tion to Lord W and my opinion of settle ments, and advise him (if I am not forbid) to make a visit at Mansfield-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. I dare say that he will engage your gratitude; and I defy a good mind to separate love from gratitude.

We returned to the company. I had all their blessings pronounced at once, as from one mouth. The melancholy 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 gentleman.

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 inconveniencies she is bringing upon herself; I may, perhaps, hereafter, have the boldness to look for the same favour from my aunt, that I meet with from Miss Mansfield.

If my sister, returned she, should ever misbehave to her benefactor, I will deny my relation to her.

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 something very much amiss of this man.

I have a great suspicion, that the first part of the letter enclosed 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 give 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 CXVIII.

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, I enclose 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, humoursome 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 gaiety and adroit management to Lady Beauchamp, as in this letter, and you will hardly think him the same man. Could he be anything to me, I should be more than half afraid of him; yet this may be said in his behalf;-He but accommodates 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 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 CXIX.

SIR CHARLES GRANDISON TO DR BARTLETT.

[Enclosed 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, I acquainted Sir Harry with his son's earnest desire to throw himself at his feet, and to pay his duty to his mother, in England; and engaged to call

myself, either this day or to-morrow, for an an

swer.

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 my 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 slipped 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 now, 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 suffer 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 loath 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 me. Can I be mistaken? Don't I see in your aspect the woman of sense and reason?-I never blame a lady for her humoursomeness, 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, his prim mouth set in plaits; but you are a joker; and a free man; a very free man, I 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

is

Sir Harry cannot look pleased, when his lady dis-pleased: I saw that you were, madam, the moment I beheld you. I hope I am not an unwelcome visitor 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 browYou must not be angry with me, madam(I took her hand)—You can't be angry in ear

nest

Sir Charles Grandison-You are-She with

drew 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 you, madam.

I wonder, sir

I will not be denied. The world reports misunderstandings 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 anything 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 augmented out of my fortune? He and his father would be in a party against me. Am I not already a sufferer 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 displeasure.

You know but too well, resumed she, how 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 withdrawn, I 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 favour 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 will persuade me out of my reason. Let us, madam, as Mr Beauchamp and I are already the dearest of friends, begin a family understanding. Let St James's Square, and Berkley Square, when you come to town, be a nextdoor neighbourhood. Give me the consideration of being 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, 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 approbation, 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. I 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

expense.

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 I left them.

And pray, sir, as to his place of residence, were he to come; do you think he shall live under the same roof with me?

You shall govern that point, madam, as you approve 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 undeservedly, 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?

Were 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 ladyship'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 countenance

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 pardon. I am not used to make differences between man and wife.

I touched first one hand, then the other, of the perverse baby, with my lips-Now am I forgiven; 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.

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 ceremony. Such women are formidable only to those who are afraid of their anger, or who make it a serious 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 my 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 misunderstanding-But, sir, all will be right; my lady assures me, that you are not disinclined to comply with the contents; and she has the goodness

Sir Harry cleared up at once-May I hope, madam-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

O Lady Beauchamp! You said cutting things! Very 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 the lady's 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 youWhat can a poor woman do, continued I, when opposed? She can only be a little violent in words, 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 first 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, we need not be long doubtful; 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 determinate spirit, such a one as this lady's, yet a man who suffers by it, cannot but have some joy, when he hears his sentiments spoken by a by-stander. This freedom of mine seemed to save the married pair a good deal of recrimina

tion.

You remind me, madam, that I must be gone; rising, and looking at my watch. You must not 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

recede.