! Very true, chevalier! You, who are always telling me how dearly they all loved me, will hardly believe it, I suppose. Nothing now is said, but You shall, Cle-mentina from those who used to call me sister, and dear sister, at every word.

Tliey t>aid, I was well, and quite well, and ought to be treated with a high hand I know from whom they have that. From myself. I said so to Mrs. Beaumont; but she need not to have told them. I won’t go to her again, for that. They say 1 shall. God help me, I don’t know where to go for a quiet mind. A high hand won’t do, chevalier: I wish I knew what would; I would tell it to them. I once thought it would; else I had not said it to Mrs. Beaumont: but let them go on with their high hands, with all my heart: that heart will not hold always. It had been gone before now, had not Mrs. Beau-mont got out of me Something 1 won’t tell you what And then they sent for Somebody And Somebody came And what then? They need not threaten me so Somebody is not so much to blame as they will have it he is: and that Somebody did make proposals Did you not, chevalier? I had like to have betrayed myself I stopt just in time. But, chevalier, I’ll tell you a secret Don’t speak of it to any-body May I depend upon you? I know I may. Why, Camilla tells me, that the Count of Belvedere is to come again. Are you not sorry for your poor pupil? But I’ll tell you another secret And that is, what I intend to say to him ‘ Look you here, my lord, you are a very good sort of man; and you have great estates: you are very rich: you are, in short, a very good sort of man: but there is, however, a man in the world with whom I had rather live in the poorest hermitage in a wilderness, than with you in the richest palace in the world.’ After this, if he be not the creeping mean man you said he was not, he will be answered Every-thing you said to me in former happy tiriies, I remember. You always said things to me, that were fit to be remembered. Yet I don’t tell you who my hermit is, that I had rather live with. Per-haps there is no such man. But this, you know, will be a sufficient answer to the Count of Belve-dere. Don’t you think so?

Here I have been tormented again! Would you think it? I have been pleading for Somebody, boldly, confidently. I said 1 could depend upon his honour! Ah, chevalier! Don’t you think I might? I am to be locked up, and I can’t tell what! They won’t let me see Somebody They won’t let me see my poor Jeronymo! Yoii, and I, and Jeronymo, are all put together! I don’t care, as I tell Camilla: I don’t care. They will quite harden me.

But just now my mamma O she is the best of mothers! My mamma tells me, she will not per-suade me, if I will be patient, if I will be good. My dear mamma, as I told her, I will be patient, and good: but don’t let them inveigh against the che-valier, then. What harm has he done? Was he not Ah! Sir, now I blush! Was he not sent for? And did he not weep over me? Yet is he none df your bold men, who look as proudly as if they were sure of your approbation! Well, but what do you think my mamma said Ah, Clementina! said she, would to God the chevalier for his own sake (yes, she said for his oum sake; and that made a great impression upon me; it was so good, you know, of my mamma) that the chevalier was in England, or a thousand miles off. So, Sir, this is my advice Pray take it; for I and Camilla heard some words, and Camilla, as well as I, is much trou-bled about them Get away to England as soon as you can Be sure do! And some months hence, bring your two sisters over with you; and by that time all our feuds will be ended, you know: and you shall take a house, and then I can go and visit your sisters, you know, and your sisters will visit us. You will come sometimes with them; Won’t you? Well, and I’ll tell you how we will pass part of our time: they shall perfect me in my English: I will perfect them in Italian. They know as much of that, I suppose, at least, as I do of English: and we will visit every court, and every city. So, God bless you, Sir, and get away, as soon as you can. I put no name; for fear this should miscarry, and I should be found out Ah, Sir! they are very severe with me! Pity me: but I know you will; for you have a tender heart. It is all for You!

These last five words were intended to be scratched out; and are but just legible.

How the contents of this letter afflict me! Words cannot express what I feel! I see, evidently, that they are taking wrong measures with the tenderest heart in the world; a heart that never once has swerved from its duty; and which is filled with re-verence and love for all that boast a relation to it. Harsh treatment, and which is besides new to it, is not the method to be taken with such a heart. Shill I, thought I, when I had perused it, ask for an audience of a mother so indulgent, and give her my disinterested advice upon it? Once I could have done so; and even, in confidence, have shewn her this very letter: but now she is one with the angry part of her family, and 1 dare not do it, for Clemen-tina’s sake. Talk of locking her up! Talk of bring — ing a lover to her! Threatening her with going to Mrs. Beaumont, when they should court her to go thither! Not suffer her to see her beloved Jerony-mo! He in disgrace too! How hard, how wrong, is all this conduct! I could have written to Jeronymo, thought I, and advised gentle measures, were he not out of their consultations As to the threatened resentments, they are as nothing to me. Clementina’s sufferings are every-thing! My soul disdains the thought of fastening myself upon a proud family, that now looks upon me in a mean light. A proud heart undervalued, will swell. It will be put upon orer-valuing itself. You know, Dr. Bartlett, that I have a very proud heart: but when 1 am trampled upon, or despised, then it is most proud. I would call myself a man, to a prince, who should unjustly hold me in contempt; and let him know that 1 look-ed upon him to be no more. My pride is raised: yet against whom! Not Clementina! She has all my pity! She has seen, and I have found, that her unhappy delirium, though not caused by me (I bless God for that!) has made me tender as a chidden infant. And can I think of quitting Bologna, and not see if it be possible for me to gratify myself, and serve them in her restoration? Setting quite out of the question the general’s causeless resentments, and the engagement I have laid myself under not to leave it without apprising him of my intention.

Upon the whole, 1 resolved to wait the issue of the new measures they have fallen upon. The dear lady has declared herself in my favour. Such a frank declaration must soon be followed by import-ant consequences.

The third day after the arrival of her father and brothers from Urbino, I received the following billet from the marquis himself:

CHBTAUER GRANDISON,

We are in the utmost distress. We cannot take upon us to forbid your stay at Bologna; but shall be obliged to you, if you will enable us to acquaint our daughter, that you are gone to England, or some far distant part of Italy. Wishing you happy, I am, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant.

To this I wrote as follows:

MY LORD,

I am excessively grieved for your distress. I make no hesitation to obey you. But as I am not conscious of having, in word or deed, offended you, or any one of a family to whom I owe infinite obli-gations; let me hope, that I may be allowed a fare — well visit to your lordship, to your lady, and to your three sons; that my departure may not appear like that of a criminal, instead of the parting, which, from the knowledge I have of my own heart, as well as of your experienced goodness, may be claimed by your lordship’s

Ever obliged, and affectionate humble servant,

GRANDISON.

This request, I understood,occasioned warm debates. It was said to be a very bold one: but my dear Jeronymo insisted, that it was worthy of his friend, his deliverer, as he called me; and of an innocent man.

The result was, that I should be invited in form, to visit and take leave of the family: and two days were taken, that some others of the Urbino family might be present, to see a man for the last time (and some of them for the first) who was thought by his request, to have shewn a very extraordinary degree of intrepidity; and who, though a Protest-ant, was honoured with so great an interest in the heart of their Clementina.

The day before I was to make this formal visit (for such it was to be) I received the following let-ter from my friend Jeronymo:

MY DEAREST GRANDISON,

Take the particulars of the situation we are in here, that you may know what to expect, and how to act and comport yourself, tomorrow evening.

Your reception will be, I am afraid, cold; but civil.

You will be looked upon by the Urbino family, who have heard more of you than they have seen, as a curiosity; but with more wonder than affection.

Of them will be present, the count my father’s brother, and his sons Sebastiano and Juliano, my aunt Signora Juliana de Sforza, a widow lady, as you know, and her daughter Signora Laurana, a young woman of my sister’s age, between whom and my sister used to be, as you have heard, the stricter friendship and correspondence; and who insisted on being present on this occasion. They are all good-natured people; but love not either your coun-try or religion.

Father Marescotti will be present. He is become your very great admirer.

My father thinks to make you his compliments; but if he withdraws the moment he has made them, you must not be surprised.

My mother says, that as it is the last time that she may ever see you, and as she really greatly re-spects you, she shall not be able to leave you while you stay.

The general, I hope, will behave with politeness.

The bishop loves you; but will not, however, perhaps, be in high good humour with you.

Your Jeronymo will be wheeled into the same room. If he be more silent than usual on the so-lemn occasion, you will not do him injustice, per — haps, if you attribute it to his prudenpe; but much more to his grief.

And now let me tell you, as briefly as I can, the situation of the dear creature who must not appear, but who is more interested in the occasion of the congress than any person who will be present at it.

What passed between you and her at the last interview, has greatly impressed her in your favour. The bishop, the general, and my father, soon after their return from Urbino, made her a visit in her dressing-room. They talked to her of the excel-lency of her own religion, and of the errors of the pretended reformed, which they called, and I sup-pose are, damnable. They found her steady in her abhorrence of the one, and adherence to the other. They were delighted with her rational answers, and composed behaviour: they all three retired in rap-tures, to congratulate each other upon it; and re — turned with pleasure, to enter into farther talk with her: but when they mentioned you to her, she, led by their affectionate behaviour to her on their re-turn, said. It had given her great pleasure, and-ease of mind, to find that she was not despised by a man whom every one of the family regarded for his merit and great qualities. The general had hardly pati-ence; he walked to the farther end of the room: my father was in tears: the bishop soothed her, in order to induce her to speak her whole mind.

He praised you. She seemed pleased. He led her to believe, that the whole family were willing to oblige her, if she would declare herself; and asked her questions, the answers to which must either be an avowal or a denial of her love; and then she owned, That she preferred the Chevalier Grandison to all the men in the world; she would not, against the opinion of her friends, wish to be his; but never would be the wife of any other man.

What, said the general, though he continue a heretic .’’

He inight be converted, she said. And he was a sweet-tempered and compassionate man: and a man of sense as he was, must see his errors. Would she run the risque of her own salvation? She was sure she should never give up her faith. It was tempting God to abandon her to her own perverseness.

Her reliance on his goodness to enable her to be stedfast, was humble, and not presumptuous, and with a pious view to gain a proselyte; and God would not forsake a person so well intending. Was she not to be allowed her confessor? Her confessor should be appointed by themselves. She did not doubt but the chevalier would consent to that.

The bishop, you know, can be cool when he pleases. He bore to talk further with her. My father was still in tears. The general had no longer patience. He with-drew, and came to me, and vented on me his dis pleasure. It is true, Grandison, when it was pro posed to send for you from Vienna, I, sanguine in my hopes, had expressed myself as void of all doubt but you would become a Catholic Your love, your compassion, your honour, as I thought, engaged by such a step taken on our side I had no notion that on such a surprise, with such motives to urge your compliance, a young man like myself, and with a heart so sensible, could have been so firm: but these thoughts are all over This, however, exposes me to the more reproaches.

We were high; and my mother and uncle came in to mediate between us.

I would not, I could not, renounce my friend; the friend of my soul, as in our first acquaintance; and the preserver of my life Miserable as that has been, the preserver of it, at a time when I was engaged in an unlaxvftd pursuit, in which had I pe — rished, what might I have now been, and where?

I ventured to give my opinion in favour of my sister’s marriage with you, as the only method that could be taken to restore her; who, I said, loved you because you were a virtuous man; and that her love was not only founded in virtue, but was virtue itself.

My brother told me, that I was as much beside myself with my notions of gratitude, as my sister was with a passion less excusable.

I bade him forbear wounding a wounded man. Thus high ran words between us. The bishop, mean time, went on with a true church subtlety, to get out of the innocent girl her whole mind.

He boasted afterwards of his art. But what was there in it to boast of? A mind so pure and so sim-ple as Clementina’s ever was, and which only the pride of her sex, and motives of religion, had per-haps hindered her from declaring to all the world.

He asked her. If she were willing to leave her father, mother, brothers, and country, to go to a strange land; to live among a hated people?

No, she said; you would not wish her to go out of Italy. You would live nine months out of twelve in Italy.

He told her, That she must, when married, do as her husband would have her. She could trust to your honour. Would she consent that her children should be trained up heretics?

She was silent to this question. He repeated it.

Well, my lord, if I must not be allowed to choose for myself; only let me not hear the chevalier spoken of disrespectfully: he does not deserve it.

He has acted by me with as much honour, as he did by my brother. He is an uniformly good man, and as generous as good And don’t let me have other proposals made me; and I will be contented. I had never so much distinguished him, if every-body had not as well as 1.

He was pleased to find her answers so rational: he pronounced her quite well; and gave it as his opinion, that you should be desired to quit Bologna: and your absence, and a little time, he was sure, would secure her health of mind.

But when her aunt Sforza and her cousin Laurana talked with her next morning, they found her, on putting questions about you, absolutely determined in your favour. fehe answered the objections they made against you with equal warmth and clearness. She seemed sensible of the unhappy way she had been in, and would have it, that the last interview she had with you, had helped to calm and restore her: and she hoped that she should be better every day. She praised your behaviour to her: she expatiated upon, and pitied, your distress of mind.

They let her run on till they too had obtained from her a confirmation of all that the bishop had reported; and, upon repeating the conversation, would have it, upon experience, that soothing such a passion was not the way to be taken; but that a high hand was to be used, and that she was to be shamed out of a love so improper, so irreligious, so scandalous, to be encouraged in a daughter of their house with a heretic; and who had shewn himself to be a determined one.

They accordingly entered upon their new mea-sures. They forbad her to think of you: they told her. That she should not upon any terms be yours; not now, even if you would change your religion for her. They depreciated your family, your for-tune, and even your understanding; and brought to prove what they said against the latter, your obsti-nate adherence to your mushroom religion, so they called it; a religion that was founded in the wickedness of your Vlllth Henry; in the superstition of a child his successor; and in the arts of a vile woman who had martyred a sister queen, a better woman than herself. They insisted upon her encouraging the Count of Belvedere’s addresses, as a mark of her obedience.

They condemned, in terms wounding to her mo-desty, her passion for a foreigner, and enemy to her faith; and on her earnest request to see her father, he was prevailed upon to refuse her that favour.

Lady Juliana Sforza and her daughter Laurana, the companion of her better hours, never see her, but they inveigh against you as an artful, and inte-rested man.

Her uncle treats her with authority; Signor Se-bastiano with a pity bordering on contempt.

My mother shuns her; and indeed avoids me: but as she has been blamed for permitting the inter-view, which they suppose the wrongest step that could have been taken; she declares herself neutral, and resigns to whatever shall be done by her lord, by his brother, her two sons, and Lady Juliana de Sforza: but 1 am sure, in her heart, that she ap-proves not of the new measures; and which are also, as I have reminded the bishop, so contrary to the advice of the worthy Mrs. Beaumont; to whom they begin to think of once more sending my sister, or of prevailing on her to come hither: but Clementina seems not to be desirous of going again to her; we know not why; since she used to speak of her with the highest respect.

The dear soul rushed in to me yesterday. Ah, ray Jeronymo! said she, they will drive me into despair. They hate me, Jeronymo But I have writ — ten to Somebody! Hush! for your Ufe, hush.

She was immediately followed in by her aunt Sforza, and her cousin Laurana, and the general; who, though he heard not what she said, insisted on her returning to her own apartment.

What! said she, must I not speak to Jeronymo? Ah, Jeronymo I I had a great deal to say to you!

I raved; but they hurried her out, and have for-bid her to visit me: they, however, have had the ci — vility to desire my excuse. They are sure, they say, they are in the right way: and if I will have pati-ence with them for a week, they will change their measures, if they find these new ones ineffectual. But my sister will be lost, irrecoverably lost; I foresee that.

Ah Grandison! And can you still But now they will not accept of your change of religion. Poor Clementina! Unhappy Jeronymo! Unhappy Gran’ dison! I will say. If you are not so, you cannot deserve the affection of a Clementina.

But are you the Somebody to whom she has written? Has she written to you? Perhaps you will find some opportunity tomorrow to let me know whether she has, or not. Camilla is forbidden to stir out of the house, or to write.

The general told me, just now, that my gratitude to you shewed neither more nor less, than the high value I put upon my own life.

I answered; That his observation convinced me, that he put a much less upon mine, than I, in the same case, should have put upon his.

He reconciled himself to me by an endearment. He embraced me. Don’t say convinced, Jeronymo. I love not myself better than I love my Jeronymo.

What can one do with such a man I He does love me.

My mother, as I said, is resolved to be neutral: but, it seems, she is always in tears.

My mother stept in just now To my question after my sister’s health; Ah, Jeronymo! said she. All is wrong! The dear creature has been bad ever since yesterday. They are all wrong! But patience and silence, child! You and 1 have nothing to an-swer for. Yet my Clementina, said she Oh! and left me.

I have no heart to write on. You will see, fi“om the above, the way we are in. O my Grandison! What will you do among us? I wish you would not come. Yet what hope, if you do not, shall I ever have of seeing again my beloved friend, who has behaved so unexceptionably in a case so critical?

You must not think of the dear creature: her head is ruined: for your own sake, you must not. We are all unworthy of you: yet, not all: all, however, but Clementina, and (if true friendship will justify my claim to another exception)

Your afflicted

JERONYMO.



Letter XXIX.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

O MY Lucy! What think you! But it is easy to guess what you must think. I will, without saying one word more, inclose

DR. BARTLETT’s tenth LETTER.

The next day (proceeds my patron) I went to make my visit to the family. I had nothing to re-proach myself with; and therefore had no other concern upon me but what arose from the unhappiness of the noble Clementina: that indeed was enough. I thought I should have some difficulty to manage my own spirit, if I were to find myself insulted, especially by the general. Soldiers are so apt to value themselves on their knowledge of what, after all, one may call but their trade, that a private gentleman is often thought too slightly of by them. Insolence in a great man, a rich man, or a soldier, is a call upon a man of spirit to exert himself. But I hope, thought I, I shall not have this call from anj one of a family I so greatly respect.

I was received by the bishop; who politely, after I had paid my compliments to the marquis and his lady, presented me to those of the Urbino family to whom I was a stranger. Every one of those named by Signor Jeronymo, in his last letter, was present.

The marquis, after he had returned my compliment, looked another way, to hide his emotion: the marchioness put her handkerchief to her eyes; but withdrawing it again, looked upon me with tenderness; and 1 read in them her concern for her Cle — mentina.

I paid my respects to the general with an air of freedom, yet of regard; to my Jeronymo, with the tenderness due to our friendship; and congratulated him on seeing him out of his chamber. His kind eyes glistened with pleasure; yet it was easy to read a mixture of pain in them; which grew stronger as the first emotions on seeing me enter, gave way to reflection.

The Conte della Porretta seemed to measure me with his eye.

I addressed myself to Father Marescotti, and made my particular acknowledgments to him for the fa-vour of his visit, and what had passed in it. He

H U looked upon me with pleasure; probably with the more, as this was a farewell visit.

The two ladies whispered, and looked upon me, and seemed to bespeak each other’s attention to what passed.

Signer Sebastiano placed himself next to Jerony-mo, and often whispered him, and as often cast his eye upon me. He was partial to me, I believe, because my generous friend seemed pleased with what he said.

His brother, Signor Juliano, sat on the other hand of me. They are agreeable and polite young men.

A profound silence succeeded the general compliments.

I addressed myself to the marquis: Your lordship, and you, madam, turning to the marchioness, I hope will excuse me for having requested the favour of being once more admitted to your presence, and to that of three brothers, for whom 1 shall ever retain the most respectful affection. I could not think of leaving a city, where one of the first families in it has done me the highest honour, without taking such a leave as might shew my gratitude Accept, my lords, bowing; Accept, madam, more profoundly bowing to the marchioness, my respectful thanks for all your goodness to me. I shall, to the end of my life, number most of the days that I have passed at Bologna among its happiest, even were the remain-der to be as happy as man ever knew.

The marquis said, We wish you, chevalier, very happy; happier than He sighed, and was silent.

His lady only bowed. Her face spoke distress. Her voice was lost in sighs, though she struggled to suppress them.

Chevalier, said the bishop, with an air of solemni — ty, you have given us many happy hours: for them we thank you. Jeronymo, for himself, will say more: he is the most grateful of men. We thank you also for what you have done for him.

I cannot, said Jeronymo, express suitably my gratitude: my prayers, my vows, shall follow you whithersoever you go, best of friends, and best of men!

The general, with an air and a smile that might have been dispensed with, oddly said. High pleasure and high pain are very near neighbours: they are often guilty of excesses, and then are apt to mistake each other’s house. 1 am one of those who think ouf whole house obliged to the chevalier for the seasonable assistance he gave to our Jeronymo. But–Dear general, said Lady Juliana, bear with an in terruption: the intent of this meeting is amicable. The chevalier is a man of honour. Things may have fallen out unhappily; yet nobody to blame.

As to blame, or otherwise, said the Conte della Porretta, that is not now to be talked of; else, I know where it lies: in short, among ourselves. The che-valier acted greatly by Signer Jeronymo: we were all obliged to him: but to let such a man as this have free admission to our daughter She ought to have had no eyes.

Pray, my lord, pray, brother, said the marquis, are we^not enough sufferers?

The chevalier, said the general, cannot but be gratified by so high a compliment; and smiled indignantly.

My lord, replied I to the general, you know very little of the man before you, if you don’t believe him to be the most afflicted man present.

Impossible! said the marquis, with a sigh.

The marchioness arose from her seat, motioning to go; and turning round to the two ladies, and the count, I have resigned my will to the will of you all, my dearest friends, and shall be permitted to with-draw. This testimony, however, before I go, I can — not but bear: Wherever the fault lay, it lay not with the chevalier. He has, from the first to the last, acted with the nicest honour. He is entitled to our respect. The unhappiness lies no-where but in the difference of religion.

Well, and that now is absolutely out of the question, said the general: it is indeed, chevalier.

I hope, my lord, from a descendant of a family so illustrious, to find an equal exemption from wounding words, and wounding looks; and that, Sii^ as well from your generosity, as from yowc justice.

My looks give you offence, chevalier! Do they?

I attended to the marchioness. She came towards me. I arose, and respectfully took her hand. Chevalier, said she, I could not withdraw without bearing the testimony I have borne to your merits. I wish you happy. God protect you, whithersoever you go. Adieu.

She wept. I bowed on her hand with profound respect. She retired with precipitation. It was with difSculty that I suppressed the rising tear. I took my seat.

I made nd answer to the general’s last question, though it was spoken in such a way (I saw by their eyes) as took every other person’s notice. *

Lady Sforza, when her sister was retired, hinted, that the last interview between the young lady and me was an unadvised permission, though intended for the best.

I then took upon me to defend that step. Lady Clementina, said I, had declared, That if she were allowed to speak her whole mind to me, she should be easy. I had for some time given myself up to absolute despair. The marchioness intended not favour to me in allowing of the interview: it was the most affecting one to me I had ever known. But let me say, That, far from having bad effects on the young lady’s mind, it had good ones. I hardly know how to talk upon a subject so very interesting to every one present, but not more so to any one than to myself. 1 thought of avoiding it; and have been led into it, but did not lead. And since it is before us, let me recommend, as the most effectual way to re-store every one to peace and happiness, gentle treat’ tnent. The most generous, the meekest, the most du-tiful of human minds, requires not harsh treatment.

How do you know. Sir, said the general, and look-ed at Jeronymo, the methods now taken And are they then harsh, my lord? said I. He was offended.

I had heard, proceeded I, that a change of mea-sures was resolved on. I knew that the treatment before hadbeen all gentle, condescending, indulgent. I received but yesterday letters from my father, sig-nifying his intention of speedily recalling me to my native country. I shall set out very soon for Paris, where I hope to meet with his more direct commands for this long-desired end. What may be my destiny, I know not; but I shall carry with me a heart burdened with the woee of this family, and distressed for the beloved daughter of it. But let me beseech you all, for your own sakes (mine is out of the question: I presume not upon any hope on my own account) that you will treat this angelic-minded lady with tenderness. I pretend to say, that I know that harsh or severe methods will not do.

The general arose from his seat, and, with a countenance of fervor, next to fierceness Let me tell you, Grandison, said he

I arose from mine, and going to Lady Sforza, who sat next him, he stopt, supposing me going to him, and seemed surprised, and attentive to my motions:

H H 3 but, disregarding him, I addressed myself to that lady. You, madam, are the aunt of Lady Clemen-tina: the tender, the indulgent mother is absent, and has declared, that she resigns her will to the will of jjier friends present Allow me to supplicate, that former measures may not be changed with her. Great dawnings of returning reason did I discover in our last interview. Her delicacy (never was there a more delicate mind) wanted but to be satis-fied. It tons satisfied, and she began to be easy. Were her mind but once composed, the sense she has of her duty, and what she owes to her religion, would restore her to your wishes: but if she should be treated harshly (though I am sure, if she should, it would be with the best intention) Clementina will be lost.

The general sat down. They all looked upon one another. The two ladies dried their eyes. The starting tear would accompany my fervor. And then stepping to Jeronymo, who was extremely af-fected; My dear Jeronymo, said I, my friend, ray beloved friend, cherish in your noble heart the me-mory of your Grandison. Would to God 1 could attend you to England! We have baths there of so-vereign efficacy, “fte balm of a friendly and grate — ful heart would promote the cure. 1 have urged it before. Consider of it.

My Grandison, my dear Grandison, my friend, my preserver! You are not going!

I am, my Jeronymo; and embraced him. Love me in absence, as I shall you.

Chevalier, said the bishop, you don’t go? We hope for your company at a small collation. We must not part with you yet.

I cannot, my lord, accept the favour. Although I had given myself up to despair of obtaining the happiness to which 1 once aspired; yet I was not-willing to quit a city that this family had made dear to me, with the precipitation of a man conscious of misbehaviour. I thank you for the permission I had to attend you all in full assembly. May God prosper youy my lord; and may you be invested with the first honours of that church which must be adorned by so worthy a heart! It will be my glory, when I am in my native place, or wherever 1 am, to remember that I was once thought not unworthy of a rank in a family so respectable. Let me, my lord, be intitled to your kind remembrance.

He pulled out his handkerchief. My lord, said he, to his father; My lord, to the general; Grandison must not go! and sat down with emotion.

Lady Sforza wept: Laurana seemed moved: the two young lords, Sebastiano and Juliano, were great-ly affected.

I then addressed myself to the marquis, who sat undetermined, as to speech: My venerable lord, for-give me, that my address was not first paid here. My heart overflows with gratitude for your goodness in permitting me to throw myself at your feet, before I took a last farewell of a city favoured with your re-sidence. Best of fathers, of friends, of men, let me entreat the continuance of your paternal indulgence to the child nearest, and deserving to be nearest, to your heart. She is ail you and her mother. Restore her to yourself, and to her, by your indulgence: that alone, and a blessing on your prayers, caji re-store her. Adieu, my good lord: repeated thanks for all your hospitable goodness to a man that will ever retain a grateful sense of your favour.

You will not yet go, was all he said He seemed in agitation. He could not say more.

I then, turning to the count his brother, who sat next him, said, I have not the honour to be fully known to your lordship: some prejudices from dif-ferences in opinion may have been conceived: but if you ever hear any thing of the man before you unworthy of his name, and of the favour once designed him; then, my lord, blame, as well as wonder at, the condescension of your noble brother and sister in my favour.

Who, I! Who, I! said that lord, in some hurry. I think very well of you. I never saw a man, in my life, that I liked so well!

Your lordship does me honour. I say this the rather, as I may, on this solemn occasion, taking leave of such honourable friends, charge my future life with resolutions to behave worthy of the favour I have met with in this family.

I passed from him to the general Forgive, my lord, said I, the seeming formality of my behaviour in this parting scene: it is a very solemn one to me. You have expressed yourself of me, and to me, my lord, with more passion (forgive me, I mean not to offend you) than perhaps you will approve in your-self when I am far removed from Italy. For have you not a noble mind? And are you not a son of the Marquis della Porretta? Permit me to observe, that passion will make a man exalt himself, and degrade another; and the just medium will be then forgot. J. am afraid I have been thought more lightly of, than I ought to be, either in justice, or for the honour of a person who is dear to every one present. My country was once mentioned with disdain: think > not my vanity so much concerned in what I am going to say, as my honour: I am proud to be thought an Englishman: yet I think as highly of every worthy man of every nation under the sun, as I do of the worthy men of my own. I am not of a contemptible race in my own country. My father lives in it with the magnificence of a prince. He loves his son; yet I presume to add, that that son deems his good name his riches; his integrity his grandeur. Princes, n though they are intitled by their rank to respect, are princes only to him as they act. A few words more, my lord. I have been of the hearing, not of the speaking side of the question, in the two last conferences I had the honour to hold with your lordship. Once you unkindly mentioned the word triumph. The word at the time went to my heart. When I can subdue the natural warmth of my temper, then, and then only, I have a triumph. I should not have re-membered this, had 1 not now, my lord, on this solemn occasion, been received by you with an indignant eye. I respect your lordship too much, not to take notice of this angry reception. My silence upon it, perhaps, would look like subscribing before this illustrious company to the justice of your contempt: yet I mean no other notice than this: and this, to demonstrate that 1 was not, in my own opinion at least, absolutely unworthy of the favour I met with from the father, the mother, the brothers, you so justly honour, and which I wished to stand in with 1/ou.

And now, my lord, allow me the honour of your hand; and, as 1 have given you no cause for displea-sure, say, that you will remember me with kindness, as 1 shall honour you and your whole family to the last day of my life.

The general heard me out; but it was with great emotion. He accepted not my hand: he returned not my answer: the bishop arose, and, taking him aside, endeavoured to calm him.

I addressed myself to the two young lords, and said. That if ever their curiosity led them to visit England, where I hoped to be in a few months, I should be extremely glad of cultivating their esteem and favour, by the best offices I could do them. They received my civility with politeness.

I addressed myself next to Lady Laurana May you, madam, the friend, the intimate, the chosen companion of Lady Clementina, never know the hundredth part of the woe that fills the breast of the man before you, for the calamity that has befallen your admirable cousin, and because of that, a whole excellent family. Let me recommend to you, that tender and soothing treatment to her, which her tender heart would shew to you, in any calamity that should befall you. I am not a bad man, madam, though of a different communion from yours. Think but half so charitably of me, as I do of every one of your religion who lives up to his professions, and I shall be happy in your favourable thoughts when you hear me spoken of.

It is easy to imagine. Dr. Bartlett, that 1 address-ed myself in this manner to this lady, whom 1 had never before seen, that she might not think the harder of her cousin’s prepossessions in favour of a Protestant.

I recommended myself to the favour of Father Marescotti. He assured me of his esteem, in very warm terms.

And just as I was again applying to my Jeronymo, the general came to me: You cannot think, Sir, said he, nor did you design it, I suppose, that I should be pleased with your address to me. I have only this question to ask. When do you quit Bologna?

Let me ask your lordship, said I, When do you return to Naples?

Why that question. Sir? haughtily.

I will answer you frankly. Your lordship, at the first of my acquaintance with you, invited me to Naples. 1 promised to pay my respects to you there. If you think of being there in a week, I will attend you at your own palace in that city; and there, my lord, I hope, no cause to the contrary having arisen

SIK CHARLES CRANDISON. 85f) from me, to be received by you with the same kindness and favour that you shewed when you gave nfte the invitation. I think to leave Bologna tomorrow. brother, said the bishop, are you not now overcome?

And are you in earnest? said the general.

I am, ray lord. I have many valuable friends, at different courts and cities in Italy, to take leave of. I never intend to see it again. I would look upon your lordship as One of those friends: but you seem still displeased with me. You accepted not my of-fered hand before: once more I tender it. A man of spirit cannot be offended at a man of spirit, without lessening himself. I call upon your dignity, my lord.

He held out his hand, just as I was withdrawing mine. I have pride, you know. Dr. Bartlett; and I was conscious of a superiority in Mi’s witonce; I took his hand, however, at his offer; yet pitied him, that his motion was made at all, as’ it wanted that grace which generally accompanies all he does and says.

The bishop embraced me. Your moderation, thus exerted, said he, must ever make you triumph.

Grandison! you are a prince of the Almighty’s creation.

The noble Jeronymo dried his eyes, and held out his arms to embrace me.

The general said, I shall certainly be at Naples in a week. I am too much affected by the woes of my family, to behave as perhaps I ought on this occa-sion. Indeed, Grandison, it is difficult for sufferers to act with spirit and temper at the same time.

It is, my lord: I have found it so. My hopes raised, as once they were, now sunk, and absolute despair having taken place of them Would to God

I had never returned to Italy! But I reproach not any-body.

Yet, said Jeronymo, you have some reason To be sent for as you were

He was going on Pray, brother, said the gene-rA And turning to me, I may expect you, Sir, at Naples?

You may, my lord. But one favour I have to beg of you mean time. It is, That you will not treat harshly your dear Clementina. Would to Heaven I might have had the honour to say, mi/ Clementina! And permit me to make one other request on my own account: and that is. That you will tell her, that I took my leave of your whole family by their kind permission; and that, at my departure, I wished her, from my soul, all the happiness that the best and tenderest of her friends can wish her! I make this request to you, my lord, rather than to Signor Jeronymo, because the tenderness which he has for me might induce him to mention me to her in a manner which might, at this time, affect her too sensibly for her peace.

Be pleased, my dear Signor Jeronymo, to make my devotion known to the marchioness. Would to Heaven But adieu, and once more adieu, my Jero-nymo. I shall hear from you when I get to Naples, if not before. God restore your sister, and heal you!

I bowed to the marquis, to the ladies, to the ge-neral, to the bishop, particularly; to the rest in ge — neral; and was obliged, in order to conceal my emotion, to hurry out at the door. The servants had planted themselves in a row; not for selfish motives, as in England: they bowed to the ground, and blessed me, as I went through them. I had ready a purse of ducats. One hand and another declined it: 1 dropt it in their sight. God be with you, my honest friends! said I; and departed O, Dr. Bartlett, with a heart how much distressed!

And now, my good Miss Byron, have I not rea-iSon, from the deep concern which you take in the woes of Lady Clementina, to regret the task you have put me upon? And do you, my good Lord and Lady L. and Miss Grandison, now wonder that your brother has not been forward to give you the particulars of this melancholy tale? Yet you all say, I must proceed.

See, Lucy, the greatness of this man’s behaviour! What a presumption was it in your Harriet, ever to aspire to call such a one hers!


Letter XXX.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

This Lady Olivia, Lucy, what can she pretend to But I will not puzzle myself about her. Yet she pretend to give disturbance to such a man! You will Hnd her mentioned in Dr. Bartlett’s next letter; or’ she would not have been named by me.

DR. bartlett’s eleventh LETTER.

Mr. Grandison, on his return to his lodgings, found there, in disgUise, Lady Olivia. He wanted not any new disturbance. But I will not mix the stories.

The next morning he received a letter from Sig-ner Jeronymo. The following is a translation of it:

MY DEARB8T GRANDISON,

How do you? Ever-amiable friend! What tri-umphs did your behaviour of last night obtain for you! Not a soul here but admires you!

Even Lauranadecla’ — d, That were you a Catholic, it would be a merit to love you. Yet she reluctantly praised you, and once said — What, but splendid sins, are the virtues of a heretic?

Our two cousins, with the good-nature of youths lamented that you could not be ours in the way you wish. My father wept like a child, when you were gone; and seemed to enjoy the praises given you by every one. The count said, he never saw a no-bler behaviour in man. Your free, your manly, your polite air and address, and your calmness and intrepidity, were applauded by every one.

What joy did this give to your Jeronymo! I thought I wanted neither ciutches, helps, nor wheeled chair; nd several times forgot that I ailed any-thing.

I begin to love Father Marescotti. He was with the foremost in praising you.

The general owned, that he once was resolved to quarrel with you. But will he, do you think, Jero-nymo, said he, make me a visit at Naples?

You may depend upon it, he will, answered I.

I will be there to receive him, replied he.

They admired you particularly for your address to my sister, by the general, rather than by me: and Lady Sforza said. It was a thousand pities that you and Clementina could not be one. They applauded, all of them, what they had not, any of them, the power to imitate that largeness of heart which makes you think so well, and speak so tenderly, of those of communions different from your own. So much steadiness in your own religion, yet so much pru-dence, in a man so young, they said was astonishing! No wonder that your character ran so high, in every court you had visited.

My mother came in soon after you had left us. She was equally surprised and grieved to find you gone. She thought she was sure of your staying supper; and, not satisfied with the slight leave she had taken, she had been strengthening her mind to pass an hour in your company, in order to take a more solemn one.

My father asked her after her daughter.

Poor soul! said she, she has heard that the che-valier was to be here, to take leave of us.

By whom? By whom? said my father.

I cannot tell: but the poor creature is half-raving to be admitted among us. She has dressed herself in one of her best suits; and I found her sitting in a kind of form, expecting to be called down. Indeed, Lady Sforza, the method we are in, does not do.

So the chevalier said, replied that lady. Well, let us change it with all my heart. It is no pleasure to treat the dear girl harshly O sister! this is a most extraordinary man!

That momentinbolted Camilla LadyClementina is just at the door. I could not prevail upon her

We all looked upon one another.

Three soft taps at the door, and a hem, let us know she was there.

Let her come in, dear girl, let her come in, said the count: the chevalier is not here.

Laurana arose, and ran to the door, and led her in.

Dear creature, how wild she looked! Tears ran down my cheeks: I had not seen her for two days before. O how earnestly did she look round her! withdrawing her hand from her cousin, who would have led her to a chair, and standing quite still.

Come and sit by me, my sweet love, said her weeping mother. She stept towards her.

Sit down, my dear girl.

No: you beat me, remember.

Who beat you, my dear? Sure nobody would beat my child! Who beat you, Clementina?

I don’t know Still looking round her, as wanting Somebody.

Again her mother courted her to sit down.

No, madam, you don’t love me.

Indeed, my dear, I do.

So you say.

Her father held out his open arms to her. Tear* ran down his cheeks. He could not speak. Ah, my father! said she, stepping towards him.

He caught her in his arms Don’t, don’t, Sir, faintly struggling, with averted face You love me not You refused to see your child, when she want-ed to claim your protection! I was used cruelly.

By whom, my dear? by whom?

By every-body. I complained to one, and to another; but all were in a tone: and so I thought I would be contented. My mamma too! But it is no matter. I saw it was to be so; and I did not care.

By my soul, said I, this is not the way with her, Lady Sforza. The chevalier is in the right. You see how sensible she is of harsh treatment.

Well, well, said the general, let us change our measures.

Still the dear girl looked out earnestly, as for Somebody.

She loosed herself from the arms of her sorrowing father.

Let us in silence, said the count, observe her motions.

She went to him on tip-toe, ana looking in his face over his shoulder, as he sat with his back to-wards her, passed him; then to the general; then to Signor Sebastiano; and to every one round, till she came to me; looking at each over his shoulder in the same manner: then folding her fingers, her hands open, and her arms hanging down to their full extent, she held up her face meditating, with such a significant woe, that I thought my heart would have burst. Not a soul in the company had a dry eye.

Lady Sforza arose, took her two hands, the fingers still clasped; and would have spoken to her, but could not; and hastily retired to her seat.

Tears, at last, began to trickle down her cheeks, as she stood fixedly looking up. She started, looked about her, and, hastening to her mother, threw her arms about her neck; and, hiding her face in her bosom, broke out into a flood of tears, mingled with sobs that penetrated every heart.

The first words she said, were. Love me, my mamma! Love your child! your poor child! your Clementina! Then raising her head, and again laying it in her mother’s bosom If ever you loved me, love me now, my mamma! I have need of your love!

My father was forced to withdraw. He was led out by his two sons.

Your poor Jeronymo was unable to help himself. He wanted as much comfort as his father. What were the wounds of his body, at that time, to those of his mind?

My two brothers returned. This dear girl, said the bishop, will break all our hearts.

Her tears had seemed to relieve her. She held up her head. My mother’s bosom seemed wet with her child’s tears and her own. Still she looked round her.

Suppose, said I, somebody were to name the man she seems to look for? It may divert this wildness.

Did she come down, said Laurana to Camilla, with the expectation of seeing him?

She did.

Let 7ne, said the bishop, speak to her. He arose, and, taking her hand, walked with her about the room. You look pretty, my dear Clementina! Your ornaments are charmingly fancied. What made you dress yourself so prettily?

She looked earnestly at hun, in silence. He re-peated his question I speak, said she, all my heart; and then I suffer for it. Every — body is against me. You shall not suffer for it: every — body is for you, T confessed to Mrs. Beaumont; I confessed to you, brother: but what did I get by it? Let go my hand. I don’t love you, 1 believe.

I am sorry for it. I love you, Clementina, as I love ray own soul!

He turned his face from her to us. She must not be treated harshly, said he. He soothed her in a truly brotherly manner.

Tell me, added he to his soothings. Did you expect any-body here, that you find not?

Did I? Yes, I did. Camilla, come hither. Let go my hand, brother.

He did. She took Camilla under the arm Don’t you know, Camilla, said she, what you heard said of Somebody’s threatening Somebody? Don’t let any-body hear us; drawing her to one end of the room. I want to take a walk with you into the garden, Camilla.

It is a dark night, madam.

No matter. If you are afraid, I will go by myself.

Seem to humour her in talk, Camilla, said the count; but don’t go out of the room with her.

Be pleased to tell me, madam, what we are to walk in the garden for?

Why, Camilla, I had a horrid dream last night; and I cannot be easy till I go into the garden.

What, madam, was your dream?

In the orange grove, I thought 1 stumbled over the body of a dead man!

And who was it, madam?

Don’t you know who was threatened? And was not Somebody here to-night? And was not Some-body to sup here? And is he here?

The general then went to her. My dearest Cle-mentina; my beloved sister; set your heart at rest. Somebody is safe: shall be safe.

She took first one of his hands, then the other; and, looking in the palms of them, They are not bloody, said she. What have you done with him, then? Where is he?

Where is who?

You know whom I ask after; but you want some-thing against me.

Then stepping quick up to me: My Jeronymo! Did I see you before? and stroked my cheek. Now tell me, Jeronymo Don’t come near me, Camilla. Pray, Sir, to the general, do you sit down. She leaned her arm upon my shoulder: I don’t hurt you Jeronymo: Do I?

No, my dearest Clementina.

That’s my best brother. Cruel assassins! But the brave man came just in time to save you. But do you know what is become of him?

He is safe, my dear. He could not stay.

Did any-body affront him?

No, my love.

Are you sure nobody did? Very sure? Father Marescotti, said she, turning to him (who wept from the time she entered) you don’t love him: but you are a good man, and will tell me truth. Where is he? Did nobody affront him?

No, madam.

Because, said she, he never did any-thing but good to any one.

Father Marescotti, said I, admires him as much as any-body.

Admire him! Father Marescotti admire him! But he does not love him. And I never heai’d him say one word against Father Marescotti in my life.

Well, but, Jeronymo, What made him go away, then? Was he not to stay to supper?

He was desired to stay; but would not.

Jeronymo, let me whisper you Did he tell you that I wrote him a letter?

I guessed you did, whispered I.

You are a strange guesser: but you can’t q:ues8 how 1 sent it to him But hush, Jeronymo Well, but, Jeronymo, Did he say nothing of me, when he went away?

He left his compliments for you with the general.

With the general! The general won’t tell me!

Yes, he will, Brother, pray tell my sister what the chevalier said to you, at parting.

He repeated, exactly, what you had desired him to say to her.

Why would they not let me see him? said she. Am I never to see him more?

I hope you will, replied the bishop.

If, resumed she, we could have done any-thing that might have looked like a return to his goodness to us (and to you, my Jeronymo, in particular) I believe I should have been easy. — And so you say he is gone? And gone for ever! lifting up her hand from her wrist, as it lay over my shoulder! Poor chevalier! But hush, hush, pray hush, Jero — ymo.

She went from me to her aunt, and cousin Lau-rana. Love me again, madam, said she, to the former. You loved me once.

I never loved you better than now, my dear.

Did you, Laurana, see the Chevalier Grandison .’’

I did.

And did he go away safe, and unhurt?

Indeed he did.

A man who had preserved the life of our dear Je- ronymo, said she, to have been hurt by us, would have been dreadful, you know. I wanted to say a few words to him. I was astonished to find him not here: and then my dream came into my head. It was a sad dream, indeed! But, cousin, be good to me: pray do. You did not use to be cruel. You used to say, you loved me. I am in calamity, my dear. I know I am miserable: at times I know 1 am; and then I am grieved at my heart, and think how happy every one is, but me: but then, again, I ail nothing, and am well. But do, love me, Lau-rana: I am in calamity, my dear. I would love you, if you were in calamity: indeed I would. Ah, Lau-rana! What is become of all your fine promises? But then every — body loved me, and I was happy! Yet you tell me, It is all for my good. Naughty Laurana, to wound my heart by your crossness, and then say. It is for my good! Do you think I should have served you so?

Laurana blushed, and wept. Her aunt promised her, that every-body would love her, and comfort her, and not be angry with her, if she would make her heart easy.

I am very particular, my dear Grandison. I know you love I should be so. From this minuteness you will judge of the workings of her mind. They are resolved to take your advice (it was very seasonable) and treat her with indulgence. The count is earnest to have it so.

Camilla has just left me. She says, that her young lady had a tolerable night. She thinks it owing, in a great measure, to her being indulged in asking the servants, who saw you depart, how you looked; and being satisfied that you went away unhurt, and unatfronted.

Adieu, my dearest, my best friend. Let me hear from you, as often as you can.

I just now understand from Camilla, that the dear girl has made an earnest request to my father, mo-ther, and aunt; and been refused. She came back from them deeply afflicted, and, as Camilla fears, is going into one of her gloomy fits again. I hope to write again, if you depart not from Bologna before tomorrow; but I must, for my own sake, write shorter letters. Yet how can I? Since, however melancholy the sjjbject, when I am writing to you, I am conversing with you. My dear Grandison, once more, adieu.

O Lucy, my dear! Whence come all the tears this melancholy story has cost me? 1 cannot dwell upon the scenes! Begone, all those wishes that would interfere with the interest of that sweet distressed saint at Bologna!

How impolitic, Lucy, was it in them, not to gra-tify her impatience to see him! She would, most probably, have been quieted in her mind, if she had been obliged by one other interview.

What a delicacy, my dear, what a generosity, is there in her love’

Sir Charles, in Lord L.‘s study, said to me, that his compassion was engaged, but his honour was free: and so it seems to be: but a generosity, in return for her generosity, must bind such a mind as his.


Letter XXXI.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

In the doctor’s next letter, inclosed, you will find mention made of Sir Charles’s literary journal; I fancy, my dear, it must be a charming thing. I wish we could have before us every line he wrote while he was in Italy. Once the presumptuous Harriet had hopes, that she might have been entitled But no more of these hopes It can’t be helped, Lucy.

DR. BARTLETt’s twelfth LETTER.

Mr. Grandison proceeds thus:

The next morning I employed myself in visiting and taking leave of several worthy members of the university, with whom I had passed many very agreeable and improving hours, during my resi-dence in this noble city. In my literary journal you have an account of those worthy persons, and of some of our conversations. I paid my duty to the cardinal legate, and the gonfaloniere, and to three of his counsellors, by whom, you know, I had been likewise greatly honoured. My mind was not free enough to enjoy their conversation: such a weight upon my heart, how could it? But the debt of gra-titude and civility was not to be left unpaid.

On my return to my lodgings, which was not till the evening, I found, the general had been there to enquire after me.

I sent one of my servants to the palace of Porretta, with my compliments to the general, to the bishop, and Jeronymo; and with particular enquiries after the health of the ladies, and the marquis; but had only a general answer, That they were much as I left them.

The two young lords, Sebastiano and Juliano, made me a visit of ceremony. They talked of visiting England in a year or two. I assured them of my best services, and urged them to go thither. I asked them after the healths of the marquis, the marchioness, and their beloved cousin Clementina. Signer Sebastiano shook his head: Very, verif indilferent, were his words. We parted with great civilities.

I will now turn my thoughts to Florence, and to the affairs there that have lain upon me, from the death of my good friend Mr. Jervois, and from my wardship. I told you in their course, the steps I took in those affairs; and how happy I had been in some parts of management. There 1 hope soon to see you, my dear Dr. Bartlett, from the Levant, to whose care I can so safely consign my precious trust, while I go to Paris, and attend the wished-for call of my father to my native country, from which I have been for so many years an exile.

There also I hope to have some opportunities of conversing with my good Mrs. Beaumont; resolving to make another effort to get so valuable a person to restore herself to her beloved England.

Thus, my dear Dr. Bartlett, do I endeavour to console myself, in order to lighten that load of grief which I labour under on the distresses of the dear Clementina. If I can leave her happy, I shall be sooner so, than I could have been in the same cir-cumstances, had I, from the first of my acquaint — ance with the family (to the breach of all the laws of hospitality) indulged a passion for her.

Yet is the unhappy Olivia a damp upon my endeavours after consolation. When she made her unseasonable visit to me at Bologna, she refused to return to Florence without me, till I assured her, that as my affairs would soon call me thither, I would visit her at her own palace, as often as those affairs would permit. Her pretence for coming to Bolog-na was, to induce me to place Emily with her, till I had settled every-thing for my carrying the child to England; but I was obliged to be peremptory in my denial, though she had wrought so with Emily, as to induce her to be an earnest petitioner to me, to permit her to live with Lady Olivia, whose equipages, and the glare in which she hves, had dazzled the eyes of the young lady,

I was impatient to hear again from Jeronymo; and just as I was setting out for Florence, in despair of that favour, it being the second day after my fare-well visit, 1 had the following letter from him:

I have not been well, my dear Grandison. I am afraid the wound in my shoulder must be laid open again. God give me patience! But my life is a burden to me.

We are driving here at a strange rate. They promised to keep measures with the dear creature; but she has heard that you are leaving Bologna, and raves to see you.

Poor soul! She endeavoured to prevail upon her father, mother, aunt, to permit her to see you, but for //v^ minutes: that was the petition which was denied her, as I mentioned in my last.

Camilla was afraid she would go into a gloomy fit upon it, as I told you She did; but it lasted not long: for she made an effort, soon after, to go out of the house by way of the garden. The gardener re-fused his key, and brought Camilla to her, whom

K K the had, bv an innocent piece of art, but just before, sent to bring her something from her toilette.

The general went with Camilla to her. They found her just setting a ladder against the wall. She heard them, and screamed, and, leaving the ladder, ran, to avoid them, till she came in sight of the great cascade; into which, had she not by a cross alley been intercepted by the general, it is feared she would have thrown herself.

This has terrified us all: she begs but for one interview; one parting interview; and she promises to make herself easy: but it is not thought adviseable. Yet Father Marescotti himself thought it best to indulge her. Had my mother been earnest, I believe it had been granted: but she is so much concerned at the blame she met with on permitting the Fast interview, that she will not contend, though she has let them know, that she did not oppose the request.

The unhappy girl ran into my chamber this morning Jeronymo! He will be gone, said she ^ I knotv he will. All I want is, but to see him! To wish him happy! And to know, If he will remember me when he is gone, as I shall him! Have i/ou no interest, Jeronymo? Cannot I once see him .’* Not once?

The bishop, before I could answer, came in quest of her, followed by Laurana, from whom she had forcibly disengaged herself, to come to me.

Let me have but one parting interview, my lord, said she, looking to him, and clinging about my neck. He will be gone: gone for ever. Is there so much in being allowed to say. Farewell, and be happy, Grandison! and excuse all the trouble I have given you? What has my brother’s preserver done, what have I done, that I must not see him, nor he me, for one quarter of an hour only.

Indeed, my lord, said I, she should be complied with. Indeed she should.

My father thinks otherwise, said the bishop: the eount thinks otherwise: I think otherwise. Were the chevalier a common man, she might. But she dwells upon what passed in the last interview, and his behaviour to her. That, it is plain, did her harm.

The next may drive the thoughts of that out of her head, returned I.

Dear Jeronymo, replied he, a little peevishly, you will always think differently from every-body else! Mrs. Beaumont comes tomorrow.

What do I care for Mrs. Beaumont? said she. I don’t love her: she tells every-thing I say.

Come, my dear love, said Laurana, you afflict your brother Jeronymo. Let us go up to your own chamber.

I afflict every-body, and every-body afflicts me; and you are all cruel. Why, he will he f^one, I tell you! That makes me so impatient: and I have something to say to him. My father won’t see me: my mother renounces me. I have been looking for her, and she hides herself from me! And I am a prisoner, and watched, and used ill!

Here comes my mother! said Laurana. You now must go up to your chamber, cousin Clementina.

So she does, said she: now I must go, indeed! Ah, Jeronymo! Now there is no saying nay! But it is hard! Very hard! And she burst into tears. I won’t speak though, said she, to my aunt. Remem-ber, I will be silent, madam! Then whispering me, My aunt, brother, is not the aunt she used to be to me! But hush, I don’t complain, you know!

By this I saw that Lady Sforza was severe with her.

She addressed herself to her aunt: You are not my mamma, are you, madam?

No, child.

No, child, indeed! I know that /oo well. Butmj K K 2 brother Giacomo is as cruel to me as any-body. But hush, Jeronyrao! Don’t you betray me! Now my aunt is come, I must go! I wish 1 could run away from you all!

She was yesterday detected writing a letter to you. My mother was shewn what she had written, and wept over it. My aunt took it out of my sister’s bosom, where she had thrust it, on her coming in. This she resented highly.

When she was led into her own chamber, she re-fused to speak; but in great hurry went to her closet, and, taking down her Bible, turned over one leaf and another very quick. Lady Sforza had a book in her hand, and sat over-against the closet door to observe her motions. She came to a place Pretty! said she.

The bishop had formerly given her a smattering of Latin She took pen and ink, and wrote. You’ll see, chevalier, the very great purity of her thoughts, by what she omitted, and what she chose, from the Canticles, Velut unguentum diffunditur nomen tuum, &c.

[In the English translation, thus: Thy name is as ointment poured forth; therefore do the virgins love thee. Draw me / tve ivill run after thee: the wpright love thee.

Look not upon me because I am blacky because the sun hath looked upon me. My mother’s children toere angry with me: they made me the keeper of the vine-yards, but mine oum vineyard have I not kept.

Tell me, thou whom my soul loveth! where thou Jeedesty where thou makest thyjiock to rest at noon:for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?’]

She laid down her pen, and was thoughtful; her elbow resting on the escrotoire she wrote upon, her hand supporting her head.

May I look over you, my dear? said her aunt> stepping to her; and, taking up the paper, read it. and took it out of the closet with her, unopposed; her gentle bosom only heaving with sighs.

I will write no more, so minutely, on this affecting subject, my Grandison,

They are all of opinion that she will be easy, when she knows that you have actually left Bolog-na; and they strengthen their opinion by these words of hers, above-recited: ‘ Why he will be gone, I tell you; and this makes me so impatient.’ At least, they are resolved to try the experiment. And so, my dear Grandison, you must be permitted to leave us!

God be your director and comforter, as well as ours! prays

Your ever-affectionate

JERONYMO.

Mr. Grandison, having no hopes of being allowed to see the unhappy lady, set out with an afflicted heart for Florence. He gave orders there, and at Leghorn, that the clerks and agents of his late friend Mr. Jervois should prepare every-thing for his inspection against his return from Naples; and then he set out for that city to attend the general.

He had other friends to whom he had endeared himself at Sienna, Ancona, and particularly at Rome, as he had also some at Naples; of whom he intended to take leave, before he set out for Paris: and there-fore went to attend the general with the greater pleasure.

Within the appointed time he arrived at Naples.

The general received me, said Mr. Grandison, with greater tokens of politeness than affection. You are the happiest man in the world, chevalier, said he, after the first compliments, in escaping dangers by braving them. I do assure you, that I had great difficulties to deny myself the favour of K K 3 paying you a visit in my own way at Bologna. I had indeed resolved to do it, till you proposed this visit to me here.

I should have been very sorry, replied I, to have seen a brother of Lady Clementina in any way that should not have made me consider him as her bro-ther. But, before I say another word, let me ask after, her health. How does the most excellent of women?

You have not heard, then?

I have not, my lord: but it is not for want of solicitude. 1 have sent three several messengers; but can hear nothing to my satisfaction.

Nor can you hear any-thing from me that will give you any.

I am grieved at my soul, that I cannot. How, my lord, do the marquis and marchioness?

Don’t ask. They are extremely unhappy.

I hear that my dear friend, Signer Jeronymo, has undergone

A dreadful operation, interrupted the general. He has. Poor Jeronymo! He could?jo^ write to you. God preserve my brother! But, chevalier, you did not save half a life, though we thank you for that, when you restored him to our arms .

I had no reason to boast, my lord, of the accident. I never made a merit of it. It was a mere accident, and cost me nothing. The service was greatly over-rated.

Would to God, chevalier, it had been rendered by any other man in the world!

As it has proved, I am sure, my lord, I have rea-son to join in the wish.

He shewed me his pictures, statues, and cabinet of curiosities, while dinner was preparing; but rather for the ostentation of his magnificence and taste, than to do me pleasure. I even observed an increas- ing coldness in his behaviour; and his eye was too often cast upon me with a fierceness that shewed resentment; and not with the hospitable frankness that became him to a visiter and guest who had undertaken a journey of above two hundred miles, principally to attend him, and to shew hira the confidence he had in his honour. This, as it was more to his discredit than mine, I pitied him for. But what most of all disturbed me, was, that I could not obtain from him any particular intelligence relating to the health of one person, whose distresses lay heavy upon my heart.

There were several persons of distinction at din-ner; the discourse could therefore be only general. He paid me great respect at his table; but it was a solemn one. I was the more uneasy at it, as I ap-prehended, that the situation of the Bologna family was more unhappy than when I left that city.

He retired with me into his garden. You stay with me at least the week out, chevalier?

No, my lord: I have affairs of a deceased friend at Florence and at Leghorn to settle. To-morrow, as early as I can, I shall set out for Rome, in my way to Tuscany.

I am surprised, chevalier. You take something amiss in my behaviour.

I cannot say that your lordship’s countenance (I am a very free speaker) has that benignity in it, that complacency, which I have had the pleasure to see in it.

By G. chevalier, I could have loved you better than any man in the world, next to the men of my own family; but I own 1 see you not here with so much love as admiration.

The word ndmiration, my lord, may require explanation. You may admire at my confidence; but I thank you for the manly freedom of your acknow-ledgment in general.

By admiration I mean all that may do you honour. Your bravery in coming hither, particularly; and your greatness of mind on your taking leave of us all. But did you not then mean to insult me?

I meant to observe to you then, as I now do in your own palace, that you had not treated me as my heart told me I deserved to be treated: but when 1 thought your warmth was rising to the uneasiness of your assembled friends, instead of answering your question about my stay at Bologna, as you seemed to mean it, I invited myself to an attendance upon you here, at Naples, in such a manner as surely could not be construed an insult,

I own, Grandison, you disconcerted me. I had intended to save you that journey.

Was that your lordship’s meaning, when, in my absence, you called at my lodgings, the day after the farewell-visit?

Not absolutely: I was uneasy with myself. I intended to talk with you. What that talk might have produced, I know not: but had I invited you out, if I had found you at home, would you have answered my demands?

According as you had put them.

Will you answer me now if I attend you as far as Rome, on your return to Florence?

If they are demands fit to be answered.

Do you expect I will make any that are not fit to be answered?

My lord, I will explain myself. You had conceived causeless prejudices against me: you seemed inclined to impute to me a misfortune that was not, could not be, greater to you than it was to me, I knew my own innocence: I knew that I was rathei an injured man, in having iiopes given me, in which I was disappointed, not by my own fault: whom shall an innocent and an injured man fear? Had I feared, my fear might have been my destruction.

For was I not in the midst of your friends? A fo-reigner? If I xvould have avoided you, could I, had you been determined to seek me? I would choose to meet even an enemy as a man of honour, rather than to avoid him as a malefactor. In my country, the law supposes flight a confession of guilt: had you made demands upon me that I had not chosen to answer, I would have expostulated with you. I could perhaps have done so as calmly as I now speak. If you would not have been expostulated with, I would have stood upon my defence: but for the world I would not have hurt a brother of Clemen-tina and Jeronymo, a son of the Marquis and Mar — chioness of Porretta, could I have avoided it. Had your passion given me any advantage over you, and I had obtained your sword (a pistol, had the choice been left to me, I had refused for both our sakes), I would have presented both swords to you, and bared my breast: it was before penetrated by the distresses of the dear Clementina, and of all your family Perhaps I should only have said, ‘ If your lordship thinks I have injured you, take your re-venge.’

And now, that I am at Naples, let me say, that if you are determined, contrary to all my hopes, to accompany me to Rome, or elsewhere, on my re-turn, with an unfriendly purpose; such, and no other, shall be my behaviour to you if the power be given me to shew it. I will rely on my own innocence, and hope by generosity to overcome a generous man. Let the guilty secure themselves by violence and murder.

Superlative pride; angrily said he, and stood still, measuring me with his eye; And could you hope for such an advantage?

While I, my lord, was calm, and determined only upon self-defence; while you were passionate and perhaps rash, as aggressors generally are; I did not doubt it: but could I have avoided drawing, and preserved your good opinion, I would not have drawn. Your lordship cannot but know my prin-ciples.

Grandison, I do know them; and also the general report in your favour for skill and courage. Do you think I would have heard with patience of the once proposed alliance, had not your character And then he was pleased to say many things in my favour, from the report of persons who had weight with him; some of whom he named.

But still, Grandison, said he, this poor girl! She could not have beto so deeply affected, had not some lover-like arts

Let me, my lord, interrupt you .1 cannot bear an imputation of this kind. Had such arts been used, the lady could 7iot have been so much affect-ed. Cannot you think of your noble sister, as a daughter of the two houses from which you sprang? Cannot you see her, as by Mrs. Beaumont’s means we now so lately have been able to see her, strug-gling nobly with her own heart [Why am I put upon this tender subject?] because of her duty and her religion; and resolved to die rather than encourage a wish that was not warranted by both? I cannot, my lord, urge this subject; but there never was a passion so nobly contended with. There never was a man more disinterested, and so circum-stanced. Remember only, my voluntary departure from Bologna, against persuasion; and the great behaviour of your sister on that occasion, great, as it came out to be, when Mrs. Beaumont brought her to acknowledge what would have been my glory to have known, could it have been encouraged; but is now made my heaviest concern.

Indeed, Grandison, she ever was a noble girl!

We are too apt perhaps to govern ourselves by events without looking into causes: but the access you had to her; such a man! and who became known to us from circumstances so much in his favour, both as a man of principle and bravery

This, my lord, interrupted I, is still judging from events. You have seen Mrs. Beaumont’s letter. Surely you cannot have a nobler monument of magnanimity in woman! And to that I refer, for a proof of my own integrity.

. I have that letter: Jeronymo gave it me, at my taking leave of him; and with these words: * Grandison will certainly visit you at Naples. I am afraid of your warmth. His spirit is well known. All my dependence is upon his principles. He will not draw but in his own defence. Cherish the noble visiter. Surely, brother, I may depend upon your hospitable temper. Read over again this letter, before you see him.’ I have not yet read it, proceeded the general; but I will, and that, if you will allow me, now.

He took it out of his pocket, walked from me, and read it; and then came to me, and took my hand I am half-ashamed of myself, my dear Grandison: I own I wanted magnanimity. All the dis tresses of our family, on this unhappy girl’s account, were before my eyes, and I received you, I behaved to you, as the author of them. I was contriving to be dissatisfied with you: forgive me, and command my best services. I will let our Jeronymo know how greatly you subdued me before I had recourse to the letter; but that I have since read that part of it which accounts for my sister’s passion, and wish I had read it with equal attention before. I acquit you: I am proud of my sister. Yet I observe from this very letter, that Jeronymo’s gratitude has contributed to the evil we deplore. But Let us not say one word more of the unhappy girl: it is painful to me to talk of her.

Not ask a question, my lord?

Don’t, Grandison, don’t! Jeronymo and Cle-mentina are my soul’s woe But they are not worse than might be apprehended. You go to court with me tomorrow: I will present you to the king.

I have had that honour formerly. I must depart tomorrow morning early. I have already taken leave of several of my friends here: I have some to make my compliments to at Rome, which I reserved for my return.

You stay with me to-night?

I intend it, my lord.

Well, we will return to company. I must make my excuses to my friends. Your departure to-mor-row must be one. They all admire you. They are acquainted with your character. They will join with me to engage you, if possible, to stay longer.

We returned to the company.


Letter XXXII.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Receive now, my dear, the doctor’s thirteenth letter, and the last he intends to favour us with, till he entertains us with the histories of Mrs. Beau-mont, and Lady Olivia.

DR. BARTLETT’s thirteenth LETTER.

Mr. Grandison set out next morning. The gene-ral’s behaviour to him at his departure, was much more open and free than it was at receiving him.

Mr. Grandison, on his return to Florence, entered into the affairs of his late friend Mr. Jervois, with the spirit, and yet with the temper, for which he is noted, when he engages in any business. He put every — thing in a happy train in fewer days than it would have cost some other persons months; for he was present himself on every occasion, and in every business where his presence would accelerate it: yet he had embarrassments from Olivia.

He found, before he set out for Naples, that Mrs. Beaumont, at the earnest request of the marchioness, was gone to Bologna. At his return, not hearing any-thing from Signor Jeronymo, he wrote to Mrs. Beaumont, requesting her to inform him of the state of things in that family, as far as she thought proper; and, particularly, of the health of that dear friend, on whose silence to three letters he had written, he had the most melancholy aj)prehensions. He let that lady know, that he should set out in a very few days for Paris, if he had no probability of being of service to the family she favoured with her company.

To this letter Mrs. Beaumont returned the fol-lowing answer:

I have the favour of yours. We are very miserable here. The servants are forbidden to aiiswer any enquiries, but generally; and that not truly.

Your friend, Signor Jeronymo, has gone through a severe operation. He has been given over; but hopes are now entertained, not of his absolute re-covery, but that he will be no worse than he was before the necessity for the operation arose. Poor man! He forgot not, however, his sister and you, when he was out of the power of the opiates that were administered to him.

On my coming hither, I found Lady Clementina in a deplorable way: sometimes raving, sometimes gloomy; and in bonds Twice had she given them apprehensions of fatal attempts: they therefore confined her hands.

They have been excessively wrong in their ma-nagement of her: now soothing, now severe; ob — serving no method.

She was extremely earnest to see you before you left Bologna. On her knees repeatedly she besought this favour, and promised to be easy if they would comply; but they imagined that their compliance would aggravate the symptoms.

I very freely blamed them for not complying at the time when she was so desirous of seeing you. I told them, that soothing her would probably then have done good.

When they knew you were actually gone from Bologna, they told her so. Camilla shocked me with the description of her rage and despair, on the communication. This was followed by fits of silence, and the deepest melancholy.

They had hopes on my arrival, that my company would have been of service to her: but for two days together she regarded me not, nor any-thing I could say to her. On the third of my arrival, finding her confinement extremely uneasy to her, I prevailed, but with great difficulty, to have her restored to the use of her hands; and to be allowed to walk with me in the garden. They had hinted to me their apprehensions about a piece of water.

Her woman being near us, if there had been oc-casion for assistance, I insensibly led that way. She sat down on a seat over-against the great cascade; but she made no motion that gave me apprehen-sions. From this time she has been fonder of me than before. The day I obtained this liberty for her, she often clasped her arms about me, and laid her face in my bosom; and I could plainly see, it was in gratitude for restoring to her the use of her arms: but she cared not to speak.

Indeed she generally aiFects deep silence: yet, at times, I see her very soul is fretted. She moves to one place, is tired of that; shifts to another, and another, all round the room.

I am grieved at my heart for her: I never knew a more excellent young creature.

She is very fervent in her devotions, and as constant in them as she used to be: every good habit she preserves; yet, at other times, rambles nmch.

She is often for writing letters to you; but when what she writes is privately taken from her, she makes no enquiry about it, but takes a new sheet, and begins again.

Sometimes she draws: but her subjects are gene-rally, angels and saints. She often meditates in d map of the British dominions, and now-and-then wishes she were in England.

Lady Juliana de Sforza is earnest to have her with her at Urbino, or at Milan, where she has also a noble palace; but I hope it will not be granted. That lady professes to love her; but she cannot be persuaded out of her notion of harsh methods; which -will never do with Clementina.

I shall not be able to stay long with her. The discomposure of so excellent a young creature af-fects me deeply. Could I do her either good or pleasure, I should be willing to deny myself the so-ciety of my dear friends at Florence: but I am per — suaded, and have hinted as much, that one interview with you would do more to settle her mind, than all the methods they have taken.

I hope, Sir, to see you before you leave Italy. It must be at Florence, not at Bologna, I believe. It is generous of you to propose the latter. L L 2

I have now been here a week, without hope. The doctors they have consulted are all for severe me-thods, and low diet. The first, I think, is in com pliment to some of the family: she is so loth to take nourishment, and, when she does, is so very abste-mious, that the regimen is hardly necessary. She never, or but very seldom, used to drink any-thing but water.

She took it into her poor head several times this day, and perhaps it will hold, to sit in particular places, to put on attentive looks, as if she were lis-tening to somebody. She sometimes smiled, and seemed pleased; looked up, as if to somebody, and spoke English. I have no doubt, though I was not present when she assumed these airs, and talked English, but her disordered imagination brought before her her tutor instructing her in that tongue.

You desired me, Sir, to be very particular. I have been so; but at the expence of my eyes: and I shall not wonder if your humane heart should be affected by my sad tale.

God preserve you, and prosper you in what-soever you undertake!

HORTENSIA BEAUMONT.

Mrs. Beaumont staid at Bologna twelve days, and then left the unhappy young lady.

At taking leave, she asked her, What commands she had for her? Love me, said she, and pity me; that IS one. Another is (whispering her) you will see the chevalier, perhaps, though I must not. Tell him, that his poor friend Clementina is sometimes very unhappy! Tell him, that she shall rejoice to sit next him in heaven! Tell him, that 1 say he cannot go thither, good man as he is, while he shuts his eyes to the truth. Tell him, that I shall take it very kindly of him, if he will not think of marrying till he acquaints me with it; and can give me assur-ance, that the lady will love him as well as somebody else would have done. O Mrs. Beaumont! should the Chevalier Grandison marry a woman unworthy of him, what a disgrace would that be to me!

Mr. Grandison by this time had prepared every-thing for his journey to Paris. The friend he ho — noured with his love, was arrived from the Levant, and the Archipelago. Thither, at his patron’s re-quest, he had accompanied Mr. Beauchamp, the amiable friend of both; and at parting, engaged to continue by letter what had been the subject of their daily conversations, and transmit to him as many particulars as he could obtain of Mr. Grandison’s sentiments and behaviour, on every occasion; Mr. Beauchamp proposing him as a pattern to himself, that he might be worthy of the credential letters he had furnished him with to every one whom he had thought deserving of his own acquaintance, when he was in the parts which Mr. Beauchamp intended to visit.

To the care of the person so much honoured by his confidence, Mr. Grandison left his agreeable ward. Miss Jervois; requesting the assistance of Mrs. Beaumont, who kindly promised her inspection; and with the goodness for which she is so emi — nently noted, performed her promise in his absence.

He then made an offer to the bishop to visit Bo-logna once more; but that not being accepted, he set out for Paris.

It was not long before his father’s death called him to England; and when he had been there a few weeks, he sent for his ward and his friend.

But, my good Miss Byron, you will say, That I have not yet fully answered your last enquiry, relating to the present situation of the unhappy Clementina.

I will briefly inform you of it.

When it was known, for certain, that Mr. Gran-JL L 3 dison had actually left Italy, the family at Bologna began to wish that they had permitted the interview so much desired by the poor lady: and when they afterwards understood that he was sent for to Eng-land, to take possession of his paternal estate, that farther distance (the notion likewise of the seas between them appearing formidable) added to their regrets.

The poor lady was kept in travelling motion to quiet her mind: for still an interview with Mr. Graridison having never been granted, it was her first wish.

They carried her to Urbino, to Rome, to Naples; then back to Florence, then to Milan, to Turin.

Whether they made her hope that it was to meet with Mr. Grandison, I know not; but it is certain, she herself expected to see him at the end of every journey; and, while she was moving, was easier, and more composed; perhaps in that hope.

The marchioness was sometimes of the party. The air and exercise were thought proper for her health, as well as for that of her daughter. Her cousin Laurana was always with her in these excur-sions, and sometimes Lady Sforza; and their escorte was, generally, Signors bebastiano and Juliano.

But, within these four months past, these jour-neyings have been discontinued. The young lady accuses them of deluding her with vain hopes. She is impatient, and has made two attempts to escape from them.

She is, for this reason, closely confined, and watched.

They put her once into a nunnery, at the motion of Lady Sforza, as for a trial only. She was not uneasy in it; but this being done unknown to the general, when he was apprised of it, he, for reasons I cannot comprehend, was displeased, and had her taken out, directly.

Her head runs more than ever upon seeing her tutor, her friend, her chevalier, once more. They have certainly been to blame, if they have let her travel with such hopes; because they have thereby kept up her ardor for an interview. Could she but once more see him, she says, and let him know the cruelty she has been treated with, she should be satisfied. He would pity her, she is sure, though nobody else will.

The bishop has written to beg, that Sir Charles would pay them one more visit at Bologna.

I will refer to my patron himself the communi-cating to 3^ou, ladies, his resolution on this subject. I had but a moment’s sight of the letters which so greatly affected him.

It is but within these few days past that this new request has been made to him, in a direct manner. The question was before put, If such a request should be made, would he comply? And once Camilla wrote, as having heard Sir Charles’s presence wished for.

Mean time the poor lady is hastening, they are afraid, into a consumptive malady. The Count of Belvedere, however, still adores her. The disorder in her mind being imputed chiefly to religious me-lancholy, and some of her particular flights not being generally known, he, who is a pious man himselt, pities her; and declares, that he would run all risques of her recovery, would the family give her to him; and yet he knows, that she would choose to be the wife of the Chevalier Grandison, rather than that of any other man, were the article of re-ligion to be got over; and generously applauds her for preferring her faith to her love.

Signor Jeronymo is in a very bad way. Sir Charles often writes to him, and with an affection worthy of the merits of that dear friend. He was to undergo another severe operation on the next day after the letters came from Bologna; the success of which was very doubtful.

How nobly does Sir Charles appear to support himself under such heavy afflictions! For those of his friends were ever his. But his heart bleeds in secret for them. A feeling heart is a blessing that no one, who has it, would be without; and it is a moral security of innocence; since the heart that is able to partake of the distress of another, cannot wilfully give it.

I thmk, my good Miss Byron, that I have now, as f^r as I am at present able, obeyed all your commands that concern the unhappy Clementina, and her family. I will defer, if you please, those which relate to Olivia and Mrs. Beaumont (ladies of very different characters from each other) having several letters to write.

Permit me, my good ladies, and my lord, after contributing so much to afflict your worthy hearts, to refer you, for relief under all the distresses of life, whether they affect ourselves or others, to those motives that can alone give support to a rational mind. This mortal scene, however per-plexing, is a very short one; and the hour is has — tening when all the intricacies of human affairs shall be cleared up; and all the sorrows that have had their foundation in virtue be changed into the highest joy: when all worthy minds shall be united in the same interests, the same happiness.

Allow me to be, my good Miss Byron, and you, my Lord and Lady L. and Miss Grandison,

Your most faithful and obedient servant, AMBROSE BARTLETT.

Excellent Dr. Bartlett! How worthy of himself is this advice! But think you not, my Lucy, that the doctor has in it a particular view to your poor Har-riet? A. generous one, meaning consolation and instruction to her? I will endeavour to profit by it. Let me have your prayers, my dear friends, that I may be enabled to succeed in my humble endea-vours.

It will be no wonder to us now, that Sir Charles was not solicitous to make known a situation so embarrassing to himself, and so much involved in clouds and uncertainty: but whatever may be the event of this affair, you, Lucy, and all my friends, will hardly ever know me by any other name than that of

HARRIET BYRON.




Volume IV.


Letter I.
Miss Harriet Byron to Miss Lucy Selby.

Friday, March 31. You now, my dear friends, have before you this affecting story, as far as Dr. Bartlett can give it. My cousins express a good deal of concern for your Harriet: so does Miss Grandison: so do my Lord and Lady L.: and the more, as I seem to carry off the matter with assumed bravery. This their kind concern for me looks, however, as if they thought me a hypocrite; and I suppose, therefore that I act my part very awkwardly.

But, my dear, as this case is one of those few in which a woman ran shew a bravery of spirit, I think an endeavour after it is laudable; and the rather, as in my conduct I aim at giving a tacit example to Miss Jervois.

The doctor has whispered to me, that Lady Oli-via is actually on her way to England; and that the intelligence Sir Charles received of her intention, was one of the things that disturbed him, as the news of his beloved Signor Jeronymo’s dangerous condition was another.

Lady Ann S. it seems has not yet given up her hopes of Sir Charles. The two sisters, who once favoured her above all the women they knew, have not been able to bring themselves to acquaint a lady of her rank and merit, that there can be no hopes; and they are still more loth to say, that their bro-ther thinks himself under some obligations to a fo — reign lady. Yet you know that this was always what we were afraid of: but, who, now, will say afraid, that knows the merit of Clementina?

I wish, methinks, that this man were proud, vain, arrogant, and a boaster. How easily then might one throw off one’s shackles!

Lord G. is very diligent in his court to Miss Grandison. His father and aunt are to visit her this afternoon. She behaves whimsically to my lord: yet I cannot think that she greatly dislikes him.

The Earl of D. and the countess dowager are both in town. The countess made a visit to my cousin Reeves last Tuesday: she spoke of me very kindly: she says my lord has heard so much of me, that he is very desirous of seeing me: but she was pleased to say, that since my heart was not disen-gaged, she should be afraid of the consequences of his visit to himself.

My grandmamma, though she was so kindly fond of me, would not suffer me to live with her; because she thought, that her contemplative temper might

S.IK CHARLES GRANDISON. 3 influence mine, and make me grave, at a time of life, when she is always saying that cheerfulness is most becoming: she would therefore turn over her girl to the best of aunts. But now 1 fancy, she will allow me to be more than two days in a week her attendant. My uncle Selby will be glad to spare me. I shall not be able to bear a jest: and then what shall I be good for?

I have made a fine hand of coming to town, he says: and so I have: but if my heart is not quite so easy as it was, it is, I hope, a better, at least, not a worse heart than I brought up with me. Could I only have admired this man, my excursion would not have been unhappy. But this gratitude, this entangling, with all its painful consequences But let me say, with my grandmamma, the man is Sir Charles Grandison! The very man by whose virtues a Clementina was attracted. Upon my word, my dear, unhappy as she is, I rank her with the first of women.

I have not had a great deal of Sir Charles Grandison’s company; but yet more, I am afraid, than I shall ever have again. Very true O heart! the most wayward of hearts, sigh if thou wilt!

You have seen how seldom he was with us, when we were absolutely in his reach, and when he, as we thought, was in ours. But such a man cannot, ought not to be engrossed by one family. Bless me, Lucy, when he comes into public life (for has not his country a superior claim to him beyond every private one?) what moment can he have at liberty? Let me enumerate some of his present engagements that we know of.

The Danby family must have some further portion of his time.

The executorship in the disposal of the 3000/. in charity, in France as well as in England, will take up a good deal more.

My Lord W. may be said to be under his tu-telage, as to the future happiness of his life.

Miss Jervois’s affairs, and the care he has for her person, engage much of his attention.

He is his own steward.

He is making alterations at Grandison-hall; and has a large genteel neighbourhood there, who long to have him reside among them; and he himself is fond of that seat.

His estate in Ireland is in a prosperous way, from the works he set on foot there, when he was on the spot; and he talks, as Dr. Bartlett has hinted to us, of making another visit to it.

His sister’s match with Lord G. is one of his cares.

He has services to perform for his friend Beau-champ, with his father and mother-inlaw, for the facilitating his coming over.

The apprehended visit of Olivia gives him disturbance.

And the Bologna family in its various branches, and more especially Signor Jeronymo’s dangerous state of health, and Signora Clementina’s disordered mind O Lucy! What leisure has this man to be in love! Yet how can I say so, when he is in love already? And with Clementina And don’t you think, that when he goes to France on the executor-ship account, he will make a visit to Bologna? Ah, my dear, to be sure he will.

After he has left England therefore, which I sup-pose he will quickly do, and when I am in North — amptonshire, what opportunities will your Harriet have to see him, except she can obtain, as a favour, the power of obliging his Emily, in her request to be with her? Then, Lucy, he may, on his return to England, once a year, or so, on his visiting his ward, see, and thank for her care and love of his Emily, his half-estranged Harriet! Perhaps Lady Clemen-tina Grandison will be with him! God restore her! Surely I shall be capable, if she be Lady Grandison, of rejoicing in her recovery!

Fie upon it! Why this involuntary tear? You would see it by the large blot it has made, if I did not mention it.

Excellent man! Dr. Bartlett has just been telling me of a morning visit he received, before he went out of town, from the two sons of Mrs. Oldham.

One of them is about seven years old; the other about five; very fine children. He embraced them, the doctor says, with as much tenderness, as if they were children of his own mother. He enquired into their inclinations, behaviour, diversions; and engaged equally their love and reverence.

He told them, that, if they were good, he would love them; and said, he had a dear friend, whom he reverenced as his father, a man with white curling locks, he told the children, that they might know him at first sight, who would now-and-then, as he happened to be in town, make enquiries after their good behaviour, and reward them, as they gave him cause. Accordingly he had desired Dr. Bartlett to give them occasionally his countenance; as also to let their mother know, that he should be glad of a visit from her, and her three children, on his return to town.

The doctor had been to see her when he came to me. He found all three with her. The two younger, impressed by the venerable description Sir Charles had given of him, of their own accord, the younger, by the elder’s example, fell down on their knees In fore him, and begged his blessing r. 3

Mr. Oldham is about eighteen years of age; a well-inclined, well-educated youth. He was full of acknowledgments of the favour done him in this invitation.

The grateful mother could not contain herself. Blessings without number she invoked on her bene-factor for his goodness in taking such kind notice of her two sons, as he had done; and said, he had been, ever since his gracious behaviour to her in Essex, the first and last in her prayers to Heaven. But the invitation to herself, she declared, was too great an honour for her to accept of: she should not be able to stand in his presence. Alas! Sir, said she, can the severest, truest penitence recal the guilty past?

The doctor said, that Sir Charles Grandison ever made it a rule with him to raise the dejected and humble spirit. Your birth and education, madam, intitle you to a place in the first company: and where there are two lights in which the behaviour of any person may be set, though there has been unhappiness, he always remembers the most favourable, and forgets the other. I would advise you, madam (as he has invited you) by all means to come. He speaks with pleasure of your humility and good sense.

The doctor told me, that Sir Charles had made enquiries after the marriage of Major O’Hara with Mrs. Jervois, and had satisfied himself that they were actually man and wife. Methinks I am glad, for Miss Jervois’s sake, that her mother has changed her name. They lived not happily together since their last enterprize. For the man, who had long been a sufferer from poverty, was in fear of losing one half at least of his wife’s annuity, by what passed on that occasion; and accused her of putting him upon the misbehaviour he was guilty of; which had

Sill CHARLES GRANDISON. 7 brought upon him, he said, the resentments of man admired by all the world.

The attorney, who visited Sir Charles from these people, at their request, waited on him again, in their names., with hopes that they should not suffer in their annuity, and expressing their concern for having offended him.

Mrs. O’Hara also requested it as a favour to see her daughter.

Sir Charles commissioned the attorney, who is a man of repute, to tell them, that if Mrs. O’Hara would come to St. James’s Square next Tuesday about five o’clock, Miss Jervoisshould be introduced to her; and she should be welcome to bring with her her husband, and Captain Salmonet, that they might be convinced he bore no ill-will to either of them.

Adieu, till by and-by. Miss Grandison is come, in one of her usual hurries, to oblige me to be present at the visit to be made her this afternoon, by the Earl of G. and Lady Gertrude, his sister, a maiden lady advanced in years, who is exceedingly fond of her nephew, and intends to make him heir of her large fortune.

Friday night.

The earl is an agreeable man: Lady Gertrude is a very agreeable woman. They saw Miss Grandison with the young lord’s eyes; and were better pleased with her, as I told her afterwards, than /should have been, or than they would, had they known her as well as I do. She doubted not, she answered me, but I should find fault with her; and yet she was as good as for her life she could be.

Such an archness in every motion! Such a turn of the eye to me on my Lord G.‘s assiduities! Such a fear in him of her correcting glance! Such a half-tiinid, half-free parade when he had done any thing that he intended to be obliging, and now and then an aiming at raillery, as if he were not very mueh afraid of her, and dared to speak his mind even to her! On her part, on those occasions, such an air, as if she had a learner before her; and was ready to rap his knuckles, had nobody been present to medi-ate for him; that though I could not but love her for her very archness, yet in my mind, I could for their sakes, but more for her own, have severely chidden her.

She is a charming woman; and every thing she says and does becomes her. But I am so much afraid of what may be the case, when the lover is changed into the husband, that I wish to myself now-and-then, when I see her so lively, that she would re — member that there was once such a man as Captain Anderson. But she makes it a rule, she says, to remember nothing that will vex her.

Is not my memory (said she once) given me for my benefit, and shall I make it my torment? No, Harriet, I will leave that to be done by you wise ones, and see what good you will get by it.

Why this, Charlotte, replied I, the wise ones may have a chance to get by it They will very probably, by remembering past mistakes, avoid many incon-veniences into which forgetfulness will run you lively ones.

Well, well, returned she, we are not all of us born to equal honour. Some of us are to be set up for warnings, some for examples: and the first are ge-nerally of greater use to the world than the other. Now, Charlotte, said I, do you destroy the force of your own argument. Can the person who is singled out for the warning) be near so happy as the that is set up for the example?

You are right, as far as I know, Harriet: but I obey the present impulse, and try to find an excuse afterwards for what that puts me upon: and all the difference is this, as to the reward, I have a joy: you a comfort: but comfort is a poor word; and I can’t bear it.

So Biddy in the Tender Husband would have said, Charlotte. But poor as the word is with you and her, give me comfort rather than joy, if they must be separated. But I see not but that a woman of my Charlotte’s happy turn may have both.

She tapped my cheek Take that, Harriet, for making a Biddy of me. I believe, if you have not joy, you have comfort, in your severity.

My heart as well as my cheek glowed at the praises the earl and the lady both joined in (with a fervor that was creditable to their own hearts) of Sir Charles Grandison, while they told us what this man, and that woman, of quality or consideration, said of him. Who would not be good? What is life without reputation? Do we not wish to be re-membered with honour after death? And what a share of it has this excellent man in his life! May nothing, for the honour-sake of human nature, to which he is so great an ornament, ever happen to tarnish it!

They were extremely obliging to me. I could not but be pleased at standing well in their opinion: but, believe me. my dear, I did not enjoy their praises of me, as I did those they gave him. Indeed, I had the presumption, from the approbation given to what they said of him by my own heart, to imagine my-self a sharer in them, though not in his merits. Oh, Lucy! ought there not to have been a relation between us, since what I have said, from what I found in myself on hearing him praised, is a demon-stration of a regard for him superior to the love of self?

Adieu, my Lucy. I know I have all your prayers. Adieu, my dear.’


Letter II.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Saturday, April I.

Dr. Bartlett is one of the kindest as well as best of men. I believe he loves me as if I were his own child: but good men must be affectionate men. He received but this morning a letter from Sir Charles, and hastened to communicate some of its contents to me, though I could pretend to no other motive but curiosity for wishing to be acquainted with the proceedings of his patron.

Sir Charles dined, as he had intended, with Sir Hargrave and his friends. He complains in his letter of a riotous day: “ Yet I think, adds he, it has led me into some useful reflections. It is not indeed agreeable to be the spectator of riot; but how easy to shun being a partaker in it! How easy to avoid the too freely circling glass, if a man is known to have established a rule to himself, from which he will not depart; and if it be not refused sullenly, but mirth and good humour the more stu-diously kept up by the person; who would else in deed be looked upon as a spy on unguarded folly! I heartily pitied a young man, who, 1 dare say, has a good heart, but from false shame durst not assert the freedom to which every Englishman would claim u right, in almost every other instance! He had once put by the glass, and excused himself on account of his health; but on being laughed at for a sober dog, as they phrased it, and asked, if his spouse had not lectured him before he came out, he gave way to the wretched raillery: nor could I interfere at such a noisy moment with effect: they had laughed him out of his caution before I could be heard; and I left him there at nine o’clock trying with Bagenhall which should drink the deepest.

I wish, my good Dr. Bartlett, you would throw together some serious considerations on this subject. You could touch it delicately, and such a discourse would not be unuseful to some few of our neigh-bours even at Grandison-hall. What is it not, that, in this single article, men sacrifice to false shame and false glory! Reason, health, fortune, personal elegance, the peace and order of their families; and all the comfort and honour of their after-years. How peevish, how wretched, is the decline of a man worn out with intemperance! In a cool hour, reso-lutions might be formed, that should stand the at — tack of a boisterous jest.”

I obtained leave from Dr. Bartlett to transcribe this part of the letter. I thought my uncle would be pleased with it.

It was near ten at night before Sir Charles got to Lord W.‘s, though but three miles from Sir liar-grave’s. My lord rejoiced to see him; and, after first compliments, asked him, if he had thought of what he had undertaken for him. Sir Charles told him, that he was the more desirous of seeing him in his way to the hall, because he wanted to know if his lordship held his mind as to marriage. He as-sured him he did, and would sign and seal to what — ever he should stipulate for him.

I wished for a copy of this part of Sir Charles’s letter, for the sake of my aunt, whose delicacy would, I thought, be charmed with” it. He has been so good as to say, he would transcribe it for me. I will inclose it, Lucy; and you will read it here:

“I cannot, my lord, (said Sir Charles,) engage, that the lady will comply with the proposal I shall take the liberty to make to her mother and her. She is not more than three or four and thirty: she is handsome: she has a fine understanding: she is brought up an ceconomist: she is a woman of good family: she has not, however, though born to happier prospects, a fortune worthy of your lord-ship’s acceptance. Whatever that is, you will per — haps choose to give it to her family.

With all my heart and soul, nephew, But do you say, she is handsome? Do you say, she is of family? And has she so many good qualities? Ah, nephew, she won’t have me, 1 doubt. And is she not too young, Sir Charles, to think of such a poor decrepit soul as I am?

All I can say to this, my lord, is, that the propo-sals on your part must be the more generous

I will leave all those matters to you, kinsman

This, my lord, I will take upon me to answer for, that she is a woman of principle: she will not give your lordship her hand, if she thinks she cannot make you a wife worthy of your utmost kindness: and now, my lord, I will tell you who she is, that you may make what other enquiries you think proper.

And then I named her to him, and gave him pretty near the account of the family, and the cir-cumstances and affairs of it, that I shall by-and-by give you; though you are not quite a stranger to the unhappy case.

My lord was in raptures: he knew something, he said, of the lady’s father, and enough of the family, by hearsay, to confirm all I had said of them; and besought me to do my utmost to bring the affair to a speedy conclusion.

Sir Thomas Mansfield was a very good man; and much respected in his neighbourhood. He was once possessed of a large estate; but his father left him involved in a law-suit to support his title to more than one half of it.

After it had been depending several years, it was at last, to the deep regret of all who knew him, by the chicanery of the lawyers of the opposite side, and the remissness of his own, carried against him; and his expences having been very great in supporting for years his possession, he found himself re — duced from an estate of near three thousand pounds a year, to little more than five hundred. He had six children: four sons, and two daughters. His eldest son died of grief in two months after the loss of the cause. The second, now the eldest, is a me-lancholy man. The third is a cornet of horse. The fourth is unprovided for; but all three are men of worthy minds, and deserve better fortune.

The daughters are remarkable for their piety, pa-tience, good jjeconomy, and prudence. They are the most dutiful of children, and most affectionate of sisters. They were for three years the support of their father’s spirits, and have always been the consolation of their mother. They lost their father about four years ago: and it is even edifying to ob-serve, how elegantly they support the family-repu — tation in their fine old mansion-house, by the pru — dent management of their little income; for the mo — ther leaves every household care to them; and they make it a rule to conclude the year with discharging every demand that can be made upon them, and to commence the new year absolutely clear of the world, and with some cash in hand; yet were brought up in affluence, and to the expectation of handsome fortunes; for, besides that they could have no thought of losing their cause, they had very great and reasonable prospects frem Mr. Calvert, an uncle by their mother’s side; who was rich in money, and had besides an estate in land of 15001. a year. He always declared, that for the sake of his sister’s children he would continue a single man; and kept his word till he was upwards of seventy; when, being very infirm in health, and defective even to dotage in his understanding, Bolton his steward, who had always stood in the way of his inclination to have his eldest niece for his companion and ma-nager, at last contrived to get him married to ayoung creature under twenty, one of the servants in the house, who brought him a child at seven months; and was with child again at the old man’s death, which happened in eighteen months after his mar-riage: and then a will was provided, in which he gave all he had to his wife and her children born, and to be born within a year after his demise. This steward and woman now live together as man and wife.

A worthy clergyman, who hoped it might be in my power to procure them redress, either in the one case or in the other, gave me the above particulars; and upon enquiry, finding every thing to be as re-presented, I made myself acquainted with the widow lady and her sons: and it was impossible to see them at their own house, and not respect the daughters for their amiable qualities.

I desired them, when I was last down, to put into my hands their titles, deeds, and papers; which they have done; and they have been laid before counsel, who give a very hopeful account of them.

Being fully authorized by my lord, I took leave of him over-night, and set out early in the morning, directly for Mansfield-house. I arrived there soon after their breakfast was over, and was received by Lady Mansfield, her sons (who happened to be all at home) and her two daughters, with politeness.

After some general conversation, I took Lady

Mansfield aside; and, making an apology for my freedom, asked her, If Miss Mansfield were, to her knowledge, engaged in her affections?

She answered, she was sure she was not: Ah, Sir, said she, a man of your observation must know, that the daughters of a decayed family of some note in the world, do not easily get husbands. Men of great fortunes look higher: men of small must look out for wives to enlarge them: and men of genteel busi-nesses are afraid of young women better born than portioned. Every-body knows not that my girls can bend to their condition; and they must be contented to live single all their lives; and so they will choose to do, rather than not marry creditably, and with some prospect.

I then opened my mind fully to her. She was agreeably surprised: But who, sir, said she, would expect such a proposal from the next heir to Lord W.?

I made known to her how much in earnest I was in this proposal, as well for my lord’s sake, as for the young lady’s. I will take care, madam, said I, that Miss Mansfield, if she will consent to make Lord W. happy, shall have very handsome settlements, and such an allowance for pin-money, as shall enable her to gratify every moderate, every reasonable wish of her heart.

Was it possible, she asked, for such an affair to be brought about? Would my lord There she stopt.

I said, I would be answerable for him: and desired her to break the matter to her daughter directly.

I left Lady Mansfield, and joined the brothers, who were with their two sisters; and soon after Miss Mansfield was sent for by her mother.

After they had been a little while together, my Lady Mansfield sent to speak with me. They were both silent when I came in. The mother seemed at c2 a loss what to say: the daughter was still more irre-solute.

I addressed myself to the mother. You have, I perceive, madam, acquainted Miss Mansfield with the proposal I made to you. I am fully authorized to make it. Propitious be your silence! There never was, proceeded I, a treaty of marriage set on foot, which had not its conveniences and inconve-niences. My lord is greatly afflicted with the gout: there is too great a disparity in years. These are the inconveniences which are to be considered of for the lady.

On the other hand, if Miss Mansfield can give into the proposal, she will be received by my lord as a blessing; as one whose acceptance of him will lay him under an obligation to her. If this proposal could not have been made with dignity and honour to the lady, it had not come from me.

The conveniences toyourselves will more properly fall under the consideration of yourselves and family. One thing only I will suggest, that an alliance with so rich a man as Lord W. will make perhaps some people tremble, who now think themselves secure.

But, madam (to the still silent daughter), let not a regard for me bias you: your family may be sure of my best services, whether my proposal be received or rejected.

My lord (I must deal sincerely with you) has lived a life of error. He thinks so himself. I am earnest to have him see the difference, and to have an opportunity to rejoice with him upon it.

Istopt: but both being still silent, the mother looking on the daughter, the daughter glancing now — and — then her conscious eye on the mother, If, madam, said I, you can give your hand to Lord W. I will take care, that settlements shall exceed your expectation. What I have observed as well as heard

SIK CHARLES OUANDISON. 17 of Miss Mansfield’s temper and goodness, is the principal motive of my application to her, in prefer-ence to all the women I know.

But permit me to say, that were your affections engaged to the lowest honest man on earth, I would not wish for your favour to Lord W. And further, if, madam, you think you should have but the sha-dow of a hope, to induce your compliance, that my lord’s death would be more agreeable to you than his life, then would I not, for your morality’s sake, wish you to engage. In a word, I address myself to you, Miss Mansfield, as to a woman of honour and conscience: if your conscience bids you doubt, reject the proposal; and this not only for my lord’s sake, but for your own.

Consider, if, without too great a force upon your inclinations, you can behave with that condescension and indulgence to a man who has hastened advanced age upon himself, which I have thought from your temper I might hope.

I have said a great deal, because you, ladies, were silent; and because explicitness in every case becomes the proposer. Give me leave to retire for a lew moments.

I withdrew, accordingly, to the brothers and sister. I did not think I ought to mention to them the proposal I had made. It might perhaps have engaged them all in its favour, as it was of such evident ad-vantage to the whole family; and that might have imposed a difficulty on the lady, that neither for her own sake, nor my lord’s, it would have been just to lay upon her.

Lady Mansfield came out to me, and said, I presume, Sir, as we arc a family which misfortune, as well as love, has closely bound together, you will allow it to be mentioned

To the whole family, madam! Uy all means. F c3 wanted only first to know, whether Miss Mansfield’s affections were disengaged: and now you shall give me leave to attend Miss Mansfield. I am party for my Lord W.: Miss Mansfield is a party: your debates will be the more free in our absence. If I find her averse, believe me, madam, I will not endeavour to persuade her. On the contrary, if she declare against accepting the proposal, I will be her advocate, though every one else should vote in its favour.

The brothers and sister looked upon one another: I left the mother to propose it to them; and stept into the inner parlour to Miss Mansfield.

She was sitting with her back to the door, in a meditating posture. She started at my entrance.

I talked of indifferent subjects, in order to divert her from the important one, that had taken up her whole attention.

It would have been a degree of oppression to her to have entered with her upon a subject of so much consequence to her while we were alone; and when her not having given a negative, was to be taken as a modest affirmative.

Lady Mansfield soon joined us. My dear daugh-ter, said she, we are all unanimous. We have agreed to leave every thing to Sir Charles Grandison: and we hopeyoM wrll.

She was silent. I will only ask you, madam, said I to her, if you have any wish to take time to consider of the matter? Do you think you shall be easier in your mind, if you take time? She was silent.

I will not at this time, my good Miss Mansfield, urge you further. I will make my report to Lord W. and you shall be sure of his joyful approbation of the steps I have taken, before your final consent shall be asked for. But that I may not be employed in a doubtful cause, let me be commissioned to tell my lord, that you are disengaged; and that you wholly resign yourself to your mother’s advice.

She bowed her head.

And that you, madam, to Lady Mansfield, are not averse to enter into treaty upon this important sub-ject.

Averse, Sir! said the mother, bowing, and grate-fully smiling.

I will write the particulars of our conversation to Lord W. and my opinion of settlements, and advise him (if I am not forbid) to make a visit at Mans-field-house [I stopt: they were both silent]. If possible, I will attend my lord in his first visit. I hope, madam, to Miss Mansfield, you will not dislike him: I am sure he will be charmed with you: he is far from being disagreeable in his person: his temper is not bad. Your goodness will make him good. 1 dare say that he will engage your gratitude; and I defy a good mind to separate love from gratitude.

Wereturned to company. I had all their blessings pronounced at once, as from one mouth. The me-lancholy brother was enlivened: Who knows but the consequence of this alliance may illuminate his mind? I could see by the pleasure they all had, in beholding him capable of joy on the occasion, that they hoped it would. The unhappy situation of the family affairs, as it broke the heart of the eldest brother, fixed a gloom on the temper of this gen-tleman.

I was prevailed upon to dine with them. In the conversation we had at and after dinner, their minds opened, and their characters rose upon me. Lord W. will be charmed with Miss Mansfield. I am delighted to think, that my mother’s brother will be happy, in the latter part of his life, with a wife of so much prudence and goodness, as I am sure this lady will make him. On one instance of her very obliging behaviour to me, I whispered her sister, Pray, Miss Fanny, tell Miss Mansfield, but not till I am gone, that she knows not the inconveniences she is bringing upon herself: I may, perhaps, here-after, have the boldness to look for the same favour from my aunt, that 1 meet with from Miss Mans-field.

If my sister, returned she, should ever misbehave to her benefactor, I will deny my relation to her.

You will soon have another letter from me, with an account of the success of my visit to Sir Harry Beauchamp and his lady. We must have our Beau-champ among us, my dear friend: I should rather say, you must among you; for I shall not be long in England. He will supply to you, my dear Dr. Bartlett, the absence (it will not, I hope, be a long one) of your

CHARLES GRANDISON.”

Sir Charles, I remember, as the doctor read, mentions getting leave for his Beauchamp to come over, who, he says, will supply his absence to him But, ah! Lucy! Who, let me have the boldness to ask, shall supply it to your Harriet? Time, my dear, will do nothing for me, except I could hear some-thing very much amiss of this man.

I have a great suspicion, that the first part of the letter inclosed related to me. The doctor looked so earnestly at me, when he skipt two sides of it; and, as I thought, with so much compassion! To be sure, it was about me.

What would I arive to know as much of his mind as Dr. Bartlett knows! If I thought he pitied the poor Harriet I should scorn myself. I am, I will be, above his pity, Lucy. In this believe your

HARRIET BYRON


Letter III.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Sunday night, April 2.

Dr. Bartlett has received from Sir Charles an account of what passed last Friday between him, and Sir Harry and Lady Beauchamp: by the doctor’s allowance, 1 inclose it to you

In this letter, Lucy, you will see him in a new light; and as a man whom there is no resisting, when he resolves to carry a point. But it absolutely convinces me, of what indeed I before suspected, that he has not a high opinion of our sex in general: and this I will put down as a blot in his character, He treats us, in Lady Beauchamp, as perverse, hu-moursome babies, loving power, yet not knowing how to use it. See him so delicate in his behaviour and address to Miss Mansfield, and carry in your thoughts his gaity and adroit management to Lady Beauchamp, as in this letter, and you will hardly think him the same man. Could lie be anything to me, I should be more than half-afraid of him: yet this may be said in his behalf; He but accom-modates himself to the persons he has to deal with: he can be a man of gay wit, when he pleases to descend, as indeed his sister Charlotte has as often found, as she has given occasion for the exercise of that talent in him; yet, that virtue, for its own sake, is his choice; since, had he been a free liver, he would have been a dangerous man.

But I will not anticipate too much: read it here, if you please.


Letter IV.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett. [Inclosed in the preceding. ]

Grandison-hall, Friday night, March 31. I arrived at Sir Harry Beauchamp’s about twelve this day. He and his Lady expected me, from the letter which I wrote and shewed you before I left the town; in which, you know, 1 acquainted Sir Harry with his son’s earnest desire to throw him-self at his feet, and to pay his duty to his mother, in England; and engaged to call myself, either this day or tomorrow, for an answer.

Sir Harry received me with great civility, and even affection. Lady Beauchamp, said he, will be with us in a moment. I am afraid you will not meet with all the civility from her on the errand you are come upon, that a man of Sir Charles Grandison’s character deserves to meet with from all the world. We have been unhappy together, ever since we had your letter. I long to see my son: your friendship for him establishes him in my heart. But And then he cursed the apron-string tenure, by which, he said, he held his peace.

You will allow me, Sir Harry, said I, to address myself in my own way to your lady. You give me pleasure, in letting me know, that the difficulty is not with you. You have indeed, Sir, one of the most prudent young men in the world for your son. His heart is in your hand: you may form it as you please.

She is coming! She is coming! interrupted he. We are all in pieces: we were in the midst of a feud, when you arrived. If she is not civil to you

In swam the lady; her complexion raised; displeasure in her looks to me, and indignation in her air to Sir Harry; as if they had not had their contention out, and she was ready to renew it.

With as obliging an air as I could assume, I paid my compliments to her. She received them with great stiffness; swelling at Sir Harry: who sidled to the door, in a moody and sullen manner, and then slipt out.

You are Sir Charles Grandison, I suppose, Sir, said she: I never saw you before: I have heard much talk of you. But, pray, Sir, are good men always officious men? Cannot they perform the obligations of friendship, without discomposing families?

You see me novo, madam, in an evil moment, if you are displeased with me: but I am not used to the displeasure of ladies: I do my utmost not to deserve it; and, let me tell you, madam, that I will not sufter you to be displeased with me.

I took her half reluctant hand, and led her to a chair, and seated myself in another near her.

I see, Sir, you have your arts.

She took the fire-screen, that hung by the side of the chimney and held it before her face, now glancing at me, now turning away her eye, as if resolved to be displeased.

You come upon a hateful errand, Sir: I have been unhappy ever since your officious letter came.

I am sorry for it, madam. While you are warm with the remembrance of a past misunderstanding, I will not offer to reason with you: but let me, madam, see less discomposure in your looks. I want to take my impressions of you from more placid features: I am a painter, madam: I love to draw ladies pictures. Will you have this pass for a first sitting?

She knew not what to do with her anger: she was loth to part with it.

You are impertinent, Sir Charles Excuse me You are impertinent.

I do excuse you, Lady Beauchamp: and the rather, as I am sure you do not think me so. Your freedom is a mark of your favour; and I thank you for it.

You treat me as a child, Sir

I treat all angry people as children: I love to humour them. Indeed, Lady Beauchamp, you must not be angry with them. Can I be mistaken? Don’t I see in your aspect the woman of sense and reason: I never blame a lady for her humour-someness, so much, as in my mind, I blame her mother.

Sir! said she. I smiled. She bit her lip, to avoid returning a smile.

Her character, my dear friend, is not, you know, that of an ill-tempered woman, though haughty, and a lover of power.

I have heard much of you, Sir Charles Grandison: but I am quite mistaken in you: I expected to see a grave formal young man, nis prim mouth set in plaits: but you are a joker; and a free man; a very free man, 1 do assure you.

I would be thought decently free, madam; but not impertinent. I see with pleasure a returning smile. O that ladies knew how much smiles become their features! Very few causes can justify a woman’s anger Your sex, madam, was given to delight, not to torment us.

Torment you, Sir! Pray, has Sir Harry

Sir Harry cannot look pleased, when his lady is ^-pleased: I saw that you were, madam, the moment I beheld you. I hope I am not an unwelcome visiter to Sir Harry for one hour (I intend to stay no longer) that he received me with so disturbed a countenance, and has now withdrawn himself, as if to avoid me.

To tell you the truth, Sir Harry and I have had a dispute: but he always speaks of Sir Charles Grandison with pleasure.

Is he not offended with me, madam, for the contents of the letter

No, Sir, and I suppose you hardly think he is But I am

Dear madam, let me beg your interest in favour of the contents of it.

She took fire rose up

I besought her patience Why should you wish to keep abroad a young man, who is a credit to his family, and who ought to be, if he is not, the joy of his father! Let him owe to your generosity, madam, that recal, which he solicits: it will become your character: he cannot be always kept abroad; be it your own generous work

What, Sir Pray, Sir With an angry brow

You must not be angry with me, madam (I took her hand) You can’t be angry in earnest

Sir Charles Grandison You are She withdrew her hand; You are, repeated she and seemed ready to call names

I am the Grandison you call me; and I honour the maternal character. You must permit me to honour i/ou, madam. n

I wonder, Sir ——

I will not be denied. The world reports misun-derstandings between you and Mr. Beauchamp. That busy world that will be meddling, knows your power, and his dependence. You must not let it charge you with an ill use of that power: if you do, you will have its blame, when you might have its praise, he will have its pity.

What, Sir, do you think your fine letters, and smooth words, will avail in favour of a young fellow who has treated me with disrespect?

You are misinformed, madam. I am willing to have a greater dependence upon your justice, upon your good-nature, than upon any — thing I can urge either by letter or speech. Don’t let it be said, that you are not to be prevailed on A woman not to be prevailed on to join in an act of justice, of kindness; for the honour of the sex, let it not be said.

Honour of the sex, Sir! Fine talking! Don’t I know, that were I to consent to his coming over, the first thing would be to have his annuity aug-mented out of my fortune? He and his father would be in a party against me. Ami not already a suf-ferer through him in his father’s love? ^You don’t know, Sir, what has passed between Sir Harry and me within this half hour But don’t talk to me: I won’t hear of it: the young man hates me: I hate him: and ever will.

She made a motion to go.

With a respectful air, I told her, she must not leave me. My motive deserved not, I said, that both she and Sir Harry should leave me in displea-sure.

You know but too well, resumed she, bow acceptable your officiousness (I must call it so) is to Sir Harry.

And does Sir Harry, madam, favour his son’s suit?

You rejoice me: let not Mr. Beauchamp know that he does: and do you, my dear Lady Beauchamp, take the whole merit of it to yourself. How will he revere you for your goodness to him! And what an obligation, if, as you say, Sir Harry is inclined to favour him, will you, by your generous first motion, lay upon Sir Harry.

Obligation upon Sir Harry! Yes, Sir Charles Grandison, I have laid too many obligations already upon him, for his gratitude.

Lay this one more. You own you have had a misunderstanding this morning: Sir Harry is with-drawn, 1 suppose, with his heart full: let me, I beseech you, make up the misunderstanding. I have been happy in this way Thus we will order it We will desire him to walk in. I will beg your interest with him in favour of the contents of the letter I sent. His compliance will follow as an act of obligingness to you. The grace of the action will be yours. I will be answerable for Mr. Beauchamp’s gratitude. Dear madam, hesitate not. The young gentleman must come over one day: let the fa-vour of its being an early one, be owing entirely to you.

You are a strange man, Sir: I don’t like you at all: you would persuade me out of my reason.

Let us, madam, as Mr. Beauchamp and I are already the dearest of friends, begin & family under — standing. Let St. James’s Square, and Berkley Square, when you come to town, be a next-door-neighbourhood. Give me the consideration of be ing the bondsman for the duty of Mr. Beauchamp to you, as well as to his father.

She was silent: but looked vexed and irresolute

My sisters, madam, are amiable women. You will be pleased with them. Lord L. is a man worthy of Sir Harry’s acquaintance. We shall want nothing, i) 2 if you would think so, but Mr. Beauchamp’s presence among us.

What! I suppose you design your maiden sister for the young fellow But if you do, Sir, you must ask me for There she stopt.

Indeed I do not. He is not at present disposed to marry. He never will without his father’s ap-probation, and, let me say yours. .My sister is addressed to by Lord G. and I hope will soon be married to him.

And do you say so, Sir Charles Grandison? Why then you are a more disinterested man, than I thought you in this application to Sir Harry. 1 had no doubt but the young fellow was to be brought over to marry Miss Grandison: and that he was to be made worthy of her at my expence.

She enjoyed, as it seemed, by her manner of pronouncing the words young fellow, that designed contempt, which was a tacit confession of the consequence he once was of to her.

I do assure you, madam, that I know not his heart, if he has at present any thoughts of marriage.

She seemed pleased at this assurance.

I repeated my wishes, that she would take to herself the merit of allowing Mr. Beauchamp to return to his native country: and that she would let me see her hand in Sir Harry’s before 1 left them.

And pray, Sir, as to his place of residence, were he to come: Do you think he should live under the same roof with me ?

You shall govern that point, madam, as you ap-prove or disapprove of his behaviour to you.

His behaviour to me, Sir? One house cannot, shall not, hold him and me.

I think, madam, that you should direct in this article. I hope, after a little while, so to order my affairs, as constantly to reside in England. I should think myself very happy, if I could prevail upon Mr. Beauchamp to live with me.

But I must see him, I suppose?

Not, madam, unless you shall think it right, for the sake of the world’s opinion, that you should.

I can’t consent

You can, madam! You do! I cannot allow Lady Beauchamp to be one of those women, who, having insisted upon a wrong point, can be convinced, yet not know how to recede with a grace. Be so kind to yourself, as to let Sir Harry know, that you think it right for Mr. Beauchamp to return; but that it must be upon your own conditions: then, madam, make those conditions generous ones; and how will Sir Harry adore you! How will Mr. Beauchamp revere you! How shall I esteem you!

What a strange impertinent have I before me!

I love to be called names by a lady. If unde-servedly, she lays herself by them under obligation to me, which she cannot be generous, if she resolves not to repay. Shall I endeavour to find out Sir Harry? Or will you, madam?

Was you ever, Sir Charles Grandison, denied by any woman to whom you sued for favour.

I think, madam, I hardly ever was: but it was because I never sued for a favour, that it was not for a lady’s honour to grant. This is the case now; and this makes me determine, that I will not be denied the grant of my present request. Come, come, madam! How can a woman of your lady-ship’s good sense (taking her hand, and leading her to the door) seem to want to be persuaded to do a thing she knows in her heart to be right! Let us find Sir Harry.

Strange man! Unhand me He has used me unkindly

Overcome him then by your generosity. But dear Lady Beauchamp, taking both her hands, and smiling confidently in her face [I could, my dear Dr. Bartlett, do so to Lady Beauchamp] will you make me believe, that a woman of your spirit (you have a charming spirit, Lady Beauchamp) did not give Sir Harry as much reason to complain, as he gave you? I am sure by his disturbed counte-nance

Now, Sir Charles Grandison, you are downright affronting. Unhand me!

This misunderstanding is owing to my officious letter. I should have waited on you in person. I should from the first have put it in your power, to do a graceful and obliging thing. I ask your par-don. I am not used to make differences between man and wife.

I took her hand. She withdrew it not. Tell me, madam, I am forgiven. Your silence is encouraging: now is my friend Beauchamp permitted to return to his native country: now are Sir Harry and his lady reconciled Come, come, madam, it must be so What foolish things are the quarrels of married people! They must come to an agreement again; and the sooner the better; before hard blows are struck, that will leave marks Let us, dear madam, find out Sir Harry

And then with an air of vivacity, that women, whether in courtship or out of it, dislike not, I was leading her once more to the door, and, as I intended, to Sir Harry, wherever he could be found.

Hold, hold, Sir, resisting; but with features far more placid than she had suffered to be before visible If I must be compelled You are a strange man, Sir Charles Grandison If I must be compelled to see Sir Harry But you are a strange man And she rang the bell.

Sin CHARLES GRANDISON. 31

Lady Beauchamp, Dr. Bartlett, is one of those who would be more ready to forgive an innocent freedom, than to be gratified by a profound respect; otherwise I had not treated her with so little cere-mony. Such women are formidable only to those who are afraid of their anger, or who make it a se-rious thing.

But when the servant appeared, she not knowing how to condescend, I said, Go to your master, Sir, and tell him, that your lady requests the favour

Requests the favour! repeated she; but in a low voice: which was no bad sign.

The servant went with a message worded with more civility than perhaps he was used to carry to his master from his lady.

Now, dear Lady Beauchamp, for your own sake; for Sir Harry’s sake; make happy; and be happy: Are there not, dear madam, unhappinesses enow in life, that we must wilfully add to them?

Sir Harry came in sight. He stalked towards us with a parade like that of a young officer wanting to look martial at the head of his company.

Could I have seen him before he entered, my work would have been easier. But his hostile air disposed the lady to renew hostilities.

She turned her face aside, then her person; and the cloudy indignation with which she entered at first, again overspread her features. Ought wrath, Dr. Bartlett, to be so ready to attend a female will? Surely, thought I, my lady’s present airs, after what has passed between her and me, can be only owing to the fear of making a precedent, and being thought too easily persuaded.

Sir Harry, said I, addressing myself to him, I have obtained Lady Beauchamp’s pardon for the officious letter

Pardon, Sir Charles Grandison! You are a good man, and it was kindly intended

He was going on: anger from his eyes flashed upon his cheek-bones, and made them shine. My lady’s eyes struck fire at Sir Harry, and shewed that she was not afraid of him.

Better intended, than done, interrupted I, since my lady tells me, that it was the occasion of a mis-Understanding But, Sir, all will be right: my lady vssures me, that you are not disinclined to comply with the contents; and she has the goodness Pray, Sir Charles, interrupted the lady To give me hopes that she Pray, Sir Charles

Will use her interest to confirm you in your fa-ourable sentiments

Sir Harry cleared up at once May I hope, ma-dam And offered to take her hand.

She withdrew it with an air. O Dr. Bartlett, I must have been thought an unpolite husband, had she been my wife!

I took her hand. Excuse this freedom, Sir Harry For Heaven’s sake, madam, whispering, do what I know you will do, with a grace Shall there be a misunderstanding, and the husband court a refused hand? I then forced her half-unwilling hand into his, with an air that I intended should have both freedom and respect in it.

What a man have we got here, Sir Harry? This cannot be the modest man, that you have praised to me I thought a good man must of necessity be bashful, if not sheepish: and here your visitor is the boldest man in England.

The righteous, Lady Beauchamp, said Sir Harry, with an aspect but half-conceding, is bold as a lion.

And must I be compelled thus, and by such a man, to forgive you, Sir Harry? Indeed you were very unkind.

And you, Lady Beauchamp, were very cruel.

I did not think, Sir, when I laid my fortune at your feet

Lady Beauchamp! You said cutting things! vert/ cutting things!

And did not you, Sir Harry, say, It should be so? So very peremptorily

Not, madam, till you as peremptorily

A little recrimination, thought I, there must be, to keep each in countenance on their past folly.

Ah, Sir Charles! You may rejoice that you are not married, said Sir Harry.

Dear Sir Harry, said I, we must bear with ladies. They are meek good creatures They

Meek! Sir Charles, repeated Sir Harry, with a half-angry smile, and shrugging, as if his shoulder had been hurt with his wife’s meekness I say, meek!

Now, Sir Charles Grandison, said my lady, with an air of threatening

I was desirous either of turning her displeasure into a jest, or of diverting it from the first object, in order to make her play with it, till she had lost it.

Women are of gentle natures, pursued I; and being accustomed to be humoured, opposition sits not easy upon them. Are they not kind to us, Sir Harry, when they allow of our superiority, by expecting us to bear with their pretty perversenesses?

O Sir Charles Grandison! said my lady; both her hands lifted up.

Let us be contented, proceeded I, with such their kind acknowledgments, and in pity to them, and in compliment to ourselves, bear with their foibles. See, madam, I ever was an advocate for the ladies.

Sir Charles, I have no patience with you i What can a poor woman do, ‘continued I, when opposed? She can only be a little violent in ivords, and when she has said as much as she chooses to say, be perhaps a little sullen. For my part, were I so happy as to call a woman mine, and she happened to be in the wrong, I would endeavour to be in the right; and trust to her good sense to recover her temper: arguments only beget arguments. Those reconciliations are the most durable, in which the lady makes the advances.

What doctrine is this, Sir Charles? You are not the man I took you for. I believe, in my conscience, that you are not near so good a man, as the world reports you.

What, madam, because I pretend to know a little of the sex? Surely, Lady Beauchamp, a man of common penetration may see to the bottom of a woman’s heart. A cunning woman cannot hide it: a good woman will not. You are not, madam, such mysteries, as some of us think you. Whenever you know your own minds, ice need not be long doubt-ful: that is all the difficulty: and I will vindicate you, as to that

As how, pray, Sir?

Women, madam, were designed to be dependent, as well as gentle creatures; and of consequence, when left to their own wills, they know not what to resolve upon.

I was hoping, Sir Charles, just now, that you would stay to dinner: but if you talk at this rate, I believe I shall be ready, to wish you out of the house.

Sir Harry looked as if he were half-willing to be diverted at what passed between his lady and me. It was better for me to say what he could not but subscribe to by his feeling, than for him to say it. Though reproof seldom amends a determined spirit, such a one as this lady’s; yet a man who suffers by it, cannot but have some joy when he hears his sen-timents spoken by a bystander. This freedom of mine seemed to save the married pair a good deal of recrimination.

You remind me, madam, that I must be gone; rising, and looking at my watch.

You mustnot leave us, Sir Charles, said Sir Harry.

I beg excuse, Sir Harry Yours, also, madam, smiling Lady Beauchamp must not twice wish me out of the house.

I will not excuse you, Sir, replied she If you have a desire to see the matter completed She stopt You must stay to dinner, be that as it will.

“Be that as it will,” madam! You shall not re-cede.

Recede! I have not yet complied. these women! they are so used to courtship, that they know not how to do right things without it And, pardon me, madam, not always with it.

Bold man Have 1 consented

Have you not, madam, given a ladi/s consent? That we men expect not to be very explicit, very gracious. It is from such now-negative consents, that we men make silence answer all we wish.

I leave Sir Charles Grandison to manage this point, said Sir Harry. In my conscience, I think the common observation just; a stander-by sees more of the game, than he that plays.

It ever will be so, Sir Harry But I will tell you, My lady and I have as good as agreed the matter

I have agreed to nothing, Sir Harry Hush, madam I am doing you credit. Lady Beauchamp speaks aside sometimes, Sir Harry: you are not to hear any-thing she says, that you don’t like.

Then I am afraid I must stop my ears for eight hours out of twelve.

That was aside, Lady Beauchamp You are not to hear that.

To sit, like a fool, and hear myself abused A pretty figure I make! Sir Charles Grandison, let me tell you, that you are the first man that ever treated me like a fool.

Excuse, madam, a little innocent raillery I met you both, with a discomposure on your counte-nances. I was the occasion of it, by the letter I sent to Sir Harry. I will not leave you discom-posed. I think you a woman of sense; and my request is of such a nature, that the granting of it will confirm to me, that you are so But you have granted it

I have not.

That’s charmingly said My lady will not undervalue the compliment she is inclined to make you, Sir Harry. The moment you ask for her compliance, she will not refuse to your affection, what she makes a difficulty to grant to the entreaty of an almost stranger.

Let it, let it be so! Lady Beauchamp, said Sir Harry: and he clasped his arms about her as she sat

There never was such a man as this Sir Charles Grandison in the world! It is a contrivance between you, Sir Harry

Dear Lady Beauchamp, resumed I, depreciate not your compliment to Sir Harry. There wanted not contrivance, I dare to hope (if there did, it had it not) to induce Lady Beauchamp to do a right, a kind, an obliging thing.

Let me, my dearest Lady Beauchamp, said Sir Harry Let me request

At your request, Sir Harry But not at Sir Charles’s.

This is noble, said I. I thank you, madam, for the absent youth. Both husband and son will think themselves favoured by you; and the more, as I am sure, that you will by the cheerful welcome which you will give the young man, shew, that it is a sin-cere compliment that you have made to JSir Harry.

This man has a strange way of flattering one into acts of of what shall I call them? But, Sir Harry, Mr. Beauchamp must not, I believe, live with us

Sir Harry hesitated.

I was afraid of opening the wound. I have a re-quest to make to you both, said I. It is this; That Mr. Beauchamp may be permitted to live with me; and attend you, madam, and his father, as a visiter, at your own command. My sister, I believe, will be very soon married to Lord G.

That is to be certainly so! interrupted the lady.

It is, madam.

But what shall we say, my dear, resumed Sir Harry Don’t fly out again As to the provision for my son? Two hundred a year What is two hun-dred a year

Why then let it be three, answered she.

I have a handsome and improvable estate, said I. I have no demands but those of reason upon mc. I would not offer a plea for his coming to England (and I am sure he would not have come, if I had) without his father’s consent: in which, madam, he hoped for yours. You shall not, sir, allow him either the two or three hundred a year. See him with love, with indulgence (he will deserve both); and think not of any-thing else for my Beauchamp.

There is no bearing this, my dear, said Sir Harry; leaning upon his lady’s shoulder, as he sat, tears in his eyes My son is already, as lhave heard, greatly obliged to this his true friend Do you, do you, madam, answer for me, and for yourself.

She was overcome: yet pride had its share with generosity. You are, said she, the Grandison I have heard of: but I will not be under obligations to you not pecuniary ones, however. No, Sir Harry! Recal your son: I will trust to your love: do for him what you please; let him be independent on this insolent man [she said this with a smile, that made it obliging]; and if we are to be visiters, friends, neighbours, let it be on an equal foot, and let him have nothing to reproach us with.

I was agreeably surprised at this emanation (shall I call it?) of goodness: she is really not a bad woman, but a perverse one: in short, one of those whose passions, when rightly touched, are liable to sudden and surprising turns.

Generous, charming Lady Beauchamp! said I; now are you the woman, whom I have so often heard praised for many good qualities: now will the portrait be a just one!

Sir Harry was in raptures; but had like to have spoiled all, by making me a compliment on the force of example.

Be this, said I, the result Mr. Beauchamp comes over. He will be pleased with whatever you do: at your feet, madam, he shall acknowledge your favour: my home shall be his, if you permit it: on me, he shall confer obligations; from you, he shall receive them. If any considerations of family prudence re-strain you from allowing him at present, what your generosity would wish to do

Lady Beauchamp’s colour was heightened: she interrupted me We are not, Sir Charles, so scanty in our fortune-Well, my dear Lady Beauehamp, be all that as you please: not one retrospect of the past

Yes, Sir Charles, but there shall: his allowance has been lessened for some years; not from consi-derations of family prudence But Well, ’tis all at an end, proceeded she When the young man re-turns, you, Sir Harry, for my sake, and for the sake of thisstrange unaccountable creature, shall pay him the whole arrear.

Now, my dear LadyBeauchamp, said I, lifting her hand to my lips, permit me to give you joy. All doubts and misgivings so triumphantly got over, so solid a foundation laid for family harmony What was the moment of your nuptials to this? Sir Harry, I congratulate you: you may be, and I believe you have been, as happy as most men; but now, you will be still happier.

Indeed, Sir Harry, said she, you provoked me in the morning: I should not else

Sir Harry owned himself to blame; and thus the lady’s pride was set down softly.

She desired Sir Harry to write, before the day concluded, the invitation of return to Mr. Beauchamp; and to do her all the credit in it that she might claim from the last part of the conversation; but not to mention any-thing of the first.

She afterwards abated a little of this right spirit, by saying, I think, Sir Harry, you need not mention any-thing of the arrears, as 1 may call them But only the future 6001. a-year. One would surprise him a little, you know, and be twice thanked

Surprises of such a nature as this, my dear Dr. Bartlett; pecuniary surprises! I don’t love them They are double taxes upon the gratitude of a wor-thy heart. Is it not enough for a generous mind to labour under a sense of obligation? Pride, vain-glory, must be the motive of 6uch narrow-minded benefactors: a truly beneficent spirit cannot take delight in beholding the quivering lip indicating the e2 palpitating heart; in seeing the downcast counte-nance, the up-lifted hands, and working muscles, of a fellow — creature, who, but for unfortunate acci-dents, would perhaps himself have had the will, with the power, of shewing a more graceful benevolence!

I was so much afraid of hearing further abatements of Lady Beauchamp’s goodness; so willing to depart with favourable impressions of her for her own sake; and at the same time so desirous to reach the hall that night; that I got myself excused, though with difficulty, staying to dine; and, accepting of a dish of chocolate, 1 parted with Sir Harry and my lady, both in equal good humour with themselves and me.

Could you have thought, my dear friend, that I should have succeeded so very happily, as 1 have done, in this affair, and at one meeting?

I think that the father and stepmother should have the full merit with our Beauchamp of a turn so unex-pected. Let him not therefore ever see this letter, that he may take his impression of the favour done him, from that which Sir Harry will write to him.

My cousin Gandison, whom I hoped to find here, left the hall on Tuesday last, though he knew of my intention to be down. I am sorry for it. PoorEve-rard! He has been a great while pretty good. I am afraid he will get among his old acquaintance; and then we shall not hear of him for some months per-haps. If you see him in town, try to engage him, till I return. I should be glad of his company to Paris, if his going with me will keep him out of harm’s way, as it is called.

Saturday, April I. I have had compliments sent me by many of my neighbours, who had hoped I was come to reside among them. They professed themselves disappoint-ed on my acquainting them, that 1 must go up early on Monday morning. I have invited myself to their Saturday assembly at the bowling-green-house.

Our reverend friend Mr. Dobson has been so good as to leave with me the sermon he is to preach tomorrow on the opening of the church: it is a very good discourse: I have only exceptions to three or four compliments he makes to the patron in as many different places of it: I doubt not but he will have the goodness to omit them.

I have already looked into all that has been done in the church; and all that is doing in the house and gardens. When both have had the direction and inspection of my dear Dr. Bartlett, need I say, that nothing could have been better? * * Halden is just arrived from my lord, with a letter, which has enabled me to write to Lady Mansfield his lordship’s high approbation of all our proceedings; and that he intends some one early day in next week to pay to her, and Miss Mansfield, his per-sonal compliments.

He has left to me the article of settlements; declaring, that his regard for my future interest is all that he wishes may be attended to.

I have therefore written as from himself, that he proposes a jointure of 12001. a year, penny-rents, and 400 guineas a year, for her private purse; and that his lordship desires, that .Miss Mansfield will make a present to her sister of whatever she may be intitled to in her own right. Something was men — tioned to me at Mansfield-house of a thousand pounds left to her by a godmother.

Halden being very desirous to see his future lady, I shall, at his request, send the letter I have written to Lady Mansfield by him early in the morning; with a line recommending him to the notice of that lady as Lord VV.‘s principal steward.

Adieu, my dear Dr. Bartlett: J have joy in the joy of all these good people. If Providence graciously makes me instrumental to it, I look upon myself but as its instrument. I hope ostentation has no share in what draws on me more thanks and praises than I love to hear.

Lord W. has a right to be made happy by his next relation, if his next relation can make him so. Is he not my mother’s brother? Would not her enlarged soul have rejoiced on the occasion, and blessed her son for an instance of duty to her, paid by his disinterested regard for her brother? Who, my dear Dr. Bartlett, is so happy, yet who, in some cases, so unhappy, as your

CHARLES GRANDISON?


Letter V.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Monday, April 3.

The Countess of D. and the earl, her son, have but just left us. The countess sent last night, to let my cousin Reeves know of their intended morning visit, and they came together. As the visit was made to my cousin, I did not think myself obliged to be in waiting for them below. I was therefore in my closet, comforting myself with my own agreeable re-flections. They were there a quarter of an hour before I was sent to.

Their talk was of me. I am used to recite my own praises, you know; and what signifies making a pa-rade of apologies for continuing the use? I don’t value myself so much as I once did on people’s fa-vourable opinions. If I had a heart in my own keep — ing, I should be glad it was thought a good one; that’s all. Yet though it has littlenesses in it that I knew nothing of formerly, I hope it is not a bad one.

My Lord D. by the whole turn of the partial conversation, was led to expect a very extraordinary young woman. The lady declared, that she would have her talk out, and hear all my two cousins were inclined to say of me, before I was sent up to, as I was not below when they came.

I was therefore to be seen only as a subject of cu-riosity. My lord had declared, it seems, that he would not be denied an introduction to me by his mother. But there were no thoughts of making any application to a girl whose heart was acknowledged not to be her own. My lord’s honour would not allow of such an intention. Nor ought it.

His impatience, however, hastened the message to me. The countess met me half-way, and embraced me: My lovely girl, how do you? My lord, said she, turning to the earl, I need not say This is Miss Byron.

He bowed low, and made me a polite compliment; but it had sense in it, though high, and above my merits. Girls, writing of themselves on these occa-sions, must be disclaimers, you know: but, my dear uncle, what care 1 novo for compliments? The man, from whose mouth only they could be acceptable, is not at liberty to make me any.

The countess engaged me in an easy general conversation; part of which turned upon Lord and Lady L. MissGrandison, and Miss Jervois; and how I had passed my time atColnebrook, in this wintry season, when there were so many diversions in town. But, said she, you had a man with you, who is the general admiration wherever he goes.

Is there no making an acquaintance, said my lord, with Sir Charles Grandison? What I hear said of him, every time he is mentioned in company, is enough to fire a young man with emulation. I should be happy, did 1 deserve to be thought of as a second or third man to Sir Charles Grandison.

I dare say, returned I, your lordship’s acquaint-ance would be highly acceptable to him. He is easy of access. Men of rank, if men of merit, must be of kindred, and recognize one another the moment they meet. But Sir Charles will soon leave England.

The fool sighed: it was, you mav believe, invo-luntarily. I felt myself blush, and was the more silly for that.

The countess took my hand One word with you, my dear and led me out into the next room, and sitting down, made me sit on the same settee with her. that I could call you daughter! began she at once; and turning half round to me, put one arm about me, with the other hand taking one of mine, and earnestly looking in my downcast face.

I was silent. Ah, Lucy! had Lady D. been the mother of Sir Charles Grandison, with what plea-sure could J have listened to her!

You said, my dear, that Sir Charles Grandison will soon leave England: and then you sighed Will you be quite open-hearted? May I askyou a question in hope that you will?

I was silent: Yet the word Yes was on my lips.

You have caused it to be told me, that your affections are engaged. This ht,s been a cruel blow upon us. My lord, nevertheless, has heard so much of you [he is really a good young man, my dear] that (against my advice, I own) he would have me introduce him into your company. I see by his looks, that he could admire you above all women. He never was in love: I should be sorry if he were disappointed in his first love. I hope his promised prudence will be his guard, if there be no prospect of his succeeding with you. She paused I was still silent

It will be a mark of your frankness of heart, my dear, if, when you take my full meaning, you prevent me speaking more than I need. 1 would not oppress you. Such a delicacy, and such a frankness mingled, have I never seen in young woman But tell me, my dear, has Sir Charles Grandison made his addresses to you?

It was a grievous question for me to answer But xuhij was it so, my Lucy, when all the hopes I ever had, proceeded from my own presumption, confirmed (that’s true, of late!) by his sisters partiality in my favour; and when his unhappy Clementina has such a preferable claim?

What says Miss Byron?

She says, madam, that she reveres Lady D. and will answer any questions that she puts to her, how-ever affecting Sir Charles Grandison has not.

Once I thought, proceeded she, that 1 never would make a second motion, were the woman a princess, who had confessed a prior love, or even liking: but the man is Sir Charles Grandison, whom all women must esteem: and the woman is Miss Byron, whom all men must love. Let me ask you, my dear Have you any expectation, that the first of men (I will call him so) and the loveliest and most amiable-minded of women, can be united? You sighed, you know, when you mentioned that Sir Charles was soon to leave England; and you own that he has not made adiiresses to you Don’t be uneasy, my love! We women, in these tender cases, see into each other’s hearts from small openings Look upon me as your mother What say you?

Your ladyship compliments me with delicacy and frankness It is too hard a question, if I have any of the first, to answer without blushes. A. young wo-man to be supposed to have an esteem for a man, who has made no declaration, and whose behaviour to her is such only as shews a politeness to which he is accustomed, and only the same kind of tenderness, as he shews to his sisters; and whom some — times he calls sister as if Ah, madam, how can one answer?

You have answered, my dear, and with that deli-cacy and frankness too, which make a principal part of your character. If my son (and he shall not be encouraged in his hopes, if he sees you not, mind as well as person, with his mother’s eyes) should not be able to check himself by the apprehensions he has had reason for, of being but a second man in the fa-vour of the object of his wishes [xve, my dear, have our delicacies]; could you not allow him a second place in your favour, that might, in time, as he should merit, and as you should subdue your prepossessions, give him a first? Hush my dear, for one moment Your honour, your piety, are my just dependence; and will be his And now speak: it is to me, my dear: speak your whole heart: let not any apprehended difficulty I am a woman as well as you; and prepared to indulge

Your goodness, madam, and nothing else, inter-rupted I, gives me difficulty. My Lord D. seems to me to be a man of merit, and agreeable in his person and manners. What he said of Sir Charles Grandison, and of his emulation being fired by his example, gave him additional merit with me. He must have a good mind. I wish him acquainted with Sir Charles, for his own sake, and for the sake of the world, which might be benefited by his large power, so happily directed! But as to myself, I should for-feit the character of frankness of heart, which your ladyship’s goodness ascribes to me, if I did not declare, that although I cannot, and, I think, ought not, to entertain a hope with regard to Sir Charles Grandison, since there is a lady who deserved him by severe sufferings before I knew him; yet is my heart so wholly attached, that I cannot think it just to give the least encouragement to any other proposal.

You are an excellent young woman: but, my dear, if Sir Charles Grandison is engaged your mind will, it must change. Few women marry their first loves. Your heart

O madam! it is already a wedded heart: it is wedded to his merits; his merits will be always the object of my esteem: I can never think of any other, as I ought to think of the man to whom I give my hand.

Like merits, my dear, as person is not the princi-pal motive, may produce like attachments. My Lord D. will be, in your hands, another Sir Charles Grandison.

How good you are, my dear Lady D.! But allow me to repeat, as the strongest expression I can use, because I mean it to carry all the force that can be given it, that my heart is already a wedded heart.

You have spoken with great force: God bless you, my dear, as I love you! The matter shall take its course. If my lord should happen to be a single man some time hence (and, 1 can tell you, that your excellencies will make our choice difficult); and if your mind, from any accident, or from persuasion of friends, should then have received alteration; you may still be happy in each other. I will therefore only thank you for that openness of heart, which must set free the heart of my son Had you had the least lurking inclination to coquetry, and could have taken pride in conquests, he might have been an undone man. We will return to the company But spare him, my dear: you must not talk much: he will love you, if you do, too fervently for his own peace. Try to be a little awkward I am afraid for him: indeed I am. O that you had never seen Sir Charles Grandison!

I could not answer one word. She took my hand; and led me into the company.

Had I been silent, when my lord directed his discourse to me, or answered only No, or Yes, the countess would have thought me very vain; and that I ascribed to myself the consequence she so generously gave me, with respect to my lord. I therefore behaved and answered unaffectedly; but avoided such a promptness of speech, as would have looked like making pretensions to knowledge and opinion, though some of my lord’s questions were apparently designed to engage me into freedom of discourse. The countess observed me narrowly. She whispered to me, that she did; and made me a very high compliment on my behaviour. How much, Lucy, do I love and reverence her!

My lord was spoken too slightly of, by Miss Grandison, in a former conversation. He is really a fine gentleman. Any woman who is not engaged in her affections, may think herself very happy with him. His conversation was easy and polite, and he said nothing that was low or trifling. Indeed, Lucy, I think Mr. Greville and Mr. Fenwick are more inferior to Lord D. than Lord D. is to Sir Charles Grandison.

At parting, he requested of me to be allowed to repeat his visits.

My lord, said the countess, before I could answer, you must not expect a mere stiff maiden answer from Miss Byron: she is above all vulgar forms. She and her cousins have too much politeness, and, I will venture to say, discernment, not to be glad of your acquaintance, as an acquaintance But, tor the rest, you must look to your heart.

I shall be afraid, said he, turning to the countess, to ask your ladyship for an explanation. Miss By-ron, I hope, Sir, addressing himself to Mr. Reeves, will not refuse me her company, when I pay you my compliments. Then turning to me, I hope, madam, I shall not be punished for admiring you.

My Lord D. replied I, will be entitled to every civility. I had said more, had he not snatched my hand a little too eagerly, and kissed it.

And thus much for the visit of the Countess of D. and the earl.

Did 1 tell you in my former letter, that Emily is with me half her time? She is a most engaging young creature. Her manners are so pure! Her heart is so sincere and open! O Lucy! you would dearly love her. I wish I may be asked to carry her down with me. Yet she adores her guardian: but her re-verence for him will not allow of the innocent fa — miliarity in thinking of him, that — I don’t know what I would say. But to love with an ardour, that would be dangerous to one’s peace, one must have more tenderness than reverence for the ob-ject: Don’t you think so, Lucy?

Miss Grandison made me one of her flying visits, as she calls them, soon after the countess and my lord went away.

Mr. and Mrs. Reeves told her all that had been said before them by the earl and countess, as well before I went down to them, as after. They could not tell what had passed between that lady and me, when she took me aside. I had not had time to tell them. They referred to me for that: but besides that I was not in spirits, and cared not to say much,

I was not willing to be thought, by my refusal of so great an offer, to seem to fasten myself upon her brother.

She pitied (who but must?) Lady Clementina. She pitied her brother also: and seeing me deject-ed, she clasped her arms about me, and wetted my cheek with a sisterly tear.

Is it not strange, Lucy, that Sir Charles’s father should keep him so long abroad? These free-living men! Of what absurdities are they not guilty! What misfortunes to others do they occasion! One might, with the excellent Clementina, ask, What had Mr. Grandison to do in Italy? Or why, if he must go abroad, did he stay so long?

Travelling! Young men travelling! I cannot, my dear, but think it a very nonsensical thing! What can they see, but the ruins of the gay, once busy world, of which they have read?

To see a parcel of giddy boys, under the direction of tutors or governors, hunting after What? No-thing; or at best but ruins of ruins; for the imagi — nation, aided by reflection, must be left, after all, to make out the greater glories, which the grave-digger time has buried too deep for discovery.

And when this grand tour is completed, the tra-velled youth returns: and, what is his boast? Why, to be able to tell, perhaps his <fe//er-taught friend, who has never been out of his native country, that he has seen in ruins, what the other has a juster idea of, from reading; and of which, it is more than probable, he can give a much better account than the traveller.

And are these, petulant Harriet (methinks, Lucy, you demand) all the benefits, that you will suppose Sir Charles Grandison has reaped from his tra-velling?

Why, no. But then, in turn, I ask, is every traveller a Sir Charles Grandison? And does not even he confess to Dr. Bartlett, that he wished he had never seen Italy? And may not the poor Cle-mentina, and all her family, for her sake, wish he never had?

If an opportunity offers, I don’t know but I may ask Sir Charles, Whether, in his conscience, he thinks, that, taking in every consideration, relating to time, expence, risques of life, health, morals, this part of the fashionable education of youth of condit’on is such an indispensable one, as some seem to suppose it? If Sir Charles Grandison give it not in favour of travelling, I believe it will be conclud-ed, that six parts out of eight of the little masters who are sent abroad for improvement, might as well be kept at home; if, especially, they would be or-derly, and let their fathers and mothers know what to do with them.

O my uncle! I am afraid of you: but spare the poor girl. She acknowledges her petulance, her presumption. The occasion you know, and will pity her for it! However, nothing shall make her declare as her sentiments what really are not so, in her unprejudiced hours; and she hopes to have her heart always open to conviction.

For the present, adieu, my Lucy.

P. S. Dr. Bartlett tells me, that Mr. Beau-champ is at Calais, waiting the pleasure of his father; and that Sir Harry has sent express for him, as at his lady’s motion.


Letter VI.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Tuesday, April 4.

Sir Charles Grandison came to town last night. He was so polite, as to send to enquire after my health; and to let Mr. Reeve6 know, that he would do himself the honour, as he called it, of break-fasting with him this morning. Very ceremonious either for his own sake or for mine Perhaps for both.

So I am in expectation of seeing within this half-hour, the noble Clementina’s future Ah Lucy?

The compliment, you see, is to Mr.Reeves Shall I stay above, and see if he will ask for me? He owes me something for the emotion he gave me in Lord L.‘s library. Very little of him since have I seen.

“Honour forbids me, said he, then: yet honour bids me. But I cannot be ungenerous, selfish” These words are still in my ear. What could he mean by them? Honour forbids me What! to explain himself? He had been telling me a tender tale: he had ended it. What did honour forbid him to do? Yet honour bids me! Why then did he not follow the dictates of honour?

But I cannot be unjust: To Clementina he means. Who wished \i\m to be so? Unjust! I hope not. It is a diminution to your glory, Sir Charles Grandi-son, to have the word unjust, in this way of speak — ing, in your thoughts! As if a good man had laid under a temptation to be unjust; and had but then recollected himself.

“I cannot be ungenerous.” To the noble lady, I suppose? He must take compassion on her. And did

StR CHARLES GRANDISON. 53 he think himself under an obligation to my forwardness to make this declaration to me, as to one who wished him to be ungenerous to such a lady for my sake! I cannot bear the thought of this. Is it not as if he had said, “ Fond Harriet, I see what you expect from me But I must have compassion for, I cannot be ungenerous to, Clementina?” But, what a poor word is compassion! Noble Clementina, I grieve for you, though the man be indeed a gene-rous man! O defend me, my better genius, from Wanting the compassion even of a Sir Charles Grandison!

But what means he by the word selfish! He can-not he selfish! I comprehend not the meaning of this word Clementina has a very high fortune Harriet but a very middling one. He cannot be unjust, ungenerous to Clementina Nor yet selfish This word confounds me, from a man that says no-thing at random!

Well, but breakfast-time is come, while I am busy in self-debatings. I will go down, that I may not seem to affect parade. I will endeavour to see with indifference, him that we have all been admiring and studying for this last fortnight, in such a variety of lights The christian: the hero: the friend: Ah. Lucy! The lover of Clementina: the generous nephew of Lord W.: the modest and delicate benefactor of the Mansfields: the free, gay, raillier of Lady Beauchamp; and in her of all our sex’s foibles!

But he is come! While I am prating to you with my pen, he is come Why, Lucy, would you detain me? Now must the fool go down in a kind of hurry: yet stay till she is sent for. And that is notv. f .S
Letter VII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

O Lucy, I have such a conversation to relate to you! But let me lead to it.

Sir Charles met me at the opening of the door. He was all himself Such an unaffected modesty and politeness; yet such an ease and freedom!

I thought by his address, that he would have taken my hand; and both hands were so emulatively passive How does he manage it to be so free in a first address, yet so respectful that a princess could not blame him?

After breakfast, my cousins being sent for out to attend Sir John Allestree and his niece, Sir Charles and I were left alone: and then, with an air equally solemn and free, he addressed himself to me.

The last time I had the honour of being alone with my good Miss Byron, I told her a very tender tale. I was sure it would raise in such a heart as hers generous compassion for the noblest lady on the continent; and I presumed, as my difficulties were not owing either to rashness or indiscretion, that she would also pity the relater.

The story did indeed affect you; yet, for my own sake, as well as yours, I referred you to Dr. Bart-lett, for the particulars of some parts of it, upon which I could not expatiate.

The doctor, madam, has let me know the parti-culars which he communicated to you. I remember with pain the pain I gave to your generous heart in Lord L.‘s study. I am sure you must have suffered still more from the same compassionate goodness on the communications he made you. May I, madam, however, add a few particulars to the same subject, which he then could not give you? Now you have been let into so considerable a part of my story, I am desirous to acquaint you, and that rather than any woman in the world, with all that I know my-self of this arduous affair.

He ceased speaking. I was in tremors. Sir, Sir The story, I must own, is a most affecting one. How much is the unhappy lady to be pitied! You will do me honour in acquainting me with further particulars of it.

Dr. Bartletthas told you, madam, that the Bishop of Nocera, second brother to Lady Clementina, has very lately written to me, requesting that I will make one more visit to Bologna I have the letter. You read Italian, madam. Shall I Or will you He held it to me.

I took it. These, Lucy, are the contents.

‘ The bishop acquaints him with the very melan-choly way they are in. The father and mother de clining in their healths. Signor Jeronymo worse than when Sir Charles left them. His sister also declining in her health: yet earnest still to see him.

‘ He says, that she is at present at Urbino; but is soon to go to Naples to the general’s. He urges him to make them one visit more; yet owns, that his family are not unanimous in the request: but that he and Father Marescotti, and the marchioness, are extremely earnest that this indulgence should be granted to the wishes of his sister.

‘ He offers to meet him, at his own appointment, and conduct him to Bologna; where, he tells him, his presence will rejoice every heart, and procure an unanimous consent to the interview so much desired: and says, that if this measure, which he is sorry he has so long withstood, answers not his hopes, he will advise the shutting up of their Cle-mentina in a nunnery, or to consign her to private hands where she shall be treated kindly, but as per* sons in her unhappy circumstances are accustomed to be treated.’

Sir Charles then shewed me a letter from Signor Jeronymo; in which he acquaints him with the dangerous way he is in. He tells him, ‘ That his life is a burden to him. He wishes it was brought to its period. He does not think himself in skilful hands. He complains most of the wound which is in his hip-joint; and which has hitherto baffled the art both of the Italian and French surgeons who have been consulted. He wishes, that himself and Sir Charles had been of one country, since the greatest felicity he now has to wish for, is to yield up his life to the Giver of it, in the arms of his Grandison.’

He mentions not one word in this melancholy letter of his unhappy sister: which Sir Charles ac-counted for, by supposing, that she not being at Bologna, they kept from him, in his deplorable way* every thing relating to her, that was likely to disturb him.

He then read part of a letter written in English, by the admired Mrs. Beaumont; some of the contents of which were, as you shall hear, extremely affecting:

‘ Mrs. Beaumont gives him in it an account of the situation of the unhappy young lady; and excuses herself for not having done it before, in answer to his request, because of an indisposition under Which she had for some time laboured, which had hindered her from making the necessary inquiries.

‘ She mentions, that the lady had received no benefit from her journeyings from place to place; and from her voyage from Leghorn to Naples, and back again; and blames her attendants, who, to quiet her, unknown to their principals, for some time, kept her in expectation of seeing her che-valier, at the end of each; for her more prudent Camilla, she says, had been hindered by illness from attending her, in several of the excursions.

‘ They had a second time, at her own request, put her into a nunnery. She at first was so sedate in it as gave them hopes: but the novelty going off, and one of the sisters, to try her, having officiously asked her to go with her into the parlour, where she said, she would be allowed to converse through the grate with a certain English gentleman, her impa-tience, on her disappointment, made her more un governable than they had ever known her; for she had been, for two hours before, meditating what she would say to him.

‘ For a week together, she was vehemently intent upon being allowed to visit England; and had engaged her cousins Sebastiano and Juliano to promise to escort her thither, if she could obtain leave.

Her mother brought her off this when nobody else could, only by entreating her, for her sake, never to think of it more.

‘ The marchioness then, encouraged by this instance of her obedience, took her under her own care: but the young lady going on from flight to flight; and the way she was in visibly affecting the health of her indulgent mother; a doctor was found who was absolutely of opinion, that nothing but harsh methods would avail: and in this advice Lady Sforza, and her daughter Laurana, and the general concurring, she was told, that she must prepare to go to Milan. She was so earnest to be excused from going thither, and to be permitted to go to Florence to Mrs. Beaumont, that they gave way to her entreaties; and the marquis himself, accompanying her to Florence, prevailed on?*lrs. Beaumont to take her under her care.

‘ With her she staid three weeks: she was toler-ably sedate in that space of time; but most so, when she was talking of England, and of the Chevalier Grandison, and his sisters, with whom she wished to be acquainted. She delighted to speak English, and to talk of the tenderness and goodness of her tutor; and of what he said to her, upon such and such a subject.

‘ At the three weeks end, the general made her a visit, in company of Lady Sforza; and her talk being all on this subject, they were both highly displeased; and hinted, that she was too much indulged in it; and, unhappily, she repeating some tender passages that passed in the interview her mother had permitted her to hold with the cheva-lier, the general would have it, that Mr. Grandison had designedly, from the first, sought to give him-self consequence with her; and expressed himself, on the occasion, with great violence against him.

* He carried his displeasure to extremity, and obliged her to go away with his aunt and him that very day, to her great regret; and as much to the regret of Mrs. Beaumont, and of the ladies her friends; who tenderly loved the innocent visionary, as sometimes they called her. And Mrs. Beaumont is sure, that the gentle treatment she met with from time, would in time, though perhaps slowly, have greatly assisted her.’

Mrs. Beaumont then gives an account of the harsh treatment the poor young lady met with.

Sir Charles Grandison would have stopt reading here. He said, he could not read it to me, without such a change of voice, as would add to my pain, as well as to his own.

Tears often stole down my cheeks, when I read the letters of the bishop and Signor Jeronymo, and as Sir Charles read a part of Mrs. Beaumont’s letter: and I doubted not but what was to follow would make them flow. Yet, I said, Be pleased, Sir, to let me read on. I am not a stranger to distress. I can pity others, or I should not deserve pity myself.

He pointed to the place; and withdrew to the window.

Mrs. Beaumont says, ‘ That the poor mother was prevailed upon to resign her child wholly to the management of Lady Sforza, and her daughter Laurana, who took her with them to their palace in Milan.

‘ The tender parent, however, besought them to spare all unnecessary severity; which they promised: but Laurana objected to Camilla’s attend — ance. She was thought too indulgent; and her servant Laura, as a more manageable person, was taken in her place.’ And O how cruelly, as you shall hear, did they treat her!

Father Marescotti, being obliged to visit a dying relation at Milan, was desired by the marchioness to inform himself of the way her beloved daughter was in, and of the methods taken with her, Lady Laurana having in her letters boasted of both. The good father acquainted Mrs. Beaumont with the following particulars:

‘ He was surprised to find a difficulty made of his seeing the lady: but insisting on it, he found her to be wholly spiritless, and in terror; afraid to speak, afraid to look, before her cousin Laurana; yet seeming to want to complain to him. He took notice of this to Laurana O father, said she, we are in the right way, I assure you: when we had her first, her chevalier, and an interview with him, were ever in her mouth; but now she is in such order, that she never speaks a word of him. But what, asked the compassionate father, must she have sutfered, to be brought to this? Don’t you, father, trouble yourself about that, replied the cruel Laurana: the doctors have given their opinion, that some severity was necessary. It is all for her good.

‘ The poor lady expressed herself to him, with earnestness, after the veil; a subject on which, it seems, they indulged her; urging, that the only way to secure her health of mind, if it could be re-stored, was to yield to her wishes. Lady Sforza said, that it was not a point that she herself would press; but it was her opinion, that her family sin-ned in opposing a divine dedication; and, perhaps, their daughter’s malady might be a judgment upon them, for it.’

‘ The father, in his letter to Mrs. Beaumont, ascribes to Lady Sforza self-interested motives for her conduct; to Laurana, envy on account of Lady Clementina’s superior qualities: but nobody, he says, till now, doubted Laurana’s love of her.’

Father Marescotti then gives a shocking instance of the barbarous Laurana’s treatment of the noble sufferer All for her good Wretch! how my heart rises against her! Her servant Laura, under pretence of confessing to her Bologna father, in tears, acquainted him with it. It was perpetrated but the day before.

‘ When any severity was to be exercised upon the unhappy lady, Laura was always shut out of her apartment. Her lady had said something that she was to be chidden for. Lady Sforza, who was not altogether so severe as her daughter, was not at home. Laura listened in tears: she heard Laurana in great wrath with Lady Clementina, and threaten her and her young lady break out to this effect

What have I done to you,, Laurana, to-be so used? You are not the cousin Laurana you used to be? You know I am not able to help myself? Why do you call me crazy, and frantic, Laurana? [Vile upbraider, Lucy!] If the Almighty has laid his hand upon me, should I not be pitied?

‘ It is all for your good! It is all for your good, Clementina! You could not always have spoken so sensibly, cousin.

‘ Cruel Laurana! You loved me once! I have no mother, as you have. My mother was a good mother: but she is gone! Or I am gone, I know not which.

‘ She threatened her then with the strait waist-coat, a punishment at which the unhappy lady was always greatly terrified. Laura heard her beg and pray; but, Laurana coming out, she was forced to retire.

‘ The poor young lady apprehending her cruel cousin’s return with the threatened waistcoat, and with the woman that used to be brought in when they were disposed to terrify her, went down and hid herself under a stair-case, where she was soon discovered by her clothes, which she had not been careful to draw in after her.’

O Lucy! how I wept! How insupportable to me, said Sir Charles, would have been my reflections, had my conscience told me, that I had been the wilful cause of the noble Clementina’s calamity!

After I had a little recovered, I read to myself the next paragraph, which related, ‘ that the cruel Lau-rana dragged the sweet sufferer by her gown, from her hiding-place, inveighing against her, threatening her: she, all patience, resigned, her hands crossed on her bosom, praying for mercy, not by speech, but by her eyes, which, however, wept not: and causing her to be carried up lo her chamber, there punished her with the strait waistcoat, as she had threatened.

‘ Father Marescotti was greatly affected with Laura’s relation, as well as with what he had himself observed: but on his return to Bologna, dreading to acquaint her mother, for her own sake, with the treatment her Clementina met with, he only said, he did not quite approve of it; and advised her not to oppose the young lady’s being brought home, if the bishop and the general came into it: but he laid the whole matter before the bishop, who wrote to the general to join with him immediately, to re-lease their sister from her present bondage: and the general meeting the bishop on a set day at Milan, for that purpose, the lady was accordingly released.

‘ A breach ensued upon it, with Lady Sforza and her daughter; who would have it, that Clementina was much better for their management. They had by terror broken her spirit, and her passiveness was reckoned upon as an indication of amendment.

‘ The marchioness being much indisposed, the young lady, attended by her Camilla, was carried to Naples; where it is supposed she now is. Poor young lady, how has she been hurried about! But who can think of her cousin Laurana without extreme indignation?

‘ Mrs. Beaumont writes, that the bishop would fain have prevailed upon his brother the general to join with him in an invitation to Sir Charles Grandison to come over, as a last expedient, before they locked her up either in a nunnery, or in some pri-vate house; but the general would by no means come into it.

‘ He asked, What was proposed to be the end of Sir Charles’s visit, were all that was wished from it to follow, in his sister’s restored mind? He never, he said, would give his consent that she should be the wife of an English protestant.

‘ The bishop declared, that he was far from wishing her to be so: but he was for leaving that to after considerations. Could they but restore his sister to her reason, that reason, cooperating with her principles, might answer all their hopes.

‘ He might try his expedient, the general said, with all his heart, but he looked upon the Chevalier Grandison to be a man of art; and he was sure he must have entangled his sister by methods imper-ceptible to her, and to them; but yet more effica — cious to his ends, than an open declaration. Had he not, he asked, found means to fascinate Olivia, and as many women as he came into company with? For his part he loved not the chevalier. He had forced him by his intrepidity to be civil to him: but forced civility was but temporary. It was his way to judge of causes by the effects: and this he knew, that he had lost a sister who would have been a jewel in the crown of a prince: and would not be answerable for consequences, if he and Sir Charles Grandison were once more to meet, be it where it would.

Father Marescotti, however, joining, a6 the bishop writes, with him, and the marchioness, in a desire to try this expedient; and being sure that the marquis and Signor Jeronymo would not be averse to it, he took a resolution to write over to him, as has been related.’

This, Lucy, is the state of the unhappy case, as briefly and as clearly as my memory will serve to give it. And what a rememberer, if 1 may make a word, is the heart! Not a circumstance escapes it.

And now it remained for me to know of Sir Charles what answer he had returned, o 2

Was not my situation critical, my dear? Had Sir Charles asked my opinion, before he had taken the resolutions, I should have given it with my whole heart, that he should fly to the comfort of the poor lady. But then he would have shewn a suspense unworthy of Clementina; and a compliment to me, which a good man, so circumstanced, ought not to make.

My regard for him (yet what a poor affected word is regard!) was nevertheless as strong as ever. Ge-nerosity, or rather justice, to Clementina, and that so often, to you, avowed regard to him, pulled my heart two ways. I thought I wanted to consider with myself for a few moments, being desirous to clear to my own heart the conduct that I was to shew on this trying occasion, as well of precipitation as of affectation; and my cousin Reeves just then coming in for something she wanted, I took the opportunity to walk to the upper end of the room: and while a short complimental discourse passed between them, “ Harriet Byron, said I to myself, be not mean. Hast thou not the example of a Cle-mentina before thee? Her religion and her love, combating together, have overturned the noble creature’s reason. Thou canst not be called to such a trial: but canst thou not shew, that if thou ivert, thou couldst have acted greatly, if not so greatly? Sir Charles Grandison is just: he ought to prefer to thee the excellent Clementina. Priority of claim, compassion, for the noble sufferer, merits so superior! I love him for his merits: shall I not love merits, nearly as great in one of my own sex? The strug-gle will cost thee something: but try to be above thyself. Banished to thy retirement, to thy pillow, thought I, be all the girl. Often have I contended for the dignity of my sex; let me now be an exam-ple to myself, and not unworthy in my own eyes

SIH CHAKLES GRAttDISON. 65

(when 1 come to reflect) of an union, could it have been effected, with a man whom a Clementina look-ed up to with hope.”

My cousin being withdrawn, and Sir Charles ap-proaching me, I attempted to assume a dignity of aspect, without pride; and I spoke, while spirit was high in me, and to keep myself up to it My heart bleeds, Sir, for the distress of your Clementina [Yes, Lucy, I said, your Clementina]: beyond expression, 1 admire the greatness of her character; and most sincerely lament her distresses. What, that is in the power of man, cannot Sir Charles Grandison do? You have honoured me, Sir, with the title of sister: in the tenderness of that relation, permit me to say, that I dread the effects of the general’s violence: I feel next for you the pain that it must give to your humane heart to be once more personally present to the woes of the inimitable Clementina: but I am sure you did not hesitate a moment about leaving all your friends here in Eng-land, and resolving to hasten over to try, at least, what can be done for the noble sufferer.

Had he praised me highly for this my address to him, it would have looked, such was the situation on both sides, as if he had thought this disinterested behaviour in me, an extraordinary piece of magna-nimity and self-denial; and, of consequence, as if he had supposed I had views upon him, which he won-dered I could give up. His is the most delicate of human minds.

He led me to my seat, and taking his by me, still holding my passive hand Ever since I have had the honour of Miss Byron’s acquaintance, 1 have considered her as one of the most excellent of women. My heart demands alliance with hers; and hopes to be allowed its claim, though such are the delica-cies of situation, that I scarcely dare to trust myself o 8 to speak upon the subject. From the first, I called Miss Byron my sister; but she is more to me than the dearest sister; and there is a more tender friendship that I aspire to hold with her, whatever may be the accidents on either side, to bar a fur-ther wish: and this I must hope, that she will not deny me, so long as it shall be consistent with her other attachments.

He paused. I made an effort to speak: but speech was denied me. My face, as I felt, glowed like the fire before me.

My heart, resumed he, is ever on my lips. It is tortured when I cannot speak all that is in it. Pro-fessions I am not accustomed to make. As I am not conscious of being unworthy of your friendship, I will suppose it; and further talk to you of my affairs and engagements, as that tender friendship may warrant.

Sir, you do me honour, was all I could say.

I had a letter from the faithful Camilla. I hold not acorrespondencewithher: but the treatment thather young lady met with, of which she had got some ge-neral intimations, and some words that the bishop said to her, which expressed his wishes that I would make them one more visit at Bologna, urged her to write, begging of me, for Heaven’s sake, to go over. But unless one of the family had written to me, and by consent of others of it, what hope had I of a welcome, after I had been as often refused, as I had requested while I was in Italy, to be admitted to the presence of the lady, who was so desirous of one interview more? Especially, as Mrs. Beau-mont gave me no encouragement to go, but the contrary, from what she observed of the inclinations of the family.

Mrs. Beaumont is still of opinion, as in the conclusion of the letter before you, that I should not go, unless the general and the marquis join their re-quests to those of the marchioness, the bishop, and Father Marescotti. But I had no sooner perused the bishop’s letter, than I wrote, that I would most cheerfully comply with his wishes: but that I should be glad that I might not be under any obligation to go further than Bologna; where 1 might have the happiness to attend my Jeronymo, as well as his sister.

I had a little twitch at my heart, Lucy. I was sorry for it; but my judgment was entirely with him.

And now, madam, you will wonder, that you see not any preparations for my departure. All is prepared: I only wait for the company of one gentle — man, who is settling his affairs with all expedition to go with me. He is an able, a skilful surgeon, who has had great practice abroad, and in the armies: and having acquired an easy fortune, is come to settle in his native country. My Jeronymo expresses himself dissatisfied with his surgeons. If Mr. Lowther can be of service to him, how happy shall I think myself! And if my presence can be a means to restore the noble Clementina But how dare I hope it? And yet I am persuaded, that in her case, and with such a temper of mind (unused to hardship and opposition as she had been) the only way to recover her, would have been by complying with her in every thing that her heart or head was earnestly set upon: for what controul was necessary to a young lady, who never, even in the height of her malady, uttered a wish or thought that was contrary to her duty either to God, or her pa-rents; nor yet to the honour of her name, and, allow me, madam, to say, to the pride of her sex?

I am under an obligation to go to Paris, proceeded he, from the will of my late friend Mr. Danby. I shall stop there for a day or two only, in order to put things in a way for my last hand, on my return from Italy.

When I am in Italy, I shall perhaps be enabled to adjust two or three accounts that stand out, in relation to the affairs of my ward.

This day at dinner I shall see Mrs. Oldham, and her sons; and in the afternoon, at tea, Mrs. O’Hara, and her husband, and Captain Salmonet.

To-morrow, I hope for the honour of your company, madam, and Mr. and Mrs. Reeves’s, at dinner; and be so good as to engage them, for the rest of the day. You must not deny me; because I shall want your influence upon Charlotte, to make her fix Lord G.‘s happy day, that I may be able to see their hands united before I set out: as my return will be uncer-tain

Ah, Lucy! more twitches just then!

Thursday next is the day fixed for the triple mar-riage of the Danbys. I have promised to give Miss Danby to Mr. Galliard, and to dine with them and their friends at Enfield.

If I can see my Lord W. and Charlotte happy before 1 go, I shall be highly gratified.

It is another of my wishes, to see my friend Beauchamp in England first, and to leave him in possession of his father’s love, and of his mother-inlaw’s civility. Dr. Bartlett and he will be happy in each other. I shall correspond with the doctor. He greatly admires you, madam, and will commu-nicate to you all you shall think worthy of your notice, relating to the proceedings of a man who will always think himself honoured by your enquiries after him.

Ah, Lucy \ Sir Charles Grandison then sighed. He seemed to look more than he spoke. I will not promise for my heart, if he treats me with more than the tenderness of friendship: if he gives me room to think that he wishes But what can he wish? He ought to be, he must be, Clementina’s: and I will endeavour to make myself happy, if I can maintain the second place in his friendship: and when he offers me this, shall I, Lucy, be so little as to be displeased with the man, who cannot be to me all that I had once hoped he could be? No! he shall be the same glorious creature in my eyes; I will admire his goodness of heart, and greatness of mind; and I will think him intitled to my utmost gratitude for the protection he gave me from a man of violence, and for the kindness he has already shown me. Is not friendship the basis of my love? And does he not tender me that?

Nevertheless, at the time, do what I could, I found a tear ready to start. My heart was very untoward, Lucy; and I was guilty of a little female turn. When 1 found the twinkling of my eyes would not disperse the too ready drop, and felt it stealing down my cheek, I wiped it off The poor Emily, said I She will be grieved at parting with you. Emily loves her guardian.

And I love my ward. I once had a thought, ma-dam, of begging your protection of Emily: but as I have two sisters, I think she will be happy under their wings, and in the protection of my good Lord L. and the rather, as I have no doubt of overcoming her unhappy mother, by making her husband’s interest a guaranty, for her tolerable, if not good, be haviour to her child.

I was glad to carry my thoughts out of myself, as I may say, and from my own concerns. We all, Sir, said I, look upon Mr. Beauchamp as a future

Husband for Emily, madam? interrupted he It must not be at my motion. My friend shall be intitled to share with me my whole estate; but I will never seek to lead the choice of my ward. Let Emily, some time hence, find out the husband she can be happy with; Beauchamp the wife he can love; Emily, if I can help it, shall not be the wife of any man’s convenience. Beauchamp is nice, and I will be as nice for my ward. And the more so, as I hope she herself wants not delicacy. There is a cruelty in persuasion, where the heart rejects the person proposed, whether the urger be parent or guardian.

Lord bless me, thought!, what a man is this! Do you expect Mr. Beauchamp soon, Sir? Every day, madam.

And is it possible, Sir, that you can bring all these things to bear before you leave England, and go so soon?

I fear nothing but Charlotte’s whimsies: Have you, madam, any reason to apprehend that she is averse to an alliance with Lord G.? His father and aunt are very importunate for an early cele-bration.

None at all, Sir.

Then I shall depend much upon yours, and Lord and Lady L.‘s influence over her.

He besought my excuse for detaining my attention so long. Upon his motion to go, my two cou — sins came in. He took even a solemn leave of me, and a very respectful one of them.

I had kept up my spirits to their utmost stretch: I desired my cousins to excuse me for a few minutes: his departure from me was too solemn; and I hurried up to my closet; and after a few involuntary sobs, a flood of tears relieved me. I besought, on my knees, peace to the disturbed mind of the excellent Cle-mentina, calmness and resignation to my own, and safety to Sir Charles. And then, drying my eyes at the glass, I went down stairs to my cousins; and on

SIK CHARLES GRANDISON. 71 their enquiries (with looks of deep concern) after the occasion of my red eyes, I said, All is over! All is over! my dear cousins. I cannot blame him: he is all that is noble and good I can say no more just now. The particulars you shall have from my pen.

I went up stairs to write: and except for one half hour at dinner, and another at tea, 1 stopt not till I had done.

And here, quite tired, uneasy, vexed with myself, yet hardly knowing why, I lay down my pen. Take what 1 have written, my dear cousin Reeves: if you can read it, do: and then dispatch it to my Lucy.

But, on second thoughts, 1 will shew it to the two ladies, and Lord L. before it is sent away. They will be curious to know what passed in a conversation, where the critical circumstances both of us were in, required a delicacy which I am not sure was so well observed on my side, as on his.

I shall, I know, have their pity; but let nobody who pities not the noble Clementina, shew any for

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter VIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Tuesday night, April 4. Miss Grandison came to me just as we had sup-ped. She longed, she said, to see me; but was pre vented coining before, and desired to know what had passed between her brother and me this morning, I gave her the letter, which I had but a little while before concluded. lie had owned, she said, that he had breakfasted with me; and spoke of me to her, and Lord and Lady L. with an ardour that gave them pleasure. She put my letter into her bosom. I may, I hope, Harriet If you please, madam, said I.

If you please, madam, repeated she; and with that do-lo-rous accent too, my Harriet! My sister and I have been in tears this morning: Lord L. had much ado to forbear. Sir Charles will soon leave us.

It can’t be helped, Charlotte. Did you dine today in St. James’s Square?

No, indeed! my brother had a certain tribe with him; and the woman also. It is very difficult, I believe, Harriet, for good people to forbear doing sometimes more than goodness requires of them.

Could you not, Charlotte, have sat at table with them for one hour or two?

My brother did not ask me. He did not expect it. He gives every-body their choice, you know. He told me last night who were to dine with him today, and supposed I would choose to dine with Lady L. or with you. he was so free as to say.

He did us an honour, which you thought too great a one. But if he had asked you, Charlotte

Then I should have bridled. Indeed, I asked him, If he did not over-do it.

What was his answer?

Perhaps he might But I, said he, may never see Mrs. Oldham again. I want to inform myself of her future intentions, with a view {over-do it again, Charlotte!) to make her easy and happy for life. Her children are in the world. I want to give her a credit that will make her remembered by them, as they grow up, with duty. I hope I am superior to forms. She is conscious. I can pity her. She is a gentlewoman; and intitled to a place at any man’s table to whom she never was a servant. She never was mine.

And what, Miss Grandison, could you say in answer? asked I.

What! Why I put up my lip.

Ungracious girl!

I can’t help it. That may become a man to do in such cases as this, that would not a woman.

Sir Charles wants not delicacy, my dear, said I.

He must suppose, that I should have sat swelling, and been reserved: he was right not to ask me So be quiet, Harriet And yet, perhaps, you would be as tame to a husband’s mistress, as you seem fa-vourable to a father’s.

She then put on one of her arch looks

The cases differ, Charlotte But do you know what passed between the generous man, and the mortified woman and her children; mortified as they must be by his goodness?

Yes, yes; 1 had curiosity enough to ask Dr. Bart-lett about it all.

Pray, Charlotte

Ur. Bartlett is favourable to every body, sinners as well as saints He began with praising the mo-desty of her dress, the humility of her behaviour: he said, that she trembled and looked down, till she was re-assured by Sir Charles. Such creatures have all their tricks, Harriet.

You, Charlotte, are not favourable to sinners, and hardly to saints. But pray proceed.

Why, he re-assured the woman, as I told you: and then proceeded to ask many questions of the elder Oldham I pitied that young fellow to have a mother in his eye, whose very tenderness to the young ones kept alive the sense of her guilt. And yet what would she have been, had she not been doubly tender to the innocents, who were born to shame from her fault? Theyoungmanacknowledged a military genius, and Sir Charles told him, that he would, on his return from a journey he was going to take, consider whether he could not do him ser-vice in the way he choose. He gave him, it seems, a brief lecture on what he should aim to be, and what avoid, to qualify himself for a man of true ho-nour; and spoke very handsomely of such gentlemen of the army as are real gentlemen. The young fellow, continued Miss Grandison, may look upon himself to be as good as provided for, since my bro-ther never gives the most distant hope that is not followed by absolute certainty, the first opportunity, not that offers, but which he can make.

He took great notice of the little boys. He di-lated their hearts, and set them a prating; and was pleased with their prate. The doctor, who had never seen him before in the company of children, applauded him for his vivacity, and condescending talk to them. The tenderest father in the world, he said, could not have behaved more tenderly, or shewed himself more delighted with his own children, than he did with those brats of Mrs. Oldham.

Ah, Charlotte! And is it out of doubt, that you are the daughter of Lady Grandison, and sister of Sir Charles Grandison? Well, but I believe you are Some children take after the father, some after the mother! Forgive me, my dear.

But I won’t. I have a great mind to quarrel with you, Harriet.

Pray don’t; because I could neither help, nor can be sorry for, what I said. But pray proceed.

Why he made presents to the children. I don’t know what they were; nor could the doctor tell me. I suppose very handsome ones; for he has the spirit of a prince. He enquired very particularly after the circumstances of the mother; and was more kind to her than many people would be to their own mo-thers He can account for this, I suppose though I cannot. The woman, it is true, is of a good fa-mily, and so forth: but that enhances her crime. Natural children abound in the present age. Keeping is fashionable. Good men should not counte — nance such wretches. But my brother and you are charitable creatures! With all my heart, child. Virtue, however, has at least as much to say on one side of the question as on the other.

When the poor children are in the world, as your brother said When the poor women are penitents, true penitents Your brother’s treatment of Mrs. Giffard was different. He is in both instances an imitator of the Almighty; an humbler of the impenitent, and an encourager of those who repent.

Well, well; he is undoubtedly a good sort of young man; and, Harriet, you are a good sort of young woman. Where much is given, much is required; but I have not given me such a large quantity of charity, as either of you may boast: and now can I help it? But, however, the woman went away blessing and praising him; and that, the doctor says, more with her eyes than she was able to do in words. The elder youth departed in rapturous re-verence: the children hung about his knees, on theirs. The doctor will have it, that it was without bidding Perhaps so He raised them by turns to his arms, and kissed them. Why, Harriet! your eyes would have run over, I suppose, had you been there! Is it, that your heart is weakened with your present situation? I hope not. No, you are a good creature! And I see that the mention of a behaviour greatly generous, however slightly made, will have its force upon a heart so truly benevolent as yours. You must be Lady Grandison, my dear: indeed you must. Well, but I must be gone. You dine with us tomorrow, my brother says.

He did ask me; and desired me to engage my H 2 cousins. But he repeated not the invitation when he went away.

He depends upon your coming: and so do we. He is to talk to me hefore you, it seems: I can’t tell about what: but by his hurrying on every — thing, it is plain he is preparing to leave us.

He is, madam.

“He is, madam! “ And with that dejected air, and mendicant voice Speak up like a woman! The sooner he sets out, if he must go, the sooner he will return. Come, come, Harriet, you shall be Lady Grandison still Ay! and thats/7; too! These lovesick folks have a language that nobody else can talk to them in: and then she affectedly sighed Is that right, Harriet? She sighed again No, it is not: 1 never knew what a sigh was, but when my father vexed my sister; and that was more for fear he should one day be as cruel to me, than for her sake. We can be very generous for others, Harriet, when we apprehend that one day we may want the same pity ourselves. Our best passions, my dear, have their mixtures of self-love.

You have drawn a picture of human nature, Charlotte, that I don’t like.

It is a likeness for all that.

She arose, snatched my hand, hurried to the door Be with us, Harriet, and cousin Reeves, and cou-sin Reeves, as soon as you can tomorrow. I want to talk to you, my dear, (to me) of a hundred thou-sand things before dinner. Rememberwe dine early.

Away she fluttered Happy Miss Grandison! What charming spirits she has!


Letter IX.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Wednesday, April 5. Miss Jervois came to me this morning by six; impatient, as she said, to communicate good news to me. I was in my closet writing. I could not sleep. I have seen my mother, said she; and we are good friends. Was she ever unkind to me, madam?

Dear creature, said I, and clasped her to my bosom, you are a sweet girl! Oblige me with the particulars.

Let me, Lucy, give you, as near as I can recol-lect, the amiable young creature’s words and actions on this occasion.

Sit down, my love, 6aid I What! When I am talking of a reconciled mother! And to dear Mist Byron! No, indeed.

She often held out one open hand, while the fore-finger of the other, in full action, patted it; as at other times both were spread, with pretty wonder and delight: and thus she began:

Why, you must know, it was about six o’clock yesterday afternoon, that my mother and her hus-band, and Captain Salmonet, came. I was told of their visit but two hours before: and when the coach stopped, and I at the window saw them alight, I thought I should have fainted away. I would have given half 1 was worth in the world to have been a hundred miles off.

Dr. Hartlett was there, and received them. My guardian was unexpectedly engaged in answering a letter sent him by Lord W. for which a gentleman waited: but they had not been there a quarter of an hour, when he entered, and made apologies to them, ii:\ in his usual gracious manner. Never, the doctor says, did any-body look so respectful as the major and the captain: and they would have made apologies to my guardian, for their last behaviour to him; but he would not let them. And my mother, the doctor says, from the very first, behaved prettily.

The moment she asked for me, my guardian him-self condescended to come up to me, and took my hand Was not that very good of him? My dear, said he, as he led me down stairs (and spoke so kindly) don’t tremble so: am I not with you? Your mother is very calm and composed: you must ask her blessing. 1 shall ease your tender heart of every pang. 1 shall hint to you what to do, and how to behave to the gentlemen, as occasions arise.

He had no sooner said the words, but the drawing-room door gave way to his hand, and I was in the room with him.

Down on my knees dropt I as I now do to you: but I could not speak. Thus I did [and she kissed my hand, and bowed her face upon it]. And my mother raised me You must raise me, madam Yes, just so And she kissed me too, and wept on my neck; and called me pretty names; and encou-raged me, and said she loved me, as she loved her own soul And I was encouraged.

My guardian then, with the air and manner of a gracious prince, took my hand, and presented it first to the major, then to the captain: and they each paid their compliments, and spoke in my praise, I can’t tell how many fine things.

Major, said my guardian, when he presented me to him, you must excuse the dear child’s weakness of spirits: she wishes you all happiness on your nuptials: she has let me know, that she is very desirous to do you service for her mother’s sake.

SIK CHARLES GKANDISON. 79

The major swore by his soul, I was an angel! Captain Salmonet said, that, by his salvation, I was a charming young lady!

My mother wept O Sir! said she to my guar-dian: and dropping down in a chair by the window, not a word more could she speak.

I ran to her, and clasped my arms about her. She wept the more: I wiped her eyes with her own handkerchief: I told her, it went to my heart to see her cry: I begged she would spare me this grief.

She clasped her arms then about me, and kissed my cheek, and my forehead. O, thought 1, it is very good of you, my dear mother.

Then came my guardian to us, and he kindly took my mother’s hand, and conducted her to the fire-side; and he led me, and placed me by her, at the tea-table, and he made the major and the captain sit down by him: so much graciousness in his coun-tenance. O madam, I shall be an idolater, I am afraid. And he said, Emily, my dear, you will make tea for us. My sister dined abroad, madam, to my mother. Yes, Sir, I will, said I: and I was as lively as a bird.

But before the servants came in, Let me tell you, madam, said he, what Miss.Jervois has proposed to me. They were in silent expectation.

She has desired that you, major, will accept from her, for your mutual use, of an additional 1(X)1. a year; which I shall order to be paid you quarterly, during Mrs. O’Hara’s life, not doubting but you will make her as happy as it is in your power to make her.

My mother bowed, coloured with gratitude, and looked obliged.

And she begs of you, madam, turning to my mo-ther, that you will accept, as from the major, another 1001. a year, for pin-money, which he, or which you, madam, will draw upon me for; also quarterly, if you choose not to trouble him to do it: for this 1001. a year must be appropriated to your sole and separate use, madam; and not be subject to your controul, Major O’Hara.

Good God! Sir! said the major What a wretch was I, the last time I was here! There is no bearing of this!

He got up, and went to the window: and the captain said, Blessed Jesu! and something else, which I could not mind; for I was weeping like a baby.

What, Sir, said my mother! 4001. a year! Do you mean so? I do, madam And, Sir, to be so generously paid me my 1001. of it, as if I received it not from my child, but from my husband! Good God! How you overpower me, Sir! What shame, what remorse, do you strike into my heart!

And my poor mother’s tears ran down as fast as mine.

O madam, said the dear girl to me, clasping her arms about me, how your tender heart is touched! It is well you were not there!

Dr. Bartlett came in to tea. My guardian would not permit Antony, who offered himself, to wait. Antony had been my own papa’s servant, when my mother was not so good.

Nothing but blessings, nothing but looks and words of admiration and gratitude, passed all the tea-time. How their hearts rejoiced, I warrant! Is it not a charming thing, madam, to make people’s hearts glad? To be sure it is! How many hearts has my guardian rejoiced! You must bid him be cross to me, or I shall not know what to do with myself! But then, if he were, I should only get b) myself, and cry, and be angry with myself, and think he could not be to blame.

O my love, my Emily! said I, take care of your gratitude: that drew in your true friend.

Well, but how can it be helped, madam? Can a right heart be ungrateful? Dr. Bartlett says, there is no such thing as true happiness in this life: and is it not better to be unhappy from good men and women, than from bad? Dear madam, why you have often made me unhappy, because of your goodness to me; and because 1 knew, that I neither could deserve nor return it.

The dear prater went on My guardian called me aside, when tea was over: My Emily, said he [1 do love he should call me his Emily! But all the world is his Emily, I think] Let me see what you will do with these two notes; giving me two bank-notes of c 25\. each. Present pin-money and cash may be wanted. We will suppose that your mother has been married a quarter of a year. Her pin-money and the additional annuity may commence from the 25th of December last. Let me, Emily, when they go away, see the graceful manner in which you will dispose of the notes: and from Mr. O’Hara’s behaviour upon it, we shall observe whether he is a man with whom your mother, if it be not her own fault (now you have made it their interest to be kind to each other) may live well: but let the motion be all your own.

How rrood this was! I could have kissed the hand that gave me the notes, if I thought it would not have looked too free.

I understand you, Sir, said I.

And when they went away, pouring out their very hearts in grateful joy, I addressed myself to Mr. O’Hara: Sir, said I, it is proper that the payment of the additional annuity should havea commencement: let it be from Christmas last. Accept of the first payment from my own hands and I gave him one ‘251. note; and, looking at my mother, with a look of duty, for fear he should mistake, and discredit him-self in the eyes of the deepest discerner in the world, gave him the other.

He looked first upon one, then upon the other note, with surprise And then bowing to the ground, to me, and to my guardian, he stept to my mother, and presented them both to her You, madam, said he, must speak: I cannot as I ought: God send me with a whole heart out of this house! He hurried out, and when he was in the hall, wiped his eyes, and sobbed like a child, as one of the servants told my Anne.

My mother looked upon one note, as her husband had done, and upon the other; and lifting up her eyes, embraced me And would have said some-thing to my guardian, but he prevented her, by saying Emily will be always dutiful to you, madam, and respectful to Mr. O’Hara: May you be happy together!

And he led her out Was ever such condescen-sion! He led her out to her husband, who, being a little recovered, was just about to give some money to the servant, who was retiring from the offer. Nobody, said my guardian, graciously smiling, pays my servants but myself, Mr. O’Hara. They are good people, and merit my favour.

And he went to the very door with my mother. I could not. I ran back, crying for joy, into the drawing-room, when they went out of it. I could not bear myself. How could I, you know, madam? Captain Salmonet all the time wiped his eyes, shrugged his shoulders, lifted up his hands, and cried out upon Jesu; and once or twice he crossed himself: but all the time my guardian looked and acted, as if those actions and praises were nothing to be proud of.

When he came in to me, I arose, and threw my-self at his feet; but could only say, Thank you, Sir, for your goodness to my mother. He raised me.

He sat down by me: See, child (said he, and he took my hand: my heart was sensible o the favour, and throbbed with joy), what it is in the power of people of fortune to do. You have a great one. Now your mother is married, 1 have hopes of her. They will at least keep up appearances to each other, and to the world. They neither of them want sense. You have done an act of duty and benevolence both in one. The man who would grudge them this additional 2001. a year out of your for-tune, to make your parent happy, shall not have my Emily Shall he?

Your Emily, your happy Emily, Sir, has not, can-not have a heart, that is worth notice, if it be not implicitly guided by you. This I said, madam; and it is true.

And did he not, said I, clasp his Emily to his ge-nerous bosom, when you said so?

No, madam; that would have been too great an honour: but he called me, Good child! And said, You shall never be put to pay me an implicit regard: your own reason (and he called me child again) shall always be the judge of my conduct to you, and direct your observances of my advice. Something like this he said; but in a better manner than I can say it.

He calls me oftener child, madam, than any-thing else, when we are alone together; and is not quite so free, I think, at such times, in his behaviour to me (yet is vastly gracious, I don’t know how) as when we are in company Why is that? I am sure, I equally respect him, at one time as at another Do you think, madam, there is any-thing in the ob-servation? Is there any reason for it? 1 do love to study him, and to find out the meaning of his very looks as well as words. Sir Charles Grandison’s heart is the book of heaven May I not study it?

Study it, my love, while you have an opportunity.

But he will soon leave us: he will soon leave England.

So I fear: and I will love and pity the poor Cle-mentina, whose heart is so much wounded and op pressed. But my guardian shall be nobody’s but yours. I have prayed night and day, the first thing, and the last thing, ever since I have heard of Lady Clementina, that you, and nobody but you, may be Lady Grandison: and I will continue my prayers. But, will you forgive me? I always conclude them with praying, that you will both consent to let the poor Emily live with you.

Sweet girl! The poor Emily, said she? I embraced her, and we mingled tears, both our hearts full, each for the other; and each perhaps for herself.

She hurried away. I resumed my pen Run off what had passed, almost as swift as thought. I quit it, to prepare to attend my cousins to St. James’s Square.


Letter X.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Wednesday nis;ht, April 5. Miss Grandison, as I told you, took with her my letter of yesterday. As soon as my cousin Reeves’s and I entered Sir Charles’s house, the two sisters conducted us into the drawing-room adjoining to the dining-parlour, and congratulated me on the high compliment their brother had made me, though in preference to themselves, and his communicativeness and tender behaviour to me. Lord L. joined us, and he, having read the letter, congratulated me

SIK CHARLES GRANDISON. 85 also On what, Lucy? Why on the possibility, that if the unhappy Clementina should die; or if she should be buried for life in a nunnery; or if she should be otherwise disposed of; why then, tha,t your Harriet may have room given her to hope for a civil husband in Sir Charles Grandison, and half a heart: Is not this the sum of these humbling congratulations?

Sir Charles, when we came, was in his study with Mr. Lowther, the surgeon, whom he had engaged to go abroad with him: but he just came out to welcome us; and then returned He had also with him two physicians eminent for their knowledge in disorders of the head, to whom he had before communicated the case of the unhappy Clementina; and who brought to him in writing their opinions of the manner in which she ought to be treated, according to the various symptoms of her disorder.

When he joined us, he told us this; and said very high things at the same time in praise of the English surgeons; and particularly of this gentleman: and added, that as nervous disorders were more frequent in England, than in any country in the world, he was willing to hope, that the English physicians were more skilful than those of any other country in the management of persons afflicted with such mala-dies: and as he was now invited over, he was deter — mined to furnish himself with all the means he could think of, that were likely to be useful in restoring and healing friends so dear to him.

Miss Grandison told him, that we were all in some apprehensions, on his going to Italy, of that fierce and wrong-headed man the general. Miss Byron, said she, has told us, that Mrs. Beaumont advisea not your going over.

The young Marquis della Porretta, said he, is hasty; but he is a gallant man, and loves his sister. i

His grief on the unhappy situation they are in, demands allowance. It is natural in a heavy calamity to look out of ourselves for the occasion. I have not any apprehensions from him, or from any — body else. The call upon me is a proper one. The issue must be left where it ought to be left. If my visit will give comfort to any one of the family, I shall be rewarded: if to more than one, happy And, what-ever be the event, shall be easier in myself, than I could be, were I not to comply with the request of the bishop, were he only to have made it.

Lord L. asked Sir Charles, whether he had fixed the day of his setting out?

I have, said he, within this half-hour. Mr. Low-ther has told me, that he shall be ready by the be ginning of next week; and on Saturday-sevennight I hope to be at Dover, on my way.

We looked upon one another. Miss Grandison told me afterwards, that my colour went and came several times, and that she was afraid for me. My heart was indeed a little affected. I believe I must not think of taking leave of him when he sets out. Ah, Lucy! Nine days hence! Yet in less than nine days after that, I shall be embraced by the tenderest re-lations that ever creature had to boast of.

Sir Charles taking his sister aside, I want, said he, to say a few words to you, Charlotte. They were about half an hour together; and then returning, I am encouraged to think, said he, that Charlotte will give her hand to Lord G. She is a woman of ho-nour, and her heart must therefore go with it. I have a request to make to her, before all you our common friends The Earl of G. Lady Gertrude, Lord G. all join in one suit: it is, that I may be allowed to give my sister to Lord G. before I leave England.

I have told you, brother, that it is impossible, if you go away in nine or ten days time.

Sir Charles particularly requested my influence. I could have no doubt, I said, but Miss Grandison would oblige her brother.

She vehemently opposed so early a day.

In a most affectionate manner, yet with an air of seriousness, he urged his request. He said, that it was very proper for him to make some dispositions of his affairs before he went abroad. He should leave England with much more pleasure, if he saw his Charlotte the wife of a man so worthy as Lord G.: Lord G. said he, adores you: you intend to be his: resolve to oblige your brother, who, though he can-not be happy himself, wishes to see you so.

O Sir Charles! said she, you ruin me by your so-lemnity, and by your goodness.

The subject is not a light one. I am greatly in earnest, Charlotte. I have many affairs on my hands. My heart is in this company; yet my engagements will permit me but few opportunities to enjoy it between this and Tuesday next. If you deny me now, I must acquiesce: if you have more than punctilio to plead, say you have; and I will not urge you further.

And so this is the last time of asking, Sir? A little archly

Not the last time of my Lord G.‘s But of mine But I will not allow you now to answer me lightly. If you can name a day before Tuesday, you will greatly oblige me. I will leave you to consider of it. And he withdrew.

Every one then urged her to oblige her brother. Lady L. very particularly. She told her, that he was intitled to her compliance; and that he had spoken to her on this subject in a still more earnest manner. She should hardly be able to excuse her, she said, if the serious hint he had given about settling his affairs before he went abroad, had not i2 weight with her. You know, Charlotte, continued she, that he can have no motive but your good; and you have told me, that you intend to have Lord G. and that you esteem his father, his aunt, and every one of his family, whom you have seen; and they are highly pleased with you. Settlements are ready drawn: that my brother told you last night. No-thing is wanting but your day.

I wish he was in half the hurry to be married himself

So he would be, I dare say, Charlotte, if marriage were as much in his power, as it is in yours.

What a duce, to be married to a man in a week’s time, with whom I have quarrelled every day for a fortnight past! Pride and petulance must go down by degrees, sister. A month, at least, is necessary, to bring my features to such a placidness with him, as to allow him to smile in my face.

Your brother has hinted, Charlotte, said I, that he loves you for your vivacity; and should still more, if you consulted time and occasion.

He has withdrawn, sister, said Lord L. with a re-solution, if you deny him, to urge you no further.

I hate his peremptoriness.

Has he not told you, Charlotte, said I, and that in a manner so serious, as to affect every-body, that there is a kind of necessity for it?

I don’t love this Clementina, Harriet; all this is owing to her.

Just then a rapping at the door signified visiters; and Emily ran in Lord G. the earl, and Lady Gertrude, believe me !

Miss Grandison changed colour. A contrivance of my brother’s! Ah! Lord! Now shall I be beset! I will be sullen, that 1 may not be saucy.

Sullen you can’t be, Charlotte, said Lady L.: but saucy you can. Remember, however, my brother’s earnestness, and spare Lord G. before his father and aunt, or you will give me, and every — body pain.

How can I? Our last quarrel is not made up: but advise him not to be either impertinent or secure.

Immediately entered Sir Charles, introducing the earl and Lady Gertrude. After the first compli-ments, Pray, Sir Charles, said Miss Grandison, drawing him aside, towards me, and whispering, tell me truly: Did not you know of this visit?

I invited them, Charlotte, whispered he. I meant not however to surprise you. If you comply, you will give me great pleasure: if you do not, I will not be <//x-pleased with my sister.

What can I do? Either be less good to me, Sir, or less hurrying.

You have sacrificed enough to female punctilio, Charlotte. Lord G. has been a zealous courtier. You have no doubt of the ardor of his passion, nor of your own power. Leave the day to me. Let it be Tuesday next.

Good heaven! I can’t bear you, after such a And she gasped, as if for breath; and he turning from her to me, she went to Lady Gertrude, who, rising, took her hand, and withdrew with her into the next room.

They staid out till they were told dinner was served: and when they returned, I thought I never saw Miss Grandison look so lovely. A charming flush had overspread her eheeks: a sweet consciousness in her eyes gave a female grace to her whole aspect, and softened, as I may say, the natural ma-jesty of her fine features.

Lood G. looked delighted, as if his heart were filled with happy presages. The earl seemed no less pleased.

Miss Grandison was unusually thoughtful all din-ner-time: she gave me great joy to see her so, in i 3 the hope, that when the lover becomes the husband, the over-lively mistress will be sunk in the obliging wife. And yet, now-and then, as the joy in my lord’s heart overflowed at his lips, I could observe that archness rising to her eye, that makes one both love and fear her.

After dinner, the Earl of G. and Lady Gertrude desired a conference with Sir Charles and Lady L. They were not long absent, when Sir Charles came in, and carried out Miss Grandison to them. Lord G.‘s complexion varied often.

Sir Charles left them together, and joined us. We were standing; and he singled me out I hope, ma-dam, said he, that Charlotte may be prevailed upon for Tuesday next: but I will not urge it further.

I thought he was framinghimself to say something particular to me, when Lady L. came in, and desired him and me to step to her sister, who had retired from the earl and Lady Gertrude by consent.

Ah, my Harriet! said she, pity me, my dear! Debasement is the child of pride! Then turning to Sir Charles, I acknowledge myself overcome, said she, by your earnestness, as you are so soon to leave us, and by the importunities of the Earl of G, Lady Gertrude, and my sister Unprepared in mind, in clothes, I am resolved to oblige the best of brothers. Do you, sir, dispose of me as you think fit.

My sister, consents, Sir, said Lady L. for next Tuesday.

Cheerfully, I hope. If Charlotte balances whe-ther, if she took more time, she should have Lord G. at all, let her take it. Lord L. in my absence, will be to her all that I wish to be, when she shall determine.

I balance not, Sir: but I thought to have had a month’s time, at least, to look about me, and having treated Lord G. too flippantly, to give him by de grees some fairer prospects of happiness with me, than hitherto he has had.

Sir Charles embraced her. She was all his sister, he said. Let the alteration now begin. Lord G. would rejoice in it, and consider ail that had passed, as trials only of his love for her. The obliging wife would banish from his remembrance the petulant mistress. And now allow me, my dear sister, to present you to the earl and Lady Gertrude.

He led her in to them. Lady L. and I followed. Charlotte, my lord yields to yours and Lady Gertrude’s importunities. Next Tuesday will give the two families a near and tender relation to each other.

The earl saluted her in a very affectionate man-ner: so did Lady Gertrude; who afterwards ran out for her nephew; and presented him to Miss Grandison.

She had just time to whisper me, as he approached her; Ah, Harriet! now comes the worst part of the shew. He kneeled on one knee, kissed her hand; but was too much overjoyed to speak; for Lady Gertrude had told him, that Tuesday was to be his happy day.

It is impossible, Lucy, but Sir Charles Grandison must carry every point he sets his heart upon. When he shall appear before the family of Porretta in Italv, ivfio will be able to withstand him! Is not his consequence doubled, more, than doubled, since he was with them? The man whose absence they wished for, they now invite to come among them. They have tried every experiment to restore their Clementina: he has a noble estate now in possession. The fame of his goodness is gone out to distant countries. O my dear! All opposition must fly before him. And if it be the will of heaven to restore Clementina, all her friends must concur in giving her to him upon the terms he has proposed; and from which, having himself proposed them, Sir Charles Grandison cannot recede.

His heart, it is evident, is at Bologna. Well, and so it ought to be. And yet I could not forbear being sensibly touched by the following words, which I overheard him say to Lord L. in answer to something my lord said to him:

‘ I am impatient to be abroad. Had I not waited for Mr. Lowther, the last letters I received from Italy should have been answered in person.

But as honour, compassion, love, friendship (still nobler than love!) have demands upon him, let him obey the call. He has set me high in his esteem. Let me be Worthy of his friendship. Pangs 1 shall occasionally feel; but who that values one person above the rest of the world, does not?

Sir Charles, as we sat at tea, mentioned! his cousin Grandison to Lord L: It is strange, my lord, said he, that we hear nothing of our cousin Everard, since he was seen at White’s. But whenever he emerges, Charlotte, if I am absent, receive him with-out reproaches: yet I should be glad that he could have rejoiced with us. Must I leave England, and not see him?

It has been, it seems, the way of this unhappy man, to shut himself up with some woman in pri-vate lodgings, for fear his cousin should find him out; and in two or three months, when he has been tired of his wicked companion, emerge, as Sir Charles called it, to notice, and then seek for his cousin’s favour and company, and live for as many more months in a state of contrition. And Sir Charles, in his great charity, believes, that till some new temptation arises, he is in earnest in his penitence; and hopes, that in time he will see his errors.

Oh, Lucy! What a poor, creeping, mean wretch is a libertine, when one looks down upon him, and up to such a glorious creature as Sir Charles Grandison!

Sir Charles was led to talk of his engagement for tomorrow, on the triple marriage in the Danby fa-mily. We all gave him joy of the happy success that had rewarded his beneficent spirit, with regard to that family. He gave us the characters of the three couples greatly to their advantage, and praised the families on both sides, which were to be so closely united on the morrow; not forgetting to mention kindly honest Mr. Sylvester, the attorney.

He told us that he should set out on Friday early for Windsor, in order to attend Lord W. in his first visit at .Mansfield-house. You, Lady L. will have the trouble given you, said he, of causing to be new-set the jewels of the late Lady W. for a present to the future bride. My Lord shewed them to me (among a great number of other valuable trinkets of his late wife’s) in my last return from the ball. They are rich, and will do credit to his quality. You, my Lord L. you, my sisters, will be charmed with your new aunt, and her whole family. I have joy on the happiness in prospect that will gild the latter days of my mother’s brother; and at the same time be a means of freeing from oppression an ancient and worthy family.

Tears were in every eye. There non\ thought I, sits this princely man, rejoicing every one who sees him, and hears him speak: But where will he be nine days hence? And ivhosc this-day-twelve-month?

He talked with particular pleasure of the expected arrival of his Beauchamp. He pleased himself, that he should leave behind him a man who would delight every-body, and supply to his friends A is ab — sence. What a character did he give, and Dr. Bartlett confirm, of that amiable friend of his!

How did the earl, and Lady Gertrude, dwell upon all he said! They prided themselves on the relation they were likely so soon to stand in to so valuable a man.

In your last letter, you tell me, Lucy, that Mr. Greville has the confidence to throw out menaces against this excellent man Sorry wretch 1 How my heart rises against him! — He But no more of such an earth-born creature.
Letter XI.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Thursday morning, April 6.

Miss Grandison, accompanied by Miss Jervois, has just left us. Lady L. has undertaken, she says, to set all hands at work, to have things in tolerable order, early as the day is, for Tuesday next. Miss Grandison (would you believe it?) owns, that she wants spirits to order any-thing. What must be the solemnity of that circumstance, when near, that shall make Charlotte Grandison want spirits?

She withdrew with me to my apartment. She threw herself into a chair: ’Tis a folly to deny it, Harriet, but I am very low, and very silly: I don’t like next Tuesday by any means.

Is your objection only to the day, my dear?

I do not like the man.

Is there any man whom you like better?

I can’t say that neither. But this brother of mine makes me think contemptibly of all other men. I would compound for a man but half so good Ten-der, kind, humane, polite, and even cheerful in affliction! Harriet! where is there such another man?

No-where. But you don’t by marriage lose, on the contrary, you further engage and secure, the affection of this brother. You will have a good-na-tured, worthy man for your husband, a man who loves you; and you will have your brother besides.

Do you think I can be happy with Lord G.?

I am sure you may, if it be not your own fault.

That’s the thing: I may perhaps bear with the man; but I cannot honour him.

Then don’t voiv to honour him. Don’t meet him at the altar.

Yet I must. But I believe I think too much: and consideration is no friend to wedlock Would to heaven that the same hour that my hand and Lord G.‘s were joined, yours and my brother’s were also united!

Ah, Miss Grandison! If you love me, try to wean me; and not to encourage hopes of what never, never can be.

Dear creature! You will be greater than Clemen-tina, and that is greater than the greatest, if you can conquer a passion, which overturned her reason.

Do not, my Charlotte, make comparisons in which the conscience of your Harriet tells her she must be a sufferer. There is no occasion for me to despise my-self, in order to hold myself inferior to Clementina.

Well, you are a noble creature! But, the ap-proaching Tuesday I cannot bear to think of it.

Dear Charlotte!

And dear Harriet too! But the officiousness, the assiduities of this trifling man, are disgustful to me.

You don’t hate him?

Hate him True I don’t hate him But! I have been so much accustomed to treat him like a fool, that I can’t help thinking him one. He should not have been so tame to such a spirit as mine. He should have been angry when I played upon him. I have got a knack of it, and shall never leave it off, that’s certain.

Then I hope he will be angry with you. I hope that he will resent your ill treatment of him.

Too late, too late to begin, Harriet. I won’t take it of him now. He has never let me see that his face can become two sorts of features. The poor man can look sorrowful; that I know full well: but I shall always laugh when he attempts to look angry.

You know better, Charlotte. You may give him so much cause for anger, that you may make it habitual to him, and then would be glad to see him pleased. Men have a hundred ways that women have not, to divert themselves abroad, when they cannot be happy at home. This I have heard ob-served by

By your grandmother, Harriet. Good old lady! In her reign it might be so; but you will find, that women now have as many ways to divert themselves abroad as the men. Have you not observed this yourself in one of your letters to Lucy! Ah! my dear! We can every hour of the twenty-four be up with our monarchs, if they are undutiful. But Charlotte Grandison will not, cannot Why, that’s true, my dear But I shall not then be a Grandison. Yet the man will have some security from my brother’s goodness. He is not only good himself, but he makes every one related to him, either for fear or shame, good likewise. But I think that when one week or fortnight is happily over, and my spirits are got up again from the depression into which this abominable hurry puts them, I could fall upon some inventions that would make every one laugh, except the person who might take it into his bead that he may be a sufferer by them: and who can laugh, and be angry, in the same moment?

You should not marry, Charlotte, till this wicked vein of humour and raillery is stopt.

I hope it will hold me till fifty.

Don’t say so, Charlotte Say rather that you hope it will hold you so long only as it may be thought innocent or inoffensive, by the man whom it will be your duty to oblige; and so long as it will bring no discredit to yourself.

Your servant, goody Gravity! But what 7iwst be, must. The man is bound to see it. It will be all his own seeking. He will sin with his eyes open. I think he has seen enough of me to take warning. All that I am concerned about is for the next week or fortnight. He will be king all that time Yet perhaps not quite all neither. And I shall be his sovereign ever after, or I am mistaken. What a duce shall a woman marry a man of talents not superior to her own, and forget to reward herself for her condescension? But, high-ho! There’s a sigh, Harriet. Were I at home, 1 would either sing you a song, or play you a tune, in order to raise my own heart.

She besought me then, with great earnestness, to give her my company till the day arrived, and on the day. You see, said she, that my brother has engagements till Monday. Dear creature, support, comfort me Don’t you see my heart beat through my stays? If you love me, come to me tomorrow to breakfast; and leave me not for the whole time Are you not my sister, and the friend of my heart? I will give you a month for it, upon demand. Come, let us go down, I will ask the consent of both your cousins.

She did: and they, with their usual goodness to me, cheerfully complied.

Sir Charles set out this morning to attend the triple marriages; drest charmingly, his sister says. I have made Miss Grandison promise to give me an account of such particulars, as, by the help of Saunders, and Sir Charles’s own relation, she can pick up. All we single girls, I believe, are pretty attentive to such subjects as these: as what one day may be our own concern.


Letter XII.
Miss Grandison to Miss Byron.

Thursday night.

Unreasonable, wicked, cruel, Byron! To expect a poor creature so near her execution, to write an account of other people’s behaviour in the same tre-mendous circumstances! The matrimonial noose has hung over my head for some time past; and now it is actually fitted to my devoted neck. Almost choaked, my dear! This moment done hearing read, the firsts, seconds, thirds, fourths, to near a dozen of them Lord be merciful to us! And the villainous lawyer rearing up to me his spectacled nose, as if to see how I bore it! Lord G. insulting me, as I thought, by his odious leers: Lady Ger-trude simpering; little Emily ready to bless herself How will the dear Harriet bear these abominable recitatives? But I am now up stairs from them all, in order to recover my breath and obey my Byron.

Well, but what am I now to say about the Dan-bys? Saunders has made his report; Sir Charles has told us some things: yet I will only give you heads: make out the rest.

In the first place, mv brother went to Mrs. Har-rington’s (Miss Danby’s aunt): she did every-thing but worship him. She had with her two young la-dies, relations of her ‘ate husband, dainty damsels of the city, who had procured themselves to be invited, that they might see the man, whom they call — ed, A wonder of generosity and goodness. Richard heard one of them say to the other, Ah, sister! This is a king of a man! What pity there are not many such! But, Harriet, if there were a hundred of them, we would not let one of them go into the city for a wife; would we, my dear?

Sir Charles praised Miss Danby. She was full of gratitude; and of humility, I suppose. Meek, mo-dest, and humble, are qualities of which men are might)’ fond in women. But matrimony, and a sense of obligation, are equally great humblers even of spirits prouder than that of Miss Danby; as your poor Charlotte can testify.

The young gentlemen, with the rest, were to meet Sir Charles, the bride, and these ladies, at St. Helen’s, I think the church is called.

As if wedlock were an honour, the Danby girl, in respect to Sir Charles, was to be first yoked. He gave her away to the son Galliard. The father Galliard gave his daughter to Edward Danby: but first Mr. Hervey gave his niece to the elder.

One of the brides, I forget which, fainted away; another half-fainted Saved by timely salts; the third, poor soul, wept heartily as I suppose I shall do on Tuesday.

Never, surely was there such a matrimony-promoter, as my brother. God give me soon my re — venge upon him in the same way!

The procession afterwards was triumphant Six coaches, four silly souls in each; and to Mr. Pous-sin’s at Enfield they all drove. There they found another large company. k 2

My brother was all cheerfulness: and both men and women seemed to contend for his notice: but they were much disappointed at finding he meant to leave them early in the evening.

One married lady, the wife of Sir Somebody

(I am very bad at remembering the names of city knights) was resolved, she said, since they could not have Sir Charles to open the ball, to have one dance before dinner with the handsomest man in England. The music was accordingly called in; and he made no scruple to oblige the company on a day so happy.

Do you know, Harriet, that Sir Charles is sup-posed to be one of the finest dancers in England? Remember, my dear, that on Tuesday [Lord help me! I shall then be stupid, and remember nothing] you take him out yourself: and then you will judge for yourself of his excellence in this science May we not call dancing a science? If we judge by the Jew who perform gracefully in it, I am sure we may; and a difficult one too.

O! And remember, Harriet, that you get some-body to call upon him to sing. You shall play I believe I shall forget in that only agreeable moment of the day (for you have a sweet finger, my love) that I am the principal fool in the play of the evening.

O Harriet! how can I, in the circumstances I am in, write any more about these soft souls, and silly? Come to me by day-dawn, and leave me not till I don’t know when. Come, and take my part, my dear: I shall hate this man: he does nothing but hop, skip, and dance about me, grin, and make mouths; and every-body upholds him in it.

Must this (I hope not!) be the last time that I write myself to you

CHARLOTTE GRANDISON?


Letter XIII.
miss bvron to miss selby.

St. James’s Square, Friday morning, April 7.

Sir Charles Grand ison set out early this morn* ing for Lord W.‘s, in his way to Lady Mansfield’s* I am here with this whimsical Charlotte.

Lady L. Miss Jervois, myself, and every female of the family, or who do business for both sisters out of it, are busy in some way or other, preparatory to the approaching Tuesday.

MissGrandison is the only idle person. I tell her, she is affectedly so.

The earl has presented her, in his son’s name, with some very rich trinkets. Very valuable jewels are also bespoke by Lord G. who takes Lady L.‘s advice in every-thing; as one well read in the fashions. New equipages are bespoke; and gay ones they will be.

Miss Grandison confounded me this morning by an instance of her generosity. She was extremely urgent with me to accept, as her third sister, of her share of her mother’s jewels. You may believe, that I absolutely refused such a present. I was angry with her; and told her, she had but one way of making up with me: and that was, that since she would be so completely set out from her lord, she would unite the two halves, by presenting hers to Lady L. who had refused jewels from her lord on her marriage; and who then would make an appear-ance, occasionally, as brilliant as her own.

She was pleased with the hint; and has actually given them (unknown to any-body but me) to her jeweller; who is to dispose them m such figures, as shall answer those she herself is to have, which Lady k 3

L. has not. And by this contrivance, which will make them in a manner useless to herself, she thinks she shall oblige her sister, however reluctant, to ac-cept of them.

Lady Gertrude is also preparing some fine presents for her niece elect: but neither the delighted approbation of the family she is entering into, nor the satisfaction expressed by her own friends, give the perverse Charlotte any visible joy, nor procure for Lord G. the distinction which she ought to think of beginning to pay him. But, for his part, never was man so happy. He would, however, perhaps, fare better from her, if he could be more moderate in the outward expression of his joy; which she has taken it into her head to call an insult upon her.

She does not, however, give the scope she did before the day was fixt, to her playful captiousness. She is not quite so arch as she was. Thoughtfulness, and a seeming carelessness of what we are all employed in, appear in her countenance. She saunters about, and affects to be diverted by her harpsichord only. What a whimsical thing is Char-lotte Grandison! But still she keeps Lord G. at distance. I told her an hour ago, that she knows not how to condescend to him with that grace which is so natural to her in her whole behaviour to every-body else.

I have been talking to Dr. Bartlett, about Sir Charles’s journey to Italy. Nobody knows, he says, what a bleeding heart is covered by a countenance so benign and cheerful. Sir Charles Grandison, said he, has a prudence beyond that of most young men; but he has great sensibilities.

I take it for granted, Sir, said I, that he will for the future be more an Italian than Englishman.

Impossible, madam! A prudent youth, by travel-ling, reaps this advantage From what he sees of other countries, he learns to prefer his own. An imprudent one the contrary. Sir Charles’s country is endeared to him by his long absence from it. Italy in particular is called, The garden of Europe; but it is rather to be valued for what it ivas, and might be, than what it is. I need not tell a lady who has read and conversed as you have done, to what that incomparable difference is owing. Sir Charles Grandison is greatly sensible of it. He loves his country, with the judgment of a wise man; and wants not the partiality of a patriot.

But, doctor, he has offered, you know, to reside There I stopt.

True, madam And he will not recede from his offers, if they are claimed. But this uncertainty it is that disturbs him.

I pity my patron, proceeded he. 1 have often told you he is not happy. What has indiscretion to expect, when discretion has so much to suffer? His only consolation is, that he has nothing to reproach himself with. Inevitable evils he bears as a man should He makes no ostentation of his piety: but, madam, Sir Charles Grandison is a Christian.

You need not, Sir, say more to me to exalt him: and, let me add, that I have no small pleasure in knowing that Clementina is a lady of strict piety, though a Roman Catholic.

And let me assure you madam, that Sir Charles’s regard for Miss Byron (his more than regard for her, why should 1 not say? since every body sees it) is founded upon her piety, and upon the amiable qualities of her mind. Beauty, madam, is an acci-dental and transient good. No man better knows how to distinguish between admiration and love, than my patron. His virtue is virtue upon full proof, and against sensibilities, that it is heroic to overcome. Lady Olivia knows this: and here I must acknowledge myself a debtor to you for three articles out of you ten. I hope soon to discharge the obligation.

Your own time, doctor: but I must sav, that whenever you give me Lady Olivia’s story, I shall be pained, if I find that a Clementina is considered by a beauty of an unhappier turn, as her rival in the love of Sir Charles Grandison.

Lady Olivia, ntadam, admires him for his virtue; but she cannot, as he has made it his study to do, divide admiration from love. What offers has she not refused? But she declares, that she had rather be the friend of Sir Charles Grandison, than the wife of the greatest prince on earth.

This struck me: Have not I said something like it? But surely with innocence of heart. But here the doctor suggests, that Olivia has put his virtue to the proof. Yet I hope not.

The friend, Dr. Bartlett! 1 hope that no Woman who is not quite given up to dishonour, will pollute the sacred word, by affixing ideas to it, that cannot be connected with it. A friend is one of the highest characters that one human creature can shine in to another. There may be love, that though it has no view but to honour, yet even in wed-lock, ripens not into friendship. How poor are all such attachments! How much beneath the exalted notion I have of that noblest, that most delicate Union of souls! You wonder at me, Dr Bartlett. Let me repeat to you, Sir (I have it by heart) Sir Charles Grandison’s tender of friendship to the poor Harriet Byron, which has given me such exalted ideas of this disinterested passion; but you must not take notice that I have. I repeated those words beginning, “ My heart demands alliance with hers” and ending with these “ So long as it shall be consistent with her other attachments*.” * See p. 66. *>f this volume.

SIK CHARLES GRANDISON. 105

The doctor was silent for a few moments: at last, What a delicacy is there in the mind of this excel-lent man! Yet how consistent with the exactest truth! The friendship he offers you, madam, is indeed friendship. What you have repeated can want no explanation: yet it is expressive of his uncertain situation. It is

He stopt of a sudden.

Pray, doctor, proceed: I love to hear you talk.

My good young lady! I may say too much. Sir Charles in these nice points must be left to himself. It is impossible for any-body to express his thoughts as he can express them. But let me say, that he justly, as well as greatly, admires Miss Byron.

My heart rose against myself. Bold Harriet, thought I, how darest thou thus urge a good man to say more than he has a mind to say of the secrets of a friend, which are committed to his keeping? Content thyself with the hopes that the worthiest man in the world would wish to call thee his, were it not for an invincible obstacle. And, noble, thrice noble Clementina, be thine the preference even in the heart of Harriet Byron, because justice gives it to thee; for, Harriet, hast thou not been taught to prefer right and justice to every other consideration? And, wouldst thou abhor the thought of a common theft, yet steal a heart that is the property, and that by the dearest purchase, of another?


Letter XIV.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Friday evening. We have had a great debate about the place in which the nuptial ceremony is to be performed.

Charlotte, the perverse Charlotte, insisted upon not going to church.

Lord G. dared not to give his opinion; though his father and Lady Gertrude, as well as every other person, were against her.

Lord L. said, that if fine ladies thought so slightly of the office, as that it might be performed any-where, it would be no Wonder, if fine gentlemen thought still more slightly of the obligation it laid them under.

Being appealed to, I said, that I thought of mar* riage as one of the most solemn acts of a woman’s life. And if of a woman’s, of a man’s, surely, inter-rupted Lady L. If your whimsey, Charlotte, added she, arises from modesty, you reflect upon your sis-ter; and, what is worse, upon your mother.

Charlotte put up her pretty lip, and was uncon-vinced.

Lady Gertrude laid a heavy hand upon the affect-ation; yet admires her niece elect. She distin — guished between chamber vows and church vows. She mentioned the word decency. She spoke plainer, on Charlotte’s unfeeling perverseness. If a bride meant a compliment by it to the bridegroom, that was another thing; but then let her declare as much; and that she was in a hurry to oblige him.

Charlotte attempted to kill her by a look She gave a worse to Lord G. And why, whispered she to him, as he sat next her, must thou shew all thy teeth, man? As Lady Gertrude meant to shame her, I thought I could as soon forgive that lady, as her who was the occasion of the freedom of speech.

But still she was perverse: she would not be married at all, she said, if she were not complied with.

I whispered her, as I sat on the other side of her, I wish, Charlotte, the knot were tied: till then, you will not do even right things, but in a wrong manner.

Dr. Bartlett was not present: he was making a kind visit to my cousin Reeves’s. When he came in, the debate was referred to him. He entered into it with her, with so much modesty, good sense, propriety, and steadiness, that at last the perverse crea — ture gave way: but hardly would neither, had he not assured her, that her brother would be entirely against her; and that he himself must be excused performing the sacred office, but in a sacred place. She has set her heart on the doctor’s marrying her.

The Earl of G. and Lady Gertrude, as also Lord and Lady L. went away, not dissatisfied with Char-lotte’s compliance: she is the most ungraciously graceful young woman I ever knew in her compli-ances: but Lord G. was to pay for all: she and I had got together in the study: in bolted Lord G. perhaps with too little ceremony. She coloured < Hey-day, Sir! who expected you? His counte-nance immediately fell. He withdrew precipitately. Fie, Charlotte! said I: recollect yourself and rising, stept to the door, My lord calling after him.

He came back; but in a little ferment I hoped, I hoped, madam, as you were not in your own apartment, that I might, that I might, have been

Wherever ladies are by themselves, it is a lady’s apartment, my lord, said, she, with a haughtiness that sat better on her features, than they would upon almost any other woman’s.

He looked, as if he knew not whether he should stay or go. Sit down, my lord, said I; we are not particularly engaged. He came nearer, bowing to her, who sat as stately as a princess on her throne: but yet looked disobliged. You give yourself pretty airs, my lord don’t you?

Pretty airs, madam! Pretty airs! By my soul, I think, madam And with such a glow in your face, madam Taking his laced hat from under his arm, and \\ ith an earnest motion swinging it back-wards and forwards, as unknowing what he did

What, Sir, am I to be buffeted, Sir!

He put his hat under his arm again Buffeted, madam! Would to heaven

What has heaven to do with your odd ways, Lord G.?

Ibegpardonforintruding,madam — butI thought

That you had a privilege, Sir But marriage it-self, Sir, shall not give you a privilege to break into my retirements. You thought, Sir You could not think So much the worse if you did

If I have really offended 1 will be more circum-spect for the future I beg pardon, madam Miss Byron I hope will forgive me too.

He was going, in great discomposure, and with an air of angry humility.

Charlotte, whispered I Don’t be silly

Come, come, now you have broke in upon us, you may stay But another time, when you know me to be retired with a friend so dear to me, let it enter into your head, that no third person, unsent for, can be welcome.

Poor man How he loves her! His counte-nance changed at once to the humble placid; he looked as if he had rather be in fault than she.

Oh! how little did she make him look!

But he has often, as well as in this instance, let her see her power over him. I am afraid she will use it. I now see it is and will be his misfortune, that she can vex him without being vexed herself: and what may he expect, who can be treated with feigned displeasure, which, while it seems to be in earnest to him, will be a jest to his wife?

I was very angry with her, when we were alone; and told her, that she would be an enemy, I was afraid, of her own happiness. But she only laughed at me: Happiness, my dear! said she: that only is happiness which we think so. If I can be as happy in my way, as you can be in yours, shall I not pur-sue it? Your happiness, child, is in the still life. I love not a dead calm: now a tempest, now a re-freshing breeze, I shall know how to enjoy the dif — ference My brother will not be here to turn jest into earnest; as might perhaps be the effect of his mediation But, high-ho, Harriet! that the first week were over, and I had got into my throne!

She ended with an Italian air, contrasted with another high-ho; and left me for a few moments.

Poor Lord G.! said I, looking after her.

Shu returned soon. Poor Lord (i.! Those were the piteous words you threw after me, Harriet But if I should provoke him, do you think he would not give me a cuff, or so? You know he can’t re-turn joke for joke; and he must revenge himself some way If that should be the case, poor Char-lotte, I hope you would say

Not if you deserved it.

Deserve a cuff, Harriet! Well, but I am afraid I shall.

Remember next Tuesday, Charlotte! You must vow obedience Will you break your vow? This i* not a jesting matter. vol. xti. L

True, Harriet. And that it is not, was perhaps one of the reasons that made me disinclined to go to so solemn a place as the church with Lord G. Don’t you think it one with those who insist upon being married in their own chamber?

I believe great people, said I, think they must not do right things in the common way: that seems to me to be one of their fantastic reasons: but the vow is the vow, Charlotte: God is every-where.

Now you are so serious, Harriet, it is time to have done with the subject.

I have no sleep in my eyes; and must go on. What keeps me more wakeful is, my real concern for this naughty Miss Grandison, and my pity for Lord G.; for the instance I have given you of her petulance is nothing to what I have seen: but I thought, so near the day, she would have changed her behaviour to him. Surely, the situation her brother is in, without any fault of his own, might convince her, that she need not go out of her path to pick up subjects for unhappiness.

Such a kittenish disposition in her, I called it; for it is not so much the love of powerthat predominates in her mind, as the love of playfulness: and when the fit is upon her, she regards not whether it is a china cup, or a cork, that she pats and tosses about: but her sport will certainly be the death of Lord G.‘s happiness. Pity — that Sir Charles, who only has power over her, is obliged to go abroad so soon! But she has principles: Lady Grandison’s daughter, Sir Charles Grandison’s sister, must have princi-ples. The solemnity of the occasion; the office; the church; the altar; must strike her: the vow Will she not regard the vow she makes in cir-cumstances so awful? Could but my Lord G. assume dignity and mingle raillery with it, and be able to laugh with her, and sometimes at her, she would not make him her sport: she would find somebody else: a butt she must have to shoot at: but I am afraid he will be too sensible of her smartness: and she will have her jest, let who will suffer by it.

Some of the contents of your last are very agreeable to me, Lucy. I will begin in earnest to think of leaving London. Don’t let me look silly in your eyes, my dear, when I come. It was not so very presumptuous in me (was it?) to hope When all his relations When he himself Yet what room for hope did he, could he, give me? He was honest; and I cheated myself: but then all you, my dearest friends, encouraged the cheat: nay, pointed my wishes, and my hopes, by yours, before I had dared (or shall I say, condescended?) to own them to myself.

You may let that Greville know, if you please, that there is no room for his j/‘s, nor, of conse-quence, any for his menaces. You may own, that I shall soon be in Northamptonshire. This may prevent his and Fenwick’s threatened journey to town.

But, Lucy, though my heart has been ever duti-fully, as I may say, open to the venerable domestic circle; though it would not have been an honest heart, could it, circumstanced as I was, have concealed itself from Lady D.; and must have been an impenetrable one indeed, if it could have been disguised to the two sisters here yet, I beseech you, my dear, almost on my knees I beseech you, let not the audacious, the insulting Greville, have ground given him to suspect a weakness in your Harriet, which indelicate minds know not how to judge of delicately. For sex-sake, for example-sake, Lucy, let it not be known to any but the partial, friendly few, that our grandmamma Shirley’s child, i. 2 and aunt Selby’s niece, has been a volunteer in her affections. How many still more forward girls would plead Mrs. Shirley’s approbation of the hasty affection, without considering the circumstances and the object! So the next girl that run away to a dancing-master, or an ensign, would reckon her-self one of Harriet’s school.

Poor Mr. Orme! I am sorry he is not well. It is cruel in you, Lucy, at this time, to say (so undoubtingly) that his illness is owing to his love of me. You knew that such a suggestion would pain me. Heaven restore Mr. Orme!

But I am vexed, as it cannot be to purpose, that Sir Charles Grandison and I have been named to-gether, and talked of, in your neighbourhood! He will be gone abroad: 1 shall return to North-amptonshire: and shall look so silly! So like a refused girl!

‘ Every-body gives me to him, you say’ So much the worse. I wonder what business this every-body has to trouble itself about me.

One consolation, however, I shall have in my re-turn; and that is, in my Nancy’s recovered health; which was so precarious when I set out for London.

But I shall have nothing to entertain you with when I am with you: Sir Charles Grandison, Lord and Lady L. Lady G. (as now in three or four days she will be) my dear Miss Jervois, Dr. Bartlett, will be all my subject. And have I not exhausted that by pen and ink? no! The doctor promises to correspond with me; and he makes no doubt but Six Charles will correspond with him as usual.

What can the unusually tender friendship be called which he professed for me, and, as I may say, claim-ed in return for me? I know that he has no notion of the love called platonic. Nor have I: I think it, in general, a dangerous allowance; and, with regard

Sin CHARLES GRAND1SON. 1 IS to our sex, a very unequal one; since, while the man has nothing to fear, the woman has every thing, from the privileges that may be claimed, in an acknowledged confidence, especially in presence. Miss Grandison thus interprets what he said, and strengthens her opinion by some of Dr. Bartlett’s late intimations, that he really loves me; but not being at liberty to avow his love, he knew not what to say; and so went as near to a declaration as was possible to do in his circumstances.

But might I not expect, from such a profession of friendship in Sir Charles, an offer of correspondence in absence? And if he made the offer, ought I to decline it? Would it not indicate too much on my side, were I to do so? And does it not on his, if he make not the offer? He corresponds with Mrs. Beaumont: nobody thinks that any-thing can be meant by that correspondence on either side; because Mrs. Beaumont must be at least forty; Sir Charles but six or seven and twenty: but if he makes not the request to Harriet, who is but little more than twenty; what after such professions of a friendship so tender, will be inferred from his for-bearance?

But I shall puzzle myself, and you too, Lucy, if I go on with this sort of reasoning; because 1 shall not know how to put all 1 mean into words. Have I not already puzzled you? I think my expression is weak and perplexed But this offered and ac-cepted friendship between two persons not indeli — cate, must be perplexing; since he is the only young man in the world, from whom a woman has no dishonour to fear Ah, Lucy! It would be va-nity in me, would it not? to suppose that he had more to fear from Harriet, than she has from him; as the virtue of either, I hope, is not questionable?

But the event of his Italian visit will explain and reconcile everything.

I will encourage a drowsy fit that seems to be stealing upon me. If I have not written with the perspicuity I always aim at, allow, Lucy, for the time of night; for spirits not high; and for the subject, which having its delicacies, as well as uncertainties, I am not able to write clearly upon it.


Letter XV.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Sunday night, April 9. Sir Charles is already returned: he arrived at Windsor on Friday morning; but found that Lord W. had set out the afternoon of the day before, for the house of his friend Sir Joseph Lawrence, which is but fifteen miles from Mansfield-house.

Upon this intelligence, Sir Charles, wanting to return to town as soon as he could, followed him to the knight’s: and having time enough himself to reach Mansfield-house that night, he, by his uncle’s consent, pursued his journey thither; to the great joy of the family; who wished for his personal introduction of my lord to Miss Mansfield.

My lord arrived by breakfast-time, unfatigued, and in high spirits: staid at Mansfield-house all day; and promised so to manage, as to be in town tomorrow, in order to be present at his niece’s nuptials on Tuesday.

As for Sir Charles, he made the Mansfield family happy in his company the whole Friday evening; enquiring into their affairs relating to the oppression they lay under; pointing out measures for redress; encouraging Miss Mansfield; and informing the brothers, that the lawyers he had consulted on their deeds, told him, that a new trial might be hoped for; the result of which, probably, would be a means to do them justice, so powerfully protected and as-sisted as they would be now; for new lights had broken in upon them, and they wanted but to re-cover a deed, which they understood was in the hands of two gentlemen, named Hartley, who were but lately returned from the Indies. Thus prepared, the Mansfields also were in high spirits the next morning; and looked, Sir Charles said, on each other, when they met, as if they wanted to tell each other their agreeable dreams.

Sir Charles, in his way, had looked in upon Sir Harry Beauchamp and his lady. He found Sir Harry in high spirits, expecting the arrival of his son; who was actually landed from Calais, having met there his father’s letter, allowing him to return to England, and wishing in his own, and in Lady Beauchamp’s name, his speedy arrival.

Sir Charles’s impatience to see his friend, per-mitted him only to breakfast with my lord and the Mansfields; and to know the opinion each party formed of the other, on this first interview; and then he set out to Sir Harry Beauchamp’s. What an activity! Heaven reward him with the grant of his own wishes, whatever they be, and make him the happiest of men!

My lord is greatly taken with the lady, and her whole family. Well he may, Sir Charles says. He blessed him, and called himself blessed in his sister’s son, for his recommendation of each to the other. The lady thinks better of him, as her mother owned to Sir Charles, than she thought she should, from report.

I begin to think, Lucy, that those who set out for happiness are most likely to find it, when they live single till the age of fancy is over. Those who marry while it lasts, are often disappointed of that which they propose so largely to themselves: while those who wed for convenience, and deal with to-lerable honesty by each other, are at a greater cer — tainty. Tolerable, I repeat, since, it seems, we are to expect that both parties will turn the best side of the old garment outward. Hence arises consolation to old maidens, and cautions against precipita — tion Expatiate, my dear, on this fruitful subject: I would, were I at leisure.

Sir Charles says, that he doubts not but Lord W. will be as happy a man as he wishes to be, in less than a month.

The deuce is in this brother of mine, whispered Miss Grandison, to me, for huddling up of mar-riages! He don’t consider, that there may be two chances for one, that his honest folLs may, in half a year’s time, bless him the contrary way.

Sir Charles told us, that he had desired Lord W. to give out every-where (that the adversaries of the Mansfield family might know it) his intended alliance; and that he and his nephew were both determined to procure a retrospection of all former proceedings.

Sir Charles got to Sir Harry Beauchamp’s a little before his friend arrived. Sir Harry took him aside at his alighting, and told him that Lady Beauchamp had had clouds on her brow all the day; and he was afraid, would not receive his son with the graciousness that once he hoped for from her: but that he left him to manage with her. She never, said he, had so high an opinion either of man or woman as she has of you.

Sir Charles addressed himself to her, as not doubting her goodness upon the foot of their former con versation; and praised her for the graces that how — ever appeared but faintly in her countenance, till his compliments lighted them up, and made them shine full out in it. He told her, that his sister and Lord G. were to be married on the following Tues-day. He himself, he said, should set out for Paris on Friday after: but hoped to see a family intimacy begun between his sisters and Lady Beauchamp; and between their lords, and Sir Harry, and Mr. Beauchamp. He applauded her on the generosity of her intentions, as declared to him in their former conference; and congratulated her on the power she had, of which she made so noble a use, of laying at the same time an obligation on the tenderest of husbands, and the most deserving of sons; whose duty to her he engaged for.

All this set her in high good humour; and she took to herself, and bridled upon it, to express my-self in Charlotte’s manner, the praises and graces this adroit manager gave her, as if they were her unquestionable due.

This agreeable way they were all in, Sir Harry transported with his lady’s goodness, when Mr. Beauchamp arrived.

The young gentleman bent his knee to his step-mother, as well as to his father; and thanked her for the high favours which, his father had signified to him by letter, he owed to her goodness. She confirmed them; but, Sir Charles observed, with an ostentation that shewed she thought very highly of her own generosity.

They had a very cheerful evening. Not one cloud would hang on Lady Beauchamp’s brow, though once or twice it seemed a little overshaded, as Mr. Beauchamp displayed qualities for which his father was too ready to admire him. Sir Charle* thought it necessary to caution Sir Harry on this subject; putting it in this light, that Lady Beau-champ loved her husband so well, that she would be too likely to dread a rivalry in his affections from a son so very accomplished. Sir Harry took the hint kindly.

Mr. Beauchamp was under a good deal of concern at Sir Charles’s engagements to leave England so soon after his arrival; and asked his father’s leave to attend him. Sir Harry declared, that he could not part with him. Sir Charles chid his friend, and said, It was not quite so handsome a return as might have been expected from his Beauchamp, to the joyful reception he had met with from his father, and Lady Beauchamp. But she excused the young gentleman, and said, She wondered not, that any-body who was favoured with his friendship, should be unwilling to be separated from him.

Sir Charles expresses great satisfaction in Mr. Beauchamp’s being arrived before his departure, that he may present to us himself, a man with whom he is sure we shall all be delighted, and leave him happy in the beloved society which he himself is obliged to quit.

A repining temper, Lucy, would consider only the hardship of meeting a long-absent friend, just to feel the uneasiness of a second parting: but this man views every-thing in a right light. When his own happiness is not to be attained, he lays it out of his thoughts, and, as I have heretofore observed, rejoices in that of others. It is a pleasure to see how Sir Charles seems to enjoy the love which Dr. Bartlett expresses tor this friend of them both.

Sir Charles addressed himself to me, on several occasions, in so polite, in so tender a manner, that every one told me afterwards, they are sure he loves me. Dr. Bartlett at the time, as he sat next me, whispered, on the regret expressed by all on losing him so soon Ah, madam! I know, and pity, my patron’s struggles Struggles, Lucy! What could the doctor mean by this whisper to me! But I hope he guesses not at mine! If he does, would he have whispered his pity of Sir Charles to me? Come, Lucy, this is some comfort, however: and I will endeavour to be brave upon it, that I may not, by my weakness, lessen myself in the doctor’s good opinion.

It was agreed for Charlotte (whose assent was given in these words ‘ Do as you will or, rather, as my brother will What signifies opposing him?’) that the nuptials shall be solemnized, as privately as possible, at St. George’s church. The company is to drop in at different doors, and with as few attend-ants as may be. Lord W. the Earl of G. and Lady Gertrude, Lord and Lady L. Miss Jervois, and your Harriet, are to be present at the ceremony. 1 was very earnest to be excused, till Miss Grandison, when we were alone, dropt down on one knee, aud held up her hands, to beg me to accompany her. Mr. Everard Grandison, if he can be found, is to be also there, at Sir Charles’s desire.

Dr. Barlett, as I before hinted, at her earnest request, is to perform the ceremony. Sir Charles wished it to be at his own parish-church: but Miss Grandison thought it too near to be private. He was indifferent, as to the place, he said So it was at church; for he had been told of the difficulty we had to get Charlotte to desist from having it per-formed in the house; and seemed surprised Fie, Charlotte! said he An office so solemn! Vows to receive and pay as in the Divine presence

She was glad, she told me, that she had not left that battle to be fought with him.

Monday, April 10.

Lord W. is come. Lord and Lady L. are here. They, and Miss Grandison, received him with great respect. He embraced his nieces in a very affec-tionate manner. Sir Charles was absent. Lord W. is in person and behaviour a much more agreeable man than I expected him to be. Nor is he so decrepit with the gout, as I had supposed. He is very careful of himself, it seems. This world has been kind to him; and I fancy he makes a great deal of a little pain, for want of stronger exercises to his patience; and so is a sufferer by self-indulgence. Had I not been made acquainted with his free living, and with the insults he bore from Mrs. Giffard, with a spirit so poor, and so low, I should have believed I saw not only the man of quality, but the man of sense, in his countenance. I endeavoured, how-ever, as much as I could, to look upon him as the brother of the late Lady Grandison. Had he been worthy of that relation, how should I have rever-enced him!

But whatever I thought of him, he expressed him-self highly in my favour. He particularly praised me for the modesty which he said was visible in my countenance. Free-livers, Lucy, taken with that grace in a woman, which they make it their pride to destroy! But all men, good and bad, admire mo-desty in a woman: and 1 am sometimes out of hu — mour with our sex, that they do not as generally like modesty in men. I am sure that this grace in Sir Charles Grandison, is one of his principal glo-ries with me. It emboldens one’s heart, and per — mits one to behave before him with ease; and, as I rnay say, with security, in the consciousness of a right intention.

But what were Lord W.‘s praises of his nephew! He called him, The glory of his sex, and of human nature. How the cheeks of the dear Emily glowed at the praises given to her guardian! She was the taller for them: when she moved, it was on tiptoe; stealing, as it were, cross the floor, lest she should lose any-thing, that was said on a subject so delightful to her.

My lord was also greatly pleased with her. He complimented her as the beloved ward of the best of guardians. He lamented, with us, the occasion that called his nephew abroad. He was full of his own engagements with Miss Mansfield, nnd declar-ed that his nephew should guide and govern him as he pleased in every material case, respecting either the conduct of his future life, or the management and disposition of his estate; adding, that he had made his will, and, excepting only his lady’s jointure, and a few legacies, had left every-thing to him.

How right a thing, even in policy, is it, my dear, to be good and generous!

I must not forget, that my lord wished, ivith all his soul, that was his expression, that he might have the honour of giving to his nephew my hand in mar-riage.

