how averse was I to enter into covenant with any other!

It was your pleasure, my lord; it was yours, madam; that I should not be indulged in the aspiration. You had the goodness to oblige me in my averseness.

The Chevalier Grandison has since convinced me, by generous, and condescending reasonings, that I could not, in duty to the will of my two grandfathers, and in justice to my elder brother and his descendants, renew my wishes after the cloister. I submit.

But now, what is to be done; what can I do, to make you, my dearest parents, and my brothers happy? 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 happiness: 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 I 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, repented the glorious self-denial? And what precedents of self-denial (wholly yours, by laws divine and human, as I am) have you, my everindulgent parents, set me?

Is there a man that I would prefer to him whom my friends are solicitous to commend to my favour?

Cannot I, in performing my duty to my parents, perform all those duties of life, which performed, may entitle me to a blessed hope?

Shall 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 now 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 your wishes, and my duty, honour, conscience, (divested of caprice, fancy, petulance,) my sole guides in the result, as well as in the discussion. The Chevalier 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 I would rather die than give my vows to a man to whom I 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 himself to be absolutely free to make his own choice, and to pursue his own measures, as opportunities offer. Rejoiced at my heart should I be, to have reason to congratulate him on his nuptials with a woman of the soundness of whose mind he could have no doubt, and whose heart never knew another attachment.

I would humbly propose, as a measure highly expedient, that the ever-obliging Chevalier Grandison, and his truly admirable lady, will permit us, as soon as possible, to depart from England. [O my friends! accuse me not of levity in your heart! I obeyed, in the rash voyage hither, an impulse that appeared to me irresistible. And let us leave it to his neverforfeited honour, to bring over to us, as soon as can be convenient, his lady, his sisters, and their lords, as they have made us hope: And that a family friendship may be cultivated among us, as if a legal relation had taken place.

But allow me to declare, that if my cousin Laurana shall be found to have entertained the least reason to hope that she might one day be Countess 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 I 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 affectionate 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 25.

CLEMENTINA.

THE Marquis was alone with his lady in her dressing-room, when Camilla carried them this letter. They opened it with impatience. They could not contain their joy when they perused it. They both declared, that it was all that should, all that ought to be exacted from her. The Bishop, Signor Jeronymo, and her two cousins, on the contents being communicated to them, were in ecstasies of joy.

All that the Count of Belvedere had wished for, was, that Lady Clementina would give him hope, that if she ever married, he might be the happy man; and for the sake of this distant hope, he was resolved to forego all other engage ments. Sir 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 settee, and were rising to embrace her-O my father! O my mother! 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 nowhere find it. My brother Giacomo was too precipitating! yet, in his earnestness to have me marry, shewed his disinterestedness. He gave me no 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 ino foreign climates, at an unpropitious season of the year-And for what?-Not to chide, rot to punish me; but to restore me to the arns 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 gr:ciousness!

The tender parents pressed her to their bosoms.-How did her two brothers and Mrs Beaumont applaud her!—

O how good, said she, are you all to me? 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 garden; 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! Rise, my lord. He rose. As a friend of our house, I will respect you: So I have heretofore told you: But for your own 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 period, after that you have named, I cannot be so happy as to engage your favour, I will resign to my destiny-Only, meantime, permit me to hope.

I mentioned, my lord, that it was for your own sake, that I wished you not to depend upon a contingency. Be you free to pursue your own measures. Who can say, what one, two, or three years may produce? Maladies that have once seized the head, generally, as I have heard say, keep their hold, or often return. Have I not very lately been guilty of a great rashness? Believe me, sir, if, at the end of the allowed year, I shall have reason to suspect myself, I will suffer 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. I will resign to your pleasure whatever it shall finally 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 weak one: But, O Count! remember I caution you, that your dependance on me is not a strong one. Be prudent; let me not be vexed. My heart sickens at the thought of importunity. Opposition has its root in importunity. If you are happy as I wish, you will be very happy. But at present I have no notion, that I can ever contribute to make you so.

