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his fear of offending her; his liberal promises
in the young man's favour; and the simplicity
and frankness of his manners,

X. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.—Miss Byron dines

at Lady Betty Williams's, in company with a

large party of visitors. Description of their

persons and characters,

XI. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Farther ac-
count of the visit to Lady Betty's, and of the
company. Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, a new ad-
mirer of Miss Byron; her description of his
person and manners. Conversation betwixt Sir
Hargrave and Mr Walden,

XII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Continuation
of the discourse between Sir Hargrave Pollex-
fen and Mr Walden,

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XIII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Conversation

at Lady Betty's on learned topics, between all

the visitors,

XIV. Miss Byron to Miss Selby. Conclusion

of the conversation and of the visit at Lady

Betty's. Miss Byron professes herself disgust-

ed with Sir Hargrave Pollexfen; and mentions

several instances of his profligacy, .

XV. Miss Byron to Miss Selby. By the com-

mand of her uncle Selby, Miss Byron resumes

her pen, to give him a sketch of her own cha-

racter, and of the various opinions that she sup-

poses might have been entertained of herself,

by each of the visitants at Lady Betty's. This

the young lady delineates under the semblance

of an epistolary communication, in which she

represents each of the visitors speaking in their

own persons, in their own style and character,

to the friend with whom each is supposed to be

holding correspondence,

XVI. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Sir Rowland

Meredith, accompanied by Mr Fowler, his ne-

phew, again visits Miss Byron. Description of

the interview, and the conversation that passed

on the occasion. The young lady is affected

with the generous proposals of Sir Rowland,

and professes her esteem for him and his ne-

phew: but she permits the two gentlemen to

take leave of her, without affording them much

hope of succeeding, .

37

XVII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Sir Har-

grave Pollexfen visits Miss Byron, and offers

his addresses to her: she refuses to encourage

his addresses: his angry behaviour on the occa-

sion,.

XVIII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.—Mr Gre-
ville arrives in town, and sends his servant with
his compliments to Miss Byron she is much
vexed on account of it. Sir Rowland Meredith,
Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, and Mr Greville, all
meet at Mr Reeves's house, at the same time,
on a visit to Miss Byron. Sir Rowland, pre-
vious to the arrival of the two other gentlemen,
entreats and obtains from the young lady a short
private conference with her, and, with tears, en-
treats her favour to his nephew: she urges the
impossibility of granting the young man the
least ground to hope that his addresses can be
encouraged by her,

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disapprobation of his morals. Miss Byron con-
cludes her letter with an apostrophe to the supe-
rior virtues of Mr Fowler, Sir Rowland, and Mr
Orme, when compared with Sir Hargrave,
XX. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Sir Hargrave
Pollexfen renews his visit to Mr Reeves: but
Miss Byron resolutely refuses seeing him: he
departs in a rage, swearing that she shall be his
in spite of every opposition. Mr Greville also
visits Miss Byron again, and importunes her to
give him her assurance that Sir Hargrave shall
not be the man of her choice: his impassioned
behaviour described,
XXI. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Account of
Miss Byron's visit to Miss Clement's: that
lady's talents and qualifications. Sir Hargrave
Pollexfen still haunts Mr Reeves's house,
XXII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Mr Greville
returns into the country: his parting with Miss
Byron described. Another visit from Sir Har-
grave Pollexfen: his abject behaviour: Miss
Byron forbids his future visits: and he leaves
her with great indignation, uttering impreca-
tions and reproaches. Having thus gotten rid
of her troublesome visitors, Miss Byron men-
tions to her friend, that on the ensuing evening
she is to accompany Lady Betty Williams to a
masquerade her own assumed character to be
that of an Arcadian princess. She then minute-
ly describes every part of her dress, and expresses
doubts how she shall acquit herself in the part
she has to sustain,
XXIII. Mr Reeves to George Selby, Esq.-Af-
ter a sorrowful preface, Mr Reeves discloses the
unpleasant intelligence which he has received
respecting Miss Byron: that young lady, he
observes, had been with her friends at the mas-
querade, and was clandestinely conveyed thence;
nor, after the most diligent inquiries, could the
least clue be obtained for solving the mystery,
either whither or by whom she had been carried
off. He then details the particulars of Miss
Byron's movements prior to her being missed:
and notices the persons most likely to have been
the perpetrators of the villainous transaction,
XXIV. Mr Selby to Archibald Reeves, Esq.-
After expressing his own grief at the sorrowful
intelligence communicated by Mr Reeves, re-
specting his niece, he runs into an invective
against masquerades,

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XXV. Mr Reeves to George Selby, Esq.-At-
tempts are made to discover the villains who
had carried off Miss Byron: detail of the in-
formations that are obtained: strong suspicions
attached to her own servant Wilson.-Good ti-
dings! A letter from Miss Charlotte Grandison
to Mr Reeves states, that Miss Byron is safe,
and in honourable hands. Sir Charles Grandi-
son, the hero of this Work, is here first intro-
duced to the reader's notice: he courageously
ventures his own life, to save the honour of the
young lady; and, to rescue her from the hands
of an unfeeling villain, exposes himself to the
fury of the disappointed ravisher, who wounds
the gallant hero, but does not himself escape
unhurt; and, to add to his chagrin, is forced to
resign his lovely prize just at the moment when
he was exulting in his security of possession.
The ravisher proves to be Sir Hargrave Pollex-
fen,