I could feel myself blush. I half-suppressed a sigh: I would have wholly suppressed it, if I could. I recovered the little confusion, his too plainly expressed wish gave me, by repeating to myself the word Clementina.

This Charlotte is a great coward. But I dare not tell her so, for fear of a retort. I believe I should be as great a one in her circumstances, so few hours to one of the greatest events of one’s life! But I pretend not to bravery: yet hope, thut in the cause of virtue or honour I should be found to hare a soul.

I write now at my cousins. I came hither to make an alteration in my dress. I have promised to be with the sweet bully early in the morning of her important day.


Letter XVI.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Tuesday night, ) . .,, w a a r April 11, 12.

Wednesday morning, > ^

Miss Grandison is no longer to be called by that name. She is Lady G. May she make Lord G. as happy as I dare say he will make her, if it be not her own fault!

I was early with her, according to promise. I found her more affected than she was even last night with her approaching change of condition. Her brother had been talking to her, she said; and had laid down the duties of the state she was about to enter into, in such a serious manner, and made the performance of them of so much importance to her happiness both here and hereafter, that she was terrified at the thoughts of what she was about to undertake. She had never considered matrimony in that formidable light before. He had told her, that he was afraid of her vavacity; yet was loth to discourage her cheerfulness, or to say any-thing that should lower her spirits. All he besought of her was, to regard times, tempers, and occasions; and then it would be impossible but her lively humour must give delight not only to the man whom she favoured with her hand, but to every one who had the pleasure of approaching her. If, Charlotte, said he, you would have the world around you respect your husband, you must set the example. While the wife gives the least room to suspect, that she despises her husband, she will find, that she subjects him to double contempt, if he resents it not: and if he does, can you be happy? Aggressors lay them-selves open to severe reprisals, if you differ, you will be apt to make by-standers judges over you. They will remember when you are willing to for-get; and your fame will be the sport of those be neath you. as well in understanding as degree.

She believed, she told me, that Lord G. had been making some complaints of her. If he had

Hush, my dear, said I Not one word of threat-ening: Are you more solicitous to conceal your fault, than to amend it?

No But you know, Harriet, for a man, before he has experienced what sort of a wife I shall make, to complain against me for foibles in courtship, when he can help himself if he will, has something so very little

Your conscience, Charlotte, tells you, that he had reason for complaint; and therefore you think he has complained. Think the best of Lord G. for your oxm reputation’s sake, since you thought fit to go thus far with him. You have borne nothing from him: he has borne a great deal from you.

I am fretful, Harriet; I won’t be chidden: I will be comforted by you: you shall sooth me: are you not my sister? She threw her arms around me, and kissed my cheek.

I ventured to railly her, though I was afraid of her retort, and met with it: but 1 thought it would divert her. I am glad, my dear, said I, that you are capable of this tenderness of temper: you blus-tering girls But fear, I believe, will make cowards loving.

Harriet, said she, and flung from me to the win-dow, remember this: May I soon see you in the same situation! I will then have no mercy upon you.

The subject, which Sir Charles led to at break-fast, was the three weddings of Thursday last. He spoke honourably of marriage, and made some just compliments to Lord and Lady L.; concluding them with wishes, that his sister Charlotte and Lord G. might be neither more nor less happy than they were. Then turning to Lord W. he said, He ques-tioned not his lordship’s happiness with the lady he had so lately seen; for I cannot doubt, said he, of your lordship’s affectionate gratitude to her, if she behaves as 1 am sure she will.

My lord had tears in his eyes. Never man had such a nephew as I have, said he. All the joy of my present prospects, all the comforts of my future life, are and will be owing to you.

Here had he stopt, it would have been well: but, turning to me, he unexpectedly said, Would to God, madam, that you could reward him! I cannot; and nobody else can.

All were alarmed for me; every eye was upon me. A sickishness came over my heart I know not how to describe it. My head sunk upon my bosom. I could hardly sit; yet was less able to rise.

Sir Charles’s face was overspread with blushes. He bowed to my lord. May the man, said he, who shall have the honour to call Miss Byron his, be, if possible, as deserving as she is! Then will they live together the life of angels.

He gracefully looked down; not at me; and I got a little courage to look up: yet Lady L. was concerned for me: so was Lord L.: Emily’s eye dropt a tear upon her blushing cheek.

Was it not, Lucy, a severe trial? Indeed it was.

My Lord, to mend the matter, lamented very pathetically, that Sir Charles was under an obligation to go abroad: and still more, that he could not stay to be present at the celebration of his nuptials with Miss Mansfield.

The earl, Lord G. Lady Gertrude, and the doc-tor, were to meet the bride and us at church. Lord and Lady L. Sir Charles, and Emily, went in one coach: Miss Grandison and I in another.

As we went, I don’t like this affair at all, Harriet, said she. My brother has long made all other men indifferent to me. Such an infinite difference!

Can any-body be happier than Lord and Lady L. Charlotte? Yet Lady L . admires her brother as much as you can do.

They happy! And so they are. But Lady L. soft soul! tell in love with Lord L. before my bro-ther came over. So the foundation was laid: and it being a first flame with her, she, in compliment to herself, could not but persevere. But the sorry creature Anderson, proving a sorry creature, made me despise the sex: and my brother’s perfections contributed to my contempt of all other men.

Indeed, my dear, you are wrong. Lord G. loves you: but were Sir Charles not your brother, it is not very certain, that he would have returned your love.

Why, that’s true. I believe he would not, in that case, have chosen me. I am sure he would not, if he had known you: but for the man one loves, one can do any-thing, be every-thing, that he would wish one to be.

Do you think you cannot love Lord G.? For Heaven’s sake, Charlotte, though you are now almost within sight of the church, do not think of giving your hand, if you cannot resolve to make

Lord G. as happy, as I have no doubt he will make you, if it be not your own fault.

What will my brother say? What will

Leave that to me. I will engage Sir Charles and Dr. Bartlett to lend me their ear in the vestry; and I am sure your brother, if he knows that you have any antipathy to Lord G. or that you think you can-not be happy with him, will undertake your cause, and bring you off.

Antipathy! That’s a strong word, Harriet. The man is a good-natured silly man.

Silly! Charlotte! Silly then he must be for loving you so well, who, really, have never yet given him an opportunity to shew his importance with you.

I do pity him sometimes.

The coach stopt: Ah, Lord! Harriet! The church! The church!

Say, Charlotte, before you step out Shall I speak to your brother, and Dr. Bartlett, in the vestry?

I shall look like a fool either way.

Don’t act like one, Charlotte, on this solemn oc-casion. Say. you will deserve, that you will try to deserve Lord G.‘s love.

Sir Charles appeared. Lord help me! My bro-ther! I’ll try, I’ll try, what can be done.

He gave each his hand in turn: in we flew: the people began to gather about us. Lord G. all rapture, received her at the entrance. Sir Charles led me: and the earl and Lady Gertrude received us with joy in their countenances. I overheard the naughty one say, as Lord G. led her up to the altar, You don’t know what you are about, man. I expect to have all my way: remember that’s one of my articles before marriage.

MR CHARLES GRAJJDISON.

He returned her an answer of fond assent to her condition. I am afraid, thought I, poor Lord G. you will be more than once reminded of this previous article.

When she was led to the altar, and Lord G. and she stood together, she trembled. Leave me not, Harriet, said she. Brother! Lady L.!

I am sure she looked sillier than Lord G. at that instant.

The good doctor began the office. No dearly beloveds, Harriet! whispered she, as I had said, on a really terrible occasion. 1 was offended with her in my heart: again she whispered something against the office, as the doctor proceeded to give the rea-sons for the institution. Her levity did not forsake her even at that solemn moment.

When the service was over, every one (Sir Charles in a solemn and most affectionate manner) wished her happy. My Lord G. with transport saluted her.

She took my hand. Ah! Lord, what have I done? And am 1 married? whispered she And can it never be undone? And is that the man, to whom I am to be obedient? Is he to be my lord and master?

Ah, Lady G. said I, it is a solemn office. You have vowed: he has vowed: it is a solemn office.

Lord G. led her to the first coach. Sir Charles led me into the same. The people, to my great confuhion, whispered, That’s the bride! What a charming couple! Sir Charles handed” Miss Emily next. Lord G. came in: as he was entering, Harkee, friend, said Charlotte, and put out her hand, You mistake the coach: you are not of our company.

The whole world, replied my lord, shall not now divide us: and took his seat on the same side with Emily.

The man’s a rogue, Harriet, whispered she: See! He gives himself airs already!

This, said Lord G. as the coach drove on, taking one hand, and eagerly kissing it, is the hand that blessed me.

And that, said she, pushing him from her with the other, is the hand that repulses your forwardness. What came you in here for? Don’t be silly. He was in raptures all the way. When we came home, every one embraced and wished joy to the bride. The earl and Lady Ger-trude were in high spirits. The lady re-saluted her niece, as her dear niece: the earl recognized his beloved daughter.

But prepare to hear a noble action of Lord W. When he came up to compliment her My dear-est niece, said he, 1 wish you joy with all my soul. I have not been a kind uncle. There is no fastening any-thing on your brother. Accept of this [and he put a little paper into her hand It was a bank-note of 1000/.]: My sister’s daughter, and your brother’s sister, merits more than this. Was not this handsomely presented, Lucy? He then, in a manner becoming Lady Grandison’s brother, stept to Lady L. My niece Charlotte is not my only niece. 1 wish you, my dear, as if this was your day of marriage, all happiness: accept these two papers [[the one, Lucy, was a note for 1000/. and the other for 100/.]: and he said, The lesser note is due to you for interest on the greater. When the ladies opened their notes and saw what they were, they were at first at a loss what to say. It was most gracefully done: but see, Lucy, the example of a good and generous man can sometimes alter natures; and covetous men, I have heard it observed, when their hearts are opened, often act nobly.

As soon as Lady G. (so now I must call her) re-covered herself from the surprise into which my lord’s present and address had put her, she went to him: Allow me, my lord, said she, and bent one knee to him, to crave your blessing; and at the same time to thank you for your paternal present to your ever obliged Charlotte.

God bless you, my dear! saluting her But thank your noble brother: you delight me with your graceful acceptance.

Lady L. came up. Mv lord, you overcome me by your bounty. How snail I

Your brother’s princely spirit, Lady L. said he, makes this present look mean. Forgive me only, that it was not done before. And he saluted her.

Lord L. came up. Lady L. shewed him the opened notes See here, my lord, said she, what Lord W. has done: and he calls thi:> the interest due on that.

Your lordship oppresses me with your goodness to your niece, said Lord L. May health, long life, and happiness, attend you in your own nuptials!

There, there, said Lord W. pointing to Sir Charles, (who had withdrawn, and then entered) make your acknowledgement: his noble spirit has awakened mine: it was only asleCp. My late sis-ter’s brother wanted but the force of such an ex ample. That son is all his mother.

Sir Charles joining them, having heard only the last words, If I am thought a son not unworthy of the most excellent of mothers, said he, and by her brother, I am happy.

Then you are happy, replied my lord.

Her memory, resumed Sir Charles, I cherish; and when I have been tempted to forget myself, that memory has been a means of keeping me steady in my duty. Her precepts, my lord, were the guide of my early youth. Had I not kept them in mind, how much more blameable than most young men had I been: My Charlotte! have that mother in your memory, on this great change of your condition! You will not be called to her trials. His eyes glistened. Tender be our remembrance of my father Charlotte, be worthy of your mother.

He withdrew with an air so nobie! — But soon re-turning with a cheerful look, he was told what Lord W. had done Your lordship was before, said he, intitled to our duty, by the ties of blood: but what is the relation of body to that of mind? You have bound me for my sisters, and that still more by the manner than by the act, in a bond of gratitude that never can be broken!

Thank yourself, thank yourself, my noble nephew.

Encourage, my lord, a family intimacy between your lady, and her nieces and nephews. You will be delighted, my sisters, with Miss Mansfield; but when she obliges my lord with her hand, you will reverence your aunt. I shall have a pleasure, when I am far distant, in contemplating the family union. Your lordship must let me know your day in time; and I will be jyful upon it, whatever, of a contrary nature, I may have to struggle with on my own account.

My lord wept My lord wept, did I say? Not one of us had a dry eye! This was a solemn scene, you will say, for a wedding-day: but how delight-fully do such scenes dilate the heart!

The day, however, was not forgotten as a day of festivity. Sir Charles himself, by his vivacity and openness of countenance, made every one joyful: and, except that now-and-then a sigh, which could not be checked, stole from some of us, to think that he would so soon be in another country (far distant from the friends he now made happy) and engaged in difficulties; perhaps in dangers; every heart was present to the occasion of the day.

Charlotte! Dear Lady G.! Hitherto it is in your power, to make every future day worthy of this! ‘ Have your mother, your noble mother, in your memory, my dear:’ and give credit to the approbation of such a brother.

I should have told you. that my cousin Reeves’s came about two, and were received with the utmost politeness by every-body.

Sir Charles was called out just before dinner; and returned introducing a young gentleman, dressed as if for the day This is an earlier favour than I had hoped for, said Sir Charles; and leading him to Lady G. This, Sir, is the queen of the day. My dear Lady G. welcome (the house is yours Wel-come) the man 1 love: welcome my Beauchamp.

Every one, except Emily and me, crowded about Mr. Beauchamp, as Sir Charles’s avowedly beloved friend, and bid him cordially welcome; Sir Charles presenting him to each by name.

Then leading him to me I am half ashamed, Lucy, to repeat But take it as he spoke it Re-vere, said he, my dear friend, that excellent young lady: but let not your admiration stop at her face and person; she has a mind as exalted, my Beauchamp, as your own. Miss Byron, in honour to my sister, and to us all, has gilded this day by her presence.

Mr. Beauchamp approached me with polite re-spect. The lady whom Sir Charles Grandison ad — mires, as he does you. madam, must be the first of women.

I might have said, that he, who was so eminently distinguished as the friend of Sir Charles Grandison, must be a most valuable man: but my spirits were not high. I courtesied to his compliment; and was silent.

Sir Charles presented Emily to him. My Emily, Beauchamp. I hope to live to see her happily mar-ried. The man whose heart is but half so worthy as hers, must be an excellent man.

Modesty might look up, and be sensible to compliments from the lips of such a man. Emily looked at me with pleasure, as if she had said, Do you hear, madam, what a fine thing my guardian has said of me?

Sir Charles asked Mr. Beauchamp, how he stood with my Lady Beauchamp?

Very well, answered he. After such an introduction as you had given me to her, I must have been to blame, had I not. She is my father’s wife: I must respect her, were she ever so unkind to me: she is not without good qualities. Were every family so happy as to have Sir Charles Grandison for a medi-ator when misunderstandings happened, there would be very few lasting differences among relations. My father and mother tell me, that they never sit down to table together, but they bless you: and to me they have talked of nobody else: but Lacy Beau-champ depends upon your promise of making her acquainted with the ladies of your family.

My sisters, and their lords, will do honour to my promise in my absence. Lady L. Lady G. let me recommend to you Lady Beauchamp as more than a common visiting acquaintance. Do you, Sir, to Mr. Beauchamp, see it cultivated.

Mr. Beauchamp is an agreeable, and, when Sir Charles Grandison is not in company, a handsome and genteel man. I think, my dear, that I do but the same justice that every-body would do, in this exception. He is cheeriu!, lively, yet modest, and not too full of words. One sees both love and re-SIK CHAKLES GHANDISON. 183 spect in every look he casts upon his friend; and that he is delighted when he hears him speak, be the subject what it will.

He once said to Lord W. who praised his nephew to him, as he docs to every-body near him; The universal voice, my lord, is in his favour wherever he goes. Every one joins almost in the same words, in different countries, allowing for the different lan-guages, that for sweetness of manners, and manly dignity, he hardly ever had his equal.

Sir Charles was then engaged in talk with his Emily; she before him; he standing in an easy gen-teel attitude, leaning against the wainscot, listening, smiling to her prattle, with looks of indulgent love, as a father might do to a child he was fond of; while she looked back every now-and-then towards me, so proud, poor dear! of being singled out by her guardian.

She tript to me afterwards, and, leaning over my shoulder, as I sat, whispered I have been begging of my guardian to use his interest with you, madam, to take me down with you to Northamptonshire.

And what is the result?

She paused.

Has he denied your request?

No, madam.

Has he allowed you to go, my dear, if I comply; turning half round to her with pleasure.

She paused, and seemed at a loss. I repeated my question.

Why, no, he has not consented neither But he said such charming things, so obliging, so kind, both of you, and of me, that I forgot to repeat my question, though it was so near my heart: but I will ask him again.

And thus, Lucy, can he decline complying, and yec send away a requester so much delighted with him, as to forget what her request was.

Miss Grandison Lady G. I would say singled me out soon after This Beauchamp is really a very pretty fellow, Harriet.

He is an agreeable man, answered J,

So I think.

She said no more of him at that time.

Between dinner and tea, at Lady L.‘s motion, they made me play on the harpsichord; and after one lesson, they besought Sir Charles to sing to my playing. He would not, he said, deny any request that was made him on that day.

He sung. He has a mellow manly voice, and great command of it.

This introduced a little concert. Mr. Beauchamp took the violin; Lord L. the bass-viol; Lord G. the German-flute; and most of the company joined in the chorus. The song was from Alexander’s Feast; the words;

Happy, happy, happy pair!

None but the good deserves the fair;

Sir Charles, though himself equally brave and good, preferring the latter word to the former.

Lady L. had always insisted upon dancing at her sister’s wedding. We were not company enough for country-dances: but music having been ordered, and the performers come, it was insisted upon that we should have a dance, though we were engaged in a conversation, which I thought infinitely more agreeable.

Lord G. began by dancing a minuet with his bride; she danced charmingly! But on my telling her so afterwards, she whispered me, that she should have performed better, had she danced with her brother. Lord G. danced extremely well.

Lord L. and Lady Gertrude, Mr. Beauchamp and Mrs. Reeves, Mr. Reeves and Lady L. danced all of them very agreeably.

The earl took me out: but we had hardly done, when, asking pardon for disgracing me, as he too modestly expressed himself; he, and all but my cousins and Emily, Called out for Sir Charles to dance with me.

I was abashed at the general Voice calling upon us both: but it was obeyed.

He deserved all the praises that Miss Gran Lady G. I would say, gave him in her letter to me.

Lord bless me, my dear, this man is every-thing: but his conversation has ever been among the po-litest people of different nations.

Lord W. wished himself able, from his gout, to take out Miss Jervois.

The bridegroom was called upon by Sir Charles: and he took out the good girl; who danced very prettily. I fancied, that he chose to call out Lord G. rather than Mr. Beauchamp. He is the most delicate and considerate of men.

Sir Charles was afterwards called upon by the bride herself: and she danced then with a grace indeed! I was pleased that she could perform so well at her own wedding.

Supper was not ready till twelve. Mr. Reeves’s coach came about that hour; but we got not away till two

Perhaps the company would not have broke up so soon, had not the bride been perverse, and re-fused to retire.

Was she not at home? she asked Lady L. who was put upon urging her: and should she leave her company?

She would make me retire with her. She took a very affectionate leave of me n ‘2

Marriage, Lucy, is an awful rite. It is supposed to be a joyful solemnity: but on the woman’s side it can be only so, when she is given to the man she loves above all the men in the world; and even to her, the anniversary day, when doubt is turned into certainty, must be much happier than the day itself.

What a victim must that woman look upon her-self to be, who is compelled, or even over-persuaded, to give her hand to a man who has no share in her heart? Ought not a parent or guardian, in such a circumstance, especially if the child has a delicate, an honest mind, to be chargeable with all the unhappy consequences that may follow from such a cruel compulsion?

But this is not the case with Miss Grandison. Early she cast her eye on an improper object. Her pride convinced her in time of the impropriety. And this, as she owns, gave her an indifference to all men.

She dislikes not Lord G. There is no man whom she prefers to him: and in this respect may, perhaps, be upon a par with eight women out of twelve, who marry, and yet make not bad wives.

As she played with her passion till she lost it, she may be happy if she will: and since she intended to be, some time or other, Lady G. her brother was kind in persuading her to shorten her days of coquetting and teasing, and to allow him to give her to Lord G. before he went abroad.


Letter XVII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Wednesday, April \2.

Dr. Bartlett was so good as to breakfast with my cousins and me this morning. He talks of setting

S1H CHARLES GRANDISON. 13? out for Grandison-hall on Saturday or Monday nexti We have settled a correspondence; and he gives me hope, that he will make me a visit in Northampton-shire. I know you will all rejoice to see him.

Emily came in before the doctor went. She brought me the compliments of the bride, and Lord W. with their earnest request, that I, and my two cousins, would dine with them. Sir Charles was gone, she said, to make a farewell visit to the Danby set; but would be at home at dinner.

It would be better for me, I think, Lucy, to avoid all opportunities of seeing him: don’t you think so? There is no such thing as seeing him with indif-ference But, so earnestly invited, how could I deny; especially as my cousins were inclinable to go?

Miss Jervois whispered me at parting: I never before, said she, had an opportunity to observe the behaviour of a new-married couple to each other: but is it customary, madam, for the bride to be more snappish, as the bridegroom is more obliging?

Lady G. is very naughty, my dear, if she so behaves, as to give you reason to ask this question.

She does; and upon my word, I see more obedi-ence where it was not promised, than where it was. Dear madam, is not what is said at church to be thought of afterwards? But why did not the doctor make her speak out? What signified bowing, except a woman was so bashful that she could not speak? The bowing, my dear, is an assent. It is as effi-cacious as words. Lord G. only bowed, you know. Could you like to be called upon, Emily, to speak out, on such an occasion?

Why, no. But then I Would be very civil and good-natured to my husband, if it were but for fear he should be cross to me t but I should think it my duty as well. Sweet innocent ’

She went away, and left the doctor with me.

When our hearts are set upon a particular sub-ject, how impertinent, how much beside the purpose, do we think every other! I wanted the doctor to talk of Sir Charles Grandison: but as he fell not into the subject, and as I was afraid he would think me to be always leading him into it, if I began it, I suffer-ed him to go away at his first motion: I never knew him so shy upon it, however.

Sir Charles returned to dinner. He has told Lady L. who afterwards told us, that he had a hint from Mr. Galliard senior, that if he were not engaged in his affection, he was commissioned to make him a very great proposal in behalf of one of the young ladies he had seen the Thursday before; and that from her father.

Surely, Lucy, we may pronounce without doubt, that we live in an age in which there is a great dearth of good men, that so many offers fall to the lot of one.

But, I am thinking, ’tis no small advantage to Sir Charles, that his time is so taken up, that he cannot stay long enough in any company to suffer them to cast their eyes on other objects, with distinction. He left the numerous assembly at Enfield, while they were in the height of their admiration of him. Attention, love, admiration, cannot be always kept at the stretch. You will observe, Lucy, that on the return of a long-absent dear iriend, the rapture lasts not more than an hour: gladdened, as the heart is, the friend received, and the friends receiving, perhaps in less than that time, can sit down quietly together, to hear and to tell stories, of what has happened to either in the long-regretted ab-sence. It will be so with us, Lucy, when I return to the arms of my kind friends: and now, does not

Sir Charles’s proposed journey to Italy endear his company to us?

The Earl of G. Lady Gertrude, and two agreeable nieces of that nobleman, were here at dinner. Lady G. behaved pretty well to her lord before them: but I, who understood the language of her eyes, sazv them talk very saucily to him on several occasions. My lord is a little officious in his oblig-ingness; which takes off from that graceful, that polite frankness, which so charmingly, on all occa-sions, distinguishes one happy man, who was then present. Lord G. will perhaps appear more to ad-vantage in that person’s absence.

Mr. Beauchamp was also present. He is indeed an agreeable, a modest young man. He appeared to great advantage, as well in his conversation, as by his behaviour: and not the less for subscribing in both to the superiority of his friend; who neverthe-less endeavoured to draw him out, as the first man

After dinner, Lady L. Lady G. and I, found an opportunity to be by ourselves for one half-hour. Lady G. asked Lady L. what she intended to do with the thousand pounds with which Lord W. had so generously presented her? Do with it, my dear! What do you think I intend to do with it? It is already disposed of.

I’ll be hanged, said Lady G. if this good creature has not given it to her husband.

Indeed, Charlotte, I have. 1 gave it to him before 1 slept.

I thought so! She laughed And Lord L. took it! Did he f

To be sure he did. I should otherwise have heen displeased with him.

Dear, good soul! And so you gave him a thou-sand pounds to take part, of it back from hijn, by a few paltry guineas at a time, at his pleasure?

Lord L* and I, Charlotte, have but one purse”; You may not, perhaps, know how we manage it.

Pray, good, meek, dependent creature! how do you manage it?

Thus, Charlotte! My lord knows that his wife and he have but one interest; and from the first of our happy marriage, he would make me take one key, as he has another, of the private drawer, where his money and money-bills lie. There is a little memorandum-book in the drawer, in which he enters on one page, the money he receives; on the opposite, the money he takes out: and when I want money, I have recourse to my key. If I see but little in the drawer, I am the more moderate; or, perhaps, if my want is not urgent, defer the supplying of it till my lord is richer: but little or much, I minute down the sum, as he himself does what he takes out: and so we know what we are about; and I never put it out of my lord’s power, by my unseasonable expences, to preserve that custom of his for which he is as much respected, as well served; not to suffer a demand to be twice made upon him where he is a debtor.

Good soul; And, pray, don’t you minute down too the use to which you put the money you take out?

Indeed I often do: always indeed, when I take out more than five guineas at one time: I found my lord did so; and I followed the example of my own accord.

Happy pair! said I O Lady G. what a charming example is this! I hope you will follow it.

Thank you, Harriet, for your advice. Why, I can’t but say, that this is one pretty way of coaxing each other into frugality: but don’t you think, that where an honest pair are so lender of disobliging, and so studious of obliging eacli other, they seem to confess that the matrimonial good understanding hangs by very slender threads?

And do not the tenderest friendships, said I, hang by as slender? Can delicate minds be united to each other but by delicate observances?

Why thou art a good soul, too, Harriet! And so you would both have me make a present to Lord G. of my thousand pounds before we have chosen our private drawer; before he has got two keys made to it?

Let him know, Charlotte, what Lord L. and I do, if you think the example worth following And then-Ay, and then give him my thousand pounds for a beginning, Lady L.? But see you not that this proposal should come from him, and not from me? And should we not let each other see a little of each other’s merits first?

See, first, the merits of the man you have actually married, Charlotte!

Yes, Lady L But yesterday married, you know. Can there be a greater difference between any two men in the world, than there often is between the same man, a lover, and a husband? And now, my generous advisers, be pleased to continue silent. You cannot answer me fairly. And besides, wot ye not the indelicacy of an early present, which you are not vblied to make?

We were both silent, each expecting the other to answer the strange creature.

She laughed at us both. Soft souls, and tender! said she, let me tell you, that there is more indeli-cacy in delicacy, than you very delicate people are aware of.

You, Charlotte, said Lady L. have odder notions than any-body else. Had you been a man, you would have been a sad rake

A rake perhaps I might have been! but not a sad one, Lady. L.

Lady G. can’t help being witty, said I: it is sometimes her misfortune, sometimes ours, that she cannot: however, I highly approve of the example set by Lord L. and followed by Lady L.

And so do I, Harriet. And when Lord G. sets the example, I shall consider of it. I am not a bad oeconomist. Had I ten thousand pounds in my hands, I would not be extravagant: had I but one hundred, I would not be mean. I value not money but as it enables me to lay an obligation, instead of being under the necessity of receiving one. I am my mother’s daughter, and brother’s sister: and yours, Lady L. in this particular; and ynnrs too, Harriet: different means may be taken to arrive at the same end. Lord G. will have no reason to be dissatisfied with my prudence in money-matters, although 1 should not make him one of my best cour — tesies, as if as if (and she laughed; but checking herself) I were conscious again she laughed that I had signed and sealed to my absolute dependence on his bounty.

What a mad creature! said Lady L.: But, my Harriet, don’t you think that she behaved pretty well to Lord G. at table?

Yes, answered I, as those would think who ob-serve not her arch looks: but she gave me pain for her several times; and I believe her brother was not without his apprehensions.

He had his eyes upon you, Harriet, replied Lady G. more earnestly than he had upon me, or any body else.

That’s true, said Lady L. I looked upon both him and you, my dear, with pity. My tears were ready to start more than once, to reflect how happy you

Silt CHARLES GKANDISOX. 143 two might be in each other, and how greatly you, would love each other, were it not

Not one word more on this subject, dear Lady L.! I cannot bear it. I thought myself’, that he often cast an eye of tenderness upon me. I cannot bear it. I am afraid of myself; of my justice

His tender looks did not escape me, said Lady G. Nor yet did my dear Harriet’s. But we will not touch this string: it is too tender a one. I, for my part, was forced, in order to divert myself, to turn my eyes on Lord G.; he got nothing by that. The most officious

Nay, Lady G. interrupted I, you shall not change the discourse at the expence of the man you have vowed to honour. I will take pain to myself, by the continuation of the former subject, rather than that shall be.

Charming Harriet! said Lady L. I hope your ge-nerosity will be rewarded. Yet, tell me, my dear, can you wish Lady Clementina may be his? I have no doubt but you wish her recovery; but can you wish her to be his?

I have debated the matter, my dear Lady L. with myself. I am sorry it has admitted of debate: so excellent a creature! Such art honour to her sex! So nobly sincere! So pious! But I will confess the truth: I have called upon justice to support me in my determination; 1 have supposed myself in her situation, her unhappy malady excepted: I have supposed her in mine: and ought I then to have hesitated to which to give the preference? Yet

What yet, most frank, and most generous of wo-men? said Lady L. clasping her arms about me; what yet

Why, yet Ah ladies Why, yet, I have many a pang; many a twitch, as I may call it! Why is vour brother:;o tender-hearted, so modest, so fault-less? Why did he not insult me with his pity? Why does he on every occasion shew a tenderness for me, that is more affecting than pity? And why does he give me a consequence that exalts, while it depresses me?

I turned my head aside to hide my emotion Lady G— snatched my handkerchief from me; and wiped away a starting tear; and called me by very tender names.

Am I dear, continued I, to the heart of such a man? You think I am: allow me to say, that he is indeed dear to mine: yet I have not a wish but for his happiness, whatever becomes of me.

Emily appeared at the door May I come in, la-dies? 1 will come in! My dear Miss Byron affected! My dear Miss Byron in tears!

Her pity, without knowing the cause, sprung to her eyes. She took my hand in both hers, and re-peatedly kissed it! My guardian asks for you. O with what tenderness of voice Where is your Miss Byron, love? He calls every one by gentie names, when he speaks of you His voice then is the voice of love Love, said he to me! Through you, madam, he will love his ward And on your love will I build all my merit. But you sigh, dear Miss Byron, you sigh Forgive your prating girl! You must not be grieved.

I embraced her. Grief, my dear, reaches not my heart at this time. It is the merit of your guardian that affects me.

God bless you, madam, for your gratitude to my guardian!

A Clementina and a Harriet! said Lady L. two women so excellent! What a fate is his! How must his heart be divided!

Divided, say you, Lady L.! resumed Lady G. The man who loves virtue for urtue’s?ake, love? it wherever he finds it: such a man may distinguish more virtuous women than one: and if he be of a gentle and beneficent nature, there will be ten-derness in his distinction to every one, varying only according to the difference of circumstance and situation.

Let mc embrace you, my Charlotte, resuraec Lady L. for that thought. Don’t let me hear, for a month to come, one word from the same lips, that may be unworthy of it.

You have Lord G. in your head, Lady L.: but never mind us. He must now-and-then be made to look about him. I’ll take care to keep up my consequence with him, never fear: nor shall he have reason to doubt the virtue of his wife.

Virtue, my dear! said I: What is virtue only? She who will not be virtuous for virtue’s sake, is not worthy to be called a woman: but she must be some-thing more than virtuous for her husband’s, nay, for her vows sake. Complacency, obligingness

Obedience too, I warrant Hush, hush, my sweet Harriet! putting her hand before my mouth, we will behave as well as we can: and that will be very well, if nobody minds us. And now let us go down together.


Letter XVIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Thursday, April 13. We played at cards last night till supper-time. When that was over, every one sought to engage Sir Charles in discourse. I will give you some par-ticulars of our conversation, as I did of one before.

Lord W. began it with a complaint of the inso-lence and profligateness of servants. What he said, was only answered by Sir Charles, with the word Example, example, my good lord, repeated.

You, Sir Charles, replied my lord, may indeed insist upon the force of example; for I cannot but observe, that all those of yours, whom I have seen, are intitled to regard. They have the looks of men at ease, and of men grateful for that ease: they know their duty, and need not a reminding looki A servant of yours, Sir Charles, looks, as if he would one day make a figure as a master. How do you manage it?

Perhaps I have been peculiarly fortunate in wor-thy servants. There is nothing in my management deserving the attention of this company.

I am going to begin the world anew, nephew* Hitherto, servants have been a continual plague to me. I must know how you treat them.

I treat them, my lord, as necessary parts of my family. I have no secrets, the keeping or disclosing of which might give them self-importance. I endeavour to set them no bad example. I am never angry with them but for wilful faults: if those are not habitual, I shame them into amendment, by gentle expostulation, and forgiveness. If they are not capable of a generous shame, and the faults are repeated, I part with them; but with such kindness, as makes their fellow-servants blame them, and take warning. I am fond of seeking occasions to praise them: and even when they mistake, if it be with a good intention, they have my approbation of the intention, and my endeavours to set them right as to the act. Sobriety is an indispensable qualification for my service; and for the rest, if we receive them not quite good, we make them better than they were before. Generally speaking, a master may make a servant what he pleases. Servants judge by example, rather than precept, and almost always by their feelings. One thing more permit me to add; I always insist upon my servants being kind and compassionate to one another. A com. passionate heart cannot habitually be an unjust one. And thus do I make their good-nature contribute to my security, as well as quiet.

My Lord was greatly pleased with what his ne* phew said.

Upon some occasion, Lady G. reflected upon a lady for prudery, and was going on, when Sir Charles, interrupting her, said, Take care, Lady G. You, ladies, take care; for I am afraid, that modesty, under this name, will become ignominious, and be banished the hearts, at least the behaviour and conversation, of all those whose fortunes or inclinations carry them often to places of public resort.

Talk of places of public resort! said Lord L.: it is vexatious to observe at such, how men of real merit are neglected by the fine ladies of the age, while every distinction is shewn to fops and fop-lings.

But, who, my lord, said Sir Charles, are those women? Are they not generally of a class with those men? Flippant women love empty men, because they cannot reproach them with a superiority of understanding, but keep their folly in countenance. They are afraid of a wise man: but I would by no means have such a one turn fool to please them: for they will despise the wise man’s folly more than the silly man’s, and with reason; because being uncharacteristic, it must sit more awkwardly upon him than the other’s can do.

Vet wisdom itself, and the truest wisdom, goodness, said Mrs. Reeves, is sometimes thought to sit ungracefully, when it is uncharacteristic, not to the o2 man, but to the times. She then named a person who was branded as a hypocrite, for performing all his duties publickly.

He will be worse spoken of, if he declines doing so, said Dr. Bartlett. His enemies will add the charge of cowardice; and not acquit him of the other.

Lady Gertrude being withdrawn, it was men-tioned as a wonder, that so agreeable a woman, as she must have been in her youth, and still was for her years, should remain single. Lord G. said, that she had had many offers: and once, before she was twenty, had like to have stolen a wedding: but her fears, he said, since that, had kept her single.

The longer, said Sir Charles, a woman remains unmarried, the more apprehensive she will be of entering into the state. At seventeen or eighteen a girl will plunge into it, sometimes without either fear or wit; at twenty she will begin to think; at twenty-four will weigh and discriminate; at twenty-eight will be afraid of venturing; at thirty will turn about, and look down the hill she has ascended; and, as occasions offer, and instances are given, will some-times repent, sometimes rejoice, that she has gain — ed that summit sola.

Indeed, said Mrs. Reeves. I believe in England many a poor girl goes up the hill with a companion she would little care for, if the state of a single woman were not here so peculiarly unprovided and helpless: for girls of slender fortunes, if they have been genteelly brought up, how can they, when fa-mily-connexions are dissolved, support themselves? A man can rise in a profession, and, if he acquires wealth in a trade, can get above it, and be respect-ed. A woman is looked upon as demeaning herself, if she gains a maintenance by her needle, or by domestic attendance on a superior; and without them where has she a retreat?

You speak, good Mrs. Reeves, said sir Charles, as if you would join with Dr. Bartlett and me in wishing the establishment of a scheme we have often talked over, though the name of it would make many a lady start. We want to see established in every county, protestant nunneries; in which single women of small or no fortunes might live with all manner of freedom, under such regulations as it would be a disgrace for a modest or good woman not to comply with, were she absolutely on her own hands; and to be allowed to quit it whenever they pleased.

Well, brother, said Lady G. and why could you not have got all this settled a fortnight ago (you that can carry every point) and have made poor me a lady abbess?

You are still better provided for, my sister: but let the doctor and me proceed with our scheme. The governesses or matrons of the society I would have to be women of family, of unblameable cha-racters from infancy, and noted equally for their prudence, good-nature, and gentleness of manners. The attendants, for the slighter services, should be the hopeful female children of the honest indus-trious poor.

Do you not, ladies, imagine, said Dr. Bartlett, that such a society as this, all women of unblemished reputation, employing themselves as each (consulting her own genius) at her admission, shall under — take to employ herself, and supported genteelly, some at more, some at less expence to the foundation, according to their circumstances, might be come a national good; and particularly a seminary for good wives, and the institution a stand for virtue, o3 in an age given up to luxury, extravagance, and amusements little less than riotous?

How could it be supported? said Lord W.

Many of the persons, of which each community would consist, would be, I imagine, replied Sir Charles, no expence to it at all; as numbers of young women, joining their small fortunes, might be able, in such a society, to maintain themselves genteelly on their own income; though each, singly in the world, would be distressed. Besides, liberty might be given for wives, in the absence of their husbands, in this maritime country; and for widows, who, on the deaths of theirs, might wish to retire from the noise and hurry of the world, for three, six, or twelve months, more or less; to reside in this well-regulated society: and such persons, we may suppose, would be glad, according to their respec-tive abilities, to be benefactresses to it. No doubt but it would have besides the countenance of the well-disposed of both sexes; since every family in Britain, in their connexions and relations, near or distant, might be benefited by so reputable and use-ful an institution: to say nothing of the works of the ladies in it, the profits of which perhaps will be thought proper to be carried towards the support of a foundation that so genteelly supports them. Yet I would have a number of hours in each day, for the encouragement of industry, that should be called their own; and what was produced in them, to be solely appropriated to their own use.

A truly worthy divine, at the appointment of the bishop of the diocese, to direct and animate the devotion of such a society, and to guard it from that superstition and enthusiasm which soars to wild heights in almost all nunneries, would confirm it a blessing to the kingdom.

I have another scheme, my lord, proceeded Sir Charles An hospital for female penitents; for such unhappy women, as having been once drawn in, and betrayed by the perfidy of men, find themselves, by the cruelty of the world, and principally by that of their own sex, unable to recover the path of virtue, when perhaps (convinced of the wickedness of the men in whose honour they confided) they would willingly make their first departure from it the last.

These, continued he, are the poor creatures who are eminently intitled to our pity, though they sel-dom meet with it. Good-nature, and credulity the child of good-nature, are generally, as I have the charity to believe, rather than viciousness, the foundation of their crime. Those men who pretend they would not be the first destroyers of a woman’s innocence, look upon these as fair prize. But what a wretch is he, who, seeing a poor creature exposed on the summit of a dangerous precipice, and unable, without an assisting hand, to find her way down, would rather push her into the gulph below, than convey her down in safety?

Speaking of the force put upon a daughter’s inclinations, in wedlock; Tyranny and ingratitude, said Sir Charles, from a man beloved, will be more sup-portable to a woman of strong passions, than even kindness from a man she loves not: shall not pa-rents then, who hope to see their children happy, avoid compelling them to give their hands to a man who has no share in their hearts?

But would you allow young ladies to be their own choosers, Sir Charles I said Mrs. Reeves.

Daughters, replied he, who are earnest to choose for themselves, should be doubly careful that pru-dence justifies their choice. Every widow who marries imprudently (and very many there are who do) furnishes a strong argument in favour of a pa-rent’s authority over a maiden daughter. A de signing man looks out for a woman who has an independent fortune, and has no questions to ask. He seems assured at finding indiscretion and rashness in such a one, to befriend him. But ought not she to think herself affronted, and resolve to disap-point him?

But how, said Lady G. shall a young creature be able to judge?

By his application to her, rather than to her na-tural friends and relations; by his endeavouring to alienate her affections from them; by wishing her to favour private and clandestine meetings (conscious that his pretensions will not stand discussion); by the inequality of his fortune to hers: and has not our excellent Miss Byron, in the letters to her Lucy (bowing to me) which she has had the goodness to allow us to read, helped us to a criterion! ‘ Men in their addresses to young women, she very happily observes, forget not to set forward the advantages by which they are distinguished, whether hereditary or acquired; while Love, love, is all the cry of him who has no other to boast of.’

And by that means, said Lady Gertrude, setting the silly creature at variance with all her friends, he makes her fight his battles for him; and become herself the cat’s paw to help him to the ready-roasted chesnuts.

But, dear brother, said Lady G. do you think love is such a staid deliberate passion, as to allow a young creature to take time to ponder and weigh all the merits of the cause?

Love at first sight, answered Sir Charles, must indicate a mind prepared for impression, and a sud-den gust of passion, and that of the least noble kind; since there could be no opportunity of knowing the merit of the object. What woman would have her-self supposed capable of such a tindery fit? In a man, it is an indelicate paroxysm: but in a woman, who expects protection and instruction from a man, much more so. Love, at first may be only fancy. Such a young love may be easily given up, and ought, to a parent’s judgment. Nor is the conquest so difficult as some young creatures think it. One thing, my good Emily, let me say to you, as a rule of some consequence in the world you are just entering into Young persons, on arduous occasions, especially in love-cases, should not presume to ad-vise young persons; because they seldom can divest themselves of passion, partiality, or prejudice; that is, indeed, of youth; and forbear to mix their own concerns and biasses with the question referred to them. It should not be put from young friend to young friend. What would you do in such a case? but what ought to be done?

How the dear girl blushed, and how pleased she looked, to be particularly addressed by her guardian!

Lady Gertrude spoke of a certain father, who for interested views obliged his daughter to marry at fif-teen, when she was not only indifferent to the man, but had formed no right notions of the state.

And are they not unhappy? asked Sir Charles.

Thoy are, replied she.

I knew such an instance, returned he. The lady was handsome, and had her full share of vanity. She believed every man who said civil things to her, was in love with her; and had she been single, that he wouldhave made his addresses to her. Shesupposed, that she might have had this great man, or that, had she not been precipitated; and this brought her to slight the man who had, as she concluded, deprived her of better offers. They were unhappy to the end of their lives. Had the lady lived single long enough to find out the difference between compliment and sincerity, and that the man who flattered her vanity, meant no more than to take advantage of her folly, she would have thought herself not unhappy with the very man with whom she was so dissatisfied.

Lady L. speaking afterwards of a certain noble-man, who is continually railing against matrimony, and who makes a very indifferent husband to an obliging wife; I have known more men than one, said Sir Charles, inveigh against matrimony, when the invective would have proceeded with a much bet-ter grace from their wives lips than from theirs. But let us enquire, would this complainer have been, or deserved to be, happier in any state, than he now is?

A state of suffering, said Lady L. had probably humbled the spirit of the poor wife into perfect meekness and patience.

You observe rightly, replied Sir Charles: and surely a most kind disposition of Providence it is, that adversity, so painful in itself, should conduce so peculiarly as it does to the improvement of the human mind. It teaches modesty, humility, and compassion.

You speak feelingly, brother, said Lady L. with a sigh. Do you think, Lucy, nobody sighed but she? I do, said he. I speak with a sense of gratitude: I am naturally of an imperious spirit: but I have reaped advantages, from the early stroke of a mo-ther’s death. Being for years, against my wishes, obliged to submit to a kind of exile from my native country, which I considered as a heavy evil, though I thought it my duty to acquiesce, I was determined, as much as my capacity would allow, to make my advantage of the compulsion, by qualifying myself to do credit, rather than discredit, to my father, my friends, and my country. And, let me add, that if I have in any tolerable manner succeeded, I owe much to the example and precepts of my dear Dr. Harriett.

The doctor blushed and bowed, and was going to disclaim the merit which his patron had ascribed to him; but Sir Charles confirmed it in still stronger terms: You, my dear Dr. Bartlett, said he, as I have told Miss Byron, was a second conscience to me in my earlier youth; your precepts, your excellent life, your pure manners, your sweetness of temper, could not but open and enlarge my mind. The soil, I hope I may say, was not barren; but you, my dear paternal friend, was the cultivator: I shall ever ac-knowledge it And he bowed to the good man; who was covered with modest confusion, and could not look up.

And think you, Lucy, that this acknowledgment lessened the excellent man with any one present? No! It raised him in every eye: and I was the more pleased with it, as it helped me to account for that deep observation, which otherwise one should have been at a loss to account for, in so young a man. And yet I am convinced, that there is hardly a greater difference in intellect between angel and man, than there is between man and man.


Letter XIX.
Lady G. to Miss Byron.

Thursday, April 13. For Heaven’s sake, my dearest Harriet, dine with us today; for two reasons: one relates to myself; the other you shall hear by-and-by: to myself, first, as is most fit Tins silly creature has offended me, and presumed to be sullen upon my resentment.

Married but two days, and shew his airs! Were I in fault, my dear (which, upon my honour, I am not) fof the man to lose his patience with me, to forget his obligations to me, in two days! What an ungrateful wretch is he! What a poor powerless creature your Charlotte!

Nobody knows of the matter, except he has complained to my brother // he has! But what if he has? Alas! my dear, I am married; and cannot help myself.

We seem, however, to be drawing up our forces on both sides One struggle for my dying liberty, my dear! The success of one pitched battle will determine which is to be the general, which the sub-altern, for the rest of the campaign. To dare to be sullen already! As I hope to live, my dear, I was in high good humour within myself; and when he was foolish, only intended a little play with him; and he takes it in earnest. He worships you: so I shall railly him before you: but I charge you, as the man by his sullenness has taken upon him to fight his own battle, either to be on my side, or be si-lent. I shall take it very ill of my Harriet, if she strengthen his hands.

Well, but enough of this husband Husband! What a word! Who do you think is arrived from abroad? You cannot guess for your life Lady Olivia! True as you are alive! accompanied, it seems, by an aunt of hers; a widow, whose years and character are to keep the niece in countenance in this excursion. The pretence is, making the tour of Europe: and England was not to be left out of the scheme. My brother is excessively disturbed at her arrival. She came to town but last night. He had notice of it but this morning. He took Emily with him to visit her: Emily was known to her at Florence. She and her aunt are to be here at dinner. As 6he is come, Sir Charles says, he must bring her acquainted with his sisters, and their lords, in order to be at liberty to pursue the measures he has unalterably rosolved upon: and this, Harriet, is my second reason for urging you to dine with us.

Now do I wish we had known her history at large. Dr. Bartlett shall tell it us. Unwelcome as she is to my brother, I long to see her. I hope I shall not hear something in her story, that will make me pity her.

Will you come?

I wonder whether she speaks English, or not. I don’t think I can converse in Italian.

I won’t forgive you, if you refuse to come.

Lady L. and her good man will be here. We shall therefore, if you come, be our whole family together.

My brother has presented this house to me, till his return. He calls himself Lord G.‘s guest and mine: so you can have no punctilio about it. Be-sides, Lord W. will set out tomorrow morning for Windsor. He dotes upon you: and perhaps it is in your power to make a new-married man penitent and polite.

So you must come.

Hang me, if I sign by any other name, while this man is in his fits, than that of

CHARLOTTE GRANDISON.


Letter XX.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Thursday, April 13. I send you inclosed a letter I received this morning from Lady G. I will suppose you have read it. Emily says, that the meeting between Sir Charles and the lady mentioned in it, was very polite on both sides: but more cold on his, than on hers. She made some difficulty, however, of dining at his house; and her aunt, Lady MafFei, more. But on Sir Charles’s telling them, that he would bring his eldest sister to attend them thither, they complied.

When I went to St. James’s Square, Sir Charles and Lady L. were gone in his coach to bring the two ladies.

Lady G. met me on the stairs-head, leading into her dressing-room. Not a word, said she, of the man’s sullens: he repents: a fine figure, as I told him, of a bridegroom, would he make in the eyes of foreign ladies, at dinner, were he to retain his gloomy airs. He has begged my pardon; as good as promised amendment; and I have forgiven him. Poor Lord G. said I.

Hush hush! He is within: he will hear you: and then perhaps repent of his repentance.

She led me in: my lord had a glow in his cheeks, and looked as if he had been nettled; and was but just recovering a smile, to help to carry off the pe-tulance. O how saucily did her eyes look! Well, my lord, said she, I hope But you say, 1 misun* derstood

No more, madam, no more, I beseech you Well, Sir, not a word more, since you are Pray, madam

Well, well, give me your hand You must leave Harriet and me together.

She humorously courtesied to him as he bowed to me, taking the compliment as to herself. She nodded her head to him, as he turned back his when he was at the door; and when he was gone, If I can but make this man orderly, said she, 1 shall not quarrel with my brother for hurrying me, as he has done.

You are wrong, excessively wrong, Charlotte: you call my lord a silly man, but can have no proof that he is so, but by his bearing this treatment from you.

None of your grave airs, my dear. The man is a good sort of man, and will be so, if you and Lady L. don’t spoil him. I have a vast deal of roguery, but no ill-nature, in my heart. There is luxury in jesting with a solemn man, who wants to assume airs of privilege, and thinks he has a right to be impertinent. I’ll tell you how I will manage I believe I shall often try his patience, and when I am conseious that I have gone too far, I will be patient if he is angry with me; so we shall be quits. Then I’ll begin again: he will resent: and if I find his as-pect very solemn Come, come, no glouting, friend, I will say, and perhaps smile in his face: I’ll play you a tune, or sing you a song Which, which! Speak in a moment, or the humour will be off.

If he was ready to cry before, he will laugh then, though against his will: and as he admires my fin-ger, and my voice, shall we not be instantly friends? It signified nothing to rave at her: she will have her way. Poor Lord (}.! At my first knowledge of her, I thought her very lively; but imagined not that she was indiscreetly so.

Lord (i.‘s fondness for his sancy bride was, as I have reason to believe, his fault. 1 dared not to ask p2 for particulars of their quarrel: and if I had, and found it so, could not, with such a raillying creature have entered into his defence, or censured her.

I went down a few moments before her. Lord G. whispered me, that he should be the happiest man in the world, if I, who had such an influence over her, would stand his friend.

I hope, my lord, said I, that you will not want any influence but your own. She has a thousand good qualities. She has charming spirits. You will have nothing to bear with but from them. They will not last always. Think only, that she can mean nothing by the exertion of them, but innocent gaiety; and she will every day love your lordship the better for bearing with her. You know she is generous and noble.

I see, madam, said he, she has let you into

She has not acquainted me with the particulars of the little misunderstanding; only has said, that there had been a slight one, which was quitemade up.

I am ashamed, replied he, to have it thought by Miss Byron, that there could have been a misun-derstanding between us, especially so early. She knows her power over me. I am afraid she despises me.

Impossible, my lord: Have you not observed, that she spares nobody when she is in a lively hu-mour?

True But here she comes! Not a word, ma-dam! I bowed assenting silence. Lord G. said she, approaching him, in a low voice, I shall be jealous of your conversations with Miss Byron.

Would to heaven, my dearest life, snatching at her withdrawn hand, that

I were half as good as Miss Byron: I understand you: But time and patience, Sir; nodding to him, and passing him.

Admirable creature! said be, how I adore her.

I hinted to her afterwards, his fear of her despising him. Harriet, answered she, with a serious air, I will do my duty by him I will abhor my own heart, if I ever find in it the shadow of a regard for any man in the world, inconsistent with that which he has a right to expect from me.

I was pleased with her. And found an opportunity to communicate what she said, in confidence, to my lord; and had his blessings for it.

But now for some account of Lady Olivia. With which I will begin a new letter.


Letter XXL
Miss Byron*. In Continuation.

Sir Charles returned with the ladies. He presented to Lady Olivia and her aunt, Lady G. Lord L. and Lord W. I was in another apartment talking with Or. liartlett.

Lady Olivia asked for the doctor. He left me to pay his respects to her.

Sir Charles being informed, that I was in the house, told Lady Olivia, that he hoped he should have the honour of presenting to her one of our English beauties; desiring Lady G. to request my company.

Lady G. came to me A lovely woman, I assure you, Harriet; let me lead you to her.

Sir Charles met me at the entrance of the drawing room: Excuse me, madam, said he, taking my hand, with profound respect, and allow me to introduce you to a very amiable Italian lady Miss Byron, madam, addressing himself to her, salutes p3 you. The advantages of person are her least per-fection.

Her face glowed. Miss Byron! A relation, Sir? In Italian.

He bowed; but answered not her question.

I would sooner forgive you here, whispered Lady Olivia to Sir Charles, in Italian, looking at me, than at Bologna.

I heard her; and by my confusion shewed that I understood her. She was in confusion too.

Mademoiselle, said she, in French, understands Italian. I am ashamed, Monsieur.

Miss Byron does, answered Sir Charles; and French too.

I must have the honour, said she in French, to be better known to you, Mademoiselle.

I answered her as politely as I could in the same language.

Lady Olivia is really a lovely woman. Her complexion is fine. Her face oval. Every feature of it is delicate. Her hair is black; and, I think, I never saw brighter black eyes in my life: if possible, they are brighter, and shine with a more piercing lustre, than even Sir Charles Grandison’s: but yet I give his the .preference; for we see in them a benignity, that hers, though a woman’s, has not; and a thoughtfulness, as if something lay upon his mind, which nothing but patience could overcome; yet mingled with an air that shews him to be equal to any-thing, that can be undertaken by man. While Olivia’s eyes shew more fire and impetuosity than sweetness. Had I not been told it, I should have been sure that she has a violent spirit: but on the whole she is a very fine figure of a woman.

She talked of taking a house, and staying in England a year at least; and was determined, she said, to perfect herself in the language, and to be come an Englishwoman: but when Sir Charles, in the way of discourse, mentioned his obligation to leave England, as on next Saturday morning, how did she and her aunt look upon each other! And how was the sunshine that gilded her fine counte-nance, shut in! Surely, Sir, said her aunt, you are not in earnest!

After dinner, the two ladies retired with Sir Charles, at his motion. Dr. Bartlett, at Lady G.‘s request, then gave us this short sketch of her history: He said, she had a vast fortune: she had had indiscretions; but none that had affected her character as to virtue: but her spirits could not bear controul. She had shewn herself to be vindictive, even to a criminal degree. Lord bless me, my dear, the doctor has mentioned to me in confidence, that she always carries a poinard about her; and that once she used it. Had the person died, she would have been called to public account for it. The man, it seems, was of rank, and offered some slight affront to her. She now comes over, the doctor said, as he had reason to believe, with a resolution to sa-crifice even her religion, if it were insisted upon, to the passion she had so long in vain endeavoured to conquer.

She has, he says, an utter hatred to Lady Cle-mentina; and will not be able to govern her passion, he is sure, when Sir Charles shall acquaint her, that he is going to attend that lady, and her family: for he has only mentioned his obligation to go abroad; but not said whither.

Lord W. praised the person of the lady, and her majestic air. Lord L. and Lord G. wished to be within hearing of the conference between her and Sir Charles: so did Lady G.: and while they were thus wishing, in came Sir Charles, his face all in a glow; Lady L. said he, be so good as to attend Lady Olivia.

She went to her. Sir Charles staid not with us: yet went not to the lady; but into his study. Dr. Bartlett attended him there: the doctor returned soon after to us. His noble heart is vexed, said he: Lady Olivia has greatly disturbed him: he chooses to be alone.

Lady L. afterwards told us, that she found the lady in violent anguish of spirit; her aunt endeavouring to calm her: she, however, politely addressed her-self to Lady L. and begging her aunt to withdraw for a few moments, she owned to her, in French, her passion for her brother: She was not, she said, ashamed to own it to his sister, who must know that his merit would dignify the passion of the noblest woman. She had endeavoured to conquer hers: she had been willing to give way to the prior attach-ments that he had pleaded for a lady of her own country, Signora Clementina della Porretta, whom she allowed to have had great merit; but who, having irrecoverably been put out of her right mind, was shut up at Naples by a brother, who vowed eternal enmity to Sir Charles; and from whom his life would be in the utmost hazard, if he went over. She owned, that her chief motive for coming to England was, to cast her fortune at her brother’s feet; and as she knew him to be a man of honour, to comply with any terms he should propose to her. He had offered to the family della Porretta to allow their daughter her religion, and her confessor, and to live with her every other year in Italy. She herself, not inferior in birth, in person, in mind, as she said, she presumed, and superior in fortune, the riches of three branches of her family, all rich, having centered in her, insisted not now upon such’ conditions. Her aunt, she said, knew not that she proposed, on conviction, a change of her religion; but she was resolved not to conceal any-thing from Lady L. She left her to judge how much she must be affected, when he declared his obligation to leave England; and especially when he owned, that it was to go to Bologna, and that so suddenly, as if, as she apprehended at first, it was to avoid her. She had been in tears, and even would have kneeled to him, to induce him to suspend his journey for one month, and then to have taken her over with him, and seen her safe in her own palace, if he would go upon so hated, and so fruitless, as well as so hazardous an errand: but he had denied her this poor favour.

This refusal, she owned, had put her out of all patience. She was unhappily passionate; but was the most placable of her sex. What, madam, said she, can affect a woman, if slight, indignity, and repulse, from a favoured person, is not able to do it? a woman of my condition to come over to England, to solicit how can I support the thought and to be refused the protection of the man she prefers to all men; and her request to see her safe back again, though but as the fool she came over You may blame me, madam but you must pity me, even were you to have a heart the sister-heart of your inflexible brother.

In vain did Lady L. plead to her Lady Clemen-tina’s deplorable situation; the reluctance of his own relations to part with him; and the magna-nimity of his self-denial in an hundred instances, on the bare possibility of being an instrument to restore her: she could not bear to hear her speak highly of the unhappy lady. She charged Clementina with the pride of her family, to which she attributed their deserved calamity [Deserved! Cruel lady! How could her pitiless heart allow her lips to utter such a word!]; and imputed meanness to the noblest of human minds, for yielding to the intreaties of a fa-mily, some of the principals of which, she said, had treated him with an arrogance that a man of his spirit ought not to bear.

Lady Maffei came in. She seems dependent upon her niece. She is her aunt by marriage only: and Lady L. speaks very favourably of her from the ad-vice she gave, and her remonstrances to her niece. Lady Maffei besought her to compose herself, and return to the company.

She could not bear, she said, to return to the company, the slighted, the contemned object, she must appear to be to every one in it. I am an intruder, said she, haughtily; a beggar, with a fortune that would purchase a sovereignty in some countries. Make my excuses to your sister, to the rest of the company and to that fine young lady whose eyes, by their officious withdrawing from his, and by the consciousness that glowed in her face whenever he addressed her, betrayed, at least to a jealous eye, more than she would wish to have seen But tell her, that all lovely and blooming as she is, she must have no hope, while Clementina lives.

I hope, Lucy, it is only to a jealous eye that my heart is so discoverable! I thank her for her caution. But I can say what she cannot; that from my heart, cost me what it may, I do subscribe to a preference in favour of a lady who has acted, in the most arduous trials, in a greater manner than I fear either Olivia or I could have acted, in the same circumstances. We see that her reason, but not her piety, deserted her in the noble struggle between her love and her religion. In the most af — fecting absences of her reason, the soul of the man she loved was the object of her passion. However hard it is to prefer another to one’s self, in such a case as this; yet if my judgment is convinced, my acknowledgment shall follow it. Heaven will enable me to be reconciled to the event, because I pursue the dictates of that judgment, against the biasses of my more partial heart Let that Heaven, which only can, restore Clementina, and dispose as it pleases of Olivia and Harriet. We cannot either of us, I humbly hope, be so unhappy as the lady has been whom I rank among the first of women; and whose whole family deserves almost equal compassion.

Lady Olivia asked Lady L. If her brother had not a very tender regard for me? He had, Lady L. answered; and told her, that he had rescued me from a very great distress; and that mine was the most grateful of human hearts.

She called me sweet young creature (supposing me, I doubt not, younger than I am); but said, that the graces of my person and mind alarmed her not, as they would have done, had not his attachment to Clementina been what now she saw, but never could have believed it was; having supposed, that compassion only was the tie that bound him to her.

But compassion, Lucy, from such a heart as his, the merit so great in the lady, must be love; a love of the nobler kind And if it were not, it would be unworthy of Clementina’s.

Lady Maffei called upon her dignity, her birth, to carry her above a passion that met not with a grate-ful return. She advised her to dispose herself to stay in England some months, now she was here. And as her friends in Italy would suppose what her view was in coming to England, their censures would be obviated by her continuing here for some time, while Sir Charles was abroad,, and in Italy: and that she should divert herself with visiting the court, the public places, and in seeing the principal cu-riosities of this kingdom, as she had done those of others; in order to give credit to an excursion that might otherwise be freely spoken of, in her own country.

She seemed to listen to this advice. She bespoke, and was promised, the friendship of the two sisters; and included in her request, through their interests, mine; and Lady G. was called in, by her sister, to join in the promise.

She desired that Sir Charles might be requested to walk in; but would not suffer the sisters to with-draw, as they would have done, when he returned. He could not but be polite; but, it seems, looked still disturbed. I beg you to excuse, Sir, said she, my behaviour to you: it was passionate; it was unbecoming. But, in compliment to your own consequence, you ought to excuse it. I have only to request one favour of you: that you will suspend for one week, in regard to me, your proposed jour-ney; but for one week; and I will, now I am in England, stay some months; perhaps till your re-turn.

Excuse me, madam.

I will not excuse you But one week, Sir. Give me so much importance with myself, as for one week’s suspension. You will. You must.

Indeed 1 cannot. My soul, I own to you, is in the distresses of the family of Porretta. Why should I repeat what I said to you before?

I have bespoken, Sir, the civilities of your sisters, of your family: you forbid them not?

You expect not an answer, madam, to that question. My sisters will be glad, and so will their lords, to attend you wherever you please, with a hope to make England agreeable to you.

How long do you propose to stay in Italy, Sir?

It is not possible for me to determine.

Are you not apprehensive of danger to your per-son?

I am not.

You ought to be.

No danger shall deter me from doing what I think to be right. If my motives justify me, I cannot fear.

Do you wish me, Sir, to stay in England till your return?

A question so home put, disturbed him. Was it a prudent one in the lady? It must either subject her to a repulse; or him, by a polite answer, to give her hope, that her stay in England might not be fruitless as to the view she had in coming. He reddened. It is fit; answered he, that your own pleasure should determine you. It did, pardon me, madam, in your journey hither.

She reddened to her very ears. Your brother, ladies, has the reputation of being a polite man: bear witness to this instance of it. I am ashamed of myself!

If I am unpolite, madam, my sincerity will be my excuse; at least to my own heart.

O that inflexible heart! But, ladies, if the inhos-pitable Englishman refuse his protection in his own country, to a foreign woman, of no mean quality; do not you, his sisters, despise her.

They, madam, and their lords, will render you every cheerful service. Let me request you, my sisters, to make England as agreeable as possible to this lady. She is of the first consideration in her own country: she will be of such wherever she goes. My Lady Maffei deserves likewise your utmost re-spect. Then addressing himself to them; Ladies, Q said he, encourage my sisters: they will think them-selves honoured by your commands.

The two sisters confirmed, in an obliging manner, what their brother had said; and both ladies ac-knowledged themselves indebted to them for their offered friendship: but Lady Olivia seemed not at all satisfied with their brother: and it was with some difficulty he prevailed on her to return to the company, and drink coffee.

I could not help reflecting, on occasion of this lady’s conduct, that fathers and mothers are great blessings, to daughters, in particular, even when wo-men grown. It is not every woman that will shine in a state of independency. Great fortunes are snares. If independent women escape the machi-nations of men, which they have often a difficulty to do, they will frequently be hurried by their own imaginations, which are said to be livelier than those of men, though their judgments are supposed less, into inconveniencies. Had Lady Olivia’s parents or uncles lived, she hardly would have been per-mitted to make the tour of Europe: and not having so great a fortune to support vagaries, would have shone, as she is well qualified to do, in a dependent state in Italy, and made some worthy man and her-self happy.

Had she a mind great enough to induce her to pity Clementina, I should have been apt to pity her; for I saw her soul was disturbed. I saw that the man she loved was not able to return her love: a pitiable case! I saw a starting tear now-and-then with difficulty dispersed. Once she rubbed her eye, and, being conscious of observation, said something had got into it: so it had. The something was a tear. Yet she looked with haughtiness, and her bo-som swelled with indignation ill concealed.

Sir Charles repeated his recommendation of her to Lord L. and Lord G. They offered their best services: Lord W. invited her and all of us to Windsor. Different parties of pleasure were talked of: but still the enlivener of every party was not to be in any one of them. She tried to look pleased; but did not always succeed in the trial: an eye of love and anger mingled was often cast upon the man whom every-body loved. Her bosom heaved, as it seemed sometimes, with indignation against herself: that was the construction which I made of some of her looks.

Lady Maffei, however, seemed pleased with the parties of pleasure talked of: she often directed herself to me in Italian. I answered her in it as well as I could. I do not talk it well: but as I am not an Italian, and little more than book-learned in it (for it is a long time ago since I lost my grandfather, who used to converse with me in it, and in French) I was not scrupulous to answer in it. To have for-born, because I did not excel in what I had no opportunity to excel in, would have been false modesty, nearly bordering upon pride. Were any lady to laugh at me for not speaking well her native tongue, I would not return the smile, were she to be less perfect in mine, than I am in hers. But Lady Olivia made me a compliment on my faulty accent, when I acknowledged it to be so. Signora, said she, you shew us that a pretty mouth can give beauty to a defect. A master teaching you, added she, would perhaps find some fault; but n, friend conversing with you, must be in love with you for the very imperfection.

Sir Charles was generously pleased with the compliment, and made her a fine one on her obser-vation.

He attended the two ladies to their lodgings in his Q’2 coach. He owned to Dr. Bartlett, that Lady Olivia was in tears all the way, lamenting her disgrace in coming to England, just as he was quitting it; and wishing she had staid at Florence. She would have engaged him to correspond with her: he excused himself. It was a very afflicting thing to him, he told the doctor, to deny any request that was made to him, especially by a lady: but he thought he ought in conscience and honour to forbear giving the shadow of an expectation that might be improved into hope, where none was intended to be given. Heaven, he said, had, for laudable ends, implanted such a regard in the sexes towards each other, that both man and woman who hoped to be innocent, could not be too circumspect in relation to the friendships they were so ready to contract with each other. He thought he had gone a great way, in recommending an intimacy between her and his sisters, considering her views, her spirit, her per-severance, and the free avowal of her regard for him, and her menaces on his supposed neglect of her. And yet, as she had come over, and he was obliged to leave England so soon after her arrival; he thought he could not do less: and he hoped his sisters, from whose example she might be benefited, would, while she behaved prudently, cultivate her acquaintance.

The doctor tells me, that now Lady Olivia is so unexpectedly come hither in person, he thinks it best to decline giving me, as he had once intended, her history at large; but will leave so much of it as may satisfy my curiosity, to be gathered from my own observation; and not only from the violence and haughtiness of her temper, but from the free-dom of her declarations. He is sure, he said, that his patron will be best pleased, that a veil should be thrown over the weaker part of her conduct; which, were it known, would indeed be glorious to Sir Charles, but not so to the lady; who, however, never was suspected, even by her enemies, of giving any other man reason to tax her with a thought that was not strictly virtuous: and she had engaged his pity and esteem, for the sake of her other fine qualities, though she could not his love. Before she saw him (which, it seems, was at the opera at Florence for the first time, when he had an oppor-tunity to pay her some slight civilities) she set all men at defiance.

To-morrow morning Sir Charles is to breakfast with me. My cousins and I are to dine at Lord L.‘s. The earl and Lady Gertrude are also to be there. Lord W. has been prevailed upon to stay, and be there also, as it is his nephew’s last day in England. ‘ Last day in England!’ O my Lucy! What words are those! Lady L. has invited Lady Olivia and her aunt, at her own motion, Sir Charles (his time being so short) not disapproving.

I thank my grandmamma and aunt for their kind summons. 1 will soon set my day: I will, my dear, soon set my day.


Letter XXII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Friday noon, April 14. Not five hours in bed; not one hour’s rest for many uneasy nights before; I was stupid till Sir Charles came: I then was better. He enquired, with tender looks and voice, after my health; as if he thought I did not look well.

We had some talk about Lord and Lady G. He was anxious for their happiness. He complimented me with hopes from my advice to her. Lord G. he said, was a good-natured worthy man. If he thought his sister would make him unhappy, he should him-self be so.

I told him, that I dared to answer for her heart. My lord must bear with some innocent foibles, and all would be well.

We then talked of Lady Olivia. He began the subject, by asking me my opinion of her. I said she was a very fine woman in her person; and that she had an air of grandeur in her mien.

And she has good qualities, said he; but she is violent in her passions. I am frequently grieved for her. She is a fine creature in danger of being lost, by being made too soon her own mistress.

He said not one word of his departure tomorrow morning: I could not begin it; my heart would not let me; my spirits were not high: and I am afraid, if that key had been touched, I should have been too visibly affected. My cousins forbore, upon the same apprehension.

He was excessively tender and soothing to me, in his air, his voice, his manner. I thought of what Emily said; that his voice, when he spoke of me, was the voice of love. Dear flattering girl! But vohy did she flatter me?

We talked of her next. He spoke of her with the tenderness of a father. He besought me to love her. He praised her heart.

Emily, said I, venerates her guardian. She never will do any-thing contrary to his advice. She is very young, replied he. She will be happy, madam, in yours. She both loves and reverences you.

I greatly love the dear Emily, Sir. She and I shall be always sisters,

How happy am I in your goodness to her! Per-mit me, madam, to enumerate to you my own fe — licities in those of my dearest friends.

Mr. Beauchamp is now in the agreeable situation I have long wished him to be in. His prudence and obliging behaviour to his mother-inlaw, have won her. His father grants him every — thing through her; and she, by this means, finds that power enlarged which she was afraid would be lessened, if the son were allowed to come over. How just is this re-ward of his filial duty!

Thus, Lucy, did he give up the merit to his Beauchamp, which was solely due to himself.

Lord W. he hoped, would be soon one of the happiest men in England: and the whole Mansfield family had now fair prospects opening before them.

Emily [not he, you see] had made it the interest of her mother to be quiet.

Lord and Lady L. gave him pleasure whenever he saw them, or thought of them.

Dr. Bartlett was in heaven, while on earth. He would retire to his beloved Grandison-hall, and employ himself in distributing, as objects offered, at least a thousand pounds of the three thousand bequeathed to charitable uses by his late friend Mr. Danby. His sister’s fortune was paid. His estates in both kingdoms were improving See, madam, said he, how like the friend of my soul I claim your attention to affairs that are of consequence to my-self; and in some of which your generosity of heart has interested you.

I bowed. Had I spoken, I had burst into tears. I had something arose in my throat, I know not what. Still, thought I, excellent man, you are not yourself happy! O pity! pity! Yet, Lucy, he plain-ly had been enumerating all these things, to take oft’ from my mind that impression which I am afraid he too well knows it is affected with, from his difficult situation.

And now, madam, resumed he, how are all my dear and good friends, whom you more particularly call yours? I hope to have the honour of a personal knowledge of them. When heard you from our good Mr. Deane? He is well, I hope.

Very well, Sir.

Your grandmamma Shirley that ornament of ad-vanced years?

I bowed: I dared not to trust to my voice.

Your excellent aunt Selby?

I bowed again.

Your uncle, your Lucy, your Nancy: Happy fa-mily! All harmony! all love! How do they?

I wiped my eyes.

Is there any service in my power to do them, or any of them? Command me, good Miss Byron, if there be: my Lord W. and I are one. Our influ-ence is not small Make me still more happy, in the power of serving any one favoured by you.

You oppress me, Sir, by your goodness! I can-not speak my grateful sensibilities.

Will you, my dear Mr. Reeves, Will you, madam, (to my cousin) employ me in any way that I can be of use to you, either abroad or at home? Your ac-quaintance has given me great pleasure. To what a family of worthies has this excellent young lady introduced me!

O Sir! said Mrs. Reeves, tears running down her cheeks, that you were not to leave people whom you have made so happy in the knowledge of the best of men!

Indispensable calls must be obeyed, my dear Mrs. Reeves. If we cannot be as happy as we wish, we will rejoice in the happiness we can have. We must not be our own carvers.’ But I make you all serious. I was enumerating, as I told you, my present feliei-ties: I was rejoicing in your friendships. I have joy; and, I presume to say, I ivillh&ve joy. There is a bright side in every event; I will not lose sight of it: and there is a dark one; but I will endeavour to see it only with the eye of prudence, that I may not be involved by it at unawares. Who that is not re-proached by his own heart, and is blessed with health, can grieve for inevitable evils; evils that can be only evils as we make them so? Forgive my seriousness: my dear friends, you make me grave. Favour me, I beseech you, my good Miss Byron, with one lesson: we shall be too much engaged, perhaps, by-and-by.

He led me (1 thought it was with a cheerful air; but my cousins both say, his eyes were full) to the harpsichord: he sung unasked, but with alow voice: and my mind was calmed. O Lucy! Hew can I part with such a man? How can I take my leave of him? But perhaps he has taken his leave of me already, as to the solemnity of it, in the manner I have recited.


Letter XXIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Saturday morning, April 15. O Lucy, Sir Charles Grandison is gone! Gone indeed! He set out at three this morning; on purpose, no doubt, to spare his sisters, and friends, as well as himself, concern.

We broke not up till after two. Were I in the writing humour which I have never known to fail me till now, I could dwell upon an hundred things, some of which I can now only briefly mention.

Dinner-time yesterday passed with tolerablecheer-fulness: every one tried to be cheerful. O what pain attends loving too well, and being too well beloved! He must have pain, as well as we.

Lady Olivia was the most thoughtful, at dinner-time; yet poor Emily! Ah the poor Emily! she went out four or five times to weep; though only I per-ceived it.

Nobody was cheerful after dinner but Sir Charles. He seemed to exert himself to be so. He prevailed on me to give them a lesson on the harpsichord. Lady L. played: Lady G. played: we tried to play, I should rather say. He himself took the violin, and afterwards sat down to the harpsichord, for one short lesson. He was not known to be such a master: but he was long in Italy. Lady Olivia indeed knew him to be so. She was induced to play upon the harp-sichord: she surpassed every-body. Italy is the land of harmony.

About seven at night he singled me out, and sur-prised me greatly by what he said. He told me, that Lady D. had made him a visit. I was before low: I was then ready to sink. She has asked me questions, madam.

Sir, Sir! was all I could say. Hehimselftrembledashe spoke Alas! my dear, he surely loves me! Hear how solemnly he spoke God Almighty be your director, my dear Miss Byron! I wish not more happiness to my own soul, than I do to you. In discharge of a promise made, I mention this visit to you: I might otherwise have spared you, and myself

He stopt there Then resumed; for I was silent, T could not speak Your friends will be entreated for a man that loves you; a very worthy young no-bleman. I give you emotion, madam. Forgive me. I have performed my promise. He turned from me with a seeming cheerful air. How could he ap-pear to be cheerful!

We made parties at cards. I knew not what I played. Emily sighed, and tears stole down her cheeks, as she played. O how she loves her guar-dian! Emily, I say I don’t know what I write!

At supper we were all very melancholy. Mr. Beauchamp was urgent to go abroad with him. He changed the subject, and gave him an indirect denial, as I may call it, by recommending the two Italian ladies to his best services.

Sir Charles, kind, good, excellent! wished to Lord L. to have seen Mr. Grandison! unworthy as that man has made himself of his attention.

He was a few moments in private with Lady Olivia. She returned to company with red eyes.

Poor Emily watched an opportunity to be spoken toby him alone So diligently! He led her to the window About one o’clock it was He held both her hands. He called her, she says, his Emily. He charged her to write to him.

She could not speak; she could only sob; yet thought she had a thousand things to say to him.

I le contradicted not the hope his sisters and their lords had of his breakfasting with them. They invited me; they invited the Italian ladies: Lady L. Lord L. did go, in expectation: but Lady G. when she found him gone, sent me and the Italian ladies word, that he was. It would have been cruel, if she had not. How could he steal away so! I find, that he intended that his morning visit to me (as indeed I half-suspected) should be a taking leave of my cousins, and your Harriet. How many things did he say then How many questions ask In ten-derwoe He wanted to do us all service He seem — ed not to know what to say Surely he hates not your poor Harriet What struggles in his noble bosom! But a man cannot complain: a man cannot ask for compassion, as a woman can. But surely his is the gentlest of manly minds!

When we broke up, he handed my cousin Reeves into her coach. He handed me. Mr. Reeves said, We see you again, Sir Charles, in the morning? He bowed. At handing me in he sighed He pressed my hand I think he did That was all. He sa-luted nobody He will not meet his Clementina as he parted with us.

But, I doubt not, Dr. Bartlett was in the secret. * *

He was. He has just been here. He found my eyes swelled. I had had no rest; yet knew not, till seven o’clock, that he was gone.

It was very good of the doctor to come: his visit soothed me: yet he took no notice of my red eyes. Nay, Mrs. Reeves’s eyes were swelled, as well as mine. Angel of a man! How is he beloved!

The doctor says, that his sisters, their lords, Lord W. are in as much grief as if he were departed for ever And who knows But I will not torment my-self with supposing the worst: I will endeavour to bear in mind what he said yesterday morning to us, no doubt for an instruction, that he would have joy.

And did he then think that I should be so much grieved as to want such an instruction? And there-fore did he vouchsafe to give it? But, vanity, be quiet Lie down, hope Hopelessness, take place! Clementina shall be his. He shall be hers.

Yet his emotion, Lucy, at mentioning Lady D.‘s visit O! but that was only owing to his humanity. He saw my emotion; and acknowledgedthetenderest friendship for me! Ought I not to be satisfied with that? I am. I will be satisfied. Does he not love me with the love of mind? The poor Olivia has not this to comfort herself with. The poor Olivia! If I see her sad and afflicted, how I shall pity her! All her expectations frustrated; the expectations that engaged her to combat difficulties, to travel, to cross many waters, and to come to England to come just time enough to take leave of him; he hastening on the wings of love and compassion to a dearer, a deservedly dearer object, in the country she had quit — ted, on purpose to visit him in his Is not hers a more grievous situation than mine? It is. Why, then, do I lament?

But here, Lucy, let me in confidence hint, what I have gathered from several intimations from Dr. Bartlett, though as tenderly made by him as possible, that had Sir Charles Grandison been a man capable of taking advantage of the violence of a lady’s pas-sion for him, the unhappy Olivia would not have scrupled, great, haughty, and noble, as she is, by birth and fortune, to have been his, without conditions, if she could not have been so with: the Italian world is of this opinion, at least. Had Sir Charles been a llinaldo, Olivia had been an Armida.

O that I could hope, for the honour of the sex, and of the lady who is so fine a woman, that the Italian world is mistaken! I will presume that it is.

My good Dr. Bartlett, will you allow me to accuse you of a virtue too rigorous? That is sometimes the fault of very good people. You own that Sir Charles has not, even to you, revealed a secret so disgraceful to her. You own that he has only blamed her for having too little regard for her reputation, and for the violence of her temper: yet how patiently, for one of such a temper, has she taken his departure, almost on the day of her arrival! He could not have given her an opportunity to indicate to him a concession so criminal: she could not, if he had, have made the overture. Wicked, wicked world! I will not believe you i And the less credit shall yon have with me, Italian world, as I have seen the lady. The innocent heart will be a charitable one. Lady Olivia is only too intrepid. Prosperity, as Sir Charles observed, has been a snare to her, and set her above a properregard to her reputation. Merciless world! I do not love you. Dear Dr. Bartlett, you are not yet absolutely perfect! These hints of yours against Olivia, gathered from the malevolence of the envious, are proofs (the first indeed that I have met with) of your imperfection!

Excuse me, Lucy: How have I run on! Disap-pointment has mortified me, and made me good — natured. I will welcome adversity, if it enlarge my charity.

The doctor tells me that Emily, with her half-broken heart, will be here presently. If I can be of comfort to her But I want it myself, from the same cause. We shall only weep over each other.

As I told you, the doctor, and the doctor only, knew of his setting out so early. He took leave of him. Happy Dr. Bartlett! Yet I see by his eyes, that this parting cost him some paternal tears.

Never father better loved a son than this good man loves Sir Charles Grandison.

Sir Charles, it seems, had settled all his affairs three days before. His servants were appointed.

I he doctor tells me, that he had last week pre* se ted the elder Mr. Oldham with a pair of colours, which he had purchased for him. Nobody had heard of this.

Lord W. he says, is preparing for Windsor; Mr. Beauchamp for Hampshire, for a few days; and then he returns to attend the commands of the noble Italians.

Lady Olivia will soon have her equipage ready.

She will make a great appearance: But Sir Chaulks GiiANnisoN will not be with her. What is grandeur to a disturbed heart?

The Earl of G. and Lady Gertrude are setting out for Hertfordshire. Lord and Lady L. talk of retiring for a few weeks, to Colnebrook: the doctor is preparing for Grandison-hall; your poor Harriet for Northamptonshire Bless me, my dear, what a dispersion! But Lord VV.‘s nuptials will collect some of them together at Windsor. * *

Emily, the dear weeping girl! is just come. She is with my cousins. She expects my permission for coming up to me. Imagine us weeping over each other; praying for, blessing the guardian of us both. Your imagination cannot form a scene too tender. Adieu, my Lucy.


Letter XXIV.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Sunday, April 16. O what a blank, my dear! But I need not say what I was going to say. Poor Emily! But to mention her grief, is to paint my own.

Lord W. went to Windsor yesterday.

A very odd behaviour of Lady Olivia. Mr. Beau-champ went yesterday, and offered to attend her to any of the public places, at her pleasure; in pur-suance of Sir Charles’s reference to him, to do all in his power to make England agreeable to her; and she thought fit to tell him before her aunt, that she thanked him for his civility; but she should not trouble him during her stay in England. She had gentlemen in her train; and one of them had been in England before

He left her in disgust. ii 2

Lady L. making her a visit in the evening, she told her of Mr. Beauchamp’s offer, and of her answer. The gentleman, said she, is a polite and very agreeable man; and this made me treat his kind offer with abruptness: for I can hardly doubt your brother’s view in it. I scorn his view: and if I were sure of it, perhaps I should find a way to make him repent of the indignity. Lady L. was sure, she said, that neither her brother, nor Mr. Beauchamp, had any other views than to make England as agreeable to her as possible.

Be this as it may, madam, said she, I have no ser-vice for Mr. Beauchamp: but if your ladyship, your sister, and your two lords, will allow me to cultivate your friendship, you will do me honour. Dr. Bart-lett’s company will be very agreeable to me likewise, as often as he will give it me. To Miss Jervois I lay some little claim. I would have had her for my companion in Italy; but your cruel brother No more, however, of him. Your English beauty too, I admire her: but, poor young creature, I admire her the more, because I can pity her. I should think myself very happy to be better acquainted with her.

Lady L. made her a very polite answer for herself and her sister, and their lords. But told her, that I was very soon to set out for my own abode in Northamptonshire; and that Dr. Bartlett had some commissions, which would oblige him, in a day or two, to go to Sir Charles’s seat in the country. She herself offered to attend her to Windsor, and to every other place, at her command. * #

Lady L. took notice of her wrist being bound round with a broad black ribband, and asked, if it were hurt? A kind of sprain, said she. But you little imagine how it came; and must not ask.

This made Lady L. curious. And Olivia re-questing that Emily might be allowed to breakfast with her as this morning; she has bid the dear girl endeavour to know how it came, if it fell in her way; for Olivia reddened, and looked up, with a kind of consciousness to Lady L. when she told her that she must not ask questions about it.

Lady G. is very earnest with me to give into the town-diversions for a month to come: but I have now no desire in my heart so strong, as to return to all my dear Northamptonshire friends.

I am only afraid of my uncle. He will railly his Harriet; yet only, I know, in hopes to divert her, and us all: but my jesting days are over: my situation will not bear it. Yet if it will divert him, let him railly.

I shall be so much importuned to stay longer than I ought, or xviU stay, that I may as well fix a per-emptory day at once. Will you, my ever indulgent friends, allow me to set out for Selby-house on Friday next? Not on a Sunday, as Lady Betty Wil-liams advises, for fear of the odious rvagfrons. But I have been in a different school. Sir Charles Grandison, 1 find, makes it a tacit rule with him, never to begin a journey on a Sunday; nor, except when in pursuit of works of mercy or necessity, to travel in time of divine service. And this rule he observed last Sunday, though he reached us here in the evening. my grandmamma! How much is he, what you all are, and ever have been! But he is now pursuing a work of mercy. God succeed to him the cud of his pursuit!

By why tacit? you will ask. Is Sir Charles Grandison ashamed to make an open appearance in behalf of his Christian duties? He is not. For instance; I have never seen him sit down at his own table, in the absence of Dr. Bartlett, or some other clergyman, but he himself says grace; and that with k 3 such an easy dignity, as commands every one’s re-verence; and which is succeeded by a cheerfulness that looks as if he were the better pleased for having shewn a thankful heart.

Dr. Bartlett has also told me, that he begins and ends every day, either in his chamber, or in his study, in a manner worthy of one who is in earnest in his Christian profession. But he never frights gay company with grave maxims. I remember, one day, Mr. Grandison asked him, in his absurd way, Why he did not preach to his company now-and-then? Faith, Sir Charles, said he, if you did, you would reform many a poor ignorant sinner of us; since you could do it with more weight, and more certainty of attention than any parson in Christendom .

It would be an affront, said Sir Charles, to the understanding, as well as education, of a man who took rank above a peasant, in such a country as this, to seem to question whether he knew his ge-neral duties, or not, and the necessity of practising what he knew of them. If he should be at a loss, he may once a week be reminded, and his heart kept warm. Let you and me, cousin Everard, shew our conviction by our practice; and not invade the clergyman’s province.

I remember, that Mr. Grandison shewed his conviction by his blushes; and by repeating the three little words, You and me! Sir Charles.

Sunday evening. O my dear friends! I have a strange, a shocking piece of intelligence to give you! Emily has just been with me in tears: she begged to speak with me in private. When we were alone, she threw her aims about my neck; Ah, madam! said she, I am come to tell you, that there is a person in the world that I hate, and must and will hate, as long as I live.

It is Lady Olivia. Take me down with you into Northamptonshire, and never let me see her more. I was surprised. madam! I have found out, that she would, on Thursday last, have killed my guardian.

I was astonished, Lucy.

They retired together, you know, madam! He came from her, his face in a glow; and he sent in his sister to her, and went not in himself till after-wards. She would have had him put off his journey. She was enraged because he would not; and they were high together; and at last she pulled out of her stays, in fury, a poinard, and vowed to plunge it into his heart. He should never, she said, see his Clementina more. He went to her. Her heart failed her. Well it might, you know, madam. He seized her hand. He took it from her. She strug-gled, and in struggling her wrist was hurt; that’s the meaning of the broad black ribband! Wicked creature! to have such a thought in her heart! He only said, when he had got it from her, Unhappy, violent woman! I return not this instrument of mischief! You will have no use for it in England And would not let her have it again.

I shuddered. O my dear, said I, he has been a sufferer, we are told, by good women; but this is not a good woman. But can it be true? Who informed you of it?

Lady Maffei herself. She thought that Sir Charles must have spoken of it: and when she found he had not, she was sorry she had, and begged I would not tell any-body: but I could not keep it from you. And she says, that Lady Olivia is grieved on the remembrance of it; and arraigns herself and her wicked passion; and the more, for his noble for-giveness of her on the spot, and recommending her afterwards to the civilities of his sisters, and their lords. But I hate her, for all that.

Faulty but unhappy Olivia! said I. But what, my Emily, are we women, who should be the meekest and tenderest of the whole animal creation, when we give way to passion! But if she is so penitent, let not the shocking attempt be known to his sisters, or their lords. I may take the liberty of mentioning it, in strict confidence [Observe that, LucyJ to those from whom I keep not any secret: but let it not be divulged to any of the relations of Sir Charles. Their detestation of her, which must follow, would not be concealed; and the unhappy creature, made desperate, might Who knows what she might do?

The dear girl ran on upon what might have been the consequence, and what a loss the world would have had, if the horrid fact bad been perpetrated. Lady Maffei told her, however, that had not her heart relented, she might have done him mischief; for he was too rash in approaching her. She fell down on her knees to him, as soon as he had wrest-ed the poinard from her. I forgive, and pity you, madam, said he, with an air that had, as Olivia and her aunt have recollected since, both majesty and compassion in it: but against her entreaty, he would withdraw. Yet, aV her request, sent in Lady L. to her; and, going into his study, told not even Dr. Bartlett of it, though he went to him there imme-diately.

From the consciousness of this violence, perhaps, the lady was more temperate afterwards, even to the very time of his departure. * #

Lord bless me, What shall I do? Lady D. has sent a card to let me know, that she will wait upon Mrs. Reeves and me tomorrow to breakfast. She comes, no doubt, to tell me, that Sir Charles having no thoughts of Harriet Byron, Lord D. may have hopes of succeeding with her: and perhaps her lady-ship will plead Sir Charles’s recommendation and interest in Lord D.‘s favour. But should this plea be made, good Heaven give me patience! I am afraid I shall be uncivil to this excellent woman.


Letter XXV.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Monday, April 17. The countess is just gone.

Mr. Reeves was engaged before to breakfast with Lady Betty Williams; and we were only Mrs. Reeves, Lady L). and I.

My heart ached at her entrance; and every moment still more, as we were at breakfast. Her looks, I thought, had such a particular kindness and meaning in them, as seemed to express, ‘ You have no hopes, Miss Byron, any-where else; and I will have you to be mine.’

But my suspense was over the moment the tea-table was removed. I see your confusion, my dear, said the countess [Mrs. Reeves, you must not leave us]; and I have sat in pain for you, as I saw it increase. By this I know that Sir Charles Grandison has been as good as his word. Indeed, I doubted not but he would. I don’t wonder, my dear, that you love him. He is the finest man in his manners, as well as person, that I ever saw. A woman of virtue and honour cannot but love him. But I need not praise him to you; nor to you, neither, Mrs. Reeves: I see that.

Now you must know, proceeded she, that there is an alliance proposed for my son, of which I think very well; but still should have thought better, had I never seen you, my dear. I have talked to my lord about it: you know I am very desirous to have him married. His answer was; I never can think of any proposal of this nature, while I have any hope that I can make myself acceptable to Miss Byron.

What think you, my lord, said I, if I should di-rectly apply to Sir Charles Grandison, to know his intentions; and whether he has any hopes of ob-taining her favour? He is said to be the most un reserved of men. He knows our characters to be as unexceptionable as his own; and that our alli-ance cannot be thought a discredit to the first family in the kingdom. It is a free question, I own, as I am unacquainted with him by person: but he is such a man that methinks I can take pleasure in addressing myself to him on any subject.

My lord smiled at the freedom of my motion; but not disapproving it, I directly went to Sir Charles, and, after due compliments, told him my business.

The countess stopt. She is very penetrating. She looked at us both.

Well, madam, said my cousin, with an air of cu-riosity Pray, your ladyship

I could not speak for very impatience

I never heard in my life, said the countess, such a fine character of any mortal, as he gave you. He told me of his engagements to go abroad as the very next day. He highly extolled the lady for .whose sake, principal]}’, he was obliged to go abroad; and he spoke as higlily of a brother of hers, whom he loved as if he were his own brother; and mentioned very affectionately the young lady’s whole family.

‘ God only knows, (said he,) what may be my destiny! As generosity, as justice, oi* rather as Pro — vidence leads, I will follow.’

After he had generously opened his heart, proceeded the countess, I asked him, if he had any hope, should the foreign lady recover her health, of her being his?

‘ I can promise myself nothing, (said he.) I go over without one selfish hope. If the lady recover her health, and her brother can be amended in his, by the assistance I shall carry over with me, I shall have joy inexpressible. To Providence I leave the rest. The result cannot be in my own power.’

Then, Sir, proceeded the countess, you cannot in honour be under any engagements to Miss Byron?

I arose from my seat. Whither, my dear? I have done, if I oppress you. I moved my chair behind hers, but so close to hers, that I leaned on the back of it, my face hid, and my eyes running over. She stood up. Sit down again, madam, said I, and proceed Pray proceed. You have excited my curiosity. Only let me sit here unheeded, behind you.

Pray, madam, said Mrs. Reeves (burning also with curiosity, as she has since owned) go on; and indulge my cousin in her present seat. What an-swer did Sir Charles return?

Let me first, said the countess (sitting down, as I had requested) be answered one question. I would not do mischief.

You cannot do mischief, madam, replied I. What is your ladyship’s question?

Has Sir Charles Cirandison ever directly made his addresses to you, my dear?

Never, madam.

It is not for want of love, I dare aver, that he has not. But thus he answered my question: ‘ I should have thought myself the unworthiest of men, knowing the difficulties of my own situation, how great soever were the temptation from Miss Byron’s merit, if I had sought to engage her affections.’

[O, Lucy, how nobly is his whole conduct to-wards me justified!]

‘ She has, madam, (proceeded the countess in his words) ‘ a prudence that I never knew equalled in a woman so young. With a frankness of mind, to which hardly ever young lady before her had pretensions, she has such a command of her affections, that no man, I dare say, will ever have a share in them, till he has courted her favour by assiduities which shall convince her that he has no heart but for her.’

O my Lucy! What an honour to me would these sentiments be, if I deserved them! And can Sir Charles Grandison think I do? I hope so. But if he does, how much am I indebted to his favourable, his generous opinion! Who knows but I have reason to rejoice at, rather than to regret, as I used to do, his frequent absences from Colnebrook? The countess proceeded.

Then, Sir, you will not take it amiss, if my son, by his assiduities, can prevail upon Miss Byron to think that he has merit, and that his heart is wholly devoted to her.

‘ Amiss, madam! No! In justice, in honour, I cannot. May Miss Byron be, as she deserves to be, one of the happiest women on earth in her nup-tials. I have heard a great character of Lord D. He has a very large estate. He may boast of his mother. God forbid, that I, a man divided in my-self, not knowing what I can do, hardly sometimes what I ought to do, should I seek to involve in my own uncertainties the friend I revere; the woman I so greatly admire: her beauty so attracting; so proper therefore for her to engage a generous protector in the marriage state!’

Generous man! thought I. O how my tears ran down my cheeks, as 1 hid my face behind the countess’s chair?

But will you allow me, Sir, proceeded the coun-tess, to ask you, Were you freed from all your un certainties

‘ Permit me, madam, interrupted he, to spare you the question you were going to put. As I know not what will be the result of my journey abroad, I should think myself a very selfish man, and a very dishonourable one to two ladies of equal delicacy and worthiness, if I sought to involve, as I hinted before, in my own uncertainties, a young lady whose prudence and great qualities must make her-self and any man happy, whom she shall favour with her hand.

‘ To be still more explicit, (proceeded he,) With what face could I look up to a woman of honour and delicacy, such a one as the lady before whom I now stand, if I could own a wish, that, while my honour has laid me under obligation to one lady, if she shall be permitted to accept of me, I should presume to hope, that another, no less worthy, would hold her favour for me suspended, till she saw what would be the issue of the first obligation? No, madam; I could sooner die, than offer such indig-nity to both! I am fettered, added he: but Miss Byron is free: and so is the lady abroad. My at-tendance on her at this time, is indispensable; but I make not any conditions for myself My reward will be in the consciousness of having discharged the obligations that I think myself under, as a man of honour.’

The countess’s voice changed in repeating this speech of his: and she stopt to praise him; and then went on.

You are THE man, indeed, Sir! But then give me leave to ask you, as I think it very likeiy that you will be married before your return to England, Whether now that you have been so good as to speak favourably of my son, and that you call Miss Byron sister, you will oblige him with a recommen-dation to that sister?

‘ The Countess of D. shews, by this request, her value for a young lady who deserves it; and the more, for its being, I think (excuse me, madam) a pretty extraordinary one. But what a presumption would it be in me to suppose that I had such an interest with Miss Byron, when she has relations as worthy of her, as she is of them? ’

You may guess, my dear, said the countess, that I should not have put this question, but as a trial of his heart. However, I asked his pardon; and told him, that I would not believe he gave it me, except he would promise to mention to Miss Byron, that I had made him a visit on this subject [Methinks, Lucy, I should have been glad that he had not let me know that he was so forgiving!]

And now, my dear, said the lady, let me turn about. She did; and put one arm round my neck, and with my own handkerchief wiped my eyes, and kissed my cheek; and when she saw me a little re-covered, she addressed me as follows:

Now, my good young creature, [O that you would let me call you daughter in my own way! for 1 think I must always call you so, whether you do, or not] let me ask you, as if I were your real mother, ‘ Have you any expectation that Sir Charles Grandison will be yours? ’

Dear madam, Is not this as hard a question to be put to me, as that which you put to him?

Yes, my dear full as hard. And I am as ready to ask your pardon, as I was his, if you are really displeased with me for putting it. Are you, Miss

Byron? Excuse me, Mrs. Reeves, for thus urging your lovely cousin; I am at least entitled to the excuse Sir Charles Grandison made for me, that it is a demonstration of my value for her.

I have declared, madam, returned I, and it is from my heart, that I think he ought to be the husband of the lady abroad: and though I prefer him to all the men I ever saw, yet I have resolved, if possible, to conquer the particular regard I have for him. He has in a very noble manner offered me his friend-ship, so long as it may be accepted without inter — fering with any other attachments on my part: and I will be satisfied with that.

A friendship so pure, replied the countess, as that of such a man, is consistent with any other attach-ments. My Lord D. will, with his whole soul, con tribute all in his power to strengthen it: he admires Sir Charles Grandison: he would think it a double honour to be acquainted with him through you. Dearest Miss Byron, take another worthy young man into your friendship, but with a tenderer name: I shall then claim a fourth place in it for myself. O my dear! What a quadruple knot will you tie!

Your ladyship does me too much honour, was all I could just then reply.

I must have an answer, my dear: 1 will not take up with a compliment.

This, then, madam, is my answer I hope I am an honest creature: I have not a heart to give.

Then you have expectations, my dear. Well, I will call you mine, if I can. Never did I think that I could have made the proposal, that I am going to make you: but in my eyes, as well as in my lord’s, you are an incomparable young woman. This is it We will not think of the alliance proposed to us (it is yet but a proposal, and to which we have not returned any answer) till we see what turn the affair s2

Sir Charles is gone upon, takes. You once said, you could prefer my son to any of the men that had hitherto applied to you for your favour. Your affections to Sir Charles were engaged before you knew us. Will you allow my son this preference, which will be the first preference, if Sir Charles engages himself abroad?

Your ladyship surprises me: Shall I not improve by the example you have just now set before me? Who was it that said (and a man too) ‘ With what face could I look up to a woman of honour and delicacy, such a one as the lady before whom I now stand, if I could own a wish, that, while’ my heart leaned to one person, I should think of keeping an-other in suspense till I saw whether I could or could not be the other’s? ‘ No, madam, I would sooner die,’ as Sir Charles said, ‘ than offer such an indignity to both.’ But I know, madam, that you only made this proposal, as you did another to Sir Charles Grandison, as a trial of my heart.

Upon my word, my dear, I should, I think, be glad to be entitled to such an excuse: but I was really in earnest: and now take a little shame to myself.

What charming ingenuousness in this lady!

I have but one plea, to make for myself, added she; I could not have fallen into such an error (the example so recently given to the contrary) had I not wished you to be, before any woman in the world, Countess of D. Noble creature! No title can give you dignity. May your own wishes be granted!

The countess asked, When I returned to North-amptonshire? I told her my intention. She charged me to see her first. But I can tell you, said she, my lord shall not be present when you come: not once more will I trust him in your company; and if he

Sill CHARLES GRANDISON. 197 should steal a visit, unknown to me, let not your cousin see him, Mrs. Reeves. He does indeed ad-mire you, love.

I acknowledged, with a grateful heart, her goodness to me. She engaged me to correspond with her when I got home. Her commands were an honour done me, that I could not refuse myself. Her son, she smilingly told me, should no more see my letters, than my person.

At her going away I will tell you one thing, said she: I never before, in a — business which my heart was set upon, was so effectually silenced by a precedent produced by myself in the same conversation. I came with an assurance of success. When our hearts are engaged in a hope, we are apt to think every step we take for the promoting it, reasonable: our passions, my dear, will evermore run away with our judgment. But now 1 think of it, I must, when I say our, make two exceptions; one for you, and one for Sir Charles Grandison.

But, Lucy, tell me May I, do you think, explain the meaning of the word selfish used by Sir Charles in the conclusion of the library-conference at Colnebrook (and which puzzled me then to make out) by his disclaiming of selfishness in the conver-sation with the countess above recited? If I may, what an opening of his heart does that word give in my favour, were he at liberty? Does it not look, my dear, as if his honour checked him, when his love would have prompted him to wish me to preserve my heart disengaged till his return from abroad? Nor let it be said, that it was dishonourable in him to have such a thought, as it was checked and overcome; and as it was succeeded by such an emotion that he w r as obliged to depart abruptly from me. Let me repeat the words You may not have mv letter at hand which relates that affecting address to S3 me; and it is impossible for me, while I have memory, to forget them. He had just concluded his brief history of Clementina ‘ And now, madam, what can I say? Honour forbids me! Yet honour bids me But I cannot be unjust, ungenerous, selfish!’ If I may flatter myself, Lucy, that he did love me when he said this, and that he had a conflict in his noble heart between the love on one side so hopeless (for I could not forgive him, if he did not love, as well as pity, Clementina), and on the other not so hopeless, were there to have been no bar between Shall we not pity him for the arduous struggle? Shall we not see that honour carried it, even in fa-vour of the hopeless against the hopeful, and applaud him the more for being able to overcome? How shall we call virtue by its name, if it be not tried; and if it hath no contest with inclination?

If I am a vain self-flatterer, tell me, chide me, Lucy; but allow me, however, at the same time, this praise, if I can make good my claim to it, that my conquest of my passion is at least as glorious for me, as his is for him, were he to love me ever so well; since I can most sincerely, however painfully, subscribe to the preference which honour, love, compassion, unitedly, give to Clementina.


Letter XXVI.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Monday night.

My cousins and I, by invitation, supped with Lady G. this evening. Lord and Lady L. were there; Lady Olivia also, and Lady Maffei.

I have set them all into a consternation, as they expressed themselves, by my declaration of leaving London on my return home early on Friday morning next. I knew, that were I to pass the whole summer here, I must be peremptory at last. The two sisters vow, that I shall not go so soon. They say, that 1 have seen so few of the town-diversions Town-diversions, Lucy! I have had diversions enough, of one sort! But in your armsj my dear friends, I shall have consolation And I want it.

I have great regrets, and shall have hourly more, as the day approaches, on the leaving of such dear and obliging friends: but I am determined.

My cousin’s coach will convey me to Dunstable; and there, I know, I shall meet with my indulgent uncle, or your brother. I would not have it publicly known, because of the officious gentlemen in the neighbourhood.

Dr. Bartlett intended to set out for Grandison-hall tomorrow: but from the natural kindness of his heart he has suspended his journey to Thursday next. No consideration, therefore, shall detain me, if I am well.

My cousins are grieved: they did not expect that I would be a word and a blow, as they phrase it.

Lady Olivia expressed herself concerned, that she, in particular, was to lose me. She had proposed great pleasure, she said, in the parties she should make in my company. But, after what Emily told me, she appears to me as a Medusa; and were I to be thought by her a formidable rival, I might have as much reason to be afraid of the potion, as the man she loves of the poniard. Emily has kept the secret from every-body but me. And I rely on the inviolable secrecy of all you, my friends.

Lord and Lady L. had designed to go to Colne-brook tomorrow, or at my day, having hopes of getting me with them: but now, they say, they will stay in town till they can see whether I am to be prevailed upon, or will be obdurate.

Lady Olivia enquired after the distance of North-amptonshire. She will make the tour of England, she says, and visit me there. I was obliged to say I should take her visit as an honour.

Wicked politeness! Of how many falsehoods dost thou make the people, who are called polite, guilty!

But there is one man in the world, who is remarkable for his truth, yet is unquestionably polite. He censures not others for complying with fashions es-tablished by custom; but he gives not in to them. He never perverts the meaning of words. He never, for instance, suffers his servants to deny him, when he is at home. If he is busy, he just finds time to say he is, to unexpected visitors; and if they will stay, he turns them over to his sisters, to Dr. Bartlett, to Emily, till he can attend them. But then he has always done so. Every one knows that he lives to his own heart, and they expect it of him; and when they can have his company, they have double joy in the ease and cheerfulness that attend his leisure: they then have him wholly. And he can be the more polite, as the company then is all his business.

Sir Charles might the better do so, as he came over so few months ago, after so long an absence; and his reputation for politeness was so well esta-blished, that people rather looked for rules from him, than a conformity to theirs.

His denials of complimenting Lady Olivia (though she was but just arrived in his native country, where she never was before) with the suspending of his departure for one week, or but for one day Who but he could have given them? But he was convinced, that it was right to hasten away, for the sake of Clementina and his Jeronymo; and that it would have been wrong to shew Olivia, even for her oton sake, that in such a competition she had conse-quence with him; and all her entreaties, all her menaces, the detested poniard in her hand, could not shake his steady soul, and make him delay his well-settled purpose.


Letter XXVII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Tuesday morning, April 18. Th is naughty Lady G. She is excessively to blame. Lord L. is out of patience with her. So is Lady L. Emily says, she loves her dearly; but she does not love her ways. Lord G. as Emily tells me, talks of coming to me; the cause of quarrel sup-posed to be not great: but trifles, insisted upon, make frequently the widest breaches. Whatever it be, it is between themselves; and neither cares to tell: but Lord and Lady L. are angry with her, for the ludicrous manner in which she treats him.

The misunderstanding happened after my cousin and I left them last night. 1 was not in spirits, and declined staying to cards. Lady Olivia and her aunt went away at the same time. Whist was the game. Lord and Lady L. Dr. Bartlett and Emily, were cast in. In the midst of their play, Lady G. came hurrying down stairs to them, warbling an air: Lord G. followed her, much disturbed. Ma-dam, I must tell you, said he Why must, my lord? I don’t bid you.

Sit still, child, said she to Emily; and took her seat behind her Who wins? Who loses?

Lord G. walked about the room Lord and Ladv

L. were unwilling to take notice, hoping it would go off; for there had been a few livelinesses on her side at dinner-time, though all was serene at supper.

Dr. Bartlett offered her his cards. She refused them No, doctor, said she, I will play my own cards: I shall have enough to do to play them well.

As you manage it, so you will, madam, said Lord G.

Don’t expose yourself, my lord: we are before company. Lady L. you have nothing but trumps in your hand.

Let me say a word or two to you, madam, said Lord G. to her.

I am all obedience, my lord.

She arose. He would have taken her hand: she put it behind her.

Not your hand, madam?

I can’t spare it.

He flung from her, and went out of the room.

Lord bless me, said she, returning to the card-table with a gay unconcern, What strange passion — ate creatures are these men!

Charlotte, said Lady L. I wonder at you.

Then I give you joy

What do you mean, sister?

We women love wonder, and the wonder-ful!

Surely, Lady G. said Lord L. you are wrong.

I give your lordship joy, too.

On what?

That my sister is always right.

Indeed, madam, were I Lord G. I should have no patience.

A good hint for you, Lady L. I hope you will take this for a warning, and continue good.

When I behave as you do, Charlotte

I understand you, Lady L. you need not speak out Every one in their way.

You would not behave thus, were my brother

Perhaps not.

Dear Charlotte, you are excessively wrong

So I think, returned she.

Why then do you not

Mend Lady L.? All in good time.

Her woman came in with a message, expressing her lord’s desire to see her. The deuce is in these men: they will neither be satisfied with us, nor without us. But I am all obedience: no voxv will I break And out she went.

Lord G. not returning presently, and Lord and Lady L.‘s chariot being come, they both took this opportunity, in order to shew their displeasure, to go away without taking leave of their sister. Dr. Bartlett retired to his apartment. And when Lady G. came down, she was surprised, and a little vexed, to find only Emily there. Lord G. came in at an-other door Upon my word, my lord, this is strange behaviour in you: you fright away, with your hus-band-like airs, all one’s company.

Good God! I am astonished at you, madam.

Whatsignifies your astonishment? when you have scared every-body out of the house.

I, madam!

You, Sir! Yes, You! Did you not lord it over me in my dressing-room? To be easy and quiet, did I not fly to our company in the drawing-room? Did you not follow me there with looks Very pretty looks for a new-married man, I assure you! Then did you not want to take me aside Would not any-body have supposed it was to express your sorrow for your odd behaviour? Was I not all obe-dience? Did you not, with very mannish airs, slight me for my compliance, and fly out of the room? All the company could witness the calmness with which I returned to them, that they might not be grieved for me; nor think our misunderstanding a deep one. Well, then, when your stomach came down, as I supposed, you sent for me out: no doubt, thought I, to express his concern now. I was all obedience again.

And did I not beseech you, madam

Beseech me, my lord! Yes But with such looks! I married, Sir, let me tell you, a man with another face See, see, Emily He is gone again

My lord flew out of the room in a rage O these men, my dear! said she to Emily.

I know, said Emily, what I could have answered, if I dared: but it is ill meddling, as I have heard say, between man and wife.

Emily says, the quarrel was not made up; but was carried higher still in the morning.

She had but just finished her tale, when the fol-lowing billet was brought me, from Lady G.

Harriet, Tuesday morning.

If you love me, if you pity me, come hither this instant: I have great need of your counsel. lam resolved to be unmarried; and therefore subscribe myself by the beloved name of

CHARLOTTE GRANDISON.

I instantly dispatched the following:

I know no such person as Charlotte Grandison. I love Lady G. but can pity only her lord. I will not come near you. I have no counsel to give you: but that you will not jest away your own happiness.

HARRIET BYRON.

Soon after, came a servant from Lady G with the following letter:

So, then, I have made a blessed hand of wedlock. My brother gone; my man excessive unruly; Lord and Lady L. on his side, without enquiring into merits, or demerits: lectured by Dr. Bartlett’s grave face: Emily standing aloof; her linger in her eye: and now my Harriet renouncing me: and all in one week!

What can I do? War seems to be declared: and will you not turn mediatrix? You won’t, you say. Let it alone. Nevertheless, I will lay the whole matter before you.

It was last night, the week from the wedding-day not completed, that Lord G. thought fit to break into my retirement without my leave By the way, he was a little impertinent at dinner-time; but that I passed over.

What boldness is this, said I? Pray, Sir, begone! W 7 hy do you leave your company below? I come, my dearest life, to make a request to you.

The man began with civility enough, had he had a little less of his odious rapture: for he flung his arms obout me, Jenny in presence. A husband’s fondness is enough to ruin these girls. Don’t you think, Harriet, that there is an immorality in it, before them?

I refuse your request, be it what it will. How dare you invade me in my retirement? You may believe that 1 intended not to stay long above, my sister below. Does the ceremony, so lately past, authorize want of breeding?

Want of breeding, madam! And he did so stare!

Leave me, this instant I looked good-natured, I suppose, in my anger; for he declared he would not; and again throwing his arms about me as I sat, joined

T his sharp face to mine, and presumed to kiss me; Jenny still in the room.

Now, Harriet, you never will desert me in a point of delicacy, I am sure. You cannot defend these odious freedoms in a matrimony so young, unless you would be willing to be served so yourself.

You may suppose, that then I let loose my indig-nation upon him. And he stole out, daring to mut — ter, and be displeased. The word devil was in his mouth.

Did he call me devil, Jenny?

No, indeed, madam, said the wench And, Har-riet, see the ill example of such a free behaviour before her: she presumed to prate in favour of the man’s fit of fondness; yet, at other times, is a prude of a girl.

Before my anger was gone down, in again [It is truth, Harriet] came the bold wretch. I will not, said he, as you are not particularly employed, leave you Upon my soul, madam, you don’t use me well. But if you will oblige me with your company tomorrow morning

No-where, Sir

Only to breakfast with Miss Byron, my dear As a mark of your obligingness, I request it.

His dear! Now I hate a hypocrite of all things. I knew that he had a design to make a shew of his bride, as his property, at another place; and seeing me angry, thought he would name a visit agreeable to me, and which at the same time would give him a merit with you, and preserve to himself the consequence of being obliged by his obedient wife, at the word of authority.

From this foolish beginning arose our mighty quarrel. What vexed me was, the art of the man, and the evident design he had to get you of his side. He, in the course of it, threatened me with appealing to you To intend to ruin me in the love of my dearest friend! Who, that valued that friend, could forgive it? You may believe, that if he had not proposed it, and after such accumulated offen-ces, it was the very visit that I should have been delighted with.

Indeed, Sir Upon my word, my lord, I do assure you, Sir, with a moderate degree of haughtiness was what the quarrel arose to, on my side And, at last to a declaration of rebellion 1 toon’t.

On his side, Upon my soul, madam Let me pe-rish, if and then hesitating You use me ill, ma — dam. I have not deserved And give me leave to say I insist upon being obliged, madam.

There was no bearing of this, Harriet. It was a cool evening; but I took up my fan Hey-day! said I, What language is this? You insist upon it, my lord! I think I am married; Am I not? And I took my watch, Half an hour after ten on Monday night the What day of the month isthis: Please the lord, I will note down this beginning moment of your authoritative demeanour.

My dear Lady G. [The wretch called me by his own name, perhaps further to insult me] if I could bear this treatment, it would be impossible for me to love you as I do.

So it is in love to me, that you are to put on already all the husband 1 Jenny! [Do you see, my lord, affecting a whisper, how you dash the poor wench! I ‘ ow like a fool she looks at our folly!] re-member Jenny, that tomorrow morning you carry my wedding suits to Mrs. Arnold; and tell her, she has forgot the hanging-sleeves to the gowns. Let her put them on directly.

I was proceeding But he rudely, gravely, and even with an air of scorn [There was iio bearing t2 that, you know] admonished me; A little less wit, madam, and a little more discretion, would perhaps better become you.

This was too true to be forgiven. You’ll say it, Harriet, if I don’t. And to come from a man that was not overburdened with either But I had too great a command of myself to say so. My depend-ence, my lord [this I did say] is upon your judg — ment: that will always be a balance to my mt; and, with the assistance of your reproving love, will in time teach me discretion.

Now, my dear, was not this a high compliment to him? Ought he not to have taken it as such? Espe-cially as 1 looked grave, and dropt him a very fine courtesy. But either his conscience or ill-nature (perhaps you’ll say both) made him take it as a reflection [True as you are alive, Harriet]. He bit his lip. Jenny, begone, said he Jenny, don’t go, said I. Jenny knew not which to obey. Upon my word, Harriet, 1 began to think the man would have cuff’d me And while he was in his airs of mock-majesty, I stept to the door, and whipt down to my company.

As married people are not to expose themselves to their friends (who I once heard you sagely re-mark, would remember disagreeable things, when the honest pair had forgot them) I was deter-mined to be prudent. You would have been charmed with me, my dear, for my discretion. I will cheat by-standers, thought I; 1 will make my Lord and Lady L. Dr. Bartlett, and Emily, whom I had before set in at cards, think we are egregiously happy And down I sat, intending, with a lamblike peaceableness, to make observations on the play. But soon after, in whipt my indiscreet lord, his colour heightened, his features working: and though I cautioned him not to expose himself, yet he as-sumed airs that were the occasion, as you shall hear, of frighting away my company. He withdrew, in consequence of those airs; and, after a little while (repenting, as I hoped) he sent for me out. Some wives would have played the queen Vashti on their tyrant, and refused to go; but I, all obedience (my vow, so recently made, in my head) obeyed, at the very first word; yet you must think that I (meek as I am naturally) could not help recriminating. He was too lordly to be expostulated with. There was, ‘ I tell you, madam,’ and I won’t be told, Sir;’ and when I broke from the passionate creature, and hoped to find my company, behold! they were all gone! None but Emily left. And thus was poor Lady L. sent home, weeping, perhaps, for such an early marriage-tyranny, exerted on her meek sister.

Well, and don’t you think we looked like a cou-ple of fools at each other, when we saw ourselves left alone, as I may say, to fight it out? I did expostulate with him as mildly as I could: he would have made it up with me afterwards: but, no! there was no doing that, as a girl of your nice notions may believe, after he had, by his violent airs, exposed us both before so many witnesses. In decency, therefore, I was obliged to keep it up: and now our misunderstanding blazes, and is at such a comfortable height, that if we meet by accident, we run away from each other by design. We have already made two breakfast-tables: yet lam meek; he is sullen: I make courtesies; he returns not bows. Sullen creature, and a rustic! I go to my harpsichord: melody enrages him. He is worse than Saul; for Saul could be gloomily pleased with the music even of the man he hated.

I would have got you to come to us: that I thought was tending to a compliance; for it would have been condescending too much, as he is so very perverse, if I had accompanied him to you. He has a great mind to appeal to you; but I have half-raillied him out of his purpose I sent to you. What an answer did you return me! Cruel Harriet! to deny your requested mediation in a difference that has arisen between man and wife. But let the fire glow. If it spares the house, and only blazes in the chimney, I can bear it.

Cross creature, adieu! If you know not such a woman as Grandison, Heaven grant that I may; and that my wishes may be answered as to the person; and then I will not know a Byron.

See, Lucy, how high this dear flighty creature bribes! But I will not be influenced by her bribery, to take her part.


Letter XXVIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Tuesday night. I am just returned from St. James’s Square.

But, first, I should tell you, that I had a visit from Lady Olivia and Lady Maffei. Our conversation was in Italian and French. Lady Olivia and I had a quarter of an hour’s discourse in private: you may guess at our subject. She is not without that ten-derness of heart which is the indispensable charac — teristic of a woman. She lamented the violence of her temper, in a manner so affecting, that I cannot help pitying her, though at the instant I had in my head a certain attempt that makes me shudder whenever I think of it. She regrets my going to

SIK CHARLES GRANDISON. 211

Northamptonshire so soon. 1 have .promised to return her visit tomorrow in the afternoon.

She sets out on Friday next for Oxford. She wished I could accompany her. She resolves to see all that is worth seeing in the western circuit, as I may call it. She observes, she says, that Sir Charles Grandison’s sisters, and their lords, are very particularly engaged at present; and are in expectation of a call to Windsor, to attend Lord W.‘s nuptials: she will therefore, having attendants enough, and two men of consideration in her train, one of whom is not unacquainted with England, take cursory tours over the kingdom; having a taste for travelling, and finding it a great relief to her spirits: and when Lady L. and Lady G. are more disengaged, will review the seats and places which she shall think worthy of a second visit, in their company.

She professed to like the people here, and the face of the country; and talked favourably of the religion of it: but poor woman! she likes all those the better, I doubt not, for the sake of one Englishman. Love, Lucy, gilds every object which bears a relation to the person beloved.

Lady Maffei was very free in blaming her niece for this excursion. She took her chiding patiently; but yet, like a person that thought it too much in her power, to gratify the person blaming her, to pay much regard to what she said.

I took a chair to Lady G.‘s. Emily ran to mee’ me in the hall. She threw her arms about me. 1 rejoice you are come, said she. Did you not meet the house in the square? What means my Emily? Why, it has been flung out of the windows, as the saying is. Ah, madam! we are all to pieces. One so careless, the other so passionate! Hut, hush! Here comes Lady G.

Take, Lucy, in the dialogue — way, particulars.

Lady G. Then your are come, at last, Harriet. You wrote, that you would not come near me.

Harriet. I did; but I could not stay away. Ah, Lady G. you will destroy your own happiness!

Lady G. So you wrote. Not one word, on the subject you hint at, that you have ever said or writ-ten before. I hate repititions, child.

Harriet. Then I must be silent upon it.

Lady G. Not of necessity. You can say new things upon old subjects. But hush! Here comes the man She ran to her harpsichord Is this it, Harriet? and touched the keys repeating

Softly sweet, in Lydian measures, Soon she sooth’d

ENTER LORD G.

Lord G. Miss Byron, I am your most obedient servant. The sight of you rejoices my soul. Madam (to his lady) you have not been long enough toge-ther to begin a tune. I know what this is for

Lady G. Harmony! harmony! is a charming thing! But I, poor I! know not any but what this simple instrument affords me.

Lord G. lifting up his hands. Harmony, madam! God is my witness But I will lay every-thing before Miss Byron.

Lady G. You need not, my lord: she knows as much as she can know, already; except the fine colourings be added to the woeful tale, that your unbridled spirit can give it. Have you my long letter about you, Harriet?

Lord G. And could you, madam, have the heart to write

Lady G. Why, my lord, do you mince the matter? For heart, say courage. You may speak as plain in

Miss Byron’s presence, as you did before she came: I know what you mean.

Lord G. Let it be courage, then.

Harriet. Fie, fie, Lord G. Fie, fie, Lady G. What lengths do you run! If I understand the matter right, you have both, like children, been at play, till you have fallen out.

Lord G. If, Miss Byron, you know the truth, and can blame me

Harriet. I blame you only, my lord, for being in a passion. You see, my lady is serene: she keeps her temper: she looks as if she wanted to b J friends with you.

Lord G. O that cursed serenity! When my souj is torn by a whirlwind

Lady G. A good tragedy rant! But, Harriet, you are mistaken: my Lord G. is a very passionate man. So humble, so what shall I call it? before marriage Did not the man see what a creature I was? To bear with me, when he had no obligation to me; and not now, when he has the highest A miserable sinking! O Harriet, Harriet! Never never marry!

Harriet. Dear Lady G. you know in your own heart you are wrong Indeed you are wrong

Lord G. God for ever reward you, madam! I will tell you how it began

Lady G. ‘ Began! ‘ She knows that already, I tell you, my lord. But what has passed within these jour hours, she knows not: you may entertain her with that, if you please. It was just about the time this day is a week, that we were all together, mighty comfortably, at St. George’s, Hanover-square

Lord G. Every tittle of what you promised there, madam

Lady G. And I, my lord could be your echo in this, were I not resolved to keep my temper; as you cannot but say I have done, all along.

Lord G. You could not, madam, if you did not despise me.

Lady G. You are wrong, my lord, to think so: but you don’t believe yourself: if you did, the pride of your heart ought not to permit you to own it.

Lord G. Miss Byron, give me leave

Lady G. Lord bless me! that people are so fond of exposing themselves! Had you taken my advice, when you pursued me out of my dressing-room into company My lord, said I, as mildly as 1 now speak, dont expose yourself. But he was not at all the wiser for my advice.

Lord G. Miss Byron, you see But I had not come down but to make my compliments to you. He bowed, and was about to withdraw.

I took him by the sleeve My lord, you must not go. Lady G. if your own heart justifies you for your part in this misunderstanding, say so; I chal-lenge you to say so She was silent.

Harriet. If otherwise, own your fault, promise amendment. Ask pardon.

Lady G. Hey-day!

Harriet. And my lord will ask yours, for mistaking you. For being too easily provoked

Lord G. Too easily, madam

Harriet. “What generous man would not smile at the foibles of a woman whose heart is only gay with prosperity and lively youth; but has not the least malice in it? Has not she made choice of your lord-ship in preference of any other man? She raillies every one; she can’t help it: she is to blame. Indeed, Lady G. you are. Your brother felt your edge; he once smarted by it, and was angry with you. But afterwards, observing that it was her way, my lord; that it was a kind of constitutional gaiety of heart, and exercised on those she loved best; he forgave, raillied her again, and turned her own weapons upon her; and every one in company was delighted with the spirit oboth. You love her, my lord

Lord G. Never man more loved a woman. I am not an ill-natured man

Lady G. But a captious, a passionate one, Lord G. Who’d have thought it!

Lord G. Never was there, my dear Miss Byron, such a strangely-aggravating creature! She could not be so, if she did not despise me.

Lady G. Fiddle-faddle, silly man! And so you said before. If you thought so, you take the way (don’t you?) to mend the matter, by dancing and capering about, and putting yourself into all manner of disagreeable attitudes; and even sometimes being ready to foam at the mouth? I told him, Miss Byron, There he stands, let him deny it, if he can; that I married a man with another face. Would not any other man have taken this for a compliment to his natural undistorted face, and instantly have pulled oft’ the ugly mask of passion, and shewn his own?

Lord G. You see, you see, the air, .Miss Byron! How ludicrously does she now, even now

Lady G. See, Miss Byron! How captious! Lord G. ought to have a turmagant wife: one who could return rage for rage. Meekness is my crime. I cannot be put out of temper. Meekness was never before attributed to woman as a fault.

Lord G . (rood God! Meekness! Good God!

Lady G. But, Harriet, do you judge on which side the grievance lies. Lord G. presents me with a face for his, that I never saw him wear before mar-riage: he has cheated me, therefore. I shew him the same face that I ever wore, and treat him pretty much in the same manner (or I am mistaken) that I ever did: and what reason can he give, that will not demonstrate him to be the most ungrateful of men, for the airs he gives himself? airs that he would not have presumed to put on eight days ago. “Who then, Harriet, has reason to complain of grievance; my lord, or I?

Lord G. You see, Miss Byron Can there be any arguing with a woman who knows herself to be in jest, in all she says?

Harriet. Why then, my lord, make a jest of it. What will not bear an argument, will not be worth one’s anger.

Lord G. I leave it to Miss Byron, Lady G. to decide between us, as she pleases.

Lady G. You’d better leave it to me, Sir.

Harriet. Do, my lord.

Lord G. Well, madam! And what is your decree?

Lady G. You, Miss Byron, had best be lady chancellor, after all. I should not bear to have my decree disputed, after it is pronounced.

Harriet. If I must, my decree is this: You, Lady G. shall own yourself in fault; and promise amendment. My lord shall forgive you; and promise, that he will, for the future, endeavour to dis tinguish between your good and your ill-nature: that he will sit down to jest with your jest, and never be disturbed at what you say, when he sees it accompanied with that archness of eye and lip which you put on to your brother, and to every one whom you best love, when you are disposed to be teazingly facetious.

Lady G. Why, Harriet, you have given Lord G a clue to find me out, and spoil all my sport.

Harriet. What say you, my lord?

Lord G. Will Lady G. own herself in fault, as you propose?

Lady G. Odious recrimination! I leave you to-gether. I never was in fault in my life. Am I not a woman? If my lord will ask pardon for his frop-pishness, as we say of children — She stopt, and pretended to be going — Harriet. That my lord shall not do, Charlotte. You have carried the jest too far already. My lord shall preserve his dignity for his wife’s sake. My lord, you will not permit Lady G. to leave us, however?

He took her hand, and pressed it with his lips: For God’s sake, madam, let us be happy: it is in your power to make us both so: *it ever shall be in your power. If 1 have been in fault, impute it to my love. I cannot bear your contempt: and I ne-ver will deserve it.

Lady G. Why could not this have been said some hours ago? Why, slighting my early caution, would you expose yourself?

I took her aside. Be generous, Lady G. Let not your husband be the only person to whom you are not so.

Lady G. (whispering) Our quarrel has not run half its length. If we make up here, we shall make up clumsily. One of the silliest things in the world is, a quarrel that ends not, as a coachman after a journey comes in, with a spirit. We shall certainly renew it.

Harriet. Take the caution you gave to my lord: Don’t expose yourself And another; That you can-not more effectually do so, than by exposing your husband. I am more than half ashamed of you. You are not the Charlotte I once thought you were. Let me see, if you have any regard to my good vol. xn. u opinion of you, that you can own an error with some grace.

Lady G. I am a meek, humble, docible creature. She turned to me, and made me a rustic courtesy, her hands before her: I’ll try for it; tell me, if I am right. Then stepping towards my lord, who was with his back to us looking out at the window and he turning about to her bowing My lord, said she, Miss Byron has been telling me more than I knew before of my duty. She proposes herself one day to make a won-der-ful obedient wife. It would have been well for you, perhaps, had I had her example to walk by. She seems to say, that, now I am mar-ried, I must be grave, sage, and passive: that smiles will hardly become me: that I must be prim and formal, and reverence my husband. If you think this behaviour will become a married woman, and expect it from me, pray, my lord, put me right by your frotvns, whenever I shall be wrong. For the future, if I ever find myself disposed to be very light-hearted, I will ask your leave before I give way to it. And now, what is next to be done? humorously courtesying, her hands before her.

He clasped her in his arms; Dear provoking creature! This, this is next to be done I ask you but to love me half as much as I love you, and I shall be the happiest man on earth.

My lord, said I, you ruin all by this condescension on a speech and air so ungracious. If this is all you get by it, never, never, my lord, fall out again. O Charlotte! If you are not generous, you come off much, much too easily.

Well, now, my lord, said she, holding out her hand, as if threatening me, let you and me, man and wife like, join against the interposer in our quarrels. Harriet, I will not forgive you, for this last part of your lecture.

And thus was this idle quarrel made up. All that vexes me on the occasion is, that it was not made up with dignity on my lord’s part. His ho-nest heart so overflowed with joy at his lips, that the naughty creature, by her arch leers, every now-and-then, shewed, that she was sensible of her con sequence to his happiness. But, Lucy, don’t let her sink too low in your esteem: she has many fine qualities.

They prevailed on me to stay supper. Emily re-joiced in the reconciliation: her heart was, as I may say, visible in her joy. Can I love her better than I do? It’ I could, she would, every time I see her, give me reason for it.


Letter XXIX.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Wednesday noon, April 19. It would puzzle you to guess at a visiter I had this morning. Honest Mr. Fowler. I was very glad to see him. He brought me a letter from his worthy uncle. Good Sir Rowland! I had a joy that I thought I should not have had while I stayed in London, on its being put into my hand, though the contents gave me sensible pain. I inclose it. It is dated from Caennarthen. Be pleased to read it here.

Caerniarlhen, April 1). How shall I, in fit manner, inscribe my letter to the loveliest of women! I don’t mean because of your loveliness; but whether as daughter or not, as you did me the honour to call yourself. Really, and truly, I must say, that I had rather call you by another name, though a little more remote as to consanguinity. Lord have mercy upon me, how I talked of you? How many of our fine Caermarthen girls have I filled with envy of your peerless per-fections!

Here am I settled to my heart’s content, could I but obtain You know whom I mean. A town of gentry: a fine country round us A fine estate of our own. Esteemed, nay, for that matter, beloved by all our neighbours and tenants. Who so happy as Rowland Meredith, if his poor boy could be happy! Ah, madam! And can’t it be so? I am afraid of asking. Yet I understand, that, notwith-standing all the jack-a-dandies that have been flut — tering about you, you are what you were when I left town. Some whispers have gone out of a fine gentleman indeed, who had a great kindness for you; but yet that something was in the way between you. The Lord bless and prosper my dear daughter, as I must then call you and not niece, if you have any kindness for him. And if as how you have, it would be wonderfully gracious if you would but give half a hint of it to my nephew, or if so be you will not to him, to me, your father you know, under your own precious hand. The Lord be good unto me! But I shall never see the she that will strike my fancy, as you have done. But what a dreadful thing would it be, if you, who are so much courted and admired by many fine gallants, should at last be taken with a man who could not be yours! God forbid that such a disastrous thing should happen! I profess to you, madam, that a tear or two have strayed down my cheeks at the thoughts of it. For why? Because you played no tricks — with any man: You never were a coquet, as they call ’em You dealt plainly, sincerely, and tenderly too, to all men; of which my nephew and I can bear witness*

Well, but what now is the end of my writing? Lord love you, cannot, cannot you at last give comfort to two honest hearts? Honester you never knew! And yet, if you could, I dare say you would. Well, then, and if you can’t, we must sit down as contented as we can; that’s all we have for it. But, poor young man! look at him, if you read this before him. Strangely altered! Poor young man! And if as how you cannot, why then, God bless my daughter; that’s all. And I do assure you, that you have our prayers every Lord’s day, from the bottom of our hearts.

And now, if you will keep a secret, I will tell it you; and yet, when I began, I did not intend it: the poor youth must not know I do. It is done in the singleness of our hearts; and if you think we mean to gain your love for us by it, I do assure you that you wrong us. My nephew declares, that he never will marry, if it be not somebody: and he has made his will, and so have I his uncle; and, let me tell you, that if as how I cannot have a niece, my daughter shall be the better for having known, and treated as kindly as power was lent her,

Her true friend, loving father, and obedient servant,

ROWLAND MEREDITH.

Love and service to Mr. and Mrs. Reeves, and all friends who enquire after me. Farewell. God bless you! Amen.

Have you, could you, Lucy, read this letter with dry eyes? Generous, worthy, honest men! I read but half way before Mr. Fowler Glad I was, that v 3

I read no further. I should not have been able to have kept his uncle’s secret, if I had; had it been but to disclaim the acceptance of the generous pur-pose. The carrying it into effect would exceedingly distress me, besides the pain the demise of the honest man would give me; and the more, as I bespoke the fatherly relation from him myself. If such a thing were to be, Sir Charles Grandison’s behaviour to the Danbys should be my example.

Do you know, Mr. Fowler, said I, the contents of the letter you have put into my hand?

No further than that my uncle told me, it contained professions of fatherly love; and with wishes only But without so much as expressing his hopes.

Sir Rowland is a good man, said I: I have not read above half his letter. There seems to be too much of the father in it; for me to read further, before my brother. God bless my brother Fowler, and reward the fatherly love of Sir Rowland to his daughter Byron! I must write to him.

Mr Fowler, poor man! profoundly sighed; bowed; with such a look of respectful acquiescence Bless me, my dear, how am I to be distressed on all sides! by good men too; as Sir Charles could say he was by good women.

Is there nothing less than giving myself to either, that I can do to shew Mr. Orme and Mr. Fowler my true value for them?

Poor Mr. Fowler! Indeed he looks to be, as Sir Rowland hints, not well. Such a modest, such an humble, such a silent lover! He cost me tears at parting: I could not hide them. He heaped praises and good wishes upon me, and hurried away at last, to hide his emotion, with a sentence unfinished God preserve you, dear and worthy Sir! was all I could try to say. The last words stuck in my throat, till he was out of hearing; and then I prayed for blessings upon him and his uncle: and repeated them, with fresh tears, on reading the rest of the affecting letter.

Mr. Fowler told Mr. Reeves, before I saw him, that he is to go to Caermarthen for the benefit of his native air, in a week. He let him know where he lodged in town, lie had been riding for his health and diversion about the country, ever since his uncle went; and has not been yet at Caermar-then.

I wish Mr. Fowler had once, if but once, called me sister: it would have been such a kind acqui-escence, as would have given me some little pleasure on recollection. Methinks I don’t know how to have done writing of Sir Rowland and Mr. Fowler.

I sat down, however, while the uncle and nephew filled my thoughts, and wrote to the former. I have enclosed the copy of my letter. Adieu my Lucy.


Letter XXX.
Miss Byron to Sir Rowland Meredith.

Wednesday, April 19. It was with great pleasure that I received, this day, the kindest letter that ever was written by a real father to his dearest child. I was resolved that I would not go to rest till I had acknowledged the favour.

How sweet is the name of father to a young per-son who, out of near one-and-twenty years of life, has for more than half the time been bereaved of hers; and who was also one of the best of men.

You gave me an additional pleasure in causing this remembrance of your promised paternal goodness to be given me by Mr. Fowler in person. Till I knew you and him, I had no father, no brother.

How good you are in your apprehensions that there may be a man on whom your daughter has cast her eye, and who cannot look upon her with the same distinction O that I had been near you when you wrote that sweetly-compassionating, that indulgent passage! I would have wiped the tears from your eyes myself, and reverenced you as my true father.

You demand of me, as my father, a hint, or half a hint, as you call it, to be given to my brother Fowler; or if not to him, to you. To him, whom I call father, I mean all the duty of a child I call him not father nominally only: I will, irksome as the subject is, own without reserve, the truth to you (In tenderness to my brother, how could I to him?) There is a man whom, and whom only, I could love as a good wife ought to love her husband. He is the best of men. O my good Sir Rowland Meredith! if you knew him, you would love him yourself, and own him for your son. I will not conceal his name from my father: Sir Charles Grandison is the man. Enquire about him. His character will rise upon you from every mouth. He engaged first all your daughter’s gratitude, by rescuing her from a great danger and oppression; for he is as brave as he is good: and how could she help suffering a tenderness to spring up from her gratitude, of which she was never before sensible to any man in the world? There is something in the way, my good Sir; but not that proceeds from his slights or contempts. Your daughter could not live, if it were so. A glo-rious creature is in the way! who has suffered for him, who does suffer for him: he ought to be hers, and only hers: and if she can be recovered from a fearful malady that has seized her mind, he probably will. My daily prayers are, that God will restore her!

But yet, my dear Sir, my friend, my father! my esteem for this noblest of men is of such a nature, that 1 cannot give my hand to any other; my father Meredith would not wish me to give a hand without a heart.

This, Sir, is the case. Let it, I beseech you, rest within your own breast, and my brother Fow-ler’s. How few minds are there delicate and candid enough to see circumstances of this kind in the light they ought to appear in! And pray for me, my good Sir Rowland; not that the way may be smoothed to what once would have crowned my wishes as to this life; but that Sir Charles Grandison may be happy with the lady that is, and ought to be, dearest to his heart; and that your daughter may be enabled to rejoice in their felicity. What, my good Sir, is this span of life, that a passenger through it should seek to overturn the interests of others to establish her own? And can the single life be a grievance? Can it be destitute of the noblest tendernesses? No, Sir. You that have lived to an advanced age, in a fair fame, surrounded with comforts, and as tender to a worthy nephew, as the most indulgent father could be to the worthiest of sons, can testify for me, that it is not.

But now, Sir, one word I disclaim, but yet in all thankfulness, the acceptance of the favour signified to be intended me in the latter part of the paternal letter before me. Our acquaintance began with a hope, on your side, that I could not encourage. As I could not, shall I accept of the benefit from you, to which I could only have been entitled (and that as 1 had behaved) had I been able to oblige you? No, Sir! I will not, in this case, be benefited when 1 cannot benefit. Put me not, therefore, I beseech you, Sir, if such an event (deplored by me, as it would be!) should happen, upon the necessity of enquiring after your other relations and friends. Sir Rowland Meredith my father, and Mr. Fowler my brother, are all to me of the family they distin-guish by their relation, that I know at present. Let me not be made known to the rest by a distinction that would be unjust to them, and to yourself, as it must deprive you of the grace of obliging those who have more than a stranger’s claim; and must, in the event, lay them under the appearance of an obligation to that stranger for doing them common justice. I use the word stranger with reference to those of your family and friends to whom I must really appear in that light. But, laying these considerations aside, in which I am determined not to interfere with them, I am, with the tenderest regard, dear and good Sir, Your ever-dutiful and affectionate daughter,

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXXI.
Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Wedncsdaj, April 19. I shall dispatch this by your Gibson early in the morning. It was kind in you to bid him call, in his way down; for now I shall be almost sure of meeting (if not my uncle) your brother, and who knows, but my Lucy herself, at Dunstable? Where, barring accidents, I shall be on Friday night.

You will see some of the worthiest people in the world, my dear, if you come, all prepared to love you; but let not any-body be put to inconvenience to meet me at Dunstable. My noble friends here will proceed with me to Stratford, or even to North-ampton, they say; but they will see me safe in the ftrotection of somebody I love, and whom they must ove for my sake.

I don’t wonder that Sir Charles Grandison loves Mr. Bcauchamp: he is a very worthy and sensible man. He, as every-body else, idolizes Sir Charles. It is some pleasure to me, Lucy, that I stand high in his esteem. To be respected by the worthy, is one of the greatest felicities in this life; since it is to be ranked as one of them. Sir Harry and his lady are come to town. All, it seems, is harmony in that family. They cannot bear Mr. Beauchamp’s absence from them for three days together. All the neighbouring gentlemen are in love with him. His manners are so gentle; his temper so even: so desirous to oblige; so genteel in his person; so pleasing in his address; he must undoubtedly make a good woman very happy.

But Emily, poor girl! sees only Sir Charles Grandison with eyes of love. Mr.Beauchamp is, however, greatly pleased with Emily. He told Lady G. that he thought her a fine young creature; and that her mind was still more amiable than her person. But his behaviour to her is extremely prudent. He says finer things of her, than to her: yet surely I am mistaken if he meditates not in her, his future wife.

Mr. Beauchamp will be one of my escorte.

Emily has made it her request, to go to Colne-brook with Lady L. after I am gone.

Mr. Reeves will ride. Lord L. and Lord G. will also oblige me with their company on horseback.

Mrs. Reeves is forbidden to venture; but Lady L. and Lady G. will not be denied coming with me.

I shall take leave of Lady Olivia and Lady Maffei tomorrow morning; when they will set out for their projected tour. To-morrow we and the whole Grandison family are to dine together at Lord L.‘s for the last time. It will be a mournful dining-time on that account.

Lady Betty Williams, her daughter, and Miss Clements, supped with us this night, and took leave of me in the tenderest manner. They greatly regret my going down so soon, as they call it.

As to the public diversions, which they wish me to stay and give into, to be sure I should have been glad to have been better qualified to have entertain-ed you with the performances of this or that actor, this or that musician, and the like: but, frighted by the vile plot upon me at the masquerade, I was thrown out of that course of diversion, and indeed into more affecting, more interesting engagements; into the knowledge of a family that had no need to look out of itself for entertainments: and, besides, are not all the company we see, as visiters, or guests, full of these things? I have seen the princi-pal performers, in every way, often enough to give me a notion of their performances, though I have not troubled you with such common things as revolve every season.

You know I am far from slighting the innocent pleasures in which others delight. It would have been happier for me, perhaps, had I had more lei-sure to attend those amusements, than I have found. Yet I am not sure, neither: for methinks, with all the pangs that my suspenses have cost me, I would not but have known Sir Charles Grandison, his sis-ters, his Emily, and Dr. Bartlett.

I could only have wished to have been spared Sir Hargrave Pollexfen’s vile attempt: then, if I had come acquainted with this family, it would have been as I came acquainted with others: my gratitude had not been engaged so deeply.

Well But what signify if’s? What has been, has; what must be, must. Only love me, my dear friends, as you used to love me. If I was a good girl when I left you, I hope I am not a bad one now, that I am returning to you. My heart is not cor-rupted by the vanities of the great town: I have a little more experience than I had: and if I have severely paid for it, it is not at the price of my re-putation. And I hope, if nobody has benefited by me, since I have been in town, that no one has suf-fered by me. Poor Mr. Fowler! I could not help it, you know. Had I, by little snares, follies, coquetries, sought to draw him on, and entangle him, his future welfare would with reason be more the subject of my solicitude, than it is now necessary it should be; though indeed I cannot help making it a good deal so.

Thursday morning.

Dr. Bartlett has just now taken leave of me in my own dressing-room. The parting scene between us was tender.

I have not given you my opinion of Miss Wil-liams. Had 1 seen her at my first coming to town, I should have taken as much notice of her, in my letters to you, as I did of the other ladies and gen-tlemen who took my first notice, as they fell early in my way, and with whom it is possible, as well as with the town-diversions, I had been more intimate, had not Sir Hargrave’s vile attempt carried me out of their acquaintance into a much higher; which of necessity, as well as choice, entirely engrossed my attention. But noiv how insipid would any new cha-racters appear to you, if they were but of a like cast with those I have formerly mentioned, were I to make stick the subjects of my pen, and had I time before me; which I cannot have, to write again, bex fore I embrace you all, my dear, my ever-dear and indulgent friends.

I will only say, that Miss Williams is a genteel girl; but will hardly be more than one of the better sort of modern women of condition; and that she is to be classed so high, will be owing more to Miss Clements’s lessons, than, I am afraid, to her mother’s example.

Is it, Lucy, that I have more experience and discernment now, or less charity and good-nature, than when I first came to town? for then I thought well, in the main, of Lady Betty Williams. But though she is a good-natured, obliging woman; she is so immersed in the love of public diversions! so fond of routs, drums, hurricanes Bless me, my dear! how learned should I have been in all the gaities of the modern life; what a fine lady, possibly; had I not been carried into more rational (however to me they have been more painful) scenes; and had I followed the lead of this lady, as she (kindly, as to her intention) had designed I should!

In the afternoon Mr. Beauchamp is to introduce Sir Harry and Lady Beauchamp, on their first visit to the two sisters.

I had almost forgot to tell you, that my cousins and I are to attend the good Countess of D. for one half hour, after we have taken leave of Lady Olivia and her aunt.

And now, my Lucy, do I shut up my correspond-ence with you from London. My heart beats high with the hope of being as indulgently received by all you, my dearest friends, as I used to be after a shorter absence: for I am, and ever will be, The grateful, dutiful, and affectionate

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXXII.
Miss Byron to Lady G.

Selby-house, Monday, April 24.

Though the kind friends with whom I parted at Dunstable were pleased, one and all, to allow that the correspondence which is to pass between my dear Lady G. and their Harriet should answer the just expectations of each upon her, in the writing way: and though (at your motion, remember, not at mine) they promised to be contented with hearing read to them such parts of my letters as you shall think proper to communicate; yet cannot 1 dispense with my duty to Lady L. my Emily, my cousin Reeves, and Dr. IJartlett. Accordingly, 1 write to them by this post; and I charge you, ray dear, with my sincere and thankful compliments to jour lord, and to Mr. Beauchamp, for their favours.

What an agreeable night, in the main, was Friday night! Had we not been to separate next morning, it would have been an agreeable one indeed!

Is not my aunt Selby an excellent woman? But you all admired her. She admires you all. I will tell you, another time, what she said of you, my dear, in particular.

My cousin Lucy, too, is she not an amiable creature? She is as prudent as Lady L. and now our Nancy is so well recovered, as cheerful as Lady G. You said, you would provide a good husband for her: don’t forget. The man, whoever he be, can-not be too good for my Lucy. Nancy is such another good girl: but so I told you.

Well, and pray, did you ever meet with so plea-sant a man, as my uncle Selby? What should we have done, when we talked of your brother, when we talked of our parting, had it not been for him? You looked upon me every now-and-then, when he re-turned your smartness upon him, as if you thought I had let him know some of your perversenesses to LordG. And do you think 1 did not? Indeed I did. Can you imagine that your frank-hearted Harriet, who hides not from her friends her own faults, should conceal yours? But what a particular cha-racter is ‘yours! Every-body blames you, that knows of your over-liveliness; yet every-body loves you I think, for your very faults. Had it not been so, do you imagine I could ever have loved you, after you had led Lady L. to join with you, on a certain teazing occasion? My uncle doats upon you!

But don’t tell Emily that my cousin James Selby is in love with her. That he may not, on the score of the dear girl’s fortune, be thought presumptuous, let me tell you, that he is almost of age; and, when he is, comes into possession of an handsome estate. He has many good qualities. I have, in short, a very great value for him; but not enough, though he is my relation, to wish him my still more beloved Emily. Dear creature! methinks I still feel her parting tears on my cheek!

You charge me to be as minute, in the letters I write to you, as I used to be to my friends here: and you promise to be as circumstantial in yours. I will set you the example: do you be sure to fol-low it.

We baited at Stony–Stratford. J was a/raidhow it would be: there were the two bold creatures, Mr. Greville, and Mr. Fenwick, ready to receive us. A handsome collation, as at our setting out, so now, bespoke by them, was set on the table. How they came by their intelligence, nobody knows: we were all concerned to see them. They seemed half-mad for joy. My cousin James had alighted to hand us out; but Mr. Greville was so earnest to offer his hand, that though my cousin was equally rrady, I thought I could not deny to his solicitude for the poor favour, such a mark of civility. Besides, if I had, it would have been distinguishing him for more than a common neighbour you know. Mr. Fenwick took the other hand, when I had stept out of the coach, and then (with so much pride, as made me ashamed of myself) they hurried me between them, through the inn-yard, and into the room they had engaged for us; blessing themselves, all the way for my coming down Harriet Byron.

I looked about, as if for the dear friends I had parted with at Dunstable. This is not, thought I, so delightful an inn as they made that. Now they, thought I, are pursuing their road to London, as we are ours to Northampton. But all! where, where is Sir Charles Grandison at this time? And I sighed! But don’t read this, and such strokes as this, to any-body but Lord and Lady L. You won’t, you say. Thank you, Charlotte. I will call you Charlotte, when I think of it, as you commanded me.

The joy we had at Dunstable was easy, serene, deep, full, as 1 may say; it was the joy of sensible people: but the joy here was made by the two gen-tlemen, mad, loud, and even noisy. They hardly were able to contain themselves; and my uncle, and cousin James, were forced to be loud, to be heard.

Mr. Orme, good Mr. Orme, when we came near his park, was on the highway — side, perhaps near the very spot where he stood to see me pass to London so many weeks ago Poor man! When I first saw him (which was before the coach came near, for I looked out only, as thinking I would mark the place where 1 last beheld him) he looked with so disconso-late an air, and so fixed, that I compassionately said x3 to myself, Surely the worthy man has not been there ever since!

I twiched the string just in time: the coach stopt. Mr. Orme, said I. how do you? Well, I hope? How does Miss Orme?

I had my hand on the coach-door. He snatched it. It was not an unwilling hand. He pressed it with his lips. God be praised, said he <(with a countenance, O how altered for the better!) for permitting me once more to behold that face that angelic face, he said.

God bless you, Mr. Orme! said I: I am glad to see you. Adieu.

The coach drove on. Poor Mr. Orme! said my aunt.

Mr. Orme, Lucy, said I, don’t look so ill as you wrote he was.

His joy to see you, returned she But Mr. Orme is in a declining way.

Mr. Greville, on the coach stopping, rode back just as it was going on again And with a loud laugh How the d 1 came Orme to know of your coming, madam! Poor fellow! It was very kind of you to stop your coach to speak to the statue. And he laughed again. Nonsensical! At what!

My grandmamma Shirley, dearest of parents! her youth, as she was pleased to say, renewed by the expectation of so soon seeing her darling child, came (as my aunt told us, you know) on Thursday night to Selby-house, to charge her and Lucy with her blessing to me; and resolving to stay there to re-ceive me. Our beloved Nancy was also to be there; so were two other cousins, Kitty and Patty Holies, good young creatures; who, in my absence, had at-tended my grandmamma at every convenient oppor — tunity, and whom I also found here.

When we came within sight of this house, Now,

Harriet, said Lucy, I see the same kind of emotions beginning to arise in your face and bosom, as Lady G. told us you shewed when you first saw your aunt at Dunstable. My grandmamma! said I, I am in sight of the dear house that holds her: I hope she is here. But I will not surprise her with my joy to see her. Lie still, throbbing, impatient heart.

But when the coach set us down at the inner gate, there, in the outward-hall, sat my blessed grandmamma. The moment I beheld her, my intended caution forsook me: I sprang by my aunt, and before the footstep could be put down, flew, as it were, out of the coach, and threw myself at her feet, wrapping my arms about her: Bless, bless, said I, your Harriet! I could not, at the moment, say another word.

Great God! said the pious parent, her hands and eyes lifted up, Great God! I thank thee! Then folding her arms about my neck, she kissed my fore — head, my cheek, my lips God bless my love! Pride of my life! the most precious of a hundred daughters! How docs my child My Harriet O my love! After such dangers, such trials, such harassings Once more, God be praised that I clasp to my fond heart, my Harriet!

Separate them, separate them, said my facetious uncle (yet he had tears in his eyes) before they grow together! Madam, to my grandmamma, she is our Harriet as well as yours: let us welcome the saucy girl, on her re-entrance into these doors! Saucy, I suppose, 1 shall soon find her.

My grandmamma w ithdrew her fond arms: Take her, take her, said she each in turn: but I think I never can part with her again.

How can 1 return the obligations which the love of all my friends lays upon me? To be good, to be grateful, is not enough; since that one ought to be for one’s own sake. Yet how can I be even grate-ful to them with half a heart? Ah Lady G. Don’t you think 1 look silly to myself? You bid me be free in my confessions. You promise to look my letters over before you read them to any-body; and to mark passages proper to be kept to yourself Pray do.

Mr. Greville and Mr. Fenwick were here sepa-rately an hour ago: I thanked them for their civility on the road, and not ungraciously, as Mr. Greville told my uncle, as to him. He was not, he said, without hopes, yet; since I knew not how to be ungrateful. Mr. Greville builds, as he always did, a merit on his civility; and by that means sinks, in the narrower lover, the claim he might otherwise make to the title of the generous neighbour.

Miss Orme has just been here. She could not help throwing in a word for her brother.

You will guess, my dear Lady G. at the subject of our conversations here, and what they will be, morning, noon, and night, for a week to come. My grandmamma is better in health than I have known her for a year or two past. The health of people in years can mend but slowly; and they are slow to acknowledge it in their own favour. My grand-mamma, however, allows that she is better within these few days past; but attributes the amendment to her Harriet’s return.

How do they all bless, revere, extol, your noble brother! How do they wish And how do they regret You know what Yet how ready are they to applaud your Harriet, if she can hold her magna-nimity, in preferring the happiness of Clementina to her own! My grandmamma and aunt are of opi-nion, that I should; and they praise me for the ge — nerosity of my effort, whether the superior merits of the man will or will not allow me to succeed in it. But my uncle, my Lucy, and my Nancy, from their unbounded love of me, think a little, and but a little, narrower; and, believing it will go hard with me, say, It is hard. My uncle, in particular, says, the very pretension is flight and nonsense: but, how-ever, if the girl, added he, can parade away her passion for an object so worthy; with all my heart: it will be but just, that the romancing elevations, which so often drive headstrong girls into difficul-ties, should now-and-then help a more discreet one out of them.

Adieu, my beloved Lady G. Repeated compli-ments, love, thanks, to my Lord and Lady L to my Emily, to Dr. Bartlett, to Mr. Beauchamp, and par-ticularly to my Lord G. Dear, dear Charlotte, be good! Let me beseech you be good! If you are not, you will have every one of my friends against you; for those of them who met you at Dunstable find but one fault in my lord: it is, that he seems too fond of a wife, who, by her archness of looks, and half-saucy turns upon him, even before them, evidently shewed Shall I say what?

But I stand up for you, my dear. Your gratitude, your generosity, your honour, I say (and why should I not add your duty?) will certainly make you one of the most obliging of wives, to the most affectionate of husbands.

My uncle says, he hopes so: but though he ad-mires you for a friend, and the companion of a live — ly hour; yet he does not know but his dame Selby is stili the woman whom a man should prefer for a wife: and she, said he, is full as saucy as a wife need to be; though I think, Harriet, that she has not been the less dutiful of late for your absence.

Once more, adieu, my dear Lady G. and continue to love your

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXXIII.
Lady G. to Miss Byron.

Thursday, April 27.

Every one of the Dunstable party says, that you are a grateful and good girl. Beauchamp can talk of nobody else of our sex: I believe in my conscience he is in love with you. I think all the un provided-for young women, wherever you come, must hate you. Were you never by surprise carried into the chamber of a friend labouring with the small-pox, in the infectious stage of it? O, but I think you once said you had had that distemper. But your mind, Harriet, were your face to be ruin-ed, would make you admirers. The fellows who could think of preferring even such a face to such a heart, may be turned over to the class of insignifi-cants.

Is not your aunt Selby, you ask, an excellent woman? She is. I admire her. But I am very angry with you for deferring to another time ac-quainting me with what she said of me. When we are taken with any-body, we love they should be taken with us. Teazing Harriet! You know what an immoderate quantity of curiosity I have. Never serve me so again!

I am in love with your cousin Lucy. Were either Fenwick or Greville good enough But they are not. I think she shall have Mr. Orme. Nancy, you say, is such another good girl. I don’t doubt it. Is she not your cousin, and Lucy’s sister? But I cannot undertake for every good girl who wants a husband. 1 wish I had seen Lucy a fortnight ago: then Nancy might have had Mr. Orme, and Lucy should have had Lord G. He admires her greatly. And do you think that a man who at that time professed for me so much love and service, and all that, would have scrupled to oblige me, had I (as I easily should) proved to him, that he would have been a much happier man than he could hope to be with somebody else?

Your uncle is a pleasant man: but tell him I say, that the man would be out of his wits, that did not make the preference he does in favour of his dame Selby, as he calls her. Tell him also, if you please, in return for his plain dealing, that I say, he studies too much for his pleasantries: he is continually hunting for occasions to be smart. I have heard my father say, that this was the fault of some wits of his acquaintance, whom he ranked among the wit-lings for it. If you think it will mortify him more, you may tell him (for I am very revengeful when I think myself affronted) that were I at liberty, which, God help me, I am not! I would sooner choose for a husband the man I have (poor soul, as I now-and-then think him) than such a teazing creature as him — self, were both in my power, and both of an age. And I should have this good reason for my prefer-ence. Your uncle and I should have been too much alike, and so been jealous of each other’s wit; whereas I can make my honest Lord G. look about him, and admire me strangely, whenever I please.

But I am, it seems, a person of a particular cha-racter. Every one, you say, loves me, yet blames me. Odd characters, my dear, are needful to make even characters shine. You good girls would not be valued as you are, if there were not bad ones. Have you not heard it said, That all human excel-lence is but comparative? Pray allow of the contrast. You, I am sure, ought. You are an ungrateful creature, if, whenever you think of my over-liveli-nesses, as you call ’em, you don’t drop a courtesy, and say, You are obliged to me.

But still the attack made upon you in your dressing-room at Colnebrook, by my sister and me, sticks with you. And why so? We were willing to shew you, that we were not the silly people you must have thought us; had we not been able to distinguish light from darkness. You, who ever were, I believe, one of the frankest-hearted girls in Britain, and ad-mired for the ease and dignity given you by that frankness, were growing awkward, nay dishonest. Your gratitude! your gratitude! was the dust you wanted to throw into our eyes, that we might not see that you were governed by a stronger motive. You called us your friends, your sisters, but treated us not as either; and this man, and that, and t’other, you could refuse; and why? No reason given for it; and we were to be popt off with your gratitude, truly! We were to believe just what you said, and no more: nay, not so much as you said. But we were not so implicit. Nor would you, in our case, have been so.

But ‘ you, perhaps, would not have violently broken in upon a poor thing, who thought xve were blind, because she was not willing we should see.’ May be not: but then, in that case, we were honester than you would have been; that’s all. Here, said I, Lady L. is this poor girl awkwardly struggling to conceal what every-body sees; and, seeing, applauds her for, the man considered [Yes, Harriet, the man considered; be pleased to take that in]. Let us in pity, relieve her. She is thought to be frank, open-hearted, communicative; nay, she passes herself upon us in those characters: she sees we keep no-thing from her. She has been acquainted with your love before wedlock; with my folly in relation to Anderson: she has carried her head above a score or two of men not contemptible. She sits enthroned among us, while we make but common figures at her footstool: she calls us sisters, friends, and twenty pretty names. Let us acquaint her, that we see into her heart; and why Lord D. and others are so indifferent with her. If she is ingenuous, let us spare her; if not, leave me to punish her Yet we will keep up her punctilio as to our brother; we will leave him to make his own discoveries. She may confide in his politeness; and the result will be hap-pier for her; because she will then be under no re — straint to us, and her native freedom of heart may again take its course.

Agreed, agreed, said Lady L. And arm in arm, we entered your dressing-room, dismissed the maid, and began the attack And, O Harriet! how you hesitated, paraded, fooled on with us, before you came to confession! Indeed you deserved not the mercy we shewed you So, child, you had better to have let this part of your story sleep in peace

You bid me not tell Emily, that your cousin is in love with her: but I think I will. Girls begin very early to look out for admirers. It is better, in order to stay her stomach to find out one for her, than that she should find out one for herself; especially when the man is among ourselves, as I may say, and both are in our own management, and at distance from each other. Emily is a good girl; but she has susceptibilities already: and though I would not encourage her, as yet, to look out of herself for happiness; yet I would give her consequence with herself, and at the same time let her see, that there could be no mention made of any-thing that related to her, but what she should be acquainted with. Dear girl! I love her as well as you; and I pity her too: for she, as well as somebody else, will have difficulties to contend with, which she will not know easily how to get over; though she can, in a flame so young, generously prefer the interest of a more excellent woman to her own. There, Harriet, is a grave paragraph: you’ll like me for it.

You are a very reflecting girl, in mentioning to me, so particularly, your behaviour to your Gre-villes, Fenwicks, and Ormes. What is that but say — ing, See, Charlotte! I am a much more complaisant creature to the men, no one of which I intend to have, than you are to your husband!

What a pious woman, indeed, must be your grandmamma, that she could suspend her joy, her long-absent darling at her feet, till she had first thanked God for restoring her to her arms! But, in this instance, we see the force of habitual piety. Though not so good as I should be myself, I revere those who are so; and that I hope you will own is no bad sign.

Well, but now for ourselves, and those about us.

Lady Olivia has written a letter from Windsor to Lady L., It is in French; extremely polite. She promises to write to me from Oxford.

Lady Anne S. made me a visit this morning. She was more concerned than I wished to see her, on my confirming the report she had heard of my brother’s being gone abroad. I raillied her a little too freely, as it was before Lord G. and Lord L. I never was better rebuked than by her; for she took out her pencil, and on the cover of a letter wrote these lines from Shakespeare, and slid them into my hand:

And will you rend your ancient love asunder, To join with men, in scorning your poor friend? It is not friendly; ’tis not maidenly: Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it, Though I alone do feel the injury.

I never, my dear, told you how freely this lady and I had talked of love: but, freely as we had talked, I was not aware that the matter lay so deep in her heart. I knew not how to tell her that my brother had said, // could not be. I could have wept over her when I read this paper; and I owned myself by a whisper justly rebuked. She charged me not to let any man see this; particularly not either of those present: and do you, Harriet, keep what I have writ-ten of Lady Anne to yourself.

My aunt Eleanor has written a congratulatory letter to me from York. Sir Charles, it seems, had acquainted her with Lord G.‘s day [Not my day, Harriet! that is not the phrase, I hope!] as soon as he knew it himself; and she writes, supposing that I was actually offered on it. Women are victims on these occasions: I hope you’ll allow me that. My brother has made it a point of duty to acquaint his father’s sister with every matter of consequence to the family; and now, she says, that both her nieces are so well disposed of, she will come to town very quickly to sec her new relations and us; and desires we will make room for her. And yet she owns, that my brother has informed her of his being obliged to go abroad; and she supposes him gone. As he is the beloved of her heart, I wonder she thinks of making this visit now he is absent: but we shall all be glad to see my aunt Nell. She is a good creature, though an old maid. I hope the old lady has not utterly lost either her invention, or memory; and then, between both, I shall be entertained with a y2 great number of love-stories of the last age; and perhaps of some dangers and escapes; which may serve for warnings for Emily. Alas! alas! they will come too late for your Charlotte!

I have written already the longestletter that I ever wrote in my life: yet it is prating; and to you, to whom I love to prate. I have not near done.

You bid me be good; and you threaten me, if I am not, with the ill opinion of all your friends: but I have such an unaccountable bias for roguery, or what shall I call it? that 1 believe it is impossible for me to take your advice. I have been examining myself. What a duce is the matter with me, that I cannot see my honest man in the same advan-tageous light in which he appears to every-body else? Yet I do not, in my heart, dislike him. On the contrary, I know not, were I to look about me, far and wide, the man 1 would have wished to have called mine, rather than him. But he is so important about trifles; so nimble, yet so slow: he is so sensible of his own intention to please, and has so many antic motions in his obligingness; that I cannot forbear laughing at the very time that I ought perhaps to reward him with a gracious ap-probation.

I must fool on a little while longer, I believe: permit me, Harriet, so to do, as occasions arise. * *

An instance, an instance in point, Harriet. Let me laugh as I write. I did at the time. What do you laugh at, Charlotte? Why this poor man, or as I should rather say, this lord and master of mine, has just left me. He has been making me both a compliment and a present. And what do you think the compliment is i Why, if I please, he will give away to a virtuoso friend, his collection of moths and butterflies: I once, he remembered, raillied him upon them. And by what study, thought I, wilt thou, honest man, supply their place? If thou hast a talent this way, pursue it; since perhaps thou wilt not shine in any other. And the best any-thing you know, Harriet, carries with it the appearance of excellence. Nay, he would also part with his col-lection of shells, if I had no objection.

To whom, my lord? He had not resolved. Why then, only as Emily is too little of a child, or you might give them to her. * Too little of a child, madam!’ and a great deal of bustle and importance took possession of his features Let me tell you, ma-dam I won’t let you, my lord; and I laughed.

Well, madam, I hope here is something coming up that you will not disdain to accept of yourself.

Up came groaning under the weight, or rather under the care, two servants with baskets: a fine set of old Japan china with brown edges, believe me. They sat down their baskets, and withdrew.

Would you not have been delighted Harriet, to see my lord busying himself with taking out, and putting in the windows, one at a time, the cups, plates, jars, and saucers, rejoicing and parading over them, and shewing his connoisseurship to his mo-tionless admiring wife, in commending this and the other piece as a beauty? And, when he had done, taking the liberty, as he phrased it, half fearful, half resolute, to salute his bride for his reward; and then pacing backwards several steps, with such a strut and a crow I see him yet! Indulge me, Harriet! I burst into a hearty laugh; I could not help it: and he, reddening, looked round himself, and round himself, to see if any-thing was amiss in his garb. The man, the man! honest friend, I could have said, but had too much reverence for my husband, is the oddity! Nothing amiss in the garb. I quickly recollected myself, however, and put him in good y3 humour, by proper marks of my gracious accept-ance. On reflection, I could not bear myself for vexing the honest man when he had meant to oblige me.

How soon I may relapse again, I know not. O Harriet! Why did you beseech me to be good? I think in my heart I have the stronger inclination to be bad for it! You call me perverse: if you think me so, bid me be saucy, bid me be bad; and I may then, like other good wives, take the contrary course for the sake of dear contradiction.

Shew not, however, (I in turn beseech you) to your grandmamma and aunt, such parts of this let-ter as would make them despise me. You say, you stand up for me; I have need of your advocateship: never let me want it. And do 1 not, after all, do a greater credit to my good man, when I can so heartily laugh in the wedded state, than if I were to sit down with my finger in my eye?

I have taken your advice, and presented my sister with my half of the jewels. I desired her to accept them, as they were my mother’s, and for her sake. This gave them a value with her, more than equal to their worth: but Lord L. is uneasy, and declares he will not suffer Lady L. long to lie under the obli-gation. Were every one of family in South Britain and North Britain to be as generous and disinter-ested as Lord L. and our family, the union of the two parts of the island would be complete. * #

Lord help this poor obliging man! I wish I don’t love him, at last. He has taken my hint, and has presented his collection of shells (a very fine one, he says, it is) to Emily; and they two are actually bu-sied (and will be for an hour or two, 1 doubt not) in admiring them; the one strutting over the beau-ties, in order to enhance the value of the present; the other courtesying ten times in a minute, to shew her gratitude. Poor man! when his virtuoso friend has got his butterflies and moths, I am afraid he must set up a turner’s shop, for employment. If he loved reading, I could, when our visiting hurries are over, set him to read me the new things that come out, while I knot or work; and, if he loved writing, to copy the letters which pass between you and me, and those for you which I expect with so much impa-tience from my brother by means of Dr. Bartlett. I think he spells pretty well for a lord.

I have no more to say at present, but compli-ments, without number or measure, to all you so deservedly love and honour; as well those I have not seen, as those I have.

Only one thing: reveal to me all the secrets of your heart, and how that heart is from time to time affected; that I may know whether you are capable of that greatness of mind in a love-case, that you shew in all others. We will all allow you to love Sir Charles Grandison. Those who do, give honour to themselves, if their eyes stop not at person, his having so many advantages. For the same reason, I make no apologies, and never did, for praising my brother, as any other lover of him might do.

Let me know every thing how and about your fellows, too. Ah! Harriet, you make not the use of power that I would have done in your situation. I was half-sorry when my hurrying brother made me dismiss Sir Walter; and yet, to have but two dan-glers after one, are poor doings for a fine lady. Poorer still, to have but one!

Here’s a letter as long as my arm. Adieu. I was loth to come to the name: but defer it ever so long, 1 must subscribe, at last,

CHARLOTTE (i.


Letter XXXIV.
Miss Jervois to Miss Byron*.

Monday, May 1.

O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before 1 have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions. But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, ma-dam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen! But I know you will accept the heart. And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for 1 don’t like this beginning, neither. But come, it shall go. Am I not used to your goodness? And do you not bid me prattle to you, in my letters, as I used to do in your dressing-room? O what sweet advice have you, and do you return for my silly prate! And so I will begin.

And was you grieved at parting with your Emily on Saturday morning? I am sure I was very much concerned at parting with you. I could not help crying all the way to town: and Lady G. shed tears as well as I, and so did Lady L. several times; and said, You were the loveliest, best young lady in the world. And we all praised likewise your aunt, your cousin Lucy, and young Mr. Selby. How good are all your relations! They must be good! And Lord

The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Bjron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L. &c. and theirs in return; arc omitted.

L. and Lord G. for men, were as much concerned as we, at parting with you. Mr. Reeves was so dull all the way! Poor Mr. Reeves, he was very dull. And Mr. Beauchamp, he praised you to the very skies; and in such a pretty manner too! Next to my guardian, I think Mr. Beauchamp is a very agreeable man. I fancy these noble sisters, if the truth were known, don’t like him so well as their brother does: but they are vastly civil to him, nevertheless; yet they never praise him when his back is turned, as they do others, who can’t say half the good things that he says.

Well, but enough of Mr. Beauchamp. My guar-dian! my gracious, my kind, my indulgent guar — dian! who, that thinks of him, can praise any-body else? madam! Where is he now? God protect and guide my guardian, wherever he goes! This is my prayer, first and last, and I can’t tell how often in the day. 1 look for him in every place I have seen him in [And pray tell me, madam, Did not you do so when he had left us?]; and when I can’t find him, I do so sigh! What a pleasure, yet what a pain, is there in sighing, when I think of iiim! Yet I know I am an innocent girl. And this I am sure of, that I wish him to be the husband of but one woman in the whole world; and that is you. But then my next wish is You know what Ah my Miss Byron! you must let me live with you and my guardian, if you should ever be Lady Grandison.

But here, madam, are sad doings sometimes between Lord and Lady G. I am very angry at her often in my heart; yet I cannot help laughing, now-and-then, at her out-of-the-way sayings. Is not her character a very new one? Or are there more such young wives? I could not do as she does, were I to be queen of the globe. Every-body blames her.

She will make my lord not love her, at last. Don’t you think so? And then what will she get by her wit?

* *

Just this moment she came into my closet Writing, Emily? said she: To whom? I told her. Don’t tell tales out of school, Emily. I was so afraid that she would have asked to see what I had written: but she did not. To be sure she is very polite, and knows what belongs to herself, and every-body else: to be ungenerous, as you once said, to her husband only, that is a very sad thing to think of.

Well, and I would give any-thing to know if you think what I have written tolerable, before I go any farther: but I will go on in this way, since I cannot do better. Bad is my best; but you shall have quan-tity, I warrant, since you bid me write long let — ters.

But I have seen my mother: it was but yesterday. She was in a mercer’s shop in Covent–Garden. I was in Lord L.‘s chariot; only Anne was with me. Anne saw her first. I alighted, and asked her blessing in the shop: I am sure I did right. She blessed me, and called me dear love. I staid till she had bought what she wanted, and then I slid down the money, as if it were her own doing; and glad I was I had so much about me: it came but to four guineas. I begged her, speaking low, to forgive me for so doing: and finding she was to go home as far as Soho, and had thoughts of having a hackney coach called; I gave Anne money for a coach for herself, and waited on my mother to her own lodgings: and it being Lord L.‘s chariot, she was so good as to dispense with my alighting.

She blessed my guardian all the way, and blessed me. She said, she would not ask ine to come to see her, because it might not be thought proper, as my guardian was abroad: but she hoped, she might be allowed to come and see me sometimes. Was she not very good, madam? But my guardian’s goodness makes every-body good. O that my mamma had been always the same! I should have been but too happy.

Godbless my guardian, for putting me onenlarging her power to live handsomely. Only as a coach brings on other charges, and people must live accordingly, or be discredited, instead of credited, by it; or I should hope the additional two hundred a year might afford them one. Yet one does not know but Mr. O’Hara may have been in debt before he married her; and I fancy he has people who hang upon him. But if it pleases God, I will not, when 1 am at age, and have a coach of my own, suffer my mother to walk on foot. What a blessing is it, to have a guardian that will second every good purpose of one’s heart!

Lady Olivia is rambling about; and I suppose she will wait here in England till Sir Charles’s return: but I am sure he never will have her. A wicked wretch, with her poniards! Yet it is pity! She is a fine woman. But I hate her for her expectation, as well as for her poniard. And a woman to leave her own country, to seek for a husband! I could die before I could do so; though to such a man as my guar — dian. Yet once I thought I could have liked to have lived with her at Florence. She had some good qualities, and is very generous, and in the main well esteemed in her own country; every-body knew she loved my guardian: but 1 don’t know how it is; no-body blamed her for it, vast as the difference in fortune then was. But that is the glory of being a virtuous man; to love hiin is a credit, instead of a shame. O madam! Who would not be virtuous? And that not only for their own, but for their friends sakes, if they loved their friends, and wished them to be well thought of?

Lord W. is very desirous to hasten his wedding.

Mr. Beauchamp says, that all the Mansfields (he knows them) bless my guardian every day of their lives: and their enemies tremble. He has commis-sions from my guardian to enquire and act in their cause, that no time may be lost to do them service, against his return.

We have had another visit from Lady Beauchamp, and have returned it. She is very much pleased with us: you see 1 say us. Indeed my two dear ladies are very good to me; but I have no merit: it is all for their brother’s sake.

Mr. Beauchamp tells us, just now, that his mother-inlaw has joined with his father, at her own motion, to settle 10001. a year upon him. I am glad of it, with all my heart: are not you? He is all gratitude upon it. He says, that he will redouble his endea-vours to oblige her; and that his gratitude to her, as Tvell as his duty to his father, will engage his utmost regard for her.

Mr. Beauchamp, Sir Harry himself, and my lady, are continually blessing my guardian: every-body, in short, blesses him. But, ah! madam, Where is he at this moment? O that I were a bird! that I might hover over his head, and sometimes bring tidings to his friends of his motions and good deeds. I would often flap my wings, dear Miss Byron, at your chamber-window, as a signal of his welfare, and then fly back again, and perch as near him as I could.

I am very happy, as I said before, in the favour of Lady and Lord L. and Lady and Lord G.; but I never shall be so happy, as when I had the addition of your charming company. I miss you and my guardian:— O how I miss you both! But, dearest

Miss Byron, love me not the less, though now I have put my pen to paper, and you see what a poor creature I am in my writing. Many a one, I believe, may be thought tolerable in conversation; but when they are so silly as to put pen to paper, they expose themselves; as I have done, in this long piece of scribble. But accept it, nevertheless, for the true love I bear you; and a truer love never flamed in any bosom, to any one the most dearly beloved, than does in mine to you.

I am afraid I have written arrant nonsense, because I knew not how to express half the love that is in the heart of

Your ever-obliged and affectionate

EMILY JliRVOIS.


Letter XXXV.
Miss Byron to Lady G.

Tuesday, May 2. I have no patience with you, Lady G. You are ungenerously playful. Thank Heaven, if this be wit, that I have none of it. But what signifies expostulating with one who knows herself to be faulty, and will not amend? How many stripes, Charlotte, do you deserve? But you never spared any-body, not even your brother, when the humour was upon you. So make haste; and since you will lay in stores for repentance, fill up your measure as fast as you can.

‘ Reveal to you the state of my heart!’ Ah, my dear! it is an unmanageable one. ‘ Greatness of mind!’ I don’t know what it is. All his excel-lencies, his greatness, his goodness, his modesty, his cheerfulness under such afflictions as would weigh down every other heart that had but half the compassion in it with which his overflows Must not all other men appear little, and, less than little, nothing, in my eyes? It is an instance of patience in me, that 1 can endure any of them who pretend to regard me out of my own family.

I thought, that when I got down to my dear friends here, I should be better enabled, by their prudent counsels, to attain the desirable frame of mind which I had promised myself: but I find myself mistaken. My grandmamma and aunt are such admirers of him, take such a share in the disappointment, that their advice has not the effect I had hoped it would have. Lucy, Nancy, are perpetually reminding me of his excellencies by calling upon me to tell them some-thing of Sir Charles Grandison; and when I begin, I know not how to leave off. My uncle raillies me, laughs at me, sometimes reminds me of what he calls my former brags. I did not brag, my dear: I only hoped, that, respecting as I did every man according to his merit, I should never be greatly taken with any one, before duty added force to the inclination. Methinks the company of the friends I am with, does not satisfy me; yet they never were dearer to me than they now are. I want to have Lord and Lady L. Lord and Lady G. Dr. Bartlett, my Emily, with me. To lose you all at once! is hard! There seems to be a strange void in my heart And so much, at present, for the state of that heart.

I always had reason to think myself greatly obliged to my friends and neighbours all around us; but ne-ver, till my return, after these few months absence, knew how much. So many kind visitors; such unaffected expressions of joy on my return; that had I not a very great counterbalance on my heart, would be enough to make me proud.

My grandmamma went to Shirley-manor on Sa-turday; on Monday I was with her all day: but she would have it that I should be melancholy if I staid with her. And she is so self-denyingly careful of her Harriet! There never was a more noble heart in woman. But her solitary moments, as my uncle calls them, are her moments of joy: because she then di-vests herself of all that is either painful or pleasurable to her in this life: for she says, that her cares for her Harriet, and especially now, are at least a balance for the delight she takes in her.

You command me to acquaint you with what passes between me and the gentlemen in my neigh-bourhood; in your stile, my fellows.

Mr. Fenwick invited himself to breakfast with my aunt Selby yesterday morning. I would not avoid him.

I will not trouble you with the particulars: you know well enough what men will say on the subject upon which you will suppose he wanted to talk to me. He was extremely earnest. I besought him to accept my thanks for his good opinion of me, as all the return I could make him for it; and this in so very serious a manner, that my heart was fretted, when he declared, with warmth, his determined perse-verance.

Mr. Greville made us a tea-visit in the afternoon. My uncle and he joined to railly us poor women, as usual. I left the defence of the sex to my aunt and Lucy. How poor appears to me every conversation now with these men! But hold, saucy Harriet, was not your uncle Selby one of the railliers? But he does not believe all he says; and therefore cannot wish to be so much regarded, on this topic, as he ought to be by me, on others.

After the run of raillery was over, in which Mr. Greville made exceptions favourable to the women present, he applied to every one for their interest with me, and to me to countenance his address. He set forth his pretensions very pompously, and men-tioned a considerable increase of his fortune; which before was a handsome one. He offered our own terms. He delared his love for me above all women, and made his happiness in the next world, as well as in this, depend upon my favour to him.

It was easy to answer all he said; and is equally so for you to guess in what manner I answered him: and he finding me determined, began to grow vehement, and even affrontive. He hinted to me, that he knew what had made me so very resolute. He threw out threatenings against the man, be he who he would, that should stand in the way of his success with me; at the same time intimating saucily, as I may say, (for his manner had insult in it) that it was impos-sible a certain event could ever take place.

My uncle was angry with him; so was my aunt: Lucy was still more angry than they: but I, standing up, said, Pray, my dear friends, take nothing amiss that Mr.Greville has said. He once told me, that he would set spies upon my conduct in town. If, Sir, your spies have been just, I fear nothing they can say. But the hints you have thrown out, shew such a total want of all delicacy of mind, that you must not wonder if my heart rejects you. Yet I am not angry: I reproach you not: every one has his pecu-liar way. All that is left me to say or to do, is to thank you for your favourable opinion of me, as I have thanked Mr. Fenwick; and to desire that you will allow me to look upon you as my neighbour, and only as my neighbour.

I courtesied to him, and withdrew.

But my great difficulty had been before with Mr. Orme.

His sister had desired that I would see her bro-ther. Both were inyited by my aunt to dinner on * Tuesday. They came. Poor man! He is not well! I am sorry for it. Poor Mr. Orme is not well! He made me such honest compliments, as I may say: his heart was too much in his civilities to raise them above the civilities that justice and truth might warrant in favour of a person highly esteemed. Mine was filled with compassion for him; and that compassion would have shewn itself in tokens of tenderness, more than once, had I not restrained myself for his sake.

How you, my dear Lady G. can delight in giving pain to an honest heart, I cannot imagine. I would make all God Almighty’s creatures happy, if I could; and so would your noble brother. Is he not crossing dangerous seas, and ascending, through almost perpetual snows, those dreadful Alps which I have heard described with such terror, for the ge-nerous end of relieving distress?

I made Mr. Orme sit next me. I was assiduous to help him, and to do him all the little offices which I thought would light up pleasure in his modest countenance; and he was quite another man. It gave delight to his sister, and to all my friends, to see him smile, and look happy.

I think, my dear Lady G. that when Mr. Orme looks pleasant, and at ease, he resembles a little the good-natured Lord G. O that you would take half the pains to oblige him, that I do to relieve Mr. Orme! Half (he pains, did [ say? That you would not take pains to disoblise him; and he would be, of course, obliged. Don’t be afraid, my dear, that, in such a world as this, things will not happen to make you uneasy without your studying for them.

Excuse my seriousness. I am indeed too serious at times.

But when Mr. Orme requested a few minutes z 3 audience of me, as he called it, and I walked with him into the cedar parlour, which you have heard me mention, and with which I hope you will be one day acquainted; he paid, poor man! for his too transient pleasure. Why would he urge a denial that he could not but know I must give?

His sister and I had afterwards a conference. I was greatly affected by it; and at last besought her, if she valued my friendship as I did hers, ne-ver more to mention to me a subject which gave me a pain too sensible for my peace.

She requested me to assure her, that neither Mr. Greville, nor Mr. Fenwick, might be the man. They both took upon them, she said, to ridicule her brother for the profound respect, even to reve-rence, that he bore me; which, if he knew, might be attended with consequences: for that her bro-ther, mild and gentle as was his passion for me, had courage to resent any indignities that might be cast upon him by spirits boisterous as were those of the two gentlemen she had named. She never, there-fore, told her brother of their scoffs. But it would go to her heart, if either of them should succeed, or have reason but for a distant hope.

I made her heart easy, on that score.

I have just now heard, that Sir Hargrave Pollexfen is come from abroad already. What can be the meaning of it? He is so low-minded, so malicious a man, and I have suffered so much from him What can be the meaning of his sudden return? I am told, that he is actually in London. Pray, my dear Lady G. inform yourself about him; and whether he thinks of coming into these parts.

Mr. Greville, when he met us at Stony — Stratford, threw out menaces against Sir Hargrave, on my ac-count; and said, It was well he was gone abroad, I told him then, that he had no business, even were

SlR CHAKLES GRANDISON. 259

Sir Hargrave present, to engage himself in my quarrels.

Mr. Greville is an impetuous man; a man of rough manners; and makes many people afraid of him. He has, I believe, indeed, had his spies about me; for he seems to know every-thing that has befallen me in my absence from Selby-house.

He has dared also to threaten somebody else. In-solent wretch! But he hinted to me yesterday, that he was exceedingly pleased with the news, that a certain gentleman was gone abroad, in order to prosecute a. former amour, was the light wretch’s as light expression. If my indignant eyes could have killed him, he would have fallen dead at my foot.

Let the constant and true respects of all my friends to you and yours, and to my beloved Emily, be always, for the future, considered as very affection — ately expressed, whether the variety of other sub — jects leave room for a particular expression of them, or not, by, my dearest Lady G.

Your faithful, and ever-obliged

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXXVI.
Lady G. to Miss Byron.

Saturday, May 6. I thank you, Harriet, for yours. What must your fellows think of you? In this gross age, your deli-cacy must astonish them. There used to be more of it formerly. But how should men know any-thing of it, when women have forgot it? We females, since we have been admitted into so constant a share of the public diversions, want not courage. We can give the men stare for stare wherever we meet them. The next age, nay, the rising generation, must surely he all heroes and heroines. But whither has this word delicacy carried me; me who, it seems, have faults to be corrected for, of another sort: and who want not the courage for which I congra-tulate others?

But to other subjects. I could write a vast deal of stufF about my lord and self, and Lord and Lady L. who assume parts which I know not how to allow them; and sometimes they threaten me with my brother’s resentments, sometimes with my Har-riet’s; so that I must really have leading-strings fastened to my shoulders. O my dear! a fond hus-band is a surfeiting thing; and yet I believe most women love to be made monkeys of. # *

But all other subjects must now give way. We have heard of, though notjrom my brother. A par-ticular friend of Mr. Lowther was here with a letter from that gentleman, acquainting us, that Sir Charles and he were arrived at Paris.

Mr. Beauchamp was with us when Mr. Lowther’s friend came. He borrowed the letter on account of the extraordinary adventure mentioned in it.

Make your heart easy, in the first place, about Sir Hargrave. He is indeed in town; but very ill. He was frighted into England, and intends not ever again to quit it. In all probability he owes it to my brother that he exists.

Mr. Beauchamp went directly to Cavendish Square, and informed himself there of other parti-culars relating to the affair, from theveryservantwho was present and acting in it; and from those parti-culars, and Mr. Lowther’s letter, wrote one for Dr. Bartlett. Mr. Beauchamp obliged me with the pe-rusal of what he wrote; whence 1 have extracted the following account; for his letter is long and cir-cumstantial; and I did not ask his leave to take a copy, as he seemed desirous to hasten it to the doctor.

On Wednesday, the —^ of April, in the evening, as my hrother was pursuing his journey to Paris, and was within two miles of that capital, a servant-man rode up, in visible terror, to his post-chaise, in which were Mr. Lowther and himself, and besought them to hear his dreadful tale. The gentlemen stopt, and he told them, that his master, who was an Englishman, and his friend of the same nation, had been but a little while before attacked, and forced out of the road in their post-chaise, as he doubted not, to be murdered, by no less than seven armed horsemen; and he pointed to a hill, at a distance, called Mont Martre, behind which they were, at that moment, perpetrating their bloody purpose. He had just before, he said, addressed himself to two other gentlemen, and their retinue, who drove on the faster for it.

The servant’s great coatwas open; and Sir Charles observing his livery, asked him, If he were not a servant of Sir Ilargrave Pollexfen? and was an-swered in the affirmative.

There are, it seems, trees planted on each side the I oad from St. Denis to Paris, but which, as France is an open and uninclosed country, would not, but for the hill, have hindered the seeing a great way off the scuffling of so many men on horseback. There is also a ditch on either hand; but places left for owners to come at their grounds, with their carts, d.id other carriages. Sir Charles ordered the post-boy to drive to one of those passages; saying, He could not forgive himself, if he did not endeavour to save Sir Hargrave, and his friend, whose name the man told him was Merceda.

His own servants were three in number, besides one of Mr. Lowther. My brother made Mr. Low-ther’s servant dismount; and, getting himself on his horse, ordered the others to follow him. He begged Mr. Lowther to continue in the chaise, bid-ding the dismounted servant stay, and attend his master, and galloped away towards the hill. His ears were soon pierced with the cries of the poor wretches; and presently he saw two men on horse-back holding the horses of four others, who had under them the two gentlemen, struggling, groaning, and crying out for mercy.

Sir Charles, who was a good way a-head of his servants, calling out to spare the gentlemen, and bending his course to relieve the prostrate sufferers, two of the four quitted their prey, and mounting, joined the other two horsemen, and advanced to meet him, with a shew of supporting the two men on foot in their violence; who continued laying on the wretches, with the but-ends of their whips, unmer-cifully.

As the assailants offered not to fly, and as they had more than time enough to execute their pur-pose, had it been robbery and murder; Sir Charles concluded, it was likely that these men were actuated by a private revenge. He was confirmed in this surmise, when the four men on horseback, though each had his pistol ready drawn, as Sir Charles also had his, demanded a conference; warning Sir Charles how he provoked his fate by his rashness; and declaring, that he was a dead man if he fired.

Forbear, then, said Sir Charles, all further vio-lences to the gentlemen, and I will hear what you have to say.

SIK CHARLES GRANDISON. 263

He then put his pistol into his holster; and one of his servants being come up, and the two others at hand (to whom he called out, not to fire till they had his orders), he gave him his horse’s reins; bidding him have an eye to the holsters of both, and leapt down; and drawing his sword, made towards the two men who were so cruelly exercising their whips; and who, on his approach, retired to some little distance, drawing their hangers.

The four men on horseback joined the two on foot, just as they were quitting the objects of their fury; and one of them said, Forbear, for the present, further violence, brother; the gentleman shall be told the cause of all this. Murder, Sir, said he, is not intended; nor are we robbers: the men whom you are solicitous to save from our vengeance, are villains.

Be the cause what it will, answered Sir Charles, you are in a country noted for doing speedy justice, upon proper application to the magistrates. In the same instant he raised first one groaning man, then the other. Their heads were all over bloody, and they were so much bruised, that they could not extend their arms to reach their wigs and hats, which lay near them; nor put them on without Sir Charles’s help.

The men on foot by this time had mounted their horses, and all six stood upon their defence: but one of them was so furious, crying out, that his vengeance should be yet more complete, that two of the others could hardly restrain him.

Sir Charles asked Sir Hargrave and Mr. Merceda, Whether they had reason to look upon themselves as injured men, or injurers? One of the assailants answered, That they both knew themselves to be villains.

Either from consciousness, or terror, perhaps

From both, they could not speak for themselves, but by groans, nor could either of them stand or sit upright.

Just then came up, in the chaise, Mr. Lowther and his servant, each a pistol in his hand. He quitted the chaise, when he came near the sutFering men; and Sir Charles desired him instantly to examine whether the gentlemen were dangerously hurt or not.

The most enraged of the assailants, having slipt by the two who were earnest to restrain him, would again have attacked Mr. Merceda; offering a stroke at him with his hanger: but Sir Charles (his drawn sword still in his hand) caught hold of his bridle; and, turning his horse’s head aside, diverted a stroke, which, in all probability, would otherwise have been a finishing one.

They all came about Sir Charles, bidding him, at his peril, use his sword upon their friend: and Sir Charles’s servants were coming up to their master’s support, had there been occasion. At that instant Mr. Lowther, assisted by his own servant, was exa-mining the wounds and bruises of the two terrified men, who had yet no reason to think themselves safe from further violence.

Sir Charles repeatedly commanded his servants not to fire, nor approach nearer, without his orders. The persons, said he, to the assailants, whom you have so cruelly used, are Englishmen of condition. I will protect them. Be the provocation what it will, you must know that your attempt upon them is a criminal one: and if my friend last come up, who is a very skilful surgeon, shall pronounce them in dan-ger, you shall find it so.

Still he held the horse of the furious one; and three of them, who seemed to be principals, were beginning to express some resentmentatthis cavalier treatment, when Mr. Lowther gave his opinion, that there was no apparent danger of death: and then Sir Charles, quitting the man’s hridle, and putting himself between the assailants and sufferers, said, That as they had not either offered to fly, or to be guilty of violence to himself, his friend, or servants; he was afraid they had some reason to think them-selves ill used by the gentlemen. But, however, as they could not suppose they were at liberty, in a civilized country, to take their revenge on the per-sons of those who were entitled to the protection of that country; he should expect, that they would hokl themselves to be personally answerable for their conduct at a proper tribunal.

The villains, said one of the men, know who we are, and the provocation; which merits a worse treatment than they have hitherto met with. You, Sir, proceeded he, seem to be a man of honour, and temper: we are men of honour, as well as you. Our design, as we told you, was not to kill the mis-creants; but to give them reason to remember their villainy as long as they lived; and to put it out of their power ever to be guilty of the like. They have made a vile attempt, continued he, on a lady’s ho-nour at Abbeville; and, finding themselves detected, and in danger, took round-about ways, and shifted from one vehicle to another, to escape the vengeance of her friends. The gentleman whose horse you held, and who has reason to be in a passion, is the husband of the lady [a Spanish husband, surely, Harriet; not a French one, according to our notions] . That gentleman, and that, are her brothers. We have been in pursuit of them two days; for they gave out, in order, no doubt, to put us on a wrong scent, that they were to go to Antwerp.

And it seems, my dear, that Sir Hargraveand his colleague had actually sent some of their servants that way; which was the reason that they were themselves attended but by one.

The gentleman told Sir Charles that there was a third villain in their plot. They had hopes, he said, that he would not escape the close pursuit of a ma-nufacturer at Abbeville, whose daughter, a lovely young creature, he had seduced, under promises of marriage. Their government, he observed, were great countenances of the manufacturers at Abbe-ville; and he would have reason, if he were laid hold of, to think himself happy, if he came off with being obliged to perform his promises.

This third wretch must be Mr. Bagenhall. The Lord grant, say I, that he may be laid hold of; and obliged to make a ruined girl an honest woman, as they phrase it in Lancashire. Don’t you wish so, my dear? And let me add, that had the relations of the injured lady completed their intended venge-ance on those two libertines (a very proper punish — ment, I ween, for all libertines), it might have helped them to pass the rest of their lives with great tranquillity; and honest girls might, for any contrivances of theirs, have passed to and from mas — querades without molestation.

Sir Hargrave and his companion intended, it seems, at first, to make some resistance; four only, of the seven, stopping the chaise; but when the other three came up, and they saw who they were, and knew their own guilt, their courage failed them.

The seventh man was set over the post-boy, whom he had led about half a mile from the spot they had chosen as a convenient one for their purpose.

Sir Hargrave’s servant was secured by them at their first attack; but after they had disarmed him and his masters, he found an opportunity to slip from them, and made the best of his way to the road, in hopes of procuring assistance for them.

While Sir Charles was busy in helping the bruis-ed wretches on their feet, the seventh man came up to the others, followed by Sir Hargrave’s chaise. The assailants had retired to some distance, and, after a consultation together, they all advanced to-wards Sir Charles; who, bidding his servants be on their guard, leapt on his horse, with that agility and presence of mind, for which, Mr. Beauchamp says, he excels most men; and leading towards them, Do you advance, gentlemen, said he, as friends, or otherwise? Mr Lowther took a pistol in each hand, and held himself ready to support him; and the servants disposed themselves to obey their master’s orders.

Our enmity, answered one of them, is only to these two inhospitable villains: murder, as we told you, was not our design. They know where we are to be found; and that they are the vilest of men, and have not been punished equal to their demerits. Let them on their knees ask this gentle — man’s pardon; pointing to the husband of the in sulted lady. We insist upon this satisfaction; and upon their promise, that they never more will come within two leagues of Abbeville; and we will leave them in your protection.

I fancy, Harriet, that these women-frightening heroes needed not to have been urged to make this promise.

Sir Charles, turning towards them, said, If you have done wrong, gentlemen, you ought not to scruple asking pardon. If you know yourselves to be innocent, though I should be loth to risque the lives of my friend and servants, yet shall not my countrymen make so undue a submission.

The wretches kneeled; and the seven men, civilly saluting Sir Charles and Mr. Lowther, rode off; to the joy of the two delinquents, who kneeled again to their deliverer, and poured forth blessings upon the man whose life, so lately, one of them sought; and whose preservation he had now so much reason to rejoice in, for the sake of his own safety.

My brother himself could not but be well pleased that he was not obliged to come to extremities, which might have ended fatally on both sides.

By this time Sir Hargrave’s post-chaise was come up. He and his colleague were with difficulty lifted into it. My brother and Mr. Lowther went into theirs; and being but a small distance from Paris, they proceeded thither in company; the poor wretches blessing them all the way; and at Paris found their other servants waiting for them.

Sir Charles and Mr. Lowther saw them in bed in the lodgings that had been taken for them. They were so stiff with the bastinado they had met with, that they were unable to help themselves. Mr. Marceda had been more severely (I cannot call it more cruelly) treated than the other; for he, it seems, was the greatest malefactor in the attempt made upon the lady: and he had, besides, two or three gashes, which, but for his struggles, would have been but one.

As you, my dear, always turn pale when the word masquerade is mentioned; so, I warrant, will Abbe-ville be a word of terror to these wretches, as long as they live.

Their enemies, it seems, carried off their arms; perhaps, in the true spirit of French chivalry, with a view to lay them, as so nlany trophies, at the feet of the insulted lady.

Mr. Lowther writes, that my brother and he are lodged in the hotel of a man of quality, a dear friend of the late Mr. Danby, and one of the three whom he has remembered in his will; and that Sir Charles is extremely busy in relation to the executorship; and having not a moment to spare, desired Mr. Lowther to engage his friend to whom he wrote, to let us know as much; and that he was hastening every-thing for his journey onwards.

Mr. Beauchamp’s narrative of this affair is, as I told you, very circumstantial. I thought to have shortened it more than I have done. I wish I have not made my abstract confused, in several material places: but I have not time to clear it up. Adieu, my dear.

CHARLOTTE G.


Letter XXXVII.
Lady G. to Miss Byron.

Sunday, May 7. I believe I shall become as errant a scribbler as somebody else. I begin to like writing. A great compliment to you, I assure you. I see one may bring one’s mind to any-thing I thought I must have had recourse, when you and my brother left us, and when I was married, to the public amuse-ments, to fill up my leisure: and as I have seen every thing worth seeing of those, many times over (masquerades excepted, and them I despise); time, you know, in that case, would have passed a little heavily, after having shewn myself, and, by seeing who and who were together, laid in a little store of the right sort of conversation for the tea-table. For you know, Harriet, that among us modern fine people, the company, and not the entertainment, is the principal part of the raree-show. Pretty enough! to make the entertainment, and pay for it too, to the honest fellows, who have nothing to do, but to project schemes to get us together.

I don’t know what to do with this man. I little thought that I was to be considered as such a doll, such a toy, as he would make me. I want to drive him. out of the house without me, were it but to purvey for me news and scandal. What are your line gentlemen fit for else? You know, that with all my faults, I have a domestic and managing turn. A man should encourage that in a wife, and not be perpetually teazing her for her company abroad, unless he did it with a view to keep her at home. Our sex don’t love to be prescribed to, even in the things to which they are not naturally averse: and for this very reason, perhaps, because it becomes us to submit to prescription. Human nature, Harriet, is a perverse thing. I believe, if my good man wished me to stay at home, I should torture my brain, as other good wives do, for inventions to go abroad.

It was but yesterday, that in order to give him a hint, I pinned my apron to his coat, without considering who was likely to be a sufferer by it; and he, getting up, in his usual nimble way, gave it a rent, and then looked behind him with so much apprehension Hands folded, bag in motion from shoulder to shoulder. I was vexed too much to make the use of the trick which 1 had designed, and huffed him. He made excuses, and looked pitifully; bringing in his soul, to testify that he knew not how it could be. How it could be! Wretch! when you are always squatting upon one’s clothes, in defiance of hoop, or distance.

He went out directly, and brought me in two aprons, either of which was worth twenty of that he so carelessly rent. Who could be angry with him? I was, indeed, thinking to chide him for this As if

Sltt CHARLES OKANDISON. ‘I’ll

I were not to be trusted to buy my own clothes; but he looked at me with so good-natured an eye, that I relented, and accepted, with a bow of gra-ciousness, his present; only calling him an odd creature And that he is, you know, my dear.

We live very whimsically, in the main: not above four quarrels, however, and as many more chidings, in a day. What does the man stay at home for then so much, when I am at home? Married peo-ple, by frequent absences, may have a chance for a little happiness. How many debatings, if not direct quarrels, are saved by the good man’s and his meek wife’s seeing each other but once or twice a week! In what can men and women, who are much toge-ther, employ themselves, but in proving and de fending, quarrelling and making up? Especially if they both chance to marry for love (which, thank Heaven, is not altogether my case); for then both honest souls, having promised more happiness to each other than they can possibly meet with, have nothing to do but reproach each other, at least ta-citly, for their disappointment A great deal of free-masonry in love, my dear, believe me! The secret, like that, when found out, is hardly worth the knowing.

Well, but what silly rattle is this, Charlotte! methinks you say, and put on one of your wisest looks.

No matter, Harriet! There may be some wisdom in much folly. Every one speaks not out so plainly as I do. Hut when the novelty of an acquisition or change of condition is over, be the change or the acquisition what it will, the principal pleasure is over, and other novelties are hunted after, to keep the pool of life from stagnating.

This is a serious truth, my dear, and I expect you to praise me for it. You are very sparing of your praise to poor me; and yet I had rather have your good word than any woman’s in the world: or man’s either, I was going to say; but I should then have forgot my brother. As for Lord G. were I to ac-custom him to obligingness, I should destroy my own consequence: for then it would be no novelty; and he would be hunting after a new folly. Very true, Harriet.

Well, but we have had a good serious falling-out; and it still subsists. It began on Friday night; present, Lord and Lady L. and Emily. I was very angry with him for bringing it on before them. The man has no discretion, my dear; none at all. And what about? Why, we have not made our appearance at court, forsooth.

A very confident thing, this same appearance, I think! A compliment made to fine clothes and jewels, at the expence of modesty.

Lord G. pleads decorum Decorum against mo-desty, my dear! But if by decorum is meant fa — shion, I have in a hundred instances found decorum beat modesty out of the house. And as my bro-ther, who would have been our principal honour on such an occasion, is gone abroad; and as ours is an elderly novelty, as I may say; [our fineries were not ready, you know, before my brother went] I was fervent against it.

‘ I was the only woman of condition, in England, who would be against it.’

I told my lord, that was a reflection on my sex; but Lord and Lady L. who had been spoken to, I believe, by Lady Gertrude, were both on his side [I shall have this man utterly ruined for a husband among you] When there were three to one, it would have looked cowardly to yield, you know. I was brave. But it being proposed for Sunday, and that being at a little distance, it was not doubted but I would comply. So the night past off, with prayings, hopings, and a little mutteration [allow me that word, or find me a better.] The entreaty was renewed in the morning; but, no! v I was ashamed of him,’ he said. I asked him, If he really thought so? ‘ He should think so, if I refused him.’ Heaven forbid, my lord, that I, who contend for the liberty of acting, should hinder you from the liberty of thinking! Only one piece of advice, honest friend, said I: Don’t imagine the worst against yourself: and another, If you have a mind to carry a point with me, don’t bring on the cause before any-body else: for that would be to doubt either my duty, or your own reasonableness.

As sure as you are alive, Harriet, the man made an exception against being called honed friend; as if, as I told him, either of the words were incompa-tible with quality. So, once, he was as froppish as a child, on my calling him the man; a higher distinction, I think, than if I had called him a king, or a prince. THE Man! Strange creature! To except to a distinction that implies, that he is the man of men! You see what a captious mortal I have been forced to call my lord. But lord and master do not always go together; though they do too often, for the happiness of many a meek soul of our sex.

Well, this debate seemed suspended, by my telling him, that if I were presented at court, I would not have cither the earl or Lady Gertrude go with us, the very people who were most desirous to be there But I might not think of that, at the time, you know. I would not be thought very perverse; only a little whimsical, or so. And 1 wanted not an excellent reason for excluding them ‘ Are their consents to our past affair doubted, my lord, said I, that you think it necessary for them to appear to justify us?’

He could say nothing to this, you know. And I should never forgive the husband, as I told him, on another occasion, who would pretend to argue, when he had nothing to say.

Then (for the baby will be always craving some-thing) he wanted me to go abroad with him I for — get whither But to some place that he supposed (poor man!) I should like to visit. I told him, I dared to say, he wished to be thought a modern husband, and & fashionable man; and he would get a bad name, if he could never stir out without his wife. Neither could he answer that, you know.

Well, we went on, mutter, mutter, grumble, grumble, the thunder rolling at a distance; a little impatience now-and-then, however, portending, that it would come nearer. But, as yet, it was only, Pray, my dear, oblige me; and, Pray, my lord, excuse me; till this morning, when he had the assur — ance to be pretty peremptory; hinting, that the lord in waiting had been spoke to. A fine time of it would a wife have, if she were not at liberty to dress herself as she pleases. Were I to choose again, 1 do assure you, my dear, it should not be a man, who by his taste for moths and butterflies, shells, china, and such-like trifles, would give me warning, that he would presume to dress his baby, and when he had done, would perhaps admire his own fancy more than her person. I believe, my Harriet, I shall make you afraid of matrimony: but I will pursue my subject, for all that.

When the insolent saw that 1 did not dress as he would have had me; he drew out his face, glouting, to half the length of my arm; but was silent. Soon after Lady L. sending to know whether her lord and she were to attend us to the drawing-room, and I returning for answer, that I should be glad of their company at dinner; he was in violent wrath. True, as you are alive! and dressing himself in a great hurry, left the house, without saying, By your leave, With your leave, or Whether he would return to dinner, or not. Very pretty doings, Harriet!

Lord and Lady L. came to dinner, however. I thought they were very kind, and, till they opened their lips, was going to thank them: for then, it was all elder sister, and insolent brother-inlaw, I do assure you. Upon my word, Harriet, they took upon them.

Lady L. told me, I might be the happiest creature in the world, if and there was so good as to stop.

One of the happiest only, Lady L.! Who can be happier than you?

Hut I, said she, should neither be so, nor deserve to be so, if Good of her again, to stop at if.

We cannot be all of one mind, replied I. I shall be wiser, in time.

Where was poor Lord G. gone?

Poor Lord G. is gone to seek his fortune, I believe.

What did I mean?

I told them the airs he had given himself; and that he was gone without leave, or notice of return.

He had served me right, absolutely right, Lord L. said.

I believed so myself. Lord G. was a very good sort of man, and ought not to bear with me so much as he had done: but it would be kind in them, not to tell him what I had owned.

The carl lifted up one hand, the countess both. They had not come to dine with me, they said, after the answer I had returned, but as they were afraid something was wrong between us.

Mediators are not to be of one side only, I said: and as they had been so kindly free in blaming me, I hoped they would be as free with him, when they saw him.

And then it was, For God’s sake, Charlotte; and, Let me entreat you, Lady G. And let me, too, beseech you, madam, said Emily, with tears stealing down her cheeks.

You are both very good: you are a sweet girl, Emily. I have a too-playful heart. It will give me some pain, and some pleasure; but if I had not more pleasure than pain from my play, I should not be so silly.

My lord not coming in, and the dinner being ready, 1 ordered it to be served. Won’t you wait a little longer for Lord G.? No. I hope he is safe, and well. He is his own master, as well as mine (I sighed, I believe!); and, no doubt, has a paramount pleasure in pursuing his own choice.

They raved. I begged that they would let us eat our dinner with comfort. My lord, I hoped, would come in with a keen appetite, and Nelthorpe should get a supper for him that he liked.

When we had dined, and retired into the adjoining drawing-room, I had another schooling-bout: Emily was even saucy. But I took it all: yet, in my heart, was vexed at Lord G.‘s perverseness.

At last, in came the honest man. He does not read this, and so cannot take exceptions, and I hope you will not, at the word honest.

So lordly! so stiff! so solemn! Upon my word! Had it not been Sunday, I would have gone to my harpsichord directly. He bowed to Lord and Lady L. and to Emily, very obligingly; to me he nodded. I nodded again; but like a good-natured tool, smiled. He stalked to the chimney; turned his back towards it, buttoned up his mouth, held up his glowing face, as if he were disposed to crow; yet had not won the battle. One hand in his bosom; the other under the skirt of his waistcoat, and his posture firmer than his mind. Yet was my heart so devoid of malice, that I thought his attitude very genteel; and, had we not been man and wife, agreeable.

We hoped to have found your lordship at home, said Lord L. or we should not have dined here.

If Lord G. is as polite a husband as a man, said I, he will not thank your lordship for this compliment to his wife.

Lord G. swelled and reared himself up. His complexion, which was before in a glow, was heightened.

Poor man! thought I. But why should my ten-der heart pity obstinate people? Yet I could not help being dutiful Have you dined, my lord? said I, with a sweet smile, and very courteous.

He stalked to the window, and never a word an-swered he.

Pray, Lady L. be so good as to ask my Lord G. if he has dined? Was not this very condescending, on such a behaviour?

Lady L. asked him; and as gently-voiced as if she were asking the same question of her own lord. Lady L. is a kind-hearted soul, Harriet, she is my sister.

I have not, madam, to Lady L. turning rudely from me, and not very civilly, from her. Ah! thought I, these men! The more they are courted Wretches! to rind their consequence in a woman’s meekness. Yet, I could not forbear shewing mine. Nature, Harriet! Who can resist constitution?

What stiff airs are these! approaching him. I do assure you, my lord, I shall not take this beha-viour well; and put my hand on his arm.

I was served right. Would you believe it? The man shook off my condescending hand, by raising his elbow scornfully. He really did!

Nay, then! I left him, and retired to my former seat. I was vexed that it was Sunday: I wanted a little harmony.

Lord and Lady L. both blamed me, by their looks; and my lady took my hand, and was leading me towards him. I shewed a little reluctance: and, would you have thought it? out of the drawing-room whipt my nimble lord, as if on purpose to avoid being moved by my concession.

I took my place again.

I beg of you, Charlotte, said Lady L. go to my lord. You have used him ill.

When I think so, I will follow your advice, Lady L.

And don’t you think so, Lady G.? said Lord

What! for taking my own option how I would be dressed today? What! for deferring That moment in came my bluff lord Have I not, proceeded I, been forced to dine without him today? Did he let me know what account I could give of his absence? Or when he would return? And see, now how angry he looks!

He traversed the room I went on Did he not shake off my hand, when I laid it, smiling, on his arm? Would he answer me a question, which I kindly put to him, fearing he had not dined, and might be sick for want of eating? Was I not forced to apply to Lady L. for an answer to my careful question, on his scornfully turning from me in si-lence? Might we not, if he had not gone out so abruptly, nobody knows where, have made the ap-pearance his heart is so set upon? But now, in deed, it is too late.

Oons, madam! said he, and he kemboed his arms, and strutted up to me. Now for a cuff, thought I. I was half afraid of it: but out of the room again capered he.

Lord bless me, said I, What a passionate creature is this!

Lord and Lady L. both turned from me with indignation. But no wonder if one, that they both did. They are a silly pair; and I believe have agreed to keep each other in countenance in all they do.

But Emily affected me. She sat before in one corner of the room, weeping; and just then ran to me, and, wrapping her arms about me, Dear, dear Lady G. said she, for Heaven’s sake, think of what our Miss Byron said; ‘ Don’t jest away your own happiness.’ I don’t say who is in fault: but, my dear lady, do you condescend. It looks pretty in a woman to condescend. Forgive me; I will run to my lord, and 1 will beg of him

Away she ran, without waiting for an answer and, bringing in the passionate wretch, hanging on his arm You must not, my lord, indeed you must not be so passionate. Why, my lord, you frighted me; indeed you did. Such a word I never heard from your lordship’s mouth

Ay, my lord, said I, you give yourself pretty airs! Don’t you? And use pretty words; that a child shall be terrified at them! But come, come, ask my pardon, for leaving me to dine without you.

Was not that tender? Yet out went Lord and Lady L. To be sure they did right, if they with-drew in hopes these kind words would have been received as reconciliatory ones; and not in displea-sure with me, as I am half afraid they did: for their good-nature (worthy souls!) does sometimes lead them into misapprehensions. I kindly laid my hand on his arm again. He was ungracious. Nay, my lord, don’t once more reject me with disdain If you do I then smiled most courteously. Carry not your absurdities, my lord, too far: and I took his hand [There, Harriet, was condescension!] I protest, Sir, if you give yourself any more of these airs, you will not find me so condescending. Come, come, tell me you are sorry, and I will forgive you.

Sorry! madam; sorry! I am indeed sorry, for your provoking airs!

Why that’s not ill said But kemboed arms, my lord! are you not sorry for such an air! And Oons! are you not sorry for such a word? and for such looks too? and for quarrelling with your dinner? I protest, my lord, you make one of us look like a child who flings away his bread and butler because it has not glass windows upon it.

Not for one moment forbear, madam!

Pr’ythee, pr’ythee [I profess I had like to have said honest fritnd~\ No more of these airs; and, I tell you, I will forgive you.

But, madam, I cannot, I will not

Hush, hush; no more in that strain, and so loud, as if we had lost each other in a wood If you will let us be friends, say so In an instant If not, I am gone gone this moment casting off from him, as 1 may say, intending to mount up-stairs.

Angel, or demon, shall I call you? said he. Yet I receive your hand, as offered. But, for God’s sake, madam, let us be happy! And he kissed my hand, but not so cordially as it became him to do; and in came Lord and Lady L. with countenances a little ungracious.

I took my seat next my own man, with an air of officiousness, hoping to oblige him by it. He ivas obliged: and another day, not yet quite agreed upon, this parade is to be made.

And thus began, proceeded, and ended, this doughty quarrel. And who knows but, before the day is absolutely resolved upon, we may have half a score more? Four, five, six days, as it may happen, is a great space of time for people to agree, who are so much together; and one of whom is playful, and the other will not be played with. But these kembo and oons airs, Harriet, stick a little in my stomach; and the man seems not to be quite come to neither. He is sullen and gloomy, and don’t prate away as he used to do, when we have made up before.

But I will sing him a song tomorrow: I will please the honest man, if I can. But he really should not have had for a wife a woman of so sweet a tem-per as your

CHARLOTTE G.


Letter XXXVIII.
Lady G. to Miss Byron.

Monday, May 8.

My lord and I have had another little Tiff, shall I call it? It came not up to a quarrel. Married peo-ple would have enough to do, if they were to trouble their friends every time they misunderstood one another. And now a word or two of other people: not always scribbling of ourselves.

We have just heard, that our cousin Everard has added another fool of our sex to the number of the weak ones who disgrace it: a sorry fellow! He has been seen with her, by one whom he would not know, at Cuper’s gardens; dressed like a sea-officer, and skulking, hkj a thief, into the privatest walks of the place. When he is tired of the poor wretch, he will want to accommodate with us by promises of penitence and reformation, as once or twice before. Rakes are not only odious, but they are despicable creatures. You will the more clearly see this, when I assure you, from those who know, that this silly creature our cousin is looked upon, among his bro-ther libertines, and smarts, as a man ofjirst con sideration!

He has also been seen in a gayer habit, at a cer-tain gaming-table, near Covent–Garden; where he did not content himself with being an idle spectator. Colonel Winwood, our informant, shook his head, but made no other answer, to some of our enquiries. May he suffer! say I. A sorry fellow!

Preparations are going on, all so-fast, at Windsor. We are all invited. God grant that Miss Mansfield may be as happy as Lady W. as we all conclude she will be! but 1 never was fond of matches between sober young women, and battered old rakes. Much good may do the adventurers, drawn in by gewgaw and title! Poor things! But convenience, when that’s the motive, whatever foolish girls think, will hold out its comforts, while a gratified love quickly evaporates.

Beauchamp, who is acquainted with the Mans-fields, is entrusted by my brother, in his absence, with the management of the law-affairs. He hopes, he says, to give a good account of them. The base steward of the uncle Calvert, who lived as a husband with the woman who had been forced upon his su-perannuated master in a doting fit, has been brought by the death of one of the children born in Mr. Calvert’s life-time, and by the precarious health of the posthumous one, to make overtures of accom-modation. A new hearing of the cause between them and the Keelings, is granted; and great things are expected from it, in their favour, from some new lights thrown in upon that suit. The Keelings are frighted out of their wits, it seems; and are applying to Sir John Lambton, a disinterested neighbour, to offer himself as a mediator between them. The

Mansfields will so soon be related to us, that I make no apology for interesting you in their affairs.

Be sure you chide me for my whimsical behaviour to Lord G. 1 know you will. But don’t blame my heart: my head only is wrong. * *

A little more from fresh information of this sorry varlet Everard. I wished him to suffer; but I wish-ed him not to be so very great a sufferer as it seems he is. Sharpers have bit his head off, quite close to Ills shoulders: they have not left it him to carry under his ann s as the honest patron of France did his. They lend it him, however, now-and-then, to repent with, and curse himself. The creature he attended to Cuper’s gardens, instead of a country innocent, as he expected her to be, comes out to be a cast mistress, experienced in all the arts of such, and acting under the secret influences of a man of quality; who, wanting to get rid of her, supports her in a prosecution commenced against him (poor devil!) for performance of covenants. He was extremely mortified, on finding my brother gone abroad: he intends to apply to him for his pity and help. A wretch! He boasted to us, on our expect-ation of our brother’s arrival from abroad, that he would enter his cousin Charles into the ways of the town. Now he wants to avail himself against the practices of the sons of that town, by his cousin’s character and consequence.

A combination of sharpers, it seems, had long set him as a man of fortune: but, on his taking refuge with my brother, gave over for a time their designs upon him, till he threw himself again in their way.

The worthless fellow had been Often liberal of his promises of marriage to young creatures of more innocence than this; and thinks it very hard that he should be prosecuted for a crime which he had so frequently committed with impunity. Can you pity him? 1 cannot, I assure you. The man who can betray and ruin an innocent woman, who loves him, ought to be abhorred by men. Would he scruple to betray and ruin them, if he were not afraid of the law? Yet there are women who can forgive such wretches, and herd with them.-

My aunt Eleanor is arrived: a good, plump, bon-ny-faced old virgin. She has chosen her apartment. At present we are most prodigiously civil to each other: but already I suspect she likes Lord G. better than I would have her. She will perhaps, if a party should be formed against your poor Charlotte, make one of it.

Will you think it time thrown away, to read a further account of what has come to hand about the wretches who lately, in the double sense of the word, were overtaken between St. Denis and Paris?

Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, it seems, still keeps his chamber: he is thought not to be out of danger from some inward hurt, which often makes him bring up blood in quantities. He is miserably oppressed by lowness of spirits, and when he is a little better in that respect, his impatience makes his friends apprehensive for his head. But has he intellects strong enough to give apprehensions of that nature? Fool and madman we often join as terms of reproach; but I believe fools seldom run really mad.

M erceda is in a still more dangerous way. Besides his bruises, and a fractured skull, he has, it seems, a wound in his thigh, which, in the delirium he was thrown into by the fracture, was not duly attended to; and which, but for his valiant struggles against the knife which gave the wound, was designed for a still greater mischief. His recovery is despaired of; and the poor wretch is continually offering up vows of penitence and reformation, if his life may be spared.

Bagenhall ivas the person who had seduced, by promises of marriage, and fled for it, the manufac-turer’s daughter of Abbeville. He was overtaken by his pursuers at Douay. The incensed father, and friends of the young woman, would not be otherwise pacified than by his performing his promise; which, with infinite reluctance, he complied with, princi-pally through the threats of the brother, who is noted for his fierceness and resolution; and who once made the sorry creature feel an argument which greatly terrified him. Bagenhall is at present at Abbeville, living as well as he can with his new wife, cursing his fate, no doubt, in secret. He is obliged to appear fond of her before her brother and father; the latter being also a sour man, a Gascon, always boasting of his family, and valuing himself upon a De, affixed by himself to his name, and jea-lous of indignity offered to it. The fierce brother is resolved to accompany his sister to England, when Bagenhall goes thither, in order, as he declares, to secure to her good usage, and see her owned and visited by all Bagenhall’s friends and relations. And thus much of these fine gentlemen.

How different a man is Beauchamp! But it is injuring him, to think of those wretches and him at the same time. He certainly has an eye to Emily, but behaves with great prudence toward? her: yet every-body but.v//<? sees his regard for her: nobody but her guardian runs in her head; and the more, as she really thinks it is a glory to love him, because of his goodness. Every-body, she says, has the same admiration of him, that she has.

Mrs. Reeves desires me to acquaint you, that Miss Clements, having, by the death of her mother and aunt, come into a pretty fortune, is addressed to by a Yorkshire gentleman of easy circumstances, and is preparing to leave the town, having other connexions in that county; but that she intends to write to you before she goes, and to beg you to favour her with now-and-then a letter.

I think Miss Clements is a good sort of young woman: but I imagined she would have been one of those nuns at large, who need not make vows of living and dying aunt Eleanors, or Lady Gertrudes; all three of them good honest souls! Chaste, pious, and plain. It is a charming situation, when a woman is arrived at such a height of perfection, as to be above giving or receiving temptation. Sweet inno-cents! They have my reverence, if not my love. How would they be affronted, if I were to say pity J I think only of my two good aunts, at the present writing. Miss Clements, you know, is a youngish woman; and I respect her much. One would not jest upon the unsightliness of person, or plainness of feature: but think you she will not be one of those, who twenty years hence may put in a boast of her quondam beauty?

How I run on! I think I ought to be ashamed of myself.

‘ Very true, Charlotte.’

And so it is, Harriet. I have done Adieu! Lord G. will be silly again, 1 doubt; but I am prepared. I wish he had half my patience.

‘ Be quiet, Lord G.! what a fool you are!’ The man, my dear, under pretence of being friends, run his sharp nose in my eye. No bearing his fondness: it is worse than insolence. How my eye waters! I can tell him But I will tell him, and not you. Adieu, once more.

CHARLOTTE G.
Letter XXXIX.
Mr. Lowther to John Arnold, Esq. (His Bro-Ther-In-Law) In London.

Bologna, May 5–16. I will now, my dear brother, give you a circum-stantial account of our short, but flying journey. The 20th of April, O. S. early in the morning, we left Paris, and reached Lyons the 24th, at night.

Resting but a few hours, we set out for Pont Beauvoisin, where we arrived the following evening: there we bid adieu to France, and found ourselves in Savoy, equally noted for its poverty and rocky mountains. Indeed it was a total change of the scene. We had left behind us a blooming spring, which enlivened with its verdure the trees and hedges on the road we passed, and the meadows already smiled with flowers. The cheerful inhabitants were busy in adjusting their limits, lopping their trees, pruning their vines, tilling their fields; but when we entered Savoy, nature wore a very different face; and I must own, that my spirits were great sufferers by the change. Here we began to view on the nearer mountains, covered with ice and snow, not-withstanding the advanced season, the rigid winter, in frozen majesty, still preserving its domains: and arriving at St. Jean Maurienne the night of the 26th, the snow seemed as if it would dispute with us our passage: and horrible was the force of the boisterous winds, which sat full in our faces.

Overpowered by the fatigues I had undergone in the expedition we had made, the unseasonable coldness of the weather, and the sight of one of the worst countries under heaven, still clothed in snow, and deformed by continual hurricanes; I was here taken ill. Sir Charles was greatly concerned for my indisposition, which was increased by a great lowness of spirits. He attended upon me in person; and never had man a more kind and indulgent friend. Here we staid two days; and then, my illness being principally owing to fatigue, I found myself enabled to proceed. At two of the clock in the morning of the 28th, we prosecuted our journey, in palpable darkness, and dismal weather, though the winds were somewhat laid, and reaching the foot of Mount Cenis by break of day, arrived at Lanebourg, a poor little village, so environed by high mountains, that, for three months in the twelve, it is hardly visited by the cheering rays of the sun. Every object which here presents itself is excessively miserable. The people are generally of an olive complexion, with wens under their chins; some so monstrous, especi-ally women, as quite disfigure them.

Here it is usual to unscrew and take in pieces the chaises, in order to carry them on mules over the mountain; and to put them together on the other side: for the Savoy side of the mountain is much more difficult to pass than the other. But Sir Charles chose not to lose time; and therefore left the chaise to the care of the innkeeper; proceeding, with all expedition, to gain the top of the hill.

The way we were carried, was as follows: A kind of horse, as it is called with you, with two poles like those of chairmen, was the vehicle; on which is secured a sort of elbow-chair, in which the traveller sits. A man before, another behind, carry this open machine with so much swiftness, that they are continually running and skipping, like wild goats, from rock to rock, the four miles of that ascent. If a traveller were not prepossessed that these moun-taineers are the surest-footed carriers in the uni — verse, he would be in continual apprehensions of being overturned. I, who never undertook this journey before, must own that I could not be so fearless, on this occasion, as Sir Charles was, though he had very exactly described to me how every-thing would be. Then, though the sky was clear when we passed this mountain, yet the cold wind blew quantities of frozen snow in our faces; inso-much that it seemed to me just as if people were employed, all the time we were passing, to wound us with the sharpest needles. They indeed call the wind that brings this sharp-pointed snow, The Tormenta.

An adventure, which any-where else might have appeared ridiculous, I was afraid would have proved fatal to one of our chairmen, as I will call them. I had flapt down my hat to screen my eyes from the fury of that deluge of sharp-pointed frozen snow; and it was blown off my head, by a sudden gust, down the precipices: I gave it up for lost, and was about to bind a handkerchief over the woollen cap, which those people provide to tie under the chin; when one of the assistant carriers (for they are always six in number to every chair, in order to relieve one another) undertook to recover it. 1 thought it impossible to be done; the passage being, as I imagined, only practicable for birds: however, I promised him a crown reward, if he did. Never could the leaps of the most dexterous of rope-dancers be compared to those of this daring fellow: I saw him sometimes jumping from rock to rock, sometimes rolling down a declivity of snow like a ninepin, sometimes running, sometimes hopping, skipping; in short he descended like lightning to the verge of a torrent, where he found the hat. He came up with surprising agility, and appeared as little fa-tigued, as if he had never left us.

We arrived at the top in two hours, from Lane-bourg; and the sun was pretty high above the hori — zon. Out of a hut, half-buried in snow, came some mountaineers, with two poor sledges, drawn by mules, to carry us through the Plain of Mount Cents as it is called, which is about four Italian miles in length, to the descent of the Italian side of the mountain. These sledges are not much different from the chairs, or sedans, or horse, we then quit-ted; only the two under-poles are flat, and not so long as the others, and turning up a little at the end, to hinder them from sticking fast in the snow. To the fore-ends of the poles are fixed two round sticks, about two feet and a half long, which serve for a support and help to the man who guides the mule, who running on the snow between the mule and the sledge holds the sticks with each hand.

It was diverting to see the two sledgemen striving to outrun each other.

Encouraged by Sir Charles’s generosity, we very soon arrived at the other end of the plain. The man who walked, or rather ran, between the sledge and the mule, made a continual noise; hallooing and beating the stubborn beast with his fists, which otherwise would be very slow in its motion.

At the end of this plain we found such another hut as that on the Lanebourg side; here they took off the smoking mules from the sledges, to give them rest.

And now began the most extraordinary way of travelling that can be imagined. The descent of the mountain from the top of this side, to a small village called Novalesa, is four Italian miles. When the snow has filled up all the inequalities of the mountain, it looks, in many parts, as smooth and equal as a sugar-loaf. It is on the brink of this rapid descent that they put the sledge. The man who is to guide it, sits between the feet of the tra-veller, who is seated in the elbow-chair, with his legs at the outside of the sticks fixed at the fore-ends of the flat-poles, and holds the two sticks with his hands; and when the sledge has gained the declivity, its own weight carries it down with surprising celerity. But as the immense irregular rocks under the snow make now-and-then some edges in the declivity, which, if not avoided, would overturn the sledge; the guide, who foresees the danger, by put-ting his foot strongly and dexterously in the snow next to the precipice, turns the machine, by help of a pointed iron on his heel, and of the above-men-tioned sticks, the contrary way, and, by way of zig — zag, goes to the bottom. Such was the velocity of this motion, that we dispatched these four miles in less than five minutes: and, when we arrived at No-valesa, hearing that the snow was very deep most of the way to Susa, and being pleased with our way of travelling, we had some mules put again to the sledges, and ran all the way to the very gates of that city, which is seven miles distant from Mount Cenis.

In our way we had a cursory view of the impreg-nable fortress of ISrunetta, the greatest part of which is cut out of the solid rock, and commands that important pass.

We rested all night at Susa; and, having bought a very commodious post-chaise, we proceeded to Turin, where we dined; and from thence, the even-<2 c ‘1 ing of May 2, O. S. got to Parma by way of Alex-andria and Placentia, having purposely avoided the high road through Milan, as it would have cost us a few hours more time.

Sir Charles observed to me, when we were on the plain or flat top of Mount Cenis, that, had not the winter been particularly long and severe, we should have had, instead of this terrible appearance of snow there, flowers starting up, as it were, under our feet, of various kinds, which are hardly to be met with any-where else. One of the greatest dangers, he told me, in passing this mount in winter, arises from a ball of snow, which is blown down from the top by the wind, or falls down by some other accident; which, gathering all the way in its descent becomes instantly of such a prodigious bigness, that there is hardly any avoiding being carried away with it, man and beast, and smothered in it. One of these balls we saw rolling down; but as it took another course than ours, we had no apprehensions of danger from it.

At Parma we found expecting us, the Bishop of Nocera, and a very reverend father, Marescotti by name; who expressed the utmost joy at the arrival of Sir Charles Grandison, and received me, at his recommendation, with a politeness which seems natural to them I will not repeat what I have written before of this excellent young gentleman: intrepidity, bravery, discretion, as well as generosity, are conspicuous parts of his character. He is stu-dious to avoid danger; but is unappalled in it. For humanity, benevolence, providence for others, to his very servants, I never met with his equal.

My reception from the noble family to which he has introduced me; the patient’s case (a very unhappy one!); and a description of this noble city, and the fine country about it; shall be the subject of my next. Assure all my friends of my health, and good wishes for them; and, my dear Arnold, believe me to be

Ever yours, &c.
Letter XL.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett. Bologna, Wednesday, May 10 21.

I told you, my dear and reverend friend, that I should hardly write to you till I arrived in this city.

The affair of my executorship obliged me to stay a day longer at Paris than I intended; but I have put every thing relating to that trust in such a way, as to answer all my wishes.

Mr. Lowther wrote to Mr. Arnold, a friend of his in London, the particulars of the extraordinary affair we were engaged in between St. Denys and Paris; with desire that he would inform my friends of our arrival at that capital.

We were obliged to stop two days at St. Jean de Mauriennc: the expedition we travelled with was too much for Mr. Lowther; and I expected, and was not disappointed from the unusual backwardness of the season, to find the passage over Mount Cenis less agreeable than it usually is in the beginning of May.

The Bishop of Nocera had offered to meet me any-where on his side of the mountains. I wrote to him from Lyons, that I hoped to see him at Parma, on or about the very day that I was so fortunate as to reach the palace of the Count of Belvedere in that city; where 1 found, that he and Father Marescotti had arrived the evening before. Thev, as well as the count expressed great joy to see me; and when I presented Mr. Lowther to them with the praises due to his skill, and let them know the consultations I had had with eminent physicians of my own coun-try on Lady Clementina’s case, they invoked bless — ings upon us both, and would not be interrupted in them by my eager questions after the health and state of mind of the two dearest persons of their fa-mily Unhappy! very unhappy! said the bishop. Let us give you some refreshment, before we come to particulars.

To my repeated enquiries, Jeronymo, poor Jero-nymo! said the bishop, is living, and that is all we can say. The sight of you will be a cordial to his heart. Clementina is on her journey to Bologna from Naples. You desired to find her with us, and not at Naples. She is weak; is obliged to travel slowly. She will rest at Urbino two or three days. Dear creature! What has she not suffered from the cruelty of her cousin Laurana, as well as from her malady! The general has been, and is, indulgent to her. He is married to a lady of great merit, quality, and fortune. He has, at length, consented that we shall try this last experiment, as the hearts of my mother and now lately of my father, as well as mine, are in it. His lady would not be denied accompa-nying my sister; and as my brother could not bear being absent from her, he travels with them. I wish he had staid at Naples. I hope, however, he will be as ready, as you will find us all, to acknow-ledge the favour of this visit, and the fatigue and trouble you have given yourself on our account.

As to my sister’s bodily health, proceeded he, it is greatly impaired. We are almost hopeless, with regard to the state of her mind. She speaks not; she answers not any questions. Camilla is with her. She seems regardless of any-body else. She has been told, that the general is married. His lady makes great court to her; but she heeds her not. We are in hopes, that my mother, on her return to Bologna, will engage her attention. She never yet was so ill as to forget her duty, either to God, or her parents. Sometimes Camilla thinks she pays some little attention to your name; but then she instantly starts, as in terror; looks round her with fear; puts her finger to her lips, as if she dreaded her cruel cousin Lau-rana should be told of her having heard it men — tioned.

The bishop and father both regretted that she had been denied the requested interview. They were now, they said, convinced, that if that had been granted, and she had been left to Mrs. Beaumont’s friendly care, a happy issue might have been hoped for: But noiv, said the bishop Then sighed, and was silent.

I dispatched Saunders, early the next morning, to Bologna, to procure convenient lodgings for ine, and Mr. Lowther.

In the afternoon we set out for that city. The Count of Belvedere found an opportunity to let me know his unabated passion for Clementina, and that he had lately made overtures to marry her, notwith-standing her malady: having been advised, he said, by proper persons, that as it was not an hereditary, but an accidental disorder, it might be, in time, cureable. He accompanied us about half way in our journey; and, at parting, Remember, chevalier, whispered he, that Clementina is the soul of my hope: I cannot forego that hope. No other woman will I ever call mine.

I heard him in silence: I admired him for his at-tachment: I pitied him. He said, he would tell me more of his mind at Bologna.

We reached Bologna on the 15th, N. S. Saun-ders had engaged for me the lodgings I had before.

Our conversation on the road turned chiefly on the case of Signor Jeronymo. The bishop and fa-ther were highly pleased with the skill, founded on practice, which evidently appeared in all that Mr. Lowther said on the subject: and the bishop once intimated, that, be the event what it would, his journey to Italy should be made the most beneficial affair to him he had ever engaged in. Mr. Lowther replied, that as he was neither a necessitous nor a mean-spirited man, and had reason to be entirely satisfied with the terms I had already secured to him; he should take it unkindly, if any other reward were offered him.

Think, my dear Dr. Bartlett, what emotions I must have on entering, once more, the gates of the Poretta palace, though Clementina was not there.

I hastened up to my Jeronymo, who had been apprised of my arrival. The moment he saw me, Do I once more, said he, behold my friend, my Grandison? Let me embrace the dearest of men. Now, now, have I lived long enough. He bowed his head upon his pillow, and meditated me; his coun-tenance shining with pleasure, in defiance of pain.

The bishop entered: he could not be present at our first interview.

My lord, said Jeronymo, make it your care that my dear friend be treated, by every soul of our fami-ly, with the gratitude and respect which are due to his goodness. Methinks I am easier and happier, this moment, than I have been for the tedious space of time since I last saw him. He named that space of time to the day, and to the very hour of the day.

The marquis and marchioness signifying their pleasure to see me, the bishop led me to them. My reception from the marquis was kind; from his lady it was as that of a mother to a long-absent son. I had ever been, she was pleased to say, a fourth son in her eye; and now, that she had been inform-ed that I had brought over with me a surgeon of experience, and the advice in writing of eminent physicians of my country, the obligations I had laid on their whole family, whatever were the success, were unreturnable.

I asked leave to introduce Mr. Lowther to them. They received him with great politeness, and re-commended their Jeronymo to his best skill. Mr. Lowther’s honest heart was engaged, by a reception so kind. He never, he told me afterwards, be held so much pleasure and pain struggling in the same countenance, as in that of the lady; so fixed a melancholy, as in that of the marquis.

Mr. Lowther is a man of spirit, though a modest man. He is, as on every proper occasion 1 found, a man of piety; and has a heart tender as manly. Such a man, heart and hand, is qualified for a profession which is the most useful and certain in the art of healing. He is a man of sense and learning out of his profession, and happy in his address.

The two Surgeons who now attend Signor Jero-nymo, are both of this country. They were sent for. With the approbation, and at the request, of the family, I presented Mr. Lowther to them; but first gave them his character, as a modest man, as a man of skill and experience; and told them, that he had quitted business, and wanted not either fame or fortune.

They acquainted him with the case, and their methods of proceeding. Mr. Lowther assisted in the dressings that very evening. Jeronymo would have me to be present. Mr. Lowther suggested an alteration in their method, but in so easy and gen-tle a manner (as if he doubted not, but such was their intention when the state of the wounds would admit of that method of treatment) that the gen-tleraen came readily into it. A great deal of matter had been collected, by means of the wrong methods pursued; and he proposed, if the patient’s strength would bear it, to make an aperture below the prin-cipal wound, in order to discharge the matter down — ward; and he suggested the dressing with hollow tents and bandage, and to dismiss the large tents, with which they had been accustomed to distend the wound, to the extreme anguish of the patient, on pretence of keeping it open, to assist the discharge. Let me now give you, my dear friend, a brief history of my Jeronymo’s case, and of the circum-stances which have attended it; by which you will be able to account for the difficulties of it, and how it has happened, that, in such a space of time, either the cure was not effected, or that the patient yielded not to the common destiny.

In lingering cases, patients or their friends are sometimes too apt to blame their physicians, and to listen to new recommendations. The surgeons at-tending this unhappy case, had been more than once changed. Signor Jeronymo, it seems, was unskil-fully treated by the young surgeon of Cremona, who was first engaged; he neglected the most dan-gerous wound; and, when he attended to it, ma — nanaged it wrong, for want of experience. He was therefore very properly dismissed.