He bent one knee, and was going to replyAdieu, adieu, said she-Not another word, my lord, if you are wise. Are not events in the hand

of Providence?

She hurried from him. He was motionless for a few moments: His heart, however, overflowed with hope, love, and reverence.

On his reporting to the Marchioness, Mrs Beaumont, the two brothers, and me, what passed between the noble lady and him, as above, we all congratulated him.

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, (circumstances so delicate!) and, for her sake, occasionally forget that she is the wife of the best and most beloved of men.

Clementina, said the Bishop, (the Count being withdrawn,) will now complete her triumph. She has, upon religious motives, refused the man of her inclination; the man deservedly beloved and admired by all her friends, and by the whole world: 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, under obligation to her. -What a pleasure, madam, (to the Marchioness,) will it be to you, to my honoured lord, to my uncle, and even to our Giacomo, and still more to his excellent wife, to reflect on the patience you have had with her, since her last rash step, and the indulgence shewn her! Clementina now will be all our own.

Every one praised Sir Charles, and attributed to him the happy prospects before them.

LETTER CCCXV.

LADY GRANDISON.

[In continuation.]

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- Once 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.

Everything 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, they are to embark for France in their way homeAll but Jeronymo. Sir Charles has prevailed, that he shall be left behind, to try what our English baths may contribute to the perfect reestablishment of his health.

This tender point having been referred to his admirable sister, she generously consented to his stay with us. She has still more generosity, because unasked, she released Sir Charles from his promise of attending them back to Italy, in consideration of his Harriet; since, at this time, he would not know how to leave her; nor she

to spare him. But the next summer, if it be permitted me to look so forward, or the succeeding autumn to that, we hope to be all happy 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 his friends.

Friday, June 1.

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 vith the mistress of his destiny. She called upon him more than once, in that space of time, to behave to her as a brother to his sister; for this, he thinks, the uncertainty of what her situation may be a twelvemonth hence, requires, for beth their sakes.

Sweetly composed, sweetly easy, was her whole behaviour to him and to everybody else, during these six days. The sisterly character was well supported by her to him: but in he Count, the most ardent, the most respectful, and even venerating lover took place of the brotherl one. Signor Jeronymo loves his sister as he loves himself; but the eyes of the Count, compared with those of Jeronymo, 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 her not-withdrawn hand. He would have spoken; but only could by his eyes, which run over-Be happy, my Lord Belvedere, said she. You have my wishes for your health and safety-Adieu!

She was for retiring: but the Count and Signor Sebastiano (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 Belvedere ; curtseying to both. The Count bowed to the ground, speechless. As she passed me, Lady Grandison, said she, taking my hand, 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, dearest 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 recollected as witness to the promise, when we are 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 little 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 visitor there: And when I will give permission, is the compliment made 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 CCCXVI.

LADY GRANDISON.

[In continuation.]

The

Saturday, June 16. I GAVE you, my dear grandmamma, 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. Everything that can be adjusted, is. Count of Belvedere, as by letters to Signor Jeronymo, is on his way to Italy, and not unhappy: Lady Clementina is mistress of every question, and the more studious, for that reason, of obliging all her friends. How joyfully do we all, in prospect, see a durable tranquillity taking possession of her noble heart! The Marquis and Marchioness have not one care written on their heretofore visibly anxious brows. mentina sees, as every one does, their amended health in their fine countenances: wonders at the power she had over them, and regrets that she made not, what she calls a more grateful and dutiful use of it.

Cle

Father Marescotti, the Bishop, Signor Juliano, compliment the English air, as if that had contributed to the alteration; and promise wonders from that and its salubrious baths for Jeronymo.

The highest merit is given to the conduct of Sir Charles, and to the advice he gave, not to precipitate the noble Clementina.

Lord and Lady L, Lord and Lady Gwhen we are by ourselves, felicitate me more than anybody else, on these joyful changes; for they rightly say, that I could not but look on the happiness of Lady Clementina as essential to my own.

But your congratulations, my dearest grandmamma, 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 con