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But as long as everybody there is well, I can have patience. Time will reveal all things.

Dr Bartlett, who admires the old lady, and is as much admired by her, came down, and paid his respects to her. Mrs Shirley had returned me the letters. I slid them into the Doctor's hand, unperceived 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 anything that most concerns me to know, don't, through a mistaken tenderness, let me be the last to whom it is communicated. But I 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.

me.

Well, my dear friends, you are all grieved for

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 hands 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 I 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-Pray 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-I 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 dearest 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 came in 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 himself 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 should 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 Shirley, Mrs Selby, and Miss Byron, together. We, Lucy, Nancy, Emily, will take a walk in the garden. Shall we have your company, Dr Bartlett? I 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 applauded the preference their beloved child was so ready to give to Clementina, because of her malady, though, it is evident, against their wishes. There were never 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 brother, 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 pre

sent!

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. She 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 together; 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 first 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 Sir Charles Grandison?

But, alas! with all these appearances, it is easy to see, that this amiable creature's solitary hours are heavy ones. She has got a habit of sighing. She rises with swelled eyes: sleep forsakes her her appetite fails: and she is very sensible of all this; as she shews by the pains she takes to conceal the alteration.

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much respected too. But such beauty, such affability, a character so benevolent, so frank, so pious, yet so cheerful and unaffected, as hers is, must command the veneration 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 acquaintance to visit her: but she and we all are convinced, 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 DHarriet is all frankness in it; so is Lady DOne day I hope to procure you a sight of their letters. I am allowed to enclose a copy of the Countess's last. You will see the force of the reasoning on Harriet's declaration, that she will never think of a second lover. Her grandmother is entirely with the Countess. So am Ithough the first 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 I suppose will soon apprize 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 no 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.

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-Must she be offered up, as a victim on the altar of hopeless love!-I deprecate such I have made discoveries in his favour-More a fate;-I cannot allow the other sex such a wit, more humour, more good sense, more learntriumph, though the man be my brother. It ing, than I had ever, till now, that I was willis, however, none; on the contrary, it is appa- ing to inquire after those qualities in him, imarently a grief to his noble and truly manly heart, gined he had. He allows me to have a vast that so excellent a creature cannot be the sole share of good understanding; and so he ought; mistress of it. when I have made such discoveries to his advantage.

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

VOL. VIII.

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; for 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 everybody 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 hand

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some 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 married 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 be fore they would renew their bargain.

Let me tell you, that Emily will make an excellent wife, and mistress of a family. Miss Byron is one of the best economists, 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-self 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.

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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 remnants, if visitors or guests come in unexpectedly; and in such case, she says, they shall fare better another day. Emily is taking minutes of all her management: she is resolved to imitate her in everything. 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, without hurry, will do everything.

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 embitter reflection, as to his or her conduct to the departed. Ah, Caro

line, how little do we know of ourselves, till the hour of trial comes! I 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 honest man. He did frighten me!—A wretch!-In his childhood he was troubled with these oddities, it seems!—He is so well, that I had a good mind to quarrel with him for terrifying me as he did. For better and for worse!-A cheat!-He should have told me that he had been subject to such an infirmity

And then, from his apprehended fits, though involuntarily, 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 certainly 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!-Harriet 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 CLXXV.

FROM THE COUNTESS OF D- TO MISS

BYRON.

[Enclosed 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, my love; 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 overrefinements? 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 which 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 offer 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, my dear child, 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! is not this a fairy scheme?

Mistake me not, my love; I suspect not that your sentiments would want anything of the purity, the generosity, the true heroism, required in the idea of a friendship like that you talk of. I 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 situation which you have proposed to yourself? I suspect 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 attachment subsisting between persons known to have once had different views, and tenderer affections, mislead less delicate and less guarded minds into allowances dangerous to them and subject souls, less great than Clementina's, 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 pre

ference 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 circumstances 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, my dear, 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 affects the heart, is, I think, in such a case, (with very few exceptions from very particular circumstances,) utterly unallowable, and blameably indelicate.

You are, my dear, (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 connections would engage you in a thousand, not unpleasing, new cares and attentions, that must inevitably wear out, in time, impressions which you would feel unfit to indulge. All that is generous, grateful, reasonable, in your very just attachment, would remain; everything 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 anything 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,

This letter appears not.

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 Harriet, 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 Harriet can better bear the argument."

LETTER CLXXVI.

FROM THE EARL OF G TO LADY G

Tuesday, Aug. 1. MY DEAR DAUGHTER, LET me be excused for asking you a question by pen and ink: When do you think of returning from Northamptonshire? Lady Gertrude and I 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 daughther, 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 inquired of Lord and Lady L-, but they say you are so very 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 Grosve nor-Square? Everything is done there, that you had ordered to be done; and all at a stand for farther 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-And why? 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 CLXXVII.

LADY G TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF G-.

Selby House, August 4. 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 severely 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 be blamed 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 kinswoman,
CHARLOTTE G-

LETTER CLXXVIII.

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 Holles; and good Miss Orme; and you, my dear disputatious uncle Selby, and honest cousin James, and all the rest of you; for your particular graces, favours, civilities, and goodness superabundant, 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 lady, 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

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