The unhappy man had at first three wounds: one in his breast, which had been for some time healed; one in his shoulder, which, through his own impa-tience, having been too suddenly healed up, was obliged to be laid open again: the other, which is the most dangerous, in the hip-joint.

A surgeon of this place, and another of Padua, were next employed. The cure not advancing, a surgeon of eminence, from Paris, was sent for. Mr. Lowther tells me, that this man’s method was by far the most eligible; but that he undertook too much; since, from the first, there could not be any hope, from the nature of the wound in the hip-joint, that the patient could ever walk, without sticks or crutches: and of this opinion were the other two surgeons: but the French gentleman was so very pragmatical, that he would neither draw with them, nor give reasons for what he did; regarding them only as his assistants. They could not long bear this usage, and gave up to him in disgust.

How cruel is punctilio, among men of this science, in cases of difficulty and danger!

The present operators, when the two others had given up, were not, but by leave of the French gentleman, called in. He, valuing himself on his practice in the Royal Hospital of Invalids at Paris, looked upon them as theorists only; and treated them with as little ceremony as he had shewn the others: so that at last, from their frequent differences, it became necessary to part with either him, or them. His pride, when he knew that this question was a subject of debate, would not allow him to leave the family an option. He made his demand: it was complied with; and he returned to Paris.

From what this gentleman threw out at parting, to the disparagement of the two others, Signor Jero-nyno suspected their skill: and from a hint of this suspicion, as soon as I knew I should be welcome myself, I procured the favour of Mr. Lowther’s at-tendance.

All Mr. Lowther’s fear is, that Signor Jeronymo has been kept too long in hand by the different ma-nagements of the several operators; and that he will sink under the necessary process, through weakness of habit. But, however, he is of opinion, that it is requisite to confine him to a strict diet, and to deny him wine and fermented liquors, in which he has hitherto been indulged, against the opinion of his own operators, who have been too complaisant to his appetite.

An operation somewhat severe was performed on his shoulder yesterday morning. The Italian sur-geons complimented Mr. Lowther with the lancet. They both praised his dexterity; and Signor Jero-nymo, who will be consulted on every-thing that he is to suffer, blessed his gentle hand.

At Mr. Lowther’s request, a physician was yester-day consulted; who advised some gentle aperitives, as his strength will bear it; and some balsamics, to sweeten the blood and juices.

Mr. Lowther told me just now, that the fault of the gentlemen who have now the care of him, has not been want of skill, but of critical courage, and a too great solicitude to oblige their patient; which, by their own account, had made them forego several opportunities which had offered to assist nature. In short, Sir, said he, your friend knows too much of his own case to be ruled, and too little to qualify him to direct what is to be done, especially as symp-toms must have been frequently changing.

Mr. Lowther doubts not, he says, but he shall soon convince Jeronymo that he merits his confi-dence, and then he will exact it from him; and, in so doing, shall not only give weight to his own endeavours to serve him, but rid the other two gentle — men of embarrasments which have often given them diffidencies, when resolution was necessary.

In the mean time the family here are delighted with Mr. Lowther. They will flatter themselves they say, with hopes of their Jeronymo’s recovery; which, however, Mr. Lowther, for fear of disap-pointment, does not encourage. Jeronymo himself owns, that his spirits are much revived; and we all know the power that the mind has over the body.

Thus have I given you, my reverend friend, a ge-neral notion of Jeronymo’s case, as I understand it from Mr. Lowther’s as general representation of it.

He has been prevailed upon to accept an apartment adjoining to that of his patient. Jeronymo said, that when he knows he has so skilful a friend near him, he shall go to rest with confidence; and good rest is of the highest consequence to him.

What a happiness, my dear Dr. Bartlett, will fall to my share, if I may be an humble instrument, in the hand of Providence, to heal this brother; and if his recovery should lead the way to the restoration of his sister; each so known a lover of the other, that the world is more ready to attribute her malady to his misfortunes and danger, than to any other cause! But how early days are these, on which my love and my compassion for persons so meritorious, embolden me to build such forward hopes!

Lady Clementina is now impatiently expected by every one. She is at Urbino. The general and his lady are with her. His haughty spirit cannot bear to think she should see me, or that my attendance on her should be thought of so much importance to her.

The marchioness, in a conversation that I have just now had with her, hinted this to me, and besought me to keep my temper, if his high notion of family and female honour shall carry him out of his usual politeness.

I will give you, my dear friend, the particulars of this conversation.

She hegan with saying, that she did not, for her part, now think, that her beloved daughter, whom once she believed hardly any private man could deserve, was worthy of me, even were she to recover her reason.

I could not but guess the meaning of so high a compliment. What answer could I return that would not, on one hand, be capable of being thought cool; on the other, of being supposed interested, and as if I were looking forward to a reward that some of the family still think too high? But while I knew my own motives, I could not be displeased with a lady who was not at liberty to act, in this point, ac-cording to her own will.

I only said (and it was with truth) That the cala-mity of the noble lady had endeared her to me, more than it was possible the most prosperous for-tune could have done.

I, my good chevalier, may say any-thing to you. We are undetermined about every-thing. We know not what to propose, what to consent to. Your journey, on the first motion, though but from some of us, the dear creature continuing ill; you in pos-session of a considerable estate, exercising yourself in doing good in your native country [you must think we took all opportunities of enquiring after the man once so likely to be one of us]; the first fortune in Italy, Olivia, though she is not a Cle-mentina, pursuing you in hopes of calling herself yours (for to England we hear she went, and there you own she is); What obligations have you laid upon us! What can we determine upon? What can we wish?

Providence and you, madam, shall direct my steps. I am in yours and your lord’s power. The same uncertainty, from the same unhappy cause, leaves me not the thought, because not the poiver of determination. The recovery of Lady Clementina and her brother, without a view to my own interest, fills up, at present, all the wishes of my heart.

Let me ask, said the lady (it is for my own pri-vate satisfaction) Were such a happy event, as to

Clementina, to take place, could you, would you, think yourself bound by your former offers?

When I made those offers, madam, the situation on your side was the same that it is now: Lady Cle-mentina was unhappy in her mind. My fortune, it is true, is higher. It is indeed as high as I wish it to be. I then declared, That if you would give me your Clementina, without insisting on one hard, on one indispensable article, I would renounce her for-tune, and trust to my father’s goodness to me for a provision. Shall my accession to the estate of my ancestors alter me? No, madam: I never yet made an offer, that I receded from, the circumstances continuing the same. If, in the article of residence, the marquis, and you, and Clementina, would relax; I would acknowledge myself indebted to your goodness; but without conditioning for it.

I told you, said she, that I put this question only for my own private satisfaction: and I told you truth. I never will deceive or mislead you. Whenever I speak to you, it shall be as if, even in your own concerns, I spoke to a third person; and I shall not doubt but you will have the generosity to advise, as such, though against yourself.

May I be enabled to act worthy of your good opi-nion! I, madam, look upon myself as bound; you and yours are free.

What a pleasure is it, my dear Dr. Bartlett, to the proud heart of your friend, that I could say this! Had I sought, in pursuance of my own inclinations, to engage the affections of the admirable Miss Byron, as I might with honour have endeavoured to do, had not the woes of this noble family, and the unhappy state of mind of their Clementina, so deeply affected me; I might have involved myself, and that loveliest of women, in difficulties which would have made such a heart as mine still more unhappy than it is.

Let me know, my dear Dr. Bartlett, that Miss Byron is happy. I rejoice, whatever be my own destiny, that I have not involved her in my uncer-tainties. The Countess of D. is a worthy woman: the earl, her son, is a good young man: Miss Byron merits such a mother; the countess such a daughter.. How dear, how important, is her welfare to me! You know your Grandison, my good Dr. Bartlett. Her friendship I presumed to ask: I dared not to wish to correspond with her. I rejoice, for her sake, that I trusted not my heart with such a proposal. What difficulties, my dear friend, have I had to encounter with! God be praised that I have nothing, with regard to these two incomparable women, 10 reproach myself with. I am persuaded that our prudence, if rashly we throw not ourselves into dif-ficulties, and if we will exert it, and make a reliance on the proper assistance, is generally proportioned to our trials.

I asked the marchioness after Lady Sforza, and her daughter Laurana; and whether they were at Milan?

You have heard, no doubt, answered she, the cruel treatment that my poor child met with from her cousin Laurana. Lady Sforza justifies her in it. We are upon extreme bad terms, on that account. They are both at Milan. The general has vowed, that he never will see them more, if he can avoid it. The bishop, only as a christian, can forgive them. You, chevalier, know the reason why we cannot allow our Clementina to take the veil.

The particular reasons I have not, madam, been iniquisitive about; but have always understood them to be family ones, grounded on the dying request of one of her grandfathers.

Our daughter, Sir, is intitled to a considerable estate which joins to our own domains. It was pur-chased for her by her two grandfathers; who vied with each other in demonstrating their love of her by solid effects. One of them (my father) was, in his youth, deeply in love with a young lady of great merit; and she was thought to love him: but, in a fit of pious bravery, as he used to call it, when every-thing between themselves, and between the friends on both sides, was concluded on, she threw herself into a convent; and, passing steadily through the probationary forms, took the veil; but afterwards repented, and took pains to let it be known that she was unhappy. This gave him a disgust against the sequestered life, though he was, in other re-spects, a zealous Catholic. And Clementina having always a serious turn; in order to deter her from embracing it (both grandfathers being desirous of strengthening their house, as well in the female as male line) they inserted a clause in each of their wills, by which they gave the estate designed for her, in case she took the veil, to Laurana, and her descendants; Laurana to enter into possession of it on the day that Clementina should be professed. But if Clementina married, Laurana was then to be intitled only to a handsome legacy, that she might not be entirely disappointed: for the reversion, in case Clementina had no children, was to go to our eldest son; who, however, has been always gene-rously solicitous to have his sister marry.

Both grandfathers were rich. Our son Giacomo, on my father’s death, as he had willed, entered upon a considerable estate in the kingdom of Naples, which had for ages been in my family: he is there-fore, and will be, greatly provided for. Our second son has great prospects before him, in the church: but you know he cannot marry. Poor Jeronymo! We had not, before his misfortune, any great hopes of strengthening the family by his means: he, alas! (as you well know, who took such laudable pains to reclaim him, before he knew you) with great qua-lities, imbibed free notions from bad company, and declared himself a despiser of marriage. This the two grandfathers knew, and often deplored; for Jeronymo and Clementina were equally their fa-vourites. To him and the bishop they bequeathed great legacies.

We suspected not till very lately, that Laurana was deeply in love with the Count of Belvedere; and that her mother and she had views to drive our sweet child into a convent, that Laurana might enjoy the estate; which they hoped would be an inducement to the count to marry her. Cruel Laurana! Cruel Lady Sforza! So much love as they both pretended to our child; and, I believe, had, till the temptation, strengthened by power, became too strong for them. Unhappy the day that we put her into their hands.

Besides the estates so bequeathed to Clementina, we can do great things for her: few Italian families are so rich as ours. Her brothers forget their own interest, when it comes into competition with hers: she is as generous as they. Our four children never knew what a contention was, but who should give up an advantage to the other. This child, this sweet child, was ever the delight of us all, and likewise of our brother the Conte della Porretta. What joy would her recovery and nuptials give us? Dear creature! We have sometimes thought, that she is the fonder of the sequestered life, as it is that which we wish her not to embrace But can Clementina be perverse? She cannot. Yet that was the life of her choice, when she had a choice, her grandfathers wishes notwithstanding.

Will you now wonder, chevalier, that neither our sons nor we can allow Clementina to take the veil?

Can we so reward Laurana for her cruelty? Espe-cially now, that we suspect the motives for her bar — barity? Could I have thought that my sister Sforza But what will not love and avarice do, their powers united, to compass the same end; the one reigning in the bosom of the daughter, the other in that of the mother? Alas! alas! they have, between them, broken the spirit of my Clementina. The very name of Laurana gives her terror So far is she sensible. But, () Sir, her sensibility appears only when she is harshly treated! To tenderness she had been too much accustomed, to make her think an indulgent treatment new, or unusual.

I dread, my dear Dr. Bartlett, yet am impatient, to see the unhappy lady. I wish the general were not to accompany her. I am afraid I shall want temper, if he forget his. My own heart, when it tells me, that I have not deserved ill usage (from my equals and superiors in rank, especially) bids me not bear it. I am ashamed to own to you, my re-verend friend, that pride of spirit, which, knowing it to be my fault, I ought long ago to have subdued.

Make my compliments to every one I love. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves are of the number.

Charlotte, I hope, is happy. If she is not, it must be her own fault. Let her know, that I will not allow, when my love to both sisters is equal, that she shall give me cause to say that Lady L. is my best sister.

Lady Olivia gives me uneasiness. I am ashamed, my dear Dr. Bartlett, that a woman of a rank so considerable, and who has some great qualities, should lay herself under obligation to the compassion of a man who can only pity her. When a woman gets over that delicacy, which is the test or bulwark, as I may say, of modesty Modesty itself may soon lie at the mercy of an enemy.

Tell my Emily, that she is never out of my mind; and that, amongst the other excellent exam-ples she has before her, Miss Byron’s must never be out of hers.

Lord L. and Lord G. are in full possession of my brotherly love.

I shall not at present write to my Beauchamp. In writing to you, I write to him.

You know all my heart. If in this or my future letters, any-thing should fall from my pen, that would possibly in your opinion affect or give unea-siness to any one I love and honour, were it to be communicated; I depend upon your known and unquestionable discretion to keep it to yourself.

I shall be glad you will enable yourself to inform me of the way Sir Hargrave and his friends are in. They were very ill at Paris; and, it was thought, too weak, and too much bruised, to be soon carried over to England. Men! Englishmen! thus to disgrace themselves, and their country! I am con cerned for them!

I expect large pacquets by the next mails from my friends. England, which was always dear to me, never was half so dear as now, to

Your ever-affectionate

GRANDISON.


Letter XLI.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett.

Bologna, May 11 22. The bishop set out yesterday for Urbino, in order to inform himself of his sister’s state of health, and perhaps to qualify the general to meet me with temper and politeness. Were I sure the good prelate thought this necessary, my pride would be excited.

The Count of Belvedere arrived here yesterday. He made it his first business to see me. He ac-quainted me, but in confidence, that proposals of marriage with Lady Laurana had actually been made him: to which he had returned answer, that his heart, however hopelessly, was engaged; and that he never could think of any other woman than Lady Clementina.

He made no scruple, he said, of returning so short an answer, because he had been apprised of the cru-elty with which one of the noblest young women in Italy had been treated, by the proposers; and with their motives for it.

You see, chevalier, said he, that I am open and unreserved to you. You will oblige me, if you will let me know what it is you propose to yourself in the present situation! But, first, I should be glad to hear from your own mouth, what passed between you and Clementina, and the family, before you quitted Italy the last time. I have had their account.

I gave him a very faithful relation of it. He was pleased with it. Exactly as it has been represented to me! said he. Were Clementina and you of one religion, there could have been no hope for any other man. I adore her for her piety, and for her attachment to hers; and am not so narrow-minded a man, but I can admire you for yours. As her malady is accidental, I never would think of any other wo-man, could I flatter myself that she would not, if restored, be unhappy with me. But now tell me: I am earnest to know; Are you come over to us (I finoxu you are invited) with an expectation to call her yours, in case of her recovery?

I answered him as I had done the marchioness. He seemed as much pleased with roe as I am with him. He is gone back to Parma.

Friday, May 1223.

The bishop is returned. Lady Clementina has been very ill; a fever. How has she been hurried about! He tells me, that the general and his lady, and also the Conte della Poretta, acknowledge them-selves and their whole family obliged to me for the trouble I have been at to serve their Jeronymo.

The fever having left Lady Clementina, she will set out in a day or two. The Count and Signor Sebastiano, as well as the general and his lady, will attend her. I am impatient to see her. Yet how greatly will the sight of her afflict me! The bishop says, she is the picture of silent woe: yet, though greatly emaciated, looks herself, were his words. They told her, that Jeronymo was better than he had been. Your dear Jeronymo, said the general to her. The sweet echo repeated Jero-nymo and was again silent.

They afterwards proposed to name me to her. They did. She looked quick about her, as if for Somebody. Laura, her maid, was occasionally called upon. She started, and threw her arms about Ca-milla, as terrified; looking wildly. Camilla doubts not, but by the name Laura, she apprehends the savage Laurana to be at hand.

How must she have suffered from her barbarity! Sweet innocent! She, who even in her reveries thought not but of good to the soul of the man whom she honoured with her regard She, who bore offence without resentment; and by meekness only sought to calm the violence for which she had not given the least cause!

But when Camilla and she had retired, she spoke to her. The bishop gave me the following dialogue between them, as he had it from Camilla:

Did they not name to me the Chevalier Grandi-son? said she.

They did, madam.

See! see! said she, before I name him again, if my cruel cousin hearken not at the door.

Your cruel cousin, madam, is at many miles distance.

She may hear what I say, for all that.

My dear Lady Clementina, she cannot hear. She shall never more come near you.

So you say.

Did I ever deceive you, madam?

I can’t remember: my memory is gone; quite gone, Camilla.

She then looked earnestly at Camilla, and screamed.

What ails you, my dearest young lady?

Recovering herself Ah, my own Camilla! It is you. I thought, by the cast of your eye, you were become Laurana. Do not, do not, give me such another look!

Camilla was not sensible of any particularity in her looks.

Here you have me again upon a journey, Ca-milla: but how do I know that I am not to be car — ried to my cruel cousin ?

You are really going to your father’s palace at Bologna, madam.

Is my mother there?

She is.

Who else?

The chevalier, madam.

What chevalier?

Grandison.

Impossible! Is he not in proud England?

He is come over, madam.

What for?

With a skilful English surgeon, in hopes to cure Signor Jeronymo

Poor Jeronymo!

And to pay his compliment to you, madam.

Flatterer! How many hundred times have I been told so?

Should you wish to see him, madam?

See whom?

The Chevalier Grandison.

Once I should; and sighed.

And not now, madam?

No: I have lost all I had to say to him. Yet I wish I were allowed to go to that England. We poor women are not suffered to go any-whither! while men

There she stopt; and Camilla could not make her say any more.

. The bishop was fond of repeating these particu-lars; as she had not, for some time, talked so much, and so sensibly.

Friday evening. I pass more than half my time with Signor Jero-nymo; but (that I may not fatigue his spirits) at different hours of the day. The Italian surgeons and Mr. Lowther happily agree in all their measures: they applaud him when his back is turned; and he speaks well of them in their absence. This mutual return of good offices, which they hear of, unites them. The patient declares, that he had not for months been so easy as now. Every-body attributes a great deal to his heart’s being revived by my fre-quent visits. To-morrow it is proposed to make an

SI H CHARLES GRANDISON, 313 opening below the most difficult wound. Mr.Low-ther says, he will not flatter us, till he sees the suc — cess of this operation.

The marquis and his lady are inexpressibly obliging to me. I had yesterday a visit from both, on an indisposition that confined me to my chamber; occasioned, I believe, by a hurry of spirits; by fa-tigue; by my apprehensions for Jeronymo; my concern for Clementina; and by my too great anxiety for the dear friends I had so lately left in England.

You know, Dr. Bartlett, that I have a heart too susceptible for my own peace, though I endeavour to conceal from others those painful sensibilities, which they cannot relieve. The poor Olivia was ever to be my disturbance. Miss Byron must be happy in the rectitude of her own heart. I am ready to think, that she will not be able to resist the warm instances of the Countess of D. in favour of her son, who is certainly one of the best young men among the nobility. She will be the happiest woman in. the world, as she is one of the most deserving, if she be as happy as I wish her.

Emily takes up a large portion of my thoughts.

Our Beauchamp I know must be happy: so must my Lord W.; my sisters, and their lords. Why then shall I not think myself so? God restore Je-ronymo, and his sister, and 1 must, I ivill; for you, my dear Dr. Bartlett, are so: and then I will sub-scribe myself a partaker of the happiness of all my friends; and particularly

Your ever-affectionate

GRANDISON.


Letter XLII.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett.

Bologna, Monday’, May 15 26. Last night arrived Lady Clementina, the general, his lady, the count, and Signor Sebastiano.

I had left Jeronymo about an hour. He had had in the morning the intended opening made by Mr. Lowther. He would have me present.

The operation was happily performed: but, through weakness of body, he was several times in the day troubled with faintings.

I left him tolerably cheerful in the evening; and rejoicing in expectation of his sister’s arrival; and, as the bishop had assured him of the general’s grate-ful disposition, he longed, he said, to see that af — fectionate brother and his lady once more. He had never but once seen her before, and then was so ill, that he could hardly compliment her on the honour she had done their family.

The bishop sent to tell me that his sister was arrived; but that being fatigued and unhappy, Ca-milla should acquaint me in the morning with the way in which she should then be.

I slept not half an hour the whole night. You, my dear friend, will easily account for my restlessness.

I sent, as usual, early in the morning, to know how Jeronymo rested. The answer was favourable; returned by Mr. Lowther, who sat up with him that night, at his own motion: he knew not but some-thing critical might happen.

Camilla came. The good woman was so full of her own joy to see me once more in Italy, that I could not presently get a word from her, of what my heart throbbed with impatience to know.

At last, You will, said she, have the general and the bishop with you. Ah, Sir! my poor young lady! What has she suffered since you left us! You will not know her. We are not sure she will know you. Who shall be able to bear the first interview? She has now but few intervals. It is all one gloomy confusion with her. She cares not to speak to any-body. Every stranger she sees, terrifies her. O the vile, thrice vile Lady Laurana!

In this manner ran on Camilla: nor would she enter into any other particulars than the unhappy ones she left me to collect from the broken hints and exclamations thus thrown out. Alas! thought I, the calamities of Clementina have affected the head of the poor Camilla! She hurried away, lest she should be wanted, and lest the general should find her with me.

The two brothers came soon after. The general took my hand, with a kind of forced politeness: We are all obliged to you, Sir, said he, for your Mr. Lowther. Are the surgeons of England so famous? But the people of your nation have been accustomed to give wounds: they should therefore furnish operators to heal them. We are obliged to you also for the trouble you have given yourself in coming over to us in person. Jeronymo has found a revival of spirits upon it: God grant they may not subside! But, alas! our sister! Poor Clementina! She is lost!

Would to God, said the bishop, we had left her to the care of Mrs. Beaumont.

The general himself, having taken her from Flo-rence, would not join in this wish. There was a middle course, he said, that ought to have been taken. But Laurana is a daughter of the devil, said he; and Lady Sforza ought to be detested for upholding her.

The general expressed himself with coldness on my coming over; but said, that now I vjas on the spot, and as his sister had been formerly desirous of seeing me, an interview might be permitted, in or-der to satisfy those of the family who had given me the invitation, which it was very good of me to ac-cept; especially as I had the Lady Olivia in Eng — land attending my motions: but otherwise he had no opinion There he stopt.

I looked upon him with indignation, mingled with contempt: and directing myself to the bishop, You remember, my lord, said 1, the story of Naaman the Syrian*.

What is that, my lord? said he to the bishop.

Far be it from me, continued I, still directing myself to the bishop, to presume upon my own consequence in the application of the story: but your lordship will judge how far the comparison will hold. Would to God it might throughout !

A happy allusion, said the bishop. I say, Amen.

I know not who this Naaman is, said the general, nor what is meant by your allusion, chevalier: but by your looks I should imagine, that you mean me contempt.

My looks, my lord, generally indicate my heart. You may make light of my intention; and so will I of the trouble I have been at, if your lordship make not light of me. But were I not, my lord, in my own lodgings, I would tell you, that you seem not to know, in my case, what graciousne&s is. Yet I

* 2 King* . ask not for favour from you, but as much for your own sake, as mine.

Dear Grandison! said the bishop My lord! to his brother Did you not promise me Why did you mention Olivia to the chevalier?

Does that disturb you, Sir? said the general to me. I cannot make light of a man of your consequence; especially with ladies, Sir in a scornful manner.

The general, you see, my lord, said I, turning to the bishop, has an insuperable ill-will to me. I found, when I attended him at Naples, that he had harboured surmises that were as injurious to his sister, as to me. I was in hopes that I had obviated them; but a rooted malevolence will recur. How-ever, satisfied as I am with my own innocence, he shall, for many safces, find it very difficult to provoke me.

For my own sake, among the rest, chevalier? with an air of drollery.

You are at liberty, returned I, to make your own constructions. Allow me, my lords, to attend you to Signor Jeronymo.

Not till you are cordial friends, said the bishop Brother, give me your hand, offering to take it Chevalier, yours

Dispose of mine as you please, my lord, said I, holding it out.

He took it, and the general’s at the same time, and would have joined them.

Come, my lord, said I, to the general, and snatched his reluctant hand, accept of a friendly offer, from a heart as friendly. Let me honour you, from my ovm fcnoxvledge, for those great qua-lities which the world gives you. I demand your favour, from a consciousness that 1 deserve it; and that I could not, were I to submit to be treated with indignity by any man. 1 should be sorry to look little in your eyes; but I will not in my own.

Who can bear the superiority this man assumes, brother?

You oblige me, my lord, to assert myself. The chevalier speaks nobly, my lord. His cha-racter is well known. Let me lead you both friends to our Jeronymo. But say, brother Say, chevalier, that you are so.

I cannot bear, said the general, that the Chevalier Grandison should imagine himself of so much consequence to my sister, as some of you seem to think him.

You know me not, my lord. 1 have at present no wish but for the recovery of your sister, and Signor Jeronymo. Were I able to be of service to them, that service would be my reward. But, my lord, if it will make you easy, and induce you to treat me, as my own heart tells me I ought to be treated; I will give you my honour, and let me say, that it never yet was forfeited, that whatever turn your sister’s malady may take, I will not accept of the highest favour that can be done me, but with the joint consent of the three brothers, as well as of your father and mother. Permit me to add, that I will not enter into any family that shall think meanly of me; nor subject the woman I love to the contempt of her own relations.

This indeed is nobly said, replied the general. Give me your hand upon it, and I am your friend for ever.

Proud man! He could not bear to think, that a simple English gentleman, as he looks upon me to be, should ally with their family; improbable as it is, in his own opinion, that the unhappy lady should ever recover her reason; but he greatly loves the Count of Belvedere; and all the family was fond of an alliance with that deserving nobleman.

The bishop rejoiced to find us at last in a better way of understanding each other, than we had hi-therto been in; and it was easier for me to allow for this haughty man, as Mrs. Beaumont had let me know what the behaviour was that I had to expect from him: and indeed, his father, mother, and two brothers, were very apprehensive of it: it will therefore be a pleasure to them, that I have so ea-sily overcome his prejudices.

They both advised me to suspend my visit to their brother till the afternoon, that they might have the more time to consult with one another, and to prepare and dispose their sister to see me.

At taking leave, the general snatched my hand, and with an air of pleasantry, said, I have a wife, Grandison. I wished him joy. You need not, said he; for I have it: one of the best of women. She longs to see you. I think I need not be appre-hensive, because she is generous, and I ever must be grateful: but take care, take care, Grandison! 1 shall watch every turn of your eye. Ad — mire her, if you will: you will not be able to help it. But I am glad she saw you not before she was mine.

I rejoice, said the bishop, that a meeting, which, notwithstanding your promises, brother, gave me apprehensions as we came, is followed by so plea-sant a parting: henceforth we are four brothers again.

Ay, and remember, chevalier, that my sister has also four brothers.

May the number four not be lessened by the death of my Jeronymo; and may Clementina be restored; and Providence dispose as it pleases of me! I am now going to the palace of Porretta; with what agitations of mind, you, Dr. Bartlett, can better imagine, than I describe.




Volume V.


Letter I.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett.

Bologna, Monday night, May 15-^6. I am just returned. You will expect me to be particular.

I went the earlier in the afternoon, that I might pass half an hour with my Jeronymo. He torn-plains of the aperture so lately made: but Mr. Lowther gives us hopes from it.

When we were alone, They will not let me see my sister, said he; I am sure she must be very had But I understand, that you are to be allowed that favour, hy-and-by. () my Grandison! how 1 pitv that tender, that generous heart of yours! But what have you done to the general? He assures me, that he admires and loves you; and the bishop has been congratulating me upon it. He knew it would give me pleasure. My dear Grandison, you subdue every-body; yet in your own way; for they both admire your spirit.

Just then came!n the general. He saluted me in so kind a manner, that Jeronymo’s eyes overflowed; and he said, Blessed be God, that I have lived to see you two, dearest of men to me, so friendly to-gether.

This sweet girl! said the general: How, Grandi-son, will you bear to see her?

The bishop entered: O chevalier! my sister is insensible to every-thing and every body. Camilla is nobody with her today.

They had forgot Jeronymo, though in his cham-ber; and their attention being taken by his audible sensibilities, they comforted him; and withdrew with me into Mr. Lowther’s apartment; while Mr. Low-ther went to his patient.

The marchioness joined us in tears. This dear child knows me not; heeds me not: she never was unmindful of her mother before. I have talked to her of the Chevalier Grandison: she regards not your name. O this affecting silence! Camilla has told her, that she is to see you. My daughter-inlaw has told her so. O Chevalier! she has quite, quite lost her understanding. Nay, we were bar-barous enough to try the name of Laurana. She was not terrified, as she used to be, with that.

Camilla came in with a face of joy: Lady Cle-mentina has just spoken! I told her, she must pre pare to see the Chevalier Grandison in all his glory, and that every-body, the general in particular, ad-mired him. Go, naughty Camilla, said she, tapping my hand; you are a wicked deceiver. 1 have been

SIK CHARLES GRANDISON. 3 told this story too often, to credit it. This was all I could get her to say.

Hence it was concluded, that she would take some notice of me when she saw me; and I was led by the general, followed by the rest, into the marchioness’s drawing-room.

Father Marescotti had given me an advantageous character of the general’s lady, whom I had not yet seen. The bishop had told me, that she was such another excellent woman as his mother, and like her, had the Italian reserve softened by a polite French education.

When we came into the drawing-room, the ge-neral presented me to her. I do not, madam, bid you admire the Chevalier Grandison, said he; but I forgive you if you do; because you will not be able to do otherwise.

My lord, said she, you told me an hour ago, that I must; and now, that I see the chevalier, you will have no cause to reproach me with disobedience.

Father Marescotti, madam, said I, bid me expect from the lady of the young Marchese della Porretta every-thing that was condescending and good. Your compassionate love for an unhappy new sister, who deserves every-one’s love, exalts your character.

Father Marescotti came in. We took our places. It was designed, I found, to try to revive the young lady’s attention, by introducing her in full assembly, I one of it. But I could not forbear asking the marchioness, If Lady Clementina would not be too much startled at so much company?

I wish, said the marquis, sighing, that she may be startled.

We meet, as only on a conversation-visit, said the marchioness. We have tried every other way to awaken her attention.

We are all near relations, said the bishop.

And want to make our observations, said the ge-neral.

She has been bid to expect you among us, re-sumed the marchioness. We shall only be attend — ed by Laura and Camilla.

Just then entered the sweet lady, leaning upon Ca-milla, Laura attending. Her movement was slow and solemn. Her eyes were cast on the ground. Her robes were black and flowing. A veil of black gauze half covered her face. What woe was there in it!

What, at the moment, was my emotion! I arose from my seat, sat down, and arose again, irresolute, not knowing what I did, or what to do!

She stopt in the middle of the floor, and made some motion, in silence, to Camilla, who adjusted her veil: but she looked not before her; lifted not up her eyes; observed no-body.

On her stopping, I was advancing towards her; but the general took my hand: Sit still, sit still, dear Grandison, said he: yet I am charmed with your sensibility. She comes! She moves towards us!

She approached the table round which we sat, her eyes more than half closed, and cast down. She turned to go towards the window. Here, here, ma-dam, said Camilla, leading her to an elbow-chair that had been placed for her, between the two mar-chionesses. She implicitly took her woman’s di — rections, and sat down. Her mother wept. The young marchioness wept. Her father sobbed; and looked from her. Her mother took her hand: My love, said she, look around you.

Pray sister, said the count her uncle, leave her to her own observation.

She was regardless of what either said; her eyes were cast down, and halt’ closed. Camilla stood at the back of her chair.

The general, grieved and impatient, arose, and stepping to her, My dearest sister, said he, hanging over her shoulder, look upon us all. Do not scorn us, do not despise us: see your father, your mother, your sister, and every-body, in tears. If you love us, smile upon us. He took the. hand which her mother had quitted, to attend to her own emotions.

She reared up her eyes to him, and, sweetly condescending, tried to smile; but such a solemnity had taken possession of her features, that she only could shew her obligingness, by the effort. Her smile was a smile of woe. And, still further to shew her compliance, withdrawing her hand from her bro-ther, she looked on either side of her; and seeing which was her mother, she, with both hands, took hers, and bowed her head upon it.

The marquis arose from his seat, his handkerchief at his eyes. Sweet creature! said he, never, never let me again see such a smile as that. It is here, putting his hand to his breast.

Camilla offered her a glass of lemonade; she ac-cepted it not, nor held up her head for a few mo — ments.

Obliging sister! you do not scorn us, said the general. See, Father Marescotti is in tears [the reverend man sat next me]: pity his grey hairs! See, your own father too Comfort your father. His grief for your silence

She cast her eyes that way. She saw me. Saw me greatly affected. She started. She looked again; again started; and, quitting her mother’s hand, now changing pale, now reddening, she arose, and threw her anus about her Camilla O Camilla! was all she said; a violent burst of tears wounding, yet giving some ease to everv heart I was springing to her, and should have clasped her in my arms before them all; but the general taking my hand, as I reached her chair, Dear Grandison, said he, pronouncing in her ear my name, keep your seat. If Clementina remembers her English tutor, she will bid you welcome once more to Bologna. O Camilla, said she, faithful, good Camilla! Now, at last, have you told me truth! It is, it is he! And her tears would flow, as she hid her face in Camil-la’s bosom.

The general’s native pride again shewed itself. He took me aside. I see, Grandison, the conse-quence you are of to this unhappy girl: every one sees it. But I depend upon your honour: you re-member what you said this morning

Good God! said I, with some emotion: I stopt And resuming, with pride equal to his own, Know, Sir, that the man whom you thus remind, calls himself a man of honour; and you, as well as the rest of the world, shall find him so.

He seemed a little abashed. I was flinging from him, not too angrily for him, but for the rest of the company, had they not been attentive to the motions of their Clementina.

We, however, took the bishop’s eye. He came to us.

I left the general; and the bishop led him out, in order to enquire into the occasion of my warmth. When I turned to the company, I found the dear Clementina, supported by the two marchionesses, and attended by Camilla, just by me, passing to-wards the door, in order, it seems, at her motion, to withdraw. She stopt. Ah, chevalier! said she; and reclining her head on her mother’s bosom, seemed ready to faint. I took one hand, as it hung down lifelessly extended (her mother held the other); and kneeling, pressed it with my lips Forgive me la-dies; forgive me, Lady Clementina! My soul overflowed with tenderness, though the moment before it was in a tumult of another kind; for she cast down her eyes upon me with a benignity, that for a long time they all afterwards owned they had not beheld. 1 could not say more. I arose. She moved on to the door; and when there, turned her head, straining her neck to look after me, till she was out of the room I was a statue for a few mo-ments; till the count, snatching my hand, and Fa — ther Marescotti’s, who stood nearest him, We see to what the malady is owing Father, you must join their hands! Chevalier! you will be a Catholic! Will you not? O that you would! said the father Why, why, joined in the count, did we refuse the so-earnestly requested interview, a year and half ago?

The young marchioness returned, weeping They will not permit me to stay. My sister, my dear sister, is in fits! O Sir, turning graciously to me, you are I will not say what you are But I shall not be in danger of disobeying my lord, on your account.

Just then entered the general, and the bishop. Now, brother, said the latter, if you will not be generous, be, however, just Chevalier, were you not a little hasty?

I tvas, my lord. But surely the general was unseasonable.

Perhaps I was.

There is as great a triumph, my lord, said I, in a due acknowledgment, as in a victory. Know me, my lords, as a man incapable of meanness; who will assert himself; but who, from the knowledge he has of his own heart, wishes at his soul to be received as the unquestionably disinterested friend of this whole family. Excuse me, my lords, 1 am obliged to talk greatly, because I would not wish to act petulantly. But my soul is wounded by those distresses, which had not, I am sorry to say it, a little while ago, a first place in your heart.

Do you reproach me, Grandison?

I need not, my lord, if yow feel it as such. But indeed you either know not me, or forget yourself. And now, having spoken all my mind, I am ready to ask your pardon for any-thing that may have offended you in the manner. I snatched his hand so suddenly, I hope not rudely, but rather fervent-ly, that he started Receive me, my lord, as a friend. I will deserve your friendship.

Tell me, brother, said he to the bishop, what I shall say to this strange man? Shall I be angry or pleased?

Be pleased, my lord, replied the prelate.

The general embraced me Well, Grandison, you have overcome. I tvas unseasonable. You were passionate. Let us forgive each other.

His lady stood suspended, not being able to guess at the occasion of this behaviour, and renew-ed friendship.

We sat down, and reasoned variously on what had passed, with regard to the unhappy lady, according to the hopes and fears which actuated the bosoms of each.

But I cannot help thinking, that had this inter-view been allowed to pass with less surprise to her, she might have been spared those fits, with the af-fecting description of which the young marchioness alarmed us; till Camilla came in with the happy news, that she was recovering from them; and that her mother was promising her another visit from me, in hopes it would oblige her; though it was not what she required.

I took this opportunity to put into the hands of the young marchioness, sealed up, the opinions of the physicians I had consulted in England, on the case of” Clementina; requesting that she would give it to her mother, in order to have it considered.

The bishop withdrew, to acquaint Jeronymo, in the way he thought best, with what had passed in this first interview with his sister; resolving not to take any notice of the little sally of warmth between the general and me.

I hope to make the pride and passion of this young nobleman of use to myself, by way of caution: for am 1 not naturally too much inclined to the same fault? O Dr. Bartlett! how have I regretted the passion I suffered myself to be betrayed into, by the foolish violence of O’Hara and Salmonet, in my own house, when it would have better become me, to have had them shewed out of it by my servants!

And yet, were I to receive affronts with tameness from those haughty spirits, who think themselves of a rank superior to me, and from men of the sword, I, who make it a principle not to draw mine but in my own defence, should be subjected to insults, that would be continually involving me in the difficulties I am solicitous to avoid.

I attended the general and his lady to Jeronymo. The generous youth forgot his own weak state, in the hopes he flattered himself with, of a happy conclusion to his sister’s malady, from the change of symptoms which had already taken place; though violent hysterics disordered and shook her before-wounded frame.

The general said, that if she could overcome this first shock, perhaps it was the best method that could have been taken to rouse her out of that stupidity and inattention which had been for some weeks so disturbing to them all.

There were no hopes of seeing the unhappy lady again that evening. The general would have ac-companied me to the Casino *; saying, that we might both be diverted by an hour passed there: but I excused myself. My heart was full of an-xiety, for the welfare of a brother and sister, both so much endeared to me by their calamities: and I retired to my lodgings.


Letter II.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett. Bologna, Tuesday, May 16–27.

I had a very restless night; and found myself so much indisposed in the morning, with a feverish disorder, that I thought of contenting myself with sending to know how the brother and sister rested, and of staying within, at least till the afternoon, to give my hurried spirits some little repose: but my messenger returned with a request — from the mar-chioness, to see me presently.

I obeyed. Clementina had asked, Whether she had really seen me, or had only dreamed so. They took this for a favourable indication; and therefore sent the above request.

I met the general in Jeronymo’s apartment. He took notice that 1 was not very well. Mr. Lowther proposed to bleed me. I consented. 1 afterwards

* The Casino at Bologna is a fine apartment, illuminated every night, for the entertainment of the gentlemen and la-dies of the city, and whomever they please to introduce. There are card-tahles; and waiters attend with chocolate, coflee, ice. The whole expence is defrayed by twelve men of the first quality, each in turn taking his month.

SIK CHARLES GUANDISON. 11 saw my friend’s wounds dressed. The three sur-geons pronounced appearances not to be unfavour — able.

We all then retired into Mr. Lowther’s apartment. The bishop introduced to us two of the fa — culty. The prescriptions of the English physicians were considered; and some of the methods approv-ed, and agreed to be pursued.

Clementina, when 1 came, was retired to her own apartment with Camilla. Her terrors on Laurana’s cruelty had again got possession of her imagination; and they thought it not adviseable that I should be admitted into her presence, till the hurries she was in, on that account, had subsided.

But by this time, being a little more composed, her mother led her into her dressing-room. The general, and his lady, were both present; and, by their desire, I was asked to walk in.

Clementina, when I entered, was sitting close to Camilla; her head leaning on her bosom, seemingly thoughtful. She raised her head, and looked towards me; and, clasping her arms about Camilla’s neck, hid her face in her bosom for a i’ew moments; then, looking as bashful towards me, she loosed her hands, stood up, and looked steadily at me, and at Camilla, by turns, several times, as irresolute. At last, quit-ting Camilla, she moved towards me with a stealing paec; but when near me, turning short, hurried to her mother; and putting one arm about her neck, the other held up, she looked at me, as if she were doubtful whom she saw. She seemed to whisper to her mother, but not to be understood. She went then bv her sister-inlaw, who took her hand as she passed her, with both hers, and kissed it; and coming to the general, who sat still nearer me, and who had desired me to attend to her motions, she stood by him, and looked at me with a sweet irresolution.

As she had stolen such advances towards me, I could no longer restrain myself. I arose, and, taking her hand, Behold the man, said 1, with a bent knee, whom once you honoured with the name of tutor, your English tutor! Know you not the grate-ful Grandison, whom all your family have honoured with their regard?

Yes! Yes, 1 think 1 do. They rejoiced to hear her speak But where have you been all this time?

In England, madam But returned, lately return-ed, to visit you and your Jeronymo.

Jeronymo! one hand held up; the other not withdrawn. Poor Jeronymo.

God be praised! said the general: some faint hopes. The two marchionesses wept for joy.

Your Jeronymo, madam, and my Jeronymo, is, we hope, in a happy way. Do you love Jeronymo?

Do I! But what of Jeronymo? I don’t under-stand you.

Jeronymo, now you are well, will be happy.

Am I well? An, Sir! But save me, save me, chevalier! faintly screaming, and looking about her, with a countenance of woe and terror.

I will save you, madam. The general will also protect you. Of whom are you afraid?

O the cruel, cruel Laurana! She withdrew her hand in a hurry, and lifted up the sleeve of the other arm You shall see O I have been cruelly used But you will protect me. Forbearing to shew her arm, as she seemed to intend.

Laurana shall never more come near you.

But don’t hurt her! Come, sit down by me, and I will tell you all I have suffered.

She hurried to her former seat; and sat down by her weeping Camilla. 1 followed her. She mo-tioned to me to sit down by her.

Why, you must know, chevalier She paused Ah my head! putting her hand to it Well, but, now you must leave me. Something is wrong Leave me I don’t know myself

Then looking with a face of averted terror at me You are not the same man I talked to just now! Who are you, Sir? She again faintly shrieked, and threw her arms about Camilla’s neck, once more hiding her face in her bosom.

I could not bear this. Not very well before, it was too much for me. I withdrew.

Don’t withdraw, chevalier, said the general, drying his eyes.

I withdrew, however, to Mr. Lowther’s chamber. He not being there, I shut the door upon myself So oppressed! my dear Dr. Bartlett, I was greatly oppressed.

Recovering myself in a few moments, I went to Jeronymo. I had but just entered his chamber, when the general, who seemed unable to speak, took my hand, and in silence led me to his mother’s dressing-room. As we entered it, She enquires after you, chevalier, said he, and laments your departure. She thinks she has offended you. Thank God, she has recollection!

When I went in, she was in her mother’s arms; her mother soothing her, and weeping over her.

See, see, my child, the chevalier! you have not offended him.

She quitted her mother’s arms. I approached her. I thought it was not you that sat by me, a while ago. But when you went away from me, I saw it could be nobody but you. Why did you go away? Was you angry?

I could not be angry, madam. You bid me leave you: and I obeyed.

Well, but now what shall I say to him, madam? c

I don’t know what I would say. You, madam, step-ping with a hasty motion towards her sister-inlaw, will not tell Laurana any-thing against me?

Unhappy hour, said her mother, speaking to the general, that I ever yielded to her going to the cruel Laurana!

The marchioness took her hand; I hate Laurana, my dear; 1 love no-body but you.

Don’t hate her, however Chevalier, whispering-ly, Who is this lady?

The general rejoiced at the question; for this was the first time she had ever taken any particular no-tice of his lady, or enquired who she was, notwith — standing her generous tenderness to her.

That lady is your sister, your brother Signor Gia-como’s wife

My sister! how can that be? Where has she been all this time?

Your sister by marriage: your elder brother’s wife.

I don’t understand it. But why, madam, did you not tell me so before? I wish you happy. Laurana would not let me be her cousin. Will you own me?

The young marchioness clasped her arms about her. My sister, my friend, my dear Clementina! Call me your sister, and I shall be happy!

What strange things, said she, have come to pass?

How did these dawnings of reason rejoice every one

Sir, turning to the general, let me speak with you.

She led him by the hand to the other end of the room. Let nobody hear us, said she: yet spoke not low. What had I to say? I had something to say to you very earnestly. I don’t know what

Well, don’t puzzle yourself, my dear, to recollect it, said the general. Your new sister loves you. She is the best of women. She is the joy of my life. Love your new sister, my Clementina. am. CHARLES GRANDISON. 15

So I will. Don’t I love every-body?

But you must love her better than any other wo-man, the best of mothers excepted. She is my wife, and your sister; and she loves both you, and our dear Jeronymo.

And no-body else? does she love no-body else?

Whom else would you have her love?

I don’t know. But every-body, I think; for 1 do.

Whomever you love, she will love. She is all goodness.

Why that’s well. I will love her, now I know who she is. But, Sir, I have some notion

Of what, my dear?

I don’t know. But pray, Sir, What brings the chevalier over hither again?

To comfort you, your father, mother, Jeronymo: to comfort us all. To make us all well, and happy in each other.

Why that’s very good. Don’t you think so? But he was always good. Are you, brother, happy?

I am, and should be more so, if you and Jerony-mo were.

But that can never, never be.

God forbid! my sister. The chevalier has brought over with him a skilful man, who hopes to cure our Jeronymo.

Has the chevalier done this? Why did he not do so before?

The general was a little disconcerted; but ge-nerously said, We were wrong; we took not right methods. I, for my part, wish we had followed his advice in every-thing.

Bless me! holding up one hand. How came all these things about! Sir, Sir, with quickness 1 will come again presently And was making to the door.

Camilla stept to her Whither, whither, my dear young lady? ()! Camilla will do as well Camilla, c ‘2 laying her hand upon her shoulder, go to Father Marescotti Tell him There she stopt: then proceeding, Tell him, I have seen a vision He shall pray for us all.

Then stepping to her mother, and taking her passive hand, she kissed it, and stroked her own forehead and cheek with it Love me, madam; love your child. You don’t know, neither do 1, what ails my poor head. Heal it! Heal it! with your gentle hand! Again stroking her forehead with it; then putting it to her heart.

The marchioness, kissing her forehead, made her face wet with her tears.

Shall I, said Camilla, go to Father Marescotti?

No, said the general, except she repeats her commands. Perhaps she has forgot him already. She said no more of Father Marescotti.

The marchioness thinks that she had some confused notions of the former enmity of the general and father to me; and finding the former recon-ciled, wanted the father to be so too, and to pray for us all.

I was willing, my dear Dr. Bartlett, to give you minutely the workings of the poor lady’s mind on our two first interviews. Every-body is rejoiced at so hopeful an alteration already.

We all thought it best, now, that she had so sur-prisingly taken a turn, from observing a profound silence, to free talking, and shewn herself able, with very little incoherence, to pursue a discourse, that she should not exhaust herself; and Camilla was directed to court her into her own dressing-room, and endeavour to engage her on some indifferent subjects. 1 asked her leave to withdraw: she gave it me readily, with these words, I shall see you again, I hope, before you go to England.

Often, I hope, very often, answered the general for me.

That is very good, said she; and, courtesying to me, went up with Camilla.

We all went into Jeronymo’s apartment; and the young marchioness rejoiced him with the relation of what had passed. That generous friend was for ascribing to my presence the hoped-for happy alteration; while the general declared, that he never would have her contradicted for the future, in any reasonable request she should make.

The count her uncle, and Signor Sebastiano his eldest son, are set out for Urbino. They took leave of me at my lodgings. He hoped, he said, that all would be happy; and that I would be a Catholic.

I have received a large pacquet of letters from England.

I approve of all you propose, my dear Dr. Bartlett. You shiill not, you say, be easy, except I will inspect your accounts. Don’t refuse to give your own wor-thy heart any satisfaction that it can receive, by consulting your true friend: but otherwise, you need not ask my consent to any-thing you shall think fit to do. Of one thing, methinks, I could be glad, that only such children of the poor, as shew a pecu-liar ingenuity, have any great pains taken with them in their books. Husbandry and labour are what are most wanting to be encouraged among the lower class of people. Providence has given to men dif-ferent geniuses and capacities, for different ends; and that all might become useful links of the same great chain. Let us apply those talents to labour, those to learning, those to trade, to mechanics, in their different branches, which point out the different pursuits, and then no person will be unuseful; on the contrary, every one may be eminent in some way or other. Learning, of itself, never made anv c 3 man happy. The ploughman makes fewer mistakes in the conduct of life than the scholar, because the sphere in which he moves is a more contracted one. But if a genius arise, let us encourage it: there will be rustics enough to do the common services for the finer spirits, and to carry on the business of the world, if we do not, by our own indiscri-minate good offices, contribute to their mis-ap — plication.

I will write to congratulate Lord W. and his lady. I rejoice exceedingly in their happiness.

I will also write to my Beauchamp, and to Lady Beauchamp, to give her joy on her enlarged heart. Surely, Dr. Bartlett, human nature is not so bad a thing, as some disgracers of their own species have imagined. I have, on many occasions, found, that it is but applying properly to the passions of per-sons, who, though they have not been very remark — able for benevolence, may yet be induced to do right things in some manner, if not always in the most graceful. But as it is an observation, that the miser’s feast is often the most splendid; so may we say, as in the cases of Lord W. and Lady Beauchamp, the one to her son-inlaw, the other to his lady and nieces, that when such persons are brought to taste the sweets of a generous and beneficent action, they are able to behave greatly. We should not too soon, and without making proper applications, give up per-sons of ability or power, upon conceptions of their general characters; and then, with the herd, set our faces against them, as if we knew them to be incor-rigible. How many ways are there to overcome persons, who may not, however, be naturally bene-ficent! Policy, a regard for outward appearances, ostentation, love of praise, will sometimes have great influences: and not seldom is the requester of a Favour himself in fault, who perhaps shews as much self in the application, as the refuser does in the denial.

Let Charlotte know, that I will write to her when she gives me a subject.

I will write to Lord and Lady L. by the next mail. To write to either, is to write to both.

I have already answered Emily’s favour. I am very glad that her mother, and her mother’s husband, are so wise as to pursue their own interests in their behaviour to that good girl, and their happiness in their conduct to each other.

My poor cousin Grandison I am concerned for him. I have a very affecting letter from him. But I see the proud man in it, valuing himself on his knowledge of the world, and rather vexed to be over-reached by the common artifices of some of the worst people in it, than from right principles. I know not what I can do for him, except I were on the spot. I am grieved that he has not profited by other men’s wisdom: I wish he may by his own experience. I will write to him; yet neither to re — proach him, nor to extenuate his folly, though I wish to free him from the consequences of it.

I write to my aunt Eleanor, to congratulate and welcome her to London. I hope to find her there on my return from Italy.

The unhappy Sir Hargrave! The still unhappier Merceda! What sport have they made with their health in the prime of their days; and with their reputation! How poor would have been their tri-umph, had they escaped, by a flight so ignominious, the due reward of their iniquitous contrivances! But to meet with such a disgraceful punishment, and so narrowly to escape a still more disgraceful one Tell me, Can the poor men look out into open day?

But poor Bagenhall! sunk as he is, almost beneath pity, what can be said of him?

We see, Dr. Bartlett, in the behaviour, and sor-did acquiescence with insults, of these three men, that offensive spirits cannot be true ones.

If you have any call or inclination to go to Lon-don, I am sure you will look in upon the Jittle Old — hams, and their mother.

My compliments to the young officer. I am glad he is pleased with what has been done for him.

I have letters from Paris. I am greatly pleased with what is done, and doing there, in pursuance of my directions, relating to good Mr. Danby’s legacy.

As he gained a great part of his considerable fortune in France, 1 think it would have been agreeable to him, to find out there half of the objects of his benevolence: why else named he France in his will?

The intention of the bequeather, in doubtful cases, ought always to be considered: and another case has offered, which, I think, as there is a large sur-plus in my hands, after having done by his relations more than they expected, and full as much as is necessary to put them in a flourishing way, I ought to consider in that light.

Mr. Danby, at his setting out in life, owed great obligations to a particular family, then in affluent circumstances. This family fell, by unavoidable accidents, into indigence. Its descendants were numerous. Mr. Danby used to confer on no less than six grand-daughters, and four grandsons, of this family, an annual bounty, which kept them just above want. And he had put them in hopes, that he would cause it to be continued to them, as long as they were unprovided for: the elder girls were in

Sill CHARLES GRANDISON. 21 services; the younger were brought up to be quali-fied for the same useful way of life: the sons were neither idle nor vicious. I cannot but think, that it was his intention to continue his bounty to them by his last will, had he not forgot them when he gave orders for drawing it up; which was not till he thought himself in a dying way.

Proper enquiries have been made; and this affair is settled. The numerous family think themselves happy. And the supposed intention of my deceased friend is fully answered; and no legatee a sufferer.

You kindly, my dear, Dr. Bartlett, regret the distance we are at from each other. I am the loser by it, and not you; since I give you, by pen and ink, almost as minute an account of my proceedings, as 1 could do were we conversing together: such are your expectations upon, and such is the obedience of,

Your ever-affectionate and filial friend,

CHARLES GRANDISON.


Letter III.
Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation.

June 12–23. We have now, thank God, some hopes of our Jero-nynio. The opening made beiow the great wound answers happily its intention; and that in the shoul-der is once more in a fine way.

Lady Clementina has been made to understand, that he is better; and this good news, and the me-thod in which she is treated, partly in pursuance of the advice of the English physicians, leave us not without hopes of her recovery.

The general and his lady are gone to Naples, in much higher spirits than when they left that city. His lady seconding his earnest invitation, I was not able to deny them the promise of a visit there.

Every one endeavours to sooth and humour Lady Clementina; and the whole family is now satisfied, that this was the method which always ought to have been taken with her; and lay to the charge of Lady Sforza and Laurana, perhaps much deeper views than they had at first; though they might enlarge them afterwards, and certainly did extend them, when the poor lady was deemed irrecoverable.

Let me account to you, my dear friend, for my silence of near a month since the date of my last.

For a fortnight together, I was every day once with Lady Clementina. She took no small pleasure in seeing me. She was very various all that time in her absences; sometimes she had sensible intervals, but they were not durable. She generally rambled much; and was very incoherent. Sometimes she fell into her silent fits: but they seldom lasted long when I came. Sometimes she aimed to speak to me in English: but her ideas were too much unfixed, and her memory too much shattered, to make her-self understood for a sentence together, in the tongue she had so lately learned, and for some time disused. Yet, on the whole, her reason seemed to gather strength. It was a heavy fortnight to me; and the heavier, as I was not very well myself Yet I was loth to forbear my daily visits.

Mrs. Beaumont, at the fortnight’s end, made the family and me a visit of three days. In that space, Lady Clementina’s absences were stronger, but less frequent than before.

I had, by letter, been all this time preparing the persons who had the management of Mr. Jervois’s affairs, to adjust, finally, the account relating to his estate, which remained unsettled; and they let me know, that they were quite ready to put the last hand to them. It was necessary for me to attend those gentlemen in person: and as Mrs. Beaumont could not conveniently stay any longer than the three days, I acquainted the marchioness, that I should do myself the honour of attending her to Florence.

As well Mrs. Beaumont, as the marchioness, and the bishop, thought I should communicate my intention, and the necessity of pursuing it, to Lady Clementina; lest, on her missing me, she should be impatient, and we should lose the ground we had gained.

I laid before the young lady, in presence of her mother and Mrs. Beaumont, in a plain and simple manner, my obligation to leave her for a few days, and the reason for it. To Florence, said she? Does not Lady Olivia live at Florence? She does, usually, answered Mrs. Beaumont: but she is abroad on her travels.

Well, Sir, it is not for me to detain you, if you have business: but what will become of my poor Jeronymo in the mean time? But, before I could answer, What a silly question is that? I will be his comforter.

Father Marescotti just then entered O father! rambled the poor lady, you have not prayed with me for a long time. O, Sir, I am an undone creature! I am a lost soul! She fell on her knees, and with tears bemoaned herself.

She endeavoured, after this, to recollect what she had been talking of before. We make it a rule not to suffer her, if we can help it, to puzzle and perplex herself, by aiming at recollection; and there-fore I told her what was our subject. She fell into it again with cheerfulness Well, Sir, and when may Jeronymo expect you again? In about ten days, I told her. And taking her hint, I added, that I doubted not but she would comfort Signor Jeronymo in my absence. She promised she would; and wished me happy.

I attended Mrs. Beaumont accordingly. I concluded, to my satisfaction, all that remained unad — justed of my Emily’s affairs, in two day’s after my arrival at Florence. I had a happy two days more with Mrs. Beaumont, and the ladies her friends; and I stole a visit out of the ten days to the Count of Belvedere, at Parma.

This excursion was of benefit to my health; and having had a letter from Mr. Lowther, as I had desired, at Modena, in my way to Parma, with very favourable news, in relation both to the sister and brother, I returned to Bologna, and met with a joy-ful reception from the marquis, his lady, the bishop, and Jeronymo; who all joined to give me a share in the merit that was principally due to Mr. Low-ther, and his assistants, with regard to the brother’s amendment, and to their own soothing methods of treating the beloved sister; who followed strictly the prescriptions of her physicians.

I was introduced to Lady Clementina by her mo-ther, attended only by Camilla. The young lady met me at the entrance of her antechamber, with a dignity like that which used to distinguish her in her happier days. You are welcome, chevalier, said she: but you kept not your time. I have set it down; pulling out her pocket-book Ten days, madam: I told you ten days. I am exactly to my time You shall see that: I cannot be mistaken, smiling. But her smiles were not quite her own.

She referred me to her book. You have reckoned two days twice over, madam. See here

Is it possible? I once, Sir, was a better accompt-ant. Well, but we will not stand upon two days in so many. I have taken great care of Jeronymo in your absence. I have attended him several times; and would have seen him oftener; but they told me there was no need.

I thanked her for her care of my friend

That’s good enough, said she, to thank me for the care of myself. Jeronymo is myself.

Signor Jeronymo, replied I, cannot be dearer to his sister than he is to me.

You are a good man, returned she; and laid her hand upon my arm; I always said so. But, cheva-lier, I have quite forgot my English. 1 shall never recover it. What happy times were those, when I was innocent, and was learning English!

My beloved young lady, said Camilla, was always innocent.

No, Camilla! No! And then she began to ramble And taking Camilla under the arm, whis-pering, Let us go together, to that corner of the room, and pray to God to forgive us. You, Camilla, have been wicked as well as I.

She went and kneeled down, and held up her hands in silence: then rising, she came to her mother, and kneeled to her, her hands lifted up Eorgive me, forgive your poor child, my mamma!

God bless my child! Rise, my love! I do forgive you! But do you forgive me, tears trickling down her cheeks, tor ever suffering you to go out of my own sight? for delivering you into the management of less kind, and less indulgent relations?

And God forgive them too, rising. Some of them made me crazy, and then upbraided me with being so. God forgive them! I do.

She then came to me; and, to my great surprise, dropt down on one knee. I could not, for a few moments, tell what to do, or what to say to her. n

Her hands held up, herfineeyes supplicating Pray, Sir, forgive me!

Humour, humour the dear creature, chevalier, said her mother, sobbing.

Forgive you, madam! Forgive you, dear lady! for what? You have not offended! You could not offend.

I raised her; and, taking her hand, pressed it with my lips! Now, madam, forgive me For this free-dom forgive me!

Sir, I have given you, I have given every-body, trouble! I am an unhappy creature; and God and you are angry with me And you will not say you forgive me?

Humour her, chevalier.

I do, I do forgive you, most excellent of women.

She hesitated a little; then turned round to Ca-milla, who stood at distance, weeping; and running to her, cast herself into her arms, hiding her face in her bosom Hide me, hide me, Camilla! What have I done! I have kneeled to a man! She put her arm under Camilla’s, and hurried out of the room with her.

Her mother seeing me in some confusion; Rejoice with me, chevalier, said she, yet weeping, that we see, though her reason is imperfect, such happy symptoms. Our child will, I trust in God, be once more our own. And you will be the happy instrument of restoring her to us.

The marquis, and the bishop, were informed of what had passed. They also rejoiced, in these fur-ther day-breaks, as they called them, of their Cle — mentina’s reason.

You will observe, my dear Dr. Bartlett, that I only aim to give you an account of the greater and more visible changes that happen in the mind of this unhappy lady; omitting those conversations between her and her friends, in which her situation varied but little from those before described. By this means, you will be able to trace the steps to that recovery of her reason, which we presume to hope will be the return to our fervent prayers, and hum-ble endeavours.


Letter IV.
Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation.

Bologna, June 13–24. The Conte della Poretta, and his two sons, came hither yesterday, to rejoice on the hopeful prospects before us.

I thought I saw a little shyness and reserve sit upon the brow of the marchioness, which I had not observed till the arrival of the count. A complaisance that was too civil for friendship; for our friendship. I never permit a cloud to hang for one hour upon the brow of a friend, without examining into the reason of it, in hopes it may be in my power to dispel it. An abatement in the freedom of one I love, is a charge of unworthiness upon me, that I must endeavour to obviate the moment I suspect it. 1 desired a private audience of the good lady.

She favoured me with it at the first word. Hut as soon as I had opened my heart to her, she asked, If Father Marescotti, who loved me, she said, as it’ I were his own son, might be allowed to be present at our conversation? I was a little startled at the question; but answered, By all means.

The father was sent to, and came. Tender concern and reserve were both apparent in his counte — nance. This shewed that he was apprised of the d 2 occasion of the marchioness’s reserve; and expected to be called upon, or employed in the explanation, had I not demanded it.

I repeated, before him, what I had said to the marchioness, of the reserve that I had thought I saw since yesterday in one of the most benign counte-nances in the world.

Chevalier, said she, if you think that every one of our family, as well those of Urbino and Naples, as those of this place, do not love you as one of their own family, you do not do us justice.

She then enumerated and exaggerated their obli-gations to me. I truly told her, that I could not do less than I had done, and answer it to my own heart.

Leave us, replied she, to judge for ourselves on this subject. And, for God’s sake, do not think us capable of ingratitude. We begin with pleasure to see the poor child, after a course of sufferings and distresses, that few young creatures have gone through, reviving to our hopes. She must in gra-titude, in honour, in justice, be yours, if you require her of us, and upon the terms you have formerly proposed.

I think so, said the father.

What can I say? proceeded she: we are all distressed, I am put upon a task that grieves me. Ease my heart, chevalier, by sparing my speech.

Explain yourself no further, madam: I fully understand you. I will not impute ingratitude to any heart in this family. Tell me, Father Marescotti, if you can allow lor me, as I could for yon, were you in my circumstances (and you cannot be better satisfied in your religion, than I am in mine) tell me, by what you could do, what I ought.

There is no answering a case so strongly put, replied the father. But can a false religion, an heresy, persuade an ingenuous mind as strongly as the true?

Dear Father Marescotti, you know you have said nothing: it would sound harshly to repeat your own question to you; yet that is all I need to do. But let us continue our prayers, that the desirable work may be perfected: that Lady Clementina may be quite recovered. You have seen, madam, that I have not offered to give myself consequence with her. You see the distance I have observed to her: you see nothing in her, not even in her most afflicting reveries, that can induce you to think she has marriage in view. As I told your ladyship at first, I have but one wish at present; and that is, her perfect recovery.

What, father, can we say? resumed the marchioness. Advise us, chevalier. You know our situation. But do not, do not impute ingratitude to us. Our child’s salvation, in our own opinion, is at stake If she be yours, she will not be long a Catholic Once more, advise us.

You generously, I know, madam, think you speak in time, both for the young lady’s sake and mine. You say she shall be mine upon the terms I formerly offered, if I insist upon it. I have told the general, that I will have the consent of all three brothers, as well as yours, madam, and your good lord’s, or I will not hope for the honour of your alliance: and I have declared to you, that I look upon myself as bound; upon you all, as free. If you think that the sense of supposed obligation, as Lady Clementina advances in her health, may engage her further than you wish, let me decline my visits by degrees, in order to leave her as disengaged as possible in her own mind; and that I may not be thought of consequence to her recovery. In the first place, I will make my promised visit to the general. You sec i>,‘i she was not the worse, but, perhaps, the better, for my absence of ten days. I will pass twenty, if you please, at Rome, and at Naples; holding myself in readiness to return post, at the first call. Let us determine nothing in the interim. Depend upon the honour of a man, who once more assures you,, that he looks upon himself as bound, and the lady free; and who will act accordingly by her, and all your family.

They were both silent, and looked upon each other.

What say you, madam, to this proposal? What say you, Father Marescotti? Could I think of a more disinterested one, I would make it.

I say, you are a wonderful man.

I have not words, resumed the lady She wept. Hard, hard fate! The man, that of all men

There she stopt. The father was present, or perhaps, she had said more.

Shall we, said she, acquaint Jeronymo with this conversation?

It may disturb him, replied I. You know, ma-dam, his generous attachment to me. I have pro mised the general a visit. Signor Jeronymo was as much pleased with the promise, as with the invitation. The performance will add to his pleasure. He may get more strength: Lady Clementina may be still better: and you will, from events so happy, be able to resolve. Still be pleased to remember, that I hold myself bound, yourselves to be free.

Yet I thought at the time, with a concern, that, perhaps, was too visible, When shall I meet with the returns, which my proud heart challenges as its due? But then my pride (shall I call it?) came in to my relief Great God! I thank thee, thought I, that thou enablest me to do what my conscience, what humanity tells me, is fit and right to be done, with-out taking my measures of right and wrong from any other standard.

Father Marescotti saw me affected. Tears stood in his eyes. The marchioness was still more concerned. She called me the most generous of men, took a respectful leave, and withdrew to Jeronymo.

As I was intending to return to my lodgings, in order to try to calm there my disturbed mind, the marquis and his brother, and the bishop, sent for me into the marchioness’s drawing-room, where were she and Father Marescotti; who had acquainted them with what had passed between her, himself, and me.

The bishop arose, and embraced me Dear Grandison, said he, how 1 admire you! Why, why will you not let me call you brother? Were a prince your competitor, and you would be a Catholic

O that you would! said the marchioness; her hands and eyes lifted up.

And will you not? Can you not, my dear che-valier? said the count.

That, my lord, is a question kindly put, as it shews your regard for me But it is not to be an-swered now.

The marquis took my hand. He applauded the disinterestedness of my behaviour to his family. He approved of my proposal of absence; but said, that I must myself undertake to manage that part, not only with their Clementina, but with Jeronymo; whose grateful heart would otherwise be uneasy, on a surmise, that the motion came not from myself, but them.

We will not resolve upon any measures, said he. (lod continue and improve our prospects; and the result we will leave to his Providence.

I went from them directly to Jeronymo; and told him of my intended journey.

He asked me, What would become of Clementina in the mean time? Was there not too great a dan-ger that she would go back again?

I told him I would not go, but with her appro-bation.

I pleaded my last absence of ten days, in favour of my intention. Her recovery, said I, must be a work of time. If I am of the consequence your friendship for me supposes, her attention will, probably, be more engaged by short absences, and the expectations raised by them, than by daily visits. I remember not, my dear Jeronymo, continued I, a single instance, that could induce any one to imagine, that your Clementina’s regard for the man you favour was a personal one. Friendship never lighted up a purer flame in ahuman heart, than in that of your sister. Was not the future happiness of the man she esteemed the constant, 1 may say, the only object of her cares? In the height of her malady, Did she not declare, that were that great article but probably secured, she would resign her life with pleasure?

True, very true: Clementina is an excellent creature: she ever was. And you only can deserve her. O that she could be now worthy of you! But are my father, mother, brother, willing to part with you? Do they not, for Clementina’s sake, make objections?

The last absence sitting so easy on her mind, they doubt not but frequent absences may excite her at-tention.

Well, well, I acquiesce. The general and his lady will rejoice to see you. I must not be too self-ish. God preserve you, wherever you go! Only let not the gentle heart of Clementina be wounded by your absence. Don’t let her miss you.

To-morrow, replied I, I will consult her. She shall determine for me.


Letter V.
Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation.

June 14–25. Having the honour of an invitation to a conversation-visit, to the cardinal legate, and to meet there the gonfalonier, I went to the palace of Porretta in the morning.

After sitting about half an hour with my friend Jeronymo, I was admitted to the presence of Lady Clementina. Her parents and the bishop were with her. Clementina, chevalier, said her mother, was enquiring for you. She is desirous to recover her English. Are you willing, Sir, to undertake your pupil again?

Ah, chevalier, said the young lady, those were happy times, and I want to recover them. I want to be as happy as I was then.

You have not been very well, madam: and is it not better to defer our lectures for some days, till you are quite established in your health?

Why, that is the thing. I know I have been very ill: I know that I am not yet quite well; and 1 want to he so: and that is the reason that 1 would reco-ver my English.

You will soon recover it, madam, when you begin. But at present, the thought, the memory, it would require you to exert, would perplex you. 1 am afraid the study would rather retard, than forward your recovery.

Why, now, I did not expect this from you, Sir. My mamma has consented.

I did, my dear, because I would deny you nothing that your heart was set upon: but the chevalier has given you such good reasons to suspend his lectures, that I wish you would not be earnest in your request.

But I can’t help it, madam. I want to be happy.

Well, madam, let us begin now. What English book have you at hand?

I don’t know. But I will fetch one.

She stept out, Camilla after her; and, poor lady, forgetting her purpose, brought down some of her own work, the first thing that came to hand out of a drawer that she pulled out, in her dressing-room; instead of looking into her book-case. It is an unfinished piece of Noah’s ark, and the rising deluge: the execution admirable. And, coming to me, I wonder where it has lain all this time. Are you a judge of women’s works, chevalier?

She went to the table Come hither, and sit down by me. I did. Madam, to her mother; my lord, to her brother (for the marquis withdrew, in grief, upon this instance of her wandering); come, and sit down by the chevalier and me. They did. She spread it on the table, and, in an attentive posture, her elbow on the table, her head on one hand, pointing with the finger of the other Now tell me your opinion of this work.

I praised, as it deserved, the admirable finger of the workwoman. Do you know, that’s mine, Sir? But tell me; every-body can praise; Do you see no fault? I think that is one, said 1; and pointed to a disproportion that was pretty obvious Why so it is, I never knew you to be a flatterer.

Men, who can find fault more gracefully, said the bishop, than others praise, need not flatter. Why that’s true, said she. She sighed; I was happy when I was about this work. And the drawing was my own too, after after Iforget the painter But you think it tolerable Do you?

I think it, upon the whole, very fine. If you could rectify that one fault, it would be a master-piece.

Well, I think I’ll try, since you like it. She rolled it up Camilla, let it be put on my toilette. I am glad the chevalier likes it. But, Sir, if I am not at a loss; for my head is not as it should be

Poor lady! She lost what she was going to say She paused as if she would recollect it Do you know, at last, said she, what is the matter with 1113’ head? putting her hand to her forehead Such a strange confusion just here! And so stupid! She shut her eyes. She laid her head on her mother’s shoulder; who dropt an involuntary tear on her forehead.

The bishop was affected. Can you, chevalier, whispered he, suppose this dear creature’s reason in your power, and yet withhold it from her?

Ah, my lord said I, how cruel!

She raised her head; and, taking her mother’s and Camilla’s offered salts, smelt to them in turn I think I am a little better. Were you, chevalier, ever in such a strange way? I hope not God preserve all people from being as I have been! Why now you are all affected. Why do you all weep? What have I said? God forbid, that 1 should afflict any-body Ah! chevalier! and laid her hand upon my arm, God will bless you. I always said, you were a tender-hearted man. God will pity him, that can pity another! But, brother, my lord, 1 have not been at church for a long time: have I? How long is it? Where is the general? Where is my uncle? Laurana! poor Laurana! God forgive her; she is gone to answer for all her unkindness! And she said she was sorry; Did she?

Thus rambled the poor lady! What, my dear Dr. Bartlett, can be more affecting than these ab-sences, these reveries, of a mind once so sound and sensible!

She withdrew at her own motion, with Camilla; and we had no thoughts of communicating to her, at that time, my intentional absence. But as I was about taking my leave for the day, Camilla came into Jeronymo’s chamber, where I was; and told me, that her young lady was very sedate, and desired to see me, if I were not gone.

She led me into Clementina’s dressing-room, where was present the marchioness only; who said, she thought I might apprise her daughter of my proposed journey to Naples; and she herself began the subject.

My dear, said she, the chevalier has been ac-quainting my lord and me with an engagement he is under to visit your brother Giacomo, and his lady, at Naples.

That is a vast journey, said she.

Not for the chevalier, my dear. He is used to travel.

Only for a visit! Is it not better, Sir, for you to stay here, where every-body loves you?

The general, my dear, and his lady, love the chevalier.

May be so. But did you promise them, Sir?

I did, madam.

Why then you must perform your promise. But it was not kind in them to engage you.

Why so, my dear? asked her mother.

Why so! Why what will poor Jeronymo do for his friend?

Jeronymo has consented, my dear. He thinks the journey will do the chevalier good.

Nay, then Will the journey do you good, Sir? If it will, I am sure Jeronymo would not, for the world, detain you.

Are you willing, my dear, that the chevalier should go?

Yes, surely, madam, if it would do him good. I would lay down my life to do him good. Can we ever requite him for his goodness to us?

Grateful heart! said her mother; tears in her eyes.

Gratitude, piety, sincerity, and every duty in the social life, are constitutional virtues in this lady. No disturbance of mind can weaken, much less efface them.

Shall you not want to see him in his absence?

Perhaps I may: But what then? If it be for his good, you know

Suppose, my dear, we could obtain the favour of Mrs. Beaumont’s company while the chevalier is gone?

I should be glad.

Mrs. Beaumont is all goodness, said I. I will endeavour to engage her. 1 can go by sea to Naples; and then Florence will be in my way.

Florence! Ay, and then you may see Olivia too, you know.

Olivia is not in Italy, madam. She is on her travels.

Nay, I am not against your seeing Olivia, if it will do you good to see her.

You don’t love Olivia, my dear, said her mother.

Why, not much But mil you send Mrs. Beau-mont to keep me company?

I hope, madam, I may he ahle to engage her.

And how long shall you be gone?

If I go by sea, I shall return by the way of Rome: and shall make my absence longer or shorter, as I shall hear how my Jeronymo does, or as he will or will not dispense with it.

That is very good of you But, but Suppose (a sweet blush overspread her face) I don’t know what I would say But, for Jeronymo’s sake, don’t stay longer than will do you good. No need of that, you know.

Sweet creature! said the mother.

Did you call me so, madam? wrapping her arms about her, and hiding her faintly-blushing face in her bosom. Then raising it up, her arms still folded about her mother: As long as I have my mamma with me, I am happy. Don’t let me be sent away from you again, my mamma. I will do every-thing you bid me do. I never was disobedient Was I? Fie upon me, if I was!

No, never, never, my dearest life.

So I hoped. For when I knew nothing, this I used to say over my beads; Gracious Father! let me never forget my duty to Thee, and to my parents! I was afraid I might, as I remembered nothing But that was partly owing to Laurana. Poor Laurana! She has now answered for it. I would pray her out of her pains, if I could. Yet she did torment me.

She has entertained a notion, that Laurana is dead: and as it has removed that terror which she used to have, at her very name, they intend not to undeceive her. But, Dr. Bartlett, well or ill, did you ever know a more excellent creature!

Well, Sir, and so you must go She quitted her mother, and with a dignity like that which used to distinguish her, she turned to me; and gracefully waving one hand, while she held up the other God preserve you wherever you go! You must go from friend to friend, were it all the world over. You will let Jeronymo hear often from You Won’t you? Pray do. And I will, in every visit I make to him, enquire when he heard from his friend. Adieu, Sir: adieu.

I had not intended then to take my leave of her; but, as she anticipated me, I thought it right to do so; and, respectfully bowing, kissed her hand, and withdrew, followed by her eyes and her blessings.

I went to Jeronymo. The marchioness came to me there; and was of opinion with me, that I should take this as a farewell visit to her Clementina; and tomorrow (sooner by two days than I intended) 1 propose to set out for Florence, in hopes to engage for them Mrs. Beaumont’s company.

Mr. Lowther will write to me at all opportunities; and, perhaps, you will not, for some weeks, hear further from

Your ever-aftectionate

CHARLES GRANDISON.


Letter VI.
Miss Byron to Lady G.

Thursday, May 1 1. I write on purpose to acquaint you, that I have had a visit from Lady Olivia. She dined with us; and is just set out for Northampton. Wc all joined, in the most cordial manner, to entreat her to favour us

E’2 with her company till morning: but she was not to be prevailed upon. Every one of us equally admires and pities her. Indeed she is a finer woman than you Lady G. would allow her to be, in the debate between us in town, on that subject.

After dinner, she desired a quarter of an hour’s discourse with me alone. We retired into the cedar-parlour.

She opened, as she said, her whole heart to me. What an hatred has she to the noble Lady Clemen-tina! She sometimes frighted me by her threaten — ings. Poor unwomanly lady!

I took the liberty to blame her. I told her, she must excuse me; it was ever my way with those I respected.

She would fain have got me to own, that I loved Sir Charles Grandison. I acknowledged gratitude and esteem But as there are no prospects (hopes I had liked to have said), I would go no further. But she was sure it was so. I did say, and I am in earnest, that I never could be satisfied with a divided heart. She clasped me in her arms up-on this.

She told me, that she admired him for his virtue, She knew he had resisted the greatest temptations that ever man was tried with. I hope, poor woman, that none of them were from her? For her own sake (notwithstanding what Dr. Bartlett once whis-pered, and, good man as he is) I hope so! The chevalier, she said, was superior to all attempts that were not grounded on honour and conscience. She had heard of women who had spread their snares for him in his early youth: but women, in her coun — * try, of slight fame, she said, had no way to come at him: and women of virtue were secure from his at-tempts. Yet would you not have thought, asked she, that beauty might have marked him for its own? Such an air, such an address, so much perso-nal bravery, accustomed to shine in the upper life; all that a woman can value in a man, is the Che-valier Grandison!

She, at last, declared, that she wished him to be mine, rather than any woman’s on earth.

I was very frank, very unreserved. She seemed delighted with me; and went away, professing to every one, as well as to me, that she admired me for my behaviour, my sincerity, my prudence (she was pleased to say) and my artlessness, above all the women she had ever conversed with.

May her future conduct be such, as may do credit to her birth, to her highfortune, to her sex!

In answer to your kind enquiries about my health I only say, What must be, will Sometimes better than at others. If I could hear you were good, J should be better, I believe. Adieu, my dear Lady G.: Adieu.


Letter VII.
Miss Byron to Lady G.

[On Sir Charles’s first letter from Bologna, Vol. IV. Letter XL. p. 293.]

Wednesday, May 31 . I am greatly obliged to you, my dear Lady G. for dispatching to me, in so extraordinary a way, the first letter of your brother to Dr. Bartlett. 1 thank

* Several letters of Miss Byron, Lady (’. Lady L. and Miss Jervois, which were written between the date of the preceding letter, and the present, aie omitted. e3

God for his safe arrival at the destined place; and for the faint hopes given in it of his friend’s life. The Almighty will do his own work, and in his own way. And that must be best.

You ask me for my opinion of the contents of this letter, at large What can I say? Thus much I must say

I admire, more and more your brother: I pity the family he is gone to comfort and relieve: and I pray for Clementina and Jeronymo; and this as well for your brother’s sake as theirs.

He generously rejoices, that he did not pursue his own inclinations I am very happy in what he says of your Harriet. Indeed, my dear, I am. Though we may be conscious of not deserving the praises bestowed upon us, yet are we fond of standing high in the opinion of those we love. Two paragraphs I have got by heart. I need not tell you which they are. But, alas! his greatly fa-voured friend is not so free, as he hoped she was. It is a pleasure to me, however, because it is such to him, that it is not his fault, but her own, that she is not.

The countess, whom he so justly praises, writes to me; and I answer But to what purpose? I am afraid, that a very important observation of his comes not in time to do me service; since, if my prudence is proportioned to my trials, I ought to have endea-voured to exert it sooner.

But, it seems, there is an insuperable objection against the poor lady’s going into a nunnery. I never heard of that before. It seems right to the marchioness, that the young lady, who is intitled to a great share of this world’s goods, should not be dedicated to heaven. This may be so in the family eye, for ought I know: but I am persuaded, that if there is any one of it, who would not have pleaded this obstacle to a divine dedication, it would be Clementina herself. And yet I own, I can allow of their regret, that the cruel Laurana should be a gainer by Clementina’s being lost, as I may say, to the world.

Your brother’s kind remembrance of Mr. and Mrs. Reeves, is an honour done to me, as well as to them. I must take it so, Lady G. And what he says of me in the paragraph in which he mentions Emily, adds to the pride he had raised in me before.

Dr. Bartlett is extremely obliging, in not offering to withhold any passage in your brother’s letters from us. I have let him know, that I think him so; and have begged him not to spare any-thing out of tenderness to me, on a supposition that I may be affected, or made uneasy, by what your brother shall write to him. This is speaking very plainly, my dear: but it is to Dr. Bartlett; and he signified to us, more than once, that he could not be a stranger to the heart of your Harriet.

And now, my dear Lady G. let me ask you, in my turn, What you think of one passage in your brother’s letter, of which you have not taken the least notice in yours to me? “ Charlotte, I hope, is happy. If she be not, it must be her own fault.”

You have honestly owned in your last (yet too roguishly for a true penitent) that it was evidently so in the debate about being presented. Miss Grandison used to like the drawing-room well enough. Her brother has owned, in my hearing, as well as in yours, that had he not been so long out of Eng-land, and, since his return to it, so seldom in town, he would have made it a part of his duty to pay his attendance there at proper times. But LadyQ. disdained to appear as the property [reflect, but, my dear, how absurd] of a worthy man, to whom she had vowed love, honour and obedience.

I should not remind you thus of past flippancies, did not new ones seem to spring up every day.

For heaven’s sake, my dear Lady G. let it not be carried from England to Italy, that Lord G. is not so happy with a sister of Sir Charles Grandison, as might be expected; lest it be asked, Whether that sister and this brother, had the same mother. I have written before all that I could possibly say on this subject. You know yourself to be wrong. It would be impertinence to expostulate further on a duty so known, and acknowledged: no more, therefore, on this head (authorize me to say) for ever!

As to my health I would fain be well. I am more sorry, that I am not, for the sake of my friends (who are incessantly grieving for me) than for my own. I have not, I think I have not, any-thing to reproach myself with; nor yet any — body to reproach me. To whom have I given cause of triumph over me, by my ill usage, or insolence to him? I yield to an event to which I ought to submit: and to a wo-man, not less, but more worthy than myself; and who has a prior claim.

I long to hear of the meeting of this noble pair. May it be propitious! May Sir Charles Grandison have the satisfaction, and the merit with the family, of being the means of restoring to reason (a greater restoration than to health) the woman, every faculty of whose soul ought, in that case, to be devoted to God and to him! Methinks I have at present but one wish; it is, that I may live to see this lady, if she is to be the happy woman. Could I, do you think, Lady G. if I were to have this honour, cor-dially congratulate her as Lady Grandison? Heaven only knows! But it would be ray glory, if I could; for then I should not scruple to put myself in a rank with Clementina; and to demand her hand, as that of my sister.

But, poor Olivia! Shall I not pity the unhappy woman, who, I am afraid, is too short-sighted to look forward to that only consolation which can weaken the force of worldly disappointments.

My cousin Reeves, in a joyful letter, just now received, acquaints me with the birth of the fine boy his wife has presented to him: an event that exceedingly rejoices us all. He tells me in it, how good you are. Continue to them, my dear Lady G. your affectionate regards. They ever loved you: even for your very faults, so bewitchingly lively are you. But I have told Mr. Reeves, that his partiality for you shews that he feels not for Lord G. as he would for himself, were his wife a Lady G.

I will write to my other friends. Dear creature! Don’t let me say, that I love Lord G. better than I do Lady G.: yet, were the aggressor in a quarrel my own sister, endeared to me by a thousand gene-rous offices, I would, I must love the sufferer best; at least, while he is a sufferer. Witness,

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter VIII.
Miss Byron to Lady O

Thursday, June 1. Thanks an hundred times repeated, to you, my dear Lady G. and to good Dr. Bartlett, for the fa-vour of Sir Charles’s letters, of May 22. 23. 26. and 27. N. S. all following so quick that which you fa-voured me with of the 10th — 2 1st, upon which I wrote to you yesterday. I dispatch them to you for the doctor all together.

I cannot, my dear, have much to say to the contents of these.

They have met: had more interviews than one.

Why cannot the Count of Belvidere Butnomore of that. I don’t like this general. The whole family (the two noble sufferers Jeronymo and Cle-mentina excepted) seem to me to have more pride than gratitude Ay, mother and all, my dear!

But you see Sir Charles has been indisposed. No wonder. Visited by the marquis and marchioness, you see: not a slight illness, therefore, you may believe. God preserve him, and restore Lady Cle-mentina, and the worthy Jeronymo!

His kind remembrance of me But, my dear, I think the doctor and you must forbear obliging me with any more of his letters His goodness, his tenderness, his delicacy, his strict honour, but adds Yet can any new instances add to a character so uniformly good? But the chief reason of my self-denial, if you were to take me at my word, as to these communications, is, that his affecting descriptions and narratives of Lady Clementina’s reveries (poor, poor lady!) will break my heart! Yet you must send them to

Your ever obliged

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter IX.
Lady G. to Miss Byron. my dear creature! Monday, June 5.

You must not, you shall not be ill. What signify your heroics, child, if they only give you placid looks, and make an hypocrite of the sincerest girl in Eng-land? In other words, if they are only a cover for a despairing heart? Be better: be less affected; or I can tell you, the doctor and I, and Lady L. shall all think it but right to take you at your first word, and send you no more of my brother’s letters. Yet we are all of us as greatly affected by the contents of them, as our dear Harriet can be. I am sure you will allow us to be so for the poor lady. But to subjects less interesting.

The doctor is with us. Aunt Nell is in love with him. He ordered his matters, and came to town at Lady L.‘s request and mine, and Beauchamp’s, that we might the sooner come at my brother’s letters Very obliging! Beauchamp worships the good man. He would have been with him at Grandison-hall, but that Sir Harry and Lady Beauchamp knew not how to part with him: and I fancy another slier reason withheld him, half unknown to him-self. Love is certainly creeping into his heart. This Emily! a little rogue! has already (yet sus-pects it not) made a conquest. He deserves her better than any man I know: she him, had she not already a great hole in her heart, through which one may run one’s head. But does not Beauchamp love the same person as much as she can do? And does he not know, that the girl is innocent, and the man virtuous, even, as I believe, to chastity? Dear Harriet! Don’t let the ladies around you, nor the gentlemen neither, hear this grace supposed to be my brother’s. Nobody about us shall for me. I would not have my brother made the jest of one sex, and the aversion of the other; and be thought so singular a young man.

Beauchamp saysnothing to any-body of his regard to Emily: but he lays himself out in so many unaffected assiduities, to her, that one cannot but see it. She likes his company and his conversation. But why? because he is always launching out in the praises of his and her beloved friend. He says, there is not, he believes, such another innocent and undesigning heart in the world, except one in Northamptonshire. There’s for you, Harriet! So he praises not mine. That is the wickedest thing of these felons of men: poverty compels them though Poverty, of genius! They cannot praise one woman, but by robbing the rest. Different, how-ever, from all men, is my brother. I will engage he could find attributes for fifty different women, yet do justice to them all: because, though he sees every one with favour, he is above flattering any.

Well, but, Harriet, I expected letters six times as long as those you have sent me. Upon my word, if you are so very heavenly-minded as you appear, to be in the first (for the second is hardly a letter) I will have you to town, and nun you up with aunt Nell. The doctor is one of the most pious men in England; but she will tire him with praying, and expounding, as she calls it. Do you know that the good creature was a methodist in Yorkshire? These overdoers, my dear, are wicked wretches. What do they, but make religion look unlovely, and put underdoers out of heart? My brother is The man; you know I must always bring in my brother, though I am a little out of humour with him, at present: and am I not justified by the many? Since it is always the way of those who intend not to amend, to set their hearts against their correctors My brother professes not the one half of what he practises. He uses the fashion without abusing it, or himself, by following it. Some such words in a sacred book rumble in my mad head; but I know I have not them right.

It is impossible, say what you will, Harriet, to be long upon terms with this man Lord G. I mean. He was once half in the right, to be sure; but you should not have reproached me with that . The bride was shewn, the jewels were shewn, the whole family paraded it together; and Emily wrote you all how-and-about it. But never fear for your poor friend. The honest man will put himself m the wrong next, to save her credit. He has been long careless, and now he is, at times, imperious, as well as careless. Very true! Nay, it was but the other day that he attempted to hum a tune of contempt, upon my warbling an Italian air. An opera couple, we! Is it not charming to sing at (I cannot say to) each other, when we have a mind to be spiteful? But he has a miserable voice. He cannot sing so fine a song as I can. He should not attempt it. Besides, I can play to my song; that cannot he. Such a foe to melody, that he hates the very sight of my harpsi-chord. He flies out of the room, if I but move to — wards it.

He has every — body of his side; Lord and Lady L., Emily, nay, Dr. Bartlett, and aunt Nell. This sets him up. No such thing as managing one’s own husband, when so many wise heads join together, to uphold him. [/Mer-ly ruined for a husband, is Lord G.; I once had some hopes of him. But now, every good-natured jest is turned into earnest by these mediators and mediatrices.

A few days ago, in a fond fit, I would have stroked his cheek; though he was not in a very good hu-mour neither So, then! so, then! said I, as I had seen Beauchamp do an hour before, by his prancing nag; and it was construed as a contempt, and his bristles got up upon it. Bless me, thought I, this man is not so sensible of a favour as Beauchamp’s horse; and yet I have known the time, when he has thought it an honour to be admitted to press the same fair hand with his lips, on one knee.

Hark! He is now, at this very instant, complaining to aunt Nell. Little do they think, that I am in her closet. She hears all he has to say, with greedy ears These antiquated souls are happy, when they can find reasons from the disagreement of honest people in matrimony, to make a virtue of necessity. “ Thank the Lord, I am not married! If these be the fruits of matrimony!” Ah! Lord, my dear! Now these last words have slipt me The man between you and me, has been a villain to me! Can I forgive him? Could you in my circumstances? Yet I hope it is not so. If it should, and Lady Gertrude and aunt Nell (spiteful odd souls) should find their perpetual curiosity answered as they wish, I will have my own will in every-thing.

And how came I, you will wonder, in aunt Nell’s closet? I will tell you. She had got my pen and ink: and I went to fetch it myself: the scribbling fit was strong upon me; so I sat down in her closet to write: and they both came into her chamber together, to have their own talk Hark, I say They are really talking of me Complaining! Abominable! This wicked aunt of mine “ I tell you, nephew, that you are too ready to make up with her.” Could you have believed this of one’s own aunt? No wonder that he is so refractory at times. But, hush! Why don’t he speak louder? He can’t be in earnest hurt, if he does not raise his voice. Creeping soul and whiner! I can’t hear a word he says. I have enough against her! But I want something against him Duce take them both! I can’t hear more than the sound of her broken-toothed voice, mumbling; and his plaintive hum-drum, whimpering. I will go out in full majesty. I will lighten upon them with airs imperial. How the poor souls will start at my appearance! How will their consciences fly in their faces! The complainer and adviser both detected in the very fact, as I may say: and yet per-haps you, Harriet, will think them less blameable than their conscience-striker.

Hem! Three hems in anger! And now I burst upon them.

O Harriet! what a triumph was mine!

Aunt Nell, who has naturally a good blowzing north-country complexion, turned as pale as ashes. Her chin, nose, and lips, were all in motion. My nimble lord gave a jump, and three leaps, to the other side of the room. He had not the courage to look directly at me. His face, as sharp as a new moon in a frosty night, and his sides so gaunt As if he wanted to shrink into himself. They could not in their hearts but accuse themselves of all they had said, as if I had heard every word of it.

While I (what a charming thing is innocence!) half a foot taller than usual, stalked along between them, casting a look of indignation upon aunt Nell; of haughtiness on Lord (i. My withheld breath raised my complexion, and swelled my features; and when I got to the door, I pulled it after me with an air, that I hope made them both tremble. k 2


Letter X.
Lady G. In Continuation.

Well, my dear Aunt Nell and I have made up. I have been pacified by her apologies and promises never again to interfere between man and wife. As I told the forlorn soul, You maiden ladies, though you have lived a great ivhile in the world, cannot know what strange creatures these husbands are, and how many causes (that cannot be mentioned by the poor wife to her friends) a woman may have to be displeased with her man, in order to keep the creature in some little decorum Indeed, madam There I stopt This excited her prudery; and she made out the rest, and, perhaps, a great deal more than the rest. She looked down, to shew she was sensible, tried for a blush; and, I verily believe, had she been a young woman, would have succeeded. “ Why, truly, niece, I believe you are right. These men are odious creatures! “ And then she shudder-ed, as if she had said, Lord defend me from them! a prayer, that, being a good creature, she need not doubt will be answered.

But for Lord G. there lies no forgiveness. To complain of his wife to her aunt! A married man to submit matrimonial squabbles (and every honest pair has some) to others! to an old maid, especially! and to authorize her to sit in judgment on his wife’s little whimsies, when the good woman wants to make herself important to him; and thereby endea-vour to destroy the wife’s significance; there’s no bearing of that. He had made Lord L. and Lady L. judges over me before. Nay, this infant Emily has taken her seat on the same bench; and, in her pretty manner, has, by beseeching me to be good, supposed me bad. And to some one of them (who knows but to the tell-tale himself, though he denies it?) my brother’s hint is owing, on which you so sagely expostulate: my reputation, therefore, as an obedient wife, with all those whose good opinion was worth courting, is gone: and is not this enough to make one careless?

Bless me, my dear! This man of errors has committed, if possible, a still worse fault. He regards me not as any-body. The earl and he have been long uneasy, it seems, that we live at the expence of my brother to whom there is no making returns; and a house offering in Grosvenor Square, he has actually contracted for it, without consulting me. I must own, that I cannot in my heart disapprove either of the motive, or the house, as I have the lat-ter described to me: but his doing it of his own head, is an insolent act of prerogative. Don’t you in conscience think so? Does he not, by this step, make me his chattels, a piece of furniture only, to be removed as any other piece of furniture, or picture, or cabinet, at his pleasure?

He came to me I hope, madam, in a reproaching accent, I have done something now that will please you: Ought his stiff air, and the reflecting word NOW, to have gone unpunished? Hast thou found out any other old maid, to sit in judgment on the behaviour of thy wife? But what hast thou done?

I was astonished when the man told me.

And who is to be thy housekeeper? Is this done, in hope I’ll follow thee? Or dost thou intend to exclude from thy habitation the poor woman who met thee at church a few weeks ago?

Just then came in Lady L. I asked her, What she thought of this step?

Had she vindicated him, I never would have rc-v 3 garded a word she said between us. But she own-ed, that she thought I should have been consulted. And then he began to see that he had done a wrong thing. I acquainted her with his former fault, unatoned for as it was Why, as to that, she did not know what to say; only, that it became my charac-ter, and good sense, so to behave, as that LordG. should have no reason to complain of me to any-body. A hard thing, Harriet, to be reflected upon by an own sister! J * *

Lady L. prevailed upon me, unknown to Lord G. to go with her to see this house. ’Tis a handsome house. I have but the one aforesaid objection to it But let me ask you again: Is not the slight he has put upon me, in taking it without consulting me, an inexcusable thing? I know you will say it is. But I’ll tell you how I think to do I will make him give up the contract; and when he has done so, unknown to him, take the same house myself. This will be returning the compliment. His excuse is, He was sure I should like the house and the terms. If he is sure of my liking it, and has chosen it himself, the duce is in it, if I may not be sure of his Would he dislike it, because I liked it? Say so, if you dare, Harriet; and suppose me blameable. # *

O my dear! What shall I do with this passionate man? I could not, you know, forgive him for the two unatoned-for steps which he had taken, without some contrition: and do you think he would shew any? Not he! I said something that set him up; something bordering upon the whimsical No matter what. He pranced upon it. I, with my usual meekness, calmly rebuked him; and then went to my harpsichord: And, what do you think? How shall I tell it? Yet to you I may Why then he whisked his hat from under his arm (he was going out); and silenced, broke, demolished, my poor harpsichord. I was surprised: but instantly recovering myself; You are a violent wretch, Lord G. said I, quite calmly: How could you do so? Suppose (and I took the wicked hat) I should throw it into the fire? But I gave it to him, and made him a fine courtesy. There was command of temper! I thought, at the instant, of Epictetus and his snapt leg. Was I not as great a philosopher?

He is gone out. Dinner is ready; and no Lord G. Aunt Nell is upon the fret: but she remembers her late act of delinquency; so is obliged to be silent. I have her under my thumb.

The man came in after we had dined. I went to him, as if nothing had been the matter between us. You look vexed, my lord! It was a very violent action: it vexed me at first: but you see how soon I recovered my temper. 1 wish you would learn patience of me. But, come, I forgive you; I will not be angry with you, for an evil that a little money will repair. I see you are vexed.

So 1 am, madam, at my very soul! But it is not

Now to be helped True, my lord, and I forgive you

But curse me, if I forgive you, madam

O fie! that’s wickedly said: but I know you will, when I ask you.

Aunt Null sat by the window; her eyes half shut; her mouth as firmly closed, as if her lips were glew-ed together.

Madam, addressing himself to her, I shall set out tomorrow for Windsor.

Windsor, my lord? said I. He answered me not.

Ask my good Lord G. madam, said I, in a sweet, humble voice, how long he shall stay at Windsor?

How long, my lord, mumbled out aunt Nell

From Windsor I shall go to Oxford.

Ask him, madam, how long he shall be before he returns?

How long, my lord, shall you be absent from us?

When I find I can return, and not be the jest of my own wife I may, perhaps There he stopt, and looked stately.

Tell my lord, that he is too serious, madam. Tell him, that hardly any other man but would see I was at play with him, and would play again.

You hear what my niece says, my lord.

I regard nothing she says.

Ask him, madam, who is to be of his party.

Who, my lord, is to be of your party?

Nobody; turning himself half round, that he might not be thought to answer vie, but her.

Ask him, madam, whether it be business or plea-sure, that engages him to take this solitary tour?

She looked the question to him.

Neither, madam, to her. I left my pleasure some week’s ago, at St. George’s church. I have never found it since.

A strange forgetful man! and as ungrateful as forgetful. And I stept to him, and looked in his face, so courteously! and with such a sweet smile!

He sullenly turned from me, and to aunt Nell.

Ask my lord, if he takes this journey, thinking to oblige me?

Ask him your own questions, niece.

My lord won’t answer me.

He strutted, and bit his lip with vexation.

Come, I’ll try once more if you think me worth answering I think, my lord, if you shall be gone a month or tivo, I may take a little trip to North-amptonshire. Emily shall go with me. The girl is very uneasy to see Miss Byron: and Miss Byron will rejoice to see \is both. A visit from us will do her good.

He took it, that I was not desirous of a short ab-sence. And he pouched his mouth, and reared himself up, and swelled; but answered me not.

See, madam, my lord is sullen; he won’t answer me. I must get you to ask my questions. I think it my duty to ask leave to go. My lord may go where he pleases, without my leave Very fit he should. He is a man. I once could have done so; high-ho! but I have vowed obedience and vassal-age. 1 will not break my vow. Ask him, If I have his consent for a visit to Miss Byron, of a month or two? Ask him, madam, If he can make himself happy in my absence? I should otherwise be loth to go for so long a time.

I should be as welcome, said he, to Miss Byron, as her

As her! as she! you should say, I believe, if you won’t say As you, madam, and bow to me I believe so, my lord. Miss Byron would rejoice to see any oi’ mi/ friends. Miss Byron is very good.

Would to God

That somebody were half as good, interrupted I. Somebody understands you, my lord, and wishes so too Bray, madam, ask my lord, if I may go? His new house will be putting in order mean time

I will ask none of your questions for you New house, niece! You harp too much on one string.

I mean not offence. I have done with that sub-ject. My lord, to be sure, has dominion over his bird. He can choose her cage. She has nothing to do, but sit and sing in it when her instrument is mended, and in tune He has but one fault. He is too good-natured to his bird. But would he take your advice, madam

Now, though this may sound to you, Harriet, a little recriminating; yet, I do assure you, I spoke it in a very sweet accent: yet up got aunt Nell, in a passion: my lord too was all alive. I put myself between her and the door; and throwing my arms about her, You shan’t go, madam Smiling sweetly in her glowing face. Upon my honour you shan’t.

Wicked trifler! she called me, as I led her to a chair. Perverse girl! and two or three other names; apropos enough: my character is not difficult to hit; that’s the beauty of it.

My lord withdrew in wrath; and then the old lady said, she would now tell me a piece of her mind: and she made me sit down by her; and thus she addressed me:

Niece, it is my opinion, that you might be, if you “would, one of the happiest women in the world.

You don’t hear me complain, madam.

Well, if Lord G. did complain to me; it was to me: and you should be sorry for the occasion, and not for the complaint.

I may be sorry for both, madam.

Well, but Lord G. is one of the best-natured men in the world

The man’s well enough. Passionate men, they say, are good natured.

Why won’t you be happy, niece?

I will. I am not now w-happy.

More shame for you then, that you will not make LordG. happy.

He is captious. I am playful. That’s all.

What do you think your brother would say

He would blame me, as you do.

Dear creature, be good. Dear creature, make Ix>rd G. happy.

I am like a builder, madam. I am digging for a foundation. There is a good deal of rubbishy hu-mours to remove; a little swampiness of soil: and I am only removing it, and digging deeper, to make my foundation sure.

Take care, take care, niece: you may dig too deep. There may be springs: you may open, and never be able to stop them, till they have sapped your foundation. Take care, niece.

Thank you, madam, for your caution. Pity you had not been a builder yourself!

Had such a fellow-labourer as Lord G. offered, I should not have refused a partnership with him, I do assure you.

Fairly answered, aunt Nell! thought I. I was pleased with her.

Don’t you think Lord G. loves you dearly?

As to dearly, I can’t say: but I believe he loves me as well as most husbands love their wives.

Are you not ungrateful then?

No. I am only at play with him. I don’t hate him.

Hate him! Dreadful if you did! But he thinks you despise him.

That is one of the rubbishy notions I want to re-move. He would have it that I did, when he could have helped himself. But he injures me now, if he thinks so. I can’t say I have a very profound re-verence for him. He and my brother should not have been allied. But had I despised him in my heart, I should have thought myself a very bad creature for going to church with him.

That’s well said. I love you now. Your bro-ther is, indeed, enough to put all other men down with one. But may I tell Lord G. that you love him?

No, madam.

No! I am sorry for that.

Let him find it out. But he ought to know so much of human nature, and of my sincerity, as to gather from my behaviour to him, that had I either hated or despised him, I would not have been his; and it would have been impossible for me to be so playful with him; to be so domestic, and he so much at home with me. Am I fond of seeking occasions to carry myself from him? What delights, what di-versions, what public entertainments, do I hunt after? None. Is not he, are not all my friends, sure of finding me at home, whenever they visit me?

So far, so good, said aunt Eleanor.

I will open my heart to you, madam. You are my father’s sister. You have a right to my sincerity. But you must keep my secret.

Proceed, my dear.

I kn6w my own heart, madam. If I thought I could not trust it (and I wish Lord G. had a good opinion of it) I would not dance thus, as you sup-pose, on the edge of danger.

Good creature! I shall call you good creature by-and-by. Let me call Lord G. to us.

I was silent. I contradicted her not. She rang. She bid the servant tell Lord G. that she desired his company. Lord G. was pranced out. She regretted (I was not glad) that he was.

I will tell you what, my dear, said she. I have heard it suggested, by a friend of yours, that you would much rather have had Mr. Beauchamp

Not a word more of such a suggestion, madam. I should hate myself, were I capable of treating Lord G. meanly or contemptibly, with a thought of preference to any man breathing, now I am his. I have a great opinion of Mr. Beauchamp. He deserves it. But I never had the shadow of a wish, that I had been his. I never should have spoken of my brother’s excellencies, as outshining those of Lord G. had he not been my brother, and therefore couJd not be more to me; and had they not been so conspicuous, that no other man could be disgraced by giving place to him. No, madam, let me assure you, once for all, that I am so far from despising my Lord G. that, were any misfortune to befall him, I should be a miserable woman.

She embraced me. Why then

I know your inference, madam. It is a just one. I am afraid I think as well of my own understanding as I do of Lord G.‘s. I love to jest, to play, to make him look about him. I dislike not even his petu-lance. You see I bear all the flings and throws, and peevishness, which he returns to my sauciness. I think I ought. His complaints of me to you, to Lord and Lady L. which bring upon me their and your grave lecturings, and even anger, I can forgive him for; and this I shew, by making those complaints matter of pleasantry rather than resentment. I know he intended well, in taking the house, though he consulted me not first. It was surely wrong in him; yet I am not mortally offended with him for it. His violence to my poor harpsichord startled me; but I recollected myself; and had he buffeted me instead of that, as I was afraid he would, I should have thought I ought to have borne it, whether I could or not, and to have returned him his hat with a courtesy. Believe me, madam, I am not a bad, I am only a whimsical creature. I tried my brother once. I set him up. I was afraid of him, indeed: but I tried him again. Then he called it constitution, and laughed at me, and run me out of breath in my own way. So I let him alone. Lord L. Lady L. had it in turn. Lord G. has a little more than his turn perhaps: and why? because he is for ever fitting the cap to his head; and because I don’t love him less than those I am less free with. Come, madam, let me demand your kind thoughts. I will deserve them. Contradiction and opposition, me-diators and mediatrices, have carried my playfulness further than it would otherwise have gone. But henceforth your precepts, my brother’s, and Miss Byron s, shall not want their weight with me, whe-ther I may shew it or not at the instant My reign, I am afraid, will be but short. Let the man bear with me a little now-and-then. I am not absolutely ungenerous. If he can but shew his love by his forbearance, I will endeavour to reward his forbear* ance with my love.

She embraced me, and said, That now she at-tributed to the gaiety of my spirits, and not to per — verseness, my ////-now unaccountable behaviour. I was sure, said she, that you were more your mo-ther’s, than your father’s daughter. Let me, when my lord comes in, see an instance of the behaviour you bid me hope for.

I will try, said I, what can be done.

We parted. I went up to my pen; and scribbled down to this place.

This moment my lord is come in. Into my bro-ther’s study is he directly gone. Not a question asked about me. Sullen! I warrant. He used to pay his duty to me, and ask blessing the moment he came in, if admissible [Is that a word, Harriet? ]: but times are altered. Ah, Harriet! when I know I am saucy, I can bear negligence and slight: but when I intend to be good, knowing my own heart to be right, I shall be quite saucy if he is sullen. Is not the duty of wedded people reciprocal? Aunt Eleanor and he are talking together. She is endeavouring, I suppose, to make a philosopher of him. “ Promise nothing for me, aunt Nell. I will have the whole merit of my own reformation.”


Letter XI.
Lady G. In Continuation.

Prepare, Harriet, to hear strange and wonderful things.

My lord sent up his compliments, and desired to know, if he might attend me. I was in my dressing-room. He was not always so polite. I wish, thought I, since displeasure produces respect, that familiarity does not spoil this man. But Ell try him.

I shall be glad to see my lord, was the answer I returned.

Up he came, one leg dragged after the other. Not alert, as he used to be on admission to his Char-lotte. The last eight stairs his steps sounded, I, go, up, with, an, hea-vy, heart. He entered; bowed: Were the words yours, You should be glad to see me, madam?

They were, my lord.

Would to God you said truth!

I did. I am glad to see you. I wanted to talk with you About this Northamptonshire visit?

Are you in earnest, madam, to make that visit?

I am. Miss Byron is not well. Emily pines to see her as much as E You have no objection?

He was silent.

Do you set out, tomorrow, Sir, for Windsor and Oxford?

He sighed. I think so, madam. c;2

Shall you visit Lord W.?

I shall.

And complain to him of me, my lord? He shook his grave head, as if there were wisdom in it Be quiet, Harriet Not good all at once That would not be to hold it.

No, madam, I have done complaining to wry-body. You will one day see you have not acted generously by the man who loves you as his own soul.

This, and his eyes glistening, moved me Have we not been both wrong, my lord?

Perhaps we have, madam: but here is the differ-ence I have been wrong, with a right intention: you have been wrong, and studied to be so.

Prettily said. Repeat it, my lord How was it? And I took his hand, and looked very graciously.

I cannot bear these airs of contempt.

If you call them so, you are wrong, my lord, though, perhaps, intending to be right.

He did not see how good I was disposed to be. As I said, a change all at once would have been unna-tural.

Very well, madam! and turned from me with an air half-grieved, half-angry.

Only answer me, my lord; Are you willing I should go to Northamptonshire?

If you choose to go, I have no objection. Miss Byron is an angel.

Now, don’t be perverse, Lord G. Don’t praise Miss Byron at the expence of somebody else.

Would to heaven, madam

I wish so too And I put my hand before his mouth So kindly!

Heheld it there with both his, and kissed it. I was not offended. But do you actually set out for Wind-sor and Oxford tomorrow, my lord?

Not, madam, if you have any commands for me.

Why, now, that’s well said. Has your lordship any-thing to propose to me?

I could not be so welcome to you as your escorte, as I am sure I should be to Miss Byron and her friends, as her truest?

You could not? How can you say so, my lord? You would do me both honour and pleasure.

What would I give that you mean what you say!

I do mean it, my lord My hand upon it I held out my hand for his. He snatched it; and I thought would have devoured it.

We will take the coach, my lord, that I may have your company all the way.

You equally astonish and delight me, madam! Is it possible that you are

Yes, yes, don’t, in policy, make it such a wonder that I am disposed to be what I ought to be.

I shall be too, too, too happy! sobbed the grateful man.

No, no! I’ll take care of that. Married folks, brought up differently, of different humours, inclinations, and so — forth, never can be too happy. Now I intend to put up all our little quarrels in my work-bag [You know 1 am a worker: not quite so bad, at worst, as some modern wives]: there they shall lie, till we get to Miss Byron’s I revere the character of Mrs. Shirley: Mrs. Selby you have seen: Harriet, and you, and I, and the two sages I have named, will get together in some happy hour. Then I will open my work-bag, and take out our quarrels one by one, and lay them on the table before us; and we will be determined by their judgments.

My dear Lady G. if you think there is any-thing amiss in your behaviour to me, or in mine to you, let us spread the faults on your toilette now; and we shall go down to Northamptonshire all love and harmony, and delight those excellent <; 3

Always prescribing, my lord! O these men! Why will you not let me have my own way? Have not all these good folks heard of our folly? And shall they not be witnesses of our wisdom? If they are not at the agreement, they will wonder how it came about. I tell you, Sir, that they shall have an opportunity to laugh at us both; at me, for my flippan — cy; at you for your petulance. I will be sorry, you shall be ashamed, that quarrels so easily made up, and where the heart of either is not bad, should subsist a quarter of an hour, and be perpetually re-newing. I will have my own way, I tell you.

Don’t make me look like a fool, madam, before such ladies as those, if we do visit them.

I must have my jest, my lord. You know (for have you not tried it?) that I can have patience Let me see Is that the hat that you pulled off with an air so lately? Pish! Howyour countenancefalls! I am not angry with you. But don’t do so again, if you can help it I must have my jest, I say: but assure yourself of the first place in my heart What more would the man have?

O madam! nothing, nothing more! And he kissed my hand on one knee, with a rapture that he never could have known had we always been quiet, easy, and drowsy, like some married folks, whom the world calls happy.

But then the man came out with his gew-gaw japan-china taste. Why is it the privilege of people of quality now, to be educated in such a way, that their time can hardly ever be worthily filled up; and as if it were a disgrace to be either manly or useful? He began to talk of equipage, and such nonsense; but I cut him short, by telling him, that I must have my whole way on this occasion Our visit is to be a private one, said I. We will have only the coach. Jenny shall attend on Emily and me. No other fe-male servant. Two men: we will have no more. I will not have so much as your French-horn. We go to the land of harmony. Kings sometimes travel incog. We will ape kings, when they put off roy-alty. Will not this thought gratify your pride? You, my lord, have some foibles to be cured of, as well as I. We shall be wonderfully amended, both of us, by this excursion.

Poor man! His heart was as light as a feather. Upon my word, my dear, I begin to think, that if my lord and master had been a wise man, I should not have known what to do with him. Yet I will not forgive any one but myself, who finds him out to be other-wise.

He told me, in raptures of joy, that I should direct every-thing as I pleased. God grant that I might not change my mind, as to the visit! He hoped I was in earnest; and looked now-and-then at me, as if he questioned it.

But what do you think the man did? He retired; came back presently; called me his dearest life; and said, That it was possible I might want to have an opportunity given me to make some presents, or to furnish myself with trinkets of one nature or other, against I set out; and he should be very sorry, if, by his inattention, I were obliged to ask him for the means to shew the natural liberality of my spirit in the way I thought best to exert it; ard then he begged me to accept of that note; putting into my hand a bank note of 5001.

I stept to my closet, and as instantly returned. This, my lord, said I, is a most cruel reflection upon me. It looks as if I were to be bribed to do my -duty There, my lord! Take back your present. I will endeavour to be good without it And as a proof that I twV/, you must not only receive back your favour (though I look upon it as such, and from my heart thank you for it) but take, as your right, this note which Lord W. presented to me on the day you received me as yours.

He held back both hands, gratefully reluctant. You must, you shall, take both notes, my lord. 1 only wanted a fit opportunity to put Lord W.‘s note into your hands before. It was owing to my flippant folly, and not to your want of affection, that I had not that opportunity sooner. Bear with me now-and-then, if I should be silly again. Complain of me only to myself. My heart, I re-assure you, is yours, and yours only. I was not willing that you should owe to any other person’s interposition, my declarations of affection and regard to you, not even to Miss Byron (though I talked of my work-bag) whom I love as my own sister.

The worthy man was in ecstacies. He could not express in words the joy of his heart. He kneeled, and wrapt his arms about my waist; and sobbed his request to me to forgive his petulance, and the offences he had ever given me, by any acts of pas-sion, or words of anger.

You have not offended me, my lord. Forgive my past follies, and my future failures. When you were most angry, I wondered at your patience. Had I been you, I should not have borne what you bore with me.

For God’s sake, madam, take back both notes. We can have but one interest. You will make me easier, when I know that you have power in your hands to gratify every wish of your heart.

You must, you shall, my lord, take these notes. I will apply to you whenever I have occasion, and receive your favours, as such. I wish not to be independent of you. I have a handsome sum by me, the moiety of the money that was my mother’s, which my brother divided between my sister and me, when he first came over. Is not the settlement made upon me more than my brother asked, or thought I should expect? Did he not oppose so large an annuity for pin-money, as your father, Lady Gertrude, and you, would have me accept of, because he thought that such a large allowance might make a wife independent of her husband, and put it out of his power, with discretion, to oblige her? My brother, in an instance glorious to him, said, That he would not be a richer man than he ought to be. In such instances I will be his sister.

Aunt Nell joined us. My lord, in transports, told her what had passed. The good old soul took the merit of the reformation to herself. She wept over us. She rejoiced to hear of our intended jour-ney to Northamptonshire. My lord proposed to have the house he had taken fitted up to my liking, while we were away. At his desire, I promised to see it in his company, and give my opinion of his designed alterations. But as I know he has judgment in nick-knackatories, and even as much as I wish him in what is called taste, I intend to compliment him with leaving all to him; and resolve to be satisfied with whatever he does.

And now is the good man so busy, so pleased, so important! Bless me, my dear! Who would rob the honest man of any part of his merit; or even wish to divide it with him?

And what, Harriet, do you say to me now? Tn a week’s time I shall be with you. Be sure be cheerful, and well; or I shall be ready to question my welcome.

This moment, having let Dr. Bartlett into our intended visit, he has offered to accompany us. Now shall we, I know, be doubly welcome. The doctor, Kinily, my Lord G. and your Charlotte, will be happy in one coach. The doctor is prodigiously pleased with me. What is the text? more joy in heaven over one sinner that rcpenteth,than over ninety-and-ninc just persons, ivko need it not.

I long to see you, and every one of the family, so deservedly dear to you! God give you health; and us no worse news from Italy than we have yet had; and how happy shall we be! Lord and Lady L. wish they could be of the party. They are in love with me now. Emily says, she dotes upon me. I begin to think that there is almost as much pleasure in being good, as in teazing. Yet a little roguery rises now-and-then in the heart of your

June 8. CHARLOTTE G.

The doctor has been so good (I believe because I am good) as to allow me to take a copy of a letter of my brother’s to that wretch Everard; but for your perusal only. I inclose it, therefore, under that restriction. Let it speak its own praises.

We are actually preparing to be your guests. You will only have time to forbid us, if we shall not be welcome.

Merciful! what a pacquet!


Letter XII.
Sir Charles Grandison to Mr. Grandison.

Bologna, June 4. N. S. What can I do for my cousin? Why would he oppress me with so circumstantial an account of the heavy evil that has befallen him, and not point out a way by which I could comfort or relieve him? Don’t be afraid of what you call the severity of my virtue. I should be ready to question the rectitude of my own heart, if, on examination, I had not reason to hope, that charity is the principal of those virtues which you attribute to me. You recriminate enough upon yourself. In what way I can extricate or assist you, is now my only question.

You ask my advice, in relation to the payment of the debts which the world calls debts of honour; and for which you have asked, and arc granted three months time. Have you not, Sir, strengthened your engagement by your request? And have not they intitled themselves to the performance, by their compliance with it? The obligation which rashness, and, perhaps, surprise, laid you under, your deli-beration has confirmed.

You say, that your new creditors are men of the town, sharpers, and gamesters. But, my cousin, how came you among such? They came not to you. I say not this to upbraid you: but I must not have you deceive yourself. Who but a man’s self is to suffer by his rashness or inconsideration? They are reputed to have been possessed of fortunes, however they came by them, which would have enabled them to answer the stakes they played for, had they been the losers: and would you not have exacted payment from them, had you been the winner? Did you at the time suspect loaded dice, or foul play? You are not, Sir, a novice in the ways of the town. If you had good proof of what, from the ill success you seem only to suspect, I should not account the debts incurred debts of honour; and should hardly scruple, had I not indirectly promised payment, by asking time for it, or had they refused to give it, to call in to my aid the laws of my country; and the rather, as the appeal to those laws would be a secu-rity to me, against ever again being seen in such company.

Adversity is the trial of principle: without it, a man hardly knows whether he is an honest man. Two things my cousin, in his present difficulties, must guard against; the one, that he do not sutler himself to be prevailed upon, in hopes to retrieve his losses, to frequent the tables by which he has suffered; and so become one of the very men he has so much reason to wish he had avoided [Who

: would not rather be the sufferer than the defrauder? What must be the nature of that man, who, having himself been ruined, will endeavour to draw in other innocent men to their ruin?]

The other, that he do not permit prior and wor-thier creditors (creditors for valuable considerations) to suffer by the distresses in which he has involved himself.

It is a hard decision: but were I my cousin, I would divest myself of my whole estate (were it necessary) for the satisfaction of my creditors; and leave it to their generosity, to allow me what pittance they pleased for subsistence: and within that pit-tance would I live: and this (were my difficulties owing to my own inconsideration) not only for jus-tice sake, but as a proper punishment for not being satisfied with my own ampler fortune, and for put-ting to hazard a certainty, in hopes of obtaining a share in the property of others. Excuse me, my dear Everard; 1 mean not particular reflection; but only to give you my notion of general justice incases of this nature.

Acquit yourself worthily of these difficulties. I consider you as my brother: and you shall be wel-come to take with me a brother’s part of my estate, till you can be restored to a competency.

But with regard to the woman whom the infamous Lord B. would fasten upon you as a wife, that is an imposition to which you must not submit. Had she been the poorest honest girl in Britain, and you had seduced her, by promises of marriage, J must have made it the condition of our continued friendship, that you had married her: but a kept-woman! Let not her, let not the bad man, have such a triumph. I know his character well: I know his dependence on the skill of his arm. And I know his litigious spirit, and the use he is capable of making of his privilege. But regard not these: let me advise you, Sir, after you have secured to your creditors the payment of their just debts, to come over to me: the sooner the better. By this means you will be out of the way of being disturbed by the menaces of this lord, and the machinations of this woman. We will return together. I will make your cause my own. As well the courage, as the quality, of the man who can be unjust, is to be despised. Is not Lord B. an unjust man in every article of his dealings with men? Do not you, my dear cousin, be so in any-one; and you will ever command the true fraternal love of your

CHARLES GRANDISON.


Letter XIII.
Lady G. To Lady L.

Selby-housc, Friday, June 16.

Here we are, my Caroline: and the happiest peo-ple in the world should we be, if Harriet were but well, my brother in England, and you and LordL. with us.

Mrs. Selby, Lucy, Nancy, Harriet, met us at Stony–Stratford, escorted by uncle Selby, and his nephew James.

My lord and I were Dear, Love, and Life, all the journey. I was the Muer/esMempered creature! Joyful people are not always wise ones. When the heart is open, silly things will be said; any-thing, in short, that comes uppermost. I kindly allowed for my lord’s joy, on twenty occasions. I smiled when he smiled, laughed out when he laughed out, did not talk to any-body else when he directed his discourse to me; so that the honest man crowed all the way. It is a charming thing, thought I, several times, to be on a foot of good understanding with each other; for now 1 can call him honest man, or any names, that lately would have made him prance and caper; and he takes every-thing kindly: nay, two or three times he called me honest woman; but laughed and looked round him at the time, as if he were conscious that he had made a bold, as well as witty retort.

Let me tell you, Lady L. that I intend to give him signs when he exceeds, and other signs when he is right and clever; and I w r ill accept of signs from him, that he may not be affronted. I am confident that we shall be in time an amazing happy couple.

Emily was rejoiced to see her equally beloved and revered Miss Byron. Miss Byron embraced Emily with the affection of a sister. My honest man kissed Miss Byron’s hand on one knee, in the fervour of his love and gratitude; for I had let him know, that he owed much of his present happiness to her. She congratulated him whisperingly, in my hearing, on my being good.

James Selby almost wept for love over Emily; while Emily looked as sleek and as shy as a bird new-caught, for fear of being thought to give him encouragement, after what you may remember pass-ed between them at Dunstable.

We were all in rapture to see each other. We were mother and sisters the moment we were seated. Uncle Selby began to crack his jokes upon me in the first half-hour. I spared him not: and Lord G. since I must have somebody to play the rogue with, will fare the better for him. Dr. Bartlett was the revered of every heart. By the way, I am in high credit with that good man, for my behaviour to my lord.

Miss Byron received him with open arms, and even, as her father, with an offered cheek: and the modest man was so much affected by her filial regard for him, that I was obliged, for our own sakes, to whisper her, to rein-in her joy to see him, that we might have the pleasure of hearing him talk.

When we arrived at Selby-house, our joy was renewed, as if we had not seen each other at Strat-ford.

O, I should have told you, that in our journey from Stratford hither, aunt Selby, Harriet, Emily, and I, were in one coach: and I had, as we went on, a great deal of good instruction insinuated to me, by way of felicitation, on my being so very kind and obliging to Lord G. And, as if I had been a child (corrected for being untoward) they endea-voured to coax me into a perseverance in what they called my duty. Aunt Selby, on this occasion, per-formed the maternal part with so much good sense, and her praise and her cautions were so delicately insinuated, that I began to think, it was almost as pretty to be good as to be saucy.

Upon the whole, I really believe Lord G. will have reason to rejoice, as long as he lives, that he was ruled by his wife, in changing his Windsor and Oxford journey for this of Northamptonshire. So right a thing is it for men to be governable; and, perhaps, you’ll add, for women to keep good company.

Lord L. thinks you, my sage sister, so good already, that you need not be butter, or I would wish him to send you down to Selby-house.

Well may Harriet revere her grandmother. That venerable woman is good in every sense of the word. She is pious, charitable, benevolent, affectionate, condescending to the very foibles of youth; cheerful, wise, patient under the infirmities of age, having outlived all her wishes but one; which is, to see her Harriet happily married: and then, she says, she h ‘2 hopes to be soon released. Never could she be so much admired in her blooming youth, though she was then, it seems, deservedly celebrated, both for her mind and person, as she is now in her declining age.

You have seen and admired Mrs. Selby. She rises upon me every hour. It gives one’s heart joy, Lady L. to look forward, beyond the age of youth and flutter, when we see by these ladies, that women in their advanced years may, to express myself in the stile of Sir Rowland Meredith, be good for some-thing; or still better, that the matronly time of fe — male life is by far the most estimable of all the stages of it; if they make good wives, good mistresses, and good mothers: and, let me say, good aunts; were it but to keep in countenance aunt Gertrude and aunt Nell; who, good souls! will now hardly ever be mothers.

Lucy is an excellent young creature. Nancy, when Lucy is not present, is as excellent. Her cousins Kitty and Patty Holies are agreeable young women.

James Selby is a good sort of blundering well-meaning great boy; who, when he has lived a Jew years longer, may make much such a good sort of man, as my Lord G. There’s for you, my once catechizing sister! Pray be as ready to praise, as you used to be to blame me. I find duty and love growing fast upon me. I shall get into a custom of bringing in Lord G. on every occasion that will do him credit: and then I shall be like Lady Betty Clemson; who is so perpetually dinning the ears of her guests with her domestic superlatives, that we are apt to suspect the truth of all she says.

But Harriet, our dear Harriet, is not at all well. She visibly falls away; and her fine complexion fades. Mr. Deane was here a week ago; and Lucy

SIR CHARLES GRANDISON. He tells me, was so much startled at the alteration in her lovely countenance, that he broke from her, and shed tears to Lucy. This good girl and Nancy lament to each other the too visible change: but when they are with the rest of the family, they all seem afraid to take notice of it to one another. She herself takes generous pains to be lively, cheerful, and unapprehensive, for fear of giving concern to her grandmother and aunt; who will sometimes sit and contemplate the alteration, sigh, and, now-and-then, drop a silent tear, which, however, they en deavour to smile off, to avoid notice. I have already observed, that as these good ladies sit in her company, they watch in silent love every turn of her mild and patient eye, every change of her charming countenance; for they too well know to what to impute the inward malady, which has approached the best of hearts; and they know that the cure cannot be within the art of the physician. They, as we do, admire her voice, and her playing. They ask her for a song, for a lesson on her harpsichord. She plays, she sings, at the very first word. In no one act of cheerfulness does she refuse to join. Her grandmother and her aunt Selby frequently give a private ball. The old lady delights to see young people cheerful and happy. She is always present, and directs the diversion; for she has a fine taste. We are often to have these balls, for our entertainment. Miss Byron, her cousins say, knowing the delight her grandmother takes in these amusements, for the sake of the young people, to whom she considers it as a healthful exercise, as well as diversion, is one of the alertest in them. She excuses not herself, nor encourages that supineness that creeps on, and invades a heart ill at ease. Vet even-one sees, that solitude and retirement are her choice; though she is very careful to have it supposed other-wise; and, on the first summons, hastens into com pany, and joins in the conversation. O she is a lovely, and beloved young creature! I think verily, that though she was the admiration of every-body, when she was with us, yet she is, if possible, more amiable at home, and among her own relations. Her uncle Selby raillies her sometimes. But respect as well as love are visible in his countenance, when he does: in her returns sweetness and reverence are mingled. She never forgets that the raillier is her uncle; yet her delicacy is not more apparent, than that she is mistress of fine talents in that way; but often restrains them, because she has far more su-perior ones to value herself upon. And is not this the case with my brother also? Not so, I am afraid, with your Charlotte.

All her friends, however, rejoice in our visit to them, for her sake. They compliment me on my lively turn; and hope for a happy effect on Miss Byron from it.

I cannot accuse her of reserve to me. She owns her love for our brother as frankly as she used to do, after we had torn the secret from her bosom at Colnebrook. She acknowledges to me, that she glories in it, and will not try to conquer it; because she is sure the trial will be to no purpose; an excuse, by the way, that if the conquest be necessary, would better become the mouth of your Charlotte than that of our Harriet: and so I have told her.

She prays for the restoration of Lady Clementina, and recovery of Signor Jeronymo. She loves to talk of the whole Italian family; and yet seems fully assured that Clementina will be the happy woman. But, surely, Harriet must be our sister. She values herself upon my brother’s so solemnly requesting and claiming her friendship. True friendship, she but this morning argued with me, being disinterested, and more intellectual than personal regard, is nobler than love. Love, she said, does not always ripen into friendship, as is too frequently seen in wed-lock.

But does not the dear creature refine too much when she argues thus? A calm and easy kind of esteem, is all I have to judge from in my matrimony. I know not what love is. At the very highest, and when I was most a fool, my motive was supposed convenience (in order to be freed from the appre-hended tyranny of a father); and that never carried me beyond liking. But you Lady L. were an adept in the passion. Pray tell me, if there be a difference between love and friendship, which is the noblest? Upon my opposing you and Lord L. (so truly one mind) to her argument, she said, That yours is love mellowed into friendship, upon full proof of the merit of each: but, that there was a time, that the flame was love only, founded in hope of the merit; and the proof might have been wanting; as it often is, when the hope has been as strong, and seemingly as well founded, as in your courtship.

Harriet, possibly, may argue from her own situation, in order to make her heart easy; and my brother is — so unquestionably worthy, that love and friendship may be one thing, in the bosom of a wo-man admiring him; since he will not enter into any obligation, that he cannot, that he will not, religi-ously perform. And if this refinement will make her heart easier, and enable her to allow his love to be placed elsewhere, because of a prior claim, and of circumstances that call for generous compassion, while she can content herself with the offered friend-ship, 1 think we ought to indulge her in her delicate notions.

Selby-house is a large, convenient, well-furnished habitation. To-morrow we are to make a visit, with

Lucy and Nancy, to their branch of the Selby fa-mily. James is gone before. Those two girls are orphans; but their grandmother, by their mother’s side (a good old lady, mother-inlaw to Mr. Selby) lives with them, or, rather, they with her; and loves them.

On our return, we are to have our first private ball, at Shirly-manor; a fine old seat, which, already, the benevolent owner calls her Harriet’s; with an estate of about 5001. a year round it.

Adieu, my dear Lady L. My lord and you, I hope, will own me now. Yet are you not some-times surprised at the suddenness of my reformation? Shall I tell you how it came about? To own the truth, I began to find the man could be stout. “ Charlotte, thought I, what are you about? You mean not to continue for ever your playful folly. You have no malice, no wickedness, in your sauciness; only a little levity: it may grow into habit: make your retreat while you can with honour; before you harden the man’s heart, and find your reformation a matter of indifference to him. You have a few good qualities; are not a modern woman; have neither wings to your shoulders, nor gad-fly in your cap: you love home. At present the honest man loves you. He has no vices. Every one loves you; but all your friends are busy upon your conduct. You will estrange them from you. The man will not be a King Log Be you a prudent frog, lest you turn him into a stork. A weak man, if you suppose him weak, made a tyrant, will be an insup-portable thing. I shall make him appear weak in the eyes of every-body else, when I have so much grace left, as would make me rise against any one who should let me know they thought him so. My brother will be reflected upon for his solicitude to carry me to church with a man, whom I shall make the world think I despise. Harriet will renounce me. My wit will be thought folly. Does not the suckling Emily, does not the stale virgin, aunt Eleanor, think they have a right to blame, entreat, instruct me? I will be good of choice, and make my duty received as a favour. I have travelled a great way in the road of perverseness. I see briars, thorns, and a pathless track, before me. I may be benighted: the day is far gone. Serpents may be in the brakes. I will get home as fast as I can; and rejoice every one, who now only wonders what is become of me.”

These, Lady L. were some of my reasonings. Make your advantage of them against me, if you can. You see that your grave wisdom had some weight with my light folly. Allow a little for constitution now-and-then; and you shall not have cause to be ashamed of your sister.

Let me conclude this subject, half one way, half t’other that is to say, half serious, half roguish: If my lord would but be cured of his taste for trifles and nick-nacks, I should, possibly, be induced to consider him as a man of better understanding than J once thought him: but who can forbear, some-times, to think slightly of a man, who, by effemi — nacies, and a shell and china taste, undervalues himself? I hope I shall cure him of these foibles; and, if I can, I shall consider him as a work of my own hands, and be proud of him, in compliment to myself.

Let my aunt Eleanor (no more Nell, if I can help it) know how good I continue to be. And now I will relieve you and myself, with the assurance that I am, and ever will be, notwithstanding yours and Lord L.‘s past severity to me,

Your truly affectionate sister,

CJi. ti.


Letter XIV.
Lady G. To Lady L.

Selby-house, Monday, July 24*.

Lord bless me, my dear, what shall we do! My brother, in all probability, may, by this time!

But I cannot tell how to suppose it! Ah the poor Harriet! The three letters from my brother, which, by the permission of Dr. Bartlett, I inclose, will shew you, that the Italian affair is now at a crisis.

Read them in this place; and return them sealed up, and directed to the doctor.


Letter XV.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett.

Florence, Wednesday, July, 5–16. Three weeks have now past since the date of my last letter to my paternal friend. Nor has it, in the main, been a disagreeable space of time; since within it I have had the pleasure of hearing from you and other of my friends in England; from those at Paris; and good news from Bologna, wherever 1 moved, as well from the bishop and Father Marescotti as from Mr. Lowther.

The bishop particularly tells me, that they ascribe to the amendment of the brother, the hopes they now have of the sister’s recovery.

* Several letters, written in the space between the Uut date, June 16, and the present, which give an account of their diversions, visits, entertainments, at Selby-house, Shir-ley-manor, &c. are omitted.

I passed near a fortnight of this time at Naples and Portici. The general, and his lady, who is one of the hest of women, made it equally their study to oblige and amuse me.

The general, on my first arrival at Naples, entered into talk with me, on my expectations with regard to his sister. I answered him, as I had done his mother; and he was satisfied with what I said.

When we parted, he embraced me as his brother and friend; and apologized for the animosity he once had to me. If it pleased God to restore his sister, no more from him, he said, should her mind be endangered: but her choice should determine him. His lady declared her esteem for me, without reserve; and said, That, next to the recovery of Clementina and Jeronymo, her wish was, to be intitled to call me brother.

What, my dear Dr. Bartlett, is, at last, to be my destiny! The greatest opposer of the alliance once in view, is overcome: but the bishop, you will ob-serve, by what I have told you, ascribes to another cause the merit which the general gives me; with a view, possibly, to abate my expectation. Be the events as it may, I will go on in the course I am in, and leave to Providence the issue.

Mrs. Beaumont returned from Bologna but yes-terday.

She confirms the favourable account I had before received of the great alteration for the better that there is in the health both of brother and sister; and, because of that, in the whole family. Mr.Low-ther, she says, is as highly, as deservedly, caressed by every one. Jeronymo is able to sit up two hours in a day. He has tried his pen, and finds it will be again in his power to give his friends plea-sure with it.

Mrs. Beaumont tells me, that Clementina gene-rally twice a day visits her beloved Jeronymo. She has taken once more to her needle, and often sits and works in her brother’s room. This amuses her, and delights him.

She converses generally without much rambling; and seems to be very soon sensible of her misfor-tune, when she begins to talk incoherently: for at such times she immediately stops; not seldom sheds a tear; and either withdraws to her own closet, or is silent.

She several times directed her discourse to Mr. Lowther, when she met him in her brother’s cham-ber. She observed great delicacy when she spoke of me to him; and dwelt not on the subject: but was very inquisitive about England, and the cus-toms and manners of the people; particularly of the women.

Every-body has made it a rule (Jeronymo among the rest, and to which also Camilla strictly conforms) never to lead her to talk of me. She, how — ever, asks often after me; and numbers the days of my absence.

At one time, seeking Mrs. Beaumont in her dressing-room, she thus accosted her: I come, madam, to ask you, Why, every-body forbears to mention the Chevalier Grandison; and when I do, talks of some-body or something else? Camilla is as perverse in this way as any body: nay, Jeronymo (1 have tried him several times) does the very same. Can Jero-nymo be ungrateful? Can Jeronymo be indifferent to his friend, who has done so much for him? I hope I am not looked upon as a silly, or as a forward creature, that am nOt to be trusted with hearing the name of the man mentioned, for whom I profess an high esteem and gratitude. Tell me, madam, have I, at any time, in my unhappy hours, behaved or spoken aught unworthy of my character, of my fa-mily, of the modesty of woman? If I have, my heart renounces the guilt; I must, indeed, have been unhappy; I could not be Clementina della Porretta.

Mrs. Beaumont set her heart at ease on this sub-ject.

Well, said she, it shall be seen, I hope so, that true modesty, and high gratitude, may properly have a place together in this heart, putting her hand to her bosom. Let me but own, that I esteem him: for 1 really do; and I hope my sincerity shall never mislead or betray me into indecorum: and now, madam, let us talk of him for one quarter of an hour, and no more. Here is my watch; it is an English watch; nobody knows that I bought it for that very reason. Don’t you tell. She then, suspecting her head, dropt a tear; and withdrew in silence.

Mrs. Beaumont, my dear friend, knows the true state of my heart; and she pities me. She wishes that the lady’s reason may be established; she is afraid it should be risked by opposition: but there is a man whom she wishes to be Clementina’s. There is a woman But do thou, Providence, direct us both! All that thou orderest must be best.

Mrs. Beaumont thinks Lady Clementina is at times too solemn: and is the more apprehensive when she is so, as there is a greatness in her so-lemnity, which she is afraid will be too much for her. She has often her silent fits, in which she is regardless of what any-body but her mother says to her.

As she grows better, the fervor of her devotion, which in her highest delirium never went quite off, increases. Nor do they discourage, but indulge her in it, because in her, it seems, by the cheerfulness i with which her ardent zeal is attended, to be owing to true piety, which they justly observe seldom makes a good mind sour, morose, or melancholy.

Mrs. Beaumont says, That for two days before she came away, she had shewn, on several occasions, that she began to expect my return She broke si-lence in one of her dumb fits “ Twenty days, did he say, Camilla? “ and was silent again.

The day before Mrs. Beaumont set out, as she, the young lady, and marchioness, were sitting at work together, Camilla entered with unusual precipitation, with a message from the bishop, desiring leave to attend them And the marchioness saying, By all means, pray let him come in, the young lady, on hearing him approach, laid down her work, changed colour, and stood up with an air of dignity. But on the bishop’s entrance, sat down with a look of dissatisfaction, as if disappointed.

Adieu, my dear friend! I shall reach Bologna, I hope, tomorrow night. You will soon have another letter from

Your truly-affectionate

GRANDISON.


Letter XVI.
Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation.

Bologna, July 7–18.

It was late last night before I arrived at this place. I sent my compliments to the family. In the morning I went to their palace, and was immediately conducted to the chamber of Signor Jeronymo. He was disposing himself to rise, that he might re-ceive me up, in order to rejoice me on his ability to do so. I sat down by him, and received the overflowings of his grateful heart. Every — body, he told me, was amended both in health and spirits.

Camilla came in soon after, congratulating me on my arrival in the name of her young lady. She let me know, that in less than a quarter of an hour she would be ready to receive my visit.

O Sir, said the good woman, miracles! miracles! We are all joy and hope!

At going out, she whispered as she passed (I was then at the window) My young lady is dressing in colours, to receive you. She will no more appear to you, she says, in black Now, Sir, will you soon reap the reward of all your goodness; for the gene-ral has signified to my lord his entire acquiescence with his sister’s choice, and their determination.

The bishop came in: Chevalier, said he, you are welcome, thrice welcome, to Bologna. You have subdued us all. Clementina commands her own destiny. The man whom she chooses to call hers, be he who he will, will have a treasure in her, in every sense of the word.

The marquis, the count, Father Marescotti, all severally made me the highest compliments. The count particularly taking my hand, said, From us, chevalier, nothing will be wanting to make i/ou hap-py: from you, there can be but one thing wanting to make us so.

The marehioness entering, saved me any other return, than by bowing to each. Before I could speak to her, Welcome, chevalier, said she: but you are not come before you were wished for. You will find, we have kept a more exact account of the days of your absence, than we did before. 1 hope her joy to see you will not be too much for her. Clementina ever had a grateful heart.

The chevalier’s prudence, said Father Marescotti, i2 may be confided in. He knows how to moderate his own joy on his first address to her, on seeing her so greatly amended: and then Lady Clementina’s natural delicacy will not have an example to carry her joy above her reason.

The chevalier, madam, said the bishop, smiling,’ will, at this rate, be too secure. We leave him not room for professions. But he cannot be ungenerous.

The Chevalier Grandison, said the kind Jeronymo, speaks by action: it is his way. His head, his heart, his lips, his hands, are governed by one motion, and directed by one spring. When he leaves no room for doubt, professions would depreciate his service.

He then ascribed an extraordinary merit to me, on my leaving my native counti*y and friends, to attend them in person.

We may, perhaps, my reverend friend, be allowed to repeat the commendations given us by grateful and benevolent spirits, when we cannot otherwise so well do justice to the generous warmth of their friendship. The noble Jeronymo, I am confident, were he in my place, and I in his, would put a more moderate value on the like services, done by him-self. What is friendship, if, on the like calls, and blessed with power, it is not ready to exert itself in action?

Grandison, replied the bishop, were he one of us, might expect canonization In a better religion, we have but few young men of quality and fortune so good as he; though I think none so bad, as many of the pretended reformed, who travel, as if to copy our vices, and not to imitate our virtues.

I was overwhelmed with gratitude, on a reception so very generous and unreserved. Camilla came in seasonably with a message from the young lady, inviting my attendance on her in her dressing-room.

The marchioness withdrew just before. I fol-lowed Camilla. She told me, as we went, that she thought her not quite so sedate as she had been for some days past; which she supposed owing to her hurrying in dressing, and to her expectation of me.

The mother and daughter were together. They were talking, when I entered Dear fanciful girl! I heard the mother say, disposing otherwise some flowers that she had in her bosom.

Clementina, when her mind was sound, used to be all unaffected elegance. I never saw but one woman who equalled her in that respect. Miss Byron seems conscious, that she may trust to her native charms; yet betrays no pride in her consciousness. Who ever spoke of her jewels, that beheld her face? For mingled dignity, and freedom of air and manner, these two ladies excel amongst women.

Clementina appeared exceedingly lovely. But her fancifulness in the disposition of her ornaments, and the unusual lustre of her eyes, which every one was wont to admire for their serene brightness, shew-ed an imagination more disordered than I hoped to see; and gave me pain at my entrance.

The chevalier, my love! (said the marchioness, turning round to me) Clementina, receive your friend.

She stood up, dignity and sweetness in her air. I approached her: she refused not her hand. The general, madam, and his lady, salute you by me.

They received you, I am sure, as the friend of our family. But tell me, Sir, smiling, have you not exceeded your promised time?

Two or three days only.

Only, Sir! Well, I upbraid you not. No won-der that a man so greatly valued, cannot always keep his time. i 3

She hesitated, looked at her mother, at me, and on the floor, visibly at a loss. Then, as sensible of her wandering, turned aside her head, and took out her handkerchief.

Mrs. Beaumont, madam, said I, to divert her chagrin, sends you her compliments.

Were you at Florence? Mrs. Beaumont, said you? Were you at Florence! Then running to her mo-ther, she threw her arms about her neck, hiding her face in her bosom O, madam, conceal me! conceal me from myself. I am not well.

Be comforted, my best love, wrapping her ma-ternal arms about her, and kissing her forehead: you will be better presently.

I made a motion to withdraw. The marchioness, by her head, approving, I went into the next apartment.

She soon enquired for me, and, on notice from Camilla, I returned.

She sat with her head leaning on her mother’s shoulder. She raised it Excuse me, Sir, said she. I cannot be well, I see But no matter! I am bet-ter, and I am worse, than I was: worse because I am sensible of my calamity

Her eyes had then lost all that lustre which had shewn a too raised imagination: but they were as much in the other extreme, overclouded with mis-tiness, dimness, vapours; swimming in tears.

I took her hand: Be not disheartened, madam. You will be soon well. These are usual turns of the malady you seem to be so sensible of when it is changing to perfect health.

God grant it! O chevalier! what trouble have I given my friends! my mamma here! You, Sir! E very-body! O that naughty Laurana! But for her! But tell me Is she dead? Poor cruel creature! Is she no more?

Would you have her to be no more, my love? said her mother. no! no! I would have had her to live, and to repent. Was she not the companion of my child-hood? She loved me once. I always loved her. Say, chevalier, is she living?

I looked at the marchioness, as asking, if I should tell her she was; and receiving her approving nod, She is living, madam, answered I and I hope will repent.

Is she, is she indeed, my mamma? interrupted she.

She is, my dear.

Thank God! rising from her seat, clasping her hands, and standing more erect than usual; then have I a triumph to come! said the noble creature. Excuse my pride! I will shew her that I can forgive her! But I will talk of her when I am better. You say, Sir, I shall be better! You say that my malady is changing What comfort you give me!

Then dropping down against her mother’s chair, on her knees, her eyes and hands lifted up, Great and good God Almighty, heal, heal, I beseech thee, my wounded mind, that I may be enabled to restore to the most indulgent of parents, the happiness I have robbed them of. Join your prayers with mine, Sir! You are a good man But you, madam, are a Catholic. The chevalier is not Do you pray for me. I shall be restored to your prayers. And may I be restored, as I shall never more do any-thing, wilfully, to offend or disturb your tender heart.

God restore my child! sobbed the indulgent pa-rent, raising her.

Camilla had not withdrawn. She stood weeping in a corner of the room. Camilla, said the young lady, advaneing towards her, lend me your arm.

I will return to you again, Sir Don’t go Excuse me, madam, for a few moments. I find, putting her hand to her forehead, I am not quite well 1 will return presently.

The marchioness and I were extremely affected by her great behaviour: but though we were grieved for the pain her sensibility gave her, yet we could not but console and congratulate our-selves upon it, as affording hopes of her perfect recovery.

She returned soon, attended by Camilla: who having been soothing her, appealed to me, whether I did not think she would soon be quite well.

I answered, That I had no doubt of it.

Look you there now, my dear lady.

I thought you said so, chevalier! but I was not sure. God grant it! My affliction is great, my mamma. I must have been a wicked creature Pray for me.

Her mother comforted her, praised her, and raised her dejected heart. And then Clementina looking down, a blush overspreading her face, and standing motionless, as if considering of something What is in my child’s thoughts? said the marchioness, taking her hand. What is my love thinking of?

Why, madam, in a low, but audible voice, I should be glad to talk with the chevalier alone, methinks. He is a good man. But if you think I ought not, I will not desire it. In every-thing I will be governed by you: yet I am ashamed. What can 1 have to say, that my mother may not hear? Nothing, no-thing. Your Clementina’s heart, madam, is a part of yours.

My love shall be indulged in every thing. You and I, Camilla, will retire Clementina was silent; and both withdrew.’

She commanded me to sit down by her. I obey-ed. It was not, in the situation I was in, for me to speak first. I attended her pleasure in silence.

She seemed at a loss. She looked round her; then at me; then on the floor. I could not then forbear speaking.

The mind of Lady Clementina, said I, seems to have something upon it, that she wishes to communicate. You have not, madam, a more sincere, a more faithful friend, than the man before you. Your happiness, and that of my Jeronymo, engross all my cares. Honour me with your confidence.

I had something to say: I had many questions to ask But pity me, Sir! my memory is gone: I have lost it all But this I know, that we are all under obligations to you, which we never can return: and I am uneasy under the sense of them.

What, madam, have I done, but answered to the call of friendship, which, in the like situation, not any one of your family but would have obeyed?

This generous way of thinking adds to the obli-gation. Say but, Sir, in what way we can express our gratitude, in what way I, in particular, can, and 1 shall be easy. Till we have done it, I never shall.

And can you, madam, think, that I am not highly rewarded, in the prospect of that success which opens to all our wishes?

It may be so in your opinion: but this leaves the debt still heavier upon us.

How could 1 avoid construing the hint in my fa-vour? And yet 1 did not think the lady, even had she not had parents in being, had she been absolutely independent, well enough to determine for herself in a situation so delicate. How then could I in ho-nour (all her friends expecting that I should be entirely governed by her motions, as they were re-solved to be) take direct advantage of the gratitude which at that instant possessed her noble mind?

If, madam, answered I, you will suppose your-selves under obligations to me, and will not be east/ till you have acknowledged them, the return must be a family act. Let me refer myself to your father, mother, brothers, and to yourself: what you and they determine upon must be right.

After a short silence Well, Sir, I believe you have put the matter upon a right footing: but here is my difficulty You cannot be rewarded. I cannot reward you. But, Sir, the subject begins to be too much for me. I have high notions My duty to God, and to my parents; my gratitude to you But I have begun to write down all that has occurred to me on this important subject. I wish to act greatly! You, Sir, have set me the example. I will continue to write down my thoughts: I cannot trust to my me-mory No, nor yet to my heart! But no more on a subject that is at present too affecting to me. I will talk to my mother upon it first; but not just now; though I will ask for the honour of her presence.

She then went from me into the next room; and instantly returned, leading in the marchioness. Don’t, dear madam, be angry with me. I had many things to say to the chevalier; which I thought I could best say, when I was alone with him; but I forget what they were. Indeed, I ought not to re-member them, if they were such as I could not say before my mother.

My child cannot do any thing that can make me displeased with her. The chevalier’s generosity, and my Clementina’s goodness of heart, can neither of them be doubted.

(), madam! What a deep sense have I of yours and of my father’s indulgence to me! How shall 1 requite it! How unworthy should I be of that returning reason, which sometimes seems to enliven my hope, if I were not to resolve, that it shall be wholly employed in my duty to God, and to you both! But even then, my gratitude to that generous man will leave a burden upon my heart, that never can be removed.

She withdrew with precipitation, leaving the mar-chioness and me, in silence, looking upon each other, and admiring her. Camilla followed her; and instantly returning My dear young lady Don’t be frightened, madam is not well. She seems to have exhausted her spirits by talking.

The marchioness hastened in with Camilla. And while I was hesitating, whether to withdraw to Jero-nymo, or to quit the palace, Camilla came to me My young lady asks for you, Sir.

I followed her to her closet. She was in her mother’s arms, on a couch; just come out of a fit; but not a strong one. She held out her hand to me. I pressed it with my lips. I was affected with her nobleness of mind, and weakness of spirit O chevalier, said she, how unworthy am I of that ten-derness which you express for me! O that I could begrateful! ButGod will reward you. Heonly can.

She desired her mother and me to leave her to her Camilla. We both withdrew.

What can be done with this dear creature, che-valier? She is going to be bad again! O, Sir! Her behaviour is now different from what it ever was!

She seems, madam, to have something on her mind, that she has a difficulty to reveal. When she has revealed it she will be easier. You will prevail upon her, madam, by your condescending goodness, to communicate it to you. Allow me to withdraw to Signor Jeronymo. Lady Clementina, when she is a little recovered, will acquaint you with what passed between her and me.

I heard it all, replied she; and you are the most honourable of men. What man would, what man could, have acted as you acted, with regard to her, with regard to as; yet not slight the dear creature’s manifest meaning; but refer it to us, and to her, to make it a family act? A family act it must, it shall be. Only, Sir, let me be assured, that my child’s malady will not lessen your love for her: and per-mit her to be a Catholic! These are all the terms, I, for my part, have to make with you. The rest of us still wish, that you would be so, though but in appearance, for the sake of our alliances. But I will not expect an answer to the last. As to the first, you cannot be ungenerous to one who has suffered so much for her love of you.

The marquis and the bishop entering the room, I leave it to you, madam, said I, to acquaint their lordships with what has passed. I will attend Signor Jeronymo for a few moments.

I wentaccordingly to his chamber; but being told, that he was disposed to rest, I withdrew with Mr. Lowther into his: and there Camilla coming to me, Mr. Lowther retiring, she told me, that her young lady was pretty well recovered. It was evident to her, she said, that she never would be well till the marriage was solemnized. They are all, said she, in close conference together, I believe upon that sub-ject. My young lady is endeavouring to compose herself in her closet. The marchioness hopes vou will stay and dine here.

I excused myself from dining; and desired her to tell her lady, that I would attend them in the evening.

I am now preparing to do so.


Letter XVII.
Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation.

Bologna, July 7–18. Now, my dear friend, are matters here drawing to a crisis. I was conducted, as soon as I entered this palace, to the presence of the marquis and marchioness. The marquis arose, and took my hand, with great, but solenfn kindness, and led me to a chair placed between theirs. The bishop, the count, and Father Marescotti, entered; and took their places.

My dear, said the marquis, referring to his lady.

After some little hesitation We have no hope, Sir, said she, of our child’s perfect restoration, but from She stopt

Our compliance with every wish of her heart, said the bishop.

Ay, do you proceed, said the marchioness to the prelate.

It would be to no purpose, chevalier, questioned the bishop, to urge to you the topic so near to all our hearts?

I bowed my assent to what he said.

I am sorry for it, replied the bishop.

I am very sorry for it, said the count.

What security can we ask of you, Sir, said the marquis, that our child shall not be perverted? O chevalier! It is a hard, hard trial!

Father Marescotti, answered I, shall prescribe the terms.

I cannot, in conscience, said the father, consent to this marriage: yet the merits of the Chevalier Grandison have taken from me the power of opposing it. Permit me to be silent.

Father Marescotti and I, said the bishop, are in

K one situation, as to scruples of conscience, But I will forget the prelate for the brother. Dear Grandison, will you permit us to say to enquirers, that we look upon you as one of our church; and that prudential reasons, with regard to your country, and friends in it, deter you at present from declaring yourself?

Let not terms be proposed, my good lord, that would lessen your opinion of me, should I comply with them. If I am to be honoured with an ad-mission into this noble family, let me not in my own eyes appear unworthy of the honour. Were I to find myself capable of prevaricating in an article so important as religion, no one could hate me so much as I should hate myself, were even an imperial diadem with your Clementina, the noblest of wo-men, to be the consideration.

You have the example of great princes, chevalier, said Father Marescotti, Henry the Fourth of France, Augustus of Poland

True, father But great princes are not always, and in every action of their lives, great men. They might make the less scruple of changing their reli-gion, as they were neither of them strict in the practice of it. They who can allow themselves in some deviations, may in others. I boast not of my own virtue: but it has been my aim to be uniform. I am too well satisfied with my own religion, to doubt: if I were not, it would be impossible but I must be influenced by the wishes of friends so dear tome; whose motives are the result of their own piety, and of the regard they have for my everlasting welfare.

The chevalier and I, rejoined the bishop, have carried this argument to its full extent before. My honoured lord’s question recurs; What security can we have, that my sister shall not be perverted? The

SIK CHAKLES GRANDISON. 99 chevalier refers to Father Marescotti to propose it. The father excuses himself. I, as the brother of Clementina, ask you, chevalier, Will you promise never by yourself, or your English divines, to at-tempt to pervert her? A confessor you have allow — ed her. Shall Father Marescotti be the man?

And will Father Marescotti

I will, for the sake of preserving to Lady Clemen-tina her faith; that faith by which only she can be saved; and, perhaps, in hope of converting the man who then will be dear to the whole family.

I not only comply with the proposal, but shall think Father Marescotti will do me a favour, in put-ting it into my power to shew him the regard I have for him. One request I have only to make; That Father Marescotti will prescribe his own conditions to me. And I assure you all, that they shall be exceeded, as to the consideration, be they ever sohigh.

You and I, chevalier, replied the father, shall have no difficulty, as to the terms.

None you can have, said the marquis, as to those. Father Marescotti will be still our spiritual director.

Only one condition I will beg leave to make with Father Marescotti; that he will confine his pious cares to those only who are already of his own persuasion; and that no disputable points may ever be touched upon to servants, tenants, or neighbours, in a coun-try, where a different religion, from that to which he is a credit, is established. I might, perhaps, have safely left this to his own moderation and honour; yet, without such a previous engagement, his conscience might have been embarrassed; and had I not insisted on it, I should have behaved towards my country in a manner for which I could not answer to my own heart.

Your countrymen, chevalier, said the count, complain loudly of persecution from our church: vet

K l l what disqualifications do Catholics lie under in Eng-land!

A great deal, my lord, may be said on this subject. I think it sufficient to answer for myself and my own conduct.

As to our child’s servants said the marchioness, methinks I should hope, that Father Marescotti might have a small congregation about him, to keep their lady in countenance, in a country where her religion will subject her to inconveniencies, perhaps to more than inconveniencies.

Her woman, and those servants, replied I, who will immediately attend her person, shall always be chosen by herself. If they behave well, I will consider them as my servants for their benefit. If they misbehave, I must be allowed to consider them also as my servants, as well as their lady’s. I must not be subject to the dominion of servants; the most intolerable of all dominion. Were they to know that they are independent of me, I should be disobeyed, perhaps insulted; and my resentment of their insolence would be thought a persecution on account of their religion.

This article bore some canvassing. If Camilla, at last, I said, were the woman; on her discretion I should have great dependence.

And on Father Marescotti’s you also may, che-valier, said the bishop. I should hope, that when my sister and you are in England together, you would not scruple to consult him on the misbehaviour of any of my sister’s catholic servants.

Indeed, my lord, I would. I will myself be judge in my own house, of the conduct and behaviour of all my servants. From the independence of such people upon me, disputes or uneasinesses might arise, that otherwise would never happen between their lady and me. The power of dismission, on any flagrant misbehaviour, must be in me. My temper is not capricious: my charity is not confined: my consideration for people in a foreign country, and wholly in my power, will, I hope, be even generous. I perhaps may bear with them the more for having them in my power. But my wife’s servants, were she a sovereign, must be mine.

Unhappy! said Father Marescotti, that you can-not be of* one faith! But, Sir, you will allow, 1 hope, if the case will bear it, of expostulation from me?

Yes, father: and should generally, I believe, be determined by your advice and mediation: but I would not condition to make the greatest saint, and the wisest man on earth, a judge in my own family over me.

There is reason in this, rejoined the bishop: you, perhaps, would not scruple, Sir, to consult the mar-chioness, before you dismissed such a considerable servant as a woman, if my sister did not agree to it?

The marquis and marchioness will be judges of my conduct, when I am in Italy: I should despise myself, were it not to be the same in England as at Bologna. I have in my travels been attended by catholic servants. They never had reason to complain of want of kindness, even to indulgence, from me. We Protestants confine not salvation within the pale of our own church: Catholics do; and have therefore an argument for their zeal in endeavouring to make proselytes, that we have not. Hence, ge-nerally speaking, may a catholic servant live more happily with a protestant master, than a protestant servant with a catholic master. Let my servants live but up to their own professions, and they shall be indulged with all reasonable opportunities of pursuing the dictates of their own consciences. A truly religious servant, of whatever persuasion, can-not be a bad one.

Well, as to this article, we must leave it, ac-quiesced the bishop, to occasions as they may arise. Nine months in the year, I think you propose to reside in Italy

That, my lord, was on a supposition that Lady Clementina would not oblige me with her company to my native country any part of the year; in that case, I proposed to pass but three months in every year in England: otherwise, I hoped that year and year, in turn, would be allowed me.

We can have no wish to separate man and wife, said the marquis. Clementina will, no doubt, ac-company her husband. We will stipulate only for year and year: but let ours be the first year: and we cannot doubt but the dear child will meet with all reasonable indulgence, for the sake of her tender health.

Not one request that you, my lord, and you, madam, shall think reasonable, shall be denied to the dear lady.

Let me propose one thing, chevalier, said the marchioness; that in the first year, which is to be ours, you endeavour to prevail upon your sisters, amiable women, as we have heard they are, to come over, and be of our acquaintance; your ward also, who may be looked upon as a little Italian. You love your sisters; and I should be glad (so would Clementina, 1 make no doubt) to be familiarized to the ladies of your family before she goes to Eng-land.

My sisters, madam, are the most obliging of wo-men, as their lords are of men. I have no doubt of prevailing upon them, to attend you and Lady Clementina here. And as it will give them time to prepare for the visit, 1 believe, if it be made in the latter part of the first year, it will be most acceptable to them, and to you; since then they will not only have commenced a friendship with Lady Cle-mentina, and obtained the honour of your good opinion; but will attend her in her voyage to Eng-land.

They all approved of this. I added, that 1 hoped, when the second year arrived, I should have the honour of finding in the party some of this noble family, which could not fail of giving delight, as well affiance, to the tender heart of their beloved Cle-mentina.

My lord and I, said the marchioness, will probably, if well, be of the party. We shall not know how to part with a child so dear to us But these seas

Well, well, said the bishop, this is a contingence, and must be left to time, and to the chevalier and my sister, when they are one. As his is the strong-est mind, it will, in all reasonable matters, yield to the weaker Now, as to my sister’s fortune

It is a large one, said the count. We shall all take pleasure in adding to it.

Should there be more sons than one by the mar-riage, rejoined the bishop* as the estate of her two grandfathers will be an ample provision for one of them, and your English estate for another, I hope we may expect that the education of one of them may be left to us.

Every one said, this was a very reasonable expectation.

I cannot condition for this, my lord. The edu-cation of the sons was to be left to me; that of the daughters, to the mother. I will consent, that the Italian estate shall be tiedupfor daughters’ portions; and that they shall be brought up imder your own eyes, Italians. The sons shall have no benefit by the Italian estate

Except they become Catholics, chevalier, added the bishop.

No, my lord, replied I: that might be a temptation Though I would leave posterity as free, as I myself am left, in the article of religion; yet would I not lay any snares for them. I am for having them absolutely secluded from any possibility of enjoying that estate, as they will be Englishmen. Cannot this be done by the laws of your country, and the tenure by which these estates are held?

If Clementina marry, said the marquis, whether there be issue or not, Laurana’s claim ceases. But, chevalier, can you think it just to deprive children unborn of their natural right?

I have a very good estate: it is improving. I have considerable expectations besides. That is not mine which I do not possess, and shall have no right to, but by marriage; and which, therefore, must and ought to be subject to marriage articles. Riches never made men happy. If my descendants will not be so with a competence, they will not with a redundance. I hope Signor Jeronymo may recover, and marry: let the estate here, from the hour that I shall be honoured with theiiand of your dear Cle-mentina, be Jeronymo’s, and his posterity’s, for ever. If it shall be thought proper for him, on taking possession, to make his sister any brotherly acknowledgment, it shall be to her sole and separate use, and not subject to any controul of mine. If Signor Jeronymo marry not, or if he do, and die without issue, let the estate in question be the ge-neral’s. He and his lady deserve every-thing. The estate shall not, by my consent, go out of the name. They looked upon each other Brother, said the count, I see not, but we may leave every-thing to the generosity of such a young man as this. He jLiite overcomes me.

A disinterested and generous man, rejoined the bishop, is born a ruler; and he is, at the same time, the greatest of politicians, were policy only to be considered.

The most equitable medium, I think, resumed the marchioness, is what the chevalier hinted at and most answerable to the intention of the dear child’s grandfathers: it is, that the estate in question be se-cured to the daughters of the marriage. Our sons will be greatly provided for: and it will be rewarding, in some measure, the chevalier for his gene — rosity, that the sons of the marriage shall not have their patrimony lessened, by the provision to be made for daughters.

They all generously applauded the marchioness; and proposing this expedient to me, I bowed my grateful assent See, chevalier, said Father Mare-scotti, what a generous family you are likely to be allied with! O that you could be subdued by a goodness so much like your own, and declare your-self a Catholic: his holiness himself (my lord the bishop could engage) would receive you with blessings, at the footstool of his throne. You allow, Sir, that salvation may be obtained in our church: out of it, ive think it cannot. Rejoice us all. Rejoice Lady Clementina and let us know no bound in our

What opinion, my dear Father Marescotti, would you all have of the man who could give up his conscience, though for the highest consideration on earth? Did you, could you, think the better of the two princes mentioned to me, for the change of their religion? One of them was assassinated in the streets of his metropolis, by an ecclesiastic, who questioned the sincerity of his change. Could the matter be of indifference to me But, my dear Father Marescotti, let us leave this to be debated hereafter between you and me, as father and son. Your piety shall command my reverence: but pain not my heart, by putting me on denial of any-thing that shall be asked of me, by such respectable and ge-nerous persons, as those I am before; and when we are talkingon a subject so delicate, and so important.

Father Marescotti, we must give up this point, said the bishop. The chevalier and I have discussed it heretofore. He is a determined man. If you hereafter can gain upon him, you will make us all happy. But now, my lord, to the marquis, let the chevalier know, what he will have with my sister, besides the bequests of her grandfathers, from your bounty, and From yours, madam, to his mother, as a daughter of your house.

I beg, my lord, one word, said I to the marquis, before you speak. Let not a syllable of this be mentioned to me now. Whatever you shall be pleased to do of this nature, let it be done annually, as my behaviour to your daughter may deserve. Do I not know the generosity of every one of this noble family? Let me be in your power. I have enough for her, and for me, or I do not know the noble Cle-mentina. Whatever you do, for the sake of your own magnificence, that do: but let us leave particu-lars unmentioned.

What would Lady Sforza say, were she present? rejoined the count. Averse as she is to the alliance, she would admire the man.

Are you earnest in your request, chevalier, asked the bishop, that particulars shall not be mentioned?

I beg they may not. I earnestly beg it.

Pray let the chevalier be obliged, returned the prelate Sir, .said he, and snatched my hand, bro-ther, friend, what shall I call you? We mil oblige you; but not in doubt of your kind treatment of Clementina. She must, she mil deserve it; but that we may have it in our power to be revenged of you. Sir, we will take great revenge of you. And now let us rejoice Jeronymo’s heart with an account of all that has passed. We might have held this conference before him. All that is further necessary to be said, may be said in his presence.

Who, said Father Marescotti, can hold out against the Chevalier Grandison? I will tell every one who shall question me on this alliance, zealous Catholics, with a Protestant so determined, what a man he is; and then they will allow of this one particular exception to a general rule.

All we have now to do, said the marquis, is to gain his holiness’ s permission. That has not been refused in such cases, where either the sons or daughters of the marriage are to be brought up Catholics.

The count then took the marchioness’s hand, and we all entered Jeronymo’s chamber together.

I stept into Mr. Lowther’s apartment, while they related to him all that had passed. He was impa-tient to see me. The bishop led me in to him. He embraced me as his brother. Now, my dear Grandison, said he, I am indeed happy. This is the point to which I have long directed all my wishes. God grant that our dear Clementina’s malady may be no drawback upon your felicities; and you must both then be happy.

I was sensible of a little abatement, on the bishop’s saying to his mother, not knowing I heard him, Ah, madam! the poor Count of Belvedere How will lie be affected But he will go to Madrid; and I hope make himself happy there with some Spanish lady. The poor Count of Belvedere! returned the mar-chioness, with a sigh But he will not know how to blame us

To-morrow morninsr I am to drink chocolate with Lady Clementina. We shall be left together, per-haps, or only with her mother or Camilla.

What, my dear Dr. Bartlett, would I give, to be assured, that the most excellent of English-women could think herself happy with the Earl of D. the only man of all her admirers who is, in any manner, worthy of calling so bright a jewel his? Should Miss Byron be unhappy, and through my means, the remembrance of my own caution and self-restraint could not appease the grief of my heart.

“But so prudent a woman as she is, and as the Countess of D. is What are these suggestions of tenderness Are they not suggestions of vanity and presumption? They are. They must be so. I will banish them from my thoughts, as such. Ever-amiable Miss Byron! friend of my soul! forgive me for them! Yet if the noble Clementina is to be mine, my heart will be greatly gratified, if, before she receive my vows, I could know, that Miss Byron had given her hand, in compliance with the entreaties of all her friends, to the deserving Earl of D.”

Having an opportunity, I dispatch this, and my two former. In you I include remembrances to all my beloved friends Adieu, my dear Dr. Bartlett. “ In the highest of our pleasures, the sighing heart will remind us of imperfection.” It is fit it should be so Adieu, my dear friend!

CHARLES fJRANDISON.

CONTINUATION OF LADY G.‘s LETTER TO LADY L. NO. XIV.

Begun page 82, and dated July 24.

Well, my dear sister! And what sayyou to the contents of the three inclosed letters? I wish I had been with you and Lord L. at the time you read them, that I might have mingled my tears with yours, for the sweet Harriet! Why would my brother dispatch these letters, without staying till, at least, he could have informed us of the result of the next day’s meeting with Clementina? Whatv/as the opportunity that he had to send away these letters, which he must be assured would keep us in strange suspense? Hang the opportunity that so officiously offered! But, perhaps, in the tenderness of his nature, he thought that this dispatch was necessary, to prepare us for what was to follow, lest were he to acquaint us with the event as decided, our emotion would be too great to be supported. We sisters, to go over to attend Lady Clementina Grandison, a twelve-month hence! Ah the poor Harriet! And will she give us leave? But it surely must not, cannot be! And yet Hush, hush, hush, Charlotte! And proceed to facts.

Dr. Bartlett, when these letters were brought him post from London, was with us at table. We had but just dined. He arose, and retired to his own apartment with them. We were all impatient to know the contents. When I thought he had with-drawn long enough to read dispatches of a mile long, and yet found that he returned not, my impatience was heightened; and the dear Harriet said, Bad news, 1 fear! 1 hope Sir Charles is well! I hope Lady Clementina is not relapsed! The good Jero-nymo! I fear for him.

I then stept up to the doctor’s room. He was sitting with his back towards the door, in a pensive mood; and when, hearing somebody enter, he turn-ed about, 1 saw he had been deeply affected

My dear Dr. Bartlett! For God’s sake! How is my brother?

Don’t be affrighted, madam! All are well in Italy In a way to be well But alas! (tears started afresh) I am grieved for Miss Byron!

How, how, doctor! Is my brother married? It cannot, it shall not be! Is my brother married? no, not married, by these letters! But all is concluded upon! Sweet, sweet, Miss Byron! Now, indeed, will her magnanimity be put to the test! Yet Lady Clementina is a most excellent woman! You, madam, may read these letters: Miss Byron, I believe, must not. You will see, by the concluding part of the last, how greatly embarrassed my patron must be between his honour to one lady and his tenderness for the other: whichsoever shall be his, how mucb will the other be to be pitied [

I ran over, with a weeping eye, as the paragraphs struck me, the passages most affecting. O Dr. Bart-lett, said I, when I had done, how shall we break” this news to Mrs. Selby, to Mrs. Shirley, to my Harriet! A trial, indeed, of her magnanimity! Yet, to have received letters from my brother, and to delay going down, will be as alarming as to tell it. Let us go down.

Do you, madam, take the letters. You have ten-derness: your prudence cannot be doubted I will attend you by-and-by. His eyes were ready to run over.

I went down. I met my lord at the stairs foot. How, how, madam, does Sir Charles? O my lord f we are all undone. My brother, by this time, is the husband of Lady Clementina.

He was struck, as with a thunderbolt; God for-bid! were all the words he could speak; and turned as pale as death.

I love him, for his sincere love to my Harriet. I wrung his hand The letters do not say it. But every-body is consenting; and, if it be not already so, it soon will Step, my Jord, to Mrs. Selby, and tell her, that I wish to see her in the flower-garden.

Miss Byron and Nancy, said he, are gone to walk in the garden. She was so apprehensive, on your staying above, and the doctor not coming down, that she was forced to walk into the air. 1 left Mr. Selby, his lady, Emily, and Lucy, in the dining-parlour, to find you, and let you know, how every-body was affected. Tears dropt on his cheeks.

I gave him my hand in love. I was pleased with him. I called him my dear lord.

I think our sweet friend once said, that fear made us loving. Ill-news will oblige us to look around us for consolation,

I found the persons named, just rising from their seats to walk into the garden O my dear Mrs. Sel-by, said I, every thing is agreed upon in Italy.

They were all dumb but Emily. Her sorrow was audible: she wrung her hands; she was ready to faint; her Anne was called to take care or her; and she retired.

I then told Mr. and Mrs. Selby what were the contents of the last letter of the three. Mr. Selby broke out into passionate grief I know not what the ho-nour?*, said he, that could oblige Sir Charles, treated as he had been by the proud Italians, to go over at the first invitation. One might have guessed that it would have come to this Oh! the pour Harriet! flower of the world! She deserved not to be if ide a second woman, to the stateliest minx in Italy: but this is my comfort, she is superior to them both. Upon my soul, madam, she is. The man, were he a king, that could prefer another woman to our Harriet, does not deserve her.

He then arose from his seat, and walked up and down the room in anger; and afterwards sitting down, My dear Mrs. Selby, said he. we shall now see what the so often pleaded for dignity of your sex, in the noblest-minded, will enable you to do. But, O the dear soul! She will find a difference between theory and practice!

Lucy wept. Her grief was silent. Mrs. Selby’s the same for some time. My dear Lady G. said she, at last, how shall we break this to Harriet? You must do it; and she will apply to me for comfort Pray Mr. Selby, be patient. You must not reflect upon Sir Charles Grandison.

Indeed you should not, Sir, said I. He is to be pitied. I will read you the concluding part of his last letter.

I did.

But VTr. Selby would not be pacified. He tried to blame my brother

After all, my dear, these lords of the creation are more violent, moro unreasonable, and, of conse-quence, more silly and perverse, more babies, if you please, than we women, when they are disappointed in any-thing they set their hearts upon. But in every case, I believe, one extreme borders on an-other. What a fool has Otway made of Castalio, raving against the whole sex, by a common-place invective, on a mere temporary disappointment; when the fault, and all the dreadful consequences that attended it, were owing to his own baseness of heart, in being ashamed to acquaint his brother, that he meant honourable love to the unhappy orphan, who was intitled to inviolable protection! Whenever 1 saw this play I pitied the impetuous Polydore, more than I did the blubbering great boy Castalio: though I thought both brothers deserved to be hanged.

As we were meditating how to break this matter to our lovely friend, Mrs. Shirley came to Selby-houSv> in her chariot. We immediately acquainted her with it. No surprises affect her steady soul.

This can’t be helped, said she. Our dear girl herself expects it. May I read the letter that contains the affecting tidings?

She took it. She run it over slightly, to enable herself to speak to the contents Excellent man! How happy should we have been, blessed with the enjoyment of our wishes! but you, Mrs. Selby, and I, have always pitied Lady Clementina. His ge-nerous regard for our child is too apparent for his own tranquillity. God comfort him, and our Har-riet! O the dear creature! Her fading cheeks have shewn the struggles of her heart, in such an expec-tation Where is my child?

I was running out to see for her; and met her just ascending the steps that lead from the gar-den into the house. Your grandmamma, my love, said I

I hear she is come, answered she. I am hastening to pay my duty to her.

Hut how do you, Harriet?

A little better for the air! I sent up to Dr. Bart-lctt, and he has let me know, that Sir Charles is well, and every-body better: and I am easy.

She hurried in to her grandmother, rejoicing, as she always does, to see her. She kneeled; received her tender blessing. And what brings my grand-mamma to her girl?

The day is fine; the air, and the sight of my Harriet, 1 thought would do me good You have letters, 1 find, from Italy, my love?

I, madam, have not: Dr. Bartlett has: but I am not to know the contents, I suppose. Something, I doubt not, that will be thought unwelcome to me, by their not being communicated. Hut as long as every-body there is well, 1 can have patience. Time will reveal all things.

Dr. Bartlett, who admires the old lady, and is as l L> much admired by her, came down, and paid his re-spects to her. Mrs. Shirley had returned me the letters 1 slid them into the doctor’s hand, unper-ceived by Miss Byron.

I am told, said she, that my Emily is not well; I will just ask how she does And was going from us No, don’t, my love, said her aunt, taking her hand; Emily shall come down to us.

I see, said she, by the compassionate looks of every-one, that something is the matter. If it be any-thing that most concerns me to know, don’t, through a mistaken tenderness, let me be the last to whom it is communicated. But J guess with a forced smile

What does my Harriet guess? said her aunt. Dr. Bartlett, replied she, has acquainted me, that Sir Charles Grandison is well; and that his friends are on the recovery: is it not then easy to guess, by every one’s silence on the contents of the letters brought to Dr. Bartlett, that Sir Charles is either married or near being so? What say you, my good Dr. Bartlett?

He was silent; but tears were in his eyes. She turned round, and saw us with our handkerchiefs at ours. Her uncle, rising from his seat, stood with his back to us, at one of the windows.

Well, my dear friends, and you are all grieved for me. It is kind, and I can thank you for your concern for me, because the man is Sir Charles Grandison And so, doctor, laying her hand upon his, he is actually married? God Almighty, piously bending one knee, make him and his Clementina happy! Well, my dearest dear friends, and what is there in this, more than I expected? Her aunt embraced her.

Her uncle ran to her and clasped his arms about her; Now, now, said he, have you overcome me, my niece: for the future I never will dispute with you on some of the arguments 1 have heretofore held against your sex. Were all women like you

Her grandmother, as she sat, held out her open arms: My own Harriet! child of my heart! let me fold you to it! She ran to her, and clasped her knees, as the old lady threw her arms about her neck I’ray for me, however, my grandmamma that I may act up to my judgment, and as your child, and my aunt Selby’s! it is a trial 1 own it But permit me to withdraw for a few moments.

She arose, and was hastening out of the room; but her aunt took her hand; My dearset love, said she, Sir Charles Grandison is not married but

Why, why, interrupted she, if it must be so, is it not so?

At that moment in came Emily. She had been trying to suppress her concern; and fancied, it seems, that she had recovered her presence of mind: but the moment she saw her beloved Miss Byron, her fortitude forsook her. She gushed into tears, and, sobbing, would have quitted the room; but Miss Byron, stepping after her, caught her arm; My Emily, my love, my friend, my sister! fly me not: let me give you an example, my dear! I am not ashamed to own myself affected: but I have fortitude, I hope! Sir Charles Grandison, when he could not be happy from his own affairs, made him-self a partaker in the happiness of others; and shall not you and I, after so great an example, rejoice in his?’

I am I am grieved, replied the sobbing girl, for my Miss Byron. I don’t love Italian ladies! Were you, madam, turning to her, Lady Grandison, I ghould be the happiest creature in the world.

But, Dr. Bartlett, said I, may we not, now that

Miss Byron knows the worst, communicate to her the contents of these letters?

I hope you will, Sir, said Mrs. Shirley. You see that my Harriet is a noble girl.

I rely upon your judgments, ladies, answered the doctor; and put the letters into Mrs. Shirley’s hands.

I have read them, said I. We will leave Mrs. Shir-ley, Mrs. Selby, and Miss Byron together. We, Lucy, Nancy, Emily, will take a walk in the garden. Shall we have your company, Dr. Bartlett? 1 saw he was desirous to withdraw. Lucy desired to stay behind. Harriet looked, as if she wished Lucy to stay; and I led the other two into the garden, Dr. Bartlett leaving us at the entrance into it; and I told them the contents of the letters as we walked.

They were greatly affected, as I thought they would be; which made me lead them out. Lord G. joined us in our walk, as well as in our concern; so that the dear Harriet had none but comforters left about her; who enabled her to support her spirits; for Mrs. Shirley and Mrs. Selby had always applaud-ed the preference their beloved child was so ready to give to Clementina, because of her malady; though it is evident, against their wishes. There never were three nobler women related to each other than Mrs. Shirley, Mrs. Selby, and Miss Byron. But Mr. Selby is by no means satisfied, that my bro-ther, loving Harriet, as he evidently does, should be so ready to leave her, and go to Italy. His censure arises from his love to my brother and to his niece: but I need not tell you, that, though a man, he has not a soul half so capacious as that of either of the three ladies I have named.

At our return from our little walk, it was lovely to see Harriet take her Emily aside, to comfort her, and to plead with her in favour of my brother’s obligations; as afterwards she did against her uncle. How the generous creature shone in my eyes, and in those of every — one present!

When she and I were alone, she took grateful notice of the concluding part of the third letter; where she is mentioned with so much tenderness, and in a manner so truly worthy of the character of the politest of men, as well respecting herself as her sex, charging himself with vanity and presumption, but to suppose to himself, that Miss Byron wanted his compassion, or had the tender regard for him, that he avows for her. bhe pleased herself, that he had not seen the very great esteem she had for him, as you and I had done: And how could he, you know? said she; for he and I were not often toge-ther; and I was under obligation enough to him to make him attribute my regard to gratitude: but it is plain, proceeded she, that he loves the poor Harriet Don’t you think so? and perhaps would have given her a preference to all other women, had he not been circumstanced as he was. Well, God bless him, added she; he was my fist love; and I never will have any other — Don’t blame me for this declaration, my dear Lady G My grandmamma, as well as you, once chid me for saying so, and called me romancer But is not the man hir Charles Grandison?

But, alas! with all these appearances, it is easy to see, that this amiable creature’s solitary hours are heavy ones Shehas got a habit of sighing. She rises with swelled eyes: sleep forsakes her: her ap-petite fails: and she is very sensible of all this; as she shews, by the pains she takes to conceal the alteration.

And must Harriet Byron, blessed with beauty so unequalled; health so blooming; a temper so even; passions so governable; generous and grateful, even to heroism! Superior to every woman in frankness of heart, in true delicacy; and in an understanding and judgment beyond her years MustsAe be offered up, as a victim on the altar of hopeless love! I deprecate such a fate; I cannot allow the other sex such a triumph, though the man be my brother. It is, however, none; on the contrary, it is ap-parently a grief to his noble and truly manly heart, that so excellent a creature cannot be the sole mis-tress of it.

Mr. Deane came hither this morning. He is a valuable man. He opened his heart to me about an hour ago. He always, he says, designed Miss Byron for the heiress of the principal part of his possessions: and he let me know his circumstances; which are great. It is, i am convinced, true policy to be good. Young and old, rich and poor, dote upon Miss Byron. You remember what her uncle says in his ludicrous letter to her, covertly praising her, by pretending to find fault with her. that he is more noted for being the uncle of Miss Byron, than she is for being his niece; though of so long standing in the county: and I assure you, he is much respected too. But such beauty, such affability, a character bo benevolent, so frank, so pious, yet so cheerful and unaffected, as hers is, must command the ve-neration and love of every one.

Mr. Deane is extremely apprehensive of her declining health. He believes her in a consumption; and has brought a physician of his intimate ac-quaintance to visit her: but she, and we all are con vinced, that medicine will not reach her case: and she affected to be startled at his supposing she was in so bad a way, on purpose, as she owned, to avoid his kind importunity to take advice in a malady that nothing but time and patience can cure.

A charming correspondence is carried on between

Harriet and the Countess of D. Harriet is all frankness in it; so is Lady D. One day I hope to procure you a sight of their letters. I am allowed to inclose a copy of the countess’s last. You will see the force of the reasoning on Harriet’s declaration, that she will never think ofasecond lover. Her grandmother is entirely with the countess. So am I Though thejirst was Sir Charles Grandison.

What will become of Lady Olivia, if the alliance between my brother and the Bologna family take effect? She has her emissaries, who 1 suppose will soon apprise her of it. How will she flame out! I suppose you, who correspond with her, will soon be troubled with her invectives on this subject.

All here wish for you and Lord L. For my part, I long to see you both, and to be seen by you. You never could see me more to my advantage than now. We have nothing between us. But “ What your lordship pleases.” “ My dearest life, you have 720 choice.” “ You prevent me, my lord, in all my wishes.”

I have told him, in love, of some of his foibles: and he thanks me for my instruction; and is resolved to be all I wish him to be.

I have made discoveries in his favour More wit, more humour, more good sense, more learning, than I had over till now, that I was willing to enquire after those qualities in him, imagined he had. He allows me to have a vast share of good understanding; and so he ought, when 1 have made such dis coveries to his advantage.

In short, we so monstrously improve upon each other, that if we go on thus, we shall hardly know ourselves to be the same man and woman, that made such awkward figures in the eyes of all beholders a few months ago at St. George’s church; and must be married over again to be sure of each other; foe you must believe, that we would not be the same odd souls we then were, on any account.

What raises him with me, is the good opinion every-body here has of him. They also have found him out to be a man of sense, a good-natured man; nay (would you believe it?) a handsome man; and all these people having deservedly the reputation of good sense, penetration, and so-forth, I cannot contradict them with credit to myself. When we mar — ried folks have made a silly choice, we should in policy, you know, for the credit of our judgment, try to make the best of it. I could name you half a score people who are continually praising, the man his wife, the woman her husband, who, were they at liberty to choose again, would be hanged before they would renew their bargain.

Let me tell you, that Emily will make an excel-lent wife, and mistress of a famdy. Miss Byron is one of the best ceconomists, and yet one of the finest ladies in the county. As soon as she came down, she resumed the family direction, in ease of her aunt: which was her province before she came to London. I thought my-selj a tolerable manager: but she has for ever stopt my mouth on this subject. Such a succession of orderliness, if I may so call it! One right thing is an introduction to another; and all is in such a method, that it seems impossible for the meanest servants to mistake their duty. Such harmony, such observance, yet such pleasure in every countenance! But she is mistress of so much ease, so much dignity, and so much condescension, that she is worshipped by all the servants; and it is observable, hardly ever was heard to direct twice the same thing to be done, or remembered.

The servants have generally time for themselves, an hour or two in a day. Her orders are given over night; and as the family live in a genteel manner, they are never surprised, or put out of course, by company. The poor only have the less of the rem-nants, if visiters or guests come in unexpectedly; and in such case, she says, they shall fare better ano-ther day. Emily is taking minutes of all her manage — ment: she is resolved to imitate her in every-thing. Hence it is, that I say, the girl will make one of the best wives in England: yet, how the dear Harriet manages it I cannot tell; for we hardly ever miss her. But early hours, and method, and ease, with-out hurry, will do every-thing.

POSTSCRIPT.

Lord bless me, my dear Lady L.! I have been frightened out of my wits. This Lord G. What do we do by marriage, but double our cares? He was taken very ill two hours ago; a kind of fit. The first reflection that crossed me, when he was at worst was this What a wretch was I, to vex this poor man as I have done! Happy, happy is the wife, in the depth of her affliction, on the loss of a worthy husband; happy the husband, if he must be separated from a good wife; who has no material cause for self-reproach to imbitter reflection, as to his or her conduct to the departed. Ah, Caroline, how little do we know of ourselves, till the hour of trial comes! 1 find I have more love for Lord G. than I thought I had, or could have, for any man!

How have I exposed myself! But they none of them upbraid me with my apprehensions for the ho-nest man. He did fright me! A wretch! In his childhood he was troubled with these oddities, it seems! He is so well, that 1 had a good mind to quarrel with him for terrifying me as he did. For belter and Jar worse! A cheat! He should have

M told me that he had been subject to such an infirmity And then, from his apprehended fits, though invo-luntary, I should have claimed allowance for my real, though wilful ones. In which, however, I cheated not him. He saw me in them many and many a good time, before marriage.

I have this moment yours. I thought what would be the case with Olivia. She has certainty heard of the happy turn at Bologna, as they there must think it; or she would not resolve to leave England so soon, when she had determined to stay here till my brother’s return. Unhappy woman! Har-riet pities her! But she has pity for every one that wants it.

Repeatedly all here are earnest to get you and your lord with us. Do come if you can Were it but one week; and perhaps we will go up together. If you don’t come soon, your people will not suffer you to come one while. After all, my dear, these men are, as aunt Nell would say, odious creatures. You are a good forgiving soul; but that am not I. In a few months time I shall be as grave as a cat, I suppose: but the sorry fellow knows nothing of the matter yet. Adieu, Lady L.


Letter XVIII.
FllOM The Countess of D. To Miss Byron. [Inclosed in the preceding.’]

July 1.

My dear Harriet has allowed me to. write to her with the affectionate freedom of a mother: as such, I may go on to urge a subject disagreeable to her; when not only the welfare of both my children is concerned in it, but when her own honour, her own delicacy of sentiment, is peculiarly interested.

Pure and noble as your heart is, it is misleading you: Oh, my Harriet, into what a labyrinth! Have you kept a copy, my dear, of your last letter to me? It is all amiable, all yourself But it is Harriet Byron again, in need of a rescuer Shall I, my child, save you from being run away with by these tyrannous over-refinements? Yes, you will say, could I do it disinterestedly . Well, I will, if I can, imagine myself quite disinterested; suppose my son out of the case. And since I have told you, more than once, that I cannot allow the sacredness young people are apt to imagine in a first love; I must, you know, take it for granted, that even his to you is not absolutely unconquerable.

Let us then consider a little the bright fairy schemes, for so I must call them, which you have formed in the letter that lies before me*. Do not your excellent grandmamma and aunt see them in the same light? I dare say they do: but to one I love so dearly, how can I omit to oifer my hand to extricate her out of a maze of bewildering fancy, in which she may else tread many a weary step, that ought to be advancing forward in the paths of happiness and duty?

Think but, what fortitude of soul, what strength even of constitution, you answer for, when you talk of living happy in a friendship with two persons, when they are united by indissoluble ties, the very thought of whose union makes your cheek fade, and your health languish. Ah, my beloved Harriet 1 is not this a fairy-scheme?

This letter appears Dot. M 2

Mistake me not; I do not suspect that your sen-timents would want any thing of the purity, the generosity, the true heroism required in the idea of a friendship, like that you talk of. 1 suspect not in the noble pair [Does that phrase hurt you, my Miss Byron? Think then how your heart would suffer in the lasting conflict that must accompany the situ-ation which you have proposed to yourself] I sus — pect not, in either of them, sentiments or behaviour unsuitable to your excellence: yet let me ask you one thing: Would not the example of such an at-tachment subsisting between persons known to have once had different views, and tender affections, mislead less delicate and less guarded minds into allowances dangerous to them; and subject souls, less great than Clementina, to jealousies, whether warrantable or not, of friendships that should plead yours for a precedent?

Do not be impatient, my dear; I have a great deal more to say. This friendship, what is it to be? Not more than friendship, disguised under the name of it: for how can that consist with your peace of mind, your submission to the dictates of reason, your resignation to the will of Providence? If then it be only friendship, how is it inconsistent with your forming an attachment of a nearer kind with a person of merit, who approves of, and will join in it? What think you, my dear, is that love which we vow at the altar? Surely, not adoration: not a preference of that object absolutely, as in excellence superior to every other imaginable being. No more, surely, in most cases, than such a preferable choice (all circum-stances considered) as shall make us with satisfaction of mind, and with an affectionate and faithful heart, unite ourselves for life with a man whom we esteem; who we think is no disagreeable companion, but deserves our grateful regard; that his interest from henceforth should be our own, and his happiness our study. And is not this very consistent, with admiring and loving the excellence of angels; and even with seeing and pitying, in this partner of our lives, such imperfections as make him evidently their inferior? Inferior even to such human angels, as you and I have in our heads at this moment.

Observe, my dear, I say only that such friendship is very consistent with being more nearly united to one who knows and approves it: for concealment of any thought, that much effects the heart, is, I think, in such a case (with very few exceptions from very particular circumstances) utterly unallowable, and blameably indelicate.

You are, I will not offend you, by saying to what degree, a reasonable and prudent young woman; pious, dutiful, and benevolent. Consider then, how much better you would account for the talents committed to you; how much more joy you would give to the best of friends; how much more good you would do to your fellow creatures, by permitting yourself to be called out into active life, with all its variety of relations, than you can while you continue obstinately in a single state, on purpose to indulge a remediless sorrow. The domestic connexions would engage you in a thousand, not unpleasing, new cares and attentions, that must inevitably wear out, in time, impressions which you would feel it unfit to indulge. All that is generous, grateful, reasonable, in your very just attachment, would remain; every-thing that passion and imagination have added, every unreasonable, every painful emotion, would be banished; and the friendship between the two families become a source of lasting happiness to both.

Adieu, my Harriet! I am afraid of being tedious on. an unpleasing subject. If I have omitted any-m 3 thing material in this argument, the excellent parents you are with can abundantly supply it from their own reason, and experience of the world. Assure them of my unfeigned regard; and believe me, my dear child, with a degree of esteem, that no young creature ever merited half so well,

Your truly-affectionate

M. D.

PINNED ON BY LADY G.

“Don’t you think, Lady L. that the contents of this letter ought to have the more weight with Har-riet, as, were she to be Lady Grandison, they would suit, her own case and Emily’s, were Emily to make the same pretensions to a perpetual single life, on the improbability of marrying her first love? I shall freely speak my mind upon this subject, when Har-riet can better bear the argument.”


Letter XIX.
FRONf The Earl of G. to Lady G. my dear daughter, London, July 28.

Let me be excused for asking you a question by pen and ink: When do you think of returning from Northamptonshire? Lady Gertrude and 1 are out of all patience with you; not with Lord G. We know, that wherever you are, there will he wish to be: his treasure and his heart must be together. But to me, who always loved my son; to Lady Gertrude, who always loved her nephew; and who equally rejoiced in the happy event that gave me a daughter, and her a niece; what can you say in excuse for robbing us of both? It is true, Miss Byron is a lady that ought to be half the world to you: But must the other half have no manner of regard paid to it? I have enquired of Lord and Lady L. but they say you are so far from setting your time for return, that you are pressing them to go down to you. What can my daughter mean by this? Have you taken a house in Northamptonshire? Have you forgot that you have taken one in Grosvenor Square? Evsry-thing is done there, that you had ordered to be done; and all are at a stand for further directions. Let me tell you, Lady G. that my sister and I love you both too well to bear to be thus slighted. Love us but half as well, and you will tell us the day of your return. You don’t consider that we are both in years; and that, in all probability, you may often rejoice in the company you are with, when you cannot have ours. Excuse this serious conclusion. I am serious upon the subject, because I love you with a tenderness truly paternal. Pray make mine and my sister’s compliments acceptable to the loveliest woman in England, and to every one whom she loves, who are now in Northamptonshire. I am, my dearest daughter,

Your ever-affectionate

G.


Letter XX.
Lady G. to the Right Honourable the Earl of G.

July 30.

O my dear lord! what do you mean? Are you and Lady Gertrude really angry with me? I cannot bear the serious conclusion of your letter. May you both live long, and be happy! If my affectionate duty to you both will contribute to your felicity, it shall not be wanting. I was so happy here, that I know not when I should have returned to town, had you not so kindly as to your intention, yet so se-verely in your expressions, admonished me. I will soon throw myself at your feet; and by the next post will fix the day on which I hope to be forgiven by you both. Let Lord G. answer for himself. Upon my word he is as much to blame as I am; nay, more; for he dotes upon Miss Byron.

Duty I avow: pardon I beg: never more, my dear and honoured lord, shall you have like reason to chide

Your ever dutiful daughter, Nor you, my dear Lady Gertrude, Your most obedient niece,

CHARLOTTE G.


Letter XXI.
Lady G. to Miss Byron.

London, Saturday, August 5. Thank you, my reverend and dear Mrs. Shirley, Mrs. Selby, and Harriet the lovely and beloved. Thank you, my dear Lucy and Nancy Selby, and Kitty and Patty Holies; and good Mrs. Onne; and you, my dear disputatious uncle Selby, and honest cousin James, and all the rest of you; for your par-ticular graces, favours, civilities, and goodness su — perabundant, to my bustling lord, and his lively dame. Let the good doctor and Emily thank you for themselves.

And who do you think met us at St. Alban’s?

Why, Beauchamp, Sir Harry and my Jacty, and Mr. and Mrs. Reeves!

Poor Sir Harry! He is in a very bad way; and Lady Beauchamp and his son (who peradventure had a reason he gave not) prevailed upon him to make this little excursion, in hopes it would divert him. They had not for some weeks past seen him so cheerful as we made him.

Aunt Nell met us, at Barnet, with Cicely Badger, her still older woman, whom she keeps about her to make herself look young on comparison But a piece of bad news, Harriet: our aunt Nell has lost two more of her upper fore-teeth. A vile bit of bone (O how she execrates it!) which lurked in a fricasee, did the irreparable mischief: and the good old soul is teaching her upper-lip, when she speaks, to resign all motion to the under one, that it may as little as possible make the defect visible. What poor wretches are we, Harriet, men, as well as women! We pray for long life; and what is the issue of our prayers, but leave to outlive our teeth and our friends; to stand in the way of our elbowing relations; and to change our swan-skins for skins of buff; which nevertheless will keep out neither cold nor infirmity! But T shall be serious by-and-by. And what is the design of my pen-prattle, but to make my sweet Harriet smile?

The earl and Lady Gertrude made up differences with me at first sight. The lady is a little upon the fallal; a little aunt Nellish; but I protest 1 love her, and reverence her brother.

Beauchamp is certainly in love with Emily. When he first addressed her at St. Alban’s, his hands trem-bled, his cheeks glowed, his tongue faltered So young a gipsy to make a conquest of such import-ance! We women are powerful creatures, Harriet. As they say of horses, If we knew our own strength, and could have a little more patience than we ge-nerally have, we might do what we would with the powerless lords of the creation. In my conscience, Harriet, look all my acquaintance through, of both sexes, I think there are three silly fellows to one silly woman: don’t you think so in yours’? Are your Grevilles, your Fen wicks, your Fowlers, your Pollexfens, your Bagenhalls, and half a score more I could name, to be put in competition with Mrs. Shirley, Mrs. Selby, Lady D. our Lucy, Nancy, Miss Orme, the two Miss Holles’s? Let uncle Selby and cousin James determine on the question.

I am half in hopes, that the little rogue Emily will draw herself in. Beauchamp is modest, yet not sheepish; he is prudent, manly, lively; has address: he will certainly draw her in, before she knows where she is: And how? Why by praising sincerely, and loving cordially, the man at present most dear to her. When he tirst addressed her at St. Alban’s, O Mr. Beauchamp, said she, with an innocent free-dom, not regarding his tremblings, his glow, and his falterings, 1 am glad to see you: I long to have you entertain me with stories of my guardian. But, ah! Sir, speaking lower, and with a fallen countenance, tears ready to start, Whose is he by this time? Yet, if you know it, don’t tell me: it must not, must not be.

The praises given to those we really love, I believe, are more grateful to us than those conferred on our-selves. I will tell you how I account for this, in general cases, my brother out of the question. We doubt not our own merits; but may be afraid, that the favoured object will not be considered by others as we are willing to consider him: but if he is, we take the praise given him as a compliment to our own judgment. Self-love, self-love, at the bottom of all we say and do: I am convinced it is, notwith-standing all you have urged to the contrary. Gene — rality, you know, I said. Do you think I will allow you to judge of the generality of the world by what you find in one of the best hearts in it?

An instance, in point I remember a Miss Hurste; a sweet pretty creature, and very sensible: she had from her chamber-window been shot through the heart by the blind archer, who took his stand on the feather of a military man marching at the head of his company through the market-town in which she lived. Yet was her susceptibility her only inducement; for the man was neither handsome in his person, nor genteel in his appearance: nor could she be in love with the sense of a man, had he been a Solomon, whose mouth she had then never seen opened, and towhose character she was as much a stranger, as he was to hers, or her person, till she contrived to have him made acquainted with his good fortune. Constant, however, to her first foolish impression, she, in opposition to all advice, and the expostulations of a tender and indulgent mother, married him A Solomon he was not. And when he at any time, by virtue of his relation to her, was introduced into her family, how would she blush, whenever he opened his mouth! And how did her eyes sparkle with gratitude upon any one who took the least respectful notice of him! Compliments to herself were unheeded; but she seemed ready to throw herseif at the feet of those who smiled upon, and directed themselves to her captain. Poor girl! she wanted to give credit to the motive by which she had been actuated.

Now, Harriet, 1 charge you, that you think not that this man’s name was Anderson. Somebody met with an escape! Yet now-and-then 1 blush for Somebody. Yet between this Somebody and Miss Hurste’s cases there was this difference A father’s apprehended Tyranny (shall I call it?) impressing the one; a tindery fit the other. In the one a timely recovery: in the other, the first folly deliberately confirmed.

Dear, dear Harriet! let me make you smile! I protest, if you won’t, I will talk of Lord D. and then I know you will frown.

The excellent lady of that name has already been to welcome us to town. She absolutely dotes upon you: so, she says, does the young earl. She prays day and night, she tells me, that my brother may soon come to England, his Italian bride in his hand. She expects every post to hear from Sir Arthur Brandon; who has carried a letter from her, and another from the Earl of N. recommending that promising young gentleman to my brother’s favour, on his visiting Italy. She hopes my brother will not take amiss her freedom, at so short an acquaint-ance. If Sir Arthur sends her such news as she wishes, and we dread, to hear, away drives she to Northamptonshire And should she, 1 don’t know who will scrupli: to wish her success; for her young man rises every day in his character. My dear creature, you must, you shall, be in our row; and Lady D.‘s last letter to you is unanswerable. Forgive me for touching upon this subject: but we have no hopes. You have nothing to fear; since you expect what the next mails will bring. And who of us, after all, have our first love? Aunt Nell would not have descended sola into her greys, nor Cicely Bad-ger neither, if they might have obtained the men of their choice Poor aunt Nell! she has been telling me (her taken-off spectacles in her fingers) of a disappointment of this kind in her youth, with such woeful earnestness, that it made me ready to cry for her. She lays it at the door of her brother, my poor father; and now will you wonder, that, to this hour, she cannot speak of him with patience? Poor aun 1 Nell!

Well, hut how do you, my love? For Heaven’s sake, he well. Could I make you speak out, could I make you complain, I should have some hope of you: but so sorrowful when alone, as we plainly see, yet aiming to be so cheerful in company O my dear! you must be gluttonous of grief in your soli-tary hours. But what though the man be Sir Charles Grandison; Is not the woman Harriet Byron?

Lady L. tells me, that Olivia behaved like a distracted woman, when she took leave of her on her setting out to return to Italy. She sometimes wept, sometimes raved, and threatened. Wretched woman! Surely she will not attempt the life of the man she so ungovernably loves! Our case, Harriet, is not so hard as hers: but she will sooner get over her talk-ative, than you will your silent love. When a per — son can rave, the passion is not dangerous. If the head be safe, pride and supposed slight will in time harden the heart of such a one; and her love will be swallowed up by resentment.

You complimented me on my civility to my good man, all the time we were with you. Indeed 1 was very civil to him. It is now become a habit, and I verily think that it looks well in man and wife to behave prettily to each other before company. I now-and-then, however, sit down with a full design to make him look about him; but he is so obliging, that I am constrained, against my intention, to let the fit go oft”, without making him wry serious.

Am I conceited, Harriet? Which of the two silly folks, do you think, has most (Not wit Wit is a foolish thing, but) understanding? 1 think the woman has it, all to nothing. Now don’t mortify me. If you pretend to dmibt, I will be sure. Upon my word, my dear, I am an excellent creature, su think-N ing, so assured, to behave so obligingly as I do to Lord G. Never, unless a woman has as much pru-dence as your Charlotte, let her wed a man who has less understanding than herself. But women marry not so much now for love, or fitness of tempers, as for the liberty of gadding abroad with less censure, and less controul And yet, now I think of it, we need only to take a survey of the flocks of single women which crowd to Ranelagh and Vauxhall markets, dressed out to be cheapened, not purchased, to be convinced that the maids are as much above ‘either shame or controul, as the wives. But were not fathers desirous to get the drugs off their hands (to express myself in young Danby’s saucy stile) these freedoms would not be permitted. As for mothers, many of them are for escorting their daugh-ters to public places, because they themselves like racketing., But how, Charlotte methinks you ask, do these reflections on your own sex square with what you said above of the preference of women to men? How! I’ll tell you. The men who frequent those places are still more silly than we. Is it their inter-est to join in this almost universal dissipation? And would the women crowd to market, if there were not men?

We are entered into our new house. It is fur-nished in taste. Lord G. has wanted but very little of my correction, I do assure you, in the disposition of every-thing: he begins to want employment. Have you, Harriet, any-thing to busy him in? I am not willing to teach him to knot. Poor man! He has already knit one that he cannot untie.

God bless the honest soul! He came to me, just now, so prim, and so pleased A parrot and paroquet The parrot is the finest talker! He had great difficulty, he said, in getting them. He had ob-served, that I was much taken with Lady Finlay’s parrot. Lady Finlay had a marmouset too. 1 wonder the poor man did not bring me a monkey. O! but you’ll say, That was needless You are very smart, Harriet, upon my man. I won’t allow any-body but myself to abuse him.

Intolerable levity, Charlotte! And so it is. But to whom? Only to you. 1 love the man better every day than the former. When I write of him thus saucily, it is in the gaiety of my heart: but if, instead of a smile, I have drawn upon myself your contempt, what a mortification, however deserved, will that be to your

CHARLOTTE G.!


Letter XXII.
Miss Byron to Lady G.

Selby-housc, August 8.

You write my dear Lady G. with intent to make me smile. I thank you for your intention: it is not wholly lost. My friends and I are one; and my uncle and cousin, James laughed out at several places in your lively letter. Lucy smiled: Rut shall I tell you what my grandmamma and aunt said?

I will not Now will your curiosity be excited.

To say the truth, they spoke not, they only shook their heads. I saw, my dear, greatly as they love and admire you. that if they had smiled, it would have been at, not with, the poor Charlotte (Let me pity you, my dear!) who, in some places of her letter, could sport with the infirmities of age, to which we are all advancing, and even wish to arrive at; and in others treat lightly a man, to whom she owes respect, and has vowed duty; and who almost adores her.

You ask, my dear, which of a certain pair has most understanding? And you bid me not mortify you with giving it on the man’s side. I will not. Lord G. is far from being wanting in understanding; but Lady G. has undoubtedly more than thousands, even of seiisible women: but in her treatment of certain subjects, she by no means shews it. There’s for you, my dear! I hope you will be displeased with your Harriet. You ought to take one of us to task. Methinks I would not have you be angry with yourself.

But, my dear, I am not well: this therefore may make me the less capable of relishing your raillery. These men vex me. Greville’s obstinate persever-ance, and so near a neighbour, that I cannot avoid seeing him often: poor Mr. Orme’s ill health: these things afflict me. Lady D. urging me, with such strength of reason (I am afraid 1 must say) and with an affection so truly maternal, that I know not how to answer her: and just now 1 have re-ceived a letter, unknown to that good lady, from the Earl of D. laying in a claim, on a certain suppo-sition, that O my dear! how cruel is all this to your Harriet! My grandmamma by her eyes, I see, wishes me to think of marriage, and with Lord D. as all thoughts 1 need not say of what are over My aunt Selby’s eyes are ready to second my grandmamma’s My uncle speaks out on the same side of the question: so do you: so does Lucy. Nancy is silent; she sees my disturbance when I am looked at, and talked to, on this subject So ought Lucy, I think. My soul, my dear is fretted. J have begged leave to pass a fortnight or three weeks with my good Mr. Deane, who rejoiced at the motion: but my grandmother heard my request with tears: she could not spare her Harriet, she told me. My aunt also dried her eyes How, my Char-lotte, could I think of leaving them? Yet could thej r have parted with me, I should surely have been more composed with Mr. Deane than at present I can be any where else. He is more delicate (Shall I be excused to say?) than my uncle.

Were but the news come that the solemnity is over I am greatly mistaken in myself, if 1 should not be more easy than 1 am at present But then I should be more teazed, more importuned, than before. You tell me, the Countess of D. would come down: the very thought of that visit hurts me.

I have no doubt but by this time the knot is tied. God Almighty shower on the heads of both, the choicest of his blessings! 1 should be quite out of humour with myself, if I were not able to offer up this prayer as often as I pray for myself.

I beg of you, my dear, to speed to me the next letters from Italy, be the contents what they will. You know I am armed. Shall the event I wish to be over, either surprise or grieve me? I hope not.

I will not pity Lady Olivia, because she threatened and raved. True love rages not; threatens not. Yet a disappointment in love is a dreadful thing; and may operate, in different minds, different ways; as I have read somewhere.

I shall write to all my friends in town, and at Colnebrook: I trouble you not, therefore, with par-ticular compliments to them.

I low could you mention the names of Mr. and Mrs. Reeves, and say no more of them? I thought you loved them both. They are deserving of your Jove, and love you.

Never, 1 believe, did any young creature suffer in her mind by suspense as I have done for some months past. In the present situation of things I kuow not n 3 what further to write. What can I, my Charlotte? Conjectural topics are reserved for my closet and pillow.

Adieu, and adieu, my beloved friend, my dear Lady G Be good, and be happy! What a blessing, that both are in your power! May they ever be so! And may you make a good use of that power, prays your

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXIII.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett.

Bologna, July 8–19. My heart is unusually sad. How imperfect is that happiness which we cannot enjoy without giving pain to another!

The Count of Belvedere has been made acquaint-ed with the hopeful turn in the mind of Clementina; and that, in all probability, she will be given as a reward to the man to whose friendly cares for her, and her brother, the whole family attribute the happy alteration; and late last night he gave me notice of his arrival in this city, and of his intention to pay me an early visit this morning.

I have just now had a message from Clementina by Camilla, with a request, that I will suspend my intended visit till the afternoon.

I asked Camilla, If she knew the reason of this; and of her being so early dispatched with it? She replied, It was her young lady’s own order, without consulting any body. The marchioness, she said, told her yesterday in the afternoon, that every-thing was now absolutely detertnined upon between them and me; and she would be mistress of her own wishes; and that I should be allowed to attend her in the morning at breakfast, to know what those were. Her young lady, on this happy communication (so Camilla called it) threw herself at her mother’s feet, and in a very graceful manner acknowledged her father’s and her indulgence to her; and from that hour her temper took a turn different from what it had been before. For, ever since, she has been silent, solemn, and reserved; yet busy at her pen, transcribing fair from her pocket-book what she had written in it. To-morrow, Camilla! To-morrow! said she, breaking once her solemn silence, her complexion varying, will be a day indeed! O that it were come! and yet I dread it. How shall I, face to face, converse with this exalted man! What shall I do to appear as great as he? His goodness fires me with emulation! O that tomorrow were come, and gone!

This was over night. I believe, proceeded Ca-milla, that the dear lady is drawing up some condi — tions of her own for you to sign: but, Sir, I dare say, by the hint she has thrown out, they will be generous ones, and what will have more of fancy than hardship in them.

I had much ado to prevail upon her, continued her faithful woman, to go to rest at midnight: yet at four in the morning she arose, and went to her pen and ink; and about six commanded me to call Laura to attend her, while I went to you with the message I have brought. I expostulated with her, and beg-ged she would delay it till the marchioness arose; but she began to be impatient: I have reason in my request, Camilla, said she. I must not be contra-dicted, or expostulated with: my head will not bear opposition, at this time. Is it a slight thing for such a poor creature as I have been, and am, to be pu< oufof her course? Am 1 not to have a meeting with the Chevalier Grandison, on the most important act of my life? My mamma tells me, that I am to be now mistress of my own will; don’t you, Camilla, seek to controul me. I shall not be prepared enough for the subject he will possibly talk to me upon, till the afternoon: and if I know he is in the house with an expectation of seeing me, I shall want the presence of mind I am struggling to obtain.

So, Sir, concluded Camilla, I have performed my duty. The dear lady, I see, will be in too much confusion, if the important subject be not begun with precaution: but who shall instruct you in such delicate points as these? One thing, however, per-mit me, Sir, to observe: I have often known young ladies go on courageously with a lover, while the end in view has been distant, or there have been difficulties to encounter with; but when these dif-ficulties are overcome, and they have ascended the hill they toiled up, they have turned round, and looked about them, with fear as strong as their hope. What the conditions may be But the Count of Belvedere is come.

Ten o’clock.

The count accosted me, in return for the kindest reception I could give him. with an air of coldness and displeasure. 1 was surprised at a behaviour so different from his usual politeness, and the kindness he had ever shewn me. I took notice to him of it. He asked me, If I would tell him faithfully what my present situation was with Lady Clementina?

I will, my lord, if I tell you any thing of it: but the temper of mind you seem to be in, may not perhaps;, for your own sake, any more than mine, make it prudent for me to comply with your expectations.

You need not give me any other answer, replied

S4R CHARLES 6RANDIS0U. 14?1 he. You seem to be sure of the lady; but she must not, she shall not, be yours, while I am living.

It is not for me, my lord, who have met with many amazing turns and incidents which I have not either invited or provoked, to be surprised at any-thing: but if your lordship has any expectations, any demands to make on this subject, it must be from the family of the Marchese della Porretta, and not from me.

Do you think, Sir, that I feel not the sting of this reference? And yet all the family, but one, are in my interest in their hearts; every consideration is on my side; not one, but the plausibility of your generosity, and the speciousness of your person and manners, on yours.

A man, my lord, should not be reproached for qualities, upon which, whether he has them or not, he values not himself. But, let me ask you, Were my pretensions out of the question, has your lord-ship any hope of an interest in the affections of Lady Clementina?

While she is unmarried, I may hope. Had you not come over to os, I make no doubt but I might, in time, have called her mine. You cannot but know, that her absence of mind was no obstacle with me.

I am wholly satisfied in my own conduct, replied I: that, my lord, is a great point with ine: I am not accountable for it to any man on earth. Yet, if you have any doubts about it, propose them. I have a high opinion of the Count of Belvedere, and wish to have him think well of me.

Tell me, chevalier, what your present situation is with Lady Clementina? What is concluded upon between the family and you? And whether Clemen-tina herself has declared for you?

She has not yet declared herself to me. I repeat, that I have a value for the Count of Belvedere, and will therefore acquaint him with more than he has reason to expect from the humour which seems to have governed him in this visit. I am to attend her this afternoon, hy appointment: her family and I understand one another. I have been willing to consider the natural impulses of a spirit so pure, though disturbed, as the finger of Providence. I have hi-therto been absolutely passive: in honour I cannot now be so. This afternoon, my lord

‘ This afternoon,’ trembling; What! this after-noon!

Will my destiny as to Lady Clementina, be deter-mined.

I am distracted. If her friends are determined in your favour, it is from necessity, rather than choice: but if the lady is left, to her oven determination, I am a lost man.

You have given a reason, my lord, for your ac* quiescence, should Lady Clementina determine in my favour But it cannot be a happy circumstance for me if, as you hint, I am to enter into the family of Porretta as an unwelcome relation to any of them; and still less, if my good fortune should make a man, justly valued by all who know him, unhappy.

And are you, this afternoon, chevalier, to see Cle-mentina for the purpose you intimate? This very afternoon? And are you then to change your pas-sive conduct towards her? And will you court, will you urge her to consent to be yours? Religion, country Let me tell you, Sir I must take reso-lutions. With infinite regret I tell you, that I must. You will not refuse to meet me. The consent is not yet given: you shall not rob Italy of such a prize. Favour me, Sir, this moment, without the city gates. Unhappy man! How much I pity you! You fcnow ray principles. It is hard, acting as I have done, to be thus invited. Acquaint yourself with my whole conduct in this affair, from the bishop, from Father Marescotti, from the general himself, so much always your friend, and once so little mine. What has influenced them (so much as you seem to think against their inclinations) cannot want its influence upon a mind so noble as that of the Count of Belvedere. But whatever be your resolutions upon the enquiries I wish you to make, I tell you before hand, that I never will meet you but as my friend.

He turned from me with emotion: he walked about the room as a man irresolute; and at last, with a wildness in his air, approached me I will go this instant, said he, to the family: I will see Father Marescotti, and the bishop; and I will let them know my despair. And if 1 cannot have hope given me O chevalier! once more I say, that Lady Cle-mentina shall not be yours, while I live.

He looked round him, as if he would not have any-body hear what he was going to say, but me, though no one was near; and whispering, It is bet-ter, said he, to die by your hand, than He stopt; and in disorder hurried from me; and was out of sight when I got down to the door.

The count, when he came up to me, left his valet below; who told Saunders, that Lady Sforza had made his lord a visit at Parma: and by something she related to him, had stimulated him to make this to me. He added, that he was very apprehen-sive of the humour he came in, and which he had held ever since he saw Lady Sforza.

How, my dear Dr. Bartlett, do the rash escape as they do; when I, who endeavour to avoid embar-rassments, and am not ready either to give or take offence, am hardly able to extricate myself from one difficulty, but I find myself involved in another? What cannot a woman do, when she resolves to make mischief among friends? Lady Sforza is a high-spirited and contriving woman. It is not for her interest that Clementina should marry at all: but yet, as the Count of Belvedere is a cool, a dispassionate man, and knows the views of that lady, I cannot but wonder what those arts must be, by which she has been able to excite, in so calm a breast, a flame so vehement.

I am now hastening to the palace of Porretta; my heart not a little affected with the apprehensions given me by Camilla’s account of her young lady’s solemn, yet active turn, on the expected visit. Tor does it not indicate an imagination too much raised for the occasion (important as that is); and that her disorder is far from subsiding?


Letter XXIV.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. bAKTLEir,

Bologna, Saturday evening. I sit down, now, my dear and reverend friend, to write to you particulars which will surprise you. There is not on earth a nobler woman than Clemen-tina! What at last But I find I must have a quieter heart, and fingers too, before I can proceed. * *

I think I am a little less agitated than I was. The above few lines shall go; for they will express to you the emotions of my mind, when I attempted to write an account of what had then so newly passed.

As soon as I entered the palace, Camilla met me, and conducted me to the marchioness. The marquis and the bishop were with her. O chevalier! said she, we have been greatly disturbed by a visit from the Count of Belvedere. Poor man! He says he waited on you at your lodgings.

He did. I then, at the bishop’s request, told them all that had passed between us, except his last words, which implied, that it was better to die by the hand of another man, than by his own.

They expressed their concern for him, and their apprehensions for me; but I found that his unex-pected visit had not altered their purpose in my fa — vour. They were convinced, they told him, that the restoration of their daughter’s tranquillity of mind depended upon giving her entirely her own way; and not one word more of opposition or contradiction should she meet with from them.

I have been hindered, said the marchioness, by this unhappy man’s visit, and his vehemence, which moved me to pity him (for I am afraid that he will be in our daughter’s unhappy way) from watching in person the humour of my child; which, two hours ago, Camilla told me, was very particular. I was going to her, when you came; but I will send for Camilla. She did.

As soon as she saw me in the morning, continued the marchioness, she apologized to me for sending Camilla to you, to suspend your visit till the after-noon. She was not, she said, prepared to see you. I asked her, continued she, What preparation was wanted to see a man esteemed by us all, and who had given such instances of his regard to her?

Madam, answered she, and seemed as if gasping for breath, Am I not now to see him in a light, in which hitherto I neverbeheld him? I have a thousand things to say to him, none of which perhaps I shall be able to say, except he draws them from me. He hinted once, very lately, that he could only be re-warded by a family act. We can not reward him; that is my grief: I must see him with a heart over-whelmed with obligation. He will appear as a prince to me: I must to myself as his vassal. I have been putting down, in writing, what I should say to him; but 1 cannot please myself. O madam! he is great in my eyes, because 1 am unable to reward him as he deserves. I told her, that her fortune, her quality, the sacrifice she would make of her country (though never, I hoped, of her religion) ought to give her a higher opinion of herself; though all these were far from cancelling the obligation we all were under to him, on our Jeronymo’s account, as well as on hers.

Well, madam, replied she, Heaven only knows how I shall be able to behave to him, now you have left every-thing to myself; and now he will talk to me, by permission, on a subject so new, yet so very interesting. O that this day were over \

I asked her, proceeded the marchioness, if she would yet take further time? A week, or more?

O no, said she: that must not be. I shall be prepared to see him, I hope, by the afternoon. Pray let him come then. I am very clear now, putting her hand to her forehead: I may not be so a. week, nor a day hence.

Camilla then entered the room. Camilla, said the marchioness, In what way is the dear creature now?

Ever since your ladyship left her she has been more reserved, and thoughtful; yet her spirits are high: her mind seems full of the chevalier’s next visit; and twice, within this half-hour, she asked, If he were come? She reads over and over, something she has written; lays it down, takes it up; walks about the room; sometimes with an air of dignity, at others hanging down her head. I don’t like her

Silt CHARLES GRANDISON. 147 frequent startings. Within this hour she has se-veral times shed tears. She sighs often. She was not to be pleased with her dress. Once she would be in black; then in colours; then her white and silver was taken out: but that, she said, would give her a bridal appearance: she at last chose her plain white lustring She looks like an angel. But O that her eyes, and her motions, shewed greater composure!

You have a task before you, chevalier, said the bishop. What tokens are these of a disordered, yet a raised mind! We may see, from these extraordi-nary agitations, on the expectation of a conversation, that is to end in her consent to crown your wishes, how much her heart has been in that event: may it be happy to you both!

I fear nothing, said the marchioness, as to the happiness of my child, that lies within the power of the chevalier: I am sure of his tenderness to her.

I think, said the marquis we will allow the che-valier to carry his bride over to England for the first six months, and return with her to as in the seconds it may give a new turn to the course of her ‘leas. The saaie places, the same persons, always in view, may sadden her reflecting heart. And, besides, the mind of the poor i’ount of Belvedere may be strengthened by his absence.

The bishop applauded this thought The mar-chioness said, Reason may approve the motion; but can the mnther so soon part with her child? Yet for her happiness, I must submit.

Let us, said the marquis, leave this to her choice, as the rest Camilla, let my daughter know that the chevalier attends her pleasure. You would have it so, chevalier?

I bowed my assent.

Camilla returned not presently: when she did; I could not come sooner, said she. My young lady is strangely fluttered. I have been reasoning with her. Madam, turning to the marchioness, Will you be pleased to walk up to her?

Had this been the first interview, said the bishop, I should not have wondered at her discomposure But this disorder shews itself in a strange variety of shapes.

The marchioness, attended by Camilla, went up. I was soon sent for. The marchioness met me at the entrance of the young lady’s dressing-room and retiring, whispered I believe she had rather be alone with you. Dear creature! I don’t know what to make of her. She has, I fancy, something to propose to you. Camilla, come with me. We will be but in the next room, chevalier.

When I entered the room, the young lady was sitting in a pensive mood, at her toilette; her hand supporting her head. A fine glow overspread her cheeks, as soon as she saw me: she arose, and, courtes} r ing low, advanced a few steps towards me; but trembled, and looked now down, now aside, and now consciously glancing towards me.

I approached her, and, with profound respect, took her hand with both mine, and pressed it with my lips. I address not myself now to Lady Cle-mentina as my pupil: I have leave given me to look upon her in a nearer light; and she will have the goodness to pardon the freedom of this address.

Ah, chevalier! said she, turning her face from me, but not withdrawing her hand And hesitating, as if not knowing how to speak her mind, sighed, and was silent.

I led her to her chair. She sat down, still trem-bling. God be praised, said I, bowing my face on both her hands, as I held them in mine, for the amended health of the lady so dear to all who have the happiness of knowing her! May her recovery, and that of our dear Jeronymo, be perfected!

Happy man! said she, happy in the power given you to oblige as you have done! But how, how shall I O, Sir! you know not the conflict that has rent my heart in pieces, ever since I forget when. O chevalier! I have not power She stopt, wept, and remained silent.

It is in your power, madam, to make happy the man to whom you own obligations which are already overpaid.

I took my seat by her, at her silent motion to a chair.

Speak on, Sir: my soul is labouring with great purposes. Tell me, tell me, all you have to say to me. My heart is too big for its prison, putting her hand to it: it wants room, methinks; yet utterance is denied me Speak, and let me be silent.

Your father, mother, brothers, uncle, are all of one mind. I am permitted to open my heart to their Clementina; and I promise myself a gracious audience. Father Marescotti befriends me. The terms, madam, are those I offered when I was last in Italy.

She hung down her head, in listening silence

Every other year I am to be happy with my Cle-mentina in England

Your Clementina, Sir! Ah chevalier! She blushed, and turned away her face Your Clemen-tina, Sir! repeated she and looked pleased; yet a tear stole down on her glowing cheek.

Yes, madam, I am encouraged to hope you will be mine. You are to have your confessor, madam. Father Marescotti will do me the honour of attending you in that function. His piety, his zeal; my own charity for all those who differ from me in opi-nion; my honour, so solemnly engaged to the family who condescend to entrust me with their dearest pledge will be your security.

Ah, Sir! interrupted she, And are not you then to be a Catholic?

You consented, madam, when I was last in Italy, that I should pursue the dictates of my conscience.

Did I? said she, and sighed! Well, Sir

Your father or mother, madam, will acquaint you with every other particular in which you shall want to be satisfied.

Tears stood in her eyes; she seemed in great per-plexity. She would twice or thrice have spoken; but speech was denied her: at last, she gave me her hand, and directed her steps, trembling to her closet. She entered it. Leave me, leave me, said she; and putting a paper in my hand, and shutting to the door, instantly, as I saw, fell on her knees; and I, to avoid hearing sobs which pierced my heart, went into the next apartment, where were her mother and Camilla, who had heard part of what had passed between us. The marchioness went to her; but presently returning, The dear creature, said she, is quite sensible, thank God, though in grief. She besought me to leave her to her own struggles. If she could but be assured that you, chevalier, would forgive her, she should be better. She had given you a paper. Let him read it, said she; and let me stay here till he sends for me, if he can bear in his sight, after he has read it, a creature unworthy of his goodness. What, said the marchioness, can be the meaning of all this?

I was as much surprised as she. I had not opened the paper, and offered to read it in her presence; but she desired to hear it read in her lord’s, if it were proper; and precipitately withdrew, leaving me in the young lady’s dressing-room, Camilla at-tending in the next apartment, to wait her com mands. I was astonished at the contents. These are they*:

O thou whom my heart best loveth, forgive me! Forgive me, said I, for what? For acting, if I am enabled to act, greatly? The example is from thee, who, in my eyes, art the greatest of human creatures. My duty calls upon me one way: my heart resists my duty, and tempts me not to perform it: do thou, O God, support me in the arduous strug-gle! Let it not, as once before, overthrow my rea — son; my but just-returning reason! O God! do thou support me, and strengthen my reason. My effort is great! It is worthy of the creature, which thou, Clementina, didst always aspire to be.

My tutor, my brother, my friend! O most beloved and best of men! seek me not in marriage! I am unworthy of thee. Thy soul was ever most dear to Clementina: whenever I meditated the gracefulness of thy person, I restrained my eye, 1 checked my fancy: and how? Why, by meditating the superior graces of thy mind. And is not that soul, thought I, to be saved? Dear obstinate, and perverse! And shall I bind my soul to a soul allied to perdition? That so dearly loves that soul, as hardly to wish to be separated from it in its future lot. O thou most amiable of men! How can I be sure, that, were I thine, thou wouldst not draw me after thee, by love, by sweetness of manners, by condescending goodness? I, who once thought a heretic the worst of beings, have been already led, by the amiableness of thy piety, by the universality of thy charity to all thy-fellow-creatures, to think more favourably of all heretics, for thy sake? Of what force would be the admonitions of the most

* Translated by Dr. BaitWtt. pious confessor, were thy condescending goodness, and sweet persuasion, to be exerted to melt a heart wholly thine? I know that I should not forbear arguing with thee, in hopes to convince thee: yet, sensible of thy superior powers, and of my duty, might I not be entangled? My confessor would, in that case, grow uneasy with me. Women love not to be suspected. Opposition arises from suspicion and contradiction; thy love, thy gentleness, thrown in the other scale, should I not be lost?

And what have my father, my mother, my bro-ther done, that I should shew myself willing to leave them, and a beloved country, for a country but lately hated too, as well as the religion? But now, that that hatred is gone off, and so soon, gives another instance of my weakness, and thy strength, O most amiable of men! O thou, whom my soul loveth, seek not to entangle me by thy love! Were I to be thine, my duty to thee would mislead me from that I owe to my God, and make me more than tempo-rarily unhappy: since wert thou to convince me at the time, my doubts would return: and whenever thou wert absent, I should be doubly miserable. For canst thou, can I, be indifferent in these high mat-ters? Hast thou not shewn me, that thou canst not? And shall I not be benefited by thy example? Shall a wrong religion have a force, an efficacy, upon thee, which a right one cannot have upon me? O thou most amiable of men! seek not to entangle me by thy love!

But dost thou indeed love me? Or is it owing to thv generosity, thy compassion, thy nobleness, for a creature, who, aiming to be great like thee, could not sustain the effort? I call upon thee, blessed Vir-gin, to witness, how \ formerly struggled with my — self! How much I endeavoured to subdue that af — fection which I ever must bear to him! Permit me, most generous of men, to subdue it! It is in thy power to hold me fast, or to set me free. 1 know thou lovest Clementina: it is her pride to think that thou dost. But she is not worthy of thee. Yet let thy heart own, that thou lovest her soul, her immortal soul, and her future peace. In that wilt thou shew thy love, as she has endeavoured to shew hers. Thou art all magnanimity: thou canst sustain the effort which she was unequal to. Make some other woman happy! But I cannot bear that it shall be an Italian. If it must be an Italian, not Florence, but Bologna, shall give an Italian to thee!

But can 1 shew thee this paper, which has cost me so many tears, so much study, so much blotting-out, and revising and transcribing, and which yet 1 drew up with an intent to shew thee? I verily think I can-not: nor will I, till I can see, by conversing with thee face to face, what I shall be enabled to do, in answer to prayers to Heaven, that it would enable me! O how faint, at times, have been those prayers!

You, my father, my mother, my brothers, and you my spiritual father, pious and good man! have helped to subdue me, by your generous goodness. You have all yielded up your own j udgments to mine. You have told me, that if the choice of my heart can make me happy, happy I shall be. But do I not know, that you have complied with me, for my sake only? Shall I not, if it please God to restore my memory, be continually recollecting the arguments which you, Father Marescotti, in particular, formerly urged against an alliance with this noblest of men, because he was of a religion so contrary to my own, and so pertinacious in it? Andwill those recollections make me happy? O permit, permit me, my dearest friends, still to be God’s child, the spouse of my Redeemer only! Let me, let me yet take the veil!

And let me, in a place consecrated to his glory, pass the remainder of my life (it may not be a long one) in prayers for you all, and in prayers for the conver-sion and happiness of the man, whose soul my soul loveth, and ever must love. What is the portion of this world, which my grandfathers have bequeathed to me, weighed against this motive, and my soul’s everlasting welfare? Let me take a great revenge of toy cruel cousin Laurana. Let hers be the estate so truly despised, and so voluntarily forfeited, by the happier Clementina! Are we not all of us rich and noble? Shall I not have a great revenge, if 1 can be enabled to take it in this way?

O thou whom my soul loveth, let me try the greatness of thy love, and the greatness of thy soul, by thy endeavours to strengthen, and not impair, a resolution, which, after all, it will be in thy power to make me break or keep: for God only knoweth what this struggle from the first hath cost me; and what it will still further cost me! But, my brain wounded, my health impaired, can 1 expect a long life? And shall I not endeavour to make the close of it happy? Let me be great, my chevalier! how fondly can I nevertheless call thee my cheva;ier! Thou canst make the unhappy Clementina what thou pleasest.

But, O my friends, what can we do for this great and good man, in return for the obligations he hath heaped upon us all? In return for his goodness to two of your children? These obligations lie heavy upon my heart. Yet who knows not his magnani-mity? Who, that knows him, knows not that he can enjoy the reward in the action? Divine, almost divine, philanthropist, canst thou forgive me? But I know thou canst. Thou hast the same notions that I have of the brevity and vanity of this world’s glory, and of the duration of that to come! And can I have the presumption to imagine, that the giving thee in marriage so wounded a frame, would be making thee happy? Once more, if I have the cou-rage, the resolution, to shew thee this paper, do thou enable me, by thy great example, to complete the conquest of myself; and do not put me upon taking advantage of my honoured friend’s gene-rosity: but do God and thou enable me to say, Not my will, but his and theirs, be done! Yet, after all, it must be, let me own, in thy choice (for I cannot bear to be thought ungrateful to such exalted merit) to add what name thou pleasest, to that of

CLEMENTINA

Never was man more astonished, perplexed, confounded. For a few moments, I forgot that the angel was in her closet, expecting the issue of my contemplations; and walking out of her dressing-room, I threw myself on a sofa, in the next room, not heeding Camilla, who sat in the window; my mind tortured; how greatly tortured! Yet filled with admiration of the angelic qualities of Clemen-tina, I tried to look again into the paper; but the contents were all in my mind, and filled it.

She rang. Camilla hastened to her. I started as she passed me. I arose; yet trembled; and for a moment sat down to re-assure my feet But Camilla, coming to me, roused me out of the stupidity that had seized me. Never was I so little present to myself, as on this occasion A woman so superior to all her own sex, and to all that 1 had read of, of ours O Sir, said Camilla, my lady dreads your anger. She dreads to see you: yet hopes it Has-ten, hasten, and save her from fainting O how she loves you! How she fears your displeasure! Hers indeed is true love!

She said this as she conducted me in, as I now recollect; for then all my faculties were too much engaged, to attend to her.

I hastened in. The admirable lady met me half-way; and throwing herself at my feet Forgive me, forgive the creature, who must be miserable, if you are offended with her.

I would have raised her; but she would not be raised, she said, till I had forgiven her.

I kneeled to her, as she kneeled; and clasping her in my arms, Forgive you, madam! Inimitable woman! More than woman! Can you forgive me for having presumed, and for still presuming, to hope to call such an angel mine!

She was ready to faint; and cast her arms about me to support herself. Camilla held to her her salts: I myself, for the first time, was sensible of benefit from them, as my cheek was joined to hers, and bathed with her tears.

Am I, am I, forgiven Say that I am!

Forgiven! madam! You have done nothing that requires forgiveness. I adore your greatness of mind! What you wish, bid me be, and that I will be. Rise, most excellent of human creatures!

] raised her; and leading her to a chair, involun-tarily kneeled on one knee to her; holding both her hands in mine as she sat, and looking up to her with eyes that spoke not my heart, if they were not full of love and reverence.

Camilla had run down to the marchioness O madam! it seems she said Such a scene! Hasten, hasten up. They will faint in each other’s arms. Virtuous love! how great is thy glory!

The marchioness hastened after Camilla, and found me in this kneeling posture, her daughter’s hands both in mine Dear chevalier, said she, restrain your grateful rapture! For the sake of the sweet child’s head, grateful as I see by her eyes it must be to her restrain it. madam, quitting Clementina’s hands and rising, and taking one of hers Glory in your daughter: you always loved and admired her; but you will now glory in her. She is an angel Give me leave, madam (to Clementina) to present this paper to the marchioness.

I gave it to her Read it, madam Let your lord, let the bishop, let Father Marescotti, read it But read it with compassion for me; and then direct me what to say, what to do! I resign myself wholly to your direction, and theirs; and to yours, my dear Lady Clementina.

You say, you forgive me, chevalier: now shall I forgive myself. God’s goodness and yours will, I hope, perfectly restore me. This is my direction, chevalier Love my mind, as yours ever was the principal object of my love!

What, my dear, can be in this paper? said the marchioness, holding it in her hand, trembling, and afraid to open it.

Pardon me, madam, answered Clementina I could not shew it to you first. I could not reveal my purpose to Camilla neither. How could I, when I knew not whether I could or could not maintain it, or even mention it? But now, best of men, and, rising, laid her hand on my arm, leave me for a few moments. My heart is disturbed. Be so good as to excuse me, madam.

She again retired to her closet. We heard her sob: and Camilla hastening to her O these hyste-rical disorders! said she They tear her tender constitution in pieces.

The marchioness left her to Camilla; and offered me her hand.

Surprising! said she, as we went. Where will all this end? What can be in this paper?

I was unable to answer. And coming to the pas-sage that led to her drawing-room, where she had left the gentlemen, I bowed; and, the same passage leading to the back-stairs, took that way into the garden, in order to try to recover and compose my spirits.

Who, my dear friend, could have expected such a turn as this?

I had not walked long, before Mr. Lowther came to me Signor Jeronymo, Sir, said he, is greatly disturbed on reading a paper that has been put into his hands. He begs to see you instantly.

Mr. Lowther left me at Jeronymo’s chamber-door.

He was on his couch. O my Grandison, said he, as I approached him with a thoughtful air, how much am I concerned for you! I cannot bear, that such a spirit as yours should be subjected to the petulance of a brain-sick girl!

Hush, my Jeronymo! Lei not the friend forget the brother. Clementina is the noblest of women. It is true, I was not prepared for this blow. But I reverence her for her greatness of mind You have read her paper?

