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.

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 aversion, 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 had renounced all correspondence 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.

Bever and Filmer, the English and Irish stew

ards, were attending Sir Charles's arrival with great impatience, 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 W. 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 education, 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 teasing, 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 satisfied 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, ex. pected 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 appear. ance of a brother, on whom the whole of their fortunes depended; and to whom they had been accused by a father, now so lately departed, of want of duty; their brother's duty unquestion

able!

In the same moment he alighted from his postchaise, 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 features; they remembered: and, forgetting the womanly 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's 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 his 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 perfect what was I afraid of?'

:

6 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 undu tiful-'

'Love your brother, my sisters, as he will endeavour to deserve your love. My mother's daughters could not be undutiful! Mistake only !-Uohappy misapprehension! We have all somethingShades 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 sou 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 ceremony, I hope, my Caroline-my Charlotte. We were true sisters and brothers a few years ago. See your Charles as you saw him then. Let not absence, 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 pictures 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 pre

sence.'

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 banished fear, and left room for nothing but sisterly love.

Mr. Grandison came in soon after. That gentleman, 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