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. Clementina 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.

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

-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 ta-. ken 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 home All 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 with 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, she thinks, the uncertainty of what her situation may be a twelvemonth hence, requires, for both 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 the Count, the most ardent, the 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 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 grandmaınma, and all my friends in Northamptonshire, are sure of the

heart of

Their and your

HARRIET GRANDISON.

LETTER CCCXVI.

LADY GRANDISON.

[In continuation.]

Saturday, June 16.

The

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. Clementina 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.

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

scious 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 her 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 was 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 sacred union. How many difficulties will the character 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 SAKE, spare to him, [This, my grandmamma, he bids be my prayer-I know it is yours, in the awful hour approaching, his Harriet, whose life and welfare, he assures her, are the dearest part of his own.

LETTER CCCXVII.

LADY GRANDISON.

[In continuation.]

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 to-morrow. How sad our hearts!

Canterbury, Monday Night. HERE we are! 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. What a grandeur of soul! She would not be thought to be concerned at leaving Sir Charles Grandison: But I see she is inwardly a sufferer. Jeronymo is silent. I hope he re

pents 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, Tuesday Night.

HERE, here, we are! How foolish to attempt the pen! I know not what to do with myself. The vessel is ready; every one is ready. Tomorrow morning, by day-light, if the wind-O what company to one another! How does the

dear Clementina now melt into tears and tenderness!-Dear lady! What prayers has she put 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 more than sisterly affection! Mrs Beaumont! the excellent Mrs Beaumont! she now is also affected-She never loved at so short an acquaintance, she says, any mortal as she loves me. She blesses my dear Sir Charles, for his tender, yet manly love to me! We have engaged 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 reluctantly) not to quit my chamber. Over-night we parted! What a solemn parting! Sir Charles and Mrs Beaumont 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 boisterous sea and the Bay of Biscay, in a wintery 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 ardour of impatience being over, they both very thankfully embraced Sir Charles'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.

Friday Morning.

THE best of men, of friends, of husbands, is returned 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 they 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 acts of beneficence and generosity, which were so natural to him, and so worthy of his splendid fortune.

and my cousins Reeves, 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 therefore sent to invite them to dinner 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 whimseys of his Charlotte that carry in the face of them, as this does, affectionate 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, in order to pursue the glorious schemes of benevolence which he has formed, and in which hundreds will find their account.

"But let the green damask bed-chamber be got in a little sort of order, for a kind of nursery: where we dine, we sup. My marmoset 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 will be less alive to a Christian hymn, than to the sprightlier Phillido, Phillida, of Tom Durfey. I 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 I shall take him into our nursery to complete the chorus, when our brats are in a squalling fit. Adieu till to-morrow, my dear, and ever-dear Harriet!'

She must Signor But she He re

Lady G is a charming nurse. be extraordinary in whatever she does. Jeronymo admires her of all women. sometimes makes him look about him. joices 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 marmoset, hugging it twenty times aday to his good-natured bosom. It 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 Gfares the better for their vivacity. Sir Charles generally contrives to do him honour, by appealing to him when Charlotte 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 overmatch for him. She often, at these times, shakes her head at me, as if she was sensible of his superiority in her own way.

But how I trifle! I am ready, quite ready, 3 D