I have; and am astonished at its contents.

The marquis, the count, the bishop, and Father Marescotti, entered. The bishop embraced me. He disclaimed, in the name of every one, the knowledge of her intentions: he expected, he said, that she would have received my address with raptures of joy. But she must, she ivill, be yours, chevalier. We are all engaged in honour to you. This is only a start of female delicacy, operating on a raised imagination. She leaves it to you, after all, to call her by what name you please.

May it be so! But, ah, my lords! you see not the force of her arguments. With a lady so zealous in her religion, and so justly fond of her relations and country, they must have weight Instruct me, tell me, however, my lords: be pleased, madam [the marchioness joined us just before] to advise me, what to do? I am yours. I will withdraw. Consult to-gether; and let me know what I am to be.

I withdrew, and walked again into the garden.

Camilla came to me. O chevalier! What strange things are these? My lady has taken a resolution she never will be able to support. She commanded me to find you out, and to watch your looks, your behaviour, your temper. She cannot live, she says, if you are displeased with her I see that your mind is greatly disturbed. Must I report it so?

Tell her, Camilla, that I am all resignation to her will: disturbed as she has been, tell her, that her peace of mind is dear to me as my own life: that I can have no anger, no resentment; and that 1 admire her more than I can express.

Camilla left me. Father Marescotti came to me presently after, with a request, that J would attend the family in Jeronymo’s chamber.

We went up together. All that the good father said, as we walked in, was, that God knew what was best for us: for his part, he could only wonder and adore in silence.

When we were all seated, the bishop said, My dear chevalier, you have intitled yourself to our ut-most gratitude. It is confirmed, that Clementina shall be yours. Jeronymo will have it so: we are all of his mind. My mother will enter into conver-sation with her in your favour.

I am equally obliged and honoured by this goodness. But should she persist, what can I say, when she calls upon me in the most solemn manner, to support her in her resolution; and not to put her upon taking advantage of the generosity of her friends?

She will be easily persuaded, no doubt, chevalier, answered the bishop. She loves you. Does she not say in this very paper, “ that it is in your power to make her break or keep her resolution? and to add what name you please to her christian name?”

Nor can I, said the marquis, bear that flight, in Laurana’s favour. If her mind were sound, her duty would not permit her to think of it.

It is our unanimous opinion, resumed the bishop, that she will not be able to support her resolution. You see she is obliged to court your assistance, to enable her to keep it. Father Marescotti, it is true, has laid a stress upon some passages, in which she shews a doubt of her own strength, and dreads yours in a certain article nearest our hearts: but she must be cautioned to leave all arguments of that kind to her confessor and you; and to content herself to be an auditor, not an arguer; and we doubt not your honour. The marriage-articles will bind you, as they shall us And now allow me to be before-hand with your Jeronymo, and ours, in saluting you our brother.

He took my hand; and, embracing me as such, You deal nobly with me, my lord, said I. I resign myself to your direction.

Jeronymo affectionately held out his arms, and joyfully saluted me as his brother. The marquis, the count, each took my hand: and, the marchioness offering hers, I pressed it with my lips; and, with-drawing, hastened to my lodgings; With a heart, O Dr. Bartlett, how penetrated by a suspense so strange and unexpected!

But when they attribute to flight, and unsoundness of mind, that glorious passage, in which she proposes to take a revenge so noble on the cruel Laurana, they seem unable to comprehend, as I can easily do, the greatness of mind of this admirable woman.


Letter XXV.
Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation. Bologna, Monday, July 10–21.

I had no call for rest that night. I only reposed myself in a chair for about an hour. I sent early in the morning a note, to enquire, with the tenderest solicitude, after all their healths; and particularly Clementina’s and Jeronymo’s. A written answer was returned by Jeronymo, that his sister had rested so very ill, that it was thought adviseable to keep her quiet all day; unless she should be particularly ear-nest to see me; and, in that case, they would send me word.

I was myself very much indisposed; yet could scarce deny myself, though uninvited, to attend them at dinner. My own disorder, however, determined me not to go, unless sent for. It would, I thought, be too visible to them all; and might raise a suspicion, that I wanted to move compassion: a meanness of which I am not capable. Yet, indis-posed as I was still more in the afternoon, I hoped to have an invitation for half an hour. But not being sent to, I repeated my enquiries in another billet. No invitation followed. On the contrary, Jeronymo wrote one line, wishing to see me in the morning.

I had as little rest last night, as the night before, p 3

My impatience carried me to the palace of Porretta sooner than usual this morning.

Signor Jeronymo rejoiced to see me. He hoped I did not take amiss, that they invited me not the day before. To say the truth, said he, the day’s rest was judged entirely necessary for you both: for my sister particularly: and she was so uneasy and displeased at your going away on Saturday, without taking leave of her, that she was the more easily persuaded not to see you yesterday. But already this morning, I understand, she asks after you with impatience. You are angry at her, she supposes, and will never see her more. You had but just left us, on Saturday night, when Camilla came down, with her request to see you. For my part, proceeded he, my thoughts are so much carried out of myself, by the extraordinary turn she has taken, that, at times, I forget I ail anything.

He then asked, if I could forgive his sister; and reflected on the sex, on her account, as never knowing their own minds, but when they meet with obstacles to their wills. But she must, she will, be yours, my Grandison, said he; and, if it please God to restore her, she will make you rich amends.

The bishop and Father Marescotti came in, to make their morning compliments to Jeronymo: the marquis and count entered soon after, to salute me.

The marchioness followed them. Clementina was so uneasy on Saturday night, said she to me, on finding you gone without taking leave of her, and so much discomposed all day yesterday, that I chose not to say any-thing to her on the great article. I am glad you are come.

Somebody just then tapping at the door, Come in, Camilla, said the marchioness.

It is not Camilla; it is I, said Lady Clementina, entering, i am told the chevalier O there he is Favour me, Sir, with a few words walking to a window at the other end of the room.

I followed her: tears were in her eyes. She looked earnestly at me: then turning her face from me Why, madam, said I, taking her hand, why this emotion? I have not, I hope, offended you. chevalier! I cannot bear to be slighted, and least of all by you; though, I must own, that I deserve it most from you. A slight from you is a charge of ingratitude upon me, that my heart cannot bear.

Slight you, madam! I revere you, as the most excellent of women. You have, indeed, filled my heart with anguish: but I admire you more for the cause of that anguish, than it is possible for me to express.

Don’t, don’t say so. You will ruin me by your generosity. I think you must be angry with me. I think you must treat me ill, or how shall I keep my purpose?

Your purpose, dearest madam! Your purpose!

My purpose! Yes, Sir! Will it afflict you, if I do?

Is it possible, madam, but it must? What would you think

Hush, hush, my good chevalier. I am afraid it will: but don’t tell me it will. I cannot bear to afflict you.

When I had the honour of every one’s consent, madam

That was in compassion to me, Sir.

My dearest love, said the marquis, coming to us, that was at first our motive: but now an alliance with the Chevalier Grandison, injustice to his merits, is become our choice.

I bowed to the generous nobleman. She kneeled.

Best and most indulgent of fathers! taking his hand, and kissing it; let me thank you for bearing with me as you have done. What trouble have f given you? All the business of my future life shall be to shew my gratitude, and my obedience to your will.

The marchioness then tenderly raising her, took her to the farther end of the room. They talked low; but we heard all they said. You were so very indifferent all day yesterday, and last night, said the marchioness, that I would not disturb you, love, for fear of breaking your rest; else I would have told you, how desirous now we all are, of an alliance with the Chevalier Grandison. No other way can he be rewarded for his goodness to us all.

Permit me, madam, answered Clementina, to give you the motives of my present conduct; of my self-denial; such is my value for the chevalier, I will call it so: if I thought I could make the generous man happy; if 1 thought I should not rather punish than reward him; if 1 thought I could be happy in myself, and my soul would not be endangered; if I thought I could make you and my father happy, by giving my hand to him; God knows that my heart would not make the least scruple. But, madam, the Almighty has laid his hand upon me. My head is not yet as it should be; and, before I took my re-solution, I considered every-thing, as much as my poor shattered reason would permit me to consider it. This was the way I took I prayed that God would direct me. I put myself in the situation of another person, who, circumstanced as I was, I sup-posed, came to me for advice. I saw plainly, that I could not deserve the chevalier, because I could not think as he thought, in the most important of all articles; and there was no likelihood of his thinking as I thought. I prayed for fortitude. I doubted myself. I altered and altered what I had written: but still all my alterations ran one way. It was against my own wishes. So this I took for an answer to my prayers. I transcribed it fair; but still I doubted myself. I would not consult you, madam: you had declared for the chevalier. That would not have been to do justice to the question before me, and to the divine impulse by which I was determined to be governed, if my prayers for it should be answered. I let not Camilla know my struggles. I besought the assistance of the blessed Virgin to favour an unhappy maid, whose heart was in her duty, but whose head was disturbed. It was sug-gested to me what to do: yet I would not send to the chevalier what I had written. I still doubted my heart: and thought I never should be able to give him the paper. At last I resolved. But when he came, my heart recoiled. He could not but see the distress I was in. I am sure 1 met with his pity. Could I but give him the paper, thought I, my dif-ficulty would be over; for then I am sure, almost sure, that, seeing my scruples, and the rectitude of my purpose, he will himself generously support me in my resolution. At last I gave the paper to him. And now let me say, that I verily think I shall be easier in my mind, if I can be allowed to adhere to the contents, yet not be thought ungrateful. Dear blessed Grandison, turning to me, read once more that paper: and then if you will not, if you cannot, set me free; I will obey my friends, and make you as happy as I can.

She turned from every one, and clasping her hands, Great God, I thank thee, said she, for this serene moment!

Serene as the noble enthusiast thought her mind, I saw it was too high set. From the turn of her eyes I feared a relapse. It was owing to her greatness of mind, her reason and her love combating with each other, that she ever was disordered. I approach-ed her Admirable lady, said I, he you free! What — ever be my destiny, be you, for me, what you wish to be. If you are well and happy, I will, if possible, make myself so.

Dear Grandison, said the bishop, coming up to me, and taking my hand, how do I admire you! But can you be thus great 1

Shall I not emulate, my lord, such an example set by a woman? I came over without any inter-ested views. I considered myself, indeed, as bound by the conditions to which I had formerly yielded; but Lady Clementina and your family as free. When I was encouraged to hope, I did hope. I will now, though with deep regret, go back to my former situ-ation. If Lady Clementina persists in her present resolution, I will endeavour to acquiesce with it. If she should change her mind, I will hold myself in readiness to receive her hand, with gratitude and love. Only let me add, that in the first case, the difficulty upon me will be greatly increased, by the exalted contents of the paper she put into my hands on Saturday.

The marchioness taking her daughter’s hand and mine O why, said she, should minds thus paired be sundered? And will you, chevalier, wait with patience the result of my sweet child’s Caprice-shall I call it?

Detain not my hand, my dear mamma; with-drawing it a little wildly Let me go up, and pray, that my fortitude of mind, after the pain it lias cost me to obtain it, may not forsake me. Adieu! Adieu, chevalier! I will pray for you as well as for my-self. Never, never, in my devotions, will we be separated.

Away flew the angel.

She met Camilla in the passage Dear Camilla!! have had an escape, as far as I know. My hand and the chevalier’s hand, each in one of my mamma’s! My resolution was in danger. My mamma might have joined them, you know; and then I must have been his.

Jeronymo in silence, but tears in his eyes, attended to the scene between his sister and me. He embraced me Dearest of men, let me repeat my mo — ther’s question: Can you with patience wait the result of this dear girl’s caprice?

I can; I will.

But I will talk to her myself, said he.

So, said the marquis, will we all.

It will be right to do so, added the count, lest she should repent, when it is too late.

But I believe, said Father Marescotti, the che-valier himself would not wish, that Lady Clementina should be too vehemently urged. She pleads her soul: a strong plea: a plea that should not be over-ruled. I myself doubt very much, whether she will be able to adhere to her resolution: if she be, she will merit beatification. But let her not be over-persuaded. Once more I should be glad to read the paper, the contents of which have so much surprised us all.

I had it in my pocket; and he asked permission to read it aloud. Jeronymo opposed his motion: but the bishop approving it, he read it. He laid great emphasis upon particular words, and repeated several of the passages in it: you will easily guess, which, my dear friend; and all were as much afteeted, they owned, as when they heard it first read: yet they joined in one doubt, notwithstanding what she had so lately said of the deliberation she had given her purpose, that she would not be able to adhere to her resolution; and made me many compliments on the occasion.

But, my dear friend, if she can continue to interest her glory in the adherence, and they are not very urgent with her in my favour, I am inclined to believe, that she has greatness of mind sufficient to enable her to carry her resolution into effect. Where piety, my dear friend, engages the heart to give its first fervors to its superior duties, is it not probable that all temporal impulses should receive abatement, and become but secondary ones? And now will not Father Marescotti once more try to revive his influence over her mind? Is it not his duty to do so, zealous Catholic as he is? Can the bishop refuse, good man as he is, and as steady in his principles, to second the father?

But what trials are these, my dear Dr. Bartlett, to an expecting heart! Will they not serve to convince us of the vanity of all human reliance for happiness? I am in a very serious humour. But what can I say to you on such subjects, that you knew not much better before than I? “ Let us, I remember you once said, when we are called upon to act a great or manly part, preach by action. Words then will be needless.” God only knows, whether the ardent heart would be punished or re-warded, by the completion of its wishes: but this I know, that were Clementina to give me both her hand and her heart, and could not, by reason of religious doubts, be happy with me, I should myself be extremely miserable; especially if I had been earnest to prevail upon her to favour me against her judgment.


Letter XXVI.
Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation.

I was obliged to lay down ray pen. My mind was too much disturbed to write on.

We had a great deal of discourse before we quitted Jeronymo’s chamber, on this extraordinary subject. They all, as I told you, expressed their doubts, whether the lady would be able to persist in her new resolution. The marquis and marchioness gave their opinion, that she should be left entirely to the workings of her own will: and the count proposed, by way of enforcing their opinions, that neither the bishop and Father Marescotti on one hand (though religion was in the question) nor Jeronymo and myself on the other, should endeavour to prevail upon her either to alter, or persevere in, her way of thinking. Jeronymo said, he desired only one conversation with his sister alone, before he complied with this proposal.

They put it to me. I said, That several passages in her paper were of too solemn a nature for me to refuse my consent to their proposal: but, however, if I should observe, in future conversations between her and me, that she was inclined to alter her mind, and seemed to wish to be encouraged to declare the alteration, they must allow me, for the sake of my own honour, as a man, and of her delicacy, as a woman, to shew the ardour of my attachment to her, by my preventing declaration, and even entreaty.

The marchioness bowed to me, with a grateful smile of approbation.

Father Marescotti hesitated, as if he had some-thing of an objection to make; but he was silenced Q by the marquis’s saying, On your honour, on your delicacy, I am sure, chevalier, we may rely.

I am absolutely of opinion that we may, said the count. The chevalier can put himself in every one’s situation; and can forget his own interest, when a right and just measure is to be taken.

This is true, said Jeronymo But, let it be our part to shew the chevalier, that he is not the only man in the world who can do so.

You must remember, my dear Jeronymo, said the bishop, that religion is a consideration superior to all others. Shall our sister, who follows the example set her by the chevalier, be discouraged in an effort so noble? But I am willing to subscribe to the proposal, as an equal one.

Father Marescotti, said I, you must return me the paper. 1 must often have recourse to it, to strengthen my own mind, in order to enable myself to answer your expectations.

The father desired leave to take a copy of it in short-hand; and retired for that purpose.

I have no doubt but he will make great use of it with the family, and perhaps with the lady, should there be occasion hereafter. For my own part, if the noble enthusiast, when the heat of her imagination is gone off, shall persist in believing that she has a divine impulse in favour of her resolution, and that given in answer to her prayers, I will endeavour to shew her, that her call upon me to support her in it, though against myself shall be answered, what-ever it cost me.

They prevailed on me to stay dinner. She excused herself from being present; but desired to see me, when it was over.

Camilla then led me to her. I found her in tears. She was afraid, she said, that I would not forgive her: yet I would, she was sure, if I knew the conflicts with which her soul laboured.

I soothed her disturbed mind. I told her, that I desired her direction, and was resolved to pursue it. Her paper should be one of my constant lessons;and her conscience the rule of my conduct, with regard to my expectations of her favour.

O Sir, said she, how good you are! It is from your generosity, next to the divine assistance, that 1 expect support in my resolution. I but imperfectly remember what I would have done, and what 1 consented to, when you were last amongst us But when I best knew myself. I was more inclined to support my parents and brothers in their expect-ations, with regard to the two great articles of re — ligion and residence, than to comply with yours. My fortune, my rank, merited your consideration; and my pride was sometimes piqued. “ But it was the regard that I had to the welfare of your immortal 6oul, that weighed most with me. O Sir! could you have been a Catholic!

She then wrung her clasped hands, and tears trickled down her cheeks. God Almighty convert you, chevalier! But you must leave me. 1 am beginning to be again unhappy! Leave me, Sir. But let me see you tomorrow. I will pray for a composure of mind, in the mean time. Do you pray for me too. “ And pray for yourself, chevalier! The welfare of your soul, your immortal soul, was ever my principal concern.”

She began to ramble. Her looks were a little wild. I took leave of her; and going hastily from her, in order to hide my own emotion, 1 surprised Father Marescotti, who, as it was at first sight evident to me, from the confusion I found him in, and the attempts he hesitatingly made to excuse himself, had been listening to what passed betweeu Q 2 the lady and me. Pity! that a well-intended zea^ should make a good man do mean things!

No apologies, my dear father, said I. If you doubted my honour, I can think myself, in some measure, obliged to your condescension, for taking this method to prove me. Allow me, my dear Sir, to say (it is to Father Marescotti) that the man, who, in the greater actions of his life, thinks himself under the All-seeing eye, will not be afraid of a fel-low-creature’s ear.

I beg a thousand pardons, said he, hesitating, and in confusion. But I will confess the truth; I believed it was next to impossible, that a young man, whose love to one of the most excellent of women is not to be questioned, should be able to keep the conditions prescribed to him, and forbear to make use of the power she acknowledges he has over her affections But forgive me, chevalier.

Forgive yourself, my dear father; I do most hear-tily forgive you.

I led him down to Jeronymo’s chamber, begging of him not to say a syllable more of this matter; and not to let me suffer in his esteem by this accident.

I have more than once, Dr. Bartlett, experienced the irreconcileable enmity of a man, whom I have forgiven for a meanness; and who was less able to forgive me my forgiveness, than I was him his fault. But Father Marescotti cannot be such a man. He is capable of generous shame. He could hardly hold up his head all the time I staid.

I related to the family, in the presence of the father, the substance of what passed between the lady and me. They seemed surprised at her sted-fastness. The bishop told me, that he had dispatched a messenger post to the general, with a letter, in which he had written a faithful account of their present situation. He would shew me a copy of it, if I pleased. I was sure, I said, I could depend upon his generosity and honour and should be glad to know the sentiments of the general and his lady upon it, when they returned an answer.

I promised to attend them in the morning: and going to my lodgings, found there, waiting for me, the Count of Belvedere. Saunders and his gentle-man were both together below-stairs, waiting for, yet dreading, as they said, my return. Saunders had told the count, it was uncertain: but he declared that he would wait for me, were it ever so late. They both besought me to take care of my own safety. His gentleman told me, that his master had been very much disturbed in his mind ever since he was with me last; declaring often, that his life was a burden to him. He believed, he said, he had a brace of pistols with him: and then again expressed his care for my safety, as well as his lord’s. Fear not, said I: the count is a man of honour: I would not, for the world, hurt him: and I dare say he will not hurt me.

I hastened up. Why, my lord, said I (taking hie unwilling hands, each in mine, for a double reason) did you not let me know you intended me this ho-nour? Or why did not your lordship send for me, as soon as you came?

Send for you! with a melancholy air; What, from your Clementina? No!, But tell me what is concluded upon? My soul is impatient to know. Answer me like a man: answer me like a man of honour.

Nothing, my lord, is concluded upon: nothing can be concluded upon till Lady Clementina’s mind be fully known. li’t/tat be all the obstacle

Not a slight one. I assure you, that Clementina knows her own worth. She will put a just value upon herself. In her unhappy delirium, she always preserved a high sense of that delicacy, which distinguishes the woman of true honour. It shines forth now in all her words and actions with redoubled lustre. She will make the more difficulties, as her friends make less. Nothing can be done soon: and if it will make your lordship easier (for I see you are disturbed) I will acquaint you when any-thing is likely to be carried into effect.

And is nothing yet concluded on? And will you give me such notice?

I will, my lord.

Upon your honour?

Upon my honour.

Well then, 1 have some days longer to crawl upon this earth.

What means my lord?

This I mean, withdrawing his hands from mine, and taking out of his pockets two pistols: I came resolved, that you should take one of these, at your choice, had the affair been concluded upon, as I dreaded it would. I am no assassin, Sir, nor ever employed one: nor would I have deprived Clementina of her elected husband. All I intended was, that the hand to which she is to give hers, should have first taken my life. I will not. I cannot live, to see her the wife of any man on earth, though she has refused to be mine You should have Jbund I would not.

What a rashness! But I see your mind is disturbed. The Count of Belvedere could not other — wise talk in this manner.

It is not impossible, surely, my dear Dr. Bartlett (however improbable, as I begin to apprehend) that Clementina may change her mind. I could not, therefore, acquaint the count with our present situ-ation; because the hope he would have conceived from it, would, in case of a change, have added strength to his despair. I contented myself, there-fore, to reason with him on his rash intention. And having renewed my assurances, as above, he took leave of me so much recovered, as to thank me for the advice 1 had given him; and to promise, that he would make it the foundation of his prayers to heaven for a calmer mind than he had known for some days past.

Saunders and his valetseemed overjoyed at seeing us come down together, in an amicable manner; and in the high civility each paid the other.

I should have mentioned, that the count, of his own accord, in passing through my antechamber to the stairs, laid in one of the windows the two pistols. My dear Grandison, said he, let these remain in your keeping. They are pieces of curious workmanship. Whither might one of them, by this time, have sent me! And in what difficulties might you the survivor, a foreigner, have been involved; which then I considered not; for all my malice was levelled against my unhappy self! I will not trust myself with them

Here I conclude for this night. 1 will not dispatch these last-written letters, till I see what tomorrow will produce. My dear friend! How grievous is suspense! Perhaps I should have thought myself more obliged to bear it, had I been thus entangled, fettered, suspended by my own fault.


Letter XXVII.
Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation,

I went, according to promise, in the morning, to the palace of Porretta. I found all the family, the marchioness and Lady Clementina excepted, in Jeronymo’s chamber. My entrance, I suppose, was solemn; for Jeronymo, as I approached him, snatching my hand, said, This girl, this capricious, this uncommon girl! How can I forgive her for vexing the heart of my Grandison?

Father Marescoiti looked so conscious, that I pitied him. I took his hand, and, with an air of kindness, asked him Are there any hopes, my good father, that I shall have the honour of calling you one of my dearest household friends in England?

I gave him no time to answer, lest he should not be assured enough: and addressing myself to the bishop, My lord, I ask you the like question: Is there a likelihood, that I shall have an interest in Father Marescotti’smore intimate friendship? We already, I answerer myself, andjrom my vanity, love each other.

Dear Grandison! said the marquis; and, taking my hand, he called me by the kindest name Saving, that it was not son! Jeronymo was affected. The count saluted me in a tender accent. The bishop was silent.

I see, thought I, that the admirable Clementina perseveres! Religion, that can do so much for her, will not, I hope, leave me unbenefited by its all-cheering influence. I am in the hands of Providence; to that will I resign myself Yet the greatness of this woman’s mind! thought I Why did they not fall upon indulgent methods with her before? Then, probably, had there not been a supposed reason for an invitation to me to quit my native country, to which I had been so long a stranger, and to come over to Italy! Then had she, in all likelihood, re-covered her reason, and I had not known how great she could be; and her filial duty would have disen-gaged me equally from all obligations of honour, and expectations of favour!

The marchioness came in soon after. Her address to me confirmed me in my apprehensions Dear Grandison, said she, condescendingly laying her hand on mine, how do you? See our dear Jeronymo How much better he is What return can we make to you for your goodness to him? I went up to the dear girl last night, after you were gone. She was then indeed a little hysterical. But the disorder went off in prayers for you and for herself. I am just come from her. She has had a quiet night. She is calm, and, I may say, serene. All her cares are in what manner to shew her gratitude to you.

It is impossible, madam, but I must have joy in your joy. Lady Clementina, I apprehend, perseveres in her resolution !

I have talked to her, chevalier, in your favour. If you love her, she says, as we all think you do, she will yet be yours.

Dear madam, tell me

Let me interrupt you, chevalier: I must not mislead you, nor keep you in suspense She will, she says, beg your acceptance of her vows if

If what, madam

Hear me with patience, chevalier If you will comply with the conditions, on which we would have permitted her to be yours, when you were last in Italy This is her oivn proposal Made at her own motion She is afraid it will be to no purpose (she says afraid, Sir): but as you have not denied her to herself, she begs I will put the question to you ra her name, for the sake (if you should refuse her) of her own future tranquillity of mind. The Chevalier Grandison is generous; he is just; he is polite: he cannot but receive this motion of my child by her mother, as the greatest condescension from both.

I bowed. I was going to speak; but they all severally broke in upon me.

On my knees, chevalier, said Father Marescotti, I will entreat you!

O chevalier, said the bishop, how happy is it in your power to make us all!

Surely you can, you will, you must, chevalier! said the count, if you love the dear creature, as we all suppose you do.

You will not, I hope, dear Grandison, said the marquis, refuse my daughter. Ask any conditions of us She shall be with you in England in a month’s time We will accompany her thither; and stay till you shall choose to return with us.

Jeronymo, with sobs, caught my hand as I sat next him For God’s sake, for my sake, for all our sakes, for your soul’s sake, my Grandison, be ours. Let your Jeronymo call you brother.

If my tears, if my prayers, have weight, said the marchioness, let me call down my child, and she shall give you her hand in our presence. She thinks, besides the regard she has for your soul, that she ought to iusist upon the terms on which we would have consented to make her yours, in gratitude for our compliance with her wishes.

Dearest Grandison! rejoined the bishop, refuse not my sister: refuse not the daughter of the Mar-chese and Marchesa della Porretta: refuse not the Assenting Clementina.

They were all silent; their eyes were upon me*

It h, answered I, too condescendingly generous to put this task upon me: but, Refuse Lady Clementina, said you! How you wound my soul by the suppo-sition! I see your compassion for me, in the light you cannot but mean 1 should. Lady Clementina’s generous, and condescendingly-meant, proposal, when I am willing to allow terms to her, that she will not to me, shews me how important she thinks the difference between the two religions: need I repeat, my lord (to the bishop) what my own thoughts are upon this subject? Would to heaven the terms were no other than those before agreed to; or were such as I could comply with! I have only to console my-self, that the power of refusal lies where it ought to lie. Clementina is an angel. I am not worthy of her. Yet, let me add, this company cannot think me too solemn Were I to live always here; were I convinced that there is no life after this; your commands and Clementinas would be laws to me. But has she not the goodness so say, in her paper, “ That I have the same notion she has of the brevity and vanity of this world’s glory, and of the duration of that to come?”

They looked upon one another. It is hard, very hard, said the bishop, for a man, convinced of the truth of his religion, to allow to another of a different

Kersuasion, what he expects should be allowed for imself. You, chevalier, however, can allow it; and have greatness of mind enough to judge favour-ably of those who cannot. I do love you; but fain would I love you more.

The marchioness wept. My dear love, said the marquis, taking her hand with the tenderness of a lover, but speaking a little too severely of me for his usual generosity How many tears has this affair cost you! My heart bleeds to see you weep. Cora-fort yourself. Let us comfort each other. The

Chevalier Grandison is indeed unworthy of our child; unworthy of the terms we offered to him; unworthy of our joint entreaties He is an invinci-ble man.

I was greatly affected. After a little hesitation, I ask leave, my lords, said I, to retire for one moment. I will return as soon as I have recovered myself from the concern given me by the mis-ap-prehension (shall I call it?) of a man, whom from my heart I reverence.

I arose as I spoke, withdrew, and took two or three turns in the saloon.

I staid not till I was sent for: but assuming as cheerful an air as I could, returned; and found them earnest in talk. They all arose at my return, seem-ingly pleased with it; and the marquis coming to me, Chevalier, said he, I am sorry

Not one word of apology, my lord, interrupted I. I withdrew not from disrespect, or in resentment; but purely from concern, that, in your opinion, I deserved not the honour done me, by one so dear to you. Think me unhappy, my lord, and pity me. Principle, not perverseness, influences me: it does every one present: it does the dear lady above: and shall we not allow for one another, when we are all actuated by the same motive?

O that 1 could embrace my fourth son! said the marchioness. The bishop threw his arms about me. Generous expansion of heart! were the words that fell from his lips, And must not, said the count, this young man be one of us?

After chocolate, the marchioness withdrew to the window, making a motion to me to attend her. I hastened to her. She complimented me, speaking low, as a fit person to be consulted in a case where female delicacy was concerned; and then asked me, what I would have her say to Clementina, who had offered her hand to me on conditions, with which she had hopes I would comply? Must I tell the dear child, she is rejected?

Lady Clementina rejected! Dear madam, how can I bear that she should but suppose it? Be pleased to tell her, that 1 have been again sounded on the subject of a change of religion; but that I was so steady in my faith, that there were no hopes of my conversion, as you will call it: and be so good as to remind her (it may look like a breach of conditions if 1 do) that 1 require not a change in her; and that therefore the terms proposed are unequal.

Fain, very fain, chevalier, would I She stopt there But no more on this subject, resumed she, I will see in what way the dear creature is now.

She left me, and went to her daughter. The sub-ject was changed.

In about half an hour she returned. She told me, that she had followed my advice; but that Clementina seemed dissatisfied and perplexed: and, as she had not asked to see me, advised me to sus-pend my attendance on her till the afternoon, as she would by that means have more time to compose her spirits; and herself further opportunities of talking with her.

Declining their invitation to dinner, I went to my lodgings; and to amuse myself, had recourse to my pen.

Having written thus far, I lay it down till my return from them. vol.. XIII.


Letter XXVIII.
Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation.

At my entrance into the palace of Porretta, I was desired to walk into the garden to the bishop. I found with him Father Marescotti.

Dear Grandison, said the bishop, meeting me, and taking my hand, you must decide a point between the father and me, that we are afraid has made us a little accountable to you.

I was silent. He proceeded.

Clementina is very sedate. She sent for me and the father soon after you left us. She asked us several questions in relation to you; and insisted on our advice, as religious men, and as we would answer for it to our own consciences. Her first was, Whether we thought there were any hopes of your conversion? I answered negatively.

I don’t expect, said she, that he would be induced to change his religion for a wife, nor even for a crown, were he not convinced of the falsehood of his own, and the truth of ours: but again I ask, Cannot you and Father Marescotti convince his judgment? I should think it would not be so hard a task, learned and good men, as you both are: good man, and modest, and patient, and unpresuming, as he is; who has been so long among Catholics; who came from England so young; has been left so much to his own direction; and who must see the difference of the two religions to the advantage of ours, were he but to judge by the efficacy of each on the lives and manners of the people professing each; for, surely, the men of name and family, who are sent among us by their parents, from the heretic countries, in order to observe our manners, and to improve their own, are not the worst of the people of those countries.

I told her, proceeded the bishop, that, to be impartial, there were bad and good of all nations; that she was not likely to be approached by any of her oion but who were good; that you, chevalier, and Mrs. Beaumont, might convince us that there were good people among the Protestants; and that now-and-then a young man of that profession did actually appear among us, who was not a discredit to his country. But, continued I, I have hereto-fore debated the subject with the Chevalier Gran — dison. You know I was in a manner called upon to do it: and have found him a Protestant upon principle; and that he has a great deal to say for nimself You, father, would not allow me this; but you never entered into close argument with him on the subject, as I have done.

My sister then asked, proceeded the bishop, if I thought that her own religious principles would be endangered, if she became yours, and went with you to England?

We both referred her to certain passages in the paper she gave you.

My heart, said she, could never be proof against a generous and kind treatment. The condescending compliances with my weakness, which my fa — ther, mother, brothers, and uncle, have made, have effected what opposition, and cruelty, as you see, could not. So compassionate, so humane a man, as I think the Chevalier Grandison, and so steady as he is in his principles, so much, you own, as he has to say for himself, joined with the sense I always had, from my mother’s example, of the du — ties of a good wife, will too probably stagger me in my faith: and if so, I shall be unhappy: I shall make my confessor so. I am determined, added she r2

(as you, brother, have seen) in my own mind: but I ask your opinion, and yours, Father Marescotti. The chevalier now is a favourite with you both. Religion only can now be the (juestion Is it not too probable that I shall be staggered in my own faith, were I to be his?

We gave her, continued the bishop, our opinions freely, as religious men. Could we, chevalier, do otherwise? And yet we are both ready to accuse ourselves of infringing conditions with you. Tell us, if in your opinion we have?

I cannot, my lord, judge from this general ac-count. If you did more than answer her questions; if you expatiated argumentatively on the subject; I must think you have: and your own doubts help to convince me, that you have; though I cannot but respect you greatly for the frankness of your appli-cation to me on this subject.

We tvere earnest, chevalier; we “were warm in what we said

Well, my lord, called upon as you both were, it would not have become your characters to be cool For my own part, I have been recollecting the behaviour of your admirable sister throughout every stage of her delirium, respecting myself: and I have not been able to call to mind one instance in it of an attachment merely personal. I need not tell you, father, nor you, my lord, what a zealous Catholic ghe is. She early wished me to be one: and had I not thought myself obliged in honour, because of the confidence placed in me by the whole family, to decline the subject, our particular conversations, when she favoured me with the name of tutor, would have generally taken that turn. Her unhappy illness was owing to her zeal for religion, and to her concealing her struggles on that account. She never hinted at marriage in her reveries. She was still solicitous for the soul of the man she wished to be of her religion; and declared herself ready to lay down her life, could she have effected that favourite wish of her heart. At other times, she supposed my mar-riage with some other woman; and was only gene — rously solicitous, that it should not be with one who might discredit the regard she herself professed for me. At another time she wished to be acquainted with my sisters, and hoped they would come to Italy: she proposed to perfect them in the Italian tongue, as they should her in the English: but as to me, only bespoke a visit from me now-and-then, when they came. I have the vanity to think, that I stand high in her favour: but religion, it is evident, as it ought, stands higher. From all these recollections and observations, I have endeavoured to ac — count for the noble behaviour of your sister; and am the less surprised at it, now she is come to her memory. It is all great; all uniform; and mostpro-bahly we should have been in a very different situa — tion than what we have been long in, had she had her way given her at the time she was so earnest For what? Only to be allowed a second interview, a farewell visit, when she had shewn a little before, on ajirst, that marriage seemed not to be in her thoughts.

And had she not been entrusted to the management of the cruel Laurana, said the bishop

From which, thank God, said the father, I was the instrument of freeing her.

By all this, proceeded I, I mean not recrimination; but only to observe the consistencvofthe noble lady’s mind, when she was able to reflect. And what now remains for me to do, but to reconcile myself, if possible, to a conduct that I must ever admire, however I may, in its consequences, as to my own particular, regret it? Your lordship, I am r3 afraid, thinks, that she adheres to the contents of the paper she put into my hands. Unless you, chevalier

That, my lord, is out of the question. Let it, however, be remembered that 1 have not prescribed to her that hard condition, which is made an indispensable one to me. Yet is Lady Clemen-tina the only woman on earth that I would have wished to call mine, on the terms on which I should have been proud to receive her hand: for it is easy to foresee, that, generally, great inconveniences must attend a marriage between persons of a dif-ferent religion, one of them zealous, the other not indifferent.

But, chevalier, )‘Ou acquit Father Marescotti and me.

I do, my lord. Be you your own judges. The condition was not proposed by me. I consented to it, for the sake of those who prescribed it, and for your sister’s sake. I could not wish to prosecute my humble suit, notwithstanding her declared fa-vour for me, against the pleas of conscience which she so earnestly urged. How could I, while reli-gion, and the generosity of her friends to her, re — quired, as she thought, that she should get above all regards for me? I was therefore willing to comply with the proposal, and to wait the issue of her spon-taneous determination, and to be governed by it. But now that your lordship and Father Marescotti have dispensed with the condition, I presume that I am not bound by it.

What means my Grandison?

Only this: I could not be thought to bear a love so fervent to the admirable Clementina, as the man ought to bear who aspires to the honour of calling her his, if I made not one effort to convince her that she may be happy with me as to the article she is so solicitous about From female delicacy, she may, perhaps, expect to be argued with, and to be persuaded. Allow me to give her assurances of my inviolable honour in that point. It becomes me, as a man, and as her admirer, to remove her scruples, if I can, before I yield up my love to the force of them.

Would you argue with her on the merits of the two persuasions?

I would not. I never did. I would only assure her of my firm resolution never to attempt to bring her over to mine, nor to traverse the endeavours of her confessor to keep her steady in hers. But were we to consider only her future ease of mind [you see, my lord, that she herself has a view to that, in the proposal made me, as from herself] in which the happiness of all your family is included, it is right to see, if she builds on a foundation that can-not be shaken; that she may not hereafter regret the steps she has taken, which might possibly

I understand you, chevalier It is prudently, it is kindly, put, as well for her sake, as ours.

I shall be glad, my lord, that you should be within hearing of every word that shall pass between us on this occasion. One effort I ought to make. If she is determined, I will not urge her further. For all the world, and the dear Clementina in it, I would not have her act against her conscience: nor will I take advantage of the declaration she has repeatedly made, that it is in my power to hold her fast, or to set her free. I will not so much as urge it to her, lest, if she should alter her purpose, it should be from the consciousness of a kind of promise implied in that declaration, and not from her heart. No, my lord, she shall ha wholly free. I will not, excel-lent as she is, accent of her hand against her con science: neither my conscience, nor, let me say, my pride will permit me to do so. But the world, as well as my own heart, would blame me, if I made not one effort. If it fail, I shall be easier in my own mind; and so will she in hers. Be, you, my lord, within hearing of our next conversation.

I would not, Dr. Bartlett, propose to Father Ma-rescotti, that he should, for fear of making him un easy, on his listening to what passed between the lady and me.

I can absolutely depend upon your honour, che-valier, replied the bishop. We have brought our — selves to be sincere favourers of this alliance with you. But I own to you, that both Father Mare-scotti and myself, on the unexpected turn my sister has voluntarily taken, are of opinion that you will both be happier, if it take not place. The difference in religion; her malady

No more, my lord, of this subject. If I cannot succeed, I must endeavour to draw consolation to myself from reason and reflection. Mean time, all I ask is, that you will both acquit me of any sup-posed breach of condition, as well in your own minds, as to the rest of the family, if I make this one effort: after which, if it succeed not, I will, whatever I suffer, divest myself of self, and join with you, and Father Marescotti, to secure the ground gained in the restoration of the noblest of female minds.

They looked upon each other, as if they were afraid of the event. The father whispered the bishop. I believe, by a word or two that I could not but hear, it was to induce him to place himself so as to hear (as I had proposed) the conversation that was next to pass between the lady and me.

Turning round on their whispering, Don’t I see Camilla, my lord, said I, at a distance, watching our motions, as if she wanted an opportunity to speak to one of us?

She has been walking for some time within sight, said Father Marescotti.

The bishop made signs to her to advance. She did: and told me that her young lady was desirous to see me.

I followed her. Clementina was alone. Camilla introduced me to her, and withdrew.

She was in great confusion on my approach. Her complexion frequently varied. She looked at me often, and as often turned away her eyes; and sighed. Two or three times she hemm’d, as if she would have cleared her voice; but could not find words to express her lobouring mind. It was easy to see, that her perplexity was not favourable to me. I thought it would be cruel, not to break the way for her to speak.

Let not my dear Clementina forbear to say all that is in her heart, to the man who greatly prefers her peace of mind to his own.

I had, I had, said she, a great deal to say before I scrw you: but now you are present She stopt.

Take time to recollect yourself, madam I have been talking in the garden to my lord the bishop, and to Father Marescotti. I greatly revere them both. You have consulted them on the contents of the paper you were pleased to put into my hands. I have hopes from thence, that you may be made easy in your mind. I will never, dearest madam, urge you on the article of religion. You shall be abso-lute mistress of your own will. You shall prescribe to me what conditions you please, with regard to your way of life, your amusements, your company, your gratuities to your servants, and others. Fa-ther Marescotti and your Camilla with you, you will be as safe from innovation, as you can be in your father’s house.

Ah, chevalier!

We may, perhaps, prevail upon your father and mother to honour us with their company, in your first journey to England. They have not been of late so well as it were to be wished: we have baths there of sovereign efficacy, in many disorders. By using them, and change of climate, they will very proba-bly receive benefit in their healths. Jeronymo

Ah, chevalier! She arose from her seat, and re-seated herself several times, with great emotion. I proceeded.

Jeronymo, our dear Jeronymo, I hope will accom-pany us, and his skilful Lowther. Those baths are restorative.

O chevalier! what a man you are!

She stopt with an air of attention, as if she wished me to proceed.

And when your honoured and beloved friends shall see their Clementina happy, as I am determined she shall be, if all the tenderness of affection I am able to shew, can make her so, how happy will they all be! Your chapel, madam! Your confessor! Your own servants!

Ah, Sir! Sir! Ought I to listen to such temptations, after what I have given you, upon delibera — tion, in writing? Good Heaven, and the whole heavenly host, direct me!

She had recourse to her beads; and her lips, as a word now-and-then half-pronounced informed me, moved to a pater-noster. Again she assumed an attentive air.

My sisters, madam, will revere you. You will have pleasure in calling them yours. Their lords are men of the first figure in their country. I ask noi for fortune. I ask only for you, and you I ask of yourself. My estate is considerable, and improving. The pride I take in being independent, and in the power of obliging, suffers me not to be imprudent with regard to oeconomy. My capital mansion (I value it for not being a house of yesterday) though not so magnificent as your palace in Bologna, is genteel, spacious, convenient. The paper you gave me, shews me that the grandeur of your soul is equal to that of your birth. I revere you for the pious and noble sentiments contained in it. What obligations will you lay me under to your goodness, if you can prevail upon yourself to rely upon my assurances, that I will never seek to make you unhappy on a religious account; and if you can be satisfied with the enjoyment of your own religion, and leave to nie the exercise of mine! Dear madam, why may not this be? Why will you not leave me as free as 1 am ready to leave you? Justice, generosity, are my pleas to a lady, who surely cannot but be just and generous. Think, madam; dear Lady Clementina, think; if you cannot, by making me happy, be yourself so.

I took her unresisting hand, and kissed it. She sighed. She wept. She was silent.

With what pleasure, proceeded I, will you every other year visit and revisit England, and your native country! How dear will you be to your old friends, and to your new, in turn! Never revisiting England without some of your relations to accompany you; now one, now another; and who will be of our fa-mily. Your Grandison, madam, allow me to say your Grandison, has not, he presumes to aver, a narrow heart. You see, how well he can live with the most zealous of your religion, yet not be an hypocrite; but when called upon, fears not to avow his own My dearest Clementina! [again I pressed her hand with my lips] say, you think you can be happy, and yet bless me with your love.

Sir! God is my witness But leave me, leave me, for a few moments. I dare not trust myself with myself.

Command me not to leave you, madam, till you resolve in my favour Say, cannot you be happy in the free exercise of your own religion? Father Marescotti, Camilla, with you In England but one year at a time In Italy, under the re-assuring eye of your father, mother, brothers, the next.

Ah, Sir! you must retire Indeed you must. You leave me not at liberty .You must let me consider On this crisis of time, as far as I know, depends an eternity of happiness or misery.

Command me not from you: bid me not leave you. Obey the tender impulse that, I flatter myself, I discover in my favour. I seek your happiness, in pursuing my own. Your eternal welfare cannot be endangered. My conscience will oblige me to strengthen yours, when I see it is yours Bid me not leave you Excellent Clementina, bid me not leave you!

You must, you must How can I trust myself against a voice, that is the voice of love, and claims my kindness, my justice, my generosity Was I ever ungenerous, unjust, unkind? And if thus stag-gered now, what, were I to be yours, would the superadded sense of my duty do! O leave me, Sir, a few moments, leave me.

Be propitious, madam, be propitious to my hum-ble hope; that is all I will at present say; and now I obey you Profoundly bowing, I withdrew into the next apartment: she to her closet.

I went out slowly; and heard the hasty motion of somebody going out of the apartment, as I entered it. It was, it seems, the bishop, who had placed himself within hearing of what passed between his sister and me, as I had desired he would.

It Mas a full quarter of an hour before I heard her move; and then it was to seek for me.

I was sitting in a pensive mood, revolving the embarrassments I had met with from some of the best of women; and, as you, my dear Dr. Bartlett, know, in different countries; and particularly the unexpected turn which this excellent creature had taken. She approached me with an air of majesty, yet mixed with tenderness. I met her, and with a bent knee, taking her hand My fate hangs upon those lips, said I; and was proceeding; when inter-rupting me O Sir! I hear not, it is not safe for me to hear, that voice, accompanying this manner Let me bend to you: I have been craving the divine di-rection. An irresistible impulse (surely it is that direction) bids me say Yet what can 1 say? If I attempt to argue, I am lost! Does not this shew me, that were J to be yours, I must be all you wish me to be? And then my everlasting peace, my ever-lasting happiness O Sir! I doubt not your justice, your generosity But I fear myself! Seek not, let me repeat, looking a little wildly, seek not, kindest of men, to entangle me with your love.

She bent her knee, and I was afraid would have fainted. I clasped my supporting arms about her.

Let me, let me cut short all I intended to say, said she, by referring to my paper. The contents of that are not, cannot be, answered to my satisfaction. Be my advocate to yourself, to your own heart, and seek not to entangle me with your love.

Whatever it cost me (taking both her hands in mine, and bowing upon them) 1 will yield to your pleasure. 1 never will urge you again on this sub-ject, unless your brother the bishop give me hope of your welcome change of mind, s

Best of men, said she, withdrawing her hands, and clasping them together But this is not enough You must promise me your future friendship. You must let me call you brother; you must be my tutor, I your pupil, once more Happy days were those; the happiest of my life! And encourage and confirm in me the resolution 1 have taken, or I shall not be happy!

Look upon me, madam, as your brother, as your friend: but this latter task requires more magnani-mity than I am master of. To your brother the bishop, and to Father Marescotti, I must leave that task. They will be in earnest in it. 1 cannot; because I am convinced, in my own mind, that we might have been happy Could you But I forbear, though with difficulty I h^we promised not to urge you further.

Indeed I have consulted them both, resumed she; but not before I gave you my written determination: even had they given their opinions different from what they did, I never could have got over the ap-prehensions I have of your strength, and my own weakness. I only consulted them, in hopes they would (as they did, or they had not been good Catholics) confirm and strengthen my mind. And why, why, should I punish the man, I must for ever esteem as my best friend, with a wife, that her unhappy malady has made unworthy of him? Dear chevalier, I find myself at times not recovered. I may never be quite well. You and yours deserve not to be punished, but rewarded. Believe me, Sir, this has been a second consideration with me. God enable me to adhere to my resolution! for his sake, for your sake, and for the sake of my own peace of mind!

Must it not be difficult, my dear Dr. Bartlett, more difficult than when I came over to Bologna, to give up all hopes of so exalted a woman?

But say, chevalier, you are not angry with me. Say, that you do not, that you will not, think me ungrateful. To obviate such a charge as that of ingratitude, to a man who has laid us all under such obligations What is it that I would not do?

I cannot be displeased with you, madam. You cannot be ungrateful I must not speak: yet hardly know how to be silent. I will take a walk in the garden. I have a new lesson to learn.

With profound reverence 1 withdrew. She rang. Camilla came in.

I hastened into the garden, greatly dissatisfied with myself, yet hardly knowing why. I thought I wanted somebody to accuse, somebody to blame Yet how could it be Clementina? But the words Narrow zeal! Sweet enthusiast I as if I would find fault with her religion, involuntarily slipt from me to myself.

It is difficult, my dear Dr. Bartlett, at the instant in which the heart finds itself disappointed of some darling hope, to avoid reflections that, however, can only be justified by self-partiality. What must I be, if, led as I have been, by all her friends to hope, I had not been earnest in my hope!

The bishop joined me in the garden Excuse me, Grandison, said he, for breaking in upon your contemplations: but I was desirous to apologize to you, for taking the liberty, though you allowed it to me, of attending to what passed between you and my sister.

I should, my lord, have said every thing I did say to your sister, the occasion the same, before your whole assembled family. Your lordship has there-fore no apologies to make to me. Heard you all that passed?

I believe I did. Those apartments were always the women’s. Camilla placed me in a closet that I a 2 knew not of, where I heard every word you both said of the last part of your conversation. I must ask you, chevalier Is not Clementina–Clementina, my lord, is all that is great and good in woman. You will imagine, that it would have been much more easy for me to support myself under the resolution she has taken, had I not had such testimonies of her magnanimity. Permit me, my lord, to say, that I have one good quality: I can admire goodness or greatness wherever I meet with it; and that whether it makes for me, or against me. Clementina has all my reverence.

He made me compliments, and withdrew.

The marquis, the count, and the marchioness, afterwards joined me in the garden. The bishop and Father Marescotti not coming with them, or presently after them, I doubted not but they went to Clementina, in order to applaud her for, and confirm her in, a resolution, which must be agreeable to them.

I was right in my conjecture.

The marquis and count each took my hand, and first expressed their surprise at the young lady’s adherence to her resolution; and next their high value of me. The marchioness observed, “ that her daughter, with all her excellencies, was ever difficult of persuasion, when she had deliberately resolved upon any point.”

It was easy, I said, to see, that they all now were of one opinion; which was, that Lady Clementina was not to be moved from her present purpose.

They owned they were: but said, that if it were not mine, they thought themselves bound in honour to consent, that I should try, by generous means (and they were sure I would not think of any other) to prevail upon her in my favour.

I presume, said I, that the bishop has already acquainted you with the substance of what passed just now, between Lady Clementina and me.

They were silent.

Has not your ladyship seen Lady Clementina since?

I have: and she is extremely uneasy. She wishes you could be of our religion. Could it have been so, I, for my part, should rather have called the Chevalier Grandison my son, than any man in the world. Clementina told me, added she (I cannot but say with more composure than I could have expected, though not without tears) that you promised to urge her no more on this subject. She owns, that more than once, as you talked to her, she could hardly forbear giving you her hand, on your own terms. But she says, that you were the most ge-nerous of men, when you saw she made a point of conscience of her adherence to her newly taken re-solution. And now, chevalier, having made my lord and the count acquainted with all these things, we are come to advise with you what is to be done.

Dear Grandison, said the marquis, advise us. We want an opportunity to shew you, in more than words, our gratitude for all your goodness to us: we want to appease our Jeronymo; who is ready to suspect, that his brother and Father Marescotti have contributed to this turn in our daughter’s mind: and we want you to declare freely your own sentiments, with regard to Clementina; and whether you would advise us, as well for her own sake, as for yours, to endeavour to prevail on her to change her mind. Dear creature! a relapse would now be fatal to her, and to her mother and me.

I have no difficulty, my lord, to answer to these points. As to the first, I am greatly rewarded by the pleasure I have, in the more than could be hoped-for happy effects of Mr. Lowther’s skill: and in the prospects that orien to us of Lady Clemen-tina’s restored health of mind. On this subject i have but one request to make: it is that you will not mortify me so much, as to suppose, that I am not sufficiently rewarded.

As to appeasing the generous mind of Sign or Jeronymo, let that task be Lady Clementina’s. She can plead conscience with more force for herself, than any second person can do for her; and if she does, it will be a demonstration to us ail, of her being likely to be happy in her perseverance! The admirable lady who has silenced, on this head, a man so deeply interested to contest this point with her, will certainly be able to appease a brother by the same pleas; and the sooner as, being of the same religion with the lovely pleader, her arguments will have greater force with him, than they could be supposed to have on me. For, let me say, my lord, that I could not so much as seem to give way to them had I not been accustomed, when I was to judge of another’s actions, to suppose myself that very person: hence have I often thought myself obliged to give judgment against my own wishes; though, on re-suming myself, I have not found reason to disap — prove of my first expectation.

As to the third point, what can I say? and yet as your lordship has put it, does it not call upon me, as I may say, to give a proof of the disinterestedness I have mentioned? I answer then, as supposing my-self in your situation I cannot expect that you will urge an interest, which I, by having put myself into that of Lady Clementina, have promised not to urge, unless she change her mind. What plea can a parent make use of, but that of filial duty? And where the child can plead conscience in answer, ought it to be insisted on?

And now, resuming myself, let me presume to advise you to give the dear lady full time to consider and re-consider the case. Her imagination may be heated: in other words, her malady may have a share in the heroism she has so nobly exerted: and yet I am afraid she will persevere. Permit me, my lords, to say afraid: I cannot wholly divest myself of self, in this very affecting case. We will not therefore take her at her word: I will absent myself for some time from Bologna; but (as she has the goodness to acknowledge an esteem for me) with her leave. I will return at my time. I will repeat my absences, if we have the least shadow of doubt. But if she hold her purpose, and shall not be visibly worse in her health or mind, we may conclude her resolution unalterable. In this case, I shall have one or two requests to lay before you; and, if grant-ed, will endeavour to make myself as happy as a man in such a situation can be.

They applauded my advice. They declared them-selves unwilling to think of giving up the pleasure they had brought themselves to have, in considering me as one of their family; and assured me, that it would have been impossible, that any the least dif-ficulty should have arisen from them, after they had brought themselves to dispense with the most ma-terial one.

They were earnest with me to pass the evening with them. But I excused myself. I wanted to be at my own lodgings, in order to revolve all that had passed. But having not taken leave of Lady Cle-mentina, I imagined she might think 1 went away in iil humour, if I forbore it. My whole study, I told them, should be to make Lady Clementina easy: and if the marchioness would be so good as to per-mit me to take leave of her for the evening, in her presence, 1 would depart; only making my compli-ments to Signor Jeronymo, by Mr. Lowther; know — ing that he would be grieved for my disappointment; and my mind not being at present easy enough to contend with his concern for me.

The marchioness said, she would see in what way her Clementina then was; and acquaint me, by Camilla, with her wishes.

Before we could renew our discourse, the bishop and Father Marescotti joined us; both in high spirits. They were excessively complaisant to nie f It was easy to guess at the occasion of their good humour. I could not be greatly delighted with it. But when the count told them what had passed, before they joined us, the bishop embraced me; the father unawares snatched my hand, and kissed it.

I was glad to be relieved from their compliments, by the expected message from the marchioness and Clementina.

The young lady met me, as I entered, at the door of her apartment. She held out her hand to me. I respectfully took it. I saw she had been in tears: but she looked with a serenity, that I was glad to see, though I doubted not but it was partly owing to the conversation she had had, since I left her, with her brother and her confessor, as well as to what might have passed between her mother and her.

She led me to a chair between them both. Sire withdrew not her hand; and aimed at a more cheer-ful countenance than 1 had a heart. I congratulated her on her serenity. It is in your power, Sir, said she. to make me still more serene Can ) r ou, of a truth, and from your heart, approve of my present way of thinking? Can you, chevalier?

I can admire you for it, madam. You have exalted yourself, in my opinion. But I must regret it Because But 1 have promised not to urge you. Your conscience, madam, is concerned To endea-vour but to persuade against conscience, if you have no doubt of your motive, is not warranted, even inv a parent.

I am, I think I am, returned she, absolutely sure of my motive. But, my dear mamma, be pleased to put the questions I wished you to put to the cheva-lier.

She still suffered me to withhold her hand: and with the other took out her handkerchief; not to wipe away her tears, but to hide her blushes. She wept not: her bosom heaved with the grandeur of her sentiments.

The question, my dear Grandison, said the mar-chioness, is this We have all of us told my Clemen — tina, thatyou are invincible on the article of religion. She believes us: she doubts it not from your beha-viour and words: but as she would not omit any means to convince you of her high regard for you, she is desirous to hear from your own lips, that you are not to be convinced; she is not afraid, the article so important, to hear you declare, that you will not be a Catholic. It will make her more easy, upon reflection, to be told, by you. yourself, that you can-not comply, even were she to consent to be yours, at a very short day, if you could

The exalted lady stood up, still not withdrawing her hand False shame, I despise thee, said she: yet covered with blushes, she turned her face from me. That hand, as this heart, putting her other hand to her throbbing bosom, is yours, on that one condition I am convinced of your affection for me But fear not to tell me (it is for rny own future peace of mind, that I ask it) thatyou cannot accept it on the terms.

She then withdrew her hand, and would have gone from me: but again I snatched it with both mine.

Do youy most excellent Lady Clementina, let mc ask you, do you consider the inequality in the case between us, as you are pleased to put it? I presume not to require a change of principles in you. You are only afraid of your perseverance, though you are to be left, to your freedom; and your confessor to strengthen and confirm you. Of me, is not. an actual change required against conviction? Dearest Lady Clementina! Can you, can you (your mind great and generous in every other case) insist upon a condition so unequal? Be great throughout; and I kneeled to her Be uniformly noble Withdraw not your hand.

She struggled it, however, from me; and, hastening to her closet Once more, chevalier, said she, read my paper.

I left her, and approaching the marchioness, who was in tears, Judge me, madam, said I, as I, in your opinion, deserve What shall I say? I can urge my hopes no farther: my promise is against me: Clementina is despotic Forgive me! But indeed Clementina is not impartial

Dear chevalier, said the marchioness, giving me her hand, what can I say? I admire you! I glory in my child? I could not, myself in her place, have withstood your plea. When her imagination is cool. I still question if she will hold her purpose Propose to her, if you can engage her to descend from these heights, your intended absences You must calm her. You only can. Her soul is wrought up to too high a pitch. madam! But I must first try to quiet my own.

I withdrew into the room adjoining; and in a few minutes returning, found the lovely daughter incir-cled by the arms of the indulgent mother, both in tears. Clementina was speaking. These were the words I heard her say.

Indeed, my dearest mamma, I am not angry with the chevalier. Why should I? But he can allow for me. I cannot be so great as he. Don’t I say, that I should be undone by his goodness?

She turned her head, and seeing me, disengaged herself from her mother’s arms, and met me. Allow for me, Sir, I beseech you, said she. I may be partial. I believe I am: but you can forgive me: I will hope you can Read my paper, said I, and went from you: but it was not in anger. Read it, I again say. I can give no other answer. I never can be happy with a man whom I think a heretic; and the moment I should, in tenderness, in duty, think him not one, I shall cease myself to be a Catholic. A husband, Sir, allied to perdition, what wife can bear the reflection?

The chevalier, my dear, urges you not. He ad-heres to his promise. You were willing to put a question to him yourself. I consented that he should answer it in your presence, for the sake of your future peace of mind. He has spoken to it like himself: he has shewn you, how much he admires you at the same time that he signifies his inviolable adherence to his own religion. My dearest love, he has conceded to terms in our favour, that we have not conceded to in his. Glorious and unex-ceptionable is his adherence, were it to a right reli — gion He believes it is. He might urge much to his own advantage from your adherence to yours: but he has only hinted at that to us, not to you. He is willing to wait the event of your will. He will leave us, as he did more than once before, and re-turn; and if you persevere, he will endeavour to make himself easy

And leave us; and return to England, I suppose?

No doubt of it, my dear

While the Florentine is there

I never, madam, can be any-thing but a well-wisher to the Florentine

God give 7/ow, Sir, and me. too, ease of mind. But I find my head overstrained. It is bound round as with a cord, I think, putting her hands to each side of it, for a moment You must leave me, Sir. But if you will see me tomorrow morning, and tell me, whither you intend to go, and what you intend to do, I shall be obliged to you. Cannot we talk together, Sir, as brother and sister? Or as tutor and pupil? Those were happy days! Let us try to recover them.

She put her hand to her forehead, as apprehensive of disorder; and looked discomposed. 1 bowed to both ladies, in silence; retired; and, without endeavouring to see any — body else, went to my lodg — ings.


Letter XXIX.
Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation.

Bologna, Thursday, July 1324. I had a visit early this morning from the Count of Belvedere. He found me very much indisposed. He had heard that I met with some difficulties, and attributed my indisposition to them.

I owned that it might be so. My life, my lord, said I, has not been so happy as might have been hoped for, by a man, who has made it his study to avoid giving offence, either to man or woman; and has endeavoured to restrain passions, that otherwise might have been as unruly as those of other young men, in my circumstances. But, I bless God, I have resolution. I may bend beneath a weight, when it is first laid upon me: but if I find I cannot shake it off, I will endeavour to collect my strength, and make myself easy under it. Pardon me, my lord: I do not often allow my mind to break out thus into words: but I hold the Count of Belvedere for my friend.

You do me honour, said he: and I came with a heart disposed to cultivate your friendship. I thank you for your last goodness to me. Your advice and gentle behaviour, when I was not fit to be trusted with myself, have saved me, as far as I know, from final destruction. To the last day of my life, I shall confess obligation to you. But, dear chevalier, if some account of the difficulties you meet with will not be a renewal of grief, now you are not very well-It will not be so, my lord, interrupted I, since at present I can think of nothing else. Yet putting myself in the place of every one of the family of Porretta, I have nobody to blame; but the contrary. And I must admire Lady Clementina as one of the noblest of women.

He was all impatience for further particulars. What may yet be the event, I cannot tell, proceeded I; therefore will only say, that difference in religion is the difficulty with the lady. I am willing to allow her the full and free exercise of hers. She insists upon a change of mine. For the rest, you, my lord, want not friends among the principals of the family; let them give you what account they think fit. 1 would not scruple to gratify your cu-riosity, could I give you a conclusive one. lam curious, chevalier, said he. I loved Clemen-tina above all women, before her illness. I loved her not the lessor her illness; for then my pity joined with my love, and added a tenderness to it, of which I had not, in equal degree, been before sensible. The treatment she met with, and the self-interested x cruelty of Lady Laurana, heightened her illness, and that (I did not think it possible) my love. In order to free her from that treatment: and in hopes that a different one (my hopes you see were not ill founded) would restore her reason; and that the happy result might be the defeating of the cruel Laurana’s expectations; I tendered myself in mar-riage to her, notwithstanding her illness. But 1 must say, that I never knew how much I loved her, till I was apprehensive that, not only I, but Italy, and her religion, were likely to lose her for ever. And will you not allow of my curiosity now? God give you, chevalier, health and happiness here and hereafter! But may you never be the husband of Clementina, but of some woman of your own country, if there be one in it that can deserve you!

The, count left me with this wish, pronounced with earnestness: and I suppose will visit the bishop and Father Marescotti, in order to gratify his cu-riosity.

My indisposition requiring indulgence, I sent a billet to the marchioness, excusing my attendance till the afternoon; on the score of an unexpected engagement. I was loth to mention that I was not very well, lest it should be thought a lover-like arti-fice, to move compassion. I will not owe my success, even with a Clementina, to mean contrivances. You know I have pride, my dear friend Pride which your example has not been able to subdue, though it has sometimes made me ashamed of it.

One o’clock.

Camilla, by direction of her two ladies, made me a visit about two hours ago. They were alarmed at my postponing myattendanceon Lady Clementina till the afternoon; suspecting that the Count of Bel-vedere had unwelcomely engaged me; and therefore sent the worthy woman to know the true cause. Camilla observing that I looked ill, I desired her to take no notice of it to any-body: but she could not help acquainting the marchioness with it; who, ordering her to forbear mentioning it to Clementina and Jeronymo, was so good, attended by Father Marescotti, to make me a visit in person.

Never was mother more tender to her own son, than she was to me. The father expressed a pater-nal affection for me. I made light of the illness, being resolved, if possible, to attend them in the afternoon. My mind, my dear friend, is disturbed. I want to be at a certainty: yet, from what the marchioness hinted, I believe I have no reason to doubt. The father and the bishop have spared no pains, I dare say, to strengthen the lady’s scruples. Their whole study (the marchioness intimated) is now, in what manner to acknowledge their obligations to me.

They owe me none.

My dear chevalier, said she, at parting, take care of your health: she put her hand on mine Your precious health. Don’t think of coming out. We will in turn attend you here. * *

Notwithstanding the advice of the marchioness, I went to the palace of Porretta, as soon as I thought their dinner-time was over. Signor Jero-nymo desired to be alone with me for a few minutes; and when he was, began upon the subject of the unexpected turn which his sister had taken. I found, that he had been acquainted with the truth of every-thing: not a single circumstance was omitted, that might enable him to judge fairly of the whole.

And will you, Grandison, can you, my dear friend, said he, have the goodness to attend with patience T2 the event of this dear girl’s heroism, or what shall I call it?

I assured him, that the restoration of his sister’s health of mind was the dearest to me of all consider-ations; and that I came over at first with no other hopes than his recovery and hers; resolved to leave to Providence all the rest.

The marchioness came in soon after, and taking me aside, chid me with tenderness even maternal, for coming abroad. The rest of the family soon joined us; and then they all, as with one voice, offer-ed to use their interest with Clementinain my favour, if either my peace of mind, or my health, were likely to be affected by her present resolution.

While there was conscience in it, I answered, I would not, for the world, that she should be urged to change it. Nothing now, as I believed, remained to be done, but to try the firmness of her resolution, by first short, and then longer absences: and those I would propose to herself, if they thought fit, when I was next admitted to her presence.

Jeronymo, and all the family, I saw were of one mind. Tell me, say, my dear Dr. Bartlett, is it excusable in a man, who has been so long favoured by your conversation, and should have been benefited by your example, who have behaved so greatly in disappointments, and even persecutions, to find in himself a pride that, at the instant, had almost carried him into petulance, when he saw every one of this family appear to be more pleased than displeased, that he was not likely to be allied to them? Who yet, when he coolly considers, and puts himself in the case of each individual of it, must acknowledge, that they might well be allowed to rejoice (the great article religion out of the question (in the hope of keeping her among them in her native country; and the more, because of the unhappy disorder of her mind; and out of a distant one, obnoxious to them all, as England is? Would not my own father and mother, would not I myself, have equally rejoiced in such a turn in the affections of a sister of my own; especially if we had complied with her principally from motives of compassion, and contrary to the interests of our family?

The marchioness conducted me to the young lady. She received me with a blush, as a person would do another whom she was sensible she had causelessly disappointed. She took notice, after the first emotion, that 1 seemed not to be well, and cast an eye of compassion on me. A slight indisposition, I said, that might, perhaps, be owing to my late inactivity, and want of exercise. I had thoughts of once more making the tour of Italy, in order to visit the many kind friends at different courts, who had honoured me with their notice during my former abode there.

How long do you propose to be absent, Sir?

Perhaps a month, madam.

A month, Sir! She sighed, and looked down.

Signor Jeronymo, I hope, said I, will correspond with me.

I could almost wish, saidshe Pardon me, madam, to her mother and looked bashfully down.

What would my child wish?

That I might correspond with the chevalier in his absence As his sister, as his pupil, I think I might

You will do me, madam, the highest honour Dear madam, to the marchioness, may I not have your interest with Lady Clementina, to engage her to pursue her kind hint?

By all means. My dearest love, it will not mis-become you in any character, whether as pupil, as sister, or friend, to write to such a man as the Che-valier Grandison.

Perhaps then I may, said she. You, madam, shall see all that passes in this correspondence.

That shall be as you please, my love. I can ab-solutely depend upon the chevalier’s generosity, and your prudence.

I should choose, madam, said I, that you should see all that passes. As amusement is principally my view in this tour, I can be punctual to place and time.

But shall you be gone a month, Sir?

As much less, madam, as you shall command.

Nay, as things are circumstanced, it is not for me She stopt, sighed, and looked down.

You, madam, are above unnecessary reserve. I never yet abused a confidence. I am proud of your good opinion. I never will do any thing to forfeit it. Whatever shall be your pleasure, that signify to me in the letters you will favour me with. I will be all grateful obedience.

Whither, Sir, do you intend to go first?

To Florence, madam

To Florence, Sir? But Lady Olivia, I think, is not there To Mrs. Beaumont, I suppose?

I will send you, madam, from Florence, the beginning letter of the hoped-for correspondence. I will be careful to be within distance of receiving your favour in a very short space, by means of a servant, whom I will leave at Florence, to attend to our cor-respondence.

And when, Sir, do you leave Bologna?

I will now take leave of my new correspondent, ‘ and my dear friends here; and dispose myself for my little route.

She looked at her mother; then at me again sighed, blushed, and looked down Well, Sir, was all she said.

Will you not drink chocolate with us tomorrow? said the marchioness.

I excused myself. As I was not well, I thought I might be obliged to keep my chamber for two or three days; and that therefore it was better to take leave of her then, that I might not give them anxiety, for their own sakes, on a supposal, that I owed my indisposition to my disappointment. And yet, Dr. Bartlett But you know my heart, and all its imper-fections: and will you not, on this extraordinary occasion, allow me to give way to my native pride, for my own sake? Who but must admire the exalted mind of this young lady? What man would not wish her to be his? But to covet a relation to a family, however illustrious, however worthy, every one of which wishes, and with reason on his side, that it may not take place I must, if possible But a few weeks will now determine my fate I will not leave them or myself, if 1 can help it, any cause of regret.

I took a solemn leave of Clementina. She wept at parting; and dropping down on one knee, prayed for a blessing to attend me wherever I went.

Had not my indisposition lowered my spirits, I should have been affected at the solemnity and grace of her manner. The marchioness was.

I went from her to Jeronymo. I left it to his mother to tell him all that had passed: and took almost as ardent a leave of him. I desired a visit from Mr. Lowther: and left my compliments for all the rest of a family that 1 ever must highly respect.

Friday, July 14 25.

I took, by advice, a medicine over-night, that composed me. I had wanted rest. I am much better, and preparing for my journey to Florence. I have returned answer that I a?n, to enquiries made after my health by the whole family. The bishop excused his personal attendance, on the count’s sudden re-solution to set out for Urbino; and insisting on his and Father Marescotti’s accompanying hiin thither for a few days.

Camilla came to me from her two ladies, and the marquis. All three, she told me, were indisposed. Their enquiries after my health were very tender: the marquis bid her tell me, that he hoped to be well enough to make me a visit before I set out. Jerony-mo wished to see me first, if I had opportunity. But, as I probably must, if 1 go. see Lady Clemen-tina, and another solemn parting will follow, I think it will be best for both our sakes, as well as for Jeronymo’s, not to obey him; and so I hinted by Camilla.

The Count of Belvedere has made me a visit. He is setting out for Parma. Not one word passed his lips about Lady Clementina, or her family. He was very earnest with me, to promise him a visit at his palace. I gave him room to expect me. By his silence on a subject so near his heart, as well as by the very great respect he paid me, I have no reason to doubt but he knows the situation I am in with Clementina: she will have his players, I dare say, for perseverance in her present way of thinking. In-deed now, every — body’s of her family for who can doubt the general’s? She would have had mine the more sincerely, had not they all joined to indulge my hopes; and had she not given such instances of the noblest of female minds.

But, how great soever may be the occasion given me for fortitude, by a resolution so unexpected by every-body from Lady Clementina, I cannot be deprived of all pleasure; since the contents of my last pacquets, as well those from Paris as from England, afford me a great deal.

Every-thing is done at Paris, that I could have wished, in relation to Mr. Danby’s legacy.

Lord W. lets me know, that he thinks himself everyday happier than in the past with his lady; who also subscribes to the same acknowledgment.

Our Beauchamp tells me, that he wants only my company to make him the happiest of men. He re-quests me to write a letter of thanks, in my own name, to Lady Beauchamp, on his dutiful acknow-ledgment to me of her kindness to hiin I will with pleasure comply; and the sooner, as I am sure that gratitude for past benefits, and not expectation of new ones, is his motive.

He laments in postscript, that his father is taken with a threatening disorder, lam sorry for it. Me-thinks I am interested in the life and health of Sir Harry Beauchamp. 1 hope he will long enjoy the happiness, of which his son says he is extremely sensible. Should he die, the lady will be a great deal in my Beauchamp’s power, large as her jointure is. If, on such an event, he be not as obliging to her, as he now is, and forget not all past disobligations, I shall not have the opinion of his heart that 1 now have. Our Beauchamp wants but the trial of pros-perity (a much more arduous one than that of ad — versity) to be upon full proof an excellent man.

Lady Mansfield, with equal joy and gratitude, acquaints me, that only my presence in England is wanting to bring to a decision every point that now remains in debate with her adversaries, the Reelings; they having shewn themselves inclinable, by the mediation of Sir John Lambton, to compromise on the terms I had advised she should get proposed, as from me; and the wicked Bolton having also made proposals, that perhaps ought to be accepted, if he cannot be brought to amend them.

Two of Emily’s letters of distant date are come together. I will write to the dear girl by the next mail, and let her know how much absence endears to me my friends.

Yon give me joy, my dear Dr. Bartlett, in ac-quainting me with the happiness of Lord and Lady G. I will write to my Charlotte upon it, and thank her for the credit she does me by her affectionate behaviour to that worthy and obliging man.

How happy are you, my dear friend, and Lord and Lady G. and Emily, at Miss Byron’s! I am charmed with the characters you give me of her family.

But I have letters brought by the same mail, that are not so agreeable as those 1 have taken notice of. They are from Lady Olivia, and my poor cousin Grandison.

That unhappy woman is to be my disturbance! She is preparing, she says, to come back to Italy. She execrates: she threatens. Poor woman! But no more of her at present.

My cousin is by this time, I suppose, at Paris. He writes, that he was on the point of setting out, in pursuance of my advice: and will wait there for my direction to proceed to Italy, or not. I shall write to him to continue at Paris till he hears fur-ther from me; and, at the same time, to some of my friends there, to make France agreeable to him.

I shall not perhaps write again very soon. Letters from England will, however, find an easy access, directed to me, under cover, to Mrs. Beaumont at Florence, as you know how.

I shall be pretty much in motion, if health permit. I shall take a view of the works projecting by the Duke of Modena, in order to render his little signory considerable. 1 shall visit the Count of Belvedere at Parma. Mrs. Beaumont and her friends will have more of my company than any other persons.

Perhaps I may make a long-requested visit to the Altieri family, at Urbino. If I do, I must not put a slight on the Cortte della Porretta, who pressingly invited me thither. I think to pass a few days at Rome. If I go from thence to Naples, I shall per-haps once more, in the general’s company, visit Portici, in order to make more accurate observations than I have hitherto done, on those treasures of an-tiquity which have been discovered in the ancient Herculaneum.

I have a private intimation from Milan, that a visit there would be a welcome one to Lady Sforza. I may possibly take that city in my way, when I quit Italy. But how can I, without indignation see the cruel Laurana?

Thus, my dear and reverend friend, have I given you an imperfect sketch of my present intentions, as to passing the month that I think of absenting myself from Bologna.

It is a long time since I have been able to tell you aforehand, with regard to some of the most material articles of my life, what I mill or will not do. Yet, knowing my own motives, I cannot say, that were the last three or four years of it to come over again, 1 should have acted otherwise than I have done. Do you, my reverend friend, with that freedom which has been of inexpressible use to me, remind me, if I am too ready to acquit myself. You know (I repeat) all the secrets of my heart. Be not partial to your sincere friend. I write not to be praised, but corrected. Don’t flatter my vanity; I am yet but a young man. You have not blamed me a great while: I am for this reason a little diffi-dent of the ground I stand upon: but if you have no material fault to recollect, spare yourself the trouble of telling me so; having thus renewed my call upon you, for your friendly admonition, I will look upon your silence as an acquittal, so far as I have gone; and we will begin, from the date of your next, a new account. In the mean time, be not concerned for my health. I am much better than I was. My mind was weakened by suspense. I long since thought the crisis near. If it be not already over-past a few weeks must surely determine it.

I am not in haste to send this pacquet. A week hence Sir Alexander Nesbitt will set out directly for England. He hasagreat desire of being acquainted with my dear Dr. Bartlett, and requests me to give him a commission, that may introduce him to you. I would not, however, have delayed sending you these letters by a speedier conveyance, had my destiny in this country been absolutely determined.

Sir Alexander is a worthy man: as such, wants not a recommendation to my dear and reverend friend, from his

CHARLES GRANDISOX.


Letter XXX.
Lady G. to Miss Byron.

[With the preceding seven letters of Sir Charles.”]

Grosvenor Square, Monday, August 7. Good God, my dear! I dispatch a pacquet to you; received a few hours ago, from Dr. Bartlett, with desire of forwarding it to you. My sister was with me. We read the letters together. I dispatch them by an express messenger; What shall we say? Tell me, Harriet. More suspense still. Dear creature, tell me all you think of the contents of this pacquet. If J enter into the particulars, I shall never have done scribbling. Adieu, my love!

CHARLOTTE G.

Return the letters, when perused. I want to study them before the doctor has them back.
Letter XXXI.
Miss Byron to Lady G.

Selby-house, Friday, August II. Tell you, my dear Lady G. all I think of the contents of the pacquet you so kindly sent me by an express messenger! What will you say to me, if I do? I can much better tell you, what all my friends here say of them. They are for congratulating me upon those contents. But can I congratulate myself? Can I receive their congratulations? A woman! an angel! So much more worthy of Sir Charles Grand ison, than the poor Harriet Byron can be? O how great is Clementina, how little am I, in my own eyes! the lady will still be his. She must. She shall. She will change her mind. So earnest he! So fervently in love with him, she! Who will presume to hope a place in his affections after her? My pride, my dear, is all up. Can 1? How mean will any one now appear in his eyes, when he thinks of his Clementina? And who can be contented with half a heart? Nay, not half a one, if he does justice to this wonder of a woman? It was always my consolation, when 1 looked upon him as lost to myself, that it was to a person of superior merit.

But who can forbear pitying the gorious man! O my dear, I am lost in the subject! I know not what to say. Were I to tell you what 1 thought, what were my emotions, as I read now his generous pity for the Count of Belvedere Now his affection-ate and respectful address to the noble lady Her agitations of mind, previous to the delivery of her paper to him That paper, the contents so greatly surpassing all that I had read of woman! Yet so much of a piece with the conduct she shewed, when the struggle between her religion and her love cost her her reason. His equal steadiness in his religion so nobly firm yet towards her so delicate In short, the whole of his conduct and hers, in the va-rious lights in which they appeared in the different conversations with her, with her family Were 1 to tell you, I say, what I thought, and what were my emotions, as I read, a volume would not be suffi-cient; nor know I what measure would contain my tears. Suffice it to say, that 1 was not able to rise in two days and nights; and it has been with the greatest difficulty, that 1 obtained pen and ink, and leave to write; and the physician talks of confining me to my chamber for a week to come.

Sir Charles cries out upon suspense Indeed it is a grievous thing

You will observe, that in these last letters he mentions me but once; and that is in making me a compliment on the favour which the beloved^/owr conferred upon me, and all of us, in the visit you were so good as to make us. And why do you think I take notice of this? Not from petulance, I assure you: but for the praise of his justice as well as delicacy: for. could Sir Charles Grandison excusably (if. on other occasions, he remembered the poor girl whom he rescued; could be excusably, I say) while his soul was agitated by his own suspense, occasioned by the uncommon greatness of Clemen-tina’s behaviour, think of any other woman in the world?

But you see, my Charlotte, that the excellent man has been, perhaps is greatly indisposed. Can we wonder at it? Such a prize in view, so many diffi-culties as he had to strugi le with, overcome; yet, at last, a seemingly insuperable one arising from the lady herself, and from motives that increased his admiration of her? But a woman may be eloquent, from grief and disappointment; when a man, though his nobler heat is torn in pieces, must hardly complain. How do I pity the distresses of a manly heart!

But should this noble lady, on his return to Bo-logna, after a month’s absence, hold her purpose, unless he changes his religion, 1 will tell you my thoughts of what will probably be the result. He will not marry at all. If he cannot love another woman, as well as he does Clementina, ought he? And who can equally deserve his love? Have we not heard from himself, as well as from Dr. Bartlett, that all the troubles he has hud, have proceeded from our sex? It is true that men and women can hardly ever have any great troubles, but what must arise from each other. And h’s have arisen from good women too (I hope Lady Olivia is not deliber-ately bad) And why should so good a man continue to subject himself to the petulance, to the foibles, of us wayward women, wlio hardly know our own minds, as Signor Jeronymo told his friend, when our wishes are in our power?

But, sick or well, you see Sir Charles Grandison loses not his spirit His enlarged heart can rejoice in the happiness of his friends. I xvi// have joy, said he once to me. And must he not have it in the hopes of recovery of his friend Jeronymo? In the restoration of the admirable Clementina? And in the happiness those recoveries must give to a worthy and illustrious family? Let me enumerate, from him, the pleasure he enjoys, in the felicity he has given to u2 many; though he cannot be, in himself, the happy person he makes others. Is he not delighted with the happiness of Lord and Lady W.? Of his Beau-champ, and his Beauchamp’s father and mother? Of Lady Mansfield, and her family? With yours and Lord G.‘s happiness? Does it not rejoice you, my dear, to have it in your power to contribute to the pleasure of such a brother? And how great, how-honourable, how considerate, how delicate, is his behaviour to the noble Clementina: how patient, how disinterested, with her family! How ready to enter into their sentiments, and to allow for them, though against himself! But he is prudent: he sees before him at a great distance: he is resolved to have nothing to reproach himself with, in future, that he can obviate at present. But is not his conduct such, as would make a considerable person, who has any connexions with him, tremble? Since, if there be a fault betrveen them, it must be all that person’s; and he will not, if it be possible for him to avoid it, be a sharer in it? Do you think, my dear, that had he been the first man, he would have been so complai-sant to his Eve as Milton makes Adam [so contrary to that part of his character, which made him ac-cuse the woman to the Almighty*] To taste the forbidden fruit, because he would not be separated from her, in her punishment, though all posterity were to suffer by it? No; it is my opinion, that your brother would have had gallantry enough to his fallen spouse, to have made him extremely re-gret her lapse; but that he would have done h/s.own duty, and left it to the Almighty, if such had been his pleasure, to have annihilated his first Eve — and given him a second But, my dear, do 1 not rite strangely? 1 would be cheerful, if I could, because

* The wpman that thou gavest me, tempted mo, and I did eat, you are so kind as to take pains to make me so: but, on reperusing what I have written, I am afraid that you have taught me to think oddly. Tell me truth, Charlotte: Is not what has last slipt from my pen, more in Lady G.‘s manner, than in that of her

HARRIET BYRON.

One line more; and no more, my dear, my indulgent aunt Selby! They won’t let me write on, Charlotte, when I had a thousand things further to say, on the contents of this import-ant paccpjet: or I should not have concluded so uncharacteristically.
Letter XXXII.
Sir Charles Grandison to Lady Clementina Della Porretta.

Florence, July 18–29. I begin, dear and admirable Lady Clementina, the permitted correspondence, with a due sense of the favour done me in it: yet, can I say, that it is not a painful favour? Was ever man before circumstanced as I am? Permitted to admire one of the noblest and most amiable of women, and even generously allowed to look upon himself as a man esteemed, perhaps more than esteemed, by her, and her illus-tious family; yet in honour forbidden to solicit for a blessing that once was designed for him; and which he is not accused of dementing by misbeha-viour, or by assuming an appearance that he made not good Excellent lady! Am I other than yoii ever had reason to think me, in my manners, in my u3 principles? Did I ever endeavour to unsettle 3 r ou in your attachments to the religion of your country? No, madam: invincibly attached as I knew you were to that religion, I contented myself with avowing my own; and indeed should have thought it an ill requital for the protection I enjoyed from the civil ftnd ecclesiastical powers, and a breach of the laws of hospitality, had I attempted to unsettle the beloved daughter of a house so firmly likewise at — tached, as they always were to their principles. From such a conduct, could this beloved daughter doubt the free exercise of her religion, had she

But, hushed be the complainings, that my expos-tulating heart will hardly be denied to dictate to my pen! Have I not said, that I will be all you wish me, to be All hope, or all acquiescence Forgive me, madam, forgive me, dear and ever-to-be respected family, that yet I use the word hope. Such a prize almost in possession can I forbear to say hope? . Yet do I not at the same time promise acqui-escence? Painful as it is to me and impossible as it would be, were not all-commanding conscience pleaded, most excellent of women! I will, I do, ac-quiesce. If you persevere, dear to my soul as you ever must be, I resign to your will.

The disappointed heart, not given up to unmanly despair, in a world so subject to disappointments, will catch at the next good to that it has lost Shall I not hope, madam, that acorrespondence so allowablybe-gun, whatever be the issue in the greater event, will for ever last? That a friendship so pure will ever be allowed? That the disappointed man may be consi-dered as the son, the brother, of a family, which must, in all the branches of it, be ever dear to him? I will hope it. I will even demand the continu-ance oi its esteem; why should I not say, of its affection? But so long only, as my own impartial heart, and my zeal for the glory and happiness of your whole house, shall tell me I deserve this: and so long as I can make out my pretensions, to the satisfaction of every one of it. It cannot be on my side, no will I allow it on yours, that the man who once, by the favour of your whole family, was likely to be happy in a near alliance to it, should and per-haps for that reason, as it often happens in like in stances, be looked upon as the most remote from its friendly love.

Never, madam, could the heart of man boast a more disinterested passion for an object whose mind was dearer to it than even her person; or a more sin-cere affection to every one of her family, than mine does. I am unhappily called upon to the proof. The proof is unquestionable. And To the last hour of my life, you and they, madam, will be dear to me.

Adieu, most excellent of women! Circum-stanced as I am, what more can I say? Adieu most excellent of women! May every good, temporal and eternal, be yours, and every one’s of your beloved family, prays

Your and their most grateful, most affectionate, and most obedient,

GRANDISON.


Letter XXXIII.
Lady Clementina Della rORRETTA To Sir Charles Grandison.

Bologna, Tuesday, August 5. N. S. I was the more willing, Sir, to become your corre-spondent, as 1 thought I could write to you with greater freedom, than 1 could speak. And indeed I will be very free, and very sincere. 1 will suppose, when I address myself to you, that I am writing to my brother and best friend. And indeed to which of my other brothers can 1 write, with equal freedom? You, in imitation of the God of us all, require only the heart. My heart shall be as open to you, as if like Him, you could look into every secret recess of it.

I thank you, Sir, for the kind and generous contents of the letter, by which you have opened this desirable correspondence. Such a regard have you paid in it to the weakness of my mind, and to its late unhappy state, without mentioning that unhap-py state O Sir. you are the most delicate of men What tenderness have you always shewn me, for my attachment to the religion of my fathers Sure-ly, you are the most pious of Protestants! Protest — ants can be pious; you and Mrs. Beaumont have convinced me that they can. Little did I think I should ever be brought to acknowledge so much in favour of the people of your religion, as you and she, by your goodness, have brought me to ac-knowledge. O Sir! What might you not have brought me to, by your love, by your kind treatment of me. and by your irresistible address, were I to have been yours, and residing in a protestant nation, every one of your friends of that religion, and all amiable, and perhaps exemplarily good? I was afraid of you, chevalier. But no more of this sub-ject. You are invincible; and I hope /should not have been overcome, had I been yours But do we not pray against running into temptation? Again, I say, no more of this subject at present, yet hardly know how to forbear

Nothing but the due consideration of the brevity and vanity of this life, in which we are but proba-tioners, and of the eternity of the next, could have influenced me to act against my heart. Dear cheva-lier, how happy should I have been, could I have given my hand as that heart would have directed, and on such terms, as I could have thought my soul secure? How shall I quit this entangling subject? I am in the midst of briars and thorns Lend me, lend me, your extricating hand; and conduct me into the smooth and pleasant path, in which you at first found me walking with undoubting feet. Never, never, for, my sake, let an unexperienced virgin trust herself with her own imagination, when she begins to meditate, with pleasure, the great qualities of an object, with whom she has frequent opportunities of conversing.

Again am i recurring to a subject I wish to quit. But since 1 cannot, I will give my pen its course Pen, take thy course. Mind, equally perverse and disturbed, 1 will give way to thee; 1 see there is no withstanding thee

Tell me, then, my brother, my friend, my faith-ful, my disinterested friend, what I shall do, what method take, to be indifferent to you, in another character? What I shall do, to be able to look upon you, only as my brother and friend? Can you not tell me? Will you not? Will not your love of Cle-mentina permit you to tell her? I will help you to words Say, “ you are the friend of her soul.” If you cannot be a Catholic always, be a Catholic when you advise her. And then, from your love of her soul, you will be able to say, “ Persevere, Clementina! and i will not account you unerate-fill.”

O chevalier! I fear nothing so much as being thought capable of ingratitude, by those 1 love And am I not, can you think that I am not, ungrateful? Once you told me so. Why, if you mean me more than a compliment, do you not tell me how to be grateful? Axe you the only man on earth, who have it in your will, and in your power, to confer obligations, yet can be above receiving returns? What services did you endeavour to do to the soul of a misguided youth, at your first acquaintance with him! Unhappy youth! And how did he at the time requite you for them! He has let us know (gene-rous self-accuser!) what heroic patience you had with him: and how bravely you disdained his ungrateful defiance. Well may he love you as he does. After many, many months discontinuance of friend-ship, you were called upon to snatch him from the jaws of dfath, by your bravery. You were not re-quited, as you might have expected, from some of our family — What regret has the recollection cost us all .’ You were obliged to quit our Italy; yet called upon, as I may say, by your wounded friend; incurably wounded, as it was apprehended; you hast — ened to him: you hastened to his sister, wounded in her head, in her heart: you hastened to her fa-ther, mother, brothers, wounded in their minds, by the sufferings of that son and daughter. And whence did you hasten to us? From your native country. Quitting your relations, all proud of your love, and proud of loving you; on the wings of friendly zeal did you hasten to us, in a distant re-gion. You encountered with., you overcame, a thousand obstacles. The genius of healing, in the form of a skilful operator, accompanying you; all the art of the physicians of your country did you collect, to assist your noble purpose. Success at-tended your generous wishes. We see one another, a whole family see one another, with that delight, which was wont to irradiate our countenances, before disaster overclouded them.

And now, what return shall we make for your goodness to us? You say, you are already rewarded in the success with which God has blessed your ge-nerous endeavours to serve us. Hence it is that I call you proud, and, at the same time, happy. Well do I know, that it is not in the power of a wife to reward you. For what could a wife do by such a man more than her duty? And were it possible for Clementina to be yours, ivou/d you that your kindness, your love to her, should be rewarded at the price of her everlasting happiness? No, you answer You would leave to her the full and free exercise of her religion Andean you promise, can you, the Chevalier Grandison, undertake, if you think your wife in an error, that you never will endeavour to cure her of that error? You who, as the husband, ought to be the regulator of her conscience; the strengthener of her mind Can you, believing your own religion a right one, hers a wrong one, be contented that she shall persevere in it? Or can she avoid, on the same, and even still stricter principles, entering into debate with you? And will not then her faith, from your superior understanding, be endangered? Of what force will be my confessor’s arguments, against yours, strengthened by your love, your kindness, your sweetness of man-ners? And how will all my family grieve, were Clementina to become indifferent to them, to her country, and more than indifferent to her religion? Say, Grandison, my tutor, my friend, my brother, can you be indifferent on these weighty matters? O no, you cannot. My brother, the bishop, lias told me (but be not angry with my brother for telling me) that you did declare to my elder brother and him, that you would not, in a beginning address, have granted to a princess the terms you were willing to grant me; and that you offered them to me as a compromise! Compassion and love were equal-ly perhaps your inducements. Poor Clementina!

Yet, were there not agreater obstacle in the way, I would have accepted of your compassion; because you are great and good; and there can be no insult, but true godlike pity, in your compassion Well, Sir, and do not my father, my mother, the best and most indulgent of fathers and mothers; and do not my uncle, and brothers, and my other kindred; comply with their Clementina, upon the same affec-tionate, the same pitying motive; otherwise religion, country, the one so different, the other so remote, would they have consented? They would not. Will you not then, my dear chevalier, think that I do but right (knowing your motive, knowing theirs, knowing that to rely upon my own strength is presumption, and a tempting of the Almighty) to act as I act, to resolve as I have resolved do you, my tutor, be again my tutor You never taught me a lesson that either of” us might be ashamed to own Do you, as I have begged of you in my paper, strengthen my mind. 1 own to you, that I have struggled much with myself: and now I am got above myselt, or beneath myself, I know not whe-ther For my letter is not such as I designed it. You are too much the subject: I designed only a few lines; and those to express the grateful sense I have of your goodness to me, and our Jeronymo; indeed to every-body; and to beg of you, for the sake of my peace of mind, to point out some way, by which I, and all of us may demonstrate our attachment to our superior duties, and our gratitude to you

What a quantity have I written!

Excuse my wandering head; and believe me to be, as much the well-wisher of your glory, as of my own.

CLEMENTINA DELLA PORRETTA.


Letter XXXIV.
Sir Charles Grandison to Lady Clementina.

Rome, August 11. N. S. “ Nothing,” says the most generous and pious of her sex, “ but the due consideration of the brevity and vanity of this life, and on the duration of the next, could have influenced me to act against my heart” Condescending goodness! What acknow-ledgments do you make in my favour? But, favour can I say? No, not in my favour; but, on the contrary, to the extinction of all my hopes: for what pleas remain to be urged, when you doubt not my affection, my gratitude, my tenderness, my good faith, and think that from them will arise your danger?

My “ extricating hand,” at your command, “ is held out;” and it shall not be my fault, if you re-cover not the “ smooth and pleasant path, in which you were accustomed to walk with undoubting feet.”

You bid me “ tell you what you shall do to be indifferent to me” What pain does the gracious manner of your rejection give me? Exalted goodness! “ Your brother, your friend, your faithful, your disinterested friend,” will “ tell you,” against himself, to the forfeiture of all his hopes; “ he will tell you,” that you ought not “ to give your hand as vour heart” (condescending excellence!) “ would have directed,” if you cannot do it, “ and think your soul secure.”

You “ will help me to words,” you say I repeat them after you. “ Persevere, Clementina I will “ not,” I cannot “ account you ungrateful.”

How much does the dear, the generous Clemen-tina, over-rate the services, which Heaven, for my consolation (so I will flatter myself) in a very heavy disappointment that was to follow, made me an humhle instrument of rendering to the worthiest of families! To that Heaven be all the glory! By ascribing so much to the agent, fear you not that you depreciate the First Cause? Give to the Su-preme His due, and what will be left for me to claim? What but a common-service, which any one of your family would, in the like circumstances, have done for me?

It is generous, it is noble, in you, madam, to declare your regard for the man you refuse: but what a restraint must I act under, who value, and must for ever value, the fair refuser; yet think myself bound in honour to acquiesce with the refusal; and to prefer your peace of mind to my own? To lay open my heart before you, would give you pain. I will not give you pain: yet let me say, that the honour once designed me, had it been conferred, would have laid me under unreturnable obligations to as many persons as are of your family. It was, at one time, an ho-nour too great even for my ambition; and yet that is one of the constitutional faults that I have found it most difficult to restrain. But I will glory in their intended goodness; and that I lost not their or your favour from any act of unworthiness Continue to me, mot excellent Clementina; continue to me, lords and ladies of your illustrious house, your friendship; and I will endeavour to be satisfied.

Your “ tutor,’’ as you are pleased to call him; your friend, your “ broth liii” (too clearly do I see the exclusive force of that last recognition!) owns, that “ he cannot be indifferent to those motives, that have so great weight with you.” He sees your sted-fastness, and that your conscience is engaged: he submits therefore, whatever the submission may co,t him, to your reasoning; and repeats your words ** Persevere, Clementina.”

I did tell your elder brother, and I am ready to tell all the world, “ that I would not, in a beginning address, though to a princess, have signed to the articles I yielded to by way of compromise.” Al-low me, madam, to repeat his question, to which my declaration was an answer “ What would thedaitgh-ters have done, that they should have been con signed to perdition*?” I had in my thoughts this further plea, that our church admits of a possibility of salvation out of its own pale. God forbid but it should The church of God, we hold, will be col-lected from the sincerely pious of all communions. Yet, I own, that had the intended honour been done me, i should have rejoiced that none but sons had blessed our nuptials.

But how do your next words affect me “ Com-passion, and love, say you, were equally, perhaps, your inducements Poor Clementina!” add you. Inimitably great as what follows this is, I should have thought myself concerned, as well for my own honour, as for your delicacy, to have expatiated on the self-pitying reflection conveyed in these words, had we been otherwise circumstanced than we are: but to write but one half of what, in happier circum-stances, I would have written, must, as I have hint — ed, give pain to your noble heart. The excellent Clementina, 1 am sure, would not wish me to say much on this subject. If she would, I must not; I cannot.

The best of fathers, mothers, brothers, and of spi-ritual directors in your own way, are yours. They, madam, will strengthen your mind. Their advices, and their indulgent love, will be your support in the

* Vol. XI. p. 291. x2 resolution you have taken. You call upon me again to approve of that resolution. I do, I must approve of it. “ The lover 6f your soul” concludes with the repetition of the words you prescribe to his pen If cooler reflection, if reconsideration of those argu-ments which persuaded me to hope, that you would have been in no way unhappy or unsafe, had you condescended to be mine If mature and dispassion-ate thought, cannot alter your present persuasion on this head “ Persevere, Clementina,” in the re-jection of a man as steady in his own faith as you are in yours. If your conscience is concerned If your peace of mind is engaged you ought to refuse. “ You cannot be thought ungrateful” So, against himself, decides your called-upon, and generously acknowledged,

“Tutor, friend, brother,”

GRANDISON.


Letter XXXV.
Lady Clementina to Sir Charles Grandison. Holognn, August 19. N. S.

And do you, best of men, consent to be governed by my wishes? But are you convinced (you do not say you are) by my reasonings? Alas! my reasoning powers are weakened: my head has received an incurable wound: my memory, indeed, seems re-turned; but its return only serves to make me more sensible of my past unhappiness; and to dread a relapse.

But what is it I hear? Olivia is come back to Flo-rence; and you are at Florence! Fly from Florence, and from Olivia But whither will you go, to avoid a woman who could follow you to England? Whi-ther, but to England? We are all of us apprehen — sive for the safety of your person, if you refuse to be the husband of that violent woman. Yet cannot I bear the thoughts of her being yours. But that, you have told me. she never can be Yet, if you could be happy with her, why should I be an enemy to her happiness? But to your own magnanimity I will leave this subject.

Let me advise with my tutor, my friend, my bro-ther, on a point that is now much more my concern than Olivia, and her hopes Fain, very fain, would I take the veil. My heart is in it. My friends, my dearest friends, urge against my plea, the dying re-quest, as well as the wishes, while living, of my grandfathers on both sides. I am distressed; I am greatly distressed; for well do I know what were the views of the two good men, now with God, in wishing me not to assume the veil. But could they fore — see the calamity that was to befal their Clementina? They could not. I need not dwell upon the subject, and upon the force of their pleas and mine, to a man whose mind is capacious enough to take in the whole strength of both at once. But you will add an obli-gation to the many you have already conferred upon me, if you can join your weight to my pleas; and make it your request, that 1 maybe obliged in this momentous article. Let me expect that you can, that you will. They all languish lor opportunities to oblige the man, who has laid them under obliga-iiot to be returned. Need I to suggest a plea .. the force of which must be allowed from you. if you ever with fervor loved Clementina?

If 1 know my own heart, and 1 have given it a strict e —.animation, two things granted me would make me as happy as I now can be in this life; the x3 one, that my request to be allowed to sequester my-self from the world, and to dedicate myself to God, be complied with: the other, to be assured of your happiness in marriage with an English, at least not an Italian woman. I am obliged to own, though I am sensible that I expose to you my weakness, by the acknowledgment, that the last is but too neces-sary to the tranquillity of my mind, in the situation in which the grant of my first wish will place me. Let me know, chevalier, when I have set my hand to the plough, that there is no looking back: and that the only man I ever thought of with tenderness is an-other’s, and, were I not professed, never could be mine. Answer, as 1 wish; and I shall be able to follow you, Sir, with my prayers, to the country that has the honour of producing such an ornament to human nature.

It must not be known, you will readily suppose, that I have sought to interest you in my plea. For this reason, 1 have not shewn this letter to any — body. Father Marescotti, I have hopes, as a religious, will declare himself in my favour, if you do. My bro-ther, the bishop, surely, will strengthen your hand and his, though he appears as the brother, not as the prelate, in support of the family reasons.

I am not ashamed to say, I long to see you, Sir: I can the more readily allow myself to tell you so, as I can declare that I am unalterably determined in my adherence to my written resolution, never to trust to my own strength in an article in which my ever-lasting welfare is concerned. O, Sir, what struggles, what conflicts, did this resolution cost me, before I could make it! But o)/ce made, and upon such deliberation, and after I had begged of God his direc — tion, which I imagine he has graciously given me, J have never wished to alter it. Forgive me, Sir,

You will; you are a good man My God only have I preferred to you.

CLEMENTINA DELLA PORRETTA.


Letter XXXVI.
Sir Charles Grandison to Lady Clementina.

Florence, August 23. N. S. My dear correspondent asks, If I am convinced by her reasonings I repeat. That I resign to your will every hope, every wish, respecting myself. In a case where conscience can be pleaded, no other reasonings are necessary.

But what, madam, can I say, to the request you make, that I will support you in your solicitude to take the veil? I hope you only propose this to me, by way of asking my advice “ Let me, say you, advise with my tutor, my friend, my brother” I have given the highest instance that man could give, of my disinterestedness; and I will now, as you re-quire, suppose myself a Catholic in the humble ad — vice I shall offer to my sisterly friend; and this will the rather appear since, as a Protestant, I should argue against any ones binding him or herself, by vows of perpetual celibacy.

‘’ Need 1, asks my dear correspondent, suggest a plea for you to make, the force of which must be allowed, if ever you fervently loved Clementina?” At what plea does the excellent Clementina hint? Is it not at an Ueradian one*? Why, if ever she

* Herod directed, that his Mariamne should he put to death, thai she might not he the wife of any other man if he returned not alive from the court of Augustus Ctui-ar, before honoured her Grandison with her esteem, does she not enforce the same plea with regard to him? Can she, avowing that esteem, be so generous as to wish him to enter into the married state, and even to insist upon it, as a step that would contribute to her future peace of mind, yet hope to prevail upon him to make it his request, that she may be secluded from a possibility of ever enjoying the same liberty? Were I married, and capable of wishing to fetter and re-strain thus my wije, in case of her surviving me, I should think she ought to despise me for the narrowness of my heart. What then is the plea that a young lady, in the bloom of beauty, would put me upon making And to whom? To her own relations, who all languish, as she expresses herself, for opportunities to oblige him; and who are extremely earnest to dissuade her from entering upon the measure she wishes him to promote? Can he, madam, to use your own words in the solemn paper you gave me, think of taking such advantage of their generosili/ to him?

But can Clementina della Porretta, who is blest with the tenderest and most indulgent of parents, and who has always justly gloried in her duty to them; whose brothers love her with a disinterestedness that hardly any brothers before them have been able to shew; can she, in opposition to the will of her grandfathers, wish to enter into a measure, that must frustrate all their hopes from her for ever? Dear lady, consider.

You, my beloved correspondent, who hold mar-riage as a sacrament, surely cannot doubt but you may serve God in it with much greater efficacy, than were you to sequester yourself from a world that whom he was cifed Jo answer for his conduct, which had been obnoxious to that prince, in the contest between him and Antony for the empire of the world. wants such an example as you are able to give it. But, madam, your parents propose not marriage to you: they only, at present, beseech, not command you (they know the generosity of your heart) not to take a step that must entirely frustrate all their hopes, and put an option out oiyour own power, should you change your mind. Let me advise you, madam, disclaiming all interested views, and from motives of a love merely fraternal (for such is your expectation from the man you honour with your correspondence) to set the hearts of relations, so justly dear to you, at ease; and to leave to Providence the issue. They never, madam, will compel you. And give me leave to say, that piety requires this of you. Does not the Almighty, every-where in his word, sanctify the reasonable commands of parents? Does he not interest himself, if 1 may so express, myself, in the performance of the filial duty? May it not be justly said, that to obey your parents, is to serve God? Would the generous, the noble-minded Clementina della Porretta, narrow, as I may say, her piety, by limiting it (I speak now as if I were a Catholic, and as if 1 tbought there were some merit in secluding one’s self from the world) when she could, at least, equally serve God, and benefit her own soul, by obeying her parents, by fulfilling the will of her deceased grandfathers, and by obliging all her other near and dear relations? Lady Clementina cannot resolve all the world into herself. Shall 1 say, there is often cowardice, there is selfishness, and perhaps, in the world’s eye, a too strong confession of disap-pointment, in such seclusions?

There are about you persons who can give this argument its full force 1 cannot do it. O my Cle-mentina, my sister, my friend, 1 cannot be so great, so disinterested, in this instance, as you can be! But I can be just: I presume to say, I cannot be ungenerous. I tell you not what I hope to be enabled by your noble example, in time, to do, be cause of the present tenderness of your health. But you must not, madam, expect from me a conduct, that you think it would become you to disavow. De-licate as the female mind is, and as is most particu — larly my dear correspondent’s, that of the man, on such an occasion as this, should shew at least an equal delicacy: for has he not her honour to protect, no less than his oivn, as a man, to regard?

Distress me not, my dear Clementina; add not, I should rather say, to my distress, by the declaration of yours. I repeat, that your parents will not compel you. Put it not out of your power to be prevailed upon to do an act of duty. God requires not that you should be dead to your friends, in order to live to Him. Their hope is laudable. Will Lady Cle-mentina della Porretta put it out even of the Al — mighty’s power, to bless their hope? Will she think herself unhappy, if she cannot punish them, instead of rewarding them, for all their tender and indulgent goodness to her? It cannot be. God Almighty perfect his own work, so happily begun, In the full restoration of your health! This blessing, I have no doubt, will attend your filial obedience. But can you, my dear correspondent, expect it, if you make yourself uneasy, and keep your mind in suspense, as to your duty, and indulge yourself in supposing, that the will of God, and the will of your parents, are opposite? A great deal now depends upon yourself. O madam, will you not in a smaller instance, were your heart ever so much engaged to the cloistered life, practise that self-denial, which in the highest you enforce upon me? All your temporal duties, against you; and your spiritual not favouring, much less impelling, you?

But once more, I quit a subject, that may, and, no doubt, will, be enforced in a mucb stronger man-ner, than I can enforce it. I will soon, very soon, pay my duty to you, and all yours. You own your wishes to see me, because you are fortified by your invincible adherence to your resolution. I will ac-knowledge anguish of heart. I cannot, as I told you above, be so great as you But if you will per-mit your sisterly love to have its full operation, and if you wish me peace of mind, and a cordial resig-nation to your will, let me see you, madam, on the next visit 1 shall have the honour to make you, cheerful, serene, and determined to acquiesce in the reasonable will of parents, who, I am confident, I again repeat it, will never compel you to marry Have they not already given you a very strong instance, that they will not? In a word, let me hear you declare, that you will resign yourself to their will, in tins article of the veil; and I shall then, with the more cheerfulness, endeavour to resign to yours, so strongly and repeatedly declared, in the letter before me, to, dear lady,

Your fraternal friend, and ever-obliged servant,

GRANDISON.

Lady Olivia, madam, arrived this day at her own palace. It is impossible that any-thing but civility can pass between her and your greatly favoured correspondent.


Letter XXXVII.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett. Bologna, Thursday, August 17–28.

I shall hereafter have a pretty large supplement to give you to my literary journal; having found it necessary, as much as possible, in the past month, to amuse myself with subjects without myself. And I shall send you now the copies of three letters of mine, written in Italian to Lady Clementina; and two of hers, in answer to the first and second of them*.

I anived here yesterday. But before 1 proceed to acquaint you with my reception, I should mention, that Lady Olivia arrived at her own palace at Florence, on Friday last. I was then in that city, but newly returned from Naples and Rome. She sent one of her gentlemen to me the night of her arrival, to acquaint me with it, and to desire me to attend her next morning. I went.

Her first reception of me was polite and agreeable. But the moment her aunt Maffei withdrew, and we were alone, her eyes darting a fiercer ray, Wretch, said she, what disturbance, what anxieties, hast thou given me! But it is well, that thy ingratitude to the creature who has risqued so much for thee, has been rewarded, as it ought to be, by a repulse from a still prouder heart, if possible, than thy own!

You, Lady Olivia, answered I, have reason to impute pride to me. You have given me many opportunities to shew you, that I, a man, can keep my temper; when you, a woman, have not been able to keep yours; yet, in me, never met with an aggressor.

Not an aggressor, Sir! To say nothing of the

* See the five preceding letters. contempts you cast upon me here in my own Italy, what was your treatment of me in your England Paltry island! I despise it! To resolve to leave me there! To refuse to compliment me with a day, an hour! [O my detested weakness! What a figure did 1 make among your friends!] And declaredly to attend the motions of the haughtiest woman in Europe! Thank God, for your own sake; yes, Sir, I have the charity to say, for your own sake; that you are disappointed!

I pity you, Lady Olivia: from my soul I pity you! And should abhor myself, were I capable of min-gling insult with my pity. But I leave you.

Eorgive me, chevalier, catching my arm as I was going. 1 am more displeased with myself than with you. A creature, that has rendered herself so cheap to you (but, Sir, it is only to you) cannot but be uneasy to herself; and when she is, she must misbe — have to every-body else. Say you forgive me

She held out her hand to me. But immediately, on Lady Maft’ei’s coming in, followed by servants, withdrew it.

Her behaviour afterwards was that of the true pas-sionate woman; now ready to rave, now in tears. I cannot, Dr. Bartlett, descend to particulars. A man, who loves the sex; who has more compassion than vanity in his nature; who can value even generally faulty persons for the qualities that are laudable in them, must be desirous to draw a veil over the weak-nesses of such. I left her distressed. There mat/ be cases in which sincerity cannot be separated from impoliteness. I was obliged to be unpolite, or I could not have been sincere; and must have given such answers, as would, perhaps, in some measure, have intitled the lady to think herself amused. Poor wo-man! She threatened to have me overtaken by her vengeance. But now, on the disappointment I had

Y met with at Bologna, it became absolutely necessary for me to encourage, or to discourage, this unhappy lady I could not have been just to her, had 1 not been just to myself.

A very extraordinary attempt was made, next day, on my person; I believe, from this quarter. It succeeded not: and as I was on the Tuesday to set out for Bologna, I let it pass off without complaint or enquiry.

I paid the Count of Belvedere a visit, as I had promised. The general at Naples, and the count at Par — ma, received me with the highest civilities; and both from the same motive. The count will hope.

The general accompanied me, with his lady, part of my way to Florence. The motive of his journey is to rejoice personally with his friends at Lrbino and Bologna, on the resolution his sister has taken; and to congratulate her upon it; as he has already done by letter; the copy of which he shewed me. There were high compliments made me in it. We may speak handsomely of the man whom we neither envy nor fear. He would have loaded me with presents; but I declined accepting any;; n such a manner however, as he could not be dissatisfied with me for my refusal.

I paid also my respects at Urbino to the Altieri family, and the Conte della Porretta, in my way to Rome and Naples, and met with a very polite re-ception from both. For the rest of the time of my absence from Bologna, my literary journal will ac-count.

On Wednesday afternoon I went to the palace of Porretta. I hastened up to my Jeronymo, with whom, as also with Mr. Lowther, I had held a cor-respondence, in my absence, and received favour — able intelligences from them.

Jeronymo rejoiced to see me. I was inexpressibly delighted to find him so much recovered. His ap-petite, he told me, was restored. His rest was balmy and refreshing. He sat up several hours in the day; and his sister and he gave joy to each other, and to all their friends. But he hinted to me his wishes still, to call me brother; and begged of God, in a very earnest manner, snatching my hand, that it still might be so.

The marquis and marchioness joined to thank me for my part of the correspondence with their beloved daughter; for, on my declining to support her in her wishes to be allowed to take the veil, she had shewed them the copy of her second letter, as well as my reply to it The blessings which they poured out upon me, were mingled with their tears; and Father Marescotti and the bishop declared, that they would, in every prayer they put up to Heaven for them-selves and the family remember me, and beg of God to supply to me, by another, and even, they said, a better Clementina, the disappointment I had so unexpectedly met with from theirs. The general and his lady, and the count, arrived the day before: but they were not present.

While they were all complimenting and applauding the almost silent man (for in so critical a situation what could I say?) Camilla came in, and whispering the marchioness, Clementina, said the marchioness, is impatient to see her friend. Chevalier, I will introduce you. I followed her.

The young lady, the moment she beheld me, flew to me with open arms, as to her brother, her fourth brother, as she called me; and thanked me, she said, a thousand thousand times, for my letters to her My mamma, said she, has seen them all. But, ah, Sir, your third! — 1 did not think you would have refused me your interest with, my triends. I cannot, cannot give up that point. It was always my wish, madam, Y’2

(turning to her.mother) to be God’s child; that will not make me less yours and my father’s. O, che-valier, you have not quieted, you have not con vinced my heart!

I promise myself, that I could have left you with-out a plea, my dear correspondent, returned I, had my heart been at ease, and the argument less affecting to myself. And surely if Lady Clementina had been convinced, she would have acted up to her conviction.

O, Sir, you are a dangerous man. I see, if a cer-tain event had taken place, I should have been a lost creature! Are not you, Sir, convinced, that, in my notions of a lost creature, I should? If you are, 1 hope you will act up to your conviction.

Was this necessary to be said to me? I think, on recollection, she half-smiled when she said it.

My dear Dr. Bartlett, you see Clementina could be pleasant on an occasion so solemn! But perhaps she saw me only affectedly cheerful Little, as she, at present, imagines it, 1 think it not impossible that she may in time be brought to yield to the sense of her duty, laid clown by such powerful advocates as she has in her own family. Whatever happens, may it be happy to her and this family, and then I can-not be wholly joyless. What is there in this life, worth Hut let me not be too abstracted. This world, if we can enjoy it with innocent cheerfulness, and be serviceable to our fellow-creatures, is not to be despised, even by a philosopher.

I hope, madam, said I to her, that at least you suspend your wishes after the sequestered life. She allowed the force of one or two of my arguments; but 1 could perceive, that she gave not up her hope of being complied with in her wishes to assume the veil.

The general, and his lady, and the count, being come in, hastened up to pay their compliments to me. How profuse were the two gentlemen in theirs!

At the marchioness’s motion, we went to Jerony-mo, and found the marquis, the bishop, and Father Marescotti, coming to us. And then, every one joining, in their acknowledgments of obligation to me, and wishing it in their power to make me as happy as they declared 1 had made them, 1 said, It teas in their power, I hoped, to do mean unspeakable pleasure.

They called upon me, as with one voice; It is, an-swered I, that my dear friend Jeronymo may be prevailed upon to accompany me to England. Mr. Lowther would think himself very happy in his at-tendance on him there, rather than to stay here; and yet, if my request should not be granted, he is determined not to leave him till he is supposed to be out of danger.

They looked upon one another with eyes of plea-sure and surprise. Jeronymo wept. I cannot, cannot bear, said he, such a weight of obligation. Grandison, we can do nothing for you: and you have brought me your Lowther to heal me, that you might have the killing of me yourself.

Clementina’s eyes were filled with tears. She went from us with some little precipitation.

U chevalier, said the marchioness, my Clemen-tina’s heart is too susceptible for its own ease, to impressions of gratitude. You will quite kill the poor child or mnk** her repent her resolution.

What is there but favour to me, replied I, if my request can be complied with? I hope my dear Je-ronymo will not be unattended by others of his friends: I have had the promises of the two young lords. Our baths are restorative. I will attend you to them, my dear Jeronymo. The difference of air, of climate, y3 may, probably, be tried with advantage. Let me have the honour of entertaining you in England, looking round me; and that I will consider as a full return of the obligations you think so highly of, and are so solicitous to discharge.

They looked upon one another, in silence.

Would to heaven, proceeded I. that you, my lord, and you, madam (directing myself to the father and mother) would honour me, as my guests, for one season You once had thoughts of it, had a certain happy event taken place 1 dare promise you both, after the fatigues you have undergone, a renewal of health, from our salutary springs. 1 should be but too happy, if, in such company, a sister might be allowed to visit a brother! But if this be thought too great a favour, that sister, in your absence, can-not but give and receive pleasure, sometimes in visiting Mrs. Beaumont at Florence; sometimes her brother and his lady at Naples. And J will engage my two sisters and their lords to accompany me in my attendance on you back to Bologna. My sis-ters will be delighted with the opportunity of visit — ing Italy and of paying their respects to a young lady whose character they revere, and to whom once their brother had hoped to give them the honour of a relation.

They still continuing silent, but none of them seeming displeased; You will, by such a favour, my dear lords, and you, madam, to the marchioness, do me credit v/\lhmyself, as I may say. I shall return to my native country, if I go alone, after the hopes you had all given me, like a disappointed and reject-ed man My pride, as well as my pleasure, is con cerned on this occasion. My house in the country, my house in London, shall be yours. I will be either inmate or visiter, at your pleasure. No man loves his country better than I do: but you will induce me to love it still better, if, by your compliance with my earnest request, you shall be able to obtain either health or pleasure from a twelvemonth’s residence in it. Oblige me, my dear lords; oblige me, madam; were it but to give yourselves a new relish to your own country and palace on your return. Our sum-mers have not your fervid sun: our commerce gives us all your justly-boasted autumnal fruits: nor are our winters so cold as yours. Oblige me, for the approaching winter only; and stay longer, as you shall find inclination.

Dearest Grandison, said Jeronymo, I will accept of your invitation the moment I am told that I may undertake the journey

The journey, my lord! interrupted I Your cabin shall be made near as convenient to you as your chamber. You shall be set ashore within half a league of my house in London. God give us a pleasant voyage; and in a few days time, you will not know, except by amended health and spirits, that you are not in this your own chamber.

Surely, said the general, my sister was right in her apprehensions, that she would not be able to continue a Catholic, had she been this man’s. I wish you, my lord, said he, you, madam, and Jerony-mo, would go. You have had a long course of fa — tigues and troubles. You love the chevalier. Win — ter with him, however. I have heard much of the efficacy of the English baths. Clementina must not go. My wife and I will make her as happy as pos-sible in your absence: and take Grandison at his word. Bring him, and his sisters, back with you. Their lords, 1 understand, have been among us. They will not be sorry to visit Italy a second time, as, no doubt, they are men of taste But when, chevalier, do you think of going?

The sooner the better, were it but to take advan-tage of the fine season: it will be but what mariners call a trip to England. You will make me very happy You can have no other way of discharging the obligations you arc so solicitous about. I will return with you: the health of Lady Clementina, I flatter myself, will be quite confirmed by that time. Signor Jeronymo, I hope, will be restored like-wise: What joy shall we be enabled to give one another!

They took only till the morning to consult, and give me an answer.


Letter XXXVIII.
Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation.

Mr Lowther and his colleagues, having been consulted, gave it as their opinion, that Jeronymo might be removed by litter to the nearest sea-port, and there embark for England; but that it is most eligi-ble to stay till the next spring, by which time they hope the two old wounds may be safely cicatrized, and the new one only kept open.

But they all engaged, that then not only Jerony-mo, and the two young lords, but some others of the family, will be my guests in England; and, in the mean time, that the bishop and Father Mare-scotti will in turn correspond with me, and acquaint me with all that passes here.

Clementina drank chocolate with us. She had been made acquainted with their determination, and approved of the promises of a visit to be made me next year, by some of the principals of the family. What a hard circumstance is it, whispered she, as she sat next me, that the person who would be most willing to go, and, I flatter myself, would not be the least welcome, must not be of thecompany! I should have been glad to have made one visit to the country where the Chevalier Grandison was b^rn.

And what a perverseness, thought I, is there in custom; that would not permit this kind explicitness in Lady Clementina, were she not determined to consider the brother, in the man before her, rather than a still nearer relation! By how many ways, my dear Dr. Bartlett, may delicate minds express a denial! Negatives need noc to be frowningly given, nor affirmatives blushingly pronounced.

Jcronymo and I being left alone, he challenged me on the visible concern which he, and every one, as he said, saw in my countenance, on the turn his sister had taken: had it not been in my heart, he was sure it would not have been there.

Can you wonder at it, my dear friend? said I: when I came over, greatly as I thought of your sis-ter, I did not think she had been so great, as she has shewn herself. I admired her ever; but I now more than admire her. Taught to hope, as 1 was, and so unexpectedly disappointed, as 1 have been, 1 must have been more than man, were 1 not very much af-fected.

No doubt but you must; and I am cordially concerned for you. But, my dear Grandison. it is God alone that she prefers to you. She suffers more than you can do. She has no other way, she assures me, to comfort herself, but by indulging her hopes, that she shall not live long Dear creature! She flatters herself, that her reason is restored, in an-swer to her fervent supplications, which, she says, she put up to Heaven, in all her lucid intervals, that for the sake of her parents and brothers, it might be restored, and that then she might be taken to the arms of mercy. But if your heart be deeply affected, ray Grandison

It. is, Jeronymo I am not an insensible man. But should now our dear Clementina be prevailed upon to descend from the height to which she has soared, however my wishes might be gratified by the condescension, yet, while she believed her conscience would be wounded by it, I could not but think it would be some diminution to her glory. And how, as she has hinted in one of her letters to me, would it be possible, were I to see my beloved wife unhappy with her scruples, to forbear endea-vouring to quiet her mind by removing them? And could this be effected, without giving her an opinion of the religion I profess, in opposition to hers? And would not that subject me to a breach of articles? O my dear Jeronymo! Matters must stand just as they do, except she could think more favourably of my religion, and less favourably of her own.

He began to talk of their obligations to me. I declared that they could no other way give me pain. Do not, said I, let this subject ever be again men-tioned, by you, or any of the family. Every one, my dear Jeronymo, is not called upon by the occa-sion, as I have had the happiness to be. Would my friend envy me this happiness?

I wish, Dr. Bartlett, with all my heart, that I could think of any — thing that I could accept of, to make such grateful spirits easy. It pains me, to be placed by them in such a superior light, as must give them pain. What, my dear Dr. Bartlett, can 1 do, consistent with my notions of friendship, to make their hearts easy?

He was afraid, he said, that I should now soon think of leaving them.

I told him, that having no doubt of Lady Cle-mentina’s perseverance in her resolution, and of her leave to return to my native country, I should be glad, for my own sake, as well as the lady’s, to be allowed to depart in a few days. Mr. Lowther, as it would make Jeronymo, as he had declared, more easy, would stay behind me. But dismiss him, my friend, said I, as soon as you can. He had obtained abroad a happy competency, and was returned to England, when I first knew him, with intent to enjoy it. He is as rich as he wants to be; and can gratify only the natural benevolence of his heart, by attending my dear friend. I hope to get him to accept of apartments with me, in my London house; and to fix his retirement, if not with me in my paternal seat, in its neighbourhood at least. He has merit that is not confined to his profession: but for what he lias done for my Jeronymo, he will always hold a prime place in my heart.

It is true, Dr. Bartlett; and I please myself, that he will be found as worthy of your friendly love, and my Beauehamp’s as of mine. If I can at last be indulged in my long, long hoped-for wish, of settling in my native country, with some tolerable tranquillity of mind, I shall endeavour to draw round me such a collection of valuable persons, as shall make my neighbourhood one of he happiest spots in Britain.

The marchioness came up to us. Clementina, said she, is apprehensive that you will soon leave us. Her father and brothers are walking with her in the garden: they wiii, I dare say, be glad of your company.

I left Jeronymo and his mother together; and joined the marquis and his other sons, and Clemen-tina. The general’s lady and Father Marescotti were in another alley, in earnest conversation. After a few turns, the prelate letl off his father and brother, and left Clementina and me alone to-gether.

Were you not cruel, chevalier, said she, in your last letter to me, not only to deny me your weight in the request my heart was, and is still, set upon; but to strengthen their arguments against me? Great use have some of my friends made of what you wrote. O Sir, you have won the heart of Giacomo; but you have contributed to oppress that of his sister. In-deed, indeed, I cannot be easy, if I am denied the veil.

Dear Lady Clementina, remember that the full establishment of your health depends, under God, upon the quiet of your own mind. Give not way, I beseech you, to uneasy apprehensions. What daugh-ter may rely upon the indulgence of a father and mother, what sister upon the affection of brothers, if you may not upon yours? You have seen how much their happiness depends upon your health. Would you doubt the efficacy of that piety, while you are in the world, of which you have already (shall I say to my cost?) given an instance so glo-rious to yourself, that the sufferer by it cannot help applauding you for it?

O chevalier! say not at your cost, if you wish me to be easy.

With the utmost difficulty have I restrained, and do I restrain, myself on these occasions 1 must, however, add, on this, a few words: you have oblig-ed me, madam, to give one of the greatest instances of self-denial, that ever was given by man: let me beseech you, dearest Lady Clementina, for your own sake, for the bake of your duty, as well to the depal ted, as to the livmg (and, may I add, for my sake?) that you would decline this now favourite wish of your heart.

She paused: and at last said, Well, Sir, I see I must not expect any favour from you, on this sub-ject. Let us turn into that shaded alley. And now, Sir, as to the other part of my request to you, in my last letter It was not a request made on unde-liberate motives.

What is that, madam?

How shall I say it? Yet I will If, chevalier, you would banish from my heart Again she stopt. I thought not, at that moment, of what she meant.

If you would make me easy Madam You must marry! Then, Sir, shall I not doubt of my adhering to my resolution. But, say not a word till I have told you, that the lady must be an English woman. She must not be an Italian. Olivia would not scruple to change her religion for you. But Olivia must not be yours. You could not be happy, I persuade myself, with Olivia. Do you think you could?

I bowed, in confirmation of her opinion.

I thought you could not. Let not Clementina be disgraced in your choice of a wife. I have a proud heart. Let it not be said, that the man of whom Clementina della Porretta thought with distinction undervalued himself in marriage.

This, Dr. Bartlett, was a request of the same ge-nerous import, that she mentioned in her reveries before I left Italy. How consistently delicate! She had tears in her eyes as she spoke. I was too much affected with her generosity, to interrupt her.

If you marry, Sir, I shall, perhaps, be allowed to be one in the party, that will make you a visit in England: my sister-inlaw has, within this hour, wished to be one. She will endeavour to prevail upon her lord (he can deny her nothing) to accom-pany her. You will be able to induce Mrs. Beau — mont once more to visit her native country. You and your lady, and perhaps your sisters and their lords, will return with us. Thus shall we be as one fa-mily. If I am not to be obliged in another wish, I must in this: and this must be in your power. And will you not make me easy?

Admirable Clementina! Who can be so great as you? Such tenderness as I read in your eyes, such magnanimity, never before met in woman! You can do every thing that is noble But that very greatness of soul attaches me to you; and makes it, at least while I am an admiring witness of your excellence

Hush, chevalier. Not a word more on this sub-ject. It affects me more than I wish it did. I am afraid I am chargeable with affectation But you must, however, marry. I shall not be easy, while you are unmarried When I know it is not possible to be But no more of this subject now How long is it, that we are to have you among us?

If I have ho hopes, madam

Dear chevalier, speak not in this strain She turned her face from me.

The sooner, the better But your pleasure, ma-dam

I thank you, Sir But did I not tell you, that I have pride, chevalier? Ah, Sir, you have long ago found it out! Pride will do greater things for women, than reason can Let us walk to that seat, and I will tell you more of my pride.

She sat down; and making me sit by her I will talk to these myrtles, fancifully said she, turning her head from me. “ Shall the Chevalier Grandison be acquainted with the weakness of thy heart, Clemen-tina? Shall he, in compassion to thy weakness, leave his native country, and come over to thee? Shall the success that has attended his generous ef-fort, shew his power to the confirmation of thy weakness? Shalt thou, enabled by the divine goodness to take a resolution becoming thy character, be doubtful whether thou canst adhere to it; and give him room to think thee doubtful? Shall he, in consequence of this doubtfulness, make officious absences, to try the strength of mind? And shalt thou fail in the trial his compassionate generosity puts thee to? “ No, Clementina!

Then turning to me, with a downcasteye I thank you, Sir, for all the instances of generous compassion you have shewn me. My unhappy disorder had intitled me, in some measure, to it. it was the hand of God. Perhaps a punishment for my pride; and I submit to it. Nor am I ashamed to acknowledge the kindness of your compassion to me. I will retain a grateful sense of it, to the last hour of my life. I wish to be remembered by you with tenderness to the last hour of yours. I may not live long: I will therefore yield to your request, so earnestly made, and to the wishes of my dearest friends, in suspending, at least, my oivn. I will hope to see you (in the happy state I have hinted at) in England, and after-wards in Italy. I will suppose you of my family. I will suppose myself of yours. On these suppositions, in these hopes, I can part with you; as, if I live, it will be a temporary parting only; an absence of a few months. And have I not behaved well for the whole last month, and several days over; though 1 reckoned to myself the time as it passed, more than once every day, as so much elapsed, and nearer to the time of your return? I own it (blushing) And now, Sir, I return to you the option you ottered me. Be the day, the solemn day, at your nomination Your sister Clementina will surrender you up to her sisters and yours O Sir! lifting up her eyes to me, and beholding an emotion in me which 1 tried to conceal, but could not, how good, how compassion-ate* how affectionate, you are! But name tome notv your day! This seat, when you are far, far dis/ 2 tant from me, shall be a seat consecrated to the re-membrance of your tenderness. I will visit it every day; nor shall the summer’s sun, nor the winter s frost, keep me from it.

It will be best, taking her hand, admirable lady! it will be best for us both, for me I am sure it will, that the solemn day be early. Next Monday morning let me set out Sunday evening The day, on my part, shall be a day passed in imploring health, happiness, and every blessing, on my dearest Cle-mentina, on our Jeronymo, and their whole family: and for a happy meeting to us all in England Sunday evening, if you please I will I could not speak out the sentence.

She burst into tears; reclined her face on my shoulder her bosom heaved and she sobbed out Oh, chevalier! Must, must But be it Beit so! And God Almighty strengthen the minds of both!

The marchioness, who was coming towards us, saw at distance the emotion of her beloved daughter, and fearing she was fainting, hastened to her, and clasping her armsabout her My child, ray Clemen-tina, said she Why these streaming eyes? Look upon me, love.

Ah, madam! The day, the day is set! Next Monday! The chevalier will leave Bologna!

God forbid Chevalier, you will not so soon leave us? My dear, we will prevail upon the chevalier

I arose, and walked into a cross alley from them. I was greatly affected! O Dr. Bartlett! These good women! Why have I a heart so susceptible; yet such demands upon it for fortitude?

The general, the bishop, and Father Marescotti, came to me. I briefly recounted to them the sub-stance of the conversation that had passed between Lady Clementina and me. The marquis joined his lady and daughter; and Clementina, in her tender way, gave her father and mother an account of it also.

The marquis and his lady, leaving her to her Ca-milla, joined us: O chevalier! said the marquis, how can we think of parting with you? And so soon? You will not so suddenly leave us?

Not if Lady Clementina commands the contrary. If she do not, the sooner, the better it will be for me. I cannot bear her generous excellence. She is a most exalted woman. See! the dear lady before us, leaning on her Camilla, as if she wanted sup-port!

My sister and you, chevalier, said the general, will no doubt correspond. We shall none of us deny her that liberty. As she has already expressed to you her wishes that you would marry; may we not hope, that you will try your influence over her, upon the same subject, in your futute letters? The mar-riage of either will answer the end she proposes to herself, by urging yours.

Good Heaven! thought I Do they believe me absolutely divested of human passions? 1 have been v.t eontinual war, as you know, Dr. Bartlett, with the most ungovernable of mine; but without wishing to overcome the tender susceptibilities, which, properly directed, are the glory of the human nature.

This is too much to be asked, said the young mar-chioness. How can this be expected?

You know not, madam, said the bishop, seconding his brother’s wishes, what the Chevalier Gran — dison can do, to make a whole family happy, though against himself.

Lady Clementina, said the equally unfeeling, though good, Father Marescotti, thinks she is under the divine direction, in the resolution she has taken.

This world, and all its glories, are but of second conz 3 sideration with her. Were it to cost her her life, I am confident, she would not alter it. As therefore the chevalier can have no hopes.

I cannot ask this, said the marquis. You see how hard a task {referring to me) O that the great ob-stacle could be removed! My dear Grandison, tak — ing my hand, cannot, cannot But 1 dare not ask If it could, my own sons would not be more dear to me, than you.

My lord, you honour me. You engage my ut-most gratitude. It is with difficulty that 1 am able to adhere to my engagement, not to press her to be mine, when I have the honour to be with her. I have wished her to resign her will to that of her fa-ther and mother, as you have seen, knowing the con sequence. I am persuaded, that if either were to marry, the other would be more easy in mind; and I had much rather follow her example, than set her one You will see what my return to my native country will do lor us both. But she must not be precipitated. If she is, her wishes to take the veil may be resumed. Punctilio will join with her piety; and, if not complied with, she may then again be unhappy.

They agreed to follow my advice; to have pa-tience; and leave the issue to time.

I left them, and went to Jeronymo. I communi-cated to him what had passed, and the early day I had named for setting out on my return to England. This I did, with as much tenderness as possible. Yet his concern was so great upon it, that it added much to mine; and I was forced with some precipitation, to quit his chamber, and the house; and to retire to my lodgings, in order to compose myself.

And thus, my dear Dr. Bartlett, is the day of my setting out fixed. I hope I shall not be induced to alter it. Mrs. Beaumont, J know, will excuse me going back to Florence. Olivia must. I hope she will. I shall write to both.

I shall take my route through Modena, Parma, Placentia. Lady Sforza has desired an interview with me. I hope she will meet me at Pavia, or Turin. If not, I will attend her at Milan. I promised to pay her a visit before I quitted Italy: but as her request to see me was made while it was thought there might have been a relation between us, I suppose the interview now can mean nothing but civility. I hope, if I see her, her cruel daugh-ter will not be present.


Letter XXXIX.
Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation.

Parma, Monday night, j^^ 1;, #

Here I am, my dear Dr. Bartlett. Just arrived. The Count of Belvedere allows me to be alone. I am not fit for company.

The whole family, Jeronymo and Clementina excepted, dined with me on Saturday. Clementina was not well enough to leave her chamber. She would endeavour, she said, on Sunday night, when I was to take my leave of them all, to behave with as much presence of mind as she did on a former occasion. All the intervenient time, she said, was necessary to fortify her heart. But, alas! the cir-cumstances between us, then and now, were not the same. We had, for some time past, been allowedly too dear to each other, to appear either of us, so politely distant as we did then.

She never once asked me to suspend the day or* my departure. Every one else repeatedly did. We both thought it best, as the separation was necessary that it should not be suspended.

I had many things to do; many letters to write; much to say to Mr. Lowther, and he to me. I declined therefore their invitation to attend them home in the evening, as well as to dine with them next day. The solemn visit was to be made yesterday in the evening; and every visit near the time, would have been as so many farewells. My own heart, at least, told me so, and forbad me more than one parting scene. The time so near, they themselves wished it passed.

The count had come from Urbino on purpose, with the two young lords, to take leave of me: what blessings did that nobleman, and the marquis and marchioness, invoke upon me! The general had more than once tears in his eyes; he besought me to forgive him for every-thing, in his behaviour, that had been disagreeable tc me. His lady permitted me to take leave of her in the most affectionate manner; and said, that she hoped to prevail on her lord to visit me himself, and to allow her to bear him company, in my own country. The bishop supplicated Heaven to reward me, for what he called my goodness to their family. Father Marescotti joined in his supplications, with a bent knee. The marquis and marchioness both wept; and called me by very endearingnames, vowing everlasting Ioveand gratitude to me. Jeronymo! my dear Jeronymo! one of the most amiable of men! how precious to my soul will ever be the remembrance of his friendly love! His only consolation was, and it is mine, that, in a i % cw months, we shall meet in England. They wanted to load me with presents. They pained me with their importunities, that I would accept of some very valuable ones. They saw my pain; and, in pity to me, declined their generous solicitations.

Clementina was not present at this parting scene. She had shut herself up for the greatest part of the da)\ Her mother, and her sister-inlaw, had been her only visitors: and she having declared that she was afraid of seeing me, it was proposed to me, whether it were not best for me to depart, without seeing her. I can well spare to myself, said I, the emotions which already so great, will on taking leave of her, be too powerful for my heart, if you think, that, when 1 am gone, she will not wish (as once she was so earnest even to discomposure, for a farewell visit) that she had allowed herself to see me.

They all were then of opinion, that she should be prevailed upon. Camilla at that instant came down with her lady’s desire, that I would attend her. In what way, Camilla, is my Clementina? asked the marchioness; every one attending the answer. In great grief, madam: almost in agonies. She was sending me down with her warmest wishes to the chevalier, and with her excuses; but called me back, saying she would subdue herself: she would see him: and bid me hasten for fear he should be gone.

The two marchionesses went up directly. I was in tremors. Surely, thought I, I am the weakest of men! The bishop and general took notice of my emotion, and pitied me. They all joined in the wish so often repeated, that I could yet be theirs.

I followed Camilla. Lady Clementina, when I entered, sat between the mother and sister; an arm round each of their necks; her face was reclined, as if she were ready to faint, on the bosom of her mother, who held her salts to her. I was half-way in the room, before either mother or daughter saw me. The Chevalier Grandison, my best sister! said the young marchioness: look up, my love.

She raised her head. Then stood up, courtesied: and, gushing into tears, turned her face from me.

I approached her: her mother gave me the hand of her Clementina Comfort her, comfort my Cle-mentina, good chevalier You only can Sit down, my love. Take my seat, Sir.

The young lady trembled. She sat down. Her mother seated herself: tears in her eyes. I sat down by Clementina. The dear lady sobbed; and the more, as she endeavoured to suppress her emotion.

I addressed myself to her sister-inlaw, who had kept her seat Your ladyship, said I, gives me a very high pleasure, in the hope of seeing you, and your lord, a few months hence, in company with my Jero-nymo. What a blessing is it to us all, that that dear friend is so well recovered! I have no doubt but change of climate, and our salutary springs, will do wonders for him. Let us, by our patience and re-signation, entitle ourselves to greater blessings; the consequence, as I hope, of those we have already received.

Please God, I will see you in England, chevalier, said the young marchioness, if my lord is in the least favourable to my wishes; and I hope my beloved sister may be of the party. You, madam, and the marquis, I hope looking at her mother-inlaw.

I hope you will not go without us, my dear, re-plied the marchioness. If our Clementina shall be well, we will not leave her behind us.

Ah, madam! Ah, Sir! said Clementina, how you flatter me! But this, this night, if the chevalier goes early in the morning, is the last time I shall ever see him.

God forbid! replied I I hope that we may, many, many years rejoice, in each other’s friendship. Let us look forward with what pleasure we may. My heart, madam, wants your comforting^. I have a greater opinion of your magnanimity, than I have reason to have of my own. I depart not, but in consequence of yourwill Enable me, by your example, to sustain that consequence. In every thing you must be an example to me. 1 could not have done, as you have done: bid me support my spirits in the hope of seeing you again, and seeing you happy. Tell me that your endeavours shall not be wanting to be so: and I shall then be so too. Dear Lady Clementina, my happiness is hound up with yours.

Ah, Sir, 1 am not greater than you: and 1 am less than myself. I was afraid when I came to the trial But is your happiness bound up with mine? O that I may be happy for your sake! I will endeavour to make myself so. You have given me a motive. Best of men! How much am I obliged to you! Will you cherish the remembrance of me? Willyou forgiveall my foibles? The trouble I have given you? I know you depart in consequence of my Perverseness perhaps you think it, though you will not call it so What shall I do, if you think me either per-verse or ungrateful?

I do not, I cannot, think you either. May I be assured of your correspondence, madam? Your ladyship, turning to her mother, will give it your countenance

By all means, answered the marchioness. We shall all correspond with you. We shall pray for you, and bless you, every day that we live. You will be to me, as you have always been, a fourth son My dearest Clementina, say, if your mind is changed, if it be likely to change, if you think that you shall not be happy, if the chevalier

O madam, permit me to withdraw for one moment.

She hurried to her closet. She shut the door, and poured out her soul in praver; and soon returning

It must be so with an air of assumed greatness. Let thy steadiness, O Grandison, excuse and keep mine in countenance Bear witness, my sister; for-give me, my mamma: but never did one mortal love another, as I do the man before us. But you both, and you, my dear chevalier, know the compe-tition; and shall not the Unseen (casting up her eyes surcharged with tears) be greater with me than the seen? Be you my brother, my friend, and the lover of my soul: this person is unworthy of you. The mind that animates it, is broken, disturbed Pray for me, as I will for you

Then dropping down on one knee, God preserve and convert thee, best of Protestants, and worthiest of men! Guide thy footsteps, and bless thee in thy future and better lot! But if the woman, whom thou shalt distinguish by thy choice, loves thee not,person and mind, as well as she before thee, she deserves thee not.

I would have raised her; but she would not be raised seeming full of some other great sentiments. I kneeled to her, clasping my arms about her: May you, madam, be ever, ever happy! I resign to your will And equally admire and reverence you for it, though a sufferer by it. Lasting, as fervent, be our friendship! And may we know each other hereafter in a place where all is harmony and love; where no difference in opinion can sunder, as now, persons otherwise formed to promote each other’s happiness!

I raised her, and arose; and kissing first one hand, then the other, and bowing to the two marchionesses, was hastening from her.

She clapt her hands together He is gone! O stay, stay, chevalier And will you go?

I was in too much emotion to wish to be seen She hastened after me to the stairs O stay, stay! I have not said half I had to say

I returned, and taking her hand, bowed upon it, to conceal my sensibility What further commands, with a faltering voice, has Lady Clementina for her Grandison?

I don’t know But — will you, must you, xvill you go?

I go; I stay; I have no will but yours, madam.

The two marchionesses stood together, rapt in silent attention, leaning on each other.

Clementina sighed, sobbed, wept; then turning from me, then towards me; but not withdrawing her hand; I thought, said she, I had a thousand things to say But I have lost them all! Go thou in peace; and be happy! and God Almighty make me so! Adieu, dearest of men!

She condescendingly inclined her cheek to me: I saluted her; but could not utter to her what yet was upon my lips to speak.

She withdrew her hand. She seemed to want support. Her mother and sister hastened to her, I stopt at the door. Her eyes pursued my motions. By her uplifted hands she seemed praying for me. I was apprehensive of her fainting. I hastened to-wards her; but restraining myself, just as I had reached her, again hurried to the door; and on my knees, with clasped hands, audibly there besought God to sustain, support, preserve, the noble Cle-mentina; and seeing her seated in the arms of both ladies, I withdrew to Mr. Lowther’s apartment; and shut myself in for a few moments. When a little recovered, I could not but step in to my Jeronymo. He was alone; drying his eyes as he sat: but seeing me enter, he burst out into fresh tears.

Once more, my Jeronymo I would have comforted him; but wanted comfort myself. my Grandison! embracing me, as I did him

Clementina! The angel Clementina! Ah, my Jeronymo Grief again denied me further speech for a moment. I saw that my emotion increased his Love, love, said I, the dear I would have add-ed Clementina; but my trembling lips refused distinct utterance to the word. I tore myself from his embrace, and with precipitation left the ten-derest of friends.

Abouteleven, according to the English numbering of the hours, I sent to know how the whole family did. Father Marescotti returned with my servant. He told me, that the lddy fainted away after I was gone: but went to rest as soon as recovered. They all were in grief, he said. He was charged with the best wishes of every one; with those of the two marchionesses in particular. Signor Jeronymo was so ill, that one of his Italian surgeons proposed to sit up with him all night; for Mr. Lowther had desired to accompany me as far as Modena: and him I charged with my compliments to each person of the family; and with my remembrances to servants, who well deserved kindness from me; and who, Father Marescotti told me, were all in tears on my departure. I prevailed on the father himself to make my acknowledgments to the good Camilla. He offered, and I thankfully accepted of, his prayers for my health and happiness, which he put up in the most fervent manner, on his knees; and then embracing me, with a tenderness truly paternal, we parted blessing each other.

This morning early, I set out from Bologna. The Count of Belvedere rejoiced to see me; and called me kind for being his guest, though but for one night; for I shall pursue my journey in the morning. He assures me, that he will make me a visit in England.

You will hardly, till I arrive at Paris, have another letter, my dear Dr. Bartlett, from

Your ever affectionate

CHAItLES GRAND1SCW.


Letter XL.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett.

Paris $ Al, S ust 3I— ‘ (September 11.

I set out from Parma early on Tuesday morning, as I intended. The Count of Belvedere was so obliging, as to accompany me to Pavia, where we parted with mutual civilities.

I paid my respects to Lady Sforza at Milan, as I had promised. She received me with great politeness. Our conversation chiefly turned on the dif — ferences between the other branches of her family, on one part; and herself and Lady Laurana, on the other. She owned, that when she sent to desire a visit from me, she had supposed, that the alliance between them and me was a thing concluded upon! and that she intended, by my mediation, to reconcile herself to the family, if they would meet her half-way.

She was so indiscreet, as to lay general blame on her noble niece, as a person given up to a zeal that wanted government: she threw out hints, injurious to the sincerity of the three brothers, as well as to that of the father and mother, with regard to me: all which I discountenanced.

I have hardly ever conversed with a woman so artful as Lady Sforza. I wonder not, that she had the address to fire the Count of Belvedere with impatience, and to set him on seeking to provoke me to an act of rashness, which, after what had hap-pened between me and the young Count Altieri, some years ago, at Verona, might have been fatal to one, if not to both; and, by that means, rid Italy, if not the world, of me, and, at the same time, revenged herself on the count, for rejecting her daughter (who, as I have told you before, had a passion for him) in a manner that she called too contemptuous to be passed over.

She told me, that she doubted not now, that I had been circumvented, by (what even she, an Italian, called) Italian finesse, but her niece would be prevailed upon to marry the count; and bid me re — member her words. Ah, my poorLaurana! added she But I will renounce her, if she can be so mean, as to retain love for a man who despises her.

A convent, she said, after such a malady as Cle-mentina had been afflicted with, would be the fittest place for her. She ascribed to hers, and Laurana’s treatment of her (with great vehemence, on my disallowing her assertion) the foundation of her cure. She wished that, were Clementina to marry, it might have been me, preferably to any other man; since the love she bore me, was most likely to complete her recovery; which was not to be expected, were she to marry a man to whom she was indifferent But, added she, they must take their own way.

Lady Laurana was on a visit at the Borromean palace: her mother sent for her, unknown to me. I could very well have excused the compliment. I was civil, however: I could be no more than civil: and, after a stay of two hours, pursued my route.

Nothing remarkable happened in my journey. I wrote to Jeronymo, and his beloved sister, from Lyons.

At the post house, there, I found a servant of Lady Olivia, with a letter. He was ordered to overtake, and give it into my own hands, were he to travel with it to Paris, or even to England. Lady Olivia will be obeyed. The man missed me, by my going to visit Lady Sforza at Milan. I inclose the letter; as also a copy of mine, to which it is an answer. When you read them, you will be of opinion, that they ought not to pass your own hands. Perhaps you will choose to read them in this place.


Letter XLI.
Sir Charles Grandison to Lady Olivia.

Jiologna, Saturday, August 19–30. Now, at last, is the day approaching, that the writer of this will be allowed to consider himself wholly as an Englishman. He is preparing to take, perhaps, an everlasting leave of Italy. But could he do this, and not first bid adieu to two ladies at Florence, whose welfare will be ever dear to him Lady Olivia, and Mrs. Beaumont? It must be to both by letter.

I told you, madam, when I last attended you, that possibly I should never see you more. If I told you so in anger, pardon me. Now, in a farewell letter, I would not upbraid you. I will be all in fault, if you please. I never incurred the displeasure of Olivia, but I was more concerned for her, than for what I suffered from it; and yet her displeasure was not a matter of indifference to me.

I wish not, madam, for my own happiness, with more sincerity than I do for yours. Would to Hea-ven it were in my power to promote it! I will flatter myself, that my true regard for your honour, daugh-ter as you are of a house next to princely, and of fortune more than princely, will give me an influence, which will awaken you to your glory. Allow, ma-dam, the friendly, the brotherly expostulation Let me think, let me speak, of Olivia, in absence, as a fond brother would of a sister most dear to him. I will so speak, so think of you, madam, when far distant from you. When I remember my Italian friends, it will always be with tender blessings, and the most affectionate gratitude. Allow me, Olivia, to number you with the dearest of those friends. Your honour, your welfare, present and future, is, and ever will be, the object of my vows.

God and nature have done their parts by you: let not your own be wanting. To what purpose live we, if not to grow wiser, and to subdue our passions? Dear lady! Illustrious woman! How often have you been subdued by the violence of yours; and to what submissions has your generous repentance subjected you, even to your inferiors! Let me not be thought a boaster But I will presume to say, that I am the rather intitled to advise, as I have made it my endeavour (and, I bless God, have not been always unsuccessful) to curb my passions. They are na-turally violent. What do 1 owe to the advice of an excellent man, whom I early set up as my monitor? Let me, in this letter, be yours.

Your situation in life, your high birth, your illus-trious line of ancestors, are so many calls upon you, in whom the riches and the consequence of so many noble progenitors centre, to act worthy of their names, of their dignities, of your own; and of the dignity of your sex. The world looks up to you (your education, too, so greatly beyond that of most Italian ladies) with the expectation of an example

Yet have not evil reports already gone out upon your last excursion? The world will not see with our eyes, nor judge as we would have it, and as we sometimes know it ought to judge. My visit to Italy, when you were absent from it, and in Eng-land, was of service to your fame. The malignant world, at present, holds itself suspended in its cen-sures; and expects, from your future conduct, either a confutation or a confirmation of them. It is, therefore still in your power (rejoice, madam, that it is!) for ever to establish, or for ever to depreciate, your character, in the judgment both of friends and enemies.

How often have I seen passion, and even rage, deform features that are really lovely! Shall it be said, that your great fortune, your abundance, has been a snare to you? That you would have been a happier, nay a better woman, had not God so boun-tifully blessed you?

Can your natural generosity of temper allow you to bear such an imputation, as that the want of power only can keep you within the limits (pardon, Olivia, the lover of your fame!) which the gentleness of your sex, which true honour, prescribe?

You are a young lady. Three fourths of your natural life (Heaven permitting) are yet to come. You have noble qualities, shining accomplishments. You will probably, in a very few years, perhaps in a few months, be able to establish yourself with the world. So far only as you have gone, the incon-sideration of youth will be allowed an excuse for your conduct. Blest with means, as you are, you still have it in your power, let me repeat, to be an honour to your sex, to your country, to your splen-did house, and to the age to which you are given.

The monitor I mentioned (you know him by per-son, by manners) from my earlier youth, born as he knew me to be, the heir of a considerable fortune, suggested to me an address to Heaven, which my heart has had no repugnance to make a daily one; “ That the Almighty will, in mercy, withhold from me wealth and affluence, and make my proud heart a dependent one, even for my daily bread, were riches to be a snare to me; and, if 1 found not my inclinations to do good, as occasions offered, enlarge with my power.” O that you, Olivia, were poor and low, if the being so, and nothing else, would make you know yowself,and act accordingly! And that it were given to me, by acts of fraternal love, to restore you, as you could bear it, to an independence, large as your own wishes!

What an uncontroulable man would Lady Olivia have made, had she been a man, with but the same passions, that now diminish the grandeur of her soul, and so large a power to gratify them! What a sovereign! Look into the characters of absolute princes, and see whose, of all those who have sullied royalty, by the violence of their wills, you would have wished to copy, or to have been compared with.

How has the unhappy Olivia, though but a sub-ject, dared! How often has that tender bosom, whose glory it would have been to melt at another’s woe, and to rejoice in acts of kindness and benevo-lence to her fellow-creatures, been armed by herself (not the mistress, but the slave, of her passions) not with defensive, but offensive, steel *! Hitherto Providence has averted any remediless mischief; but Providence will not be tempted.

Believe me, still believe me, madam, I mean not to upbraid you. My dear Olivia, I— will call you, how often has my heart bled foryou! How paternally

* AHudiug to the poiuaid she carried in her bosom. though but of years to be your brother, have I la-mented for you in secret! I will own to you, that, but for the withholding prudence, and withholding honour, that I owed to both our characters, because of a situation which would not allow me to express my tenderness for you, I had folded you, in your contrite moments, to my bosom; and, on my knees, besought you to act up to your own knowledge, and to render yourself worthy of your illustrious ances-try. And what but your glory could have been, what but that is now, my motive?

With what joy do I reflect, that I took not (God be praised for his restraining goodness!) advantage of the favour I stood in, with a most lovely, and princely-spirited woman; an advantage that would have given me cause to charge myself with baseness to her, in the hour wherein I should have wanted most consolation! With what apprehension (dreading for myself, because of the great, the sometimes almost irresistible, temptation) have I looked upon myself to be (shall I say)? the sole guardian of Olivia’s honour! More than once, most generous and confiding of women, have I, from your unmerited favour for me, besought you to spare me my pride; and as often to permit me to spare you yours Not the odious vice generally known by that name (the fault of fallen angels) but that which may be called a prop, a support, to an imperfect goodness, which, properly directed, may, in time, grow into virtue: that friendly pride, let me add, which has ever warmed my heart with wishes for your temporal and eternal welfare.

I call upon you once more, my friend! How unreproachingly may we call each other by that sacred name! The friend of your fame, the friend of your soul, calls upon you once more, to rejoice with him, that you have it still in your power to tread the path of honour. Again I glory, and let us both, that we have nothing to reproach each other with. I leave Italy, a country that ever will have a title to my grateful regard, without one ^^-upbraiding sigh; though not without many sighs. 1 own it to Olivia. .Justice requires it. Justice to a lady Olivia loves not; but who deserves, not only hers, but the love of every woman: for she is an ornament to her sex, and to human nature. Yet, be it known to Olivia, that I am a sufferer by that very magnanimity, for which I revere her A rejected man! Will Olivia rejoice that I am? She will. What inequalities are there in the greatest minds? But subdue them in yours. For your own sake, not for mine, subdue them. The conquest will be more glorious to you, than the acquisition of an empire could be.

Let me conclude, with an humble, but earnest, wish, that you will cultivate, as once you promised me, the friendship of one of the best of women, Mrs. Beaumont, disposed as she, your neighbour, is to cultivate yours. I shall then hear often from you, by the pen of that excellent woman. Your compliance with this humble advice will give me, madam, for your own sake, and for the pleasure I know Mrs. Beaumont will have in it, the greatest joy that is possible for you to give to a heart, that overflows with sincere wishes for your happiness: a heart that will rejoice in every opportunity that shall be granted to promote it: for 1 am, and ever will be, The friend of your fame, of your true glory, and your devoted servant,

GRANDISON.


Letter XLII.
Lady Olivia to Sir Charles Grandison.

(Translated by Dr. Bartlttt.)

Florence, September 4. N. S. I am to take it kindly, that you have thought fit to write to the unhappy Olivia hefore you leave Italy. I could not have expected even this poor favour, after the parting it was your pleasure to call ever-lasting. Cruel man! Can I still call you so? I did, before I had this letter; and was determined, that you should have reason to repent your cruelty: but this letter has almost reconciled me to you; so far reconciled me, however, as to oblige me to lay aside the intended vengeance that was rolling towards you from slighted love. You have awakened me to my glory, by your dispassionate, your tender reasonings. Your letter (for I have erased one officious passage in it*) is in my bosom all day. It is on my pillow at night. The last thing, and the first thing, do I read it. The contents make my rest balmy, my up-rising serene. But it was not till I had read it the seventh time, and after I had erased that obnoxious passage, that it began to have that happy effect upon me. I was above advice, for the first day. I could not relish your reasonings. Resolutions of vengeance had possessed me wholly. What a charm could there be in a letter, that should make a slighted woman lay aside her meditated vengeance? A woman too, that had fallen beneath herself in the object of that despised love.

* This passage is that where he hints at Lady Clementina’s noble rejection of him, p. 274, 1. 3, beginning “ I leave Italy,” to the end of the paragraph.

Allow me, Grandison, to say so. In the account of worldly reckoning, it was so. And when I thought I hated you, it was so in my own account. Yet, could you have returned my love, I would have gloried in my choice; and attributed to envy all the insolent censures of maligners.

But even at the seventh perusal, when my indig-nation began to give way, would it have given way, had you not, in the same letter, hinted, that the proud Bologna had given up all thoughts of a hus-band in the man to whom my heart had been so long attached? Allow me to call her by the name of her city. I love not her, nor her family. I hate them by their own proud names. It is an hereditary hatred, augmented by rivalry, a rivalry that had like to have been a successful one: and is she not proud, who, whatever be her motive, can refuse the man, who has rejected a nobler woman? Yet I think I ought to forgive her; for has she not avenged me? If you are grieved, that she has refused you, I am rejoiced. Be the pangs she has so often given me, if possible, forgotten!

What a miserable wretch, however, from myown reflections, did this intelligence make me! Intelli-gence that I received before your letter blessed my hands. Let me so express myself; the contents, I hope, will be the means of blessing, by purifying, my heart! And why a miserable wretch? O this man, of sentiments the most delicate, of life and manners the most unblameable; yet of air and behaviour so truly gallant, had it not been for thy for — wardness, Olivia; had it not been for proposals, shame to thyself! shame to thy sex! too plainly intimated tohim; proposals that owed their existence to inconsiderate love; a love mingled, I will now confess, with passions of the darkest hue Envy, malice and those aggravated by despair would, on this disappointment from the Bologna, have offered his hand to the Florentine! But now do I own, that it cannot, that it ought not to be. For what, Olivia, is there in the glitter of thy fortune, thy greatest dependence, to attract a man, whom worldly gran-deur cannot influence? Who has a fortune of his own so ample, that hundreds are the better for it? A man whose ceconony is regulated by prudence? Who cannot be in such difficulties as would give some little merit to the person who was so happy as to extricate him from them? A man, in short, who takes pleasure in conferring obligations, yet never lays himself under the necessity of receiving returns? Prince of a man! What prince, king, emperor, is so truly great as this man? And is he not likewise sur-rounded by his nobles? What a number of people of high interior worth, make up the circle of his acquaintance!

And is there not, cannot there yet be hope; the proud Bologna now (as she is) out of the question? The Florentine wants not pride: but betrayed by the violence of her temper, she has not had the caution to confine herself within the bounds of female (shall I say) hypocrisy. What she could not hide from herself, she revealed to the man she loved. But never, however, was there any other man whom she loved. Upon whom but one man, the haughty object of her passion, did she ever condescend to look down? Who but he was ever encouraged to look up to her? And did not his gentle, his hu-mane, his unreproaching heart, seem to pity rather than despise her, till she was too far engaged? At the time that she first cast her eyes upon him, his fortune was not high: his father, a man of expence, was living, and likely to live: his sisters, whom he loved as himself, were hopeless of obtaining from their father fortunes equal to their rank and education. Olivia knew all this from unerring intelligence. His friends, hi6 Bartlett, his Beauchamp, and others, were not in circumstances, that set them above owing obligations to him, slender as were his own appoint-ments Then it was that thou, Olivia, valuedst thy — self for being blest with means to make the power of the man thou lovedst, as large as his heart. Thou wouldest have vested it all in him. Thou wouldest have conditioned with him, that this he should do for one sister; this for the other; this for one friend; this for another; and still another, to the extent of his wishes: and with him, and the re-mainder, thou wouldest have been happy.

Surely there was some merit in Olivia’s love.

But, alas! she was not prudent: her temper, supposed to be naturally haughty and violent, hurried her into measures too impetuous. The soul of the man she loved, too great to be attracted by riches, by worldly glory, and capable of being happy in a mere competence, was (how can I say it? I blush, while I write it! ) disgusted by a violence that had not been used to be restrained by the accustomed reserve. It was all open day, no dark machinating night, in the heart of the unassembling Olivia. She persecuted the object of her passion with her love, because she thought she could lay him under obli-gation to it. By hoping to prove herself more, she made hersel f appear less than woman . She despised that affectation, that hypocrisy, in her sex, which unpenetrating eyes attribute to modesty and shame Shame of what! of a natural passion?

But you, Grandison, were too delicate, to be taken with her sincerity. If you had penetration to distinguish between reserve and openness of heart, you had not greatness of mind enough to break through the low restraints of custom; and to reward the latter in preference to the former. Yet who, better than you, knows, that women in love are ac-tuated by one view, and differ only in outward ap — pearance? Will bars, bolts, walls, rivers, seas, any more withhold the supercilious, than the less re-served? That passion which made the Florentine compass earth and seas, in hopes of obtaining its end, made, perhaps, the prouder Bologna (and //on pride) a more pitiable object Yet, who ever imputed immodesty to Olivia? Who ever dared to harbour a thought injurious to her virtue? You only (custom her judge) have the power, but not, I hope, the will, to upbraid her. You can. The creature, who, conscious of having alarmed you by the vio-lence of her temper, would have lived with you on terms of ‘probation, and left it to your honour, on full consideration and experience of that temper, to re-ward her with the celebration, or punish her with rejection (her whole fortune devoted to you) had subjected herself to your challenges. But no-body else could harbour a thought inglorious to her.

And must she yield to the consciousness of her own unworthiness, from a proposal made by herself, which tyrant custom only can condemn?

O yes, she must. There is, among your coun-trywomen, one who seems born for you, and you for her. W she can abate of a dignity, that a first and only love alone can gratify, and accept of a second-placed love, a widower-bachelor, as I may call you, she, I know, must, will, be the happy woman. To her the slighted Florentine can resign, which, with patience, she never could to the proud Bologna; and the sooner, because of the immortal hatred she bears to that woman of Bologna. You, Grandison, have been accustomed to be distinguished by women who in degree and fortune might claim rank with prin-cesses. Degree and fortune captivate you not This humbler fair-one is more suitable to your own degree: and in the beauties of person and mind (at least, in those beauties of the latter, which you most admire) she is superior either to your Bolognese or Floren-tine. Let my pen praise her, though malice to Cle — mentina, and despair of obtaining my own wishes, mingle with my ink She is mild, though sparkling: she is humble, yet has dignity: she is reserved, yet is frank and open-hearted: nobody can impute to her either dissimulation or licence of behaviour. We read her heart in her countenance; and have no thought of looking further for it: wisdom has its seat on her lips: modesty, on her brow: her eyes avow the secrets of her soul; and demonstrate, that she has no one, that she need to be ashamed of: she can blush for others; for the unhappy Olivia she did more than once: but for herself she need not blush. I loved, yet feared her, the moment I saw her. I dared not to try myself by her judgment. It was easy for me to see, that she loved you; yet. such were your engagements, your supposed engage-ments, that I pitied her: and can we be alarmed by, or angry at, her whom we pity? Unworthy Grandison! Unworthy I will call you; because you can — not merit the love of such a spotless heart. You who could leave her, and, under colour of honour, when there was no preengagement, and when the proud family had rejected you, prefer to such a fine young creature, a romantic enthusiast O may the sweet maiden, who wants not due consciousness of interior worth, assert herself; and, by refusing your second-placed addresses, vindicate the dignity of beauty and innocence unequalled!

If you, Grandison, cannot forgive Olivia for loving you too well, for rendering herself too cheap to i: you; if you cannot repair in her own eyes, the honour of one, who, in that case, must be sunk in yours beyond the power of restoration; if you cannot forgive attempts of the hand, in which the heart had no share, but resisted; in a word, if you cannot forgive the fervor of a love, that, at times, combating my ride, had nearly overturned my reason also Then, et this virgin goodness be yours, and Olivia will endeavour to forgive you Yet O that yet Ah, Grandison! But how can a woman bear that re-fusal, which, however superior she may be in rank, in fortune, gives her an inferiority to the man of her wishes, in the very article in which it should be a woman’s glory ro retain dignity, even were the man superior to her in birth, and in all other outward advantages? I disdain thee, Grandison, in this light. I will tear thy proud image from my heart, or die. One request only, let me make, and permit your pride to comply with it. Return not to me, but ac-cept (accept as a token of love) the cabinets which perhaps will be in England before you. They will be thought by you of too great value; but they are not too great for the grandeur of my fortune, and the magnificence of my spirit. The medals alone, make a collection that would do credit to the cabinet of a sovereign prince. These are in your taste. They arc nothing to Olivia, but for your sake. Accept of these cabinets, as some atonement for the trouble I have give you; for the attempts I have made upon your liberty, and more than once (but Oh! with how feeble a hand!) upon your life! How easy had it been to take the latter, your soul so fearless, braving menaces and danger, had I been resolved to take it! How many ministers of vengeance, in my coun-try, had I been determined to execute it, would my fortune have procured me! How easy would it have been for me to conceal my guilt from all but myself, had the slow working howl, oreven the sharp-pointed poniard, given thee up to my great revenge! It is, however, happy for us both, that the proud bigot rejected you! Your death, and my distraction, had, probably, been the consequence of her acceptance of you Yet, how I rave! The moment I had seen you, my vengeance would have been arrested, as more than once it was. O Grandison! How dear are you (were you now, I will endeavour to say) to the soul of Olivia! Dearer than fame, than glory, and whatever the world deems valuable.

All that I ask of you now, that the Bologna, in disappointing you, has disappointed herself (great re-venge!) is within your own power to grant, without detriment to yourself, and, I hope, without regret. It consists of two or three articles: the first is, to re-solve within yourself, that you will not novo, should that heat of the zealot’s imagination, which has seemed to carry her above herself subside (as I have no doubt but it will); and should she even fol-low you to your native place, as a still nobler wo — man ignobly did; that you will not now receive her offered hand! O Grandison! If you do

Next, that you will (thus fairly, though foolishly y dismissed, and the whole family rejoicing in your dismission, well as they pretend to love you) put it out of your own power, since the Florentine can have no hope, to give the Bolognese any. My soul thirsts to see her in a nunnery: I could myself as-sume the veil in the same convent, I think I could, for the pleasure of exulting over her for the pangs she has occasioned me. But for her, Olivia would have been mistress of her own wishes.

Preach not to me, Grandison, against that spirit of revenge, which ever did, and ever must, actuate my heart. Slighted love will warrant it, or nothing can! Have I not lost the man I loved by it? Can I regain him, it I conquer that not ignoble vehemence of a great mind? No! Forbear then the unavailing precept, lam not of Bologna. Iamnozealot! While the warm blood flows in my veins, I pretend not to be above human nature. When I can divest myself of that, then, perhaps I may follow your advice: I may seek to cultivate the friendship of Mrs. Beaumont: but till then, she would not accept of mine.

Grandison! born to distinction! princely in your munificence! amiable in your person! great in your mind, in your sentiments! you have conquered your ambition You may therefore unite yourself to the politest country maid, and the loveliest, that ever adorned your various climate: yet, O that in the same hour, the Bolognese might assume the veil, and the lovely English maid refuse your offered hand!

My third request is (as before requested) that you will not refuse the cabinets which will be soon embarked for you. Be not afraid of me, Grandison; I form no pretensions upon you from this present? valuable as you, perhaps, may think it. Your sim-ple acceptance is all the return I hope for. Write only these words with your own hand “ Olivia, I accept your present, and thank you for it.” Receive it only as a token of my past love, for a man whose virtues I admire, and, by degrees, shall hope to imi-tate. That, Sir, when a certain event was most my wish, was not the least motive for that wish: but now, what will be the destiny of the bewildered creature, who is left at large to her own will, who can tell? A will, that only one man in the world could have subjugated. His controul would have been freedom.

I would not have you imagine, that a correspondence, by letter, is hoped for, as a rctiu n for the present of which I entreat your acceptance: but when I can assure you, that your advice will probably be of great service to me, in the conduct of my future life, as I have no doubt it will, from the calm effects that the letter, which has now a place in my bosom, has already produced there, I am ready to natter myself, that a wish so ardent, and so justifiable, will be granted to the repeated request of

OLIVIA.


Letter, No. XL.
Continuation of Sir Charles Grandison’s to Dr. Bartlett.

Olivia, you see, my dear Dr. Bartlett, concludes her letter, with a desire of corresponding with me. As she has put it, I cannot refuse her request. How happy should I think myself, if I could be a means effectually to serve her in the conduct of her future life!

I have written to her, that I shall think an inter-course by letters an honour done me, if she will allow me to treat her with the freedom and the sin-gleness of heart of an affectionate brother.

As to her particular recommendation of a third person, I tell her, that must be the subject of the future correspondence to which she is pleased to invite me.

Olivia may be in earnest, in her warm commend-ations of a lady, of whose excellencies nobody can write or speak with indifference: but I have no doubt, that she is very earnest to know my sentiments on the subject. But what must be the mind of the Imchelnr-ividoivcr, as she calls me, if already I can enter into the subject with any-bo&y, with Lady Olivia especially? The most sensible, I will not say subtle creature on earth, is certainly a woman in love. What can escape her penetration? What can bound her curiosity?

I tell her, that I can neither decline nor accept of her present, till I see the contents of the cabinets she is pleased to mention. It will give me pain, I say, to refuse any favour from Lady Olivia, by which she intends to shew her esteem of me: but favours of so high a price, will, and ought to, give scruples to one who would not be thought ungenerous.

I had always admired, I tell her, her collection of medals: but they are a family collection, of two or three generations: and I should not allow myself to accept of such a treasure, unless I could have an opportunity given me to shew, if not my merit, my gratitude; and that I saw no possibility of being blessed with, in any manner that could make the acceptance tolerably easy to myself. I cannot, my dear Dr. Bartlett, receive from this munificent lady a present that is of suchhigh intrinsic worth. Had she ottered me any-thing that would have had its value from the giver, or to the receiver, for its own sake, and not equally to any-body else; for instance, had she desired me to accept of her picture, since the original could not be mine; I would not have refused it, though it had been incircled with jewels of price. But, circumstanced as this unhappy lady and I are, could I have asked her for a favour of that nature?

I think, I have broken through one delicacy, in consenting to correspond with this lady. She should not have asked it. I never knew a pain of so par-ticular a nature as this lady (a not ungenerous, though a rash one) has given me. My very heart recoils, Dr. Bartlett, at the thought of a denial of marriage to a woman expecting the otter whom delicacy has not quite forsaken.

But a word or two more on this subject of presents. When the whole family at Bologna were so earnestly solicitous to shew their gratitude to me by some permanent token, I had once the thought of asking for their Clementina’s picture in miniature: but as I was never to think of her as mine, and as, probably, my picture, if but for politeness sake, would have been asked for in exchange, I was afraid of cherishing, by that means, in her mind, the ten-der ideas of our past friendship, and thereby of making the work of her parents difficult. And do they not the more excusably hope to succeed in their views, as they think their success will be a means to secure health of mind to their child? But if they visit me in England, I will then request the pictures of the whole family, in one large piece, for the principal ornament of Grandison-hall.

By what Olivia says, of designs on my liberty, I believe she means to indlude the attempt made upon me at Florence; which I hinted at in my last, and supposed to come from that quarter. What she would have done with me, had the attempt succeed-ed, I cannot imagine. I should not have wished to have been the subject of so romantic an adventure A prisoner to a lady in her castle! She is cer-tainly one of the most enterprising women in Italy; and her temper is too well seconded by her power. She would not, however, in that case, have had re-course to fatal acts of violence. Once, you know, she had thoughts of exciting against me the holy tribunal: but I was upon such a foot, as a traveller, and as an English protcstant, though avowed, not behaving indiscreetly, that I had friends enow, even in the Sacred College, to have rendered ineffectual any steps of that sort. And after all, her machinations were but transitory ones, and, the moment she saw me, given over.

My first enquiry, after my arrival here, was after my poor cousin Grandison. My poor cousin, indeed! What a spiritless figure does he make! I remember you once said, That it was more difficult for a man to behave well in prosperity, than in adversity: but the man who will prove the observation to be true, must not be one, who, by his own extravagance and vice, has reduced himself, from an affluence to which he was born, to penury, at ‘least to a state of obligation and dependence. Good God! that a man should be so infatuated, as to put on the cast of a dye, the estate of which he is in unquestioned possession from his ancestors! Yet who will say, that he who hopes to win what belongs to another, does not deserve to lose his own?

I soothed my cousin in the best manner I could, consistenly with justice: yet I told him, that his repentance must arise from his judgment, as well as from his sufferings; and that he would have less reason for regretting the unhappy situation to which he had reduced himself, if the latter brought him to a right sense of his errors. I was solicitous, Dr. Bart-lett, for the sake of his own peace of mind, that he should fall into a proper train of thinking: but I told him, that preachment was no more my intention, than recrimination.

I have two hands to one tongue, my cousin, said I; and the latter I use not but to tell you, that both the former are cordially at your service. You have considered this matter well, no doubt, added I: can you propose to me any means of retrieving your affairs?

There is, said he, one way. It would do every-thing for me: but I am afraid of mentioning it to you.

If it be a just way, fear not. If it be any-thing I can do for you, out of my own single purse, without asking any second or third person to contribute to it, command me He hesitated.

If it be any-thing, my cousin, said I, that you think I ought not, in justice, in honour, to comply with, do not, for your own sake, mention it. Let me see that your calamity has had a proper effect upon you. Let not the just man be sunk in the man in adversity; and then open your mind freely to me. He could not, he said, trust the mention of the expedient to me, till he had given it a further consideration.

Well, Sir, be pleased to remember, that I will never ask you to mention it; because I cannot doubt but you toil I, if, on consideration, you think it a/jro-per expedient.

When some friends, who came to visit me on my arrival, were gone, my cousin resumed the former subject: but he offered not to mention his expedient. I hope it was not, that he had a view to my Emily. I am very jealous for my Emily. If I thought poor Everard had but an imagination of retrieving his affairs by her fortune, nothing but his present cala-mity should hinder me from renouncing for ever my cousin.

I enquired particularly into the situation he was in; and if there were a likelihood of doing any-thing with the gamesters. But he could not give me room for such an expectation. I find he has lost all his estate to them, Dunton-farm excepted; which, having been much out of repair, is now fitting up for a new tenant; and will not, for three or four years to come, bring him in a clear fifty pounds a year.

I have known more men than one, who could not live upon fifteen hundred a year, bring themselves to be contented with fifty. But Mr. Grandison is so fallen in spirit, that he never will be able to survive such a change of fortune, if I do not befriend him. Poor man! he is but the shadow of what he was. The first formerly in the fashion: in body and face so erect; his steps so firm, gait so assured, air so gen-teel, eye so lively But now, in so few months, gaunt sides; his half-worn tarnished-lacedcoat, big enough to wrap over him; hollow cheeks, puling voice, sighing heart, creeping feet O my Dr. Bartlett, how much does it behove men so little able to bear distress, to avoid falling into it by their own extravagance! But for a man to fall into indigence through avarice, (for what is a spirit of gaming, but a spirit of avarice, and that of the worst sort?) How can such a one support his own reflections?

I had supposed, that he had no reason, in this shattered state of his affairs, to apprehend any-thing from the prosecution set on foot by the woman who claimed him on promise of marriage; but I was mis-taken; she has, or pretends to have, he told me, wit — nesses of the promise. Poor shameful man! What witnesses needed she, if he knows he made it, and re-ceived the profligate consideration?

I am not happy, my dear friend, in my mind. I hope to be tolerably so, if my next letters from Bo-logna are favourable, as to the state of health of the beloved brother and sister there.

It would have been no disagreeable amusement to me, a*, this time, to have proceeded directly to Ire-land; the rather, as I hope a visit to my estate there is become almost necessary, by the forwardness the works are in which I set on foot when I was on that more than agreeable spot. But the unhappy situation of Mr. Grandison’s affairs, and my hopes of bringing those of Lady Mansfield to an issue, toge-ther with the impatience I have to see my English friends, determine me to the contrary. To-morrow will be the last day of my stay in this city; and the

V’”>L. xiii. 2 c day after, my cousin and I shall set out for Calais Very quickly, therefore, after the receipt of this letter, which shuts up the account of my foreign excursions, will you, by your paternal goodness, if in London, help to calm the disturbed heart of your CHARLES GRANDISON.


Letter XLIII.
Lady G. to Miss Byron.

London, Tuesday, September 5. Congratulate us, my dearest Miss Byron, on the arrival of my brother. He came last night. It was late. And he sent to us this morning; and to others of his friends. My lord and I hurried away to breakfast with him. Ah, my dear! we see too plainly that he has been very much disturbed in mind. He looks more wan, and is thinner, than he was: but he is the same kind brother, friend, and good man.

I expected a little hint or two from him on my past vivacities; but not a word of that nature. He felicitated my good man and me: and when he spoke of Lord and Lady L. and his joy in their happiness, he put two sisters and their good men together, as two of the happiest pairs in England. Politic enough; for as we sat at breakfast, two or three toy-some things were said by my lord (no ape was ever so fond!/ and I could hardly forbear him: but the reputation my brother gaiie me, was a restraint upon me. I see, one may be flattered, by undeserved compliments, into good behaviour, when we have a regard to the opinion of the complimenter.

Aunt Nell was all joy and gladness: she was in raptures last night, it seems, at her nephew’s first arrival. He rejoiced to see her; and was so thankful to her for letting him find her in town, and at his house, that she resolves she will not leave him till he is married. The good old soul imagines she is of importance to him, in the direction of the family matters, now I have left him /, Harriet! there’s self-importance! But, good creatures, these old virgins! they do so love to be thought useful Well, and is not that a good sign, on aunt Nell’s part? Does it not look as if she would have been an useful creature in the days of nightrail and notableness, had she been a wife in good time? I always think, when I see those badgerly virgins fond of a parrot, a squirrel, a monkey or a lap-dog, that their ima-gination makes out husband and children in the animals Poor things! But as to her care, I dare say, that will only serve to make bustle and confu-sion, where else would be order and regularity: for my brother has the best of servants.

I wished her in Yorkshire fifty times, as we sat at breakfast: for when I wanted to ask my brother twenty thousand questions, and to set him on talking, we were entertained with her dreams the night before his arrival, and last night Seas crossed, ri-vers forded Dangers escaped by the help of angels and saints, were the reveries of the former night; and of the last, the music of the spheres, heaven, and joy, and festivity The plump creature loves good cheer, Harriet. In short, hardly aword could we say, but what put her upon recollecting a part of one of her dreams: yet, some excuse lies good, for anoldsoul, whose whole life has been but one dream, a little fal-lalishly varied And, would you think it? (yes, I believe you would) my odd creature was once or twice put upon endeavouring to recollect two or three dreams of his own, of the week past: and would have gone on, if I had not silenced him by a frown, as he looked upon me for his cue, as a tender hus-band ought.

Beauchamp came in, and I thought would have relieved us: but he put my aunt in mind of an almost-forgotten part of her dream; for just such a joyful meeting, just such expressions of gladness, did she dream of, as she now beheld, and heard, between my brother and him felicitating each other. Duce take these dreaming souls, to remember their re-veries, when realities infinitely more affecting are before them! But reflection and prognostic are ever inspiriting parts of the pretension of people who have lived long; dead to the present; the past and the future filling their minds: and why should not they be indulged in the thought that they know some-thing more than those who are less abstracted; and who are contented with looking no further than the present?

Sir Charles enquired after Sir Harry’s health. Mr. Beauchamp, with a concern that did him credit, lamented his declining way; and he spoke so re-spectfully of Lady Beauchamp, and of her tender — ness to his father, as made my brother’s eyes glisten with pleasure.

Lord and Lady L. Dr. Bartlett, and Emily, were at Colnebrook: but as they had left orders to be sent for, the moment my brother arrived (for you need not doubt but his last letter prepared us to expect him soon) they came time enough to dine with us. There was a renewal of joy among us.

Emily, the dear Emily, fainted away, embracing the kness of her guardian, as she, unawares to him, threw herself at his feet, with joy that laboured for expression, but could not obtain it. He was affect-ed. So was Beauchamp. So were we all. She was carried out, just as she was recovering to a shame and confusion of face, for which only her own mo-desty could reproach her.

There are susceptibilities which will shew them-selves in outward acts; and there are others which cannot burst out into speech. Lady L.‘s joy was of the former, mine of the latter, sort. But she is used to tenderness of heart. My emotions are ready to burst my heart, but never hardly can rise to my lips My eyes, however, are great talkers.

The pleasure that Sir Charles, Lord L. and Dr. Bartlett, mutually expressed to see each other, was great, tender, and manly. My bustling nimble lord enjoyed over again his joy, at that of every other person; and he was ready, good-naturedly, to sing and dance That’s his way, poor man, to shew his joy; but he is honest, for all that. Don’t despise him, Harriet! He was brought up as an only son, and to know that he was a lord, or else he would have made a better figure in your eyes. The man wants not sense, I assure you. You may think me partial: but I believe the most foolish thing he ever did in his life, wasat church, and that at St. George’s, Hanover Square. Poor soul! He might have had a wife better suited to his taste, and then his very foibles would have made him shine. But, Harriet, it is not always given to us to know what is best for ourselves. Black women, I have heard remarked, like fair men; fair men, black women; and tempers suit best with contraries. Were we all to like the same person or thing equally, we should be for-ever engaged in broils: as it is, human nature (vile rogue f as I have heard it called) is quarrelsome enough: so my lord, being a soft man, Jell in love, if it please you, with a saucy woman. He ought to be meek and humble, you know. lie would not let me be quiet, till I was his. We are often to be punished by our own choice. But I am very good to him now. I don’t know, Harriet, whether it is best for me to break him of his trifling, or not: unless one were sure, that he could creditably support the alteration. Now can I laugh at him; and, if the baby is froppish, can coax him into good humour. A su-gar-plum, and a courtesy, will do at any time; and, by setting him into a broad grin, I can laugh away his anger. But should I endeavour to make him wise, as the man has not been used to it, and as his education has not given him a turn to significance, don’t you think he would be awkward; and what is worse, assuming? Well, I’ll consider of this, before I attempt to new-cast him. Mean time, I repeat Don’t you, my dear, for my sake, think meanly of Lord (t. Ha, ha, ha, hah! What do I laugh at, do you ask me, Harriet? Something so highly ri-diculous I have I have sent him away from me, so much ashamed of himself He bears any-thing from me note, that he knows I am only in play with him, and have so very right a heart I must lay down my pen Poor soul! Hah, hah, hah, hah! I do love him for his simplicity! * *

Well, I won’t tell you what I laughed at just now, for fear you should laugh at us both. My brother’s arrival has tuned every string of my heart to joy. The holding up of a straw will throw me into tit-teration I can hardly forbear laughing again, to think of the shame the poor soul shewed, when he slunk away from me. After all, he ill brooks to be laughed at. Does not that look as if he were conscious? But what, Harriet (will you ask) mean l x by thus trifling with you, and at this time particu-larly? Why, I would be glad to make you smile, either with me, or at me: I am indifferent which, so that you do but smile You do! I protest you do! Well! now that I have obtained my wishes, I will be serious.

We congratulated my brother on the happy turn in the healths of his Italian friends, without naming names, or saying a word of the sister we had like to have had. He looked earnestly at each of us; bowed to our congratulations; but was silent. Dr. Bartlett had told us, that he never, in his letters to my bro-ther, mentioned your being not well, because he knew it would disturb him. He had many things to order and do; so that, except at breakfast, when aunt Nell invaded us with her dreams, and at din-ner, when the servants attendance made our dis course general, we had hardly any opportunity of talking to him. But in the space between tea-time and supper, hecameand told us, that he wasdevoted to us for the remainder of the day. Persons present were, Lord and Lady L. myself, and my good man, Dr. Bartlett, Mr. Beauchamp, and Emily, good girl! quite recovered, and blithe as a bird, attentive to every word that passed the lips of her guardian O, but aunt Nell was also present! Poor soul! I had like to have forgot her!

In the first place, you must take it for granted, that we all owned, we had seen most of what he had written to Dr. Bartlett.

What troubles, what anguish of mind, what a strange variety of conflicts, has your heart had to contend with, my dear Sir Charles, began .Mr. Beau-champ; and, at last, What a strange disappointment, from one of the noblest of women!

Very true, my Beauchamp. He then said great and glorious things of Lady Clementina. We all joined in admiring her. He seemed to have great pleasure in hearing us praise her Very true, Har-riet! But you have generosity enough to be pleased with him for that.

Aunt Eleanor (I won’t call her aunt Nell any more if I can help it) asked him if he thought it were possible for the lady to hold her resolution? Now you have actually left Italy, nephew, and are at such a distance, don’t you think her lovewill return?

(rood soul! She has substantial notions still left, I find, of ideal love! Those notions, I fancy, last a long time, with those who have not had the oppor-tunity of gratifying the silly passion! Be angry, if you will, Harriet, I don’t care.

Well, hut, thus gravely, as became the question, answered my brother The favour which this incomparable lady honoured me with, was never dis owned: on the contrary, it was always avowed, and to the very last. She had therefore no uncertainty to contend with: she had no balancings in her mind. Her contention, as she supposed, was altogether in favour of her duty to Heaven. She is exemplarily pious. While she remains a zealous Roman Catho-lic, she must persevere; and I dare say she will.

I don’t know what to make of these Papists, said our old Protestant aunt Neil (Aunt Nell, did I say? Cry mercy!) Thank God you are come home safe and sound, and without a papistical wife! It is very hard, if England cannot find a wife for you, nephew.

We all smiled at aunt Nell The duce is in me, I believe! Aunt Nell again! But let it go.

Lady L. asked when I saw or heard from the dowager Countess of D?

Is there any other Countess of D. Lady L .? said Sir Charles: a fine glow taking possession of his cheeks.

Your servant, brother, thought I; I am not sorry for your charming apprehensiveness.

No, Sir, replied Lady L.

Would you, brother, said Boldface (you know who that is, Harriet) that there should be another Countess of D.?

I wish my Lord D. happy, Charlotte. I hear him as well spoken of as any of our young nobility.

You don’t know what I mean, I warrant, Sir Charles! resumed, with an intentional archness, your saucy friend.

I believe I do, Lady G, I wish Miss Byron to be one of the happiest women in the world, because she is one of the best My dear, to Emily, I hope you have had nothing to disturb or vex you, from your mother’s husband

Nor from my mother, Sir All is good, and as it should be. You have overcome

That’s well, my dear Would not the Bath wa-ters be good for Sir Harry? my dear Beauchamp.

A second remove, thought I! But I’ll catch you, brother, I’ll warrant (as rustics sometimes, in their play, do a ball) on the rebound.

Now, Harriet, you will be piqued, I suppose. Your delicacy will be offended, because I urged the question. I see a blush of disdain arising in your lovely cheek, restoring to it the roses, and giving its na-tural brilliancy to your conscious eye. Indeed we all began to be afraid of a little affectation in my brother. But we needed not. He would not suffer us to put him upon the subject again. After a few other general questions and answers, of toko and who; and how and Amu; and what and when, and so forth; he turned to Dr. Bartlett.

My dear friend, said he, you give me pain a little while ago, when I asked you after the health of Miss Bvron and her friends: you evaded my question, I thought, and your looks alarmed me. I am afraid poor Mrs. Shirley Miss Byron spoke of her always as in an infirm state: How, Charlotte, would our dear MissByron grieve, were she tolosesogoodareiation!

I intended not, answered the doctor, that you should Are I was concerned: but I think it impossi-ble, that a father can love a daughter better than I love Miss Byron.

You would alarm me, indeed, my dear friend, if Lady G. had not, by her usual liveliness just now,

Sut me out of all apprehensions for the health of liss Byron. I hope Miss Byron is well.

Indeed she is not, said I, with a gravity becoming the occasion.

God forbid! said he, with an emotion that pleased every-body

Not for your sake, Harriet Be not affectedly nice now; but for our own

His face was in a glow What, Lady L. what, Charlotte, said he, ails Miss Byron?

She is not well, brother, replied I; but the most charming sick woman that ever lived. She is cheer-ful, that she may give no uneasiness to her friends. She joins in all their conversations, diversions, amusements. She would fain be well; and likes not to be thought ill. Were it not for her faded cheeks, her pale lips, and her changed complexion, we should not know from herself that she ailed any-thing. Some people reach perfection sooner than others; and are as swift in their decay Poor Miss Byron seems not to be built for duration.

But should I write these things to you, my dear? Yet I know that Lady Clementina and you are sis-ters in magnanimity.

My brother was quite angry with me Dear Dr. Bartlett, said he, explain this speech of Charlotte. She loves to amuse Miss Byron is blessed with a good constitution: she is hardly yet in the perfection of her bloom. Set my heart at rest. I love not either of my sisters, more than I do Miss Byron. Dear Charlotte, I am really angry with you.

My good-natured lord reddened up to his naked ears, at hearing my brother say he was angry with me. Sir Charles, said he, I am sorry you are so soon angry with your sister. It is too true, Miss Byron is ill: she is i fear, in a declining way

Pardon mc, my dear Lord G. Yet I am ready to be angry with any-body that shall tell me Miss Byron is in a declining way Dr. Bartlett Pray–Indeed, Sir, Miss Byron is not well Lady G. has mingled her fears with her love, in the description. Miss Byron cannot but be lovely: her complexion is still fine. She is cheerful, serene, resigned

Resigned, Dr. Bartlett! Miss Byron is a saint. She cannot but be resigned, in the solemn sense of the word Resignation implies hopelessness, if she is so ill, would not you, my dear Dr. Bartlett, have informed me of it Or was it from tenderness You must be kind in all you do

I did not apprehend, said Lady L.. that Miss Byron was so very much indisposed. Did you, my lord? (to Lord L.) Upon my word, doctor, sister, it was unkind, if so, that you made me not acquainted

And then her good-natured eye dropt a tear of love for her Harriet.

I was sorry this went so far. My brother was very uneasy. So was Mr. Beauchamp, for him, and for you, my dear.

That she is and endeavours to be, so cheerful, said Licauchamp, shews, that nothing lies upon hen mind My father’s illness only can more effect me, than Miss Byron’s.

Emily wept for her Miss Byron. She has always been afraid that her illness would be attended with ill consequences.

My dear love, my Harriet, you must be well. See how every-body loves you. I told my brother, that I expected a letter from Northamptonshire, by the next post; and I would inform him truly of the state of your health, from the contents of it.

I would not for the world have you think, my Harriet, that I meant to excite my brother’s attention to you, by what I said. Yoi’.r honour is the honour of the sex. lor are you not one of the most d ‘iieate-minded, as well as frankest, of it? It is no n.ws to iay, that my brother dearly loves you. I i, id not want to know his solicitude for vour health.

Where he once loves, he always loves. Did you not observe, that I supposed it a natural decline? God grant that it may not be so. And thus am I impru-dently discouraging you, in mentioning my appre — hensions of your ill health, in order to shew my regard for your punctilio: but you shall, you will, be well; and the wife of the best of men God grant it may be so! But, however that is to be, we have all laid our heads together, and are determined, for your delicacy — sake, to let this matter take its course; since, after an opening so undesignedly warm, you might otherwise imagine our solicitude in the affair capable of beiny thought too urgent. I tell you, my dear, that, worthy as Sir Charles Grandison is of a princess, he shall not call you by his name, but with all his soul.

As my brother laid it out to us this evening, I find we shall lose him for some days. The game-sters whom Mr. Grandison permitted to ruin him, are at Winchester: dividing, I suppose, and rejoicing over, their spoils of the last season Whether my brother intends to see them or not, I cannot tell. He expects not to do any-thing with them. They, no doubt, will shew the foolish fellow, that they can keep what he could not: and Sir Charles aims only at practicable and legal, not at romantic, redresses.

Sir Charles intends to pay his respects to Lord and Lady W. at Windsor; and to the Earl of G. and Lady Gertrude, who are at their Berkshire seat. My honest lord has obtained my leave, at the first asking, to attend him thither My brother will wait on Sir Harry, and Lady Beauchamp in his way to Lady Mansfield’s Beauchamp will accompany him thi-ther. Poor Grandison, as humble as a mouse, though my brother does all he can to raise him, desires to be in his tram as he calls it, all the way, and never to be from under his wing. My brother intends to make a short visit toGrandison-hall, when he is so near as at Lady Mansfield’s: Dr. Bartlett will accompany him thither, as all the way; and hopes he will approve of every-thing he has done there, and in that neighbourhood, in his absence. The good man has promised to write to me. Emily is sometimes to be with me, sometimes with aunt Eleanor, at the ancient’s request; though Lord and Lady L. mutter at it. My brother’s trusty Saun-ders is to be left behind, in order to dispatch to his master, by man and horse, any letters that may come from abroad; and I have promised to send him an account of the healths, and-so-forth, of our North-amptonshire friends. I think it would be a right thing in him to take a turn to Selby-house. I hope you think so too. Don’t fib, Harriet.

Adieu, my dear. Eor God’s sake be well, prays your sister, your friend, and the friend of all your friends, ever-affectionate and obliged,

CHARLOTTE G.


Letter XLIV.
Miss Harriet Byron to Lady G.

Thursday, September 7. I will write to your letter as it lies before me.

I do most heartily congratulate you, my dear Lady G. on the arrival of your brother. I do not wonder that his fatigues, and his disappointment, have made an alteration in his person and countenance. Sir Charles Grandison would not be the man he is, if he had not sensibility.

You could not know your brother, my dear, if you expected from him recriminations on your past odd bel aviour to Lord G. I hope he does not yet know a tenth part of it: but if he did, as he hoped you saw your error, and would be good for the future, he was right surely to forget, what you ought not, but with contrition, to remember. You are very naughty in the letter before me; and I love you too well to spare you.

What can you mean, my dear, by exulting so much over your aunt, for living to an advanced age, a single woman? However ineffectual, let me add to my former expostulatory thidings on this subject: Would you have one think you are overjoyed, that you have so soon put it out of any one’s power to reproach you on the like account? If so, you ought to be more thankful than you seem to be, to Lord G. who has extended his generosity to you, and kept you from the odium. Upon my word, my dear Lady G. I think it looks like a want of decency in women to cast reflections on others of their sex, possibly for their prudence and virtue. Do you consider how you exalt, byyourludicrous freedoms, the men whom sometimes you affect to despise? No wonder if they ridicule old maids. It is their interest to do so. Lords of the creation, sometimes you deridingiy call the insulters; lords of the creation, indeed you make them! And pray, do you think, that the same weakness which made your aunt Graudison tell her dreams, in the joy of her heart, as an old maid, might not have made her guilty of the same foible, had she been an old wife? Joy is the parent of many a silly thing. Don’t you own, that the arrival of your brother, which made your aunt break out into dream-telling, made you break into laughter (even in a letter) of which you were ashamed to tell the cause? Wives, my dear, should not fall into th<e mistakes, for which they would make maids the subject of their ridicule. You know butter; and therefore should be above joining the foolish multitude, in a general cry to hunt down an unjuitunatc class of people (as you reckon them) of your own sex. Your aunt Grandison’s dreams, let me add, were more innocent, than your waking mirth You must excuse me I could say a great deal more upon the subject; but if I have not said enough to make you sorry for your fault, a great deal more would be ineffectual So much therefore for this subject.

Poor dear Emily! I wonder not at the effect the arrival, and first sight, of her guardian, had upon her tender heart.

But how wickedly do you treat your lord! Fie upon you, Charlotte! And fie upon you again, for writing what I cannot for your credit-sake read out to my friends. I wish, my dear, I could bring you to think, that there cannot be wit without justice; nor humour without decorum: my lord has some few foibles: but shall a wife be the first to discover them, and expose him for them? Cannot you cure him of them, without treating him with a ridicule which borders upon contempt? O my dear, you shew us much greater foibles in yourself, than my lord ever yet had when you make so bad an use of talents that were given you for better purposes. One word only more on this subject You cannot make me smile, my dear, when you are thus unsea-sonable in your mirth. Henceforth, then, remem — ber, that your excursiveuess (ailow me the word, I had a harsher in my head) upon old maids, and your lord, can only please yourself; and I will not accept of your compliment, because I will not be a partaker in your fault; as I should be, if I could countenance your levity.

Levity, Harriet!

Yes, levity, Charlotte I will not spare you. Whom do you spare?

But do you really think me so ill as you repre-sented me to be, to your brother? I don’t think I am. If I did, I am sure I should endeavour to put my thoughts into an absolutely new train t nor wOuld I quit the hold which, at proper times, I do let go, to re-enter the worid, as an individual, who imagines herself of some little use in it; and who is therefore obliged to perform, with cheerfulness, her allotted offices, however generally insignificant I may comparatively be.

You say, you had no thoughts of exciting your brother’s attention, by your strong colouring, when you described the effects of my indisposition to him. Attention! Compassion you might as well have said I hope not . And I am obliged to Mr. Beauchamp for his inference, from my cheerfulness, that nothing lay upon my mind Now, though that inference seemed to imply, that he thought, if he had not made the observation, something might have been supposed to lie upon my mind I am much better satisfied that he made it, than if Sir Charles had.

Upon the whole, I cannot but be pleased at two things in your letter: the one that Sir Charles expressed o great a concern for my health: the other, that you have ail promised, and that voluntarily, and from a sense of the fitness of the measure, that every-thing shall be left to its natural course For my sake, and for goodness-sake, pray let it be so. I think the opening, as you call it, was much, very much, too ivarm. Bless me, my dear, how I trem-bled as I read that part! I am not, methinks. quite satisfied with it, though I am with your intention.

Consider, my dear, half a heart A preferred lady! For quality, fortune, and every merit, so greatly preferable O my Charlotte! I cannot, were the best to happen that can, such take exceeding great joy, as I once could have done, in the prospect of that best. I have pride But let us hear what the next letters from Italy say; and it will be then time enough (if the truly admirable ladv shall adhere to her resolution) to come with my scruples and draw-backs. Your aunt Grandison is of opinion, that she will not adhere. Who can tell what to say? imagi-nation, unnaturally heightened, may change into one altitude from another. I myself sincerely think (and have so often said it, that an uncharitable mind would perhaps charge me with affectation for it) that Lady Clementina, and no other woman, can deserve Sir Charles Grandison.

Adieu, my dear. Pray tell your brother that I never thought myself so ill as your friendly love made you apprehend me to be: and that I congra-tulate you, with all my heart, and him also (it would be an affectation to forbear it, which would imply too much) on his safe arrival in England. But be sure remember, that I look upon you and your lord, upon my Lord and Lady L. and upon my sweet Emily, if she sees what I write, as guardians of the honour (of the punctilio, if you please, since no dishonour can be apprehended from Sir Charles Gran — dison) of

Your and their

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XLV.
Dr. Bartlett to Lady G.

Monday, September 1 I. In obedience to your ladyship’s commands, I write,, but it must be briefly, on account of our motions.

Sir Charles would not go out of town, till he had made a visit to Mr. mid Mrs. Reeves, and enquired after?Wiss Byron’s health; of which he received an account less alarming, than we, from our love and our fears, had given him.

We arrived at Windsor on Wednesday evening.

My Lord and Lady W. expected him not till thfr next day.

I cannot find words to express the joy with which they received him. My lord acknowledged before us all, that he owed it to God, and to him, that he was the happiest man in the world. My lady called herself, with tears of joy, a happy woman: and Sir Charles told me, that when he was led by her to her closet, to talk about the affairs of her family, she exceedingly abashed him, by expressing her gratitude to him for his goodness to them all, on her knees; while he was almost ready, on his, he said, to ac-knowledge the aunt, that had done so much honour to his recommendation, and made his uncle so happy.

Sir Charles, in order to have leave to depart next morning, as soon as he had breakfasted, promised to pass several days with them, when he could think himself a settled Englishman.

You, madam, and Lady L. equally love and ad-mire Lady VV.: I will not, therefore, enlarge to you on her excellencies. Every-body loves her. Her servants, as they attend, look at their lady with the same delight, mingled with reverence, as those of my patron look upon him. Poor Mr. Grandison could not help taking affecting notice to me, on the joint acknowledgments of my lord and lady made to my patron, that goodness and beneficence brought with them their own rewards. Saw you not, my good Dr. Bartlett, said he, how my cousin’s eyes glistened with modest joy, as my lord and lady ran over with their gratitude? I thought of him, as an angel among men What a wretch have I been! How can I sit at table with him! Yet how he over-whelms me with his goodness!

Sir Charles having heard, that Sir Hargrave Pol-lexfen was at his house on the forest, he rode to make him a visit, though some few miles out of his way. I attended him.

Sir Hargrave is one of the most miserable of men. He is not yet fully recovered of the bruises and Tough treatment he met with near Paris: but he is so ‘extremely sunk in his spirits, that my patron could not but be concerned for him. He received him with grateful acknowledgments, and was thankful for his visit: but he told him, that he was so miserable in himself, thai he could hardly thank him for saving a life so wretched.

Mr. Marceda, it seems, died about a fortnight ago.

The poor man was thought to be pretty well re-covered; and rode out several times: but was taken, on his return from one of his rides, with a vomiting of blood; the consequence, as imagined, of some inward bruises, and died miserably. His death, and the manner of it, have greatly affected Sir Hargrave. And poor Bagenhall, Sir Charles, said he, is as miserable a dog as I am!

Sir Hargrave, understanding, as he said, that I was aprtrsnn, begged me to give him one prayer

He was so importunate, and for Sir Charles to join in it, that we both kneeled with him.

Sir Hargrave wept. He called himself a hardened

Strange man But I think I was still more af-fected (Sir Hargrave shocked me!) by your noble brother’s humanity, than by Sir Hargrave’s wretch-edness; tears of compassion for the poor man steal* ing down his manly cheek God comfort you, Sir Hargrave, said he, wringing his hand Dr. Bart-lett is a good man. You shall have the prayers of us both.

He left him. He could stay no longer; followed bv the unhappy man’s blessings, interrupted by violent sobbings.

We were both so affected, that we broke not si-lence, as we rode, till we joined our company at my lord’s.

I recounted what passed at this interview to Mr. Grandison. Your ladyship will not want me to be very particular in relating what were his applications to, and reflections on, himself, when I tell you, that he could not have been more concerned, had he been present on the occasion.

Mr. Beauchamp was with us when I gave this re-lation to Mr. Grandison. He was affected at it, and with Mr. Grandison’s sensibility: but how happy for himself was it, that his concern had in it no mixture of self-reproach! It was a generous and humane concern, like that of his dear friend.

Sir Charles’s next visit was to the good Earl of G. And here we left my Lord G.; the best-natured, and one of the most virtuous and prudent young noble-men in the kingdom. Your ladyship will not accuse me of flattery, when you read this; but you will, perhaps, of another view Yet, as long as I know that you love to have justice done to my lord; and in your heart are sensible of the truth of what I say, and I am sure rejoice in it; I give cheerful way to the justice; and the rather, as you look upon my lord as so much yourself, that if you receive his praises with some little reluctance, it is with such a modest reluctance as you would receive your own; glad, at the same time, that you were so justly complimented.

My lord will acquaint your ladyship with all that passed at the good earl’s; and how much overjoyed he and Lady Gertrude were at the favour they thought your brother did tlrem in dining with them. His lordship will tell you also, how much they wish for you; for they propose to winter there, and not in Hertfordshire, as once they thought to do.

Here Sir Charles enquired after their neighbour, Mr. Bagenhall.

He is become a very melancholy man. His wife fes as obliging as he will let her be; but he hates her; and the less wonder, for he hates himself.

Poor woman: she could not expect a better fate. To yield up her chastity; to be forced upon him af-terwards, by way of doing her poor justice; what ‘affiance can he have in her virtue, were she to meet with a trial?

But that is not all; for though nobody quertions her fidelity, yet what weight with him can her argu-ments have, were she to endeavour to enforce upon Siis mind those doctrines, which, were they to have proceeded from a pure heart, might now-and-then, have let in a ray of light on his benighted soul? A gloomy mind must occasionally receive great consolation from the interposal and soothing of a com panionable love, when we know it comes from an untainted heart!

Poor Mr. Grandison found in this case also great room for self-application and regret, without my being so officious as to remind him of the similitude; .hough the woman who is endeavoured to be imposed on him for a wife, is a more guilty creature than ever Mrs. Bagenhall was.

And here, madam, allow me to observe, that there is such a sameness in the lives, the actions, the pur-suits of libertines, and such a likeness in the acci — dents, punishment, and occasions for remorse, which attend them, that I wonder they will not be warned by the beacons that are lighted up by every brother libertine whom they know; and that they will so ge-nerally be driven on the same rock, overspread and surrounded as it is, in their very sight, by a thou-sand wrecks! Did such know your brother, and learn from his example and history, what a variety there is in goodness, as he passes on from object to object, exercising, not officiously, but as opportu-nity offers^ his noble talents to the benefit of hiir fellow-creatures, surely they would, like honest Mr. Sylvester, the attorney, endeavour to give them-selves solid joy, by following what that gentleman justly called so self-rewarding an example.

Forgive me, madam, if sometimes I am ready to preach: it is my province. Who but your brother can make every province his, and accommodate himself to every subject?

We reached Sir Harry Beauchamp’s that night; and there took up our lodgings.

Sir Harry seems to be in a swift decay; and he is-very sensible of it. He rejoiced to see your brother. I was afraid, fcir Charles Grandison, said he, that our next meeting would have been in another world. May we meet hereafter, and I shall be happy!

This was a wish, a thought, not to be discouraged in a dying man. Sir Charles was affected with it. You know, madam, that your brother has a heart the most tender, and, at the same time, the most intrepid, of human hearts. I have learned much from him. He preaches by action. Till I knew him, young man as he then was, and still is, my preaching was by words . — I was contented, that my actions disgraced not my words.

Lady Beuuchump, as my patron afterwards told me, confessed, in tears, that she should owe to him all the tranquillity of mind which she can hope for, if she survive Sir Harry. O sir, said she, till I knew you, I was a narrow, selfish creature, I was j.alou* of a father’s love to a worthy son; whose worthiness I knew not, as a son, and as a friend; that was the happiest day of our Beauchamp’s life, which intro-duced him to an intimacy with you.

Here, on Friday morning, we left Mr. Beauchamp, sorrowing for his father’s illness, and endeavouring by every tender act of duty, to comfort his mother-inlaw on a deprivation, with which, I am afraid, she will soon be tried.

My Beauchamp loves you, Sir Charles, said Sir Harry, at parting in the morning after breakfast; and so he ought. Wherever you are, he wants to be; but spare him to his mother and’ me for a few days: he is her comforter, and mine. Fain, very fain, would I have longer rejoiced, if God had seen fit, in the love of both. But I resign to the Divine will. Pray for me: you also, Dr. Bartlett, pray for me. My son tells me what a good man you are And may we meet in heaven! I am afraid, Sir Charles, that I never shall see you again in this world But why should I oppress your noble heart? God be your guide and protector! Take care of your precious health. You have a great deal to do, before you finish your glorious course, and come to this last period of human vanity.

My patrou was both grieved and rejoiced Re-joiced to see Sir Harry in a frame of mind so dif — ferent from that to which he had been a witness in Sir Margrave Pollexfen; and grieved to find him past all hopes of recovery.

Sir Charles pursued his journey, cross the country, to Lady Mansfield’s. We found no convenient place for dining, and arrived at Mansfield-house about five on Friday afcernoon.

My Lady Mansfield, her daughter and sons, were overjoyed to see my patron. Mr. Grandison told me, that he never from infancy till this time, shed so many tears as he has shed on this short tour, sometimes from joy, sometimes from grief. I don’t know, madam, whether one should wish him re-established in his fortune, if it could be done; sine* calamity, rightly supported, is a blessing.

Here I left my patron, and proceeded on Saturday morning with Mr. Grandison to the hall. If* Sir Charles finds matters ripened for a treaty between the Mansfields and their adversaries, as he has been put in hopes, he will stay at Mansfield-house, and only visit us at the hall incognito, to avoid neigh-bourly congratulations, till he can bring things to bear.

Mr. Grandison just now told me, that Sir Charles, before he left town, gave him a 4001. bank note, to enable him to pay off his debts to tradesmen; of which, at his desire, he had given him in a list; amounting to ‘5G0/.

He owes, he says, 100l. more to the widow of a wine-merchant; but being resolved to pay it the moment money comes into his hands, he would not acquaint Sir Charles with it.

I have the honour to be

Your ladyship’s Most faithful and obedient servant,

AMBROSE BARTLETT,




Volume VI.


Letter I.
Sir Charles Grandison to Dr. Bartlett.

Mani-field-lionse, Thursday, September 14. You will be so good, my dear friend, as to let my neighbours, particularly the gentlemen you mention, know, that the only reason I forbear paying my compliments to them, now I am so near, is, because I cannot as yet enjoy their company with that freedom and ease which I hope in a little while to do. Tell them, that I purpose, after some par-ticular aftairs are determined (which will for a little while longer engross me) to devote the greatest part of my time to my native place; and that then I will endeavour to make myself as good a neighbour, and as social a friend, as they can wish me to be. On Sunday I had a visit from the two Hartleys.

They gave me very satisfactory proofs of what they were able, as well as willing, to do, in support of the right of the Mansfields to the estate of which they have been despoiled, and shewed me a paper, which nobody thought was in being, of the utmost consequence in the cause.

On Monday, by appointment, I attended Sir John Lambton. Two lawyers of the Keelings were with him. They gate in their demands. I had mine ready; but theirs were so extravagant, that I would not produce them: but, taking Sir John aside, I love not, said I, to affront men of a profession; but I am convinced, that we never shall come to an under-standing, if we consider ourselves as lawyers and clients. I am no lawyer; but I know the strength of my friends cause, and will risque half my estate upon the justice of it. The Mansfields will commission me, if the Keelings will iinu; and we per — haps may do something: if not, let the law take its course. I am now come to reside in England. I will do nothing for myself, till I have done what can be done to make all my friends easy.

Sir John owned, that he thought the Mansfields had hardships done them. Mr. Keeling, senior, he said, had heard of the paper in the Hartleys hands; and, praising his honesty, told me, in confidence, that he had declared, that if such a paper could have been produced in time, he would not have prosecuted the suit, which he had carried. But Sir John said, that the younger Keeling was a furious young man, and would op])ose a compromise on the terms he supposed the Mansfields would expect to be complied with. But what are your proposals. Sir?

These, Sir John: The law is expensive; delays may be meditated; appeals may be brought, if we gain our point. What I think it may cost us to establish the right of the injured, which cannot be a small sum, that will I prevail upon the Mansfields to give up to the Keelings. I will trust you, if you give me your honour, with our proofs: and if you and your friends are satisfied with them, and will consent to establish our right by the form only of a new trial; then may we be agreed: otherwise, not. And I leave you and them to consider of it. I shall hear from you within two or three days. Sir John promised I should; but hoped to have some talk lirst with the Hartleys, with whom, as well as with me, he declared he would be upon honour.

Friday evening.

I had a message from Sir John last night, requesting me to dine with him and the elder Mr. Keeling this day; and to bring with me the two Mr. Hart-leys, and the proofs I had hinted at.

Those gentlemen were so obliging, as to go with me; and took the important paper with them, which had been deposited with their grandfather, as a common friend, and contained a recognition of the Mansfields right to the estates in question, upon an amicable reference to persons long since departed: an attested copy of which was once in the Mansfields possession, as by a memorandum that came to hand; but which never could be found. The younger Keeling was not intended to be there; but he forced himself upon us. He behaved very rudely. I had once like to have forf:,otten myself. This meeting produced nothing: but as the father is a reasonable man; as we have obtained a re-hearing of the cause; as he is much influenced by Sir John Lambton, who seems convinced; and to whose honour I have submitted an abstract of our proofs; I am in hopes that we shall be able to acconmiodate.

I have Bolton’s proposals before me. The first child is dead; the second cannot live many months.

He trembles at the proofs he knows we have of his villany. He oiFers, on the death of this second child, to give us possession of the estate, and a large sum of money (but thought not to be half of what the superannuated Calvert left) if we will give him ge-neral releases. The wretch is not, we believe, mar — ried to the relict of Calvert.

I am loth, methinks, to let him escape the justice which his crimes call for: but such are the delays and chicaneries of the law, when practisers are found who know how to perplex an honest pursuer; and as we must have recourse to low and dirty people to establish our proofs; the vile fellow slxall take with him the proposed spoils: they may not be much more than would be the lawyers part of the estate, were we to push the litigation.

As to our poor Everard, nothing, I fear, can be done for him, with the men who are revelling on his spoils. I have seen one of them. The unhappy man has signed and sealed to his own ruin. He re-grets, that a part of the estate which has been so long in the family and name, should go out of it. What an empty pride is that of name! The general tenor of his life was not a credit to it; though he felt not that till he felt distress. The disgrace is actually incurred. Does not all the world know his loss, and the winners triumph? And if the world did not, can he conceal from himself those vices, the consequences of which have reduced him to what he is? But perhaps the unhappy man puts a value upon the name, in compliment to me.

INIention not to him what I write. The poor man is sensible enough of his folly, to engage pity: whe-ther from a right sense, or not, must be left to his own heart.

As to the woman’s claim: What in honour can I do, against a promise that he owns may be proved upon him? He did not condition with her, that she was to be a spotless woman. If he thought she was so when he soHcited her to yiekl to his desires, he is the less to be excused: vile as she comes out to be, he had proposed to make her as vile, if” he had found her not so. He promised her marriage: meant he only a promise? S/ie is punished in being what she f.s-; /lis punishment cannot be condign, but by his being obliged to perform his promise. Yet I cannot bear to think, that my cousin Grandison should be made, for life, the dupe of a successful and preme-ditated villany; and the less, as, in all likelihood, the profligate Lord B. would continue to himself, from the merit with her of having vindicated her claim, an interest in the bad woman’s favour, were she to be the wife of our poor Everard.

But certainly this claim must be prosecuted with a view only to extort money from niy cousin; and they know him to bo of a family jealous of its honour. I think she must be treated with for releases. I could not bear to appear in such a cause as this, in open court, in siijiport of my cousin, against a jiro-luise made bv him. He is of age, and thought to be no novice in the ways of the town. I am mistaken in Mr. Grandison’s spirit, if it do not lead him to think himself very severely punished, (were he to luive no oli’icr punishment) by the consequence of those vices which will bring an expence upon me. liUt if I should be able to extricate the unhappy man from this dithculty, what can next be done for him? the poor remains of his fortune will not sup-j)ort one who has always lived viorc than genteelly. \\‘ill he be able, think you, to endure the thoughts of living in a constant state of dependence, however easy and genteel I should endeavour to nii.ke it to him? There may be many ways (in the public of-ii’.es, for example) of providing for a broken trades — is 3 man: but for a man who calls himself, and is, a gentleman; who will expect, as such, to rank with his employer; who knows nothing of figures, or bu-siness of any kind; who has been brought up in idleness, and hardly knows the meaning of the word diligence; and never could bear confinement; what can be done for such a one in the public offices, or by any other employment that requires punctual attendance?

But to quit this subject, for a more agreeable one.

I have for some time had it in my thoughts to ask you, my dear friend, whether your nephew is provided for to your liking and his otivz? If not, and he would put it in my power to serve him, by serving myself, I should be obliged to you for permitting him so to dO; and to Mm, for his consent. I would not affront him, by the offer of a salary: my presents to him shall be such as befit the services done: sometimes as my amanuensis; sometimes as a tran-scriber and methodizer of papers and letters; some — times in adjusting servants accounts, and fitting them for my inspection. You need not fear my regard to myseff in my acknowledgments to be made to him (that, I know, will be all your fear); for I have always considered profusion and parsimony as two” extremes, equally to be avoided. You, my dear Dr. Bartlett, have often enforced this lesson on uiy mind. Can it then ever be forgotten by

Your affectionate friend and servant,

CHARLES GRANDISON.


Letter II.
Signor Jeronymo Della Porretta to Sir Charles Grandison.

Bologna. Monday, September 15, N. S. Your kind letters from Lyons, my dearest friend, rejoiced us extremely. Clementina languished to hear from you. How was it possible for you to write with so much warmth of affection to her, yet with so nmch delicacy, that a rival could not have taken exceptions at it?

She writes to you. It is not for me, it is not for any of us, I think, to say one word to the principal subject of her letter. She shewed it to me, and to her mother, only.

Dear creature! Could she but be prevailed upon! But how can i/ou be asked to support the family-wishes? Yet if you think them just, I know you will. You know not self, when justice and the ser-vice of your friend stand in opposition to it. All that I am afraid of, is, that we shall be too preci-pitate for the dear creature’s head.

Would to (lod, you could have been my brother! That was the first desire of my heart! Ikit you will see by her letter (the least flighty that she has writ-ten of a long time) that she has no thoughts of that: and she declares to us, that she wishes you happily married to an iMiglish woman. Would to Heaven, we might plead ijour example to her!

I will certainly attend you in your England. If one thing, that we all wish, could happen, you would have the whole family, as far as I know. W’c think, we talk, of nobody but you. We look out for Englishnu’u, to do thein honour lor vour sake.

Mrs. Beaumont is with us. Surely fehe is voiu near relation. She advises caution; but thinks that our present measures are not wrong ones, as we never can give into my sister’s wishes to quit the world Dear Grandison! love not Mrs. Beaumont the less for her opinion in our favour.

Mr. Lowther writes to you: I say nothing, there-fore, of that worthy man.

I am wished to write more enforcingly to you, on a certain important subject: but I say, I cannot, dare not, will not.

Dear Grandison, love still your Jeronymo! Your friendship makes life worthy of my wish. It has been a consolation to me, when every other failed, and all around me was darkness, and the shadow of death. You will often be troubled with letters from me. My beloved, my dearest friend, my Grandison, adieu!

JERONYMO DKLLA PORRETTA.


Letter III.
Lady Clementina to Sir Charles Grandison.

Bologna, Monday, September 15, N. S. How welcome to me was your letter from Lyons! My good Chevalier Grandison, my heart thanks you for it: yet it was possible that heart could have been still more thankful, had I not observed in your letter an air of pensiveness, though it is endeavoured to be concealed. What pain would it give me to know, that you suffer on my account! Ikit no more in this htrain: a complaining one must take place.

O chevalier, I am persecuted! And by whom? By my dearest, my nearest friends. I was afraid it would, be so. Why would you deny me your insill CHARLES GRANDISON. if fluence, when I importuned you for it? Why would you not stay among us, till you saw me professed? Then had I been happy In time, I should have been happy! Now am I beset with entreaties, with supplications, from those who ought to command; yet unlawfull}^ if they did: I presume to think so: since parents, though they ought to be consult-ed in the change of condition, as to the persoti; yet surely should not oblige the child to marry, who chooses to be single all her life. A more cogent reason may be pleaded, and I do plead it to my re-lations, as Catholics, since I wish for nothing so much as to assume the veil. But you are a Protest-ant: you favour not a divine dedication, and would not plead for me. On the contrary, you have strength-ened their hands! O chevalier! how bould you do so, and ever love me! Did you not know, there was but one way to escape the grievous consequences of the importunities of those who justly lay claim to my obedience? And they do claim it.

And in what forcible manner, claim it! Shall I tell you? Thus, then: My father, with tears in his eyes, beseeches me! My mother gently reminds me of what she has suffered for me in my illness; and declares, that it is in my power to make the rc>:t of her days happy: nor shall she think my own tran-quillity of mind secured, till I oblige her! O che — valier, what pleas are these from a father, whose eyes plead more strongly than words; and from a mother, on whose bright days I have cast a cloud! The bishop pleads: I low can a catholic bishop plead, and not for n)e? The general declares, that he never wooed his beloved wife for her consent with more i’ervour than he does me for mine, to oblige thcni all. Nay, .leronymo! Blush, sisterly love! to say it Jeronymo, vour friend Jeronvmo, is solicitous on the same side Even Father Marescotti is carried away by the example of the bishop. Mrs. Beaumont argues with me in their favour And Camilla, who was ever full of your praises, teases me continually.

They name not the man: they pretend to leave me free to choose through the world. They plead, that, zealous as they are in the catholic faith, they were so earnest for me to enter into the state, that they were desirous to see me the wife even of a Pro-testant, rather than I should remain single: and they remind me, that it was owing to mi/ scruple only, that this was not effected. But why will they weak-en, rather than strengthen my scruple? Could I have got over three points The sense of my own. unworthiness, after iny mind had been disturbed; the iiuuperable apprehensions, that, drawn aside by your love, I should probably have ensnared my own soul; and that I should be perpetually lamenting the certainty of the loss of his whom it would be my duty to love as my own; their importunity would hardly have been wanted.

Tell me, advise nie, my good chevalier, my fourth brother [you are not now interested in the debate] if I may not lav\ fully stand out? Tell me, as I know that I cannot answer their views, except I marry, and yet cannot consent to nmrry, whether I may not as well sequester myself from the world, and iiisi t upon so doing?

What can I do? I am distressed O thou, my hrother, my friend, whom my heart ever must hold dear, advise me! To you I have told them I will appeal. They are so good as to promise to suspend their solicitations if I will hold suspended my thoughts of the veil till I have your advice. But give it not against me if you ever valued Clementina, give it not against her!


Letter IV.
Sir Charles Grandison to Lady Clementina.

London, Monday, September 1829. What can I say, most excellent of women, to the contents of the letter you have honoured me with? Wliat a task have you imposed upon me! You take great, and, respecting your intentions, I will call it kind care, to let me know that I can have no interest in the dt cision of the case you refer to me. I re-peat my hunihle acquiescence; but must again de clare, that it would have been next to impossible to do so, had you not made a point of conscience of your scruples.

But what weight is my advice likely to have with a young lady, who repeatedly, in the close of her letter, desires me not to give it /or her parents?

I, madaai, am far from being unprejudiced in this case: for, can the man who once himself hoped for the honour of jour hand, advise you against mar-riage? Are not your parents generously indulgent, when they name not any particular person to you? I applaud both their wisdom and their goodness, on t!)is ocea^ion Possibly vou guess the man whom they would reconnnend to your choice: and I am sure Lady Clementina would not refuse their re-conmiendation merely because it was theirs. Kor indeed upon any less reason than an unconquerable aversion, or a preference to some other Catholic. A protcstant, it seems, it ccuunt be.

But let me ask my sister, niv friend, What answer can I return to the lady who had shewn, in o;/r instance, that she had not an insuperable aversion to matrimony; yet, on conscientious reasons, refusing one man, and not particularly favouring any, can scruple to oblige {obey is not the word they use) ‘ a father, who with tears in his eyes beseeches her; a mother who gently reminds her of what she has suffered for her; who declares, that it is in her power to make the rest of her days happy; and who urges a still stronger plea, respecting them both, and the whole family, to engage the attention of the beloved daughter? O madam, what pleas are those [let me still make use of your own pathetic words] from a father whose eyes plead more strongly than words! and from a mother, over whose bright days you had (though involuntarily) cast a cloud! Your brother the bishop, a man of piety; your confessor, a man of equal piety; your two other brothers, your disinterested friend Mrs. Beaumont; your faithful Camilla;’ all wholly disinterested. What an enu-meration against yourself. Forbidden, as I am, to give the cause against you, what can I say? Dear-est Lady Clementina, can I, on your own represen — tation, give it ybr you?

You know, madam, the sacrifice I have made to the plea of your conscience, not my own. I make no doubt, but parents so indulgent as yours will yield to your reasons, if you can plead conscience against the performance o( the Jilial duty; the more a duty, as it is so gently urged: nay, hardly urged; but by tears, and wishes, which the eyes, not the lips, express; and which if you will perform, your parents will think themselves under an obligation to their child.

Lady Clementina is one of the most generous of women: but consider, madam, in this instance of preferring your own will to that of the most indul-gent of parents, whether there ie not an apparent selfishness, inconsistent with you general character, even were you to be as happy in a convent, as you propose. Would you not, in that case, live to your-self, and renounce your parents and family, as parts of that world whicli you would vow to despise? Dear lady! I asked you once before, Is there’any thing sinful in a sacrament? Such all good Catho-lics deem matrimony. And shall I ask you whe — ther, as self-denial is held to be meritorious in your church, there is not a merit in denying yourself in the case before us, when you can, by performing the filial duty, oblige your whole family?

Permit me to say, that, though a Protestant, I am not an enemy to such foundations in general. I could wish, under proper regulations, that we had nunneries among us I would not, indeed, have the obligation upon nuns be perpetual: let them have liberty, at the end of every two or three years, to renew their vows, or otherwise, by the consent of friends. Celibacy in the clergy is an indispen-sable law of your church: yet a cardinal has been allowed to lay down the purple, and marry. You know, madam, I must mean Ferdinand of Medicis. Family-reasons, in that case, preponderated, as well at Rome, as at Florence.

Of all the women I know. Lady Clementina della Porretta should be the last who should be earnest to take the veil. There can be but two persons in the world, besides herself, who will not be grieved at her choice. We know their reasons. The will of her grandfathers, now with God, is a<:jainst her; and her living parents, and every other person of her family, those tivo excepted, would be made unhappy, if she sequestered herself from the world, and them. Cle-mentina has charity: she wishes, she once said, to take a great revenge upon Laurana. Laurana has something to repent of: let her take the veil. The fondness she has for the world, a fondness which could make her break through all the ties of relation and humanity, requires a check: but are any of those in convents more pious, more exemplarily pious, than Clementina is out of them?

Much more could i urge on the same side of the question; but what I have urged has been a tas/c upon me; a task which I could not have performed, had I not preferred to my own, the happiness of you and your family.

May both earthly and heavenly blessings attend your determination, whatever it be, prays, dearest iTiadam,

Your ever-faithful friend, AfTectionate brother, and humble servant,

CHARLES GRANDISON.


Letter V.
Sir Charles Grandison to Signor Jeronymo Della Porretta.

London, Monday, Septeinber IS 29. I HAVE written, my beloved friend, to Lady Cle-mentina; and shall inclose a copy of my letter.

I own, that, till I received hers, I thought there was a possibility; though not a probability, that she might change her mind in my favour. I foresaw that you would all join, for family-reasons, to press her to marry: and when, thought I, she finds her-self very earnestly urged, it is possible, that she will forego her scruples, and, proposing some conditions-for herself, will honour with her haiid the man whom she has avowedly honoured with a place in her heart, rather than any other. The malady she has been afHicted with, often leaves, for some time, an unsteadiness in the mind: n)y absence, as I proposed to settle in my native country, never more, perhaps, to return to Italy; the high notions she has of obli-gation and gratitude; her declared confidence in my honour and affection; all cooperating, she may, thought I, change her mind; and, if she does, I cannot doubt the favour of her friends. It was not, my Jeronymo, presumptuous to hope. It was justice to Clementina to attend the event, and to wait for the promised letter: but now, that I see you are all of one mind, and that the dear lady, though vehe-mently urged by all her friends to marry some other man, can appeal to me, only as to her fourth bro-ther, and a man jioi interested in the event I give up all my hopes.

I have written accordingly to your dear Clemen-tina; but it could not be expected, that I should give the argument all the weight that might be given it: yet, being of opinion that she was in duty obliged to yield to the entreaties of all her friends, I have been honest. But surely no man ever was involved in so many difficult situations as your Grandison: who yet never, by entcrprize or rashness, was led out of the plain path into difficulties so uncommon.

You wish, my dear friend, that I would set an example to your excellent sister. I will unbosom my heart to you.

There is a lady, an English lady, beautiful as an angel, but whose beauty is lier least ]Mjrfection, either ill my eyes, or her own: had I never known (Clemen-tina, i could have loved her, and on/// her. of all the women I ever beheld, it would not be doing her justice, if I could not say, I c/o love her; but with a flame as pure as the heart of Clementina, or as her own heart, can boast. Clementina’s distressed mind affected me: I imputed her suffirinj;s to her esteem for me. The farewell interview denied her, she demonstrated, I thought, so firm an affection for nie, c 2 at the same time that she was to me, what I may truly call, a first love: that, though the difficulties in my way seemed insuperable, I thought it became me, in honour, in gratitude, to hold myself in sus-pense, and not offer to make my addresses to any other woman, till the destiny of the dear Clemen-tina was determined.

It would look like vanity in me to tell my Jero-nymo how many proposals, from the partial friends of women of rank and merit superior to my own, I thought myself obliged, in honour to the ladies themselves, to decline: but my heart never suffered uneasiness from the uncertainty I was in of ever succeeding with your beloved sister, but on this lady’s account. I presume not, however, to say, I could have succeeded, had I thought myself at li-berty to make my addresses to her: yet, when I suffered myself to balance, because of my uncer-tainty with your Clementina, I had hopes from the interest my two sisters had with her (her affections disengaged), that, had I been at liberty to make my addresses to her, I might.

Shall I, my dear Jeronymo, own the truth? The two noblest-minded women in the world, when I went over to Italy, on the invitation of my lord the bishop, held almost an equal interest in my heart; and I was thereby enabled justly, and with the greater command of myself, to declare to the mar-chioness, and the general, at my last going over, that I held myself bound to you; but that your sis-ter, and you all, were free. But when the dear Clementina began to shew signs of recovery, and seemed to confirm the hopes I had of her partiality to me; and my gratitude and attachment seemed of importance to her complete restoration; then, my Jeronymo, did I content myself with wishing another husband to the English lady, more worthy of her than my embarrassed situation could have made me. And when I farther experienced the condescending goodness of your whole family, all united in my fa-vour; I had not a wish but for your Clementina.

What a disappointment, my Jeronymo, was her rejection of me! obliged, as I was. to admire the noble lady the more for her motives of rejecting me.

And now, my dear friend, what is your wish? Tiiat I .shall set your sister an example? How can I? Is marriage in my power? There is but one woman in the world, now your dear Clementina has refused me that I can think worthy of succeeding her in my affections, though there are thousands of whom I am not worthy. And will that lady accept of a man whose heart had been another’s, and that other living, and single, and still honouring him with so much of her regard, as may be thought sufficient to attach a grateful heart, and occasion a divided love? Cle-mentina herself is not more truly delicate than this lady. Indeed, Jeronymo, I am ready when I contemplate my situation, on a siipposilioii of making my addresses to her, to give up myself, as the unworthi-est of her favour of all the men I know; and she has for an admirer almost every man who sees her Even Olivia admires her! Can I do justice to the merits of both, and ytt not appear to be divided by a double love? For I will own to all the world, my affection for Clementina; and, as once it was encou-raged by her whole family, glory in it.

You see, my .leronymo, how I am circumstanced. The example, I fear, must come from Italy; not from England. Yet say I not this for punctilio sake: it is not m mv prracr to set it as it is in your Clemen-tina’s: it would be presumption to suppose it is. Cle — mentina has nor an aversion to the state: she cannot to the viKui vou have in view, since prepossession in favour of aiiother is over. This is a hard task upon c 3 me. I presume not to say what Clementina tuill, what she can do: but she is naturally the most duti-ful of children, and has a high sense of the more than common obligations she owes to parents, to brothers, to whom she has as unhappily as involun-tarily given great distress: difference in religion, the motive of her rejecting me, is not in the question: filial duty is an article of religion.

I do myself the honour of writing to the mar-chioness, to the general, to Father Marescotti, and to Mr. Lowther. May the Almighty perfect your recovery, my Jeronymo; and preserve in health and spirits the dear Clementina! and may every other laudable wish of the hearts of a family so truly excellent, be granted to them! prays, my dearest Jeronymo, the friend who expects to see you in England; the friend who loves you, as he loves his own heart; and equally honours all of your name; and voill, so long as he is

CHARLES GRANDISON.
Letter VI.
Mrs. Reev’^es to Miss Byron.

Tuesday, September 5. O MY dear cousin! I am now sure you will be the hap-piest of women! Sir Charles Grandison made us a visit this very day. How Mr. Reeves and I re-joiced to see him! We had but just before been called upon by a line from Lady G. to rejoice with her on her brother’s happy arrival. He said, he was under obligation to go to Windsor and Hampshire, upon extraordinary occasions; but he could not go, till he had paid his respects to us, as well for our own sakes, as to enquire after your health. He had re-ceived, he said, some disagreeable intimations in re — lation to it. We told him, you were not well; but we hoped not dangerously ill. He said so many kind, tender, yet respectful things of you O my Harriet! I am sure, and so is Mr. Reeves, he loves you dearly. Yet we both wondered that he did not talk of paying you a visit. But he may have great mat-ters in hand. But what matters can be so great as not to be postponed, if he loves you? and that he certainly does. I should not have known how to contain my joy before him, had he declared himself your lover.

He condescendingly asked to see my little boy Was not that very good of him? He would have won my heart by this condescension, had he not had a great share of it before Vov i/our sake, my cousin. You know I cannot mean otherwise: and you know, that, except Mr. Reeves and my little boy, I love my Harriet better than any-body in the world. No-body in Northamptonshire, I am sure, will take exception at this.

I thought I would write to you of this kind visit. Be well, now, my dear: all things, I am sure, will come about for good: God grant they may! I dare say, he will visit you in Northamptonshire: and if he does, what can be his motive? Not mere friendship: Sir Charles Grandison is no trifler!

I know you will be sorry to hear that Lady Betty Williams is in great affliction. Miss Williams has run away with an ensign, who is not worth a shil-ling: he is, on the contrary, over head and ears, as the saying is, in debt. Such a mere girl! But what shall we say?

Miss C’antillon has made as foolish a step. Lord bless me! I think girls, in these days, are bewitched. A nominal captain too! Her mother vows, they shall both starve, for her: and they have no other depend-ence. She cannot live without her pleasures: nei — ther can he without his. A Ranelagh fop. Poor wretches! What will become of them? For every-thing is in her mother’s power, as to fortune. She has been met by Miss Allestree; and looked so shy! so silly! so slatternly! Unhappy coquettish thing!

Well, but God bless you, my dear! My nursery calls upon me! The dear little soul is so fond of me! Adieu. Compliments to every-body i haveso much reason to love: Mr. Reeves’s too. Once more. Adieu.

ELIZA REi:VS.


Letter VII.
Miss Byron. To Mrs. Reeves.

Selby-liouse, Friday, September 8. Your kind letter, my dear cousin, has, at the same time, delighted and pained me. I rejoice in the declared esteem of one of the best of men; and I honour him for his friendly love expr^‘ssed to you and my cousin, in the visit he made you: but I am pained at your calling upon me (in pity to my weakness, shall I call it? a weakness so ill concealed) to rejoice, that the excellent man, when he has dispatched all his affairs of consequence, and has nothing else to do, may possid[//, for you cannot be certain, make me a visit in Northamptonshire. () my cousin! And were his absence, and the appre-hension of his being the husband of another woman, think you, the occasion of my indisposition; that I must now, that the other affair seems determined in a manner so unexpected, be bid at once to be well? Sir Charles Grandison, my dear cousin, may ho-nour us with the prognosticated visit, or not, as he pleases: but were he to declare himself my lover, my heart would not be so joyful as you seem to expect, if Lady Clementina is to be unhappy. What though the refusal of marriage was hers; was not that re-fusal the greatest sacrifice that ever woman made to her superior duty? Does she not still avow her love to him? And itiiist he not, ovg/it he not, ever to love her? And here my pride puts in its claim to attention Shall your Harriet sit down and think herself happy in a second-place love? Yet let me own to you, my cousin, that Sir Charles Grandison is dearer to me than all else that I hold most dear in this world: and if Clementina could be not?/;?-happy [happy I have no notion she can be without him] and he were to declare himself my lover; affectation, be gone! I would say; I will trust to my own heart, and to my future conduct, to make for myself an interest in his affections, that should enrich my content; in other words, that should make me more than contented.

But time will soon determine my destiny: I will have patience to wait its determination. I make no doubt but he has sufficient reasons for all he does.

I am as much delighted, as you could be, at the notice he took of your dear infant. The brave must be humane: and what greater instance of humanity can be shewn, than for grown persons to look back upon the state they were once themselves in, with tenderness and compassion?

I am very sorry for the cause of Lady Ik’tty’s af-fliction. Pity! the good lady took not But I will not be severe, after I have said, that children’s faults are not always origiiialli/ their own.

Poor Miss Cantillon! But she was not under age; and a.s her punishment was of her own choosing I am sorry, however, for both. I hope, after they have smarted, something will be done for the poor wretches. Good parents xuill be placable; bad ones, or such as have not given good examples, ought to be so,

God continue to you, my dear cousins both, your present comforts, and increase your pleasures! for all your pleasures are innocent ones! prays Your ever-obliged and affectionate

HARRIET BYRON


Letter VIII.
Miss Byron to Lady G.

Selby-house, Wednesday, September 20.

MY DEAREST LADY G.

Do you know what is become of your brother? My grandmamma Shirley has seen his ghost; and talked with it near an hour; and then it vanished. Be not surprised, my dear creature. I am still in amaze at the account my grandmamma gives us of its ap-peai’ance, discourse, and vanishing! Nor was the dear parent in a reverie. It happened in the mid-dle of the afternoon, all in broad day.

Thus she tells it: ‘ I was sitting,’ said she, ‘ in my own drawing-room, yesterday, by myself; when, in came James, to whom it first appeared, and told me, that a gentleman desired to be introduced to me. I was reading Slierlock upon Death, with that cheer-fulness with which I always meditate the subject. I gave orders for his admittance; and in came, to appearance, one of the handsomest men I ever saw in my life, in a riding-dress. It was a courteous ghost: it saluted me; or at least I thought it did: for it answering to the description that you my Harriet, had given me of that amiable man, I was surprised. But, contrary to the manner of ghosts, it spoke first Venerable lady, it called me; and said its name was Grandison, in a voice so like what I had heard you speak of his, that I had no doubt but it was Sir Charles Grandison himself; and was ready to fall down to welcome him.

