Dear Miss Byron! And then he pleaded his passion; his fortune; his sufferings.-A wretch! [Yet I had nowand-then a little pity for his disfigured mouth and lip]— His resolutions to be governed by me in every act of his life-The settlement of one half of his estate upon me.The odious wretch mentioned children, my dear-younger children. He ran on in such a manner as if he had been drawing up marriage-articles all the way hither.

Upon my absolutely renouncing him, he asked me, if Sir Charles Grandison had not made an impression on my heart?

What, Lucy, could make me inwardly fret at this question? I could hardly have patience to reply. I now see, my dear, that I have indeed a great deal of pride.

Surely, Sir Hargrave, I am not accountable to youYou are not, madam: but I must insist upon an answer to this question. If Sir Charles Grandison has made an application to you for favour, I can have no hope.

Sir Charles Grandison, sir, is absolutely disinterested. Sir Charles Grandison has made―There I stopt; I could not help it.

No application to my cousin, I assure you, Sir Hargrave, said Mr. Reeves. He is the noblest of men. Had he any such thoughts, I dare say he would be under difficulties to break his mind, lest such a declaration should be thought to lessen the merit of his protection.

A good thought of Mr. Reeves. And who knows, my Lucy, but there may be some foundation for it?

Protection! D-n it !—But I am the easier upon this assurance. Let me tell you, Mr. Reeves, that had I not found him to be a wonder of a man, matters should not have ended as they seem at present to have done.

But Sir Hargrave, said Mrs. Reeves, permit me to say, as I know Miss Byron's mind, that there cannot be the least room to imagine that Miss Byron—

Dear Mrs. Reeves, forgive me. But I cannot receive a denial from any other mouth than hers. Is there no room for a sincere penitent to hope for mercy from a sweetness so angelic, and who is absolutely disengaged?

You have had mine already, Sir Hargrave, said I. I am amazed, that, knowing my mind before your wicked insult upon me, you should have any expectation of this kind after it.

He again vowed his passion, and such stuff.

I think, Lucy, I never shall be able, for the future, to hear with patience any man talk of love, of passion, and such nonsense.

Let me summarily add, for I am tired of the subject, that he said a hundred impertinent things sillier than any of those said by Mr. Grandison, in my praise-[Indeed every thing of this nature now appears silly to me]-He insisted upon a preference to Mr. Greville, Mr. Fenwick, Mr. Orme. He resolved not to despair, as his sufferings for my sake had given him (as he said he presumed to tell me) some merit in his own opinion, if not in mine; and as his forgiveness of the man who had injured him, ought, he thought, to have some weight in his favour.

He took leave of my cousins and me in a very respectful manner. I wish him no harm. But I hope I shall never see him again.

And now, Lucy, with the end of this very disagreeable visit, I will conclude my letter; and shall have another long one ready for the next post.

LETTER V.

MISS HARRIET BYRON, TO MISS LUCY SELBY.

March 3.

I HAD not recovered myself after Sir Hargrave's visit, when Lady Land Miss Grandison called, as they said, for a moment: however, this agreeable moment lasted two hours. Miss Grandison, the instant she saw me, challenged me-Hey-day! What's the matter with our Harriet, Mrs. Reeves? And, patting my neck, Why these flutters, child?-Perturbations delightful, or undelightful, Harriet, whether?

I told her who had been here, and but just left me; and, by the help of my cousins, gave them the particulars of what had passed.

They were greatly pleased; and the more, they said, as their brother, on seeing them uneasy, had acquainted them, that all matters between him and Sir Hargrave. were accommodated; but had not had opportunity to tell them more.

Let me reckon with you, Harriet, said Miss Grandison, (taking my hand with a schooling air): I am half jealous of you: Lady L has got the start of me in my brother's affections: but she is my elder sister; first come, first served; I can bear that: but I will not be cut out by a younger sister.

What is now to follow? thought I; and I fluttered like a fool; the more for her arch look, as if she would read my heart in my eyes.

Increased palpitation (O the fool!) made it look as if I took her jest for earnest. What a situation am I in!

Dear Charlotte, said Lady L, smiling, you shall not thus perplex our sweet sister.-My dear, don't mind her. You'll know her better in time.

Be quiet, Lady L——, I shall have it all out.

All what out? said I. O Miss Grandison, how you love to alarm!

Well, well, I'll examine farther into these perturbations another time. I have beat the bush before now for one hare, and out have popt two. But all I mean is; a paper, a letter, (my brother called it a paper,) was brought to him sealed up. He rewarded the bringer; but sent it directly away unopened (that we found out) to you, Harriet. Now, child, if I allow of his reserves, I will not allow of yours. Pray answer me fairly and truly; What are the contents of that paper ?

They give the particulars of the conversation that passed in the alarming interview between Sir Charles.

And Sir Hargrave. That's my good girl. You see, Lady L how this young thief will steal away the affections of our brother from us both. He has shewed us nothing of this. But if you would not have me jealous, Harriet, be sure keep no one secret of your heart from me

That merely relates to myself, I think I will not.

Then you'll be a good girl: and I'll give my love for you the reins, without a pull-back.

Just then a servant came in with a card.

'Lady D's compliments to Mrs. Reeves and Miss Byron; and if it would be agreeable, she will wait on them presently, for one quarter of an ⚫ hour. She is obliged to go out of town early in ⚫ the morning.'

What shall I do now? said I. I was in a flutter; not being fully recovered from that into which Sir Hargrave's visit had thrown me.

What now?-What now? said Miss Grandison. Ah! Harriet, we shall find you out by degrees.

By the way, Luey, you are fond of plays; and it is come into my head, that, to avoid all says-I's and saysshe's, I will henceforth, in all dialogues, write names in the margin: So fancy, my dear, that you are reading in one of your favourite volumes.

HAR. Do you know Lady D

?

MISS GR. Very well: but I did not know that you did, Harriet.

LADY L. And I know she has a son: and I know she wants him to marry.

HAR. That I may keep no secrets from my two sisters, my aunt Selby has written to me

MISS GR. Lately?

HAR. Very lately.

MISS GR. O! because you had not told me of that. MRS. REEVES. And pray, ladies, what is Lady D-—'s character?

LADY L. She is a very good woman. She is a sensible and prudent woman.

MISS GR. I am not very intimate with her: but have seen her in two or three of my visits. I have always thought her so. And pray, Harriet, don't you want to know what character my lord bears?

HAR. My lord is nothing to me. I have answered. I have given my negative.

MISS GR. The deuse you have!-Why, the man has a good 12,000l. a year!

HAR, I don't care.