‘ It took its place by me: You, madam, it said, will forgive this intrusion: and it made several fine speeches, with an air so modest, .sy; manly It had almost all the talk to itself. I could only bow, and be pleased; for still I thought it was corporally, and indeed. Sir Charles Grandison. It said, that it had but a very little while to stay: it must reach, I don’t know what place, that night What, said I, will you not go to Selby-house? Will you notsee my daughter Byron? Will you not see her aunt Selby? No, it desired to be excused. It talked of leaving a pacquet behind it; and seemed to pull out of its pocket a parcel of letters sealed up. It broke the seal, and laid the parcel on the table before me. It refused refreshment, it desired, in a courtly manner, an answer to what it had discoursed upon Made a profound reverence and vanished.’

And now, my dear Lady G. let me repeat my question; What is become of your brother?

Forgive me, this light, this amusing manner. My grandaiamuia speaks of this visit as an appearance, so sudden, and so short, and nobody seeing him but she; that it gave a kind of anmsing levity to my pen, and I could not resist the temptation I was under to surprise you, as he has done us ail. How could he take such a journey, see nobody but my grandmam-ma, and Hy ihe country? Did he do it to spare us, or to spare himself?

The direct truth is this: My grandmamma was .silting by hersell”, as above: James told her, as above, that a gentleman desired to be introduced to her. He tvas introduced. He called himself by his own name; took her hand; saluted her Your character, madam, and mine, said he, are so well known to each other, that though I never before had the ho-nour of approaching you, I may presume upon your pardon for this intrusion.

He then launched out in the praises of your hap-py friend. With what delight did the dear, the indulgent parent repeat them from his mouth! I hope she mingled not her own partialities with them, whether I deserve them, or not; for sweet is praise, from those we wish to love us. And then he said, You see before you, madam, a man glorying in his affection to one of the most excellent of your sex; an Italian lady; the pride of Italy! And who, from motives which cannot be withstood, has rejected him, at the very time that, all her friends consenting, and innumerable difficulties overcome, he ex pected that she would yield her hand to his wishes And they xvere his wishes. My friendship for the dear Miss Byron [ijoii and she mn&t nHtho?ize me to call it by a still dearer name, before I dare do it] is well known: that also has been my pride. I know too well what belongs to female delicacy in general, and particularly to that of Miss Byron, to address myself first to her, on the subject which occasions you this trouble. I am not accustomed to make professions, not even to ladies Is it consistent with your notions of delicacy, madam? Will it be with Mr. and Mrs. Selby’s; to give your inter-est in favour of a man who is thus situated? A re — jected man! A man who dares to own, that the rejection was a disappointment to him; and that he tenderly loved the fair rejecter? If it will, and Miss Byron can accept the tender of a heart, that has been divided, unaccountably so (the circumstances, sin CHARLES GRANDISON. 25

I presume, you know) then will you^ then will she, lay itie under an obligation that I can only endea-vour to repay by the utmost gratitude and affec — tion. But if not, I shall admire the delicacy of the second refuser, as I do the piety o^ the first, and, at least, suspend s\\ thoughts of a change of condition. Noblest of men And my grandmamma was proceeding in high strains, but very sincere ones; when, interrupting her, and pulling out of his pocket the pacquet I mentioned above; I presume, madam, said he, that I see favour, and goodness to me, in your benign countenance: but I will not even be favoured, but upon your full knowledge of all the facts I am master of myself. I will be the guardian of the delicacy of Miss Byron and all her friends in this important case, rather than the discourager, though I were to suffer by it. You will be so good as to read these letters to your daughter Byron, to her Lucy, to Mr. and Mrs. Selby, and to whom else you will think fit to call to the consultation: they will be those, I presume, who already know something of the history of the excellent Clementina. If, on the perusal of them, I may be admitted to pay my respects to Miss Byron, consistently, as I hinted, with her notions awA yours of that delicacy by which she was always directed, and at the same time be received with that noble frankness which has distinguished her in my eye above all women but one [excuse me, madam, I must always put these sister-souls upon an equal foot of excellence]; then shall I be a happier man than the happiest. Your answer, madam, by pen and ink, will greatly oblige me; and the more, the sooner I can be favoured with it; because, being requested by mv friends abroad to set an example to their beloved Clemen-tina, iis you will see in more than one of these It-tters; I would avoid all punctilio, and let them n know, that I had offered myself to Miss Byron, and have not been mortified with absolute denial; if I may be so happy as to be allowed to write so.

Thus did this most generous of men prevent, by this reference to the letters, my grandmamma’s heart overflowing to her lips. He should directly, he said, proceed on his journey to London; and was in such haste to be gone, when he had said what he had to say, that it precipitated a little my grandmanmia’s spirits: but the joy she was filled with, on the occasion, was so great, that she only had a concern upon her, when he was gone, as if something was left by her undone or unsaid, which she thought should have been said and done to oblige him.

The letters he left on the table were copies of what he wrote from Lyons to the marquis and mar-chioness, the bishop, the general, and Father Mare — scotti; as also to Lady Clementina, and her brother, the good Jeronymo*. That to the lady cannot be enough admired, for the tenderness, yet for the acquiescence with her will expressed in it. Surely they were born for each other, however it happens, that they are not likely to be united.

A letter from Signor Jeronymo, in answer to his from Lyons, I will mention next. In this Sir Charles is wished to use his supposed influence upon Lady Clementina (V\‘hat a hard task upon him!) to dissuade lier fioni the thoughts of going into a nun-nery, and lo resolve upon marriagef . iSext is aietter of Latly Clementina to Sir Charles, complaining tenderly of persecution fromherfriends, who press her to marry; wiiilc ^ile contends to be allowed to take the veil, and applies to Sir Charles for his interest in her behalf.

The next is bir Charles’s reply to Lady Clemen-tina. * These letters are omitted in this collection, i See Letter ii.

Then follows a letter from Sir Charles to Signer Jeronymo. I have copied these three last, and inclose them in confidence*.

By these you will see, my dear, that the affair between this excellent man and woman is entirely given up by both; and also, in his reply to Signor Jeronymo, that your Harriet is referred to as his next choice. And how can I ever enough value him, for the dignity he has given me, in putting it, as it should seem, in my power to lay an obligation upon him; in making for me my own scruples; and now, lastly, in the method he has taken in the ap-plication to my grandmamma, instead of to me; and leaving all to our determination? But thus should the men give dignity, even for their own sakes, to the women whom they wish to be theirs. Were there more Sir Charles Grandisons, would not even the female woild (much better, as I hope it is, than the male) be amended?

My grandmamma, the moment Sir Charles was gone, sent to us, that she had some very agreeable news to surprise us with: and therefore desired the whole family of us, her Byron particularly, to attend her at breakfast, the next morning. We looked upon one another, at the message, and wondered. I was not well, and would have excused myself; but my aunt insisted upon my going. Little did I or any-hody else tiiiiik of your brother having visited my grandmanuna in person. When she acquainted us that he hud, my weakened spirits wanted sup-port: I was obliged to withdraw with Lucy.

I thought I could not bear, when I recovered myself that he should be so near, and not once call in, and enquire after the health of the creature for whom he proiessed so high an esteem, and even af-fection: but when, on my return to company, my * See Letters iii. iv, v. D 2 grandmamma related what passed between them, and the letters were read; then again were mj failing spirits unable to support me. They all gazed upon me, as the letters were reading, as well as while my grandmamma was giving the relation of what he said: and of the noble, the manly air with which he delivered himself. — With joy and silent congratulation they gazed upon me; while I felt such a variety of sensibilities in my heart, as I never felt before; sensibilities mixed with wonder; and I was sometimes ready to doubt whether I were not in a reverie; whether indeed I was in this world, or another; whether I was Harriet Byron I know not how to describe what I felt in my now fluttering, now rejoicing, now dejected heart

Dejected? Yes, my dear Lady G. Dejection was a strong ingredient in my sensibilities. I know not why. Yet may there not be a fulness in joy, that will mingle dissatisfaction with it? If there may, shall I be excused for my solemnity, if I deduce from thence an argument, that the human soul is not to be fully satisfied by w orldly enjoyments; and that therefore the completion of its happiness must be in another, a more perfect state? You, Lady G. are a very good woman, though a lively one; and I will not excuse you, if on an occasion that bids me look forward to a very solemn event, you will not forgive my seriousness. That bids me Look fonvard, I repeat; for ISir Charles Grandison cannot alter his mind: the world has not wherewith to tempt him to alter it, after he has made such advances; except I misbehave.

Well, my dear, and what was the result of our conference? My grandmamma, my aunt, and Lucy, were of opinion, that I ought no more to re-volve the notions of a divided or second-placed love: that every point of female delicacy was answered: that he ought not only still to be allowed to love

Lady Clementina, but that I and all her sex should revere hor: that my grandmamma, being the person applied to, should answer for nie, for us all, in words of her own choosing.

I was silent. What think;/o?/, my dear? said my aunt.

Think! said my uncle, with his usual facetiousness; Do you think, if Harriet had one objection, she would have been silent? I am for sending up for Sir Charles directly. Let him come the first day of next week, and let them be married before the end of it.

Not quite so hasty, neither, Mr. Sclby, said my grandmamma, smiling: let us send to Mr. Deane. His love for my child, and regard for us all, deserve the most grateful returns.

What a deuce, and defer an answer to Sir Charles, who gives a generous reason, for the sake of the lady abroad, and her family (and I hope he thinks a little of his oivii sake) for wishing a speedy an-swer?

No, ]Mr. Selby: not defer writing, neither. We know enough of Mr. Deane’s mind already. But, for my part, I don’t know what terms, what conditions, what additions to my child’s fortune, to pro pose

Additions! madam Why, ay; there must be some to be sure And we arc able, and as willing as able, let me tell vou, to make them

I beseech you, Sir, said I Pray, madam No more of this Surely it is time enough to talk of these subjects.

So it is, niece. Mr. Deane is a lawyer, (iod help me! I never was brought up to any-thing but to live on the fat of the land, as the saying is. Mr j^eane and Sir (‘harles shall talk this matter over by them-selves. Let us, as you say, send for Mr. Deane.

But I will myself be the messenger of these joyful tidings.

M)’^ uncle then tuned out, in his gay manner, a line of an old song; and then said, I’ll go to Mr. Deane: I will set out this very day Pull down the wall, as one of our kings said; the door is too far about. I’ll bring Mr. Deane with me tomorrow, or it shall cost me a fall.

You know my uncle, my dear. In this manner did he express his joy.

My grandmother retired to her closet; and this that follows is what she wrote to Sir Charles. Every–Body is pleased whenever she takes up the pen. No one made objection to a single word in it.

DEAR SIR,

Reserve would be unpardonable on our side, though the woman’s, to a man who is above reserve, and whose offers are the result of deliberation, and an affection, that, being founded in the merit of our dearest child, cannot be doubted. We all receive as an honour the offer you make us of an alliance which would do credit to families of the first rank. It will perhaps be one day owned to you, that it ^vas the height of Mrs. Selby’s wishes and mine, that the man who had rescued the dear creature from insult and distress, might be at liberty to intitle himself to her grateful love.

The noble manner in which you have explained yourself on a subject which has greatly embarrassed you, has abundantly satisfied Airs. Selby, and my-self: we can have no scruples of delicacy. Nor am I afraid of suffering from yours by my frankness. But, as to our Harriet You may perhaps meet with some (not affectation, she is above it) difficulty with her, if you expect her Khole heart to be yours. She, Sir, experimentally knows how to allow for a double, a divided love Dr. Bartlett, perhaps, should not have favoured her with the character of a lady whom she prefers to herself; and Mrs. Selby and I have sometimes, as we read her melancholy ^;tory, thought, not unjustly. If she can be induced to love, to honour, the man of her choice as much as she loves, honours, and admires, Lady Clemen-tina; the happy man will have reason to be satisfied. You see, 8ir, that we, who were able to give a preference to the same lady against ourselves [Harriet Byron is ourself J can have no scruples on i/oiir giving it to the same incomparable woman. May that lady be happy! If she were not to be so, and her luiliappiness were to be owing to our happiness; that, dear Sir, would be all that could pain the hearts of any of us, on an occasion so very agreeable to

Your sincere friend and servant,

HENRIETTA SHIRLEY.

But, my dear Lady G. does your brother tell you and Lady L. nothing of his intentions? Why, if he does, do not you But I can have no doubt. Is not the man Sir Charles Grandison? And yet, me-thinks, I want to know what the contents of his next letters from Italy will be.

You will have no scruple, mv dear Lady G. to shew my whole letter to Lady L. and, if you please, to my Emily But only mention the contents, in your own way, to the gentlemen. I beg you will yourself shew it to Mrs. Reeves: she will rejoice m Imv j))o^;no.sf/C(if/ons. Use that word to lier: she will understand you. Your brother must now, less than ever, set what I write. I depend upon \ouv discretion, my dear Lady G,

Harriet


Letter IX.
Lady G. to Miss Byron.

Saturday, September 23,

Excellent Mrs. Shirley! Incomparable woman! How I love her! If I were such an excellent an-cient, I would no more wish to be young, than she has so often told us, she does. What my brother once said, and j’ou once wrote to your Lucy, is true (in her case, at least); that the matronly and ad-vanced time of life, in a Avoman, is far from being the least eligible part of it; especially, I may add, when health and a good conscience accomptmy it. What a spirit does she, at her time of life, write with! But her heart is in her subject I hope I may say that, Harriet, without offending you.

Not a word did my brother speak of his intention, till he received that letter; and then he invited Lady L. and me, and our two honest men, to afternoon tea with him [O but I have not reckoned with you for your saucy rebukes in your last of the 7th: I owe you a spite for it; and, Harriet, depend on payment What was I writing? I have it ] And when tea was over, he, without a blush, without looking down, as a girl would do in this situation [But why so, Harriet? Is a woman, on these occa-. sioDs, to act a part as if she supposed herself to be the greatest gainer by matrimony; and therefore was ashamed of consenting to accept of an honourable offer? As if, in other words, she was to be the self — denying receiver rather than conferrer of an obliga — tion? Lord, how we rambling-headed creatures break in upon ourselves!] with a good grace he told us of his intention to marry; of his apparition to

Mrs. Shirley; of his sudden vanishing; and all that And then he produced Mrs. Shirley’s letter, but just received.

And do you think we were not overjoyed? In-deed wo were. We congratulated him: we con gratulated each other: Lord L. looked as he did when Caroline gave him his happy day: Lord G. could not keep his seat: he was tipsy, poor man, with his joy: aunt Nell pranked herself, stroked her ribbands of pink and yellow, and chuckled and mumped for joy, that her nephew at last would not go out of Old England for a wife. She was mightily pleased too with Mrs. Shirley’s letter. It was just such a one as she herself would have written upon the occasion.

I posted afterwards to Mrs. Reeves, to shew her, as you requested, your letter: and when we had read it, there was. Dear Madam, and. Dear Sir! and now this, and now that, and thank God three times in a breath; and we were cousins, and cou-sins, and cousins: and, O blessed! and, O be joyful: and, Hail the day! And, (iod grant it to be a short one! And, How will Harriet answer the question? Will not her frankness be tried? He despises affectation: so he thinks does she! Good Sirs! and, O dears! How things are brought about! O my Harriet, you never heard or saw such congratulations between three gossips, as were between our two cousin Reeves’s and me: and not a little did the good woman pride herself in her y;roi;- itoslics; for she explained that matter to me.

Dr. Rartlett is at (Tiaudison-hall, with our unhap-py cousin. How will the good man rejoice?

Now you will ask, what became of Emily P

Ry the way, do you know that Mrs O’Hara is turned Mrt/iod/.;! ‘<! True as you arc alive. And she labours hard to convert her husband. Thank God she is any-thing that is serious! Those people have really great merit with me, in her conversion. I am sorry that our own clergy are not as zealously in earnest as they. They have really, my dear, if we may believe aunt Eleanor, given a face of religion to subterranean colliers, tinners, and the most profligate of men, who hardly ever before heard either of the word, or thing. But I am not turned Me-thodist, Harriet. No, you will not suspect me.

Now Emily, who is at present my visiter, had asked leave before my brother’s invitation (and was gone, my Jenny attending her) to visif her mother, who is not well. My brother was engaged to sup abroad, with some of the Danbys, I believe: I there-fore made Lord and Lady L. cousin Reeves and cousin Reeves, and my aunt Grandison, sup with me.

Emily was at home before me Ah the poor Emily! I’ll tell you how it was between us

My lovely girl, my dear Emily, said I, I have good news to tell you, about Miss Byron thank God! And is she well? Pray, madam, tell me, tell me; I long to hear good news of my dear Miss Byron.

Why, she will shortly be married, Emily! Married, madam!

Yes, my love! And to your guardian, child! To my guardian, madam! Well, but I hope so

I then gave her a few particulars.

The dear girl tried to be joyful, and burst into tears!

Why weeps my girl? O fie! Arc you sorry that Miss Byron will have your guardian? I thought you loved INliss Byron.

So I do, madam, as my own self, and more than myself, if possible But the surprise, madam In-deed I atn glad! What makes me such a fool? In — deed I am glad! What ails me to cry, I wonder: It is what I wished, what I prayed for, night and day. Dear madam, don’t tell any-body. I am ashamed of myself.

The sweet April-faced girl then smiled through her tears.

I was charmed with her innocent sensibility; and if you are not, I shall think less of you than ever I did yet.

Dear madam, said she, permit me to withdraw for a i’ew minutes: I must have my cry out And I shall then be all joy and gladness-She tript away; and in half an hour came down to me with quite another face.

Lady L. was then with me. I had told her of the girl’s emotion. We are equally lovers of you, my dear, said I; you need not be afraid of Lady L.

And have you told, madam? Well, but I am not a hypocrite. What a strange thing! I who have always been so much afraid of another lady, for Miss Byron’s sake, to be so oddly affected, as if I were sorry! Indeed I rejoice. But if you tell Miso Byron, she won’t love me: she won’t let me live with her and my guardian, when she is happy, a:ul has made him so. And what shall I do then? lor I have set my heart upon it.

Miss Byron, my dear, loves you so well, that she will not be able to deny you any-thing your heart is set upon, that is in her power to grant.

(lod bless Miss Byron as I love her, and she will be the happiest of women! But what was the mat-ter with me? Yet I believe I know My poor mother had been crying sadly to me, for her past unhappy life. She kissed me, as she said, for my father’s sake: she had been the worst of w’ves to the best of husbands.

Again the good girl wept at her mother’s remem-bered remorse My guar my guardian’s goodness, my mother said, had awakened her to a sense of her wickedness. My poor mother did not spare her-self: and I was all sorrow; for what could I say to her on such a subject? And all the way that I came home in the coach, I did nothing but cry. I had but just dried my eyes, and tried to look cheer-ful, when you came in. And then, when you told me the good news, something struck me all at once, struck my very heart; I cannot account for it: I know not what to liken it to And had I not burst into tears, I believe it would have been worse for me. But now I am myself; and if my poor mother could pacify her conscience, I should be a happy creature because of Miss Byron’s happiness. You look at each other, ladies: but if you think I should not, bid nie begone from your presence for a false girl, and never see you more.

Now, Harriet, this emotion of Emily appears to me as a sort of phenomenon. T>oyou account for it as you will; but I am sure Emily is no hypocrite: she has no art: she believes what she says, that her sudden burst of tears was owing to her heart being affected by her mother’s contrition: and I am also sure that she loves you above all the women in the world. Yet it is possible that the subtle thief, ycleped love, had got very near her heart; and just at the moment threw a dart into one angle of it, which was the somelhiiify that struck her, all at once, as she phrased it, and made her find tears a relief. This I know, my dear, that we may be very diiferently affected by the same event, when judged of at a distance, and near. If you don’t already, or if you soon will not, experience the truth of this obser-vation in the great event before you, I am much mistaken.

But )‘0u see, Harriet, what joy this happy decla-ration of my brother, and the kind recejition it has met with from Northamptonshire, has given us all. We will keep your secret, never fear, till all is over; and, when it is, you shall let my brother know, from the letters we have had the favour of seeing, as much as tve do. Till he does, excellent as he thinks you, he will not know one half of your excellencies, nor the merit which your love and your suspenses have made you with him.

But, with you, I long for the arrival of the next letters from Italy. God grant that Lady Clemen-tina hold her resolution, now that she sees it is al most impossible for her to avoid marrying! If she should relent, what would be the consequence, to my brother, to herself, to you! And how shall all we, his friends and yours, be affected! You think the lady is obliged, in duty to her parents, to mar-ry. Lady L. and I are determined to be wise, and not give our opinions till the events which are yet ill the bosom of fate, disclosing themselves, shall not leave us a possibility of being much mistaken. And yet, as to what the filial duty requires of her, we think she ought to marry. Mean time, I repeat, * God grant, that Lady Clementina now hold her mind!

Lady L. S2nds up her name. Formality in her^ surely. I wui chide her. But here she comes I love, Harriet, to write to the moment: that’s a knack I had from you and my brother: and be sure continue it, on every occasion: no pathetic without it.

Your servant. Lady L.

And voHr servant, Lady G. Wi’iting? To whom?

To our Harriet

I will read your letter Shall I?

Take it: but read it out, that I may know what I have written.

Now give it me again. I’ll write down what you gay to it, Lady L.

Lady L. I say you are a whimsical creature. But I don’t like what you have last written.

Charlotte. Last written ’Tis down. But why so, LadyL.?

Lady L. How can you thus teaze our beloved Byron, with your conjectural evils?

Ch. Have I supposed an impossibility? But ’tis down Conjectural evils.

Lady L. If you are so whimsical, write ‘ My dear Miss Byron.’

Ch. My dear Miss Byron ’Tis down.

Lady L. [Looking over me] ‘ Do not let what this strange Charlotte has written, grieve you:’

Ch. Very well, Caroline! grieve you.

Lady L. ‘ Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof.’

Ch. Well observed. Words of Scripture, I believe Well evil thereof.

Lady L. Never, surely, was there such a creature as you, Charlotte

Ch. That’s down, too.

Lady L. Is that down? laughing That should not have been down Yet ’tis true.

Ch. Yet ^tis true What’s next?

Lady L. Pish

Ch. Pish.

Lady L. Well, now to Harriet ‘ Clementina cannot alter her resolution; her objection still sub-sisting. Her love for my brother’

Ch. Hold, Lady L. Too much, at one time Her love for my brother

Lady L. ‘ On which her apprehensions that she shall not be able, if she be his wife’

Ch. Not so much at once, I tell you: it is too much for my giddy head to remember if she be his wife

Ladi/ L. * to adhere to her own religion, are founded’

Ch. funded.

Lady L. ‘Is a security for her adherence to a resolution so glorious to herself.’

Ch. Well said, Lady L. May it be so, say, and pray, I. Any more, Lady L.?

Lady L, ‘ Therefore’

Ch. Therefore

LadyL. ‘ Regard not the perplexing Charlotte’

Ch. I thank you, Caroline pcrplexi}ig Charlotte

Lady L, ‘ Is the advice of your ever-affectionate sister, friend, and servant,’

Ch. Sol friend arid servant

Lady L. Give me the pen

Ch. Take another. She did and subscribed her name, ‘ C L.’

With all my heart, Harriet. And here, after I have repeated my hearty wishes, that nothing of this that I have so sagely apprehended may happen (for I desire not to be dubbed a witch so much at my own, as well as at your, expence), I will also subscribe that of

Your no less affectionate sister, friend, and servant,

CHARLOTTE G.

My brother says, he has sent you a letter, and your grandmamma another Full of grateful sensibilities, Loth, I make no question. Hut no flight, or goddess-making absurdity, I dare say You will give us copies, if you are as obliging as you used to be.


Letter X.
Miss Byron to Lady G.

Monday, September 25, What have I done to my Charlotte? Is there not something cold and particular in your stile, especially in that part of your letter preceding the entrance of my good Lady L.? And in your postscript You mill give us copies, ij y’‘U are an odiig itig as you used to be. Why should I, when likely to be more obliged to you than ever, be less obliging than before? I can’t bear this from Lady G. Are you giving me a proof of the truth of your own observation? ‘ That we may be very differently affected by the same event, when judged of at distance, and near.’ I could not support my spirits, if the sister of Sir Charles Grandison loved me the less for the distinction her brother pays me.

And what, my dear, if Lady Clementina should RELENT, as you phrase it? Myjriends might be now grieved Well, and I might be affected too, more than if the visit to my grandmamma had not been made. I own it. But the high veneration I truly profess to have for Lady Clementina, would be parade and pretension, if, whatever became of your Harriet, I did not resolve, in that case, to try, at least to make myself easy, and give up to her prior and worthier claim: and I should consider her ejf’orf, though unsuccessful, as having intitled her to my highest esteem. To what we know to be right, we ought to submit; the more difficult, the more me-ritorious: and, in this ca?e, your Harriet would conquer, or die. If she conquered, she would then, in that instance, be greater than even Clementina. O my dear, we know not, till we have the trial, what emulation will Enable a warm and honest mind to do.

I will send you inclosed, the two letters transcrib-ed by Lucy *. I am very proud of them both; perhaps too proud; and it may be necessary that I should be pulled down; though I expected it not from my Charlotte. ‘ To be complimented in so noble and sincere a manner as you will see I am,’ with the power of laying an obligation on him, (instead of owing it to his compassionate consideration for a creature so long labouring in suspense, and then despairing that her hopes could be an-swered) is enough at the same time to flatter her vanity, and gratify the most delicate sensibility.

You will see ‘ how gratefully he takes my grand-mamma’s hint, that I knew how by experience to account for a double, a divided love, as she is pleased to call it and the preference my aunt, and herself, and I, have given to the claim of Lady Clementina.’ You, my dear, know our sincerity in this particular. There is some merit in owning a truth when it makes against us. To do justice in another’s case against one’s self, is, methinks, making at least a second merit for one’s self. ‘ He asks my leave to attend me at Selby-house.’ I should rejoice to see him But I could wish, methinks, that he had lirst received letters from abroad. But how can I hint my wishes to him without implying either doubt or reserve? Reserve in the delay of his visit implied by such hint; doubt, of his being at liberty to pursue his intentions: that would not become me to shew; as it might make him think that I wanted protestations and assurances from him, in order to 6 ind him to me; when, if the situation be such as

* Tlicse lettors do not appear. The contents may be ga-thered from what she here says of them. obliges him to balance but in thought, and I could know it, I would die before I would accept of his hand. He has confirmed and established, as I may say, my pride (I had always some) by the distinction he has given me: yet I should despise myself, if I found it gave me either arrogance, or affectation. * He is so considerate as to dispense with my an-swering his letters;’ for he is pleased to say, ‘ That if I do not forbid him to come down, by my aunt Selby, or my grandmamma, he will presume upon my leave.’

My uncle set out for Peterborough, in order to bring Mr. Deane with him to Selby-house. Poor Mr. Deane kept his chamber for a week before; yet had not let us know he was ill. He was forbid to go abroad for two days more: but was so overjoyed at what my uncle communicated to him, that he said, he was not sensible of ailing any thing; and he would have come with my uncle next day, but nei-ther he nor the doctor would permit it: but on Sa — turday he came Such joy! Dear good man! Such congratulations! How considerable to their happiness, do they all make that of their Harriet!

They have been in consultation often; but they have excluded me from some particular ones. I guess the subject; and beg of them,tthat I may not be too much obliged. What critical situations have I been in! When will they be at an end?

Mr. Deane has written to Sir Charles. I am not to know the contents of his letter.

The hearts of us women, when v/e are urged to give way to a clandestine and unequal address, or when inclined to favour such a one, are apt, when pleaded with, to rise against the notions of bargain and sale. Smithjield bargains, you Londoners call them: but unjust is the intended odium, if prelimi-navies are necessary in all treaties of this nature.

And surely previous stipulations are indispensably so among us changeable mortals, however promising the sun-shine may be at our setting out on the journey of life: a journey too that will not be ended but with the life of one of the travellers.

If I ever were to be tempted to wish for great wealth, it would be for the sake of Sir Charles Grandison; that I might be a means of enlarging his power: since I am convinced, that the necessities of every worthy person within the large circle of his acquaintance would be relieved, according to his ability.

My dear Emily! Ah Lady G .! Was \t possible for you to think, that my pity for the amiable innocent should not increase my love of her! I will give you leave indeed to despise me, if you ever find any-thing in my behaviour to Emily, let me be circumstanced as I will, that shall shew an abatement of that tender affection whic!i ever must warm my heart in her fa-vour. Whenever I can promise any-thing for myself, then shall Emily be a partaker of my felicity, in the way her own heart shall direct. I hope, for lier oven sake, that the dear girl puts the matter right, when she attributes her sudden burst of tears to the weakness of her spirits occasioned by her mother’s re — morse: but let me say one thing; It would grieve me as much as it did Sir Charles, in the Count of Bel-vedere’s case, to stand in the way of any-body’s happiness. It is not you see, your brother s fault, that he is not the husl)and of Lady Clementina: she wishes him to marry an English woman. Nor is even the hope of Lady Olivia frustrated by mc. You know I always pitied her; and that belbre I knew, from Sir Charles’s letter to Signor Jeronymo, that she thought kindly of me. Lady Anne S.; Dq you think, my dear, that worthy woman could have liopes, were it not for mc? And could my Emily have any; were I out of the world? No, surely: the very wardship, which he executes with so much indulgent goodness to her, would exclude all such hopes, considerable enough as his estate is, to an-swer a larger fortune than even Emily’s. Were hers not half so much as it is, it would perhaps be more likely than now, that his generous mind might be disposed in her favour, some years hence.

Let me, however, tell you, that true sisterly pity overwhelmed my heart, when I first read that part of your letter which so pathetically describes her tender woe. Be the occasion her duty, or her love, or owing to a mixture of both, I am charmed with her beautiful simplicity: I wept over that part of your letter for half an hour: and more than once I looked round and round me, wishing for the dear creature to be near me, and wanting to clasp her to my bosom.

Love me still, and that as well as ever, my dear Lady G. or I shall want a great ingredient of happiness, in whatever situation I may be. I have written to thank my dear Lady L. for her goodness to me, in dictating to your pen; and I thank you, my dear, for being dictated to. I cannot be well. Send me but one line; ease my overburdened heart of one of its anxieties, by telling me that there has nothing passed of littleness in me, that has abated your love to Your ever-grateful, ever-affectionate,

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XI.
Lady G. to Miss Byron.

Ci’msvenor sq’vin’, Wednc^d.^y, September 27. Fi.Y, Scriji, of one line: on the wings of the wind, fly, to acquiiint my Harriet, that I love her above all women and all men fi)o; my brothi r excepted. ‘I’ell her, that I lunv love lier n itb. jn increased love; because I love her for fni sake, as v.tll as for her own.

Forgive, my dear, ill the earelessnesse?, as you always (Hcl ihe flijjpan.vics, of iiiv pon The haj^py prospv et that ail our >vi,-hcs ivoaid be sacceeder’ to us, had given a!c viry, a uanlonnos to it. ^\‘icked pen! But I!u-ve liurn; the whole ]!arcel f on, which I took it! Yet I t-liu’iiii correct Dn/se/f; ‘or I don’t know whether I dia udl intend to teaze a little: I don’t know whether my coe.p.^sion foi Fmiiy did not make me more silly, iftliu were so i for really I suffered my pen to take ii — co’irse atihetime; therefore burnt it) I know you wi,; ihe more readily forgive me.

Littleness, Harriet! You are all that is great and good in woman. The littleness of others adds to your greatness. Have not mij foibles always proved this? No, my dear! you are as great as Cle-mentina herself: and I love you better, if possible, than I love myself.

A few lines more on other subjects; for I can’t write a short letter to my Harriet,

The Countess of D. has made my brother a visit. I happened to be at his house. They were alone together near an hour. At going away he attending her to her chair, she took my hand; All my hopes are over, said she; but I will love Miss Bvron, for all that. Nor shall you. Sir Charles, in the day of” your power, deny me my correspondent; nor must you, madam, and Lady L a friendship with Sir Charles Grandison’s two sisters.

Lady W. and my sister and I correspond. I want you to know her, that you may love her as well as we do. Love-matches, my dear, are foolish things. I know not how you will find it some time hence; no general rule, however, without exceptions, you know. Violent love on one side, is enough in conscience, if the other party benotafool, or ungrateful; the lover and lovee make generally the happiest cou-ple. Mild, sedate convenience, is better than a stark staring-mad passion. The wall climbers, the hedge and ditch — leapers the river forders the window-droppers, always find reason to think so. \\ ho ever hears of darts, flames, Cupids, Venus’s, Adonis’s, and such like nonsense, in matrimony? Passion is transitory; but discretion, which never boils over, gives durable happine!>s. See Lord and Lady W, Lord G. and his good woman, for instances.

O my mad head! And why. think you, did I mention my corresponding with Ladv W.? Oiuy to tell you (and I had like to hav. *brgot it) that she feli-citates me in her last, on the likelihood of a happy acquisition to our family, from what my brother communicated of his intention to make his addresses to Somebody I warrant you guess to whom.

Lady Anne S Poor Lady Anne S.! I dare not tell my brother how much she loves him: I am sure it would make hi in uneasy.

Beauchamp d^-sires his compliments to you. He is in great affliction. Poor Sir Harry is thought ir-recoverable. DitL’rent j)hysjcians have gone their rounds with h^ i: but the new ones only n-k what the old Oiies ‘inl t’nt they tnay ov.-as at something else to make trial of. When a patient has money. it is difficult, I believe, for a physician to be honest, and to say, till the last extremity, That the parsoix and sexton may take him.

Adieu, my love! Adieu, all my grandmammas, aunts, cousins, and kin’s kin of Northamptonshire Adieu!

CHARLOTTE G.


Letter XII.
AflSS Byron to Lady G.

Tuesday, October 3. A TiiousAN’D thanks to you, my dear Lady G. for the favour of your last: you have re-assured me in it. I think I could not have been happy even in the affection of Sir Charles Grandison, were I to have found an abatement in the love of his two sisters. ^^ho, that knows you both, and that had been fa-voured with your friendship, could have been satis — fied with the least diminution of it?

I have a letter from the Countess of D.* She is a most generous woman. ‘ She even congratu-lates me, on your brother’s account, from the con versation that passed between him and her. She gives me the particulars of it. Exceedingly flattering are they to my vanity.’ I must, my dear, be happy, if you continue to love me; and if I can know that Liidy Clementina is not unhappy. This latter is a piece of intelligence, necessary for my tranquillity: for can your brother be happy, [(that lady be otherwise, whose grievous malady could

* This letter does not appear. hold in suspense his generous heart, when he had no pro<;pects at the tiuie of ever caUing her his?

I pity t’i-om my heart Lady Anne S. What a dreadful thing is liopeless love; the object so worthy, that every aiouth is full of his praises! How many women will your brother’s preference of owe, be she who she will, disappoint in thair first loves! Yet out of a hundred wonen, how iew are there, who, for one reason or other, have the ma.i of their clioice!

I remember, you once said, It was well that love is not a passion absolutely invincible: but however, I do not, my dear, agree with you in your notions of all love-matches. Love merely pe> sona/, that sort of love which commences bet^veen the years of (if-teen and twenty; and when the extraordinary merit of the object is not the foundation of it; may, I believe, and perhaps generaiiy ought to, be subdued. But love that is founded on a merit that every-body acknowledges I don’t know what to say to the vincibility of ntc/i a love. For myself, I think it impossible that I ever could have been the wife of any man on earth but one, and given him my affection in so entire a manner, as should, on reflection, have acquitted my own heart; though I hope I should not have been wanting in my general duties Because I must have been conscious, that there was another man who.ii I would have preferred to him. Let me add, that when prospects were darkest with regard to my wishes, I promised my grand-mamma and aunt to make myself easy, at least to endeavour to do so, if they never would propose to me the Earl of D. or any other man. They did promise me.

Lady D. in her letter to me, ‘ is so good as to claim the continuance of my correspondence.’ Most ungrateful, and equally self-denying, must I be, if I were to decline my part of it.

I have a letter from Sir Rowland Meredith *. You, who have seen his former letters to me, need not be shewn this. The same honest heart appears in them all; the same kind professions of paternal love.

You love Sir Rowland; and will be pleased to hear that his worthy nephew is likely to recover his health. I cannot, however, be joyful that they are resolved to make me soon one more visit. But you will see that Mr. Fowler thinks, if he could be allowed to visit me once more, he should, though hoping nothing from the visit, be easier for the rest of his life. A strange way of thinking! supposing love to be his distemper; is it not?

I have a letter from Mr. Fenwick. He has made a very short excursion abroad. He tells me in it, that he designs me a visit on a particular subject. If it be, as I suspect, to engage my interest with my Lucy, he shall not have her; he is not worthy of her.

The friendship and favour of Lady W. is one of the great felicities which seem to ofter to bless my future lot.

Mr. Greville is the most persevering, as well as most audacious of men. As other men endeavour to gain a woman’s affections by politeness; he makes pride, ill-nature, and impetuosity, the proofs of his love; and thinks himself ill-used, especially since his large acquisition of fortune, that thf’y an; not ac-cepted as such. He has obliged Mr. Ueane lo hear his pleas; and presumed to hope for his favour. Mr. Deane frankly told him, that his interest lay quite another way. He then insolently threatened with destruction, the man, be he who he will, that shall stand in his way. He doubts not, he says, but ISir Charles Grandison is the man designed: but if

* This letter appears not. so cool a lover is to be encouraged against so fervent a one as himself, he is mistaken in all his notions of women’s conduct and judgments in love-matters. A discreet lover, he says, is an unnatural character: women, the odious wretch says, love to be devoured [Is he not an odious wretch?]; and if Miss Byron can content herself with another woman’s leavings, for that, he says, he is well informed is the case, he knows what he shall think of her spirit. And then he threw out, as usual, refiections on our sex, which had malice in them.

This man’s threats disturb me. God grant that your brother may not meet with any more embar-rassments from insolent men, on my account?

If these men, this Greville in particular, would let me be at peace, I should be better, I believe, in my health: but Lady Frampton is his advocate, by let-ter. He watches my footsteps, and in every visit I make, throws himself in the way: and on Sundays he is always ready with his officious hand, as I alight to enter the church; and to lead me back to my uncle’s coach. My uncle cannot affront him, because he will not be affronted by him. He raiilies off”, with an intrepidity that never was exceeded, all that my aunt says to him. I repulse him with anger every-where but in a place so public and so sacred. He disturbs my devotion, with his bold eyes always fixed on our pew; which draw every one’s after them. He has the assurance, when he intrudes himself into my company, to laugh off” my anger; telling me, that it is what he has long wished for; and that now he is so much used to it, that he can live on my frowns, and cannot support life without them. He plainly tells me, that Mr. Fenwick’s arrival from abroad, and another certain person’s also, are the occasion of his resumed sedulity.

Every-body about us, in short, is interested for or against him. He makes me appear coy and ridi-culous. He l^ut no more of this bold man. Would to Heaven that some one of those who like such, would relieve me from him.

Visiters, and the post, oblige me, sooner than I otherwise should, to conclude myself, nay dear Lady G.

Ever yours,

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XIII.
Mr. Deane to Sir Charles Grandison.

Sel by-house, Tiiesdaj’, October 3. An alliance more acceptable, were it with a prince, could not be proposed, than that which Sir Charles Grandison, in a manner so worthy of himself, has proposed with a family who have thought them-selves under obligation to hirn, ever since he de livered the darling of it from the lawless attempts of a savage libertine. I know to whom I write; and will own, that it has been mi/ wish, iu a most par-ticuhir manner.

As to the surviving part of the family, exclusive of Miss Byron (for I will mention her parents by and by) it is in all its branches, worthy: indeed, 8ir, your wish of a relation to them, is not a discredit to your high character. As to the young lady I say nothing of her Yet how shall I forbear O Sir, believe:ne! siie wjll dignify your choice. Her duty and her inclination through every relation of life, were never divided.

Excuse n^e, Sir No parent was ever more fond of his child than I have been, from her infancy, oJt” this my daughter by adoption. Hence, Sir, being consulted on this occasion, as my affection I will say for the whole family deserves, I take upon me to acquaint you, before any further steps are taken, what our dear child’s fortune will be: for it has been always my notion, that a young gentleman, in such a case, should, the moment he offers himself, if his own proposals are acceptable, be spared the inde-licacy of asking questions as to fortune. We know. Sir, yours is great: but as your spirit is princely, you ought to have something worthy of your own fortune with a wife. But here, alas! we must fail, I doubt; at least, in hand.

Mr. Byron was one of the best of men: his lady a most excellent woman: there never was a happier pair. Both had reason to boast of their ancestry. His estate was upwards of four thousand pounds a year; but it was entailed, and, in failure of male heirs, was to descend to a second branch of the fa-mily, which had made itself the more unworthy of it, by settling in a foreign country, renouncing, as I may say, its own. Mr. Byron died a young man, and left his lady ensient; but grief for losing him, occasioned first her miscarriage, and then her death; and the estate followed the name. Hence, be pleased to know that Miss Byron’s fortune, in her own right, is no more than between thirteen and fourteen thousand pounds. It is chiefly in the funds. It has been called 15,000l. but is not much more than thirteen. Her grandmother’s jointure is between 4 and 500l. a year. We none of us wish to see my god-daughter in possession of it: she herself least of all. Mrs. Shirley is called, by every one that knows her, or speaks of her. The ornament of old age. Her husband, an excellent man, desired her to live always in the mansion-house, and in the hos-pitable May he had ever kept up, if what he left her would support her in it. She has been longer spared to the prayers of her friends, anil to those of the poor, than was apprehended; for she is infirm in health. She therefore can do but little towards the increi’.se of her child’s fortune. But Shirley-manor is a fine old seat, Sir! And there is timber upon the estate, which wants but ten years <:jrowth, and will be felled to good account, Mr. Selby is well in the world. He proposes, as a token of his love, to add SOOOl. in hand to his niece’s fortune, and by his will, something very considerable, further expectant on his lady’s death; who being Miss Byron’s aunt, by the father’s side, intends by her will to do very handsomely for her. By the way, my dear Sir, be assured, that what I write is absolutely unknown to Miss Byron.

There is a man who loves her as he loves himself. This man has laid by a sum of money every year for the advancing her in marriage, beginning with the iifth year of her hfe, when it was seen what a hope-ful child she was: this has been put at accumulated interest; and it amounts, in sixteen years, or there-abouts, to very near 8000l. This man. Sir, will make up the eight thousand ten, to be paid on the day of marriage: and I hope, without promising for what this man will do further at his death, that you will accept of this five or six-and-twenty thousand pounds, as the cheerfullest given and best-bestowed money that ever was laid out.

Let not these particulars pain you. Sir: they should not: the subject is a necessary one. You, who ought to give way to the increase of that power which you so nobly use, must not be pained at this mention, once for all. Princes, Sir, are not above asking money of their people as free-gifs, on the marriage of their children. Hethat wouldbe greater than a prince, may, before he is aware, be less than a gentleman. Of this ten thousand pounds eight is Miss Byron’s due, as she is Hkely to be so happy with all our consents: else it would not: for that was the man’s roerved condition; and the sum, or the designation of it, was till this day only known to himself.

As to settlements in return, I would have acted the lawyer, but the honest lawyer, with you, Sir, and made demands of you: but Mr. and Mrs. Selby, and Mrs. Shirley, unanimously declare, that you shall not be prescribed to in this case. Were you not Sir Charles Grandison? was the question. I was against leaving it to you, for that veri/ reason. It will be, said I, to provoke such a man as Sir Charles to do too much. .Most other men ought to be spurred; but this must be held in. But, however, I acquiesced; and the more easily, because I expect that the deeds shall pass through my hands; and I will take care that you shall not, in order to give a proof of love where it is not wanted, exert an inadequate generosity.

These matters I thought it was absolutely neces-sary to apprise you of: you will have the goodness to excuse any imperfections in my manner of writing There are none in my heart, when I assure you, that no man breathing can more respect you, than, Sir,

Your most faithful and obedient humble servant,

THOMAS DEAxVE.


Letter XIV.
Sir Charles Grandison to Thomas Deane, Esq.

Thursday, October 5. You know not, ray dear Mr. Deane, upon what an unthankful man you would bestow your favours. I pretend not to be above complying with the laudable customs of the world. Princes are examples to themselves. I have always, in things indifferent, been willing to take the world as I find it; and conform to it.

To say Miss Byron is a treasure in herself, is what every man would say, who has the honour to know her: yet I would not, in a vain ostentation, as the interest of a man and his wife is one, make a compliment to my affection by resigning or giving from her her natural right; especially as there is no one of her family that wants to be benefited by such gifts or resignations. But then I will not allow, that any of her friends shall part with what is theirs, to supply What? Asupposcd deficiency in herfortune. And by whom, as implied by you, supposed a defi-ciency By me; and it is left to me to confirm the imputation by my acceptance of the addition so generously, as to the intention, offered. Had I incumbrances on my estate, which, undischarged, would involve in difficulties the woman I love; I know not what, for her sake, I might be tempted to do. But avarice only can induce a man, who wants it not, to accept of the bounty of a lady’s friends, in their life-time especially When those friends arc not either father or mother; one of them not a relation by blood, though he is by a nearer tie, that of love: and is not the fortune which the lady poii-<;e5i-e, in her own right, an ample one?

I am as rich as I wish to be, my clear Mr. Deane–Were my income less I would live within it; were it mo7-e, it would increase uiy duties. Permit me, my good Sir, to ask, has the man, as you call him (and a man indeed he appears to me to be) who intends to make so noble a present to a stranger, no relations, no friends, who would have reason to think themselves unkindly treated, if he gave from them such a large portion of his fortune?

I would not be thought romantic; neither aim I at ostentation. I would be as glad io follovo, as to set, a good example. Can I have a nobler, if Miss Byron honours me with her hand, than she, in that case, will give in prefei’ring me to the Earl of D. a worthy man, with a much more splendid fortune than mine? Believe me, my dear Mr. Deane, it would, on an event so happy, be a restraint to niy own joy before friends so kindly contributing to the increase of her fortune, lest they should imagine that their generosity, on the occasion, was one of the motives of my gratitude to her for her goodness to me.

You tell me, that Miss Byron knows nothing of your proposals: I beseech you let her not know any-thing of them: abase not so much, in her eyes, the man who presumes on her favour for the happiness of the rest of his life, by supposing (^9i<A— supposition, Sir, may have weight with her) he could value her the more for such an addition to her fortune. No, Sir: let Miss Hyron (satisfied with the consciousness of a worth which all the world acknowledges) in one of the most solemn events of her life, look round among her congratulating friends with that modest confidence which the sense of laying a high obli-gation on a favoured object gives to diffident merit; and which the receiving of favours from ail her friends, as if to supply a supposed defective worth, must either abate; or, if it do not, make her think less of the interested man, who could submit to owe such obligations.

If these friendly expostulations conclude against the offer of your generoiLsfrioid, they equally do so against that of Mr. Selby. Were that gentleman and his lady the parents of IMiss Byron, the case would be different; but Miss Byron s fortune is an ascertained one; and Mr. Seiby has relations who stand in an equal degree of consanguinity to him, and who are all entitled, by their worthmcss, to his favour. My best respects and thanks are however due; and I beg you will make my acknowledgments accordingly, as well to your iKortlitj friend, as to Mr. Selby.

I take the liberty to send you down the rent-roll of my English estate. Determine for me as you please, my dearest Mr. Deane: only take this caution Affront me not a second time; but let the settlements be such, as may be fully answerable to my fortune; although, in the common methods of calculation, it may exceed that of the dear lady. That you may be the better judge of this, you will find a brief particular of my Irish estate subjoined to the other.

I was intending, when I received yours, to do myself the honour of a visit to Selby-house. I am impatient to throw myself at the feet of my dear Miss Byron, and to commend myself to the favour of Mr. and Mrs. Selby, and every one of a family I am prepared by their characters, as well as by their relation to Miss Byron, to revere and love: but as you seem to choose that the requisite preliminaries should be first adjusted by pen and ink, I submit, though with reluctance, to that course; but with the less, as I may, in the interim, receive letters fron> abroad, which, though they can now make no alter-ation with regard to the treaty so happily begun. may give me an opportunity of laying the whole state of my affairs before Miss Byron; by which means she will be enabled to form a judgment of them, and of the heart of, dear Sir, Her and your most affectionate, obliged and faithful humble servant,

CH. GRANDISON.


Letter XV.
Miss Byron to Lady G. {^fVith the two preceding lettcrs.l

Sclby–Iiou>e, Saturday, October 7. Well did you observe, my dear, that we may be very differently affected by the same event, when judged of at a distance, and near. Ma:/ I, in the present situation, presume to say near? Mr Deane has entered into the particulars of my fortune with Sir Charles. The letter was not shewn me before it went; and I was not permitted to see the copy of it till your brother’s answer came; and then they shewed me both.

O my dear Mr. Deane! my ever-kind uncle and aunt Selby! was not your Harriet Byron too much obliged to you before? — As to your brother, What, my love, shall I do with my pride? I did not know I had so nmch of that bad quality. My poverty, my dear, has added to my pride Were my fortune superior to that of your brother, I am sure I should not be so proud as I now, on this occasion, find I am. How generously does he decline accepting the goodness that was offered to give me more consideration with him (as kindly intended by them)! What can I say to him, but that his heart, still prouder than my own, and more generous than that of any other person breathing, will not permit me to owe vnicommon obligations to any but himself?

He desires that I may not know any-thing of this transaction: but they thought the communication would give me pleasure. However, they wish me not to take notice to him, when he visits Selby-housc, that they have communicated it to me. If I did, I should think myself obliged to manifest a gratitude that would embarrass me in my present situation, and seem to fetter the freedom of my will. Millions of obligations should not bribe me to give up even a corner of my heart, to a man to whom I could not give the whole. Your brother, my dear, is in possession of the whole.

You know that I hate affectation: but must I not have great abatements in my prospects of happiness, because of Lady Clementina? And must they not be still greater, should she be unhappy, should she repent of the resolution she so nob’y took, for his saying, that whatever be the contents of his next letters from Italy, they can make no alteration with regard to the treaty begun with us? Dear, dear Clementina! most excellent cf women! Can I bear to stand in the way of your happiness? I cannot Mij life, any more than yours, may not be a long one; and I will not ully the whiteness of it; pardon my vanity; I presume to call it so on vetrospecting it, regcirding niv intcntiiui.. only) by giving way to an act of injustice, though it were to obtain for me the whole heart of the man I love.

Yet think you, my dear, that i am not mortified? ‘ How can I look round upon my congratulating fVieiuls. in one of the n\ost siiivmn ev. nt.^ of my life, MJtli that modest coiifidcncj wuieh liu sense of laying an obligation on a favoured object’ (yoii know in whose generous words I express myself) * gives to diffident merit? * O my Charlotte! I am afraid of your brother! How shall I look up to him, when I next see him? But I will give way to this new guest, my pride. What other way have I? Will you forgive me, if I try to look upon your brother’s generosity to me and my friends, in declining so greatly their offers, as a bribe to make me sit down satisfied with half, nay, not half, a heart? And now will you not say, that I am proud indeed? But his is the most delicate of human minds; and shall not the woman pretend to some delicacy who has looked up to him?

I thought of writing but a few lines in the cover of the two letters. I hope I shall not incur displeasure from any — body here, were they to know I send them to you for your perusal. But let only Lord G. your other self, and Lord and Lady L. read them, and return them by the next post. I know you four will pity the poor and proud girl, who is so inexpressibly obliged almost to every one she knows; but who, believe her, proud as she is, never will be ashamed to own her obligations to you, and Lady L.

Witness,

HARRIET BYRON,


Letter XVI
Lady G. to Miss Byron,

Grosvenor-sqiiare, Tuesday, October 10. I RETURN your two letters: very good ones,‘both. I like them. Lord L. and Lord Cr. thank you for allowing them to peruse them. We will know nothing of the matter.

My brother will soon be with you, I believe. I wish Dr. Bartlett were in town: one should then know something of the motions of my brother Not that he is reserved, neither. But he is so much engaged, that I go four times to St. James’s Square, and perhaps do not see him once. My lord had the assurance to say, but yesterday, that I was there more than at home. He is very impertinent: I believe he has taken up my sauciness. I laid it down, and thought to resume it occasionally; but when I came to look for it, behold it was gone! But I hope, if he has it not, it is only mislaid. I intend, if it come not soon to hand, to set the parish-crier to proclaim the loss, with a reward for the finder. It might be the ruin of some indiscreet woman, should such a one meet with it, and try to use it. Aunt Eleanor [there I remembered myself: no more aunt Nell!] is as joyful, to think her nephew-will soon be married, and to an En^li^h woman, as if she were going to be married herself. Were there to be a wedding in the family, or among her ac-quaintance, once a year! what with preparation, what with solenmization, good old soul! she would live for ever. Chide again, Harriet; I value it not. ^‘et in your last chiding you were excesbively grave: but I forgive you. Be good, and write me every-thing how and about it; and write to the moment: you cannot he too minute.

I want you to see Lady Olivia’s presents: they are princely. I want to see a letter hc wrote to my brother: he mentioned it as something extra-ordinary. When you are his, you must shew me all he writes, that you are permitted to have in your power long enough to transcribe. He and she correspond. Do you like that, Harriet? Lady L. writes: Emily writes. So I have only to sa}^ I am Your humble servant, and so-forth,

CH. G.


Letter XVII
Miss Bykon to Lady G.

Selby-house, Thursday, October \‘2.

MY DEAR LADY G.

I EXPECT your brother ever}^ hour. I hope he comes in pursuance of letters from Italy! May it be so! and such as will not abate his welcome!

We heard by accident of his approach, by a farmer, tenant to my uncle; who saw a fine gentleman, very handsomely attended, alight, as he left Strat-ford, at the ver^ inn where we baited on our return from London. As a dinner was preparing for him, perhaps, my dear, he will dine in the reri/ room we dined in at that time. The farmer had the curiosity to ask who he was; and was answered by the most courteous servants he ever spoke to, that they had the honour to serve Sir Charles Grandison. And the farmer having said he was of Northampton; one of them asked hiin, how far Selby-house was from that town? The farmer was obliged to hurry home on his own affairs; and meeting my uncle with Mr. Deane, and my cousin Jame^.; Selby, taking an airing on horseback, toid him the visiter he was likely to have. Mv uncle instantly dispatched his servant to us with thL’ tidings, and that he was gone to meet him, in hopes of conducting him hither.

This news gave me so much emotion, being not well before, that my aunt advised me to retire to my closet, and endeavour to quiet my spirits.

Here then I am, my dear Lady G. and the writing-implements being always at hand in this place, I took up my pen. It is not possible for me to write at this time, but to you, and on this subject. It is good for a busy mind to have something to be employed in; and I think, now I am amusing my-self on paper, my heart is a little more governable than it was.

I am glad we heard of his coming before we saw him But surely Sir Charles Grandison should not have attempted to si’rprise us: should he, my dear? Does it not look like the pride of a man assured of a joyful welcome? I have read of princes, who, acquainted with their ladies by picture only, and having beei-. married by proxy, have set out to their frontiers incognito, and in disguise have af-fected to supprise the poor apprehensive bride. But here, not only circumstances differ, since there has been no betrothment; but were he of princely rank, I ^hould have expected a more delicate treatment from him.

How will the consciousness of inferiority and obligation set a proud and punctilious mind upon hunting for occasions to justify its caprices! A servant of Sir Charles is just arrived with a billet directed for my uncle Selby. My aunt opened it. It is dated froni Stratford. The contents are, after compliments of enquiry of our healths, to acquaint ni}’ uncle, that hi’ shall put up at the George at Northampton, this night; and hopes to be allowed to pay his compliments to us tomorrow morning, at breakfast: so he did not intend to give himself the consequence, of which my capricious heart was SO apprehensive. Yet then, as if resolved to find fault, is not this a little too parading for his natural freedom? thought I: or does he think we should not be able to outlive our joyful surprise, if he gave us not notice of his arrival in these parts before he saw us? O Clementina! Goddess! Angel! What a mere mortal, what a woman, dost thou make the poor Harriet Byron appear in her own eyes! How apprehensive of coming after thee! The sense I have of my own littleness, will make me little, indeed!

Well, but I presume, that if my uncle and Mr. Deane meet him, they will prevail on him to come hither this night: yet I suppose he must be allowed to go to the proposed inn afterwards. But here, he is come! Come, indeed! My uncle in the chariot with him! My cousin and Mr. Deane, Sally tells me, just alighted. Sally adores Sir Charles Grandison Begone, Sally. Thy emotions, foolish girl, add to those of thy mistress! * *

That I might avoid the appearance of affectation, I was going down to welcome him, when I met my uncle on the stairs. Niece Byron, said he, you have not done Jitstice to Sir Charles Grandison. I thought your love-sick heart [What words were these, my dear! and at that moment too!] must have been partial to him. He prevailed on me to go into his chariot. You may think yourself very happy. For fifteen miles together did he talk of nobody but you. Let me go down with you: let me present you to him.

I had before besought my spirits to befriend me, but for one half-hour. Surely there is nothing so unwelcome as an unseasonable jest. Present mc to him! Love-sick Jteart! O my uncle; thought I, I was unable to proceed. I hastened back to my closet, as much disconcerted as a child could be who, having taken pains to get his lesson by heart, dashed by a chiding countenance, forgot every syllable of it when it came to snj/ it. You know, my dear, that I had not of some time been well. My spirits were weak, and joy was almost as painful to me as grief could have been.

My aunt came up My love, why don’t you come down? What now! Why in tears? You will ap-pear, to the finest man I ever saw in my life, very particular! Mr. Deane is in love with him: your cousin James

Dear madam, I am already, when I make comparisons between him and myself, humbled enough with his excellencies. I did intend to avoid particu-larity; but my uncle has quite disconcerted me Yet he always means well: I ought not to complain. I attend you, madam.

Can you, Lady G. forgive my pride, my petu-lance?

My aunt went down before me. Sir Charles hastened to me. the moment I appeared, with an air of respectful love.

He took my hand, and bowing upon it, I rejoice to see my dear Miss Byron; and to see her so well. How many sufferers must there be, when you suffer. i bid him welcome to England. I hope he heard me: I could — not help speaking low: he must observe my discomposure. He led me to a seat, and sat down by me, still holding my hand. I withdrew it not presently, lest he should think me precise: but, as there were so many persons present, I thouglit it was free in Sir Charles Grandison. Yet perhaps he could not well quit it, as I did not withdraw it; so that the fault might be rather in my passiveness, than in his forwardness.

However, I asked my aunt afterwards, if his looks were not those of a man assured of success; as indeed he might be from my grandmother’s letter, and my silence to his. She said, there was a manly freedom in his address to me; but that it had such a mixture of tenderness in it, that never, in her eyes, was freedom so becoming. While he was restrained by his situation, added she, no wonder that he treated you with respect only as ^.friend; but now he finds himself at liberty to address you, hisbehaviour ought, as a lover, to have been just what it was.

Sir Charles led me into talk, by mentioning you and Lady L., your two lords, and my Emily.

My uncle aud aunt withdrew, and had some little canvassings, it seems [all their canvassings are those of assured lovers] about the propriety of my uncle’s invitation to Sir Charles to take up his residence, while he was in these parts, at Selby-house. My uncle, at coming in, had directed Sir Charles’s servants to put up their horses: but they, not having their master’s orders to do so, held themselves in readiness to attend him; as they knew that Sir Charles had given directions to his gentleman, Saunders, who brought the billet to my uncle, to go back to North-ampton, and provide apartments for him at the George inn there.

My aunt, who you know is a perfect judge of points of decorum, pleaded to my uncle, that it was too well known among our select friends, by Mr. Greville’s means, that Sir Charles had never before made his addresses to me; and that therefore, though he was to be treated as a man whose alliance is consi-dered as an honour to us; yet that some measures ought to be kept, as to the look of the thing; and that the world might not coBclude that I was to be won ^t his very first appearance; and the rather, as Mr. Greville’s violence, as well as virulence, was so well ^nown.

My uncle was petulant. 7, said lie, am always in the wrong: you women never. He ran into all those peculiarities of words, for which you have so often railliedhim His adsheart, hisjemale scrupulo-sities, his What a pize, his hatred o^ shill^‘skallj/‘s and Jiddle-f addles, and the rest o(o\ir female nonsenses, as he eaiJs them. He hoped to salute his niece as Lady Grandison, ioa fortnight, jvhata duce was the mat-ter it could not be so, both sides now of a mind? He warned my aunt, and bid her warn me, against affectation, now the crisis was at hand. Sir Charles, he said, would think meanly of us, if we were sill^: and then came in another of his odd words: Sir Charles, he said, had been so much already bam-boozled, that he would not have patience with us; and therefore, and for all these reasons, as he called them, he desired that Sir Charles might not be suffered to go out of the house, and to an inn; and this as well for the propriety/ of the thing, as for the credit of his own invitation to him.

My aunt replied, that Sir Charles himself would .expect delicacy from us. It was evident, that he expected not (no doubt for the sake of the world’s eye) to reside in the house with 77ie on his Jirst visit, by his having ordered his servant who brought the billet to take apartments for him at Northampton, even not designing to visit us over-night, had he not been met by Mr. Deane and himself, and persuaded to come. In short, my dear, said my aunt, I am as much concerned about Sir Charles’s oicn opinion of our conduct, as for that of the world. If Sir!harles is not with us, the oftener he visits us, the more respectful it will be construed. I hope he will live with us all day, and every day: but indeed it must be as a visiter, not as an inmate.

Why then bring me off sorae-how, that I may not seem the blunderer you are always making me bv your doTAimcnts Will you do that?

When my uncle and aunt came in, they found Sir Charles, and Mr. Deane, and me, talking. Our sub-ject was, the happiness of Lord and Lady W. and the whole Mansfield family, with whom Mr. Deane, who began the discourse, is well acquainted. Sir Charles arose at their entrance. The night draws on, said he I will do myself the honour of attending you, madam, and this happy family, at tea in the morning My good Mr. Selby, I had a design upon you, and Mr. Deane, and upon you, young gentleman (to my cousin James) as I told you on the road; but it is now too late. Adieu, till tomorrow He bowed to each, to me profoundly, kissing my hand; and went to his chariot.

My uncle whispered my aunt, as we all attended him to that door of the hail which leads into the court-yard, to invite him to stay. Hang punctilio! he said.

My aunt wanted to speak to Sir Charles; yet, she owned, she knew not what to say: such a conscious awkwardness had indeed possession of us both, as made us uneasy: we thought all was not right; yet knew not that we were wrong. But when Sir Charles’s chariot drove away with him, and we took our seats, and supper was talked of, we all of us shewed dissatisfaction; and my uncle was quite out of humour. He would give a thousand pounds, he said, with all his heart and soul, to find in the morning. Sir Charles, instead of coming hither to break — fast, had set out on his return to London.

For my part, Lady G. I could liot bear these re-criminations. I begged to be excused sittingdown to supper. I was not well; and this odd situation added 7<?ze9Ar/ei.5 to my indisposition: a dissatisfaction, that I find will mingle with our highest enjoyments: nor v.tre the beloved company I left, happier. Thev canvassed the matter, with so much good-natured earnestness, that the supper was taken away, as it was brought, at a late hour.

What, my dear Lady G. in your opinion, should we have done? Were we right, or were we wrong? Over-tlelicacy, as I have heard observed, is under-delicacy. You, my dear, your lord, our Emily, and Dr. Bartlett, all standing in so well-known a degree of relation to Sir Charles Grandison, were our most welcome guests: and was not the brother to be received with equal warmth of respect? O no! Custom, it seems, tyrant custom, and the appre-hended opinion of the world, obliged us (especially as so much bustle had been made about me, by men so bold, so impetuous) to shew him Shew him what? In effect, that we had expectations upon him, which we could not have upon his brother and sister; and therefore, because we hoped he would be more near, we were to keep him at the greater distance! What an indirect acknowledgment was this in his favour, were there room for him to doubt! Which, however, there could not be. What would I give, said my aunt to me, this moment, to know his thoughts of the matter!

Friday morning. Lucy and Nancy will be here at dinner; so will my grandmamma. She has, with her usugl enquiries after my health, congratulated me by this line, scal-ed up:

* I long, my best love, to embrace you, on the joyful occasion. I need say no more, than that I think myself, at this instant, one of the happiest of women. I shall dine with you today. Adieu, till then, joy of my heart, my own Harriet!’

Luqy, in a billet just now brought, written for herself and Nancy, on the intelligence sent her of Sir Charles’s arrival expresses herself thus:

* Our joy is extreme! Blessings on the man! Blessings attend our Harriet! They must: Sir Charles Grandison brings them with himself. Health now will return to our lovely cousin. We long to see the man of whom we have heard so much. We will dine with you. Tell Sir Charles, before we come, that you love us dearly: it shall make us redouble our endeavours to deserve your love. Your declared friendship, and love of us, will give consequence to

Lucy, LNiNE/’

^j^-jvi L— f SELBY/

We are now in expectation My aunt and I, though early risers, hurried ourt.e]ves to get every-thing, that however is never out of order, in higher order. Both of us have a kind of consciousness of defect, where yet we cannot find reason for it: if we did, we should supply it. Yet we are careful that every-thing lius a natural, not an extraordinary, ap-r pearance Ease, with propriety, shall be our aim. My aunt says, that were the king to make us a visit, she is sure she could not have a greater desire to please I will go down, that I may avoid the appearance of parade and reserve, when he comes.

Here, in her closet, again, is your poor Harriet. Surely the determined single state is the happiest of lives, to young women, who have the greatness of mind to be above valuing the admiration and flat-teries of the other sex. A\ hat tumults, what a con trariety of passions, break the tranquillity of X\\c woman who yields up her heart to love? No Sir Charles Grandison, my dear! Yet ten o’clock! He is a very prudent man! No expectations harry or discompose \\im\ Chavmrn^ steadiness of soul! A fine thing for himself, bat /r/r otherwise for the wo-man, when a man is secure! He will possibly ask me, and hold again my passive hand, in presence of half a score of my friends, Whether I was greatly uneasy because of his absence?

But let me try to excw^e him. iMay he not have, forgot his engagement? May he not have overslept himself? Some agreeable dream of the Bologna fa-mily I am oftended at him Did he learn this tranquillity in Italy? O no, no, Lady G.!

I now cannot help looking back for other faults in him, with regard to me. My memory is not, how-ever, so malicious, as I would have it be But do you think every man, in the like situation, would have stopt at Stratford to dine by himself? Not but your brother can be very happy in his oxvn company. l( he cannot, who can? Jiut, as to that, his horses might require rest, as well as baiting: one knows not in how short a time he might have prosecuted his journey so far. He who will not suffer the noblest of all animals to be deprived of an ornament, would be merciful to them in greater in stances. He says, that he cannot bear indignity from superiors. Neither can we. In that light he appears to us. But why so? My heart. Lady G. begins to swell, I assure you; and it is twice as big as it was last night.

My uncle, before I came up, set with his watch in his hand, from half an hour after nine, till near tea, telling the minutes as they crept. Mr. Deane often looked at me, and at my aunt, as if to see how we bore it. I blushed; looked silly, as if your brother’s faults were mine. Over in a fortnight! cried my uncle; ads-heart, I believe it will behalf a year before we shall come to the question. But Sir Charles, to be sure, is offended. Your confounded female niceties!

My heart rose Let him if he flare, thought the proud Harriet.

God grant, added my uncle, that he may be gone up to town again!

Perhaps, said Mr. Deane, he is gone, by mis-take, to Mrs. Shirley’s.

We then endeavoured to recollect the words of his self-invitation hither. My cousin James proposed to take horse, and go to Northampton, to in form himself of the occasion of his not coming: some misfortune, perhaps.

Had he not servants, my aunt asked, one of whom he might have sent? Shall your cousin go, how-ever, Harriet? said she.

No, indeed, answered I, with an air of anger. My teazing uncle broke out into a loud laugh, which however had more of vexedness than mirth in it. He is certainly gone to London, Harriet! Just as I said, dame Selby! Certainly tearing up the road; his very horses resenting, for their mas-ter, your scrupulosities. You’ll hear from him next, at London, my life for yours, niece Hah, hah, hah! What will y owe grandmamma say, by and by. Lucy, Nancy, how will they stare! Last night’s eupper, and this day’s dinner, will be alike served in. and taken away.

I could not stand all this: I arose from m}^ seat. Are you not unkind. Sir? said I to my uncle, coui-tesying to him however; and desiring his and Mr, Deane’s excuse, quitted the breakfasting parlour. Teazing man! said my aunt. Mr. Deane also blamed him; gently, however: for every — body ac-knowledges his good heart, and natural good temper.

My aunt followed me to the door; and, taking my hand, Harriet, said she, speaking low, Not Sir Charles Grandison himselfshall call you his, if he is capable of treating you with the least indifference. I understand not this, added she: he cannot surely be olfended I hope all will be cleared up before your grandmamma conies: she will be very jealous of the honour of her girl.

I answered not: I could not answer: but hastened up to my place of refuge; and, after wiping from my cheeks a i’cw tears of real vexation, took up my pen. You love to know my thoughts as occasions arise. You bid me continue to write to the moment -r-Here comes my aunt.

My aunt came in, with a billet in her hand Come down to breakfast, my dear: Sir Charles comes not till dinner-time. Read this: it was brought by one of his servants. He left it with An-drew. The dunce let him go. I wanted to have asked him a Iiundrcd questions.

TO MRS. SELBY. Dr.AR IIADAM,

I am broken in upon by a most iwperlinent visiter. Such, at this time, nuisthave been the dearest friend I have in the world. You will be so good as to excuse my attendance till dinner-time. For the past two hours I thought every moment of disengaging myself, or I should have sent sooner.

Ever yours, &c.

What visiter, said I, can make a man stay, against his mind? Who can get rid politely of an inipcrl Incut visiter, if Sir Charles Grandison caimot, on a previous engagement? But come, madam, I attend you. Down we went.

My uncle was out of patience. I was sorry for it. I tried to make the best of it; yet, but to pacify him, should, perhaps, have had petulance enough myself to make the worst of it. Oy, oy, with all my heart, said he, in answer to my excuses, let us hear what Sir Charles has to say for himself. But, old as I am, were my dame Selby to give me another chance, no man on earth, I can tell you, should keep me from a previous engagement with my mistress. It is kind o’lyou, Harriet, to excuse him, however; love hides a multitude of faults.

My aunt said not one syllable in behalf of Sir Charles. She is vexed, and disappointed.

We made a very short breakfasting; and looked upon one another as people who would have helped themselves, if they could. Mr. Deanc, however, would engage, he said, that we should be satisfied with Sir Charles’s excuses, when we came to hear them.

But, my dear, this man, this visiter, whoever he is, must be of prodigious importance to detain him from an engagement that I had hoped might have been thought a.Jirst engagement: yet owned to be impertinent. And must not the accident be very uncommon, that should bring such a one, stranger as Sir Charles is, in his way? Yet this might very well happen, my uncle observes, at an inn, whither we thought fit to send him.

Now I think of it, I was strangely disturbed last night in my imperfect slumbers: something, I thought, was to happen to prevent me ever being his. But hence, Recollection! I chase thee from mc. Yet when realities disturb, shadows will officiously ob-trude on the busy imagination as realities.

Friday, twelve o’clock. My grandmamma is come Lucy, Nancy, are come O how vexed at our disappointment and cha-grin are my two cousins! But my grandmamma joins with Mr. Deane, to think the best. I have stolen up. But here, he is come! How shall I do to keep my anger? He shall find me below. I will see how he looks, at entrance among us //“he is careless (/^he makes slight excuses


Letter XVIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Friday, two o’clock. I AM stolen up again, to tell you how it is I never will be petulant ag uin Dear ‘;-‘ir, forgive me! How wicked in us all, but my gra.ulmanima and Mr. Deane, to i)‘ame a man whocannot bf guilty of a wil-ful fault! The fault is il’ my uui.t s and mine Was my aunt ever in fault beib:?

We wore all together =.vhcn he entered. He ad-dressed himself to us, in that noble manner which engage.-* ..vferv body ir. ‘.’/— ‘\.\>.i\xr, al first sight. How, — jiiK-j bowing to vciy one, have I suffered, inbcliig hindered, by an unhappy man, from doing myseif tiie honour of;ittei-di ij; < — a sooner!

You see. my dear, he maik o’ apologies to me, as if be supposed nie disappoint, < by Ivs absence, I was afraid he would. I know! looked very grave.

He tiun particularly adilrcssLi hiaiseif to each; to me first; next to n-y granduiamma; and taking one of her hands between both his, and bo big upon it, I rejoice to see you, mudanij said he \our

II 2 last favours will ever be remembered by me, with gratitude. I see you well, I hope. Your Miss Byron will be well, \i you are; and our joy (looking round him) will then be complete.

She bowed her head, pleased with his compliment; so were they all. I was still a little sullen; otherwise I should have been pleased too, that he made my health depend on that of my grandmamma.

Madam, said he, turning to my aunt, I am afraid I made you wait for me at breakfast. A most impertinent visiter! He put me out of humour. I dared not to let you and yours (looking at me) see how much I couldhe out of humour. I am natural-ly passionate: but passion is so ugly, so deforming a thing, that if I can help it, I will never, by those I love, be seen in it.

I am sorry. Sir, said my aunt, you met with any thing to disturb you.

My uncle’s spirit had not come down: he, too, was sullen in behalf of the punctilio of the girl whom he honours with his jealous love. How, how, is that, Sir Charles? said he.

My aunt presented Lucy and Nancy to him: but before she could name either Miss Selby, said he, Miss Byron’s oxvn Lucy, I am sure. Miss Nancy Selby! I know your characters, ladies; saluting each, and I know the interest you have in Miss Byron. Honour me Avith your approbation, and that will be to give me hope o^ hers. lie then turning to my uncle and Mr. Deane, and taking a hand of each My dear Mr. Deane smilc.- upon me, said he But Mr. Selby looks grave.

Attentive only, Sir Charles, to the cause of your being put out of humour, that’s all

The cause, Mr. Selby! Know then, I met with a man at my inn, who would force himself upon me: Do you know I am a quarrelsome man? He wiVfi so hardy as to declare, that he had pretensions to a lady in this company, which he was determined to assert.

That Greville! said my aunt

I was ready to sink. Wretched Harriet! thought I at the instant: am I to be for ever the occasion of embroihng this excellent man!

Dear, dear Sir Charles, said one, said another, all at once. How, how, was it?

Both safe! Both unhurt! replied he. No more of the rash man at this time. He is to be pitied. He loves Miss Byron to distraction.

This comes of nicety! whispered my uncle to my aunt; foolish nicety! To let such a man as this go to an inn! Inhospitable, vile punctilio! Then turning to Sir Charles Dear Sir, forgive me! I was a little serious, that I must own [I pulled my uncle by the sleeve, fearing he would say too much by way of atonement for his seriousness]: I, I, I, xvas a little se-rious, I must own I, I, I, was afraid something was the matter turned he off, what he was going to say too freely, shall I add? Hardly so! had he said what he would; though habitual punctilio made me almost involuntarily twitch my uncle by the sleeve; for my heart would have directed my lips to utter the kindest things; but my concern was too great to allow them to obey it.

I must go down, Lady G. I am enquired after; ’tis just dinner-time. Let me only add, that Sir Charles waved further talk of the attair between him and that wretch, while I staid Perhaps they have got it out of him since I came up. * *

I shall be so proud, my dear! A thousand fine things he has said of your Harriet, in her little ab-.scnce! How is he respected, how is he admired, by h3 all my friends! My grandmamma, with all her equanimity, has much ado to suppress her joyful emotions: and he is so respectfully tender to her, that had he not my heart before, he would have won it now.

He had again waved the relation of the insult he met with; Mr. Greville himself, he supposed, would give it. He had a mind to see if the gentle-man, by his report of it, was a gentleman. Thank God, said he, I have not hurt a man who boasts of his passion for Miss Byron; and of his neighbour-hood to this family!

Our places were chosen for us at table: Sir Charles’s next me. Cannot I be too minute, do you say? So easy, so free, so polite; something so hap-pily addressed occasionally to each person at table O my dear! I am abundantly kept in countenance; for every one loves him, as well as I. You have been pleased to take very favourable notice of our servants They are good, and sensible. What reverence for him, and joy for their young mis-tress’s sake, shone in their countenances, as they attended!

My cousin James, who has never been outof Eng-land, was very curious to be informed of the manners, customs, diversions, of the people indifferent coun-tries Italy, in particular Ah the dear Clementina! What abatement from recollection! ‘ The sighing heart,’ I remember he ssys, in one of his letters to Dr, Bartlett, ‘ will remind us of imperfection, in the highest of our enjoyments.’ And he adds, ‘ It is tit it should be so.’ And on what occasion did he write this? — O my Charlotte, / was the occasion. It was in kind remembrance ofnie. He could not, at that time, have so Avritten, had he been indifferent, even then, to your Harriet.

I am so apprehensive of my uncle’s after-remarks, that I am half afraid to look at Sir Charles: and he must by-and-by return to this wicked inn They wonder at my frequent absences. It is to oblige you, Lady G. and indeed myself: there is vast plea-sure in communicating our pleasures to a friend who interests herself, as you do, in our dearest concerns.

You know and admire my grandmamma’s cheer-ful compliances with the innocent diversions of youth. She made Lucy give us a lesson on the harpsichord, on purpose, I saw, to draw me in. We both obeyed.

I was once a little out in an Italian song. In what a sweet manner did he put me in! touching the keys himself, for a minute or two. Every one wished him to proceed; but he gave up to me, in so polite a manner, that we all were satisfied with his excuses.

Mv poor cousin James is on a sudden very earnest to go abroad; as if, silly youth, travelling would make him a Sir Charles Graiidison!

I have just asked your brother, if all is over between Mr. Cireville and him? He .says, He hopes and believes so. God send it may; or I shall hate that Groville!

My uncle, IMr. Deane, and my cousin James, were too much taken with Sir Charles, to think of withdrawing, as it might have been expected they would; and after some general conversation, which succeeded our ])!aying, Sir Charles drew his chair between my grandmamma and aunt, and taking my grandmainnia’.s hand, May I not be allowed a quarter of an hour’s conversation with Miss Byron in your presence, ladies? said he, speaking low. We have indeed only iiiends and relations present: but it will be most agreeable, I believe, to the dear lady, that what I have to say to her, and to you, may be rather reported to the gentlemen than heard by them.

By all means. Sir Charles, said my grandmam-ma. Then vs^hispering to my au))t, No man in this company thinks, but Sir Charles. Excuse me, my dear.

The moment Sir Charles applied himself in this particular manner to them, my heart, without hearing what he said, was at my mouth, I arose, and withdrew to the cedar-parlour, followed by Lucy and Nancy. The gentlemen, seeming to recollect them-selves, withdrew likewise, to another apartment. My aunt came to me My Harriet! But ah! my dear, how you tremble! You must come with me. And then she told me what he had said to my grand-mamma and her.

I have no courage None at all, said I. If ap-prehension, if timidity, be signs of love, I have them all. Sir Charles Grandison has not one.

Nay, my dear, said Lucy, impute not to him want of respect, I beseech you. Respect, my l^ncyl What a poor word! Hadlonly respect for him, we should be nearer an equality, Has he said any-thing of Lady Clementina?

Don’t be silly, Harriet, said my aunt. You used to be

Used to he! Ah, madam! Sir Charles’s heart, at best, a divided heart! I never had a trial till now,

I tell you all my foibles, Lady G.

My aunt led me in to Sir Charles and ray grand-mamma He met me at my entrance into the room, and in the most engaging manner, my aunt having taken her seat, conducted me to a chair which hap-pened to be vacant between her and my grandmo — ther. He took no notice of my emotion, and I the sooner recovered myself; and still the sooner, as he himself seemed to be in some little confusion. How-ever, he sat down, and with a manly, yet respectful air, his voice gaining strength as he proceeded, thus delivered himself:

Never, ladies, was man more particularly circum-stanced than he before you. You know my story: you know what once were the difficulties of my situation with a family that I must ever respect; with a lady of it whom I must ever revere: and you, madam (to my grandmamma) have had the goodness to signify to me, in a most engaging manner, that Miss Hyron has added to the innumerable instances which she has given me of her true greatness of raind, a kind, and even a jrieiidUj concern for a lady who is the Miss Byron of Italy. I ask not excuse for the comparison. The heart of the man before you, madam (to me) in sincerity and frankness, emulates your own.

You want nut excuse, Sir, said my grandmamma We all reverence Lady Clementina: we admire her.

He bowed to each of us; as my aunt and I looked, I believe, assentingly to what my grandmamma said. He proceeded:

Yet in so particular a situation, although what I have to say, may, I presume, be collected liom what you know of my story; and though my humble ap-plication to Miss liyron for her favour, and to you, ladies, fur your interest with her, have not been discouraged; something, however, may be necessary to be said, in this audience, of thestate of myownheart, for the sake of this dear lady’s delicacy and yours. And T will deliver myself with all the truth and plainness which I think are required in treaties of this na — ture, equally with those set on foot between nation and nation,

I am not insensible to beauty: but the beauty of person only, never yet had power over more than my eye; to which it gave a pleasure hke that which it receives from the flowers of a gay parterre. Had not my heart been out of the reach of /;(?r50wa/ attractions, if I may so express myself; and had I been my own master; Miss Byron, in the first hour that I saw her (for her beauty suffered not by her distress) would have left me no other choice: but when I had the honour of conversing with her, I observed in her mind and behaviour that true dignity, deli-cacy, and noble frankness, which I ever thought characteristic in the sex, but never met with, in equal degree, but in one lady. I soon found, that my admiration bf her fine qualities was likely to lead me into a gentler, yet a more irresistible passion: for of the lady abroad I then couid have no reasonable, at least no probable hope: yet were tht^re cir — cumstances between her and nie, which I thought, in strict justice, obliged me to attend Ihe issue of certain events.

I called myself therefore to account, and was alarmed when I found that .iiss Byron’s graces had stolen so imperceptibly on my heart, as already to have made an impression on it too deep for my tranquillity. I determined therefore, in lioi.our, in justice, to both ladies, to endeavour to restrain a passion so new, yet likely to be so forvent.

I had avocations in town, while Miss Byron was with my sisters in the country. Almost afraid of trusting myself in her presence, I pursued the more willingly those avocations in person, when i could have managed some of them, perhaps, near as well, by other hands. Compassion for the one lady, because of her calamity, might at that time, I found, havebeenmade to giveway,coW those calamities have been overcome^ to love for the other. Nor was it dif-ficult for me to observe, that ray sisters and Lord L. who knew nothin{:j of my situation, would have cho-sen for a sister the young lady present, before every other woman.

Sometimes, I will own to you, I was ready, from that self-partiality and vanity which is too natural to men of vivacity and strong hopes, to flatter myself, that I might, by my sister s interest,\\^vg made myself not unacceptable to a lady, who seemed to be wholly disengaged in her affections; but I would not permit myself to dwell on such hopes: every look of complaisance, every smile, which used to beam over that lovely countenance, I attributed to her natural goodness and frankness of heart, and to that grateful spirit which made her over-rate a common service that I had been so happy as to render her. Had I even been free, I should have been careful not to deprive myself of that animating sunshine, by a too early declaration. For well did I know, by otiitr men’s experience, that Miss Byron, at the same time that her natural politeness, and sweetness of manners, engaged every heart, was not, however, easily to be won.

But, notwithstanding all my eftbrts to prevent a competition which had grown so fast upon me, I still found my uneasiness increase with my affection for Miss Byron. I had then but one way left It was, to strengthen my heart, in Clementina’s cause, by Miss J^yron’s assistance: in short, to acquaint Miss Byron with my situation; to engage her generosity for Cle-mentina, and thereby deprive myself of the encou — ragementniy fond heart might have hoped for, had I indulged niv wishes of obtaining her favour. My end was answered, as to the latter. Miss Byron’s gene-rosity was engaged for the lady; but was it possible that m}’ obligations to her for that generosity should not add to my admiration of her?

At the time I laid before lier mysituation (it was in Lord L.‘s study at Colnebrooke) she saw my emotion. I could not conceal it. My abrupt departure from her must convince her, that my heart was too much engaged for that situation*. I desired Dr. Bartlett to take an airing with me, in hopes, by his counsels, to compose my dis’ordercd spiritsf . He knew the state of my heart: he knew, with regard to the proposals I had formerly made to the family at Bologna, relating to religion and residence (as I had also declared to the brothers of the lady) that no worldly grandeur should ever have induc.ed me to allow, in a /beginning address, the terms I was willing, as a compromise, to allow to that lady; for thoroughly had I weighed the inconveniencies which must attend uch an alliance: the lady zealous in her religion; the confessorwho was to beallowed her, equally zealous; the spirit of making proselytes so strong, and held by Roman Catholics to be so meritorious; and my-self no less in earnest in my religion; I had no doubt to pronounce, I told the good doctor in confidence, * that I should be much more happy in marriage with the lady of Selby-house, were she to be induced to honour me with her hand, than it was possible I could be with Lady Clementina, even were they to comply with the conditions I had proposed; as I doubted not but that Lady would ah’, be, were her health restored, with a man of her own nation and religion:’ and I owned to him, besides, ‘ that I could have no hope of conqut.ring the opposition given me by the friends of Clementina; and that I could not at times but think hardly of the indignities cast upon me by some of them ’

* See Vol. XI. p. 201. + Ibid. p. 202.

The doctor, I knew, at the same time that he la-mented the evil treatment Clementina met with from her mistaken friends, and hi r unhappy malady; and admired her for her manifold excellencies; next to adored Miss Byron: and he gave his voice accord-ingly. ‘ But here, doctor, is the case, said I Cle — mentina is a woman with whom I had the honour of being acquainted before I knew Miss Byron: Cle-mentina has infinite merits: she herself refused me not: slie consented to accept of the terms I offered: she even besought her friends to comply with them. She has an opinion of niy honour, and of my ten-derness for her. Till I had the happiness of know — ing Miss Byron, I was determined to await either her recovery or release; and will Miss Byron her-self, if she knows that, forgive me (the circum — stances not changed) for the change of a resolution of which Clementina was so worthy? The treatment the poor lady has met with,yor my safce, as once she wrote, though virgin modesty induced her to cross out those words, has heightened her disorder. She still, to this moment, wishes to see me: while there is a possibility, though not a probability, of my being made the humble instrument of restoring an excellent woman, who in herself deserves from me every consideration of tenderness, ought I to wish to engage the heart (were I able to succeed in my wishes) of the equal/jj-exceWent Miss Byron? Could I be happy in my own mind, were I to try, and to succeed? And if not, must I not be as ungrateful to lier, as ungenerous to the other? Miss Byron’s happiness cannot depend on 7);e. She must be happy in the happiness she will give to the man of her choice, tdwcrer shall be the man!’

We were all silent. My grandmamma and aunt seemed determined to be so; and i could not speak. He proceeded:

You knew not, dear Miss Byron, I wished you ii’tt to know, the conflicts my mind laboured with, when T parted with you on mv going abroad. Mj’ destiny I was wrapt up in doubt and uncertainty. I was invited over: 8ignor Jeronymo was deemed irrecover — able: he wished to see nie, and desired but to live to see me. My presence was requested as a last effort to recover his noble sister. You yourself”, madam, ap-jjlauded my resolution to go: but, that I might not be thought to wish to engage you in my favour (so circumstanced as I was, that to have done so, would have been to have acted unworthily to doth ladies) I insinuated my hopelessness of ever being nearer to you than I was.

I was notable to take a formal leaveof you. Iwent over. Success attended the kind, the soothing treatment which Clementina met with from her friends. Success also attended the means used for the reco-very of the noble Jeronymo. Conditions were again proposed. Clementina, on her restoration, shone upon us all even with a brighter lustre than she did before her disorder. All her friends consented to reward with the hand of their beloved daughter, the man to whom they attributed secondarily the good they rejoiced in. I own to you, ladies, that what was before honour and compassion, now became admiration; and I should have been unjust to the merits of so excellent a woman, if I could not say, love. I concluded myselfalready the husband of Clementina; yet it would have been strange, if the welfare anol happiness of Miss Byron were not the next wish of my heart. I rejoiced that (despairing as I did of such an event before I went over, because of the articles of religion and residence) I had not sought to engage more than her friendship; and I devoted myself wholly to Clementina I own it, ladies And hud I thought, angel, as she came out, upon proof, that I could not have given her my heart, I had been equally unjust, and ungrateful. For, dear ladies, if you know all her story, you must know, that occasion called her out to act gloriously; and that gloriously she answered the call.

He paused. We were still silent. My grand-mamma and aunt looked at each other by turns. But their eyes as well as mine, at different parts of his speech, shewed their sensibility. He proceed-ed, gracefully looking down, and at first with some little hesitation:

I am sensible, it is with a very ill grace, that re-Juseda^l must in justice call it, though on the no — blest motives, by Clementina, I come to ofler myself, and as soon after her refusal, to a lady of Miss Byron’s delicacy. I should certainly have acted more laud-ably, respecting my own character only, had I taken at least the usual time of a ividoiver-love. But great minds, such as Miss Byron’s, and yours, ladies, are above common forms, where decorum is not neg-lected. As to m)‘self, what do I, but declare a pas — sion, that would have been, but for one obstacle, which is now removed, as fervent as man ever knew? Dr. Bartlett has told me, madam [^o we], that you and my sisters have seen the letters I wrote to him from Italy: by the contents of some of those, and of the letters I left with ^oit, madam {to my <rrandmam-jrt], you have seen Clementina’s constant adhe — rence to the step she so greatly took. In this letter, received but last Wednesday [taking one out of his bosom], you will see (my last letters to them unreceived, as they must be) that I am urged by aU her familv, for the sake of setting her an example, to address myself to a lady of my own countrj-. This impels me, as I may say, to accelerate the hum-ble tender of my vows to you, madam. However hasty tlK^ step may be thought, in my situation, would not an inexcusable neglect, or seeming indii-ference, as if I were balancing as to the person, I ‘2 iiave been attributable to me, had I, for dull and cold form’s sake, been capable of postponing the declaration of my affection to Miss Byron? And if, ma — dam, you can so far get over observances, which perhaps, on consideration, will be found to be punc-tilios only, as to give your heart, with your hand, to a man who himself has been perplexed by what some would call (particular as it sounds) a double love (an embarrassment, however, not of his own seeking, or which he could possibly avoid) you will lay him under obligation to your goodness (to your magnanimity, I will call it) which all the affection-ate tenderness of my lite to come will never enable me to discharge.

He then put the letter (a translation of it inclos-ed) into my hand. I have already answered it, madam, said he, and acquainted my friend, that I have actually tendered myself to the acceptance of a lady worthy of a sisterly relation to their Clemen-tina; and have not been rejected. Your goodness nmst enable me (I humbly hope it will) to give them stiil stronger assurances of your favour: on my happiness they have the generosity to build a part of their own.

Not well before, I was more than once apprehen-sive of fainting, as he talked; agreeable as was his talk, and cngagii.g as was his manner. My grand-mamma and aunt saw my complexion change at his particular address to me in tne last part of his speech. I held my handkerchief now to my eyes, and now as a cover to myself — felt vary in sr cheek.

In the most respectful and graceful manner he pressed a hand of each with his lips; mine twice. I could not speak. My grandmamma and aunt, delighted, yet tears standing in their eyes, looked upon each other, and upon me; each as expecting the othijr to speak.

I have perhaps (said he, with some emotion) taken op too much of Miss Byron’s attention on this my first personal declaration: I will now return to the company. To-morrow I will do myself the honour to dine with you. We will for this evening post-pone the important subject. Miss Byron, J pre sume, will be best pleased to have it so. I shall to-morrojv be favoured with the result of your deliberations. Mean time may I meet with an inter — ceding friend in every one I have had the pleasure to see this day! I must flatter myself with the honour of Miss Byron’s XKhole heart, as well as with the ap-probation of all her friends. I cannot be thought, at present, to deserve it; but it shall bethe endeavour of my life so to do.

He withdrew, with a grace which was all his own. The moment he was gone from us, my grand-mamma threw her arms about her Harriet, then about my aunt; and they congratulated me, and each other.

We were all pained at heart, when we read the letter. It is from Signor Jeronymo, urging your brother to set the example to his sister, which they so much want her to follow. I send you the translation. Poor Lady Clementina! Without seeing the last letters he wrote to them, she seems to be tired into compliance. I will not say one half that is upon my mind on this occasion, as you will have the let-ter before you. His last written letters will not favour her wishes. Poor lady! Can I forbear to pity her? And stiii the more is she to be pitied, as your brother’s excellencies rise upon us.

I besought my aunt to excuse me to the company.

Sir Charles joined his friends [his friends indeed they all are!] with a vivacity in his air and manner, which charmed every-body; while the silly heart of your Harriet would not allow her to enter into company the whole night. Indeed it wanted the inducement of his presence; for, to every one’s regret, he declined staying supper; yet my uncle put it to him What, Sir, do 300 choose to sup at your inn? My uncle will have it, that Sir Charles looked an answer of displeasure for suffering him to go to it at all. My uncle is a good natured man. He will sometimes concede, when he is not convinced; and on every appearance which makes for his opinion, we are sure to hear of it.

I shall have an opportunity tomorrow morning early [this morning I might say] to send this long letter by a neighbour, who is obliged to ride post to town on his own affairs.

Had I not had this agreeable employment, rest, I am sure, would not have come near me. Your brother, I hope, has found it. Remember, I always mean to include my dear Lady L. in this corre-spondence: any-body else, but discretionally. My dear ladies both, adieu.

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XIX.
Signor Jeronymo Della Porretta to Sir Charles Grandison.

Bologna, Sunday. |g’P’;^“jJ^/ 24,

We have at last, my Grandison, some hopes given us, that our dear Clementina, will yield to our wishes. The general, with his lady, made us a visit from Naples, on purpose to make a decisive effort, as he called it; and vowed that he would not return till he left her in a disposition to oblige us. The bishop at one time brought the patriarch to reason witfi her; wlio told her, that she ought not to think of the veil, unless her father and mother consented to her assuming it.

Mrs. Beaumont was prevailed upon to favour us with her company. She declared for us: and on Thursday last Clementina was still harder set. Her father, mother, the general, and his lady, the bishop, all came into my chamber, and sent for her. She came. Then did we all supplicate her to oblige us. The general was at first tenderly urgent: the bishop besought her: the young marchioness pressed her; my mother took her hand between both hers, and in silent tears could only sigh over it: and, lastly, my father dropt down on one knee to her My daughter, my child, said he, oblige me. Your Je-ronynio could not refrain from tears.

She fell on her knees O my father, said she, rise, or I shall die at your feet! Rise my father!

Not, my dear, till you consent to oblige me.

Grant me but a little time, my father! my dear, my indulgent father!

The general thought he saw a flexibility whicli we had never before seen in her on this subject, and called upon her for her instant determination. Shall a father kneel in vain? said he. Shall a mother in weeping silence in vain entreat? Now, my sister, comply or He sternly stopt.

Have patience with me, said she, but till the chevalier’s next letters come: you expect them soon. Let me receive his next letter. And, put-ting her hand to her forehead Rise, my father, or I die at your feet!

I thought the general pushed too hard. I begged that the next letters might be waited for.

Be it so, said my father, rising, and raising her: but whatever be the contents, remember, my dear-est child, that I am your father, your indulgent fa — ther; and oblige me.

Will not this paternal goodness, my dear Clemen-tina, said the general, prevail upon you? Your father, mother, brothers, are all ready to kneel to you; yet are we all to be slighted? And is a foreigner, an Englishman, a heretic (great and noble as is the man; a man, too, whom you have so gloriously re-fused) to be preferred to us all? Who can bear the thoughts of such a preference!

And remember, my sister, said the bishop, that you already know his opinion. You have already had his advice, in the letters he wrote to you in the month’s correspondence which passed between you, before he left Italy. Think you, that the Chevalier Grandison can recede from an opinion solemnly given, the circumstances not having varied?

I have not been well. It is wicked to oppose my father, my mother: I cannot argue with my bro-thers. I have not been well. Spare me, spare me, my lords, to the general and the bishop. My father gives me time: don’t t/ on deny it me.

My mother, afraid of renewing her disorder, said; Withdraw, my dear, if you choose to do so, and compose yourself: the intention is noj; to compel, but to persuade you.

O madam, said she, persuasion so strongly urged by my parents, is moj-e than compulsion. I take the liberty you give me.

She hurried to Mrs. Beaumont, and throwing her arms about her, O madam, I have been oppressed! Oppressed by persuasion! By a kneeling father! By a weeping mother! By entreating brothers! And this is but persuasion! Cruel persuasion!

Mrs. Beaumont then entered into argument with her. She represented to her the general’s inflexi-bility: her father’s and mother’s indulgence: the wishes of her two other brothers: she pleaded your opinion given as an impartial man, not merely as a Protestant: she told her of an admirable young lady of your own country, who was qualified to make you happy; of whom she had heard several of your countrymen speak with great distinction. This last plea, as the intimate friendship between you and iVIrs. Beaumont is so well known, took her attention. She would not for the world stand in the way of the Chevalier Grandison. She wished i/ou to be happy, she said, whatever became of Aer. Father Marescotti strongly enforced this point; and advised her to come to some resolution, be/ore your next letters arrived, as it was not to be doubted but the contents of them would support your former opinion. The patriarch’s arguments were re-urged with additional force. A day was named when she was again to be brought before her assembled friends. Mrs. Beau-mont applauded her for the magnanimity she had already shewn, in the discharge of her duty to Heaven; and called u^wn her to distinguish herself equally in the filial.

Clementina took time to consider of these and other arguments;and after three hours passed in her closet, she gave the following written paper to Mrs. Beaumont; which, she said, she hoped, when read in fall assembly, would excuse her from attending her friends in the proposed congress.

* I am tired out, my dear Mrs. Beaumont, with your kindly-meant importunities:

‘ With the iniportunitii’S, prayers, and entreaties, of my brothers.

‘ O my mmmitn, how well do you deserve even implicit obedience, from a daughter who has over-clouded your happy days! You never knew dis comfort till your hapless Clementina gave it youi

The sacrifice of my life would be a poor atonement for what I have made you suffer.

‘ But who can withstand a ^we^/w^ father? Indeed my father, ever good, ever indulgent, I dread to see you; let me not again behold you as on Thursday last.

I have denied to myself, and such the motive, that I must not, I do not repent it, the man I esteemed. I never can be his.

‘ Father Marescotti, though he now loves the many suggests, that my late disorder might be a judgment upon me for suffering my heart to be engaged by an heretic.

‘ I am absolutely forbidden to think of atoning for my fault by the only measure that, in my opinion, could have done it.

* You tell me, Mrs. Beaumont, and all my friends join with you, that honour, generosity, and the es-teem which I avow, for the Chevalier Grandison, as my friend, as my fourth brother, all join to oblige me to promote the happiness of a man I myself have disappointed. And you are of opinion, that there is one particular woman of his own country, who is capable of making him happy But do you say, that I ought to give the example? Impossible. Honour, and the punctilio of woman,’ will not permit me to do that!

‘ But thus pressed; thus dreading again to see a kneeling father; a weeping mother; and having rea-son to think I may not live long; that a relapse into my former malady, with the apprehensions of which FathtT Marescotti. terrifies me, may be the punishment of my disobedience [Cruel Father Marescotti, to terrify me with an affliction I so much dread!]; and that it will be a consolation to me. in my departing hour, to reflect ihat I have obeyed my parents in an article on which their hearts are ira-moveably fixed; and still further being assured, that they will look upon my resignation as a compensation for all the troubles I have given them, for many, many months passed God enable me, I pray, to resign to their will. But if I cannot, shall I be still entreated, still persuaded? I hope not I will do my endeavour to prevail on myself to obey But whatever be the event of my self-contendings, Grandison must give the example.’

How, my Grandison, did we congratulate our-selves, when we read this paper, faint as are the hopes it gives us!

Our whole endeavour is now, to treat her with tender observance, that she may not think of re-ceding. Nor will we ask her to see the person she knows we favour, till we can assure her, that you will set her the example. And if there be a lady with whom you think you could be happy, may not this, my dear Grandison, pleaded by you, Jje a mo-tive with her?

The Count of Belvedere has made overtures to us, which are too great for our acceptance, were this alliance to take place. We have been told, but not by himself, the danger to which his despair had subjected him, in more than one visit to you at Bologna, had you not borne with his rashness. You know him to be a man of probity, of pitty. He is a zealous Catholic; and younuist allow, thatareligious zeal is a strengthener, a confirmer, of all the social sanctions. He is learned; and, being a domestic man, he, contrary to the Italian custom, admires in a wife those intellectual improvements which make a woman a fit companion for her husband. You know how much the marchioness excels almost all the women of quality in Italy, in a taste for polite literature: you know she has encouraged the same taste in her daughter; and the count considers her as the only woman in Italy with whom he can be happy.

As you, my Grandison, cannot now be my bro-ther by marriage, the Count of Belvedere is the only man in the world I can wish to be so. He is of Italy. My sister always so dear to us, and he, will be ever with us, or we with them. He knows the unhappy way she has been in; and was so far from making that an objection, that when her malady was at the height (being encouraged by physicians to hope that her recovery would be the probable consequence) he would have thought himself the happiest of men, could he have been honoured with her hand. He knows her love of you. He adores her for her motive of refusing you. He loves you; and is confident of the inviolable honour of both: whose alliance, on all these considerations, can be so desirable to us as that with the Count of Belve-dere?

Surely, my dear friend, it must be in your power to set the example; in yours, who could subdue a whole family of zealous Catholics, and keep your own religion; and who could engage the virgin heart of one of the most delicate women in the world. What woman, who has a heart to bestow: what family, that has a daughter or sister to give: can withstand you? Religion and country of both the same?

Ciive us hope, therefore, my dear Grandison, that you will make the effort. Assure us, that you will not scruple, if you can succeed, to set the example; and on this .assurance we will claim from Clementina ths effects of the hope she has given us: and if we can prevail, will in England return you thanks for the numberless favours you have conferred upon us.

Thus earnestly, as well from inclination, as in couipiiunce with the pressing entreaties of every one of a family which I hope are still, and ever will be, dear to you, do I, your Jeronymo, your brother your friend, solicit you. Mrs. Beaumont joins with us. She scruples not, she bids me tell you, to pronounce, that you and Clementina will both be more happy; she, with the Count of Belvidere [your respective countries so distant, your religion so dif-ferent]; you, with an English woman; than you could have been with each other, Mrs. Beaumont has owned to me in private, that you often in conversation with her, even while you had hope of calling Clementina yours, lamented for her sake, as well as your own, the unhappy situation, with re-spect to religion, you were both in; and that you had declared more than once to her, as indeed you did once to us, that in a befyinnins; address vou would not have compromised thus with a princess. May we not expect every thing, my Grandison, from your magnanimity? We hope it is in your power, and we doubt not your xi-ill, to contribute to our happiness. But whatever be the event, I beseech you, my dear friend, continue to love your

JERONYMO.


Letter XX.
Lady G. to Miss Byron.

Grosvrnor-squarc, Sunday, October 15.

Can I forgive your pride, your petulance? No, Harriet; positively no! I write to scold you; and having ordered my lord to sup abroad, I shall per-haps aldige you with a long letter. We honest folks. who have not abundance of love fooling uj)on our hands, find ourselves happy in a good deal of quiet leisure; and I love to chide and correct you vt^ise ones. Thus then I begin

Ridiculous parade among you! I blame you all. Could he not have been Mrs. Shirley’s guest, if he was not to be permitted to repose under the same roof with his sovereign lady and mistress? But must you let him go to an inn? What for? Why to shew the world that he was but on foot, at present, with your other humble servants; and be thought no more, by the insolent Greville, and affronted as an invader of his rights. Our sex is a foolish sex: too little or too much parade. Yet, Lord help us! were it not that we must be afraid to appear over-forward to the man himself, we should treat the opinion of the world with contempt

And yet, after all, what with Lady Clementina, what with the n orld, and what with our own punc-tilio, and palpitating hearts, and-so-forth, and all that, and more than all that; I own you are pretty nicely circumstanced. But, my life for yours, you will behave like a simpleton, on occasion of his next address to you: did you ever know that people did not, who were full of apprehensions, who aimed at being very delicate, who were solicitous to take their measures from the judgment of those without them; pragmatical souls, perhaps, who form their notions either on what they have read, or by the addresses to thein of their own silly fellows, awkward and unmeaning, and by no means to be compared, for integrity, understanding, politeness, to my brother? Consider, child, that he having seen, in different countries, perhaps a hundred women, equally spe-cious with the present mistress of his destiny, were form and outward grace to be the attractives, is therefore fitter to oive than take the example.

But, Harriet, I write to charge you not to increase your own difficulties by too much parade: your frankness of heart is a prime consideration with him. He expects not to meet with the girl, but the sensible ivoman, in his address to you. He is pursuing a laudable end Don’t teaze him with pug’s tricks * What, my dear Lady G. should we have done? ’ say you. What signifies asking me now? Did you not lay your heads together? And the wisest which ever were set on women’s shoulders? But indeed I never knew consultations of any kind turn to ac-count. It is only a parcel of people getting together, proposing doubts, and puzzling one another, and ending as they began, if not worse. Doctors differ. So many persons, so many n.inds-And O how your petulant heart throbbed with indignation, because he came not to breakfast with you! What benefit has a polite man over an unpolite one, where the latter shall have his rusticity allowed i’or (O that is his ivay!) and when the other has expectations drawn upon him, which, if not critically answered, he is not to be forgiven! He is aprudent man! He may have overslept himself Might dream of Clementina. Then it was a fault in him, that he staid to dine on the road His horses might want rest, truly! Upon my word, Harriet, a woman in love, is a woman in love. Wise or foolish before, we are all equally foolish then: the same froward, petulant, captious, babies! I protest, we are very silly creatures, all of us. in these circumstances; and did not love make men as great fools as our-selves, they would hardiy think u> worthy of their pursuit. Yet I am so Hue to tiiv frec-niRsonry my-self, that I would think the man who should dare to say half I have written, of our dothhips, ought not to go away with hi.s life.

My sister and I are troubled about this Greville. Inform us, the moment you can, of the particulars K 2 of what passed between my brother and him; pray do.

Caroline and I are as much concerned for your honour, your punctiho, as you, or any of you, can be. But by the account you give of my brother’s address to you in presence of your grandmother and aunt, as well as from our knowledge of his politeness, neither you nor we need to trouble our heads about it: it may all be left to him. He knows so well what becomes the character of the woman whom he hopes to call his wife, that you will be sure of your dignity being preserved, if you place a confidence in him. And yet no man is so much above mere formal regards as he is. Let me enumerate instances, from you letter before me.

His own intention, in the first place, not to sur-prise you by his visits, as you apprehended he would, which would have made him look like a man of self-imagined consequence to you His providing him — self with accommodations at an inn; and not giving way to the invitation, even of your sagacious uncle Selby [I must railly him. Does he spare me? j His singling you out on Friday from your men-friends, yet giving you the opportunity of your aunt’s and grandmother’s company, to make his personal application to you for your favour His requesting the interest of your other friends with you, as if he presumed not on your former acquain-ance, and this after an application, not discouraged, made to your friends and you.

As to his equanimity in his first address to you; his retaining your hand, forsooth, before all your friends, and-so-forth: never find fault with that, Harriet. [Indeed you do make an excuse for the very freedom you blame Su lover like! ] He is the very man, that a conscious young woman, as you are, should wish to be addressed by: so much courage, yet so much true modesty What, I war-rant, you would have had a man chalked out for you, who should have stood at distance, bowed, scraped, trembled; while you had nothing to do, but bridle, and make stiff” courtesies to him, with your hands before you Plagued with his doubts, and with j/otir own diffidences; afraid he would 7iotv, and now, and noxv, pop out the question; which he had not the courage to put; and so running on, simpering, fretting, fearing, two parallel lines, side by side, and never meeting; till some interposing friends, in pity to you both, put one’s head pointing to the other’s head, and stroking and clapping the shoulders of each, set you at each other, as men do by other dunghill-bred creatures.

You own, he took no notice of your emotion, when he first addressed himself to you; so gave you an opportunity to look up, which otherwise you would have wanted. Now don’t 3/ou think you know a man creature or two v/ho would, on such an occasion, have grinned you quite out of counte-nance, and insulted you with their pity for being modest? But you own, that he had emotion too, when he first opened his mind to you What a duce would the girl have? Orme and Fowler in your head, no doubt! The tremblings of rejected men, and the fantas’es of romantic women, were to he a rule to my brother, I suppose, with your mock-majesty! Ah, Harriet! Did I not say that we women are very sil’y creatures? But my brother is a oow/ man So we must have something to find fault with him for. Hah, hah, hah, hah. What do you laugh at, Charlotte? What do I laugh at, Harriet? Why, at the idea of a couple oi lovei/ers, taken each with a violent ague-fit, at their first approjich to each other Hands shaking Knees U’cinbling Lips quivering Tongue lUUering k3

Teeth chattering I had a good mind to present you with an ague-dialogue between such a trembling couple. I, J, I, I, says the lover You, you, you, you, says the girl, if able to speak at all. But, Har-riet, you shall have the whole on demand. Rave at me, if you will: but love, as it is called by boys and girls, shall ever be the subject of my ridicule. Does it not lead us girls into all manner of absurdities, inconveniences, undutifulness, disgrace? Villainous cupidity! It does.

To be serious Neither does my brother address you in a stile that impeaches either his own under-standing, or yours. Another fault, Harriet, is it not? But sure you are not so very a girl!

The justice he does to Lady Clementina, and her family [let me be very serious, when I speak of Clementina] is a glorious instance as well of his greatness of mind, as of his sincerity. He has no need to depreciate one lady, to help him to exalt (or do justice, I should rather say, to) another. By praising her, he makes noble court to you, in sup-posing you, as you are, one of the most generous of women. How great is his compliment to both ladies, when he calls Clementina the Miss Byron of Italy! Who, my dear, ever courted woman as my brother courts you? Indeed there can be but very few men who have such a woman to court.

He suffers you not to ask for an account of the state of his heart from the time he knew you first, till now. He gives it to you unasked. And how glorious is that account, both to you and himself!

Let us look back upon his conduct when last in Italy, and when every step seemed to lead to his being the husband of another woman.

The recovery of Clementina, and of her noble brother, seem to be the consequence of his friendly goodness. The grateful family all join to reward him with their darling’s hand; her heart supposed to be already his. He like the man of honour he is, concludes himself bound by his former offers. They accept him upon those terms. The lady’s merits shine out with transcendent lustre in the eyes of every one, even of us his sisters, and of yo?, Harriet, and your best friends: must they not in //w, to whom 7nerit was ever the first, beaufij but the *ecorf attractive? He had no tie to any other woman on earth: he had only the tenderness of his own heart, with regard to Miss Byron, to contend with. Ought he not to have contended with it? He did; and so far conquered, as to enable himself to be just to the lady, whose great qualities, and the concurrence of her friends in his favour, had converted compassion for her into love. And who, that hears her story, can forbear to love her? But with what tenderness, with what politeness, does he, in his letter to his chosen correspondent, express himself of Miss Byron! He declares, that {ishe were not to be happy, it would be a great abatement of his own felicity. You, however, remember how politely he recals his apprehensions that you may not, on his account, be altogether so happy as he wishes, as the suggi stioMS of his own presumption; and cen-sures himself for barely supposing, that he hud been of consequence enough with you to give you pain.

How much to your honour, before he went over, does he account for your smiles, for your frankness n’t heart, in his company! He would not build upon them: nor indeed could he know the state of your heart, as xw did: he had not the opportunity. How silly was your punctilio, that made you sometimes fancy it was out of mere compassion that he revealed to you the state of his engagement abroad! You see he tells’you, that such was his opinion of your great-jiess of mindj that he thought he had no other way but to put it in your power to check him, if his love for you should stimulate him to an act of neglect to the lady to whom (she having never refused him, and not being then in a condition either to claim him, or set him free) he thought himself under obligation. Don’t you revere him for his honour to her, the nature of her malady considered? — What must he have suffered, in this conflict!

Well, and now, by a strange turn in the lady, but glorious to herself, as he observes, the obstacle re-moved, he applies to Miss Byron for her favour. How sensible is he of what delicacy requires from her! How justly (respecting his love for you) does he account for not postponing, for the sake of cold and dull form, as he properly expresses it, his ad-dress to you! How greatly does the letter he deli — vered to you, favour his argument! Ah the poor Clementina! Cruel persuaders her relations! I hate and pity them, in a breath. Never, before, did ha-tred and pity meet in the same bosom, as they do in mine, on this occasion. His difficulties, my dear, and the uncommon situation he is in, as if he were offering you but a divided love, enhance your glory. You are reinstated on the female throne, to the lowermost step of which you once was afraid you had descended. You are offered a man, whose per-plexitieshave not proceeded from the entanglements of intrigue, inconstancy, perfidy; but from his own compassionate nature: and could you, by any other way in the world than by this supposed divided love, have had it in your power, by accepting his humbly-offered hand, to lay him under obligation to you, which he thinks he never shall be able to discharge? Lay/i/w Who? Sir Charles Gkakdison For V. horn so many virgin hearts have sighed in vain! And what a triumph to our sex is this, as well as to niv Harriet!

And now, Harriet, let me tell you, that my sister and I are both in great expectations of your next letter. It is, it must be, written before you will have this. My brother is more than man: you have only to shew yourself to be superior to the Jo nns of wo-man. If you play the fool with him, now, that you have the power you and we have so long wislied you If you give pain to his noble, because sincere heart, by any the least shadow of female affectation; you, who have hitherto been distinguished for so amiable a frankness; you, who cannot doubt his ho-nour the honour of a man who solicits your favour in even a great manner, a manner in which no man before him ever courted a woman, because few men before him have ever been so particularly circum-stanced; a manner that gives you an opportunity to outshine, in your acceptance of him, even the noble Clementina in her refusal; as bigotry must have been, in part, her motive If, I say, you act foolish-ly, weakly, now Look to it You will depreciate, if not cast away, your own glory. Remember you have a man to deal with, who, from the behaviour of us his sisters to Mrs. Oldham, at his first return to England, took measure of our minds, and, without loving us the less for it, looked down upon us with pity; and made us, ever since, look upon ourselves in a diminishing light, and as sisters who have greater reason to glory in their brother, than he has in them. Would you not rather, you who are to stand in a still nearer relation to him, invite his ad miration, than his pity? Till last Friday night you had it: what Saturday has produced, we shall soon guess.

Not either Lord L. or Lord G. not Emily, not aunt Eleanor, now. either see or hear read what you write, except here-and-there a passage, which you yourself would not scruple to hear read to them. Are t you not our sister? To each of us our next self: and* what gives you still more dignity, the elected wife of our brother!

Adieu, my love! In longing expectation of your next, we subscribe

Your affectionate

CAROLINE L. CHARLOTTE G.


Letter XXL
Miss Byron to Lady G.

Saturday, October 14. Mr. Fenwick has just now been telling us, from the account given him by that Greville, vile man! how the affair was between him and Sir Charles Grandi-son. Take it briefly, as follows:

About eight yesterday morning, that audacious wretch went to the George at iSorthampton; and after making his enquiries, demanded an audience of Sir Charles Grandison. Sir Charles was near dressed, and had ordered his chariot to be ready, with intent to visit us early.

He adaiitted of Mr, Greville’s visii. Mr. Greville confesses, that his own behaviour v/asperempt o7y (his word for i-nsolcnt, I suppose). I hear, Sir, said he, that you are come down into this county in order to carry off from us ihe richest jewel in it I need not say whom. INIy name is Greville: I have long made my addresses to her, and have bound myself under a vow, that, were a prince to be my competitor, I would dispute his title to her.

You setm to be a princely man, Sir, said Sir Charles, offended with his air and words, no doubt,

You need not, Mr. Greville, have told me your name: I have heard of you. What yowr pretensions are, I know not; your vow is nothing to me: I am master of my own actions; and shall not account to you, or any man living, for them.

I presume. Sir, you came down with the intention I have hinted at? I beg only your answer as to that. I beg it as a favour, gentleman to gentle-man.

The manner of your address to me, Sir, is not such as will intitle you to an answer for your oxun sake. I will tell you, however, that I am come down to pay my devoirs to Miss Byron. I hope for ac-ceptance; and know not that I am to make allowance for the claim of any man on earth.

Sir Charles Grandison, I know your character: I know your bravery. It is from that knowledge that I consider you as a fit man for me to talk to. I am not a Sir liargrave PoUexfen, Sir.

I make no account of xkIio or ivliat you are, Mr, Greville. Your visit is not, at this time, a welcome one: I am going to breakfast with Miss Byron. I shall be here in the evening, and at leisure, then, to attend to any-thing you shall think yourself autho-rized to say to me, on this or any other subject.

We may be overheard. Sir Shall I beg you to walk with me into the garden below? you are going to breakfast, you say, with Miss Byron. Dear Sir Charles Grandison, oblige me with an audience, of five minutes only, in the back-yard, or garden.

In the evening, Mr. Greville, command me any-where: but I will not be broken in upon now.

I will not leave you at liberty, Sir Charles, to make your visit where you are going, till I am gratified with one five minutes conference with you below.

Excuse me then, Mr. Greville, that I give orders, as if you were not here. Sir Charles rang. Up cam* one of his servants Is the chariot ready? Almost ready, was the answer. Make haste. Saunders may see his friends in this neighbourhood: he may stay with them till Monday. Frederick and you attend me.

He took out a letter, and read in it, as he walked about the room, with great composure, notregarding Mr. Greville, who stood swelling, as he owned, at one of the windows, till the servant withdrew; and then he addressed himself to Sir Charles in language of reproach on this contemptuous treatment Mr. Greville said. Sir Charles, you may be thankful, perhaps, that you are in my own apartment: this intrusion is a very ungentlemanly one.

Sir Charles was angry, and expressed impatience to be gone. Mr. Greville owned, that he knew not how to contain himself, to see his rival, with so many advantages in his person and air, dressed avowedly to attend the woman he had so long Shall I say been troublesome to? For I am sure he never had the shadow of countenance from me.

I repeat my demand, Sir Charles, of a conference of five minutes below.

You have no right to make any demand upon me, Mr. Greville: if you think you have, the evening will be time enough. But, even then, you must behave more like a gentleman, than you have done hitherto, to intitie yourself to be considered as on a foot with me.

Not on a foot with you, Sir! And he put his hand upon his sword. A gentleman is on a foot with a prince, Sir, in a point of honour

Go, then, and find out your prince, Mr. Greville: I am no prince: and you have as much reason to ad-dress yourself to the man you never saw, as to me.

His servant just then shewing himself, and with-drawing; Mr. Greville, added he, I leave you in possession of this apartment. Your servant, Sir. In the evening I shall be at your command.

One word with you, Sir Charles One word

What would Mr. Greville? turning back.

Have you made proposals? Are your proposals accepted?

I repeat, that you ought to have behaved different!}’, Mr. Greville, to be intitled to an answer to these questions.

Answer me, however. Sir: I beg it as a favour.

Sir Charles took out his watch. After nine: I chall make them wait. But thus I answer you: I Jtnvemade proposals: and, as I told you before, hope they will be accepted.

Were you any other man in the world, Sir, the man before you might question your success with a woinan whose difficulties are augmented by the ob-seqaious!icss of her admirers. But such a man as you, would not have come down on a fool’s errand. I love Miss Byron to distraction. I could not shew my face in the county, and suffer any man out of it to carry away such a prize.

Out of the county, Mr. Greville? What narrowness is this? But I pity you for your love of Miss Byron: and

You pit// me, Sir! interrupted he. I bear not such haughty tokens of superiority. Either give up your pretensions to Miss Byron, or make me sensible of it, in the way of a gentleman.

Mr. Greville, your servant: and he went down.

The wretch foliov.ed him; and when they came to theyard, and Sir (Hiarlcs was stepping into his cha-I’iot, he took his hand, several persons present We are observed. Sir Charles, whispered he. Withdraw \; ith me, for a i’cw moments. By the great Cjod of Pleaven, you must not refuse me. I caimot bear that vol.. XIV. L you should go thus triumphantly on the business yo are going upon.

Sir Charles suffered himself to be led by the wretch: and when they were come to a private spot, Mr. Greville drew, and demanded Sir Charles to do the like, putting himself in a posture of defence.

Sir Charles put his hand on his sword, but drew it not. Mr. Greville, said he, know your own safety; and was turning from him, when the wretch swore he would admit of no alternative, but his giving up his pretensions to Miss Byron.

His rage, as Mr. Fenwick describes it from him-self, making him dangerous, Sir Charles drew. I only defend myself, said he Greville, you keep no guard He put by his pass with his sword; and, without making a push, closed in with him; twisted his sword out of his hand; and, pointing his own to his breast. You see my power. Sir Take your life, and your sword. But if you are either wise, or would be thought a man of honour, tempt not again your fate.

And am I again master of my sword, and unhurt? *Tis generous The evening, you say?

Still I say, I will be yours in the evening, either at your own house, or at my inn; but not as a duel-list, Sir: you know my principles.

How can this be? and he swore. How was it done? Expose me not at Selby-house. How the devil could this be? I expect you in the evening here.

He went off a back-way. Sir Charles, instead of going directly into his chariot, went up to his apartment; wrote his billet to my aunt to excuse himself, finding it full late to get hither in time, and being somewhat discomposed in his temper, as he owned to US: and then he took an airing in his chariot, till he came hither to dine.

But how should we have been alarmed, had we known that Sir Charles declined supping here, in order to meet the violent man again at his inn! And how did we again blame ourselves for taking amiss his not supping with us!

Mr. Fenwick says, that ^Tr. Greville got him to accompany him to the George.

Sir Charles apologized, with great civility, to Mr. Greville, for making him wait for him. Mr. Gre-ville, had he been disposed for mischief, had no use of his right-arm. It was strained by the twisting of his sword from it, and in a sling.

Sir Charles behaved to them both with great po-liteness; and Mr. Greville owned, that he had acted nobly by him, in returning his sword, even before his passion was calmed, and in ndl using his own. But it was some time, it seems, before he was brought into his temper. What a good deal contributed to it, was. Sir Charles’s acquainting him, that he had not given particulars at Selby-house, or toany-body, of the affray between them; but refer-red it to himself to give them, as he should think proper. This forbearance he highly applauded, and was even thankful for it. Fenwick shall, in confi-dence, said he, I’eport this matter to your honour, and my own mortification, as the truth requires, at Selby-house. Let me not be hated by Miss Byron, on this account. My passion gave me disadvantage. I will try to honour you, Sir Charles: but I must hate you, if you succeed. One condition, however, I make: that you reconcile me to the Selbys, and Miss Byron; and if you are likely to be successful, let me have the credit of reporting, that it is by my consent.

They parted with civility; but not, it seems, till a late hour. Sir Charles, as Mr. Beauchamp and Dr. Bartlett have told us, was always happy in making by his equanimity, generosity, and forgivingness, fast friends ofinveterate enemies. Thank God, the issue was not unhappy.

Mr. Fenwick says, that the rencounter is very lit-tle guessed at, or talked of [Thank God for that, too!J and to those few, who have enquired of Mr. Grcville or Mr. Fenwick about it, it has been denied; and, now Greviile, as Mr. Fenwick had done before, declares he will give out, that he yields up all his hopes of Miss Byron; but says, that Sir Charles Grandison, of whose address every-body already talks, is the only man in England to whom he could resign his pretensions.,

He insists upon Sir Charles’s dining with him tomorrow: Mr. Fenwick’s also. Sir Charles is so de sirous that the neighbourhood should conclude, that he and these gentlemen are on a fool of good under-standing, that he made the less scruple, for every one’s sake, to accept of his invitation.

] am very, very thankful, my dearest Lady G. that the constant blusterings of this violent man, for so many months past, are so happily overblown.

Mr. Fenwick, as I guessed he would, made proposals to my aunt and me for my Lucy. Lucy has a tine fortune: but if she had not, he should not have lier: indeed he is not worthy of Lucy’s mind. He must be related to me, he said: but I answered, No man must call Lucy Selby his, who can have any other motive for his wishes but her merit.

We hourly expect your brother. The new danger he has been in on my account, endears him still more to us all. How. hov/ will you forbear, said my uncle, throwing yourself into his arms at once, when he demands the result of our deliberations? If I fol-low Sir. Deane’s advice, I am to give him my hand at the first word: if Lucy’s and Nancy’s, he is not to ask me twice: if my grandmamma s and aunt’s [they are always good ] I am to act as occasion re-quires, and as my own confided-in prudence will suggest at the time; but to be sure not to be guilty of affectation. But still, my dear ladies, something sticks with me (and ought it not?) in relation to th noble Clementina!


Letter XXIL
MiSS BYRON, IN CONTINUATION.

Saturday night, October 14. Now, my dear ladies, let me lay before you, just as it happened, for your approbation, or censure, all that lias passed between the best of men and your Harriet. Happy shall I be, if I can be acquitted by his sisters.

My grandmamma went home last night, but was here before bir Charles; yet he came a little after eleven.

He addressed us severally, and my grandmother, particularly, with such an air of reverence, as did hinisL’if credit, because of her years and wisdom.

We all congratulated him on what we had heard from Mr. Fenwick.

Mr. Greville and I, said he, are on very good terms. When I have the presumption to think wj/- selfa. welcome guest, I am to introduce him as my friend. Mr. Greville, though so longyour neighbour, modestly doubts his own welcome.

Well he may, said my aunt Selby, after No afters, dear madam, if you mean any-thing that has passed between him and me. l3

He again addressed himsellto me. I rejoice, Sir, said I, that you have so happily quieted a spirit always thought uncontroulable.

You must tell me, madam, replied he, when I can be allowed to introduce Mr. Greville to you?

Shall I answer for my cousin? said Lucy I did not. Sir Charles, think you such a designer. You were not, you know, to introduce Mr. Greville, till you were assured of being yourself a very welcome guest to my cousin.

I own my plot, replied he: I had an intent to sur-prise Miss Byron into an implied favour to myself.

You need not. Sir Charles, thought I, take such a method.

On his taking very kind noticeof my cousin James; Do you know, Sir Charles, said my uncle (whose joj’, when it overflows, seldom suffers the dear man to consult seasonableness) that that boy is already in love witi) your Emily? The youth blushed

I am obliged to every body who loves my Emily. She is a favourite of INIiss Byron Must she not then be a goo.l girl I

She is indeed a favourite, said I; and so great a one, that I know not vcho can deserve her.

I said this, lest Sir Charles should think (on a sup-position that my uncle meant something) that my cousin had mij countenance.

Sir Chailes then addressed himself to my grand-mamma and aunt, speaking low I hope, ladies, I may be allowed in your presence to resume the conversation of yesterday with Miss Byron?

No, Sir Charles, answered niy grandmamma, af-fecting to look serious, that must not be.

Must not be, madam! and he seemed surprised, and affected too. ISly aunt was a little startled; but not fio nuich as she would have been, had she not known the lively turns which that excellent parent some-finies gives to subjects of conversation.

Must not be’, I repeat, Sir Charles: but I will not suffer you to be long in suspense. We have always, when proposals of this kind have been made, referred ourselves to our Harriet. She has prudence: she has gratitude. We will leave her and you together, when she is inclined to hear you on theinterestingsubject. I know I am right. Harriet is above disguises. She will be obliged to speak for herself, when she has not either her aunt or nie to refer to. She and you are not acquaintance of yesterday. You, Sir, I dare say, will not be displeased with the opportunity.

Neither Miss Byron nor I, madam, could wish for the absence of two such parental relations. But this reference I will presume to construe as a hopeful prognostic. May I now, through your mediation, madam [to my aunt] hope for the opportunity of addressing myself to Miss Byron?

My aunt, taking me to the window, told me what had passed. I was a little surprised at my grand-mamma’s reference to myself only. I expostulated with my aunt: It is plain, madam, that Sir Charles expected not this compliment.

Your grandmamma’s motion surprised me a little, my dei-a —: it proceeded from the fulness of her joy: she meant a compliment to you both: there is now no receding. Let us withdraw together.

What, madam, at his proposal? As if expecting to be followed? ^eehowuij’ uncle looks at me! I’^very one’s eye.s are upon me! In the afternoon, if it must be as by accident. But I had rather YOU and my grandmamma were to be present. I mean not to be guilty of ail’tctation to him: I know my own heart, and will not disguise it. I shall ii’ant to refer to you. I ^liall be silly: I dare not trust myself.

I wish the compliment had not been made, replied my aunt. But, my dear, come with me.

She went out. I followed her; a little reluctantly however; and Lucy tells me, that I looked so silly, as was enough, of itself, to inform every — body of the intent of my withdrawing, and that I expected Sir Charles would follow me.

She was very cruel, I told her; and in my case would have looked as silly as I; while I should have pitied her.

I led to my closet. My aunt, seating me there, was going from me. Well, madam, and so I am to stay here quietly, I suppose, till Sir Charles vouchsafes to come? Would Clementina have done so?

No hint to him of Clementina in this way, I charge you: it would look ungrateful, and girlish. I will introduce him to you

And stay with me, I hope, madam, when he is introduced. I tell you. Lady G. all my foibles.

Away went my aunt; but soon returned, and with her the man of men.

She but entered, and saw him take my hand, which he did with a compliment that would have made me proud at another time, and left us toge-ther.

I was resolved then to assume all my courage, and, if possible, to be present to myself. He teas to him-self; yet had a modesty and politeness in his manner, which softened the dignity of his address.

Some men, I fancy, would have begun with ad-miring, or pretending to admire, the pieces of my own workmanship, which you have seen hang there: but not he. After another compliment made (as I presume, to re-assure me) on my restored complexion [I did indeed feel my face glow] he spoke directly to his subject.

I need not, I am sure, said he, repeat to my dear Miss Byron what I said yesterday, as to the delicacy of my situation, with regard to what somewoulddeem a divided or double love, I need not repeat to you the very great regard I have, and ever sliall have, for the lady abroad. Her merit, and your greatness of mind, render any apology for so just a regard need-less. But it may be necessary to say, what I can with truth say, that I love not my own soul better than I love Miss Byron. You see, madam, I am wholly free, with regard to that lady free by her own choice, by her own will. You see, that the whole family build a part of their happiness on the succei;sof my address to a lady of my own country. Clementina’s wish always was that I would marry; and only be careful, that my choice should not disgrace the regard she vouchsafed to own for me. Clementina, when she has the pleasure of knowing the dear lady before me, if that ma/j be, by the name of Grandison, will confess, that my choice has done the highest credit to the favour she honoured me with.

And will you not, my dear Lady G. be ready to ask, Could Sir Charles Grandison be really in earnest in this humble court (as if he doubted her favour) to a creature, every wish of whose heart was devoted to him? Did he not rather for his own sake, in order to give her the consequence which a wife of his ought to liave, resolve to dignify thegoor girl, who had so long been mortified by cruel suspense, and who had so of-ten despaired of ever being happy with the lord of her heart? O no, my dear, your brother looked the humble, the modest lover; yet the man of sense, of dignity, in love. I could not but be assured of his affection, notwithstandiug all that had passed: and what /i!fif/ passed, that he could possibly have helped? His pleas of the day before, the contents of Signer Jeronymo’s letter, were all in my mind.

I le seemed to expect my answer. He only, whose generously donbtin^j; eye kept down mine, can tell how I looked, how I beimved But hesitatingl\, tremblingly, both voice, and knees, as I sat; thu brokenly, as near as I remember, I answered, not withdrawing my hand, though, as I spoke, he more than once pressed it with his lips: The honour of Sir Charles Grandison Sir Charles Grandison’s honour no one ever did, or ever can, doubt. I must own I must confess There I paused.

What does my dear Miss Byron own? What confess? Assure yourself, madam, of my honour, of my gratitude. Should you have doubts, speak them. I desire your favour but as I clear up your doubts. I “would speak them for you. I have spoken them for you. I own to you, madam, that there may be force in your doubts, which nothing but your generosity, and affiance in my h )nour, can induce you to get over. And thus fai* I will own against myself, that were the Lady in whose heart I should hope an interest, to have been circumstanced as I was, my own delicacy would have been hurt: owing, indeed, to the high notion I have of the true female delicacy. Now say, now own, now confess, my dear Miss Byron what you were going to cori’ Jess.

This, Sir, is my confession and it is the confession of a heart which I hope is as sincere as your own That I am dazzled, confounded, shall I say? at the superior merits of the lady you so nobly, so like yourself, glor}’^ still in esteeming as she well deserves to be esteemed.

Joy seemed to flash from his eyes He bowed and kissed my hand; but was either silent by choice, or could not speak.

I proceeded, though with a hesitating voice, a glowing cheek, and downcast eyes I fear not, Sir, any more than she did, your honour, your justice, no nor your indulgent tenderness yo?/r character, your principles, Sir, are full security to the woman wTio shall endeavour to deserve from you that indul-gence But so justly high do I think of Lady Cle — mentina, and her conduct, that I fear ah. Sir, I fear that it is impossible

I stopt I am sure I was in earnest, and must look to be so, or my countenance and my heart were not allied.

What impossible! What fears my dear IMisa Byron is impossible’?

Why (thus kindly urged, and by a man of unques-tionable honour) shall I not speak all that is in my mind? The poor Harriot Byron fears, shej5^/y fears, when she contemplates the magnanimity of that exalted lady, that with all her care, with all her en deavours, she never shall be able to make the figure to HEUSELF, which is necessary for her own tran-quillity (however yon might generously endeavour to assure her doubting mind). This, Sir, is my doubt And all my doubt.

Generous, kind, noble Miss Byron! in a rapturous accent And is this all your doubt? Then must yet the man before you be a happy man; for he questions not, if life be lent him, to make you one of the happiest of women. Clementina has acted gloriously in preferring to all other considerations her religion and her country; I can allow this in her favour, against myself: and shall I not be doubly bound in gratitude to her sister excellence, who, having not those trials, yet the most delicate of hu-man minds, shews in my favour a frankness of heart which sets her above little forms and affectation, and, at the same time, a generosity with regard to the merits of another lady who has i’vw examples?

He then on one knee, taking my passive hand between both his, and kissing it, once, twice, thrice Repeat, dear, and ever-dear. Miss Byron, that this ii. ell your doubt [I bowed assentingly: I could not Speak] A happy, an easy task, is mine! Be assured, dearest madam, that I will disavow every action of my life, every thought of my heart, every word of my mouth, which tends not to dissipate that doubt.

I took out my handkerchief.

My dear .Miss Byron proceeded he, with an ar-dour that spoke his heart, you are goodness itself. I approached you with diffidence, with more than diffi-dence, with apprehension, because of your known delicacy; which I was afraid, on this occasion, would descend into punctiliousness. May blessings attend my future life, as my grateful heart shall acknow-ledge this goodness!

Again he kissed m.y hand, rising with dignity. I could have received his vows on my knees; but I was motionless;;yet, how was I delighted to be the cause of joy to him! Joy to your brother! to Sir Charles Grandison!

He saw me greatly affected, and indeed my emotion increased on reflection. He considerately said, I will leave you, my dear Miss Byron, to intitle my-self to the congratulations of all our friends below. From this moment, after a thousand suspenses, and strange events, which, unsought-for, have chequer-ed my past life, I date my happiness.

He most respectfully left me.

I was glad he did: yet my eyes followed him. His very shadow was grateful to me, as he went down stairs. And there, it seems, he congratulated him-self, and called for the congratulations of every one present, in so noble a manner, that every eye ran over with joy.

Was I not right, said my grandmamma to my aunt (you half-blamed me, my dear) in leaving Sir Charles and my [larriet together? Harriet ever was above disguise. Sir Charles might have finessed at her heart; but he would not have /cnoxvn it from her own lips, had she had you and wc to refer to.

Whatever t/ou do, madam, answered my aunt, must be right.

My aunt eame up to me. She found me in a very thoughtful mood. I had sometimes been accusing myself of forwardness, and at others was acquitting myself, or endeavouring to do so yet mingling, though thus early, a hundred delightful circum-stances witli my accusations and acquittals, which were likely to bless my future lot: such as, his re-lations and friends being mine, mine his; and I ran them over all by name. But my Emily, my dear Emily! I considered as injj ward, as well as his. In this way my aunt found me. She enibraced me, applauded me, and cleared up all my self-doubtings, as to forwardness; and told nie of their mutual congratulations below, and how happy I had made them all. What self-confidence did her approbation give me! And as she assured me, that my uncle would not railly, but extol me, I went down with spirits much higher than I went up with.

Sir Charles and my grandmamma were talking together, sitting side by side, when I entered the room. All tlie company stood up at my entrance. O my dear! what a princess in every one’s eye will the declared love of such a man make me! How will all tlie consequence I had before, among my partial friends and favourers, be augmented!

My uncle said, sidc/ino; by me (kindly intending not to dash me) My sweet s})arkler! [‘J hat was the name he used to call me, before Sir Charlus Grandison taught me a lesson that made me thoughtful] You are now again my delight, and my joy. I tliank you for not being a fool that’s all. Egad, I was afraid of yowrjiwalil^, when you came face to face.

Sir Charles came to me, and, with an air of th* most respectful love, taking my hand, led me to .a seat between himself and my grandmamma.

My ever dear Harriet, said she, and condescendec? to lift my hand to h^” lips, I will not abash you; bus must just say, that you have acquitted yourself as J wished you to do. I knew I could trust to a heatl that ever was above affectation or disguise.

Sir Charles Grandison, madam, smd I, has the* generosity to distinguish and encourage a doubtiAg mind.

Infinitely obliging Miss Byron, replied he, pressing one hand between both his, your condescensi(r.a attracts both my love and reverence. Permit meiio say, that had not Heaven given a Miss Byron for the object of my hope, I had hardly, after what had befallen me abroad, ever looked forward to a wedded love.

One favour I have to beg of you, Sir, resumed my grandmamma: it is, that you will never use the word abi’oad, or express /?er5ows by their countries; in fine, that you will never speak with reserve, when the admirable Clementina is in your thougiits. Mention her name with freedom, my dear Sir, to my child, to me, and to my daughter Selby you may We always loved and reverenced her. She has given an exampleto allhersex,of apasssion properly subdued Of temporal considerations yielding to eternal!

I, Sir, said I, join in this request.

His eyes spoke his grateful joy. He bowed lo’w to each.

My aunt came to us, and sat down by Sir Charles, refusing his seat, because it was next me. Let me, said she, enjoy your conversation: I have heard part of your subject, and subscribe to it, with all my heart. Lady G. can testify for us all three, that we cannot be so mean, as to intend you a compliment. Sir, by what has been said.

Nor cmi I, madam, as to imagine it. You exalfc y’liisdvcs even more than you do Clementina. I will let my Jeronymo know some of the particulars which have given joy to mi/ heart. They will make /li.’)} Ixippy; and the excellent Clementina (I will not forbear her name) will rejoice in the happy prospects before me. She wanted but to be assured that the friend she so greatly honoured with her regard was not likely (either in the qualities of the lady’s mind, or in lier family connexions) to be a svrfterer by her declining his address. yiixy nothing now happen, my dear Lady G. to overcloud But I will not be apprehensive. I will thankfully enjoy the present moment, and leave the future to the All-wise Disposer of events. If Sir Charles Grandison be mine, and reward by his kindness my love, what can befal me, that I ought not to bear with resignation?

But, my dear ladies, let me here ask you a question, or two.

Tell me. Did I ever, as you remember, suiFer by suspenses, by fiy-thing? Was there ever really such a man as Sir Ilargrave Pollexfen? Did I not tell you my dreams, when I told you of what I believed I had undergone from his persecuting insults? It is well for the sake of preserving to me the grace of humility, and for the sake of warning (for all my days preceding that insult had been happy) that I wrote down al the time an account of those sufferings, those suspenses, or I should have been apt to forget now, that I ever was unhappy.

And, pray, let mc ask, ladies, Can you guess what fs become of my illness? I was very ill, you know, when you, Lady (i. did us the honour of a visit; so ill, that I could not hide it from you, and my other dear friends, as fain I would have done. I did not think it was an illness of such a liature, as that its cure depended on an easy heart. I was so much convinced of the merits of Lady Clementina, and that no other woman in the world ought to be Lady Grandison, that I thought I had pretty tolerably quieted my heart in that expectation. I hope I brag not too soon. But, my dear, I now feel so easy, so light, so happy that I hardly know what’s the matter with me But I hope nobody wWlJind the malady I have lo’it. May no disappointed heart be invaded by it! Let it not travel to Italy! The dear lady there has suffered enough from a worse malady: nor if it stay in the island, let it come near the sighing heart of my Emily! That dear girl shall be happy, if it be in my power to make her so. Pray, ladies, tell her she shall. No, but don’t: I will tell her so myself by the next post. Nor let it, I pray God, attack Lady Anne or any of the half-score ladies, of whom I was once so unwilling to hear.

Our discours^e at table was on various subjects. My cousin James was again very inquisitive after the principal courts, and places of note, in Italy.

What pleasurs do I hope one day to receive from the perusal (If I shall be favoured with it) of Sir Charles’s LiTEiiAUY journvl. mentioned to Dr. Bartlett, in some of his letters from Italy! For it includes, I presume, a description of palaces, cities, cabinets of the curious, diversions, amusements, customs of different nations. How attentive were we all, to the answers he made to my cousin James’s questions! My memory serves but tor a few gene-rals; and those I will not trouble you with. Sir Cliarles told my cousin, that if he were determined on an excursion a’jroad, he would furnish him with recommendatory letters.

Mr, (Jireviile and his insult were one of our sub-jeets after dinner, when the servants were withdraww. Lucy expressed her wonder, that he was so soon reconciled to Sir Charles, after the menaces he had. for years past thrown out against any man who should be likely to succeed with me.

My uncle observed, that Mr. Gretille hadnoi for a long time had any hopes; that he always was ap-prehensive, that if Sir Charles Grandison were to make his addresses, he would succeed: that it had been his and Fenwick’s custom, to endeavour to bluster away their competitors.* He {K)ssibly, my uncle added, might hope to intimidate Sir Charles; er at least, knowing his principles, might suppose he ran no risque in the attempt.

Mr. Deane said, Mr. Greville had told him, that the moment he knew Miss Byron had chosen her man, he would give up his pretensions; but that, as long as she remained single, he was determined to persecute her, as he hhnself called it. Perseverance he had known do every-thing, after an admired woman had rurt through her circle of humble ser-vants, and perhaps found herself disappointed in her own choice; and for his part, but with /ter, he had no fondness for the married life; he cared not who knew it.

Sir Charles spoke of Mr. Greville with candour. He thought him a man of rough mairuiers, but not ill-natured. He affected to be a joker, and often iherofore might be taken for a worse man than he reallv was. He IxjUeved him to be careless o his reputation, and one wlw seemed to think there was wit and bravery in advancing free and uncommon things: and gloried in bold surprises. For my j^art, continued he, I should hartUy have consented to cultivate his acquaintance, iwuich Icss^ to dine with him tomorrow, but as he insisted upon it, as a token of my forgiving in him a behaviour that was really what a gentleman should not have pardoned himself for. Iconsideredhim, proceeded Sir Charles, as a neighbour to this family, with whom you had lived, and perhaps choose to live, upon good terms. Bad neighbours are nuisances, especially if they ai-e people of fortune: it is in the power of such to be very troublcvsome in their own persons; and they will often let loose their servatits to defy, provoke, insult, and do mischief to those they love not. Mr. Gre-ville I thought, added he, deserved to be the more indulged, for the sake of his love to Mi.ss Byron. Ke is a proud man, and must be mortified enough in having it generally known that she had constant-ly rejected his suit

Why that’s true, said ray uncle. Sir Charles, you consider every-body. But I hope all’s over between you

I have no doubt but it is, Mr. Selby. Mr. Gre-vliie’s whole aim now seems to be, to come off with as little abatement of his pride, as possible. He thinks if he can pass to the world as one who, hav-iiigno hope himself, is desirous to promote the cause of his friend, as he will acknowledge me to be, it will give him consequence in the eye of the world, and be a gentle method of letting his pride down easy.

Vtry well, said my uncle; and a very good contrivance for a proud man, I think.

It is an expedient of his friend Fenwick, replied Sir Charles; and Mr. Greville is not a little fond of it. And what, ladies and gentlemen, will you say, if you should see me come to church tomorrow with him, sit with him in the same pew, and go with him to dinner in his coach! It is his request that I will. He thinks this will put an end to the m hispers which have passed, in spite of all his precaution, of s rencounter between him and mc: for he has given out. that be strained his wrist and arm by a fall from his horse. Tell me, dear ladies, shall I, or shall I not, oblige him in this request? He is to be with me to-night, for an answer.

My grandmamma said, tliat Mr. Greville was always a very odd, a very particular man. She thought Sir Charles very kind to us in being so willing to conciliate with him. My uncle declared, that he was very desirous to live on good terms with all his neighbours, {Kirticularly with Mr. Greville, a part of v/hose estate being intermixed with his, it might be in his power to be vexatious, at least to his tenants. Mr. Deane thought the compromise was a happy one; and he supposed entirely agreeable to Sir Charles’s generous wishes to promote the good understanding of neighbours; and to the compassion it was in his nature to shew to an unsuccessful rival.

Sir Charles then turning to Lucy; May I, IMiss Selby, said he, do you think, without being too deep a designer, ask leave of Miss B3-ron, on the presumption of his goodness to me, to bring Mr. Greville to drink tea with her tomorrow in the afternoon?

Yourservant, Sir Charles, answered Lucy, smiling. IJut what say you, cousin Byron, to this question?

This house is not mine, replied I; but I daresay, I may be iillowed the liberty, in the names of my uncle and aunt, to answer, that any person will be welcome to Selby-house, whom Sir (“harles Grandison shall think proper to bring with him.

Mr. Greville, said Sir Charles, professes himself unable to see any of you (Miss i^yron, in particular) without an introductor. He makes a higl) compli-miiit to me, when lie supposes me to be a proj)er ei’.e. If you j.;ive tne leave, ijowing to my uncle and aunt, I will answer him to his wishes; and hope, when he comes, every-thing will be passed by in silence that has happened between him and me.

Two or three lively things passed between Lucy and Sir Charles, on his repetition of her word designer. She began with advantage, but did not hold it; yet he gave her consequence in the little debate, at his own expence, as he seemed to intend.

My grandmamma will go to her own church; but will be here at dinner, and the rest of the day. I have a thousand things more to say, all agreeable; but it is now late, and a drowsy fit has come upon me. I will welcome it. Adieu, adieu, my dear ladies! Felicitate, I am sure you will.

Your ever-obliged, ever-devoted,

HARRIET BYRONv


Letter XXIIL
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Sunday noon, October 15, Wr were told, there would be a crowded church this morning, in expectation of seeing the new hum-ble servant of Miss Byron attending her thither; for it is everj — where known, that Sir Charles Grandison is come down to make his addresses to the young creature who is happy in every one’s love and good wishes: and all is now said to have been settled between him and us, by his noble sister, and Lord G. and Dr. Bartlett, when they were with us. You see what credit you did us by your kind visit, my dear. And we are to be married O my dear Lady G.! you cannot imagine how soon.

Many of the neighbourhood seemed disappointed, when they saw me led in by my uncle, as Mr. Deane led my aunt, and Nancy and Lucy only attended by their brother. But it was not long before Mr. Greville, Mr. Fenwick, and Sir Charles, entered, and went into the pew of the former; which is over against ours. Mr. Greville and Mr. Fenwick bow-ed low to us, severally, thj moaient they went into the pev/, and to several others of the gentry.

Sir Charles had first other devoirs to pay: to false shame, you have said, he was always superior. I was delighted to see the example he set. He passed us his second compliments. I felt my face glow, on the whispering that went round. I thought I read in every eye, admiration of him, even through the sticks of some of the ladies’ fans.

What a difference was there between the two men and him, in their behaviour, throughout both the service, and sermon! Yet who ever beheld two of the three so decent, so attentive, so reverent, I may say, before? Were all who call themselves gentle-men, (thought I, more than once) like this, the world would yet be a good world.

Mr. Greville had his arm in a sling. He seemed highly delighted with his guest: so did Mr. Fenwick. W hen the sermon wais ended, Mr. Greville held the pew-door ready opened, to attend our movements: and when we were in motion to go, he taking offi-ciously Sir Charles’s hand, bent towards us. Sir Charles met us at our pew-door, and offered, with a profoimd respect, his hand to me.

This v.as equal to a public declaration. It took evcry-body’s attention. He is not ashamed to avow in public, what he thinks fit to own in private,

I was humbled more than exulted l)y the general notice. Mr. Greville (bold, yet, low man!) made a motion, as if he gave the hand that Sir Charles took, and, not speaking low (subtle as a serpent!) My plaguy horse, said he, to my aunt, looking at his sling, knew not his master. I invite myself to tea with you, madam, in the afternoon. You will sup-ply my lame arm, I hope, yourself.

There is no such thing as keeping private one’s movements in a country-town, if one would. One of our servants reported the general approbation. It is a pleasure, surely, my dear ladies, to be ad-dressed to by a man of whom every one approves. What a poor figure must she make, who gives way to a courtship from a man generally deemed unworthy of her! Such women indeed usually confess indirectly, the folly, by carrying on the affair clan-destinely.

Sunday evening.

O my dear! I have been strangely disconcerted by means of Mr, Greville. He is a strange man. But I will lead to it in course.

We all went to church again in the afternoon. Every — body who knew Mr Greville, took it for a high piece of politeness in him to his guest, that he came twice the same day to church. Sir Charles edifiedevery-body by his cheerful piety. Are you not of opinion, my dear Lady G. that wickedness may be always put out of countenance by a person who has an established character for goodness, and who is not ashamed of doing his duty in the public eye? Methinks I could wish that all the profligates in the parish had their scats around that of a man who has fortitude enough to dare to be good. The text was a happy one to this purpose: the words of our Sa-viour: ‘ Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with tjic holy angels.’

Sir Charles led my aunt to her coach, as Mr. Greville officiously, but properly for his views, did me. We found Mr. Fenwick at Selby-house talking to my grandmamma on the new subject. She dined with us; but, not being very well, chose to re-tire to her devotions in my closet, while we went to church, she having been at her own in the morning.

We all received Mr. Greville with civility. He affects to be thought a wit, you know, and a great joker. Some men cannot appear to advantage with-out making their friend a butt to shoot at. Fenwick and he tried to play upon each other, as usual. Sir Charles lent eachhissmile; and, Whatever he thought of them, shewed not a contempt of their great-boy snip-snap. But, at last, my grandmamma and aunt engaged Sir Charles in a conversation, which made the gentlemen so silent, and so attentive, that had they not flashed a good deal at each other before, one might have thought them a little discreet.

No-body took the least notice of what had passed between Mr. Greville and Sir Charles, till Mr. Gre-ville touched upon the subject to me. He desired an audience often minutes, as he said; and, upon his declaration, that it was the last he would ever ask of me on the subject; and upon my grand-mamma’s saying, Oblige Mr. Greville, my dear; I permitted him to draw me to the window.

His address was nearly in the following words; not speaking so low, but every one might hear him, though he said aloud, nobody must but me.

I must account myself very unhappy, madam, in having never been able to incline you to shew me favour. You may think me vain: I believe I am so: but I may take to myself the advantages and qualities which every-body allows me. I have an estate that will warrant my addresses to a woman of the first rank; and it is free, and unincumbered. I am not an ill-natured man. I love my jest, ’tis true; but I love my friend. You good women generally do not like a man the less for having something to mend in him. I could say a great deal more in my own behalf, but that Sir Charles Grandison (looking at him) quite eclipses me. Devil fetch me, if I can tell how to think myself?iy-thing before him. I was always afraid of him. But v.hen I heard he was gone abroad, in pursuit of a former love, I thought I had another chance for it.

Yet I was half-afraid of Lord D. His mother would manage a Machiavel. He has a great estate; a title; he has good qualities for a nobleman. But when I found that you could so steadily refuse him, iis well as me; There must be some man, thouglit I, who is lord of her heart, FeniiHck is as sad a dog as I; it cannot be he. Orme, poor soul! she will not have such a milk-sop as that, neither

Mr. Orme, Sir, interrupted I, and was going to praise him But he said, I will be heard out now; this is my dying speech; I will not be interrupted.

Well then, Sir, smiling, come to your last words, as soon as you can.

I have told you, before now. Miss Byron, that I will not bear your smiles: but now, smiles or frowns, I care not. I have no hopes left; and I am resolved to abuse you, before I have done. Abuse me! I hope not. Sir. * Hope not!’ What signify j/o?ir hopes, who never gave me any? But hear me out. I shall say some things that will displease you; but more of another nature. I went on guessing who could be the happy man That second Orme, Fowler, cannot be he, thought I. Is it the newly-arrived Beauchamp? He is a pretty fellow enough [I had all your foot-steps watched, as I told you I would]. No an — swered I myself, she refused Lord D. and a whole tribe of us, before Beauchamp came to England Who the devil can he be? But when I heard that the dangerous man, whom I had thought gone abroad to his matrimonial destiny, was returned, unmarried; when I heard that he was actually coming northward; I began to be again afraid of him.

Last Thursday nighl I had intelligence, that he was seen at Dunstable in the morning, in his way towards us. Thin did my heart fail me. I had my s))ies about Selby-house: I own it. What will not love and jealousy make a man do? I understood that your uncle and .Mr. Dcane, and a tribe of ser-vants for train-<ake, were set out to meet him. Hoav I raved! How I cursed! How I swore! They will not surely, thought I, allow n]y rival, at h’lsjird visit, to take up his residence under the same roof with this charming witch!

Witch! Mr. Greville

Witch! Yes, witch! I called you ten thousand names, in my rage, all as bad as that. Here, Jack, Will, Tom, George, get ready instantly each a do-zen firebrands! I will light up Selby-house for a bonfire, to welcome the arrival of the invader of my freehold! And prongs and (jitchforks shall be got ready to push every soul of tlie family back into the flasnes, that not one of it may escape my venge-ance

Horrid man! I will hear no more.

You nmst! You sliall! It is my dying speech, I tell you.

A dying man should be penitent.

To what purpose? I can have no hope. What is to be expected /wr or /’>oi a despairing man? But tlien I had intelligence brought me, tiiat n)y rival was not admitted to take up his abode with you. This saved Sclby-house. All my malice then was against the George at Northampton. The keeper of it owes, said I to myself, a hundred thou-sand obligations to me; yet to afford a retirement to my deadliest foe! But ’tis more manly, thought I, in person, to call this invader to account, if he pretends an interest at Selby-house; and to force him to relinquish his pretensions to the queen of it; as I had made more than one gallant fellow do before, by dint of bluster.

I slept not all that night. In the morning I made my visit at the inn. I pretend to know as well as any man, what belongs to civility and good manners; but I knew the character of the man I had to deal V. ith: I knew he was cool, yet resolute. My rage would not let me be civil; and if it would, I knew, I must be rude to pi’ovoke him. I was rude. I was peremptory.

Never were there such cold, such phlegmatic contempts, passed upon man, as he passed upon me. I came to a point with him. I heard he would not fight: I was resolved he should. I followed him to his chariot. I got him to a private place; but I had the devil, and no man, to deal with. He cautioned me, by w^ay of insult, as I took it, to keep a guard. I took his hint. I had better not; for he knew all the tricks of the weapon. He was in with me in a moment. I had no sword left me, and my life was at the mercy of his. He gave me up my own sword Cautioned me to regard my safety Put up his; withdrew. I found myself sensible of a damnable strain. I had no right arm. I slunk away like a thief. He mounted his triumphal car; and pursued his course to the lady of Selby-house. I went home, cursed, swore, fell down, and bit the earth.

My uncle looked impatient: Sir Charles seemed in suspense, but attentive. Mr. Greville proceeded.

I got Fenwick to go with me, to attend him at night, by appointment. Cripple as I was, I would have provoked him: he would not be provoked: and when I found that he had not exposed me at Selby-house; when I remembered that I owed my sword and my life to his moderation; when I recol-lected his character; what he had done by Sir HargravePollexfen; what Bagenhall had told me of him; why the plague, thought I, should I (hopeless as I am of succeeding with my charming Byron, whether he lives or dies) set my face against such a man? He is incapable either of insult or arrogance: let me (Fenwick advised a scheme; let me) make him my friend to save my pride, and the devil take the rest, Harriet Byron, and all

Wicked man! You were dying a thousand words ago I am tired of you

You have not. madam, heard half my dying words yet But I would not terrify you Are you ter-rified? Indeed I am.

Sir Charles motioned as if he would approach us; but kept his place, on my grandmamma’s saying, Let us hear his humour out: Mr. Greville was always particular.

Terrified, madam! What is your being terrified to the sleepless nights, to the tormenting days, you have given me? Cursing darkness, cursing light, and most myself! O madam! with shut teeth, what a torment of torments have you been to nic! Well, but now I will hasten to a conclusion, in mercy to you, who, however, never shewed me any I never was cruel, Mr. Greville But you was; and most cruel, when most sweet-tempered. It was to that smiling obligingness that I owed my ruin! That gave me hope; that radiance of countenance; and that frozen heart! O you are a dear deceiver! But I hasten to conclude my dying N 2 speech Give me your hand! I will have it I ivilt not eat it, as once I had like to have done. And now, madam, hear my parting words ‘ You will have the glory of giving to the best of men, the best of wives. Let it not be long before you do; for the sake of many, who will hope on till then. As your lover, I must hate him: as your hushand, I will love him. He will, he must, be kind, affectionate, grateful, to you; and you will deserve all his ten-derness. May you live (the ornaments of human nature as you are) to see your children’s children t all promising to be as good, as worthy, as happy, as yourselves! And full of years,’ full of honour, in one hour may you be translated to that Heaven where only you can be more happy than you will be, if you are both as happy as I wish and expect you to be? ’

Tears dropt on my cheek, at this unexpected blessing.

He still held my hand I will not, without your leave, madam May I before I part with it? He looked at me as if for leave to kiss my hand, bowing his head upon it.

My heart was opened. God bless you, Mr. Gre-ville! as you have blessed me Be a good man, and He will. I withdrew not my hand

He kneeled on one knee; eagerly kissed my hand, more than once. Tears were in his own eyes. He arose, hurried me to Sir Charles, and holding to him my then, through surprise, half-withdrawn hand Let me have the pride, the glor}’. Sir Charles Grandison, to quit this dear hand to yours. It is only to yours that I would quit it Happij, hnppij, hnppi/ pair! None Intt the hrave desfrves the fair.

Sir Charles took my hand Let this precious present be mine, said he (kissing it) with the declared assent of every one here; and presented me to my grandmamma and aunt. I was affrighted by the hurry the strange man had put me into

May I but Hve to see her yours, Sir! said my grandmamma, in a kind of rapture!

The moment he had put my hand into Sir Charles’s, he ran out of the room, with the utmost precipitation. He was gone, quite gone, when he came to be enquired after; and every-body was uneasy for him, till we were told, by one of the servants, that he took from the window of the outward parlour, his hat and sword; and by another, that he met him, his servant after him, hurrying away, and even sobbing as he flew. Was there ever so strange a man?

Don’t you pity Mr. Greville, my dear?

Sir Charles was generously uneasy for him.

Mr. Greville, said Lucy (who had always charity for him) has frequently surprised us with his par-ticularities; but I hope, from the last part of his behaviour, that he is not the free-thinking man he sometimes affects to be thought. I flatter myself, that Sir Charles had a righter notion of him than we, in wliat he said of him yesterday.

Sir Charles waited on my grandmamma home; so we had him not to supper. We are all to dine with her tomorrow. Your brother, you may suppose, will be a principal guest.

Monilay morning, Oclohcr 16. I have a letter from my Emily; by which I find, she is with you; though she has not dated it. You were very kind in shewing the dear girl the over-flowings of my heart in her favour. She is all grateful love, and goodness. I will soon write to her, to repeat my assurances, that my whole power $hall always be exerted to do her pleasure: but vou must tell her, as from yourself, that she must have patience. I cannot ask her guardian such a question as she puts, as to her living with me, till I am likely to succeed. Would the sweet girl have me make a request to him, that shall shew him I am supposing myself to be his, before I am so? We are not come so far on our journey by several stages. And vet, from what he intimated last night, as he waited on my gandmamma to Shirley-manor, I find, that his expectations are forwarder than it will be possible for me to answer: and I must, without intending the least affectation, for common decorum — sake, take the management of this point upon my — self. For, my dear, we are every one of us here so much in love with him, that the moment he should declare his wishes, they would be as ready to urge me to oblige him, were he even to limit me but to two or three days, as if they were afraid he would not repeat his request.

I have a letter from Mr. Beauchamp. He writes, that there are no hopes of Sir Harry’s recovery. I am very sorry for it. .Mr. Beauchamp does me great honour to write to me to give him consolation. Ills is a charming letter So full of filial piety! Excellent young man! He breathes in it the true spirit of his friend.

Sir Charles and his Beauchamp, and Dr. Bartlett, correspond, I presume, as usual. What would I give to see all Sir Charles writes that relates to us!

Mv. Fenwick just now tells us, that Mr. Greville is not well, and keeps his chamber. He has my cordial wishes for his health. His last behaviour to me appears, the more I think of it, more strange, from such a man. I expected not that he would conclude with such generous wishes.

Nancy, who docs not love him, compares him to the wicked prophet of old, blessing where he was expected to curse;* and says, it was such an over-strain of generosity from him, that it might well over — set him.

Did you think that our meek Nancy could have said so severe a thing? But meekness offended (as she once was by him) has an excellent memory, and can be bitter.

We are preparing now to go to Shirley-manor. Our cousins Patty and Kitty Ilolles will be there at dinner. They have been for a few weeks past at their aunt’s, near Daventry. They are impatient to see Sir Charles. Adieu, my dearest ladies! Con-tinue to love your

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXIV.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Monday nig!it, Ociober 16.

We liave bocn very happy this day at my grand-nuunnia’s. Your brother makes himself more and more beloved;jy all my friends; who yet declare, tluit tliey thought they could not have loved him better than they did before. INIy cousin Ilolles’s sny, they could sooner lay open their hearts to him, than to any man they ever saw; yet their freedom Vvould never make them lose sight of their respect.

He told mc, that he had breakfasted with Mr, Greville. How docs he conciliate the mind of every ouc to him! He said kind and compassionate things of M r. Greville; and ay; unaffectedly I was delighted with him. For, regardful as he would be, and is, ul’ his own honour; no lov/, narrow jealousy, I dare

* Calaaui. \uinb. \\\\. & seq. say, will ever have entrance into his heart Charity thinketh no evil! Of what a charming text is that a part!* What is there equal to it, in arty of the writings of the philosophers?

My dear Miss Byron, said he to me, Mr. Greville loves you more than you can possibly imagine. De-spairing of success with you, he has assumed airs of bravery; but your name is written in large letters in his heart. He gave me, continued he, the import-ance of asking my leave to love you still. What ought I to have answered?

What did you answer, Sir?

That so far as I might presume to give it, I gave it. Had I the honour, added I, of calling Miss Byron mine, I would not barely allmv your love of her; I would demand it. Have I not assured you, Mr Greville, that I look upon you as my friend f

You will quite subdue Mr. Greville, Sir, said I. You will, by the generosity of your treatment of him, do more than any-body else ever could You will make him a good man.

Mr. Greville, madam, deserves pity, on more accounts than one. A wife, such a one as his good angel led him to wish for, would have settled his principles. He wants steadiness: but he is not, I hope, a bad man. I was not concerned for his cavalier treatment of you yesterday, but on your own account; lest his roughness should give you pain. But his concluding wishes, and his preference of a rival to himself, together with the manner of his departure, unable as he was to withstand his own emotions, and the effect it had upon his spirits, so as to confine him to his chamber, had something great in it And I shall value him for it, as long as he wiii permit me.

Sir Charles and my grandmamma had a good deal of talk together. Dearly does she love to single him out. What a pretty picture would they make, could theybe both drawn so as not to cause a pr of hne iester to fall into mistakes; as if it were an old lady making love to a handsome young man!

Let me sketch it out See, then, the dear lady, with a countenance full ofbenignity, years written by venerableness, rather than by wrinkles, in her face; dignity and familiarity in her manner; one hand on his, talking to him: his fine countenance shining with modesty and reverence, looking delighted, as admiring her wisdom, and not a little regardful of her half-pointing finger [let tJiat be, for fear of mis-takes] to a creature young enough to be her grand — daughter; who, to avoid shewing too much sensi — bility, shall seem to be talking to two other young ladies [Nancy and Lucy suppose]; but, in order to distinguish the young creature, let her, with a blushing cheek, cast a sly eye on the grandmamma and young gentleman, while the other two shall not be afraid to look more free and unconcerned.

See, my dear, how fanciful I am: but I had a mind to tell you, in a new manner, how my grandmamma and Sir Charles seam to admire each other.

INIr. Deaneand he had also some talk together; my uncle joined them: and I blushed in earnest at the subject I only irnesseil at from the following words of Mr. Deane, at Sir Charles’s rising to come from them to my aunt and me, who both of us satin the bow-window. My dear Sir Charles Grandison, said Mr. Deane, you love to give pleasure; I never was so happy in my life, as I am in view of this long-wished-for event. You must oblige me; I insist upon it.

My aunt took it, as I did. A generous contention! said she. O my dear! we shall all be too happy. God grant that nothing may fall out to disconcert us! If there should, how many broken hearts

The first broken one, madam, interrupted I, would be the happiest: I, in that case, should have the ad-vantage of every-body.

Dear love! you are too serious [tears were in my eyes]: Sir Charles’s unquestionable honour is our se-curity! If Clementina bestedfast; if life and health be spared you and him If

Dear, dear madam, no more Ifs! Let there be but one If, and that on Lady Clementina’s resumption. In that case, I will submit; and God only (as indeed He always ought) shall be my reliance for the rest of my life.

Lucy, Nancy, and my two cousin Holles’s, came and spread, two and two, the other seats of the bow-window (there are but three) with their vast hoops; undoubtedly, because they saw SirCharles coming to us. It is difficult, whispered I to my aunt (petulantly enough) to get him one moment to one’s self. My cousin James (silly youth! thought I) stopt him in his way to me; but Sir Charles would not long be stopt: he led the interrupter towards us; and a seat net being at hand, while the young ladies were making a bustle to give him a place between them (toss — ing their hoops above their shoulders on one side) and my cousin James was hastening to bring him a chair; he threw himself at the feet of my aunt and me, making the floor his seat.

I don’t know how it was; but I thought I never saw him look to more advantage. His attitude and behaviour had such a lover-like appearance Don’t you see him, my dear? His amiable countenance, .vo artless, yet so obliging, east up to my aunt and me: his fine eyes meeting ours; mine, particularly, in their oxvn way; for I could not help looking down, with a kind of proud bashfulness, as Lucy told me afterwards. How affected must I have appeared, had I either turned my head aside, or looked stiffly up, to avoid )iis!

I believe, my dear, we women in courtship don’t love that men, if ever so wise, should keep uj) to us the dignity of wisdom; much less, that they should be solemn, formal, grave Yet are we fond of respect and observance too How is it? Sir Charles Grandison can tell. Did you think of your brother, Lady (i. when 3’ou once said, that the man who would commend himself to the general favour of us young women, should be a decent rake in his address, and a saint in his heart? Yet might you not have chosen a better word than raJce? Are there not more clumsy and foolish rakes, than polite ones; except we can be so much mistaken, as to give to impudence the name of agreeable freedom?

Sir Charles fell immediately into the easiest (shall I say the gallantest?) the most agreeable conversation, as if he must be all of a piece with the freedom of his attitude; and mingled in his talk, two or three very humorous stories; so that nobody thought of helping him again to a chair, or wishing him in one.

How did this little incident familiarize the amiable man, as a still more amiable man than before, to my heart! In one of the little tales, which was of a gen-tleman in Spain serenading his mistress, we asked him, If he could not remember a sonnet he spoke of, as a pretty one? He, without answering, sung it in a most agreeable manner; and, at Lucy’s reque^^t, gave us the English of it.

It is a very pretty sonnet. I will ask him foraconv, and send it to you, who understand the language.

My grandnuunma, on Sir Charles’s singing, beck-oned to my cousin James; who going to h^r, she whispered him. He stept out, and presently returned with a violin, and struck up, as he entered, a minuet-tune. Harriet, my love! called out my grandmamma. Without any other intimation, the most agreeable of men, in an instant, was on his feet, reached his hat, and took me out.

How were we applauded! How was my grand-mamma delighted! The words Charming couple! were whispered round. And when we had done, he led me to my seat with an air that had all the real fine gentleman in it. But then he sat not dow n as before.

I wonder if Lady Clementina ever danced with him.

My aunt, at Lucy’s whispered request, proposed a dance between Sir Charles and her. You, Lady G. observed, more than once, that Lucy dances finely. Insulter! whispered I to her, when she had done, you know your advantages over me! Harriet, re-plied she, what do good girls deserve, when they speak against their consciences?

My grandmamma afterwards called upon me for one lesson on the harpsichord; and they made me sing.

An admirable conversation followed at tea, in which my grandmother, aunt, ray Lucy, and Sir Charles, bore the ciiief parts; every other person delighting to be silent.

Had we not, Lady G. a charming day?

In my next I shall have an opportunity, perhaps, to tell you what kind of a travelling companion Sir Charles is. For, be pleased to know, that for some time past a change of air, and a little excursion from place to place, have been prescribed for the establishment of uiy health, by one of the honcstest physicians in England. The day before Sir Charles came into these parts, it was fixed, that tomorrow we should set out upon this tour. On his arrival, wc had thoughts of postponing it; but, having understood our intention, he insisted upon its being prosecuted; and, oft’ering his company, tliere was no decHningtlie favour, you know, carl:/ days as they, however, are: and although everybody abroad talks of the occa-sion of his visit to us; he has been so far froin di — recting his servants to make a secret of it, that he has ordered his Saunders to answer to every curious questioner, that Sir Charles and I were of longer acquaintance than yesterday. But is not this, my dear, a cogent intimation, that Sir Charles thinks some parade, some delay, necessary? Yet don’t /ze and:ir know how little a while ago it is, that he made his first declaration? What, my dear (should he be solicitous for an early day) is the infer-ence? My uncle, too, so forward, that I am afraid of him?

We are to set out tomorrow morning. Peter-borough is to be our fu/tliest sta<re, one way. Mr. Deane insists, that we should pass two or three days with him. All of us, but my grandmanmia, are to be of this party.

O my dear Lady G. what a letter is just brought me, by the hand tliat carried up mine on Saturday! Bless me! what an answer! But I have not time to enter into so large a field. Let me only say, That for some parts I most heartily thank you and dear Lady L.; for others, I do not; and imagine Lady L. would not have subscribed her beloved name, had she read the whole. What charmmg spirits have you, my dear Lady G.! But, adieu, my ever-amiable ladies, both!

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXV.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Thrapslon, Tuesday evening, October 17. We passed several hours at Boughton,* and arrived here in the afternoon. Mr. Deane insisted that we should stop at a nephew’s of his in the neighbour-hood of this town. The young gentleman met us at Oundle, and conducted us to his house. I have got such a habit of scribbling, that I cannot forbear applying to my pen at every opportunity. The less wonder, when I have your brother for uiy subject: and the two beloved sisters of that brotlicr to write to.

It would be almost impertinent to praise a man for his horsemanship, who, in his early youth, was j^o noted for the performance of all his exercises, that his father and General W. thought of the military life for him. Ease and unaffected dignity distinguish him in all his accomplishments. Bless me, madam, said Lucy to my aunt, on more occasions than one, this man is every-thing!

Shall I own, that I am retired to my pen, just now, from a very bad motive? /Inge?: I am, in my heart, even peevish with all my friends, for clustering so about bir Charles, that he can hardly obtain a moment (which beseems to seek for, too) to talk with me alone. My uncle [he docs dote upon him] always inconsiderately stands in his wav; and can I sav to a man so vcri/ inclinable to raillery, tiiat Le should allow we more, and hiwelf kss, of hir Charles’s conversation? I wonder my an::!, does Let give my uncle a huit. But she loves Sir Charles’s company as well as my uncle.

* The seat of the late Duke of iMonta^ii.

This, however, is nothing to the distress my uncle ^ave me at dinner this day. Sir Charles was observ-intj, upon the disposition of one part of the gardens at Boughton, That art was to be but the handmaid of n.iture I have heard, Sir Charles, said my uncle, that yf)U have made that a rule with you atGrandi-pon-hall. With what pleasure should I make a visit there to you, and mij niece

He stopt. He needed nnt: he might have said any-thing after this. Sir Charles looked as if concerned for mc; yet said, that would be a joyful visit to him. ]My aunt was vexed for mt/ sake. Lucy gave my uncle such a look

My uncle afterwards indeed apologized to me Ads-hcdrt, I was a little blunt, I believe. But what a diice nqed there be these niceties observed when you are sure:’ I am sorry, however But it would out Yet you, Harriet, made it worse by looking so silly.

What, Lady G. can I do with this dear man? My uncle, I mean. He has been just making a proposal to me, as he calls it, and with such honest looks ol’ forecast and wisdom Look-ye, Harriet I shall be always blundering about \ouv scrupulosities. I am come to propose something to you that will put it out of my power to make mistakes I beg of you and your aunt to allow me to enter with Sir Charles into a certain subject; and this not for your sake I know you won’t allow of that But for the ease of Sir Charles’s (ni-;i heart. Ciratitude is mij motive, and ought to be (/or.s-. I am sure he loves the very ground you tread uj)on.

I besought him, for evrij sake dear to himself, not to interfere in the matter: but to leave these sub-jects to mv grandmanuna Consider, Sir, said I, o 2 consider, how very lately the first personal declaration was made.

I do, I will consider every-thing But there is danger between the cup and the lip.

Dear Sir! (my hands and eyes lifted up) was all the answer I could make. He went from me hasti-ly, muttering good naturedly against Jemalities.

Dcane’s Grove, Wednesday, October 18.

Mr.Deane’s pretty box you have seen. Sir Charles is pleased with it. We looked in at Fotheringay-castle,* i\Iilton,t ^r. Mr. Charles Deane, a very obliging and sensible young gentleman, attended his uncle all the way.

What charming descriptions of fine houses and curiosities abroad did Sir Charles give us when we stopt to bait, or to view the pictures, furniture, gar-dens, of the houses we saw!

In every place, on every occasion, on the road, or when we alighted, or put up, he shewed himself so considerate, so gallant, so courteous, to all who ap-proached hira, and so charitable! Yet not indiscri — minately to every-body that asked him: but he was bountiful indeed, on representation of the misery of two honest families. Beggars born, or those who make begging a trade, if in health, and not lame or blind, have seldom, it seems, any share in his muni-ficence: but persons fallen from competence and such as struggle with some instant distress, or have large families, which they have not ability to main-tain; these, and such as these, are the objects of his bounty. Kichard Saunders, who is sometimes his almoner, told my Sally, that he never goes out but somebody is the better for him; and that his maimer

* The prison of Mary Queen of Scots. + ilie seat of Earl Fitzwilliaais, of bestowing his charity is such, as, together with the poor people’s blessings and prayers for him, often draws tears from his eyes.

I have overheard a dialogue that has just now passed between my uncle and aunt. There is but a thin partition between the room they were in, and mine; and he spoke loud; my aunt not low; yet earnest only, not angry. He had been proposing to lier, as he had done to me, to enter into a certain subject, in pity to Sir Charles: none had he for his poor niece. No doubt but he thought he was obliging me; and that my objection was only owing to y^;;in/////, as he calls it: a word I don’t like: I never heard it from Sir Charles.

My aunt was not at all pleased with his motion. She wished, as /had done, that he would not inter-fere in these nice matters, lie took offence at the exclusion, because of the word nice. She said, He was too precipitating, a great deal: she did not doubt butSir Charles would be full early in letting me know his expectations.

She spoke more decisively than she is used to do. He caimot bear her chidings, though ever so gentle. I need not Leil you, that he both loves and reveres her; but, as one of the lords of the creation, is apt to be jee.‘ous of his prerogatives. You used to be diverted with his honest j)articularities.

\\ iiat an ignarainiis’ you women and girls make of me, daine ^eiby! said he. I know nothing of the world, nor of men and women, that’s certain. I am always to be d^icnmcnted by you and your minxes! But the dace take your niceties: you don’t, you can’t, poor souls as you are, distinguish nien. You must all of you go on in one/vi^-w//-/ r/// ^^ ay; in onQ beaten truck. Who thec/zav; wouid have thought it needful, when a girl and we all were wishing tdl our very o 3 hearts were bursting, for this man, when he was not in his own power, that you must now come with your humS:, and your haivs, and the whole circum-’ roundabouts of female nonsense, to stave qffihe point your hearts and souls are set upon? I remember, dame Selby, though so long ago, how you treated your future lord and master, when you pranked it as lady and mistress. You vexed my very soul, I can tell you that! And often and often, when I left you, I swore bitterly, that I never would come again as a lover though I was a poor forsworn wretch God forgive me!

My dear Mr. Selby, you should not remember past things. You had very odd ways I was afraid, for a good while, of venturing with you at all Now, dame Selby, I have you at a why-not, or I never had; though, by the way, your ww-evenness increased my oddness, But what oddness is in Sir Charles Grandison? If he is not even, neither you nor I were ever odd. What reason is there for him to run the female gauntlope? I pity the excellent jnan; remembering how I was formerly vexed myself I hate this shilly-shally fooling; this /i,-:oiv-your-mind and not know-your-mind nonsense. As I hope to live and breathe, I’ll, I’ll, I’ll blow you all up, without gtmpoxvder or oatmeal, if an honest gentle-man is thus to be fooled with; and after such a letter too from his friend Jeronymo, in the names of the whole family. LadyG.for my money! [Ah, thought I, Lady G. gives better advice than she even ivishes to know how to take!] I like her notion of pai’allel lines. Sir Charles Grandison is none of your o-ew-gaw-xvhip-jach, that you know not where to have. But I tell you, dame Selby, that neitlier you nor your niece know how, with your Ji/ie souls, and/zVze sense, to go out of the common fhnality path, when you get a man into your gin, however superior he is to common in fan elements, and low chicanery, and dull and cold forms, as Sir Charles properly called them, in his address to the little pugs-face. [I do love her, with all her pretty ape’s tricks: for what are you all, but, right or wrong, apes of one an-other?J And do you think, with all your tciadom, he sees not through you? He does; and, as a wise man, must despise you all, with yourjhnalUies and Jorsooths

No femality, Mr. Selby, is designed Xo

I am impatient, dame Selby, light of my eye, and dear to my heart and soul, as you are; I will take my own way in this. I have no mind that the two dearest creatures in the world, to me, shouid render themselves dcspisable in the eyes of a man they want to think highly of them. And here if I put in, and say but a wry word, as you think it I am to be called to account

My dear, did you not begin the subject? said my aunt.

I am to be closetted, and to be documentized, proceeded he Not another word, dame Selby; I am not in humour to bear them: I will take my own way And that’s enough.

And then, I suppose, he stuck his hands in his sides, as he does when he is good-humouredly angry; and my aunt, at such times, gives uj), till a more convenient opportunity; and then she always carries her point (because she is always reasonable); for which he calls her a Parthian woman.

I heard her say, as he stalked out royally, repeating, that he would take his own way; I say no more, ISIr. Selhv Only consider

Oy,and let Harriet consider, and do yo7< consider, dame Selby: Sir Charles Grandison is not a common mail.

I did not let my aunt know that I heard this speech of my uncle: she only said to me, when she saw me, I have had a little debate with your uncle: we must do as well as we can with him, my dear. He means well.

Thursday morning, October 19.

After breakfast, first one, then another dropt away, and left only Sir Charles and me together. Lucy was the last that went; and the moment she was withdrawn, while I was thinking to retire to dress, he placed himself by me: Think me not ab-rupt, my dearest Miss Byron, said he, that I take almost the only opportunity which has offered of eiitering upon a subject that is next my heart.

I found my face glow. I was silent.

You have g’ven me hope, madam: all your friends encourage that hope. I love, I revere, your friends. What I have now to petition for, is, a confirmation of the hope I have presumed upon. Can you, ma-dam, (the female delicacy is more delicate than that of man can be) unequally as you may think yourself circumstanced Avith a man who owns that once he could have devoted himself to another lady? Can you say, that the man before you is the man whom you C(i7i, whom youc/o, prefer to any other?

He stopt; expecting my answer.

After some hesitations, I have been accustomed, Sir, said I, by those friends whom j’ou so deservedly value, to speak nothing but the simi)lest truth. In an article of this moment, I should be inexcusable, if

I stopt. His eyes were fixed upon my face. For my life I could not speak; yet wished to be able to speak

7/^If x\:lint, madam? and he snatched my hand, bowed his face upon it, held it there, i-ot looking up to mine. I could then speak If thus urged, and by Sir Charles Grandison I did not speak my heart I answer Sir I CAN I DO.

I wanted, I thought, just then, to shrink into my-self.

He kissed my hand with fervour; dropt down on one knee; again kissed it You have laid me, ma-dam, under everlasting obligation: and will you per — mit me, before I rise loveliest of women, will you permit me to beg an early day? I have many aftairs on my hands; many more in design, now I am come, as I hope, to settle in my native country for the rest of my life. My chief glory will be, to behave commendably in the private life. I wish not to be a public man; and it must be a very particular call, for the service of my king and country united, that shall draw me out into public notice. Make me, madam, soon the happy Iinsband I hope to be. I prescribe not to you the time: but you are above empty forms. May I presume to hope, it will be before the end of a month to come?

He had forgot himself. He said, he would not prescribe to ujc.

After some involuntary hesitations I am afraid o’l nothing so much, just now, Sir, said I, as appearing, to a man of your honour and penetration, affect — ed. Rise, Sir, I beseech you! I cannot bear

I will, madam, and rise as well as kneel, to thank you, when you have answered a question so very important to my happiness.

Belbre I could resume. Only believe me, madam, said he. thiit my urgency is not the insolent urgency of one who imagini.‘s a lady will receive as a cnnip/i-vwiit his impatience. And if you have no scruple that you think oHii^h importance, add, I beseech you, to the obligation you have laid him under to your condescending goodness (and add with that frankness of heart which has distinguished you in my eyes above all women) the very high one, of an early day.

I looked down I could not!oo!: up I was afraid ofbeing thought affected Yet how could I so soon think of obliging him ?

He proceeded You are silent, madam! Propi-tious be your silence! Allow me to enquire of your otmt, for your kind, your condescending acqui-escence. I will not now urge you further: I will be all hope.

Let me say, Sir, that I must not be precipitated. These are very early days.

Much more was in my mind ta say; but I hesi-tated I could not speak. Surely, my dear ladies, it was too early an urgency. And can a woman be wholly unobservant of custom, and the laws of her sex? Something is due to the fashion in our dress, however absurd that dress might have appeared in the last age (as theirs do to us) or may in the next: and shall not those customs which have their foundation in modesty, and are characteristic of the gentler sex, be intitled to excuse, and more than excuse?

He saw my confusion. Let me not, my dearest life, distress you, said he. Beautiful as your emotion is, I cannot enjoy it, if it give you pain. Yet is tlie question so important to me; so much is my heart concerned in the favourable answer I hope for from your goodness; that I must not let this opportunity sUp, except it be 3’our pleasure that I attend your determination from Mrs. Selby’s mouth Yet thai I choose not, neither; because I presume for more favour from your own, than you will, on co/d deli-beration, alloAv your aunt to shew me. Love will plead for itsfaithful votary in a single breast, v.hen consult-ation on the supposed tit and unfit, the object ab — sent, will produce dc lay. ]5ut I will retire, for two moments. You sliall be my prisoner mean time.

Not a soul sliall come in to interrupt us, unless it be at your call. I will return, and receive your deter-mination; and it’ that be the fixing of my happy (lay. how will you rejoice me!

While I was debating within myself, whether I should be angry or pleased, he returned, and found me walking about tiie room. .Soul of my hope, said ht% taking with rcverencj my hand; I now presume that you can, that you nv’//, oblige me.

You have given me no time, Sir: but let me re-quest, that you will not expect an answer, in relation to the early day you w ear’y ask for, till after the re-cci})t of your next letters from Italy. You see how the admirable lady is urged; how reluctantly she has given them but c/i-^laiu hopes of complying with tlu.‘ir uislies. I .should be glad to wait for the next letters; fur those, at least, which will be an answer to yours, acquainting them, that there is a woman with whom you think you could be happy. I am earnest in this request. Sir. Think it not ovving to alfectation.

I accjuicsce; madam. The answer to those letters nil! ^oon be here. It will indeed be some time before I can receive a reply to that I wrote in answer to .leroiiymo’s last letter. I impute not affectation to my dearest 31iss Byron. I can easily comprehend your motive: it is a generous one. I’utit befits me to say; that tiie next letters from Italy, whatever may be their contents, can?iorv make no alteration on my part. liave I not declared myself to your friends, to \ou, .;’.:(! to the world?

Indeed, Sir. they “’<”.’// make an alteration on mine, highly as I think of ih.e honour Sir Cliurles Grandi-t-on doch me by his good opinion. Tor, pardon me, bliould the most excellent of women think of resuming a j)lace in your heart

Let me interrupt you, madam. It cannot be, that

Lady Clementina, proceeding, as she has done, on motives of piety, zealous in her religion, and all her relations now earnest in another man’s favour, can alter her mind. I should not have acted with justice, with gratitude, to her, had I not tried her stodfastness by every way I could devise: nor in justice to both ladies, would I allow myself to apply ior your favour, till I had her resolution confirmed to me under her own hand after my arrival in England. But were it novo possible that she should vary, and were you, madam, to hold your determination in my favour suspended; the consequence would be this: I should never, while that suspense lasted, be the husband of any woman on earth.

I hope, Sir, you will not be displeased. I did not think you would so soon be so very earnest. But this, Sir, I say. Let me have reason to think, that my happiness will not be the misfortune of a more excellent woman, and it shall be my endeavour to make the man happy who onli/ can make me so.

He clasped me in his arms with an ardor that displeased me not on reflection But at the time startled me. He then thanked me again on one knee. I held out the hand he held not in his, with intent to raise him; for I could not speak. He received it as a token of favour; kissed it with ardor; arose; again pressed my cheek with his lips. I was too much sur-prised to repulse him with anger: But was he not too free? Am I a prude, my dear? In the odious sense of the abused word, I am sure I am not: but in the best sense, as derived from prudence, and used in opposition to a word that denotes a worse character, I ov/n myself one of those who would wish to restore it to its natural respectable signification, for the sake of virtue; which, as Sir Charles himself once hin’-ed*, is in danger of suffering by tlie abuse of it; as reli-gion once did, by that of the word jncritan.

Sir Charles, on my making towards the door that led to the stairs, withdrew with such a grace, asr shewed he was capable ot” recollection.

Again I ask, Was he not too free? I will tell you how I judge that he was: When I came to conclude my narrative to my aunt and Lucy, of all that passed between him and me, I blushed, and could not tell them how free he was. Yet you see, ladies, that I can write it to you two.

Sir Charles, my uncle, and Mr. Deanc, took a little walk, and returned just as dinner was ready. My uncle took me aside, and whispered to me; I am glad at my heart and soul the ice is broken. This i.s the man of true spirit Ads-heart, Harriet, you will be Lady Grandison in a fortnight, at furthest, I hope. You have had a charming confulndation, I doubt not. I can guess you have, by Sir Charles’s declaringhimself more and more delighted with you. And he owns, that he put the question to you. Hay, Harriet! smiling in my face.

Every one’s eyes were upon me. Sir Charles, I believe, saw me look as if I were apprehensive of my uncle’s raillery. He came up to us: My dear Miss liyron, said he, in my uncle’s hearing, I have own-ed to Mr. Selby, the request I presumed to make you. I am afraid that he, as well as you, think me too bold and forward. If, madam, you do, I ask your pardon: my hopes shall always be controuled by your pleasure.

‘ This made my uncle complaisant to me. I was re-assured. I was pleased to be so seasonably re-lieved.

Friday morniiij;, October 20.

You must not, my dear ladies, expect me to be so very minute: if I am, nmst I not lose a hundred charming conversations? One, however, I will give you a little particularly. p

Your brother desired leave to attend me in my dressing-room But how can I attempt to describe his air, his manner, or repeat the thousand agreeable things he said? Ingensibly he fell into talking of future schemes, in a way that punctilio itself could not be displeased with.

He had been telling me, that our dear Mr. Deane, having been affected by his last indisposition, had desired my uncle, my aunt, and him, to permit him to lay beibre them the state of his affairs, and the kind things he intended to do by his own relations; who, however, were all in happy circumstances. After which, he insisted upon Sir Charles’s being his sole xecutor, which he scrupled; desiring that some other person should be joined with him in the trust; but ^.Ir. Deane being very earnest on this head, Sir Charles said, I hope I know my own heart: my dear Mr. Deane, you must do as you please.

After some other discourse, I suppose, said I, the good man will not part with us till tiie beginning of next v.xek.

Whenever you leave him, answered he, it will be to his regret; it may tlierefore as well be soon: but I am sorry, methinks, that he, who has qualities which endear him to every one, should be so much alone as he is here. I have a great desire, when I can be so happy as to find myself a settled man, to draw into my neighbourhood friends who will dignity it. Mr. Deane will, I hope, be often our visiter at the hall. The love he bears to his d^ar god-daughter will be his inducement; and the air and soil being more dry and vv’holesome than this so near the fens, may be a means to prolong Ills valuable life.

Dr. Bartlett, continued he, has already carried into execution some schemes whicii relate to my indigent neighbours, anrl the lower class of my tenants. How does that excellent man revere Miss Byron!

Srit CIIARLKS GRANDISON.!.)<)

My Reauclianip, witli our two sisters and tlit’ir lords, will be often with us. Your worthy cousin Reeves’s, Lord W, and his deserving lady, will also be our visiters, and we theirs, in turn. The Mans-field family are already within a few miles of me: and our Northamptonshire friends! Visiters and visited What happiness do I propose to myself, and the beloved of my heart And if (as you have ge-nerously wished) the dear Clementina may be happy, at least not unhappy, and her brother Jeronymo recover; what, in this world, can be wanting to. crown our felicity?

Tears of jo}’ strayed down my cheek, unpcrceived by me, till they iell upon his hand, as it had mine in it. He kissed them away. I was abashed. If my dear Miss Isyron permit me to go on, I have her ad-vice to ask. I bowed my assent. IMy heart throbbed with painful joy: I couid not sneak.

Will // 7iot be too carljj, madam, to ask you about some matters of domestic concern? The lease of the house in St. James’s Square is expired. Some diffi-culties are made to renew it, unless on terms which I think unreasonable. I do not easily submit to im])o-sition. Is there any-thing that you particularly like in the situation of that house?

Houses, Sir, nav, countries, will be alike to me, in the company of those I value.

You are ail goodness, madam. I will leave it to my sisters, to enquire ai’ter another house. I ho[)e you will allow them to consult you, as any one may offer. I will write to the owLier of my present house (who is solicitous to know my determination, and savs he has a tenant ready, if I relinquisii ii;) that it will be at his command in three months time. \V hen mv dear Miss Byron shall bless me with her hand^ and our Northamptonshire friends will part w ith her, if she pleases, we will U’o directly to the hall.

I bowed, and intended to look as one who thought herself obliged.

Restrain, check me, madam, whenever I seem to trespass on your goodness. Yet how shall I forbear to wish you to hasten the day that shall make you wholly mine? You will the rather allow me to wish il, as you will then be more than ever your own mistress; though you have always been generously left to a discretion that never was more deservedly trusted to. Your will, madam, will ever compre-hend mine.

You leave me, Sir, only room to say, that if gratitude can make me a merit with you, that began with the first knowledge I had of you; and it has been increasing ever since I hope I never shall be ungrate — ful.

Tears again strayed down my cheeks. Whj’ did I weep?

Delicate sensibility! said he. He clasped his arms about me But instantly withdrew them, as if recol-lecting himself Pardon me, madam I Admiration will sometimes mingle with reverence. I must express my gratitude as a man May my happy day be not far distant, that I may have no bound to my joy! He took my hand, and again pressed it with his lips. My heart, madam, said he, is in your hand: you cannot but treat it graciously.

Just then came in my Nancy [Why came she in?] with the general expectation of us to iireak-fast Breakfast! What, thought I, isbrcakiast! The — ivorld, my ChaHotte But hush! Withdraw, fond heart, from mj — pen! Can the dearest fritiid allow for the acknowledgement of impulses so fervent, and which, writing to the moment, as I may say, the moment only ran justify revealing?

He led nie down-stairs, and to my seat, with an air so noble, yet so tender My aunt, my Lucy, sue CHARLES GRANDISOX. Wi every-body looked at me. INIy eyes betrayed iviy hardly-conquered emotion.

Sir Cliaries’s looks and behaviour were so respect-ful, that every one addressed me as a person of in creased consequence. Do you think, Lady G. that Lord (j.‘s and Lord L.‘s resj)ectful behaviour to their wives do not as much credit to their own hearts, as to their ladies? How happy are you, that you have recollected yourself, and now encourage not others, by your example, to make a jest of a l:usbait(l\s love! \\\\\ you forgive me the recollection, for the sake of the joy I have in the reforma — tion?

I have read this letter, just now, to my aunt and Lucy, all except this last saucy hint to you. They clasped me each in their arms, and said, they ad-mired him, and were })leased with we, Listruct me, my dear ladies, how to behave in such a manner, as may shew my gratitude (I had almost said my love); yet not go so very far, as to leave the day, the hour, every-thing to his determination!

But, on reading to my aunt and Lucy what I had written, I was ashamed to find, that when he was enumerating the friends he hoped to have near him, or about him, I had forgot to ren;indhim of n;y I-^mi-h, I’ngrateful Harriet! But don’t tell her*^that I was so absorbed in self, and that the conversation was so interesting, that my heart was more of a pas-sive than an active machine at the time. I will soon find, or viciLe, an occasion to be her solicitress. You once thouglit that Emily, ibr her own sake, should not live with us; but her heart is set upon it. Dei^r creature! I love lier! I will sooth her! I will take lit r to my bosom! I will, by my sisterly compas-sion, intitie myself to all her confidence; she shall have all mine. Nor shall her guardian suspect her.

I will be as faithful to her secret, as you and Lady L. were (thankfully I remember it!) to mine. Do you think, my dear, that if Lady Clementina [I bow to her merit whenever I name her to myself] had had such a true, such a soothing friend, to whom she could have revealed the secret that oppressed her noble heart, while her passion was young, it would have been attended with such a deprivation of her reason, as made unhappy all who had the ho-nour of being related to her? * * my dear Lady G! I am undone! Emily is undone; we are all undone! I am afraid so! My intolerable carelessness! I will run away from him! I cannot look him in the face! But I am most, most of all, concerned for my Emily!

Walking in the garden with Lucy, I dropt the last sheet, marked 6, of this letter *

I missed it not till my aunt this minute told me, that Sir Charles, crossing the walk which I had just before quitted, stooped, and took up a paper. Im-mediately my heart misgave me. I took out my let — ter: I thought I had it all But the fatal, fatal sixth sheet, is wanting: that must be what he stooped for, and took up. What shall I do! Sweet Emily! now will he never suffer you to live with him. Ail my own heart laid open too! Such prattling also! I cannot look him in the face! How shall I do, to get away to Shirley-manor, and hide myself in the indulgent bosom of my grandmamma? What affecta — tion, after this, will it be, to refuse him his day! But he demands audience of me. Could any-thing (O the dear Emily!) have ha])pened more mortifying to your

HARRIET BYRON.



Letter XXVI.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Frid.iy afternoon, October 20.

I WAS all confusion when he, looking as uncon-scious as he used to do, entered my dressing-room. I turned my face from him. He seemed surprised at my concern. Miss Byron, I hope, is well. Has any-thing disturbed you, madam?

My paper, my paper! You took it up For the world I would not The poor Emily! Give it me; Give it me; and I burst into tears.

Was there ever such a fool.’^ What business had I to name Emily?

He took it out of his pocket. I came to give it to you; putting it into my hand. I saw it was your writing, madam: I folded it up immediately: it has not been unfolded since: not a single sentence did I permit myself to read.

Are you sure, Sir, you have not read it: nor any part of it?

Upon my honour, I have not.

I cleared up at once. A blessed rev.ard, thought I, for denying my own curiosity, when pressed by my Charlotte to reada letter clandestinely obtained!

A thousand, thousand thanks to you, Sir, for not giving way to your curiosity. I should have been miserable, perhaps, for months, had you read that paper.

You now indeed raise my curiosity, madam. Perhaps your generosity will permit you to gratify it’; though I should not have forgiven myself, had I taken advantage of such an accident.

I will tell you the contents of some parts of it. Sir.

Those which relate to my Emily, if you please, madam. The poor Emily, you said. You have alarmed me. Perhaps I am not to be ^jniti’ happy! What oi^ poor Emily! Has the girl been impru-dent? Has she already What of the poor Emily! And his face glowed with impatience. No harm, Sir, of Emily! Only a request of the dear girl! [What better use could i have made of mv fright, Lady G.? ] But the manner of my mentioning it, I would not for the world you should have seen.

No harm, you say! I was afraid, by your concern for her But can ^ou love her, as well as ever? If you can, Emily must stili be good. I can: I do.

What then, dear madam, of /;oor Emily? Why poor Emily?

I v.lll tell you. The dear girl makes it her re-quest, that I will procure of you one favour for her; Her heart is set upon it. if Emily continue good, she shall only signify her wis’i, and I will coaiply. If I am not a father to her, is she not fatherless?

Allow me, Sir, to call you kind! good! humane! \\ hat I want of those qualities. Miss Byron will teach me, by her example But what would my E)nily? v’^he would live with her guardian, Sir. With .‘lie, madam? And with, /on, madam? Tell me, own to me, madam, And with you? That is her wish,

And does my beloved Miss Byron think it a ricr/it wish to be granted? Will .she be the instructing friend, the exemplary sister, now in that time of the dear gin’s life, when the eye, rather than the judgment, is Usually the director of a young woman’s affections?

I love the sweet innocent: I could wish her to be always with me.

Obliging goodness! Then is one of my cares over. A young woman from fourteen to twenty, is often a troublesome charge upon a friendly heart. I could not have asked this favour of you. You rejoice me by mentioning it. Shall I write a letter, in your name, to Emily?

There, Sir, are pen, ink, and paper.

In your name, madam?

I bowed assent; mistrusting nothing.

He wrote; and, doubling down, shewed me only these words ‘ My dear Miss Jcrvois, I have ob-tained for you the desired favour. Will you not continue to be as good as you have hitherto been? That is all which is required of my Emily, by her ever-aftectionate

I instantly wrote, * Harriet Byron.’ But, Sir, what have you doubled down?

Charming confidence! What must he be, who could attempt to abuse it? Read, madam, what you have signed.

I did. How my heart throbbed. And could Sir Charles Grandison, said I, thus intend to deceive? Could Sir Charles Grandison be such a plotter? Thank God you are not a bad man.

After the words, I have obtained for you the desired favour, followed these;

‘ You must be very good. You must resolve to give me nothing but joy; joy equal to the love I have for you, and to the sacrifice I have made to oblige you. Go down, my love, as soon as you can, to Grandifon-hall: I shall then have one of the sis-ters of my heart there to receive me. If you are there in less than a fortnight, I will endeavour to be with you in a fortnight after. I sacrifice, at least, another fortnight’s punctilio to oblige you. And will you not continue to be as good as you have hitherto been? That is all which is required of ray Emily, by, &c.

Give me the paper, Sir; holding out my hand for it.

Have I forfeited my character with you, madam? iiohnng it back, with an air of respectful gaiety.

I must consider, Sir, beibre I give you an answer.

If I iiave, why should I not send it away; and as Miss Byron cannot deny her hand-writing, hope to receive the benefit of tlie supposed deceit? Especi-ally as it will answer so many good ends: for instance, your own wishes in Emily’s favour; as it will increase your own power of obliging: and be a means of ac-celerating the happiness of a man whose principal joy will be in making you happy.

IVas it not a pretty piece of deceit Lady G.? Shall I own, that my heart was more inclined to reward than punish him for it? And really, for a moment, I thought of the impracticableness of comply — ing with the request, as if I was seriously pondering upon it, and was sorry it was not practicable. To get away from my dear Mr. Deane, thought I, who will not be in haste to part with us; some female bustlings to be got over upon our return to Selby-house; proposal renewed, and a little parade with [Why, Lady G. did you tell me that our sex is a foolish sex?] the preparation; the ceremony; the awful ceremony! the parting with the dearest and most indulgent friends that ever young creature was blessed with: and to be at Grandison-hall, all within one month! Was there ever so precipitating anian?

I believe verily, that I appeared to him as if I v,’ere considering of it; for he took advantage of my silence, and urged me to permit him to send away to Emily what he had written; and offered to give reasons for his urgency: Written as it is, said lie, by me, and signed by you, how will the dear girl re-joice at tlse consent oi’both, under our hands! And will she not lake the caution given her in it from me, as!in(lly as sh>’ wili your mediation in her favour?

Sure, Sir, said I, you expect not a serious answer? Upon his honour, he tlicl How, Sir! Ought you not rather to be thankful, if I forgive you, for letting; me see that Sir Charles Grandison was capable of such an artifice, tliough but in jest; and for his reflection upon me, and ])erhaps meant on our sex, as il’ decorum were hut j:itiiclii’o? I beg niy Lucy’s par-don, added I, for being half-angry with her when slie called you a desi<rncr.

My dearest creature, said he, I avi a designer. Who, to accelerate a happiness on which that of his whole life depends, would not be innocently so? I am in this instance selH>h; but I glory in my selfishness; because I am determined, if power be lent nio, that every one, within the circle of our ac-quaintance, shall have reason to congratulate you as one of the happiest of women.

Til! this artifice, Sir, shev/ed me what you cculd do, were you r.ot a n.ian of the strictest honour, I had nothing but affiance in you. Give me the paj)er, Sir; and for your own sake, I will destroy it, that it may not furnish me with an argument, that there is not o)ie man in the world who is to be imj)lieitlv confided in by a woman.

Take it, madam (presenting it to ine); destroy it not, however, till you have exposed me as f,iicli a breach of confidence deserves, to your aunt, your Lucy To your uncle Selby; and to Mr. Dcaiie, if }ou please.

Ah, Sir! you know your advantages! I will not, in this case, refer to them: I could sooner rely, dearly as they love their Harriet, on Sir Charles Grandison’s justice, than on their favour, in r/z/y debate that should happen between him and me

There never, madam, except in the case before us. can be room tor a reference: your prudence, and mv gratitude, nmst secure us both. Even now, ini-patient as I am to call you mine, which makes me willing to lay hold of every opportunity to ur^e you for an early day, I will endeavour to subdue that impatience, and submit to your will. Yet, let me say, that if I did not think your heart one of the most laudably unreserved, yet truly delicate, that woman ever boasted, and your prudence equal, you would not have found me so acquiescent a lover, early as you suppose my urgency for the happy day.

And is it not early, Sir? Can Sir Charles Grandison think me punctilious? But you will permit me to write to Miss Jervois myself, and acquaint her with her granted wish, if

If! No if, madam Whatever you think right to be done, in this case, that do. Emily will be more particularly your ward than mine, if you conde-scend to take the trust upon you.

You will be pleased, dear Lady G. to acquaint Emily with the grant of her wish: she will rejoice. God give the dear creature reason for joy; and then I shall have double pleasure in having contributed to hsr obtaining of it. But on second thoughts, I will write to her myself; for I allow not, that she shall see or hear read e very-thing I write to you.

Shall I own to you, that my grandmamma, and aunt, and Lucy, are of your opinion? They all three wish But who can deny the dear innocent the grant of a request on which she has so long set her heart? And would it not be pity, methinks I hear the v/orld say, some time hence, especially if any misfortune (God forbid it!) should befall her, that Sir Charles Grandison, the most honourable of men, should so marry, as that a young lady of inno-cence and merit, and mistress of a fortune, which, it might be foreseen, would encourage tiie attempts of designing men, could not have lived with his wife? Poor child! Then would the world have shaken its wise head (allowed the expression); and well for me if it had judged so mildly of me.

Our dear Mr. Deane, though reluctantly, has consented that we shall leave him on Monday next. We shall set out directly for Selby-house, where we propose to be the same night. My aunt and I have been urgent with him to go back with us; but he is cross, and xvill be excused.

Just now Lucy tells me, that Mr. Deane declared to my uncle, aunt, and her, that he will not visit us at Selby-house till we send for him and the settle-ments together, which he will have ready in a week Strange expedition! Sure they are afraid your brother will change his mind, and are willing to put it out of his power to recede! Lucy smiles at me, and is sure, she says, that she may in confidence re-veal all these matters to me, without endangering my life. My next letter will be from Selby-house.

While that life continues, my dear ladies, look upon me assuredly yours,

HARRIET BYROX.


Letter XXVIL
Lady G. to Miss Byron.

Monday, October 23. Go on, go on, with your narrative, my dear. Hither-to Caroline and I know not how either much to blame you, or totally to acquit you o^ parade, the man and his situation considered: and the state of your heart for so many months past; every one of your friends consenting, shall I say? viore than consenting ardent, to be related to him. Hark ye, Harriet, let me whisper you My brother, whether he come honestly, or not, by his knowledge, I dare say, thinks not so highly of the free — masonry part of marriage as you do! You start, O Charlotte! you cry; And, O Harriet! too Bat my dear girl, let my brother see, that you think (and no woman in the world does if you don’t) that the true modesty, after hearts are engaged, is to think little of parade, and nmch of the social happiness that awaits two worthy minds united by love, and conformity of sentiment After all, we are silly creatures, Harriet: we are afraid of wise men. No wonder that we seldom choose them, when a fool offers. I wih I knew the man, however, who dared to say this in my hearing.

Your grandmother Shirley is more than woman: my brother prodigiously admires her. I think yi u may trust to her judgment, if j’ou suppose him too precipitating. Your aunt is an excellent woman: bat I never knew a woman or man, who valued themselves on delicacy, and found themselves consulted upon it, but was apt to over-do the matter. Js not this a little, a ‘ccrij little, Mrs. Selby’s case? Let her know that I bid you ask this question of herself: she must be assured that I equally love and honour her; so won’t be angry.

Your uncle is an odd, but a very honest Dunstable soul! Tell him, I say so; but withal, that he should leave women to act as vcomen^ in these matters. What a ducr, what a pize, would he expect perfection from them? He, whose arguments always rurx in the depreciating strain? If he ivoiild, ajk him, Where should they have it, conversing, as they a:“e obliged to do, with men? Men for their fathers, for their brothers, for their uncles They must be a ///- //(? silly, had they not — a fund of silliness in themselves. But I would not have tliem be most out, in mat-ters where they should be most in.

I think, however, so does Lady L. tliat so far as you have proceeded, you are tolerable; though not halt” so clever as he, considering situations. Upon my word, Harriet, allowing tor every ihing, neither of 8ir Charles Grandison’s sisters expected that their brother would have made so ardent, so polite, a h)ver. He is so prudent a man, and that once had like to have been one of /y^/er, even yor objections. Yet so nobly sincere so niaiily. O that my ape But come, Harriet, as men go in this age of monkeys and Sir Foplings, Lord (j. (for all you) is not to be despised. I, as a good wife, ought, will take his part, wiioever runs him down. Where much is not given, nmch, and so forth

I have told Emily the good news: I could not help it, though you promise to write to her. l^)or thing! she is all ecstacy! She is not the only one who seeks, as her greate^t good, v/hat may pos-sibly prove her greatest misfortune. But for her sake, for your sake, and my brother’s, I hope, under your directing eye, and l)y prudent management (the liaine so young) a little cold water will do; and that if it ivill blaze, it may be directed towards Beaucluimp’s house.

Let me v.hisper you again, Harriet Young girls, finding themselves vested with new powers, and a Si t of new inclinations, turn their staring eyes out of themselves; and the first man they see, they imagine, if he be a single man, and but siujpersat them, they must receive him as a lover: t’aen they return down-cast for ogle, that he may ogle on without interrup — tion. They are soon bi ought to write answers to letters ^^llieh confess flames the writer’s heart never ieit. file girl doubts not lur own gifts, her own coiisefjiviice: she wonders tiiat her father, mother, and other friends, never told her of these new-found e.xeciit i.cies: she is more and mure beautiful in her a 2 own eyes, as he more and more flatters her. If her parents are a-verse, the girl is per-verse; and the more, the less discretion there is in her passion. She adopts the word constanci/; she declaims against persecution: she calls her idle flame, love; a cupidity, which only was a something she knew not what to make of and, like a wandering bee, had it not set-tled on this flower, would on the next, were it either bitter or sweet.

And this generally, with the thoughtless, is the beginning and progress of that formidable invader, miscalled love: a word very happily at hand, to help giddy creatures to talk with, and look without confusion of face on, a man telling them a thousand lies, and hoping, perhaps by illaudable means, to attain an end not in itself illaudable, when duty and discretion are, the one the guide, the other the gentle restraint.

But as to Emily I depend on her principles, as well as on your affectionate discretion (when you will be pleased, among ye, to permit my brother to be actually yours) for restraining her imagination. There never beat in a female bosom an honestcr heart. Poor thing! she is biit a girl! And who is the woman, or child, that looks on my brother without love and reverence?

For Emily’s sake, you see, you must not have too many of your honest uncXeacircuni-roundabouts. He makes us laugh. I love to have him angry with his dame Selby . Dear Harriet, when your heart’s quite at ease, give us the courtship of the odd soul to //;e light ()f his eyes; ///s oddness, and //er delicacy! A charming contrast! You did help us to a little of it once, you know. Theirs, on the woman’s side, could not be much of love at first: but who so happy as they? I am convinced, Harriet, that love on one side, and discretion on the other, is enough in conscience; and, in short, much better than love on both: for what room can there be for discretion, in the latter case? The man is guilty of a heterodoxy in love, you know who hpriK/cut, or but suspected of being so! Ah Harriet, Harriet, once more I say, we women are foolish creatures in our love-affairs, and know not what’s best for ourselves. In your stile ‘ Don’t you think so, Lucy?’ Yet J admire Lucy She got over an improperly-placed love; and now, her mad fit over [we have all little or much of it; hcpin, as I told you how] she is so cool, so quiet, so sedate Yet once I make no doubt, looking forward to her present happy quiescence, would have thought it a state of insipidit3\ Dearly do we love racketing; and another whisper, some of us to be racketed Hut not i/ou! you are an exception. Yes, to be sure! But I believe you’ll think me mad.

We like my brother’s little trick upon you in the billet he wrote, and which you signed, as if to Emily. You see how earnest he is, xny dear. I long for hiis next letters from Italy. I think that is a lucky plea enough i’or you, if you suppose parade necessary.

We have got Lverard among us again. The sorry fellow O liarriet, had you seen him, with his hat upon his two thumbs, bowing, cringing, blushing, confounded, when first he came into my royal presence, i’ut I, from my throne, extended the golden sceptre to liiui, as I knew I should please my brother by it He srt (K)wn, when I bid him, twisted his lip.^, curdied his chin, hemm’d, stole a look of reve-rence at nu’. looked down when his eyes met mine; v)i)ic bold as innocence, ///. conscious as guilt; hcinm’d again, turned his hat about: then with one of his not (luite-forgotten airs of pertness, putting it under his arm, shook his eiU’s, tried to look u}); then ci 3 his eye sunk again under my broader eye. O my dear, what a paltry creature is a man vice-bitten, and sensible of detected folly, and obligation!

Sir Charles has made a man of him, once more. His dress is as gay as ever; and, I dare say, he struts as much in it as ever, in company that knows not how he came by it. He refoi’med! Bad habits are of the Jerusalem-artichoke kind; once planted, there is no getting them out of the ground.

Our good Dr. Bartlett is also with us, at present: he is in hopes of seeing my brother in town ‘ In town,’ Harriet! and the great affair unsolemn-ized! Woe be to you, if But let’s see how you act when left to yourself. Prudent people, in others matters, are not always prudent in their own; espe-cially in their love-affairs. A little over-nicety at setting out, will carry them into a road they never intended to amble in; and then they are sometimes obliged to the lesa prudent to put them in the path they set out from. Remember, my dear, I am at hand, if you bewilder yourself.

Dr. Bartlett tells us, that my brother has extri-cated this poor creature from his entanglements with his woman, by his interposition only by letter; some money, I suppose. The doctor desires to be silent, on the means; but hints, however, that Eve-rard will soon be in circumstances not unhappy.

I have got the doctor to explain himself. Every day produces some new instances of women’s follies. What would poor battered rakes and younger bro-thers do, when on their last legs, were it not for good natured widows? Ay, and sometimes for forward maids? This wretch, it seems, has acquitted himself so handsomely in the discharge of the 100l. which he owed to his wine-merchant’s relict, and the lady was so full of acknowledgments, and obli-gations, and all that, for being paid but licr due, that he has ventured to make love to her, as it is called, and is well received. He behaves with more spirit before her, I suppose, than he does before me.

The widow had a plain, diligent, honest man, before. She has what is called taste, forsooth, or believes she has. She thinks Mr. Grandison a finer gentleman than him who left her in a condition to be thought worthy the address of a gayer man. She prides herself, it seems, in the relation that her mar-riage will give her to a man of Sir Charles Grandison’s character. Much xvorse reasons will have weight, when a woman finds herself inclined to change her c(nidition. Ikit Everard is very earnest that my brother should know nothing of the matter till all is over: so you (as I) have this piece of news in confidence. Lady L. has not been told it. His cousin, he says, who refused him his interest with INIiss Mansfield, Lady VV.‘s sist^‘r, because he thought a further time of probation, with regard to his avowed good resolutions, necessary, would per-ha[)S, for the widow’s sake, if applied to, j^iit a spoke in /lis — a-‘u’i’l.

Everard (I can hardly allow myself to call him Grandison) avows avehenient passion for the widow. She is rich When they are set out together in taste, as she calls it, trade or business, her first rise, quite forgot, what a gay, what a frolick dance will she and her new husband, in a little while, lead up, on the grave of her poor, plain, despised one!

’Tis well, ’tis well, my dear Harriet, that I have a multitude of faults myself [witness, to go no fur-ther back, this letter] or I should de.>-pise nine parts of the world out often.

I find that Sir Charles, and ]>eauel)amp, and Dr. Bart’elt, correspond. Light is luirdly more active tluai my brother, nor lightning mure quick, when lie ii^is any thing to execute tli:it must or ought to he done. I beheve I told you early, that was apart of his character. You must not then wonder, or be orFended [shall I use the word nlft^nded, my dear?] that you, in )‘our turn, now he has found himself at liberty to address you, should be affected by his adroitness and vivacity in your femrilities, as uncle Selby calls them: aptly enough, I think; though I do not love that men should be so impudent, as either to abuse us, or even to find us out. You can-not always, were you to thiiik him too precipitating, separate disagreeable qualities from good in the same person; since, perhaps, the one is the consti-tutional occasion of the other. Could he, for ex ample, be half so useful a friend as he is, if he were to dream over a love-affair, as you would seem to have him”; in other words, gape over his ripened fruit till it dropt into his yaw-yaw-yawning mouth? He’ll certainly get you, Harriet, within, or near, his proposed time. Look about you. He’ll have you before you know where ycu are. By hook, as the saving is, will he pull you to him, struggle as you will (he has already got hold of you) or bij crook; inviting, way, compelling you, by his generosity, gentle shepherd-like, to nymph as gentle. What you do, therefore, do with such a grace as may preserve to you the appearance of having it in your power to lay an obligation upon him. It is the opinion of both his sisters, that he va’ues you more for your no])le expansion of heart, and not ignorant, but generous frankness of manners, yet mingled with dignity; than for even your beauty, Harriet Whether you, who are in sucii full possession, of every grace of person, care, as a woman, to hear of that, or not. His gay parterre similitude you re-member, my dear. It is my firm belief, that those are the greatest admirers of fine flowers, \\ho love to see then; in their borders, and seldomest pluck the fading fragrance. The other wretches crop, put them in their bosoms, and in an hour or two, rose, carnation, or whatever they be, after one parting smell, throw them away.

He is very busy, wherever he is. At his inn, I suppose, most. But he boasts not to you, or any-body, of what he does.

He writes now-and-then a letter to aunt Nell, and she is so proud of the favour Look you here, niece; look you here! But I shan’t shew you all he writes. On go the spectacles for she will not for the world part with the letter out of her hands. She reads one paragraph, one sentence, then another. On and oft’ go the spectacles, while she conjectures, explains, animadverts, applauds; and so goes on till she leaves not a line unread: then folding it up care-fully in its cover, puts it in her letter or ril)band — case, which shall I call it? For having but few let — ters to put in it, the case is filled with bits and ends of ribbands, patterns, and-so-forth, of all manner of colours, faded and fi-esh; with ipJenrdiigledoms of gold-beaters skin, plaisters for a cut finger, for a cl . . .;)t lip, a kibe, perhaps for corns; which she dispenses occasionally veiy bountifully, and values herself) as v.e see at such times l)y a double chin made triple) for being not unuseuU in her generation. Ciiide me, if you will; the humour’s upon me; hang mc if I care: you are only Harriot Byron, as yet. Cliange your name, and increase your conse-quence.

I have written a long letter already; and to what end? Only to expose myself, say you? True enough. But now, Harriet, to bribe you into passing a milder censure, let me tell you all I can pick up from the doctor, relating to my brother’s matters. Bribe shall I call this, or gratitude, for your free communicatini?

Matters between the Mansfields and the Keelings are brought very forward. Hang particulars: no-body’s aitairs lie near my heart but yours. The two families have already begun to visit. When my brother return.s, all the gentry in the neighbourhood are to be invited, to rejoice with the parties on the occasion.

Be so kind, my dear, as to dismiss the good man, as soon as your })uncti]io will admit. \\ e are contented, that, while he lays himself out so much in the service of others, he should do something for himself. You, my dear, we look upon as a high re-ward for his many great and good actions. But, as he is a man who has a dee]) sense of favours granted, and values not the blessing the more (when it ong/tt to be within his reach) because it is dear, as is the case of the sorry fellows in general, I would have you consider of it that’s all.

The doctor tells me, also, that the wicked Bol-ton’s ward is dead; and that every thing is con cluded, to Sir Charles’s salisi’aclion, with him; and the Mansfields (reinstated in all their rights) are once more a happy family.

Sir Hargrave is in a lamentable way; Dr. Bartlett has great compassion for him. Would 30U have vie })ity him, Harriet? You would, you say Well, then, I’ll try for it. As it was by his means you and we, and my brother, came acquainted, I think I vn/i/. He is to be brought to town.

Poor Sir llariy Beauchaaip! He is past recovery. Had the physicians given liini over when they first undertook him, he might, they say, have iuul a chance for it.

I told you that Emiiy’s mother was turned methodist. She has converted her husband. A strange alteration! But it is natural for such sort of people to pass from one extreme to another. Luiily ca-.y now-and-thon visits them. They are ready to worship her, for her duty and goodness. She is a lovely girl: she every day improves in her person, as well as in her mind. She is sometimes with me; some-times with Lady L.; sometimes with aunt Eleanor; sometimes with your Mrs. Jeeves. We are ready to h^^iit for her: but you will soon rob all of us. She is preparing for her journey to you. Poor girl! I pity her. Such a conflict in her mind, between her love of you, and tenderness for her guardian: her Anne has confessed to me, that she weeps one half of the night: yet forces herself to be lively in company. After the example of Miss Byron, she says, when she visited you at Selby-house. I hope, my dear, all will be right. But to go to live with a beloved object I don’t understand it. You, Harriet, may. I never was in love, God help me!

I am afraid the dear girl does too much for her mother. As they have so handsome an annuity, 1OOl. a year, so much beyond their expectation; I think she should not give, nor should they receive, anything considerable of her, without her guardian’s knowledge. She is laying out a great deal of money in new clothes, to do you and her guardian credit on your nuptials, poor thing! she says, with tears in her eyes but whether of joy, or sensibility, it is hard to decide; but I believe of both.

What makes me imagine she does more than she filiouki, is, tiiat a ueek ago she borrowed litty guineas of me; ami but yesterday came to me I should do a very wrong thing, said .viie, hiu^>!iing up to the ears, should I ask Lady L. to ie ul me a sum of money till my next quarter comes due, after I niadj m^st’if yo/— debtor so lately: but if you cniifcl lend me tiiirty or ibrty guineas uiore, } ou would do m,’ a ureat favour

My dear! said I: and stared at her.

Don’t question, don’t chide me, this one time. I never will run in debt again; I hate to be in debt. But you have bid me tell you all my wants.

I will not, my love, say another word. I will fetch you fifty guineas more.

More, my dear Lady G.! that is a pretty rub: but I will always, for the future, be within bounds: and don’t let my guardian know it He will kill me by his generosity; yet perhaps, in his own heart, wonder what I did with my money. If he thought ill of me, or that I was extravagant, it would break my heart.

Only, my dear, said I, remember, that 400l. a year Mrs. O’Hara cannot want any-thing to be done for her now.

Don’t call her Mrs. O’Hara! She is very good: call her my mother,

I kissed the sweet girl, and fetched her the other fifty guineas.

I thought it not amiss to give you this hint, my dear, against she goes down to you. But do you think it right, after all, to have her with my brother and you?

Lady L. keeps close She fasts, cries, prays, is vastly apprehensive: she makes me uneasy for her and myself. These vile men! I believe I shall hate them all. Did they partake But not half so grate-ful as the blackbirds: they rather look big with in solence, than perch near, and sing a song to com fort the poor souls they have so grievously mortified. Other birds, as I have observed (sparrows, in par-ticular) sit hour and hour, he’s and she’s, in turn; and J have seen the hen, when her rogue had staid too long, ratt/e at him, while he circles about her with sweeping wings, and displayed plumage, his head and breast of various dyes, ardently shining

Peep, peep, peep; as much as to say, I beg your pardon, love I was forced to go a great way off for ray dinner. Sirrr-rah! I have thought she has said, in an unforgiving accent Do your duty now Sit close Peep, peep, peep I will, I will, I will-Away she has skimmed, and returned to reheve him when she thought fit.

Don’t laugh at us, Harriet, in our mortified state [Begone, wretch IVhal have I done, madam’? staring! What have you done!?>Iy sorry creature came in wheedling, courting, just as I was pitying two meek sisters: Was it not enough to vex one? J Don’t laugh at us, I say \fy^f’ do! May my brother, all in good time, avenge us on you, prays, in malice,

CHARLOTTE G.


Letter XXVIII.
Hiss Byron to Lady G.

Wednesday evening, October 25. Fie upon you, LadyG! What a letter have you written! There is no separating the good from the bad ni it! With what dangerous talents are you entrusted! and what use do you make of them! I have written two long letters, continuing my narrative of our proceedings; but I nmst take you to severe task for this before me; and this and they shall go to-gether!

Wicked wit! What a ^oe art thou to decent cheerfulness! In a ivoman^s hand such a weapon! What might we not expect from it, were it in a man’s? How, you justify the very creatures of that Kcx;, whom you would be thought to despise.

But you say, you would not allow in a man, the liberties you yourself take with your own sex. How can you, my dear, be so partial to your faults, yet own them to be such? Would you rank with the worst of sinners? They do just so.

I may be a fool: I may be inconsistent: I may not know how with a grace to give effect to my own wishes: I may be able to advise better than act Most pragmatical creatures think they can be coun-sellors in another’s case, while their own affairs, as my uncle would say, lie at sixes and sevens. But how does this excuse yourfreedoms with your whole sex With the innocence of it, more particularly?

Let me say, my dear, that you take odious, yes odious, liberties; I won’t recal the word; liberties; which I cannot, though to shame you, repeat. Fie upon you, Charlotte!

And yet you say, that neither you nor Lady L. know how to blame me much, though, the man considered, you will not totally acquit me of parade; and in another place, that so far as we have proceeded, we have behaved tolerably. Why, then, all this riot? yes, riot, Charlotte! against us, and against our sex? What, but for riot’s sake?

‘ The humour upon you!’ The humour is upon you, with a witness! ‘ Hang you, if you care!’ But, my dear, it would be more to your credit, if you did care; and if you checked the wicked hu-mour. Do you think nobody but you has such talents? Fain would Flower you, since, as it is evident, you take pride in your licence Forgive me, my dear Yet I will not say half I think of your wicked wit. Think you, that there are not many who could be as smart, as surprising, as you, were they to indulge a vein of what you call humour? Do you think your brother is not one? Would not he be too hard for you at your own weapons?

Has he not convinced you that he could? but he, a man, can check the overflowing freedom.

But if I have set out wrong with your brother, I will do my endeavour to recover my path. You greatly oblige me with your conducting hand: but what necessity was there for you to lead me through briars and thorns, and to plunge me into two or three dirty puddles, in order to put me into the right path, when it lay before you in a direct line, without going a bow-shoot about?

Be pleased, however, to consider situation, on yny side, as well as on your brother’s: I might be some-what excusable for my awkwardness, perhaps, were it considered, that the notion of a double or divided love, on the man’s part, came often into my head: indeed could not be long out; the lady so superla-tively excellent! his affection for her, soalloivabL/, as well as avowedly, strong! Was it possible to avoid little jealousies, little petulances, when slights were imaginable? The more for the excellency of the man; the more for my past weakness of so manij months r* I pretend not, my dearest Charlotte, to be got above nature: I know I am a weak silly girl: I am humbled in the sense I have of his and Clemen-tina’s superior merits. True love will ever make a person think meanly of herself, in proportion as she thinks highly of the object. Pride will be up, some-times; but in the pull two ways, between that and mortitication, a torn coat will be the consequence: and must not the tatterdemalion (What a new language will my uncle teach me I) then look simply?

You bid me ask my aunt You bid me tell my uncle Naughty Charlotte! I will ask, I will tell them, nothing. Pray write me a letter next, that I can read to llicin. I skipt this passage Read that ‘um ‘uni ‘um Then ^kipt again Hcv-dav! R ‘I

What’s come to the girl? cried my uncle: Can Lady G. write what Harriet cannot read? [There was a rebuke for you, Charlotte!] For the love of God, let me read it! He bustled, laughed, shook his shoulders, rubbed his hands, at the imagination Some pretty roguery, I warrant: dearly do I love Lady G. If you love me, Harriet, let me read; and once he snatched one of the sheets. I boldly strug-gled with him for it For shame, Mr. Sclby, said my aunt. My dear, said my grandmother, if your uncle is so impetuous, you must shew him no more of your letters.

He then gave it up Consider, Charlotte, what a finepieceof work we should have had with my uncle, had he read it through!

But, let me see What are the parts of this wicked letter, for which I can sincerely thank you? O my dear, I cannot, cannot, without soiling my fingers, pick them out Your intelligences, however, are among those which I hold for favours.

Poor Lmily! that is a subject which delights, yet saddens, me We arelaiidalj/ijfond of distinguishing merit. But your brother’s is so dazzling Every woman is one’s rival. But no more of my Emily! Dear creature! the subject pains me Yet I cannot quit it.’ You ask, if, after all, I think it right that she should live with me? What can I say H for/icr sake, perhaps, it will not: yet how is her heart set upon it! For my own sake, as there is no perfect happiness to be expected in this life, I could be content to bear a little pain, were that dear girl to be either benefited or pleasured by it. Indeed I love her, at my heart And what is more I love myself for so sincerely loving her.

In th w icked part of your letter, what you write of your aunt Eleanor But I have no patience with you, sinner as you are against light, and better knowledge! and dcrider of the infirmities, not of old maids,but of old agtl Dont’tyou hope to livelong, yourself? That worthy lady wears not spectacles, Charlotte, because she never was so happy as to be married. Wicked Charlotte! to owe such obligation to the generosity of good Lord G. for taking pity of you in time [Were you four or five-and-twenty when he honoured you with his hand at St. George’s church?J and yet to treat luui as you do, in more places than one, in this very letter!

But I will tell you what . I will do with this same strange letter I will transcribe all the good things in it. There are many which both delight and instruct; and some morning, before I dress for the day, I will [Sad task, Charlotte! But it shall be by way of penance for some of my faults and follies!] transcribe the intoUerable passages; so make two letters of it. One I will keep to shew my friends here, in order to increase, if it be possible, their admiration of my Charlotte; the bad one I will present to you. I know I shall transcribe it in a violent hurry Not much matter whether it be legible, or not. The hobbling it will cause in the reading, will make it appear w-orse to you, than if you could read it as glibly as you write. If half of it be illegible, enough will be left to make you blush for the whole, and wonder what sort of a pen it was that somebody unknown to you, put into your standish.

After all, spare me not, my ever-dear, my ever-charming friend! spare only your-scff: don’t let Charlotte run away from both G ‘s. You will then be always ecjually sure of my admiration and love. For dearly do I love you, with all your faults; so dearly, that when I consider your taults by them-selves, I am ready to arraign my heart, and to think there is more of the roguery of my Charlotte in it llian I will allow of.

One punishment to you, I Intend, my dear In all my future letters, I will write as if I had never seen this your naughty one. Indeed I am in a kind of way, faulty or not, that I cannot get out of, all at once; but as soon as I can, I will, that I may better justify my displeasure at some parts of your letter, by the observance I will pay to others. That is a sweet sentence of my Charlotte’s: ‘ Change your name, and increase your consequence.’ Reflect, my dear; How naughty must you have been, that such a charming instance of goodness could not bribe you to spare

Your ever-affectionate and grateful

HARRIET BYRON?


Letter XXIX.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Selby-lioui-e, Tuesday irorninj.’, October 24. Mr. Deane would not go back with us. He laid a strict chai’ge upon me, at parting, not to be punc-tilious.

I am not, my dear Lady G. Do yon think I am? The men are their own enemies, if they wish iis to be open-hearted and sincere, and are not so them-selves. Let them enable us to depend on their can — dour, as mucli as we may on that of Sir Charles Grandison, and the women will be inexcusable, who shall play either the prude or the coquet with them. You will say, I am very cunning, perhaps, to form at the same time a xu\eJ’rom, and an excuseyor, my own conduct to this excellent man: but be that as; it will, it is truth.

We sent our duty hist night to Shirley-manor, and expect every moment the dear parent there with us.

She is come. I will go down; and if I get her by myself, or only with my aunt and Lucy, I will tell her a thousand thousand agreeable things, which have passed since last I had her tender blessing.

We have had this Greville and this Fenwick here. I could very well have spared them. Miss Orme came hither also, uninvited, to breakfast; a favour she often does us. I knew not, at first, how to behave to Sir Charles before her: she looked so jealous of him! so cold! Under her bent brow she looked at him: Yes, and No, were all her answers, with an air so stiff! But this reserve lasted not above a quarter of an hour. Sir Charles addressed himself to me, with so much respect; to he>-, with so polite a free-dom; that she could not hold her shyness.

Her brow cleared up; her eyes looked larger, and more free. Her buttoned-up pretty mouth opened to a smile: she answered, she asked questions; gave her required opinion on more topics than one, and was o/ all Miss Orme.

Every-body took great notice of Sir Charles’s fine address to her, and were charmed with him; for we all esteem Mr. Orme, and love his sister, liovv pleasant it was to see the sunshine break out in her amiable countenance, and the gloom vanishing, by degrees!

She took me out into the lesser parlour What a strange variable creature am I! said she: How I hated this Sir Charles Grandison, before I saw him! I was vexed to find him, at first sight, answer what I had heard of him; for I was resolved to dislike him, though he had been an angel: But, ah, my poor brother! I am afraid, that I myself shall be ready to give up his interest! No wonder, my dear

Miss Byron, that nobody else would do, when you liad seen this man! But still, let me bespeak your pity for my brother. Would to Heaven you had not gone to London! What went you thither for?

Sir Charles kindly enquired of her after Mr.

Orme’s health; praised him for his character; wished his recovery; and to be allowed to cultivate the friendship of so worthy a man: and all this with an air so sincere! But good men must love one another.

Sir Charles has just now declared to ray aunt, that he thinks of going up to town, or to Grandison-hall, I forget if they told me which, tomorrow or next day: perhaps he knows not to ivhich himself. I was surprised. Perhaps he is tired with us. Let me recollect Thursdaij ivas sti’nni’rht! Why indeed he has been do^n with us twelve days! No less!

But he has no doubts, no suspenses from us, to keep love awake: his path is plain?,nd smooth before him. He had demanded his day: we think we cannot immediately, and after so short a time past since his declaring himself, give it him And why should he lose his precious time among us? I suppose he will be so good as to hold himself in readiness to obey our summons He expects a summons from us, perhaps!

O my dear Lady G! am I not perverse? I believe I am. Yet where there is room, from past circum-stances, to dread a slight, though none may be in tended, and truly as I honour and revere Lady Clementina, my mind is not always great enough (perhaps from consciousness of demerit) to carry itself above apprehension and petulance, noble as is the man.

My uncle is a little down upon it; because, truly, my grandmamma has told him, that it is really loo early yet to fix the day; and he reverences, as every-body does, her judgment.

But why, he asks, cannot there be preparation making? VVhy may not something be seen gohtg Jorv^nrdi

Whnl! before the day is named? my aunt asks As Hanict had desired to have his next letters arrive before she directly answered his question, she could nut recede. lie went from them both greatly dissatisfied, and exclaiming against women’s loveof power, and never knowing how to make a right use of it.

A message from Sir Charles. He desires to attend me. I believe I shall be a little sullen: I know my heart: it is all his own; and I am loth to disoblige him But he was far, far more attendant on I^ady Clementina’s motions: Don’t you think so, LadyG.? But she was all excellence Well But hush! I say no more!

I will give you an account of our conversation, I verily believe, that, had he not touched the poor snail with too hast}^ a finger, which made her shrink again into her shell, I might have been brought to name the week, though not the day.

But I will not anticipate. lie entered with a very polite and affectionate air. lie enquired after my health, and said, I looked not well 0\\\y vexed; thought I.

It is impossible, I believe, to hold displeasure in the presence of a beloved object, with whom we are not mortally offended. My dearest Miss Byron, said he, taking my passive hand, I am come to ask your advice on twenty subjects, in the first place, here is a letter from Lady (i reconunendmg to me a house near her own [He gave it to me. I read it]. Should you, madam, approve of (irobvenor Square!’’

I was silent: you will guess how my captious folly appeared to him, by what he said to me. He respect-fully took my hand Why so solemn, dear madam? Why so silent? Has any-thing disturbed you? Some little displeasure seems to hang upon that open coun-tenance. Not at me, I hope?

Yes it is! thought I. But I did not intend you should see it. I cleared up; and, without answering his question, said, It is in the neighbourhood of Lady L. I hope?

Thank you, madam, for that Jiope It is. Not far from your cousin Reeves’s.

I can have no objection. Sir.

I will refer myself, on this subject, if you please, to ray sisters, and Lord G. He values himself on his taste in houses and furniture, and will be delight-ed to be put into commission with my sisters on this occasion: or shall I stay till the happy day is over, and leave the choice wholly to youself?

Lady G. Sir, seems pleased with the house. She writes, that there is somebody else about it. It may not, then, be to be had.

Shall I, then, commission her to take it directly?

What you please, Sir.

He bowed to me, and said, Then that matter is settled. And now, madam, let me own all my arts. You would penetrate into them if I did not. You see, that the great question is never out of my view I cannot but hope and believe, that you are above regarding mo-c punctilio. Have you, my dearest Miss Byron, thought, can you think, of some early week, in which to fix my happy day? Some preparation on your part, I presume, will be thought necessar}’: as to mine, were you to bless me with your hand next week, I should be aforehand in that particular.

I was silent, I was considering how to find some middle way that should make non-compliance ap-pear neither disobliging, nor affected.

He looked up at me with love and tenderness in his aspect; but, having no answer, proceeded:

Your uncle, madam, and Mr. Deane, will inform you, that the settlements are such as cannot be disapproved of. I expect every day some slight tokens of my affection for my dear Miss Byron, which will be adorned by the lovely wearer: I have not been so extravagant in them, as shall make her think I build on toys for her approbation. She will allow me to give her my notions on this subject. In the article of personal appearance, I think, that propriety and degree should be consulted, as well as fortune. Our degree, owr fortune, madam, is not mean: but I, who always wished for the revival of sumptuary laws, have not sought, in this article, to emulate princes. In my own dress, I am generally a conformist to the fashion. Singularity is usually the indication of something wrong in judgment. I rather perhaps dress too shewy, though a young man, for one who builds nothing on outward appearance: but my fa-ther loved to be dressed. In matters which regard not morals, I choose to appear to his friends and tenants, as not doing discredit to his magnificent spirit.* I could not think it becoming, as those perhaps do, who have the direction of the royal stamp on the coin, to set my face the contrary way to that of my predecessor. In a word, all njy fa-ther’s steps, in which I could tread, I did; and have chosen rather to build upon, than demolish, his foundations But how does my vanity mislead me! I have vanity, madam; I have pride, and some con* Mis’* iijron observe^, Vol. I. Let. \xxvi. p. 272. tl.at Sir Charlcj’s dress and eqiiipa^jc are rather ga> thaii plain. She little thought, at that time, that he had?urh a reason to give An it,T> he liere sii<;cP!^is. sequential failings, which I cannot always get above: but, anxious as I ever shall be for your approbation, my whole heart shall be open to you: and every motive, every spring of action, so far as I can trace it, be it to my advantage or not, shall be made known to you. Happy the day that I became acquainted with Dr. Bartlett! He will tell you, madam, that I am corrigible. You must perfect, by your sweet conversation,?/-coupled with fear, what Dr. Bart-lett has so happily begun; and I shall then be more worthy of you than at present I am.

O, Sir, you do me too much honour! You must be my monitor. As to the ornaments you speak of, I hope I shall always look upon simplicity of man-ners, a grateful return to the man I shall vow to honour, and a worthy behaviour to all around me, as my principal ornaments!

He bowed his face upon my hand, to hide, as I thought, his emotion. Excellent iMiss Byron! said he: then, after a pause, Now let me say, that I have the happiness to find my humble application to you acceptable to every one of your friends. The only woman on earth, whom, besides yourself, I ever could have wished to call mine, and all her ever-to-be respected family, (pleading their own sakes) join their wishes in my favour; and, were you to desire it, would. I am sure, signify as much to you under their own hands. I know not whether I could so far have overcome my own scruples in behalf of your delicacy (placing myself, as persons always ought when they hope for favour, in the granter’s place) as to supplicate you so soon as I have done, but at the earnest request of a family, and for the sake of a lady, I must ever hold dear. The world about you expects a speedy celebration. I have not, I own, been back-ward to encourage the expectation: it was impossible to conceal from it the motive of my coming down, as my abode was at an inn, I came with aii equi-page, because my pride (How great is my pride!) permitted me not to own that I doubted. Have you, madam, a material objection to an early day? Be so good to inform me, if you have. I wish to remove every shadow of doubt from your heart. I was silent. He proceeded: Let me not pain you, madani! lifting my hand to his lips I would not pain you for the world. You have seen the unhappy Olivia: you have perhaps heard her story from herself. What must be the cause upon which self-partiality cannot put a gloss? Because I knew not how (it was shocking to my nature) to repulse a lady, she took my pity for encouragement. Pity from a lady of a man, is noble The declaration of pity from a man for a woman, may be thought a vanity bordering upon insult. Of such a nature is not mine She has some noble qualities From my heart, for her character’s sake, I pity Olivia: and the more, for that violence of temper which she never was taught to restrain. If, madani, you have any scruples on her account, own them: I will, for I honestly can^ remove them.

O Sir! None! None! Not the least, on that unhappy lady’s account

Let me say, proceeded he, that Olivia reveres you, and wishes you (I hope cordially, for she is afraid still of your sister-excellence) to be mine. Give me leave to boast (it /,s my boast), that though I have had pain from individuals of your sex, I can look back on my past life, and bless (iod that I never, from child-hood to manliuod, wilfully gave pain either to the MOTHERLY or SISTERLY heart*; nor from manhood to the present hour, to any other woman.

* See his mother’s written acknowledgment to this purpose. Vol. 1[. p. ‘225.

O Sir! Sir! What is it you call jia’ui, if at this instant (and I said it with tears) that which your goodness makes me feel, is not so? The dear, the excellent Clementina I What a perverseness is in her fate! She, and she only, could have deserved you!

He bent his knee to the greatly-honoured Harriet I acknowledge with transport, said he, the joy you give me by your magnanimity; such a more than sisterly magnanimity to that of Clementina. How nobly do you authorize my regard for her! In;/oM, madam, shall I have all her excellencies, without the abatements which must have been allowed, had she been mine, from consideration s of religion and country. Believe me, madam, that my love of her, if I know my heart, is of such a nature, as never can abate the fervor of that I vow to you. To both of you, my principal attaclmient was to mind: yet let me say, that the personal union, to which you discourage me not to aspire, and the du-ties of that most intimate of all connexions, will pre serve to you the due preference; as (allow me to say) it would have done to her, had she accepted of my vows.

Sir! belitive me incapable of affectation, of pe-tulance, of disguise! My heart (Vv’hy should I not speak freely to Sir Charles Grandison?) is wholly yours! It never knew another lord! I will flatter myself, that, had you never known Lady Clemen-tina, and had she not been a prior love, you never, would have had a divided heart! What pain must you have had in the conflict! My regard for you bids me acknowledge my own vanity, in my pity for you!

I gushed into tears You must leave me, Sir I cannot bear the exaltation you have given me!

I turned away my face: I thought I should have fainted.

He clasped me to his bosom: he put his cheek to mine: for a moment we neither of us could speak.

He broke the short silence. I dread the effects on your tender health, of the pain that I, or rather your own greatness of mind, gives you. Beloved of my heart! kissing my cheek, wet at that moment with the tears of both, forgive me! And be assured, that reverence will ahiuiijs accompany my love. Will it be too much, just now, to re-urge the day that shall answer the wishes of Clementina, of her noble bro-thers, of all our own friends, and make you wholly mine?

His air was so noble; his eyes shewed so much awe, yet such manly dignity, that my heart gave way to its natural impulse Why, Sir, should I not declare mvreliance on your candour? My honour, in the world’s eye, I entrust to vom: but bid nie not do an iniju-oper thing, lest my uv.siic of obliging you should make me forget myself.

Was not this a generous resignation? Did it not deserve a generous return? But he, even Sir Charles Grandison, endeavoured to make his advantage of it, letters from Italy unreceived! as if he thought my reference to those a punctilio also.

What a dejjosit! Your honour, madam, is safely entrusted. Can punctilio be honour? It is but the shadow of it. \\ hat but that stands against your grant of an early day? Do not think me misled by my impatience to call you mine, to take an undue advantage of your condescension. Is it not the hap-piness oi’ both that I wish to confirm? And shall I suffer false delicacy, false gratitude, to take place of the true? Allow me, madam But you seem uneasy I will prolong the time I had intended to beg you would permit me to limit you to. Let nie re-({uest from you the choice of some one happy day, before the expiration of the next fnurfccn

Consider, Sir!

Nothing, madam, happening in my behaviour to cause you to revoke the generous trust: from abroad there cannot.

He looked to be in earnest in his request: Was it not almost an ungenerous return to my confidence in him? Twelve days only had elapsed since his per-sonal declaration; the letters from Italy which he had allowed me to wait for, unreceived; Lady D. one of the most delicate-minded of women, knowing too my preferable regard for your brother? And must not the hurry have the worse appearance for that f No preparation yet thought of: my aunt thinking his former urgency, greatly as she honours him, rather too precipitating My spirits, hurried before, were really aifected. Do not call me a silly girl, dearest Lady G.: I endeavoured to speak; but, at the instant, could not distinctly.

I am sorry, madam, that what I have said has so much disturbed you. Surely, some one day in the fourteen

Indeed, indeed, Sir, interrupted I, you|liave sur-prised me: I did not think you could have wished so to limit me I did not expect

What, loveliest of women! will you allow me to expect? The day is still at your own choice. Re-voke not, however, the generous concession, till Mrs. Shirley, Mrs. Selby, and our Lucy, are consulted. Will you, dearest madam, be determined by them?

Say not, Sir, to any of them, after such an instance of my confidence in you for the honour of jour accustomed generosity, say it not that you could so limit me; and I will endeavour to forget it.

Consider, my dearest Miss Byron

I believe my grandmamma is come, said I

They are all goodness: they will indulge me. I will tell you, madam, taking my hand, and seating me, what is my intention if you approve of it. All the country suppose that my application for your fa-vour meets with encouragement: they expect, as I have told you, a speedy solemnization. I took my lodgings at some little distance from you, at a place of public entertainment; perhaps (pardon me, ma-dam, for the sake of my ingenuousness) with some view, that the general talk [See, Lady G.! it is well he is a good man!] would help to accelerate my happy day: but, madam, to continue my daily visits from thence, when my happiness is supposed to be near, will not perhaps look so vreU [\Yc are to be studious oi looks, it seems] Indeed I would not be thought to despise the world’s opinion: the world, when it will have patience to stay till it is master of facts, is not always wrong: it can judge of others, better th;;n it can act itself The change of mylodgings to others in this house, or in Shirley-manor, will not perhaps be allowed till I am blessed with the hand of the dearest relation of both: I therefore think of going up to town, dcdaredlij (Why not?) to prepare for our nuptials; and to return near the time agreed upon for the happy celebration. Then will either this house, or Shirley-manor, be allowed to receive the happiest of men.

He stopt: I was silent. He proceeded, looking tenderly, yet smilingly, in my downcast face, still holding my hand: And now, dearer to me than life, let me ask you Can you think it an unpardonable intrusion on your condescending goodness, that I make the time of my return to my Miss Byron not over-tedious? Fourteen days, were you to go to the extent of them, would be an age to me, wlio have been for so many days past as happy as a man in expectation can be. I do assure you, madam, that I could not have had the insolence to make you a request, which I rather expected to be forgiven, than complied with. I thought myself not ungene-rous to the confidence you reposed in me, that I gave you so much time. I thought of a xveek, and began apologizing, lest you should think it too short; but, when I saw you disturbed, I concluded with the mention of a fortnight. My dearest creature, think me not unreasonable in my expectations of 3’our compliance

What, Sir! in a fortnight?

As to preparations, madam, you know the pleasure my sisters will have in executing any commissions you will favour them with on so joyful an occasion. Charlotte had not no much time for preparation. But were not every-thing to be in readiness by the chosen day, there will be time enough for all you wish, before you would perhaps choose to see company Consider, my dearest life, that if you regard punctilio merely; punctilio has no determinate end: punctilio begets punctilio. You may not half a year hence imagine that to be sufficiently gratified. And allow me to say, that I cannot give up my hope till your grandmamma and aunt decide that I ought.

How, Sir! And can you thus adhere? But I will allow of your reference

And be determined by their advice, madam?

But I will not trust you, Sir, with pleading your own cause.

Are you not arbitrary, madam?

In this point, if I am, ought I not to be so?

Yes, if you will resume a power you had so gene-rously resigned.

May I not, Sir, when I think it over-strained in the hands of the person to whom, in better hopes, it was delegated?

That, dear lady, is the point to be tried. You consent to refer the merits of it to your grand-mamma and aunt?

If I do, Sir, you ought not to call me arbitrary.

It is gracious, bowing, in my sovereign lady, to submit her absolute will and pleasure to arbitration.

Very well, Sir! But will you not submit to mi/ oivn award?

Tell me, dear ^liss Byron, tell me, if I do, how generous will you be?

I was far from intending

Was, madam I hope I may dwell upon that word, and repeat my question?

Am, Sir. I (un far from intending

No more, dear madam. I appeal to another tri-bunal.

Well, Sir, I will endeavour to recollect the sub-stance of this conversation, and lay it, in writing, before the judges you have named. Lucy shall be a third.

You will perniit me, madam, to see your state of the case, before you lay it before the judges?

No, Sir. None but they must see it, till it makes part of a letter to Lady G. who then shall shew it only to Lady L.

It is the harder to be thus prescribed to, my dear Miss Byron, because

What, Sir, in my day?

That was what I was going to urge, because mine will never come. Every day, to the end of my life, will be yours [Dear man!j Only, Sir, as I deserve your kindness: I wish not for it on other terms. And you:— h;dl be then sole judge of my deserts. I will not ai)peal to any other tribunal.

He gracefully bowed. I think, said he, smiling, I must withdraw my intended appeal: I am half-afraid of mj’ judges; and perhaps ought to rely wholly on your goodness.

No, no, Sir! Your intention is your act. In that sense you have appealed to Caesar.*

I never before was in love with despotism. You mention writing to my sisters: you correspond with them, I presume, as you formerly did with our Lucy, Let me tell you, madam, that you had not been Miss Byron, fourteen days after I was favoured with the sight of those letters, had I been at liberty to offer you my heart, and could I have prevailed on you to accept it. Your distress, your noble frankness of heart

And let me own, Sir, as an instance of the frankness you are pleased to encourage, that gratitude for the deliverance you so nobly gave me, had as much power over my heart, as the openness of mine, and my distress, could have over yours.

Sweet excellence! Complete your generous goodness to a grateful heart; it is a grateful one; and shorten the days of your single power, in order to enlarge it!

Lucy appeared; but seeing us engaged in conver-sation, was about to retire: but he, stepping to her, and taking both her hands Our Lucy, obligingly, said he, you must come in You are to be one judge of three in a certain cause, that will come before you And I hope

No prejudgings. Sir Charles, said I You are not to plead at all^

Yet deeply interested in the event, ^liss SeJby! said he.

A bad sign, cousin Byron! said Lucy. I begin already to doubt the justice of your cause.

Allu(iint. — to icstiis’s answer to St. Paul, Acts x.w, 12.

When you hear it, Lucy, make, as you usually doy. the golden rule yours, and I have nothing to fear.

I tell you, before-hand, I am inclined to favour Sir Charles. No three judges can be found, but will believe, from his character, that he cannot be wrong.

But from mine, that I may .’ O my Lucy! I did not expect this from my cousin. You must not, I think, be one of my judges.

To this place, I have shewn my three judges. The following is their determination, drawn up by the dear lady president, my grandmamma:

SIR CHARLES GRANDISON, AGAINST HARRIET BYRON. ET E CONTRA.

We, the undenvrittcn, do find, upon the case laid before us by the said Harriet, that, in the whole conversation between the said Sir Charles and her, she has behaved herself with that true virgin deli-cacy, yet with that laudable unreservedness, that might be expected from /^cr character, and his merits. We think, the gentleman has the advantage of the lady in the arguments for the early day contended for; and. if she had defended herself by little artifices and disguises, we should have had no scruple to decide against her: but as she has shewn, throughout the conversation, noble instances of generosity, trust reposed, and even acknowledged affection; we re-connnend to thcni both a compromise.

We allow, therefore, Sir Charles Grandison to pursue his intentions of going up to town; declared-ly to prepare for the happy day; and recommend it to Harriet, in consideration of the merits of the requester (who lays his whole heart open before her, in a manner too generous not to meet with a like return) to fi\ as early a day as in prudence she can.

For the rest, May the Almighty shower down his blessings on both! May all their contentions, like this, be those of love, and true delicacy! May they live together many, very many, happy years, an example of conjugal felicity! And may their exem — plary virtues meet with an everlajsting reward! So prays, so subscribes,

HEXIMETTA SHIRLEY.

MARIANNE SELBY.

LUCY SELBY.

To-morrow morning, when Sir Charles comes to breakfast, this paper will be presented to him by my grandmamma.

I wonder whether Sir Charles writes to Dr. Bartlett an account of what passes here. If he does, what would I give to see his letters! and, particularly, what he thinks of the little delays he meets with! But do, dear Lady G. acquit me of affectation and parade. Indeed it is not that. I hope he himself acquits me, and censures himself! for, upon my word, he is unreasonably hasty.

I could not but express a little curiosity about his hint of Lady Olivia’s favourable opinion of me, though not at the time; and he was so good as to shew me, and my grandmamma and aunt, a most extraordinary character which she gave me in a long letter*. I,?rnu it was a long letter: I was very Eve-UIi, my dear. Lucy said after wards, that I did so leer at it: an ugly word, im])ort,ing slinesx; and, after I was angry at myself for giving her the idea that put her upon applying i.t, I chid her for using it.

Lady Olivia writes such liigli tailings, my dear! I blushed I did not, could not, deg-erve them, I always pitied her, you know; but now you cannot imagine how much more than ever I pity her. Do all of us, indeed, as the men s;iy, love flattery? I did not think I did I shall find out all the obliquities of my heart, in time. I was supposed once to be so ^ooda creature as if none other were half so good! Ah, my partial friends! you studied your Harriet in the dark; but here comes the sun darting into all the crooked and obscure corners of my heart; and I shrink from his dazzling eye; and, compared to him (and Clementina, let me add) appear to myself iwc/i a nothing

Nay. I have had the mortification, once or twice, to think myself less than the very Olivia, upon whom, but lately, secure of my tnind’s superiority to her mind, I looked down with a kind of proud compcission: And whence this exaltation of Olivia, and self-humiliation? Why, from her magnifying beyond measure the poor Harriet, and yielding up her own hopes, entreating him, as she does, to address me; and that with such honourable distinction, as if my acceptance of him were doubtful, and i; conde-scension.

I wish I could procure you a copy of what your brother read to me Ah, my dear! it is very soothing to mv pride! But what is ihcj’oundnlion of that pride? is it not my ambition to be thought worthily of by the best of men? And does not praise stimulate me to resolve to de^wrve praise? I will endeavour to deserve it. But, my dear, this Olivia, a fine figure herself, and loving in spite of discouragement, can praise, to the object of her love, the pcr.soit, and still more, the mind, of her rival? Is not that great in Olivia? Could I be so great, if I thought myself in danger from her!


Letter XXX.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Selby-house, Wednesday, October 25. Sir Charles came not this morning till we were all assembled for breakfast. I had begun to think, whe-ther, if I had been Sir Charles, and he had been Miss Byron, I would not have been here an hour before, expecting the decision of the judges to whom a certain cause was referred. O my dear Lady G.! l\ow narrow-minded I am, with all my quondam he-roism! The knowledge of his past engagements with the excellent Clementina, and of his earnest wishes then to be here, makes me, on every occasion that can be tortured into an appearance of neglect or coldness, so silly! — Indeed I am ashamed of myself. But all my petulance was dispelled, the instant he shone upon us.

Well, my dear ladies, said he, the moment he took his place, whisperingly to my grandmamma, Is sentence given?

It is. Sir Charles He took my hand, cross my Nancy’s lap, as she sat between him and me ^I have hopes, my dear Miss Byron [from the foolishness in my looks, I suppose] that you are cast.

Have patience. Sir, said I It is well that the best of us are not always to be our own carvers.

He looked, Lucy said afterwards, with eyes of love upon me, and of apprehension on his judges; and the discourse turned upon indifferent subjects.

I retired as soon as breakfast was over; ajid he demanded his sentence.

My uncle was, as he called it, turned out nfdnar before my grandmamma gave your brother the paper.

Sir Charles read it You are not serious upon it, Sir Charles? said my grandmamma. I am infinitely obliged to you, ladies, replied he. I love to argue with my dear Miss Byron: I must attend her, this moment.

He sent up Sally before him, and came up. I was in my closet; and scrupled not to admit him.

Henceforth, my dearest dear Miss Byron, said he, the moment he approached me (as I stood up to re-ceive him) I salute you undoubtedly mine And he saluted me with ardor I knew not which way to look So polite a lover, as I thought him! Yet never man was so gracefully free! It remains now, madam, proceeded he, still holding my hand, to put to trial your goodness to me [You have done that already, thought I!] in the great question, by which I am to conduct myself for the next week, or ten days.

A week or ten days! thought I. Surely, Sir, you are an encroacher.

You see, Sir, said I, when a little recovered, what judges who, on such points as these, cannot err, have determined.

Yes, they can, interrupted he: as ladies, they are parties But I submit. Their judgment must be a law to me I will go up to town, as they advise. I cannot, however, be long absent from you. When I return, I will not put up at a public place. Either your uncle, or your grandmother, must allow me to be their guest. This will oblige you, I hope, even for dear punctilio sake, to honour me with your hand very soon after ray return.

He paused: I was silent.’ His first address had put me out. Remember, madam, I said, resumed he, that I cannot be long absent: you are above being governed by mere punctilio. Add to the obligations your generous acceptance of me has laid m under Why sighs my angel? [It was, my dear Lady G, an involuntary sigh!] For the world, I would not give you either sensible or lasting pain. But if the same circumstances would make your nomination of a day as painful to you, some time hence, as now, then bless me with as early a day as you CAN give me, to express myself in the words of my judges.

This, Sir, said I (but I hesitated, and looked down) is one of the solemn points which precede one of the most solemn circumstances of my life. You seem more in earnest for an early day than I could have expected. When I have declared that affectation has no part in the more distant compli-ance, I may be allowed, by the nicest of my own sex, to lay open to a man so generous, though so precipitating, my whole heart. Indeed, Sir, it is wholly yours I blushed, as I felt, and turned away my face. It zvas a free declaration: but I was re-solved to banish affectation. He bowed profoundly on my hand, and kissed it. Gratitude looked out in his eyes, and appeared in his graceful manner, though attentively silent.

You were my deliverer, proceeded I. An esteem founded on gratitude, the object so meritorious, ought to set me above mere forms Our judges say, that you have the advantage in the argument

I will lay no stress, madam, on this part of their judgment in my favour To your goodness, and to that so nobly acknowledged esteem, I wholly refer myself

I think myself, proceeded I, that you have the ad-vantage in the argument All that is in my power, I would wish to do, to oblige you

Condescending goodness! Again he kissed my hand.

Do you think. Sir am CHARLES grandison. 207

Why hesitates my love?

Do you think, six weeks

Six ages, my dearest, dearest creature? Six weeks! For Heaven’s sake, madam He looked, he spoke, impatience.

What can a woman, who has owned your title to expect to be obliged, say? Let me, at least, ask (and I unaffectedly hesitated) arnonth, Sir from this day And that you will acknowledge yourself not per-versely or weakly treated.

He dropt on one knee, and kissing my hand with rapture, IVilhin the month, then, I hope I cannot live a month from you Allow me to return in the first fortnight of the month

O Sir! and take up your residence with us, on your return?

Undoubtedly, madam. Consider, Sir Do you also, dearest madam, consider; and banish me not from 3’ou for so very long a time.

My heart tcaw/ff/, I thought, to oblige him; but to allow him to return sooner, as he was to take up his abode with us, what was that, but, in effect, complying with his first proposal?

Permit me, Sir, to retire. Indeed you are too urgent.

He a.-ked my excuse; but declared, that he would not give up his humble ])lea [humble he called it) unless my gi’iViHlniamma and aunt told him, that he ought.

On his leaving me to return to company below, he presented me with four little boxes. Accept, my beloved Miss Byron, said he, of these trifles. I re — ceived them not till this morning. I oblige nii/xclj by the tender, and I comply with custom, which I am fond of doing, whenever I can innocently do it. But I know, that you, my dear Miss Byron, value the heart more than a thousand times the value of these T ‘2

Mine, madam, is yours, and will be yours to the end of my life.

What could I say? My heart, on recollection, reproaches me for my ungrateful acceptance. I courtesied. I was silly. Sir Charles Grandison only can be present to every occasion.

He looked as if my 720^ refusing them was a favour more than equivalent to the value of the presents. My dearest life, said he, on my putting them on my toilette, how much you oblige me! Shall I conduct you ro our friends below? Will you acquaint your grandmamma and aunt with our debate, and my bold expectation?

I stood still. He took my hand, pressed it with his lips, and, with a reverence more than usually profound, as if he had received instead of conferred a fa — vour, withdrew. Never was a present so gracefully made! I cannot describe the grace with vi’hich he made it.

My uncle, it seems, as soon as he went down, asked him, How we had settled the great affair? My grandmamma and aunt in a breath asked him, If their Harriet had been good? or, as good as he expected?

Miss Byron, said he, has taken more time than I could have wished she had. A month, she talks of.

Has she complied so far? said my grandmamma: I am glad of it. I was afraid she would have insisted upon more time

So was I, said my aunt. But who can withstand Sir Charles Grandison? Has the dear girl given you the very day, Sir?

No, madam If she had, I should have hoped it would have been considerably within the month. As yet, ladies, I hope it will.

Nay, Sir Charles, if you are not pleased with a month, said my aunt Hush, dear ladies! Here comes the angel. Not a word, I beseech you, on that side of the question She will think, if you ap-plaud her, that she has consented to too short a term You must not make her uneasy with herself.

Does not this look as if he imagined there was room for me to be so? I almost wish I don’t know what I wish; except I could think but half so well of myself as I do of him: for then should I look forward with less pain in my joy than now too often mingles with it.

Your brother excused himself from dining with us: that Greville has engaged him. Why should he permit himself to be engaged by him? Greville can-not love him: he can only admire him, and that every-body does, who has been but once in his company. Miss Orme, even INIiss Orme, is in love with him. I received a note from her while your brother was with us. These are the contents:

HEAR MISS BYRON,

I am in love with your young baronet. It is well that your beauty and your merit secure you, and make every other woman hopeless. To see and know Miss Byron, is half the cure, unless a woman were presumption itself. O my poor brother! But will you let me expect you, and as many of the dear fa-mily as you can bring, at breakfast tomorrow morn — ing? SirCharlesGrandison, of course. Shew your own obligations to me, and your power over him, at the same time. Your cousin IloUes’s will be with me, and three sister-toastsof York; besides ^//aZMiss Clarkson of whose beauty and agreeablcness you have heard me talk. They long to see you. You mat/ come. I’oor things! how will they be mortified! If any one of them can allow herself to be less lovely than the others, she will be least affected b}’ your superiority. But let me tell you, that Miss Clarkson,

T?, had she the intelligence in her eyes that Somebody else has, and the dignity with the ease, would be as charming a young woman. But we are all prepared, I to love, they to admire, your gentleman. Pray, pray, my dear, bring him, or the disappointment will kill your

KITTY ORME,

Lucy, acquainting Sir Charles with the invitation, asked him, if he would oblige Miss Orme. He was at our command, he said So we shall break-fast tomorrow at the Parlt.

But I am vexed at his dining from us today. So little time to stay with us! I wish him to be complai-sant to Mr. Greville; but need he be so very oblig — ing? There are plots laying for his company all over the county. We are told there is to be a nu-merous assembly, all of gentlemen, at Mr. Gre — ville’s. Mr. Greville humorously declares, that he hates all women, for the sake of one. * *

We have just opened the boxes. O my dear Lady G! your brother is either very proud, or his fortune is very high! Does he not say, that he always consults fortune, as well as degree, in matters of outward appearance? He has not, in these presents, I am sure, consulted either fortune or degree of your Harriet Of your happy Harriet, I had like to have written: but the word happy, in this place, would have looked as if I thought these jewels aa addition to my happiness.

How does hi.s bounty insult me, on my narrow fortune! Narrow, unless he submit to accept of the offered contributions of my friends

Contri.hid’ions! Proud Harriet, how art tbou, even in thy exaltations, humbled! Trifles, he called them: the very ornamenting one’s self with sach toya, may, in his eye, be thought trifling, though he is not above complying with the fashion, in things indifterent: but, the cost and beauty of these jewels considered, they are not trifles. The jewel of jewels, however, is his heart! How would the noble Cle-mentina Hah,;;e/ Heart, rather. Why, just now, this check of Clementina? I hioxv why Not from want of admiration of her; but when I am allowing juy heart to open, then does Something hercy in my inmost bosom [Is it conscience?] strikes me, as if it said. Ah, Harriet! Triumph not; rejoice not! Check the overflowings of thy grateful heart! Art thou not an invader of another’s right?


Letter XXXI.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Thursday morning, October 26,

I WILL hurry off a few lines. I am always ready before these fiddling girls: Lucy and Nancy, I mean. Never tedious, but in dressing! They will over-do the morning appearance. I could beat them. So well acquainted with propriety as they are; and knowing the beauty of elegant negligence. Were I not afraid of Lucy’s repartee; and that she would say I was laying out for a compliment; I would tell them, they had a mind to try to eclipse Miss Clarkson, and the Yorkshire ladies. Your brother supped, as well asdiuL’d,;it thatGrfville’s. Fie upon him! I did not think he had so little command of himself! Vain Harriet! Perhaps he chose to be rather there than licrc, for /^r(/^y-sake. I shall be saucy, by-and-by. He is below, strongly engaged in talk with my aunt About wc’;! suppose; Ay, to be sure! methinksyou ladyship says. He can talk of nobody else! Well, and what if” one would wish he could not? [What are these girls about!’] No less than one-and-twenty gentlemen at Greville’s, besides the prince of them ail. They all were ready to worship him. Fenwick looked in just now, and tells me so. He says, that your brother was the liveliest man in the company. He led the mirth, he says, and visibly exerted him-self the more, finding the turn of the conversation likely to be what might be expected from such a company of all men. Wretches! Can twenty of them, when met, be tolerable creatures, not a wo-man among them, to soften their manners, and give politeness to their conversation? Fenwick says, they engaged him at one time into talk of different religions, customs, usages. He was master of every subject. Haifa score mouths were open at once whenever he spoke, as if distended with gags, was his word; and every one’s eyes broader than ever they were observed to be before. Fenwick has hu-mour; a little; not much; only by accident. So unlike himselfat times, that he may pass for a different man. His aping Greville, helps his oddness. How I ramble! You’ll think I am aping my dear Lady G. [0 tJiesc girls!~\ I think time lost when I am not writing to you. You cannot imagine what a thief I am to my company. J steal away myself, and get down, before I am missed, half a score times in a couple of hours. Sir Charles sung to the wretches: they all sung, they encored him without mercv. He talks of setting out for town on Saturday, earh’. Lord bless nic! What shall I do, when he is gone? Do you think /say this? If I f/o, I am kept in countenance: every — body says^ so, as well as I But ah! Lady G. he has invited all the gentlemen, the whole twenty-one, and my cousin James, and my uncle, to dine with him at his inn, to-morrw! Inn! Nasty inn! Why clid we let him go thither? lam afraid he is a reveller. Can he be so very good a man? O yes, yes, yes! wicked Harriet! What is in thy heart, to doubt it? A fine reflection upon the age; as if there could not be one good man in it! and as if a good man could not be a man of vivacity and spirit! from whom can spirits, can cheerfulness, can debonnairness, be expected, if not from a good man? I will shew these girls, by the quantity I have written, how they have made me wait. Prating, I suppose, to my Sally, about Sir Charles: they can talk of nobody else.

Ready! Yes, you dear creatures! So you ought to have been a leaf and half of my writing ago! Adieu, Lady G. till our return from Miss Orme’s.

Thursday noon.

Just come back from Miss Orme’s. Sir Charles and my grandmamma are now got together, in serious talk. I know I was the subject, by the dear parent’s looking often smiling upon me, as I sat at distance, and by his eye (taking the reference, as I may call it, of hers) turned as often towards me; so I stole up to my pen.

We were very politely treated by Miss Orme. Miss Clarkson is a charming young lady. The three Yorkshire sisters are lovely women. Sir Charles has told us, that mere beauty attracts only his eye, as fine flowers do in a gaj^ parterre. I don’t know that, my dear: that’s the philosophical description of him. The same men and women are not always the same persons. The ladies, one and all when his back was turned, declared, that he was the gallantest man they ever were in company with. He said the easiest, politest things they ever lieard spoken. They never were in his company before: they might else have heard as fine. Such dignity they observed (so does every-body), yet so much ease, in all he said, as well as in his own behaviour Born to be a public man, would his pride permit him to aim at being so! Not a syllable, however, but what might be said to each with the strictest truth. Sir Charles Grandison [it is Lucy’s observation, as well as mine] addresses himself” to women, as women, not as goddesses; yet does ho-nour to the persons, and to the sex. Other men, not knowing what better to say, make angels of them^ all at once. The highest things are ever said by men of the lowest understandings; and, there bolts once shot, the poor souls can go no further. So silly! Has not your ladyship some of these in you eye, who make out the rest, by grinning in our faces, in order to convince us of their sinceritj/? Complimental men don’t consider, thatif the women they egregiously flatter were what they would have them believe they think them, they would not be seen in such company.

But what do you think the elder sister of the three said of your brother? She was sure, those eyes, and that vivacity and politeness were not given him for nothing. Given }ihi\fornoUiivp-? What a phrase is that! In short she said, that p?riciicc had improved his natural advantages. 17/?s I have a good mind to say o^ her Either she has not charity, or her heart has paid for enabling its mistress to make such an ob-servation. Practice! What meant she by the word? Indeed your brother was not quite so abstrnctcdlij inattentive, /thought, to the beauty of Miss Clark-son, but he might give some Utile shadoiv of ground for observation to a censorious person.

I sonictinies think, that, free and open as his eyes’ are, his character might suffer, if one were to judge of his lieart by them. Lord L. I remember, once said, that ladies abroad used to look upon him as their own man, the moment they beheld him. In-nocently so, no doubt, and in their conversation — assemblies. Poor Lady Olivia, I suppose, was so caught! at an unhappy moment, perhaps, when her caution was half a sleep, and she was loth to have it too rudely awakened. But ought I, your Harriet, to talk of this? Where was?y caution, when I suffered myself to be surprised? O hut my gratitude was my excuse. Who knows what Olivia might have to plead? W^e have not her whole story, you know. Poor lady, I pity her! To cross the seas, as she did! Ineffectually!

But can you bear this pen-prattling; the effects of a mind more at ease than it ever expected to be!

I will go down. Can I be so long spared? I am just thinking, that were I one of the creatures called coquettes the best way to attract attention, when it grew languid, is to do as I do from zeal in writing to you Be always going out and returning, and not staying long enough in a place to tire one’s companj^ or suffer them to turn their eyes upon any body else. Did ^joic ever try such an experiment, Charlotte? But you never coiihi tire your company. Yet I think you have a spice of that character in yours. Don’t you think so, yourself? But don’t own it, if you do Hey-day! What’s the matter with me! I believe by my flippancy I am growing quite well, and as saucy as J used to be Poor Lady Clementina! I wish she were happy! Then should I be so.

My dear Lady G. we had a charming conversation this day: my grandnianiuia, and your [)rother bore the principal parts in it. It began with dress, and fashion, and such-like triHing objects; but ended in the noblest. You know my grandniamma’s cheerful piety. Sir Charles seemed at first only designing to attend to her wisdom; but she drew him in. O my dear! he seems to be, yet not to know it, as good a man as she is a woman! Yet years so different! But austerity, uncharitableness, on one hand; os-tentation, affectation, on the other; these are quaU— ties which can have no place in his heart. Such a glorious benevolence! Such enlarged sentiments! What a happy, thrice happy woman, thought I, several times, must she be, who shall be considered as a partaker of his goodness! Who shall be blest not only in him, but^or him; and be his, and he hers, to all eternity!

My aunt once, in the conclusion of this conver-sation, said. How happy would it be, if he could re — form certain gentlemen of this neighbourhood! And as they were so fond of his company, she hoped he would attempt it.

Example, he answered, and a silent one, would do more with such men than precept. They have Moses, and the prophets. They know when they do wrong, and what is right. They would be afraid of, and affronted at, a man pretending to instruct them. Decency, from such men, is as much as can be expected. We live in such an age, added he, that I believe more good may be done by seeming to relax a little, than by strictness of behaviour. Yet I ad-mire those, who, from a full persuasion of their duty, do 7iot relax; and the more, if they have got above moroseness, austerity, and uncharitableness.

After dinner, Mr. Milbourne, a very good man, minister of a dissenting congregation in our neigh-bourhood, accompanied by Dr. Curtis, called in upon us. They are good friends; made so by the mediation of my grandmamma, some years ago, when they did not so well understand each other. Dr. Curtis had been with us more than once, since Sir Charles was our visiter. He greatly admires him, you need not doubt. It was beautiful, after complimeuts had passed between JSir Charles and the gentlemen, to see the tnodcst mnn shine out in your brother’s beIiaviour. Indeed he was free and s;asy, but atten — tive, as expecting entertainment and instruction from thcin; and leading each of them to give it in his own way.

They staid but a little while; and when they were gone, Sir Charles said. He wanted no other proof of their being good men, than they gave by their charity, and friendship to each other. My uncle, who, you know, is a zealous nvAn for the church, speaking a little severely of persons whom he called schismatics; O Mr. Selby! said Sir Charles, let us be afraid of prescribing to tender consciences. You and I, who have been abroad, in countries where they account us xvorse than schismatics, would have been loth to have been prescribed to or compelled, in articles for which we ourselves are only answerable to the connnon Father of us all!

I believe in my conscience. Sir Charles, replied my uncle, if the truth were known, you are of the niind of that king of Egypt, who said. He looked upon the diversity of religions in his kingdom with as much pleasure as he did on the diversity of flowers in his garden.

I remember not the name of that king of Egypt, Mr. Selby; but I am }iot of his mind. I should not, if I were a king, take pleasure in sucli a diversity; but as the exannjies of kings are of great force,’ I would, by makmg my own as faultless as f could, let my people see the excellence of mv j)ersuasion, and my uniform practical adherence to it; instead of discouraging erroneous ones by unjustifiable se-verity. Religious zeal is gen;M-al!y a fiery thiiig: I would as soon quarrel v, ith a man for his f ice, as for his religion. A good \\\i\\\, if not over-healed be vol., \iv. f zeal tvill be a good man, whatever be his faith; and should always be intitled to our esteem, as he is to our good offices, as a fellow-creature.

The methodists, Sir Charles; Vv’hat think you of the methoduts! Say you love ’em; and, and, and, adds-dines, you shall not be my nephew.

You now, my dear Mr. Selby, make me afraid of you. You throw out a menace, the onli^ one you could perhaps think of, that would make me tem-porize.

You need not, youneedaot, be afraid, Sir Charles! said my uncle, laughing. What sa}^ yuu, Harriet? Need he? Iiay? looking in my downcast face. Why speak you not, lovelij love? Need Sir Charles, if he had disobliged me, to have been ajraid? Hay?

Dear Sir! you have not of a long time been so

So, vchat, Harriet? So, viluit, dearest? looking me quite down.

Fie, INIr. Selby! said my grandmaniir.a.

Sir Charles, stepping to me, very galla.^tl}’ to(k my hand O Mr. Selby, you are not kind, said lie: but allow me to make my advantage of your unkiudness. My dear Trliss Byron, let you and me with — draw; in compassion to Mr. Selby, let us v/ithdraw: we will not hear him chidden, as I see the ladies think he ought to be.

And he hurried me off. The surprise made me appear more reluctant th.an I was in my heart.

Every one was pleased with his air and manner; and by tins means he relieved himself from subjecls with which he seemed not delighted, and obtained an opportunity to get me to himself.

Here had he stopt, he would have been v.-clcome: but hurrying me into the cedar parlour; I am jea-lous, m}’ love, Siiid he; putting his arm round me; You seemed loth to retire with me. Forgive me: but thus Ipuuiih you, whenever you give me cause: and, dear Lady G. he downright kissed me My lip; and not my cheek and in so fervent a way I tell you every-thing, my Charlotte I could have been angry had I known hoiv, from surprise. Be* fore I could recollect myself, he withdrew his arm; and, resuming his usual respectful air, it would have made me look affected, had I then taken notice of it. Rut I don’t romcmber any instance of the like freedom used to Lady Clementina.

My lovely love, said he, to express myself in your uncle’s stile, which is that of my heart, tell me, Can you have pity for a poor man, when he is miserable, who, on aceriain occasion, sliewed yo?^ none? See what a letter Sir Hargrave Pollexfen has written to Dr. Bartlett; who asks my advice about attending him.

I obtained leave to communicate it to you, my dear Lady L. and Lady G. Be pleased to return it to me. I presume, you will read it here.

DFAR DR. RAUTI.KTT.

Can your comjiany be dispensed with by the best t>f men, for one, two, tlu’ec days? I have not had a happy hour since I saw you and Sir Charles Gran-(lisoa at my house on the forest. Al! is gloom and b.orror in ny niiiui: my dtvpondency is, tiuistbe, of the blackest kind, it is blacker than remorse: it;s iill ripiiiing; but no re|)cn1ance: I cannot, cannot, j.niat. Lord God of Heaven and Earth, what a \\— retch am I! with such a fortune; such estates; I am rich as Crcesus, yet more miserable than t’le wretch that begs his bread from door to door; and who oftener meets repulses, than relief “What a glorious choice has your patron made! Youth \\i\- broken; conscience his friend; he cannot knon — an ciK-my. () that I had lived thi — life of yor.i’ — patron! I cannot uvq a creature who docs not extol liiia.

My wine-merchant’s name is Danby Good God! What stories does he tell of him! Lord Jesus! What a heart must he have, that would permit him to do such things as Danby reports of him, of his own knowledge! While I As young a man as himself, for what I know With powers to do good, as great, perhaps greater than his own. Lord! Lord! Lord! what a hand have I made of it, for the last three or four years of my life! who might have reached threescore — and-ten with comfort! whereas now, at twenty-eight, I am on the very brink of the grave. It appears to me as ready dug: it yawns for me: I am neither fit to die, nor to live. My days are dreadful: my nights are worse: my bed is a bed of nettles, and not of down. Not one comfortable thouglit, not one good action, to revolve, in which I had not some vile gratification to promote! Wretched man! It is come home to me with a ven-geance.

You pr;;yed by me: you prajed for me. I have not bee’:—;. happy since Come and make me easy h’.ipny? can never be, in this world Lor pity, for chanty sake, come and teach me how to bear life, or how to prepare iur its cessation. And if Sir Charles Grandison would make me one more visit, would per.’-onally join in prayer with you and mC; a glimpse of comfort would once more dart in upon my mind.

Try your interest ^\ith him, my dear Sir, in n)y behalf; and come together. Where is he? The great God of Heaven and Larth prosper to him all his wishes, be he where he will, and be they what they will. Lvery-body will find their account in his prosperity. But I! what use have I made of the prosperit}— given me? iMerceda gone to his ac-count: Bagenhall undone: Jordan shunning me! Narrow-souled Jordan! He is reformed; but, not able to divide the man from the crime, he thinks lit cannot be in earnest, but by hating both. God liclp me! I cannot, now, if I would, give him a bad example’! Ho need not be afraid of my staggering him in his good purpopes.

One favour, for God’s sake, procure for me It is, that the man whose life once I sought, and thought myself justified by the provocation; who afterwards saved mine, for a time saved it, reserved as I was for ))ains, for sufferings, in mind and body, worse than death That this man will be the exe-cutor of my last will. I have not a friend left. My relations are hungering and watching for my death, as birds of prey over a field of battle. My next heirs are my worst enemies, and most hated by me. Dear Sir Charles Grandison. my deliverer, my preserver, from those bloody Frenchmen, if j’ou are the good man I think you, complete your kindness to him whom you have preserved; and say, you will be his executor. I xdll (because I mwl) do justice to the pretensions of those who will rejoice over my remains; and I will leave you a discretionary j)ower, in articles wherein you may think I have shewn hatred. For justice-sake, then, be my executor. And do you, good Bartlett, put me in the way of repentani’c; and I shall then be happy. Draw me ui), dear Sir, a prayer, that shall injlude confession. You cannot su]ipo^e me too bad a man, in a chris-tian sense, ‘i’iiiink (Jod, I am a Ch.ristian in belief, tlujugh I have been a devil in practice. You are a heavcnly-niiadid man; give nie words which may go to my heart; and tell me what I sliall say to my God.

Ti-il Sir C];.’’.-!esCr;nirlison, that ho ‘;:(’< tome the scrvi^‘c I reiiuit of him. i’or if he had not intcr-|)i>-^ — dso licllisliiy iis he did, ou Iloinislow-heath, I had been the Iv.-.shar.d of Miss Byron in two hoars; and sliu v/ouid have tho’.ight it h.er duty to refonu V J me: and, by the great God of Heaven, I swear, it was my intention to be reformed, and to make lier, if I could have had but her civilitij, though not her love, the best of husbands. Lord God of Heaven and Earth! whrit a happy man had I then been! Then had I never undertaken that damned expedition to France, of which I have repented ever since. Let your patron know how much I owe to him my unhappiness, and he will not, in justice, deny any reasonable, any honest request, that I shall make him.

Lord help me! What a long letter is here! My soul complains on paper: I do nothing but complain. It will be a relief, if your patron and you will visit, will pray for, will pity,

The most miserable of men, llARGRAVE POLLEXFEN.

Your brother’s eye followed mine, as I read. I frequently wept. In a soothing, tender, and re-spectful manner, he put his arm round me, and, taking my own handkerchief, unresisted, wiped away the tears as they fell on my cheek. These were his soothing words as my bosom heaved at the dreadful description of the poor man’s misery and despair: Sweet humanity! Charming sensibility! Check not the kindly gush! Dew-drops of Heaven! v/iping away my tears, and kissing the handkerchief ^Dew-drops of Heaven, from a mind, like that Heaven, mild and gracious! Poor Sir Hai’grave! I will attend him.

You u///. Sir! That is very good of you! Poor man! What a hand, as he sajs, has he made of it!

A hand, indeed! repeated Sir Charles.

And will you be his executor. Sir? You will, I hope. ‘ I will do any-thing that my dear iNIiss Byron

;nishes me to do; any-thing that may comfort the poor man, it’ indeed he has not a person in whom he ought to confide, whether he is voilling to do so or not. My endeavour shall be, to reconcile him to his relations: perhaps he hates them because they are likely to be his heirs: I have known men capable of such narrowness.

When we came to the place where the unhappy man mentions my having been likely to be his, in two hours time, a chilness came over my heart; I shuddered. Ah, Sir! said I, how grateful ought I to be to mil deliverer!

Ever-amiable goodness! resumed he, How have I been, how am I, how shall I be, rewarded? With tender awe he kissed my cheek Forgive me, angel of a woman! A man can shew his love but as a man. Your heart is the heart I wish it to be! Love, hu-manity, graciousness, benevolence, forgivingness, all the amiable qualities which can adorn the female mind, are in perfection, yours! Be your sister-excellence ha})py! God grant it! and I shall be the happiest man in the world. You, madam, who can pity your oppressor when in misery, can allow of my grateful remembrance of that admirable woman.

Your tender remembrance of Lady Clementina, Sir, will ever be grateful to me. (iod Almighty make her happy! for your sake! for the sake of your dear Jeronymo; and for mine!

There spoke .Aliss Byron, and Clementina, both in one! Surely you two are informed by one mind! What is distance of countries! What obstacles can there be, to dissever souls so paired?

But. Sir? Mu.’^t Clementina be compcllcdto mar-ry? Mn\i the woman who has loved Sir Charles Grandison; who still avows her love, and only prefers her God to him; be obliged to give her hand to another man?

Would to Heaven that her friends, tender, indul-gent, as they have always been to her, would not drive too fast! But how can I, of all men, remon-strate to them in this case, when they think nothing is wanting to obtain her compliance, but the know-ledge that she never can be mine?

Sir! you shall still call her yours, if the dear lady changes her resolution, and ivishes to be so Ought you not?

And could Miss Byron

She could, she would, interrupted I Yet dear, very dear, I am not ashamed to own it, would now the resignation cost me!

Exalted loveliness!

I never, but by such a trial, can be as great as Clementina! Then could /, as she does, take comfort in the brevity of ht^man life. Never, never, would I be the wife of any other man. And shall the nobler Clementina, be compelled ?

Good God! lifting up his hands and eyes, Wifh what noble minds hast thou distinguished these two women! Is it for this, madam, that you wish to wait for the next letters from Italy? I have owned before, that I presumed not to declare myself to you till I was siu’e of Clementina’s adlierence to a resolution so nobly taken. We will, however, expect the next letters. My situation has not been happy. Nothing but the consciousness of my own integrity (e — cuse, madam, the seeming boast) and a firm trust in Providence, could, at certain times, have supported me.

My mind, my Charlotte, seemed too high wroi;;;h.t. Seeing me much disturbed, he resumed the subject of Sir Hargrave’s letter, as a somewhat less-affecting one. You see, mv dearest Miss Byron, said he, a kind of necessity for my hastening up. Another melancholy occasioji oifers: poor Sir llarry Beau-. champ desires to see me, before he dies. What a chequered life ig this! I received Sir Hargrave’s letter to Dr. Bartlett, and this intimation from my Beauchanip by a particular dispatch, just before I came hither. I grudge the time I must lose tomorrow: but we must make some sacrifices to good neighbourhood and civility. Poor Greville had a view, by inviting all his neighbours and me, to let himself down gracefully in a certain case. He made a merit of his resignation to me, before all the company; every one of which admired my dear Miss Byron. Well received as I was, by every gentle-man then present, I could not avoid inviting them, in my turn; but I wiii endeavour to recover tl^e time. J lave I your approbation, madam, for setting out on Saturday morning, early? I am afraid I must borrow of the Sunday some hours, on my journey. But visiting the sick is an act of mercy.

You will be so engaged tomorrow, Sir, said I, with your numerous guests (and my uncle and cou-sin .lames will add to the number) that I suppose we shall hardly see you before you set out (early, as you say that will be) on Saturday morning.

He said, he had given orders already (and, for fear of mistakes, should inforce them to-night) for the entcn-.innient of his guests; and he would do himself the pleasure of breakfasting with us in the morning. Dear Lad)’ Clementina, forgive me! I shall nc)t, l am afraid, know how to part with him, though but for a few weeks. How could you let him depart from you; you knew not but it would be for ever? But you are a wonder of a woman! I am at least at this time, a poor creature, compared to you!

I a^kfd his leave to shew my grandmannna and aunt, and my Lucy, as well as his two sisters. Sir, Hargiave’s letter. He wished that they o/.’(yshou](^ .^ee it.

The perusal cost the three dear friends just named some tears. My grandmamma, Lucy tells me (for I was writing to you when they read it) made some fine observations upon the different situations in which the two gentlemen find themselves at this time. I myself could not but recollect the gay, fluttering figure that the poor Sir Hargrave made at Lady Betty Williams’s, perpetually laughing; and compare it with the dark scene he draws in the letter before me; all brought about in so short a space!

There are, I am told, ivorse men than this: were those who are but as dad, to be apprized of the cir-cumstances of Sir Ilargrave’s story, as fully as wo know them, would they not reflect and tremble at his fate, even though that of Merceda (whose exit, I am told, was all horror and despair) and of the unhappy Bagenhall, were not taken into the shocking account?

This last wretch, it seems, his spirits and consti-tution both broken, is gone, nobody knows whither, having narrowly escaped in person, from an execution that was out against him body and goods; the latter all seized upon; his wife big with child turned out of doors; a mortgagee in possession of his estate: the poor woman wishing but for means to transport herself to her mean friends at Abbeville; a collection set on foot in her neighbourhood, for that pur — pose, failing; for the poor man was neither beloved, nor pitied.

These particulars your brother’s trusty Saunders told my Sally, and in confidence, that your brother. a little before he came down, being acquainted with her destitute condition, sent her, by him, twenty guineas. Saunders said, he never saw a deeper ^cene of distress.

The poor woman, on her knees, received tlu bounty; blessed the donor; owned herself reduced to the last shillhig; and that she thought of applying to the parish for assistance to carry her over.

Sir Charles staid not to supper. My grand-niamnia, being desirous to take leave of her favourite in the morning, has been prevailed upon to repose here to-night.

I must tell you, my Charlotte, all my fears, my feelings, my follies: you are now, you know, my Lucy. Something arises in my heart, that makes me uneasy: I cannot account to myself for this great and sudden change of behaviour in Greville. His extraordinary civilities, even to fondness, to your brother! Are they consistent with his blustering character, and constant threatenings of any man wlio was likely to succeed with me? A turn of behaviour so sudden! Sir Charles and he in a manner strangers, but by character And did he not so far l)rosccute his menaces, as to try, wicked wretch! \v hat bluster and a drawn sword would do, and smart for it? Must not that disgrace incense him? My micle says, he cannot be a true spirit; witness his coin;)roaiise with Fenwick, after a rencounter, \^hich, being reported to be on my account, had iikc to have killed nie at the time. And if not a trur spirit, may he not be treacherous! God preserve your brother from all secret as v.ell as open uUaL’ks! And do you, my dear ladies, forgive the ii.iider folly of your

IIARUILT BYRO\,
Letter XXXII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Friday morning, eiglit o’clock, October 27. The apprehensions with which I was so weak as to trouble you, in the conclusion of my last, laid so fast hold of my mind, that, going immediately from my pen to my rest, I had it broken and disturbed by dreadful, shocking, wandering dreams. The terror they gave me, several times awakened me; but still, as I closed my eyes, I fell into them again. Whence, my dear, proceed these ideal vagaries, which, for the time, realize pain or pleasure to us, according to their hue or complexion, or rather according to our own?

But such contradictory vagaries never did I know in my slumbers. Incoherencies of incoherence! For example I was married to the best of men: I w^as not married: I was rejected with scorn, as a presumptuous creature. I sought to hide myself in holes and corners. I was dragged out of a sub-teiTancous cavern, which the sea had made when it once broke bounds, and seemed the dwelling of howling and conflicting winds; and when I expected to be punished for my audaciousness, and for repining at my lot, I was turned into an angel of lig’it; stars of diamonds, like a glory, encompassing my head: a dear little baby was put into my arms. Once it was Lucy’s; another time it was Emily’s; and at another time Lady Clementiiia’s! I was fond of it, beyond expression.

I again dreamed I was married: Sir Charles again was the man. He did not love me. My grand-mamma and aunt, on their knees, and with tears, besought him to love their child; and pleaded to him my love of him of long standing, begun in gra-titude; and that he was the only man I ever lovud. how I wept in my dream! my face and bosom were wet with my real tears.

My sobs, and my distress and theirs, awakened me; but I dropt asleep, and fell into the very same reverie. He upbraided me with being the cause that he had not Lady Clementina. He said, and so sternly! I am sure he cannot look so sternly, that he thought me a much better creature than I proved to be: yet methought, in my own heart, I was not altered. I fell down at his feet. I called it my misfortune, that he could not love me: I would not say it was his fault. It might, perhaps, be his mis-fortune too! And then I said, Love and hatred are not always in one’s power. If you cannot love the poor creature who kneels before you, that shall be a cause sufficient with me for a divorce: I desire not to fasten myself on the man who cannot love me. Let me be divorced from you. Sir You shall be at liberty to assign any cause for the separation, but crime. I will bind myself never, never to marry again; but you shall be free And God bless you, and her you can love better than your poor Harriet. Fool! I weep as I write! What a weak creature

I am, since I have not been well!

In another part of my reverie he loved me dearly; but when he nearly approached me, or I him, he always became a ghost, and Hitted from me. Scenes once changed from England to Italy, from Italy to England: Italy, I tiiought, was a dreary wild, covered with snow, and pinched with frost: England, on the contrary, was a country glorious to the eye; gilded with a sun not too fervid; the air perfumed with odours, wafted by the most balmy zephyrs from orange-trees, citrons, myrtles, and jasmines. In Italy, at one time, Jeronymo’s wounds were healed; at another, they were breaking out afresh. Mr, Lowther was obliged to fly the country: why, did not appear. There was a fourth brother, I thought; and he, taking part with the cruel Laurana, was killed by the general. Father Marescotti was at one time a martyr for his religion; at another, a cardinal; and talked of for pope.

But still, what was more shocking, and which so terrified me that I awoke in a horror which put an end to all my reveries (for I slept no more that night) Sir Charles, I thought, was assassinated by Greville. Greville fled his country for it, and became a vagabond, a Cain, the accursed, I thought, of God and man I, your poor Harriet, a widow; left in the most calamitous circumstance that a woman can be in Good Heaven! But, avaunt, recollection! Painful, most painful, recollection of ideas so terrible! none of your intrusions

No more of these horrid, horrid incongruities, will I trouble you with! How have they run away with me! I am hardly now recovered from the tremblings into which they threw me!

What, my dear, is the reason, that though we know these dreams, these fleeting shadows of the night, to be no more than dreams, illusions of the working mind, fettered and debased as it is by the organs ihrougli which it conveys its confined powers to the grosser matter, body, then sleeping, inactive, as in the shades of death; yet that we cannot help being strongly impressed by theni, and meditating interpretation of the flying vapours, when reason is broad awake, and tells us, that it is weakness to be disturbed at them? But superstition is, more or less, I believe, in ev-ry mind, a natural defect. Happily poised is that .\\\vA, v,hicl), on ihe one hand, is too ffronfj to be affected by the slavish fears it brings with it; and, on the otiicr, runs not into the contrary extreme, scepticism, the parent of infidelity!

You cannot imagine, my dear, the pleasure I had, the more for my various dream, when your brother, so amiably serene, love, condescension, affability, shining in his manly countenance, alighted, as I saw him through my window, at t!ie same time I had the call to breakfast Dear Sir! I could have said, Have not i/ou been disturbed by cruel, perplexing, contradictory visions? Souls may be near, when bodies are distant. But are we not one soul? Could yours be unaffected, when mine was so much disturbed? But, thank God, you are come! Come safe, unhurt, pleased with me! My fond arms, were the ceremony passed, should welcome you to your Har-liet. I would tell you all my disturbances from the absurd illusions of the past night, and my mind should gather strength from the confession of its weakness.

He talked ofsetting out early tomorrow morning. His first visit, he said, should be to Sir Harry Beau-champ; his next to Sir Hargrave Pollexfen. Poor Sir Harry! he said, and sighed for him.

Tendcr-her.rted man! as Clementina often called your brother: lie i)itied Lady Beauchamp. His poor Beauchamp! ‘‘Hie loss of a father, he said, where a great estate was to descend to the son, was the test of a no!)le heart. He could answer for the sincerity of his Beauehamp’s grief, on this trying occasion. Of what joy, said he [sitting between two of the best of womeii. equally fond of him, speaking low] was I, wa-^ .’.vy f .ther, de])rived! Me had allowed me to thinly of returning to the arms of his paternal love. I make no dou!)t, but on looking into his affairs (his son, perhaps his steward) he would have ilone for lus (laughters what I have done for m.y X 2 sisters. We should both of us have had a new liFe to begin, and pursue: a happy one, from my duty and his indulgence, it must have been. I had plan-ned it out. VV ith all humility I would, by degrees, have laid it before him, first one part, then another, as his condescension would have countenanced me.

Vile, vile reveries! Must not this young man be the peculiar care of Heaven? How could my disturbed imagination terrify me but in a dream, that the machinations of the darkest mind (as his must be [Greville is not so bad a man] who could medi-tate violence against virtue so sacredly guarded) could be permitted to prevail against his life! i\Iy grandmamma once, with tears in her eyes, as he talked of taking leave, laid her hand upon his, and instantly withdrew it, as if she thought the action too free. He took her hand, and with both his, raised it to his lips Venerable goodness! he called her. She looked,*;o proud, and so comforted! eveiy one so pleased! It is a charming thing to see blooming youth fond of declining age!

They dropt away one by one, and I found myself left alone with him. Sweetly tender was his address to me! How shall I part with my Harriet? said he. My eyes were ready to overflow. By a twinkling motion, I thought to disperse over the whole eye the self-felt too-ready tear: my upper-lip had the motion in it, throbbing, like the pulsation which we call the life blood I was afraid to speak, for fear of bursting into a fit of tenderness; yet was conscious that my very silence was more expressive of tenderness than speech could have been. With what delight did his eager eye (as mine, now-and-then glancing upward, discovered) meditate my downcast face, and silent concern! Yet such was his delicacy, that he took not that notice of it, in word, ^vhich,if be had, would have added to my confusion; it was cnougli for him, thiit lie saw it. As he was contented silcntlij to enjoy it, I am not sorry lie did see it. He merited even open and unreserved as-surances of love. But I the sooner recovered my spirits, for his delicate non-observance. I could not, circumstanced as we were, say I ivi.s/icd for his speedy return; yet, my dear, my purest wishes were, that he would not he long absent. My grand-mamma pleases herself with having the dear man for her inmate, on his return: there is therefore no need, for the sake of the world’s speech, to abridge my month; yet oit2:ht we to be shy of giving consequence to a man wiio through delicacy is afraid to let us see that he assumes consequence from our speeeJiless tenderness for him? He restored me to speech, by a chai.ge of subject

Two melancholy offices shall I have to perform, said he, before I have the honour to attend again my dearest IMiss B\ ron: What must be the heart that melts not at another’s v.oe! As to Sir Ilar-grave, I don’t apprehend that he is near his end; as is the case of poor Sir Harry. Sir Hargrave la-bours under bodily pains, from the attack made upon him in France, aiid from a constitution ruined per-haps by riot; and, having nothing of consolation to give himself from I’efljctions on his past life (as we see by his letter) his fears are too strong for his hopes. But shall I tell him, if I find it will give him comfort, that ijou wish his recovery, and are sorry for his indis[)osition? Small crevices let in light, sometimes upon a beiughted imagination. He must consider his attempt upon your free-will (though not meant upon yoiu” honour) as one of the enor-mities of his past iii’e.

I was overpowered with this instance of hi.’^ gene-rous goodness. ‘i’( ach me, Sir, to be j^ood, to he generous, to be Ibrgiving like you! Bid me do what ycu think proper for me to do Say to the poor man, whose insults upon you in his challenge were then my terror (O how much my terror!) in ray name, say, all that you think will tend to give him consolation.

Sweet excellence! Did I ever hope to meet in woman with such an enlargement of heart! Cle-mentina only, of all the women I ever knew, can be set in comparison with you: and had she been granted to me, the union of minds between us from difference of religion, could not have been so per-fect, as yours and mine must be.

Greatly gratified as I was by the compliment, I was sorry, methought, that it was made me at the expence of my sex. His words. ‘ Did I ever hope to meet in woman with such an enlargement of heart!* pique me a little. Are not women as ca-pable as men, thought I, of enlarged sentiments?

The leave he took of me was extremely tender. I endeavoured to check my sensibility. He departed with the blessings of the whole family, as well as mine. I was forced to go up to my closet: I came not down till near dinner-time; I could not; and yet my uncle accompanied my cousin James to Northampton: so that I had no apprehensions of his raillery. We want trials sometmies, I believe, to make us support ourselves with some degree of out-uard fortitude, at least. Had my uncle been at home, I should not have dared to have given so much way to my concern: but soothing and indul-gence, sometimes, I believe, add to our imbecility of mind, instead of strengthening our reason.

My uncle made it near eleven at night before he returned, with my cousin James. Not one of the company, at his quitting it, seemed inclinable to piove. He praised the elegance of the entertain-incnt, and the ease and cheerfulness, even to viva-, city, of Sir Charles. How cotdd he be so lively! How many ways have men to divert themselves, when any thing arduous attacks them! While we poor women! But your town diversions Your Jlanelaghs, Vauxhalls bid fair to divert such of us as can carry ourselves out of ourselves! Yet are we likely to pay dear ibr the privilege; since we thereby render our sex cheap in the eyes of men, harden our fronts, and are in danger of losing that modes-ty, at least of outn:nrd behaviour, which is the cha — racteristic of wouien!

S<uliii(la> inorning.

He is gone: gone indeed! Went early this morning, livery mouth v.as last night, it seems, full of his praises: the men admire him as nmch as the women. I am glad of it, methinks: since that is an indirect confession, that there are ‘iew among them like him. Not so much superiority over our sex therefore, iu tl>e other, in general, with their enlarged hemis. Have not we a Clementina, a Mrs. Shirley, and a long tSc. ‘^ I praise not yuu, my dear Lady L. and I^dy G. to your faces; so I leave thct^r. untrans-lated.

We do sn look upon one another here! Are so unsatisfied with ourj;elves! We are not half so good company as we were before Sir Charles came among us. How can that be? But my grandmamma has left us too! that’s one thing. She is retired to Shirley-manor, to mortify, after so rich a regale: those were her words.

I hope your brother will write to us. Should I not have asked him? To be sure he will; except his next letters from Italy should be But, no doubt, he will write to us. Mr. Greville vows to my u)icle, he will PQt come near nie. He can less and less, he says, bear to think of my marrying; though he does what he can to comfort himself with reflecting on the extraordinary merit of the man, who alone, he says, can deserve me. He wishes the day were over; and the d I’s in him, he adds, if the irrevocableness of the event does not cure him. Mr. Fenwick had yesterday his final answer from Lucy; and he is to set out on Monday for Carlisle. He declares, that he will not return without a wife: so, thank Heaven, his heart is whole, notwithstanding his double disappointment.

But my heart is set on hearing how the excellent Clementina takes the news of your brother’s actual address, and probability of succeeding. I should not think it at all surprising, if, urged as she is, to marry a man indifferent to her (the lord of her heart unmarried) she should retract O my Charlotte! What a variety of strange, strange, What-shall-I call them? would result from such a retractation and renewal of claim! I never thought myself super-stitious; but the happiness before me is so nmch beyond my merit, that I can hardly flatter myself, at times, that it will take place.

What think you, my dear, made me write so ap-prehensively? My aunt had just shewn me a letter she had written to you desiring you to exercise for us your fancy, your judgment. I have no affectation on this subject I long ago gave affectation to the winds But so hasty! So undoubting! 7\re there not many possibilities, and some proba-bilities, against us? Something presumptuous! Lord bless mc, my dear, should any thing happen Jewels bought, and already presented Apparel How would all these preparations aggravate! My aunt says, he sliall be obliged: Lucy, Nancy, tlu’ Miss Holles’s, join with her. They long to be exer-cising their fancies upon the patterns which they suppose your ladyship and Lady L. will send down. My uncle hurries my aunt. So as something is going forward, he says, he shall be easy. There is no re-sisting so strong a tide: so let them take their course. They are all in haste, my dear, to be considered as relations of your family, and to regard all yours as kindred of ours. Happy, happy, the band, that shall tie both families together!

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XXXIIL
Sir Charles Grandison to Miss Byron.

London, Monday night, October 30. ^ OUR humanity, my dear and ever dear Miss Byron, was so much engaged by the melancholy letter of J^ir Ilargrave to Dr. Bartlett, which I communicated to you; and by the distress of my Beauchamp, on the desperate state of his father’s health; that I know that you will be pleased to hear that I have been enabled to give some consolation to both.

Sir Harr),who is in town, wanted to open his mind to me w ith regard to some affairs which made him extremely uneasy; and which, he said, he could not reveal to any-bodv else. He shewed some reluct-ance to entrust the secrets to my bosom. There shall they ever rest. He has found hin\self easier since. He rejoiced to me on the good understanding subsisting, and likely to subsist, between his lady and son. He desired me to excuse him for Joining me with them, without asking my leave, iu the trusts created by his will: and on this occasion, sending for his lady, he put her hand in mine, and recommended her, and her interests, as those of the most obhging of wives, to my care.

I found Sir Ilargrave at his house in Cavendish Square. He is excessively low-spirited. Dr. Bart-lett visited him at Windsor, several times. The doctor prevailed on him to retain a worthy clergy-man, as his chaplain.

The poor man asked after you, madam. He had heard, he said, that I was soon likely tabe the hap-piest of men: was it so? He wept at my answer; lamented the wretched hand, as he called it, that he had made of it, blessed as he was with such prosperous circumstances, in the prime of youth; and wished he had his days to come over again, and his company to chuse. Unhappy man! he was willing to remove from himsc/f the load which lay upon him. No doubt but this was the recourse of his compa-nions, likewise, in extremity. He blessed my dearest Miss Byron, when I told him, she pitied him. He called himself by harsh, and even shocking names, for having been capable of oft’ending so much goodness.

What subjects are these, to entertain my angel with! But though we should not seek, yet we ought not perhaps to shun them, when they naturally, as I may say, offer themselves to our knowledge.

But another subject calls for the attention of my dearest, loveliest of women: a subject that will lay a gtill stronger claim to it than either of the solemn ones I have touched upon. I inclose the letter which contains it. You will be so good as to read it in English to such of our friends as read not Italian.

This letter was left to Mrs. Beaumont to dispatch to me: wheni’c its unwished-for delay: lor she deained it, to send with it an equally obliging one of

SIR CirARLES GKAN’DISON’. 23*> her own. TIic contents ot” this welcome letter, my dearest Miss Byron, will render it mineccssary to wait for an answer to my last to Signor Jeronymo; in which I acquaint him with my actual address, and the hopes I presume to flatter myself” with. I hum-bly hope you will think so.

I am not afraid that one of the most generous of women will he affected with the passage in which Signor Jeronymo expresses his pity for her, because of the afft ction, he says, I must ever retain for his noble sister.* He says right. And it is my happiness, that you, the sister-excellence of the admirable Clementiiui, will allow me to glory in my gratilude to her. You will still more readily allow me so to do, when you have perused this letter. Shall not the man who hopes to be qualified for the Supreme love, of which the purest earthly is but a t} pe, and who aim.s at an universal benevolence, be able to admire, in the mind of Clementina, the same great qualities which shine out with such lustre in that of Miss Byron?

With what pride do I look forward to the visit thai several of this noble family intend to make us, because of the niujiicstitntable assurance that they will rejoice in my happiness, and admire the angel who is allov.-ed to take place in my affections of the angel who would not have scru})U>d to accept of my vows, had it not lx:en, as she expresses herself,-}— for the inlervcn!:nn of invincible obslucUs!

Mrs. Beaumont, in her letter, gives me the parti-culars of the conversation betv.eeu her and Cle — mentina, almost in the same words with those of .leronymo in the letter inclosed. She makes no doubt that Lady Clementina will, in time, yield to the entreaties of her friends in favour of a man

See p. 249. t See p. ‘J53. against whom, if she can be prevailed upon to forego her wishes to assume the veil, she can have no one objection. You will see, madam, by the inclosed, what they hope for in Italy from us; what ClemeTi-tina, what Jeronymo, what a wiiole excellent family, hope for. You know how ardently my ovon family wish you to accelerate the happy day: yours refer themselves wholly to you Pardon me, my dearer Miss Byron, I will tell youwhatare my hopes They are, that when I am permitted to return to North-amptonshire, the happy day shall not be postponed three.

And now, loveliest and dearest of women I allow me to expect the honour of a line, to let me knowr how much of the tedious month, from last Thursday, you will be so good as to abate. Permit me to say, that I can have nothing that needs to detain me from the beloved of my heart, after Friday next.

If, madam, you insist upon the zohole month, I beg to know, out of what part of our nuptial life, the LAST or the first (happy, as I hope it will be) you would be willing to deduct the week, the fort-night, that will be carried into the blank space of courtship, by the delay? I hope, my dear Miss Byron, that I shall be able to tell you, years and years after we are one, that there is not an hour of those past, or of those to come, that I would abate, or wish to throw into that blank. Permit mc so to call it. The days of courtship cannot be our happiest. Who cele-brates the day of their first aequaintance, though it may be remembered with pleasure? Do not the happy pair date their happiness from the day of mar-riage? How justly then, when hearts are assured, when minds cannot alter, are those Mhich precede it, to be deemed a blank!

After all, your 67/et’r/// compliance with my wishes, is the great desirable. Whatever shall be your pleasure, must determine me. My utmost gratitude will be engaged by the condescension, U’/it’/iCTer you shall distinguish the day of the year, distinguished as it will be to the end of my life, that shall give me the greatest blessing of it, and confirm me For ever yours,

CHARLES GRANDISON.


Letter XXXIV.
Signor Jeronymo Della Porretta to Sir Charles Grandison.

[Inclosed in the preceding.]

Bologna, October 18, N. S. I GAVE you, my dear Grandison, in mine of the 5th, the copy of a paper written by my sister, which fill-ed us with hopes of her compliance with the wishes of all her family. She took time for deliberation; time was <>iven her; but still she insisted on receiving your next letters before she came to any resolution. .Mrs. Beaumont herself was of opinion, that the dear creature only meditated delay: that also was ours. What, invincibly determined, as she is, to adhere to the resolution she has so greatly taken, can she hope for (said we among ourselves) from the expected let-ters? For she had declared herself to be so deter — mined, to my brother Giacomo, who actually assured her of all our consents to an alliance with you, if she repented of that resolution.

All this time we offered not to introduce, nor even to name, to her, the Count of Belvedere. Awed by her former calamity, and by an excursivencss of ima-gination, which at times shewed itself in her word.s

Y and behaviour, we avoided saying or doing any thing that was Hkely to disturb her. Giacomo himself, though he wanted to return to Naples, had patience, with her pretty trifling, beyond our expectation. At last arrived yours of the ‘29th of Septejiiber; — kindly inclosing a copy of yours to her, of the same date.f We question not but your reply to mine of the 5th current, is on the road; nor that the contents will be such as we niay hope for, from consi — derations of our happiness and your own: but these, we thought, without waiting for that, would answer the desired end. I will tell you what was said by every one, on the perusal of both.

Is this the man, said the general, whom I some-times so rudely treated? I rejoice that we were re — conciled before he left us. I had foriucd a notion to his disadvantage; that he was capable of art, and hoped to keep his hold ou my sister’s affections, in view of some turn in his favour: but he is the most single-hearted of men. These two letters will strengthen our arguments. Clementina, who has more than once declared that she wishes him mar-ried to an English woman, cannot now, that she will see there is a woman with whom he thinks he can be happ3S wish to stand in his way. These \vill fur-nish us with means to attack her in her strongest hold; in her generosity, her delicacy; and will briiig to the test her veracity. The contents of these let-ters will confirm her before half-taken resolution, as in her paper, to oblige us.:|: ‘Lei LciucDia, as the chevalier says, go into a nunnery: Clementi’.ia will marry, or she is a false girl; and the Sforxa women will be disappointed.

My mother applauded you, and rejoiced to hear

* See Letter v. p. 14. + Sf^e f.ettcr iv. p. 11,

I See p. 03 of this voiuine. that there is a woman of your own nation who is ca-pable of making you more happy than her daughter could.

What difficulties, said the young marchioness, (ever your friend) must a situation so critical have laid him under! A man so humane! And what fur-ther difficulties must he have to surmount, in offer — ing to a woman, whom even Olivia as he says, admires, a hand that has been refused by another? iNIay this admired woman be propitious to his suit!

She must, she must, said the bishop. If she has alieart disengaged, she cannot refuse a man so ac-complished. Jeronymo, hasten to be well. If she favour him, we will all go over, and congratulate them both.

I, for my part, said I, would give up years of life to see my friend as happy in marriage as he deserves to be.

We must tell Cienientina, said my father, as our Giacomo has hinted, that it will not become her generosity to stand in the way of the chevalier’s happiness.

We sent up your letter to our sister, by Camilla. She was busy (Mrs. Beaumont sitting by her at work) in correcting the proportion which once you found iault with, in a figure in her piece of Noah’s ark, and the rising deluge. A letter, madam, froir* the chevalier To mc! said she; and overturned the table on which her materials lay, in haste to take it.

When we thought she had liad time to consider of the contents, we sent up io request the favour of speaking with Jlrs. Beaumont. We owned to her, that we had a copy of your ieUcr toClementina; and asked, what the dear creature said to ihe contents of it? y2

She read it, answered Mrs. Beaumont, in her own closet. I thought she was too long by herself. I went to her. She was in tears. O Mrs. Beaumont, as soon as she saw me, holding out the letter See here! The chevalier is against me! Cruel, I could almost say, cruel Grandison! He turns my own words upon me. I have furnished him with argu-ments against myself What shall I do? I have for many days past repented that I gave, under my hand, reason to my friends to expect my compliance. I cannot, cannot, confirm the hopes I gave! What shall I do?

I took it, read it, continued Mrs. Beaumont, and told her that the chevalier’s arguments were unan-swerable. I dwelt upon some of them. She wept, and was silent.

We then, my dear Grandison, shewed Mrs. Beau-mont your letter to me. She read it How, said she, has this excellent young man been embarrass-ed! I know, from some of my countrymen, the character of the lady whom he mentions: she is an excellent woman! May I take up this letter, and read it to Lady Clementina I

By ail means, answered the general; and support, dear madam, the contents of both with your weight. It will be from perverseness noiv, if she withstand us. Bid her remember, that she has had once at her feet a kneeling father! Bid her remember the written hopes .she has given us!

Mrs. Beaumont went up with it. I will give you an account of what my sister said as she read it. O Grandison, read it but cursorily: you will more and more admire and love the Clementina, who, before her malady, was always considered as one of the first of women; and the glory of our house!

She desired to have it in her own hands; Mrs,

Beaumont, to whose pen we owe the account, look-ed over her, and followed her eye, as she read *

* And did he still, said she, after he had got to England, hope for a change in my resolution?’ Heaven knows She stopt; sighed, and read on.

‘ He foresaw that my friends would press me to marry!’ I foresaw it too! I have indeed been pressed; vehemently pressed!

‘ Rather than any other’ Ah, chevalier! Why, why, were the obstacles religion and country! None less should have She stopt Then, reading to her-self, proceeded:

‘ It was not presumptuous to hope’ No, Grandison; presumptuous it could not ‘oo.

‘ It was justice to Clementina, to attend the event, and to wait for the promised letter.’ Kind, consi-derate Grandison! You were all patience, all good — ness! O that

There she stopt. Then proceeding:

‘ Fourth brother! Not interested in the event.’ Indeed I did write so

‘ (jive up all his hopes!’ Dear Grandison!

‘ It could not be expected that he should give the argument all its weight.’ He has given it too much!

‘ Duty to yield to the entreaties of all my friends.’ Ah, Grandison!

‘ Diincult situations!’ Difficult indeed! And liere am I, who have, more than any other in the world, enhanced his difficulties! Unhappy Clemen-tina! Then reading on

Good God! Mrs. Beaumont! ‘ There is an En-glish ladv, with whom he was actunlli/ Does he not iiirit in love?” Nay, then Take it, take it, Mrs. Utaumont! I can read no further Compasmo/t,

* Sec Letter v. p. 14, of this volume, Y J only, I suppose, brought him over to me! I cannot bear that Yet snatching it from her, and reading,

‘ Beauty her least pefection’ [Happy English Jady!] ‘ Either in my eyes, or her own!’ Have I not wished him such a woman? ‘ Had I never A:noic Clementina!’ How could I be so captious!

‘ Loves her with a flame as pure as the heart of Clementina’ Thank you, chevalier! Indeed I have no impurity in my love My God only have I preferred to you: and I bless God for enabling me to give so due a preference! ‘ or, as her own heart can boast.’ Just such a wife did I wish him; and shall I not rejoice, if such a one will hold out her hand to make him happy?

She sighed often, as she read on; but spoke not, till she came to the words, ‘ That she was to you, what you might truly call, a first love;’ A first love, repeated she: he was indeed mine! Permit me to say, my dear friends, a first and only one.

‘ It became him, he says, in honour, in gratitude, though the difficulties in his way seemed insuperable, [and so they must seem] to hold himself in suspense, and not offer to make his addresses to any other woman.’ Generous, noble Grandison! He did love me Discouraged as he was; nay, insulted by some of us [Giacomo hears me not, looking round her]; lie, the generous Grandison, did love me. She wiped her eyes.

Recovering herself, and reading on Sec here, Mrs. Beaumont ‘ He thought himself obliged, in honour to nie, and to the persons themselves, to decline proposals of advantage.’ Surely he must think me an ungrateful creature.

But (reading on) did he ‘ balance in his mind between this \i\i\\ and me?’ He did. But it was because of his;; certainty with me.

Reading to herself, to the words, * Almost ar^ sin CHARLES GRANDISON. 247 equal interest,’ How is that? said she, repeating them. O, it is explained ‘ But wlien his dear Clementina’ [Do I go too fast for your eye, Mrs. Beaumont?] ‘began to shew signs of recovery,* [She sighed] ‘ and seemed to confirm the hopes I had given him of my partialiti/ for him,’ [Modest, good man!] ‘ then did I content myself,’ says he, [Look, Mrs. Beaumont] ‘ with wishing another Imsbiind to the English lady, more worthy of her than my unhappy situation could have made me.’^ Excellent English lady, if it were in my power, I would make }‘ou amends for having shared a heart with you (so it seems) that ought,??// circumstances and 1/our merit considered, to have been all your own!

‘ What a disappointment was my rejection of him?’ See, these are his words. And these too; that * he admires me, however, for my motives.’

‘ iNIarriage, he says, is not in his power; for there is but one woman in the world, now I have refused him, that he can think worthy of succeeding 7ne.’ What honour he does me. Thank God she is an Englishwoman! O that I had any infiuence over her! Sweet lady, amiable English woman, let not punctilio deprive you of such a man as this! Shew her this letter, my good Grandison! Let me tran-scribe I’rom it, rather, for your perusal, happy Eng — lish hulv L certain passages in it, so delicate, so wor — tln — of himself, and oi’you.

‘ Thousands of whom he is not worthy,’ he says. How can he say so?

‘ She has for an admirer every one who knows her.’ She shall have me for an admirer, Mrs. Beau-mont, it’ she will accept of my fourth brother. She tvtl/ accept oi him, if she deserves the character he ^ivus her; Let me tell you, lady, that your heart is jiarrower than that of Clementina, if you think it a diminution to your honour, that he has loved that Clementina. Why cannot you and I be sisters? My love shall be but a sisterly love. You may depend upon the honour of the Chevalier Grandison. He will do his duty in every relation of life. What can be your doubts?

Even Olivia, he says, admires j^ou! And will such a woman stand upon punctilious observances, Jike women of ordinary consequence, having to deal with common men? O that I knew this lady! I would convince her, that he ‘ can do justice to her greater, and to my lesser merits; and yet not appear to be divided by a doable love: although he should own to all the world, as he says he will,’ [See, see, Mrs. Beaumont, these are his very words] ‘ his af-fection for Clementina, iwA glory in it! ’

O?tlrs. Beaumont, how my soul, putting her hand to her forehead, then to her heart, loves his soul! nor but for one obstacle, that vvould have shaken my faith, and endangered my salvation (had I got over it) should his soul oulj have been the object of my love.

Let me but continue single, my dear friends; indulge me in the wish that has been so long next my heart! and take not advantage of the hopes I have given youin writing: andl shall pass happily through this short life: a life that deserves not the bustle which we make about it. Ask me not either to ‘ S’.c or follow the example you propose to me:’ i can-not do either. Unkind ciievalier, why v.‘ould you strengthen their hands, and weaken mine? Yet, if it became your justice, Avnat had I but justice to expect ft’om a just man; who has so eminently per-formed al! his own duties, and particularly the filial; which he here calls an article of religion?

Yv’hen slie came to the concluding part of this let-tor, and your wishes for her perfect recovery, health, and welfare, and for the happiness of us all; May every blessing, said she, he wishes us, be his!

Then folding up the letter, and putting it in her bosom; This letter, and that which accompanied it, (meaning yours to her) I must read’ over and over.

Shall I say, my Grandison, that I half-pity the lovely Harriet Byron, though her name should be changed to yours? You must love Clementina: were a sovereign princess her rival, yonriiusi. Clementina! who so generously can give up a love as fervent as ever glowed in a virgin heart, on superior motives; motives which regard eternity: and receive joy in the prospect of your happiness with another wo-man, on a persuasion that that woman can make you happier than she herself could, because of a dirterence in religion.

My sister choosing to retire to her closet, to re-pcruse the two letters, Mrs. Beaumont, knowing our curiosity, put down what had passed; intending, as she said, to write a copy of it for you.

How were we all, on perusing it, charmed with our Clementina! I insisted, that nothing, at present, should be said to her of the Count of Belve — dere, and of our wishes in his favour. My father gave into my opinion. lie said, he thought the propercst time to mention the count to her, was, when we had an answer to the letter I wrote to you on the .;th current, if that could give us assurances that 30U had made your addresses to the charming By-ron, and were encouraged. The general was impa — tient; but he acquiesced, on finding everyone come into my motion: but said, that if all this lenity did not do, he must beg leave to have his own meaures pu.rsued.

.Some little particularity has appeared in the dear creature since I have written the above. She has been exceedingly earnest with her mother, to use her interest with my father, and us, to be allowed to go to England: but desii’es not the permission till you are actually married. She pleads my health, because of” the salutary springs you mention to me.

Several other j;leas she offered; but, to say truth, they carried with them such an air of fligluiness, that I am loth to mention them: yet all of them were innocent, all of them were even laudable. But (shall I say?) that some of them appeared too ro-mantic for a settled brain to be so earnest, as she is, for having them carried into execution.

We have no doubt, but ail her view is, to avoid marriage by such a strange excursion. Dear creature, said the bishop, speaking of her just now, the veil denied her, she must have some point to carry; I wish we saw less rapidity in her manner.

I, Grandison, for my part; remember hov — much she and we all sufiered by denying her the farewell-visit from you, on your taking leave of Italy the time before the last.

But v/e think an expedient has offered, that will divert her from this tviliine^s, as I must call it: Mrs. Beaumont has requested, that she may be allowed to take her with her to Florence for some weeks. Clementina is pleased with our readiness to oblige them both; and they will soon go.

But all this time she is uniforai and steady in her wishes for your marriage. Slie delights to hear Ivlrs. Beamr.onc taik of the perfectiuns of the lady to whom v.e are all desirous of hearing you arj united. You had written, it seems, to Mrs. Beau-mont, a character given of this young lady b^Clivia, upon a personal knowledge of her. Mrs, Beaumont shewed it to Clementina.

How generously did the dear creature rejoice in it! Jnst such a woman, said she, did I wish for the chevalier. OHvia has shewn greatness of mind in this instance. Perhaps I have thought too hardly of Ohvia. Little did I think, I should ever have re-(juested a copy of any-thing written by Olivia. Ill — will disables us from seeing those beauties in the person who is the object of it, which would other-wise strike us to her advantage. You must oblige me, added she, with a copy of this extract.

Ortober 20. N. S.

You will he pleased, I know, my Grandison, with every particular that shall tend to demonstrate the pleasure the dear Clementina takes in hoping you will bo soon the happy man we all wish you to be.

This morning she came down with her work into my ch.imber. I invite myself, Jeronyr.io, said she. I will sit down by you, till you are disposed to ri^e. Slie than, of her own motion, began to talk of you; i\i\{\ I, putting it to her (as her mother did yestr-(.ay) v/hether she v/ould be really glad to hear f y.r,.; — ^u;)ti;ils, received the same answer she th’ a .;;,;(’.>; . — I’lc .ruccfcfij should: i;he hoped the next letters \’.;;i;lcl:;;-i:ig an accouiit that it was so. But th’j:i, .;, ../lyuui, continued she, I s!m!l be tea/.ed, per.se —.l,:i. Let me not, my brother, be persecuted. I (i’)ii’t know, whether downright cor.ipuision is not i;K,.-j to’enible than over-earne;-.t entreaty. A child, ia tile lirst instance, may contract herself, as I mr.y jv.iy, withiii her own compass; may be hardened: but the entreaty of such friends as undouhiediv MKim one’s good, dilutes and disarms one’s li art, and makes one wish to oblige them;;md so reiide rs one n;;sera’:)le, whether v.e do or do not co:p-My. I’, lieve mj, Joronymo, thcre is grcMt cruelty in;)-.-r-su.ision, and still niori’ to a sroft and gentle ienijer, th.ui to a ste>bl)orn one: persuaders know net ‘.vhat they make such a person sufTcr.

My dearest Clementina, said I, you have sliewa so glorious a magnanimity, that it would be injuring you, to suppose you are not equal to every branch o^ duty. God forbid that you should be called to sustain an unreasonable trial In a reasonable one, you must be victorious.

Ah Jeronymo! How little do I deserve this fine compliment! Magnanimity, my brother! You know not what I yet, at times, suffer! And have you not seen my reason vanquished in the unequal conflict? She wept. But let the chevalier be mar-ried, and to the angel that is talked of; and let me comfort myself, that he is not a sufferer by my with-holding my hand And then let me be indulged in the single life, in a place consecrated to retirement from the vain world; and we shall both be happy.

Mrs. Beaumont came to seek her. I prevailed on her to sit down, and on my sister to stay a little longer. I extolled my sister to her: she joined in the just praise. But one act of magnanimity, said Mrs. Beaumont, seems wanting to complete the greatness of your character, my love, in this parti-cular case of the expected marriage of the Cheva — lier Grandison.

What is that, Mrs. Beaumont? all attention.

You see his doubts, his apprehensions of appearing v/orthy of the lady so highly spoken of, because of that delicacy of situation (which, as you observe, Olivia also hints at) from what may be called a di-vided love: ^liss Bj’ron may very well imagine, as his love of you commenced before he knew her, that she may injure you if she receive his addresses: you had the generosity to wish, when you were reading those his apprehensions, that you knnv the lady, and were able to influence her in his favour.

Well, Mrs. Beaumont

Can I doubt that Lady Clementina is able to set her name to the noble sentiments, that so lately, oa reading his letter, flowed from her lips?

What would Mrs. Beaumont have me do?

Let me lead you to your own closet. Pen, ink, and paper, are always before you there. Assums your whole noble self, and we shall see what that assumption will produce.

All that is in my power, said she, to promote the happiness of a man who has suffered so much through my means, it is my duty to do.

She gave her hand to Mrs. Beaumont; who led her to her closet, and left her there. The following is the result. Generous, noble creature! But does it not shew a raised imagination.’* especiall}^ in the disposition of the lines?

Best of men! 1

Ti . ., }— Be ye oxe.

Best or women! J—^

Cle.mentina wishes it!

Grandison, lady, will make you happy.

Be it ijonr study to make him so! —

Happy, as CleiMentina would have made hira,

Had not obstacles invincible intervened.

This will lessen her regret:

For,

His felicity, temporal aiul eternal.

Was ever the wish next her heart.

GOD be merciful to you both,

^^nd lead you into his paths:

Then will everlasting happiness be your portion.

Be it the portion of Clementina!

Pray for her!

That, afccr this transitory is over,

Shu may partake oi’ heavenly bliss;

And

(Not a stranger to you, lady, here)

Rejoice with you both hereaftkr.

Clementina della Pohkltta.

The admirable creature gave this to Mrs. BeaU’ mont: Send this, madam, said she, if you think proper, to your friend and my friend, the Chevalier Grandison, Tell him that I shall think myself very happy, if it may serve as a testimonial, to the lady whose merits entitle her to his love, of my sincere wishes for their mutual happiness: tell him, that at present I wish for nothing more ardently, than to hear of his nuptials being celebrated.

Dear Grandison! let your next give us an oppor-tunity to felicitate you on this desirable event. In this wish joins every one of a family to whom you are, and ever will be, dear. Witness, for them all.

The Marquis and Marchioness della Pouketta. I. T, R. Bishop of Nocera. Jeronymo della Porretta. J. P. M. Marescotti. HoRTENsiA Beaumont.


Letter XXXV.
Miss Byron to Sir Charles Grandison.

Wednesday, November 1.

How, Sir, have the contents of your friend Jeru-nymo’s letter affected me! I am more and more convinced, that, however distinguished my lot maij be, Clementina only can deserve you. ^^‘hat a vain creature must I be, if I did not think so! And what a disingenuous one, so thinking, if I did not acknowledge it!

I cannot, Sir, misconstrue your delicate sensibi-lities. My own teach me to allow for yours.

< Best of men,’ I can, I do, with Clementina, think you: but Harriet’s ambition will be gratified, in being accounted second to her.

And does Clementina * wish us one! Most no-ble, most generous of women!

* Grandison, you say, will make me happy.’

* But ah, my lovely pattern! can Harriet be hap-py, even with her Grandison, if j/ow are not so?

‘ Believe me, lady! j/our happiness will be es-sential to hers.

* God give you happiness! Harriet prays for it! My next to divine monitress, it shall be my study to make him happy!

* But most excellent of women, have you regrets? Regrets, which can only be lessened by the joy you will have in his happiness! And with another!

‘ Superlative goodness!

* Why, why, when he would allow to you the exercise of your religion, and only insists on the like hberty, are the obstacles you hint at invincili/c!’

O Sir, I can pursue this subject no further. Thus far an irresistible impulse carried nie.

How should I be able to stand before this lady, were the visit she was so earnest to be allowed to make to England to take ])lace; yet in such a case, wath what pleasure should I pay my reverence to her nii;ul in her person!

And does yiii:, do her fniiiili/, do you, Sir, wish us spec.iifi/ ONE? Are you not satisfied with the given nioutli? Is not a month. Sir, i/onr deciardtiou so Intel 1/ rdcidc, a short term? (And let me ask you, but vvitliiii [larentheses, Do you not, on an occasion so:</;/ delicate, in you.r limited thrce days after your return to us, treat tiie not insensible Harriet a little snore Help me. Sir, to a word than might have been expected from a man so verij polite?) And can you so generously, yet so seriously, asi. le, From xvhich parts of the nuptial life, the last (What a dreadful idea do you raise in that solemn word!) or the fihst, I would deduct the week’s or fortnight’s supposed delay? O Sir! what away o^ putting it is this! Thus I answer ‘ From neither? My honour is your honour. Determine you, most generous of men, for your

HARRIET BYRON,


Letter XXXVI.
Miss Jervois to Sir Charles Grandison.

HONoiTRFD SIR, Tuesday, October 31.

You will think your ward very bold to address you by letter; especially as she is a very poor inditer, and as you are in town: but her heart is in trouble, and she must Avrite; and must beg the favour of you, the most indulgent guardian that ever poor orphan had, to answer her by pen and ink. For whether you can foigive her or not, she will be equally incapable of bearing your goodness, or your displea — sure. How weakly I express myself! I find I shall write worse to you, than to any-body else, because I wish to write best. Ikit I have great awe, and no genius. I am a poor girl in every sense; as you shall hear by-and-by. I hope you won’t be very angry with me. If you are, I shall be worse than poor I shall be miserable.

But to come before my guardian as a delinquent, when I have ambition enough to wish to shine in his eyes, if so it could have been! It is a very great mortification indeed! If you were to acquit me, I shall have had great punishment in that thought.

But to open my troubled heart to you Yet how shall I? I thought to tell it you yesterday; but for my life I could not. Did you not observe me once, Kir, hanging upon the back cf your chair, unable to stand in your sight? O liow I felt my face glow! Then it tiv/.v I thought to have spoken my mind; but you were so kind, so good to ine, I could not, might I liave luid the world. You took my hand I shall be very bold to repeat it; but am always so proud of your kind notice, that I can’t help it: and you said, drawing me gently to you, ‘ Why keeps n)y Emily behind me? What can I do for my Emily! Tell me, child: Is there any thing I can do for my ward?’ Yet, though the occasion was so fair, I could not tell you. But I shall tire you, before I come to the point (to the fault, I should say) that has emboldened me to write.

This then is the truth of the matter: My poor mother. Sir, is very good now, you know. You have taken from her all her cares about this world: she and her husband live together happily and elegantly: they want for nothing: and are grown quite religious: so that they have leisure to think of their souls’ good. They make me cry for joy, when ever I go to them. They pray for you, and heap blessings upon you; and cry to think they ever of-fended you.

But, Sir, I took it into my head, knowing it was a vast way for them ro go fro.n Soho to some-where in Moorfields to hear the preacher thty ad — mire so much, and coach-hire, aad c’virities, und con’rihuti’ ns, of one kinder other (forth ir minister has no establishment) and old debts paying oft”, that at present, though I believe they are frugal enough, they can’t be nnich aforehand So, thou^lit 1, t i.all I ride in my guardian’s coaeh, atone tin.’,., in Lady G.‘s at another, in Lady L.‘s at another U\. iW so mucli better able to walk than niy p.^or mother, while bhe is growing into years, and when infirmitie; — are CO niiiij; on; and my gMardian’.-, example befor.3 me, so opening to one’s heart? I ventured, therefore,

Z .J unknown to my mother and her husband, unknown to any-body, by way of surprise, to bespeak a plain neat chariot, and agreed for a coachman, and a pair of horses; for I had about 130 guineas by me when I bespoke it. Out of this, thought I (which is my own money, without account) I shall be able to spare enough for the first half year’s expences; after which, they will be in circumstances to keep it on: and as quarters come round, thought I, I will stint myself, and throw in something towards it; and then my poor mother and her husband can go to serve (iod, and take sometimes an airing, or so, where they please; and make an appearance in the world, as the mother of the girl who is intitled to so large a fortune. And I don’t grudge Mr. O’Hara; for he is vastly tender of my mother now: which must be a great comfort to her, you know, Sir, now she is come to be sorry for past things, and apt to be very spiritless, when she looks back Poor dear woman!

But here. Sir, was the thing: Believing it became me, as Lady L. Lady G. and Mrs. Eleanor Grandison, intended to shew their respect to you, on a certain happy occasion, by new clothes, to shew mine the same way; I went to the mercer’s, and was so tempted by two patterns, that, not knowing which to chuse, I bought of both; not thinking, at the time, of the bespoken chariot. To be sure I ought to have consulted Lady L. or Lady G.; but, foolish creature as I was, I nmst be for surprising them too, with my fine fancy.

Then I laid out a good deal more than I intended, in millinery matters; not but I had my pennyworths for my penny: but the milliners are so very obliging; they shew one this pi-etty thing, and that fashionable one; and are so apt to praise one’s taste; and one is so willing to believe them, and to be thought mighty clever; that there is no resisting the vanity they raise. I own all my folly: I ever will, Sir, when I am guilty of any greater silliness than ordi-nary; for I have no bad heart, I hope, though lam one of the flowers I once heard you compare some of us to, who are late before they blow into discretion.

But now, good Sir, came on my distress: for the bespoken chariot was ready; ready sooner, by a fortnight than I expected. I thought my quarter would be nearer ended; and I had made a vast hole in my money. I pulled up a courage; I had need of it: and borrowed fifty guineas of Lady G.; but, from this foolish love of surprises, cared not to tell her for what. And havin<; occasion to pay two or three bills (I was a thoughtless creature to be sure) which unluckily, though I had asked for them before, w ere brought in just then, I borrowed another sum, but yet told not Lady G. for what; and the dear lady, I believe, thought me an extravagant girl; I saw she did, by her looks.

But, however, I caused the new chariot to be brought privately to me. I went in it, and it carried me to Soho; and there on my knees, made my present to my mother.

But do you think. Sir, that she and Mr. O’llara, when I confessed that I had not consulted you upon it, and that neither Lady L. nor Lady G. nor yet ^Irs. Eleanor Grandison, knew a syllable of the mat-ter, would accept of it? They would not: but yet they both cried over me for joy, and blessed me.

It is put up somewhere And there it lies, till I have obtained your pardon first, and your direction afterwards. And what shall I do, if you are angry at your poor ward, who has done so inconsiderate a thing, and run herself into debt?

Chide me, honoured Sir, if you please. Indeed you never yd did chide me. But yours will be eludings of love; o^ paternal lowe. Sir.

But if you are angry with me more than a day; if you give me reason to believe you think meanly of me, though, alas! I may deserve it; and that this rashness is but a prelude to other rash or conceited steps (for that is the fear which most terrifies mo) and is therefore to be resented with severity; then will I fly to my dear Miss Byron, that now is! And if she cannot soften your displeasure, and re-store me to your good opinion (mere pardon will not be enough for your truly penitent ward) then will I say, Burst, heart! Ingrateful, inconsiderate Emily, thou hast offended thy guardian! What is there left in this life, that is worth thy cares!

And now, Sir, I have laid my troubled heart open before you. I know you will not so much blame the thing, even should you not approve of it, as the manner; doing it (after you had been so extremely generous and considerate to my mother) without consulting either you, or your sisters. O my vanity and conceit! They, they, have misled me. They never shall again, whether you forgive me, or not.

But, good, indulgent, honoured Sir, my guardian, my protector, let not my punishment be the reversing of the gracious grant which my heart has been so long wishing to obtain, and Avhich vou had consented to, of being allowed to live immeditely in your own eye, and in the presence of my dear Ivliss iiyron, that now is. This rash action should rather induce you to confirm than reverse it. And I promise to be very good. I ever loved her. I shall add filial honour, as I may say, to my love of her. I never will do any thing without consulting her: and but what you, the kindest guardian that ever poor orphan had, v.ould wish me to do.

And now, Sir, honour me with a fev/ lines from your own hand; were it but to shew me that this impertinence has not so far tired you, as (should you think it just to banish me from your presence for sotne time) to make you discourage applications to you, by pen and ink, from, Sir,

Your truly sorrowful ward, and ever obliged and grateful liMIl^y JERVOIS.


Letter XXXVII.
Sir Charles Grandison to Miss Jervois.

Wednesday, November 1. I WRITE to the dear child of my tcnderest cares, because she requests me to write: else, I had hasten-ed to her in person, to comfort her doubting heart; and to assure her, that nothinp — but a fault premedi-tated, and persisted in, that might have affected her present or future reputation, and consequently her happiness, could make me, for half an hour, offend-ed with her. Your good intentions, my dear child, will ever be your security with me. Men, as well as women, are often misled by their love of surprises; but the greatest surprise my Emily could give me, would be, if she could do any one thing that would shew a faulty heart.

Once more, my dear, pay your duty to your mo-ther, in the chariot which has been the causeless occasion of so much concern to you; and tell her, and Mr. O’Hara, that they have greatly obliged me in declining the acceptance of the chariot, so duti-fully presented, till they knew my mind: but that, not so much in the compliment paid to me as your puardian, as because it has given me an opinion of their own generosity and discretion. Tell them, that I greatly approve of this instance of your duty to your mother, and of your regard, for her sake, to Mr. O’Hara: tell them, that I join with my ever-amiable ward in requesting their acceptance of it; and do you, my dear, tell Miss Jervois, that I greatly honour her for this new instance of the goodness of her heart.

I inclose a note, and will, to make you easy, carry it to its proper account, that will enable you to pay the debt which you, with so dutiful an intention, have contracted. Forgive you, my dear! I love, I admire, you for it. i will not have you stint your-self, as you call it, in order to contribute to the future expense of the chariot. The present is but a handsome one, respecting your fortune. Be there-fore, for your mother’s life, the whole expence yours; and it may possibly contribute not a little to the ease of mind of both, (as they now live together not unliappily) if you have the goodness to assure Mr. O’Hara, that you are so well satisiiedwith his kind treatment of your mother, that you will, on suppo-sition of the continuance of it, before you enter into engagements which may limit your own power, or make your will dependent on that of another person, secure a handsome provision for him, for his life, in case he survive your mother.

I thank you, my dearest ward, for the affection you express for my beloved Miss Byron. She loves you so tenderly, that it would have been a concern to me, had she not engaged your love and confi-dence. You highly oblige me by promising to con sult her on all material occasions. The benefit jjon Avill receive from her prudent advice and example, and the delight she will receive from your company, will be a happiness to all three. My Emily may dejjend upon every thing to make it completely so, that shall be in the power of xler faithful friend and servant,

CHARLES GRANDISON.


Letter XXXVIII.
Ml.SS JERVOrS To Sir Charles Grandison.

Thursday, November 2. A FEW lines, Sir; a very few Not to shew my vaiiity, my pride, in being allowed to write to my guardian; nor to presume to draw him into an inter-t;ourse of letters. No, Sir, I write only to thank you; which I do a thousand thousand times, for the case, the joy, you have given to my heart. O how I dreaded to open your letter! But I could not have expected it to be so verji indulgent to a faulty girl. Not o6’ rebuke! O Sir! how very good you are! And to send me the money to clear my debts! To I) id nie make my present! In so gracious a manner 10 bid me! And to put me upon promising a provision for life for Mr. O’Hara, if he survive my mother; which will prevent their thinking themselves obliged to live more narrowly while they are to-gL’ther, in order to save, in view of such an unhappy event! I Hlw to them, with the good news I read t!u’ whole letter to them. O how their hearts blessed you at their e3es, for they could not presuiiliy speak; and how my tears mingled with theirs! () Sir, you made us all infants! I, for my part, am .still a baby! Did I ever cry so much for grief, as you have made me cry for joy? It is well some-thing now-and-then comes to check one’s joy; there would be no bearing it, else. But I shall encroach on your precious time. Thank you, thank you, Sir, a hundred thousand times. ^ly mother is happy! Mr. O’Hara is happy! My Miss Byron will soon be the happiest of all human beings, thank God! You, my guardian, must be one of the happiest of men!

May every-body else be happy that you wish to be so! and then how happy will be, good Sir,

Your dutiful ward, and obliged servant, ever to be commanded,

EMILY JERVOIS.

They say you set out for Northamptonshire next Monday or Tuesday, at furthest. Lord bless me! Lord bless you! I would say And bless every body you love! Amen! for ever and ever.


Letter XXXLX.
Miss Byron to Lady G.

Thursday, Novembers.

I HAVE laid before you, ray dear Lady G. the let-ters of your brother and Signor Jeronymo; as also my answer to that of your brother: my spirits never were so unequal. All joy at one time; apprehen-sion at another; that something will still happen. Greville is reported to be >o gloomy, so silent! He hates me, he says. And here, unexpectedly, is poor Mr. Orme returned. Amended in his health a little, those who have seen him say, and he thinks so I am glad of it. And here are we sitting in judgment, my aunt lady-president, on the patterns you have sent: my uncle too will have his opinion be taken And Mr Deane, who threatened he would not come to Selby-house till the settlements were to be signed, or read I cannot tell ii:hat will be liere on Saturday.

Mr. Orme has desired leave to visit me to-mor-row. My uncle so hurries niv spirits: not with his

STU CHARLES (JRANDISON. ‘2().5 raillery, as he used to do but with his joy. He talks of nothing but the coming down of your bro-ther, and the limited three days after; and numbers the days, nay, the hours, as they fly: for he sup-poses Sir Charles will be here on Monday, at fur — thest; and calls that a delay of particular grace and favour to me. For he has not told you, said he, that nothing after Friday can, on his part, detain him from us?

But, Lady G. will he not write to my last before he comes? Say my uncle what he pleases, your brother can’t be down before Saturday se’nnight, at soonest.

Your fancy and Lady L.‘s determine us. My aunt has undertaken this province: she therefore will write to you what she thinks fit. Is there not too much glare in the flowered silver, as you describe it? Don’t, my dear, let me be a bride in a masque-rade habit. Humility becomes persons of some de gree. We want not glare: we are hioivv. to be able to afford rich dresses need them not, therefore, to give us consequence: simplicity only can be ele-gance. Let me not be gaudy: let not fancy, or art, or study, be seen in my dresses. Something must be done, I grant, on our apprarance; for an ap-pearance we must not dispense with here in the coun — try, whatever you people of quality may do in town, liut let me not, I beseech you, or as little as possible, be marked out for a lustre; and be so good as to throw in a hint to this purpose to the dear busy girls here, as from yourselves; for they are exercising their fancies, as if I were to be a queen of the May. Your authorities will support me, if they give mc cause to differ in opinion from them. * *

Miss Orme has just been with me. She confimns her brother’s amendment. She is sorry that his impatience has brought him over, when the climate was so favourable to him. She says, I shall find him sincerely disposed to congratulate me on my happy prospect; of which she has given him ample particulars. He could not, she says, but express himself pleased, that neither Fenwick nor Greville, but that one of so superior a character, is to be the man.

What greater felicity can a young creature propose to herself, in the days of courtship, than to find every one in her family, and out of it, applauding her choice? Could I, a few weeks ago, have thought But hushed be vanity! Pride, withdraw! Meek-eyed humility, stand forth! Am I indeed to be the happiest of women? Will nothing happen O no, no! Heaven will protect your brother Yet this Greville is a trouble to me. Not because of my horrid dream; I am not so superstitious as to let that disturb me: but from a hint he gave Miss Orme.

She met him this morning at a neighbouring lady’s. He thus accosted her: I understand, ma-dam, that your brother is returned. He is a happy man. Just in time, to see Miss Byron married. Fenwick, a dog! is gone to howl at Carlisle, on the occasion. Your brother, Miss Orme, and I have nothing to do but howl in recitative, to each other, here.

My brother, Mr. Greville, answered Miss Orme, I am sure, will behave like a man on the occasion: nor can you have reason to howl, as you call it. Sir Charles Grandison is your particular friend, you know.

True, Miss Orme, affecting to laugh off this hit, I thought I could have braved it out; but now the matter comes near, it sticks here, just here, pointing to his throat: I cannot get it through my gizzard.

Plaguy hard of digestion! making faces, in his light way.

But will your brother, proceeded he, be contented to stay within the noise of the bells, which will (in Si few days perhaps) be set a ringing, for ten miles round? Sir Charles drives on at a damnable rate, I hear. ‘But he must let me die decently, I can tell him: we will not part for ever with the flower of our country, without conditions.’ Shall ^o see the Siren, madam? if you do, tell her, that I have no chance for peace, but in hating her heartily. But (whispering Miss Orme) bid her not to be too SECURE.

I was strangely struck with these last words; for my spirits were not high before. I repeated them; I dwelt upon them, and wept. Fool that I was! But I soon recollected myself; and desired Miss Orme not to take notice of my tender folly.

Friday. I have had a visit from Mr. Orme. He has given me some pleasure. I added not to his melanchoiy. He asked me several interesting questions, which I would not have answered any other man, as I told him. I shall always value Mr. Orme. Your bro-ther is the most generous of men: but were he not so very generous, he ought to allow for my civilitij to this worthy man; since I can applaud him with my whole heart, for loving the noble Clementina. What a narrow-hearted creature must I be, if I did not? But as a woman’s honour is of a more delicate nature, I believe, than a man’s, with regard to fersoiml love; so perhaps, it’ liiis ha allowed me, a man may be as jealous of a woman’s civihtij (in general cases, I mean) as a woman may be of a man’s love to another object. This may sound strauire, at first hearing, Ladv G. but I know what I mean. Nobody else does, Harriet, perhaps you will say But they would, I reply, if I were to explain myself; which, at present, if you apprehend me not, I have no inclination to do.

How did this worthy man praise Sir Charles Grandison! He must see that my pride, no, not pride, ray gratitude, was raised by it, as well to the jjruiser as praised. He concluded with a blessing on us both, which he uttered in a different manner from what that Balaam–Greville uttered his: itwas followed with tears, good man! and he left me almost unable to speak. How grateful in our ears are the praises bestowed on those whom we fondly love!

Lucy thinks I had best go to my grandmamma’s before he comes down; and that he should visit me there from Selhy-house. Neither my aunt nor I are of this opinion: but that he should himself go to Shrrley-manor, and visit us from thence. For is not Selby-house my usual place of residence? My grandmamma will be delighted with his company, and conversation. But as he cannot think of coming down before the latter end of next week, at the soonest, it is time enough to consider of these things. Yet can a young creature, the awful so-lemnity so near, and with a man whom she prefers to al! others, liiul room in her head for any other topic?

I have a letter from my good Mrs. Reeves. She and my cousin are so full of this agreeable subject, that they invite themselves down to us; and hope we Villi exc:j>Je them for their earnestness on this occasion. Tlicy are prodigiously earnest. I won-der my cousin can think of leaving her little boy. My aunt says, there is no denying thcra. Your presence, ni}^ Charlotte, I own, would be a high satisfaction to me: yet you would be a little unMR CnARLES GRANDISON. 269 manageable, I doubt. There can be no hope of Lady L.‘s: but if there were, neither she, nor ffny-body else, could keep you orderly. Poor dear Emily! My aunt wishes, that we could have had her with us: hut, for her own sake, it must not be. How often do I revolve that reflection of your brother’s; that, in our happiest prospects, the sighing heart will confess imperfection! But I will not add another word, after I have assured you, my dearest ladies, that I am, and ever will be,

Your grateful and most affectionate humble servant,

HARRIET BYROX.


Letter XL.
Sir Charles Grandison to Miss Byron.

Friday, Nuvembfr 3.

RECEIVE, dearest, loveliest, of women, the thanks of a most grateful heart, for your invaluable favour of Wednesday last. Does my Harriet (alread}’, methinks, I have sunk the name of Byron into that of Grandison), do Mrs. Shirley, Airs. Selby, think, that I have treated one of the most delicate of fe-male minds indelicately, in the ivixli (not the pre scription) I have presumed to signify to the beloved of my heart; that within three days after my per-mitted VQi\xn\ toNorthaniptonshire, I maybe allowed to receive at the altar the greatest blessing of my hfe? I would not be thought ungenerous. I sig-nified my wishes; but I told you, in the same letter, that your dieerfid compliance was to me the great desirable. In every-thing, from the date of the condescending letter belbre me, to the last of my life, shall your wishes determine mine. I will have ‘J A 3 your whole heart in the grant of every request I make to you, or you sliall have the cheerful acqui-escence of mine with your will. Permit me to say, that the family punctilio was not out of my thoughts, when I expressed my own ardent wishes to you. Does not the world about you expect, on the return of the happy man, a speedy solemnization? I imagined, that whether he be permitted to make the place of his abode Selby-house or Shirley-manor, you would not that the happy day should be long deferred, which should give him rank as one of the dear family.

Our equipages, my dearest life, are all in great forwardness. In tenderness to you, I have forborne to consult you upon some parts of them; as my regard for your judgment would otherwise have obliged me to do. The settlements are all ready. Our good Mr. Deane is ready to attend you with them. Allow me, then, to do myself the honour of presenting myself before you at Selby-house, on Tuesday next. I will leave it to you to distinguish the happiest day of my life, whether within the succeeding three, four, five, or even six of my return.

If I have not your commands to the contrary, Tuesday morning then, if not Monday night, shall present to you the most ardent and sincere of men, pouring out his grateful vows for the invaluable favour of Wednesday’s date, which I consider in the sacred light of a plighted love; and, as such, have given it a place next my heart.

My most respectful ccmpliments to all whom we both so justly hold dear, conclude me, dearest ma-dam,

Your most grateful, obliged, and ever-affectionate,

CHARLES GKANDISON.


Letter XLI.
Miss Byron to Lady G.

Moiulay morninjr, Novpmhpr 6. I SKND you, my dearest Lady G. a copy of your brother’s letter of Friday last. Lucy has tran-scribed it for you. Lucy is vtry oblijjfing. She desires to be allow ed to correspond with you; and makes a merit of these transcriptions for an intro-duction: that is her view. I give you fair notice of it, that you may either check or encourage lier, as you think fit.

Have I not cause to think your brother a little out of the way in his resolution of so sudden a re-turn? This night perhaps, or to-inorrow morning I am vexed, my dear, because he is such an anti-cipater, that he leaves not to me the merit of oblig — ing him beyond his expectation. However, I shall rejoice to see him. The moment he enters the room where I am, he can have no faults.

My aunt, who thinks he is full hasty, is gone to dine with my grandmamma, and intends to settle with that dear parent every-thing for his reception at Shirley-manor. My uncle, at Mr. Orme’s invitation, is gone to dine with that worthy man.

Monday nflernoon. O my dearest liady G.! what shall we do! All quarrels are at an end! all petulance, all folly! I may never, never, be his at all! I may, before the expected time of his arrival, be the most miserable of women! Your brother, best of men! may be ah my Charl

Terrified to death, my pen fell from my fingers

. I fainted away Nobody came near me. I know I was not long insensible My terrors broke through even the fit I fell into Nothing but death itself could make me long insensible, on such an occasion O how I shall terrify you! Dearest Lady G. But here, here comes my Lucy Let her give the occasion of my anguish.

THE FOLLOWIXG WRITTEN BY MISS LUCY SELBY.

At my cousin’s request, while she is laid down, I proceed, my good Lady G. to account to you for her terrors, and for mine also Dear creature! But don’t be too much terrified: Ciod, we hope, God, we pray, will protect your brother! Mr. Greville cannot be capable of the shocking mischief, bar-barity, villany, which it is apprehended he has in view: God will protect your brother!”

Here, a note was brought from annnonjpnous\m\\di I don’t know what I write from an nnknmvn hand; signifying, that Mr. Greville was heard to threaten the life of your brother; and we are told, by more than one, that he is moody, and in a bad way as to his mind. And he left his house this morning; so the note says (and i/uit he certainhj did) and was seen to take the London road, with several servants, and others And the dear Harriet has distracted herself and me with her apprehensions. My aunt out, my uncle out, none but maid-servants at home. We, before she came up to her closet, ran up and down, directing, and undirecting; and she promised to go up, and try to compose herself, till jny uncle came from the Pai-k, where he is to dine with Mr. Ornie. He is sent for Thank God my uncle is come!

BY MISS BYUON.

And what, my dear Lady G. can his coming sig-sin CIIAULES CUANDISON. 273 nify? Lucy is gone down to shew him the anony-luous writer’s note. Dear, dear Sir! Lord of my wishes! forgive me all my petulance. Come safe (Jod grant it! Come safe! And hand and heart I will be yours, if you require it, tomorrow morning!

Here, Lady G. follows the copy of the alarming note. I broke the seal. It was thus directed:

TO GEORGE SEI-BY, ESQ. WITH SPEED, SPEED, SPEED* HftNOURED SIR,

A very great respccterof oncof the most generous and noblest of men (Sir Charles Grandison, I mean) iuforms you, that his life is in great danger. He over-heard IVIr. Greville say, in a rageful manner, a:s by his voice, ‘ I never will allow such a prize to be carried from me. lie shall die the death,’ and swore to it. He was a little in wine, it is true; and I should have disregarded it for that reason, had I not informed myself that he is set out with armed men this morning. Make what use you please of this: you never will know the writer. But love and reverence to the young baronet is all my motive. So help me Ciod!

Two of my uncle’s tenants, severally? saw the shocking creature on the London road, with ser-vants. What w ill become of me, before morning, if he arrive not this night in safety!

Monday night, eleven.

My uncle dispatched two servants to proceed on the London road as far as they could go for day-light. He himself rode to Mr. Greville’s. Mr. Greville had been out all day. and welt attended Expected, however, to return at night. To prepare for his escape (who knows?) after the blackest of villanies. My aunt is in tears; my uncle recol-lects aggravating circumstances. Our preparations, your brother’s preparations; Mr. Deane’s expected arrival of tomorrow Lucy weeps; Nancy wrings her hands Your Harriet is in silent anguish She can weep no more! She can write no more!

Tuesday morning, eiglit o’clock, November 7.

What a dreadful night have I had! Not a wink of sleep.

And nobody stirring. Afraid to come down, I suppose, for fear of seeing each other. My eyes are swelled out of my head. I wonder my uncle is not down. He might give orders about something I know not what. What dreadful visions had I ready, as it seemed, to contirme my disturbance, could I have closed my eyes to give seeming form to the flying shadows! Wnkins dreams: for I was broad awake: Sally set up with me. Such starlings! such absences: I never was so before. Such another night would I not Isave for the world! I caa only write. Yet u/;^/ do I write? To what pur-pose? You must not see what I have written. Now on my knees, praying, vowing: now my Lucy!


Lucy entered just here Nancy followed her Nancy tormented me with her reveries of the past night: my aunt is not well; she has not slept. My uncle fell into a dose, about his usual rising-time: he has had no rest. My grandmamma must not inow the occasion of our grief, till it cannot be kept from her If But no more Dreadful (/


Letter XLII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation’.

Tuesday, twelve o’clock, Novemher T.

In a smnll hand, under the superscription of the inner cvti-y.

.My dcanst I-ady Ci. pray read the first page of llii? letter, before you open the other dreadful one, sealed with fue seals, and stitched to the cover (that it may not;lide o/- //ciOJ/s/j/ into your hands.) Lucy will have me send thewhoJf of that shocking letter. Against my judgment, [ comply.

We met this morning soul-less, and forlorn, all equally unable either to give or receive consolation. The officious note was taken up, laid down, taken up again; the hand endeavoured to be guessed at: and at last it was concluded, to dispatch a servant to Mr. Greville’s, to learn news of the supposed traitor.

But behold! before the servant could return, in a riding-dress, having alighted at the outward-gate, entered the hall your noble brother. I was the first whom he saw; the first who saw him. I was just going out, intending (yet hardly knowing my intention) to walk in the elm-row fronting the house, in order to shorten the way of the returning servant with news.

He apj)roachcd me with tender respect. Some-thing he said, and more he intended to say; excusing his early return, and thanking me for my favour of the Wednesday before; when my joyful surprise overpowered both my speech and senses. And what will you say to me, wlien I tell you, that, on my recovery, I found myself in his arms, mine clasped jibout his neck? lie was surprised at my emotion. Well he might

“Every one, in a moment, crowded about Tiim My aunt also folded her arms around him Wel-come, welcome, welcome, was all she could, at the instant, say,

I, utterly abashed, trembling, and doubting my feet, motione-d to quit the hall for the parlour Bui nobody minded me; all were busied in congratu-lating the joy of every heart; till Sally presenting herself, I leaned upon her, and staggering to the parlour, threw myself into an elbow-chair.

Your brother, attended by all my friends, followed me in. My heart again bid him welcome, though my eye could not, at that instant, bear his. He took my hand, as I sat, between both his, and in the most respectful manner, pressing it with his lips, besought me to compose myself.

They had hinted to him in the hall, tbe cause of all our emotions They had as much reason to blush, as I had. Nancy, it seems, even Nancy, snatched his hand, and kissed it, in raptures. How dear is he to us all! He sees it, now: there can be no reserves to him, after this. Punctilio! familij-punctilio! men-tioned he in his letter! We have now no preten — sions to it

His eyes shone with grateful sensibility. Loot upon me, loveliest of women, said he, and tell me, you forgive me, for my early return: but, though returned, I am entirely at your devotion.

Lucy says, she never saw me more to my advan-tage. I looked upon him, as he bid me, smiling through my tears. He stole gently my handker-chief from ni}’ half-hid face; with it he dried my unavcrted cheek, and put it, she says, in his bosom. I have lost it.

My uncle and aunt withdrew with him, and ac-quainted him with all particulars. To them he ac — knowledged, in words of eloquent love, uiv uncle said, the honour done him by me, and by us all, in the demonstrations we had given of our tender regard for him.

I was, by the time of their return to us, pretty well recovered. Sir Charles approached me, without taking notice of the emotion I had been in. Mr. and Mrs. Selby tell me, said he to me, that I am to be favoured with a residence at our venerable Mrs. Shirley’s. This, though a high honour, looks a little distant; so would the next door, if it were not under the same roof with my Miss Byron: but, smiling tenderly upon me, I shall presume to hope, that this very distance will turn to my account. Mrs. Shirley’s Harriet cannot decline paying her accustomed duty to the best of grandmothers.

Bowing, I shall not, Sir, said I, be the more backward to pay my duty to my grandmanmia, for your obliging her with your company.

Thus, resumed he, ardently kissing my hand, do I honour to myself for the honour done nie. How-poor is man, that he cannot express his gratitude to the object of his vows, for obligations conferred, but by owing to her new obligation!

Then turning to my aunt It is incumbent upon me, madam, said he, to pay my early devoirs to Mrs. Shirley, the hospHahie Mrs. Shirley, repeated he, smiling; which looked as if he expected to be here. There, besides, (looking pleasantly upon my aunt) I may be asked here I am not to break my fast.

This set us all into motion. ]My uncle ran out to look after Sir Charles’s servants, who, it seems, in our hurry, were disregarded: their horses in the court-yard; three of them walking about, waiting their master’s orders. My uncle was ready, in the true taste of old English hospitality, to pull them in.

Chocolate was instantly brought for their master; and a dish for each of us. We had made but a poor breakfast, any of us. I could get nothing down before my aunt put a second dish into my hand: I took her kind meaning, and presented it to Sir Charles. How gratefully did he receive it! Will it alivays be so, Lady G.? My love, heightened by my duty, shall not, when the obligation is doubled, make me less deserving of his politeness, if I can help it.

But still this dreadful note, and Greville’s re-ported moodiness, made us uneasy. The servant we sent returned, with information that Mr. Gre-ville came home late last night. He was not stirring, it seems, though eleven o’clock, when the servant reached his house. He is said to be not well; and, as one servant of his told ours, so very fretful, and ill-tempered, that they none of them know how to speak to him. God grant But let me keep to myself such of my apprehensions as are founded on conjecture Why should I not hope the best? Is not your beloved brother at present safe? And is he not the care of Providence? I humbly trust he is.

Sir Charles took the note. I think I have seen the hand, said he: if I have, I shall find out the writer. I dare say, it is written with a good intention.

My uncle and we all expressed, some in words, some by looks, our apprehensions.

There cannot possibly be room for any, said Sir Charles; always present to himself. Mr. Greville loves Miss Byron. It is no wonder, as his appre-hensions of losing all hopes of her for ever gruw stronger, that he should be uneasy. He would make but an ill compliment to her merit, and his own sincerity, if he were not. But such a stake as he has in his country, he cannot have desperate intentions. I remember to his advantage, his last behaviour here. I will make him a visit. I must engage Mr. Greville to rank me in the number of his friends.

What he said gave us comfort. No wonder if we women love courage in a man: we ( w^/.^, if it be true courage, like that of your excellent brother. After all, my dear, I think we must allow a natural supe-riority in the minds of men over vvou.en. Do we not want j)rotection; and does not that want im))ly inferiority i^ ^‘et if there be tv\’,> sorts of courage, an ac(/!i/ red and a natural; why may not the former be obtained by women, as wei. as by men, were they to have the same education? Natural courage may belong to either. Had Miss Harnevelt, for example, had a boy’s education, she would have pro- bably challenged her man, on provocation given; and he might have come off but poorly.

But we have more silly antipathies th.an men, which help to keep us down: whether those may not sometimes be owing to affectation, do you, Lady (j. who, however, have as little ati’ectation as ever woman had, determine. A frog, a toad, a spider, a beetle, an earwig, will give us mighty pretty ten-der terror; while the heroic men will trample the insect under foot, and look the more brave for their barbarity, and for our dcUcate scrtaming. Ikit, for an adveiiiurc, ii’ a lover get us into one, v.e frequently leave him a great way behind us. Don’t you think so, Lady H-^ Were not this Greville still in my luad, methinks I could be as ])ert as ever.

Mr Charles told us, that he should have been with us last night, but for a visit he was obliged to pay to Sir Harry J3eauchamp; to make up for which hin-drance, he took horse, and ordered his equij):ige to iu!!ow him.

He is gone to pay his duty, as he is plea^^ed to call it, to my grandmamma, in my uncle’s coach, my uncle with him. If they cannot prevail on my grandmamma to come hitherto dinner, and if she is desirous Sir Charles should dine Avith her, he will oblige her by my aunt’s leave, was his address to her. But perhaps she will have the goodness to add her company to his, as she knows that will give us all double pleasure: she loves to give pleasure. Of” ten does the dear lady say, ‘ How can palsied age, which is but a terrifying object to youth, expect the indulgence, the love of the young and gay, if it does not study to promote those pleasures which itself was fond of in youth? Enjoy innocently your season, girls, once said she, setting half a score of us into country dances. I watch for the failure of my memory; and shall never give it over for quite lost, till I forget what were my own innocent wishes and delights in the days of my youth.’

Tuesday, five o’clock.

My uncle and Sir Charles came back to dinner; my grandmamma with them. She was so good as to give them her company, at the first word. Sir Charles, as we sat at dinner, and afterwards, saw me weak in mind, bashful, and not quite recovered; and he seemed to watch my uncle’s eyes, and so much diverted him and all of us, that my uncle had not opportunity to put forth as usual. How did this kind protection assure me! I thought myself quite well; and was so cheerfully silent when Sir Charles talked, that my grandmamma and aunt, who had placed me between them, whispered me severally You look channingly easy, love You look like yourself, my dear. Yet still this mischievous Gre-ville ran in my head.

My uncle took notice, that Sir Charles had said, he guessed at the writer of the note. He wished ho would give him an item, as he called it, whom he thought of.

You observe, Sir, answered Sir Charles, that the writer says, Mr. Greville was in wine. He professes to be an encourager of the people of the George in Northampton. He often appoints company to meet him there. I imagine the writer to be the head waiter of the house: the bills delivered me in, seem to have been written in such a hand as the note, as far as I can carry the hand-writing in my eye.

Ads-heart, said my uncle, that’s undoubtedly right: your name’s up. Sir, I can tell you, among men, women, and children. This man, in his note, calls you (Look, else!) the most generous and no-ble of men. He says, we shall never know the ivritcr! Ads-dines! the man must deal in art magic, that conceals himself from you, if you have a mind to find him out.

Well, hut, said Lucy, if this be so, I am concerned at the reality of the information. Such threatenings as Mr. Greville throws out, are not to be slighted. V^cry true, said my uncle. Mr. Deane and I (Mr. Deane will certainly be hcreby-and-by) will go, and di.scourse with Greville himself tomorrow, please the Lord.

Sir Charles begged that this mntter might be left to his management. Mr. Greville and I, said lie, are upon such a foot, as v. hether he be so sincerely my friend as I am his, or not, will warrant a visit to him; and he cannot but take it as a civility, on my return into these parts.

Should he be affronting. Sir Charles? said my uncle

I can have patience, if he should. lie cannot be grossly so.

I know not that, replied my uncle: oMr. Greville is a roister!

Well, dear Mr. Selby, leave this matter to me. Were there to be danger, the way to avoid it, is not to appear to be afraid of it. One man’s fear gives another courage. I have no manner of doubt of being able to bring Mr. Greville with me to an ami-cable dish of tea, or to dinner, which you please, tomorrow. Ads-heart, Sir, I wish not to see at either, the wretch who could threaten the life of a man so dear to us all.

Sir Charles bowed to my uncle for his sincere compliment. I have nothing to do, said he, but to invite myself either to breakfast, or dine with him. His former scheme of appearing to the world well with me, in order to save his spirit, will be resumed; and all will be right.

My aunt expressed her fears, however, and looked at me, as I did at her, with a countenance, I suppose, far from being unapprehensive: but Sir Charles said, You m\ist leave me, my dear friends, to my own methods; nor be anxious for my safety. I am not a rash man: I can pity Mr. Greville; and the man I pity, cannot easily provoke me.

We were all the easier for what the charmingly-cool, because truly-brave, man said on a subject which has given us all so much terror.

But was he not very good, my dear, not to say one word all this day of the important errand on v/hich he came down? and to lead the subjects of conversation with design, as my aunt and grand-mamma both thought, as well as I, that my uncle should 7iot? and to give me time to recover my spirits? Yet when he did address himself to me, never were tenderness and respect so engagingly mingled. This my uncle observed, as well as my aunt and Lucy, How the duce, said he, does this Sir Charles manage it? He has a way no man but him ever found out He can court without speech: lie can take one’s heart, and say never a word. Hay,

Harriet! looking archly.

Mr. Deane is come In charming health and spi-ritsThank Cxod! With what cordiality did Sir Cliarles and he embrace each other!

Sir Charles attended my grandmamma home: so we had not his company at supper. No conveni-ence without its contrary. He is her own son: she is his own parent. Such an unaffected love, on both sides! Such a sweetly-easy, yet respectful fami-liarity between them! What additional pleasures must a young woman in my situation have, when she can consider herself as the bond of union between the family she is of, and that she is entering into! How dreadful, on the contrary, must be her case, who is the occasion of propagating dissension, irreconcilable hatred, and abiiorrence between her own relations and those of the man to whom she for life engages herself!

My grandmamma and Sir Charles were no sooner gone, than my uncle began to talk with ‘Sir Deane on the subject that is nearest all our hearts. I was afraid the conversation would not be managed to my liking; and having too just an excuse to ask leave to withdraw, froai bad, or rather no rest, labt night, I n)ude use of it; and here in my closet! preparing now, however, for it) am I

Your ever-affectionate

Harriet BYRON.


Letter XLIII.
Miss Byron. In Continuation.

Wednesday morning, Novrmbrr 8. Sir Charles let my grandmamma come hither by herself. He is gone to visit that Greville. We are all in pain for him: but Mr. Deane comforts us. After breakfast, thus began my uncle upon me. Here, Dame Selby, are we still at a fault. Har-riet knows not what she would be at; and you uphold her in her nonsenses. Delicacy! Delicacy! The duce take me, if I have any notion of it! “What ap/ze are you about?

Dear Sir! why am I blamed? said I. What would you have me do, that I have not done?

Do! why I would have you give him his day, ahd keep to it; that I would have you do: and not shilly-shally for ever and subject the best of men to in sults. All your men will be easy and quiet, when the ceremony is over, and they know there is no remedy.

My good Mr. Selby, said my grandmamma, you now blame without reason. Sir Charles was full hasty. Harriet was a little more nice, perhaps, her lover considered, than she needed to be. Yet I don’t know, but I, in her case, should have done as she did; and expected as much time as she was vv’iliing to take. It was not a veri/ long one, Mr. Selby, from the declaration he made; and he is a man hiinself of great delicacy. Harriet very readily acknowledged to him the preference she gave him to all men; and when she found him very earnest for a short day, she, by her last letter, threw herself generously into his power. He is full of acknow-ledgments upon it; and so he ought to be. To me he has said all that a man should say of his gratitude, upon the occasion; and he declared to me last night, that it was with difficulty he forbore taking advan-tage of her goodness to him: but that he checked himself, and led to other subjects, seeing how much the dear creature was disordered, and being appre-hensive, that if he had begun upon one so interest — ing, or even wished to talk with her alone, he should have increased her disorder.

Oy, oy! Sir Charles is considerate; and Harriet should be grateful: but indeed my dame Selby is as silly, to the full, as Harriet. She is for having Har-riet keep her’m countenance, in the dance she led me, so many vears ago Lady G. for my money. She finds you all out in your masonry.

Mr. Selby, said my aunt, I only refer myself to what Mrs. Shirley just now said.

And so don’t think it worth while to hold an argument with me, I suppose?

I did not know, my dear, that you wanted to hold an argument.

Your servant, madam with that sly leer So like Harriet! and Harriet so hke you!

But, Mr. Selby, said my grandmamma, vnll you be pleased to tell the dear child, if you think her wrong, what is the next step she should take?

Tlunk her wrong! Next step? Why the next step is, as she has promised to oblige him, and to be directed by him, to keep her word; and not hum nor luiu — about the matter.

Mr. Deane, who had been shewn and told every-thing that had passed since we saw him las’”, said. You do!i“t knoiv, Mr. Selby, that my daughter Byron will make unnecessary parade. Sir Charles you find, in tenderness to her, asked no question yesterday; made .no claim tihe could not begin the subject.

Ijut, said Lucy, I cannot but say, that my cousin is in some f;uilt.

Look you there, now! said my uncle. We all stared at Lucy; for she spoke and looked verj’ seriously.

Might she not have said, proceeded she, when Sir Charles surprised her at his first arrival (what though her heart was divided between past terror, and present joy?) Here I am, Sir, at your service: Are you prepared for tomorrow? And then made him one of her best courtesies.

Sauce-box! Well, well, I believe I have been a little hasty in my judgment (rapping under the table with his knuckles): but I am so afraid that something will happen between the cup and the lip Here, last night, I dreamt that Lady Clementina and he were going to be married Give me your hand, my dear Harriet, and don’t revoke the lindness in your last letter to him, but whatever be the day he proposes, con^ply, and you will win my heart for ever.

As Sir Charles leads, Harriet mw^X.J’ullovo, resumed my giandmamma. You men are sad prescribers in these delicate cases, Mr. Selby. You will be put to it, my dear love, taking my hand, before this day is over, now you seem so purely recovered. Sir Charles Grandison is not a dreaming lover. Prepare your mind, my child: you’ll be put to it, I do assure you.

Why, oy; I can’t but say. Sir Charles is a man Don’t you, my Inrely Love, be too much a woman; too close a copier of your aunt Selby here! and, as I said, you will have my heart for ever Oy, and Sir Charles’s too; for he is not one of your sorry fellows that can’t distinguish between a favour and a folly.

My uncle then went out with a flourish, and took Mr. Deane with him.

We had a good deal of talk upon the important subject. The conclusion was, that I would refer Sir Charles to my grandmamma, if he were urgent for the day, and she was vested with a discretionary power to determine for her girl.

Such of my cU)thes, then, as were near finished, were ordered to be produced, with some of the or-naments. They were all to sit in judgment upoa them.

Surely, Lady G. these are solemn circumstances, lightly as my uncle thinks of them. Must not every thoughtful young creature, on so great a change, and for life, have conflicts in her mind, be her prospectseverso happy, as the dayapproaches? Of v/hat materials must the hearts of runaways, and of fugi-tives to men half-strangers to them, be compounded?

My aunt has just left with me the following billet, from Sir Charles, directed to my uncle, from Mr. Greville’s:

DEAR MR. SELBT,

I regret every moment that I pass out of Sclby-house, or Shirley-nianor: and as I have so few par — ticular friends in these parts out of your family, I think I ought to account to you for the hours I do: nor will I, now our friendship is so unalterably fixed and acknowledged, apologize for giving myself, by this means, the consequence with your family, thai every one of yours, far their single sakes, are of to me, superadded to the tenderest attachments to one dear person of it.

I found the gentleman in a less happy disposition than I expected.

It is with inexpressible reluctance that he thinks, as my happy day draws near, of giving up all hopes of an object so dear to him. He seemed strangely balancing on this subject, when I was introduced to him. He instantly jn-oposed to me, and with sense fierceness, that I would suspend all thoughts of marriage for /luo months to come, or at least i’ov una.

I received his request with pioper indignation. He pretended to give reasons respecting himself; I allowed not of them.

After some canvassings, he swore, that he would be complied with in something. His alternative was, my dining with him, and with some of his chosen friends, whom he had invited.

I have reason to think these friends are those to whom he expressed himself with violence at the George, as over-heard, I suppose, by the waiter there.

He rode out, he owned, yesterday morning, with intent to meet me; for he boasts, that he knows all my motions, and those of a certain beloved young lady. Let him; let every-body, who thinks it their concern to watch our steps, be made acquainted with them: the honest heart aims not at secrets. I should glory in receiving Miss Byron’s hand, from yours, Sir, before ten thousand witnesses.

Mr. Greville had rode out the night before; he did not say to meet me: but he knew I was expected at Selby-house, either on Monday-night, or yester-day morning: and on his return, not meeting me, lie and his friends passed their night at the (jeorge, as mentioned, and rode out together in the morning In hopes of meeting me, he said; and to engage me to suspend my happy day. Poor man! Had he been in his right mind, he could not have hoped (had he met me on the road) to have been Jieard on such a subject.

An act of oblivion, and thorough reconciliation, he calls it, is to pass, in presence of his expected friends.

You will not take notice of what I have hinted at, out of the family, whatever was designed.

In the temper he would have found me in, had he met me. no harm could have happened; for he is really to be pitied.

We are now perfect friends. He is full of good wishes. He talks of a visit to Lady Franipton, of a month. I write thus particularly, that I may not allow such a subject as this to interfere with that delightful one which engrosses my whole attention; and which I hope, in the evening, will be honoured with the attention of the beloved and admired of every heart, as well as that of

Your ever-obliged and affectionate

CII. GRANDISON.

Poor wicked Grevilie! May he go to Lady Frampton’s, or wherever else, so it be fifty miles distant from us. I shall be afraid of him, till I hear he has quitted, for a time, his seat in this neigh-bourhood.

What a glorious quality is courage, when it is di-vested of rashness! When it is founded on integrity of heart, and innocence of life and manners! But, otherwise founded, is it not rather to be called sa-vagcness, and brutality?

How much trouble have I given your brother! What dangers have I involved him in! It cannot be possible for me ever to reward him. But the proud-est heart may deem it a glory to owe obligation to Sir Charles Grandison.


Letter XLIV.
MISS Byron. In Continuation.

Wednesday night, November S. Sir Charles broke away, and came hither by our tea-time. I was in my closet, writing. They all crowded about him. He avoided particulars: only said, that all was friendship between Mr. Grevllle and himself; and that Mr. Greville came with him part of the way; full of his resumed scheme, of ap-pearing to be upon a good understanding with him, and a friend to the alliance between him and us.

Sir Charles looked about him, as if for somebody he saw not. My aunt came up to me: My dear, do you know who is come? She then gave me the above particulars. We had a summons to tea. We hastened down. He met us both at the parlour-door. O madam, said he, what precious hours have I lost! I have been patience itself!

I congratulated him on what my aunt had told me. I found he intended, as he says in his billet, that the particulars he gave in it should answer our curiosity; and to have done with the subject. What a charming possession of himself, that he could be in such a brangle, as I may call it, and which might have had fatal consequences; yet be so wholly, and so soon, divested of the subject; and so infinitely agreeable upon half a score others, as they offered from one or other as we sat at tea!

Tea was no sooner over, but he singled me out May I, madam, beg the favour of an half-hour’s audience?

Sir, Sir! hesitated the simpleton, and was going to betray my expectation, by expressing some little reluctance; but, recollecting myself, I suffered him to lead me into the cedar-parlour. When there, seating me Now, madam, let me again thank you, a thousand and a thousand times, for the honour of your last condescending and generous letter.

He but just touched my hand, and appeared so encotiragifiglj/ respectful! I must have loved him then, if I had not before.

Ycu have, my dearest Miss Byron, a man before 5 ou, that never can be ungrateful. Believe me, my dearest life, though I have urged you as I have, you are absolutely your own mistress of the day, and of every day of my life, as far as it shall be in my power to make you so. You part with power, my lovely Miss Byron, but to find it with augmentation. Onl v let me beseech you, now I have given it you back again, not to permit your heart to be swayed by mere motives of punctilio.

A charming glow had overspread his cheek; and he looked as when I beheld him in his sister’s dressing-room, after he had rescued me from the hands of the then cruel, now mortified, Sir Hargravo PoUexfen.

Punctilio, mere punctilio, Sir, shall not weigh with me. What I wrote to you, I intended to comply with. My heart, Sir, is Yours! I would have said Why would not my tongue speak it? Had I not owned it before to be so? My my, I stammered, my grandmamma, Sir, and aunt I could not at that instant, for my life, say another word.

Sweet confusion! I urge you no more on this topic, just now: I joyfully take your reference. Then drawing a chair next me, he kissed his own hand, and held it out, as it were courting mine. I yielded it to him, as by an involuntary motion; (yet my heart was forwarder than my hand.) And instead of urging the approaching day, he talked to rae as if it were passed.

I have a request to make to your grandmother, your uncle and aunt, your Lucy, and our Mr. Deane; it is a very bold one: that when I have been blessed with your hand, they will be so good as to accom-pany their beloved Harriet, then no more Byron, but Grandison, to my family-seat, and see the beloved of every heart happily fixed, and in possession of it. The house is venerable; I will not call it old; but large and convenient. Compassion for your neigh-bouring admirers, will induce you to support me in this request. You cannot bear, I imagine, without a lessening of your own joy (if I prove the just, the grateful man to you, that, if I know myself, I shall be) either to see at church, or in your visits, those men who preferred you to all women; or, if they forbear the one or the other, to account with a gen-tle sigh for their forbearance. Other women might triumph secretly on such occasions: but I, even I, the successful, the distinguished man, shall not for-bear some inward pity for them. Now, madam, an excursion of a month or two, if no more, made by those dear friends, who otherwise will be loth, so soon as I wish, to part with you; will tuean, as I may say, these unhappy men from you. Mr. Orme, Mr, Greville, will not then be obliged to quit their own liouses: all your net\} relations will attend you, in turn, in the house that I always loved, and wished to settle in; your own relations with you, and wit-nesses of our mutual happiness. Support me, gene — rously support me, in this proposal, when I shall be intitled, by your goodness, to make it. Silent, my dearest love! If I have been too early in thus opening my heart to you, do mc the justice to suppose that it is owing to my wishes to pass over another interesting subject which must take place before my proposal can; and which, however, engages my whole heart.

I might well be silent: I tould not find utterance for the emotions of my heart. I withdrew my hand to take my handkerchief [you have often told me, Lady G. that I was born in an April morning]; but putting it into my other hand, I gratefully (I hope not too fondly) laid it in his way to take it again. He did, with an air that had both veneration and gratitude in it My dearest life, tenderly grasping it how amiable this goodness! You are not, I see, displeased.

Displeased! O, Sir Charles! But, alas! while I am too happy, the exalted lady abroad! She! she, only Your friend Jeronymo’s last letter

Thus brokenly did I express (what my heart was full of) her worthiness, my inferiority.

Exalted creature! Angelic goodness! You are Clementina and Harriet, both in one: one mind certainly informs you both.

Just then came in my aunt Selby. I have, ma-dam, said he to her, been making a request to your beloved niece: I am exceedingly earnest in it. She will be so good as to break it to you; and I hope

Sir! interrupted my too eager aunt, supposing it had been for theday, Mrs. Shirley has the power

My dear aunt Selby! said I.

What have I said, love?

He caught eagerly at it Happy mistake! said he: My dear Mrs. Selby, I thank you.

He bowed, kissed my hand, and left me, to go to my grandmamma, to inform himself of what he had to hopci for, as to the day, from her.

I told my aunt what the request was; and she ap-proved of his proposal. It will be the pride of your uncle’s heart and mine, said she, to see you settled in Grandison-hall.

In less than a quarter of an hour Sir Charles re-turned, overjoyed, with an open billet in his hand, from the venerable parent. What short work did my grandmamma make of it! This is it:

‘ To me, my Harriet, you have referred the most important day of your life. May the Almighty shower down his blessings on it!

‘ Thursday, next week, God willing, is the day, which shall crown the happiness of us all.

‘ Make no objections, my dearest child.

* Hasten to me, and say, You acquiesce cheerfully in the determination of

* Your ever — affectionate

‘ HENRIETTA SHIRLEY.’

Had you seen, my dear Charlotte, with what ten-der respect your brother approached me, and with what an inimitable grace he offered me the open billet, how would you have been charmed with him I The excellent Mrs, Shirley, said he, would not per-mit me to bring this inestimable paper folded. I have contemplated the propitious lines all the way. On my knee let me thank you, my dear Miss Byron, for your acquiescence with her determination. He kissed my hand on one knee.

He saw me disturbed [could I help it? There is something awful in the fixing of the very day. Lady G.; but I tried to recover myself. I would fain avoid appearing guilty of affectation in his eyes]. I will not add a word more, my angel, said he, on the joyful subject. Only tell me, shall we hasten to attend the condescending parent?

My duty to her, Sir, said I, (but with more hesi-tation than I wished) shall be an earnest of that which I am so soon, so ve7ij soon, to vow to 7/ou. And I gave him my hand.

There is no describing to you, my dear Lady G. the looks, the manner, with which it was received, by the most ardent, and yet most respectful of lovers.

I had scarce approached my grandmamma, and begun to utter something of the much my heart was filled with, when my uncle and Mr. Deane (by mis-take, I believe) were admitted.

Well, let us know every thing about it, said my uncle I hope Sir Charles is pleased. I hope

The day was named to him.

Well, well, thank God! And he spoke in an ac-cent that expressed his joy.

Your niece has pleased you now, I hope, Mr. Selby, said my grandmamma.

Prety well! pretty well! God grant that we meet with no put-offs! I hardly longed so much for my own day with my dame Selby there, as I have done, and do, to see my Harriet Lady Grandison God, God, bless you, my dearest love! and kissed my cheek You have been very, veri/ good in the main And, but for dame Selby, would have been better, as far as I know.

You don’t do me justice, my dear, replied my aunt.

Don’t I! Nor did lever taking kindly her hand. It was impossible, my dear Sir Charles Grandison, for such a man as I to do justice to this excellent woman. You never, Sir,will be so froppish as I have been: it was in my nature: I could not help it: but I was always sorry for it afterwards But if Harriet make i/otc no worse a wife than my dame Selby has made 7ne, you will not be unhappy And yet I was led a tedious dance after her, before I knew what she would be at I had like to have forgot that. But one thing I have to request, proceeded my uncle Mr. Deane and I liave been talking of it (jiod bless your dear souls, all of you, oblige me It is, That we may have a joyful day of it; and that all our neighbours and tenants may rejoice with us, I must make the village smoak. No hugger-mugger doings Let private weddings be for doubtful happiness

O my uncle! said I

And O my niece, too! I must have it so. Sir Charles, wliat say you? Are you for chamber-mar-riages? I saify that such are neither decent, nor goclhj. But you would not allow Lady G. to come off so And in your ox\in case

And for doing as in Lady G.‘s. I must hope to pay my vows at the altar to this excellent lady. What says my Miss Byron ?

I, Sir, hope to return mine in the same sacred place (my face, as I felt, in a glow); but yet I shall wish to have it as private as possible.

Why, oy, to be sure When a woman is to do any-thing she is ashamed of I shink she is right to be private, for example-sake. Shall you be ashamed, Sir Charles?

Sir Charles has given it under his hand, this very day, said Lucy (interrupting him, as he was going to speak) that he shall glory in receiving my cousin’s hand before ten thousand witnesses.

Make but my dearest Miss Byron easy on this head, said Sir Charles (that task, ladies, b^ yours); and, so the church be the place, I shall be happy in the manner.

The ceremony, said my grandmamma, cannot be a private one with us: every — body’s eyes are upon us. It would be an affectation in us, that would rather raise, than allay, curiosity.

And I have as good as promised the two pretty Nedhams, said my uncle and Miss Watson and her cousin are in expectation my uncle!

Dear Harriet, forgive me! These are your companions from childhood! You can treat them but once in your life in this way. They would be glad at heart to return the favour.

I withdrew: Lucy followed me You, Lucy, I see, said I, are for these public doings But you would not, if it were your own case.

Your case is mij case, Harriet. I should hardly bear being made a shew of with any other man: but with such a man as yours, if I did not liold up my head, I should give leer for stare, to see how envy sat upon the women’s faces. You may leer at the men for the same reason. It will be a wicked day, after all, Harriet; for a general envy will possess the hearts of all beholders.

Lucy, you know, my dear Lady G. is a whimsical girl.

So, my dear, the solemn day is fixed. If you could favour me with your supporting presence I know, if you come, you will be very good, now I have not, as I hope you will think, been guilty of much, no not of any, parade Lucy will write letters for me to Lady D. to my cousin Reeves’s, and will undertake all matters of ceremony for her Harriet. May I but have the happiness to know that Lady Clementina What caji I wish for Lady Clementina? But should she be unhappy that would indeed be an abatement of my felicity!

There is no such thing as thinking of the dear Emily. What a happiness, could I have seen Lady L. here! but that cannot be. May the day that will in its anniversarjjhe the happiest of jwylife, give to Lord and Ladij L. their most earnest wishes!

Sir Charles dispatches Frederick tomorrow to town with letters: he will bring you mine. I would not go to rest till I had finished it.

What hare I more to say? I seem to have a great deal. My head and my heart are full: yet it is time to draw to a conclusion.

Let me, my dearest Lady G. know, if I am to have any hopes of your presence? Will you be so good as to manage with Emily?

My aunt bids me propose to you, that since we are to have all the world of our acquaintance, you should bring down your aunt Grandison with you. We have at both houses a great deal of room.

Sir Charles just now asked my grandmamma. Whether Dr, Curtis would be satisfied with a hand-some present, if every one’s dear Dr. Bartlett were to perform the ceremony? My grandmamma answer-ed, That Dr. Curtis was one of my admiring friends. He had for years, even from my girlhood, prided himself with the hopes of joining my hand in mar-riage, especially if the office were performed in Northamptonshire. She was afraid he would think himself slighted; and he was a very worthy man.

Sir Charles acquiesced. But, greatly as I respect Dr. Curtis, I should have preferred the venerable Dr. Bartlett to any man in the world. A solemn, solemn subject, though a joyful one!

Adieu, adieu, my dear Lady G. Be sure, continue to love me. I will, if possible, deserve your love. Witness

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter XLV.
Lady G. to Miss Byron.

Friday morning, November 10.

Expect a letter of hurry, in answer to one, two, three, four, five, six, 1 don’t know how many, of yours; some filled with tenderness, some with love, some with nicety, sense, and nonsense. I shall reckon with you soon for one of them, in which you take intolerable liberties with me. O Harriet! tremble at my resentment. You are downright scurrilous, my dear.

I imputed extravagance to Emily, in my last. The girl’s a good girl. I was too hasty. I will shew you two letters of hers, and one of my brother, which clears up the imputation. I love her more and more. Poor girl! Love peeps out in twenty places of hers: in his, he is the best of men But that you knew before.

And so the honest man kissed you; kissed your lip! O lud! O lud! how could you bear him after-wards in your sight? Forgiving creature! And so you were friends with him before you had time to shew your anger. Nothing like doing impudent things in a hurry. Sometimes respectful, sometimes free: why this is the way of all the fellows, Harriet! And so they go on till the respectfulness is drawn off, and nothing but the lees are left; and after two or three months are over, the once squeamish palate will be glad oi’theni.

I like your uncle better than I like cither your aunt or you He likes me.

What a miserable dog [take the word for shortness; I am in haste] is Sir Hargrave!

Your plea against Clementina being compelled, or OT’n — persuaded (the same thing) I much like. You are a good girl.

Betwixt her excellencies and yours, how must my brother’s soul be divided! I wonder he thinks of either of you.

Ass and two bundles of hay, Harriet. But my brother is a nobler animal. He won’t starve. How-ever, I think in my conscience, that he should have you both. There might be a law made, that the case should not be brought into precedent till two such women should be found, and such a man; and all three in the like situation.

Bagenhall, a miserable devil! Excellent warning-pieces!

Wicked Harriet! You infected me with your hor-rible inferences from Cireville’s temper, threaten — ings, and so forth. The cojiclusion of this letter left me a wretch! If these megrims are the effect of love, thank Heaven, I never knew what it was.

Devilish girl, to torment me with your dreams! li^ you ever tell me of any more of them, except they are of a diftercnt sort, woe be to you!

I like your parting scene, and all that. Your realities^ thank Heaven, are more delightful than your reveries. I hope you’ll always find them so.

And so you were full of apprehensions on the fa-vour your aunt did me in employing me about your nuptial equipments. Long ago ‘ you gave affectation to the winds.’ Good! But the winds would not accept of your present. They puffed it you back again, and your servants never told you it was brought home. I repeat, my dear, that my brother is much more clever, in these scenes of love and courtship, than his mistress. You are a pretty cow, my love: you give good store of milk, but you have a very careless heel. Yet when you bethink you, you are very good; but not always the same Har-riet. Your nurse in your infancy, see-satoed you Margery — down and you can’t put the pretty play out of your practice, though it is out of your me-mory. I can look back, and sometimes by your frowardness, sometimes by your crowing, know how it was with you eighteen years ago.

My brother’s letter to you, after he has mentioned his visits to the two sick baronets, is that of a man who shews you genteelly, and politely, that he is sen-sible he has a pretty trifler to deal with. I wish you would square your conduct, by what you must ima-gine a man of his sense would think of you. I should be too proud a minx, in your case, to owe obligation to my man for bearing with me Spare me, spare me, Harriet! I have hit myself a terrible box on the ear. But we can find faults in others, which we will not allow to be such in ourselves But here is the difference between your conduct novo, and what mine tvas. I knexxi I was wrong, and resolved one day to amend. You think yourself right, and, while you so think, will hardly ever amend, till your man ties you down to good behaviour.

Jeronymo’s letter! O the next-to divine Clemen-tina! Indeed, Harriet, I think she out-soars you. I adore her. But will she be prevailed upon to marry? She will! If she does Then But, dear soul! Pressed as she is Having refused (instead of being refused) the beloved of her heart, she will still be greater than any of her sex, if she does; the man proposed, so unexceptionable; so tenderly lovingher, in the height of her calamity, as well as in her prosperity! Gratitude to him, as well as duty to her parents; parents so indulgent as they have always been to her; will incline her to marry. May she be happy! I am pleased with your solicitude for her happiness.

I like your answer to my brother: a good and well-deserved resignation. Let’s see how you keep to it.

You do keep to it As I expected Ah, Harriet! you are quite a girl sometimes; though at others, more than woman! ‘ Will he not ask leave to come down! ‘ Fine resignation! ‘ Will he notwrite, first? ’ Yes, yes, he will do every thing he ought to do. Look to your own behaviour, child; don’t fear but his will be all as it should be.

As to your finery, how now, Harriet! Are you to direct every thing; yet pretend to ask advice? Be contented that every thing is done for you of this sort, and learn to be humble. Surely we that have passed the Rubicon, are not to be directed by you, who never came in sight of the river. But you, maidens, are poor, proud, pragmatical mortals. You profess ignorance; but in heart imagine you are at the tip-top of your wisdom.

But here you come with your horrid fears again. Would to the Lord the day wore over; and you and my brother x^erc Upon my life you are a But X won’t call you names, Lucy thinks you should go to Shirley-manor when my brother comes Egregious folly! I did not think Lucy could have been so silly.

Concerning our cousin Reeves’s wanting to be present at yournuptials your invitation to me and what you say of Emily more anon.

Well, and so my brother has sent you the expected letter. Does it please you, Harriet? The duce is in you, if it don’t.

But you are 7iot pleased with it, it seems. He is too hasty for you. Where’s the boasted-of resignation, Harriet? Truejemale resignation!

Tell Lucy, I am obliged to her for her tran-scriptions. I shall be very proud of her correspond — ence.

* Your aunt thinks he is full hasty.’ Your aunt’s a simpleton, as well as you. My service to her.

But is the d 1 in the girl again? What would have become of Lady L. and me, had you not sent both letters together that relate to Greville’s sup-posed malignance? 1 tremble, nevertheless, at the thought of what might have been. But I will not foi’give Lucy for advising you to send to us your horribly-painted terrors. What could possess her to advise you to do so, and i/ou, to follow her advice? I forgive not either of you. In revenge, I will re-mind you, that they were good women, to whom my brother owed all the embarrassments of his past life.

But a caution, Harriet! Never, never, let foolish dreams claim a moment of your attention Immi-nent as seemed the danger, your superstition made it more dreadful to you than otherwise it would have been. You have a mind superior to such foibles: act up to its native dignity, and let not the follies of your nurses, in your infantile state, be carried into your maturer age, to depreciate your womanly reason Do you think I don’t dream, as well as you?

Well might ye all rejoice in his safety. * Hang about his neck for joy!’ So you ought, if you thought it would do him honour. Hush, hush, proud girl! don’t scold me! I think, were a king your man, he would have been honoured by the charming freedom. ‘ There can be no reserve to him after this,’ you say. Nor ought there, had it not been for this: Did you not signify to him, by letter, that you would resign to his generosity? Let me whisper you, Harriet Sure you proud maiden minxes think but I did once I often wonder in my heart But men and women are cheats to one another. But we may, in a great measure, thank the poetical tribe for the fascination. I hate them all. Are they not inflamcrs of the worst passions? With regard to the eiiics, would Alexander, mad-man as he was, have been so much a madman, had it not been for Homer? Of what violences, nmrders, depredations, have not the epic poets been the oc-casion, by propagating false honour, false glory, and false religion? Those of the amorous class ought in all ages (could their future geniuses for tinkling sound and measure have been known) to have been strangled in their cradles. Abusers of talents given them for better purposes (for all this time, 1 put sacred poesy out of the question); and avovocdli/ claiming a right to be UccntiGiis, and to overleap the bounds of decency, truth, and nature.

What a rant! How came these fellows into my rambling head? O, I remember My whisper to you led me into all this stuff.

Well, and you at last recollect the trouble you have given my brother about you. Good girl! Had I remembered that, I would have spared you my reflections upon the poets and poetasters of all ages, the iruh/ inspired ones excepted: and yet I think the others should have been banished our common-wealth, as well as Plato’s.

Well, but, to shorten my nonsense, now you have shortened yours The day is at last fixed Joy, joy, joy, to you, my lovely Harriet, and to my brother! And it must be a pubhc aftair! Why that’s right, since it would be impossible to make it a pri-vate one.

My honest man is mad for joy. He fell down on his knees, to beg of me to accept o? your invitation, and of his company. I made a merit of obliging him, though I would have been as humble to him, rather than not be with you; and yet, by one saucy line, I imagine you had rather be without me.

Your cousin lleeves’s are ready to set out.

God bless you, invite aunt Nell in form: she thinks herself neglected. A nephew whom she so dearly loves! Very hard! she says. And she never was but at one wedding, and has forgot how it was; and may never be at another Pink and yellow, all is ready provided, go down or not O but, if you choose not her company, I will tell you how to come off Give her your word and honour that she shall be a person of prime account at your first christening. Yet she would be glad to be present on both occasions.

But ah, the poor Emily! She has also been on her knees to me to take her down with me What shall I do? Dear soul, she embarrasses me! I have put her upon writing to her guardian, for his leave. I believe she has written. If she knew her own case, I think she would not desire it.

Poor Lady L.! She is robbed, she says, of one of the greatest pleasures of her life. Ah, Charlotte! said she to me, wringing my hand, these husbands owe us a great deal. This is an humbling circum-Stance. Were not wy lord and yours the best of husbands

The best of husbands! Wretches! said I. You may forgive yours, CaroHne You are a good creature; but not I mine. And something else I said, that made her laugh in the midst of her lacrimals. But she begs and prays of me, not to go down to you, unless all should be over with her. I can do her no good; and only increase my own apprehen-sions, if I am with her. A blessed way two poor souls of sisters of us are in. Sorry fellows!

And yet, Harriet, with such prospects as these before them, some girls leap windows, swim rivers, climb walls Duee take their folly: their choice is their punishment. Who can pity such rash souls as those? Thanks be praised, you, Harriet, are going on to keep in countenance the two anxious sisters.

AVho, having sliot the gulplt, delight to src Succeeding souls plunge in with like uncerlaiiity;

Says a good man, on a still vwre serious occasion.

Good news! joyful news! I shall, I shall, go down to you. Nothing to hinder me! Lord L. proud as a peacock, is this moment come ibr me: I am hurrying away with him. A fine boy! Sister’ safe! Harriet, Lucy, Nancy, for your own future encouragement! Huzza, girls! I am gone.


Letter XLVI,
Miss Byron to Lady G.

Thursday, November 9. My aunt is so much afraid that every-thing will not be ready, that she puts me upon writing to you, to hasten what remains. I am more than half a fool But that I always was. My spirits sink at the thoughts of so public a day. The mind, my grand-mamma says, can but be full; and it would have been filled by the circumstance, had not the publicness of the day given me something more of appre — hension.

I am afraid, sometimes, that I shall not support my spirits; that I shall be ill Then I think some-thing will happen Can it be, that I shall be the wife of Sir Charles Grandison? I can hardly believe it.

Sir Charles is tenderly concerned for me. It would be impossible, he says, that the day could be pri-vate, unless 1 were to go to London; and the very proposing o^ that would put my uncle out of all pa-tience! who prides himself in the thought of having his Harriet married from his own house: nor could I expect my grandmamma’s presence. He does all he can to assure my heart, and divert me: a thou-sand agreeable lively things he says: so tender, so considerate, in his joy! surely I shall be too happy. But will you come? Can you? And if you do, will you be good? Will you make my case your own?

My uncle, at times, is prodigiously headstrong. Every hour he does or says something wrong; yet we dare not chide him. Thursday next will be one of the greatest days of his life, he says; and it shall bo all his own. He either sings, hums, or whistles, in every motion. He resolves to get his best dancing legs in readiness. He started up from table after dinner this day, and caught hold of Lucy’s hand, and whisked her round the room. Dear toad, he called her; a common address of his to Lucy (I say, because she has a jewel in her head); and flou-rishing about with her in a very humorous manner, put her quite out, on purpose to laugh at her; for she would have been in, if he would have let her, for the humour’s-sake. He was a fine dancer in his youth.

Miss Ormc breakfasted with us this morning. She, no doubt, threw herself in our way on purpose to hear the news of the appointed day confirmed. My uncle officiously told her, it would be one day next week. She named the very day, and turned })ale, on his owning she was not mistaken. But, recollecting herself; Now then, said she, is the time to remind my brother of a promise he made before he went abroad, to carry me to London, on a visit to some relations there. I will prevail on him, if I can, to set out on Monday or Tuesday.

(lod bless you! my dear Miss Byron, said she, at parting; may your bustle be happily over! I shall pity you. You will pay for being so universally ad-mired. But your penance will be but for two days; the vcr2/ day, and that of your appearance; and in both your man will bear you out; his merit, his person, his address. Happy Miss Byron! The uni-versal approbation is yours. But 1 must have you contrive somehow, that my brother may see him before he is yours: his heart will be the easier af-terwards.

Sent for down by my grandmamma. Dear Lucy, make up the letter for nie. I know you will be glad of the opportunity.

Continued by Lucy.] * Will Lady G. admit me, in this abrupt manner, into her imperial presence? I know she will, on this joyful occasion, acce])t of any intelligence. The poor Harriet! My uncle Selby would invite all the country, if they came in his way. Four of my cousin’s old playfellows have already been to claim his promise. He wished, he said, he had room for all the world; it should be welcome.

‘ He will have the great barn, as it is called, cleared out; a tight large building, which is to be illuminated at night with a profusion of lights; and there all his tenants, and those of Shirley-manor, are to be treated, with their wives, and such of their sons and daughters as are more than twelve years old. The treat is to be a cold one. Haw-kins is steward, who is well respected by them all, is to have the direction of it. My uncle’s October is not to be spared. It will cost two days at least, to roast, boil, and bake, for them. The carpenters are already sent for. Half a dozen bonfires are to be lighted up, round the great barn; and the stacks of wood are not to be spared, to turn winter into summer, as ray uncle expresses himself.

‘ Neither the poor nor the populace are to be admitted, that the confusion from a promiscuous nmltitude may be avoided. But notice will be given, that two houses in the neighbouring village, held by tenants of the family, and one near Shirley-manor, will be opened at twelve on Thursday, and be kept open for the rest of the day, till ten at night, for the sake of all who choose to go thither. ‘Hie churchwardens are preparing a list of the poor peo-ple; who, on Friday morning, ivere to receive /itJc shillings apiece, which Sir Charles has desired to make ten; on condition that the}^ shall not be trou-blesome on the day.

‘ Poor Sir Ilargrave, to whom all this joyful bus-tle is primarily owing! 1 tell Harriet, that she litis not, with all her punctilio, been half punctilious enough. She should have had him, after all, on the motive of Prince Prettiman in the Rehearsal.

‘ Dear madam, can your ladyship allow of this idle rattle? But I have not time to make up for it by a ceremonious conclusion; though I am, with the truest respect. Lady G.‘s

Most obedient humble servant,

WOY SELBY.


Letter XLVII.
Lady G. to Miss Byron.

S.ahirday, November II. I SIT down to write ajcxv lines, if, writing to you, I can write a few, by the special messenger that car-ries all the remaining apparatus which was com mitted to my care. We women are sad creatures for delaying things to the last moment. We hurry the men: we hurry our workwomen, milliners, man-tua-makers, friends, allies, confederates, and our — selves. When once we have given the day, night and day, we neither take rest, nor give it: when, if we had the rare felicity of knowing our minds sooner, all might go on fair and softly. But then the gent ic passion, I doubt, would glide into insipidity. Well, and I have heard my brother say, ‘ ‘J’hat things in general are best as they are.’ Why ] believe so; for all these honest souls, as niantua-makers, attire-women, work-women, oijoi/ a hurry that is occa — sioned by a wedding, and are half as well pleased with it, as if it were their own. They simper, smirk, gossip over bridal finery; spread this on their arms or shoulders; admire that Look you here Look ye there! And is not this? Is not that? And, did you ever! No, never in my born days! And is the bride, do you say, such a lovely creature? And is the bridegroom as handsome a man, as she a woman? O lud! O dear! Would to Heaven Northamptonshire were nearer, that one might see how charming, how graceful, how becoming! and so-forth.

And why should not we women, after all, contrive to make hurry-skurries, [you see how I correct myself as I go along] and make the world think our affairs a great part of the business of it, and that nothing can be done without us? Since, after a few months are over, new novelties take place, and we get into corners, sigh, groan, look silly and meager, and at last are thrown into straiv, as it is called; poor Caroline’s case; Avho repines, that she can’t be present on this new bustle in the family. But I am to acquaint her with every thing, by pen and ink. Look to your behaviour, Harriet, on the great occasion.

But a word about Caroline. Were it not for her being deprived of this pleasure, the good creature would be very happy. Lord L. and she are as fond as apes. She has quite forgot all her sufferings for him. He thanks her for his boy. She follows with her eye the little stranger, and is delighted with all that is done with him, to him, for him. Is pleased with every-body, even with the very servants, who crowd in, by permission to see his little lordship, and already claim an interest in him. Upon my word, she makes a very pretty fond mother. And aunt Nell, who, by the way, was at the crying out, and was then so frighted! 50 thankful to God! and 50 happy in her own situation! [No, not for the world, would she be other than she was!] now grudges the nurses half their cares.

What good creatures are we women!

Well, but I don’t know what to do about Emily. The first vice of the first woman was curiosity, and it runs through all her daughters. She has written to her guardian, and nothing but aii absolute prohibition will hinder her from making one in your train. Did the dear girl know the state of her own heart, she would choose to be a thousand miles oft”, rather than go. I have set her woman and mine to discourage her. I have reasoned with her myself; but there is no such thing as giving her one’s true reasons; nor tvould I, willingly: because she herself, having not found out her love to be love, I hope the fire may be smothered in her own heart, by the aid of time and discretion, before discovery; whereas, if the doors of it were to be opened, and the air let in, it might set the whole tenement in a blaze. Her guardian’s denial or assent will come, perhaps, in time; yet hardli/, neither; for we shall set out on Monday. Aunt Nell is so pleased with her nursery of the little peer, as she primly calls him, that you are rid of even her tvishes to be with you. Being sure of this, I told her, that your aunt had hinted to me her design to invite her in form: but that I had let you know, that Lady L. would not be able to live without her company, all the world, and the world’s wife, attentive and engrossed by your affair. She, good creature! was pleased So as she could but be thought of importance, by somebody, I knew she would be happy. I told her that you invited nobody, but left all to your friends Ay, poor dear soul, said she; she has enough to think of, well as she loves your brother And sighed for i/07i Worthy ancient! The sigh a little deeper, perhaps, for some of her own recollections

Mr. and Mrs. Reeves would not stay for us. What will you do with us all? Crowd you, I fear. But dispose of us, at Shirley-manor, or Selby-house, as you please. Yours, and aunt Selby’s, and grand-mamma Shirley’s concern for us, is all we are so — licitous about. But servants’ rooms, nay cocklofts, haylofts, will do. We like to be put to our shifts, now-and-then Something to talk of

But I can tell you, if you don’t know it already, Lord L. and his lady are resolved to do you honour on this occasion; but they will be but little trouble to you. My lord’s steward has a half-brother, a gentleman-farmer, in your neighbourhood Shel-don They will be there: but perhaps you know of this a better way. They will make a splendid part of your train. Gratitude is their inducement.

Lord L. has just now told me, that my sister, in tenderness to him, and in honour to you, has besought him to be present, O Harriet! what will you do with yourself? Aunt Nell and I have the heart-burn for you. But Lord L. must be welcome: Jie is one of those who so faithfully kept your secret.

So, in our equipages, will be — Lord L. my honest man, Emily, and your Charlotte: Lord L.‘s equi-pages will be at the service of any of your guests; as will our spare one I wish Beauchamp could permit himself to be present (I hope he will) on the nuptials of the friend so dear to him, with a lady he so greatly admires.

My woman and Emily’s will be all our female attendants: one nook will serve them both.

My poor man will be mad, before the day comes. He does love you, Harriet. My brother, he says, will be the happiest man in the world! himself eX’ cepted A hypocrite! He just popt this in, to save himself — Why dost make this exception, friend? said I Thoii knowest it to be a mere compliment’

Indeed, indeed {two indceds, which impUed, that 07ie might have been doubted) I am 7ioxv [a sarcasm in his word now’] as happy as mortal man can be Ah, flatterer! and shook my head A recognition of my sovereignty, however, in his being afraid to speak his conscience. A Httle of the old leaven. Harriet! I can’t help it. It is got out of my heart, half out out of my head; but, when I take the pen, it will tingle now-and-then, at my hnger’s end.

Adieu, my love! God bless you! I can enter into your joy, A love so pure, and so fervent. The man Sir Charles Grandison. And into your pa bi, also, in view of a solemnity so near, and to you so awful. With all my roguery, I sympathize with you. I have not either a wicked or unfeeling heart. Such as yours, however, are the true spirits; such as mine are only bully and flash.

Lucy, you are a good girl. I like the whim of your concluding for Harriet. I also like your tenants dining-room, and other managements, as the affair must unavoidably be a public one.

Neither of you say a word of good Mr. Deane. I hope he is with you. He cannot be a cypher wherever he comes, except on the right-side of the figure, to increase its consequence. Don’t be afraid of your uncle; I, I, I, will manage him, never fear.

There are other passages, Harriet, in your last letter, which I ought to have answered to But for-give me, my dear; I had laid it by (though pleased with it in the main); and, having answered the most material part, by dispatching your things, forgot it as much as if Iliad not received it, till the moment I came to conclude. Once more, adieu, my dearest Harriet,

CH. G,


Letter XLVIII.
Miss Jervois to Sir Charles Grandison.

Friday, November 10. No sooner, dear and honoured Sir, is one boon granted me, but I have another to beg; yet I blush as I write, for my troublesomeness. I told you, Sir, I had furnished myself with new clothes, on a very joyful occasion Indeed it is on a very joyful occa-sion. You would lay me under a new obligation to j^our goodness, if you would be pleased to allow me to attend Lady G. in her journey down. I shall know, by this fresh favour, that you have quite for-given your dutiful ward. I presume not to add another word But I dare say, dear Miss Byron, that now is, wilt not be against it, if you are not. (.Tod bless you, my honoured good Sir But God, I hope, I am sure will bless you; and so shall I, as surely I ought, whether you grant this favour, or not, to

Your ever-obliged, and grateful

EMILY JKRVOIS.


Letter XLIX.
Sir Charles Grandison to Miss Jervois.

Sunday, November 12. It would give me great pain to deny to my good Miss Jervois the grant of any request she shall think fit to make to me. You shall know, you say, by the grant of this favour, that I have quite forgiven my ward — Was such a test wanted, my dear? I assure you, that what you have lately done for your mother, though I was not consulted in it, has height-ened my opinion of the worthiness of your heart.

As to your request, I have pleasure in lea\ in<^ every-thing relating to the happy event to my beloved Miss Byron and her friends. I will entreat her to underwrite her mind on this subject. She grieves that the solemnity cannot be private; which, beloved as she is in this neighbourhood, would be vain to attempt.

If her aunt has no objection from want of room, there cannot, my dear Emily, be any from Your affectionate and true friend,

CHARLES GRANDISOiV.

UNDERWRITTEN.

My dearest Miss Jervois will excuse me, that I gave her not a formal invitation, when I intimated ray wishes for Lady G.‘s presence on the approaching solemn occasion, though at so many miles dis tance. It is a veri] solemn one. One’s heart, niv dear, cannot be so much disengaged, as to attend to invitations for the very day, as it might on its anni-versary. We shall have too great a number of friends. O my dear! can you bear to make one in so large a company? I shall not be able to attend to any of my friends on the day: no, not to you, my love. Can you bear with my inattention to every-body, to every subject, but one? Can you desire to see your Harriet (joyful as the occasion is, and the chosen wish of her heart) look and behave like a foolish creature? If you can, and Lady G. will take charge of my lovely young friend, all mine will re-joice in being able to contribute to your pleasure, as well as

Your very affectionate

HARRIET BYRON.


Letter L.
Lady G. To Lady L.

Selby-house, Tuesday, November 14. Well, my sister, my friend, my dear Lady L. how do you? As tvcll as caji be expected, I hope: the an-swer of a thousand years old, to every enquirer, careful or ceremonious. And how does my dear little boy? As well as can be expected, too I am glad of it.

Here we are! E very-body well, and happy.

I was afraid my brother would have looked more polite upon us than familiar, as he invited us not: but, no! He was all himself, as Harriet says. He met us at our coach-door. He handed out his ward. She could not speak. Tears were in her eyes. I could have beat her with my fan. He kissed her cheek. My dear child, I thank you most sincerely for your goodness to your mother.

I was afraid that her joy would then have been too much for her. She expanded, she collected, her pUunes. Her spread arms (soon, however, closed) sliewed me, that she with difficulty restrained herself from falling at his feet. He turned from her to me. My best Charlotte, how do you? The journey, I hope, has not incommoded you. He led me out, and, taking each of the honest men by the hand. My dear lords, you do me honour. He then congratu-lated Lord L. on the present you had made him, and the family.

At the inner gate met us our sweet Harriet, with joy upon one brow, half the cares of this mortal life on the other. She led us into the cedar-parlour, and threw her arms about my neck My dearest Lady G. how much does your presence rejoice me

I hope (and looked at me) your journey Be quiet, Harriet. You must not think so much of these matters, my love. She was a little abashed. Don’t be afraid of me; I will be very good. Then I will be very thankful, replied she.

My lovely Emily, turning to her: How docs piy sweet friend? Welcome, once more, to Selby-house.

The girl’s heart was full. She (thanking her (inly by a deep courtesy) abruptly withdrew to the win-dow; and, trying for a third hem, in hopes to stifle her emotion, it broke into a half-sob, and tears i’ol-lowed.

Harriet and I looked; she compassionately, /vcx-edly, I believe; and both shook our heads at each other.

Take no notice, said I, seeing Harriet move to-wards the window to her It will go off of itself. Her joy to see her Harriet, that’s all.

But I must take notice (for she found that Eniil)- heard me) My dear Emily, my lovely young friend why

I will tell you, madam, interrupted she, and threw her arms about Harriet’s neck, as Harriet (sitting in the window) clasped hers about her waist; and I will tell you truth, and nothing but the truth You wrote so cool to me, about my coming And yet I to come! But I could not help it And I thought you now looked a little severely upon me But love, and, 1 will say, duty to you, my dearest Miss Byron, and NOTHiNc; KLSE, made me so earnest to come. Say you forgive me.

Forgive you, my dearest Emily! I had only your sake, my dear, in view. If I wrote with less warmth than you expected, forgive me. Consider my situation, my love. You are, and ever will be, wcicouic to me. Your griefs, your joys, are mine Give me which you please.

The girl burst into fresh tears I, I, I am now as unable, sobbed she, to bear your goodness, as before I was your displeasure But hide, hide me! Here comes my guardian! What now, when he sees me thus, will become of me?

She heard his voice at the door, leading in the two lords; and they followed by the rest of the fa-mily.

Sir Charles went to the two young ladies. Har-riet kept her seat, her arms folded about Emily.

Sweet emotion! said he: My Emily in tears of joy! What a charming picture! O my Miss By-ron, how does your tenderness to this amiable child oblige me! I sever you not; clasping his arms about them both.

I have afflicted my dear Emily, Sir, without intending it. I wrote coldly, my precious young friend thinks; and her love for me makes her sweetly-sensible of my supposed ingratitude. But believe me, my dear, I love you with a true sisterly tenderness.

I took the dear girl aside, and gently expostulated with her, upon the childishness other behaviour, and the uneasiness she would give to Miss Byron, as well as to herself, by repetitions of the like weakness of mind.

She promised fair; but Lady L. I wish there were more of the child, and less of the woman, in this aft’air. Poor thing! she was very thankful for my advice; and expressed how wrong she was, because it might discourage her guardian and Miss Byron, that now tvas, from letting her live with them? But for my life, said she, whatever was the matter with me, 1 could not help my foolishness.

Miss Nancy Selby took Emily up with her; and uncle Selby and I had a little lively hit at each other, in the old Stile. W^e drew my brother in. I had not tried his strength a good while: but, as Harriet said in one of the sauciest letters she ever wrote, I soon found he was the wrong person to meddle with. Yet he is such a charming raillier, that I wonder he can resist his talent. No wonder, Harriet would say j because he has talents so superior to that which, she says, runs away with his poor sister.

Emily came down to us very composed, and behaved prettily enough: but had my brother as much mannish vanity as some of the sorry fellows have, who have no pretence for it. he would discern the poor Emily’s foible to have some little susceptibility in it. I am glad he does not, for it would grieve him.

Mr, Reeves, his wife, and Mr,Deane,were abroad when we arrived. They came in to tea. Our mu-tual congratulations on the expected happy event cheered our own hearts, and would have delighted yours. Charming, charming, is the behaviour of my brother to his bride-elect. You can have no notion of it; because at Colnebrook we always saw him acting under a restraint; owing, as since we have found, to honour, conscience, and a prior love.

He diverts and turns the course of subjects that he thinks would be affecting to her; yet in such a man-ner, as it is hardly perceivable to be his intention to do so: for he makes something of the begun ones contribute to the new ones; so that, before uncle 8elby is aware of it, he finds himself in one that he had not in his head when he sat out. And then he comes with his ‘ What a pize was I going to say? But this is not what I had in my head.’ And then, as my brother knows he misses his scent, only because it has not afforded the merry mortal something to laugh at; he furnishes him with some lively and innocent occasion which produces that effect, and ]Mr. Selby is satisfied. Mrs. Sclby and Lucy see how my brother manages him, and arc pleased with it; for It IS so delicately done, that something arises from it, that keeps the honest man in credit with himself and with every body else, for his good humour, good heart, and those other qualities which make him in his worst subjects tolerable, and in his best va-luable.

Venerable Mrs. Shirley is to be here all to-mor-row and next day. Mr. Deane has chosen Shirley — manor for his abode, for the time he stays; so has James Selby, in order to make more room at Selby-house for us women. There, too, Mr. and Mrs. 5.eeves take up, of choice, their lodgings, though here all day.

Poor Harriet! She told me once, that fear makes cowards loving. She is so fond of me and Lucy, and her aunt, at times, it would be a sin not to pity her. Yet Lucy once tossed up her head, upon my saying so Pity her! why yes, I think I do, now you have put it in my head: but I don’t know whether she is not more to be envied. Lucy is a polite girl. She loves her Harriet. But she knew I should be pleased with the compliment to my brother.

Harriet has just now looked in upon me Writing, Lady G. And of me? To Lady L. I suppose?

She clasped her arms about me: Ah, madam! Thursday! Thursday!

What of Thursday?

Is the day after tomorrow!

Every child can tell that, Harriet.

Ah but I, with such happiness before me, am sil-lier than a child!

Well, but I can tell you something, Harriet.

What is that?

That the next day to Thursday, is Friday The next to that is Saturday The next

Pish! I’ll stay no longer with you; giving me a gentle tap I would not have answered you so.

Away she tript, desiring hex’ affectionate compli-ments to dear Lady L,

Let me see! Have I any more to write? I think not. But a call to supper makes me leave my paper unsubscribed.

Emily behaved very prettily at supper; but it would have been as well, if she had not thought so herself: for she boasted of her behaviour afterwards to me. That made it look like an exlraordinari/ in her own account.

Mr. Selby sung us a song, with a good fox — hunter air. There is something very agreeable in his face-tiousness; but it would become nobody else. I think you and I agreed at Dunstable, thathe is a fine, jolly, hearty, handsome-/.?/} man He looks shrewd, arcli, open, a true country gentleman aspect; what he says is so so What he means is better, He is very fond of your lord But I think rather fonder o(mine.’ A criterion, Lady L.!

As for Lord G. he is in the situation of Harriet’s Singleton He is prepared to laugh the moment Mr. Selby opens his mouth; especially when he twists his neck about, turns a glass upside down, and looks under his bent brows, at the company round, yet the table always in his eye: for then we know, that something is collected, and ready to burst forth.

Well, good night! good night! good night! Has my godson elect done crying yet? What a duce has/it’to cry at? Unsvvaddled, unpinioned, unswathed? legs and arms at full liberty: but they say crying does good to the brats opens their pipes and so forth But tell him, that if he docs not learn to laugh, as well as cry, he shall not be related to

CHARLOTTE G.


Letter LI.
Lady G. In Continuation.

Wednesday, November 15, Wednesday is come, and, as Harriet says, to-mor-row is Thursday. Ah, Harriet I rich as content! poor as patience!

I have been talking to her: half-comforting her, half-laughing at her. She says, I am but half good.

All the world is come. Lord W. and his ever-agreeable lady. Beauchamp, as I am alive, with them! I wish I could see this rogue Emily in love with him. He is certainly in love with her.

* I know it I know it! Do you go down, about your business.’

Only Lord G. come to tell me what I knew before.

Harriet is gone down to be complimented. She has hardly spirits to compliment.

* Well, well, I’ll only tell Lady L. who is come. Does not the poor soul keep her bed? And are we not to be as complaisant to our ill friends, as our well? I am coming, child.’

Emily, with her pretty impertinence. Neither Lord G. nor Emily, can be any thing, when stran-gers come, and I stand not by them to shew their significance.

Duce! a third messenger O! Mrs. Selby herself. I’ll tell you more by-and-by. Lady L. * Your ser-vant, Mrs. Selby. I attend you.’ *

The two Miss Nedhams, Miss Watson, Miss Barclay, the two Miss Holles’s, Mr. Deane, * So, so, so, Harriet, said I, what is the meaning of this.’*’ My uncle’s doings! I have no spirits. Sir Charles should not have been so passive: he, and nobody else, could have prevailed upon my uncle. My aunt has held him in, till her arms ached. O the dear restiff man! She has now let go; and you see how he prances over the whole meadow, the reins upon his neck.

Dear girl! said I, I am glad you are so fanciful.

I would fain be lively, if I could, said she. Never any creature had more reason. Lady G. My heart is all gratitude, and, I will say, love.

Good girl! hold up your head, my dear, and all will be as it should be.

Sir Charles staid to attend hither the most vene-rable of women. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves are to come with them.

You must, as you expect me to be minute, be content with bits and scraps, written by snatches of time. I pity you for your still-life, my dear Lady L. and think your request, that I will so write, as to make you suppose yourself on the spot, a reason* able one.

Here is come the man of men! *

With what respect (all his respect has love in it) did he attend Mrs. Shirley to her seat! And then hastening to Lord and Lady W. he saluted them both, and acknowledged the honour done him by their presence; an honour, he said, that he could not have expected, nor therefore had the thought, the distance so great, of asking it.

He then paid his compliments, in the most affec-tionate manner, to his amiable friend Beauchamp: who, on his thanking him for his uninvited presence, said, he could not deny himself being present at a so-lemnity that was to complete the happiness of the best of men, and best of friends.

Sir Charles addressed himself to the young ladies who were most strangers to him;’ apologizmg to them, as they were engaged with Mr. Selby, Mr. Deane, and Lord G. that he did not at first. He sat a few minutes with them: what he said, I heard not; but they smiled, blushed, and looked delighted upon each other. Every body followed him in his motions, with their eye. So much presence of mind never met with so much modesty of behaviour, and so charming a vivacity.

The young ladies came only intendedly to break-fast; and that at Mr. Selby ‘s odd invitation. They had the good sense to apologize for their coming this day, as they were to make part of the cavalcade, as I may call it, tomorrow. But the odd soul had met them at a neighbouring lady’s, where he made a gossiping visit, and would make them come with him.

I observed, that nobody cared to find fault with him; so I began to rate him! and a very whimsical dialogue passed between us at one end of the room,

I made the honest man ashamed of himself; and every body in our circle was pleased with us. This misled me to go on; and so, by attending to his non-sense, and pursuing my own, I lost the opportunity of hearing a conversation, which, I dare say, would have been worth repeating to you by pen and ink. Harriet shall write, and give it you.

Mr. Orme and his sister, we are told, set out yes-terday for London. Mrs. Selby and Harriet are yet afraid of Greville.

The gentlemen and some of the ladies, myself (but not Harriet) among them, have been to look at the preparations made in the lesser park, for the re-ception of the tenants. Mr. Selby prided himself not a little on his contrivances there. When we returned, we found Harriet at one end of the great parlour, sitting with EroOy; her grandmother, Mrs, Selby,

Lucy, in conversation at the other; the good girl a hand in hers, Emily blushing, looking down, but delighted, as it seemed: Harriet, with sweetness, love, and compassion, intermingled in her aspect, talking to her, and bending over her, her fine neck. I thought I never saw her look so lovely. Elder sis-ter like, and younger, one instructing in love, the other listening with pleasure.

They took every body’s attention, as the room filled with the company, who all crowded about Mrs. Shirley, affecting not to heed the two friends. What would I give, said Lady W. to Sir Charles and her lord, for a picture of those two young la-dies [Emily just then kissed the hand of her lovely friend with emotion, and Harriet raised Emily’s to her lips] if love, dignity, and such expression, could be drawn in the face of one lady; and that reverence, gratitude, and modest attention, in the other? I congratulate you, Sir Charles, with all my heart. I have observed with rapture, from every look, every word, and from the whole behaviour of Miss Byron, that your goodness to hundreds will be greatly re-compensed. O my good Lord W. turning to him, Miss Byron will pay all our debts.

Every attitude, every look, of Miss Byron’s, said my lord, would furnish out a fine picture. Where-ever she is, I cannot keep my eye from following her.

My brother bowed, delighted.

How pleased was Mrs, Shirley, Mrs. Selby > Every-body! But what a different man is Lord W”, to what he once was! lifted up from low keepino-, to a wife, who, by her behaviour, good sense, po-liteness, gives him consequence. Once I thought him one of the lowest of men. I denied him, in my heart, a relation to my mother, and thought him a savage,

\Qh, XIV. 2 B

The two young ladies, finding themselves ob-served, stood up, in a parting posture; but Emily — seeming eager to detain her dear friend’s attention, Harriet took a hand of Emily’s in each of hers.

I had sidled that way Yes, my dear, said the lovely Harriet, a friendship unalterable, as you say, by time or fate. Dearest Emily, command me ever.

Emily looked about her O madam, I want to kneel to you. I will ever, ever My good Lady G, said Harriet, approaching me, one of Emily’s hands in hers, we have promised a friendship that is to con* tinue to the end of our lives. We are to tell each the other all her faults. How causelessly has my Emily been accusing herself! The most ingenuous of hu-man hearts is hers.

She left Emily’s hand in mine, and bent towards Mrs. Shirley, and the whole circle of friends sur-rounding her chair.

O my dear Lady G.! said Emily, as we followed the meek-eyed goddess of wisdom [such her air, her manner, her amiableness, seemed in my thought, at that time, to make her], never, never, was such graciousness! I cannot bear her goodness. What a happy creature shall I be, if I follow her example, and observe her precepts! You cannot, my dear, said I, have a better guide: but love, you must not be capricious, as you were at first coming. She professed she would not. I have been excusing myself to her, madam, said the dear girl, and am forgiven.

My brother met the lovely creature. He took her hand, and, leading her towards her grandmother. We have been attentive, ray dearest life, to you and Emily. You love he7 —: she adores t/ou. My Beau-champ, you know not the hundredth part of the excellencies of this admirable woman.

You were born for each other. G od preserve you both, for an example to a world that wants it.

Harriet courtesied to Beau champ. Her face was overspread with a fine crimson; but she attempted not to speak. She squeezed herself, as it were, between the chairs of her grandmamma and aunt; then turn-ed about, and looked so charmingly! Miss Jervois, Sir, said she, to my brother, has the best of hearts. She deserves your kind care. How happy is she, in such protection!

Y\nd how much happier will she be in yours, ma-dam! replied he. Of what a care, my Emily, turn — ing to her, has this admirable lady already relieved my heart! The care the greater, as you deserve it all. In every thing take her direction: it will be the direction of love and prudence. What an amiable companion will you make her! and how happy will your love of each other make me!

Emily got behind me, as it were. Speak for me to my guardian; promise for me, madam You ne-ver, never, shall break your word, through my fault. ^ Beauchamp was aifccted. Graciousness, said he, looking at Harriet, and goodness, looking at Emily, how are they here united! What a happy man will he be, who can entitle himself to a lady formed upon such an example!

A sun-beam from my brother’s eye seemed to play upon his face, and dazzle his eyes. The fine youth withdrew behind Lady W.‘s chair. Mr. Selby, who had been so good as to give us his silent attention, then spoke, with a twang through his nose. Adad, adad, said he, I don’t know what to make of myseli” But go on, go on; I love to hear you.

Your good lord, iny dear, enjoyed the pleasure we all had: mine tossed up his head, and seemed to snuff the wind: and yet, mj^dear Lady L. there was nothing so very extraordinary said; but the manner was the thing, which shewed a meaning, that left language behind it.

My brother is absolutely passive as to the ceco-nomy of the approaching solemnity. Mrs. Shirley, Mrs. Selby, Lady W. your Charlotte, and Lucy, are the council appointed; but uncle Selby will put in, to marshal this happy proceeding. What apize, he says, is not Harriet his daughter? Will it not be his day?

Mrs. Selby tries to smile off his oddity; but xiow-and-then we see her good-naturedly redden at it, as if for his sake. Lucy looks at her uncle as if she could hardly excuse his particularities; but Mrs, Shirley has always something to say for him. She enters into his character: she knows the honesty, as well as generosity, of his heart: that it all proceeds from joy and love; and always allows for him as I would have my friends allow for me: and, to say truth, I, for my own part, like him the better for wanting allowances; because his case, in that respect, is mine. Ah, my dear! it is the thoughtful, half-asleep, half-awake, bhnking cat, that catches the mouse. Such as your Charlotte, with their kittenish tricks, do but fright away the prey; and, if they could catch it, had rather play with it than kill it.

Harriet is with her virgins: her dress is left to her own choice. I stept in just now She met me at her dressing-room door, and looked so lovely! so silly! and so full of unmeaning meaningness [Do you understand me. Lady L.?J She sighed What would my Harriet say to me? said I, taking her hand I don’t know; again sighed But love me, Lady G.

Can I help it? said I; and, putting my arms about her, kissed her cheek.

Uncle Selby has provided seven gentlemen of the neighbourhood, to match the number of the ladies; for there will be sixteen of us: Mr. Godfrey, Mr. Steele, Mr. Falconbridge, three agreeable young men, sons of gentlemen in the neighbourhood, Mr, Selby’s chosen friends and companions in Iiis field sports; his cousin Holies, brother to the Miss Holles’s, an admirer of Miss Nedham; young Mr. Roberts, an admirer of Miss Barclay; Mr. Allestree, a nephew of Sir John, a young man of fine cjualities, engaged to Miss Uolly Nedham; and Lord Uereshif of Ireland (related to Mr. Selby’s favourite Sir Thomas Fal-conbridge); a young nobleman of shining parts, great modesty, good-nature, and, what is worth them all, Mrs. Shirley says, a man of virtue.

Lord W, was very desirous of giving so rich a jewel as Harriet to his nephew, in return, as he said, for as rich a jewel which he had presented to him; but Mr. Selby would not admit of that. I told him, on his appeal to me. that he was right, once inhislife.

Mr. Selby talks much of the nuisic he has provided for to-morroM’. He speaks of it as a hand, I assure you,

We have had a most agreeable evening. My bro-ther was the soul of the company. His address to his Harriet was respectfully-affectionate, yet, for her sake, not very peculiar. Every body, in turn, had his kindest notice, and was very happy in it. To-morrow’s solemnity was often hinted at by Mr. Selby, and even by my flippant lord But Sir Charles always insensibly led to more general sub-jects; and this supported the spirits of the too — thoughtful Harriet, and she behaved, on the whole, very prettily. His jo}’^ visibly was joy; but it seem-ed to be of so familiar and easy a nature, as if it would last.

He once occasionally told the happy commencement of his acquaintance with Miss Byron; on pur — pose, I saw, to remind her, that he ought not to be thought of as a stransxer to her, and to engage her ‘ 2 F 3 in an easy familiarity. But there was a delicacy observed by him in this remembrance. He began not from the time that he rescued her from Sir Har-grave; but from the first visit she made me in St. James’s Square; though she, with great gratitude, carried it back to its real date.

Mrs. Shirley retired soon, as is her custom, her Harriet attending her. The old lady is lame, and infirm; but, as she sits, is a very fine woman; and every-body sees that she was once a beauty. I thought I never saw beauty in full bloom so beauti-ful as when it supported beauty in ruins, on the old lady’s retiring, with a face so happy, leaning one arm on her lovely grandchild, a neat crutch-stick in the other, lightening her weight to the delicately-formed supporter of her old age. It was so striking a picture, that every soul, all standing up, from re-verence, on her retreating, observed it; nor took off their eyes till the door shut out the graceful figures.

The old lady’s lameness is owing, it seems, to a strained sinew, got in leading up a dance, not many years ago, proposed by herself, in order to crown the reconciliation which she had brought about, between a couple that had, till then, been unhappy; and which her good-nature and joy made her not sensible of till she sat down. Pity that any thing should have hurt so benign, so cheerful, so benevolent a woman! “Why did not Harriet tell us this circumstance? It would have heightened our value for her: and the more, if she had told us, as is the truth, that she never considers it as a hurt (so honourably come by) but when she thinks she is troublesome to those about her.

Harriet returned to company more cheerful than when she left it, enriched with her grandmother’s blessings, and prayers for her and my brother (as she whispered me) and in having been allowed to support the tottering parent.

Harriet, said I, aloud, you were a very naughty girl to accuse nie, as once you did, of reflecting upon age. You never, in my eyes, looked more lovely than you did half an hour ago, supporting the best of old ladies.

We are all of your ladyship’s mind, said Lady W. A new grace, believe me, Miss Byron, shone out in every graceful feature.

Your kind notice, ladies, bowing, does me ho-nour; but more to your own hearts.

Most gracefully does the dear girl receive and re-turn a compliment; but this, Lady L. I need not now say to you: we have both admired her on these occasions. How happy will she make a man, who can be so sensible of his happiness! And how happy will he make her! He, who has the most grateful and enlarged of human hearts!

Soon after tea [I tell you things out of course, Lady L. as they come into my head] we most of us withdrew, to hear read the marriage articles: when they were ready to sign, Harriet was sent for in. She would not come in before. She begged, she prayed she might not. The first line of each clause, and the last, for form sake, were run over by Mr. Deane, as fast as he could read. How the dear creature trembled when she came in, and all the time of the shortened reading! But when the pen was given her, to write her name, she dropt it on the parchment, out of her trembling hand. Sir Charles saw her emotion with concern: and supported her as she stood. My dearest life, said he, take time Be composed putting the pen, with reverence, in her fingers.

She tried to write; but her pen would not touch the parchment, so as to mark it. She soon, how-ever, made another effort, his arm round her waist She then signed them; but Sir Charles held her hand, and the parchments in them, when she deli-vered them. ‘ As your act and deed, my dearest love? ‘ said Sir Charles ‘ Yes, indeed,’ replied she, and made him a courtesy; hardly knowing what she did.

She must hear of this when she can bear it. You charged me to be very minute on the behaviour of our Harriet: you was sure it would be a pattern. But, no; you see she is too timid.

She accompanied me to my chamber when we retired for the night. She sighed. I took notice of it. O my Charlotte, said she, To-morrow! To-morrow!

Will be the beginning of your happiness, my Harriet! What virgin heart, but must have had joy, on her contemplating the man of sense and politeness, had his behaviour of this night only been the test of her judgment of him?

True; and I have joy: but the circumstance bu-fore me, is a solemn one: and does not the obliga — tion lie all on his side?

Does he behave to you, my love, as if he thought any of it did? no, no! But the fact is otherwise; and as I know it, the obligation is heightened by his polite goodness to me.

Dearly does he love his Harriet (tomorrow will you be his Harriet for life). Are you not convinced that he loves you ?

I am, I am! But But what, my dear?

I never can deserve him. Hapless, hapless Cle-mentina! she only could! Let a fortnight after to — morrow be over, and she be not z(;/-happy, and what a thrice happy creature shall I be!

I kissed her glowing cheek. Support yourself like a heroine tomorrow, my dear. You toill have a task, because of the crowds which will attend you; but it is the tax you pay for being so excellent, and so much beloved.

Is it not strange, Lady G. that my grandmamma should join to support my uncle in his vehemence for a public day? Had it been only his command, I would have rebelled!

The pride they take in the alliance with my bro-ther for his transcendent merit, is their motive; your grandmother’s particularly. She considers the day as one of the happiest of her life: she has begged of me to support you in undergoing it. She says, If there should be a thousand spectators, she knows it will give pleasure to as many hearts; and to hers the more, for that reason. And you will be, continued I, so lovely a pair, when joined, that every beholder, man and woman, will give him to you; you to him.

You are very good, my dear Lady G. to encou-rage me thus: but I told my grandmother, this night, that she knew not the hardship she had imposed on me, by insisting on a public day: but I would not begin so great a change, whatever it cost me, by an act of opposition or disobedience to the willof so dear a parent. But your brother, my dear Lady G. continued she, who would have thought he would have given into it.

As your friends mean a compliment to my bro-ther, replied I; so he, by his acquiescence, means one to you, and to them. He is not a confident man: he looks upon marriage in as awful light as you do; but he is not shy of making a public decla-ration of his love to the woman he has chosen. He has told me, talking of this very subject, that a pub-lic ceremony is not what, for your delicacy-sake, he would have proposed: but being ^proposed, he would not by any means decline it. He had no concern but for you; and he took your acquiescence as a noble instance of your duty and obligingness to one of the most affectionate and worthy of parents, my dear Lady G. how good was you to come down! Support me in the arduous task of tomorrow! You will not want my support, my love; you will have Sir Charles Grandison, bound, both by duty and love, to support you.

She threw her arms about me: I will endeavour to behave as I ought, in a circumstance that shall intitle me to such protection, and to such a sister.

My fidgetting lord thrust in (unsent for) his sharp face; and I chiding him for his intrusion, she slipt away, or I had designed to attend her to her cham-ber; and there, perhaps, should we have staid to — gether most part of the night. If I had, I don’t suppose that I should have deprived her of any rest. What makes my foolish heart throb for her? so happy as she is likely to be! But sincerely do I love her.

I should have told you, that Emily behaved very prettily. Mr. Beauchamp had a rich opportunity to engage her, while the settlements were executing.

On our return’to them, the poor girl was wiping her eyes. How now, Emily? said I, softly. O ma-dam, Mr. Beauchamp has been telling me how ill Sir Harry is! His own eyes set mine the example. How I pity him! And how good he is! No wonder my guardian loves him.

Beauchamp may possibly catch her in a weeping fit. The heart, softened by grief, will turn to a comforter. Our own grief produces pity for another; pity, love. They are next neighbours, and will call in to ask kindly how a sufferer does: and what a heart must that be, that will not administer comfort when it makes its neighbourly call, if comfort be in its power?

‘ Lord G. you are very impertinent.’ I am in the scribbling vein, my Caroline. And here this man * Say another word, Lord G. and I’ll sit up all night. Well, well, now you return not sauciness for threatening, I will have done.’

Good night Good morrow, rather, Lady L. O Lady L.! Good morrow may it be!

Ch. G.


Letter LII.
Lady G.

MISS SELBY, — T” ^^^^^-

Thuusday morning, November 16. You shall find me, my dear sister, as minute as you wish. Lucy is a charming girl. For the humour’s sake, as well as to forward each other, on the joyful occasion, we shall write by turns.

It would look as if we had determined upon a public day, in the very face of it, were we to appear in full drosses: the contrary, therefore, was agreed upon yesterday. But every one, however, intends to be dressed as elegantly as morning-dresses will allow. Harriet, as you shall hear, is the least shewy. All in virgin white. She looks, she moves, an angel. 1 must go to the dear girl. ‘ Lucy, where are you? ’

* Here, madam But how can one write, when one’s thoughts ’

‘ Write as I bid you. Have I not given j^ou j’our cue? ’

Lucy; taking up the pen.] Deai — Lady L. I am in a vast hurry. Lord W. Lady W. and Mr, Beau-champ, are come. Sir Charles, Mr. Deane, Mr. and Mrs, Reeves, have been here this half-Jiour. Has Lady G. dated? No, I protest! We women are above such little exactnesses. Dear Lady L.! the gentlemen and ladies are all come. They say the church-yard is crowded with more of the livint^, than of the dead, and there is hardly room for a spade. What an image, on such a day! We are all out of our wits between joy and hurry. My cousin is not well: her heart misgives her! Foolish girl! She is with her grandmamma and my grandmamma Selby. One gives her hartshorn, another salts. * Lady G. Lady G. 1 must attend my dear Miss Byron: in an hour’s time that will be her name no longer.’

Lady G,] Here, here, child Our Harriet’s bet-ter, Lady L.and ashamed of herself. Sir Charles was sent for up by her grandmother and aunt, to sooth her. Charming man! Tenderness and love are indeed tenderness and love in the brave and manly heart. Emily will not be married, on any consi-deration. There is terror, and not joy, she says, in the attending circumstances. Good Emily, continue to harden thy heart against love, and thoughts of wedlock, for two years to come; and then change thy mind, for Beauchamp’s sake!

* Dear Lucy, aline or two more. Your uncle; I hear his voice, summoning The man’s mad; mad indeed, Lady L. In such a hurry!’ Lucy, they are not yet all ready.

‘ Nor I, says the raptured saucy-face, to take up the pen not a line more can I, will 7, write, till the knot is tied,’

Nor I, my dear Lady L. till I ca give you joy upon it.

I fib: for this hurrying soul himself, in driving every body else, has forgot to be quite ready. But we are in very good time.

Emily was very earnest to be bride-maid, though advised to the contrary.

Mr. Beauchamp was a brideman, at his own re-quest also.

I will go back to the early part of the morning.

We were each of us serenaded, as I may say, by direction of this joyful man uncle Selby [atmkened, as he called it, to music) by James Selby, playing at each person’s door an air or two, the words irom an epithalaniium (whose, I know not);

The day is come, joii wisli’d so long;: Love pick’d it out amidst thethrong: Jle destiiHo to himself this sun, And takes the reins, and drivci; it on.

It is indeed a fine day. The sun seemed to re-proach some of us; but Harriet slept not a wink. No wonder.

I hastened to salute her. She was ready dressed. Charming readiness, my love! said I.

I took the opportunity while I was able, answered she.

Lucy, Nancy, were with her, both dressed, as she, for the day; that they might have nothing to do but attend her. What joy in their faces! What sweet carefulness in the lovely Harriet’s! And iviU this day, said she once, in a low voice, to me, give me to the lord of my heart? Let not grief come near it; joi/ can be enough painful!

Lucy.] My cousin, her spirits over-hurried, was ready to faint in her grandmother’s arms; but, re vived by the soothings, the blessings of her venera-ble parent, soon recovered. Let nobody be frighted, said her grandmother: affright not, by your hurryings, my lovely child! A little fatigued; her spirits are hurried: her joy is too much for them.

What a charming presence of mind has Mrs. Shirley! Lady G. bids me write any-thing to your ladyship, so I voill but write; and forbids me apolo-gizing either for manner or words.

Sir Charles was admitted. She stood up the moment she saw him, love and reverence in her sweet aspect. With a kind impatience he has-tened to her, taking her hand, and pressing it with his lips Resume your magnanimity, my dearest life: by God’s blessing, with the man before you, you will have more than a chance for happiness.

Forgive me. Sir, said she, sitting down (she could hardly stand): I can have no doubt of your goodness: but it is a great day! The solemnity is an awful one!

It is a great, a solemn, day to me, my dearest creature! But encourage my joy by your smiles. It can suffer abatement only by giving you pain.

Generous goodness! But

But xuhaty my love? In compliment to the best of parents, to the kindest of uncles, resume your usual presence of mind. I, else, who shall glory before a thousand witnesses in receiving the honour of your hand, shall be ready to regret that I acquiesced so cheerfully with the wishes of those parental friends for a public celebration.

I have not been of late well. Sir; my mind is weakened. But it would be ungrateful, if I did not own to you, that my joy is as strong as my fear: it overcame me. I hope J shall behave better. You should not have been called to be a witness of my weakness

This day, my dearest love, we call upon the world to be witnegs to our mutual vows. Let us she^ that world, that our hearts are one; and that the ceremony, sacred as it is, cannot make them more so. The engagement is a holy one: let us shew the multitude, as well as our surrounding friends, that we think it a laudable one. Once more I call upon you, my dearest life, to justify my joy by your ap-parent approbation. The world around you, loveliest of women, has been accustomed to see your lovers; shew them now the husband of your choice.

O Sir! you have given me a motive! I will think of it, throughout the whole sacred transaction. She looked around her, as if to see if every-body were ready that moment to attend her to church.

Lady G.] The ceremonj’^ is happily over; and I am retired to oblige my Caroline. When every-thing was ready, Mr. Selby thought fit to call us down in order into the great hall, marshalling his fours; and great pride and pleasure did he take in his office. At his first summons, down came the angel, and the four young ladies, and each of the four had her partner assigned her.

Emily seemed, between the novelty and the pa-rade, to be wholly engaged.

Harriet, the moment she came down, flew to her grandmamma, and kneeled to her, Sir Charles sup-porting her as slie kneeled, and as she arose. A tender and sweet sight!

The old lady threw her arms about her, and twice or thrice ki.^sed her forehead; her voice faultering God bless, bless, sustain my child! Her aunt kissing her cheek: now, now, my dearest love, whis-pered she, I call upon you for fortitude.

She visibly struggled for resolution; but seemed, in all her motions, to be in a hurry, as if afraid she should not hold it. She passed me with such a sweet confusion! Charming girl! said I, taking her hand, as she passed, and giving way to her quick motions, for fear restraint should disconcert her.

When her uncle gave the word for moving, and approached to take her hand, she in her hurry, for-getting her cue, put it into Sir Charles’s. Hold, hold, said her uncle, sweeping his bosom with his chin, in his arch way, that must not yet be. My brother, kissing her hand, presented it, in a very gallant manner, to her uncle. I yield it to you. Sir, said he, as a precious trust; in an hour’s time to be confirmed mine by divine, as weH as human sanctions.

Mr. Selby led the lovely creature to the coach, but stopt at the door with her, for Mrs. Shirley’s going in first: the servants at distance all admiring,, and blessing, and praying, for their beloved young lady.

Sir Charles with tender care supported Mrs. Shirley. What honour you do me, Sir! said she. I think I may throw away this (meaning her ebony crutch-stick): Do I ail any-thing? Her feet, how-ever, seconded not her spirits. My brother lifted her into the coach. It was so natural to him to be polite, that he offered his hand to his beloved Har-riet; but was checked by her uncle (in his usual pleasant manner): Stay your time, too ready Sir, said he. Thank God it will not be long before both hands will be yours.

The coach-way was lined with spectators. Mr. Selby, it seems, bowed all the way, in return to the salutes of his acquaintance. Have you never. Lady L. called for the attention of your company in your coach, to something that has passed in the streets, or on the road, and at the same time thrust your head through the window so that nobody could see but yourself.^ So it was with Mr. Selby, I doubt not. He wanted every one to look in at the happy pair; but took care that hardly any body but himself should be seen. I asked him, afterwards, If it were not so? He knew not, he said, but it might. I told him, he had a very jolly comely face to shew, but no head. He does not spare me: but true jests are not always the most welcome. Tell a lady of forty, that she is sixty or seventy, and she will not be so angry as if she were guessed to be eight or nine-and-thirty. The one nobody will believe; the other every-body. My Lord G. I can tell you, fares well in Mr. Selby’s company.

‘ Lucy, my dear girl, take the pen You don’t know, you say, what I wrote last Read it, my girl You have it Take the pen; I want to be among them.’

Lucy.] Lady G. must have her jest, whether in the right place, or not. Excuse me, both sisters. How could she, however, in a part so interesting? She says, I must give an account of the procession, and she will conduct them into the church; I out of it. I cannot, she says, after so many wishes, so many suspenses, so much expectation, before it came to this, be too minute. Every woman’s heart leaps, when a wedding is described; and wishes to know all, /ioTo and about it. Your ladyship will know, that these words are Lady G.‘s own: but what can I say of the procession?

The poor Harriet Fie upon me The rich Har-riet, was not sorry, I believe, that her uncle’s head, now on this side, now on the other, in a manner, filled the coach: but when it stopt at the church-yard, an inclosed one, whose walls keep off coaches near a stone’s throw from the church-porch, then was my lovely cousin put to it; especially as her grandmother walked so slow. We were all out of our coaches before the father and the bride entered the porch. I should tell your ladyshi[), that the passage from the entrance of the church-yard to the church is railed in. Every Sunday the crowd (ga-thered to see the gentry go in and come out) are accustomed to be bounded by these rails; and were the more contentedly so now: the whole church-yard seemed one mass (but for that separating passage) of living matter, distinguished only by separate heads; not a hat on the men’s; pulled off, perhaps, by general consent, for the convenience of seeing, more than from designed regard in that particular. But, in the main, never was there such silent respect shewn, on the like occasion, by mortal mob.

But one pretty spectacle it is impossible to pass by. Four girls, tenants’ daughters, the eldest not above thirteen, appeared with neat wicker-baskets in their hands, filled with such flowers as could be procured in this late season of the year. Cheerful way was made for them. As soon as the bride, and father, and Sir Charles, and Mrs. Shirley, alighted, these pretty little Flora’s, all dressed in white, chap-lets of artificial flowers for head-dresses, large nose — gays in their bosoms, white ribbands adorning their stays and their baskets; some streaming down, others tied round the handles in true lovers’ knots; attended the company; two going before; the two others here and there, and every-where; all strewing flowers: a pretty thought of the tenants among themselves. Sir Charles seemed much pleased with them: Pretty dears he calls them, in their hearing.

God bless you, and God bless you, was echoed from many mouths. Your brother’s attention was chiefly employed on Mrs. Shirley, because of her age and lameness. Here my good Lady G. per-haps would stop to remark upon the worthy nature of the English populace, when good characters at-tract their admiration; for even the populace took notice, how right a thing it was for the finest young gentleman their eyes ever beheld, to take such care of so good au old lady. He deserved to live to be old himself, one said: they would warrant, others said, that he was a sweet-tempered man; and others, that he had a good heart. In the procession each of us picked up our praises. Though Lady G. Lady W. and the four bride-maids, as well as the lords, might have claimed high notice; yet not any of them received more than commendation: we were all considered but as satellites to the planets that passed before us. What, indeed, were we more? But let me say that Mrs. Shirley had her share in reverence, as the lovely couple had theirs in ad-miration.

The churchwardens themselves were so complai-saint as to stand at the church-door, and opened it, on the approach of the bride, and her nuptial father. But all the pews near the altar were, however, filled (one or two excepted, which seemed to be left for the company) with well-dressed women of the neigh-bourhood: and though they seemed to intend to shut the doors after we had all got in, the church was full of people. Mr. bolby was displeased, for his niece’s sake; who, trembling, could hardly walk up to the altar. Sir Charles seated his venerable charge on a covered bench on the left side of the altar; and by her, and on another covered bench on the right side, without the rails, we ail, but the bride-maids and their partners, took our seats. They stood, the men on the bridegroom’s side; the maids on Harriet’s. Never

Lady G.] ‘Are you within the church, Lucy? You are, I protest. Let me read what you have done. Come, prctt}” well, pretty well You were going to praise my brother: leave that to me. I have an excellent knack at it.’

Never was man so much, and so deservedly, ad-mired. He saw his Harriet wanted support and encouragement. The minister stood suspended a few moments, as doubting whether she would not faint. My dearest love, whispered Sir Charles, remember you are doing honour to the happy, thrice happy, man of your choice: shew he is your choice, in the face of this congregation. Pardon me, Sir 1 I will endeavour to be all you wish me.

Sir Charles bowed to the minister to begin the sacred office. Mr. Selby, with all his bravery, trembled, and, overcome by the solemnity of the preparation, looked now pale, now red. The whole congregation were hushed and silent, as if nobody were in the church but persons immediately concerned to be there. Emily changed colour fre — quently. She had her handkerchief in her hand: and (pretty enough!) her sister bride-maids, little thinking that Emily had a reason for her emotion, which none of them had, pulled out their handker-chiefs too, and permitted a gentle tear or two to steal down their glowing cheeks. I fixed my eye on Emily, sitting outward, to keep her in order. The doctor began ‘ Dearltj beloved’ Ah, Harriet! thought I; thou art much quieter now, than once thou wert at these words.*

No impediments were confessed by either of the parties, when they were referred to by the minister, on this head. I suppose this reference would have been omitted by Sir Hargrave’s snuffling parson. To the question, to my brother, ‘ IVilt thou have^

* When Sir Hargrave Pollexfen would have coini)eIIe(l Iier to be his, Vol. IX, p. ^29.

&c. he cheerfully answered, I ivill. Harriet did not say, Irvill not. ‘ Who giveth this ivowan,’ Sec. I, I, I, said uncle Selby; and he owns, that he had much ado to refrain saying ‘ With all my heart and soul! ’ Sir Charles seemed to have the office by heart; Har-riet in her heart: for before the minister could take the right-hand of the good girl to put it into that of my brother, his hand knew its office; nor did her trembling hand decline the favour. Then followed the words of acceptance; */ Charles, take thee, Har-riet,’ &c. on his part; which he audibly and with apparent joy and reverence in his countenance, repeated after the minister. But not quite so alert Mas Harriet, in her turn: her hand was rather taken, than offered. Her li})s, however, moved after the minister; nor seemed to hesitate at the little pid-dling word obey; which, I remember, gave a qualm to my poor heart, on the like occasion. The ring was presented. The doctor gave it to Sir Charles; who put it on the finger of the most charming woman in England; repeating after the minister, aiidibly, ‘ With this ring I thee reed,’ &c. She bright-ened up; when the minister, joining their right — hands, read, ‘ Those ivhom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.’ And the minister’s address to the company, declaring the marriage, and pronouncing them man and wife, in the name of the Holy Trinity; and his blessing them, swelled, she owns, her grateful heart, ready to busting. In the responses, I could not but observe, that the congregation generally joined, as if they were interested in the celebration.

Sir Charles, with a joy that lighted up a more charming Hush than usual on his face, his lively soul looking out at his fine eyes, yet with an air as mo-dest as respectful, did credit to our sex before the applauding multitude, by bending his knee to his sweet bride, on taking her hand, and saluting her, on the conclusion of the ceremony May God, my dearest life, said he, audibly, be gracious to your Grandison, as he will be good to his Harriet, now no more Byron! She courtesied low, and with so mo-dest a grace, that every soul blessed her; and pro nounced her the loveliest of women, and him the most graceful and polite of men.

Mr. Selby invited Dr. Curtis to the wedding-dinner, and led Sir Charles’s bride into the vestry.

She was followed by her virgin train; they by their partners.

She threw herself, the moment she beheld her grandmother, at her feet. Bless, madam, your happy, happy child.

God for ever bless the darling of my heart!

Sir Charles bent his knee to the venerable lady, with such a condescending dignity, if I may so express myself; Receive and bless, also, your son, my Har-riet’s reverend parent, and mine.

The dear lad}’ was affected. She slid off her seat on her knees, and with up-lifted hands and eyes, tears trickling on her cheeks; Thou, Almighty, bless the dear son of my wishes!

He raised her, with pious tenderness, and saluted her. Excellent lady! He would have said more, but was affected Every body was And having seated the old lady, he turned to Mrs. Selby Words are poor, said he; my actions, my behaviour, shall speak the grateful sense I have of your goodness, saluting her; of yours, madam, to Mrs. Shirley; and of yours, my dearest life, addressing himself to his lovely bride, who seemed hardly able to sustain her joy, on so respectful a recognition of relation to persons so dear to her. Let me once more, added he, bless the liand that has blessed me!

She cheerfully offered it: 1 give you, Sir, my hand, said she, courtesying, and with it a poor heart A poor heart, indeed! But it is a grateful one! It is all your own!

He bowed upon her hand. He spoke not. He seemed as if he could not speak,

Joy, joy, joy, was wished the happy pair, from every mouth. * See, my dear young ladies,’ said the happy and instructing Mrs. Shirley, addressing herself to them, ‘ the reward of duty, virtue, and obedience! How unhappy must those parents and relations be, whose daughters, unlike our Harriet, have disgraced themselves, and their families, by a shameful choice As my Harriet’s is, such, looking around her, be yotir lot, my amiable daughters!’

They every one saluted her; and some by speech, all by looks and courtesies, promised to cherish the memory of this happy transaction, for their benefit.

Emily, when she approached the venerable lady, sobbing, said. Bless me also, my dear grandmamma Shirley! Let me be your own grand-daughter. She embraced and blessed the dear girl! Ah, my love, said she, but ivill you supply the place of my Harriet to me? Will you be my Harriet? Will you livelwith me, and Mrs. Selby as Harriet did? Emily started: All, madam, you are all goodness, let me try to make myself, in some little way, agreeable to my dear Miss Byron that was, and live a little while in the sun-shine of my guardian’s eye; and then how proud shall I be to be thought, in any the least degree, like your Harriet!

This I thought a good hint of Mrs. Shirley. Our Harriet (my dear Caroline) shall not be made unhappy by the chit; nor shall the dear girl neither, if I can help it, be made so by her own foible. We will watch over both, for the good of both, and for the tranquillity of the best of men.

Beauchamp’s joy shone through a cloud, because of his father’s illness; but it did shine.

Mr. Selby and my lord were vastly alive. Lord L. vk’as fervent in his joy, and congratulations; but he was wiser than both put together. Nothing vvas wanting to shew that he was excessively pleased; but I was afraid the other two would not have considered the vestry as part of the church; and would have struck up a tune without music.

How sincerely joyful, also, were Lord and Lady W.! My lord’s eyes burst into tears more than once: Nephew, and dear nephew, at every word, whether speaking of or to my brother; as if he thought the relation he stood in to him, a greater glory than his peerage, or aught else that he valued himself upon, his excellent lady excepted.

Upon my honour, Caroline, I think, as I have often said, that people may be very happy, if not most happy, who set out with a moderate stock of love, and supply what they want in that with pru-dence. I really think, that my brother and Harriet cannot be happier than are now this worthy couple; times of life considered on both sides, and my lord’s inferior capacity allowed for. For certainly, men of sense are most capable of joyful sensations, and have their balances; since it is as certain, that they are also most susceptible of painful ones. . What, then, is the stuff, the nonsense, that romantic girls, their romancing part of life not wholly elapsed, prate about, and din one’s ears with, oi’ first love, Jirst flame, hnt^rst folly? Do not most of such give indication of gunpowder constitutions, that want but the match to be applied, to set them into a blaze? Souls of tinder, discretions of flimsy gauze, that conceal not their folly One day they will think as I do; and perhaps before they have daugh-ters who will convince them of the truth of my as — sertion.

But here comes Lucy. ‘ My dear girl, take the pen 1 am too sentimental. The French only are proud ofsentiments at this day; the English cannot bear them: story, story, story, is what they hunt after, whether sense or nonsense, probable or improbable.’

Lucy.] * Bless me. Lady G.! you liave written a great deal in a little time. What am I to do?’

Lady G.] You brought the happy pair into the church. I have told Lady L. what was done there: you are to carry them out.

Lucy.] ‘ And so I will,’ My dearest love, said her charming man to my cousin, who had a little panic on the thoughts of going back through so great a crowd, imagine, as you walk, that you see nobody but the happy man whom you have honoured with your hand: every body will praise and admire the loveliest of women. Nobody, I hope, will blame your choice. Remember at whose request it was, that you are put upon this difficulty: your grand-mamma’s and uncle’s. She, one of the best of wo — men, was so married to one of the best of men. I was but acquiescent in it. Shew, my dearest life, all your numerous admirers and well-wishers, that you are not ashamed of your choice.

O Sir! how charmingly do you strengthen my mind! I will shew the world, that my choice is my glory.

Every-body being ready, she gave her hand to the beloved of her heart.

The bells were set a ringing the moment the so-lenmity was concluded; and Sir Charles Grandison, the son of our venerable Mrs. Shirley, the nephew of my uncle and aunt Selby, husband of my dear and ever-dear Harriet, and the esteemed of every heart, led his graceful bride through a lane of ap-plauding and decent-behaving spectators, down through the church and still more thronging mul-titudes in the church-yard; the four little Flora’s again strewing flowers at their feet, as they passed. My sweet girls, said he, to two of them, I charge you complete the honour you have done us, by your presence at Selby-house: you will bring your companions with you.

My uncle looked around him as he led Mrs. Shirley: so proud! and so stately! By some unde-signed change, Mr. Beaachamp led Miss Jervois. She seemed pleased, and happy; for he whispered to her, all the way, praises of her guardian. My guardian, twice or thrice, occasionally, repeated she aloud, as if she boasted of standing in some relation to him.

The bride and bridegroom stopt for Mrs. Shirley, a little while, at the coach-side: a very grateful accident to the spectators: he led them both in, with a politeness that attends him in all he does. AVe came back in the order we went.

‘ Now, my dear Lady G. you, who never were from the side of your dear new sister for the rest of the day, resume the pen.’

Lady G.] * I will, my dear; but in a new letter This fourth sheet is written down to the very edge, Caroline will be impatient: I will send away this.’

Joy to my sister! Joy to my aunt! Joy to the earl! To Lady Gertrude! To our dear Dr. Bartlett! To every one, on an event so happy; and so long wished ri^r by us all!

‘ Sign, Lucy, sign.’

‘ After your ladyship.’

There, then, Charlotte G. And, There, then, Lucy Selby,


Letter LIII.
Lady G. To Lady L. In Continuation.

This happy event has been so long wished for by us all; we are so much delighted with the bride, as well as the bridegroom; so many uncertainties, so many suspenses, have fallen in; so little likelihood once that it ever would have been; and you are so miserably tied by the leg, poor Caroline! and so little to divert you, besides the once smiling to the ten times squalling of your little stranger; that compassion, love, both incite me to be minute; that so you may be as much with us in idea, as we all wished you could have been in person.

Crowds of people lined the way, in our return from church, as well as in our way to it; and blessings were pronounced upon the happy pair, by hundreds, at their alighting at Selby-house.

When we were all assembled in the great hall, mutual congratulations flowed from every mouth: then did every man salute the happy bride: then did the equally-happy bridegroom s^alute every lady There was among us the height ot joy; joy becoming the awful solenmity; and every one was full of the decent behaviour, and the delight expressed by the crowds of spectators of all ranks, and both sexes; a delight and decency Morthy of the characters of the admirable pair: and Miss Nedhani declared, and all the young ladies joined with her, that if she could be secure of the like good beha-viour and encouragement, she would never think of a private wedding for herself. Mr. Selby himself was overjoyed too much, even to utter a jest! Now, now, he said, he had attained the height of his am-bition.

The dear Harriet cordd look up: she could smile around her. I led her, with Lucy, into the cedar-parlour Now, my dear love, said I, the moment we entered it, throwing my arms about her, just as her lips were joyfully opening to speak to me, do I salute my real sister, my sister Grandison, in my dear Lady L.‘s name, as well as in my own: God Almighty confirm and establish your happiness!

My dearest, dearest Lady G, how grateful, how encouraging, to my heart, is your kind salutation! Your continued love, and that of my dear Lady L. will be essential to my happiness.

May our hearts be ever united! replied I. But they must: for were not our minds kindred minds before?

But you must love my Lucy, said she, presenting her to me You must love my grand Mamma, said I, catching the word from her, your aunt, your uncle, your cousins, and your cousins cousins, to the twentieth generation And so I will: ours yours: yours ours! We are all of one family, and will be for ever.

What a happy creature am I! replied she How many people can one good man make so! But where is my Emily, sweet girl? Bring to me, Lucy, bring to me, my Emily!

Lucy went out, and led in the dear girl. With hands and eyes uplifted, My dear Miss Byron, that was, now Lady Grandison, said she, love me; love your Emily. I am now your Emily, your ward; love me as well as you did when Miss Byron.

Harriet threw her arms about her neck; I do, I will, I must: you shall be my sister, my friend; my Emily now, indeed! Love me, asl will love you; and you shall find ywz^r happiness in mine.

Sir Charles entered, his Beauchamp with him; taking her hand, he kised it. Once more, said he, do I thank my dearest life for the honour she has done me: then with his other hand taking his Beau-champ’s, he presented each to the other, as brother and sister.

Beauchamp, in a graceful manner, bowed on her hand: she courtesied to him with an air of dignity and esteem.

He then turning to Emily; Acknowledge, my dear, said he, your elder sister: my Harriet will love her Emily. Receive, my dearest life, your ward. Yet (to Emily) I acquit not myself of the power, any more than of the will, of obliging you at first hand.

O Sir! said the sobbing girl, you are all goodness! But I will make no re(iuest to you, but through my dearest Lady Grandison’s mediation. If she approve of it first, I shall not doubt of its litness to be complied with.

Was not that pretty in Emily? O how Beau-champ’s eyes loved her 1

But why, ladies, said Sir Charles, do you sequester yourselves from the company? Are we not all of a family today? The four little Flora’s, with their bciskets in their hands, were entering the gate, as I came in: receive them, my love, with your usual graciousness. We will join the company, and call them in. My Beauchamj), you are a brideman; re-store my bride to her friends and admirers within.

He took Emily’s hand. She looked so proud! Harriet gave hers to Beauchamp. Wefollowed them into the great hall: Mr. Selby had archness in his look, and seemed ready to blame us for withdrawing. Sir Charles was aware of him. My dear Mr. Selby, said he, will you not allow us to see the pretty Flora’s? By all means, said Mr. Selby; and hurried out, and introduced them.

Sweet pretty girls! We had more leisure to consi-der the elegant rusticity of their dresses and ap — pearance. They had their baskets in their hands, and a courtesy and a blush ready for every one in company. Sir Charles seemed to expect that his bride would take notice of them first; but observing that she wanted presence of mind, he stept to them; took each by the hand, called them pretty loves; and put into each basket, wrapped up in paper, five guineas: then presented them, two in each hand, to his bride; who, by that time, was better prepared to receive them with that sweet ease and familiarity which give grace to all she says and does.

The children afterwards desiring to go to their pa-rents, the polite Beauchamp himself, accompanied by Lucy, led them to them, and returned, with a request from all thetenants,thatthey might have thehonour, some time in the day, to see the bride and bridegroom among them, were it but for two minutes. What says my love? said Sir Chax’les. O, Sir! I cannot, cannot Well, then, J will attend them, to make your excuse, as well as I can. Slije bowed her thanks.

The time before dinner was devoted to conver-sation. Sir Charles was nobody’s; no, not very par — ticularly his bride’s: he put every one upon speaking in turn. For about half an hour he sat between the joyful Mrs, Shirley and Mrs. Selby; but even then, in talking to them, talked to the whole company: yet, in his air and manner to both, shewed so much respect, as needed not the aid of a particular address to them in words.

This was observed to me by good Lord L. For Harriet (uneasy, every eye continually upon her, thoughtful, bashful) withdrawing, a little before din-ner, with a cast of her eve to me, I followed her to her dressing-room. There, with so much expressiveness of raej^fting, though not of language; so much tenderness of love; so much pious gratitude; so much true virgin sensibility; did she open her heart to me; that 1 shall ever revolve what passed in that conversation, as the true criterion of” virgin delicacy unmingled with affectation. Nor was I displeased, that, in theheightof her grateful self-congratulation, she more than once acknowledged a sigh for the ad-mirable Clementina. We just began to express our pleasure and our hopes in the good behaviour of our Emily, when we were called to dinner.

It was a sumptuous one.

Mr. Selby was very orderly, upon the whole: but lie remembered, he said, that when he was married (and he called upon his dame to confirm it) he was obliged to wait on his bride, and the company; and lie insisted upon it, that Sir Charles should.

No, no, no, every one said; and the bride looked a little serious upon it: but Sir Charles, with an air of gaiety that infinitely became him, took a napkin from the butler; and putting it under his arm, I have only one request to make you, my dear Mr. Selby When I am more awkward than I ought to be, do you correct me; and I shall have both pride and pleasure in the task.

Adad! said Mr. Selby, looking at him with plea-sure You may dc any-thing, do any-thing; you cannot conceal the gentleman. Ads-heart, you nmst always be the first man in company Pardon me, my lords.

Sir Charles was the modestcst servitor that ever waited at table, while his napkin was under his arm: but he laid it down, while he addressed himself to the company, finding something to say to each, in his pithy, agreeable manner, as he went round the table, lie made every one happy. With what delight did the elder ladies look upon him, when he addressed himself to each of them! He stopt at the bride’s chair, and made her a compliment with an air of tenderness. I heard not what it was, sitting at distance; but she looked grateful, pleased; smiled, and blushed. He passed from her to the bride-maids, and again complimented each of them. They also seemed delighted with what he said. Then going to Mr. Selby; Why don’t you bid me resume the napkin. Sir? No, no; we see what 3’^ou can do: your conformity is enough for me. You may now sit down, when you please. You make the waiters look awk-ward.

He took his seat, thanked Mr. Selby for having reminded him of his duty, as he called it, and was all himself, the most graceful and obliging of men. You know, my dear Lady L. how much 1 love to praise my brother. My poor lord! I am glad, however, that he has a tolerable good set of teeth They were always visible. A good honest sort of man, though, Lady L. whatever you may think of him.

After dinner, at Mr. Selby ‘s reminding motion, Sir Charles and the men went to the tenants. They all wished him joy; and, as they would not sit down while he stood, Sir Charles took a seat among them, and all the rest followed his example.

One of the honest men, it seems, remembered the nuptials of Mr. and Mrs. Byron, and praised them as the best and happiest of the human race: others confirmed his character of both: another knew the late Mr. Shirley, and extolled him as much; another remembered the birth, another the christening, of the bride; and others talked of what an excellent creature she was from infancy. Let me tell you. Sir, said one grey-headed man, you will have much ado to deserve her; and yetyou are said to be as good as you are handsome. The women took up the cause: they were sure, by what they had heard, if any man in the world could deserve the bride, it was Sir Charles Grandison; and they would swear for him by his looks. One of the honest men said, they should all have taken it as a hugeous favour, were they allowed to wish the bride joy, though at ever so great a distance.

Sir Charles said, He was sure the women would excuse her this day; and then the men would, in complaisance to them. We will hope, said he, looking round him, before we leave Northamptonshire, for one happy dinner together.

They all got up to bow and courtesy, and looked upon each other; and the men, who are most of them freeholders, wished to the Lord for a new election, and that he would come among them. They had no great matter of fault to find, they said, with their present representatives; butany-body who would oppose Sir Charles Grandison, would stand no chance. The women joined in the declaration, as if they thought highly, as Sir Charles pleasantly ob-served, of their own influence over their husbands. They all wondered that he was not in parliament, till they heard how little a while he had been in England.

He took leave of the good people (who, by their behaviour and appearance, did as much credit to their landlords as to themselves) with his usual affability and politeness; repeating his promise of a day of ju-bilee, as some of them called it.

The ball, at the request of the whole company, was opened by the bride and bridegroom. She was very uneasy at the general call. Sir Charles saw she was, and would have taken out Miss Nedham; but it was not permitted. The dear creature, I believe, did her best at the time; but I have seen her perform better: yet she did exceedingly well. But such a figure herself, and such a partner; How could she do amiss

Emily was taken out by Beau champ. He did his best, I am sure; and almost as much excelled his pretty partner, as his beloved friend did his.

Emily, sitting down by me, asked if she did not perform very ill. Not xiery ill, my dear, said I; but not so well as I have seen you dance. I don’t know, said she, what ails me: my heart is very heavy, madam. What can be the meaning of it? But don’t tell Lady Grandison so. Heigh ho! Lady Grandison! What a sound is that? A charming sound! But how shall I bring my lips to be famili-arized to it?

You are glad she is married, my love, I dare say?

Glad! To be sure I am: It is an event that I have long, long wished for: but new names, and new ti-tles, one knows not how to frame one’s mouth to presently. It was some time before I could call you Lady G. But don’t you pity poor Lady Clementina, a little, madam?

A great deal, I do. But as she refused my bro-ther

Ah! dear! that’s the thing! I wonder she could when he would have let her have the free exercise of her religion.

Had you rather your guardian had married Lady Clementina, Emily?

O no! How can you ask me such a question, madam? Of all the women in the world, 1 wished him to have Miss Byron. But she is too happy for pity, you know, madam! Bless me! What does she look so thoughtful for? Why does she sigh so? Surely she can’t be sorry!

Sorry! No, my love! But a change of condition for life! New attachments! A new course of life! The property, person and will, of another, excellent as the man is; obliged to go to a new house; to be ingrafted into a new family; to leave her own, who so dearly love her; an irrevocable destiny! Do you think, Emily, new in her present circumstances, every eye upon her, it is not enough to make a considerate mind, as hers is, thoughtful?

All these are mighty hardships, madam I putting up her lip But, Lady G. can you suppose she thinks them so? If she does But she is adear good lady! I shall ever love her. She is an ornament of our sex! See, how lovely she looks! Did your ladyship ever see so sweet a creature? I never did.

Not for beauty, dignity, ease, figure, modesty, good sense, did I ever!

She is my guardianesSf may I say? Is there such a word? I shall be as proud of her, as I am of my guardian. Yet there is no cause of sighing, I think. See my guardian! her husband! Unfashionable as the word is, it is a pretty word. The house-band^ that ties all together. Is not that the meaning? Look round! How does he surpass all men! His ease, talk of case! His dignity, talk of dignity! As handsome a man, as she is a woman! See how every young lady eyes him; every young gentleman endeavours to imitate him. 1 wish he would take me out; I would do better.

This was the substance of the whispering dia-logue that passed between Emily and me Poor girl!

]Mr. Selby danced with Lucy, and got great ap-plause. He was resolved, he said, to have one dance with the bride. She besought him not to think of it. Her grandmamma, her aunt, entreated for her. She desired Sir Charles to interpose If, my dearest life, you could oblige your uncle I cannot, cannot think of it, said she.

Lady G. said Sir Charles, be so good as to chal-lenge Mr.Selby. I stood forth, and offered my hand to him. He could not refuse it. He did not perform so well as he did with Lucy. Go, said I, when we had done, sit down by your dame, and be quiet: you have lost all your credit. You dance with a bride! Some people know not how tobear applause; nor to leave off when they are well. Lord L. took out Mrs. Selby. She dances very gracefully. Your lord, you know, is above praise. The young Lord Reresby and Miss Nedham distinguished themselves. My odd creature was in his element. He and Miss Barclay, and another time he and Emily, did very handsomely; and the girl got up her reputation, iyord W. did hobble, and not ungracefully, with old Mrs. Selby; who had not danced, she said, for twenty years before; but, on so joyful an occasion, would not refuse Lord W.‘s challenge: and both were applauded; the time of life of the lady, the Bimpingness of my lord, considei’ed.

There was a very plentiful sideboard, of rich wines, sweetmeats, &c.

We all disclaimed formal supper.

We went afterwards into country-dances.

Mrs. Shirley retired about ten. Harriet took the opportunity of attending her. I had an intimation to follow.

I found her just dropt on her knees to her grand-mamma; who, with her arms about her neck, was iffolding to her fond heart the darling of it.

I was called upon to give my opinion, whether she /itould return to the company, or not: I gave it, that she should; and that she should retire, for the night, ^baut eleven. As to the bride-maids, I said, I would manage, that they should only attend her to her chamber, and leave her there, with her aunt, Lucy, and me. Lord L. had undertaken to make the gen-tlemen give up form; which, he said, they would the more easily do, as they were set into dancing.

After all, Lady L. we women, dressed out in rib-bands, and gaudy trappings, and in virgin-white, on our wedding-days, seem but like milk-white heifers led to sacrifice. We ought to be indulged, if we arc uot shameless things, and very wron^ indeed, in oui choice of the man we can love.

When wc returned to the company, Mr. Selby broke from his partner, Miss Barclay, to whisk into the figure the bride.

Sir Charles joined the deserted lady, who seemed much better pleased with her new partner than with her c-ld one.

Lord W. who was sitting down, took Mrs. Selby ‘s hand, and led her into the dance.

I drew Miss Nedham to the sideboard, and gave her her cue: she gave theirs to the three other bride-maid*:.

About eleven, Mrs. Selby, unobserved, withdrew with the bride. The bride-maids, one by one to be the less observed, waited on her to her chamber; saluted her, and returned to company.

The dear creature wanted presence of miiul. She fell into my reflection above. O my dear Lady G.! said she, was I not ri^ht when I declared, that 1 never would marry, were it not to the man 1 loved above all the men in the world?

She complimented me twenty times, with being very good. She praved for me: but her prayers were meant for herself.

Vou remeuiber, that she told me, on my appro* hensiveness on the like occasion, that fear made m# loving to her. On her blessing me. Ah, Harriet said I, you now find, that apprehension will make one pious, as weil as loving.

My sister, my friend, my own, my Caroline’s, my brother’s, Wcf/r Lady Grandison! said I, when I Ivift her, near undressed, God bless you! And God be praised, that I can call you by these tender names! My brother is the happiest of men; you of women. May we never love each other less than we do now! Look forward to the serene happiness of your future lot. If you are the joy of our brother, you must be our joy, and the jewel of our family.

She answered me only by a fervent embrace, her eyes lifted up, surcharged, as I may say, viith tears of joy, i s in thankfulness.

I then rushed down-stairs, and into the company. jNIy brother instantly addrcFsed me My Har-riet, whii>pered he, “with iuipaticncej returns not this night.

You will see Mrs. Selby, I presume, bj’-and-by, returned J,

Me took his seat by old Mrs. Selby, and fell into talk with her, to avoid joining in the dances. Mrs. Selby, at last, came in. Her eyes shewed the ten-der leave she had taken of lier Harriet.

My brother approached her. She went out: he followed her.

]n a (juartcr of an hour she returned.

V.‘e saw my brother no more that night.

“\Ve continued our dancings till betv.een three and four.

I have C/fren observed, that we women, whether \vc;;l;Iy cr robiut, are hardly ever tired with da.icing. It was bo v.illi us. 7“he men, poor souls! looked i illy, and sleepy, by two; all but my ape: he has a grod nvdu\Jt.ri!(ililieo, as uncle Selby calls them, l^u he was brought up to be idle and useless, as women generally are.

I 7n’<^t conclude my letters wlumsicaliy, my dear: if I did not, you would not know theui to be written by your

CHARLOTTE G.


Letter LIV.
Lady G. In Continuation.

Emily, Lucy, and I, went to pay our morning compliments as soon as we arose, whicli was not very early, to my brother, being told that he wa’^ in the cedar parlour, writing. He received us like himself. 1 am writing, said he. a few very short letters. They are to demand the felicitations, one, of our beloved Caroline; one of our aunt GrantU-son; one of the Earl of G. and one of our dear Dr. Bartlett. There is another; you may read it, Char-lotte.

That also was a short one; to signify, according to promise, as I found, to Signer Jeronymo della Por-retta, the actual celebration of his nuptials.

I returned it to him < Like my brother,’ was all I said.

It concluded with a caution, given in tire most ardent termsj against precipitating the admirable Clementina.

We went up to the bride. Slic was dressing. Her aunt v/as with her, and her two cousin IloUess, who went not home the preceding night.

The moment we entered, slie ran to us, and clasped her anus about my neck. ]My dearest, ‘i I 2 dearest Lady G. am I indeed your sister, your sister Grandison?

My dearest, lovely sister! My own sister Grandison! My brother’s wife! Most sincerely do I re — peat, Joy, joy, joy, to my Harriet!

OLadyG.! How you raise me! Your goodness is a seasonable goodness to me! 1 never, never, but by yours and your sister’s example, shall be worthy of your brother!

Then embracing Emily; My sweet young friend, in wiy happiness you shall find your own!

Emily wept, and even sobbed You must, you must, treat me less kindly, madam, I cannot, can-not bear your good your goodness. On my knees I acknowledge my other guardian. God bless my dear, dear Lady Grandison!

At that moment, as they were folded in each other’s arms, entered my brother He clasped his round his sweet bride: Pardon this intrusion, said he Excellent creature, continue to love my Emily! Continue, my Emily, to deserve the sisterly love of my Harriet!

Then turning to me, saluting me. My Charlotte loves my Harriet; so does our Caroline. She fondly loves you both. God continue your love to each other I What a sister has yesterday’s happy event given to each other 1 What a wife to me! We will endeavour, my love (to her) to desnve our hap-piness; and, I humbly trust, it will be continued to us.

He saluted Mrs. Selby My own aunt Selby! What obligations am I under to you, and to our venerable Mrs Shirley, for giving to an angel an angel’s education, and conferring on me the blessing!

Congratulate me, my dear cousin Ilolles’s, saluting each. May you both he as happy, whenever you alter your single estate, as I will endeavour to make your lovely cousin!

He withdrew with so much respectfulness to the happy Harriet, as delighted us all.

Lucy went with him, to pay her morning compliments to the two grandniannna’s.

Sister, said Kitty Holies, after he was gone we never, never, can think of marrying, after we have seen Sir Charles Grandison, and his behaviour.

Lucy returned with Nancy. They embraced their cousin. Your grandmamma and my grandmamma, my dearest cousin, are impatient to see you, in?/0Mr grandmamma’s chamber; and the gentlemen are crying out for their breakfasts in the great parlour. We hurried into Mrs. Shirley’s apartment. The bride threw herself at her grandmamma’s feet, for her blessing. It was given in such a tender and pious manner, that we were all afrected by it. The best of sons, of men, said she, afterwards, has but just left me. What a blessing to all around him, is a good man! Sir Charles Grandison is every-thing. But, my dear loves, to the younger ladies, let a good man, let life, let manners, be the principal motive of your choice: in goodness will you have every sanction; and your fathers, mothers, relations, friends, every joy! .Sly dearest child, my Harriet, taking her hand, there was a time that I thought x\vt man on earth could deserve you: now it is my prayer, and will be, that you may deserve this man. Ijut let us join the gentlemen. Fear not, my Har-riet Sir Charles’s character will preserve with every one its dignity, and give a sanction to the solemnity that has united you to him. My dearest love! be j)roud, and look assured: ifoii may, or who can? Yesterday’s transaction is your glory; glorj in it, my Harriet!

We attended the two elder ladies down. Har-riet, as bashful people ever do, increased her own difficulties, by staying behind with her Lucy. We were all seated at the breakfast-tables, and staid for them: Mr. Selby grew impatient; every one having declared themselves ready for breakfast. At last, down came the blushing bride, with her Lucy. Sir Charles seeing Mr. Selby’s countenance turning peevishly arch; just as he had begun, * Let me tell you, niece,’ and was coming out with something, he arose, and taking his bride’s hand, led her to her seat. Hush, my dear Mr. Selby, said he: no-body must call to account my wife, and I present. How, Sir! How, Sir! Already have I lost my niece?

Not so, Mr. Selby. All her duties will have strength given them by the happy event of yester-day: but you must not let a new-married man sec how much easier it is to find fault than to be fault-less.

Your servant, Sir! replied Mr. Selby You’ll one day pay for your complaisance, or my niece is not a woman. But I was ready primed. You have rob-bed me of a jest; anci that, let me tell you, would have been more to me than my breakfast.

After breakfast, Lucy gave us a lesson on the harpsichord. Sir Charles accompanied her finger, at the desire of the company.

Lord and Lady W. excused themselves to break-fast, but came to dinner. We entertained one an — other with reports of what passed yesterday; what people said; how the tenants feast was managed; how the populace behaved at the liouses which were kept open. The churchwardens list was produced of the poor recommended by them: it amounted to upwards of 140, divided into two classes; one of the acknowledged poor, the other of poor house- keepers and labouring people who were ashamed to apply; but to whom the churchwardens knew bounty would be acceptable. There were above thirty of these, to whom Sir Charles gave very handsomely, but we knew not what. The churchwardens, who are known to be good men, went away blessing Jiini. with hearts running over at their lips, as if they themselves were to find their account in hig goodness.

Saturday.

We have had a smart debate this morning, on the natural independency of” our sex and the usurpation of the other. Particulars by-and-by.

My brother is an irresistible man. To-morrow he has carried it to make his appearance at church, against all their first intentions, and that by their own consents. He had considered every-thing: they had not. i\Ir. Beauehamp has letters which require him to go up to town: Lord and Lady W. are desirous to get thither: his lordship having sonic gouty warnings: 1 am obliged to go up; having hated to set about any-thing preparatory to your case, Caroline! [If the wretch were to come in my way just now, I should throw my standish at him, I believe.] “^rhe Earl and Lady (Gertrude are in town; and I am afraid of another re[)rimand The earl never jests but he means the same as if he were serious. I shall take Emily with me, when I go. Mrs. Reeves wants to he with her little boy. Yet all these jK’ople are desirous to credit the ap-pearance. I had like to have forgot your good man He longs to see his Caroline: and hopes to engage my brother to stand in pLr>on as his urchin’s s])onsor. So you see that there; is a necessity to consent to make the appearance tn-niorrow, or tlui bride will lose the flower of her co:;ipany.

God continue the happiness of this charming pair! Their behaviour to each other is just what I would wish it to be; tender, affectionate, without fulsome fondness. He cannot be more respectful to the dear creature now, than he was before mar-riage: but from his present behaviour, I dare answer for him, that he will not be less so: and yet he is so lively, that he has all the young man in his behaviour, whenever occasions call for relaxation: even when subjects require seriousness, as they do sometimes, in conversations between Mrs. Shirley, Mrs. Selby, Mr. Deane, and him; his seriousness, as Mrs. Shirley herself observed in his absence, is attended with such vivacity, and intermingled with such entertaining illustrations, all naturally arising from and falling into the subject, that he is sure of every one’s attention and admiration.

The features of his manly face, and the turn of his fine eye, observed she, on another occasion, are cast for pity, and not for censure. And let me add a speech of his, when he was called upon to cen-sure a person, on a slight representation of facts:

‘ The whole matter is not before us, said he: we know not what motives he may have to plead by way of extenuation, though he may not be able entirely to excuse himself. But, as it appears to me, 1 would not have done so ’

But what, my dear, am I iihout? Are they not my brother’s praises that I am expatiating u]ion? Was 1 ever to be trusted with that subject? is there no man, I have been asked, that is like 3’our bro-ther? He, I have answered, is most likely to re — Kcmble him, who has an unbounded charity, and universal benevolence, to men of all professions; and who, imitating the Divinity, regards the heart, rather than the h.iad, and much more than either rank or fortune, though it were princely; and yet is not a leveller, but thinks that rank or degree intitles a man who is not utterly unworthy of both, to irespect.

I will write one more letter, and then give way to other affairs,

I never thought I should have been such a scrib-bler. But the correspondence between my brother and Dr. Bartlett; into which we were all so eager to peep; that of this dear creature with her Lucy, which so much entertained us, and which led us, in her absence, to wish to continue the series of it; the story of Clementina so interesting; all our sus-penses so affecting; and the state of this our lovely friend’s heart so peculiar; and the desire of amusing you in your confinement: all these, together, led me on. But now one letter more shall conclude my task.

Lord L. has just now mentioned to his brother his wishes that he would stand godfather to the little lord. My brother caught his hand, and besought his pardon for not offering himself. You do me, my dear lord, said he, both honour and pleasure. Where was my thought? But this dear creature, turning to his bride, will be so good as to remind me of all my imperfections. I am in a way to mend; for the duties inseparable from my delightful new engagement will strengthen all my other duties.

I have taken upon me. Sir, said she, to request the favour of my Lord and Lady L.‘s acceptance of me for a godmother.

To which I have objections, said L I have a prior claim. Aunt Eleanor has put in hers, Lady W. hers; and this before Miss Byron was Lady drnndison.

Your circumstance, my dear Lady G. according to a general observation of our sex, is prohibitory.

Will you, my brother, appealed I, allow of super-stitious observances, prognostics, omens, dreams? no! My Harriet has been telling me how much she suffered lately from a dream, which she permit-ted to give strength and terror to her apprehensions from Mr. Greville. Guard, my dear ladies, against these imbecilities of tender minds. Jn these instances, if in no other, will you give a superiority to our sex, which, in the debate of this morning, my Charlotte would not allow of.

I will begin my next letter with an account of this debate; and if I cannot comprise it in the compass I intend to bring it into, my one more letter may perhaps stretch into two.


Letter LV.
Lady G. In Continuation.

The debate I mentioned, began on Saturday morning at breakfast-time; brought on by some of uncle Selby’s good-natured particularities; for he will always have something to say against women. I bespoke my brother’s neutrality, and declared I would enter the lists with Mr. Selby, and allow all the other men present to be of his side. I had a flow of spirits. Man’s usurpation, and woman’s na-tural independency, was the topic. I carried on my argument very triumphantly: now-and-then a sly hint, popt out by my brother, half-disconcerted me; but 1 called him to order, and he was silent: yet once he had like to have put me out Wrapping his arms about himself, with inimitable humour O my Charlotte, said he, how I love my country!

England is the onli/ spot in the world, in which this argument can be properly debated! Very sly Was it not?

I made nothing of Mr. Selby. I called him the tyrant of the family. And as little of JMr. Deane, Lord L. and still less of my own lord, who was as eager in the debate as if it concerned him more than any-body to resist me; and this before my brother; who by his eyes, more than once, seemed to chal-lenge me, because of the sorry creature’s earnest — ness. All those, however, were men of straw, with me; and 1 thought myself very near making Mr. Selby ask pardon of his dame for his thirty years usurj)ation. In short, I had half-established our sex’s superiority on the ruin of that of the sorry iellows, when the debate was closed, and referred to Mrs. Shirley, as nioderatrix; my brother still excluded any share in it. She indeed obliged me to lower!i;y top-ails a little.

‘ 1 thiiik,’ siiid the venerable lady, ‘women arege-nerally too naicli eon^luer^d as a spi’cies apart. To bo sure, in the duties and affairs of li!e, where they have ditlerent or o; posite shares allotted them by Providence, t’ley or,i;ht not to go out of their own s})lKre. or inv:u!e the n;eii’s provip.cc, any more than the n;en theirs. Nay, I am so niuch of this opinion, tluit thou^It I think the confidence which some men place in their wives, in eonmiitling all their ailuiis to t’uir care, very iLittering to the opi-nion both ol’ tlair integrity and e;:paeitv; yet I should \ioi choose (wi’Jiout C()n^idering tre-uble) to inti ril row ill! iIil’ inanagenient ^vithout-tloors, which I thiiik I’.u’iV’ propi^rly the man’s province, unless in some jJarLieular easts.

‘ Ijut in conur.on intercourse and conversation, why are we to be perpetually considorin^— iheicu of the person we are talking to? ^Vhy must wome always be addressed in an appropriated language; and not treated on the common footing of reasonable creatures? And why must they, from a false notion of modesty, be afraid of shewing themselves to be.^uch, and affect a childish ignorance?

‘ I do not mean, that I would have women enter into learned disputes, for which they are rarely qualified: but I think there is a degree of know-ledge very compatible with their duties; there — fore not unbecoming them, and necessary to make them fit companions for men of sense: a charac-ter in which they will always be found more useful than that of a plaything, the amusement of an idle hour.

‘ No person of sense, man or woman, will venture to launch out on a subject with which they are not well acquainted. The lesser degree of know-ledge will give place to the greater. This will secure subordination enough. For the advantages of edu-cation which men must necessarily have over wo — men if they have made the proper use of them, will have set them so forward on the race, that we can never overtake them. But then don’t let tiiem despise us for this, as if their superiority were entirely founded on a natural difference of capacity: despise us as women, and value themselves merely ns men: for it is not the hat or cap which covers the head, that decides the merit of it.

‘ In the general course of the things of this world, women have not opportunities of sounding the depths of science, or of acquainting themselves perfectly with polite literature: but this want of opportunity is not entirely confined to them. There are professions among the men no more favourable to these studies, than the common avocations of women. For example; Merchants, whose attention is (and, perhaps, with regard to the public, more usefully) cluiiiied down to their accounts. Officers, both of land and sea, are seldom much better instructed, though they may, perhaps, pass through a tew more forms: and as for knowledge of the world, women of a certain rank have an equal title to it with some of them. A learned man, as he is called, who should despise a sensible one of these profes-sions, and disdain to converse with him, would pass for a pedant; and why not for despising or under-valuing a woman of sense, who may be put on the same footing? Men, in common conversation, have laid it down for a rule of good breeding, not to talk before women of things they don’t understand; by which means an opportunity of improvement is lost; a very good one too; one that has been ap-proved by the ablest persons who have written on the education of children; because it is a means of learning insensibly, without the appearance of a task. Conunon subjects afford only commonplace, and are soon exhausted: why, then, should conver-sation be confined to such narrow limits, and be liable to continual repetition; when, if people would start less beaten subjects, many doubts and difficulties concerning them might be cleared up, and they would accpiire a more settled opinion of things (v.hieh is what the generality much want, from an indolence that hinders them from examining) at the same time that they would be better en tertained, than with talking of the weather, and sucli kind of insipidities.’

Lady W. a})i)lauding Mrs. Shirley’s sentiments, A-propos, said she; let me read you the speech (taking it out of her pocket-book) of an East–India officer, to a pedant, who had been displaying his talents, and running over with terms of art, and scraps of Latin, mingled with a profusion of words, that hardly any of the company understood; and which, at the same time that it diverted all present, cured the pretended scholar of his affectation for ever after. Her ladyship read it, as follows:

‘ I am charmed with this opportunity, said the officer, of discoursing with a gentleman of so much wit and learning; and hope I shall have his deci-sion in a point which is pretty nice, and concerns some eastern manufactures, of ancient and reverend etymology. Modern critics are undetermined about them; but, for my part, I have always maintained, that chints, bidllmlls, morees, and ponabaguzzys, are of nobler and more generous uses than doorgtizees or 7iourJurmannys: not but I hold against byrampauts in favour of niccannees and boralchaiiders. Only I wish, that so accurate a judge would instruct me, why tapzils and snllampores have given place to npgane2)auts ‘? And why bejatapnutz should be more esteemed than the finer fabric oi’bbie chelloes P * ’

A veiy good rebuke of affectation, said Six–Charles (and your ladyship hints it was an effica — cious one). It serves to shew, that men, in their different attainments, may be cywr///// useful; in other words, that the knowledge of polite literature leads not to everij part of useful science. I remember, that my Harriet distinguishes very properly, in some of her letters to her Lucy, between language and science; and that poor Mr. Walden (that 1 thnik was his name) was pretty much disconcerted, as a

Transcribed from a collection of papers, intitled, The Plain-dealer, in two VoIh. Vol. I. No,,j7. pedant may sometimes be, when (and he bowed to his Harriet) he has a natural genius to contend with. She blushed, and bowed And I remember, Sir, said she, you promised to give me your animad-versions on the letters I consented you should see: Will you be pleased to correct me now?

Correct you, ray dearest life! What a word is that? 1 remember, that, in the conversation in whichyou were obliged, against your will, to bear so considerable a part, you demonstrated, that ge-nius, without deep learning, made a much more shining figure, in conversation, than learning with-out genius: but, upon the whole, I was a little apprehensive, that true learning might suffer, if languages were too slightly treated. Mr. Walden made one good observation, or rather remembered it, for it was long ago made, and will be always of weight, that the knowledge of languages, any more than the advantage of birth, was never thought lightly of by those who had pretensions to either. The knowledge of the Latin language, in particu-lar, let me say, is of singular use in the mastery of every science.

There are who aver, that men of parts have no occasion for learning: but, surely, our Shakespeare himself one of the greatest geniuses of any country or age (who, however, is an adept in the superior learning; the knowledge of nature) would not have been a sufferer, had he had that greater share of luiiuan learning whicli is denied him by some critics.

Ikit, Sir Charles, said Mr. Deane, don’t you think that Shakespeare, who lived before the great Milton, has an easier, pleasanter, and more intelligible man-ner of writing, than Milton? If so, may it not be ‘/wiiig to Milton’s greater learning, that Shakespeare has the advantage of that immortal poet in perspi-cuity?

Is the fact certain, my dear Mr. Deane, that Milton wants perspicuity? 1 have been bold enough sometimes to think, that he makes a greater display of his reading, than was quite necessary to his unbounded subject. But the age, in which Shake — speare flourished, might be called, The age ol English learning, as well as of English bravery. The queen and her court, the vei-y ladies of it, were more learned than any court of our English sovereigns was before, or hath been since. What a prodigy of learning, in the short reign of Edward the Vlth, was the Lady Jane Grey! Greek, as well as Latin, was familiar to her: so it was to Queen Elizabeth. And can it be supposed, that the natural geniuses of those ladies were more confined, or limited, for their knowledge of Latin and Greek? Milton, though a little nearer us, lived in harsher and more tumultuous times.

O, Sir! said Harriet, then I find I was a very impertinent creature in the conversation to which you refer.

Not so, my dearest love! Mr. Walden, I re-member, says, that learning in that assembly was not brought before a fair tribunal. He should have known, that it had not a competent advocate in him.

But, Sir Charles, said Mr. Beauchamp, I cannot but observe, that too nmch stress is laid upon learning, as it is called, by those who have pretensions to it. You will not always find, that a scholar is a more happy man than an unlearned one. He has not generdUj/ more prudence, more wisdom, in the management of his affairs.

What, my dear l?eauchamp, is this but saying-that there is great dIfFerence between theory and practice? This observation comes very generously, and, with regard to the ladies, very gallantly, from you, who are a learned man: but as you are also a very prudent man, let me ask you. Do you think you have the less prudence for your learning? If not. Is not learning a valuable addition?

But pray, Sir Charles, said Mrs. Selby, let me ask your opinion: Do you think, that if women had the same opportunities, the same education, as men, they would not equal them in their attain monts?

Women, my dear Mrs. Selby, are women sooner than men are men. They have not, therefore, gene-rallt/, the learning-time that men have, if they had equal geniuses.

‘ If they had equal geniuses,’ brother! Very well. My dear sister Harriet, you see you have given your hand to one of the lords of the creation Vassal! bow to your sovereign.

Sir Ch. My dearest love, take not the advice without the example.

Lndi/ G. Your servant. Sir. Well, but let me ask you, Do you think that there is a natural inferi-ority in the faculties of the one sex? A natural su — periority in those of the other?

Sir Ch. Who will answer this question for me?

Not I, said Lord L. Not I, said Mr. Deane. Not I, said INIr. Beauchamp.

Then I have fairly taken you in You would, if you could, answer it in the ladies favour: this is the same as a confession. I may therefore the more boldly pronounce, that, generally speaking, I have no doubt but there is.

Help me, dear ladies, said I, to fight this battle out. You say, Sir, vou have no doubt that there ‘2 k;i is a natural inferiority in the faculties of us, poor women; a natural superiority in you, imperial men. Generally speaking, Charlotte. Not individually you, ladies, and us men: I believe all we who are present, shall be ready to subscribe to your superio-rity, ladies.

I believe, brother, you fib: but let that pass. Thank you, madam. It is for viij advantage that it should-, and perhaps?or yours, smiling There is a difference, pardon me, ladies, we are speaking ge-nerally, in the constitution, in the temperament, of the two sexes, that gives to the one advantages which it denies to the other: but we may not too closely pursue this subject, though the result, I am apt to believe, %vould put the matter out of dispute. Let us be more at large: Why has nature made a dif-ference in the beauty, proportion, and symmetry, in XhQ persons of the two sexes? Why gave it delicacy, softness, grace, to that of the woman as in the ladies before me; strength, firmness, to men; a ca-pacity to bear labour and fatigue; and courage, to protect the other? Why gave it a distinction, both in qualities and plumage, to the different sexes of the feathered race? Why in the courage of the male and female animals? The surly bull, the meek, the beneficent, cow, for one instance? We looked upon one another. There are exceptions to general rules, proceeded he. Mrs. Shirley surpasses all the men I ever knew, in wisdom Mrs. Selby and Lady G.

What of us, brother! What of us, to the ad-vantage of your argument?

Heroic Charlotte! You are both very happily married The men the women, the women the men, you can mutually assist and improve each other. But still

Your servant, brother, interrupted I. Your ser-vant, Sir Charles, said Mrs. Selby. And I say, Your servant, too, said Mr. Selby.

Who sees not that my sister Charlotte is ready to diselaiui the competition in fact, though not in words? Can there be characters more odious than those ot’a masculine woman, and an effeminate man? What are the distinguishing characteristics of the two sexes? And whence this odiousness? There are, indeed, vicn, whose minds, if I may be allowed th.e expression, seem to be cast into a female mould; whence the fops, foplings, and pretty fellows, who buzz about your sex at public places; ivomeii, v.hose minds seem to be cast in a masculine one; whence your 15arnevelts, my dear, and most of the women who, at such places, give the men stare for stare, swing their arms, look jolly; and those married wo-men who are so kind as to take the reins out of their Inisbands’ hands, in order to save the honest men trouble.

Your servant, Sir Your servant, Sir And some of them looked as if they had said. You cannot mean me, I hope; and those who spoke not, bowed and smiled thanks for his compliment to one fourth of the sex. il7y lord insultingly rubbed his hands for joy; Mr. Selby crowed; the other men slily smiled, though they were afraid of giving a more open approbation.

O my sister! said I, taking Harriet’s hand, we women are mere nothings We are nothing at all!

How, my Charlotte! Slake you no difference between being every-thing and nothing?

Were it not, my dear ladies, proceeded he, for male protectors, to what insults, to what outrages, would not your sex be subject? Pardon me, my dear, if I strengthen my argument by your excel-encics, bowing to his Harriet. Is net the dear creature our good Mrs. Shirley’s own daughter? AU the feminine graces are hers. She is, in my notion* what all women should be But wants she not a protector? Even a dream, a reverie

O Sir, spare me, spare me! sweetly blushing, said the lovely Harriet. I own I should have made a very silly, a very pusillanimous man! It is not long since, you know, Lady G. that I brought this very argument in favour of

Hush, Harriet! You will give up the female cause.

That is not fair, Charlotte, rejoined my brother; you should not intercept the convictions of an inge-nuous mind But I tmll spare my Harriet, if she will endeavour, for her own sake, to let nothing disturb her for the future but realities, and not any of those long, if they are inevitable ones.

But pray, Sir, said I, proceed in your argument, if you have any more to say.

O Charlotte! I have enough to say, to silence all your opposition, were I to give this subject its due weight. But we are only, for pleasantry-sake, skim-ming over the surface of the argument. Weaker powers are given generally for weaker purposes, in the ixconomy of Providence. I, however, disap-prove not of our venerable Mrs. Shirley’s observa — tion; That we are apt to consider the sex too much as a species apart: yet it is my opinion, that both God and nature have designed a very apparent dif-ference in the minds of both, as well as in the pecu — liar beauties of their persons. Were it not so, their offices would be confounded, and the women would not perhaps so readily submit to those domestic ones in which it is their province to shine, and the men would be allotted the distaff, or the needle; and you yourselves, ladies, would be the first to despise such. I would only contend, that we men should have power and right given us to protect and serve your sex; that we should purchase and build for them; travel and toil for them; run through, at the call of Providence, or of our king and country, dangers and difficulties; and, at last, lay all our trophies, ail our acquirements, at your feet; enough rewarded in the consciousness of duty done, and your favourable acceptance.

We were all of us again his humble servants. It was in vain to argue the tyranny of some husbands, when he could turn upon us the follies of some wives; and that wives and daughters were never more faulty, more undomestic, than at present; and when we were before a judge, who, though he could not be absolutely unpolite, would not flatter us, nor spare our foibles.

However it stuck a little with Harriet, that she had ifiven cause to Sir Charles, in the dispute which she formerly bore a part in, relating to learning and langua<);es,* to think her more lively than she ought to be, and had spoken too lightly of languages. She sweetly blushing, like a young wife solicitous for the good opinion of the beloved of her heart, revived that cause.

He spoke very highly in her praise, upon the oc-casion; owned, that the letters he had been favoured with the sight of, had given him deeper impressions in her favour, than even her beauty: hoped for far-ther coinmunicalions; applauded her for her princi — ples, and her inoffensive vivacity That sweet, that innocent vivacity, and noble frankness of heart, said he, taking her hand, which I hope you will never thii.-k of restraining.

As to the conversation you speak of, proceeded iie, I repeat, that I ivas apprehensive, when I read

* See Vol. IX. p. 70. it, that languages were spoken of in it slightly; and yet, perhaps, I am mistaken. You, rny Beauchamp, I think, if my deasest life will oblige us both by the communication, and chooses to do so (for that must be the condition on which all her goodness to us must be expected) shall be judge between us: you know better than I, what stores of unexhausted knowledge lie in the works of those great ancients, v/hich suffered in the hands of poor Mr. Walden: you know what the past and present ages have owed, and what all future will owe, to Homer, Aristotle, Virgil, Cicero; you can take in the necessity there is of restraining innovation, and preserving old rules and institutions, and of employing the youth of our sex, who would otherwise be much worse employed (as we see in those who neglect their studies) in the attainment of languages that can convey to them such lights in every science: though it were to be wished, that morals should take up more of the learner’s attention than they generally do. You know, that the truest parts of learning are to be found in the Roman and Greek writers; and you know, that translation (were every thing worthy our notice translated) cannot convey those beauties which scholars only can relish; and which learned foreigners, if a man travels, will expect should not have escaped his observation. As to the ladies, Mrs. Shirley has admirably observed, that there is a degree of knowledge very compatible with their duties (Condescending excellence! bowing to Mrs. Shirley) and highly becoming them; such as will make them rejoice, and, I will add, improve a man of sense, sweeten his manners, and render him a much more sociable, a nmcli more amiable creature, and of consequence, greatly more happy in him-self than otherwise he would be from books and solitude.

Well but, brother, you said, just now, that we were only, for pleasantry-sake, skimming over the surface of the argument; and that you had enough to say to silence all my opposition, were you to give the subject its due weight. I do assure you, that to silence all my opposition, you must have a vast deal more to say, than you have said hitherto; and yet you have thrown in some hints which stick with me, though you have concluded with some magni-ficent intimations of superiority over us Power and right to protect, travel, toil for us, and lay your trophies at our feet, and-so-forth Surely, surely, this is diminishing us, and exalting yourselves, by laying us under high obligations to your generosity. Pray, Sir, let us have, if you please, one or two intimations of those weightier arguments, that could, as you fancy, silence your Charlotte’s opposition. I say, that we women, were our education the same -^You know what I would be at Your weightier arguments, if you please or a specimen only eti passant.

Supposing, my Charlotte, that all human souls are, in themselves, equal; yet the very design of the different machines in which they are inclosed, is to superinduce a temporary difference on their original equality; a difference adapted to the dif-ferent purposes for which they are designed by Providence in the present transitory state. When those purposes are at an end, this difference will be at an end too. \Vhen sex ceases, inequality of souls will cease; and women will certainly be on a foot with men, as to intellectuals, in heaven. There indeed, will you no longer have lords over you; neither will you have admirers: which, in ijoiir present estimate of things, will perhaps balance the account In the mean time, if vou can see any occasions that may call for stronger understandings in male life, than in your own; you, at the same time, see an argument to acquiesce in a persuasion of a present inequality between the two sexes. You know, I have allowed exceptions. Will you, Charlotte, compliment yourself with being one?

Now, brother, I feel, methinks, that you are a little hard upon Charlotte: but, ladies, you see how the matter stands. You are all silent. But, Sir, you graciously allow, that there is a degree of knowledge which is very compatible with the du-ties of us women, and highly becoming us: Will you have the goodness to point out to us what this compatible learning is, that we may not mistake and so become eccentric, as I may say, burst our orb, and do more mischief than ever we could do good?

Could I point out the boundaries, Charlotte, it might not to some spirits be so proper: the limit might be treated as the on 3 prohibited tree in the garden. But let me say. That genius, whether in man or woman, will push itself into light. If it has a laudable tendency, let it, as a ray of the Divinity, be encouraged, as well in the one sex as in the other: I would not, by any means, have it limited: a little knowledge leads to vanity and conceit. I would only, methinks, have a parent, a governor, a preceptor, bend his strength to restrain its foi-bles; but not throw so much cold water upon the sacred flame as should quench it; since, if he did, stupidity, at least dejection, might take place of the emanation, and the person might be miserable for hfe.

W^ell, then, we must comproinise, I think, said I. But, on recollection, I thought I had injoined you. Sir Charles, to the observance of a neutrality. Harriet, whispered I, we are only, after all, to be allowed as Far as I can find, in this temporary state, like tame doves, to go about house, and-so-forth.

Harriet, could she have found time (but, by mu-tual consent, they are hardly ever asunder) would have given you a better account of this conversation than 1 have done; so would Lucy: but take it, as it offers, from

Your ever-affectionate

CHARLOTTE G.


Letter LVI.
Miss Lucy Selby to Lady L.

Sunday, November 19. My dear Lady G. insists upon my writing to your ladyship an account of the appearance which the loveliest couple in England made this day at church.

We all thought nothing could have added to the charms of our Harriet’s person; but yet her dress and jewels did. I sighed from pride for the honour of female beauty, to thin/c they did. Can my dear Harriet, thought I, exquisitely lovely as she is in any dress, be ornamented by richer silks than common, by cosUy laces, by jewels? Can dress add grace to that admirable proportion, and those fine features, to which no painter yet as ever done justice, though every family related to her has a picture of her, drawn by a different hand of emi-nence?

We admired the bridegroom as much as we did her, when (before we could have thought he had been half ready) he j oined Mrs. Shirley, my aunt iSelby, and nic, in the great parlour, completely

\oi,. \i V. 2 L dressed. But what we most admired in him was that native dignity and ease, and that inattentiveness to his own figure and appearance, which demon-strate the truly-fine gentleman, accustomed, as he is, to be always elegant.

When his lady presented herself to him, and to us, in all her glory, how did the dear creature daz-zle us! We involuntarily arose, as if to pay our homage to her. Sir Charles approached her with rather an air of greater freedom than usual, as if he considered not the dress, as having added to the value he has for her: yet, loveliest of women, he called her; and, taking her hand, presented her to her grandmamma: Receive, and again bless, my angel, said he, best of parents! How lovely! But what is even all this amazing loveliness to the graces of her mind? They rise upon me every hour. She hardly opens her lips, but I find reason to bless God, and bless you both, my dear ladies: for God and you Jiave given her goodness. My dearest life, allow me to say, that this sweet person, which will be your first perfection in every stranger’s eye, is but a second in mine.

Instruct me, Sir, said she, to deserve your love, by improving the mind you have the goodness to prefer; and no creature was ever on earth so happy as I shall be.

My dear daughter, said her delighted grandmo-ther, you see, can hardly bear your goodness, Sir. You must blame her for something, to keep down her pride.

Now you call upon me, madam, replied he, I will tax her with a real fault. I open ail my heart to her, as subjects occasionally offer: I want her to have a will, and to let me know it. The frankest of all female hearts will not treat me with that sweet familiarity which banishes distance. You see, my

SIH CHARLES GRANDISON. 387 dearest love, that I chide you before your parental friends, and your Lucy.

It is your own fault, Sir; indeed it is. You prevent me in all my wishes. Awe will mingle with the love of persons who are under perpetual obli-gation. My dear two mamma’s, you must not blame me; you must blame Sir Charles: he takes away, by his goodness, even \\\c power of making suitable acknowledgments, and then complains I do not speak.

]\Iy uncle Selby came in. He stood looking upon my cousin, for a few moments, in silence! then broke out. Sir Charles Grandison, you may indeed boast, that you have for a wife the Jioxver of the British world, as you once called her: and, let me tell you, niece, you have for a husband the noblest and gallantest of men. Happy, happy pair! say I. iVIy dear Mr. Deane said he, who just then entered, if you will keep me in countenance, I will venture to salute that charming creature.

Sir Charles presented his bride to them both. With a bent knee she received their salutes. At that moment came in the three lords, who followed the example. Lord W. called her angel Sir Charles looked delighted with the praises of his bride.

The rest of the company being come, we proceeded to church.

We were early; but the church was crowded. How were the charming couple admired on their alighting, and as they walked to their pew! Never did my cousin //cv,vr//‘look so lovely. How charm-ingly looked the bridegroom! But he forgot not tluit humble dcportmeat, full of reverence for the j)lace, and the divine offices, which seemed to make him absent for the time to that splendour and beauty which took every eye out of our own pew. His example was enough to give a proper behaviour, had it been needful, to every one in it.

I should have told your ladyship, that Mr. Gre-ville had sent, over-night, a sullenly-complaisant request to my aunt, in writing, importing that as he heard the bride would make her appearance on the morrow, the bride-men and maids, if it broke not into our ceremonial, would accept of his pew, which is over-against ours, for the look of the thing, he said; though he could not promise but he should all the day curse the occasion. By this we found, he was not gone to Lady Frampton’s, as he had designed. His offer was thankfully accepted.

There was a great concourse of the genteelest people there. Every-body, men and women, looked delighted on the occasion. The humility of the bride was tried, by the respects paid her between the offices, by all who had ever been in her company. They should have reined in her own pride; for it was to tJiat, as much as to respect to her, I doubt not, that their notice was owing. She looked conscious, bashful: ^(y, I told her afterwards. She hates the word: but, as I said, she sliould not have given the idea, that made no other word so proper to express it, and which must be more observable in her generally open free countenance, than in that of any other. She more than once saw devoirs paid her by a leer, when her sweet face was so disposed, that had she not returned the compliment, it might have passed that she had not seen them. But what an insensible must have been my cousin, had she not been proud of being Lady Grandison! She is not quite an angel yet; she has a i’cwjemalitics, as my uncle whimsically calls our iittle foibles. So, perhaps, she a/; oi</f/. But nobody saw the least defect in your brother. His dress most charmingly became him; and when he looked upon his bride, his eyes were fixed on her eyes, with such a sweet benignity and complaisance, as if he saw her mind through them, and could not spare a glance to her orna-ments: yet by his own dress he shewed, that he was no stoical non-conformist to the fashion of the world. But the politeness and respect with which he treated her, did them both credit, and credit (as Lady G. observed) to the whole sex. Such unaf-fected tenderness in his respect; and known to be so brave, so good a man! O my dear Lady L. what an admirable man is your brother! What a happy creature is my Harriet!

When divine service was over, I was afraid our procession, as I may call it, would have been inter-rupted by the compliments of some of the gentry of our ac(juaintance, whose opened pew-doors shewed their readiness to address them: but all passed in silent respects from gentlemen and ladies. My cousin when she came home, rejoiced that one of her parading times was over: But when, my dearest love, said Sir Charles, will the time be past, that all who see you will admire you?

The church in the afternoon was still more crowded than before. How were Sir Charles and my uncle blessed by the poor, and people of low degree, for their well-dispensed bounty to them!

My cousin has delighted Mrs. Shirley, by telling her, that Sir Charles had said there would be a rite wanting, till he and she had conuiiunicated, ac-cording to the order of the church, at the altar, on this j)artieular occasion.

.lust now is every-thing settled that Sir Charles wished to be settled. Lady G. will acquaint you with particulars, I doubt not.

Permit me to connnend myselito your ladyship’s favour, as one of the

Humblest and sincercst of your servants,

LUCY SI.Lliy.

P. S. Lady G. has half broke my heart.

On perusal of what I have written, she says, I have not done my best: I have not given half particulars enough. In short, she finds a multitude of faults with me Even calls me names, sorri/ girl, lazy, and I can’t tell what.

But do you, madam, acquit me, and I shall be easy.

I told her, that I thought 1 had been very mi-nute.

What I to a lying-in woman, she says, who has no variety before her! All one dull cham-ber-scene, hourly acted over again The subject so rich!

I answered, It should then have had the richest pen! Why did she not write herself? If it was not for laziness-sake, it was for self-sake, that she did not. As I knew Lady L. would have been a gainer by the change of pen, I had much rather have been in the company for which she quitted the task, than grubbing pens in my closet; and all to get nothing but discommendation.

I have shewn her this my postscript. She raves: but I am hardened. She will soon have an oppor-tunity to supply all my defects, in person.




Volume VIII.


Letter I.
Miss Lucy Selby to Lady G.

Saturday, November 25. You enjoined me, my dear Lady G. at parting on Monday last, to write to you; and to be very particular in wliat I wrote. I will, because I love and fear you. Otherwise I would not write at all; first, because I had not the good fortune to please you, in mine to Lady L.; and next, because 1 shall so soon have the honour to attend you in town. Well then, I begin.

On Tuesday we women were employed in preparations for the tenants jubilee, next day. Sir Charles, attended by my brother James, paid n morning visit to Mr. Greville, whom he found vnoody, reserved, and indisposed. My brother James says, that he never saw such a manly, yet tender treatment, from one man to another, as Sir Charles gave him; and that he absolutely subdued him, and left him acknowledging the ftivour of his visit, and begging a repetition of it, as often as he could, while he staid in these parts; and that, he said, as well for his credit, as for his comfort. But when. Sir Charles, said he, do you carry from us the siren? I iKill call her names. 1 hate her. The sooner the better. Curse me, if I shall be able to creep out of the house, while she is visible on Northampton-shire ground Though I was a friend to the match Do you mind that, young man (to my brother James): O love, love, added he, of what contradictions art thou the cause! Though I hate her, I al most long to see her. You’ll allow me to visit you both, I hope, when I have got over these plaguy megrims.

The same day Sir Charles, making a visit to Sir John Holles’s family, found jMiss Orme there, expecting her brother to call for her in his post — chaise.

Great civilities passed between Sir Charles and Miss Orme. She was doubtful whether her brother had, at that time, best see Sir Charles, as he was weak in health and spirits: but just as Sir Charles was at the gate, going to his chariot, attended by Sir John and the young ladies, poor Mr. Orme came.

The liveries would not allow Mr. Orme to doubt who it was. He turned pale. Sir Charles addressed himself to him w ith his usual polite freedom. Knowing, Sir, said he, that Mr. Orme was expected by pne of the beet of sisters, 1 pi-esunie to salute you, as the Mr. Orrae to whom I have been desirous, ever since I have been in Northamptonshire, to pay my compliments.

Sir Charles Grandison, Sir

At your service, Mr. Orme; taking his hand.

The happiest man in the world, replied Mr. Orme, with some emotion. The best, the loveliest woman on earth calls you hers.

I aniy I think myself, the happiest of men. But it will add to my joy, to have it wished me by so good a man as Mr. Orme.

Ah, Sir! Could I wish joy to any man on this occasion, it would be to you, because of your cha-racter; and in the reflection, that the most excellent of women must be happier with you than any other man could have made her. But self, self. Sir! He is indeed a hero, who, with such a fervent attachment as mine, can divest himself of self. I loved her, Sir, from her early infancy, and never knew another love.

The man, Mr. Orme, who loved Miss Byron, gave distinction to himself. Permit me to present her to you, and you to her, as dear friends; and allow me a third place in your friendship. You have a sister who justly claims a second. I dare engage for the dear creature, from what I know of her va-lue for Mr. Orme, that she will allow of this friend — ship, on the foot of his own merits, were my recommendation out of the (juestion.

O Sir Charles! you are, yo; ought to be, the man. And will you allow me on these terms to visit ijou, and visit lier? But, alas! I fear I cannot soon

At your own time, my dear Mr. Orme. At iNIr. Selby’s; at her house in London; in Hampshire; wherever she is, and whether 1 am present or ab-sent, Mr. Orme will be received as her brother and mij brother, as Jier friend and viij friend. b2

Good God! Good God! He gushed into tears. He ran into the house to hide his emotion; but in vain: Forgive me, said he, forgive me. Sir John! (who just then came in trom taking leave of his noble guest) but there is no bearing this man’s magnanimity! He is all I have heard of him. Hap-py, happy Miss Byron! No man but this could deserve her. But where is he? rising: I will ask his pardon for my abrupt departure from him.

He is gone, answereil Sir John. I saw him in his chariot! Good Mr. Orme! he called you, and sighed for you. Poor Mr. Orme declared, that he would wait upon Sir Charles, and tell himj how acceptable to his heart, and what balm to his mind, would be the tender he had the goodness to make him. Sister, said he, you were at the gate, as well as the young ladies; did he not hint, did he not say, that 5liss Byron spoke of me with tenderness?

I begin tofancy I am in a way to please you, Lady G.: of which, at taking up my pen, I had little hopes, and therefore intended not to take much pains about it. I am very saucy, you’ll say, per-haps.

In the afternoon, a letter was brought from Sir Kowland Meredith. My cousin intends to shew it to you in town. Such a mixture in it, of joy and sadness; of condolement and congratulation; 1 believe was never seen in one sheet of paper. It is dated from Windsor. The good man was there in his way to town; resolving to pay a visit to the tvon-derful man, as he calls him, of whom he had heard so great a character; and who was probably to be the husband of his daughter Byron; and there he heard (from Lord W.‘s domestics, I suppose) that Sir Charles was in Northamptonshire, and that the marriage was actually solemnized. He therefore intended to set out directly for Bath, where Mr.

Fowler was, or at the hot-well at Bristol, pursuing measures for his health; with a view to console his poor boy.

This is a good old man. Mcthinks I am half ready to wish, that some of my cousin’s admirers would dry up their tears, and come among us: yet we are nice and dainty girls, some of us, let me tell you. ’Tis foolish, however, to suggest leavings, and such sort of stuff; the lady such as but one man could deserve; his merit allowed universally.

Sir Charles acquainted his lady with all that had passed between him and Mr. Orme. She received his account with joy and thankfulness.

You are entered, Sir, said she, into a numerous family. I have called Sir Rowland Meredith my father: Mr. Fowler my brother. Be pleased to read this letter.

I remember the relation, my dear, and acknow-ledge it. Mr. Fowler is another Mr. Orme. Sir Rowland is a very worthy man.

He read it. What an excellent heart has Sir Rowland! Cultivate, my dearest love, their friend-ship, as I will Mr. Orme’s. My pity for these worthy men joining with yours, and the frankness of our mutual behaviour to them, will strengthen their hearts. We owe it to them, my dearest life, as nuich as it is in our power, to soften their disappointment. Could they have a greater?

Who, madam, can think of a man after this Except one might hope from the personal know-ledge of his charming behaviour, that the men who addressed us, might be improved by such an exam pie?

The tenants jubilee, as they called it, was on Wednesday. It was a much more orderly day than we expected. Sir Charles was all condescension and cheerful goodness: my cousin, all gracioicsncss, M-as the word for her. Mrs. Shirley was of the company. How was she reverenced! She ever was! Once when the bride was withdrawn, and Sir Charles was engaged in talk with Mr. Deane, she whis-pered two or throe of her tenants to tell the rest, that it was great joy to her to be assured, that after her departure, the tenants of her dear Mr. Shirley would be treated with as much kindness (perhaps, with more) as he, and as she, after his example, had ever treated them. Yet one caution I give, said she: my dear son will see with his own eyes: he will dispense with his own hands. He will not be imposed upon.

Thursday and Friday the bride saw company. There was as little both days of the impertinence that attends forms, as I believe, was ever known on the like occasion. We had a vast number of peo-ple: some of them persons of fashion, with whom we had but slender acquaintance; but who wished to see the happy pair.

We shall be this day at Shirley-manor in a family way: in that, my dear Lady G. (after all the bustle and parade that we can make) lies the true, because the untumultuous joy.

To-morrow we shall serve God in our usual way. Adieu, my dear Lady G. This is the sort of stuff you must be satisfied with from a poor untalented girl; as is

Your ever-devoted,

LUCY SELBY.

No end of love, compliments, &c. I begin again to doubt I shan’t please you: so am (allowably) tired.


Letter II.
Lady G. to Miss Selby.

Monday, November S7. Come, come, Lucy, you do pretty well. Don’t be disheartened, child. Yet you are not quite the clever girl I once thought you. You, that held such a part in the correspondence of our Harriet. But you say, you can’t help it. Poor girl! I am sorry for it. Your talents lie in speech, not in writing.^ Your account of the interview between Orme and my brother, shews you can’t tvrite at all. No, not you Poor Lucy! But write one letter more before you come to town. Do! my dear! You have charming subjects before you, yet.

I, you see, have a talent to make subjects out of nothing: you, poor soul! can’t follow them when made to your hand. I’ll tell you a story of my good man and his good woman. A short one. The poor man is very sensible of slight ailments. Happy, as lie is, in a wife, no wonder he is afraid of dying. He was complaining to me just now [To whom but to a pitying wife should a man complain when he ails any-thing?] that he had a troublesome disorder in the inside of his mouth. I looked very grave; shook my careful head, I am afraid, my lord, something is breeding there, that should not. He started, and looked concerned. The man will ne-ver know me. God forbid! said he afraid of no — thing less than a cancer. Have I not told you a thousand times, my lord, of your gaping? Assure as you are alive, your mouth is fly-blown.

Kxpecting compassion, he found a jest, and never was man so angry. I was forced to take his hand, and stroke his cheek with mine, to be friends.

But, Lucy, let not any of these flippanccs meet my brother’s eye, or invade his ear; 1 shall be undone if they do.

Carohne is pure mcH. Her lord is never out either of her chamber, or the nursery.

Aunt Nell makes an admirable nurse. Her par-rot and her squirrel are now neglected for a little marmouset. Every-body but the real nurse likes aunt Nell. The good creature is so understandino-, so directing! I protest, these old maids think they know every-thing. The nurse, I see, can’t endure her.

I interfere not. The boy is robust, and they leave him the free exercise of his limbs, and he has a fine pipe, and makes the nursery ring whenever he pleases; so will do well enough.

But high — ho, Lucy! all these nursery mementos how do they sadden and mortify me! The word viot/icr, what a solemn sound has it to me now; Ca-roline’s situation before me! But, come, the evil day is at distance: Who’s afraid?

Beauchamp sighs for Emily: Emily for some-body else. Sir Hargrave is still miserable. Poor Sir Harry! He still lives! But can life be life, when there is no hope!

Write me one more letter before you come up: if it be ever so short a one. Don’t be proud and saucy: you imagine, I suppose, that you can’t write as well as Harriet and L Granted. Attempt it not therefore. But write as well as you can; and that, till Harriet can find herself at leisure to resume her pen, shall content

Your true friend, and humble servant,

Ch. G.

No end of your compliments to us in town, you say, No end of ours to you in the country, were I to begin them: therefore will not say a word about them.


Letter III.
Miss Selby to Lady G.

Thursday night, November 30, And must I write your ladyship one more letter? And tdll a short one content you?

Well then, I’ll try for it.

On Sunday last, we hoped to be quiet and good: but the church was as much crowded as it was the Sunday before.

Monday and Tuesday the bride and bridegroom returned the visits made them. At one, they met Miss Orme, and accompanied her to her brother’s seat, at her request. You did not seem to like my account of Sir Charles’s interview with Mr. Orme in my last: so I will not tell you what passed on oc-casion of that visit to that worthy man. I will be as perverse as you are difficult. 1 don^t care. Yet, as your new sister described the meeting and parting to me, you would have been pleased with what I could have told you.

Yesterday we had a ball given by Mrs. Shirley. Were I able to write to please you, how I could expatiate on this occasion! How did the bridegroom shine! Every-body was in raptures with him, on his charming behaviour to his bride. The notice he took of her was neither too little, nor too nmch, for the most delicate observers. Every young lady eu-vied her; and how coldly did some of them look on their own humble servants! They indeed were as regardful of him as their mistresses: so bore the preference the better. My uncle Selby was all, and more than all, he used to be. How happy that he is a sober man! His joy, raised by wine would have made him mad.

This day we have been all happy together. A calm, serene day; at Shirley-manor! And thus is the matter settled among us Your brother and new sister; my uncle and aunt Selby; Mr. Deane, and your ladyship’s humble servant; are to set out early tomorrow morning for London. My brother James would fain accompany us; Sir Charles kindly inviting him: but I withstood it; so did my aunt; the private reason because of Mhs Jervois.

Sir Charles thinks to stay in town till the Friday following; and then proposes to carry his bride, and all of us, to Grandison-hall.

A motion was made to Sir Charles by my grand-mamma Selby; whether he would not choose to be presented with his lady to the king on their nup-tials. Sir Charles answered, that he was ready to comply with every proposal that should shew his duty to his sovereign, and the grateful sense he had of the honour done him by his Harriet.

We are to call on Lord and Lady W. at Windsor; and take them with us.

My cousin and I are to write constantly to our two grandmothers. My sister Nancy devotes her-self to our grandmother Selby. ]Miss HoUes’s will constantly visit Mrs. Shirley. Sir Charles is to bring down his lady twice a year, or oftener, if conve-niency permit.

He hoped, he said, after a while, to induce his Harriet to take a trip with him to Ireland, to inspect the improvements making in his estate there.

SIR CHARLES GRANDISON.

He will find no difficulty, I believe, to prevail upon her to accompany him thither; nor even, were he disposed to it, to the world’s end.

He hopes for a visit from the Italian family, so deservedly dear to him; by which he is to regulate many of his future motions.

I cannot say I wish for this visit. I love, I admire, I pity them; and would, had I wings, take a flight into Italy, with all my heart, to see them incognita. Clementina must be a charming creature but, for Harriet’s sake, I have been used to think of her with terror.

For your brother’s sake also, Lady G, I rejoice, and so, ycu know, do Dr. Bartlett and Mrs. Shirley, that she can now be only a visitor. How could Sir Charles, so thorough an Englishman, have been happy with an Italian wife? His heart, indeed, is generously open and benevolent to people of all countries: he is, as I have often heard you say, in the noblest sense, a citizen of the world: but, see we not, that his long residence abroad, has only the more endeared to him the religion, the government, the manners of England? You know, that on a double principle of religion and policy, he encour-ages the trades-people, the manufactures, the ser — vants, of his own country. Do I not remember a charming lively debate between you and him, on the subject of those elegancies in dress and appear-ance which you said (and I thought you naughty for saying it) were only to be acquired by employing the better taste of foreigners?

He concluded it seriously. I recollect nearly his words: “ The error, Lad}^ G. is growing too general, is authorized by too many persons of figure, not to make one afraid of fatal consequences, from what in its beginning seemed a trifle. Shall any one pretend to true patriotism, and not attempt to stew this torrent of fashion, which impoverishes our own honest countrymen, while it carries wealth and power to those wliose national religion and interest are directly opposite to ours!”

Good Heaven, thought I, at the time, how was this noble-minded man entangled by delicacies of situation, by friendship, by compassion, that he should ever have been likely to be engaged in a fa-mily of Roman catholics, and lived half of his days out of his beloved country! And the other half to have set, as to the world’s eye, such an example in it!

I know, Lady G. he would have made it his study to prevent any mischief to his neighbours from the active zeal of his lady’s confessor, had a certain compromise taken effect. I remember the hint he gave to Father Marescotti: but would even thai good man have thought himself bound to observe faith with heretics in such a case?

Whither am I rambled! I was going to tell you, that if this Italian family comes over, his new-taken house in Gi’osvenor Square being, as you know, nearly ready, he proposes to compliment with it those noble guests, for the time of their residence in England; for he will not, it seems, be so soon obliged to quit his present London-house, as he had thought he must.

And thus, my dear Lady G. have I obeyed your commands. I know you will not be satisfied with nie. Had I been able to Jollovo a subject that ivas made to my hand, I should have attempted the parting scene between my cousin and her grandmamma. Could I have borrowed your pen, I would have displayed the tender, yet magnanimous parent, not once, though tottering with age and infirmities, hinting that she might never again see the darling pf her heart. She saddened not hope; butencour-aged it. All she said, demonstrated love of her Harriet, divested oFitself, and a soul above the weaker passions! and well might she, since she has already her head among the stars, and can look down with pity, unmixed with envy, on all those who by their youth are doomed to toil through the rugged road of life, in search of a haj)piness that is not be met with in it; and, at the highest can be compounded for, only by the blessing of a contented mind. With the same ])en, before I had resigned it, would I have described the lovely grandchild embracing the knees of the indulgent parent, not satisfied with one, two, three blessings; and, less generously in the purport, though not in the intent (judging from her own present happiness, that there is still some-thing worth wishing for to be met with in this world) praying to God to preserve the over-ripened fruit still on the withered tree; in which we all join-ed. But O how much less generously, as I hinted, because it was altogether for our own sakes! But I know not whose pen I must have bori’owed, to have done justice to Sir Charles Grandison’s beha-viour on this occasion!

Excuse this serious conclusion, my dear Lady G. My cousin shall not see it. ^lay she know nothing but felicity! In hers is bound up that of Sir Charles Grandison; and in his that of hundreds. I long, though we parted so lately, to throw myself at your feet, and to assure you, that whatever defects there are in my pen, there are none in the love borne you, by

Your ladyship’s most sincere admirer, and humble servant,

LUCY SELBY,


Letter IV.
Lady Grandison to Mrs. Shirley.

Thursday, December 7. Lucy (my ever-honoured grandmamma) has given you the particulars of the rapturous reception I met with on Saturday, from my dear Lady L. on the visit we made her in her chamber. She, as well as her lord, welcomed and congratulated us, and her-self, with such a grace! They are a charming pair! We all rejoiced with her, on the addition she had made to two families so worthy.

Mrs. Eleanor Grandison received us also in rap-tures.

How did the tenderly kind notice which Sir Charles took of the lovely little infant {it is a fine child) delight the happy mother, and eveiy-body!

Lord and Lady G. met us atLadyL.‘s; Emily, and the Earl ofG. and Lady Gertrude, with them. How affectionately did the dear girl welcome us, after a few tears, which she endeavoured to hide, and which we passed over as tears of joy! But Lucy has given you all particulars;* and the noble manner also, in which Sir Charles gave me posses-sion of his house, on our first arrival. Every-body was charmed with it. It cost my aunt some tears.

The christening was delayed till Monday: because Sir Charles was desirous it should be performed at church. He had some few difficulties to get over, before he carried his point; and this was the sub-”“stance of his reasonings on the subject: People of fashion, he said, should consider themselves as exjimples to the lower orders of people. They should

* This letter of Miss Selby does not appear. shew a conformity to the laws of their country, both ecclesiastical and civil, where they can do it with a good conscience. In the present case, baptism, said he, is one of our two sacraments; and shall it not be performed, when it can, as the church directs: the child in full health?

I will give you, my dear grandmamma, journal-wise, I think, an account of our proceedings: still referring myself to my Lucy for such particulars as now I shall not have time to give. For you know, madam, my time is not now my own, as it used to be; though I shall think myself very ungrateful, and undutiful too, if I permit my new duties so wholly to engross me, as to furnish an excuse for the neglect of those which from my very birth I owe to you.

I think Lucy has not mentioned to you the lively conversations that passed in the evening, after the christening, between Sir Charles and Lady G.; she choosing to single out her brother (as she had threat-ened, unknown to him, to do) in order to try once more her strength with him, in vivacity and raillery. She delighted every-body with her wit: for it was not so rapid and so unguarded as sometimes it is. He condescended, was Lucy’s just observation, to re-turn wit for her wit, in order to follow her lead, as he saw the company was delighted with their conversation; and was exceedingly brilliant. She com plimented herself on the merit of having drawn him out, though to her own disadvantage. Finding her-self overmatched, she shifted her attacks, and made one upon me; but with so much decorum and complaisance, as shewed she intended to do me honour, rather than herself.

2\csdaij evening. Sir Charles visited Sir Harry Beauchamp. The Poor man numbers his hours, and owned, that the three the best of men gave him (though Sir Charles intended to be back in one) were more hc^.ppy ones than he had promised himself inthislife. Omadam! How easy sits my Sir Charles’s piety upon him! He can pity a dying friend, with-out saddening his own heart: for he lives the life of duty as he goes along, and fears not the inevitable lot.

Wednesday. He paid a visit to Sir Hargrave. Sir Hargrave, it seems, complimented him, but with tears in his eyes, on his marriage. Great God! said he, how are you rewarded! How am I punish-ed! Is there not hope that 1 have all my punishment in this life? I am sure, it is very, very heavy.

He visited the same day Mrs. Oldham, and her children.

He drank tea that afternoon with the Danby fa-mily in full assembly, at the house of their elder brother; and came to my cousin Reeves’s to supper. My uncle, aunt, Mr. Deane, and Lucy, accompa-nied me thither to tea and supper, where, as by promise, we were joined by Lord and Lady G. Lord L. Mrs. Eleanor Grandison, my Emily, and Mr. Beauchamp. Mr. Reeves had also invited Lady Betty Williams. AVhat felicitations did she pour on me! She sighed, poor lady! for the unhappy step her daughter had taken: and I sighed for the mother; who, though she had not given her daughter a bad example, had not set her a good one.

Lucy will tell you what a charming evening we had.

On Thursday. Mr. Grandison presented his new-married Lady to Sir Charles and me, and dined with us. Sir Charles received the lady, as well as his cousin, with the utmost politeness. She is far from being a disagreeable woman: but, at first, the awe she had of the people of rank in compan}"^, particu-larly of Lady G. as she owned to nic, gave her an air of awkwardness. But Sir Cliarles’s polite notice of her soon made her easy.

Mr. Grandison found an opportunity to praise to me her good sense and fine qualities; but in such a way, as if he were making apologies for having given the honour of his name to a woman under his own rank (ungrateful!) who yet had re-established him: he concluded his panegyric with letting me know, that she had already presented him with 25,000 pounds: he looked as if he thought he deserved it all; and actually called her a very discern — ing woman. I questioned not, I told him, his gratitude to a lady so deserving; and he as good as promised to retvardhQV by his love; whispering, with an air of self-sufficiency, sticking his hand in his side, and surveying himself to the right and left, Her former husband, madam, was a very plain, but an honest man. But I do assure you she has taste! O dear! O dear! thought I to myself.

Sir Charles invited them both to Grandison-hall, and she seemed not a little proud on his calling her, as he did several times, cousin.

Lord L. and Lord and Lady G. dined with us, as did Mrs. Eleanor Grandison and Emily. Lady G. in the main, behaved pretty enough to Mr. Grandison and his bride. But once a little forgetting her — self, and putting on a supercilious air, 1 whispered her. Dear Lady G. consider, you can i^/rc pride to others by your condescension: you must not your-self condescend to be proud.

Be you, my Harriet, re-Avhispered she, always my monitress. It is the sorry fellow, not his wife, that I look dmvn tipon. She, a widow cit, might have done still worse.

Cit I Lady G. And in a trading kingdom?

Ay, cit, child! Have you not heard my brother say, that even in the republic of Venice, there are c3 young nobility and old nobility? Distinctions in blood every-where but at Amsterdam!

Who, and what, at first, made the distinction, my dear? Asked I.

Be quiet, Harriet! I think I am very good

And at the height of your goodness, Charlotte?

Be quiet, when I bid you; aloud.

Sir Charles a little jealous of our whispering, for the sake of his cousins, turning to Mr. Grandison. Your cousin Charlotte, you know. Sir, is always Jiard pressed, when she calls out, Be quiet.

I was always rejoiced, replied he, when my cou-sin was brought to that.

Sir Charles has been twice at the drawing-room with me since we have been in town. He admires the integrity of heart of his sovereign, as much as he reveres his royal dignity. Once I remember, he wished that his majesty would take a summer’s progress through his British, another into his Irish, do — minions; because the more he was personally known, the more he would be beloved; but expressly with this proviso, That every gentleman and woman of condition should be welcome at his court, who came not in new dresses to pay their duty to him; and this lest the gentry’s vying with each other in appear-ance, should hurt their private circumstances; and for the same reason, that he would graciously treat, but not be treated by, any of the nobility at their houses.

To-morrow morning. Sir Charles, his grateful Harriet, happy creature! my uncle and aunt Selby, Mr. Deane, Lucy, and Emily, are to set out by the way of Windsor for Graiidison-hall. We are to take an early dinner there with Lord and Lady W.; who, on that condition, have promised to at-tend their beloved nephew, and his friends, to the hall.

Lord G. is allowed to stay a week with us, and no more. He is then to attend his now but half-saucy lady, at one of the Earl of G.‘s seats in Hert — fordshire; where by promise of long-standing, she is to keep her Christmas: at which ^he mutters not a little; because she would fain have been with us; and because she imagines it will be proper for her to confine herself at home, by the time they will part with her.

My aunt Selby, and even my uncle, will write. He must, he says, vent the overflowings of his joy.

Lucy loves to describe houses, furniture, gardens. She says, she will sometimes give conversations too, at which I shall not be present; but will leave to my pen persons, characters, and what passes of the more tender sort in conversations where I am by. But as well Lucy’s letters, as mine, are to be sent to Lady G. unsealed; and she, afl-er shewing them to her sister, will hasten them to Northamptonshire.

Referring therefore to Lucy for more particular accounts, I subscribe myself, with all duty and grate-ful love to my grandmamma, as well as with kindest remembrances to all my dear friends,

Your happy, thrice happy,

HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter V,
Lady Grandison to Mrs, SIIinLEY.

Grandison-hall, Saturday V2 o’clock, December 9. O MY dearest, dearest grandmamma! Here I am! The declared mistress of this spacious house, and the happiest of human creatures! This is all at this instant I can write.

Lord and Lady W. honoured us, as they had promised, with their company; but detained us so long, that we were obHged to He one night on the road. But by eleven this morning we arrived here.

At our alighting, Sir Charles clasping me in his arms, I congratulate you, my dearest life, said he, on your entrance into your oivn house. The last Lady Grandison, and the present, might challenge the whole British nation to produce their equals. Then turning to every one of his guests, those of my family first, as they wqre strangers to the place, he said the kindest, the politest things that ever proceeded from the mouth of man. I wept for joy. I would have spoken, but could not. Every-body congratulated the happy Harriet.

Dr. Bartlett was approaching to welcome us: but drew back till our mutual congratulations were over. He then appeared. I present to you, my dear Dr. Bartlett, said the best of men, the lovely friend, whom you have so long wished to see mistress of this house. He then presented me to the doctor.

God bless you, madam! tears in his eyes. God bless you both! Then kissed my offered cheek. He could say no more: T could not speak distinctly.

Mv dear Sir Charles led me, followed by all our rejoicing friends, through a noble dining-room to the drawing-room, called, the lady’s: The whole house, my dear, said he, and every person and thing belonging to it, is yours: but this apartment is more particularly so. Let what is amiss in it, be altered as you would have it.

O Sir! grasping his presenting hand between both mine, was all I could say.,

This room is elegantly furnished. It is hung with a light green velvet, delicately ornamented; the chairs of the same; the frames of them gilt; as is the frame of a noble cabinet in it. My mother’s, my dearest life, whispered he. It will be always fashionable: and you, I know, will value it on her account, Indeed I shall. He presented me with the keys. Here perhaps will you deposit your letters and correspondencies; some of which (the continuation of those I have had the honour to see) you will allow me to peruse. But of choice, remem-ber, madam. For your whole heart must be in the grant of the favours you will confer upon me of this kind.

Dear Sir, said I, leave me power of speech; my will shall be yours, in every-thing. But you will find a strange, strange heart, laid open to you, if you command from nie a sight of the papers, that probably will be reposited here, when all my matters are brought from Northamptonshire.

You shall have all the letters you ever wrote to me, and the venerable circle, said Lucy; a loan, not a gift; if you will shew them to Sir Charles.

Courage, Lucy, not inclination, will be only wanting.

Thank you, Lucy, said he. Thank you, my love, to me. You must make marks against the passages in the letters you shall have the goodness to communicate, which you would not have me read. 1 will give you my honour that I will not pass the bounds you prescribe.

I will snatch another opportunity to proceed. My dear Sir Charles indulges me. I have told him, that if he novv-and-then misses me, he must conclude that I am doubling my joy, by commu-nicating it as I have opportunity, to my dear grand — manuna.

X—— X-Every-body admires the elegance of this draw — ing-room. The finest japan china that I ever saw, except that of Lady G.‘s, which she so whimsically received at the hands of her lord, took particularly every female eye.

Sir Charles led me into a closet adjoining Your oratory, your library, my love, when you shall have furnished it, as you desired you might, by your chosen collection from Northamptonshire.

It is a sweet little apartment, elegant book-cases, unfurnished. Every other ornament complete. How had he been at work to oblige me, by Dr, Bartlett’s good offices, while my heart perhaps was torn, part of the time, with uncertainty!

The housekeeper, a middle-aged woman, who is noted, as you have heard her master say, for pru-dence, integrity, and obligingness, a gentlewoman born, appearing; Sir Charles presented her to me. Receive, my love, a faithful, a discreet gentlewoman, who will think herself honoured with your commands. Mrs. Curzon (to her) you will be happy in a mistress who is equally beloved and reverenced by all who have the honour of her countenance, if she approve of your services, and if j^ou choose to continue with us.

I took her hand: I hope, Mrs. Curzon, there is no doubt but you will. You may depend upon every-thing that is in my power to make you happy.

She looked pleased; but answered only with a respectful courtesy.

Sir Charles led the gentlemen out to shew them his study. We just looked into a fine suit of rooms on the same floor, and joined them there.

We found my uncle and Mr. Deane admiring the disposition of every-thing, as well as the furniture. The glass-cases are neat, and, as Dr. Bartlett told us, stored with well-chosen books in all sciences. Mr. Deane praised the globes, the orrery, and the instruments of all sorts, for geographical, astronomi-cal, and other scientifical observations. It is orna — mented with pictures, some, as Dr. Bartlett told us, of the best masters of the Italian and Flemish schools; statues, bustoes, bronzes: and there also, placed in a distinguished manner, are the two rich cabinets of medals, gems, and other curiosities, presented to hiai by Lady Olivia, He mentioned what they contained, and by whom presented: and said, lie would shew us’at leisure the contents. They are not mine, added he. I only give them a place till the generous owner shall make some worthy man happy. His they must be. It would be a kind of robbery to take them from a family, that, for near a century past have been collecting them, * *

Lucy says, she will be very particular in her let-ters. This will take up time; especially as Lady G. and Lady L. must see them in their way to Northamptonshire; though they will not detain them. 1 shall have an opportunity to send this to London on Monday. This makes me intent to snatch every opportunity of writing. It will other-wise be too long before you will hear from us by my hand.

I do not intend to invade this slow girl’s province; yet I will give you a slight sketch of the house and apartments, as I go along.

The situation is delightful. The house is very spacious. It is built in the form of an H; both fronts pretty much alike. The hall, the dining-parlour, two drawing-rooms, one adjoining to the study, the other to the dining-parlour (which with the study, mentioned already, and other rooms, that I shall leave to Lucy to describe, make the ground — Hoor) are handsome, and furnished in an elegant, but not sumptuous taste; the hangings of some of them beautiful paper only. There is ad-joining to the study, a room called the music-parlo7ir, so called in Sir Thomas’s time, and furnished with several fine musical instruments: Sir Thomas was as great an admirer of music as his son; and a per-former.

It is no news to you, madam, that Sir Charles shews a great regard to every thing, place, and disposition, that was his fathers; and not absolutely inconvenient, and inconsistent with the alterations he has thought necessary to make: and which Dr. Bartlett praises highly, and promises to particu-larize to me. We are to be shewn this music-parlour by-and-by.

The dining-room is noble and well-proportioned: it goes over the hall and dining-parlour. It is hung with crimson-damask, adorned with valuable pic-tures. The furniture is rich, but less ornamented than that of the lady’s drawing-room.

The best bed-chamber adjoining is hung with fine tapestry. The bed is of crimson velvet, lined with white silk; chairs and curtains of the same. Two fine pictures drawn by Sir Godfrey, one of Sir Tho-mas, the other of Lady Grandison, whole lengths, took my eye (with what reverence, that of my lady!): Lady L. Lad}’ G. as girls, and Sir Charles as a boy of about ten years of age, made three other fine whole lengths. I must contemplate them, when I have more leisure.

There is a fine suit of rooms on the first floor which we just stept into, mostly furnished with da-mask.

Mrs. Curzon tells us, that, on occasion, they make fifteen beds, within the house, in which the best lord in the land need not disdain to repose. You remember, madam, that Sir Charles, in his invitation to the Italian family, tells them, he has room to receive them. The offices, it seems, are exceedingly convenient.

The gardens and lawn seem from the windows of this spacious house to be as boundless as the mind of the owner, and as free and open as his counte-nance.*

Miss Lucy Selby thus describes the situation of the house, and the park, gardens, orchards, i^c. in one of her letters, which does not appear.

This large and convenient house is situated in a spacious park; which has several fineavenues leading to it.

Ou the north side of the park, Hows a winding stream, that may well be called a river, abounding with trout and other fish; the current quickened by a noble cascade which tumbles down its foaming waters from a rock, which is continued to some extent, in a ledge of rock — work rudely disposed.

The park is remarkable for its prospects, lawns, and rich appearing clumps of trees of large growth; which must liiere-fore have been planted by the ancestors of the excellent own — er; who contenting himself to oj)en and enlarge many fine prosjiect?, delights to preservcasmuch as possible, the plantations of his ancestors; and particularlv thinks it a kind of inii)iety to fell a tree, that was jjlanted by his father.

On the south side of the river, on a natural and easy ascent, is a neat, but plain villa, in the rustic taste, erected by Sir Thomas; the flat roof of which j)resents a noble prosjiect. This villa contains convenient lodging-rooms; and one large room, in whichhe used sometimes to entertain his friends.

Tile gardener’s house is a pretty little building. The man is asober diligent man; he is in years: has a housewifely good creature of a wife. Content appears in tiie countenances of both: How happy must they be!

The gardens, vineyard, &c. arc beautifully laid out. The oraiisery is flourishing; every thing indeed is, that belongs to Sir Charles Grandison; alcove.-, little temples, seats, are erected at dill’erent points of view: the orcliard, lawns, and gras-walks, haveshee]) for gardeners; and the wiu)le being bounded only by sunk fences, the eye is carried to views that have no bounds.

The orchard, which takes up near three acres of ground, is O

My uncle once took my aunt out from the company, in a kind of hurry. I saw his eyes glisten, and was curious, on her return, to know the occa-sion. This was his speech to her, unable to check his emotion; What a man is this, dame Selby! We were surely wanting in respect to him when he was among us. To send such a one to an inn! Fie upon us! Lord be good unto me, how are things come about! Who would have thought it? Some-times I wonder the girl is not as proud as Lucifer; at other times, that she is able to look him in the face!

To this convenient house belongs an elegant little chapel, neatly decorated. But Sir Charles, when down, generally goes to the parish-church, of which he is patron.

The gallery I have not yet seen Dr. Bartlett tells me, it is adorned with a long line of ancestors.

After dinner, which was sumptuous and well-ordered, Sir Charles led us into the music-parlour. l)liiiited in a peculiar taste. A neat stone bridge in the centre of it, is thrown over the river: it is planted in a natural slope; the liiglier fruit-trees, as pears, in a semicircular row, first; apples at further distances next; ciierries, plums, standard apricots, &c. all which in the season of blossoming, one row gradually lower than another, must make a charming variety of blooming sweets to the eye, from the top of the rustic villa, which commands the whole.

The outside of this orchard, next thenorth, is planted with three rows of trees, at proper distances from eacli other; one of pines; one of cedars; one of Scotch firs, in the like semi-circular order; whicii at the same time that they aflord a ])erpetual verdure to the eye, and shady walks in the summer, defend the orchard from the cold and blighting winds.

This plantation was made by direction of Sir Thomas, in his days of fancy. We have heard that he had a poetical, and, consequently, a fanciful taste.

O madam, you shall hear what honour was done me there! I will lead to it.

Several of the neighbouring gentlemen, he told us, are performers; and he hopes to engage them as opportunity shall offer. My dear Dr. Bartlett, said he, your soul is harmony; I doubt not but all these are in order “ May I ask you, my Harriet?” pointing to the harpsichord. 1 instantly sat down to it. It is a fine instrument. Lord G. took up a violin; my uncle, a bass-viol; Mr. Deane, a German flute; and we had a little concert of about half an hour.

Here is a noble organ: when the little concert was over, he was so good himself, on my aunt’s re-ferring to him with asking eyes, to shew us it was in tune.

We all seated ourselves round him, on his preparing to — oblige us; and he with a voice admirably suited to the instrument (but the words if J may be allowed to say so, still more admirably to the occa-sion) at once delighted and surprised us all, by the following lines:

I. Accept, {;rcat Source of pv’ry bliss.

The fulness of my heart, Pour’d out in tuneful ecstasies. By this celestial art.

II.

My soul w ith gratitude profound,

Receive a form so bright! And yet, 1 boast a bliss Icyund

This angel to the si^ht.

III.

When charms of (/;irfand person meet,

How rich our raptures rise! Tliefair that renders earth so sweet.

Prepares me for the skies.

How did our friends look upon one another, as d2 the excellent man proceeded! I was astonished. It was happy I sat between my aunt and Lucy! They each took one of my hands. Tears of joy ran down my cheeks. Every one’s eyes congratulated me. Every tongue but mine encored him. I was speechless. Again he obliged us. I thought at the time, I had a foretaste of the joys of heaven! How sweet is the incense of praise from a husband; that husband a good man; my surrounding friends enjoying it! How will you, madam, rejoice in such an instance of a love so pure, and so grateful! Long, long may it be, for the sake of his Harriet, his and her friends, for the world’s sake, before his native skies reclaim him!

He approached me with tender modesty; as if abashed by the applause he met with. But seeing mc affected, he was concerned. 1 withdrew with my aunt and Lucy. He followed me. I then threw myself into his arms; and, had speech been lent me, would have offered him the fervent vows of a heart overflowing with love and gratitude.


Letter VI.
Lady Grandison. In Continuation^.

The music-parlour [I can hardly mention it with-out breaking into raptures] is adorned with a va — riety of fine carvings, on subjects that do honour to poetry and music. Be it Lucy’s task to describe them. Let me mention other instances of his ten-der goodness to one of the happiest creatures on earth.

You know, madam, Sir Charles, when in North-amptonshire, offered me my choice of servants of both sexes; and when I told him, that I chose not to take with me any one of either but my Sally, he said, that when I came to Grandison-hall, where they would be all together, I should choose which of the men servants I would more particularly call my own, I have not, my dearest life, said he, run into the taste of our modern gentry, for foreign servants any more than for foreign equipages. 1 am well served; yet all mine are of our own coun-try.

And then he gave me the names, and an account of the quahties of each.

Frederic I had seen at Selby-house, an observant sensible-looking young man: 1 chose him. He called him in (my aunt Selby present): All my servants, Frederic, said he, are as much your lady’s as mine: but you will devote yourself more particularly to her commands. I mean not, however, any distinction in your favour, where you all equally merit distinction. The power, madam, of change or dismission through the house, is entirely yours.

To-morrow, I am to go over all the bridal osten-tation again at the parish-church. On Monday Lady Mansfield and her family are to be here. Your guests, my dear, said Sir Charles to me, I hope, for a week, at least. This was the first notice he gave of it to Lord and Lady W. What joy and gratitude appeared in her countenance upon it!

Tuesday, by general approbation (Sir Charles submitting the choice of the day to his company) we are to have the neighbouring gentry here to din-ner, and for the rest of the day. Sir Charles has been long wished by them ail to reside among them. He breaks through the usual forms, and chose this way, at once, to receive the visits of all his neigli-bours, and in both our names gave the invitation. He shewed us a list of the persons invited. It is a u3 very large one. My dearest love, said he, we shall be half-familiarized to them, they to us, even tomorrow, by the freedom of this invitation for the Tuesday following.

Mrs. Curzon came to me for directions about the bed-chambers. 1 took that opportunity to tell her, that I should add to the number of female servants, only my Sally, of whose discretion I had no doubt. You must introduce to mc, said I, at a proper time, the female servants. If you, Mrs. Curzon, approve of them, I shall make no changes. I am, myself, the happiest of women: every one who deserves it, shall find her happiness in mine.

You will rejoice all their hearts, madam, by this early declaration of your goodness to them. I can trtily say, that the best of masters has not the worst of servants: But Dr. Bartlett would make bad ser-vants good.

I shall want no other proof, said I, of their goodness, than their love and respect to Dr. Bartlett.

In company of my aunt, Lady W. Lucy, Miss Jervois, attended by Mrs. Curzon, we went to choose our rooms; and those for our expected guests of Monday. We soon fixed on them. My aunt, with her usual goodness, and Lady W. with that condescension that is natural to her, took great no-tice of Mrs. Curzon, who seemed delighted with us all; and said, that she should be the happier in the performance of her duty, as she had been informed, we were managing ladies. It was a pleasure, she said, to receive commands from persons who knew when things were properly done. You, my dearest grandmamma, from my earliest youth, have told me, that to be respected, even by servants, it is necessarj’ to be able to direct them, and not be thought ignorant in those matters that it becomes a mistress of afaiaily to be acquainted with. They shall not find me pragmatical, however, in the little knowledge I have in family-matters.

Will nothing happen, my dear grandmamma But MO more of this kind Shall I, by my diffi-dences, lessen the enjoyments of which 1 am in full possession? My joy may not be sufficient to banish iear; but I hope it will be a prudent one, which will serve to increase my thankfulness to Heaven, and my gratitude to the man so justly dear to me.

But do you, my grandmamma, whenever you pray for the continuance of your Harriet’s happiness, pray also for that of Lady Clementina: that only can be wanting in my present situation, to complete the felicity of

Your ever-grateful, ever-dutiful,

HARRIET GRANDISOPi.


Letter VIL
Lady Grandison. In Continuation.

Sunday noon.

What a crowded church-yard and church had I to pass through to the handsome seat, which belongs to the excellent patron of it! How much exalted was I to hear his whispered praises! How did my Northamptonshire friends rejoice in the respectful approbation paid to the happy creature, to whom they are more immediately related! I am always a little mortified by praises of my figure. What a transitory thing is outward form! >Iay I make to myself a more solid and permanent foundation for that rcj:)ect, which is generally more pleasing to a female heart than it ought to be! Sir Qiarieg was not wjjbappy in his invitation for next Tuesday. It took off, I imagine, some parti-cular addresses to him. Yet several gentlemen at his coach-side acknowledged the favour done them in it.

My uncle, who, you know, madam, loves every-thing that promotes good neighbourhood, is greatly delighted with the thoughts of the day. How proud is he of his Harriet! How much more proud of his relation to the best of men!

I have looked upon what Lucy has written. I see there will be but little room for me to say any-thing. She is delighted with her task. It employs all her faculties: displays her fine taste in architecture, paintings, needle-works, shell-works. She will give you a description of several charming performances in the two latter arts, of the late Lady Grandison! How does the character of that admirable lady rise upon us! With what emulation does it fire me 1 On twenty accounts, it was a very bold thing, mj’^ grandmamma, for your Harriet to aspire to be Lady Grandison! Yet how does Sir Charles’s goodness, his kind acceptance of all my humble endeavours, encourage me! O madam! he said truth, when in courtship he told me, that I parted with power to liave it returned me with augmentation. I don’t know how it is, but his freedom of behaviour to me is increased; yet his respectfulness is not diminished, And, tender as he was before to me, his tenderness is still greater than it was: yet so much unaffected dignity in it, that my reverence for him is augment-ed, but without any abatement of my love. Then his cheerfulness, his more than cheerfulnes, his vi-vacity, shews, that he is at heart pleased with his Harriet. Happy Harriet! Yet I cannot forbear now-and-then, when my joy and my gratitude are at the highest, a sigh to the merits of Lady Cle-mentina! What I am now, should she have been, think I often! The general admiration paid me as the wife of Sir Charles Grandison, should have been paid to her! Lady L. Lady G. should have been her sisters! She should have been the mistress of this house, the coguardian of Emily, the successor of the late excellent Lady Grandison! Hapless Clementina! What a strange thing, that adherence to religion in two persons so pious, so good, each in their way, should sunder, for ever sunder, per-sons whose minds were so closely united!

Sir Charles, by Lucy, invites me, till dinner is ready, to walk with them, at her request, in the gal-lery. Lucy wants, in describing that gaUery, to give you, my dearest grandmamma (in whom every other of my friends is included) a brief history of the ancestors of Sir Charles, whose pictures adorn it. I come! Lord of my heart! I attend you! * *

How, madam, would you have been delighted, could you have sat in this truly-noble gallery, and seen the dear man, one arm round my waist, pointing sometimes with the other, sometimes putting that other arm round my Lucy’s, and giving short histories of the persons whose pictures we saw!

Some of the pictures are really fine. One of Sir Charles’s, which is drawn when he was about six-teen, is on horseback. The horse a managed, curvetting, proud beast. His seat, spirit, courage, admirably expressed: he must have been, as his sis-ters say he was, the loveliest, and the most undaunt — ed, yet most modest-looking, of youths. He passed his own picture so slightly, that I had not time to take in half the beauties of it. You will not doubt, madam, but I shall be often in this gallery, were only this one picture there.

What pleasure had I in hearing the history of this ancient family, from this unbroken series of the pictures of it, for so many generations past! And will mine, one day, thought I, be allowed a place among them, near to that of the most amiable of them all, both as to mind and figure? How my heart exulted! What were my meditations as I traced the imagined footsteps of dear Lady Grandi-son, her picture and Sir Thomas’s in my eye! as finely executed, as those in the best bed-chamber. May I, thought I, with a happier lot, be but half as deserving! But, madam, did not Lady Grandison shine the more for the hardships she passed through I And is it necessary for virtue to be called forth by trials, in order to be justified by its fortitude under them! What trials can I be called to with Sir Charles Grandison? But may I not take my place on the footstep of her throne, yet make no contemptible figure in the family of her beloved son? I will humbly endeavour to deserve my good for-tune, and leave the rest to Providence.

There are in different apartments of this seat, besides two in the house in town, no less than six pictures of Sir Thomas: but then two of them were brought from his seat in Essex. Sir Thomas was fond of his person: they are drawn in different attitudes. He appears to be, as I always heard he was, a fine figure of a man. But neither Lucy nor I, though we made not the compliment to Sir Charles, you may suppose (who always speaks with reve-rence and unaffected love of his father) thought him comparable in figure, dignity, intelligence, to his son.

We were called to dinner before we had gone half-way through the gallery.

We had a crowded church again in the afternoon.

Sunday night.’] This excellent Dr, Bartlett! And, this excellent Sir Charles Grandison! I may say.

Sir Charles having enquired of the doctor, when alone with him, after the rules observed by him before we came down, the doctor told him, that he had every morning and night the few servants at-tending him in his antechamber to prayers, which he had selected out of the church service. Sir Charles desired him by all means to continue so laudable a custom; for he was sure master and ser-vants would both find their account in it.

Sir Charles sent for Saunders and Mrs. Curzon. He applauded to them the doctor’s goodness, and desired they would signify, the one to the men-servants, the other to the women, that he should take it well of them, if they cheerfully attended the doctor; promising to give them opportunity, as often as was possible. Half an hour after ten, doc-tor, 1 believe is a good time in the evening?

That Sir, is about my time; and eight in the morning, as an hour the least likely to interfere with their business. Whenever it does, they are in their duty; and I do not then expect them.

About a quarter after ten, the doctor slipt away. Soon after Sir Charles withdrew, unperceived by any of us. The doctor and his little church were iissembled. Sir Charles joined them, and afterwards returned to company, with that cheerfulness that always beams in his aspect. The doctor followed him, with a countenance as serene. I took the doc-tor aside, though in the same apartment, supposing the matter. Sir Charles joining us O Sir, said 1, why was I not whispered to withdraw with you. Think you, that your Harriet

The company, my dearest love, interrupted he, was not now to be broken up. When we are settled, we can make a custom for ourselves, that will be allowed for by cvery-body, when it is seen we per-severe, and are, in every other respect, uniform,

Joshua’s resolution, doctor, was an excellent one.* The chapel, now our congregation is large, will be the properest place; and there, perhaps, the friends we may happen to have with us, will sometimes join us.

Monday morning.’] Sir Charles has just now presented to me in Dr. Bartlett’s presence, Mr. Daniel Bartlett, the doctor’s nephew, and his only care in this world; a young gentleman of about eighteen, well educated, and a fine accomptant; a master of his pen, and particularly of the art of short-hand writing. The doctor insisted on the specification of a salary, which he named himself to be 4–01. a year, and to be within the house, that he might always be at hand. He could not trust, he said, to his patron’s assurances, that his bountiful spirit would allow him to have a regard, in the reward, only to the merit of the service.

Monday noon.’] Lady Mansfield, Miss Mansfield, and the three brothers, are arrived. What amiable women, what agreeable young gentlemen, what grateful hearts, what joy to Lady W. on their ar-rival! what pleasure to Lord W. who, on every occasion, shews his delight in his nephew! All the^e things, with their compliments to your happy Harriet, let Lucy tell. I have not time. * *

What, my dear grandmamma, shall we do with -Lord and Lady N\ .? Such a rich service of gilt plate! Just arrived! A present to me! It is a noble present! And so gracefully presented! And I so gracefully permitted to accept of it, by my best, my tenderest friend! Let Lucy describe this too.

* As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, Josh Xxiv. 15.

Tuesday morning.’] A vast company we shall have. Gentlemen and their ladies are invited: your Har-riet is to be dressed: she is already dressed. How kindly am I complimented, by every one of my friends! Let Lucy, let my aunt (she promises to assist Lucy) relate all that shall pass, describe the persons, and give the characters of our visiters; our managements, our entertainments, the ball that is to conclude the day and night. I shall not be able, I suppose, to write a line.

Wednesday/ noon.’] Our company left us not till six this morning. My uncle was transported with the day; with the night.

I will only say, that all was happy; and decency, good order, and mirth, went through the whole space. Sir Charles was every-where, and with every-body. O how he charmed them all! Sir William Turner said once behind his back. Of what transports did my late friend Sir Thomas, who doted upon his son, deprive himself, by keeping him so long abroad!

I could not but think of what my dear Lady G. once wrote, that women are not so soon tired as men, with these diversions, with dancing particular-ly. By three, all but Sir Charles and my uncle seemed (juite fatigued: but recovered themselves. My Emily delighted every-body. She was the whole night what I wished her to be Dear madam, be not uneasy. We shall be very happy in each other.

O that you were with us, my dearest grand-mamma! But you, from your cheerful piety, and joyful expectation of happiness supreme, are already, though on earth, in heaven! Yet it is my wish, my aunt’s, my uncle’s, Lucy’s, twenty times a day, that you were present, and saw him. The do-mestic man, the cheerful friend, the kind master, the enlivening companion, the poHte neighbour, the tender husband! Let nobody who sees Sir Charles Grandison at home, say, that the private station is not that of true happiness.

How charmingly respectful is he to my uncle, aunt, and good Mr. Deane! To Lucy, he is an af-fectionate brother. Emily, dear girl, how she en joys his tenderness to her!

My uncle is writing to you, madam, a letter. He says, it will be as long as his arm. My aunt will dispatch this day, a very long one. Theirs will supply my defects. Lucy is not quite ready with her first letter. If there were not so much of your Harriet in it, I would highly praise what she has hitherto written.

Thursday morning^ I leave to my uncle the ac-count of the gentlemen’s diversions in the gardens and fields. They are all extremely happy. But LordG. already pines after his Charlotte. He will not be prevailed on to stay out his week, I doubt; sweet tempered man! as 1 see him in a thousand little amiable instances. If Lady G. did not love him, I would not love her. Lord W. is afraid of a gouty attack. He is never quite free. He and his admirable lady will leave us tomorrow,

I think, my dear Lady G. with you, that discretion and gratitude are the corner-stones of the ma — trimonial fabric. Lady W. had no prepossessions in any other man’s favour. My lord loves her. What must be that woman’s heart, that gratitude and love cannot engage? But she loves my lord. Surely she does. Is not real and unaffected tenderness for the infirmities of another, the very essence of love? What is wanting where there is that? My Sir Charles is delighted with Ladv W.‘s goodness to his uncle. He tells her often, now much he reveres her for it.

In our retired hours, we have sometimes the excellent lady abroad for our subject, I always be gin it. He never declines it. He speaks of her with such manly tenderness! He thanks me, at such times, for alloxving him, as he calls it, to love her. He regrets very much the precipitating of her; yet pities her parents and brothers. How warmly does he speak of his Jeronymo! He has a sigh for Olivia. But of whom, excep Lady Sforza and her Laurana, does he not speak kindly? And them he pities. Never, never, was there a more expanded heart!

Ah, madam, a cloud has just brushed by us! Its skirts have affected us with sadness, and carried us from our sunshine prospects home; that is to say, to thoughts of the general destiny! Poor Sir Harry Beauchamp is no more! A letter from his Beau-champ! Sir Charles shewed it to me, for the honour of the writer, now Sir Edward. We admired this excellent young man together, over his letter. What fine things did Sir Charles say on this occa-sion, both by way of self-consolation, and on the in evitable destiny! But he dwelt not on the subject. He has written to Lady Beauchamp, andto the young baronet. How charmingly consolatory! What ad-mirable But Sir Charles, madam, is a Christian!

This event has not at all influenced his temper. He is the same cheerful man to his company, to his Harriet; to every-body. I am afraid it will be the cause of his first absence from me: how shall I part with him, though it were but for two days?

Fridaij noon.’] Lady Mansfield, and her sons, Lord G. and Lord and Lady W. have left us. Miss Mansfield is allowed to stay with me some time longer. Emily is very fond of her. No wonder: she is a good young woman. e2

We are busied in returning the visits of our neighbours, which Sir Charles promised to do, as if they were individually made to us. We have a very agreeable neighbourhood. But I want these visitings to be over. Sir Charles, and his relations and mine, are the world to me. These obligations of ceremony, though unavoidable, are drawbacks upon the true domestic felicity. One happiness, however, results from the hurry and] bustle they put us in: Emily’s mind seems to be engaged: when we are not quite happy in our own thoughts, it is a relief to carry them out of ourselves. * *

Sir Charles and I have just now had a short conversation about this dear girl. We both joined in praising her; and then I said, I thought, that some time hence Mr. Beauchamp and she would make a very happy pair.

I have, said he, a love for both. But as the one is my own very particulary?7“e?2(/, and as the other is my voard, I would rather he found for himself, and she for herself, another lover, and that for obvious reasons.

But suppose, Sir, they should like each the other?

So as they made it not a compliment to me, but gave me reason to believe, that they would have preferred each the other to every one else, were they strangers to me, I would not stand in their way. But the man who hopes for my consent for Emily, must give me reason to think, that he would have preferred her to any other woman, though she had a much less fortune than she is mistress of.

I am much mistaken. Sir, if that may not be the case of your friend.

Tell me, my nobly frank, and ever-amiable Har-riet, what you know of this subject. Has Beau — champ any thoughts of Emily?

Ah, Sir! thought I, I dare not tell you a/^ my thoughts; but what I do tell you shall be truth.

I really, Sir, don’t imagine Emily has a thought of your Beauchamp

Nor of any other person? Has she?

Lady G. Lady L. and myself, are of opinion, that Beauchamp loves Emily.

I am glad, my dear, if any-thing were to come of it, that the man loved first.

I was conscious. A tear unawares dropt from my eye He saw it. He folded his arm about me, and kissed it from my cheek. Why, my love! my dear-est love! why this? and seemed surprised.

I must tell you, Sir, that you may not be sur-prised. I fear, 1 fear

What fears my Harriet?

That the ha])picst of all women cannot say, that her dear man loved her first!

He folded me in his kind arms. How sweetly engaging! said he: I will presume to hope, that my Harriet, by the happiest of all women, means her-self You say not no! I will not insult your goodness so much, as to ask you to say yes. But, this I say, that the happiest of all men loved his Harriet, before she could love him; and, but for the honour he owed to another admirable woman, though then he had no hopes of ever calling her his, would have convinced her of it, by a very early declaration. Let me add, that the moment I saw you first (distressed and terrified as you were, too much to think of favour to any man) I loved you: and you know not the struggle it cost me (my destiny with our dear Clementina so uncertain) to conceal mjdove Cost me, who ever was punctiliously studious to avoid engagingayoung lady’s affections, lest I should not be aiile to be just to her; and always thought what is called platonic love an insidious pretension.

Sir! and I flung my fond arms about his neck, and called him the most just, the most generous, of men.

He pressed me still to his heart; and when I raised my conscious face, though my eye could not bear his, Now, Sir, said I, after this kind, this encouraging acknowledgment, I can consent, I think I can, that the lord of my heart shall see, as he has more than once wished to see, long before he declared himself, all that was in that forward, that aspiring heart.

Lucy had furnished me with the opportunity before. 1 instantly arose, and took out of a drawer a parcel of my letters, which I had sorted ready, on occasion, to oblige him; which, from what he had seen before, down to the dreadful masquerade-affair, carried me to my setting out with his sisters to Colnebrook.

I think not to shew him farther, by my own consent, because of the recapitulation of his family story, which immediately follows; particularly including the affecting accounts of his mother’s death; his father’s unkindness to the tv/o young ladies; Mrs. Oldham’s story; the sisters conduct to her; which might revive disagreeable subjects.

Be pleased, Sir, said I, putting them into his hands, to judge me favourably. In these papers is my heart laid open.

Precious trust! said he, and put the papers to his lips: you will not find your generous confidence misplaced.

An opportunity offering to send away what I have written, here, my dearest grandmamma, concludes Your ever-dutiful llARRIKT GRANI3IS0.\,


Letter VIII.
Lady Grandison. In Continuation.

Saturday morning, December 16. I WILL not trouble you, my dear grandmamma, with an account of the preparations we are making to benefit and regale our poorer neighbours, and Sir Charles’s tenants, at this hospitable season. Not even Sir Charles Grandison himself can exceed you, either in bounty or management, on this annual so-lemnity. Sir Charles has consulted with Dr. Bartlett, and every-thing will be left to the direction of that good man. My uncle and aunt have dispatched their directions to Selby-housc, that their neighbours and tenants may not suffer by their ab-sence.

The gentlemen are all rid out together, the doc-tor with them, to rocoiuwitre the country, as my uncle calls it. Emily and Lucy are gone with them, on horseback. My aunt and I declined accompanying them; and took this opportunity, attended by Mrs. Curzon, to go through the offices.

In the housekeeper’s room, I received the maid-servants, seven in number; and, after her, called each by her name, and spoke kindly to them, all. I told them how handsomely Mrs. Curzon spoke of them, and assured them of my favour. I praised the cheerfulness with which Dr. Bartlett had told nie they attended him every day in his ante-chamber. They should have the opportunity given them, I said, as often as possible. I hoped that my Sally behaved well among them, ‘i’hey praised her.

Sally, said I, has a serious turn. Piety is the best security in rnan and vvomau for irood behaviour. She will seldom fall of attending the doctor with you. We shall all be happy, I hope. I am acquainting myself with the methods of the house. Nobody shall be put out of their good way by me. My aunt said, My niece proposes to form herself on the example of the late excellent Lady Grandison.

They blessed me; tears in their eyes.

I made each of them a present for a pair of gloves.

We went through all the offices, the lowest not excepted. The very servants live in paradise. There is room for every-thing to be in order: every-thing is in order. The offices so distinct, yet so con veniently communicating Charmingly contrived! The lower servants, men and women, have laws, which, at their own request, were drawn up, by Mrs. Curzon, for the observance of the minutest of their respective duties; with little mulcts, that at first only there was occasion to exact. It is a house of harmony, to my hand. Dear madam! What do good people leave to good people to do? Nothing! Every one knowing and doing his and her duty; and having, by means of their own diligence, time for themselves.

I was pleased with one piece of furniture in the housekeeper’s room, which neither you, madam, nor my aunt, have in yours. My aunt says, Selby-house shall not be long, after her return, without it. It is a servants’ library, in three classes: one of books of divinity aTidmoraliti/: another for kousexvifery: athird of history, true adventures, voyages, and innocent amusement. I, II, III. are marked on the cases, and the same on the back of each book, the more readily to place and re-place them, as a book is taken out for use. They are bound in buff, for strength. A little fine is laid upon whoever puts not a book back in its place. As new books come out, the doctor buys such as he thinks proper to range under these three classes.

I asked, If there were no books of gardening? I was answered, that the gardener had a Httle house in the garden, in which he had his own books. But her master, Mrs. Curzon said, was himself a library of gardening, ordering the greater articles by his own taste.

Seeing a pretty glass-case in the housekeeper’s apartment, filled with physical matters, I asked, If she dispensed any of those to the servants, or the poor? Here is, said she, a collection of all the use-ful drugs in medicine: but does not your ladyship know the noble method that my master has fallen into since his last arrival in England? What is that? He gives asalary, madam, to a skilfulapothecary; and pays him for his drugs besides (and these are his, though I have a key to it); and this gentleman dispenses physic to all his tenants, who are not able to pay for advice; nor are the poor who are not his tenants refused, when recommended by Dr. Bartlett.

Blessings on his benevolence! said 1. O my aunt! A\ hat a happy creature am I! God Almighty, if I disgrace not my husband’s beneficence, will love me for his sake I Dear creature! said my aunt And for your own too, I hope.

There lives in a house, madam, continued jNIrs, Curzon, within five miles of this, almost in the mid-dle of the estate, and pays no rent, a very worthy young man; brought up under an eminent surgeon of one of the London hospitals, who has orders like-wise for attending his tenants in the way of his busi — ness As also every casualty that haj)pens within distance, and where another surgeon is not to be met with. And he, I understand, is paid, on a cure actually performed, very handsomely. But if the patient die, his trouble and attendance are only considered according to the time taken up; except a particular case requires consideration.

And this surgeon, Mrs. Curzon,this apothecary

Are noted, madam, for being good, as well as skilful men. My master’s test is, that they are men of seriousness, and good livers: their consciences, he says, are his security.

How must this excellent man be beloved, how re-spected, Mrs. Curzon!

Respected and beloved, madam! Indeed he is Mr. Saunders has often observed to me, that if my master either rides or walks in company, though of great lords, people distinguish //m by their respect-ful love: to the lord, they will but seem to lift up their hats, as I may say; or if women, just drop the knee, and look grave, as if they paid respect to his quality only: but to my master, they pull off their hats to the ground, and bow their whole bodies! they look smilingly, and with pleasure and blessings, as I may say, in their faces: the good women courtesy also to the ground, turn about when he has passed them, and look after him God bless 3’our sweet face; and God bless your dear heart; will they say And the servants who hear them are so delighted! Don’t your ladyship see, how all his servants love him as they attend him at table? How they watch his eye in silent reverence Indeed, madam, we all adore him; and have prayed morning, noon, and night, for his coming hither, and settling among us. And now is the happy time: forgive me, madam; I am no flatterer; but we all say. He has brought another angel to bless us.

I was forced to lean upon my aunt Tears of joy trickled down my cheeks. O madam, what a happy lot is mine!

My uncle wonders I am not proud Proud, ma-dam! Proud of my inferiority!

We visited Mr. Bartlett in his new office. He is a modest, ingenious young man, I asked him to give me, at his leisure, a catalogue of the servants’ library, for my aunt. my dear, said my aunt, had your grandfather, had your father, your mother, lived to this day!

I will imagine, said I, that I see them looking down from their heaven. They bid me tvike care to deserve the lot I have drawn; and tell me, that I can only be more happy, when I am XKhat and tohere they are.

Dr. Bartlett, attended by his servant, returned without the gentlemen. I was afraid he was not very well. I followed him up, and told him my ap-prehensions.

He owned afterwards, that he was a little indis-posed when he came in; but said, I had made him well.

I told him what had passed between Mrs, Curzon and me. He confirmed all she said.

He added, that Sir Charles was careful also in improving his estates. The minutest things, any more than the greatest, escaped not his attention. He has, said he, a bricklayer, a carpenter, by the year; a sawyer, three months constantly in every year. Repan-s are set about the moment they become necessary. By this means he is not imposed upon by incroaching or craving tenants. He will do any thing that tends to improve the estate; so that it is the best conditioned estate in the country. His tenants grow into good circumstances under him. Though absent, he gives such orders, as but few persons on the spot would think of. He has a discernment that goes to the bottom of every-thing. In a few years, improving only what he has in both kingdoms, he will be very rich, yet answer the ge nerous demands of his own heart upon his benevo-lence: all ‘the people he employs, he takes upon character of sei’iousness and sobriety, as Mrs. Cur-zon told you; and then he makes them the more firmly his, by the confidence he reposes in them. Pie continually, in his written directions to his mas-ter-workmen, cautions them to do justice to the tenants, as well as to him, and even to throw the turn of the scale in their favour. You are, says he, mil friends, my workmen: you must not make me both judge and party. Only remember, that 1 bear not imposition. The man who imposes on me once, I will forgive; but he never shall have an oppor-tunity to deceive me a second time: for I cannot act the part of a suspicious man, a watchman over people o^ doiiUful honesty.

The doctor says, he is a great planter, both here, and in Ireland: and now he is come to settle here, he will set on foot several projects, which hitherto he had only talked of, or written about.

Sir Charles, I am sure, said he, will be the friend of every worthy man and woman. He will find out the sighing heart before it is overwhelmed with calamity.

He proposes, as soon as he is settled, to take a personal survey of his whole estate. He will make himself acquainted with every tenant, and even cot-tager, and enquire into his circumstances, number of children, and prospects. When occasions call for it, he will forgive arrears of rent; and if the poor men have no prospect of success, he will buy his own farms of them, as I may say, by giving them money to quit: he will transplant one to a less, another to a larger farm, if the tenants consent, ac-cording as they have stock, or probability of success in the one or the other; and will set the poor tenants in a way gf cultivating what they hold, a well by advice as money: for while lie was abroad, he stiulicil husbandry and law, in order, as he used to say, to be his father’s steward; the one to qualify him to preserve, the other to manage, his estate. He was always prepared for, and aforehand with, probable events.

Dear Br. Rartlett, said I, we are on a charming subject; tell me more of my Sir Charles’s management and intentions. Tell me ail you know, that is proper for me to know.

Proper, madam! Evcry-thing he has done, does^ and intends to do, is proper for you, and for all the world to know. I wish all the world were to know him, as I do; not for his sake, but for their own.

That moment (without any-body’s letting me know the gentlemen were returned) into the doc-tor’s apartment, came Sir Charles. My back was to the door, and he was in the room before 1 saw him. I started! and looked, I believe, as if I thought excuses necessary.

He saw my silly confusion. That, and his sud-den entrance, abashed the doctor. Sir Charles re — conciled us both to ourselves He put one arm round my waist, with the other he raised my hand to his lips, and in the voice of love, I congratulate you both, said he: such company, my dearest life! such company, my dearest friend! you cannot have every hour! May 1, as often as there is opportunity, see you together! 1 knew not that you were. The doctor and 1, madam, stand not upon ceremony. Pardon me, doctor. I insist upon leaving you as I found you

I caught his hand, as he was going Dear, dear Sir, I attend you. You shall take me with you; and, if you please, make my excuses to my aunt, for leaving her so long alone, before you came in.

Doctor, excuse us both; my Harriet has fgund^ for the first time, a will. It is her own, we know, by its obligingness.

He received my offered hand, and led me into company: where my aunt called me to account for leaving her, and begged Sir Charles would chide me.

She was with Dr. Bartlett, madam, said he: had shebeen with any other person, man or woman, and Mrs. Selby alone, I think we would have tried to chide her.

What obliging, what sweet politeness, my dea i grandmamma!

Such, madam, is the happiness of your Harriet;.

Lucy has an entertaining letter to send you! . From that letter, you will have a still higher not ion of my happiness, of Sir Charles’s unaffected ten( Jerness to me, and of the approbation of a very gen leel neighbourhood, than myself could give you.

Lady G. and Lady L. have both made uf i for their supposed neglects. I had written to ea’;h to charge them with having not congratulated r .le on my arrival here. Two such affectionate letter s! I have already answered them. They love as well as ever (Thank heaven they do!) your

HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter IX.
Lady Grandison. In Continuation.

Monday, December IS. The dearest, best of men, has just now left me J Didnotevery-bodykeepme in countenance, I should be very angry with myself for wishing that such a man should be always confined to my company! I must keep my fondness within equitable bounds.

But, he kindly seemed, and, if he seemed, he ttas, as loth to part with me. He is gone to London, madam: poor Lady Beauchamp has besought his presence, not at Sir Harry’s funeral (he was to be interred, it seems, last night) but at the opening of the will: and his Beauchamp joined in the request.

He hopes to be down with us on Thursday. Miss Mansfield took the opportunity to return to her mother, who sent word, that she knew not how to live without her.

Sir Charles was pleased to give me the keys of his study, and of Lady OHvia’s cabinets. Lucy gave you, madam, an account of the invaluable contents. And now I will amuse myself there, and sit in every chair, where I have seen him sit, and tread over his imagined footsteps.

2\esdat/.’] My books are come, and all my trinkets with them. We have all been busy in classing the books. ^ly closet will be now furnished as I wish it: and I shall look at these, my dear companions of Selby-house, and recollect the many, many happy hours they gave me there.

Was I ever, ever unhappy, my dear grandmamma? If I was, I have forgot the time. I acquiesce cheer-fully with your wishes not to disfurnish your gallery, by sending to me our family pictures. Let those of my benevolent father, and my excellent mother, of happy memory, still continue there, to smile upon you, as you are pleased to express yourself. No-body but you and my aunt Selby have a right to each of those of mine, which are honoured with a place in your respective drawing-rooms. My dear Sir Charles, thank heaven! calls the original his. But why would you load me with the precious gold box, and its contents; less precious those, though of inestimable value, than my dear grandfather’s pic-y 2 ture in the lid? But I can tell you, madam, that Sir Charles is an ungrateful man: he will not thank you for it. A remembrance, madam! (1 know what he will say) “ Does the best of women think my Hari’iet wants any-thing to remind her of the obli-gations she is under to parents so dear?” He will be very jealous of the honour of his Harriet. For-give, madam, the freedom of my expostulation, as if I were not your girl, as well as his.

What reasons have you found out (but this was always your happy, your instructive way) to be bet-ter pleased with your absence from us, than if you were present with us, as we all often wish you! * *

Here, Lady L. Lady G. sisters so dear tome, since these letters will pass under your eye, let me account to you, by the following extract from my grand-mamma’s last letters, for the meaning of what I have written to that indulgent parent, in the lines imme-diately preceding.

“You often, my dearest Harriet, wish me to be with you. In the first place, I am here enjoying myself in my own way, my own servants about me; a trouble, a bar, a constraint, upon no one, but those to whom I make it worth while to bear with me. I should think I never could do enough for strangers: no, though I were sure they thought I did too much. In the next, were I to be with you at Grandison-hall, I could not be every-where: so that I should be deprived of half the delightful scenes and conversations, that you, your aunt, and Lucy, relate and describe to me by pen and ink: nor should r be able perhaps lo bear those grateful ones, to which I sliould be present. My heart, my dear, you know is very susceptible of joy; it has long been preparing itself for the sublimest. Grief touches it not so much. The losses 1 sustained of vour father, your mother, and my own dear Mr. Shirley, made all other sorrows light. Nothing could have been heavy, but the calamity that once threatened my gentle Harriet, had she been afflicted with it. Now, I take up the kind, the rapturous letters, from my table, where I spread them. When the contents are too much for me, I lay them down; and resume them, as nay subsided joy will allow: then lay them down again, as I am aftected by some new instance of your happiness; bless God, bless you, your dearest of men; bless every-body. In every letter 1 find a cordial that makes my heart light, and, for the time, insensible of infirmity: Can you, my Harriet, be happier than I am?” *

I am called upon by my aunt and Lucy. I will here, my dear grandmamma, conclude myself. Your for ever-obliged, and dutiful, HARRIET GRANDISOlSr.
Letter X.
Lady Grandison. In Continuation’.

A TREASURE, an invaluable treasure, my dear grand-mamma! On the table in Sir Charles’s own closet, I took up a common-prayer book, under which, on removing it, I saw a paper written in Sir Charles’s largest hand, the three last lines of which appearing to be very serious (the first side not containing them) 1 had the curiosity to unfold it: it contains reflections, mingled and concluded with solemn addresses to the Almighty. I asked leave to tran-scribe them. On j^romise that a copy, as his, should f3 not pass into any-body’s hands but yours, I obtained it.

What a comfort is it, on reflection, that, at his own motion, I joined with him in the sacramental office, on occasion of our happy nuptials, the first opportunity that offered! A kind of renewal, in the most solemn manner, of our marriage-vows; at least a confirmation of them. No wonder that the good man, who could draw up such reflections, should make such a motion.

What credit did he do (may not one say so?) to religion on that happy day! A man of sense, of dig-nity in his person, known to be no bigot, no super — stitious man; yet not ashmed to join in the sacred office with the meanest. It was a glorious confession of his christian principles. Whenever he attends on public worship, his seriousness, his modesty, his humihty, all shew that he believes himself in the presence of that God whose blessing he silently joins to invoke: and when all is over, his cheerfulness and vivacity demonstrate, that his heart is at ease in the consciousness of a duty performed. How does my mind somtti nes exult in the pros-pects of hayjpiness with the man of my choice, extending, through Divine goodness, beyond this transitory life!

I will conclude this letter with a copy of these reflections. Wliat is lit to come after them, that can be written by your

HARRIET GRANDISON?

THR REFLECTIONS.

WTiat, O my heart! overflowing with happiness! are the sentiments that ought to spring up in thee, when admitted either in the solemnities of public worship, or the retiredness of private devotion, into the more immediateprescnceof thy Maker! Who does not govern, but to bless! Whose divine commands are sent to succour human reason in search of happiness!

Let thy law, ALMiraiTv! be the rule, and thy glory the constant end, of all I do! Let me not build virtue on any notions of honour, but of honour to thy name. Let me not sink piety in the boast of benevolence; my love of God in the love of my fel-low-creatures. Can good be of human growth? No! It is thy gift, Almighty, and All-good! Let not thy bounties remove the Donor from my thought; nor the love of pleasures make me forsake the Fountain from which they flow. When joys entice, let me ask their title to my heart. When evils threaten, let me see thy mercy shining through the cloud; and discern the great hazard of having all to my wish. In an age of such licence, let me not take comfort from an inauspicious omen, the number of t’lnse who do amiss: an omen rather of public ruin, than of private safety. Let the joys of the multitude less allure than alarm me; and their danger, not exam])le, determine my choice. What weigh public example, passion, and the multitude, in one scale, against reason, and the Alniii^hty, in the other?

In this day of domineering pleasure, so lo-xer my taste, as to make me relish the comjbrts of life. And in this day of dissipation, O give me thought suflicient to ])reserve me from being so desperate, as in this perpetual llux of things, and as perpetual swarm of accidents, to depend on to-morroxv: a dependence that is the ruin oi’tn-dai/; as that is of eicriiilif. Let my whole existence be ever before me: nor 1; t th’; Icrrcrs of the grave turn back my survey. Whju temptations arise, and virtue stag-gers, let imagination sound the final trumpet, and judgment lay hold on eternal life. In what is well begun, grant me to persevere; and to know, that none are wise, but they who determine to be wiser still.

And since, O Lord, the fear of thee is the beginning of wisdom; and, in its progress, its surest shield; turn the world entirely out of my heart, and place that guardian angel, thy blessed fear, in its stead. Turn out a foolish world, which gives its money for what is not bread; which hews out broken cisterns that hold no water; a world in which even they, whose hands are might}^ have found nothing. There is nothing, Lord God Almighty, in heaven, in earth, but Thee. I will seek thy face, bless thy name, sing thy praises, love thy law, do thy will, enjoy thy peace, hope thy glory, till my final hour! Thus shall I grasp all that can be grasped by man. This will heighten good, and sof-ten evil, in the present life! And when death sum — mons, I shall sleep sweetly in the dust, till his mighty Conqueror bid the trumpet sound; and then shall I, through his merits, awake to eternal glory.
Letter XL
Lady Grandison. In Continuation.

Dcceinhcr 21.

Sir Charles arrived here in safety about two hours ago. He has settled every-thing between Lad}^ Beauchamp and the now Sir Edward, to the satis-faction of both; for they entirely referred them — selves to him. This was the method he took. As their Interests were not naturally the same, he enquired of each separately, what were the wishes of each; and finding the lady’s not unreasonable, he referred it to Sir Edward, of his own generosity, to compliment her with more than she asked.

Particularly she had wished to Sir Charles, that she might not be obliged to remove under a twelve-month from the house in Berkley Square: and when Sir Charles had brought them together, and pronounced between them, making that an article, Sir Edward thus bespoke her:

All that your ladyship demands I most cheerfully comply with. Instead of the year you wish to remain in Berkley Square, let me beg of you, still to consider both houses as your own; and me your inmate only, as in the life-time of my father. I never will engage in marriage, but with your approbation: let us, madam, be as little as possible separated: be pleased only to distinguish, that I wish not this, but from pure and disinterested motives. I will be your servant as well as son. I will take all trouble from you that you shall think trouble; but never will olfer so much as my humble advice to you in the conduct of your own affairs, unless you ask for it.

She wept. We will henceforth, said she, have but one interest. You shall be dear to me, for your father’s sake. Let me, for the same dear sake, be regarded by you: Receive me, excellent pair of friends, proceeded she, as a third in your friendship. Should any misunderstanding arise, which, after so hap[)y a setting out, 1 hope, cannot be, let Sir Charles Grandison determine between us. Justice and he are one.

Sir Charles invited down to us the lady and his Beauchamp. He hopes they will come. The young baronet, 1 dare say, will. Emily says, she wants to see how he will become his new dignity. Very well, I dare say, said I. Why yes; such an example before him, I don’t doubt but he will .

Lucy was present. Near — tOOOl. a year, and a title, said she I think you and I, my dear, were we nearer of an age, would contend for him.

Not I, Miss Selby: so that I have the love of my guardian and Lady Grandison, you may be Lady Beauchamp for me. You will be of another mind, perhaps, some time hence, said Lucy When I am, replied Emily, tell me of it.

Sir Charles, when he was in town, visited his two sisters. We shall be favoured with the company of Lord and Lady L. as soon as her visits and visitings are over. With what delight do I expect them!

Mind, my dear Lady G. what follows:

Lady L. said he, is all joy, that her great event is happily over; she and my lord rewarded with a dear pledge of their mutual love. But is not Lady G. a little unaccountable, my dear?

As how, Sir?

She hardly seems to receive pleasure in her happy prospects. She appears to me peevish, even child-ishly so, to her lord. I see it the more for her endeavours to check herself before me. She sub-mits but ungraciously to the requisites of the cir — cumstance, that gives him and me, and our several united families, so much satisfaction. I was unwilling to take notice of her particular behaviour, for two reasons; first, because she wants not understanding, and would see her own error before she went too far; and next, because she tacitly confessed herself to be wrong, by being evidently desirous to hide her fault from me. But is not our Charlotte a little unaccountable, my dear?

What, my dear Lady G. should I have answered?

I hope you will allow me to be just. I should have been most sincerely glad to have spoken a good word for you: but to attempt to excuse or palliate an evident fault, looks like a claim put in for allow-ances for one’s own.

“Indeed, Sir, she is a very unaccountable creature! She is afraid of you, and of nobody but you. You should, as she could not conceal from you her odd behaviour to one of the best of husbands, and sweetest-tempered of men, who loves her more than he loves himself; and who is but too solicitous to oblige so unthankful a wife; have taken notice of it; and chidden her severely!/: I, for my part, take liber-ties of this kind with her in every letter I write; but to no purpose. I ivanted you. Sir, to find her out yourself; she will get a habit of doing wrong things; and make herself more unhappy than she will make any-body else; since it is possible for her to tire out her lord. How insupportable to her of all women, would it be, were the tables to be turn-ed; and were the man she treats so ungraciously, to be brought to slight her? The more insupportable, as she has a higher opinion of her own under — standing than she has of his!”

Can’t you form to yourself, my dear Lady G. the attitude of astonishment, that your brother threw himself into?

But, ah, my dear grandmamma, do you think I said this to Sir Charles? No, indeed! For the world, I would not have said one syllable of it. But let Lady G. for a moment, as she reads my letter, think I did. She loves to surprise: why should she not be surprised in turn? Her displeasure would affect me greatly: but if by incurring it I could do her good, and put her in a right train of thinking, I xjoould incur it, and on my knees afterwards beg her to forgive jue.

He did make the above observation. A thousand excellentqualitieshasmy Charlotte. I particularized to her brother half a dozen, and those are more than fall to the share of most of our modern people of quality; and he was willing to be satisfied with them Why? Because he loves her. But, as she now-and-then whispers her Harriet, in her letters, let me whisper her, that she is under great obligation to her brother, and still greater to her lord, for passing over so lightly her petulances.

Tiiuisday afternoon.

Who, madam, do you think, is arrived? Arrived just as we sat down to dinner; and will stay with us this one night, but, he sa3’s, no more? Sir Rowland Meredith! Goodman! and Mr. Fowler! The latter attended his uncle reluctantly, it seems; but, thank God, he is in pretty good health. How kindly, how affectionately, did Sir Charles receive them both! How has he already won the heart of honest Sir Rowland!

Let me, madam, acquaint you with something generously particular of this worthy man. . He desired Sir Charles to let him have me by himself for one quarter of an hour. So fine a young gentleman would not, he hoped, be jealous of such a poor old man as he.

We were in the dining-room: and he rising to attend me, I led him to my drawing-room adjoining. He looked round him, and was struck with the elegance of the room and furniture; disregarding me for a few moments Why, ay! said he, at last; This is noble! This is fine! Stately, by mercy! And he bowed to me, poor man! the more respect-fully, as I thought, for what he saw. And will you, inadam, bowing again, and again, allow me to caU you daughter? I can’t part with my c?fl7/^///er: nor would I, were you a queen.

You do me honour, Sir Rowland. Call me still your daughter.

Why then, you must allow me Forgive me, ma-dam! And he saluted me. Joy, joy, tenfold joy, attend my daughter! I don’t know what to make of the present fashions. Would Sir Charles have been affronted had I taken this liberty before him? The duce is in the present age; they reserve themselves to holes and cornei’s, 1 suppose. But I am sure no creature breathing could mean more respect than I do. I think only of myself as of your JiUher.

You are a good man, Sir Rowland. Sir Charles Grandison was prepared to love you; he was prepared to value Mr. Fowler.

Prepared by your own respect for us, madam! God love you, say yes.

Yes indeed, I ever shall respect you both. Have I not claimed a father in you? Have I not claimed a brother in your nephew? I never forget my re-lations.

Charming, charming, by mercy! And he stalked to the other end of the room, wiping his eyes: The very same good young lady that you ever were! But, but, but, putting his hand in his pocket, and pulling out a little box, if you are my daughter, you shall wear these for your father’s sake! How now, madam! Refuse me! I command you on your obe-dience to accept of this I will not be a jack-straw father

Indeed, indeed. Sir Rowland, you must excuse me: It bought I might have trusted myself with you alone. Your generosity, Sir, is painful to me.

I courtesied, and withdrew to the company in the dining-room. The good man followed me, tears G upon his cheeks, the box in his hand: my face glowed.

She calls me father, Sir Charles; and refuses her obedience. Here I have brought a toy or two, to shew my fatherly love to my daughter. Not a soul, not my nephew there, knows a syllable of the mat-ter; it was that made me call her aside.

Sir Charles rose from his seat. My dearest life is not used, said he, to make light of a duty; taking my hand. You will excuse her from accepting the present, Sir Rowland; that would look as if you thought it necessary to bribe her to do her duty. She will always acknowledge her father: so will I mine. But you do us honour enough in the re-lation.

What, Sir Charles, not of a present from her father to his daughter, on her nuptials, and as a small token of his joy on the occasion; when I know not the man living out of my own family-There he stopt.

My dearest love, there is no resisting this plea: your duty, your gratitude, is engaged.

Look you there now! Look you there now! God love you both everlastingly. Amen! And there is the blessing of a father!

I took the box, courtesying low; but looked silly, I believe.

Forgive me, Sir Charles, said the knight; but I must He took my hand, and kissed it and looked as if he wished to salute me Fathers, my dear, must be reverenced, said Sir Charles, by their children.

I bent my knee, and in compliance with a motion of Sir Charles, leaned forward my cheek. He saluted me; and again he blessed us both My deai — nephew, said he, hastening to Mr. Fowler, if you envy such a man as this his good fortune, by mercy I will renounce you.

I ma}/ envy you, Sir Charles, said Mr, Fowler, addressing himself to him in an agreeable manner; I don’t know how it is possible to avoid it; but at the same time I revere you for your character and accomplishments. You are the only man in the world whom I could cordially congratulate, as I do you, on your happiness.

True, nephew, true: I, any more than you, should never have enjoyed myself, had any of the feather-headed creatures I saw formerly endeavouring to make an interest in my daughter’s favour, succeeded with her. But you, madam, have chosen a man that every-body must prefer to himself.

Tlie knight, after tea, moved to have the box opened.

When Sir Charles saw the jewels, he was a little uneasy, because of the value of them. A costly diamond necklace and ear-rings, a ring of price, a repeating watch finely chased; the chain of which is richly ornamented; one of the appendages is a picture of Sir Rowland in enamel, adorned %vith brilliants; an admirable likeness: this I told him was more valuable to me than all the rest. I spoke truth; for so rich a present has made me uneasy. He saw I was. He knew, he said, that I could not want any of these things: but he could not think of any other way to shew his love to his daughter. It was nothing to what he had intended to do in his will; had 1 not intimated to him, that what he left me, should be given among his relations. I am rich, madam, I can tell you: and what, on your nuptials, could I do less for my daughter?

Sir Charles said. This must not end so, Sir Row-land: but I see you are an invincible man. Mv. g2

Fowler, I wish you ‘as happily married as you deserve to be; your lady will be intitled to a return of equal value.

Sir Rowland begged, that he might try on the ring himself.

He was allowed to do so, and was pleased it was not much too big. He said, I should not pull it off this night. 1 kept it on to humour the worthy man.

Supper over, and a cheerful glass going round with my uncle, Mr, Deane, and the knight, Sir Rowland made it his odd request, that I would per-mit Sir Charles to put on the necklace for me. By no means, I said. But the knight being very earnest, and my uncle seconding him (for there was par-ticularity enough in the motion, to engage the dear odd man) and Sir Charles not discouraging it, my aunt and Lucy smiling all the time, 1 thought I had better comply. Yet I was the more reluctant, on poor Mr. Fowler’s account; for his smiles were but essays to smile. Sir Charles, in his own grace-ful manner, put it on; bowing low to me, when he had done.

Friday noon.

Sir Rowland and Mr. Fowler have left us. They would not stay to dine. They have business to dispatch in town, which will take them up some days: but they were so well pleased with their re-ception, that they promise to see us before they set out for Caermarthen.

At parting, Sir Rowland drew me aside: Your cousin Lucy, as you call her, is a fine young lady. They tell me, that she has a great fortune: but I matter not that of a straw Would to God, my boy knew how tosubmit to his destiny Hkeaman Hem! You understand me, madam Mercy! I want to be akin to you You take me, madam.

We are akin. Sir Rowland Meredith is my father.

God bless you, madam! I love you dearly for that. And so we are: but you understand me: A word to the wise: She is not engaged; is she? I love your uncle of all men except the king of all men; your lord and master God bless him! With what good humour he eyes us Sir Charles, one word with you, if you please.

I thought the knight had his fingers ready to take hold of Sir Charles’s button; for his hand was extended; but suddenly, as from recollection, with — drawn.

He led Sir Charles to me And put the same question to him, as he had done to me.

Let me ask you, my dear Sir Rowland, Was this in your thought before you came hither?

No, by mercy! It just now struck me. My ne-phew knew not a syllable of the matter. But why, you know, Sir Charles, should a man pine and die, because he cannot have the slic that he loves? Suppose, you know, six men love one woman, as has been the case here, for ought I know; what a duce, are five of them to hang, drown, or pistol themselves? Or are they to out-stay their time, as I have done, till they are fit for nobody.’’

Women must be treated with delicacy. Sir Row-land. Miss Seiby is a young lady of great merit. When questions are properly asked, you hardly need to doubt of a proper answer.

But, Sir Charles, is Miss Selby, bonajide, engaged, or is slie not? that’s the question I ask: if she be, I shall not say a word of the matter.

My dear? said Sir Charles to me. g3

I don’t know that she is, answered I. But Lucy will never think of a man, be his qualifications ever so great, if he cannot give her proofs of loving her above all women.

I understand you, madam Well, well, and I should be nice too, I can tell you, for my boy. But I’ll sound him. I must have him married before I die, if possible. But no more of that for the present. And now, God Almighty bless, preserve, and keep you both! I will pray for the continu-ance of your happiness.

He saluted me: wrung Sir Charles’s hand: wiped his eyes: made his bow; and stept into the chariot to his nephew, who had taken leave of ua all before.

Lucy, with an air so like some of dear Lady G.‘s, put up her saucy lip, when I told her of this; and bid me not write it to you: but I thought, were nothing to come of it, it would divert my grand-mamma, as I am sure it will Lady G.

God preserve the most indulgent and pious of parents, and ray two sisters and their lords (including the honoured lord and lady you, Lady G. are with) prays

Her ever-dutiful, and their ever-affectionate, HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter XIL
Lady Grandison. In Continuation.

Tuesday, January 0.

I HAVE been obliged, by the just demands made upon us by the equally-solemn and joyful season, to be ilent for many days. You, madam, and you,

Ladles L. and G. have, I doubt not, been engaged in consequence of the same demand; so will excuse me; especially as Lucy and my aunt have both written, and that very minutely, in the interim.

]Mr. Deanc, to our great joy, has signified to us his intention to live near us; and to present his house at Peterborough to one of his two nephews.

Sir Charles has besought him to consider Grandison-hall as his own house. He promises that he will. I hope, by my care of him, to be an humble means of prolonging his life; at least of making his latter days cheerful.

What a happy season has this been to scores of people in our neighbourhood! but most to ourselves, as the giver is more blessed than the receiver! Such admirable management! Such good order! But I told you, that all was leit to Dr. Bartlett’s direction: What a blessing is he to us, and to all around him!

Sir Charles has a letter from Mr. Lowther, who is on his return from Bologna. By the date it should have arrived a fortnight ago: so that he may be every day expected.

INIr. Lowther lets him know, that the family at Bologna are all inspirits, on the prospect they have of carrying their point with Lady Clementina: who, honever, for the present, declines the visits of the Count of Belvedere; and they humour her in that piirticular.

Mr. Lowther is afraid that all is notcjuite right as to her mind. Poor lady! He judges so, from the very great earnestness she continues to express to visit Lngland.

She received, he says, with great intrepiditj-, the news of Sir (‘harles’s marriage. She besought a blessing upon him and his bride; hut since has been thoughtful, reserved, and sometimes is found in tears. When challenged, she once ascribed her grief to her apprehensions that her malady may pos-sibly return.

The physicians have absolutely given their opi-nion, that she should marry.

The general is expected from Naples to urge the solemnity; and vows, that he will not return till she is actually Countess of Belvedere.

She begs, that she may be allowed again to pass the Apennines, and visit Mrs. Beaumont at Florence, in order to settle her mind.

She dreads to see the general.

How I am grieved for her! Sir Charles must be afflicted too. Why will they not leave to time, the pacifier of every woe, the issue of the event upon which they have set their hearts?

Mr. Lowther writes, that Signer Jeronymo is in a fine way.

In this letter he acquits Sir Charles of all obligation to himself. He returns him bills for the sum he had advanced; and declares, that he never will enter his presence, if he refuses to accept of his acquittance. The family, he says, have nobly re-warded him.

Dr. Bartlett applauds Mr. Lowther’s spirit on this occasion. As Sir Charles, he says, is not an osten-tatious man, but judges of every-thing, according to the rules of right and prudence, he has no doubt, (though he might not expect this handsome treatment) but he will acquiesce with it. This, how — ever, lessens not the comparative inerit of Mr. Lowther. There are men, I believe, who having succeeded so well, would have accepted of a reward from both parties. Yet, on recollection, Sir Charles stipulated with Mr, Lowther, that he should receive no fee, but from himself: and his present to the worthy man was the ampler on that account.

I have two charming letters from the Countess of D. By her permission, I have shewn to Sir Charles the correspondence between that good lady and me. He greatly admires her. She desires, that he will be accjuainted with her son; and declares, she wilE always look upon me as her daughter, and call me so. Sir Charles bids me tell her, that he cannot consent to her calling me so, unless she will look upon him as her son, and unless my lord will allow him to call him brother. He bid me express his wishes of a friendship with both, answerable to that desirable relation.

My uncle says, he knows not such a place as Selby-house. Shirley-manor indeed he loves for the sake of the dear mistress of it: but, as long as he has with him his dimie, his Harriet, Mr. Deane, and Sir Charles, he is happy. Yet my aunt now-and-then gets upon a rising ground in the park, and asks, pointing, Docs not Northamptonshire lie off there?

Emily is very good in the main. Dear girl! I pity her. Her young heart so carl/j to be tried and tormented by the stings of hopeless love! Her eyes just now were iixed for several minutes, so much love in them! on the face of her guardian, that his modest eye fell under them.

I will give you, on this occasion, the particulars of a conversation, that passed between us; which, at the conclusion, let in a little dawn of hope, that the dear girl may be happy in time.

I had more than once been apprehensive, that her eyes would betray her to her guardian; who at present imputes all lier reverence for him to gratitude; and as soon as he was withdrawn, with a true sisterly tenderness, Come hither, my love, said I. I was busy with my needle She came.

My dearest Emily, if you were to look with so much earnestness in the face of any other man, as you sometimes do, and just now did, in that of your guardian, and the man a single man, he would have hope of a wife.

High-ho! sighed she. Did my guardian mind me? I hope he did not so much, madam, as you do.

So much as I do, my love?

Yes, madam. When my guardian is present, you do look very hard at me: but I hope, I am not a confident girl.

You are serious, my Emily!

And so is my dear Lady Graudison!

I was a little surprised. She abashed me. Her love, thought I, will make the dear girl hardy, with-out intending to be so.

She was too innocent even for consciousness of having disconcerted me. She looked upon my work. What would I give, madam, to be so fine a workwoman as you? But why that sigh, ma-dam?

The poor Lady Clementina! said L I was really thinking of her.

Do you sigh for every-body, madam, that loves my guardian?

There are different sorts of love, Emily.

Why so I think. Nobody loves my guardian better than I myself do: but it is not the love that Lady Clementina bears him. I love his goodness.

And does not Clementina?

Yes, yes; but still the love is different.

Explain, my dear, your kind of love.

Impossible!

Wliy, now, sighs my Emily? You asked me why I sighed. I have answered it was from pity.

Why, madam, I can pity Lady Clementina, and I do: but I sigh not for her; because she might have had my guardian, and would not.

I sigh for her the more, for that very reason, Emily; her motive so great!

Pho, pho, her motive! When he would have allowed her to be of her own religion!

Then you sigh not now for Clementina, Emily?

I believe not.

For whom then?

I don’t know. You must not ask, A habit, and nothing else.

Again sighs my Emily?

You must not mind me, madam. A habit, I tell you. But, believe me, Lady Grandison (hiding her blushing face in my bosom, her arms about my neck) I believe, if the truth were known

She stopt, but continued there her glowing cheek

What, my dear, if the truth were known?

I dare not tell you. You will be angry at me.

Indeed, my love, I will not. yes, but you will.

I thought we had been sisters, my dear. I thought we were to have no secrets. Tell me, vohat, if the truth were known?

Wliy, madam, for a trial of your forgivingness, tell me. Are you not apt to be a little jealous?

Jealous, my Emily! You surprise me! Why, of ivhom, oiiKihat, jealous? Jealousy is doubt; of whom should I doubt?

People have not always cause, I suppose, madam.

Explain yourself, my dear.

Are you not angry with me, madam?

I am not. But why do you think me jealous?

You need not, indeed! My guardian adores you. You deserve to be adored. But you should allow a poor girl to look upon her guardian now-and-then, with eyes of gratitude. Your charming eye is so ready to take mine to task! I am, if I know myself, & poor innocent girl. I do love my guardian, that’s certain: so I ever did, you know, madam: and let me say, before he knew there was such a lady in the world as yourself, madam.

I threw aside my work, and clasping my arms about her, And love him still, my Emily. You can-jiot love him so well as he deserves. Y^ou are indeed a dear innocent, but not a 2^007-, girl. You are rich in the return of his love. I will ever, ever, be a .promoter of an affection so innocent, so pure on both sides. But jealousi/, my dear! do you charge tjie yv’ith jealousy’^ Impossible 1 should deserve it! My only concern is, lest, as the heart is guessed at Iby.tfae eyes (the heartsof young creatures especially, “W-‘hofce good minds are incapable of art or design) you should give room for the censorious, who know not as I do, that your love is reverence next to filial, to attribute it to a beginning of the other sort of love; which yet in you, were it kindled, would be . as brighl and as pure a flame as ever warmed a virgin ‘ heart.

O madaaaa! how you express yourself! “What ‘^ words you Jhave! They go to my heart! I don’t know how it is^ but every day I reverence more and more my guardian: Reverence! Y’es, that is the proper word: 1 thank you for it! Filial reverence! Just the thing! And let me say, that I never reverenced him so much as now, that I see what a polite, what a kind, what an affectionate husband he makes my dear Lady Grandisou. Yet, let me tell you truth, imadam, I should, lam afraid, be such a little-minded Vpoor creature, that if I were married, and had not a husband that was very like him, I should envy you, % should be at least unhappy.

If you could be envious, my dear, you would be unhappy: but you must never encourage the ad-dresses of a man, who you think loves you not better than any other woman: who is not a good maii upon principle: who is not a man of sense; and that has seen something of the world.

And where, madam, can such a man be found?

Leave it to your guardian, my dear. He, if any-body, will find you a man that you may be happy with, if your eye be not aforehand with your judgment.

That, madam, I hope it will not be: first, because the reverence I have for my guardian, and his great qualities, will make all other men look little in;ny eye: and next, as I have such a confidence in his judgment, that if he points his finger, and says, That’s the man, Emily! 1 will endeavour to like him. But I believe 1 never now shall like any man on earth.

It is early days, my love: but is there not some one man, that, were you of age to marry, you would think better of than of any other?

I don’t know what to say to that. It is early duvs, as you say. I am but a girl: but girls have thou-fhts. I will tell you, iiuulaui, that the man who has p;i.>s,^d some years in the coaipany of Sir Charles Grandison; who is beloved l)y him, on proof, on experience (as I may ^:\y) of his good heart She stopt.

Ik^auchamp, my dear?

Why yes lliai, 1 moan: he is the most to be liked of auy man but my guardian: but he now is a great uiasi; and I suppose may have seen the woman he could love.

I {[incy not, my dear.

Why do you fancy not, madam?

Because, if I must speak as freely to you, as I would have you do always to me, I think he oliew* great and uncommon respect to you, though you are so young a creature.

That’s for my guardian’s sake: but l^e that as it will; let me be secure of my guardian’s love and yours, and I shall have nothing to wish for.

Her guardian, my guardian, my friend, my lover, my HUSBAND, every sweet word in one, coming in, put an end to the subject.

I leave this conversation to ^o\3X own reflections, my dear grandmamma, Lady L. Lady G. But I have hopes from it.


Letter XIIL
Lady Grandison. In Continuation.

Saturday, Sunday, January 20, 21. Another long silence. Lucy will supply all my defects. She will tell you how much I have been engaged. Are you not delighted with her last let-ter?

We went, as we had proposed, to Mansfield-house. The lady of it would not part with us till Thursday, the days being short, and the weather unfavourable.

Mr Dobson and his lady were guests there. He is a credit to his cloth: his wife to him. They are greatly beloved by all who know them.

Lady Mansfield and Miss Mansfield are all that is polite and good.

The three brothers were there. The eldest, who was once a melancholy man, is now one of the cheerfullest.

With what pleasure did I meditate, as I looked upon thcm, the restoration of such a worthy and ancient family to affluence! They were born to it: yet when they were deprived of it, how glorious ^fglhe resignation of mother and daughters! And n9\v, how easy sits prosperity upon them! Never saw I eyes more expressive of gratitude to u bene-factor, than those both of ladies and gentlemen, as they were often cast upon my dear Sir Charles.

I heartily wish Mr. Oxme may find his expectations answered in the second voyage Nancy tells me he is preparing for to Lisbon. She will make known my best wishes for the restoration of his health. How good is his sister to accompany him! 1 always loved her.

I received yesterday yours, madam, acquainting me with Mr. Greville’s visit and proposal, and asking my opinion of the latter; and whether I v/ould choose to mention it to Lucy and my aunt. What can I say? You once told me, madam, that you believed Lucy would not have refused Mr. Greviiie, had he first applied to her. Lucy’s grandmother, you say, is not averse to the match; and you think my uncle would not refuse his consent, because of the contiguity of their respective estates, and in hopes, that iie might resume with success, on such an event, his favourite project of exchange of lands. Yet 1 am sure this consideration would have no weight with him, if he thought Lucy could not be hap})y with Mr. Greviiie.

I have mentioned it to my aunt. She says, Mr. Greviiie is not a bashful num. He knows how to apply to Lucy himself. And she has no notion, in r:ic/t a case, of th.at pride v.hich withholds him till he think.s himself sure of the family-interust.

He will, if possible, he says, be related to 7:2c: let that be n’cntioned to Lucy, as one of his pria-II 2 cipal motives, and his business with her is clone for ever.

Lady G. would laugh at the notion of a difficulty from a first love. First love she calls first nonsense. Too frequently it is so. Lucy is a noble girl. She has overcome a first attachment; the more laudably, as it cost her some struggles to do it. Mr. Grevillc, I doubt, has had several first loves: this transition, therefore, is nothing to him. So neither of them will be first love to the other. It may therefore be a match of discretion. Yet his character! The re-formation he boasts of! I hope he is reformed: but I have no notion of a good young woman, as Lucy is, trusting her person, I may say, her principles, to the arbitrary will of an impetuous man, who has been an avowed libertine, and pretends not to have re-formed from proper convictions. A scotier too! How came he by his new lights? You, madam, have told zwyoung folks the difficulty of overcoming evil habits. I own that Lucy always spoke of him with more favour than any-bod}’ else. She was inclined to think him a good-natured man; and was pleased with what slie called humour in him. Hu-moiir! I never could call it so. Humour, I used to tell her, is a gentle, a decent, though a lively thing, Mr. Greville is boisterous, impetuous, mch’, I had almost said: his courtship to me was either rant, or affront; the one to shew his love, the other his plain dealing. He knows not what respectful love is. In short, his mirth, his good-nature, as it is called, has fierceness in it; it always gave me apprehen-sion.

As to worldly matters, there can be no exception to him: but 1 cannot be of the opinion of Lucy’s grandmother, that he is a generous man. He lias only qualities that look like generosity. His start silt CIIARLrS GRANfDISOiV, 77 to me, when he resif^ned his pretensions to me, a** they have been called (for I know not any he had’ was 07ili/ a start. He could not hold it. l?utbe al these thingsas they may, how can I, who love Lucy as myself, propose to the dear girl a man, whom I could not think of for myself? Lucy has a fine for-tune, and surely, there are men enough in the world, who have never made pretensions to Luc3’‘s cousin, who would think themselves honoured by her ac-ceptance; otherwise, I should, after Sir Rowland’s hint, and earnest wishes in his nephew’s favour, much sooner recommend Mr. Fowler to her than Mr. Greville.

My aunt had said, that, for her part, she should chooye to leave the above aftair to its own workings: yet, could not forbear to acquaint Lucy with it. The dear girl came to me, to demand a sight of your letter, and of what I had written upon it. 1 could not (though L had some little reluctance to shew her the latter) deny her. I will give you, madai}i, the substance of a short dialogue that passed between us on the occasion; and leave it to you to draw such conclusions from it, as you shall judge proper, with regard to my Lucy’s inclinations. she did not know what I meant, she said, by writing to you, that she had always spoken of Mr. Greville with more favour th.an any body else.

It is ungenerous, Lucy, if you are angry at what you would oblige me to shew you against my will.

I am vot angry. But She stopt, and would not explain her half-sullen but. O Lucy, thought I, what would uncle Selby say to this! He would say you are a woman, my dear. And I am half angry myself for your giving such an occasion,

As to what vou v.rite, said she, of his desire of H ‘.i being related io you; who would not? If that be not \\\s principal motive Very well, Lucy! thought I. I know, said she, that my grandmamma Sclby has often wished Mr. Greville would make his ad-dresses to her grand-daughter! So! so! so! Lucy, thought L

His libertinism indeed is an objection But I have not heard lately of any enormities.

Go on, Lucy, thought I: hitherto appears hot any reason for INIr. Greville to despair. He may have seen his folly. No doubt but he has! thought L He saiv it all the time he was commitcing it: but, perhaps, he is the more determined bad man for that. Is not pu-rity of heart, thought I, as well as of manners, an eligible thing?

If a woman is not to marry till she meet with a strictly virtuous man

You have too often pleaded that argument, Lucy, to me I am sorry i stopt; v.illing to hear her quite out; for she held before her \\hat 1 had writ-ten.

How came he, you ask, said she, b}— his new lights? I have nothing to do with how lie came by them. I should rather indeed he had them from proper convictions But if he has them, that’s enough.

Is it, my dear, let him have been what lie will? I am for judging charitably Charming! thought I judging charitably! So I have lost a virtue, and you, Lucy, have found it! Mr. Greville is nothing to me: nor evL’r will be. Not quite so sure of that, thought I to myself. You say, Harriet, you have no notion of a good young woman trusting hev principles to the arbitrary will of a man who has been a free liver Must the man be arbitrary? Were a husband a free liver, must a wife’s own principles be endangered? These (juestions from my ^-ucy! thought I. A scofler, you say, Harriet! The man’s a fool for that! But what a poor soul must she be that could not silence a scoffer!

Silence a scoffer! Ah, Lucy! said I: and would you marry a man with a hope to be able to silence him? Mr Greviile is a conceited man: my Lucy has six times his sense; but he will not be convinced of that. You will have the less influence upon him, if he is jealous of the superiority of your understanding. Mr. Greville is obstinate as well as conceited. Few men, I believe, will own conviction from a wife’s arguments.

To be sure the man is not aSirCharlesGrandison. Who i^? Let him, as my aunt Selby says, apply to me; I shall give him his answer. You would wish he should, Lucy? I don’t say so.

I fancy, Lucy, you would not be very cruel if he did.

You fancij I would not But I can, n?, ijou always did, treat the man who professes to love me, with civility, yet not throw myself into his arms at the first word

7’7r.^ word, Lucy! No! The second, or third, or fourth, is time enough; so the man is not mean time rendered quite hopeless.

Very well. Lady Grandison: but let me go on with what you have written Good-natured man! I do think he is not an il/-nat/nrd num.

Ho much the better for himself, and his future wife, Lucy.

That will not be I, Lady Grandison.

Perhaps not, Lucy.

> Humour! I do think he is a humourous good-naturedman. A little too vehement perhaps in his mirth; a little too frolic: but who is faultless?

Proceed, my Lucy.

Generous! “ Not a generous man!” “ Quali-ties that look like generous ones.” You are a nice distinguisher, Harriet; you always were But here you tell your grandmamma, that you had rather I should have Mr. Fowler than Mr. Greville

Well, my dear, and what say you to that?

Why, I say, I think you are not so nice for me, in this case, as you are in others.

How so?

How so! Why is there not a difFerence between the actual proposals made by Mr. Greville to Mrs. Shirley; and Sir Rowland’s undertaking to try to prevail upon Mr. Fowler, to make his addresses to me?

Granted, my dear I have not a word more to say in behalf of Mr. Fowler. Mr. Greville, Lucy

Is a man I never will have

No rash resolutions, my dear. And yet 1 believe a woman has seen the same man in a very different light, when he has offered himself to her acceptance, from what she did before.

I believe so But I had a mind to sound you, Harriet; and to come at your opinion

You were intitled to it, Lucy, without attempting to sound me for it.

True. But we women sometimes choose to come at a point by the round-abouts, rather than by the Jbre-rights.

That is, Lucy, either when we think the fore-right way would not answer our wishes; or when we are not willing to open our own hearts.

Your servant, my dear: but the cap fits not. Whenever I speak to you, my heart is upon my lips.

Let me try then, in this first doubtful instance, that I ever had from you of its being so Do you tiiink of encouraging Mr. Greville’s proposal?

It is not a proposal, till it comes in a direct way to myself.

Very well, my dear I say no more till it does. * *

Sir Charles has just now heard that Mr. Lowther is arrived in London. He longs (so I am sure do I) to know, how affairs are situated in Italy. O for good news from thence! Then will my happiness in this life be perfected!



Letter XIV.
. Lady GRANDISON. In Continuation.

Crandison-liall, Tiuirsday, January 25. Mr. LowTiiER arrived here last night. Sir Charles gave him a most kind reception. He presented him to all oiu” gu^‘Sts, with expressions of the warm-est friendship; and then retired with him to his study. He soon led him back to compnny, and, seating him, drew a chair between my aunt and me You n)ust have curiosity, my dear, said he. Behold the sister excellence of Lady Clementina, Mr. Lowther! Not a person of her family is more concerned for thv. — happiness of that lad^-, than this dearest and most generous of women. Every one of my fiiends jircsent (looking round him) is an ad-mirer of iier We cannot, my dear (applying to me) know ior certainty, the destiny of that excellent hub — iVoni Mr. Lowther. lie ()assed a week at Lyons, a fortnight at i’aris, on his return to Eng-land. But my Jeronymo is in a fine way, thank God, and resolves to visit us in the spring.

I hope, Sir, said my aunt, to Mr. Lowther, you left Lady Clementina well and happy in her mind.

She was at Florence, answered he, when I left Italy. She has been pretty much indisposed there. The general, the bishop, and Father Marescotti, had been with her. She was expected at Bologna very soon. By this time, I have no doubt, she is Countess of Belvedere.

By her own consent, I hope then, Mr. Lowther? said I eagerly

He shook his head As to that, said he, she has the most indulgent of parents

They cannot be so, Mr. Lowther, if they would compel her to murry any man to whom she has an indifference.

They will not compel her, madam

Persuasion, Sir, in the circumstances this excel-lent lady is in, is compulsion.

I think it may be justly called so, said Sir Charles. Mr. Lowther, they should not have been so preci-pitating.

So you have always told them. Sir Charles. Signor Jeronymo is entirely of your opinion: yet is earnest in the Count of Belvedere’s favour. Th.e count adores her.

Adores, her. Sir! said I. Adores hhm^.elfl for so it should be said ( pardon ine, Sir!) of a man who prefers not the happiness of the object beloved, to his own. I felt my face glow.

Generous warmth! said Sir Charles laying his hand on mine.

For my part, replied Mr. Lowther, I am only afraid of the return of her malady. If it do m^t return, and she can be prevailed on, her piety will reconcile her to a duty

A duly, Mr. Lowther, interrupted I So imposed! A duty!

I knew not what I said. I thought, at that instant, I did not like Mr. Lowther.

My uncle, aunt, and the rest of us, thought Sir Charles and IN’Ir. Lowther would be glad to be left alone: and retired early.

My aunt, my Lucy, and I, had a good deal of discourse upon this interesting subject; Emily present.

We all foresaw, that the situation of this admirable lady would overcloud a little (we hoped hut a little) the — happiest days that ever mortals knew. The sincere value, said my aunt, that you have for so deserving a woman, and your native generosit}^ will be your security for happiness, my dear; and will fix on a durable base your mutual love: but this lady’s trials will, however, be trials to you. God give her peace of mind! it is all we can hope for in her favour: to you, the continuance of your present happiness: greater, cannot fall to the lot of mortal.

She left me. I retired to my pen. *

Thus far have I written. ’Tis late. Sir Charles is coming up And I am here at my pen. I will compliment him with a place in my closet while I retire. Good night, my dearest grandmamma. Pray for your Harriet, and pray for Clementina.

Friday morning.

Sir Charles would have withdrawn to his study, when he found me at my pen. I besought him to sit down in my closet.

Remove your papers then, my dear.

No need, Sir. These (putting what I had been just writing, and those I had written the day before, on one side of my desk) I would not, Sir, except you have a curiosity, wish you to see at present: these. Sir, you may, if you please, amuse yourself with.

I will take down one of your books, my love. I will not look into any of your written papers.

Dear, generous Sir, look into them all — Look into both parcels — Something about Lucy; some-thing of what Mr. Lowther has talked of, in that parcel Read any of the written papers before you.

A generous mind, my love, will not take all that is offered by a generous mind. Hasten, my Har-riet: it is late. My mind is a little disturbed: yours, I am afraid, is generously uneasy. In your faithful bosom will I repose all my cares.

I pressed his hand between both mine, and would have pressed it with my lips; but, kissing ray hands, first one, then the other Condescending goodness! said he. God continue to me my Harriet’s love, and make Clementina not unhappy, and what can befall me, that will not add thankfulness to thank-fulness?

With v/hat soothing tenderness did he afterwards open his generous heart to his Harriet! He was indeed disturbed: for Mr. Lowther had told him, that . the general (I don’t love him) was quite cruel At one time he threatened the excellent creature: he called iier ungenerous, ungrateful, undutiiul! She fell down at his feet, in a fainting fit: he left her in anger Staid not to recover or sooth l)cr Yet returned in about two hours (his conscience stinjiing him^ and on his knees besought her pardon Re-ceived it The dear saint forgave the AoW/cv/y man Yet he persisted, and turned his threatenings into worse, if possible, than threatenings, into persua-sion.

If I have an enemy, said the dear creature to her brothers, who has conceived a mortal antipathy to me, let him insinuate himself” into the favour of those most dear to me, and prevail upon them to attack me with all the powers of persuading love, in order to induce me to do the thing, whatever it be, most contrary to my heart: and then will the instiijator wreak upon me his whole vengeance, and make nie think death itself an eligible refuge.

Sir Cliarles sighed at repeating this. I wept. IIow happy, thought I, more than once, are you, best of men, in your own reflections, that a woman so excellent, who cannot be happy with any other man, hersdf refused you, and fcrsisied in her refusal; though you sought all ways^ and used all argunients to bring her to a change of determination! Wliat otherwise would have been your regret! And how unhappy should I have been in the consciousness of being in her place; and of having dispossessed her of a heart to which she had so much bettor preten-sions! Now has he no room for remorse: but for friendly pity only, and for wishes to relieve lier af-flicted heart. Of what a blessing is that man pos — sessed, who, when calamity assails him, can acquit himself, his intent ions at least; and say, “ This 1 have not brought upon myself: it is an inevitable evil: a dispensation of Providence I will call it, and submit to it as such!”

IMethinks, madam, I could spare this excellent woman some of my happiness. Have I not more than mortal ever knew before?

Sir Charles mentioned to me, that Lady Olivia, in her last letter to him, intimated her desire to come over once more to Lngland: but he hoped what he had written to dissuade her from it, would have weight with her. 1 told him, I wished that lady the wife of some worthy man, whose gratitude and affection she, by her great fortune, might enI gage. But, Sir, said I, I cannot, cannot wish (be the Count of Belvedere ever so good a man) that Lady Clementina were married.

What would my Harriet wish for Lady Clemen-tina, circumstanced as she is?

I don’t know. But the woman who has loved Sir Charles Grandison with a heart so pure, can never be happy with any other man.

You are ever obliging, my love. You judge of Clementina as she deserves to be judged of, as to the purity of her heart. But He stopt.

But what, my dear Sir? Alas! she says that you have strengthened the hands of her friends: am I forgiven before I go any further?

Not, my Harriet, if you think it necessary to ask such a question. Blame me always, when you think me wrong: I shall doubt your love, if you give me reason to question your freedom.

Dear Sir! But answer me: Would t/ou have Clementina, circumstanced as she is, marry?

What answer can I return to my Harriet’s question; when sometimes I am ready to favour the pa — rents pleas; at others, the daughter’s? I would not have her either compelled, or over-earnestly per-suaded. The family plead, “ That their liappiness, her health and peace depend on her marriage; they cannot bear to think of rewarding Laurana for her cruelty, with an estate that never was designed for her; and to the cutting it off, as it may happen, from their Giacomo and his descendants for ever, in case Clementina assumes the veil. The healths of the father and mother are declining: they wish but to live to see the alliance with the Count of Belve-dere take place. The noble lady gave reasons that could be answered. She had, by her own magnani-mity, got over a greater difficulty, if I may presume to say so, than they had required her to struggle with: how could I avoid advising her to yield to the supplications of parents, of brothers, of an uncle, who, however mistaken in the means by which they seek to obtain their wishes, love not their own souls better than they love their Clementina?

“It was, besides, a measure by which only, at the time, I could demonstrate (and the general, I know, considered it as a test) that I really gave up all hopes of her myself. And when I had owned, that there was a woman, with whom I had no doubt of being happy, could I engage her to accept of me, they all besoughtme, i’ori/ieirsakes, for Clementina’s, to court that acceptance, having hopes, that though she could not set me an example, she wouldjbllow mine.”

This, my dearest life, was the occasion, as I told your friends, of accelerating ray declaration to you. i could not else, either for the sake of yo?‘r delicacy or my own, so soon have made proposals, not even to Mrs. Shirley; for, situated as I was, I could not think of applying to you till I had strengthened my-self, as I hoped to do, by her interest. Your gene — rous acceptance, signified to me by that good lady, has for ever obliged me. I regarded it, my Harriet, circumstanced as I had been, and shall ever regard it, as a condescension, which, as I told that lady at the time, laid me under an obligation that I never, by my utmost gratitude, shall be able to repay.

O Sir, well have you shewn that you meant what you said. How poor a return is my love for so much goodness, and kind consideration!

He clasped me to the faithfullest of human hearts.

But, dear Sir, I find, ou the whole, that you think Lady Clementina has not so much reason on her side, as her parents have on theirs.

My tenderness for her, my dear, because of her unhappy malady, and my apprehension of a return x2 of it, together with my admiration of her noble quahties, prejudice me strongly in her favour. If she could be convinced by their motives, I should be ready to own my convictions in favour of those. But if she cannot, neither can // so partial am 1 in the cause of a lady I so sincerely admire, and who has been so much afflicted. But what, in the situation they and she were in, remained for me to do, but to advise the family to proceed with tenderness and patience; that their Clementina might have time to weigh, to consider, their reasons, their indulgence? You, my dear, shall see in the copies of the letters I have written since I have been in England, my remonstrances to them on their precipitating her. But they were in a train: they presumed on the characteristic duty of their Clementina: they flat-tered themselves, that sometimes she seemed to relent: they conceived hopes from the expressions of compassion for the Count of Belvedere, which sometimes she let fall. The general, who, though a generous man, can do nothing moderately, would not be satisfied with cold measures, as he called them; and, not doubting his sister’s acquiescence with her duty, if once she would be prevailed upon to think her compliaace such, they were resolved to pursue the train they were in: but in order to avoid their importunities, how has the dear Clementina shifted the scene from Bologna to Florence, from Florence to Bologna, and once, for that purpose, v/anted to go to Urbino, once to Naples, and even, as you have seen, to come to England! But now, by this time, most probably, they have succeeded. God give happiness to the dear Clementina!

Most cordially did 1 join in the prayer.

The next letters from Italy must acquaint us with the unwished for success of the family; and the poor lady’s thraldom. Can, my dear grandmamma, the

Count of Be.lvedere really be a good, a generous man, to solicit the favour of a hand, that he knows will not be accompanied by a heart? Can the man be said to know what triie love is, who prefers not the happiness of the beloved object to his own; who thinks he can be happy, though the person he professes to love, shall be unhappy?

Thank God, this dreadful lot has not been drawn by your

HARRIET GRANDISON.

I am glad, my dear Lady G. that you are return-ed to Grosvenor-square. Be easy, be patient, my Charlotte. We shall have, 1 hope, many happy days together at Grandison-hall, at Gros-venor-square; at every — place where we shall be. You are a dear fretful creature! But not half so petulant, I hope, in behaviour, as on paper to me. Let us think of nothing grievous, my Charlotte; but of the unhappy situation of poor Lady Clementina; and let us join to pray for her happiness.


Letter XV.
Lady Grandison. In Continuation.

Saturday morning, February .S. Emily and I have had another conversation. She had been more grave and solemn than usual from the time of the last, of which I gave you an ac-count.

Her Anne had taken notice to Sally of a change in the temper of her young mistress. She knew not how to please her, she said. From the best-natured i3 young lady in the world, she was grown one of the most peevish; and she had taken the liberty to tell her, that she must quit her service, if she found her so hard to be pleased.

Do then, was her answer; I won’t be threatened by you, Anne. You seem to have found out your consequence with me. Go, Anne, as soon as you will. I won’t be threatened, Anne. I have enough to vex me, without being disturbed by you.

The honest maid, who dearly loves her, and has been with her ever since she was seven years old, and was much approved for her fidelity and good behaviour by her father, burst out into tears, and would, in a mild and humble manner, have expos-tulated with her. Let me beseech you, madam, said she, to permit me a word or two by way of du-tiful expostulation. But she hurried from her I won’t hear you, Anne. You have begun at the wrong end. You should have expostulated, and not threatened, first. And then going up to her closet, she locked herself in.

I pitied the dear girl. Too well I thought I could account fur this change of temper in her: so exceeding good her guardian to her, her gratitudeaugments her love [Don’t I know how that may easily be?]: yet, thought I, it would half break her heart, if he were to assume reserve 1 would not for her sake have him imagine there was a necessity for a change of his behaviour to her. And indeed if he were to be more reserved, what would that do? ISo good a man; so uniform his goodness; the poor Emily must acquit him, and condemn herself; yet have no cure for her malady.

Sally offered Anne to acquaint me with what had passed: but the good }oung woman begged she would not. Her young lady was so tenacious,:he said (young lady like) of her authority, that she would nevec forgive her if she were known to make an appeal to me, or to my aunt. And to complain without a probability of redress, the prudent creature observed, except to her, as one lady’s woman to another, would expose her beloved young mis-tress; when, perhaps, the present grievance might be cured by time, assiduity, and patience.

This was necessary to premise.

Sir Charles, my uncle, and Mr. Deane, having rode out pretty early this morning to breakfast, at Sir William Turner’s; and my aunt and Lucy re-tiring after breakfast to write; and I to my closet for the same purpose; Emily came and tapped at my door. I instantly opened it,

I intrude, madam. No, my dear.

I had observed at supper last night, and at break-fast this morning, that she had been in tears; though nobody else did; for the hints, privately given me by Sally, made me more observant of her motions.

I took her hand and would have placed her by me No, madam, said she, let me stand: I am not worthy of sitting down in your presence.

Her eyes were brimful of tears; but as she tv.inkled in hopes to disperse them, I would not take such full notice of them, as might make them run over, if they could be dispersed: yet inine, I believe, sympathized.

In v!ij presence, my Emily! my friend! Why this?

I stood up. Your elder sister, my love, sits not, while her younger stands.

She threw her arms about me, and her tears ran over. This goodness kills me! I am, I am, a most unhap})y creature! Unhappy from the grant of my own wislicsl O that you would trcnt me severely! I cannot su})port myself under the hcurly instances which I receive of vour ijjoodness!

Whence, my dearest Emily, these acknowledg-ments? I do love my Emily: and should be either ungrateful or insensible to the merits of my beloved sister, did I not do all in my power to make her happy. What can 1 do for her, that is not her due?

She struggled herself out of my embracing arms, vv^ithdrawing hers Let me, let me go, madam! She hurried into the adjoining apartment. I follow-ed her; and taking her hand, l^eave me not, in this perplexity, my Emily! I cannot part with you: if you love your Harriet, as she loves her Emily, you will put me in the way of alleviating this anguish of the most innocent, and most amiable of minds. Open your heart to me, my dear.

Lady Grandison! the deserving wife of the be.t of men, you ought to hate me!

My dearest Emily! said L Indeed you ought.

Let us sit down on this sofa, if you will not return to my closet.

I sat down. She sat by me, leaning her glowing face on my shoulder. I put one arm around her neck; with the other hand, 1 grasped one of hers. Now, my dear, I conjure you by the friendship that is between us, the mo?T than sisterly friendship, open your whole heart to me; and renounce me, if it be in my power to heal the wounds of your mind, and I do not pour into them the balm of friendly love.

W hat can 1 say? Yesterday, my dearest Lady Grandison, I received an answer to a case I put to Dr. Bartlett, of a young creature, who I cant tell you

She wept; raised her head; dried her eyes; again leaned her face on my shoulder; again I put my arm round her neck Your case, my love? sin CHARLES GRANDTSOX. 95

Ah, madam! My case Did you say, my case?

I asked, my dear, not as for ^oz^r case, any other than as for the case you put to the doctor.

He has not told you, madam?

Indeed he has not said a word of your consulting him.

I had rather tell you myself, I am afraid he guesses who the young woman is. O the poor cunning! I am a weak silly creature! He certainly guesses

May I, ray love, see the case? May I sec the answer to it?

I have burnt them both! In a fit of anger at my-self, that I should expose myself (for he certainly guesses who the young woman is) 1 threw them in the fire.

But you can tell me the case. You can give me the substance of the answer-How can I? You of all woman! Yoii, madam, whom I best love of all women; but who ought to hate, to despise me!

Trust me, love, with your secret. It shall never without your leave pass this faithful bosom, if it be a secret that already I do not guess at. iShe started (luess at, madam!

Don’t start at what I say, my love.

O you cannot, cannot guess at it. If you did

What if I did?

Then would jou banish from your presence for ever the justly-hated P^mily: then would you make my guardian jrenounce me!

Shall I, my dear, icil you what I guess?

AVhis;por me then, throwing about me the hand I held not: but uhisj)er nie that I may not hear.

You love your guardian, my Emily! He loves you!

O madam!

He will ahva3’S love you; so will I.

Banish the criminal from your presence for ever; rising, yet again laying her face on my shoulder and clasping her arms about me, Hide me, hide me from myself.

No need, my dear. Every-body loves your guardian. You cannot love him but with inno-cence. Your love is founded in gratitude. So was mine. Don’t I know how to allow for my Emily?

You will banish fear from my heart, madam, by this your goodness to me. I find I may own all my weakness, my folly, to you; and the rather, as I shall intitle myself by it to your advice. I wanted to do it; but was afraid you would hate me: in the same circumstances 1 doubt I should not be so generous as you are. O that I had not put my case to the doctor!

The doctor, my dear, is all goodness. He will keep your secret

And not tell my guardian, madam, any-thing about it? It would be worse than death to me, if my guardian should mistrust me. He would hate the poor bmily, if you did not.

He never shall know it, my dear. You have already engaged the doctor to secrecy, 1 doubt not.

I have.

He will inviolably keep your secret, no fear; espe-cially as your charming ingenuousness to me will be a means of putting you and me, my love, on finding expedients, that shall equally secure your ho — nour, and your guardian’s regard for you.

That, mada.n, is the very thing.

Open then fo me your innocent heart, my dear. Regard me as your friend, your sister, and as if I were not the happy wife of your beloved guardian

And so I will. I did not, madam, mistrust my — self till the solemnity had passed, that made you and my guardian one. Then I began to be uneasy with myself: and the more, as I was for hiding myself from myself, as I may say; for I was afraid of looking into my heart: Why so? thought I. Am I not an innocent girl? What do I wish for? What can I hope for? Do I not love Lady Grandison? I do. Yet now-and-then Don’t hate me, madam! I will reveal to you all my heart, and all my weakness.

Proceed, my Emily. This is indeed a token of your love, of your confidence in me. What a compliment does my dearest sister make me!

Yet now-and-then, something like envy, I thought, arose in my heart: And can your countenance for-bear to change, when I tell you of envy?

If it did, it would be from compassionate love to my Emily. You don’t know, my dear, how my heart dilates on this your most agreeable confidence in me.

God bless that dear heart! There never was such a heart as yours. Well, but I will go on, if you please.

Do, my dear.

Here, thought I, once (that I was resolved to call myself to account) did I ask the favour of being allowed to live with my guardian and his ladv, when they were married: and what did I mean by it? No-thing but innocence, believe me. Well, and my request is granted! This was all that 1 thought was wanting to make me happy: but, said I to mysL^lf, Am 1 happy? No. Do I love my guardian less? No. Do I love Lady Grandison more for granting me this favour? I admire her more, I think; and I have a grateful sense of her goodness to me: but, I don’t know how it is 1 think, though I dearly love her, yet i would be sometimes glad I did not, quite so well. Ungrateful Emily! And severely I took myself to task. Surely, pity, madam, is near akin to love; for while your suspenses lasted, I thought I loved you better than I loved my own heart: but when you were happy, and there was no room for pity, wicked wretch that I was! I wanted, me-thought, sometimes to lower you. Don’t you hate me now?

No, no, my Emily; ray pity, as you say, increases my love of you. Proceed, sweet child: your mind is the unsullied book of nature: turn to another leaf. Depend upon my kindest allowances. I knew, before you knew it yourself, that you loved your guardian.

Before I knew it myself! \\hy that might be. Fo I went on reasoning with myself “ What, Emily, canst thou love thy guardian more; and LadyGrandison, with all her goodness to thee, not more And canst thou mingle envy with admiration of her? Ah, silly, and worse than silly, girl, where may this end? Lord bless me! If I suffer myself to go on thus, shall I not be the most ungrateful of creatures? Shall I not, instead of my guardian’s love, incur his hatred? Vviil not all the world despise me? And where.may this stop?” Yet I went on excusing myself; for I knew I had no vile meaning; I knew I only wanted my guardian to love me, and to be allowed to love him. But what! thought I, at last, can I allow nij^self in loving a married man, the husband of my friend? And sometimes I trembled at the thought; for I looked back; and said to my-self, “ Wouldst thou, Emily, a year ago, have al lowed in thyself, but the same lengths that thou hast now run?” No; answered I my own question. *’ Is not this a fair warning of what may be a year hence?” So I put a case, to Dr. Bartlett, as of threepersonsof my Anne’s acquaintance, two young women, one young man, liviiig in one house: the young man contracted to one of the young women; the other knowing it; and though a person incapable of a criminal thought, yet finding an increasing re-gard for the young man, though she dearly loved her friend, began to be afraid her heart was not quite as it should be: what, I asked, as for my Anne’s friend, would he advise in the case?

And what, my dear, was the doctor’s advice?

I was a silly creature to put it to him. As I said, he certainly must guess, if you, madam, could, without such a case put, he certainly must. We young girls think, if we put our hands before our eyes, nobody can see us. In short, the doctor pronounced the increasing regard to be a beginning love. The consequence would be, that the young woman would in time endeavour to supplant her friend; though at present she might probably shud-der at the thought. He bid me tell Anne to warn her acquaintance against the growing flame. He said, she might entangle her own heart, and, with-out gaining her end, render unhappy a couple, who, according to my representation from my Anne, deserved to be happy: and he advised, by all means, that she should leave the contracted couple to them-selves, and i’or her own honour’s, her own heart’s sake, reniov’j to as great dis^tance from them as pos-sii)le.

JJelieve mc, madam, I was shocked, I was frighted at myself: I threw the papers in the fire; and have been, ever since I read them, more unhappy than usual. My dear Lady Grandison, then thought 1, I will, if you give mc encouragement, open my heart to you. You will hear of my folly, my weakness, one day or other. And now, dear good madam, forgive me: keep my secret; and advise me what to do.

What, my dearest creature, can I advise you? I

K. love you. I ever will love you. I will be as careful of your honour as of my own. I will endeavour to cultivate your guardian’s affection to you.

He never, madam, I hope, guessed at the poor Emily’s folly.

He never mentioned you to me, but with iove and tenderness.

Thank God! But say, advise me, madam; my heart shall be in your hand; guide it, as you please.

What, my dear, did you think of doing yourself?

I must not think of living with you now, madam.

Why not? You shall find me ever your true friend.

But I am sure Dr. Bartlett’s advice to Anne’s ac-quaintance is right. I tell you, madam, that I must every day, and every hour of the day, that 1 see his tender behaviour to you; that I behold him employed in acts of beneficence; that I see every one adoring him; admire him more. I see that I am less my own mistress than I thought it was possible I could be: and if such a girl as I have so little command of myself, and his merit every hour spreading itself out before me with increasing lustre, my weak eyes will not be able to bear his glory O madam, I ought to fly; I am resolved, whatever it cost me, to fly.

How I admired, how I pitied, how I loved, the dear creature! I clasped both my arms about her; and, pressing her to my bosom What can I say, my Emily? What can 1 say? Tell me, what would you wish me to say?

You are v/ise, madam: you have a tender and ge-nerous heart: O that 1 were half as good! Advise me something I see the folly of my wishing to live with you and my guardian.

And is it necessary, my dear, to a conquest of yourself, that we should not live together? Absolutely so: I am convinced of it. pIR CHARLES GRANDISON. 99

Suppose, my dear, you go to the London house, and put yourself under Mrs. Grandison’s protection?

What, madam, my guardian’s house still?

I hope a few weeks absence, by help of a discretion of which 3’ou have, in the present conversation, given shuiing proofs, will answer all we wish; since you never, my dear, could have thought but of ad-miring, and that at distance, the great qualities of your guardian.

I have, ’tis true, but just found myself out: I ne-ver could have hope of being looked upon in any other light, than as his daughter; and 1 hope, 1 have made the discovery in time. But I must not be with him in his own house; 1 must not be in the way of his constant conversation.

Admirable discretion! amiable innocence! Well then, suppose you request Lady L Lady G.

Ah, no, no! That would not do, neither. My guardian would be the continual subject of our conversation; and often, very often. hU brotherly good — ness would lead him to them; them to him.

Charming fortitude! Heroic Hmily! How I ad-mire you! 1 see you have thought attentively of this matter. What are your thoughts?

Can’t you guess?

I know what 1 wish But you must speak first.

Don’t you remember what the blessed Mrs. Shir-ley (I nmst call her blessed!) said to me on your wedding-day, in the vestry?

I do, my dearest Emily! And are you inclined

Shall I be received, madam, as a second Harriet in your family? It would be my ambition to tread in your stej)s at Selby–Houseand Shirley-manor; to hear /‘runi you; to write to you; to form myself by the model, by vvhich i/nu were formed; to be called by Mrs. Shirley, by Mrs. Selby, thci}— Emily. K 2

How you would rejoice them all, my Emily! and, if we must part, me, to have my Emily be to my dearest friends what their Harriet so happily was!

But, madam, will you undertake to procure my guardian’s consent?

I will endeavour it.

Endeavour it! Then it is done. He will deny you nothing. Will good Mrs. Shirley consent?

I have no doubt but she will, if your guardian do.

Will Mrs. Selby, will Mr. Selby, be my uncle and aunt?

We will consult them: they are happily with us, you know.

But, madam, there is one objection; a very great one.

What is that, my love?

Your cousin James Selby! I should respect him, as your cousin, and as the brother of the two Miss Selby ‘s: but that is all.

I never, my dear, approved of any motion of that kind. Not one of my friends think of it: they wish it not. He has met with discouragement from every one of my family, and his own: he submits to the discouragement.

Then, madam, if you please to break the matter to Mr. and Mrs. Selby, and to Mrs. Shirley, with-out letting them know the poor girl flies to them as for refuge against herself; and satisfy Lady L. Lady G. and Mrs. Eleanor Grandison, that I mean no-thing of slight to them; then will I attend Mr. and Mrs. Selby in their return home: and I shall be in a while a very happy girl, I doubt not. But still remember, madam, t nmst love my guardian: but it shall be with a love that shall not exclude Lady Grandison from a large share of it; the /ar<j;r.<;t, if I can. And now, clasping her arms about ray neck, let me beg your pardon for all the strange things I have said. My heart will be the easier for having found a confident; such a confident, however, as no girl ever found before But in this instance of goodness, you more than equal Lady Clementina her — self; and a thousand, thousand thanks for your pa — tience with nie on such a subject! Yet say, my dear Lady Grandison, you don’t hate the poor girl, who has the vanity to emulate you and Lady Cle-mentina.

I wept over her from joy, pity, tenderness.

Will you not, my dear grandmamma, love my Emily more than ever? Will you call her yo^ir Emily, and think of her, as your Harriet?

Lady L. Lady G. will you excuse the prefer-ence she has given to quiet Northamptonshire, against noisy London, and its gay scenes, at so young a time of life? Excuse it! 1 am sure you will think that the reason she has given for the prefer-ence raises her above woman.

Monday, February 5. I have already obtained my uncle’s and aunt’s, and Lucy’s, high approbation of Emily’s proposal. Thoy> ^t her request, asked Sir Charles’s consent, as a favour. He desired to see her upon it. She came in, bashful, her steps unassured, looking down. He took her hand: My good Emily, said he, I am told that you have a desire to restore to Mrs. Shirley, INIrs. Selby, and Mr. Selby, the grand-daughter and niece I have robbed them of. They rejoice in your proposal. You will be exceedingly happy in their protection. My Harriet will be loth to part with you; but for their sakes, as well as yours, she will cheerfully acquiesce; and, though we wanted it not, we shall have an additional pleasure in visiting Northamptonshire It is your deliberate choice, my dear? k3

It is, Sir: and I liooe I may be allowed to accom-pany Mrs. Seiby down.

Settle the matter, ladies, among yourselves. I have but one thing to add on the subject. You have a mother, my dear. We must not absolutely re-solve t’ll we have her consent. She is good now: yen must make a conipliaient to nsy sisters, and their lords also, a.id to my aunt Grandison: they love my ward: and she must preserve every worthy person’s love.

The dear girl courtesied: wept You are all all goodness. Sir.

If your mind should change, my dear, don’t be afraid to signify the alteration. It will be the business of us all to make each other happy. You will be always dear to my ilarriet. Recollect, mean time, if there be any-thing further in my power to oblige you.

Sir! You must not (she ran to me, and in my bosom, weeping, spoke out her sentence) be too good to me!

I kissed the dear girl’s forehead Heroic Emily! M’hispered 1, to confirm her in her real heroism.

And thus already, my dearest grandmamma, is this material article settled. My aunt answers for your approbation; and Lucy for the pleasure that this acquisition, as I may call it, will give to Nancy, and all our other kindred and acquaintance. But how, when the time comes, shall I part with her?

What, I wonder, will Sir Edward J3eauchamp say to this? He must get his dear friend’s leave to visit with us Shirley-manor and Selby house, which I hope we shall do twice a year at least.

^ly uncle and aunt, Lucy, and Mr. Deane, are exceedinglyrojoiced on this occasion: How fond are they of Emily! She of thern! This gives them a rq* iation to each other, thatl hope will produce a friend-ship which will last for ever.

My aunt aiul Lucy have hcen asking my opinion, whether Sir Charles did not discover something of the good girl’s growing affection for him; so undis-guisedly sincere as she always was, and for some — time not suspecting herself; he so penetrating a man? Of this, said Lucy, I am sure; he would have seen it at once, had any other man been as much the object of her regard.

If any-thiug v.ould induce me, said I, to think he did, it would be his ready acquiescence with her proposal, and his being so little inquisitive after her motives for leaving us: the case, continued I, is of so delicate a nature, that he never will say, even to me what his thougb.ts are upon it, if such thoughts he has. And as to nn/seli*, it would be dealing with Emily less delicately than I was dealt with by the two noble sisters, should I presume to sound him on 4,0 nice a subject.

And indeed there never could he a man in the world that had a greater regard than he has to those real delicacies of our sex, which border not upon what is called priulcnj.

Mr.Lowther is gone to London: he has given into Sir Charles’s wislics, to settle in this neighbourhood. lie said, he liked the country: he had no particular attachment to any place; and made a fine compliment to Sir Charles on the occas;ion. I need not say, it was a just one.

My uncle, my aunt, write. Lucy has another long letter almost i-eady. I have only further io say theruibre, at this time, that I am, and ever will be, Your most dutiful

1IAR11U;T (illA.\!)ISO.\.

Sir Charles iiUcnds to v. rite to you, madam, on Emily’s proposal ^Jy uncle and aunt bogin o be weary of US, as Sir Charles andl tell them: but they call us both unreasonable. God give us good news from Italy!


Letter XVI.
Lady Grandison to Ladies L. And G.

Grandison-hall, Tuesday, February 13. I WRITE to my dearest sisters now.

Nor will I ask you to send my letters to my grandmamma for the present.

Lucy shall he left to entertain my Northampton-shire friends.

The enclosed translation of a letter written by Signer Jeronymo, will give you the surprising news Surprising indeed Poor, poor lady!

I must tell you in my next, how we were all af-fected on the receiving it; no more at present can I add, but that I am, my dear ladies.

Your ever-affectionate sister,

HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter XVIL
Signor Jeronymo Della Porretta to Sir Charles Grandison.

MY GRANDISOX, i’ou will be surprised astonished The dear Cle-mentina! How has she tarnished all her glory! A young creature of her nice honour! Good God!

And must I her brother, your Jeronymo, expose his sister?

We gave into almost every vi^ish of her heart. The dear Scripturist had requested a month’s time to travel from place to place on the other side of the Apennines, partly on pretence of establishing her health, and partly in imitation of the daughter of the famous Isra’jlitish general*; implying, that 8lie considered the meditated marriage as a sacri-fice; and we had hopes at the end of it, that she would be brought to give her hand, not uncheer-fully, to the Count of Belvedere, for whom she owned pity and gratitude.

We had consented to several trifling delays of her return to us before. Yet besought her to excuse us from allowing her to visit Rome and Naples; and she acquiesced with the reasons we gave her. She desired leave to take into her service, as a page, an English 3’outh, the nephew of a gentleman of th^^ iMiglish factory at Leghorn, who was well rjconi-mcnded by his uncle, on the enquiry Mrs. Beaumont, at out desire, made into his character. We, sup-posing her motive to be merely an innocent and grateful regard to the country of a man whom we could allow her to respect, consented. She accord-ingly took him; and he attended her in her excur — sions to Pistoia, Prato, Pratolina, Pisa, Sienna, &c. to some of which places she was accompanied by Mrs. Beaumont, and the ladies her friends. But being desirous to see the sea-coast from Piombino to Lucca, according to a plan she shewed; and talking of stretching to Genoa, when at Lucca; which was to conclude her excursions, and complete her month; she was left by those ladies to be at-tended by lier own servants: these, all but her page

Jcplitliali, Sec Jiulges x\. and Laura, she contrived (the high-souled Clemen-tina stooped to art!) to send different ways, order — ing them to meet her at Lucca; but, instead of going thither, took a short way to Leghorn; and there embarked on bonrd an English ship ready cleared out and bound for the port of London; and it had sailed three days, before it was known what was become of her. But then the contents of the followiijg letter, directed to Mrs. Beaumont, asto-nished that lady, and her friends; as you will believe it did us, when it was transmitted to us in a letter written by Mrs Beaumont, acquainting us with the particulars of her excursions and flight; and the certainty, upon proper enquiries at Leghorn, that she was gone to England.

“Forgive me, my dearest ladies; my dearest Mrs. Beaumont, particularly, forgive me! I am embarked in an enterprize, that will be enough my punishment. Pity me, therefore, as well as pardon me! The impending evil is always the most terrible. My heart is extremely averse to a married life. A fortnight of the month is expired, at the end of which I am expected to give my vovv s to a man not unworthy of them, could 1 think it in my power to make him happy, and could 1 be so myseii’in the prospects before me: but how can that be? Per-suasion, cruel persuasion! A kneeling lather, a sighing mother; generous, but entreating brothers; how can I resist you, if I go to dear, once mud dear Bologna? All you, my friends, at Bologna, ai Ur-bino, everij-nhcre, forgive me! What have i not suf — fered before I came to the resolution that must be pursued, though repentance, when 1 have attained the proposed asylum, follow! My good lord of B. forgive me also. Change your attachment. You deserve a better wife, than conscience, than ho-nour, than iustice (words that mean the same thing) tell me, can be made you, by the unhappy Clementina. She dare not add, Deilu Porivtta — Ali my mother!”

This letter was left with a person at Leghorn, with orders not to send it, till the vessel had sailed three days. We are all distracted; but most my mother.

For the sake o^ her peace of mind, we are come to a resolution to anticipate our summer’s visit to you; and, unj)ropitious as the season is for such a journey, we sliall set out next week accordingly. God give my mother strength to bear the fatigue! Courage she has, on this occasion, who never before could be brought to go by sea any-where: no, not to Naples, to visit her Giacomo, and his lady, though in a more propitious season.

It was a long k;id scheme, we imagine; for she had dismissed her faithful Camilla, on her urging her to a change of condition. I am afraid the good woman was too sedulous in obeying the orders given her by my brother, to make use of every opportu-nity to inspire her with tender sentiments, in favour of the Count of Belvedere. Laura has for some time been her only favourite servant.

This youth, by name ^Intony Dagley, no doubt has managed this affair for her.

Mrs. Beaumont now recollects several circum-stances, which, could s’le h ive suspected Ciemeu — tina to be capable of suuh an jnterprize, might have given her suspicion.

The vessel she is in, is called the Scande7-io)i! Alexander Henderson master.

How can the dear creature on her arrival in Enij-land look you, your lady, your sisters, in the i’lc ’ Vv’liat may she suffer in such a voyage, at sue’ season! To what insults may she be exposed ’ little as sh.e knows of the En<iiish tonL,ue! La’ a syllable of it! Depending on the fidelity of a stranger-boy? So few changes of apparel as she had the opportunity to take with her! Whether provided with any considerable sums of money, we know not! England, in her opinion, a nation of heretics! Good Heaven! could Clementina della Porretta be guilty of such a rashness?

Butwhatanaverseness must she have to marriage! We have certainly been too precipitating. You cautioned us: yet, I dare say, could not have believed, that our Clementina could have taken such a step. But, alas! we conclude, that it is owing more to the effects of her late unhappy malady, than to any other cause. When once the mind is disordered, there is danger, it seems, of its shewing itself, on extraordinary occasions, even after the cure is supposed to be perfected, capable of extra-vagance. Again, I say, we have been too hasty. Our brother Giacomo! But he is the most disin-terested of men. He would not otherwise be so urgent as he is for her marriage.

Dear, dear creature! How my heart bleeds for the distresses she may be thrown into! ]3utthey cannot be equal to those which her mother feels for her. Clementina knows how much the lives of her father and mother are bound up in hers. But I re-peat, she must be under the influences of her former malady, or never could she have done an act, that she must know would wound our very souls.

From the lights I have held out, vvc hope you will be able to find her before she can have suffered more than the hardships of the voyage; before she can have wanted money, or other conveniences. If you do, your sisters will give the rash one countenance and protection till we can arrive.

Our company will be my father, mother, th Bishop, the Count of Belvedere, your Jcronymo, Father Marescotti, and our two cousins Sebastiano and Juliano. ^Nlrs. Beaumont has the goodness, purely from motives of charity, to accompany my mother. Poor Camilla, almost as inconsolable as my mother, attends her lady.

We must give you the trouble of hiring for us as large a house as you can procure. The circum-. stances we are in, allow us not to think of any-thing more than common convenience, and to be incognito.

Our two cousins above-named may be in lodgings, if room be wanted.

We shall have no more than necessary attendants.

A lesser house, or handsome lodgings, will content the Count of Belvedere.

These cares for us, my dear Grandison, we must throw upon you: yet, if my Lowthcr be in Eng-land, he will be so kind as to ease you of part of them. You will have concern enough in sharing ours, for the occasion which carries us to you, so much sooner than we intended, and in an inconve-nient season; circumstances that will sufficiently demonstrate the distress we are in.

The vessel we have hired, i> called the Leghorn fi’vyatc. The master’s name is Arthur Gunning. Jf we are favoured in our voyage, the master hopes to he in your river Thames in about three weeks I’roin our embarking.

Ciod give us, my Grandison, a meeting not unliap{)y! May we find the dear fugitive safe in your protection, or und^T the wings of one of vour no-ble sisters!

I hope this happy affair will produce no uncu.-;i ness between your lady and you. If it should, what an additional evil would the dear rash due have to answer for!

The general is too much incensed against the unhappy girl, to think of accompanying us, could he obtain permission of his sovei’eign.

The least reparation the dear creature can make us, the bishop i>ays, is, cheerfully to give her vows to the good Count of Belvedere, who looks forward to the issue of this affair, as to the crisis of his fate.

I hardly know what I have written; nor how to leave off. It is to uou, our dear friend, our consoler, our brother, and let me add, our refuge, next to the Almighty, who we hope will guide us in safety to you, and give an issue not greatly derogatory to the glory of our sister, and family. Join, n)y Grandison, your prayers with ours, to this purpose. Noblest of friends. Adieu!

JERONYMO DELLA PORRETTA.


Letter XVIIL
Lady GRANDISON To Ladies L. and G.

Wednesday, February 14. Let me now give you the promised particulars. As we and our beloved guests were at dinner yes-terday, all harmony, all love; the dear Emily laying out the happy days she hoped to see in Northamp-tonshire; Sir Charles using generous arguments to prevail on my uncle and aunt to stay a little longer with him; the letter, the affecting letter, was given into Sir Charles’s hands: ‘ From my Jeronymo!” said he, looking at the superscription. Asking leave, he broke it open, and casting his eye upon the first lines, he started: and bowing, he arose from table, and withdrew to his study.

We had not half dined. I urged our friends, but could not set them the example; and we arose by consent, and went into the adjoining drawing-room.

Sir Charles soon joined us there: his face glowed: he seemed to have struggled for a composure, for our sakes, which, however, he had not obtained.

I looked upon him with eyes, I suppose, that had speech in them, by his taking my hand, and saying, Be not surprised, my love: you will soon have guests.

From Italy! From Italy, Sir? “ Yes, my life.” Who? \Vho, Sir?

Dr. Bartlett was with us. lie besought him to give a translation of that letter. The doctor retired to do it: and Sir Charles said, It is not impossible but Clementina may be soon in England: perhaps before the rest of her family. Be not surprised (for we all looked upon one another): Dr. Bartlett will give you the contents of the letter. Oblige me, my dear, with your hand.

He led me into his study; and there, in the most tender and affectionate manner, acquainted me with what he had j-ist read.

My dearest Harriet, said he, his arms encircling my waist, will not, cannot doubt the continuance of my tenderest love. I am equally surprised and disturbed at the step taken. God preserve the dear Clementina! Join your prayers with mine for her safety. You can pity the uaiiap[)3’ lady; she is, I am afraid, desolate and unprocected: you can pity her equalUf unhappy friends. ‘iliey are foUowina: her: they are all good: they uieau well. Yet over-persuasion, as you lately observed, in such a case as hers, is a degree of persecution. In the unhappy circumstances she had been in, she should have had time given her. Time subdues all things.

Let me beseech you, Sir, said I, to give the unhappy lady your /h^^a;?/ protection. Consider me as a strengthener, notaweakener, of your hands, in her service. I have no concern but for her safety and honour, and for your concern on the affecting occa-sion. Dear Sir, let me by participation lessen it.

Soul of mysoul, said he, clasping me more ardep^- ]y to his bosom, I had no doubt of your generous goodness. It would be doing injustice to the unhap’ py absent, and to the knowledge I have of my oven heart, as well as to yow, the absolute mistress of it, did I think it necessary to make ]:)rofessions of my unalterable, my inviolable love to you. I vviil ac-quaint you with every step I take in this arduous r.ffair. You must advise me as I go along. Minds so delicate as yours and Clementina’s, m.ust be allied. I shall be sure of ray measures when I have the ap-probation of my Harriet. All our friends (they have discretion) shall be made acquainted with my proceedings. I will not leave a doubt upon the mind of any one of them, that my Harriet is not, as far as it is in my power to make her, the happiest of women.

What, Sir, is the date of the letter? It has no date, my dear. Jeronymo’s grief The lady. Sir, said I, may be arrived. Leave me here at Grandi-son-hall, with my friends: I will endeavour to engage their stay a little longer than they had designed; and do you hasten up to town: if you can do service to the unhappy lady, destitute as you apprehend she is at present of^protection, and exposed to difficul-ties and dangers, your letters shall be, if possible, more acceptable to me, than even the presence of the man who is as dear to me, as my ov.n soul.

I was raised. It was making me great, my dear ladies, to have in my poiver, as I may say, to consin CHARLES CRANDISON. HJ vlnce Sir Charles Granuison, that my compassion, my love, my admiration, of” the noblest of women, was a sincere admiration and love.

How happy a man am I! said he. You have an-ticipated me by your goodness. 1 will hasten up to town. You will engagv) your friends. The man whose love is fixed on such a mind as my Harriet’s, all loveliness as is the admirable person that thus I again press to my fond bosom, must be as happy as a mortal man can be!

He led me back to the expecting company. They all stood up, as by an involuntary motion, at our entrance; each person looking eager to know our sentiments.

The doctor had not finisiied the translation: but Sir Charles sent up for the letter; and read it in English to us all.

My uncle, my aunt, my Lucy, Mr. Deano, al!, before Sir Charles could well speak, besought him not to suffer their being here to be one moment’s hindrance to his setting out for London.

He generously applauded me to them fur what had passed between us in his study, and told them, he would set out early in the morning, if they would promise to keep me company here.

Tiiey said, they would stay as long iis their convenience would permit; and the longer, that he might be the easier on sucli a generous call to town.

One thing, dear Sir, said J, let me beg; Let not the sweet fugitive be compelled, if you can help it, to marry. Let not advuntage be taken, as they seem, by a hint in this letter, inclined to take it, of this seeming rash stc p, to make her compliance the condition of their forgiveness and reconeliiation.

He called me his generous, his noble Harriet; re-peated that lie would be governed by my advice, and that then he should be sure of his foating. L 3

Your brother set out early this morning for Lon-don: join your prayers, my dear ladies, with his and mine, and with those of all our friends here, for a happy issue to the present afflictions of the dear Cle-mentina. How I long, yet half-fear, to see her! Shall I, do you think, be able to see her, without being apprehensive, that she will look upon me as the invader of her right? She was undoubtedly his first love.

Your brother communicated to me his intention of completing the furnishing of the new-taken house in Grosvenor Square, which was before in great for-wardness, and to have it well aired for the reception of his noble friends. He will acquaint his sisters with his further intentions, as occasions arise. God succeed to him his own wishes Pic may be trusted with them.

Adieu, my dearest sisters! How proud am I, that I can indeed call you so, by the name of

HARRIET GRANDISON!


Letter XLX.
Sir Charles Grandison to Lady Grandison.

St. James’s Square, Thursday, February 15.

MT DEAREST LIFE,

Ok my arrival here last night I found a long letter, dated Tuesday last, from the unhappy lady, whom we both so much admire and pity. The contents too well confirm her wandering state of mind, and account for the steps she has taken. I will send you the letter itself as soon as I have seen her, and can prevail upon her to put herself into my protection. Till the hope of a happier state of mind shall dawn upon us, the contents of it will afflict you.

She has been ten days in England: I wrote to her last night, to beg her to admit me to her presence.

She expresses in her letter a generous joy in our happiness, and in the excellent character which she has heard of the beloved of my heart; oi every heart. In the midst of her affecting wanderings, she preserves the greatness of mind that ever distin-guished her. She wishes to see you; but unknown to us both.

It would not be difficult perliaps to find out the placeof her abode: but she depends on my honour, that I will not attempt it: Clementina loves to be punctiliously observed. In the way she is in, she must be soothed, and as little opposed as possible. She thinks too highly of my character, and appre-hends that the step she has taken, has lowered her own. She has great sensibility, and only sometimes wanders into minutenesses to which her circum-stances, which I find are not happy, oblige her to attend. I have great hopes, that 1 shall be able to sooth, conciliate, and restore her: her mind seems not to be deeply wounded. God enable me to tjuiet the heart of the noblest of your sisters! Forgive me for my two beloved sisters. Theij will, if //o;f do.

I hope our dear friends will make themselves and you happy, at Grandison-hall. This cloud passed away, if God preserve us to each other, and our friends to us, all our future days must be serene: at least as far as it is in my power, they shall be so to my Harriet. Professions would disgrace mi/ love, xiniX i/oiir merits. All that your own heart can wish me to be, that, if I know it, will I be; for am I not the happy husband of the best and most generous of women; and, as such,

Wholly yours,

OfARLES GR.\M)ISOX.


Letter XX.
LADY CLEMENTINA TO SIR CHARLES GRANDISONr IMentioned in the prexuUng.’]

Tuesday, February 13. O. S.

By this time, it is very probable you have heard of the rashest step that the writer of these presents (chequered and unhappy, as the last years of her life have been) ever took. She knows it to be rash: she condemns herself for taking it. She doubts not but she shall be condemned by every body for it: nor is she sure, that she shall have the better opinion of your justice, if you are not one of the severest of her censurers: for you are a good man. Your goodness, I hear, fills every mouth in this your own country; and it is not one of your least praises, that you did your duty in the strictest manner, to a father, who was wanting in his to hi;; whole family. It is, it seems, your principle, that where a duty is recipro-cal, the failure in it of the one, acquits not the other for a failure in his. How then can I appear before you? I am covered with blushes at the thoughts of jt I, who am a runaway from the kindest, the most indulgent, of parents God forgive me! Yet, can I say, I repent? I think, I can. But at best, it is a conditional repentance only, that I boast.

I am here in your England; I cannot, cannot tell you where; in a low condition; my fortune scanty; my lodgings not very convenient; two servants only my attendants; Laura (you remember her) one; weeping every hour after her friends, and our Italy: my other you know not My page he was called in the days of my state, as I may, comparatively, call them; but now my every-thing: Poor youth!

But he is honest, he is faithful. God reward him! I cannot.

Yet in all this my depression of circumstances, if I may so express myself, and sometimes (too often indeed) of spirits; 1 think I am happy in the thought that I am a single woman.

Well, Sir! And what can I say further? A thousand things I have to say: too many, to know which to say first. I had better say no more. I am not, however, sure I shall send you this, or any other letter.

I have been ten days in this great, and, as it seems to me, ugly city: a vastly populous one: people very busy. 1 thought your London people were all rich Ikit what is this to write to you about?

I have been out but once, and that for an airing in one of your parks. I can’t say, I like England, nor its people, much: but I have seen nothing of the one, or the other.

I live a very melancholy life: but that befits me best.

They tell me, that your churches are poor, plain things. You bestow more upon yourselves than you do upon your God: but perhaps you trust more to the heart, than to the eye, in the plainness of your places of devotion. But, again, what is all this stuff to you? Yet, I am apt to ramble too-too much!

The truth is, I am not very well: so excuse me. lUit do you know how it eonics about, that having the best of fathers, the best of mothers, the most affectionate of brothers, 1 should yet think them persecutors? How it comes about, that I, who love theni, who honour them, as much as daughter ever honoured parents, or sister ever loved brothers, should run away from them all, into a strange land, a land of heretics; yet once be thought a pious kind of creature! Do you know how this comes about?

Once there was a man But him I renounced But I had a good reason for it. And do you think I repent it? By my truth, chevalier, I do not: I ne-ver did. Yet I think of nobody half so often, nor with half the pleasure: for, though a heretic, he is a good man.

But hush! Dare I, in this country, say he is a heretic? Perhaps, we Catholics are looked upon as heretics here. Idolators I know we are said to be I grant that I had like to have been an idolator once But let that pass. I believe we Catholics think worse of you Protestants, and you Protestants think worse of us Catholics, than either deserve: it may be so. But, to me, you seem to be a strange people, for all that.

Of one thing, my good chevalier, methinks I should be glad. Here 1 am told you are married: that 1 knew before 1 left Italy: else, let me tell you, I never would have come hither: yet I should have got away rather than be married myself, I believe: but then perhaps it would have been to a catholic country.

What was I going to say? One tiling I should be glad of: it is to see your lady; but not if she were to see me. I came with very few clothes, and they were not the best 1 had at Florence: my best of all are at Bologna. .My father and mother loved to see me dressed. I dressed many a time to please them more than to please myself For I am not a proud creature: Do you think 1 am? You knew me once better than I knew myself: but you know little of me now. I am a runaway: and 1 know you won’t forgive me. I can’t help it. However, 1 should be glad to see your lady. She dresses richly, I suppose. Well she may!

I am told, she is one of the loveliest women in England: and as to her goodness there is nobody so good. Thank God! You know, chevalier, I always prayed, that the best of women might be called by your name.

But Cilivia, it seems, praises her; and Olivia saw her when she was a rambler to England, as^ God help me! I am now.

But Olivia’s motive and mine were very different. Olivia went to England in hopes of a husband Poor woman! I pity her.

But, chevalier, cannot I see your lady, and she not see me? I need not be in disguise to see her. If you were with her, handing her, suppose, to church (I would not scruple to crowd myself into some unobserved corner o^ijour church on such an occasion) you would be too proud of her to mind me: and you would not know me, if you saw me; for I would stoop in my shoulders, and look down; and the clothes I should have on would be only an English linen gown and petticoat, unadorned by ribbands or gew-gaw Not half so well dressed as your lady’s woman.

But yet I should thank God, that you had not disgraced the regard I had once for you: I had a great deal of pride, you know, in that hope. Thank you, Sir, that you have married so lovely and so deserving a won)an. She is of a good family, I hope.

It was a great disappointment to me, when I came first to London, to find, that you were not there. I thought, some how or other, to catch a sight of you and your lady, were it but as you slept into your coach; and i to have been in a chair, near, or even on foot: for, when I heard what a character you bore, for every kind of goodness; I, a poor fugitive, was afraid to see you. bo many good lessons as you taught me, ami all to come to this! Unhappy Cle-mentina!

Where will your ladyship (but I have forbidden that stile) choose to take up your residence? said Antony when we first landed (my servant’s name is Antony; but you shall not know his other name). We landed among a parcel of guns, at the Tower, they called it, in a boat.

Laura answered for me, for he spoke in Italian; Somewhere near the Chevalier Grandison’s, won’t you, madam? I won’t tell you what was my answer; for perhaps I am near the Thames I don’t want 3’ou to find me out. I beseech you. chevalier, don’t give yourself pain for me. I am a fugitive. Don’t disgrace yourselfin acknowledging any acquaintance with acreaturc who is poor and low; and who deserves to be poor and low; for is she not a runaway from the best of parents? But it is to avoid, not to get, a husband: you’ll be pleased to remember that, Sir.

But, poor Laura I am sorry for Laura; more sor-ry than for myself My brother Giacomo would kill the poor creature, 1 believe, if ever she were to come in his way. But she is in no fault. It was with great reluctance she obeyed her mistress. She was several times as impertinent as Camilla. Poor Camilla! 1 used her hardly. She is a good creature. I used her hardly against my own nature, to make her the easier to part v* ith me. I love her. I hope she is well. It is not worth her while to pine after me; I was an ungrateful creature to her.

My Antony is a good young man, as I told ycu. I think to save half his wages, and give the oiXvcv half to raise Laura’s, to keep her a little in heart. The poor young man hoped {)referment in my service; and 1 can do nothing for him. It will behove me to be a good manager, But I will sell the few jewels

I have left, rather than part with him, till he can get a better service. What little things do I trouble you with! Little things to you; but not quite so lit-tle to me now, as I have managed it. But so as I,can do justice to this poor youtii, and poor Laura, I matter not mysell”. What 1 have done is my choice: they had nooption. I over-persuaded Laura, as my friends would have done me. I feel that sting: it was not doing as I would be done by. Very, very wicked in me! 1 daresay, you would tell me so, were you to find me out.

But, chevalier, shall I send you, yes, or no, this scrawl, written to divert me in a pensive mood? 1 would not, if I thought it would trouble you. God forbid that your pupil Clementina should give you diseomposure,nowespeciallyintheear]y part of your nuptials! Yet if I could so manage, as that you would permit your secretary (1 would not ask the favour of your own pen) to send a few lines to some particular place, where my servant could fetch them unknown to you or any-body, only to let me know, if you have heard from Bologna, or Naples, or Florence (I was Tery ungrateful to good Mrs. Beaumont and the ladies hur friends) and how they all do; my father, mother (my heart at times bleeds for them) n)y dear Jeronymo, my two other brothers, and good Father Marcseotti, and my. sister-inlaw whom I have a-o much reason to love; it will be a great ease to my heart; provided theaccount benot air?’ //melancholy one: if it should, poor Clementina’s days would be numbered upon twice five fingers.

I am put in a wav This shall be sent to your palace in town. You will order your secretary to direct his letter, To George Trumbull, Esq.; to be left till called for, at White’s Chocolate-house in St, James’s-street. I depend upon your honour, cheva-lier, that you will acquiesce* with niy desire torcmaiij M incognito, till 1 shall consent ro reveal M you the place of my abode, or to see you elsewhere. I sign only

CLEMENTINA.


Letter XXI.
Sir Charles Grandison to Lady Grandison^.

Saturday, February 17, All Thursday I was in pain that I heard not from Clementina. But I made myself as easy as I could in visiting my sisters, and their lords, and my aunt Grandison. What blessings do they all pour forth on my Harriet! What compassion do they express for the dear fugitive! How do they long to see her! Yesterday 1 receired a letter from her. The copy of that to which hers is an answer; of hers; andof my reply; and hers in return tothat; Un-close. You will read them to our friends in English. You will find by the last of the four, that I am to be admitted to her presence. I would not miss a post, or 1 should have delayed, till the interview be over, the sending this to my Harriet. Hope the best, my dearest love. The purity of your heart, and of Clementina’s, and the integrity of my own, if I knotv my heart, bid us humbly hope for a happy di.<5sipation of the present cloud, which, hanging over the heads of a family I revere, engages our compas-sion, and mingles a sigh with our joys.

Adieu, my best, my dearest love. Answer for me to all my friends.

CHARLES GRANDISON.
Letter XXII.
Sir Charles Grandison to Lady Clementina.

Under cover, To George Trumbull, Esq. St. James’s-Square, Wednesday night, Fel. 14.

Ten days the noble Clementina in England, the native place of her fourth brother, her equally ad-miring and faithful friend; yet not honour him with the knowledge of her arrival I Forgive me, if I call you cruel. It is in your power, madam, to make one of the happiest men in the world a very unhappy one: and you will effectually do it, if you keep from him the opportunity of throwing himself at your feet, and welcoming you to a country always dear to him, but which will be made still dearer by your arrival in it.

I have a letter from your and my Jeronymo. I have a great deal to say to you of its contents; of your father, mother, brothers But it must be said, not ivritten. For God’s sake, madam, permit me to attend you in company of one of my sisters, or otherwise, as you tihall think best. You have in me a faithful, an indulgent friend. I am no severe man: need I tell yov thut I am not? If you do not choose that any-body else shall know the place of your abode, I will faithfully keep your secret. You shall be as much the mistress of your own will, of your own actions, as if 1 knew not where to address myself to you. If ever you had a kind thought of your fourth brother, if you ever wished him happy, grant him the favour of attending you; for his hap-piness, 1 repeat, depends upon it.

I received our Jeronymo’s letter but yesterday. Tender and aftectionate are the contents. m2

I have ridden post, to get hither this night, in hopes of being favoured with intelligence of you. In the morning I should have made enquiries at the proper places: but little did I think my sister could have been so many days in town. Let not an hour pass after this comes to your hand, before you relieve the anxious heart of,

Dearest Lady Clementina,

Your most affectionate brother, and faithful humble servant,

CHARLES GRANDISON.


Letter XXIII.
Lady Clementina to Sir Charles Grandison.

Friday morning, February 16. O. S.

I RECEIVED yours but this moment. What can I say to the contents? I wish to see you; but dare not. Your happiness, you say, depends upon an interview with me. Why do you tell me it does? I wish you happy. Yet if you wished me so, you would have told me how my dear friends in Italy do. This omission was designed It was not generous in the Chevalier Grandison. It was made to extort from me a favour, which you thought 1 should other-wise be unwilling to grant.

But can you forgive the rash Clementina? God is merciful as well as just. You imitate him. But how can Clementina, humbled as she is, be sunk so low, as to appear a delinquent, before the man she respects for a character which, great as slie thought it before, has risen upon her since her arrival in England?

But, Sir, can you, will you, engage, that my friends will allow me to continue single? Can you answer, in particular, for the discontinuance of the Count of Belvedere’s addresses? Can you procure forgiveness, not only for me, but my poor Laura? Will you take into your service, or recommend him effectually to that of some one of your friends, in some manner that is not altogether servile, the honest youth who has behaved unexceptionably in mine? For he wishes not to return to Italy.

Answer me these few easy and plain questions; and you will hear further from

CLEMENTINA.


Letter XXIV.
Sir Charles Grandison to Lady Clementina.

[Under cover, directed as before.]

Friday morning, February 16, To the questions of dear Lady Clementina I answer thus I will endeavour to prevail upon your parents, and other friends, to leave you absolutely free to choose your own state, without using either compulsion, or over-earnest persuasion.

Who, madam, can forbid the Count of Belvedere to hope? Leave him hope. If he has not the over-earnest entreaties of your own relations to give weight to his addresses, it will be in your power to give him either encouragement or despair.

I will engage for the joyful reconciliation to her of all the dear Clementina’s friends. I am sure I can.

Laura shall be forgiven, and provided for by an annuity equal to her wages, if the continuance of her services be not accepted.

I will myself entertain your young man; and place and reward him according to his merits.

And now, madam, admit to the honour of your presence,

Your brother, your friend, your ever-grateful and affectionate humble servant,

CHARLES GRANDISON.


Letter XXV.
Lady Clementina to Sir Charles Grandison.

Saturday morning, February 17.

I DEPEND upon your honour. Sir, for the perform-ance of the prescribed conditions: yet, on meditating my appearance before you, I am more and more ashamed to see you. It was a great disappointment to me at my first arrival, that you were at your country-seat. At that time my heart was full. I had much to say, and I could have seen you then with more fortitude than now falls to my share. However, I imll see you. To-morrow, Sir, about five in the evening, you will find at one of the doors on the higher ground, on the left hand going up St. James’s street, from the palace, as it is called, the expecting Laura, who will conduct you to

CLEMENTINA.


Letter XXVI.
Sir Charles Grandison to Lady Grandison.

Monday, February 19, You requested me, my dearest Harriet, to write minutely to you. Now I have been admitted to the presence of Clementina, and have hopes that she will soon recover her peace of mind, I can the more cheerfully obey you.

I was exactly at the hour at the appointed place. Laura guessed at my chair, and my servants, as thcv crossed the way; and stood out on the pavement, that I might see her. When she found she had caught my eye, she ran into the house, wringing her clasped hands (Jod bepraised! God be praised! were her words, as I followed her in, in her own language. Laura can speak no other Sheiv me, shew me, to your lady, good Laura! said 1, with emotion.

She ran up one pair of stairs before me. She entered the dining-room, as it is called. I stopt at the stairs head till 1 had Clementina’s commands. Laura soon came out. She held open the door for me, courtseying in silence.

The drawn window-curtains darkened the room: but the dignity of Clementina’s air and motion left me not in doubt. She stood up, supporting herself on the back of an elbow-chair.

Taking her trembling hand; Welcome, thrice welcome to England, dearest Lady Clementina!

I pressed her hand with my lips; and seated her: for she trembled; she sobbed; she endeavoured to speak, but could not for some moments.

I called to Laura, fearing she was fainting.

O that well known voice! said she. And do you, crin you, bid me welcome? Me, a fugitive, an ingrate, undutiful! O chevalier, lower not your un sullied character, by approving so unnatural a step as that which I have taken!

I rfobid you welcome, madam! Your brother, your friend, from his soul, welcomes you to England.

Let me know, chevalier, before another word passes, whether I have a father, whether 1 have a mother?

Blessed be God, madam, you have both. She lifted up her clasped hands: Thank God! God, I thank thee! Distraction would have been my portion, if I had not! I was afraid to ask after them. I should have thought myself the most detestable of parricides, if either of them had been no more.

They are in the utmost distress for your safety. Xhey will think themselves happy, when they know you are well, and in the protection of your brother Grandison.

Will they, Sir? O vvhat a paradox! They so indulgent, yet so cruel I, so dutiful, yet a fugitive! But tell me, Sir; determined as I was against entering into a state I too much honour to enter into it with a reluctant heart, cmtld 1 take any other step than that I have taken, to free myself from the cruel’ tij of persiinsion? O that I might have been per-mitted to take the veil! But answer my question, chevalier.

Surely, madam, they would not have compelled you. They always declared to me they would not.

Not compelled me, Sir! Did not my father kneel to me? My mother’s eyes spoke more than her lips coidd have uttered, ihe bishop had influenced good Father Marescotti (against the interests of re-ligion, I had almost said) to oppose the wish of my heart. Jeronymo, your Jeronymo, gave into their measures: What refuge had I? Our Giacomo wai inexorable. I was to be met on my return from Florence to Bologna, by the Count of Helvedere, and all those of his house; the general was to be in his company: I had secret intelligenc of all this: and I was to be received as an actual bride at Bo-logna, or made to promise 1 would be so within a few days after my arrival. My sister-inlaw, my only advocate among my Italian friends, pitied me, it is true: but, fur that reason, she was not to be allowed to come to Bologna. I was at other times denied to go toUrbino, to Rome, to Naples Ct.vhl I do otherwise than I have done, if 1 v.ould avoid prof “^.ning a Facrmrient?

Mv dearest sister Clementina smifcdwes accuses /“r-rV/of rashness, fortaking a step so extraordinary. At this moment, does slie not receive lier brother in daricness!-’ Whence this sweet oiiscioiisncss? But M’hat is done, is done. Your conscience is a law to you. Jf that accuse you, you will repent: if it ac(}uit you, who shall condemn? Let us look for-ward, madam. 1 approve not of the vehemence of your friends persuasions. Yet what parents ever meant a child more indulgence; what brothers, a sister more disinterested aiiection?

I own, Sir, that my heart at times misgives me. But answer me this: Are you of opinion I ought, at the instance of my parents and brothers, hov.- ever aiieetionate, however indulgent in all other instances, to marry against inclination, against jus — tice, against conscience?

Against any one of these you ought not.

Weil, Sir, then 1 will endeavour to make myself easy as to this article. But v.iil you undertake, Sir, (a woman wants a protector) to maintain this ar-gument for me?

I will, madam; and shall hope for the more sue-cess, if you will promise to lay aside all thoughts of the veil.

Ah, chevalier!

Will my dearest sister answer me one question? Is it not your hope, that by resisting their wishes, you may tire out opposition, and at last bring your friends to consent to a measure to which they have always been extremely averse?

Ah, chevalier! But if 1 could get them to consent

Dear madam! is not their reasoning the same If they could get you to consent?

Ah, chevalier!

May not this be a contention for months, for years? And

I know, Sir, your inference: you think that in a contentien between parents and child, the child should yield. Is not that your inference?

Not against reason, against justice, against conscience. But there may be cases, in which neither ought to be their own judge.

Well, Sir, you that have yielded to a plea of conscience (God lias blessed you, and may God coii’ iiniie to bless you, for it! )

Admirable Clementina!

Are fit to be a judge between us You shall be mine, if ever the debate be brought on.

No consideration, in that case, shall bias me! But may 1 not hope, that the dear lady I stand before, will permit nie to beliold a person, whose mind I ever revered?

Laura, said she, let the tea be got ready: I have been taught to drink tea, Sir, since my arrival. The gentlewoman of the house is very obliging. Permit me, Sir, to withdraw for a few moments.

She sighed as she went out, leaning upon Laura.

Laura returned soon after with lights. She set them on the table; and giving way to u violent emotion, O Milord Grandison, said the poor girl, falling down, and embracing my knees; for the blessed Virgin’s sake, prevail on my lady to return to dear, dear Bologna!

Have patience, Laura: all will be well.

I, the unhappy Laura, shall be the sacrifice. The general will kill me O that 1 had never accompa-nied my lady in this expedition!

Have patience, Laura! If you have behaved well to your lady, 1 will take you into my protection. Had you a good voyage? Was the master of the vessel, were his olfictrs, obliging?

They were. Sir; or neithtr my lady or I should have been now living. O Sir, we were in a dying way all the voyage; except the three last days of it. The master was the civilest of men.

I asked after her fei low-servant, naming him from Jeronymo’s letters. Gone out, was the answer, to buy some necessaries! O Sir, we live a sad life! Strangers to the language, to the customs of the country, all our dependence is upon this young man.

I asked her after the beh<ivii)ur and character of the people of the house (a widow and her three daughters) that if I heard but an indifferent account of ihem, 1 might enforce by it my intended plea to get her to Lady L.‘s. Laura spoke well of them. The captain of the vessel who brought them over, is related to them, and recommended them, when he knew what part of the town the lady chose.

What risqiies did the poor lady run! such different people as she had to deal with, in the contrivance and prosecution of her wild scheme; yet all to prove honest; hou happy! Poor lady! how ready wa^ she to fly from what she apprehended to be the nearest evil! But she could not be in a capacity to weigh the dangers to which she exposed herself.

Often and often, said Laura, have I, on my knees, besought my lady to write to you. But she was not always well enough to resolve idiat to do; and when she was sedate, she would plead, that she was afraid to see you: you would be very angry with her: you would condemn her as a rash creature: and she could not bear your displeasure: she was conscious that the act she had done, bore a rash, and even a romantic, appearance: had you been in town, Anthony should have made enquiries at distance, and she might have yielded to see you: but for several days her thoughts were not enough composed to write to you. At last, being impatient to hear of the health of her father and mother, she did write.

Why stays she so long from me, Laura? Attend your lady, and tell her, that 1 beg the honour of her presence.

Laura went to her. Her lady presented herself with an air of bashful dignity. I met her at her entrance My sister, my friend, my dearest Lady Clementina, kissing her hand, welcome, welcome, I repeat, to England. Behold your fourth brother, your protector: honour me with your confidence: acknowledge my protection. Your honour, your happiness, is dear to me as my life.

I led her trembling, sighii’.g, but at the moment speechless, to a scat; and sat down by her, holding both her hands in mine: she struggled for speech: Compose yourself, madam: assure yourself of my tenderest regard, of my truest l)rot!ieriy affection.

Generous Graiidison! Can you forgive me? Can you Irom your /leart bid me welcome? J will endea-vour to compose mjs.;lf You told me I was con scious: conscious ii.d;ed I am: the step I have taken has a disgraceful appearance: but yet will I not condemn, nor consent that ijou should, my motive.

I condemn not your 7)iotive, madam. All ivi//, all lUKsf, be hap})y! Rely on my brotherly advice and proteclion. My sisters, and their lords, every one I love, admire you. You are come to families of lovers, who will think themselves honoured by your confidence.

You pour balm into the wounds of my mind. What is woman when difficulties surround her I When it wns too late, and the ship that 1 embarked in was under sail, then began my terror; t/iat took awiiy from me all power of countermanding the or-ders 1 had given; till the winds that favoured my voyage, opposed my return. Then was I afraid to trust myself with n^y own reflections, lest, if 1 gave way to them, my former malady should find me out. But let me not naxkei/on unhappy. Yet, permit me to observe, that when you mentioned the kind re-ception 1 might expect to meet with, among your friends, you forbore to mention the princijjal person \\ hat will HUE think of thepoor Ciemenlina? But be assured, and assure her, that I would not have set my foot on the English shore, had you not been married. O chevalier! if 1 make you and her unhaj)pv, no creature on earth can hate me so much as 1 shall hate myself.

Generous, noble Clementina! Your happiness is indeed essential to that of us /jotfi.!My Harriet is another Clementina! You are another Harriet! Si.s-/(’/-excellencies 1 have called you to her, to all her relations. In the letter you favoured me with, you wishetl to know her: you j//,v/ know her; and 1 am sure you will love her. Your wishes that she would accept of my vows, were motives with her to make jne happy. She knows your whole history. She is prepared to receive you, as the dearest of her sis-ters.

Generous Lady Grandison! I have heard her cha-racter. 1 congratulate you, Sir. You have reason to think, that 1 should have been grieved, had you not met with a woman who deserved you. To know you are happy in a wife, and think yourself so, that no blame lies upon me for declining your addresses, will contribute more than 1 can express, to my ])eace of mind. When I have more courage, and my heart is eased of some part of its anguish, you shall present me to her. Tell her, mean time, that I will love her; and that I shall hold myself everlastingly bound to her in gratitude, for making happy the man, whom once, but for a superior motive, 1 had the vanity to think I could have made so.

She turned away her glowing face, tears on her check. My admiration of her greatness of mmd, so similar to that of my own Harriet, would not allow me to pour out my heart in words [ arose; and, taking both her hands, bowed upon them. Tears more plentifully flowed from her averted eyes; and we were both for one nmment speechless.

It would be injurious to a mind equally great and noble as that which informs the person of this your sister-excellence, to offer to apologize for faithfully relating to you those tender emotions of hearts, one of them not less pure than my Harriet’s; the other all your own.

I broke silence, and urged her to accept of apart-ments at Lady L’s. Let me acquaint the gentle — woman of the house, 1 beseech you, madam, that tomorrow morning the sister I have named, and I, will attend you to her house. We will thank her /or you, as you have almost forgotten your English, for the civilities which she and her daughters have shewn you: and I will make it my business to find out the honest captain, who, Laura tells nie, has been very civil to you also, and thank him too in the names of all our common friends, for his care of you.

I will think myself honoured, now you have encouraged me to look up, by a visit from either or both your sisters. But let me advise with you, Sir. Is thu kind otter you make me, a proper otter for me to accept of? 1 shall be ready to take your advice Little regard, as I may seem, by the step I have taken, to have had for my own honour; I would avoid, if possible, suttering a first error to draw me into a second. Do you, Sir, as my brother and friend, take care of that honour in every step you shall advise me to take.

Your honour, madam, shall be my first care. I sincerely think this is the rightest measure you can now pursue.

A7;tu pursue! sighing.

This argument admitted of a short debate. She was scrupulous from motives too narrow for a Cle-mentina to mention. I made her blush for men — tioning thL’in; and, in a word, had the happiness to convince her, that the protection of the sister of her fourth brother was the most proper she could choose.

I went down, and talked to the gentlewoman.

I requested them to make my compliments to Captain Henderson, and desire him to give me an opportunity to thank him in person for his civility to a lady beloved by all who have the honour of knowing her.

I went up again to the lady; and sat with her most of the evening, Laura only attending us.

I talked to Clementina of .Mrs. Beaumont, and the ladies of Florence; and intimated, that her mother had prevailed on that lady to come to England, in n’2 hopes, as she is an English woman, that her company would be highly acceptable to her. She bless — ed her mother! What an instance of forgiving good — ness was this! she said, with tears of gratitude; and blessed Mrs. Beaumont for her goodness to her; and the ladies al Florence ibr parting with one so dear to them.

I was happy throughout this latter conversation in lier serenity; not one instance of wandering did I observe.

I chose not, however, so early, to acquaint her with the intention of the dearest and nearest of her friends, to come over with Mrs. Beaumont; though I expressed my earnest hope, that if we could make England agreeable to her, i should have the honour of the promised visit from some of the principals of her family, before she left it.

This, my dearest life, is a m.inute account of our intcrviev/. One of the greatest pleasures 1 can know is to obey the gentle, the generous commands of my Harriet.

This morning I attended Lady L. to breakfast with the excellent lady, as proposed. iNIy sister and her lord are charmed with their guest: their guest she is: and Lady Clementina is as nuich pleased with them. .She is every hour more and more sensible of the dangers she has run; and censures herself very freely for the rash step, as she calls it herself.

Slie longs, yet is ashamed, to see you, my dearest life; and listens with delight to the praises my Lord and Lady L. so justly give to my Ilurriet.

Mond.‘iv aflcnioon. I have introduced Lord and Lady G. to Lady Clementina, at her own recjuest; being as’sured, she said, that the place of her refuge would be kept secret by all my friends. Both sisters occasionally joining in praising my angel; How happy, said she, are those marriages which give as much joy to the relations on both sides as to tho parties themselves!

Adieu, my dearest love. With the tenderest af-fection I am, and ever will be.

Your most faithful and obliged

CH. GRANDISON.
Letter XXVI


Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation. Tliursday, February 22.

We are as happy here, as we can expect to be; Lady Clementina in her state of suspense and apprehen-sion; I without my Harriet.

You hinted to me once, my love, something of our Beauchamp’s regard for Enn’ly. He just now, after more hesitations than I expected from my friend, opened his heart to me, and asked me to countenance his addresses to her. 1 chid him for his hesitation and then said, is my Biauchamp in this proposition so right as he generally is? Emily, though tall and womanly, is very young. I am not a friend to verj/ early marriages. You know as well as any man, my dear friend, the reasons that may be urged against sue!). Methinks I would give Emily an opportunity, as well for her husband’s sake, who-ever shall be the man, as for her own, to look round, her, and make her own choice. The merit of Sir Edward Beauchamp, his personal accomplishments, and character, to say nothing of his now ample for-tune, must make his addresses to am/ woman accept — able. You would not, 1 presume, think of marrying her, if you might, till she is eighteen or twenty: and would my Beauchamp fetter himself, by engage-ments to a girl; and leave her, who at present can hardly give him the preference he deserves, no chance of choosing for herself, when at woman’s estate?

He waved the discourse; and left me without re-suming it. I am grieved, on recollection; for I am afraid he is not satisfied with me, for what I said.

My dearest life, you must advise me. I will not take any important step, whether relative to myself or friends, but by your advice, and, if you please, Dr. Bartlett’s. Whenever heretofore 1 have had time to take that good man’s, I have been sure of the ground I stood upon. His has been of infinite service to me, as you have heard me often acknow-ledge. Yours and his will establish my judgment in every case: but in this of En;ily’s, yourx, my dear, for obvious reasons, I must preler even to his. In the mean tmie I will seek ]k>auchamp. He shall not be angry with his Grandison! But, good young man! Can it be, that he is really in love with such a girl as to years?

This I dare say; Beauchamp’s principal regard cannot be to her fortune: his estate is unincumber-ed. I should think myself, as well as Emily, happy, and that 1 had performed all my duty by her, were I to marry her to such a man. But, methinks 1 want him to be sooner married, than 1 should wish my Emily to be a wife. 1 think you told me, that Emily at present has no thoughts of him But you, my dear, must advise me.

Tiiur>(l;iy aflcrnonn. Sir Edward has just left me. He hoped I would excuse him for having mentioned the above subject to me; It is at present in your power, Sir Charles,

Sir CHARLKS GRANDISON. 189 said he, to silence me upon it for ever. It might not have been so some time hence I thought, there-fore, on examining the state of my heart, it was but honourable to open it to you. Forbid me this moment to think of her, and 1 will endeavour to obey licr guardian. i\l y dear friend! You know Emily’s age Would you willingly I stopt that he might speak.

Stay for her? 1 would, Sir Charles, till you and she lie paused Then resuming: My love for her is not an interested love. I would, if I might have your permission to make my addresses to her (and that should be by honest assiduities, before declaration) be wholly determined by your advice for the good of both. I would make your conduct to Lady Clementina, when you last went over, my pattern, I would be bound, she would be free. I never would be so mean as to endeavour to engage her by promises to me. My pride v/ill set her free, whenever I perceive she balances in favour of another man.

But wliat, my excellent friend, shall we do? Can you condescend to court tii’u women, Emily so young, ibr her distcuit consent?

What means Sir Charles Grandison? I Avill read to you without reserve, what I had just written to my Harriet, on this topic; recalling to her, what passed in the conversation betweenyou and mc a little while ago.

I read to him accordingly, what I wrote to you. lie heard me with great attention, not interrupting me once (nor did I interrupt myself; no not by apo-logies for the freedom of my thoughts, on the sub — ject). And when I had done, he wrung my hand, and thanked n;e for my unreservedness, in terms worthy of our mutual friendship.

You see, my dear Sir Edv.ard, said I, how I am circumstanced: what I have pron)ised to my wife, is a law to me, prudence and after-events not controuling. She loves Emily: she has a high regard for you. Women know women. Go hand in hand with her. I will save you the trouble of referring to nie, in the progress of your application to my wife and Emily. My Harriet will acquaint me with what is necessary for nie, as Emily’s guardian, to know. I build on 3’bur hint of assiduities, in preference to an early declaration. Yon, my Beauchamp, need not be afraid of giving time to a young creature to look round her. Let n;e add, that Emily shall give signs of preferring you to all men, as I expect from you demonstrations of your preferring her to all women; or I shall make a difficulty, for both your sakes, ofgiving a guardian’s consent: and remember also, that Emily has a mo-ther; who, though she has not greatly merited con sideration, is her mother. We must do aiir duty, you know, my Beauchamp, in the conmion relations of life, whether others do theirs or not. But the ad-dress of a man of your credit and consequence can — not give you any difficulty there, when that of Miss Jervois’s tender years is got over.

He was pleased vvith what I said. I asked him, If he approved of her motion to go down with .Mrs. Selby and Lucy? Highly, he said; and as it came from herself, he thought it an instance of prudence in her, that few young creatures would have been able to shew.

Instance of prudence! my love! How so! When, wise as our Northamptonshire relations are, Emily would have wanted no benefit that her choice can give her, were sns to remain with us, in the instructions and example of my Harriet. But, my dear life, does Emily hold her mind to attend Mrs. Selby and Lucy into Northamptonshire? Let it be with her whole heart.

My cousin Grandison believes himself to be very happy. His wife, he says, thinks herself the happiest of women. I am glad of it. Slie has a greater opi-nion of his understanding, than she has of her own; this seems to be necessary to the happiness of common minds in wedlock. He is gay, fluttering, de bonnaire; and she thinks those qualities appendages oi’/‘umili/. He has presented her with a genealogical table of his ancestors, drawn up and blazoned by heraldry art. It is framed, glazed, and hung up in her drawing-room. She shews it to every one. Per-haps she thinks it necessary to apologize, by that means, to all her visiters, for bestowing her person and fortune on a ruined man. But what, in a nation, the glory and strength of which are trade and commerce, is gentility? What even nobility, where de scendants depart from the virtue of the first enno — bling ancestor?

Lord and Lady G. have invited Lady Clementina to dinner tomorrow. She has had the goodness to accept of the invitation. Lord and Lady L. and my aunt Grandison, will attend her.

What, my dear, makes Charlotte so impatient (so petulant I had almost said) under a circumstance, which, if attended with a happy issue, will give joy to all h;jr friends? I once asked my Harriet, If Lord G. were as happy in a wife, as Charlotte is in a hus-band? You returned me not a direct answer. I was afraid of repeating my question, because 1 knew you would have cheerfully answered it, could you have done it to my wishes. I see in my lord’s behaviour to her, respect and aifection even to fondness; but not the polite aifection that becomes a wedded love. Let her present circumstance be happily over, and she will find her brother’s eye a more observant one, than hitherto she has found it. But be not, my dear over-soiicitous for the friend you so greatly value: true brotherly love shall ever hold the principal seat in my heart, when I sit in judgment upon a sister’s conduct.

My fond heart throbs in expectation of soon presenting a sister to each of the two noblest women on earth. Allow for the perplexity of Clementina’s mind; and for the impolitic urgency of her friends; and you will not, when you see her, scruple to hold out to a sister-excellence, not happily situated, the hand that blessed

Your ever — faithful

CH, GRANDISON.


Letter XXVIII.
Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation. Saturday, February 24.

The arrival of the Leghorn frigate is every day expected. The merchants have intelligence, that it put in at Ant’bes. If the journey by land from thence to Paris, and so to Calais, could be made favourable to my dear friend Jeronymo, 1 have no doubt but our expected guests landed there, at this season of the year, so unpropitious to tender passengers.

‘J he house in Cirosvcnor Square is now, thanks to good Lord G. quite ready for their reception. ‘1 here will be room, 1 believe, as they propose to be here incognito, and with only necessary attendants, for the marquis and his lady, for Mrs. Beaumont (who will be both their comforter and interpreter) for the two brothers, and Father Marescotti. Saunders has already procured handsome lodgings for the Count of Ik’lvcdtrc. I wish with you, ujy love, that the count were not to accompany them. ‘1 he poor lady must not know it, if it can be avoided. The two young lords, whom I invited when I was in Italy must be more imar^diately our own guests, if my djarest life has no objection.

Assufe yourself, my generous Harriet, that the lady shall not be either compelled, or too urgently p;irsuaded, if I have weight with the family when th;iy arrive Thay shall not know where she is, nor see her, but by her own consent, and as I see their disposition to receive her as I wish. Excellent creature! what a noble solicitude is yours for her tranquillity of mind!

I have not yet been able to break to her the daily expectation I have of seeing in England her parents and brothers: yet am uneasy, that she knows it not. I want courage, my Harriet, to acquaint her with it. 1 have more than once essayed to do it. Dear creature! she looks with so much innocence, and so niucli reliance upon me; and is, at timjs, so appre-hensive! I know not how to break it to her.

She depjnds upon mv mediation. Shj urges me to i)jgin a treaty of reconciliation with them. I defer writing, 1 tell her, till I have seen Mrs. Beau-mont. Little does she think they are upon their journey, and that I know not where to direct to them. She longs for Mrs Beaumont’s arrival; and hopes, she says, she will bring with her the poor Ca-milla, that she may have an opportunity to obtain h.T excuse for the harsh treatment she gave her and yet Camilla, said she, was a teazing woman.

Were you ever sensible, my Harriet, of the tender pain that an open heart (yours is an open and an enlarged one) feels; longing. yet, for its friend’s sake, afraid, to reveal unwelcotne tidings, which, how-ever, it imports the concerned to know? How loth to disturb the tranquillity which is built upon ig-norance of the event! Yet that very tranquillity (contemplated upon) adding to the pain of the compassionating friend; who reflects, that when the unhappy news shall he revealed, tyiie, and christian philosophy, only, will ever restore it to the heart of the fuff’erer!

Lord and Lady L. are endeavouring to divert their too thoughtful guest by carrying her to see what they think will either entertain or amuse her. To-mor-row (Lady L. contributing to the dear Lady’s proper appearance there) they purpose to attend her to the drawing-room. But hitherto she seems not to have a very high opinion of the country. If her heart could be easy, every-thing would have a different appearance to her.

*

I have this moment the favour of yours of yes-tet-day. If our kind friends ivill stay no longer with you at the hall, do you, my dearest love, as you propose, accompany them up. They are extremely obliging in proposing to give me here two or three days of their company, before they return to Northamptonshire.

Mjj consent, my Harriet 1 Why, if you have a clioice of your own, do you ask it? I must approve of whatever you \vish to do. Could 1 have been certain, I would have met my love. But you will have many dear friends with you.

Tell my Emily, that I have had a visit from her mother and Mr. O’Hara; and was so much pleased with them, that I propose on Monday to return their visit at their own lodgings.

Kow 1 know 1 am to be soon blessed with the presence of my Harriet, I have given way to all my wishes: one of them is, never to be separated from the joy of my heart. Such, 1 trust, will she ever be, to

Her grateful, ever-faithful

GRANDISON.


Letter XXIX.
Lady Grandison to Mrs. Shirley.

London, Friday, March 2. Again, my ever-honoured grandmamma, does your Harriet resume the pen. Lucy and my aunt, between them, have given you an account of every — thing that passed since my last.

We arrived Uist night. With what tenderness did the best of men, and of husbands, receive his Har-riet, and her friends!

This afternoon, at tea, I am to be presented to Lady Clementina at Lord L.‘s. Don’t you believe my heart throbs with expectation? Lmeed it does. Sir Charles says, her emotions are as great on the occasion.

What honour does my dear Sir Charles do to his Harriet! He consults her, as if he doubted his own judgment, and wanted to have it confirmed by hers. What happiness is hers, who marries a good man! Such a one will do obliging thirds for principle’s sake: he will pity involuntary failings: he will do justice to good intentions, and give importance to all his fellow-creatures, because he knows they and he are equally creatures of the Almighty. What woman, who iiiiiiL-s, but will prefer a good man to all otiiers, however distinguished by rank, fortune, or person? But my Sir Charles is a good man, and distinguished by all those advantages. What a creature siiould I be, blessed v.ith a husband of a heart so faithful, and so well-principled, if 1 were not able to let!uy love and compassion //otu to a Clementina, though once i^and indeed /o/— tiiat very reason) the only beloved of his heart! Why are not real calls made upon me, to convince such uuian, that I have a mind emulative of his own, at least of Clementina’s? The woman who, from motives of religion, having the heart of a Sir Charles Grandison in her hand, loving him above all earthly creatures, and all her friends consenting, could refuse him her vows, must be, in that act, the greatest, the most magnanimous, of women. But could the noble lady have thus acted, my dear grandmamma, had she not been stimulated by that enthusiasm, of which her disturbed imagination had shewn some previous tokens; and which, rightly directed, has heretofore given the palm of martyrdom to saints? *

We have just now been welcomed to town by Sir Edward Beauchamp. Sir Charles, on presenting him to me, thus expressed himself: You remember, my dearest life, what I wrote to you of the last part of the conversation between Sir Edward and me, in relation to my Emily. Your prudence, my Harriet, and love of the good girl; your discretion and ge-nerosity, Sir Edward; will join you together as counsellors and advisers of your Grandison. My wife and my friend cannot err in this instance, because you will both consider what belongs to the characters of a guardian, and a ward so beloved by you both: and, if you doubt, have Dr. Bartlett at hand.

My uncle, aunt, and Lucy, are determined to set out next Wednesday for Northamptonshire. Sir Edward desired to know of Sir Charles, If lie had any objection to his attending them down? None at all, surely, was Sir Charles’s answer.

Mr. Deane accompanies them, in order to adjust some matters at Peterborough, preparative to the favour he does us of settling with us, or near us, for the remainder of his days. May that remainder be Jong and happy I

Sir Charles asked Emily just now, If she held her mind, as to going down? Indeed she did, she said: her heart was in it; and slie would go that instant to acquaint her mother with her intention, and to buy some things preparatory to her journey: she should take it for a great favour, she told Lucy, if she would go with her on both occasions.

Lucy has made to herself a great interest in Emily’s heart. They are both sure they shall be happy in each other. My aunt loves her: so does my uncle. Who does not? I am surej/o will, my dear grandmamma, and pity her too. Dear pretty soul! She costs me now-and-then a tear. But had I not been in her way, it would have been worse. She could have no hope: I am sure she knows she could not. But what a sad gradation is there in that love, which, though begun in hopelessness of suc-ceeding, rises by self-flattery, to a possibility, then to probability, to hope; and, sinking again iohopelessness, ends in despair! But how coolly I write on, for one who is by-and-by to see a Clementina!

I am waiting Sir Charles’s leisure to carry me to Lady L.’s. He has Mr. Lowther with him just now; who, however, finding us engaged, will not stay.

Sir Charles approved my dress, as he passed by me to go to Mr. Lowther in the study. He snatched my hand, and pressed it with his lips: My ever-lovely, my ever-considerate Harriet, you want no ornaments: but I was sure you would not give yourself any but those that flowed from a compassionate and generous heart, when you were to visit a lady who at present is not in happy circumstances; yet is intitled by merit, as well as rank, to be in the happiest.

My aunt and Lucy long for my return, to have an account of the lady, and what passes between us. How my heart What is the matter with my heart?


Letter XXX.
Lady Grandison. In Continuation.

Saturday, March 3. Lady Clementina, my dearest grandmamma, must not, shall not, be compelled. If I admired, if I loved her before.?zotu that I have seen her, that I have conversed with hei”, I love, I admire her, if possible, ten times more. She is really, in her per-son, a lovely woman, of middle stature; extremely genteel: an air of dignity, even of grandeur, ap-pears in her aspect, and in all she saj’S and does: her complexion is fine without art: indeed she is a lovely woman! She has the finest black eye, hair, eyebrows of the same colour, I ever saw; yet has sometimes a wildish cast with her eye, sometimes a languor, that, when one knows her story, reminds one that her head has been disturbed. Why, taking advantage of her sex, is such a person to be controuled, and treated as if she were not to have a will; when she has an understanding, perhaps, superior to that of either of her inlful brothers?

When we alighted at Lady L.‘s, I begged Sir Charles to conduct me into any apartment but that where she was. I sat down on the first seat. Lady L. hastened to me My dearest sister, you seem disordered Fie! Lady Grandison, and want spi-rits!

Sir Charles (not observing my emotion) had left me; and v/ent to attend Lady Clementina. She, it eems, was in some disorder. My Harriet (said he so her, as he told me afterwards) attends the commands of her sister-excellence.

Call me not excellence! Call me not her sister! Am I not a fugitive in her eye, in every-body’s eye? I think, chevalier, I cannot see her. She will look down upon me. I think I am as much afraid to sec her, as I was at first to see you. Is there severity in her virtue?

She is all goodness, all sweetness, madam. Did I not tell you, that she is the Clementina of Eng-land >

Well, Sir, )ou are very good. Don’t let me be unpolite. I am but a guest in this hospitable house Else I would have attended her at the first door. Is she not Lady Grandison? Happy, happy woman! Tears were in her eyes. She turned away to hide them. Then stepping forward; I am now prepared to receive her: pray. Sir, introduce me.

She is not without he? — emotions, madam She is preparing herself to see you. Love, compassion, for Lady Clementina, fills her bosom I will present her to 7/oti.

Lady L. went to her. Sir Charles came to me. My dearest love, why this concern.^ You will see a woman you cannot fear, but must love. She has been in the like agitations Favour me with your hand.

No, Sir That would be to insult her. My dearest life! forget not your own dignity [I started]; nor give me too much consequence with a lady, who, like yourself, is all soui. I glory in my wife; I cannot desert myself.

I was a little awed at the time; but the moment I got home, and was alone with him, I acknowledged his goodness and greatness, both in one.

He led me in. Lady L. onlv (at Sir Charles’s o3 request, for both our sakes) was present. The noble lady approached me. 1 hastened to meet her, with trembling feet. Sir Charles kissing a hand of each, joined them together. Sister-excellences, I have often called you! Dearest of v/omen, love each other, as I admire you both.

She tenderly saluted me: Receive, receive to your love, to your friendship, a poor desolate! ‘Till within these few days, a desolate indeed! a fugitive! a rebellious! ^n ingrate to the best of parents!

I embraced her Mistaken parents, I have called them, madam I have pitied them: but most I have pitied you Honourmewithyoursisterly love. This best of men had before given me two sisters. Let us be four.

Be it so, my dear Lady L. said Sir Charles, bringing her to us: and, clasping his arms about the three; You answer for the absent Charlotte and yourself; a fourfold cord that never shall be broken.

Sir Charles led us to one sofa, again putting a hand of each together, and sitting down over-against us; Lady L. on the other hand of him. We were both silent for a few moments, each struggling with her tears.

My Harriet, madam, said Sir Charles, as I have told you, knows your whole story. You two are of long acquaintance. Your minds are kindred minds. Your griefs are hers: Your pleasures she will re-joice in as her own. My Harriet you now see, you now kao-M by person, the admirable Clementina, whose magnanimity you so much admired, whose character, you have so often said, is the first among women.

We bath we})t: but her tears seemed tears of kindness and esteem. I put the hand which was not in hers, on her arm. I wanted courage; my reverence tor her would not allow me to be so free, or it had again embraced the too conscious lady. Believe me, madam (excuse my broken Italian) I have ever revered you. I have said often, very of-ten, that your happiness, happy as I am, is necessary to complete mine, as well as Sir Charles Grandi-son’s.

This goodness to me, a fugitive, an alien to your country; not a lover of your religion! O Lady Grandison, you must be as much all I have heard of you in your mind, as I see you are in your person, lleceive my thanks for making happy the man I wished to be the happiest of men; for well does he deserve to be made so. We were brother and sister, madam, before he knew you. Let me be his sister still, and let me be yours.

Kindred minds, Sir Charles Grandison calls ours, madam. He does me honour. May I, on further knowledge, appear to as much advantage in your eye, as you from what 1 know of you, do in mine: and 1 shall be a very happy creature!

Then you xull be happy. I was prepared to love you. I love you already, methinks, with a passion that wants not further knowledge of your goodness to augment it. But can you, madam, look upon me with a true sisterly eye? Can you pity me for the step I have taken, so seemingly derogatory to my glory? Can you believe mc, unhappy, but not wicked, for taking it? madam! my reason has been disturbed, Do you know that? You must attribute to that, some of my perverscnesses.

Heaven, dearest Lady Clementina, only knows how many tears your calamity has cost me; in the most arduous cases, I have preferred }our happiness to my own. You shall know all of me, and of my heart. Not a secret of it, though yet uncommuni-cated to this dearest of men, will I conceal from you. I hope we shall be true sisters, and true friends to the end of our lives.

My noble Harriet!” said the sfenerous man Frankness of heart, my dear Clementina, is /(^r cha-racteristic. She means all she says; and will per — form more than she promises. I need not tell yon, my love, what our Clementina is: you know her to be the noblest of women; give her the promised proofs of your confidence in her; and, whatever they be, they must draw close the knot which never will be untied.

Already thus encouraged, said the noble lady, let me apply to you, madam, to strengthen for me the interest I presume to have in the friendship of Sir Charles Grandison. Let me not. Sir, let me not, I entreat you all three, be compelled to give my vows to any man in iparriage. All of you promise me; and I shall with more delight look before me, than for a long, long time past, 1 thought would fall to my lot.

You, madam, must concede a little, perhaps; your parents must a little relax. Their reason, if you will not be too unconceding, shall not, if I am referred to, be mine, unless it is reason in every other impartial judgme);t. Would to Heaven they were at hand to be consulted!

What a wish! Then you would give me up! You are a good man: will a good man resist the autho-rity of parents, in favour of a run-away child? Dear, dear madam, clasping her arms about me, prevail upon 3f0ur Chevalier Cirandison to protect me; to plead for me: he can deny you nothing: he will then protect me, though my father, my mother, my brothers, should all join to demand mc of him.

My dear Lady Clementina, said I, you may depend on your oivn interest with Sir Charles Grandi — son. He has your happiness at heart, and tc?7/have, as much as I wish him to have mine.

Generous, noble, good Lady Grandison! how I admire you! May the Almighty shower upon you his choicest blessings! If you allow me an interest in his services, I demand it of you, chevalier.

Demand it, expect it, be assured of it, my dear Lady Clementina. I want to talk with you upon your expectations, your wishes. As much as is practicable, whatever they are, they shall be mine.

Well, Sir, when then shall we talk? To-morrow will be too soon for my spirits.

Do my Harriet then the honour of passing the day on Monday with her. The dear friends we have for our guests will choose to pass it with Lord and Lady G Yourself, Lady L. my Harriet, and I, will be all the company: you shall declare your pleasure, and that shall be a law to me. At present, this af-fecting interview has discomposed us all; and we will retire.

Kindly considered! said she: you are in England what you were in Italy 1 am discomposed. 1 have discomposed yon, madam; to me. I was born to give trouble to my friends. Forgive me! I once was happy I may hope, madam, to Lady L. your sup-porting presence at your brother’s on Monday?

Lady L. bowed her assent. She understands Italian; but speaks it not.

Tlie lady stood up, yet trembling. I will with-draw, ladies. Sir, if you please. My head seems as if bound round by a tight cord (putting her hand to her forehead). Then clasping her arms round me, thus in a high strain spoke she Angel of a woman, gracious as the blessed Virgin Mother, benign, all that is good and great, I attend you on Monday. Adieu!

She kissed my cheek, I clasped my arms about her. Revered Lady Clementina! I could say no more. Tears, and tenderness of accent, interrupted my speech. Lady L. conducted her to her own apartment, and left her to her Laura.

We sat down, admiring, praising her. Dear Sir, said I, taking Sir Charles’s hand. Lady Clementina must not be persuaded. Persuasion is compulsion. Why comes over the Count of Belvedere? If she knows it, I will not answer for her right mind.

My uncle and aunt, Lucy, Emily, were very cu-rious after particulars, when we came home, as we did to supper.

Sir Charles left it to Lady L. to manage with Lady G. who he knew expected a day of our beloved guests; and he himself apologized to them for the freedom he had taken of so disposing of them. They had the goodness to thank him for his freedom. They long, however, to see the admirable lady, who could renounce the man of her choice from religious motives; yet love him still; fly to him for protection; yet be able to congratulate him on his marriage, and love his wife. She is great indeed! said my aunt. Lucy praised nn/ generosity But what is that which is called generosity in me, who am in full possession of all my wishes, to that of Cle-mentina?

Join, my dear grandmamma, in prayers for her happiness; the rather, as in it, from true affection, is included that of your

HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter XXXI.
Lady Grandison. In Continuation.

Monday, March 5. Lady L. and Lady Clementina came, just as we were preparing for breakfast.

Lady L. had given her such an account of my friends, that she was desirous to see them, and, as she was pleased to say, to bespeak their favour to the poor fugitive. After the first salutations, she addressed my aunt Selby in French, being told that she spoke not Italian: You are happy, madam, said she, in a niece, who may challenge the world to shew her equal; and still more happy in her being blessed with such a husband. Merit is not always so well rewarded. My aunt was struck with the manner as well as with the words.

She made a very pretty compliment to my uncle; who, having forgot his French, could only bow, and seemed pleased.

When Lucy was presented to her, as my uncle’s niece, and my favourite correspondent, You must not, mademoiselle, said she, be angry with me, if I envy you.

To Emily, Happy young lady! said she. I have heard of you in Italy. Mrs. Beaumont spoke ho-nourably of you to me, more than once. We both called you happy in such a guardian.

I hope, my dear grandmamma, you don’t think I forget my cousin Reeves’s, though 1 mentioned them not before. I have already called in upon them twice: and they have, with the kind freedom of re-lations, dropt in upon us several times. They are invited to Lord (i.‘s: 1 won’t say Lad^ G.‘s, though every-body else does.

This is vvhatlstole time to write, while Sir Charles is engaged in discourse with the lady; and our guests are preparing to be gone to Lord G.‘s, Lady (j. re-questing my aunt’s company early. She is the ve — riest coward! These brave spirits, she has said, are but flash. Indeed the very delicate, as well as very serious, and even solemn circumstances, which at-tend her case, must make the liveliest woman, when the time approaches, think! The enclosed note of hers to ixiy aunt, brought late last night, is, how-ever, in her usual stile:

You and Lucy must be here early tomorrow morning.

What wretched simpletons are we women! Daugh-ters of gewgaw, folly, ostentation, trifle! First, we shew our sorry fellow, when not disapproved, to our friends and relations: and take all their judgments upon him. If he has their opinion in his favour, every — body, be he what he will, will praise him; and give him riches, sense, ancestry, and I cannot tell what of qualities that perhaps we shall never find out. Then we shew our presents, our jewels, our laces; and a smile spreads the mouth, and a sparkle glad-dens the eye, of every maiden that hangs admiring over them. Ah silly maidens! if you could look three yards from your noses, you would pity, instead of envying, the milk-white heifer, dressed in rib-bands, and just ready to be led to sacrifice.

Well, then, what come next? Why, the poor soul, in a few months, by the time perhaps her gra-tulatory visits are half paid her, begins to find appre — hension take place of security. Then is she and all her virgins employed in the wretchcdest trifles If I thought youhad forgot them, I would give you a list of them And the poor fools, wrapping up their jewels in cotton, with sighs that perhaps they have worn them for the last time, and doubtful whom they may next adorn, cover the decked-out milk-white bed with their baby-things. See here! and See here! and, What is the use of this, and of that? asks the curious, and perhaps too fearless maiden. “ Why, this is for “ and “ That is for “ answer the matrons who have passed the Rubicon.

And to this is your Charlotte reduced! Aunt Selby, Lucy, come early, that I may shew you my babj/-th’ings\ O dear! O dear! O dear! and that you may be able to testify, that I had no design to overlay the little marmouset. Adieu till ten tomorrow morning.

C. G.

The moment our company were gone. Sir Charles canie to me; and leading me into my drawing-room, where the lady was, Comfort, my love, said he, your sister.

J hastened to her (poor lady! she was in tcar!, and even sobbing); and clasping my arms about her, Be comforted, be consoled, my dearest Lady Clementina.

O madam! my father, my mother, my Jerony-mo, are every day expected; who beside, 1 know not; How shall 1 look my father, my mother, in the face!

Sir Charles withdrew. He was grieved for her. He sent in Lady L.

Your dear friend, madam si id I, and?// dear friend, will protect you. Your father and mother would not have had the thoughts of taking so long and troublesome a voyage, had they not resolved to do evcry-thing in their power to restore you to peace, and to them.

So the ciievaiicr tells me,

At this time of the year, madam, such a voyage j yoiu’ mamma so tender in her health! Such a dislike to the sea! Her whole motive is tenderness and love. She prefers your health, your tranquillity, to her own.

And is not this consideration enough to distress a grateful spirit? Unworthy Clementina! To every relation, in every action, of late unworthy: What trouble hast thou given thy parents! I cannot, can-not bear to see them! O my Lady Grandison, I was ever a perverse creature! Whatever I set my heart upon, I was uneasy, till I had compassed it. My pride, and my perverseness, have cost me dear. But of late I have been more perverse than ever. My heart ran upon coming to England. I could think of nothing till I came. I have tried that experiment. I am sick of it. I do not like England, now 1 see I cannot be unmolested here. But my favourite for years, was another project. That filled my mind, and helped me to make the sacrifice I did. And here I am come to almost the only country in Europe, which could render my darling wish impracticable. Why went I not to France? I had with me sufficient to have obtained my admission into any order of nuns: and had I been once professed! I will get away still, I think. Befriend me, my sister! I cannot, I cannot, see my mother!

Sir Charles came in just then. 1 heard what you last said, madam, said he: Compose yourself, 1 beseech you. I dreaded to acquaint you with the ex pected arrival of your parents. But are they not the most indulgent of parents? You have nothing, you shall have nothing to fear, and you will have every-thing to hope, from their presence.

Will you engage for their allowing of a divine dedication. Sir? Will you plead that cause for me?

I cannot say what will, what can, be done, till J see them. But confide in my zeal to serve you, nadam. Lord L.‘s house, I repeat, shall be your asylum, till you shall consent to see them. I cannot be guilty of a prevarication: I will own to them, that 1 know where you are; but, till you give leave,

{rou shall be as much concealed from their know-edge, as if you were still at your first lodgings, and I myself ignorant of your abode.

A man of honour, said she, her hands lifted up, is more valuable to a woman in trouble, than all the riches of the East! But tell me now, tell me upon your never forfeited honour, whom, besides my

Jather, mother, and your Jeronymo, do you expect?

My lord the bishop, madam

Oh! Oh! said she, clapping her hands together, with an inimitable grace and eagerness I am afraid But whom else?

Father Marescotti

The good man! will he think it worth his while But for my father and mother’s sake he will Whom else?

Mrs. Beaumont, madam, never intended to set her foot on English ground again: but she has broken through her resolution, to oblige your mother.

Good Mrs. Beaumont! But I am half afraid of her. Well, Sir.

Camilla, your poor Camilla, madam.

Poor Camilla! I used her hardly: but teazing ne-ver yet did good with me. Remember, Sir, they are not to know where I am. Your house, madam, to Lady L. is to be my asylum. Then, seeing me af-fected. Gentlest of human hearts, said she, what right have I thus to pain you? Well, Sir, drying her eyes, with looks too earnest for her health of mind; tell me, is any-body else expected?

Your cousins Sebastiano and Juliano, madam; but not the general.

Thank Heaven for that! I love ray brother Gia-p2 come: but he is so determined a man! His own lady only can soften his heart.

Sir Charles, by his admirable address, made her tolerably easy by dinner-time, on the subject of her friends expected arrival: and she once owned, that she should be transported with joy to see her father, mother, and Jeronymo, could she assure herself, that she should see them with forgivingness in their countenance.

Sir Charles would only be attended at table by Saunders, whom she had seen in Italy. She was much pleased to have it so; but desired Laura might be permitted to attend at the back of her own chair.

I addressed myself to Laura three or four times, as she stood. The lady was pleased: and Laura seemed proud of my notice.

Now-and-then an involuntary tear filled the lady’s eye, as she sat. It was easy to enter into her thoughts, poor lady! on her situation. She was grieved, she said, at the trouble she gave me; and frequently sought to suppress a sigh. Once, after a reverie of a few minutes; And am I here? said she; in England.-* At the house of the Chevalier Grandison? Can it be?

After dinner Lady L. and she, and I, retiring to my drawing-room; What a generous lady, said she, are you! 1 was afraid to see you, before I saw you: but the moment I beheld you, I embraced a sister. You will allow of my esteem of your Grandison?

Of your love^ dear Lady Clementina, and thank you for it. A good man has an interest in every good person’s affections.

Such generosity, snatching my hand with both hers, would confirm a doubtful goodness. But indeed my esteem for him always soared above person. You know I am a zealous Catholic. You know our doctrine of merits. I would have laid down my life to save his soul. But sUrely God will be merciful to such a man; and no less so to such a woman, as (putting her arms about me) I have now the honour to embrace,

Mercy, madam, said I, is the darling attribute of the Almighty. He is the God of a// men.

True But And was going to say something further; but stopt on Sir Charles’s entrance.

Sir Charles, after sitting with us a little while, asked leave of absence for an hour, to look on his friends at Lord G.‘s. We had a charming conversation in the mean time. Our subjects were various. The customs of Italian ladies, and their surprising iiliterateness in general, were parts of it. A woman there, it seems, who knew more than her own tongue, was a miracle till within these few years; that the French customs seem prevailing there. The ladies of Italy, with geniuses fis fine as that classic climate ever produced, are immersed in the pleasures of sense: singing, dancing, and conversation-gallantry, take up their whole time. One would imagine, that their husbands and fuhcrs thought them only child-ren of this world, and not heirs of a better hope, by the little care taken in improving their understanding: and were it not for the religion of the country, which we call superstition, half the Italian world of women would be looked upon merely as temporary idols for men to worship for temporary gratifications only. Vet, in their conversation-assemblies, men see what they are capable of But their country, it seems, is in the same uncultivated state, as the minds of their women. The garden of the world, as Italy is called, is over-run with weeds: and, for want of cultivation, the very richness of its soil becomes its disease. But these reflections I draw rather by deduction from what Lady Clementina said, than p Li from any direct confession of hers. She is fond of her country in its present state: but sensible English travellers speak of it as I have written.

Sir Charles returned within his time. He is kind to be every-where! for he is the life of every company, and of every individual.

We passed a sweet evening together, and till near eleven o’clock. Were Lady Clementinahappy,how happy should we all be !

Sir Charles waited on the ladies home. Lord L. was by that time returned from Lord G.‘s; but was the first of the friendly company that withdrew. Lady G. it seems, was all alive in every part of the entertainment. My uncle Selby and she spared not each other. Her lord, I fancy, fared the better for the presence of the earl and Lady Gertrude, and for her having my uncle to shoot at.

God preserve my grandmamma, and all my dear friends in her neighbourhood, prays

Her ever dutiful

HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter XXXn.
Lady Grandison. In Continuation.

Wednesday, March 7. Our grief will be your joy, my dearest Grandmam-ma! My uncle, my aunt, Lucy, Emily, Mr. Deane! They are just gone: just left me.

What a parting! But Emily! Dear creature! what was her grief, her noble struggle with herself, to conceal her anguish from her guardian!

She will now be yours, and my aunt Selby’s; and, when once settled, will, must, be happy; for she is good, and you all love her, and will love her the more for this great instance of her nobleness of mind.

Abouthalf an hour before we parted, she begged to speak a few words to me in my closet. I led her thither. When we entered it, she shut the door, and dropt down on her knees. I;vould have raised her; but she would not be raised. I clasped my arms about her neck. I have revealed all my folly to you, said she. Forgive the weakness of a jjoor girl. A thousand, thousand thanks to you, madam, for your indulgent goodness to me. I longed to live with you and my guardian. I placed my whole happiness in the grant. You gave me an opportunity to try the experiment. What I little expected happened: I wa>* more unhappy than before. 1 revere yom-grandmamma: she is a blessed lady! How good was fche on your wedding-day, to wish me, poor mc! to supply to her the loss of her Harriet! Her goodness, her condescension, that of all your family, overcame me: it would not, perhaps, had I not tried the other experiment. All that 1 have now to beg of you, is, to pardon mc for the trouble I must have given to your noble heart: it /.v a noble heart, or it could not have borne with me as it has done. But promise to write a letter to me once a fortnight and permit me to write to you once a week; and I shall think my-self a happy creature. Not a thought of my heart but 1 will reveal to you.

I do promise, my love, my Emily. The corre-spondence between us v.ill delight mc. Nobody shall see any of our letters, but at your choice.

Lady L. Ladv (i. may. mad:i:n: the}’ love the poor Kiniiv. Nobody else may, 1 believe; 1 shall write so poorly! But I shall improve as I have more years, and more sense. But my present concern is more for Lady Clementina than for myself. Poor lady! Pray write something of her friends behaviour to her, and hers to them, to me particularly, besides what you write to your grandmamma: I shall take it for such a favour! And it will make me look so important! You don’t know how proud it will make me; and it will induce your Lucy, and every — body, to shew me every-thing you write to them; and I shall have it in my power to read out of your letters to me something in return; which will look like an acquittal of obligation.

All that she wished me to do, and still more, as occasions offered, I promised.

She arose from her knees; called me by many tender names; kissed one cheek, then the other; then one hand, then the other. I folded her to my fond heart: my sister, my friend, my Emily, I called her. VVe wetted each other’s bosom with our tears; and both went down with red eyes.

Extremely tender, but delicate, was the leave she took of her guardian. The brother, the affectionate friend, and father, I may say, appeared in his unreserved tenderness to her. She hurried into my uncle’s coach, which stood i-eady, when she parted with him, that her emotion might not be too visible. I hastened in after her, lest she should be too much affected; while my aunt, Lucy, and my uncle, were taking their leaves in the hall.

My dearest Emily, I admire you! said L

Do you, do you! Best of wives, of women, of friends, of sisters, do you say so? 1 behaved not amiss, then?

Amiss! No, my dear: charmingly, my love! You are great as ever woman was.

How you comfort nie!

Ailieu, adieu! my best love! said I. My best Lady Grandison! said she: both in a breath, as from one heart, embracing; and quitting each other with regret; her arms folded about herself, when 1 left her: as if I were still within them.

I gave my hand to Sir Edward Beauchamp, on stepping out of the coach; for he was ready to at-tend them; and hurrying into the hall, ihrew my — self into the arms of my aunt. My love, said she, take care of yourself: Emily shall not need to be your concern: she will be our Harriet.

Indeed she shall, said Lucy. Dear girl, she shall be mine: and, thank God, 1 now have two Harriets instead of one.

My uncle wept like a child at parting with me. He would have carried it oft”, smiling in his tears. What, what, sobbed he, shall 1 do for my girl! I shall miss, I shall miss, your sau-sau-sauciness some-times Was I ever angry with you in my life?

Mr. Deane comforted himself, that he should but settle his affairs at Peterborough, and then would make our residence his, wherever we should be.

All of them departed blessing us, and we them; hoping for a speedy meeting in Northamptonshire. Every one expressed their solicitude for the hap-piness of Lady Clementina, as well for her own sake, as for Sir Charles’s and mine-God give you, and my dearest, dearest friends, now on their journey to you, a happy meeting, with every felicity that on this earth can fall to the lot, of persons so dear to the heart of

Your ever-dutiful

HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter XXXIII.
Signor Jeronymo to Sir Charles Grandison.

Dover, Monday night, March 12. O. S. Here we are, my Grandison; my father and mother so indifferent in their healths, that we shall have time to wait for your direction. My mother was so incommoded, that we put in at Antibes; and by slow journeys, stopping a few days at Paris, proceeded to Calais, where we hired a vessel to bring us hither. My brother, and Father Marescotti, are indisposed. Camilla is not well. Mrs. Beaumont, to whom we owe infinite obligations, is the life of us all.

Have youheard of the dear fugitive, who has given us all so much disturbance, and, at this season of the year, so much fatigue? God grant that she may be safe in your protection, and in her right mind! Had she been so at the time, she had never meditated such a wild, such a disgraceful flight. The heart of the Count of Belvedere is torn in pieces by his impatience. He will soon follow the man and horse whom we dispatch with this. Signor Sebastiano will accompany him. Juliano will stay with us. The fatigue has been rather too much for your Jero-nymo: but he rejoices, that he has his foot on English ground; the country that gave birth to his Grandison; and in his hopes of seeing his kind and skilful Lowther. God grant us a happy meeting; and that no interruption may have been given to your nuptial happiness, by the extravagance of a young creature, which can only be accounted for in her, by the unhappy disorder of her mind! Adieu, adieu, my Grandison!

JERONYMO DELLA PORRETTA.


Letter XXXIV.
Lady Grandison to Mrs. Shirley.

Tuesday morning, eleven, March 13. About two hours ago, Sir Charles received a letter from Signor Jeronymo, The man had rode all night. They are all at Dover.

Sir Charles is already set out; gone, with four coaches and six, of our own and friends, for them, and their attendants; Mr. Lowther with him. Saun-ders is left to attend the Count of Belvedere to the lodgings taken for him.

The house in Grosvenor Square is ready for the reception of the rest.

As soon as I can get quieter spirits, I will attend Lady Clementina, in order to re-assure her, if I find she has presence of mind enough to hear the news. Sir Charles has already induced her to wish the crisis over. It is a crisis. 1 am almost as much affected for her, as she can be for herself. Yet she has not cruel friends to meet. May the dear lady keep in her right mind!

In what a hurry of spirits I write! You will not wonder. I have not my grandmannna’s steadiness of mind. Never, never, shall I be like my grand-mamma.

Tuesday, five o’clock. I?i Ladi/ Lh closet P\ I have, as gently as I could, broken the news of their safe arrival at Dover, to Lady Clementina. She began the subject; and said, she had been praying for the safety of her friehds. What will become of me, said she, should the fatigue be too much for either my father or mother, their l68 tllE HISTOUY OP healths so precarious; or for my Jeronymo, so lately ill?

After proper prefacings, I hoped, I said, her cares on that subject would soon be over. Sir Charles hal some intimation of the likelihood of their arrival at a particular port; and vv^as actually set out with coaches, in hopes of accommodating them, when they did arrive, and to bring them to the house which had been (as she knew before) got ready for their reception.

She looked by turns on me, and on Lady L. in speechless terror: at last, Then I am sure, said she, you know they are come. Tell me, tell me, are they indeed arrived? And are they all well?

I owned they were, and at Dover; and waited there to refresh themselves, and to be informed of her health and safety before they would proceed further.

She wept, even to sobbing; inveighed against her-self: her tears were tears of duty and tenderness. She comforted herself, that Sir Charles would be able to soften their resentments against her; and she was sure he wouhl make the best conditions for her, that could be obtained.

Lord L. is all goodness, all compassion, to her. He greatly admires her. But we observe, that there are some little traces of wildness now-and-then in her talk, which carries her into high language and exclamation. May her mind be quieted! May her intellects be preserved entire, in the affecting scenes before her! I am sent for home in hat<te.

Tuesday night.

Methinks T nm half afraid of telling even i/nri, n y grandmunma,;.t this distance, to wiiom 1 was s nt iwr, It was to the Count of Jieivedere. Sigi-or

Sebastiano was with him. Lord G. happened to call in at St. James’s Square, when they arrived; and sending for me, entertained them till I came.

I asked Lord G. half out of breath with fear, at my Jirst nlijr/iting, if he had said any-thing of the lady? Not a syllable, said he: I avoided answering questions. The gentlemen were full of impatience to know something about her: and this made me send for you: for, though cautioned, 1 was afraid of blundering. Honest, modest, worthy Lord G! I prevailed on them to stay supper with me. Lord G. was so obliging, as to send home to excuse him-self to his lady, at my request.

They are both fine young gentlemen, extremely polite.

We have been told, that the count is a handsome man. Indeed he is. Anylady, with such a cha-racter as he has, if she were not prepossessed, might like him. He is certainly a gentle-dispositioned and good-natured man. He looks the man of quality. He seems not to be above five or six-and-twenty: has a foreign aspect, and a complexion a sallowish brown; yet has a healthy look. His eyes, however, as 1 knew his case, appeared to me to have a cast like those of a man whose mind is disturbed.

I behaved to them with the greatest frankness I could shew. 1 told them, that Sir Charles set out in the morning, on the receipt of a letter from Dover, for that port, and with what equipages. They gave but a poor account of the health of the mar-chioness: But, if she could but hear good tidings, he said, and stopt

Sir Charles, 1 answered, would do his utmost to set their hearts at ease.

May I not a->k a question, madam? said the count. I find your ladyship knows every-thing of us, and our affairs. We heard in Italv, that vou were all goodness; and find you to be an angel. I make no compliment, said he, laying his spread hand on his heart.

I answered in French, the language in which he spoke to me That I had the pleasure of informing him, that letters had passed between Lady Clemen-tina and Sir Charles. The account she gives of herself, said I, makes us not quite unhappy.

Makes us! said the count to Signor Sebastiano, in Italian, his hands lifted up: Heavenly goodness!

I imagined that he thought I understood not that tongue; and that I might not mislead them into undue compliments, I said, in my broken-accented Italian, We all here. Signers, are as much interested in the health and happiness of Lady Clementina, as any of her friends in Italy can be.

They applauded all of us, who were, as they said, so generously interested in the happiness of one of the most excellent of women.

I told the count, that Sir Charles had, as desired, provided lodgings for him. I iioped he would find them convenient, though Sir Charles thought them not befitting his quality. He had, before he set out this morning (hearing that their lordships were then probably on their journey from Dover to London) ordered his gentleman to attend him to them: You, Signor, said 1, are, if you please, with Signor Ju-liano, to be Sir Charles’s own guests. We have another house which will be honoured with the re-sidence of the marquis and marchioness, their sons, the good Father Marescotti, and their other friends.

Good Father Marescotti! repeated the count Excellent Lady Grandison! But you say well: Fa-ther Marescotti is indeed a good man.

I have by heart, my lord, said I, the characters of all my dear Sir Charles’s Italian friends.

Again the two lords looked upon each other, as in tidmiration.

Pity, my clear grandmamma, that different nations of the world, though of different persuasions, did not, more than they do, consider themselves as the creatures of one God, the sovereign of a thou-sand worlds!

The count expressed great impatience to know some particulars of Lady Clementina. 1 took this opportunity to say, that as I had been informed of the transcendent piety of the lady, and of her great earnestness, from her earliest youth, to take the veil; I presumed it would forward the good understanding hoped for, if it were not at present known, that his lordship was arrived; and the rather, as several tender scenes might be expected to pass between her and her other friends, which perhaps her present (easily to be supposed) weak spirits, and turn of mind, might with difficulty enable her to support.

The count sighed: but, bowing, said, He came with a very small retinue, because he would be as private as possible. He had been for many months determined to visit England: the family della Por-retta. Signer .Jeronymo, in particular, had promised to visit Sir Charles in it likewise: they should indeed liave chosen a better season for it, had not th’jir care and concern for one of the most excellent of women induced them to anticipiite their intentions. He was entirely of my opinion, he said, that his arrival in Kiigland should not at present be known by Lady Clementina.

He then, in a very gallant, but modest manner, owned to my Lord G. and me his passion for her; and said, that on the issue of this adventure of the dear ladv hung his destiny.

I told him, 1 had been the more free in giving my huni!)le advice, as to the keeping secret his arrival, as, but for that reason, 1 could assure him Sir Charles would not have permitted his lordship, or any of his q2 train, to go into lodgings: and I mentioned the high regard which I knew Sir Charles had for the Count of Belvedere.

I ordered supper to be got early, as I supposed the two lords would be glad to retire soon, after the fatigue of their journey; for they had set out early in the morning. I sent a note, begging the favour of my cousin Reeves’s company to supper They were so kind as to come. They admire the two young noblemen; for Signer Sebastiano, as well as the count, is a sensible modest young man. Mr. lleeves and they entered into free conversation in French, which we all understood, on their country, voyage, and journey by land. Both gentlemen spoke of Sir Charles, and his behaviour in Italy, in raptures.

My cousin Reeves was so good as to conduct the count to his lodgings, in his coach; Sir Charles having all our equipages with him.

You will soon have another letter, my dearest grandmamma, from

Your ever-dutiful

HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter XXXV.
Lady Grandison. In Continuation.

Wednesday morning, Marcli 14.

Mr. and Mrs. Reeves were so kind as to breakfast, and intend to dine, with me.

They brought with them, as agreed upon over-night, the Count of Belvedere, who has assumed the name of Signer Marsigli. After breakfast, Mr. Ileeves> dropping my coysin at Lady G.‘s, carried the two noblemen through several oF the great streets and squares of this vast town; to West-minster-hall, the houses of parliament, &c.

I went in my chair, mean time, to pay my sln-cerest compliments to lady Clementina: I assured her, that she was, and should be, the subject of our choicest cares.

Poor lady! She is full of apprehensions. I owned to her the arrival of Signor Sebastiano, and his prayers for her safety and health; and told her what I had answered to his enquiries after her.

She was for removing to some distance from town, where slie thought she could be more private. Lord and Lady L. both assured her, it was impossible she could be any-where so private as in this great town; nor so happily situated (should she think fit, on a reconciliation, to own where she had been) as in the protection, and at the house, of Sir Charles Grandison’s brother and sister.

God be praised for the happy meeting you all have had. Lucy is very good to be so particular about my Emily!* Dear girl! She is an example to all young ladies! Let Clementina be made easy, and who will be so happy as your Harriet?

Thursday, March 1.5. Sir Charles h.as been so good as to let me know that he and Mr. Lovvther arrived yesterday morning at Dover. He found the marchioness, Signor Jero-nymo, and the good Camilla, as he calls her, very much indisposed from the fatigues they had under-gone both in mind and body. The whole noble family received him with inexjiressible joy. Jero-nynio told him, that his arrival, and ]Mr. Lowther’s \vilh him, had given them all s[)irito; and health must follow to those who were indisposed.

* Ttiij letter of Miss Lucv Sclbv a()[)cars not. Q 3

Sir Charles supposes, that they will be obliged to continue at Dover all this day. To-morrow, if the marchioness is able to bear the journey, they propose to set out, and proceed as far on their way to London as her health will permit; and to get to town as early on Saturday as possible.

The dear man thought his Harriet would be uneasy, if he had not written to her, as he shall be two days longer out than he had hoped. To be sure she should. If he had not thought so justly of her, as she knows no other method of valuing herself than by his value of her, she must have been extremely sunk in her own opinion.

He bids me assure Lady Clementina, that she will find every one of her friends determined to do all in their power to make her happy. Resentment, he says, has no place in their bosoms: they breathe nothing but reconciliation and love.

I will not, my dear grandmamma, dispatch this letter to you, till I can inform you that this Avorthy family are settled with us, and at Grosvenor Square.

Saturday evening, March IT.

I have just received the following billet from Sir Charles.

(irnsvenor Square, Snturday, foiir o’clock. I\Ty dearest love v.ill rejoice to know by this, that our friends are all arrived here in safety. The mar-chioness bore the journey better than we expected. IMy Jeronymo is in fine spirits. I thought it would give my Harriet as well as them less fatigue, if I put them into immediate possession of this house, than if I brought them to pay their compliments to her, as they were very desirous to do, at St. James’s Square. Mrs. Beaumont has allotted to them their respective apartments. There is room enough, and they are pleased to say, handsome room. Signor Juliano will attend you with me. What an admirable forecast in my dearest life! A repast so ele — gant, prepared (as your Murray informs me) by your personal direction, to attend their hour. She tells me you have borrowed a female servant of each of our sisters, and one of Mrs. Reeves, to join with two of your own, in the service of this house. In every-thing, on every occasion, you delight by your goodness and greatness of mind

Your ever-devoted

CH, GRANDISON.

I shall stay supper v.ith them. But shall break away as soon as I can, to attend the joy of my heart.

Am I not a happy creature, my dear grandmam-ma? By what little offices, if done with tolerable grace, maj — one make a great and noble spirit think itself under obligation to one! But had I known they would not have calledfirst in St. James’s Square, I would not have contented myself, as I did, with a visit to the other house in the middle of the day, to gee every-thing was in order, against they came: they should have found me there to receive and welcome them.

Signor Sebastiano is flown to them. I should have told you, that the count, at my request, dined and supped with me and Signor Seb:istia;io (they choosing to comply with our I-^nglish customs) every day of this week from that of his arrival They are really good young men. They improve uj)on me every hour. Mow do they admire Lady Clemen-tina! Thj count yesterday complimented me, that for piety, reading, understanding, sweetness of man-i^ers, frankness of heart, slie could only be equalled in England. Italy knew not, he said, nor had known of modern times, her mother exceptedj such an-other woman. If I kneiv Lady Clementina, he added, I would not wonder at his perseverance, he having besides the honour of all her family’s good opinion.

How I long to see every individual of this noble family! I know how sincerely I am interested for them all, by this one instance I have not now, for near a week that my dearest friend has been absent from me, in their service, wished once for his company; though had he not written to me on Thurs — day, I should have been anxious for his health and theirs.

May they be indulgently, and not ungraciously, forgiving! Then will I dearly love them, Poor Lady Clementina! How full of apprehensions has she been all this week! She has not stirred out of her chamber since Wednesday morning, nor designs it for a week or two to come.

Sunday.

Sir Charles left his noble company for their sakes early last night; and he was pleased to tell me, for his own sake, longing to see, to thank, to applaud his Harriet. He brought with him the two young noblemen, who are our own immediate guests.

He gave me, last night and this morning, an ac-count of what })assed between the family and him — self, from his arrival at Dover, to their coming to town last night.

They confessed the highest obligations to him for attending them in person; and for bringing Mr. Lovv-ther v.ith him. But when, on their eager questions to him after their Clementina, he told them, that he had heard froin her, and that she had owned herself to be in honourable and tender hands, the marquis lifted up his eyes in thankful rapture: the marchioness, with clasped hands, seemed to praise God; but her hps only moved: all the rest expressed their joy in words dictated by truly affectionate hearts.

Sir Charles found them all most cordially disposed to forgive the dear fugitive, as the bishop called her: liut depend upon it, add. d the prelate, nothing vvill secure her head, but our yielding to her in her long wished-for hope of the convent, or our prevailing on her to marry: and if you, Grandison, join with us, I question not, but the latter may be effected.

Sir Charles blamed them for having precipitated her as they had done.

That, said the bishop, was parly the fault of our well-meaning Giacomo; and partly her own; for more than once she gave us hope that she would comply with our wishes.

I besought Sir Charles, that he would not be prevailed upon to take part with them, if she continued averse to a change of condition.

I waved the subject, my dearest life, replied he, at the time. I have continued to do so ever since. I want only to see them settled, and Lady Clemen-tina composed, and then I shall know what can be done. Till then, arguments on either side will ra-ther strengthen than remove difficulties.

The bishop, with great concern, told Sir Charles, that when the first news of Clementina’s flight was brought to Bologna, her poor mother was for two days as unhappy in her mind, as ever her daughter had been; and when it was found likely that Cle-mentina was gone to England, she insisted so vehe — mently on following her, that they had no other way to pacify her, but by jiromising that they would without delay pay to Sir Charles the visit they intended, and some of them ha<l engaged, to make him. Nor would she, when she grew better on their promise, acquit them of it. This determined them to this winter excursion, sorely against the will of some of them: and it was in compassion to this unhappy state of the poor mother’s mind, that Mrs. Beaumont consented to accompany her.

Sir Charles is gone to attend Lady Clementina. He then proposes to welcome theCount of Belvedere into England; and afterwards to wait on the noble family, and know when 1 shall be permitted to pay my devoirs to them.

Sunday, two o’clock.

Sir Charles has found it very difficult to quiet the apprehensions of Lady Clementina. He is grieved for her. God grant, he prays, that she keep in her right mind. Lady L. thinks the poor lady is already disturbed.

Sir Charles was joyfully received by 5/^o? — Mar-sig/i. He owned to that lord, that he knew where to send letters to Lady Clementina, He is to introduce me by-and-by to his guests in Grosvenor Square.

Sunday night.

Sir Charles presented me to this expecting fa-mily. I admire them all.

The marquis and marchioness are a fine couple. There is dignity in their aspects and behaviour. A fixed kind of melancholy sits upon the features of each. The bishop has the man of quality in his ap-pearance; but he has something more solemn in his countenance than even Father Marescotti; who, at a glance, is not unlike our Dr. Bartlett: the more like, as goodness and humility both shine in his countenance.

But Signer Jeronymo is an. amiable young man: I could almost at first sight (and his winning grace

SIK CHARLES GRANDISON. 179 confirmed me) have called him brother. With sig-nal kindness did my Sir Charles present me to this his dear friend; and with equal kindness did Signor Jeronymo receive me, and congratulate Sir Charles. They all joined in the congratulation.

The amiable Mrs. Beaumont! She embraced me! She felicitated me with such a grace, as made hei manner surpass even her words.

The good Camilla was presented to me. She has the look of a genllewoman. How many scenes did the sight of this good woman revive in my memory! Some of them painful ones!

Signor Marsio^li, as he is called, and the two young lords, dined with them. This being a first visit on my part, we made it a short one. We went from them to Lady Ct.‘s, and drank tea with her and her lord. Sir Charles could not bear, he said, to go immediately from the sighing parents to the sorrowing daughter; they not knowing, nor being at present to know, she was so near them.

Lady (jr. was ao petulant, so whimsical, when her brother’s back was turned, that I could not forbear blaming her: but 1 let her go her own way: shestopt my mouth “ So you think i/ou shall behave more pat iently, more Llinnlcjalli/, in the same circumstance! Look to it, Harriet!”

Here, my dearest grandmamma, I will conclude this letter. Pray for the poor Clementina; for a happy reconciliation; and that the result may be tranquillity of mind restored to this whole noble family; so necessary to that of your dear Sir Charles, and

His and your HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter XXXVI.
Lady Grandison. In Continuation.

Thursday, March 22. Nothing decisive yet, my dear grandmamma.

There have been some generous contentions between the family and Sir Charles, He has besought tiiem to make their hearts easy, and he will comply with all their reasonable desires.

They think not of dining with, or visiting us, till they can hear some tidings of their beloved daughter. LordG. Lord L. and Lady L. as also Mrs. Elea-nor Grandison, have been presented to them.

Sir Charles has begun to enter into treaty, as I may call it, with the lady on one part, her family on the second, and the Count of Belvedere on the third. Lady Clementina, it seems, insists upon being allow-ed to take the veil; and that in a manner that some — times carries wildness with it. The bishop. Sir Charles thinks, seems less fervent in his opposition to it, than formerly. Father IMarescotti, in his heart, he believes, favours her wishes. But the marquis and marchioness, and Signer Jcronymo, plead their own inclinations, their son the general’s unabated fervor, in behalf of the marriage, were it but to se-cure the performance of the grandfather’s will, and to be an effectual disappointment of the interested hopes of Lady Sforza and her daughter Laurana. The Count of Belvedere’s passion for the lady (not-withstanding her unhappy malady past, and appre — hended) makes a great merit for him with the family; and the two young lords think so highly of him lor his perseverance, that they are attached to his interest; and declaie, that tiie Conte della rcrretta their father is as strongly on the same side as the general himself.

In the mean time, the fond mother is so impatient to see her daughter, that they are afraid of the consequences as to health both of mind and body, if a speedy determination be not come to: on the other hand, the young lady grieves to find herself, as she says, in such a situation, as to be obliged to insist on conditions with her parents j before she can throw herself ah their feet; which she longs to do, though she dreads to see them. Sometimes (and they are when she is calmest) she blames herself for the step she has taken; at others, she endeavours to find excuses for it.

Sunday morning, March 25. Sir Charles has drawn up a paper at the request of all parties. lie last night gave a copy of it to the lady; another to the count; a third to the bishop; for them all to consider of the contents; and he will attend them tomorrow for their answer. He has been pleased to give me also a copy of it; which is as follows:

I. That Lady Clementina, in obedience to the will of her two deceased grandfathers, in duty to her parents and uncle, and in compliance with the earnest supplications of the most af-fectionate of brothers;, shall engage her honour to give up all thoughts of v.ithdrawing from the world, not only for the present, but for all future time, so long as she shall remain in her maiden state.

II. She shall be at lit)erty to choose her way of life; and ^hail be allowed, at her own pleasure, to visit her brother and his lady at Naples; her uncle at Urbiao; Mis. Beaumont at Florence;

VOL. XV. il and be putinto the immediate possession of the profits of the estate bequeathed to her, if she chooses it; that she may be enabled to do that extensive good with the produce, that she could not do, were she to renounce the world; in which case, that estate would devolve to one, who, it is but too probable, would make a very different use of it.

III. She shall have the liberty of nominating her own attendants; and in case of death, or re-moval by promotion, of Father Marescotti (whose merits must at last render him conspi-cuous) to choose her own confessor: but that her father ar,d mother shall have their negative preserved to them, in either case, while she continues in their palace: nor will the dear lady think this a hardship; for she wishes not to be independent on parents, of whose indulgent goodness to her she is most dutifully sensible; and it is reasonable, that they should be judges of the conduct of every one who is to be a do-mestic in their family.

IV. As lady Clementina, from some late unhap-py circumstances, thinks she cannot marry any man; and as a late extraordinary step taken by her has shewn, that there is at present too much reason to attend to the weight of her plea; it is hoped that the Count of Belvedere, for his own sake; for the sake of the composure of mind of the lady so dear to all v.ho have the honour of knowing her; will resolve to discon-tinue his addresses to her, and engage never to think of re.-uming them, unless some hopes should arise, in course of time, of his succeeding in her iavour by her own consent.

V. Her ever-honoured parents, for themselves, ^nd for their absent brother the Count of Por retta; her right reverend brother for himself, and, as far as he may, for his elder brother, Signor Jeronymo for himself; will be so good as to promise, that the}’ v,ill never with earnestness endeavour to jjersuade, nmch less to compel. Lady Clementina to marry any man whatever; nor encourage her CJamilla, or any other friend or confident, to endeavour to pre* vail upon her to change her cojidition: her pa-rents, however, reserving to themselves the right of proposing, as they shall think fit, but not of urging; because the young lady, who is by nature sweet-tempered, gentle, obliging, dutiful, thinks herself (however determined by inclination) less able to withstand the persua-sions of indulgent friends, than she should be to resist the most despotic commands. VI. These terms conceded to, on all sides, it is humbly proposed, that the young lady shall throw herself (as she is impatient to do) at the feet of her indulgent parents; and that all acts of disobligation shall be buried in everlasting oblivion.

The proposer of the above six articles takes the liberty to add, on the presumption that they may be carried into effect, a request that his noble guests will alloAV him to rejoice with them on their mutual happiness restored, for months to come, in his native country.

He hopes that thej’^ will accept of his endeavours to make England as agreeable to them, as they heretofore made Italy to him.

He begs that they will consider their family ‘and his, as one family, ever to ho united by the indissoluble ties of true friendly love.

He hopes for their company at his country seat. u2

He will seek for opportunities to oblige and ac-commodate them in every article, whether devotional or domestic.

And when they will be no longer prevailed upon to stay in England, he will (no accidents, no events, preventing, of which themselves shall be judges) attend them to Italy; and if his beloved wife and sisters, and their lords, shall have made to themselves, as he hopes they will, au interest in their affections, he questions not to prevail on them to be of the party.

CH. GRANDISON. Monday morning, ten o’clock.

Sir Charles is gone to attend the count at his lodgings, in pursuance of his request signified by a note last night.

1”\vo o’clock.

The following billet is just now brought me.

My dearest Harriet will have the goodness to excuse my dining with her this day. Signor MaisigU, and I, are hastening to Grosvenor Square; where we shall dine. This worthy nobleman deserves pity. Adieu, my dearest life!

CH. GRANDISON.

I am all impatience for the issue of these confer-rences: but I will not dine by myself, when I can sit down at table with Lady L. and Lady Clementina; and Vvith my Lord L. himself, so much my brother and friend. Here therefore will I close this let-ter. Forgive, my ever-honoured grandmamma, the abruptness of

Your ever-dutiful

HARRIET GRANDISON. SIR CHARLES GRAVDISON.


Letter XXXVII.
Lady GRANDISON. In Continuation.

Monday, March 26.

Lady L. when I was set down at her house, told me, that Lady Clementina had been in great agitations on the contents of” the proposals left with her. She kept her chamber all day yesterday, and this morning. Lady L. had then but just left her. I sent up my compliments to her. She desired me to walk up. She met me on the stair-head in tears; and led me into her dressing-room Have you seen the chevalier s proposals, madam? I owned 1 had.

Give up for ever, said she, my scheme, my darling scheme, for thesake of whicii, I There she stopt.

It was easy to guess what the }K)or lady was going to say. The subject was too delicate for me to help her out.

Dearest Lady Clementina, said I, be pleased to consider the good it will be in your power to do to hundreds, according to the second article, if you c(ui comply. How much has ourduar friend consulted your beneficent sj)irit! All my fear is, that your pa-rents will not subscribe to their part of it. If they tu///, what a favourite .>clieme oftheirown will they give up!

She caused Tlien breaking sileiitx’ And is it your opinion. Lady Grandison/ Your o^jiiiioii, juin-td to the clievcdier’s I>et me consider

She took two or three turns about the room: then, thinking of Sn — Charles’s intimation of:i tour to Italy With what soothing, wluit consoling hope, said she, does the next-to-divine man almost conci-liate my mind to his measures! And could \ ou, u;) would you, madam, think of going with us to Italy? how flattering are these hints!

I should rejoice in such a tour, replied I: love me but in your Italy, if I should be allowed to go, as

I do you in our England, and I shall be happy in so fine a country, as I am told it is. But, dearest lady, what shall we do to obtain your friends compliance with these articles? Shall I cast myself on my knees before your father and mother to beg theirs? You in my hand, I in yours?

Ever good, ever noble Lady Grandison! But how first shall I pacify my own lieart on jielding to my part of them?

Let it not stick there, madam. Will not Lady Clementina meet them one fuiirth of the way? It is not more.

Well, I will consider of it. I bhall hear what thcy will do. Your advice, my dear Lady Grandison, shall have all the weight with me, that a sister’s ought.

I attended the summons to dinner. She excused herself. I took leave of her for the day, declaring my intention of going home as soon as I had dined.

Monday night.

Sir Charles returned with a benevolent joy bright-ening his countenance. He hopes to bring this ailair to an issue not unhapp)’.

He was first with the Couut of Belvedere, who received him Avith great emotion. I apprehended, said he, that I was to be the sacrifice. (3 Grandison, did you but know the hopes, the assurances, given me by the general, by every-body!

Sir Charles expatiated on ever};’ argument that could compose his mind.

Will she promise, will she engage, that if ever she maiTy, it will be the man before you, chevalier?

Why did you not make Unit a stipulation In my fa-vour?

I think such a stipulation would be of disadvantage to your lordj;hip: 30U would he kept by it in sus-l)ciisc, whatever had oflcrcd, whether in Italy or Spain; in both which countries you have considerable connexions. 11’ Lady Clementina can be brought to give up the veil, it may not be impracticable to induce her in time (but time nmst be given her) to favour v.ith her hand a man of your lordship’s merit and consequence. If oUierwise, your lordship (unfettered either by hope or obligation) will be free to make another choice.

Another choice, i^rcl This to a man, who has so long adored her; and, through the various turns of her unhappy malady, still preserved for her a love that never any other woman shared in! But, if you ])lease, we will hear what her father, hvr mother, and other friends, say to the articles you have drawn

They went to them. Alter dinner the in;portant subject had a full and solcnm consideration.

Signor Jeronymo and Mrs. Beaumont only at first espoused the proposed plan in all its articles; but every-body came into it at last. Ciod be praised! Now surely the dear lady nnist be happy. But the poor Count of Belvedere! He has not, in giving up his inclinatio;!, such a noble triumpii of self-conquering dutvas .she had to support her in the same arduous trial. But then he c’lerishes a hope, that there remains a possibility; the lady still ur.rnarried.

Noble;-! of women! Is Harriet a bar? No! She is what you gencrous^ly wi.-hed her to be.

S’ir Charles excused himscif to Lady C^lementina by a ‘ic\y lines last night, for not waiting on her yesterday; and just as he was setting out to attend her this morning, the following note was brought him from Signer Jeronymo; the contents designed to strengthen his endeavours to prevail on the lady to accept his plan.

MY DEAREST GRANDisoN, Tuesday morning.

You will make us all happy, if you can prevail upon our beloved Clementina to accept, and sub-scribe to, your generous plan, as we all most cheer — fully are ready to do. “ Restore yourself, my dear — est sister, this day, or tomorrow at furthest, to the arms of the most indulgent of parents, and to those of the most affectionate of brothers, two of us, who will answer for our third. How impatiently shall we number the hours, till the happy one arrives, that we all shall receive from the hand of the dear-est of friends, and best of men, a sister so much be loved! “ Ever, ever, my dear Grandison,

Your grateful

JERONYMO. my dearest Lady Clementina! let your sister Plarriet prevail upon you not to refuse the offered olive-branch !

Tuesday, tvvo o’clock.

Sir Charles has just now acquainted me, that he has prevailed with Lady Ciementina. To-morrow afternoon she will throw herself at the feet of her father and mother. Rejoice with me, my dear grandmanuna! All my friends, rejoice with me! congratulate me! Is it not I myself that am going to be restored to the most indulgent parents, brothers, friends!

Let me gratefully add, from the information of his aunt Grandison, v.hom he brought home with sin CHARLES GUANDISOX. 189 him, that he was so good as to resist entreaty to dine at Lord L.‘s. Because, as he was pleased to give the reason (and was generously commended for it, by Lady Clementina) that I was alone. Lord L. proposed to send to request my company: he was sure his sister Grandison would oblige them. And I, my lord, said Sir Charles, am sure she would too: but the time is so short, that it is not giving one of the most obliging women in the world an option Tenderest of husbands! Kindest and most consider-ate of men i He will not subject a woman to the danger of being a refusing Vashti; nor yet will give her reason to tremble with a too-meanly apprehen-sive Esther.

Tucsd.‘iy evening. As Sir Charles and I were sitting at supper, sweetly alone; the whole world, as it seemed, to each other (for JMrs. Grandison chooses to be at present at Lord L.‘s, and was gone thither); the following billet was brought me, written in Italian; which thus I English:

“To-morrow, my dearest Lady Grandison, as the chevalier has no doubt told you, the poor fugitive is to be introduced to her parents. Pray for her. Ikit if I am to have the honour of being looked upon as indeed your sister, you nui^t do more than pray for nie. Was you in earnest 3csturday, when you offered your comforting hand to sustain me, if I consented to cast myself at the feet of my father and mother? Lady L. is so good as to consent in per-son to acknowledge the protection she has given me. V’ill you, my sister, henxy sister on this awful occa-sion? Will you lend me your suiiporting hand? ii’you, as V, ell as Lady L. credit the ruu-away peni-tent with your appearance in her favour, then will she, with more courage than can otherwise fall to her share, look up to those parents, and to those brothers, whose indulgent bosoms she has filled with so much anguish. Till tomorrow is over, she dare not sign the respectable addition to the name of Tuesday evening. “ CLEMENTIxVA.”

Will I! repeated I, as soon as I had read it: IVas I in earnest yesterday! Indeed I was: indeed I xvill. Read it, my dearest Sir, and give me leave to an-swer its contents, as my amiable sister wishes.

He had looked benignly at his servants, and at the door; and they withdrew as soon as the billet was brought, on my saying, From the lady!

Scenes that may be expected to be tender, said he, will not, I hope, affect too much the spirits of my angel But it is a request as kindly made by Clementina, as generously complied with by you. I will tell you, my dear, how, if the lady please, we will order it. After dinner you shall call upon your worthily adopted sister, and take her and Lady L. to Grosvenor Square. I will be there to receive her, and present her to her friends, though I doubt not but she will meet with a joyful welcome. I will ac-quaint her with this tomorrow morning.

Wednesday morning, March 28. Lady Clementina approves of my calling upon her and Lady L. and of Sir Charles’s being at Grosvenor Square, ready to receive her. I am to attend her about five in the afternoon. She is, it seems, full of apprehensions.

Wednesday niglit, ten o’clock.

We are just returned from Grosvenor Square

Dear Sir, I obey you. Sir Charles, in tendernesB to me, insists upon my deferring writing till to-mor-row. The first command he has laid upon me.


Letter XXXVIII.
Lady Grandison. In Continuation’.

Thursday morning, March 29. Now for particulars of what passed yesterday. Sir Charles is gone to Grosvenor Square, to enquire after the health and composure of the family there.

When I called upon Lady Clementina yesterday, five o’clock, I found her greatly distressed with her own apprehensions, I must, said she to me, be a guiltier creature than I had allowed myself to think I was: why else am I so ashamed, so afraid, to see parents whom I ever honoured, brothers and friends whom I ever loved? O Lady Grandison! What a dispiriting thing is the consciousness of having done amiss! And to a proud heart too!

Then looking upon the written plan, Let me see, said she, what 1 am to sign. These were the remarks she made upon them, as she read.

( 1. ) Hard, hard article, t/ic first! But your Grandison, madam, my fourth brother, my friend, my protector, tells me, that I shall discharge all the obligations he ever laid upon me, if 1 will sign it. I submit.

( 2. ) How flattering to my ])rido; to my hopes of doing good to the indigent and unhappy!

( 3. ) Nominating my attendants my confessor Kind, considerate Grandison! If 1 give up the first wish of my heart, I shall not insist upon these stipu-lations in my favour. My parents shall have, in these cases, affirmative and negative too. Indeed T desire not in any article to be independent of them.

( 4.) A grateful article! 1 acknowledge, chevalier, your protection, with gratitude, in this stipulation.

( 5. ) If my friends promise, they will perform. Ours is a family of untainted honour. I hope my brother Giacomo will be answered for by his brothers in these articles: but he will hate me, I fear.

Generous Grandison! what tempting proposals do you conclude with! And you, Lady Grandison, are so good as to say, that my happiness is wanting to complete j^ours That is a motive, 1 assure you. Lead me, madam, and do you, my dear Lady L. (my hospitable other protectress) oblige me with vour countenance too. A woman of your honour and goodness, sister of the Chevalier Grandison, ac-knowledging me your guest, and answering for my behaviour, will credit the abject Clementina in the eyes of her forgiving relations. Sir Charles Grandi-son there before me, to prepare them to receive graciously the fugitive! Lead me on, while I can be led: I will attend you.

She looked wild and disordered; and, giving each of us a hand, we led her to the coach. But, at step-ping in, she trembled, faltered, and seemed greatly disturbed. V\‘e consoled her all we could; and the coach drove to Grosvenor Square. When it stopt, she threv,’ her arms about Lady L. and, hiding her face in her bosom, called upon the blessed \ irgin to support her How, how, .said isht’, can I look my father, my mother, in the face!

Sir Charles, on the coach:.topning, appeared. He saw her emotion. It is kind, my Harriet! It is kind, Lady L.! to accompany Lady Clementina. Your goodness will be rewarded in being eye-witnesses of the most gracious reception that ever indul^^cut pa-rents gave to a long absent daughter.

Ah, chevalier! was all she could say.

Let me conduct vou, dearest Lady Clementina, into a drawing-room, where you will see no other person but whom you now see, till your recovered spirits shall rejoice the dearest of friends.

I was afraid she was too much discomposed to at-tend to this considerate expedient. 1 repeated, therefore, what Sir Charles last said. She was visi-bly encouraged by it. She gave him her trembling hand; and lie led her into the prepared drawing-room. Lady L. and I followed. Our offered salts, and soothing, with difficulty kept her from fainting.

When she was a little revived Hush! said she, with her finger held up, and wildness in her looks, casting her eyes to the doors and windows in turn: they will hear us! Further recovering herself O chevalier! said she, what shall I say? How shall I look? What shall I do? And am I, am I, indeed, in the same house with my father, mother, Jerony-nio? Who else? Who else? with quickness.

It is so ordered, my dearest Clementina, said Sir Charles, in love and tenderness to you, that you shall only see your mother first; then your father At your own pleasure, your brothers, Mrs. Beaumont, Father 3Iarescotti.

Sir Charles was sent for out Don’t, don’t leave nie, Sir. Then looking to Lady L. and then to me You are all goodness, ladies Don’t leave me.

Sir Charles instantly returned: Your mamma, madam, all indulgence, is impatient to fold you to her heart. What joy will you give her!

He offered his hanil. She gave iiim hers: motioning for our attendance. Sir C’harles led her, we following, into the room where was her expecting mother. The moment each saw the other, they ran with open arms to each other. O my mamma! My Clementina! was all that either could say.

They sunk down on the floor, the mother’s arms about the daughter’s neck; the daughter’s about the mother’s waist.

Sir Charles raised them, and seated them close to each other Pardon! pardon! pardon! said the dear lady, hands and eyes lifted up, sliding out of her mother’s arms on her knees But at that moment could say no more.

The marquis, not being able longer to contain himself, rushed in My daughter! my child! ray Clementina! Once more do I see my child!

Sir Charles had half-raised her, when her father entered. She sunk down again, prostrate on the floor, her arms extended: O my father! Forgive! Forgive me, O my father!

He raised her, by Sir Charles’s assistance; and, seating her between himself and his lady, both again wrapt their arms about her. She repeated prayers for forgiveness, in broken accents: blessings, in ac-cents as broken, flowed from their hearts to their lips.

After the first emotions, when they could speak, and she now-and-then could look up, which she did by snatches, as it were, her eyes presently falling under theirs, Behold, madam, behold, ni}’^ lord, said she, the hospitable lady to whom looking at Lady L. Behold, looking at me, a more than woman; an angel More she would have said; but seemed at a loss for words.

We have before seen and admired, said the mar-quis, in Lady Irrandison, the noblest of all women. He arose to approach us: Sir Charles led us both to them.

Lady Clementina snatched first my hand, and eagerly pressed it with her lips: then Lady L.‘s: her heart was full: she seemed to want to speak; but could not; and Lady L. and I, with overflowing

SIR CHARLES GRANDISON. 195 eyes, congratulated the father, mother, daughter; and were blessed in speech by the two former; by hands and eyes lifted up, by Lady Clementina.

Sir Charles then withdrawing, returned with the bishop, and Signer Jeronymo. It is hard to say, whether these two lords shewed more joy, than Cle-mentina did shame and confusion. She offered at begging pardon: but the bishop said, Not one word of past afflictions! Nobody is in fault. We are all happy once more; and happy on the conditions prescribed to both by this friend of mankind in general, and of our family in j)articular.

My ever noble, my venerable brother, said Jero-nymo (who had clasped his sister to his fond heart, his eyes running over) how I love you for this uncalled-for assurance to the dear Clementina! Every article of my Grandison’s plan shall be carried into execution. We will rt’joice with the chevalier in his England And he, and all who are dear to him, shall accompany us to Italy. We will be all one family.

Sir Charles then introduced to the lady his greatly and justly esteemed Mrs. Beaumont. Clementina threw herself into her arms. Forgive me, my dear Mrs. Beaumont! If i/ou forgive me, virtue will. Pardon the poor creature, who never, never, would have so much disgraced your lessons, and her mam-ma’s example, as she has done, had not a heavy cloud darkened her unhaj)py mind. Say you for-give me, as the best and most indulgent of parents, and the kindest of brothers, have done.

It was not your fault, my dear Lady Clementina, but your misfortune. You never was so much to be blamed as pitied. All here are of one sentiment. We came over to heal your wounded mind: be it healed, and every one will be happy; yes, more happy perhaps (for now we all understand one an-s2

Other) than it’ you had not left us to mourn your absence.

Blessed be my comforter, my friend, my beloved Mrs. Beaumont! You always knew how to blunt the keen edge of calamity: what a superior woman are you!

Father IMarescotti was introduced by the marquis himself, with a respect worthy of his piety and goodness. I submit, father, said Lady Clementina, be fore he could speak, to any penance you shall inflict.

His voice would not befriend him: his action, however, shewed him to be all joy and congratulation.

I have been wicked, very wicked, continued she But Mrs. Beaumont says, and she says justly, that I merited pity, rather than blame. Yet if you think not so, you,’ who are the keeper of my conscience, spare me not.

Who, who, said the good man, shall condemn, when father, mother, and brothers, so zealous for the honour of their family, acquit? God forgive you, my dearest lad}^! And God forgive us all!

My dearest Chevalier Grandison, said Jeron^-mo, what gratitude, what obligations, do we owe to j’ou, and your admirable lady and sisters! Again J ac-knowledge the obligation for a whole family, from this hour a happ}’ one, I hope.

It had been agreed between the family and Sir Charles, that not a word should be mentioned to Lady Clementina of the Count of Belvedere. They requested Sir Charles to take upon himself the breaking to her, that he was in England, in his own manner, as opportunity should offer.

Every one having been greatly affected, Sir Charles proposed to take leave; and that Lady Clementina should return to Lady L.‘s for that night, as preparation might not have been made for her stay in

Grosvenor Square: but all the family, with one voice, declared they could not part with the restor-ed daughter and sister of their hopes: and she her — self cheerfully consented to stay; gratefully, how — ever, thanking Lady L. for her sisterly treatment.

Who, in the general joy, said Sir Charles, has remembered the good Camilla? Let Camilla congratulate her lady, and all of us, on this happy oc — casion.

Every-one called out for Camilla. In ran the worthy creature. Cn her knees she embraced her young lady’s, and wept for joy. Ah! my Camilla, my friend Camilla! said Clementina, clasping her arms about her neck, I have been cruel to 3’ou: but it was not I Alas! alas! I was not always myself I will endeavour to repair your wrongs.

Thank God that I once more clasp my dear young lady to my heart! I have no wrongs to complain of.

Yes, yes, you have, kind Camilla: I wanted to elude your watchful duty; and was too cunning to he just to my Camilla.

Sir Charles forgot not to commend Laura to for-giveness and favour. Laura, said Lady Clementina, is blameless. She obeyed me with reluctance. If J am )iii/s(’// i’org’ncu, forgive Laura.

My dearest love, said the marchioness, we have agreed that you shall choose your own servants. ‘J’lie chevalier, we have no doubt, had Laura in his thoughts, when he made that stipulation: the En-glish youth too. You, my Clementina, must have it in your ])()wer to do with these as you please.

May I be j)ermitted, my lords, said Sir Charles, to make one request (or mvself to Lady Clementina; a recpiest which siiall be consistent with the articles you will all sign?

I will agree to a requc.-t of yours, chevalier, said the ladv, l)e it almost what it will.

I will not, madam, make it today, nor tomorrow. After the hurry of spirits we have all sustained., let tomorrow be a day of composure. Permit me to expect you all at dinner with me on Friday. The articles then may be signed: and then, but not before, I will mention my request, and hope it will bo granted.

Sir Charles’s invitation was politely accepted; and tomorrow

Lady Clementina and Mrs. Beaumont below! Agreeable surprise!

Sir Charles had been out, and v/as just come in when the two ladies alighted. I was overjoyed to see them, and to see Lady Clementina serene, and seemingly not unhappy. We are come, said Mrs. Beaumont, to make our earliest acknowledgments for the happiness restored to a whole family. Lady Clementina could not be easy till she had paid her

Eersonal thanks to Lady Grandison, for the support er presence gave her yesterday.

Gratitude, said the lady, fillr, my heart: but how, chevalier, shall I express it? I beseech you, let me know your request. Tell me, dear Lady Grandison, wherein 1 can oblige my fourth brother?

My dearest Lad}’ Clementina, said Sir Charles, fortify your heart against a gentle (I hope it will then be hut a gentle) surprise. Yon have not yet signed, your relations have not, I presume, the articles to which you have mutually agreed.

Sir! Chevalier! Sir!

Let me not alarm you, madam.

He put one of her hands in mine; and took the other, in a very tender manner, in his.

Yoic intend to sign them? Theij do, I am sure. To-morrow, when we are all together, they will bQ signed on both sides.

I hope so Tliey will not, chevalier, be receded from?

They will not, niadain: and hence you will be assured, that the Count of Belvedere will never be proposed to you with any degree of urgency. I hope not, 1 hope not, said she with quickness. Should you, nuidum, on your return to Italy, be unwilling to see the count as a friend of your family, as a respecter of your great qualities, as a country-man?

I shall always regard the Count of Belvedere as a man of honour, as a friend of my brother Giacomo, of all our family But I cannot place him in any other light. What uicaiis the Chevalier Grandison? Keep not my mind in suspense.

I will not. Your father, your mother, your bro-thers, came over in hopes, that you might be pre viiiled upon in the count’s favour. They have given up that iiope

They have, Sir!

And V, ill absolutely leave you to your own will, to your own v.ishes, on the condition to which you have agreed to sign But a/;c.7/ I ask you Were the count to he in France, would you allow him to come over, and take leave of your family and you, before he sets out ibr the court of Madrid?

What, Sir! as a man who had hopes from me of marc than my good wishes?

no, madam; only as a friend to the whole family not retpiestingany other favour, now he sees you so dttermined. th:ni your good wi>hcs, your prayers, for him, as vou v>illever have his for you.

I can consent in that vieu —: bi;t were any other favour to be hoped from me; wvrc my generosity to be expected to be prevailed upon C) chevalier! Lady Grandison! 3Jrs. Beaumont! Let me not be attempted in this way: the articles would be broken: this would be persuasion, and that compulsion.

Nothing, madam, of this kind is intended. The articles will be inviolably observed on the part of your relations. But here Mrs. Beaumont, who never intended to set her foot on the English shore, to oblige and comfort your mother, is come to England: and in the general grief that was occasioned by your ab-senting yourself, if the man, who was always de servedly esteemed by your family, had accompanied, had attended, your father, your brothers

Sir Charles stopt, and looked at the apprehensive lady with such a sweet benignity, and, on her eye meeting his, with such tender and downcast modesty (all the graces of gentle persuasion are his!) chevalier! your request! j^our request! Tell me in what I can oblige the most obliging of friends, of men!

I will tell you, madam bowing on the hand he held Consent, if it be not with too much pain to yourself, to see the Count of Belvedere.

See him. Sir! How? When? Where? As what?

As afriend to your family a well-wisher to your glory, and happiness; and as a man ready and desirous to promote the latter at the expense of his own. He wishes but, while he stays here

“Stays here,” Sir!

To be allowed to visit your family, and to see you once, twice, thrice, as you please but entirely under the conditions of the articles to be signed tomorrow.

And is then the count in England?

He is, madam. Me attended his and your friends over. He has not once desired to appear in your presence: he keeps himself close in privatclodgings. Hence judge of his resolution not to disturb or offend you. He will depart the kingdom without an inter-view, if you will liave it so: but I could not bear that so good a man should be obliged to depart disgracefulltj, as I may say, and as if” he were undeserv — ing of pity, though he could not obtain favour.

O chevalier!

Secured, madam, by the articles, though Ids emotion maybe aj)prehendcd to be great,?/ori’ cannot There is not the saniL; reason for the one as for the other: I make it ivjj request, that the Count of Ik’l-vederemay be allowed, as one of the chosen frieiuls of your house, but as no more {.iwre the articles for-bid) a place at my table tomorrow.

To-morrow, Sir! and I present!

He bowed affirmatively.

O how the penetrating man looked into the heart of the lady at her eyes! As sure as you are alive, madam, he thought of guessing by her then emotion, whether any hopes could distantly lie for the count, by the consequence his presence or absence would <rive him with her.

She paused At last And is this, chevalier, the request you had to make me? it is, madam; and if my Harriet had not had the honour of this visit, I should have unule the same re-quest for his admission in the evening tomorrow as now 1 do to dinner.

^Vell, Sir; I can suspect no double-dealing from Sir Charles Grandison.

I ask lor no favour for thc count more than I have mentioned, madam: I am bound by the articles I have drawn, as if I were a party to them.

Well, Sir, I consent to see the count. lie will be prudent. I hope 1 AvcM be so. Jn Italy, more than once, after you left it, I saw him: and I always wished him happy.

Now, my dearest sister, said Sir Charles, my ever-to-berespected friend, I am easy in my mind. I could not bear in my thoughts, that any-thing I knew, which it concerned ^02< to know, should be concealed from you.

Tears stood in her eyes. O madam, said she to me, God and you only can reward this excellent man for his goodness to me, and all the world that know him. You see your influence, chevalier. In every way do I wish to shew my gratitude. But never, never, ask me to give my hand in marriage.

Ah! my dear lady! thought I; a tear stealing involuntarily down my cheek; the fcv, the les’i, I doubt, must you be asked, for having before you a man. who having no equal, you cannot think of any other.


Letter XXXIX.
Lady Grandison. In Continuation.

Tliursilay evening, March 29-Lady G. has sent for me in all haste. She is taken ill. God give her a happy hour! my grandmamma! there are solemn, there are awful, circumstances in the happiest marriages.

She be’j;s to see her brother as well as me.

I wait for him. The Count of Belvedere is with him.

They have parted I am gone.

Thursday niglif.

Just returned, All happily over! A fine girl!

StR CHARLES GRANDISON.

Yet though a fine one, how are the earl and Lady Gertrude disappointed! Poor mortals! how hard to be pleased!

The brave are always humane. Sir Charles’s tender and polite behaviour on this occasion How does every occurrence endear him to every-body!

How dearly does Lord G. love his Charlotte! Till all was over, he was in agonies for her safety. His prayers then, his thankfulness now, how ought they to endear him to his Charlotte! And so they must, when she is told of his anxiety, and of his honest joy, or I will not own her for my sister. But in her heart, I am sure, she loves him. Her past idle behaviour to him was but play. She will be matronized now. The mother must make her a ivife. She will doubly disgrace herself, if she loves her cA/W, and can make a jest of her husband.

I have just now asked Sir Charles, whether, if he could prevail on Lady Clementina, while they were all with us, to give her hand to the Count oi Belve-dere, he would? By no means, said he, and that for both their sakes. Lady Clementina has, on many occasions, shewn that she may be prevailed upon by generous and patient treatment: let the count have patience. If she recover her mind, a train of cheer-ful ideas may take place of those melancholy ones, which make her desirous of quitting society. She will find herself, by the articles agreed to, in a situation to do more good, than it is possible she could do, were her inclination to take the veil to be gratified. The good she will do will open and enlarge a mind Avhich is naturally noble: and she will be grateful for the indulgence given her which will be the means of so happy a change; but if the poor lady’s mind be not curable (which God forbid) who will pity the count for nor being able to obtain her hand? 1 think, my dear, 1 have made him, though not happy, easy; and I hope he will be able to see her without violent emotions.

Friday morning,

Signers Sebastiano and Juliano are come back, rejoicing that they have been introduced to, and kindly received by, Lady Clementina.

Sir Edward Beauchamp has just left me. How happy does the account hs gives of my Emily’s cheerfulness make me! I knew you would all love her.

Sint;erely do I rejoice in the news which my Nancy confirms, that Lucy has absolutely rejected the addresses of Mr. Greville, She startled me once, I can tell her! A naughty girl! What could she mean by it?

Won’t she give me the particulars under her own hand? 1 shall be afraid of her till she does; so much was I impressed by her warmth in the argument she once held with me, in his favour, as I thought. Yet I cordially wish ‘Sir. Greville well; but my Lucy better. Pray, madam, let me privately know, if the proposals from the voung Irish peer,* whom Nancy praises so much for his sobriety, modesty, learning, and other good qualities, were made before or after the rejecting of Mr. Greville? I half-mistrust the girls who have been disappointed of a first love. Yet Lucy’s victory over herself was a noble one. She is in the way, I hope, to be rewarded for it. God grant it! Think you, my dear grandmamma, I can be solicitous (as 1 am from the bottom of my heart) for the happiness of a new-adopted sister, and not be inexpressibly anxious for that of my Lucy, the faith — ful, the affectionate friend of my earlier years? Our guests are entering. .May the same gracious

Lord Reresby, mentioned Vol, XIV. p. 323,

Providence, wliich has more than answered every wish of your Harriet’s heart in her own situation, shower down its blessings on Lucy, on you, and all the revered, the beloved circle! prays, my dear grandmannna,

Your and their ever dutiful and affectionate

HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter XL.
Lady Grandison to Mrs. Shirley.

Saturday, March 31.

Now, my dear grandmamma, let me give you some account of what passed yesterday.

The articles signed and witnessed, were put into Lady Clementina’s hand, and a pen given her, that she might write her name, in the presence of all her surrounding friends here.

Never woman appeared with more dignity in her air and manner. She was charmingly dressed, and. became her dress. A truly lovely woman! But every one by looks seemed concerned at her solemnity. She signed her name; but tore off, deliberately, their names; and, kissing the torn bit, put it in her bosom: then, throwing herself on her knees to her father and mother, who stood together, and presenting the paper to the former; Never let it be said, that your child, your Clementina, has presumed to article in form with the dearest of parents. Mi/ name stands. It will be a witness against me, if I break the articles which I have t^igned. But in your forgiveness, my lord, in yours, madam, and in a thousand acts of indulgence, I have too much experienced your past, to doubt Your future, goodness to mc. Your intention, X my ever-honoured parents, is your act. I pray to God to enable your Clementina to be all you wish her to be. In the single life only indulge me. Your word is all the assurance I wish for. 1 will have no other.

They embraced her. They tenderly raised her between them; and again embraced her.

I would not, methinks Sir, said she, turning to Sir Charles, for the first time see the Count of Bel-vedere before all this company, though I revere every one in it. Is the count in the house?

He is in my study, madam.

Will my mamma, said she, turning to her, honour me with her presence?

She gave her hand to Sir Charles, and took mine. Jeronymo followed her; and Sir Charles led her into the next room. Too great solemnity in all this! whispered the Marquis to Father Marescotti. She courtesied, invitingly to Mrs. Beaumont. She also followed her.

Sir Charles, seating her and the marchioness, by the young lady’s silent permission, went into his study; and, having prepared the count to expect a solemn and uncommon reception, introduced him. He approached her, profoundly bowing: a sweet blush overspread her cheeks: You, my Lord ot Bel-vedere, said she, are one of those my friends, to whom I am, in some measure, accountable for the rash step which brought me into this kingdom; because it has induced you to accompany my brothers, whom you have always honoured with your friend-ship. Forgive nie for any inconveniencies you have suffered on this occasion.

What honour does Lad Clementina do me to rank me in the number of t’ e friends to whom she thinks herself accountable! Believe me, madam

My lord, interrupted she, I shall always regard you as the friend of my family, and as my friend. I shall wish your happiness, I do wish your happiness, as my own; and 1 cannot give you a stronger proof that I do, than by withholding from you the hand which you have sought to obtain with an unshaken, and, my friends think, an obliging perseverance, quite through an unhappy malady, which ought to liave deterred you, for many sakes, and most for your own.

.My dear mamma, throwing herself at her feet, forgive me fur wy perseverance. It is not altogether owing (1 hope it is not at nil owing) to perverseness, and to a wilful resistance of the wills and wishes of all my friends, that J have withstood you. Two rea-sons influenced me, when I declined another hand: religion and country, a double reason, was one; the unhappy malady which had seized me, was another. 7’it’o r((7io/(,v, rising with dignity, and turning from her weeping mother, also influence me uith regard to the Count of Belvedere; though neither of them are the important articles of religion and country. 1 own to you, before these my dearest friends, and let it be told to every one whom it concerns to know it, that justice to the Count of Belvedere is one What a wretch shotdd 1 be, if I gave my hand (o a man who had not the preference in my heart, which is a hus-band’s due! Andsliould I, who had an unhappy rea — son to refuse one worthy man for his oxkji sake, per — haps for the sakes of the unborn (I will speak out on this im[)ortant occasion) not be determined to do as nuich justice to another? In one word, 1 refused to punish the Chevalier Grandison [Madam, to me, you know my story]: What has the Count of Belvedere done, that I should make no scruple to punish him? My good lord, be satisfied Avith ni\— wishes for your happiness. 1 find myself, at times, very, very wrong. I have given proofs but too convincing to all my x2 friends, that I am not right. While I so think, conscience, honour, justice (as I told you once before, my good chevalier) compel me to embrace the single life. I have, in duty to my nearest friends, given up the way I should have chosen to lead it in. Let me try to recover m3’self in their way. My dearest, dearest, mamma (again dropping on her knees to her) I vvill endeavour to make all my friends happy in the way they have agreed to miakc me so. Pray for me, all my friends! looking round her, tears in big drops trickling down her cheeks. Then rising, Pray for me, my Lord of Belvedere: I will for you; and that you may do justice to the merit of some worthier woman, who can do justice to yours.

She hurried from us, in a way which shewed she was too much elevated for her bodily powers. Sir Charles besought Mrs. Beaumont to follow her. Mrs. Beaumont took my hand.

We found the lady in the study: she was on her knees, and in tears. She arose at ourentrance. Each of us hastening to give her a hand, O my dear Lady Grandison,said she, forgive me. Am I, am I wrong, my dear Mrs. Beaumont? tell me. Have I behaved amiss?

We both applauded her. Well we might. If her greatness be owing to a raised imagination, who shall call it a malady? Who, but for the dear lady’s own sake, would regret the next-to-divine impulse, by which, on several occasions, she has shewn herself actuated?

She suftered herself to be led to her mother, who embracing her (Clementina again kneeling to her) My dearest child, my blessed daughter, we all of us, while such are your apprehensions, must acquiesce with your reasons. Be happy, my love, in your own magnanimity. J glory in my child.

And I in my sister, said the noble Jeronymo

Saint! angel! kneeling to her on one knee, notwith-standing his lameness, I next to adore my sister.

She called him her brother, her true brother. Then, taking my hand: And will yo?^ Lady Grandison, said she, be my sister? Shall Sir Charles Grandison be my brother? Will you return with us into Italy? Shall we cultivate on both sides a family-friendship to the end of our lives?

I threw my arms about her neck, tears mingling on the cheeks of both: It will be my ambition, my great ambition, to deserve the distinction you give me My sister, my friend, the sister of my best friend, love liim as he honours ijou; and me for his sake, as I will you for your own, as well as for his to the end of my life.

Sir Charles clasped his arms about us both. His eyes spoke his admiration of her, and his delight in each. Angels he called us. Then seating us, he took the count’s hand; and, leading him to her, Let me, madam, present to you the Count of Belvedere, as a man equally to be pitied and esteemed. He yields to your magnanimity with a greatness of mind like your own. Keceive then, acknowledge, the ^friend in him. lie will endeavour to forego a dearer hope.

Then will I receive him as my friend. I thank you, my lord, for the honour you have so long done me. ^lay vou behajjpy w itii a woman, who cii}i deserve you! See that happy pair before you; May you be c/.v happy as Sir Charles Grandison! What greater felicity can I wish you?

He took her hand: on one knee he raised it to his lips: I will tear from you, madam, a tormentor. I nnisc a.sk nothing oi’ i/on; but, ibr myself, I c;m only promise, in the words of the Chevalier Grandison, to tiKifaroHr to i’orego a dearer, xht.’ driirc t, hope.

The count arose, bowing to her with profound rc-T S spect; his eyes full; as his heart seemed to be. Sig* nor Jeronymo motioned to return to the company. Lady Clementina wished to retire with me, till what had passed was related to the rest. I led her to my closet. There did we renew our vows of everlasting friendship.

Sir Charles, thinking the relation would be pain-ful to the count, withdrew with him into his study. Mrs. Beaumont, and Signer Jeronymo, told those who were not present at the affecting scenes, what had passed.

When we were summoned to dinner, every one received Lady Clementina as an angel. They ap-plauded her for her noble behaviour to the count, and blessed themselves for having taken the resolution of coming to England; and most of all, they blessed my dear Sir Charles; to whom they ascribed all their opening happy prospects; and promised themselves that iiis family and theirs would be as much one, as if the alliance, once so near taking place, had actually done so.

Sir Charles, at and after dinner, urged the carrying into execution the latter part of his beneficent plan. He offered to attend them to the drav. ing-room, to the play, to the oratorios (and took that op portunity to give the praises which every-body allov.s to be due to ^Ir. Handel); and to every place of public entertainment which was worthy the notice of foreigners; and left it to their choice, whether they would go first to Grandison-hall, or satisfy their cu-riosity in or about town.

The marquis said, that as Sir Charles and I were brought out of the country by the arrival of their Clementina, and our expectation of them, he doubted not but it would be most agreeable to us, to return to our own seat; adding, politely, that the highest entertainraent they could have, would be the company and conversation of us, and our friends; and that rather at our own seats, than any-where else. The public diversions, he v.as pleased to say, might take their attention afterwards. Now they were here, they would not be in haste to return, provided Sir Charles and his friends would answer the hope Jie had given of accompanying them back to Italy.

There is no repeating the polite and agreeable things that were said on all sides.

Thus then, my dear grandmamma to cut shorty it was at last agreed:

The Count of Belvedere, who all the afternoon and evening, received the highest marks of civility and politeness from the admirable Clementina (which, by the way, I am afraid will not ])romote his cure) proposes, with Signers Sebastiano and Juliano, to pass a month or six weeks in seeing every-thing^ which they shall think worthy of their notice in and about this great city; and then, after one farewell-visit to us, they intend to set out together for the court of Madrid; where the Count intends to stay some months.

We shall all set out, on Monday next for Gran-di.>on-liall.

Lord and Lady L. will follow us in a week or fortnight.

How will the poor dear Charlotte mutter! whis-pered Lady L. to me: but she and her lord will join us as soon as possible.

]Mrs. I’jleanor Grandison loves not the hall, because of the hardships she received from the late owner of it. Sir Thomas; and thinks herself bound by a rash vow wivch she made the last time she was there, never again to enter its gates.

Lady Clementina whispered me more than once, how happy slie should think herself in these excur-. tions; and honed all their health* would be establish ed by them. She said the sweetest, the most af-fectionate things to me. Once she said, bidding me call her nothing but??/ Clementina, that she should be happy, if she were sure I loved her as much as she loved me, I assured her, and that from my very heart, that I dearly loved her.

Surely it was a happy incident, my dear grand-mamma, that Lady Clementina took a step, which, though at hrst it had a rash appearance, has been productive of so much joy to all around (to the poor Count of Belvedere excepted) and, in particular, to Your ever-dutiful, ever-grateful,

HARRIET GRAXUISO.V.


Letter XLI.
Lady Grandison to Lady G.

Grandison-hall, Monday, April 9.

How happy, my dear Lady G. are we all of us here, in one another! How happy is your Harriet! And yet when you can come, and partake of my felicity, it will be still enlarged.

I have just now received a letter from Lucy. The contents, as you will see (for I shall inclose it) are a conversation that passed a ‘ii^w days ago at Shirley-manor, uponasubject of which you are abetter judge than your Harriet. In short, it is a call upon you, as 1 interpret it, to support your own doctrines; by which in former letters, you have made some of the honestest girl* in England half-ashamed to own a first passion. You know how much I am at present engaged. I would not have the dear girls ne — g’ected. Answer the letter therefore for me, and for yourself; yet, remember, that 1 do not engage to abide implicitly by your determination. Ever, ever, my Charlott

Your most affectionate

HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter XLII.
Miss Lucy Selby to Lady Grandison.

Thursday, April 5. Every hour in the day some circumstance or other makes me wi^h my dear Lady Grandison in North-amptonshire. Emily charms us all But still every object reminds us ofour tlarriet. Not that Harriet aloitc would content us now. Nor could Sir Charles and Lady Grandison be at this time spared by their noble guests. After all, therefore, every-thing is best as it is. But indeed we all wished for you yes-terday evening, most particularlj’, at Shirley-manor. The conversation was an interesting one to all us girls; and Emily, Nancy, and our cousin Ilolles’s have brought me to give you an account of it, and to ajjpeal to you upon it; and through you to Lady (i. And yet we are all of us more than lialf afraid of a lady, mIio has already treated but lightly a sub-ject that young women think of high importance.

The conversation began with my cousin Kitty’s greatly pitying Lady Clementina; describing, in her pathetic way, the struggles she had had between her tirst duties and her inclination; the noble preference she had given to the ibrnier; and the persecution, as she called it, of all her friends to induce her to J!?an-v when slic chose to ‘ivc single all her life.

Every one of us young folks joined with my cousin Kitty.

But your grandmamma Shirley could not, she said, perfectly agree with us in the hardship of Lady Clementina’s situation; who having from noble mo-tives spontaneously rejected the man of her choice, was from reasons of family convenience, and even of personal happiness, urged to marry a nobleman, who, by all accounts, is highly deserving and agreeable, and every-way suitable to her: a man, in short, to whom she pretended not an aversion; nor hoped nor wished to be the wife of any other man; proposing to herself only the single life, and having given up all thoughts of taking the veil.

Personal happiness! cried out Miss Kitty Holies: Can the woman be happy in a second choice, whose first was Sir Charles Grandison?

And whom, for noble motives, she refused, said my aunt Selby, remember ///r/^, Kitty; and whom she wished to be, and who actually is, the husband of another woman.

The girls looked at one another: but Mrs. Shirley speaking, they were all silent.

The happiness of human life, my dears, replied your grandmamma, is at best but comparative. The utmost we should hope for here, is such a situation, as, with a self-approving mind, will carry us best through this present scene of trial: such a situation, as, all circumstances considered, is upon the whole, most eligible for us, though some of its circumstances may be disagreeable.

Young people set out with false notions of happiness; gay, fairy-land imaginations; and when these schemes prove unattainable, sit down in disappointment and dejection. Tell n)e now, Kitty IJolles, and speak freely, my love [she would not address herself to some of us for a reason I, your Lucy, for one, need not give] we are all friends; the gravest of us have been young; tell us Kitty your ideas of happiness forayoung woman, just setting out in life.

Poor Emily answered only with a sudden blush, and a half-stiHed sigh: but all the rest, as with one voice cried out, Harriet, our Harriet, is the happy-woman J’o be married to the man of her choice; the man chosen by her friends, and applauded by all the world.

And so, said Mrs. Sclby, as there is but one Sir Charles Grandison in the world, were his scheme of protestant nunneries put in execution, all the rest of womankind, who had seen him with distinction, might retire into cloisters.

Were men to form themselves by his example, s:iid Emily [no unfavourable hint for Sir EdwardJ^ There she stopt.

Besides, said I, (my own case in view) when our eye has led our choice, imagination can easily add all good qualities to the plausible appearance. But to give our hand where we cannot give a preference, is surely, madam, acting against conscience in the most important article of life.

\ preferning we ought to give, my Lucy; but need this be the preference of giddy inclination? No aver-, sion presupposed, will not reason and duty give this preference in a securer and nobler way to the man who, upon the whole, is most suitable to us? It is well known, that I was always for discouraging our Harriet’s declarations, Huit she never would be the wife of any other man than him she is now so happy as to call hers. If (as we all at one time apprehend-ed) our hopes had been absolutely impracticable, the noble Countess of D. who gave such convincing reasons on her j>ido of the question,* would have had

See Vol. XIII. Letter iviii, my good wishes for the Earl of D. So, before him, had not ill health been an objection, would Mr. Orme. You all know, that I wished but to live to see my Harriet the wife of some worthy man. A’ single woman is too generally an undefended, unsup-ported creature! Her early connexions year by year drop off; no new ones arise; and she remains solitary and unheeded, in a busy, bustling world; perhaps soured to it by her unconnected state. Is not some gratitude due to a worthy man, who early offers himself for her guide and protector through life? Gratitude was the motive even of Harriet’s inclination at first.

Nancy smiled. Why smiles my Nancy? asked your smiling grandmamma. I am sure you think, child, there is a weight in what I said. ‘. Indeed, madam, there is Great weight But just as you gave us an idea of the dreary unconnected life of a single woman in years, 1 thought of poor Mrs. Penelope Arby. You all know her. I saw her in imagination, surrounded with parrots and lap-dogs! So spring-like at past fifty, with herpalepink lustring, and back head Yet so peevish at girls! And she, resumed ^Irs. Shirley, refused some good oflfers in her youth, out of dread of the tyranny of a husband, and the troublesomeness of a parcel of brats! Yet now she is absolutely governed by a favourite maid, and as full of the bon-mots of her parrots, as 1 used to be of yours, my loves, when YOU were prattlers.

Yet let us not, said Mrs. Seiby, with the insolence of matrons or brides-expectant, be too severe upon old maids. Lady G. surely is faulty in this particu-lar. Many worthy and many happy persons in that class, have 1 known: many amiable and useful in ociety, even to their latest age You, madam, to Mrs. iJhirlpj’, had a friendMrs. Eggleton,

I had, my dear Mrs. Selby Never has any length of time, any variety of scene, at all effaced the dear idea, though she died many years ago. She never married; but that was not her own fault. She was addressed when near twenty, by a young gentleman of unexceptional character. She received his ail-dresses, on condition thatboth their friends approved of them. She was a visitor m town. The relations of both lived in the country. The young couple loved each other; but neither of their families, when consulted, approving the match, to the great regret of both, it was broken olF. The gentleman married, and was not unhappy. In three or four years, an-other worthy man made his addresses to Mrs. Eg — gleton. All her friends approved. She found hiiu deserving of her affection, and agreed to reward his merit, lie vvas to make one voyage to the Indies, on prospects too great to be neglected, and on his return th^‘y were to be married. His voyage was prosperous to the extent of all his wishes. He land-ed in his native country; Hew to his beloved mistress. She received his visit with grateful joy. It was his last visit. lie was taken ill of a violent fever; died in a i’cw days, delirious, but blessing her.

She and I have talked over the subject we arc upon a hundred times. In those days I was young, and had my romantic notions.

Indeed, madam! said Patty Holies. Indeed, ma-(1am! said Emily Dear, dear madam, said Kitty Holies, if it be not too bold a request, let us hear what they were.

The reading in fasliion when I was young, v,as ro-mance:—. You, my children have in that respect, fallen into hapjiier days. The present age is greatly obliged to the authors of the Sjjeetators. But tiifl became accjuainted with my dear Mrs. Ejijc-leton, wliich v.MS about my sixtecr.th year, I was over^ run with the absurdities of that unnatural kind of writing.

And how long, madam, did they hold?

Not till I was quite twenty. That good lady cured me of so false a taste: but till she did, 1 had veryhigii ideas of first impressions; of eternal constancy; of love raised to a pitch of idolatry. In these dispositions, not more than nineteen, was ni^y dear r>Tr. Shirley proposed to me, as a person Avhose character was fauitless; his offers advantageous. I had seen him in company two or three times, and looked upon him merely as a good sort of man; a sensible man iiut vihat was a good sort of man to an Oroondates? II chad paid no addresses to??;e. — he applied to my friend.s on a foot of propriety and pru-dence. They laid no constraint upon me. I con sulted my own heart But, my dear girls, what a temptation have you thrown in the way of narra-tive old age!

All of us most eagerly be sought her to go on.

The excellent Mrs. Eggleton knew my heart bet-ter than I did myself. Even iioiv, said she, you dis like not this worthy man. You can make no reason — able objection to his offer. You are one of many sisters [We were then a numerous family Alas? how many dear friends have 1 out-lived!] A match so advantageous for you, will be of real benefit to your whole family. Esteem, heightened by gratitude, and enforced by duty, continued she, will soon ripen into love: the only sort of love that suits this impeifect state; a lender, — a. faith Jul affection. There in a superior ardor due only to Supreme perfection, and only to be exercised by us mortal creatures in iiumble devotion. .My dear Henrietta, concluded she, condescend to be happy in such a way as suits this mortal state.

I replied to her, with distress of mind, proceeded

Mrs. Shirley, that I could not depend on my own sentiments. I liad seen little of the world. Suppose, after I have vowed love to a man (juite indifferent to me, I should meet with the very one, the kindred soul, who must irrisistibly claim my whole heart? I will not suspect myselt’of any possibility of miscon-duct, where the duty and the crime would be so g’laring; but must I not, in such a case, be for ever miserable?

The mild Mrs. Eggleton did not chide: she only argued with me. Often afterwards did I with delight repeat this conversation to the best of men, ray dear Mr. Shirley, when a length of happy years had verified all she said.

Dear madam, cried Kitty, tell us how she argued, or we shall all remain on your side of the question. my children! said t’.ie venerable parent, in what talkativeness do you engage mt’!

I fear, Henrietta, said Mrs. Egglctoii, that though you are a good (.‘hri.vtian. your opinions in this point are a littk’ heathenish. You look upon love as a blind irresistible deity, whose darts fly at random, and admit neither defence nor cure. Consider the matter, my dear, in a more reasonable light. The passions are intended for our servants, not our mas-ters, and we have within us, a power of controuling them, wiiieh it is the duty and the business of our lives to e.xert. You will allow this readily in the case of any passion tiiat poets and romance-writers have not set otf with their false colourings. To instance in au^er; Will my rie;u-ietta own, that she thinks it probable, anger should ever transport her beyond the bounds of duty?

I pleaded, that 1 was not naturally of an angry temper; and was asked withasmile, v/liether I meant by that distinction, to own myself of u loving one. u2

I could not be angry with my good Mrs. Eggle-ton; yet I remember I was vexed to the heart.

But why then, rejoined she, should you think yourself more likely to fall in love ajter you are married, than leforc?

At least, said I, a little peevishly, let me stay till I am in love, as you are pleased to call it, before I marry.

I would not by any means, replied she, have you marry a man for whom you have not a preferable inclination; but why may you not find, on admitting iVIr. Shirley’s addresses, young, agreeable, worthy, and every way suitable to you, as he is, that he is that man whom your inclination can approve?

I never saw him yet, said I, with the least emotion. I have no aversion to him: I might esteem him: but what is that to the love one is so solemnly to vow to a husband? And should I, after that vow, behold an object whom I could indeed have loved

A Duke de Nemours! said she, taking up the Princess nfClcvcs, that unluckily lay on my table Ah my Henrietta, have I found you out! That princess, my dear, was a silly woman. Her story is written with dangerous elegance; but the whole foimdation of her distresses was an idle one. To fancy herself in love with a mere stranger, because he appeared agreeable at a ball, when she lived hap-])ily M’ith a worthy husband, was mistaking mere ///(//vq — for love, and combating all her life after M’ith a chimera of her own creating. I do not tell you it is impossible for you to meet hereafter with persons in some external accomplishments superior to the deserving man whose wish is to make you happy: but will you suffer your eye to lead you into misery then, when an additional tie of duty forbids its wan-deiiiig? If so, I must suppose it would equally mis — lead you nun\ Tell me, Henrietta, What think you of those girls, who blast all the hopes of their fond parents, by eloping with a well-drest captain, a spruce dancing-master, or a handsome player?

She struck me dumb with shame.

You see then, my dear, the filial duty the duty of a reasonable and modest woman, were she even without parents or friends, forbids fancy to be her guide, as much as the sacred engagement of mar-riage forbids it to be her tormentor.

But have there not been instances, said I; do not you and I know one [we did] in this neighbour-hood, where a truly good woman v, as made misera — ble for years, by having her heart and hand differ — ently engaged?

Mrs. Eggletoii reminded me, that there were, in that case, such extremely particular circumstances, as made it absurd to form from thence a general judgment, in almost every tiling, said she, we act but upon probabilities; and one exception out of a thousand ought never to determine us. Even this exception in the case you hint at, is owing, in some measure, to a pitiably misguided imagination. Let us take our rules, my dear, from plain common sense, and not fro.n poetical refinements.

Say, my children, said tb.e condescending parent, did my friend argue well?

I think, madam, answered Kitt}, >he argued poor love out of doors. She did not seem to allow the possibility of any persons being in love at all.

I told her i(), replied my grandmamma.

So far from it, said she, with a sigh, and a look expressive of the softest tenderness, that my own af-fections, as vou know, were deeply engaged. The amiable youth, to whom I was to be united by mar-riage, died. His memory will ever be dear to my u 3 heart. Love authorized by reasonable prospects; love guided and heightened by duty, is every-thing excellent that poets have said of it: yet even this love must submit to the awful dispensations of Pro-vidence, whether of death or other disappointment; and such trials ought to be met with cheerful resignation, and not to be the means of embittering our lives, or of rendering them useless: and every thing we ought to do, be assured, my dear, we shall be enabled to do if we set about it rightly, and with equal humility and trust. As for that kind of love, which in its very beginning is contrary to duty, to suppose that unconquerable, is making ourselves wretched indeed: and for first-sight impressions, and heginning inclinations, though always dangerous, and often guilty to indulge, they are absolutely trifles to overcome and suppress, to a person of prudence and virtue.

How we dwelt upon every sweet document that fell from the lips of the dear Mrs. Shirley!

But now, Harriet, for the appeals. After all, were you, or were you vot, a romantic girl, when you declared, that you never would be the wife of any man living, if you were not Sir Charles Grandi-son’s: even at the time when neither you nor we thought there could be any ho})es of such a happy event?

But had we not, however, better appeal to Lad}’’ G. than to you? You were always. 90 wise! Yet you could not be contented with the worthy Orme. You knew, instinctively, as I may say, that your kindred mind dwelt in St. James’s Square. And Lady G. forty 3’ears hence, will be looking back, I suppose, with wonder, on the time when slie gave her then fair hand of swan-skin, changed to buff [her own flighty idea!] with reluctance, to her deserving lord. So, perhaps, we had best make no appeals at all. If we did, neither you nor she are at leisure now to answer iIkjui. Yet we liave one appeal more to make; but it nmst be to our Harriet; not to Lady (i. Was not even our venerable parent a little too severe upon old maids? That wicked Nancy tell a laughini^ Does she know wliat may be her o’.vn case? Mere is a <rreat parcel oF girls of us Have not I, her elder, been crossed in love already? But if no proper match ever offers, nuist we take an improper one, to avoid the ridicule of a mere name? aVn unsupported state is better than an oppressed, a 7niserab/eone, however: andhow nnmy rashly-chosen husbands, and repentant wives, could 1 set against Nancy’s Mrs. Arby? But the post is just going out; so that, far from entering on so copious a sub-ject, I have barely time to add, that I am, v. ith the truest affection, my dearest creature,

Your faithful

LUCY.


Letter XLIII.
Lady G. To Lady Grandison-V.

Tlnir;day, April 12. I A>r very well Wliat’s the matter with the wo-men! I uv7/ write! Fifteen days controul and caudle Why surely!

Thev are impertinent, my dear; and would take mv pen and ink from me! ‘i’hey want uie to appear to be more weak and tender than I am. “Custoai.” Hang custom! I am above it.

You do v.el!, Harriet, to throw upon mc your self-condemning task. rioweonseiou^ youare, wlicnycu tell mc, before you know my opinion of the contents of Lucy’s let-ter, that you will not subscribe implicitly to my de termination! But [ will not spare you. In my con demnation o^ ihem, vndiiiijour oivn, thus directed:

TO MISS LUCY SELBY, AND THE REST OF THE GIRLS AT SELBV-HOCSE,

Greeting,

You appeal to Harriet, and revoke your appeal: you appeal to me, and withdraw it in the same letter A parcel of chits! You know not what you would have; what you vvould be; and hardly what you are: you can have the sauciness in more places than one, to reflect upon me your judge. But are you not convinced by the solid arguments of Mrs. Shirley? and her Mrs. Eggleton? If you are not, what strange creatures are girls from sixteen to twenty-two! Don’t boys read romances as vvcll as girls? Yet, in these latter days, do the glaring absurdities influence them so much in love-matters, or last so long? Foolish things! would you give tiie preference against your-selves to the other sex?

Harriet, I think, was a romantic girl, when she made her declarations of one man only, or no one, for a husband. I did let her know my mind at the time by hints: but had my brother actually married Clementina: not only I, but her grandmother Shirley, and aunt Selby, and uncle too (odd soul as he is in some things) would have spoken out in favour of the young Earl of D. And had it not been with success, after a proper time had passed, I, for my part, would have set her down as a very silly girl; inferior, in this respect, to you, Lucy, and to twenty more 1 could name: for how {cw of us are there, who have their first loves? And indeed how few flrst loves are fit to

SIR CHARLES GRANDISON. He be encouraged? You know my thoughts, Lucy, of a beginning love, in a young bosom* A very, very silly and childish aftair, believe me.

Let me enumerate a few cliances that may render the success of a first love impracticable.

A young woman may fix her affections on a man, who may prove perfidious On a man, who may be engaged to another woman; as my brother had like to have been On a man who may be superior to her in degree or fortune; or who may be greatly inferior to her in both. If love be not a voluntary passion, why not upon an hostler, a groom, a coachman, a footman A grenadier, a trooper, a foot-soldier? She may be in Mrs. Eggleton’s case: her lover may be takL’u from her by death. In either, or any, of these cases, what is to be done? Must a woman sit down, cry herself blind, and become useless to the principal end of her being, as to this life, and to all family coimexions, when, jDrobably, she has not lived one third of her time? Silly creatures! to main-tain these nonsenses at their own expence, in favour of a pa?^sion tiiat is generally confined to the days of girlhood; and which they themselves would laugh at in a woman after sb.e was arrived at honest thirty, or at years of discretion Thus narrowing their own use and consequence. I, for my part, am, and ever Vtill be, a friend of my sex.

But, hark ye, girls Let me ask you Do you find many of these constrnit nymphs, when they have had their foolish way given them, and they have hu>ied the honest man of whom they were once so dotingly fond, refuse to marry again? Do they wish, like the wives of some pugan wretches, to be thrown into the funeral pile, with the dead bodies of their lords? No! T’ley have had thcir iK-himsc!j out. Their Jit

 of constancy is over; and, quiet good souls as they are by that time become, they go on without rnnti-poling, in the ordinary course of reasonable crea — tures.

Not but Harriet was in earnest: I am sure she was. She believed, she certainlj/heVieved, herself. And were it given to us women uhvaijs to be in one mind, she would have made all her friends, the good Mrs. Shirley at the head of us, despair of succeeding with her in our endeavours to induce her to change it. But Harriet, with all her wisdom, could not know what time would have done for her. Time is the pacifier of every woe, the qualifier of every disappointment Pity for the man [The Earl of D. suppose He would have thought it worth his while to feign dying for her]; the entreaty of her friends: you see what arguments her excellent grand-mamma could have produced Pho, pho, never fear but Harriet would have married before my brother and Clementina had seen the face of their second boy l!io girls shall he have, for fear they should be romancers.

And, do you think, that Clementina and the Count of Belvedere, a year or two hence I have no fear of the matter; if they do not teaze, torment, oppose her. If they do Why then, I will not be answerable for their success. For, with excellences that none but she and Harriet among women ever boasted, there is a glorious pcrverseness, which they miscall constnncij and perseverance, in the mind of that noble lady (and indeed in the minds o^ most of us) that will probably, as it has already done, carry her through all opposition In short, no more teazing, tormenting, from friends, no more heroics from girls Is not opposition, is not resistance, the very soul and essence of all sorts of heroism? My life therefore for Clementina’s, admirable creature as she undoubtedly is Leave her sea-room, leave her land-room, and let her have time to consider; and she will be a bride.

Did I ever mention to you a trick that an honest guardian put upon his vard? Many a one have you heard of from dishonest ones. This briefly was it.

The girl was of the heroic stamp; as good a girl as an heroic girl could well be. A match was proposed for her, much more considerable than she could have expected, as to fortune; and as to the man’s person and qualities of mind, absolutely unexceptionable Young, handjome, gallant, andmost ardently in love w ith her: but, impolitic 1 he had let her know as much, before he had made himself sure of the shadow of a return, or acceptance. Her guardian, from a pure love of his ward, and a sense of the advantageousness of the offer, heartily espoused the interests of the young gentleman. This was another unhappine.ss to him. She gave him an ab-solute denial: nor vouchsafed she to assign a reason for it; having, indeed, no other man either in her head or heart.

Her guardian was a man who knew the world, and a little of thc sex: lie saw that miss was in the very meridian of her heroics; and that the grievance most probably was, that there was no likelihood of dilHcuIty or opposition. He took another course. He acquainted the young lady, that he had altered his mind: that he had objections to the address of Sh — Arthur Foinings (the young gentleman’s name) and declared, that he never would give his consent. He desired tiuit she would by no means see him, or receive letters from him; and he talked of carrying her down to liis countrv-seat in a full town-season; [The girl had a taste for pleasure What girl has not?] not doubting, he said, that the young baronet would persecute her with his addresses while she remained in London, He then actually forbid Sir Arthur his house; and, more than once, read miss a lecture on the authoritij of a guardian, and the duty of a imrd. Vv’ords that naturally incite young girls to rebellion.

Sir Arthur found means to write to the minx, as if unknown to her guardian. Darts, flames, and distresses, were suggested in his letter. The girl began to relent; the guardian to suspect: he renexx:ed his prohibition; cunning creature 1 The affair now wore a face of difficulty. She answered the young gentleman’s letters. It became a regular love-affair of the heroic kind. And, at last Vv’hat at last! Why, the young lady, attended only by her faithful Delia, who had been assistant to the lovers in their correspondence, ran away from an inexorable guar-dian, to Sir Arthur; married him; and, in a few days, writing an humble letter for her clothes, ac-knowledged rashness, which she laid at the door of LOVE, and so-forth. The guardian desired a meeting with the love-yers; now no more love-yers, but man and ivijh. They met, with trembling on her side, with pretended apprehension on Sir Arthur’s, for having disobliged so good a guardian. The guardian was in high good-humour. He forgave them both, at the tirst v.ord, and surrendered up his trust with pleasure. The girl vi-as surprised at his unexpected goodness; and had slie not been ac-tually nailed down by the solemnity, v/ould very probably have again resumed her heroics.

Well, but I am charmed with >Irs. Shirley’s Eggleton, as well as uitii her account of herself in lier heroic days. Little did I think that .she ever wasvfr/ enough to be infected: but, as she says, ro-mances v/ere the fashionable reading of her youthful ^ears.

Tell aunt Selby that I am not an enemy to old maids; but only to those ill qualities which I should equally dislike in old or in young a in/— bodies. I love Lady Gertrude, and even aunt Eleanor, for those qualities that are Inve-ahlc in them. But you see that your Nancy, the mild, good-natured Nancy, could not forbear laughing at the idea of the youns-old Penelope Arby! yet knows she not, says the malicious Lucy, what may be her own case. But I have appealed for you; and to whom? To Lady Gertrude. I was writing to her on a particular occasion, when your pacquetwas brought me; and, in order to enliven my bubject, transcribed three lines of Lucy’s query upon defending the single state. She was but at Eniicld, and returned me the following by the same messenger; the other part of mv letter requiring an immediate answer.

“Your question, my dearest niece, is whimsically asked: you tell me that a whole room-full of young country ladies wait only the success of an appeal you have referred to me, to know whether they shall instantly dispose of themselves to recruiting officers, mountebanks, and fox — hunters; or venture to live on with the melancholy title of old maids, in an unsupported, undefended state.

“One or two queries, to be put, proceeds the sage, are. Whether the worthy matches you have mentioned, or any unsuitable matches v.hatsoever, would be a support and defeuce? \\‘hether the woman who makes a rash and improper choice, does not throw herself out of that protection and defence which every-one ir.ay depend upon in the state of life marked out to them by Providence? And whe-ther the single state is not thus marked out to the wonian who never has it Jiilij in her choice to change it?

“], my dear, who am an old maid, must not write partially on thut side of the question, In general, I will fairly own, that I think a woman is most likely to find her proper happiness in the married state. May you, my dear niece, experience it every day more and more! But there are surely many exceptions: women of large and independent fortunes, who have the hearts and understanding to use them as they ought, are often more beneficial to the world, than they would have been had they bestowed them on such men as look for fortune only. Women who have by their numerous relations many connexions in the world, need not seek out of their own alliances for protection and defence. Ill health, peculiarity of temper or sentiments, unhappiness of situation, of person, afford often such reasons, as make it a virtue to refuse what it would otherwise be right to accept.

“But why do I write seriously to such a lively creature? Only, my dear”

But, girls, I will give you no more of Lady Ger-trude. I have not done with you myself yet.

Much to the same purpose, I remember, as Mrs. Shirley’s, were the expostulations of Lady D. in one of her letters to Harriet; who only answered her, (I also remember) like a girl. What could she say?

“You, my Harriet,” (wrote that lady,) “ are pious, dutiful, benevolent Cannot you, if you are unable to entertain for the man who now with so much ardor addresses you, were you married to him, the passion called love, regard him SiS gratitude would oblige you to prefer any other man who is assiduous to do you service or pleasure? Cannot you shew him as much good-will, as you could any other man, whom it was in your power to make happy? Would you esteem him less than a person absolutely a stranger to you? The exertion of your native benevolence, of your natural obligingness, of your common gratitude, of your;?f(y, is all that is asked of you. You have no expectation of the only man, who is dearer to you than he. This exertion will make my lord happy; and if you retain that delight, which you have hitherto taken, in promoting the happiness of others who are not undeserving, yourself not unhappy.”

You have now before you, girls, the opinion of Mrs. Shirley and the Countess of D. on the case you put. They both sit enthroned on the serene hill of wisdom, which hardly one in fifty of their sex attains. From thence they look down with pity, and with beckoning finger, to the crowds below them, who with aching eyes, and despairing hearts, emulate their starry heights; but in too faintly at-tempting to gain the ascent, tumble down, some (shameful!) head-over-heels, immersed in the miry puddles of sense; and others taking a supposed more easy, though visibly round-about way, are misled by mazy paths into dreary desarts, till they lose even the distant sight of the sacred hill.

There, chits, I end romantically, figuratively at least, in compliment to your fanciful tastes. And thus much as to you, girls, young lady-expectants, whirasicals, and so forth, from your

CHARLOTTE G.

Friday, Saturday, April 13,14. My women are so impertinent, and my marmouset is so voracious, that I have been forced to take two days for what once I could have performed in little more than two hours. x2

LADY G. TO LADY GRANDISON. By xeay of postscript to the above.

April 20.

Shameful negligence! The Inclosed to the girls at Selby-house, not yet gone How have I raved at the carelessness! Written, as it teas, in a state of rebellion with my prescribing women, to so little purpose so early. I had a good mind, as I told them, to renounce their cares and their caudle, and go abroad In short, to set out for Grandison-hall, and make one among the exotics and naturals there, though ye were to shut your gates against me ‘* Dear madam, forgive us It was not a designed omission It was not our fault But” Well then, give me my pen and ink, and interrupt me not > And now, my Harriet, I will give you a scene that will not be a very impertinent supplement to the subject on which the chits at Selby-house have provoked me to write.

Here I, Charlotte Lady G. (why should I not add weight to the example by title?) who married with indifference the poor Lord G.; who made the honest man, whenever I pleased, foam, fume, fret, and exe-crate the hour that he first beheld m}^ face, now stand forth, an example of true conjugal felicity, and an encouragement for girls who venture into the married state, without that prodigious quantity of violent passion, which some hare-brained creatures think an essential of love.

You, my dear, left us tolcrabh/ happy. But now we are almost f-tolerably so. I had begun to re-cover my spirits, depressed, as they had been, for near a month before, on finding myself, like any common woman, confined to my chamber, while every other mouth sang O be joyful; and one was preparing, another had set out, and half a score more were actually got to dear Grandison-hall. I bit my lip, and raved at the wretch to whom I at-tributed my durance: when, yesterday (after a series indeed of the most obliging and most grateful behaviour, that a man ever expressed for a present made him, which he holds invaluable) he entered my chamber; and surprised me, as I did him (for I intended that he should know nothing of the mat-ter, nor that I would ever be so condescending); surprised me, as how? Ah, Harriet! in an act that confessed the mother, the tvko/e mother! Little Harriet at my breast; or, at my ncc/:, I believe I should say should I not?

The nurse, the nursery-maids, knowing that I would not for the world have been so caught by my nimble lord (who is in twenty places in a minute) were more affrighted than Diana’s nymphs, when the goddess was surprised by Acteon; and each, instead of surrounding me in order to hide my blushes, was for running a different way; not so much as attempting to relieve me from the brat.

I was ready to let the little creature drop from my arms O wretch! screamed I Begone! begone! Whence the boldness of this intrusion?

Never was man in a greater rapture. For Lady Gertrude had taught him to wish that a mother would be a mother: he threw himself at my feet, clasping me and the little varlet together in his arms. Brute! said I, will you smother my Harriet I was half-ashamed of my tenderness Dcar-est, dear-est, dear-est Lady G. shaking his head, between every dear and est, every muscle of his face working how you transport me! Never, never, never, saw 1 so delightful a sight! Let me, let me, let me (every emphatic word repeated three times at least) behold again the dear sight. Let me see you clasp the precious gilt, (our Harriet’s Harriet too!) to that lovely bosom The wretch (trembling however) pulled aside ray handkerchief. I tried to scold; but was forced to press the little thing to me, to supply the place of the handkerchief Do you think, 1 could not have killed him? To be sure, I was not half angry enough. I knew not what I did, you may well think for I bowed my face on the smiling infant, who seemed to crow to the pressure of my lip.

Begone, Lord G. said I See! see! how shall I hold the little marmouset, if you devour first one of my hands, then the other?

He arose, took the little thing from me, kissed its forehead, its cheeks, its lips, its little pudsey hands, first one, then the other; gave it again to my arms; took it again; and again resigned it to me.

Take away the pug, said I, to the attendants Take it away, while any of it is left They rescued the still smiling babe, and ran away with it.

My lord then again threw himself at my feet Pardon, pardon me, dearest creature, said he, that I took amiss any thing you ever said or did You that could make me such rich amends O let not those charming, charming spirits ever subside, which for so many days together, I missed. I loved you too well, proceeded he, to take an}’ usage ihat was not quite what I wished it, lightly. But for some time past I have seen that it was all owing to a vi-vacitj’, that now, in every instance of it, delights my soul. You never, never, had malice or ill-nature in what I caWedj/uur petulance. You bore with mine. You smiled at me: henceforth, every thing you say, every thing you do, Viill I take for a favour. my Charlotte! Never, never more shall it be in your;;oiirr to make me so fur forget myself, v.s to ba angry!

My dear Lord G.! I had like to have said I believe I did say Then will you ruin, absolutely ruin, me! V.‘hat shall I do for my roguery? Never, never part with what you call so! Impossible, my lord, to retain it, if it lose its wonted pov.er over you. I shall have a new lesson to learn. () my lord! why began you net this course before Harriet and Caroline set out for Grandison-luill? I might by a closer observation of their behaviour, have made myself mistress of lessons that would have far more delightfully suj)plied the old ones, than can be done without their examples. But, my lord, the time will soon come, when we shall be allowed to fly to that benefit at Grandison-hall. Our little Harriet shall go with us: the in fant is the cement between us; and we will for the future be every day more worthy of that, and of each other.

My lord hurried from me in speechless rapture; his handkerchief at his eyes Nurse, said I, bring me again our precious charge — 1 will be all the mother. I chisped it to my bosom. What shall I do, my little Harriet! Thy father, sweet one! has run away with my roguery

What a scene is here! I will not read it over. If it require a blush, do you, my dear, blush for me: I am hardened And shall not perhaps, were I to re-pcruse it, my nuila-iiitj/ so kindly acknowledg-ed, so generously accepted, by my Lord G. be able to blusii ibr myself But I think I will not set my name to it Vet why should I not? I began it with my name. Need I be ashamiul of the scene? Girls, chits of Sclbv-houic consider of it, and of the contents of the inclosed, acknowledged, gloried in by your

CHARLOTTE G.


Letter XLIV.
Lady Grandison to Mrs. Shirley.

Grand ison-liall, Monday, April 16. And must I, my dear grandmamma, be more par-ticular in relation to ourselves, our guests, our amuse — ments, diversions, conversations Why then does not Lucy write as usual, every tender, every engaging, every lively occurrence that happens at Selby — hoiise, and Shirley-manor? Is she so much taken up with her agreeable peer, that she must leave the obliging task wholly to Nancy and Emily? I don’t care. Thei/ shall be my best girls; and I will put down my Lucy as a mere woman of quality before shs has the title. Yet let me tell her, that could honest Mr. Fowler have courted for himself, have suffered his heart to rise to his lips, I should have wished by her means, to have been related to him and Sir Rowland. But that matter, it seems, is as good as over; and 1 will proceed to do mj duty, whether she does hers or not.

I have told you, madam, how much our guests are pleased with us and the place. How much we are charmed with them, I need not tell you. Every praise you have heard of them, is confirmed and heightened, on a more intimate knowledge of them.

Lord and Lady L. are with us. Lord and Lady G. will come as soon as they can. Lady L. has her sweet infant Avith lier. And I hope Lady G. will not come without my god-child.

Sir Edward Beauchamp is at present our guest. The good doctor, you know, is at home here; and how beloved, how revered, by every one!

Sir Charles! The soul of us all! O madam! never surely was one spot blessed with so many per-sons of one mind, as are now rejoicing together at Cirandison-hall.

And pray, my dear grandmanmia, let me ask; Would it notbeafi’c’ctatioii rather than modesty, were I to leave myself unnamed in this noble circle? I will )i()t. luvery body, for:5’ir Charles’s sake, looks on me. witii the kindest partiality, and my heart tells me tiiat being his as much as my own, it deserves that partiality.

Except at certain devotional hours of retirement, we knov. — not, but that we are all of one faith. No-thing of religious subjects is ever mentioned among us, but in those points in which all good Christians are agreed. You, madam, who have a true catholic charity for the worthy of all persuasions, would be delighted to see the ail’ectionate behaviour of the i^uo fathers (I will call them) to each other. When they are not in tiie general company, they are alv,-ays together, walking, riding out; or in the aparN ment of each other, reading, conversing. The dear Clementina cannot but see, that charitable and great minds, however difll’ring in some even esseiitial articles of religion, might mingle hearts, and love each other; and from Sir Charles’s Catholicism, that she might have been happy with him, and kept her own faith. But, no! it would in her notion, now I recollect, have been a dangerous trial. She could not trust her ox-n heart Great and noble lady! how much is she to be revered!

The gentlemen ride out almost everv day. Our conversations! It would be endless to give you an account of the conversations that yet, I flatter my-self, would delight you all. The least interesting ones of those we hold, would have made a great figure in my former letters. Such the company, 3’ou may suppose we know not what trifling’subjects are.

Every one avoids mentioning the name of the poor Count of Belvedere in the presence of Lady Clementina; yet we all pity him. We have reason to do so, from the account Signer Jeronymo receives of his distress of mind, while he endeavours to over-come his hopeless passion.

Allow me, madam, to conclude this letter here. We are to have a little concert this evening, and our company is beginning to assemble in the music room. I must go and attend the marchioness and Lady Clementina; who herself will be a performer. She is an admirable one. I can only stay to add, that I am

Your ever-dutiful

HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter XLV.
Lady Grandison to Mrs. Shirley.

Grandison-hall, Saturday, April 28. My dearest grandmamma will not complain that my three last letters* were not filled with particulars of our engagements and conversations here. What a scene of happiness! What have 1 to pray for but the continuance of it? Except that the admirable

These three letters do not appear. SIR CHARLES GRANDISOK.

Lady Clementina were some how settled to her own liking, and that her indulgent relations could be sa-tisfied with it? Something seems to be wanting for her, and therefore for them. Yet can a lover of her, of her fame, of her family, say, what that something should be? J, for my part, ought to be the last who should decide for her; I, who never, I think (say Lady G. what she pleases of my romancings) could have been happy with any man in the world, but Sir Charles Grandison, after I had known him, and once was led to hope for so great a blessing; and who have not that notion that she has, or seems to have, of the dreariness, and disadvantagesof a single state; on the contrary, who think the married life attended with so many cares and troubles, that it is rather (as it is a duty to enter into it, when it can be done with prudence) a kind of faulty indulgence and self-ishness, in order to avoid these cares and troubles, to live single. But to leave this subject to the decif<ion of Lady G. and Lady (iertrude, the latter of whom has given some unanswerable hints on her side of the question, 1 will proceed with my narra-tive.

And here let me observe, that had not Lady Clementina made her rejection of the best of men her sole and deliberate act, it is my humble opinion that her loss of him would have been insupportable to her. That consideration, and her noble motive for it, enable her to behave gloriously under the self-deprivation, as I may call it. Yet, I can see, at times, by her studiously avoiding his company, and frequently excusing herself from making one in little parties of Sir Charles’s proposing; and by her chusing, at all times, mij company, that the noble lady thinks self-denial necessary to her peace.

She was once for putting Jeronymo on proposing to leave England sjooner than they had intended j and take my promise to JoIIoiv them. I was present. She had a tears in her eyes when she proposed it. We had been talking of Sir Charles in raptures, on some of his noble charities which had but lately come to our knowledge, and it was pretty evident to me, that she, at the time, was of opinion, that distance from him would be a means to quiet her heart. The dear Emily finds it so, thank God!

Lady Clementina has been, however, tolerably cheerful since, amusing herself with drawing up plans for her future life. Very pretty ones, some of them: but a little too ideal, if I may so express myself; and she changes them too often to shew that steadiness, which I want to see in her mind. Poor lady! How I pity her as I contemplate her, in her contrivances and proposals! I am often forced to turn away my face, that she may not see the starting tear.

Tuesday, May 1.

The Count of Belvedere being returned to Lon-don from a country excursion, and not very well, the marquis was desirous of making a visit to him, and at the same time to pass a few days in London to see the curiosities of the place, and to be present at some of the public entertaiiunents. The gentle-men at the first motion made a party to attend him, and Sir Charles, you may suppose, would not, in complaisance, be excused. Dr. Bartlett and Father Marescotti, who are inseperable, had formed a scheme of their own; and tiie ladies declared, that not one of them would leave mc.

The gentlemen accordingly set out yesterday morning. In the afternoon arrived here, one of the most obliging of wives, tenderest of mothers, and amiable of nurses Who do you think, madam? No other than Lady G. and her lord. Ungovernably

SIR CHARLES GRANDISON.

Charlotte! Her month but just up! We have all blamed her. We blamed her lord too lor sufF^‘ritig her to come. But what could 1 do? said he, inno-cently. But they are ^oth so nmch improved as husband and wife! Upon my word, I am charmed with her in every one of the above characters. My lord appears, even in her company now that his wife has given him his due consequence, a manly, sensible man: if he ever had any levities of beha-viour, they are ail vanished and gone. She is all vivacity, as heretofore; but no flippancy. Her live-liness, in the main, is that of a sensible, not a rcri/ saucy wife, entirely satisfied with herself, her situation and prospects. Upon my word, I am brought over to her opinion, that if the second man be worthy, G woman maij be happy, who has not been indulged in \\evju-st fancy: and I am the rather induced to hope so for my Emily’s sake.

Tuesday evening.

Mrs. Beaumont has received a letter from the; ladies her friends at Florence, expressing their fear that the love of her country now she is in it, luH taken place in her heart, and weakened her aiiection for them. They beg of her to convince them of the contrary by hastening to thesn.

This letter, it seems, mentions some severe reflections cast upon Lady Clementina by the unhappy Olivia. Canjilla, who is very fond of me, has hinted this to me, and at the same time acquainted mev.ith her young lady’s earnestness to see it; Mrs. Beau-mont having expressed to her her indignation against Olivia on the occasion. L nworlhv Olivia!’— What reilections ea.i vou cast on the admirable Clemen-tina! Yet 1 wish Mrs. Beaumont would let me see them. But dear Mrs. Beaumont, in)])art not tq X

Clementina any thing that may affect her delicate and too scrupulous mind!

This over-lively Lady G. has been acquainting Lady Clementina with Emily’s story, yet intending to set forth nothing by it, she says, but the fortitude of so young a creature.

She owns, that. Lady Clementina often reddened as she proceeded in it; yet that she went on

How could she? 1 chid iier for poor Emily’s sake, for her own sake, for Lady Clementina’s, for Sir Edward Beauchamp’s sake How could she be so indelicate? Is there a necessity, dear Lady G. (thought I, as she repeated what passed on the oc-casion) now you are bO right in the great articles of your duty, that you must be wrong in s: methiug?

Lady Clementina highly applauded Emily, how-ever. A charming young creature she called her. Absence, added!?he, is certainly a right measure. Were the man a common man, it would not signify; presence, in that case, might help her, as he probably would every day expose his faults to her ob — servation. But absence from such a man as Sir Charles Grandison, is certainly right. LadyG. says, it was easy to see, that Lady Clementina made some self-applications upon it.

Wdnesdaymorning, May 2. Lady G. has been communicating to me a conference which, she says, she could not vul overhear, between Lady Clementina and Mrs. Beaumont, held in the closet of the latter, wliich joins to a closet in Lady G.‘s dressing-room, separated only by a thin partition. The rooms were once one A little of your usual curhsity, 1 doubt, my dear Lady G. thought L You were not confuicd to that closet. You might have retired when their conversation began. But, no; curiosity is a nail, that will fasten to the ground the foot of an inquisitive person, how-ever painful what she hears may sometimes make her situation.

Mrs:. Beaumont had acquainted Lady Clementina with the contents of the letter she had received from her friends at Florence. The poor lady was in tears upon it. She called Olivia cruel, unjust, wicked. The very siinnisr, said she, is of such a nature, that I cannot bear to look either Lady Grandison or any of her friends in the face: for Heaven’s sake, let it not be hinted to anj’ one in the family, nor even to my own relations, that Olivia Iiersel/’ could be capa-ble of making such a reflection upon me.

My dearest Lady Clementina, said Mrs. Beaumont, I wish

What wishes my dear Mrs. Beaumont

‘J hat you would change your system.

Articles, Mrs. Beaumont! Articles! If they .ire broken with me, 1 resume my solicitude to be allowed to take the veil. That allowance, and that only, can set all right. My heart is distressed by what you have let me see Olivia has dared to throw out against me.

Allow ine one observation only, my dear Clemen-tina. What Olivia has hinted, the xvorld will hint. It behoves you to consider, that the husband of Lady Grandison ought not to be so much the object of any woman’s attention, as to be an obstacle to the address of another man really worthy.

Cruel, cruel Olivia! There is no bearing the thniiiiht uf her vile suggestion. None but Olivia Say not the xiorld. Olivia oiili/, Mrs. Beaumont, was capable of such a suggestion

For my own part, interrupted Mrs. Beaumont, I am confident that it is a base suggestion; and that y2 if Sir Charles Grandison had not been married, you never would have been his. You could not have receded from your former objections. You see what a determined Protestant he is; a Protestant upon principle. Your are equally steady in your faith: yet, as matters stand; so amiable as he is; and the more his private life and manners are seen, the more to be admired; must not your best friends lay it at the door of a first love, that you cannot give way to the address of a man, against whom no one other objection can lie?

Articles, Mrs. Beaumout! Articles!

One word more only, my dear Lady Clementina, as the subject was begun by yourself May it not be expected, now that no oj)position is given you, you will begin to feel, that your happiness, and peace, and strength of mind will flow from turning your thoughts on principles oi duty (so the world will call them) to ether objects; and that the dwelling on those it will suppose you to dwell upon, till your situation is visibly altered, will serve only to disturb your mind, and till j’our friends, on every instance that may affect it, with apprehensions for you?

You have said a great deal, Mrs. Beaumont. But is not the veil the only possible expedient to make us all easy?

AiiTict.ES, articles! my dear Clementina. I have been drawn in by j’ourself insensibly to speak my mind on this subject. But I have no view, no design. Your parents, your brothers^ you see, inviolably adhere to the articles. But, consider, my dear, were you even allowed to assume the veil, that all such recollections of your former inclination as would be faulty in a married state, would have been equally contrary to your religious vows. Would then the assuming of the veil make you happy?

Don’t you hint, Olivia-like, Mrs. Beaumont, at cufpnble inclinations? Do you impute to me culpable inclinations?

I do not, neither do I think you are absolutely as yet an angel. Would you, my dear, refuse your vows to the Count of Belvedere, or any other man, for a certain reason, yet think yourself free enough to give them to your (iod?

Will this argument hold, Mrs, Beaumont, in the present case?

You will call upon aiiticles, my dear, if I proceed. Your silence, however, is encouraging. What were just now your observations upon the story of Miss Emily Jervois? Is there not a resemblance between her case and yours?

Purely, madam, 1 am not such a girl! O Mrs. Beaumont, how am I sunk in your opinion!

You are not, my dear Clementina, you cannot in any-body’s. Miss Jervois is under obligations to her guardian, that you are not.

Is that, Mrs. Beaumont, all the difference? That makes none. I am under greater. What are pecuniary obligations to the preservation of a bro-ther’s life! ‘J’o a hundred other instances of good — ness That girl?’/ pattern! Poor, poor, Cle — mentina! How art thou fallen! Let me fly this country. Now I see in the strongest light, what a rashness I was guilty of, when I fled to it. How must the Chevalier Grandison himself despise me! But 1 tell you, Mrs. Beaumont, that I am incapa-ble of a wish, of a thought, contrary to those that de teraiined me when 1 declined the hand of the best of men. that I were in my own Italy! What must young creatures suftbr from the love of an improper object, in the opinion of their friends, if, after the sacrifices I have made, 1 nuist lie under disgrace-ful imputation from my gratitude and esteem for Y 3 the most worthy of human mhids? how I disdain myself!

It is a generous disdain, my dear Lady Clementina. I end as 1 began I wish you would think of changing your system. But I leave the whole upon your own consideration. Your parents are passive, (iod direct you. I wish you happy. At present you Avill not yourself say you are so. Yet nobody controuls you, nor implies to controul you. Every-body loves you. Your happiness is thesubject of all our prayers.

Lady G. believes the conversation ended here.

Lady L. in Mrs. Beaumont’s presence, has been just making me a compliment on my oenerous love, as he calls it, of Lady Clementina, and my security in Sir Charles’s affection. Dear madam, said 1, where is the merit? A man of such established prin-ciples, and a woman of such delicate honour! They both of them move my pity, and engage my love. With regard to Lady Clementina, this is my con. solation, that I stood not in her way: but your brother never made his addresses to me, till she, on the noblest motives, left him free to clmse the 7iext eligible, as I have reason to think he allowed me to be. And let me tell you, my dear Mrs. Beaumont, that in hi.s address to me he did her justice; and dealt so nobly with me, that had 1 not before preferred him to al! other men, I should have done it then.

Thursday,May 3.

I have received a letter from Sir Charles. Lady Clementina and I were together when it was brouglit. She seeing whom it came from, and that I meditated the seal with impatience, begged me to read it then, or she would withdraw. I opened it. There were in it, I told licr, the politest i-emembrance8 of her, and the other ladies; and read what he wrote of that nature. She looked with so desiring an eye at it, that I said, Were you to read it, madam, you would find him the kindest of men. Sir Charles and I have not a secret between us. But there are in it a passage or two, relating to a certain gentleman, that were you to read it, might dlfect you. [By the way she reads English extremely well.] And is that, Lady Grandison, your oiilij objection? I should be glad to see, were it not improper, how the politest of men writes to the best of wives. I gave her the letter.

She had greatness of mind to be delighted with his affectionate stile Tender delicacy! said she, as she read: Happy, happy Lady Grandison! Tears in her eyes, and clasping her arms about me, let me thus congratulate you. 1 acted right in declining his address. I must have thought v.ell of the religion of the man, who could speak, who could write, who could act, who could live, as he does.

I bowed my face on her shoulder. To have expressed but haU’the admiration I had in my heart of her nobleness of mind, would have been to hint to her the delicate situation she had been in, and to wonder how she could overcome herself

What follovis, said she, sitting down, I presume I may read: for my eye has caught the name of a man my heart can jnty.

She read to herself the passage which is to the following effect: “ The person of the poor Count of Belvedere” (Sir Charles writes, in the count’s words) “ is loitering in town, endeavouring to divert itself there: v/hile his sou! is at Grandison-hall. He cannot think of (juitting England, till he has taken leave of Lady Clementina! yet, dreading th pangs he shall feel on that occasion, he cannot bring himself to undergo them.”

The marquis, the bishop, Signor Jeronymo, all joined, Sir Charles writes, to console him: yet wish-ed him to pursue his better fortune at Madrid; and the count thinks of prevailing on himself to accom-pany them down, in order to take this dreaded fare — well. Sir Charles expresses his pity for him; but applauds the whole family for their inviolable ad-herence to their agreement.

When she read to that place, tears stole down her cheeks Agreement, said she Ah, I.adyGrandison! It is true they speak not: but I can read their w’shes in their eyes.

She read on Sir Charles’s praises of the count for his beneficent spirit. The count, said she, is cer-tainly a good man But is not his a strange perse — verance? Then giving me the letter. How few of us know, said she, what is best for ourselves? There is a lady in Spain of great honour and merit, who would make him a much happier man, than xhe can do, on whom he has cast a partial eye. And besides there is poor Laurana

She stopt. 1 suffered the subject to end there.

Sir Charles supposes it will he the latter end of next week before they return, if the marquis holds his purpose of being present at a ball to which he is invited by the Venetian ambassador Near a fort-night’s absence on the whole! dear! O dear! * *

The following by Lady G.

And dear! dear! say I! Th’s is Saturday, and not a word more written. So taken up with her walks and walking-mate! Selfish creatures both. It was with difficulty I procured a sight of this letter. No wonder. You sea how freely she has treated me sin CHARLES GRANDISON. 219 in it. I told her it never would be finished, if I did not finish it for her. Her excuse is, Sir Charles’s absence, and that you, madam, charged her not to write by evcrij post, lest an accidental omission should make you uneasy. Ungrateful for indulgence given! She must therefore let several posts pass i’ut get thee gone, paper, now. And carry with thee all manner of compliments fro!n Charlotte G. as well as from [Here sign it, my sv/eet sister]

HARrIET GRANDISON.


Letter XLVI.
Lady G. To Miss Selby.

Craiulisnn-hall, Saturday,!\I.iy 5. Your complaining letter* reached me here, Lucy, but this day. I arrived here on Monday afternoon. Ungracious Ila’.riet! She chid me for coming. But I went to church first. What would they have?

My lord and I arc one now: if therefore, I say, I arrived, it is the same as saying, he did: my little Harriet with us, you may be sure.

But what does the girl coinplain for? Maiden creatures should send us married women two letters for one. l-^stablish for me this expectation: you will soon yourself be the better for the doctrine.

You tell me that hardly any of you girls are satisfied with my imperial decision on the appeal laid before me, thougli supported by the opinions of Mrs. Shirley, Lady D. and every wise woman. I don’t care whether you are or not. Sorry chits! you decide among yourselves, and then ask for the

* This!>‘ttor dor? not nppc-;r. opinions of others: What for? In hopes they will confirm your own; if not, to be saucy, and reject them.

You want me to tell you a hundred thousand things, of what’s doing, what’s done, what’s said, here? Not I. Harriet is writing along, long letter to her grandmamma, she tells me; and journal-wise* Let that, when you have it, content you. She says I must not see it. But I ivill. Something saucy about me in it, I suppose.

My brother, and his principal men-guests, are in town. They went on Monday morning. So I have not seen them. Will not come back till Friday next week. Harriet is impatient for his return. O girls! girls! That a church-ceremony can so soon make such a difference in the same person! But he is so generously tender of her, that the wonder, in her case, is the less.

Lady Clementina is a noble creature. We are obliged to call both her and Harriet to order; or they would never be asunder. The garden and park are the places in which they most delight to walk. Make Harriet give you the particulars of their conversations. Then 1 shall have them. I have demanded them: but she only acquaints me in general, that she is delighted with Lady Clemen-tina’s part in them. The other expresses no less admiration of Harriet’s. But, besides that they rob us of their company, too often, which is ruder in the mistress of the house than in the guest; Harriet docs not enough consider her own circumstances. ‘J heir walks are loo long. She comes in, and throws hcr-selfsonietimes into a chair .sr; tired! Yet, chidden for her long walks, stic/i engaging conversations! she cries out. Heroines both, 1 suppose; and they are

* Meaning the preceding letter. srn CHARLES GRANDISON. 251 mirrors to each other; each admiring herself i the other. No wonder they are engaged insensibly by a vanity, wliich carries with it, to each, so generous an appearance; for, all the while, Harriet thinks she is only admiring Clementina; Clementina, that she is applauding Harriet.

Well, Lucy But I find you will not be Lucy long Your day, it seems, will soon be fixed: the day, happy may it be! which will set a coronet on your head. A foolish kind of bawble, after all; but it looks not amiss on the outside of one’s coach if the inside contain not Did I say a monkey, Lucy? But that will not bj your case. Mj lord knows yo^r lord, and esteems him. LordG.‘s(^)/f’^*, (china and shells out of the question) is not contemptii)le, I can tell you. His love for his flippant Charlotte made him play monkey-tricks, which les-sened him in my eyes: but now 1 see he is capable of forgetting his butterflies, and esteeming me, Ire-member my promise, and honour him; obedience will come when it can.

Well, but, Lucy, Dr. Bartlett knew your Lord Rcresby abroad, and speaks well of him. He has wished for tins match ever since it was first mentioned; nay before it was mentioned Ever since he was a brideman on my brother’s happy day: and you are a good girl, that you have not paraded, as Harriet did, and Clementina does.

Have I any more to say? I think not. I will endeavour to get a sight of what Harriet has written. Let her deny me, if she dare. If that suggests tome a subject which she has not touched upon, well and lood: if not, take it for a conclusion, chits, that I wi.-h you all well; and to our venerable .Mrs. Shirley, and re[)ectal)le aunt Selby, and her honest man, healthy happiness, and so forth.

CH. G.


Letter XLVII.
Lady G. to Miss Selby.

Wednesday, Maj 9. I AM afraid your brother James will terrify you all. Surprising; 1 am very angry with him; for, how-ever slight he might make of what 1 have to tell you, I know, that none of you besides will. I therefore dispatch this by a man and horse, on purpose to set your hearts at ease. The wretch left her in a fainting fit. Had the dear creature ever any of these fits before? But why do I ask? This is easily accounted for: she was over — fatigued with a walk. Against warning, against threatenings, she and Lady Cle-mentina had taken a longer walk then ever they did before, quite to the end of the park, to view some alterations which Sir Charles was making there. They had forgotten that they had the same length to walk back again. Half-way on their return, tired, and each accusing herself, and apologizing to the other, they were surprised by a sudden shower of rain; a violent one; a thunder-shower; no shelter; they were forced to run for it towards a distant tree; which, when they approached, they found wet through; as they both were. So they made the best of their way to the house; were seen at a little distance, making the appearance of frighted hares. The servants ran to them with cloaks, which, thrown over their wet clothes, helped to load them. As Harriet entered the hall-door, v.hich leads into the garden, she was surprised with the sight of Sir Charles, entering at the other. She expected him not till Friday or Saturday. Her complexion chang-ed: she sighed; sobbed: her cheeks, her lips turned pale; do\rG she was sinking, ‘}ly brother was ter-sin CIIAIILES GRANDISON. 253 rifled: but he caught her in his arms, and saved her lall.

Lady L. and I were together, indulging ourselves uith our little nurseries, who were crowing at each Other; I singing to both [by the way they are sur-prising infants] when word was brought, that my brother was come, and Lady Grandison was dying. How were we both terrified! We, in our fright, each popt her pug into the arms of the other, by way of ridding our hands of our own; and the Women being not at hand, threw the smiling brats into one cradle; and down hurried we to our Harriet.

In the midst of all this bustle, this wise brother of yours, Lucy, slipt away without taking leave of us. What though his hour was fixed, and his post-chaise waiting, could he not have staid one half hour? O these inconsiderate, liare-brained Don’t be angry, Lucy, he has vexed us for you. I. should otherwise liave left to herself the account of her indisposition and recovery. She has got cold: so has her sister-excellence, as my brother justly calls her. Is it to be wondered at? She was feverish all day yesterday; but made slight of it; and would iiave come down to dinner; but we would not permit her to leave her chamber.

How was Lady Clementina affected! She laid all at her own door: and last night, Harriet being still more feverish, we all talked ourselves into a thou-i,and panics. Lady Clementina was not to bep icified.

To-day, she is, in a manner, quite well; and we are all joy upon it. But she shall nev^:r again do the lio’.iours of the park to Lady ClemoiUiiia Trust 7);c for that, grandmannna Shirley; and expect a l.‘tter from the dear creature herself by I he post. Adieu, adieu, Lucy, every body, in a violent hurry subscribes your

CHARLOTTE G,

P. S. My hurry is owing only to the demands of my niarmouset upon me. To nothing else, upon my honour! For we are all safe, serene, and so forth.
Letter XLVIII.
Lady Grandison to Mrs. Shirley.

Grandiscn-liall, Friday, May 11. I AM sorry, my dearest grandmamma, you have all been so much alarmed by an indisposition which is already gone off. My cousin James, foolish youth! I wish he had not called upon us on his return from Portsmouth, or that he had staid at Grandison-hall till now. Lady G. has given you, in her lively way, an account of the girlish inconsideration, which might have been attended with a fever, had not INir. Low-ther been with us, who thought it advisable that I should lose blood. But it vras the joy on seeing Sir Charles after an absence of eight days, and several days sooner than I had expectedthat pleasure, which overcame me.

Never, never, tvris there so tender, so affectionate, so indulgent a husband! I.,ady CJ. has told you, that I fainted away When recovered, I found myself in his arms: all our friends and guests assembled round me; every one expressing .fz^c/’ a tender concern.

Harriet, be grateful! j^ut canst thou be enough so? How art thou beh;ved of hearts the most wor-thy! And what new proofs hast thou received of that love of all other the dearest! Every hour do I experience some new instance of his tender goodness. He stirred not from my chamber f(>r half an hour together, for two whole days and nights. All the rest he took was in a chair by my bed-side; and very little was his rest: yet, blessed be God! his Jiealth suffered not. Every cordial, every medicine, did he administer to me with his own hands. He regarded not any-body but his Harriet. The world, he told me, was nothing to him without his Harriet. So amiable has he appeared in this new light, not in my fond eyes only, but in those of all here; who are continually congratulating me upon it; and every one telling me little circumstances of his kind attention, and anxious fondness, as some happened to observe one, some another, that though I wanted not proofs before of his affection for me, I cannot account my indisposition an uahappiness; especially as it has gone off without the conse-quences, of which you were so very apprehensive. “ Dear Sir, I obey you; but indeed, indeed, Sir, writing to my grandmamma does me good. But I obey.” Only, let thus far as I have written, be dispatched to my Northamptonshire friends, From their ever-dutiful

HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter XLIX.
Lady Grandison. in Continuation’.

Saturday night. I HAVE a constant attendant in Lady Clementina. She was not to be consoled when I was at worst. Wringing her hands, O that she luul never come to England! was her frequent exclamation: and they apprehended, that her mind would be again disturb-ed. She has not yet recovered her former sedate — ness. She gets by herself, when she is not with me. ‘/2

She is often in tears, and wishes herself in Italy* Sir (‘harles is concerned for her. She has some-thing upon her mind, he says; and asked me, if she bad not disclosed it to me? He wondered she had not; expressi’.ig himself with pleasure on the confidence each has on the other.

Sunday, May 13.

Signor Jeronymo has been pitying to me the Count of l^elvedere. The poor man could notpre-vaii upon himseli’to accompany Sir Charles and his nchle gueists down. He owned to Jeronymo, that he hi.d twice set out for Grandison-hall; but both times, being unable to pursue his intention, turned back.

Jeronymo told me, that the count had made his v.ill, ai;cl left all th;;t he could leave, and his whole ptrscmal estate, to ilieir family, in case he should die unni^irried. He would not leave it to Lady Clemen-tina, lest, if his l)equests were to come to her know — ledge, she should think he was so mean, as to expect that favour from his riches, of which lie had no hope from her esteem.

I’he generous Belvedere declares, said Jeron^‘mo, that should her malady be renewed by means of our interesting ourselves in his fnvrar, he should be the moGt niiserable of men. ]My dear Jeronymo, said he. at pi^rting in tov.n^ r^^il i’hat ang.l of a woman, that 1 nevf-r will solicit her f ivour, while 1 shall have rcHton to ti])prt-htpd slichas an aversion to me. INiay Clementina 1h haj)py, and B: ivfdore nmst have some cons( ‘Liiioii fii,n; knowii.g her to be so, how-ever wf; cfhed lie vc. y be on the whole. But as — sure yourself Jcionymo, that I wiil never be the husband of any other woman, while she is unmar-ried.

I join with Signor Jeronymo in pitying the count: yet, I must own, that my compassion is still more deeply engaged for Clementina. But I was affected not a little, however, when Jeronymo read a passage from a letter of the count, which, at my request, he left with me; and which I English as follows: After his supplications put up to Heaven for her happiness, whatever became of him “ But can she he happy,” says he, “ in her present situation? May there not be always a struggle between her exalted notion of duty, and her passion (though the noblest that ever warmed a human breast) which may renew the disorders of her mind? Were she mine (Let me indulge, for one mouient, the rap-turous supposition) I could hope to conduct, to guide, to compose, that noble mind. We would admire, with an equal affection, that best of men, whose goodness is not more the object of her love, than of my veneration. Jealous as I am of my ho-nour, 1 would satisfy the charmer of my soul, that I approved of her sisterly love of a man so eexcellent. Mie would not then be left to the silent distress of her own heart.”

What say inv grandmamma, my aunt, my Lucy? Sliail 1 ^vi^h the noble Clementina may be prevailed upon in favoin” of this really worthy man? Should J, do you think, be prevailed upon in /;er situation? A better question still Ought 1?

Monday, May 14. My cousin James Jins seen me, and 1 have chid Ir.m loo, for having been so hasty to carry bad news to Northamptonshire, without staying aday or two, V, iien he might have carried better. ’Tis true, they will not permit me to quit my chamber yet: but that is rather for precautionary than necessary reasons; a.id thev have given over chidioLr me for v.-riting z3

Their indulgence to me of my pen will convince you, that I am quite well.

Lady Clementina most sincerely rejoices in my recovery. Yet she is every day more and more thoughtful and solemn She is grieved, she tells her mother (who is troubled at her solemnity) for her brother Jeronymo, who indeed is not well. Mr. Lowther tells us, that he must not expect to be exempt from temporary pains and disorder: but I am sure the worthy man wo’ald be easier in his own mind, were his sister to give her hand to the Count of Belvedere. ^

I talked to Sir Charles on this subject an hour ago. Lady Clementina, my dear Sir, said I, is not happy. I question whether she ever will, unless she is allowed her own way, the veil.

And that, returned he. has been so long a family-objection, that the compliance with her wisheswould break the heart of her mother, at least: and greatly afflict all the rest. It must not, for their sakes, be thought of.

What then, Sir, can be done?

We must have patience, my dearest life. Her malady has unsettled her noble mind. She must try her own schemes; and if she find not happiness in any of them, she will think of new ones, till at last she fixes. Nor, I hope, is the time far off.

Do you think so, Sir?

Don’t ‘you see, my love, that the poor lady is more and more uneasy with herself? Something is working in her mind. I have desired her mother to leave that disturbed mind to its own generous workings. Her vehemence, raised by the opposition she met with, which she considered as a persecution, has for some time subsided; and she will probably fall upon reflections which she had not time to at-tend to before. sin CHAltLES GRANDISON. 259

Jeronymo thinks, proceeded he, that I might suc-cessfully plead in the count’s favour But did I not draw tho urlicles? Did 1 not propose the terms? Lady Clenioutiiia shall not be prevaricated with. She shuns me of late In apprehension, perliaps, that 1 will try my influence over her. She never seems so easy, as when she is with my dearest love. You must j)ieservc that consequence with her, which delicate minds will ever be of to one another. Some little appearances of her malady will perhaps, now-and-then, shew themselves, and unsettle her: but I have no doubt, if it please God to preserve her rea-son, that her present uneasiness will be productive of some great change in her schemes, which may end in a traiujuillity of mind, that will make all us who love her, hapjjy. Mean-time, my dear, let this be our rule, if you please: Let her lead; let us only follow Persuasion against avowed inclination, you and I, my Harriet, have always condemned as a degree of compulsion. Had the admirable lady been entreated to take the noble measure she fell upon, when she rejected me, however great the motives, she would not have been so happy, as she was, when she found herself absolute mistress of the question, and could astonish and surprise us all by her mag-nanimity.

Who could resist this reasoning? How well does he seem to know this excellent woman, when he considers her unhappy unfixedness, occasioned by a malady, %vhich will now-and-then (till she can be settled in some quiet ai.d agreeable way) shew itself in her conduct, when she has any great part before her to act!

Tuesday aflernoon, ^lay 1.5. Lady Clementina, soon after dinner, sent up to me her Camilla (for I was not at table) to desire;i quarter of an hour’s discourse with me in my cham-ber. I gave direction, that nobody should come to me till I rang, bhe entered; made me sit; took her seat by me; and immediately, with a noble frankness in her manner, thus began:

I could not, my dear Lady Grandison, ask the favour of your ear on the subject I wanted to open my heart upon to you, till I saw you were perfectly recovered. God be praised, that you are! What anxieties did your late indisposition give me! I ac-cused myself as the cause of it. 1 had engaged you, thoughtlessly, in too long a walk. You know how Lady G. how Lady L. were terrified. I overheard them once that evening talking over their fears to one another. Lady G. looked with visible unkindness upon me. My aid ineffectual, my person in the tvai/, I hurried to my chamber: Good God! said I (every object looking strange about me) Where am I? What am I? Can I be the same Clementina della Porretta^that I was a few months ago? Can I have brought misery to the family which was my only refuge? To the man who [She paused: then lifting up her eyes; Blessed Virgin! said she, and is Clementina in the house of the man whom she ha& been known to regard above all men: and whom she still docs regard; but not as Olivia supposes? J And then on my knees I offered up fervent prayers for your health and happiness; and that it would please God to return me, with reputation, to my native country. My e3’es are now opened to the impro-priety I have been guilty of in taking refuge in England; and in remaining in it, and in your house, and with a man whom I am known to value. The world has begun to talk: Cruel Olivia! She will lead and point the talk, as she would have it believed. I am under obligation to your goodness, and to that of all your friends, that they and you think kindly of me, situated as I once was. I am obliged (mor-tifying consideration to a spirit like mine!) to Sir Charles Grandison’s generosity and compassion, that he does not despise me. A iiirl (forgive me for mentioning it: it is to you only) has been, by my dear Mrs. Beaumont, proposed, indir?ctly at least, for a pattern to me. How am I sunk! My pride cannot bear it. Had I been allowed to take the veil, all these improprieties in my conduct had been prevented; all these mortifications would have been spared the unhappy Clementina Tell me, advise nic, May I not renew my entreaties to be allowed to take the veil? Give me, as to your sister (no sister ever loved her sister better than I love you) your advice: counsel me what to do, what course to steer, to recover myself in my own eyes. At present I hate, I despise, myself.

With how httle reason, my dearest sister, my excellent friend! All my family revere you: Sir Charles, his sisters, and I, love you: Lady G. par-ticularly admires you: she could not possibly look unkindly upon you. What has Olivia dared to re-port? I’ut did she ever forbear her rash censures? What can I advise you? 1 see your delicate distress. But suppose you open your mind to the marchioness ^ To Mrs. Beaumont suppose? She is the most prudent of women,

I know their minds already. Their judgments are m^x with me. Mrs. Beaumont (indeed without intending it) has tcrrilicd me. My mamma thinks herseli” bound by the articles, and will not speak.

Su|;pose, my dearest lady, you advise with Sir Charles? You know he is the most delicate-minded of men.

I sluiH ever lionoiu’ him: but your indisposition has matL’ me look u|)on him with nioie reverence than familiarity. 1 have avoided him. An exquisite pain has seized my heart, on being brought to meditate the impropriety of my situation: a pain I cannot describe. Here it used to be (putting her hand to her forehead); but herenovf it is (removing it to her heart); and at times I cannot bear it.

Let me beg of Lady Clementina to lay that noble heart open to Sir Charles. You know his disinter-ested affection for you. You know his regard for your glory. You know that your own mother, your own Mrs. Beaumont, are not more delicate than he is. You may unbosom yourself to him. But such is his fear of offending you, that you must begin. A small opening will do. His nice regard for your honour, for the honour of our sex, will, on a slight encouragement, spare you all that would be irksome to you. He has no prejudices in favour or disfavour of any body. He loves, it is true, he reveres your ivh: lie Jamil y; but //om more than all the rest, l^hall I say that he made his court to me in your name, and by your interest; yet acknowledged himself refused by an angel?

Excellent man! I voill consult him, and in your presence.

As to my presence, madam

It must be so, interrupted she: I shall want your support. Do you be my advocate with him; and if he will be an advocate for me, I may yet be happy. At present, 1 see but one way to extricate myself with honour, /dare not propose it. lie nvdy. The world and Olivia will not let me be, in that world, a single woman, and happy. Why should 1 not be allowed to quit it by a divine dedication?

I embraced her; soothed her: but thought of Sir Charles’s advice, not to lead, but to folloiv as she led: not one word, as I told her, would I say to him of what had passed between us, that she might have his own unprejudiced advice.

I rang, by her pennission. Sally came up. I made my request, by her, to her master. He found us to-gether. Sir Charles, said I, before he could speak, Lady Clementina hassomethingon her mind: 1 have besought her to consult you,

I must consult you both, said she. To-morro\r morning, Sir, as early as will suit Lady Grandison, we will meet for that purpose.

May the issue of tomorrow’s conference be tran-quillity of mind to this excellent lady!


Letter L.
Lady Grandison. In Continuation,

Wednesday, May 16.

Trii: conference was held in Italian. It was but just turned of seven in the morning, when we met in my drawing-room.

I had told Lady Clementina that she must lead the subject; but Sir Charles, scciiig her in some confu-sion, relieved her Vou do nic, madam, said he, great honour (and it is. worthy of our brotherly and sisterly frieiaUliiplin proposing to ask my opinion on any subject in which you are interested. Our dear Harriet’s recovery (Ciod be praised for it!) has left no wish in my heart so ardent as for ijnnr hajjpiness. Permit me to say, my dear Lady Clementina, it is ncccssan/ for that of us both.

Indeed, madam, it /v, said I, taking her hand. Tenderness, love, respect, I am sure, were in my countenance, if it s])oke 013 — heart. She condescend-ingly bowed upon mine: t-.‘ars were in lun — eyes: You pain nie, chevalier, you pain me, madam, by your goodness How many of my friends have I made unhappy!

For some days past, said Sir Charles, I have ob-served, that you have seemed more uneasy than usual. Would to Heaven it were in my power to remove the cause!

Perhaps it may. Ah, chevalier! 1 thought when I came into the compromise, that I might have made myself happier in it, than I now find 1 can be.

Dear Lady Clementina! said Sir Charles; and stopt.

Be not displeased with me, chevalier. I must hold myself bound by it, if it be insisted on. But though my condescending friends urge me not by entreaties, by persuasions, see you not that their rv’sl/itig ei/es, and xigking hcarts^hvesk every hour the articles agreed to?

Dear Lady Clementina!

I knew you would be angry with me.

I am not. It would be equally unfriendly and insolent if I were. l)Ut, my dear Clementina, what an affectiiig picture have you drawn of the resignation of parents to the will of their child, in an article which their hearts were fixed upon.

Add not weight, Sir, to my uneasy reflections. I can hardly bear to see in them the generous sup-pression of their own wishes.

She thi!i addressed herself to me. Bear with me, dear Lady Grandison.if I cast an eye back to former situations. You know my whole story. For a few moments hear with nic I never, God is my witness, envied yew. On rhe con<-riiry, 1 rejoiced to find thc^u merits yv’Mrii J had not po’ver to reward, so aii:’. — re\vri(ti,\l b}” you; and that the chevalier was so great a uaiuer by my declining his vows, She

Stu};t.

Proceed, dearest Lady Clementina, said I Are we not sisters? And do I not know, that yours is the noblest of female minds?

I rejoice, Sir, from my heart, that I was enabled to act as I did.

Again she stopt. Sir Charles bowed in silence.

But still I hoped, that one day my parents would have been overcome in favour of the divine dedication. That was always my wish, till you, Sir, in duced me to come into a compromise. And then I was resolved to make myself, if possible, happy, in the single life allowed me. But what ccm 1 do? JNIy former m ishes recur. I cannot help it: and it seems evident to me, that there is but one measure, and that is the convent, which can make me happy.

Dear Lady Clementina! said Sir Charles, will you be pleased to allow me

Olivia, Sir, interrupted she (you don’t, perhaps, know that) reflects upon me. It was indeed a rash step which I took, when I fled to England: how has it countenanced the excursion s/ie made hither? Though, God knows, our motives were widely dif-ferent: hers was to obtain what mine was intended to avoid. But your sudden indisposition, madam, pointed the sting, and carried it into my heart. That flashed full upon me, the imj)ropriety of my situation Can there be, say, chevalier, can there l)e, any expedient which will free me from reflection, from slander, except that of the veil?

You/cad the question, madam, replied Sir Charles: I hut fu/ioiv you. Surely there can.

You are not angry with me, ciievalier? You do not upbraid me with breach of articles ^

I do not, madam, while we only rca^fni, not resolve.

Assure yourself that //our tranquillit}’ of mind is one of the principal objects of my daily prayers. Say,

J.uih — Cknientina, all that is in your heart to sa) .

Your friend, your brother, hears his sister with all the tenderness of fraternal love.

How soothing! How kind! You say there is an-other expedient. What, excepting marriage, is it? Were it that:, and that cou/d be an acceptable expedient We are only reasoning, madam; not resulviiig

Do you, chevalier, (with a look of impatience;) propose that to me?

I do notf madam I said we were reasoning only. But surely you ma^ be very happy in the single life, l^ou may have thought of plans, which, oa consideration, may not please you: but it isyet early. Lady Clementina has too much greatness of mind to permit any-thing that may be said by malevolent people to attect her. She knows her heart; and has reason to be satisfied with it. Were your former wishes to take place, will not ill-will and slander fol-low you into the most sacred retirements? There are several tender points to be considered in your past situation. These are considered by your pa-rents. They haveno view but toyour happiness. You and they indeed have different notions of the means. They think marriage with a worthy man of your own faith, would tend to establish it. You think assuming the veil the only expedient. This subject has been much canvassed. They are iletermined not to urge you: yet theirjudgmentsare not changed. Shall they not be allowed to ivisli P Especially when they urge not, speak not, tiieir wishes? Your father was earnest with the Count of Belvedere, in my hearing, when last in town, to give uj) all expect-ations from you. God preserve their lives till they see you happy! You must be convinced, that they are not so intent upon the means as to obtain the end.

]My father, my mother, are all goodness! God preserve their precious lives! Tears trickled down her cheeks.

I am sure, my dear Lady Clementina, you cannot be happy in amj state of HFe, if vour choice, pursued, would make your pare))ts unhappy. Could Lady Clementina, were she even prnfc’-.sed, divest herself of all filial, of all family regards? Would not that very contemplative life, of which she is at present so fond, make her, when it was too late to retrieve the step (and with the more regret, perhaps, because it ivas too late) carry her thoughts, her affections, with greater force, back to parents, if //r///^,so deservedly dear, to brothers so disinterestedly kind, to her; and who have all shared so largely in her distresses?

She sighed. She wept. O chevalier! was all she said.

You cannot, madam, live only to yourself, /br yourself: and you may live to your God in the world, perhaps, more efficaciously than in the convent, with regard to your soul’s health, as you have such large ability to do good: for, wants not the world, as I have heretofore pleaded, such an example as you can give it? The heart, madam, not the profession is the truly acceptable. Your paternal grandfather, though a sound Catholic, wouid have it, that there were many sighing hearts in convents; and on this supposition (eonhrmed to him by a sin-gular instance which affected him) he inserted in his will the clauses which he thought would odli^e you to many. Your other grandfather joined in the fenforeement of them.

And what, Sir, was the penalty? Only the for-feiture of an estate, which I wish not for; which none of us want. We are all rich. It is a. purchased^ not a patenia! estate.

And purchased with what view, madam? And for whom?

I would have my family superior to such motives

Must they not, my dear Clementina, be judges for themselves?

I do not believe, proceeded she, that there are many sighing hearts in convents: but if there icere, and my friends would be satisfied (for that, 1 own, is an essential point with me) I should not, I am sure, add to the number of such. As to what you say of the world wanting such an example as I could set it, I have not vanity enough to be convinced by that argument. Whether my soul’s peace could be best promoted in the world, or in the convent, must be left to me to judge; who know that in the tur-moils and disturbances I have met with, both of mind and body, the retired, the sequestered life, is most likely to re-compose my shattered spirits.

Those turmoils, those disturbances, madam, thank God! are over.

I pity, I can forgive, I do forgive, the poor Lau-rana. Ah Sir! you know not, perhaps, that love, a passion which is often the cause of guilty meanness, as sometimes indeed of laudable greatness, was the secret cause of Laurana’s cruelty to me. She hated me not, till that passion invaded her bosom. Shall I remember the evil of her behaviour, and not the good?

Admirable Clementina! said Sir Charles: Admirable lady! said his Harriet; both in a breath.

She was the companion of my childhood, proceeded the exalted lady. VVe had our education together. I wn?, th(j sufferer; thank God! not the aggressor. She has made me great, by putting it into my power to forgive her. Letall my revenge be in her compunction from my forgiveness, and fro my M’ishes to promote her welfare!

And a revenge indeed would that be, said Sir Charles, were she, who had acted by an excellent creature, as she has done by you, capable of gene-rous compunction. But, noblest of women, can it be expected, \i’ //on can forgive her, t!iat your family should join, by giving up their reversionarv expectations, to rtxi-ard her for her cruelty to their child, who was entrusted to her kindest care and protection? Can you, madam, treat lighth’ tho-;e instances of 3-our parentsand brother’s love, v, hich have made tl’.em resent her barbarity to you? My dear Lady Clementina, you must not aim at being a/j:iv(’. nature, liemember that your grandfalhc.r never de r>‘vj^)ird this estate for Laurana. It was onl\— to be provisionally hers, in order to secure it the more ett’ectually to you; and, on failure of descendants from you, to your elder brother, who, however, wishes not for it. His heart is in your marriage. lie only wishes, that it may not be the cruel Lau-rana’s. If you can defeat the design of your grand — fathers, w ith regard tj your oiai interest, ought you to do injustice to your brother’s claim? () chevalier!

Ought you to think of disposing of your brother’s right? Has not he much better rea^^on to be consi-dered by you for his attection, than Laurana has for her cruelty? ^Abhorred be that sort of love, my dear Lady Clementina, which is |)leaded in excuse of barbarity, or of any extravagant, undutiful, or unnatural action!

She sighed. Tears again stole down her cheeks. After a short silence O spare me, chevalier! Despise me not, Lady Grandison! My enfeebled reason may lead me into error; but when 1 know it is error, I will not continue in it. I see that, with reg;ird to my brother’s interest in this estate, I rea-soHfd wrong. I was guilty, my dear Lady Ciran — ilison, 1 doubt, in your eye, of a false piece of ^ 2 A ^J heroism. I was for doing lexx than justice to a bro-ther, that I might do more than justice to an unna — tural relation.

All that Laurana can hope from you, my dear Lady Clementina, said Sir Charles, is, that you will intitle her to the receipt of the considerable legacy your granfather bequeathed to her

And how is that to be done, interrupted she, but by my marriage? .-ih, chevalier!

Such, indeed, is the state of the case. Such was it designed to be. I, madam, but state It. 1 advise nothing.

Still, Sir, the motive v,bich may allowably have weight with my friends, ought not to have principal Aveight with me. Consider, Sir; Is it not setting an earthly estate again.st niy immortal soul?

Far otherwise, madam. Can you so far doubt of the divine grace, can you so far disparage your own virtues, as to suppose they want the security of a convent? Do justice, my dear Lady Clementina, to yourself. You have virtues which cannot be exerted in a convent; and you have means to display them for the good of hundreds 1 argue not as a Pro-testant, when I address myself to you. The most zealous Catholic, if unprejudiced, circumstanced as i/oit are, must allow of what 1 say.

Ah, chevalier! how you anticipate me! I was going to charge you with arguing like a Protestant.

Did not yoLu — grandfathers, madam, in effect, argue as I argue, when tluy made their wills? Did not your father, mother, uncle, brothers, thus argue, when they wished a ou to relinquish all thoughts of the Veil? And are not the one, were not the others, all zealous Catholics? Does not your brother the bishop, docs not your truly ])ious confessor, accjuisce in their reasonings, and concur with (at least not oppose) the family-reasons?

She looked down, sweetly conscious. Sir Charles proceeded.

Has not your mother, madam, who gave you and your three brothers to the world, a merit both with God and man, one of you dedicated, as he is, to God (you see, madam, I address myself to you in the catholic stile) which the cloistered life could not have given her? Are not the conjugal and maternal duties (performed as she has performed them) of higher account, than any of those can be, which may be exerted in the sequestered life? Clementina would not wish to be a better woman in the cunventy than her mother has always been out of it.

She hesitated, sighed, looked down: at last, What can I say? said she. 1 have signed to the waving of my wishes after the veil; and must, I see, abide by my signing. It is, however, generous in you, Sir, not to plead against me that my act! and to hear me with patience want to be absolved from it. But I am not happy She stopt; and turned away her face to conceal her emotion.

Sir Charles was atfected as well as I,

She recovered her speech. I am, at times, said she, too sensible of running into flight and absurdity. My late unhappy malady has weakened my reasoning powers. You both can, I see you both do, pity me. Let me say, chevalier, that when 1 came into your proposed compromise (which, after so grievous a fault coniniitted, as the flying from my native country, and indulgent parents, I could the less re-fuse) I promised myself happiness in a situation, in which, 1 woit’see, it is not to he found. Your friend-ship, your united friendship for me, happy pair! I thought (as 1 knew I deserved it by my disinterested aii’ect:on for vou both) would contribute to it; I was therulbre desirous to cultivaie it. 3Iy wounded reason allowed me not to consider, that there were improprieties in my scheme, of which the world would judge otherwise than I did; and when I heard of vile and undeserved reflections cast upon me; but most when that sudden indisposition seized you, my dear Lady Grandison, and seemed to my frighted imagination to threaten a life so precious

She paused: then proceeded. I have told you, madam, my reflv^ctions. Before you, chevalier, I have said enough And now advise me wh it to do. To say truth, I almost as much longto.quit Eng-land, as I did to fly to it. I am unhappy. O my fluctuating heart! When, when, shall I be settled?

What, madam, can I say? answered Sir Charles: What can I advise? You say your are not happy. You think your parents are not so. We all believe you can make them so. Rut God forbid it should be to your own unhappiness, who have already been so great a sufferer, though hardly a greater than everyone of your friends has been from your sufferings. I pleadnot, madam, the causeof any one man. I have told you. that your father himself advises a certain nobleman to give over all hopes of you: and that person himself says, that he will endeavour to do so; first, because heproniised you, thathe would; and next, because he is now too well assured, that vou have an aversion to him.

An aversion, chevalier! God forbid that I should have an aversion to any human creature! I thought my behaviour to that gentleman had been such She stopt

It was great; it was worthy of Clementina. But this is his apprehension: and if it be just. God for-bid that Lady Clementina should think of him!

My dear Lady Grandison, do ynii advise me upon all that has passed in this coiifcronce. You assured me at the beginning of it, that my peace of mind was necessary to your happiness.

From my affection tor you, my dear X/ady Clemen-tina, and from my affection only, it is necessary. You cannot have a distress, whicli will not, if I know it, be a distress to me. You know best what you can do. God give you happiness, and make yours the foundation of that of your indulgent parents! They are of opinion, that a settled life with some vvorthy man of your own country and faith, will greatly contribute to it. Youi’ mamma is firmly of opinion it will: so is Mrs. Beaumont. You see that you can-not, in justice to your brother, and to his children yet unborn, as well as in duty to your deceased grandtiithers, assume the veil: you see that the unnatural l.aurana, whom you still are so great as to love, cannot enjoy a considerable legacy bequeathed her, but on your marriage. If you have a dislike to the noblenjan who has so large u sliare in the affections of all your family, by no means think of him. Rejoice, madam, in a single life, if you think you can be happy in it, till some man offer whom you can fitvour with your esteem. Let 7i2e be honoured mean time with the continuance of your love, as I shall be found to deserve it. We are already sisters. In presence, we will be one; in absence, we will not be divided; for we will mingle souls and sentiments on paper.

I was proceeding; but she wrapt her arms about my neck. She bathed my cheek with her tears. O how generously did she e.xtol me! how delighted, how atTi’cted, was the dearest of men! how delicate was his behaviour to both; The tender friend in her, the beti,\id wife, were with the nicest propriety distingui.Nlied by him.

Tho dear lady was too much disordered by her own grateful rapture, to recover a train of reason-i)>.g. Shi’ told me, however, that she would ponder, v.eigli, consider every-thing that had passed.

God give her happiness! prays with her whole heart, your

HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter LI.
Lady Grandison to Mrs. Shirley.

Thursday, May 17. Lady Clementina is thoughtful, solemn, and shuns company. Not one word will any-body say to her of the Count of Belvedere: but as he is expected here every-day to take his leave, Sir Charles thinks she ought not to be surprised by his comitig at unawares. She neither dined or supped in company yesterday; nor breakfasted with us this morning. She loves, as you have heard, to walk in the garden. She diverts herself often with feeding the deer, which gather about her, as soon as she enters the park. Sir Charles just now passed her in the garden. He asked after her health .My mind is not well, chevalier! God Almighty heal it! said he, taking her hand and bowing upon it. Thank you, Sir! Continue your prayers for me. That last conversation, chevalier But, adieu.

She took a path that led to the park. He looked after her. She turned once to see if he did. He bowed, and motioned with his hand as for leave to follow her. She understood his motion, and by hers forbid him. Poor lady!

Thursday evenins;, six o’clock. Mr. Lowther returned from London about an hour ago. He has always been of opinion with the physicians of Italy, that a disorder of mind not here-ditary, but circumstanced as Lady Clementina’s was, will be in no danger of returning, or of” becoming hereditary, unless on some new distress like the former. He expressed his wonder more than once, at her relations acquiescence with her plea, as she made that the principal against n)arriage; though he allowed it to be a noble and generous one in her. And now, in order to justify liis opinion, he has taken, of his own accord, the opinions of the most noted London physicians: who entirely agree with him.

Saturday, May 19.

Lady Clementina has been generously lamenting to me the unhappiness of the cruel Laurana. What I hinted to Sir Charles, said she, of her love for the Count of Belvedere, is but too true. I have been urged to have compassion, as it is called, on him. He should have shewed some for her. She was proposed to him. He rejected the proposal with haughti — ness: but, 1 believe, knew not how much she loved him. I have faint remembrances of her ravings, as I may call them, for him, to her mother and woman: sometimes vowing revenge for slighted love. Poor Laurana was another Olivia in the violence of her passion. In the few lucid intervals I had when I was under her management, I always expected that these ravings would end in harder usage of me. Yet even then, when I had calmness enough to pity myself, I pitied her. O that the count would make her happy, and could think himself happy in her!

She asked me if Sir Charles were not indeed inclined to favour the count?

He wishes you, madam, to marry, answered I, because he thinks (and physicians of Italy and Eng — land, and Mr. Lowther, concur with your parents wi.ihes) if there were a man in the world whom you could consent to make happy, the consequence would not only make your whole family so, but yourself. But the choice of the man, he thinks, should be entirely left to you: he thinks that the count, so often refused, ought not to be insisted on: and that time should be given you.

Let me ask you. Lady Grandison, as one sister to another, QovXAijou, in my situation, have resolved to give your hand She stopt, blushed, looked donn. I snatched her hand, and pressed it to my lips Speak your whole heart, my Clementina, to your Harriet. But yet, I will spare you, when I under-stand your meaning. Noblest of women, 1 am not Clementina. I could not, situated as you once were, all my friends consenting, and the man such as you knew him to be, have refused him my hand as well as heart. But what may not be expected from a lady, who, from a regard to her superior duties, could make the most laudable passion of inferior force? You have already overcome the greatest difficulty; and when you can persuade yourself that it is your duty to enter into new measures, I am sure, what-ever they may be

Dear Lady Grandison. say no more My duty How delicate are your intimations! What a subject have we slid into! Believe me, I am incapable

Of any thought, of any imagination, interrupted I, that an angel might not own. It would be an injury to your Harriet’s emulative love of you, were you but to suppose any assurances of your greatness of mind necessary.

But I am at times pained, generous Lady Grandison, for what ijmir friends may think, may wish O that 1 were in my own country again!

They wish for nothing but your happiness. Lay down your own plan, dear lady: chalk out your future steps. Look about you one, two, three years, in the single hfe: assure your indulgent parents

Hush, hush, hush, hush, my dear Lady Grandison, gently putting her hand on my mouth: 1 will, 1 nmst, leave you! O my fluctuating heart! But what-ever 1 shall 1)0 enabled to do; whose-soever displea — sure I may incur, do non continue to love me; still call me sister; and, through you, let me call Sir Charles Grandison my brother; and then shall I have a felicity that will counterbalance many infe-licities.

She hurried from me, not staying to hear the af-fectionate assurances of mj’ admiring love, that were bursting my lips from a heart fervently desiring to comply with every wish of hers.

Sunday, May 20, Tho marquis is slightly indisposed. The mar-chioness is not well. Lady Clementina, applying to IMrs. Beaumont for consolation on the occasion, owned that were their indispositions to gather strength, she should be too ready for her peace of liiind, to charge them to her o\\\\ account. Mrs. Ikaumont generously consoled her, without urging one sylla!)lc in favour of the man, who lias so large an inttrcst in the hearts of all her family, her own excepted. She herself mentioned with ajiprobalion to Mrs. Beaumont, some particulars of the count’s luuuificence, and greatness of mind, that had come to her knowledge; but wished he could think or her cousin Laurana. Her Camilla came in. Slie asked with anxious duty, after her mother’s health; and withdrew in tears, to attend her.

INIonflay, May 21.

Well, bat now, I Charlotte G. who have taken up Harriet’s pen, ba}’, these tears will soon be dried up.

The marquis and his lady are both better. The count is arrived; Signers Juliano and Sebastiano with him. Did you not see the count when he was in town, Lucy? A pretty man, upon my life, were he not quite so solemn: but that very solemnity cwiil make for him with the fair romancer: Is he not come, as Lee says, iu his Theodosius,

“To fake eternal leave?

Not to vouchsafe to see him, would be scorn, Which the fair soul of gentle Clementina Could never harbour.”

Accordingly, on his arrival, not unsent to, but almost unexpected, down she came to tea; and with such a grace! Indeed, my dear and venerable Mrs. Shirley, she will be a good girl. All w’ll come right. She was a little solemn indeed in her serenity: but she plainly put herself forward tospeak. Sheseemed to pity the count’s confusion (who, poor soul! knew not how to speak to her) and relieved it by enquiring after his health, as he had not been well. She addressed herself to him once or twice on indifferent subjects; and pleased every-body by her behaviour to him. Nay they talked together a good while at thv^ window, he, and she, and Mrs. Beaumont, very freely about England and Italy, comparing in a few instances, these gardens with those of the marquis at Bologna. No very interesting conversation indeed — but the good count thought himself in paradise. Yet he fears he shall tomorrow be allowed to take a long, long leave of her Me goes to Trance and Italy; not to Spain. I like him for that; it would only be distressing himself further, he says, were he to amuse a v/orlhy family who have invited him thither with a view thyt can never be answered, while Cicmtntina reni<;i))s unmarried.

My brother coiuiuues to insist upon it, that not one word shall be said in the count’s favour. Sea-room, and land-room, Mrs. Shirley, as I said once before Where did he learn so thoroughly to under-stand the perverseness of a female heart? * *

By Lady Grandison.’] You see, my grandmamma, what Lady G. has written. Her sweetly playful pen may divert you. Her heart feels not, as mine does, the perplexities of the dear Clementina: but I yield, with grateful pleasure, to a pen so much more lively, than that of your

HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter LIL
Lady G. to Miss Selby.

Tuesdny, May 22. And so Lucy, your day is fixed. May next Thurs-day be a happy one, and reward the heroic girl who so nobly conquered a first love, on the discovered unworthiness of the man. And you own that your heart is far from being indifferent to Lord Rcresby Good girl! Contirniation of ail my doctrines. We women prate and prate of what we can. and what we can-7iot; what we r, J/ i^’/;;, andwhatwe oug/il-not, to do: but none of us stay-till-we-are-asked mortals know what we shall, or can do, till we are tried by the power of determining being put into our hands. Was it possible for me to have loved that sorry wretch Anderson, so well as I really loved my honest Lord G.? It was not. But though I name that creature myself, never do you presume to do it. 1 blush even to this hour on lookuig back to certain giddinesses that debased my chracter But let me quit a sub-ject so disagreeable

Lady Clementina has had a bad night, it seems. Came not down to breakfast. The poor enamo-retto was in despair. I tried to hearten him up a little: but my brother will not let any-body flatter him with a hope that too probably may end in disappointment.

Yonder [I am writing at my window, you must know] is the fair inflexible musing in the garden. I have a good mind to call to her; for I see by her motions and downcast looks, that reverie is no fa-vourable sign for the count No need of my calling to her; my brother has this minute joined her. As soon as he came in sight, she went to him. > Now, dear brother, put in a word for the poor man.

Well, but Lucy, this lord of yours must come among us. He shall not carry you to Ireland this year. Let all who would be good husbands and good wives, come to Grandison-hall, and learn: and, pray, let them come while I a;n here. Yet I have something to say against our Harriet too. She is so taken up with her heroic friendship, that Clemen-tina is now almost the only subject of her pen What godlike instances of my brother’s goodness does she leave untold, though she admires him for them, as much as ever! Every rising, every setting sun, are witnesses of his divine philanthropy. I suppose she looks upon his praises now, to he her own. Well she may. Never were hearts so united, so formed, for one another. But Harriet used to praise herself formerly; did shonot, uncle Selby?

Believe me, I will praise my honest man when-ever he gives me cause. For instance; yesterday, I tvas well enough pleased with what he said to my brother. You, Sir Charles, ought not to give yourself up to a private life. Your country has a elaim upon such a character as yours.

Without doubt, said I Shall we, my lord, make my brother an ambassador, or a justice of peace? Lord G. rubbed liis forthead; but seeing nie smile, his countenance brightened up. Don’t you know, Charlotte, said my brother, that nothing but the engagements our noble guests have given me, would have prevented me from acting in the useful cha-racter you have last named?

O that you had, brother! What admirable causes would then have been brought before US. en dernier ressort! How delightfully would your time have been taken up with the appeals of scolding wives, forsaken damsels, and witches presumptive!

Lady G. min^t be herself, whatever be the subject, replied Sir Charles. You and I love her, my lord, for her charming vivacity. But think you, my sister, that a day spent in doing good, be the objects of it ever so low, is not more pleasing to reflect upon, than a day of the most elegant indulgence? Would per-sons of sense and distmction (myself out of the ques — tion) more frequently than they do, undertake the task, it would be lightertoevery one, and would keep the great power vested in this class of magistrates, and which is every year increasing, out of mean and mercenary hands. And, surely, men of consideration in the world owe it to their tenants and neigh — bours, and to those of their tellow-creatures to whoso industry they are obliged for their affluence, to employ in their service, those advantages of rank and education, which make it perhaps easy for them to clear up and adjust, in half an Iiour, matters that would be of endless perplexity and entanglement to the parties concerned.

Mind this, uncle Selby; for I think you are too fond of your own ways, and your own hours, lo do your duty as an active justice, though of the quorum.

But I should have told you, Lucy, how this conversation began. I got the occasion for it out of Dr. Bartlett afterwards. You must know, that I visit him now and then as Harriet used to do, toleam some of my brother’s good deeds, that otherwise would not come to our knowledge; by which 1 understand that notwithstanding he gives his guests so much of his company, and appears so easy and free among us, yet, that every beneficent scheme is going on: not one improvement stands still: he kno s not what it is to be one moment idle.

Dr. Bartlett tells me, that some gentlemen of prime consideration in the county have been offering my brother their interest against the next elec — tion. He modestly acknowledged the grateful sense he had of the honour done him; but declined it for the present, as having been too little a while return-ed into his own country, after so long an absence, to be as yet fit for a trust so important. We young men, said he, are apt to be warm; when we have not studied a point thoroughly, we act upon hasty conclusions, and sometimes support, sometimes oppose, on insufficient grounds. 1 would not be under e-gagemenis to any party: neither can I think of con tributing to destroy the morals and health of all the country people round me^ to make myself what is called an intere.H. Forgive me, gentlemen: I mean nut to sliglit your favours: but on such an occasion, I ought to be explicit.

But, after the gentlemen were gone There is a county, Dr. Bartlett, said he, of which I should be ambitious to be one of the representatives, had I a natural mtcxcat in it: because of the reverence I bear to the good man, to whom in that case I should have the honour to call myself a colleague. When I can think myself more worthy than at present I am, of standing in such a civil relation to him, I shall consider him as another Gamaliel, at whose feet (so long absent as I have been from my native country) I shall be proud to be initiated into the service of the public.

It is not difficult to guess, who my brother But my manuouset is squalling for me; and I must fly to silence it.

Now, Lucy, that I have pacified my brat, do I wish you with me at my window. My brother and his Harriet only, are at this instant walking almost under it, engaged in earnest conversation: seem-ingly, how pleasing a one! admiration and tender — ness mingled in his looks: in her, while he speaks, the most delighted attention: when she answers, love, affiance, modest deference, benevolence, compassion; an expression that no pen can describe Knowing them bi’th so well, and acquainted with their usual behaviour to each oiher, I can make it all out. 8he is pleading, I am sure for Clementina. Charming pleader! Yet, my dear Mrs. Shirley, I fear her reasonings are romantic ones. Our iJarriet, you know, was always a little tinctured with iiero-ism; and she goes back in her mind to the time that she thDught she couid never be the wife of any other man than my brother (though then hopeless that he cuuld be hers), and su[)poses Clementina in tiie same situation.

When 1 looked first, I dare say, he was giving her an account of the conversation that passed an hour ago, between him and Clementina, lie had his arm round her waist, sometimes pressing her to him as they walked; sometimes standing still; and, on her replies, raising her hand to his lips, with such tender passion But here she comes,

Harriet, if I am a witch, let Lucy know it. Here read this last pnragraph Have 1 guessed right at your subject of discourse? You will tell me, you say, in a letter by itself Do so.


Letter LII.
Lady Grandison to Miss Selby-[7n continuation of Lady G,^s subject,”]

You need not be told, my dear Lucy, that our charming Lady G. is mistress of penetration. Your happy Harriet has been engaged in the most pleasing conversation. The best of husbands conceals not from her one emotion of his excellent heart. He is greatly distressed for Clementina. It would be unworthy of his character, if he were not: yet he seems to think she may be happy with the Count of Belvedere: that is the point we have been debating. As Sir Charles would have been the man of her choice, but for an invincible obstacle, is it not owing, partly to his delicate modesty, that he thinks she may be so? What think you, Lucy?

Lady G. says, I make Clementina’s case my own. Be it so; because so it 07ight to be. Could I have been happy with Lord D.? Call it romantic, if you please Lady G.; 1 think it impossible that I could, even though I could not form to myself, that Sir Charles Grandison himself would make the tender, the indulgent husband he makes to the happiest of women.

Sir Charles gave me the particulars of the conver-sation that passed between him and Lady Clemen — tina in the garden. He observed that she is not a stranger to the count’s resolution, never to marry while she remains unmarried; and that it is the intention of that nobleman to return to Italy, and not go to Spain at all. Perhaps she had her information either from Camilla or Laura; who both lieard him declare as much. If she has condescended to hear them talk on a subject which every body else has studiously avoided, she may also have heard from them many other particulars greatly to the count’s honour; for they are his admirers and well-wishers.

Sir Charles believes she will take a gracious leave of the count before he sets out.

* *

The solemn, the parting interview, was to have been in my drawing-room this afternoon: but Lady Clementina has given the count an unexpected, and joyful reprieve.

She dined in company. We were all charmed with her free and easy deportment, as well to the count, as to cvery-body else. His was not so easy. He, intending to bespeak the favour of half an hour’s audience of her, in order to take leave of her, when shu arose from table, was in visible agitations. How tJie poor man trembled! with what awe, with what reverence, as he sat, did he glance towards her! How did evcry-body })ity him, and by their eyes beseech her pity for liim! yet, in the same moment, our eyes fell under hers, as she looked upon each jjerson; we all seeming unwilling to have lier think we entreated for him by them. I thought I read in her lovely countenance more than once, compassion for him; yet, the breath hard-fetched, as often shewed a sigh suppressed, that indicated, I imagined, a lUsh

(also suppressed) after a life more eligible to her than the nuptial.

At last, when we women arose from table, he, as a man who must address her in haste, or be unable at all to do it, slept towards her; retreated, when near her. as irresolute; and again advancing, profoundly bowing, Madam, madam, said he, hesitat — ingly — putting out his hand, as if he would have taken hers; but withdrawing it hastily, before he touched it I hope 1 beg allow me I beseech you one parting moment.

She pitied his confusion: My lord, said she, we see you tomorrow in the afternoon [Allow me. ma-dam, tome ] bhe cGurte^ied to him, and withdrew with some little precipitation; but with a dignity that never forsakes her.

Every man, it seems, congratulated the count. Every woman (when withdrawn with her) Clemen-tina. The marchioness fokkd her to her maternal bosom My daughter! .^ I \ beloved daughter! My Clementina! was all slie said tea’s trickling down her cheeks O my mamma! kneeling (affected by he) mother’s tears) O my manima! was all the daeghter could .-ay. And lisiug, took ]Mrs. Beau-mont’s hand, and retired with her to her own apart — ment.

I’e see her now in the garden with that excellent wonian, arm in arm, in earnest talk, as we sit by the window.

Wednesday night.

And now, my grandmamma, a word or two of dear Northamptonshire.

I have a letter from Kmily . I inclose it, with a copy of n,y answer. 1 hope it is not a breach of confi-dence to communicate them both to you, and through

StR CHARLES GUANDISON. 287 you, madam, to my aunt Selby. At present, I wish the contents may be a secret to every-body else.

Don’t let Lucy repine at her distant residence, if it must be in Ireland. It is generally the privilege of husbands to draw their wives after them. Sir Charles says it is but a trip to that kingdom: and having an estate in it,. which he is intent upon improving, he will be her visiter; and so will his Har — riet, you need not question, if he make her the offer of accompanying him. To you, my grandmamma, I know every part of the British dominions, wher& your friends have a natural call, is Northampton-shire. Lucy’s grandmother, however, will miss her: but has not she a Lucy in her Nancy? And has not her grandson James a chance (if Patty Holies wiil favour him) to carry to her another grand-daughter? Besides, Lord Ileresby, who is so good-natured a man, will not be in haste to quit the county where he has obtained so rich a prize. Sir Charles expects them both with him for a month at least, before they leave England.

Happy! happy! as the sixteenth of November to nie, may be the twenty-fourth of May to Lucy, prays,

Her ever-afiectionate

HARRIET GRANDISOX.


Letter LIV.
Miss Emily Jervois to Lady Grandison.

Safjr;lay, May 19. I H.WE somcthing to communicate to you, my dear Lady Grandison, and take your advice about: yet, f o young a creature as I aai, I am (jui’e ashamed.

But you must keep ray secret from every living soul, and from my guardian too, for the present, since in writing to you, I think I write to him, as you know all his heart, and are so prudent a lady. It is true, I was, (or I might have been, I should rather say) a forward girl with regard to him: but then my whole heart was captivated by his perfections, by his greatness of mind; that was all. May not a creature, though ever so young, admire a good man’s goodness? May she not have a deep sense of gratitude for kindness conferred? That gratitude may indeed, as she grows up, engage her too deeply; and / found myself in danger; but made my escape iu time. Thank God! and thank you, who assisted me! what an excellent lady are you, that one can speak to you of these tender matters! But you are the queen of our sex, and sit enthroned, holding out your sceptre in pity to one poor girl, and raising an-other, and another; for it is glory enough for you to call the man yours, for whom so many hearts have iigheJ in secret.

But this was always my way I never sat myself down to write to my guardian or to you, but my preambles v*ere longer than my matter To the point then but be sure keep my secret.

Here every-body is fond of Sir Edward Beau-champ. He is indeed a very agreeable man. Next to my guardian, 1 think him the most agreeable of men. He is ahvays coming down to us. I cannot but see that he is particularly obliging to me. I really believe, young as I am, he loves me: but every body is so silent about him: yet they slide away, and leave us together very often. Jt looks as if all fa-voured him; yet would not interiere. He has not made any declaration of love neither. I am so yoimg a creature, you know; and to be sure he is a wry prudcTit njaii.

My guardian dearly loves him who docs not? His address is so gentle: his words are so soothing: his voice To be sure he is a very amiable man! Now tell me freely Do you think my guardian (but pray only sound him I am so young a creature, you know) would be displeased if matters were to come to something in time? Three or four years hence, suppose, if Sir Edward would think it worth while to stay for so silly a creature? I would not think of sooner. If not, I would not allow myself to be so much in his company, you know.

He has a very good estate; and though he is ten or twelve years older than I, yet he never will be more than that; since every year that goes over his head, will go over mine likewise So you will be pleased to give me your opinion.

And here all the world is for marrying, I think. Miss Selby is as good as gone, you know. Her bro-ther courts Miss Patty Holies: Miss Kitty is not without her humble servant. Nay, IVIiss Nancy Selby, for that matter But let these intelligences come from themselves.

You, my dear Lady Grandison, have led up this dance So happy as you arc I think it is a right thing for young women to marry when young men are so desirous to copy Sir Charles Grandison.

Hasten to me your advice, if but in six lines. We expect Sir Edward down next week. 1 must like his com])any, because he is always telling us one charming thing or other of my guardian; and because he so sincerely rejoices in yoiu’ happiness and his.

God continue it to you both. This is our pray(>r night and morning, for our own sakes, as well;is yours, believe

Your ever-obliged and afleetioiiate

EMIIA JERVOIs


Letter LV.
Lady Grandison to Miss Jervois,

Tuesday, May 22. I HAVE a great opinion of your prudence, my love: and I have as high a one of Sir Edward Beauchamp’s honour and discretion. His fortune, his merit, are unexceptionable. Your guardian loves him. If you could certainly love Sir Edward above all men, and he you above all women, I am of opinion your guar-dian will think no alliance can be happier for both, and for himself too; for you know, my dear, that your welfare is near his heart. Let me, my sweet Emily, refer you as to your conduct on this occasion, to my own almost-unerring counsellors, my grand-mamma and aunt Selby. Don’t be ashamed to open your heart to them: Are you not under their wings? I will so manage, that they shall lead the way to your freedom with them. Your difficulties by this means will be lessened. Sir Charles will pay the greatest attention to their advice. But yet I must insist, that the reference to them, shall not deprive of my Emily’s confidence,

Her evcr-aft’ectionate sister, and faithful friend, IIARRILT GRANDISON.


Letter LVI
Lady Grandison to Mrs. Shirley.-

Thursday,:\Iay 21. T BEOiK this letter, as I ended my last to Lucy >Iay this day be a happy one to her, and then il u ill

1)6 SO to US all My dear aunt Selby will be so good as to favour me with a line to acquaint me with the actual celebration; that I may ground upon it my earliest felicitations.

I v\ ill proce^‘d with an account of what so much engages the attention of every one here.

I told you in one of my former, that Lady G. had shewn to Mrs. Be:uunout Lucys account ofthe conversation held at Shirley-manor, on the subject of a first love, with Lady Ci ‘s sprightly decision upon it, and upon the appeal made to me. I must now tell you, that Mrs. Beaumont prevailed upon Lady Cle-mentina to desire me to read it to her. She made lier request; and 1 obeyed. Mrs Beaumont was present. Not a Aord by way of application did either she or I suggest, when I had done reading. Lady Clementina’s complexion, often changed as I read. She was not at all diverted with those lively parts of Lady G.‘s decision, that 1 vent iirrd to read; though she is an admirer of her sprightly vein, ^he looked down most of the time in solemn silence. And at last, when I had ended, she, sighing, start-ed, as if from a reverie, arose, courtesied, and with — drew; not luiviiig once opened her lips on the sub — ject.

The bishop, Signor Jeronymo, and the two young lords, just now joined to re(iucsL Sir Charles to become avowedly an advocate for the count to Lady Clementina. They urged, that she was balancing in his favour; and that Sir Charles’s weight would turn the scale; but Sir Charles not only desired to be excused, but begged that she might not be soli-cited by any-body on that subject ^Lvy she not, asked he, be reasoning with herself and considering what she can do, with justice to the count and iii.T->elf? Her /}i/rc peace of mind is concerned that her o r ‘’ determination note, shall be all her own. Leave her no room for after-regret, for having been persuaded against her mind. If persuasion only is wanting, will she not wrap herself up in reserve, to keep her-self in countenance for not having been persuaded before?

Pursuant to this advice, the marchioness in a conversation with her beloved daughter, that might have led to the subject on which their hearts are fixed, declined it; saying, Whatever my child shall determine upon, with regard to any plan for her future life, let her whole heart be in it: her choice shall be ours.

Thursday afternoon.

Lady Clementina excused herself from breakfasting with us; but obliged us with her company at dinner. How does Sir Charles’s benign countenance always shine, when he finds himself surrounded at table by his friends! The larger the circle, the more diffused is his cheerfulness. With what delight does his Jeronymo meditate him! He dwells upon what he says, and by his eyes cast with less complacency on an interrupter, seems to wish every one silent, when Sir Charles’s lips begin to open.

After he had gone round his ample table, saying something obliging to all (in a manner calling forth every one, to say something in his or her own way) he addressed himself more particularly to the count, and led him into subjects both learned and familiar, in which he knew he could shine; and in which he did. It was doubly kind in Sir Charles to do so; for the poor man’s reverence for the mistress of his fate, had taken all courage from his love, and he “wanted to be drawn out. Never can bashful merit appear to so much advantage, as in Sir Charles’s address to it.

How much soul did Lady Cleuienlina shew in her eyes! She was very attentive to every one that.s()oke. She asked the count questions more than once on some of the subjects he was led to talk of”. iNIy eyes, as I could feel, glistened when she did, to see liow those of her father and mother rejoiced, as I may say, on the notice she took of him. Lady Clemen-tina could not but observe with what delight her complaisance to the count was received by ail her family It is possible, thought I, more than once, were I in the situation of this admirable lady, to avoid obliging such indulgent parents witii the grant of all their wishes, that depended on myself: having given up voluntarily the man I preferred to ail others?

Signer Sebastiano dropt a hint once, of his own, and the count’s intention of setting out; mentioning a care for their baggage, which by this time, he sup-posed, had reached Dover: but Clementina turning an attentive ear to what he said, Sir Charles was afraid she would take this hint as a design to hasten her resolution; and said, We will not sadden our hearts with the thoughts of parting with any of our friends.

Thursday evening, eight o’clock. A letter is this moment brought from town by an especial messenger, to Signor Jeronymo. The whole family, Lady Clementina excepted, are got together upon the contents.

Ten o’clock. The marclnoness, just now, taking mv hand, tears starting in her eyes, Ah, madam, said she, the poor wretch Laurana Just then the bis’-.o;) and Father Marescotti entering, she put the letter into my hand I shall inclose a translation of it.

TO SIGNOR JERONYMO DELLA PORRETTA,

May 6. N. S. The dear perverse Clementina may be now indulged, if she has not from principles of gratitude already yielded to give her hand to our Belvedere. I hope she has. One of our motives for urging her, is at an end. Laurana is no more. Her mother kept from her as long as she could, the news of the count’s accompanying you all to England: but when she was told that he was actually in that kingdom; and that my sister was heard of; she doubted not but the consequence would be the defeating of all her hopes with regard to him. A deep melancholy first seized her; that was succeeded by raving fits; and it is suspected that the poor creature, eluding the care of her attendants, came to a miserable end. Lady Sforza is inconsolable. A malignant fever is given out so let it pass She, whom the wretched creature most cruelly used, will shed a tear for the companion of her childhood: but who else, besides her own mother, will? Yet, if the manner of her quitting life were as shocking as it is whispered to me it was But I will not enquire further about it, for fear I should be induced to shew compassion for a wretch who had not any to shew to a near relation, entrusted to her care, and who had a right to her kindest treatment.

What a glorious creature, as you paint him, as fame, as Father Marescotti, and you all report him, is your Grandison! Your sister-inlaw must, I believe, be complied with. Ever since you all left Italy, she has been earnest to attend you in England. She even threatens to steal from her husband, if he consent not, and now Clementina has shewn her the way, procure a passage thither, to try my love in following her, as that naughty girl has all yours, in a season But what is the inclemency of season, what are winds, mountains, seas, to a woman who has set her heart on an adventure? This I must allow in her favour, if she should fly from me, it will be to the father, mother, brothers, /‘ro? whom her sister fled Naughty, naughty Clementina! Can I forgive her? Yet if her parents do, what have 1 to say?

I do assure you, Jeronymo, that I unfeignedly join with you in your joy, that so deserving a man is not a loser by a disappointment, that we all know sat heavily upon him, at the time. I even long to see upon one spot, two women, who are capable of shewing, as they have shewn, a magnanimity so very rare in the sex: one of whom, let me glory, is my sister. But Clementina ever was one of the most generous, however, in some points, unpersuadable, of human creatures .

Let Belvedere know how much I love him. What-ever be his fate with one of the perversest, yet no — blest-minded of women, I will ever look upon him as my brother.

Reverence, duty, love, and the sincerest compli-ments, distribute, as due, my dear Jeronymo, from your

GIACOMO.


Letter LvII
Lady Grandison to Mrs. Shirley.

Friday, May 25. Unhappy Laurana! Sir Charles expressed great concern for the manner of her death. How can you. brother, said Lady G. (when we three only were together) be concerned for so execrable a wretch!

Shall a human creature perish, replied he, and its fellow-creature not be moved? Shall an immortal being fix its eternal state by an act dreadful and irreversible; by a crime that admits not of repent-ance; and shall we not be concerned? This indeed was owing to distraction: but how ill was such a soul as Laurana’s prepared to rush into eternity? Unhappy Laurana!

It is not thought fit, for obvious reasons, to ac-quaint Clementina with the contents of the ge — neral’s letter.

At last, my dear grandmamma, the great point seems to be decided. Lady Clementina had for some time been employing herself in drawing up, in two opposite columns, the arguments for and against her entering into the marriage-state. She shewed them to me, and afterwards to Mrs. Beaumont; but would not allow either of us to take a copy. She has stated them very fairly. I could not but observe to her on tdiich side the strength lay.

This morning she gave us her company at break-fast-time for a few minutes only. She was in visible emotions; and seemed desirous of getting the better of them; but was unable; and therefore retired. She shut herself up, and about noon, sent, sealed up, a letter; which 1 will English as well as I can; thus directed;

TO HER EVE I{-nONOURED,EVKR-IXr)ULO EXT FATHER AND MOTHER, CLEMENTINA UELLA PORRETTA.

How did my whole soul aspire after the veil! In-superable obstacles having arisen against the union sin CHARLES GRANDISON. 297 of your child with one exalted man, how averse was I to enter into covenant with any other!

It was your pleasure, my lord; it was yours, ma-dam; that I should not be indulged in the aspira — tion. You had the goodness to oblige me in my averseness.

The Chevalier Crandison has since convinced me, by generous a:>d condescending reasonings, that I could not, in duty to the will of my two grandfa-thers, and injustice to my elder brother and his de scendants, renew my wishes after the cloister. I submit.

Ikit now, what is to be done, what can I do, to make you, my dearest parents, and my brothers, hapj)y? Olivia triumphs over me. My situation is disagreeable: I, who ought to be a comfort to my friends, have been, I still am, a trouble to them all. The Chevalier Grandison and his excellent lady have signified to me, more than once, that they expect from me the completion of their earthly happi — ness: and what is this life, but a short, a transitory passage to a better?

Have I not declined accepting the vows of the first of men? The only man 1 ever saw with a wish to be united to him? Declined them on motives, that all my friends think do me honour?

Have I ever, dear as the struggle cost me, repent-ed the glorious self-denial? And what precedents of self-denial (wholly yours bylaws divine and human, as I am) have you, my ever-indulgent parents, set me?

Is there a man I would prefer to him whom my friends are solicitous to commend to my favour?

C’annot I, in performing my duty to my parents, perform all those duties of life, which performed, may intitle me to a blessed hope?

JSluill I contend in and through life, to carry a point, that, at the awful close of it, will appear to me, as nothing ?

Let me make a proposal On a supposition that you, Sir, that you, madam (whose patient goodness to me has been unexampled), and every one of my friends, favour the Count of Belvedere as much as ever I have always acknowledged his merits

Permit me a year’s consideration from the present time, to examine the state of my head and heart; and at the end of that year, allow me to determine; and I will endeavour, my dear parents, to make 1/our wishes, and w/ duty, honour, conscience, (di-vested of Ciiprice, fancy, petulance) my sole guides in the result, as well as in the discussion. The Che-valier Grandison, his lady. Father Marescotti, and Mrs. Beaumont, shall be judges between my relations and me, if there be occasion

But, as it would be unreasonable to expect, that the Count of Belvedere should attend an issue so uncertain; for [ would rather die than give my vows to a man to whom 1 could not do justice both with regard to head and heart; so, I make it my earnest request to him. that he will look upon hiniselfto.be absolutely free to make his own choice, and to pur-sue his own measures, as opportunities offer. Re — joiced at my heart should 1 be, to have reason to congratulate hiin on his nuptials with a woman of the soundness of whose nnnd he couidhave no doubt, and whose heart never knew another attachment.

I would hun;l>!y propose, as a measure liighly expedient, that the evtr-obliging Chevalier Grandison and his truly ad irable lady will permit us, as soon as possible, to depart from England. [O my friends! accuse me not of levity in your hearts! i obeyed in the rash voyage hither, an impulse that appeared to me irresistible.] And let us leave it to his never-forfeited honour, to bring over to us, as soon as can he convenient, his lady, his sisters, and their lords, as they have made us hope: and that a family friend-ship may be cultivated among us, and if a legal re — lation had taken place.

But allow me to declare, that if my cousin Lau-rana shall be found to have entertained the least rea — son to hope that she might one day be Courtess of Belvedere, that that expectation alone, whatever turn my health may take, shall be considered as finally determining the count’s expectations on me; for 1 never will be looked upon as the rival of my cousin.

And now, blessed Virgin-mother of the God of my hope, do thou enable me to be an humble instrument of restoring to the hearts of my honoured and indulgent parents, and to those of my affection-ate brothers and other friends, the tranquillity of which I have so unhappily and so long deprived them; prays, and will every hour pray, my ever-honoured and ever-indulgent father and mother, Your dutifully devoted

Friday, May S.”). CLEMENTINA.

The marquis was alone with his lady in her dressing-room when Camilla earrit-d them lliis letter. They opened it with impatience. Tliey could not contain their joy when they perused it. They both declared, that it was all that s/itiild, all that oi(<j;ht to be exacted from her. ‘i’hu bis!i“p, Signer Jcronymo, and her two cousins, on the eon-tents being communicated to them, were in ec^tasies of joy.

All that the Count of Belvedere had wished for, was, that lady Clementina would give hmi hope, that if >he ever married, he might be the l.appy man; and tor the sake of this distant hope he \.;i.s resolved to fore’^o all other en“a<renients, iSir

Charles was desired to acquaint him with the happy tidings. He did, with his usual prudence: but his joy is extreme.

The marquis and marchioness were impatient to embrace and thank their beloved daughter. The moment she saw them, she threw herself at their feet, as they sat together on one sofa, and were rising to embrace her O my father 1 O my mo-ther! Have I not been perverse in your eyes? It was not I! You can pity me! It was not always in my power to think as I now do. My mind was disturbed. I sought for tranquillity, and could no where find it. iMy brother Giacomo was too precipitating; yet, in his earnestness to have me marry, shewed his disinterestedness. He gave me not time, as you both, through the advice of the common friend of us all, have done. The nearest evil was the heaviest to me: I sought to avoid that, and might have fallen into greater. God reward you, my father, my mother, and all my dear friends, for the indulgence you have shewn me! To follow me too into foreign climates, at an unpropitious season of the year And for what? Not to chide, not to punish me; but to restore me to the arms of your parental love! And did you not vouchsafe to enter into conditions with your child! How greatly disordered in my mind must I be, if I ever forget such instances of your graciousness!

The tender parents pressed her to their bosoms. How did her two brothers and Mrs, Beaumont ap-plaud her!

O how good, said she, are you all to me 1 What a malady! A malady of the darkest hue! was mine, that it could fill me with such apprehensions, as were able to draw a cloud between your goodness and my gratitude; and make even your indulgence wear the face of hardship to me.

The bishop thought it not advisable, that the count, who hardly knew how to trust himself with his own joy, should be presently introduced to her. The rejoicing lover, therefore, walked into the gar-den; giving way to his agreeable contemplations.

Clementina, her mind filled with self-complacency on the joyful reception her proposal had met with, went into the garden, intending to take one of her usual walks, Laura attending her. The count saw her enter, and fearing to disoblige her, if he broke in upon her, in her retirements, profoundly bowed, and took a different path. But she, crossing another alley, was near him before he was aware. He started; but recovering, threw himself at her feet Life of my hope! Adorable Lady Clementina! said he But could not at the moment speak another word.

She relieved him from his confusion Rise, my lord, said she; I crossed to meet you, on purpose to exchange a few words with you, as you happened to be in the garden.

I cannot, cannot rise, till, thus prostrate at your feet, I have thanked you, madam, with my whole soul

No thanks are due, my lord, interrupting him. God knows what may happen in the next twelve months. Kise, my lord. [He arose.] As a friend of our house, I will respect you: so I have here-tofore told you: but for yowr oivti sake, for honour’s, for justice .sake, I think it necessary to tell you, you must not make an absolute dependance on me from what I have written to my parents, though I repent not of what I have written.

I will not, madam: for one year, for many years, I will await your pleasure. If at the end of any limited j)eriod, nftcr that you have named, 1 cannot be so hapjjy as to engage your favour, I will resign to my destiny Only, mean time, permit me to hope.

I mentioned, my lord, that it was for your oivn sake, that I wished you not to depend upon a contingency. Be you free to pursue your own mea — sures. Who can say, what one, two, or three years may produce? Maladies that have once seized the head, general!}’, as I have heard say, keep their hold, or often return. Have I not rerj/ late/ijheen guilty of a <i;reat rashness.^ Believe me, Sir, if at the end of the allowed year, I shall have reason to sics-pect myself, I will s^^’/i’r by myself. I ever thought you a worthy man: God forbid that I should make a worthy man unhappy. That would be to double my own misery.

Generous Lady! exalted goodness! Permit me, I once more beseech you, but to hope. 1 will resign to your pleasure whatever it shall Jinally be; and bless you for your determination, though it should doom me to despair.

Remember, my lord, you are warned. You depend upon the regard all our house have for you. I owe it duty next to implicit, for its unexampled indulgence to me. Your reliance on its favour is not a w^fl^” one: but, O count, remember I caution you, that your dcpendance on me, is not a strong one. Be prudent: let me not be vexed. My heart sickens at the thought of importunitj’. Opposition has its root in importunity. If you are as happy as I wish, you will be verjj hajipy. But at present f have no notion, that I can ever contribute to make you so.

He bent one knee, and vv-as going to reply Adieu, adieu, said she Not another word, nsy lord, if you are wise. Are not events in the hand of Providence?

She hurried from him. lie was motionless for u sin CHARLES GRANDISON’, SOS few moments: liis heart, however, overflowed with hope, love, and reverence.

On liis reporiing to the marchioness, Mrs. Beau-mont, the two brothers, ajul me, what passed be tween the noble lady and him, as above, we all congratulated iiim. ‘ ‘ }

The warning Lady Clementina has given you, my lord, said Mrs. Beaumont, is of a piece with her usual greatness of mind, since the event referred to is not, cannot be, in her own power.

There is not, said .“Signor Jeronymo, there can be but one woman greater than my sister It is she, who can adopt as her dearest friend, a young creature of her own sex in” calamity (circumstan-ces so delicate!) and for /ler sake, occasionally for — get that she is the wife of the best, and most be loved of men.

Clementina, said the bishop (the count being withdrawn) will now complete her trium])h. She has. upon religious motives, refused the man of her inclination; the man deservedly beloved and ad-mired by all her friends, and by the Avhole world i and now will she, from motives of duty, accept of another worthy man: and thereby lay her parents themselves, as well as the most disinterested of brothers, und’^r obligation to her. \\ hat a plea-sure, nuuliiin, (to the marchioness) will it be to you, to u\y lonourcd lord, to my uncle, and even to our (iKicomo, and still more to his excellent wif^s to ri ilect on the patience you have had with her, since hrr last rash ste]), and the indulgence shewn her! Clementina now will be all our own.

Every one ])raised Sir Charles, and attributed tu him the ha[)py prospects before them.


Letter LVIII.
Lady Grandison to Mrs. Shirley.

Monday, May 28. The marchioness having been desired to break to Lady Clementina the news of Laurana’s death, as of a fever, she did it with all imaginable tenderness this morning: but the generous lady was affected with it. “O my poor cousin! said she 07ice she loved me. I ever loved her. Had she time given her! On what a sandy foundation do we build our schemes of worldly glory! Poor Laurana! God, I hope, has taken her to the arms of his mercy!”

The pious lady and her confessor have shut themselves up in the oratory appropriated for the devotions of this noble family, to pray, as I presume, for the soul of Laurana.

Every thing is settled according to a plan laid down by Lady Clementina, at the request of all her family. The count and Signor Sebastiano are to set out for Dover on Thursday next. In less than a month from their departure, the rest are to embark for France in their way home All but Jero — nymo. Sir Charles has prevailed, that he shall be left behind, to try what our English baths may contribute to the perfect re-establishment of his health.

This tender point having been referred to his ad-mirable sister, she generously consented to his stay with us. She has still jnore generously, because unasked, released Sir Charles from his promise oS attending them back to Italy, in consideration of his Harriet; since, at this time, he would not know liow to leave her; nor she to spare him. But the next summer, if It be permitted me to look so for-ward, or the succeeding autumn to that, we hope to be all luappy at Bologna. Lady L. Lady G. and their lords, have promised to accompany us: so has Dr. Bartlett; and we all hope, that Sir Edward Beauchamp will not refuse to revisit Italy with hi* friends.

Friday, June I.

Six happy days from the date of the letter which Lady Clementina wrote to her father and mother, has the count passed with us; the happiest he often declared, of his life; for in every one of them, he was admitted with a freedom that rejoiced his heart, to converse with the mistress of his destiny. She called upon him more than once in that space of time, to behave to lier, as a brother to his sister; for this, she thinks, the uncertainty of what her si-tuation may be a twelvemonth hence, requires for both their sakes.

Sweetly composed, sweetly easy, was her whole behaviour to him and to every-body else, during these six days. The sisterly character was well supported by her to him: but in the count, the most ardent, tiie most respectful, and even venerating lover took place of the brotherly one. Signor Jeronymo loves his sister as he loves himself; but the eyes of the count compared with those of .Je-ronymo, demonstrated, that there are two sorts of love: yet both ardent; and soul in both.

The parting scene between Clementina and the count, was, on his side, a very fervent, on hers, a kind one. On his knees, he pressed with his lips, Ikt not withdrawn hand. lie would have spoken; l)ut only could bv his eyes; which ran over Be hn.pny. my Lord of Belvedere, said she. You have: niv wi.<!ies for your health and safety Adieu! ‘1 i;;5

She was retiring: but the count and SIgnor Se-bastiauo (of the latter of whom she had taken leave just before) following her a few paces, she turned; and with a noble composure, Adieu, once more, my two friends, said she: take care, my lord, of Signor Sebastiano: cousin, take care of the Count of Bel-vedere: courtesying to both. The count bowed to the ground, speechless. As she passed me. Lady Grandison, said she, raising my hand to her lips, sister of my heart; the day is fine; shall I, after you have blessed with your good wishes our parting friends, invite you into the garden? I took a cordial leave of the two noble youths, and followed her thither.

We had a sweet conversation there. And it was made still more delightful to us both, by Sir Charles’s joining us, in about half an hour; for the two lords would not permit him to attend them one step beyond the court-yard; though he had his horses in readiness to accompany them some miles on their way.

When we saw Sir Charles enter the garden, we stood still, arm in arm, expecting and inviting his approach. Sweet sisters! Lovely friends, said he, when come up to us, taking a hand of each, and joining them, bowing on both; Let me mark this blessed spot with my eye; looking round him; then on me; A tear on my Harriet’s cheek? He dried it off with my own handkerchief Friendship, dear-est creatures, will make at pleasure a safe bridge over the narrow seas; it will cut an easy passage through rocks and mountains, and make England and Italy one country. Kindred souls are always near.

In that hope, my good chevalier; in that hope, my dear Lady Grandison; will Clementina be happy, though the day of separation must not be far distant.

And will you here renew your promise, that when it shall be convenient to you, my dear Lady Grandison, you will not fail to grace our Italy with your presence?

We do! We do!

Promise me again, said the noble lady. I, too, have marked the spot with my eye (standing still, and as Sir Charles had done, looking round her) The orangery on the right-hand; that distant clump of oaklings on the left; the villa, the rivulet, before us; the cascade in view; that obelisk behind us Be this the spot to be collected as witness to the promise, when we arc far, far distant from each other.

We both repeated the promise; and Sir Charles said (and he is drawing a plan accordingly) that a little temple should be erected on that very spot, to be consecrated to our triple friendship; and, since she had so happily marked it, to be called after her name.

On Monday next, we are to set out for London. One fortnight passed we shall accompany our noble friends to Dover And there O my grandmamma, how shall we do to part!

It is agreed, that Mr. Lowther and Mr. Deane, though the latter, I bless God, is in good health; will next season accompany Signor Jeronymo to Bath. Sir Charles proposes to be his visiter there: and when I will give permission, is the compliment nuule me, Sir Charles proposes to shew him Ireland, and his improvements on his estate in that kingdom. Will not Lucy be rejoiced at that? I am happy, that her lord and she take so kindly the felicitations I made them both. You, my dear grandmamma, and all my friends in Northamptonshire, are sure of the heart of

Their and your

HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter LIX.
Lady Grandison to Mrs. Shirley.

Saturday, June 9. I GAVE you, my clear grandinamrna, in my two last letters,* an account of our delightful engagements, among ourselves principally, and now-and-then at public places. What a rich portion of time has passed! And we have still the promise of a week to come. And now let me take a survey of our present happy situation.

Ever}’ thing that can be adjusted, is. The Count of Belvedere, as bv letters to Signer Jeronymo, is on his way to Italy, and not unhappy: Lady Cle-mentina is mistress of every cpicstion, and the more studious, for that reason, of obliging all her friends. How joyfully do we all. in prospect, see a durable tranquillity takmg possession of her noble heart! The marquis and marchioness have not one care written on their heretofore visibly anxious brows. Clementina sees, as every one does, their amended health in their fine countenances; wonders at the power she had over themi, and regrets that she made not, what she calls a more grateful and duti-ful use of it.

Father Marescotti, the bishop, Signer Juliano, compliment the Knglish air,aif^//ff^had contributed to the alteration; and promise wonders from that and its salubrious!)aths for Jeronymo.

The highest merit is given to the conduct of Sir Charles, and to the advice he gave not to precipi-tate the noble Clementina.

Lord and Lady L. Lord and Lady G. when we arc

* These do not appear. by ourselves, felicitate me more. than any body else on these joyful changes; for they rightly say, that I could not but look upon the happiness of Lady Clementina, as essential to my own.

Mutyour congratulations, my dearest grandmam-ma, I most particularly expect, that in this whole critical event, which brought to England a lady so deserving of every one’s love, not one shadow of doubt has arisen of the tender, inviolable affection of the best of men to his grateful Harriet.

So peculiarly circumstanced as he was, how unaffectedly noble has been his behaviour to his wife, and to his friend, in the presence of both! How often, though causelessly (because of the nobleness of the lady’s heart) have I silently wished him to abate of his outward tenderness to me, before her, though such as became the purest mind. Nothing but the conscious integrity of his own heart, above disguises or concealments, as his ever was, could thus gloriously have carried him through situations so delicate.

He had, from the first, avowed his friendly, his compassionating love, as well as admiration, of this noble lady: that generous avowal prepared his Harriet to expect, that he should behave with tenderness to her, even had not her transcendant worthiness done honour to every one who paid her honour. To /;(’; he applauded, he exalted his Harriet: she was prepared to expect that he would recognize, in the face of the sun, obligations that he had entered into at the altar: and both knew, that he wtis a good man; and that a good man cannot allow himself either to palliate or temporize with a duty, whether it regarded friendship, or a still closer and more sai:red union. How many difficulties will the cha-racter and intervention of a man of undoubted virtue obviate! What cannot he effect? What force has his example! Sir Charles Grandison’s love is a love to be gloried in. Magnanimity and tenderness are united in his noble heart. Littleness of any kind has no place in it: all that know him are studious to commend themselves to his favourable opinion; solicitous about what he will think of them; and, suppressing common foibles before him, find their hearts expand, nor know how to be mean.

O my God! do thou make me thankful for such a friend, protector, director, husband! Increase with my gratitude to thee, my merits to him, and my power of obliging him. For his saxe, spare to him [2’his, my grandmamma, he bids be mij prayer I know it is j/ours] in the awful hour approaching, his Harriet; whose life and welfare, he assures her, are the dearest part of his own.


Letter LX.
Lady Grandison to Mrs. Shirley,

St. James’s Square, Monday, June 18. Now, at last, my dearest grandmamma, is the day arrived, that we are setting out for Dover. We shall lodge at Canterbury this night, and reach Dover tomorrow. How sad our hearts!

Caiilcrburj’, Monday niglit. Here we arc! How we look upon one another — The parting of dear friends, how — grievous! How does Sir Charles endeavour But Lady Clementina is to outward appearance, an heroine. Wliat a grandeur of soul! She would not he t/iou^I/t to be concerned at leaving Sir Charles Grandisou: but I Ssce slie is inn:arcUij a sufferer. Jeronymo is silent.

I hope he repents not his stay to oblige his dear friend, and us all. The marquis and marchioness are continually comforting themselves (and declare it to be needful) with the hope of seeing us in a few months. Thank God, they have a finer season to go back, than they had to come hither: and they have found the jewel they had lost.

I should have told you, that Lord and Lady L. and Lord and Lady G. took leave of us at Rochester; thinking so large a train would be inconvenient to those to whom they wished to do honour. How tender was the parting; particularly between Lady Clementina and Lady L.!

Ten o’clock Monday night. I am in my chamber here. Know not what to do with myself Yet, cannot write. Must again join company Is not my Sir Charles in company?

Dover, Tuesdny night. Here, here, we are! How foolish to attempt the pen! I know not what to do with myself. The vci^sel is ready; every one is read)’. To-morrow morning by day-light, if the wind what company to one another! How does the dear Clementina now melt into tears and tenderness! Dear lady! What prayers has she ])ut up for me! What tender blessings has she poured out upon me! How have we blessed, soothed, and endeavoured to console each other! What vows of /ho;v’ than sisterly affection! Mrs. Beaumont! The excellent Mrs. Beaunujut, site nowisalso affected She never loved, at so short an acfptaintanee, she says, any-mortal as she loves me. She blesses my dear Sir (. harles for his tender, vet m.uilv love to me! \\ e have engnged to correspond with each other, and in Italian chiefly, as with Lady Clementina, in order to perfect myself in that language, and to make myself, as the marchioness fondly says, an Italian woman, and her other daughter.

Dover, Wednesday morning.

Cruel tenderness! They would not let me see them embark. Sir Charles laid his commands upon me (I will call them so, because I obeyed reluctant-ly) not to quit my chamber. Over-night, we parted! What a solemn parting! Sir Charles and Mrs. Beau-mont only But are they gone? They are! Indeed they are Sir Charles, to whom seas and mountains are nothing, when either the service or pleasure of his friends call upon him, is embarked with them. He will see them landed, and accommodated at Calais, and then will return to Dover, to his expecting Harriet. His Jeronymo, his Beauchamp, and good Dr. Bartlett, are left to protect and comfort her. What a tender farewell between the doctor and Father Marescotti last night; they, also, are to be constant correspondents: the welfare of each family is to be one of their subjects.

Lady Clementina was not afraid of passing a boi-sterous sea, and the bay of Biscay, in a wintry season, when she pursued the flight that then was first in her view. Her noble mother, while she was in search of her daughter, had no fears: but now, the pangs of uncertainty and ardor of impatience being over,they both very thankfully embraced SirCliarles’s offer (his resolution, I should say; for he would not have been refused) to accompany them over. The marquis complimented him, that every one would think themselves safe in the company of so good a man! How will they be able to part with him! He with them! But in a twelvemonth we shall all, God willing, meet again; and, if the Almighty hear our prayers, have cause to rejoice in Lady Clementina’s confirmed state of mind.

Fridaiy morning.

The best of men, of friends, of husbands, is re-turned from Calais, cheerful, gay, lively, lovely, fraught with a thousand blessings for his Harriet. We shall set out, and hope to reach Canterbury this night on our return to town.

Sir Charles assures me, that he left the dear sister of my heart not unhappy. She was all herself at parting [his own words]; magnanimous, yet condescendingly affectionate [his words also]; as one, who was not afraid or ashamed of her sisterly love for him. He took leave of her with a tenderness worthy of his friendship for her: a tenderness that the brave and the good ever shew to those who are deserving of their love.

He particularly recommended it to her father, mother, the bishop, and Father Marescotti (the two latter to enforce it upon the general) that they would not urge the noble lady, not even upon the expectation she had given them; but leave her wholly to her own will, and her own way. They all promised thoy would; and, the poor Laurana being now no more, undertook for the general.

He tells me, that he had engaged the Count of Belvedere, on his departure from England, to promise to make his court to her only by silent assiduities, and by those actions of beneficence and generosity which were so natural to him, and so worthy of his splendid fortune.

St. James’s Square, Sunday morning. Last night, blessed be (iod, we came hither in health and spirits. We are preparing for church. There shall we pray for the travellers, and be thank-ful for ourselves.

I expect Lord and Lady L. Lord and Lady G. and my cousin Reeves’s, according to the following billet from the ever-lively Lady G.

“My Harriet, thank God, is arrived, and in health and spirits. Caroline and Mrs. Reeves, I know, will long to congratulate you. I have there-fore sent to invite them to dine with you. Their good men, and mine of course, must be admitted. I know my brother will not be displeased. He is indulgent to all the whimsies of his Charlotte that carry in the face of them, as this does, aftectionate freedom. Besides, it is stealing time for him: I know he will not long be in town, and must see us all before he leaves it. He will hasten to the hall ill order to!)ursue the glorious schemes of benevo-lence which he has formed, and in which hundreds will find their account.

“But let the green damask bed-chamber be in a little sort of order, for a kind of nursery: where we dine, we sup. Mymarmouset must be with me, you know, I have bespoke Lady L.‘s Mrs. Reeves is to bring hers. They are to crow at one another; and we are to have a squalling concert. As it is Sunday, I will sing an anthem to them. My pug will not crow, if I don’t sing. Yet I am afraid, the little pagans wdl be less alive to a Christian hymn, than to the sprightlier Phil/ida, FhillUIa, of Tom. Durfey. 1 long to see how my agreeable Italian, poor thing! bears the absence of his father and mother. Bid him rub himself up, and look cheerful, or 1 shall take him into our nursery, to complete the chorus, whun our brats are in a squalling fit. Adieu till tomorrow, my dear, and ever-dear, Harriet!

Lady G. is a charming nurse. She must be extraordinary in whatever she does. Signor Jeronymo admires her of all women. But she sometimes makes him look about him. He rejoices that he is with us; and is in charming spirits. He is extremely fond of children; particularly so of Lady G.‘s It is indeed one of the finest infants I ever saw: and he calls it, after her, his mnrmouscf, hugging it twenty times a day to his good-natured bosom. Jt would delight you to hear her sing to it, and to see her toss it about. Such a setting-out in matrimony; who would have expected Charlotte to make such a wife, mother, nurse! Her brother is charmed with her. He draws her into the pleasantry that she loves; lays himself open to it; and Lord G. fares the better for their vivacity. Sir Charles generally contrives to do him honour, by appealing to him, when (Char-lotte is, as he complains, over-lively with himself: but that is, in truth, when he himself takes her down, and compliments her as if she were an over-match for him. She often, at these times, shakes her head at me, as if she were sensible of his supe-riority in her own way.

But how I triHe! I am ready, quite ready, my dear Sir Cliarles. Lead your ever-grateful Harriet to the house of the All-good, All-merciful, Aii-juiglity. ‘J’here shall I, as I always do, edify by } our ciieerful piety!

Sunday aflernoon.

A new engagement, and of a melancholy kind, c;’.l!s Sir Charles away from me again. Li how i!m:iy ways nuiy a good man be serviceable to hi^ illiow-criatures!

About two hours ago, a near relation of Sir Har-grave l*ol!e.\f<.n came hither in Sir Hargrave’s chariot-and-six (the horses smoking) to beg he would set out with him, if possible, to the unhappy man’s house on the forest; where he has been, for a fort-night past, resigned to his last hope (and usually the physician’s last prescription) the air. The gentle-man’s name is Pollexfen, He will, if the poor man die childless, enjoy the greatest part of his large estate. Mr. Pollexfen is a worthy man, I believe, notwithstanding Sir Margrave’s former disregard to him, and jealousies;* for, after he had delivered his message from his cousin, which was to beseech the comfort of Sir Charles’s presence, and to declare that he could not die in peace, unless he saw him; he seconded Sir Hargrave’s request, with tears in his eyes, and an earnestness that had both honesty and compassion in it. Sir Charles wanted not this to induce him to go; for he looks upon visiting the sick, in such urgent cases, as an indispensible duty: and waiting but till the horses had baited, he set out with Mr. Pollexfen with the utmost cheerfulness; only saying to me It is a wonder, if the poor man be sensible, that he thought not of Dr. Bartlett rather than of me.

Mr. Merceda, Mr. Bagenhall, and now Sir Har-grave Pollexfen, in the prime of their youth! So lately revelling in full health, even to wantonness! Companions in iniquity! In soy^to months! .Thou, Almighty! comfort the poor man in his last agonies! and receive him! From my very soul I forgive him those injuries which I But well I may Since, great as they were, they proved the means of my being brought acquainted with the lord of my wishes; the best of men.

Having filled my paper with the journal of near a week, I will conclude here, my dear grandmamma, with every tender wish and fervent prayer for the health and happiness of all my dear friends in North-amptonshire, who so kindly partake in that of Their and your

HARRIET GRANDISON.


Letter LXI.
Lady Grandison to Mrs. Shirley.

Wednesday, June 27. Ah, my Grandmamma! The poor Sir Hargrave!

Sir Charles returned but this morning. He found him sensible. He rejoiced to see him. He instantly begged his prayers. He wrung his hands; wept; lamented his past free life. Fain, said he, would I have been trusted with a few years trial of my penitence. I have wearied Heaven with my prayers to this purpose. I deserved not perhaps that they should be heard. My conscience cruelly told me, that I had neglected a multitude of opportunities! Slighted a multitude of warnings! (3 Sir Charles Grandison! It is a hard, hard thing to die! In the prime of youth too! Such noble possessions!

And then he warned his surrounding friends, and made comparisons between Sir Charles’s happiness, and his own misery. Sir Charles, at his request, sat up with him all night: he endeavoured to administer comfort to him; and called out for mercy for him, when the poor man could only, by expressive looks, join in the solemn invocation. Sir Hargrave had begged he would close his eyes. He did. He staid to the last painful moment. Judge what such a heart as Sir Charles’s must have felt on this awful occasion!

Poor Sir Hargrave Pollexfen! May he have met with mercy from the All-merciful!

He gave his will into Sir Charles’s hands, soon after he came down. He has made him his sole executor. Have you not been told, that Sir Charles had heretofore reconciled him to his relations and heirs at law? He had the pleasure of finding the reconciliation sincere. The poor man spoke kindly to them all. They were tenderly careful of him. He acknowledged their care.

I cannot write for tears. The poor man, in the last solemn act of his life, has been intendedly kind, but really cruel, to me. I should have been a sincere mourner for him (a life so mis-spent!) without this act of regard for me. He has left me, as a small atonement, he calls it, for the terrors he once gave me, a very large legacy in money (Sir Charles has not yet told me what) and his jewels and plate. And he has left Sir Charles a noble one besides. He died immensely rich. Sir Charles is grieved at both legacies: and the more, as he cannot give them back to the heirs; for they declare, that he bound them under a solemn oath (and by a curse, if they broke it) not to accept back either from Sir Charles, or me, the large bequests he told them he had made us: and they assured Sir Charles, that they would be religiously bound by it.

Many unhappy objects will be the better for these bequests. Sir Charles tells me, that he will not interfere, no, not so much as by his advice, in the disposal of mine. You, madam, and my aunt Selby, must direct me, when it comes into my hands. Sir Charles intends, that the poor man’s memory shall receive true honour from the disposition of his legacy to him. He is pleased with his Harriet, for the concern she expressed for this unhappy man.

The most indulgent of husbands finds out some reason to praise her for every thing she says and does. But could he be otherwise than the best of HUSBANDS, who was the most dutiful of sons; who is the most affectionate of brothers; the most faithful of FRIENDS: who is good upon principle, in every relation of life?

What, my dear grandmamma, is the boasted character of most of those who are called heroes, to the unostentatious merit of a truly good man? In what a variety of amiable lights does such a one ap[)ear? In how many ways is he a blessing and a joy to his fellow-creatures?

And this blessing, this joy, your Harriet can call more peculiarly her own!

My single heart, methinks, is not big enough to contain the gratitude which such a lot demands. Let the overflowings of your pious joy, my dearest grandmamma, join with my thankfulness in paying part of the immense debt for

Your undeservedly happy

HARRIET GRANDISON.