XXVI. Mr Reeves to George Selby, Esq.-Mr

Reeves visits Miss Byron at Sir Charles Grandi-

son's house. He describes the kind reception he

meets with from Miss Grandison, and learns

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from her some additional information concern-
ing the rescue. He is afterwards introduced,
with great caution, into Miss Byron's chamber;
whom he finds very weak, yet greatly rejoiced
to see him. He repeats the conversation that
passed on the occasion; and the farther conver-
sation he had with Miss Grandison while he
had withdrawn with that young lady, to give
Miss Byron an opportunity of rising,

XXVII. Mr Reeves to George Selby, Esq.-Mr

Reeves resumes the subject which he had com-

menced in his last letter. He states, that during

the time he had withdrawn with Miss Grandi-

son, Miss Byron had risen from her bed, but,

finding herself unable to sit up, is obliged to

lie down again. Mr Reeves, being desirous of

returning home with intelligence respecting

Miss Byron, is constrained by Miss Grandison

to await the arrival of her brother, and dine

with them. Sir Charles Grandison arrives: Mr

Reeves is greatly pleased with his polite beha-

viour, and the cordial welcome he receives from

him: and gives a description of his person. Sir

Charles favours Mr Reeves with an account of

what passed between himself and Sir Hargrave

Pollexfen, in the rescue of Miss Byron. The

mutual affection between Sir Charles Grandison

and his sister, highly exemplary. Miss Byron

succeeds better in her second attempt to rise,

and is, though not without difficulty, enabled

to sit up for half an hour. Her manner of ex-

pressing her gratitude to Sir Charles and his

sister: their kind behaviour to her,

XXVIII. Mr Reeves to George Selby, Esq.-Mr

Reeves again visits Miss Byron at Sir Charles

Grandison's, and finds her recovered beyond his

hopes. Characters of Sir Charles and his sister.

Miss Byron is conveyed to town in Sir Charles's

coach, he and his sister accompanying her; and

Mr Reeves riding on horseback. The whole

party arrive safely at Mr Reeves's house. In-

teresting account of the joyful meeting of Mrs

Reeves and Miss Byron, and her worthy friends.

Additional particulars relative to Sir Hargrave

Pollexfen,

XXIX. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Retrospect

of past occurrences. Miss Byron, rejoiced at

once more being enabled to hold correspondence

with her friend, obliges her with a recital of her

cruel treatment by Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, af-

ter he had so treacherously separated her from

her friends at the masquerade; commencing her

narrative where Mr Reeves had concluded his

statement. She describes her feelings on disco-

vering the treachery, during her conveyance:

she faints, and, on recovering her senses, she

finds herself lying on a bed, in a strange apart-

ment, and three women unknown to her stand-

ing round the bed, administering the means of

her recovery. She is beginning to question the

women concerning her situation; and scarcely

had she obtained a single reply, when the

treacherous Sir Hargrave enters the apartment!

She screams and nearly faints at the sight of

him he withdraws on beholding her agitation,

but shortly after enters the apartment again;

and, having commanded the women to retire,

he begins to upbraid the young lady for her

former indifference to him, and triumphs over

her in her present distress, rejecting her tears

and entreaties with a malicious scorn; insult-

ingly telling her, that no possibility of escape

is open to her; and that he is determined she

shall be his, whether she will or no. He is pro-

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ceeding to take indecent familiarities, when her
screams bring in one of the women, who re-
monstrates with him on his behaviour; (he ha-
ving assured them, prior to the young lady's
being brought into the house, that no violence
should be used towards her ;) and thus she
gains a momentary respite from his odious per-
secutions,

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XXX. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Continua-

tion of Miss Byron's narrative. Sir Hargrave

Pollexfen is greatly enraged at the interference

of the women, but judges it expedient to quiet

their suspicions by a plausible tale of his own

invention. His deep-laid scheme of villainy is

farther unfolded. Being determined to make

Miss Byron his own, in spite of every obstacle,

even against her absolute refusal, he suborns a

wretched priest (from the Fleet prison, as is af-

terwards shewn) to perform the matrimonial ce-

remony in the very house where the young lady

is confined: and having won upon the women

to afford their assistance, he introduces the

priest into the apartment, and, notwithstanding

the tears and entreaties of his fair victim, and

her adjurations of never yielding her consent,

Sir Hargrave obliges this unholy minister to

commence the solemn service of the church.-

Miss Byron's feelings, at recollection of the

dreadful scene, oblige her at this place to break

off her narrative,.

XXXI. Miss Byron to Miss Selby-Farther

continuation of Miss Byron's narrative. The

suborned priest is interrupted in his reading the

matrimonial service by Miss Byron's agitations:

Sir Hargrave urges him to proceed; which he

makes several ineffectual attempts to do. The

women of the house endeavour to persuade Miss

Byron to a compliance, alleging the honourable

intentions of Sir Hargrave, his wealth, and

comeliness of person; all which considerations

she repulses with disdain, and offers them half

her own fortune, if they would assist to convey

her back to her friends, which, however, Sir

Hargrave prevents them from doing. Sir Har-

grave, in tearing Miss Byron from the women,

severely bruises her against the door; and is

somewhat moved at his own violence, though

not so as to desist from his injurious intentions, ib.

XXXII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby. The nar-

rative still continued. Sir Hargrave, being se-

riously alarmed at the symptoms of Miss By-

ron's hurt, dismisses the priest, and changes his

measures. He endeavours to extort from her a

promise of acceding to his proposals. On her

refusal to comply with his wishes, he is greatly

displeased. Forces her to put on a capuchin;

and prevents her from speaking to the women

of the house. He then forcibly carries her from

the house in a chariot, escorted by several of his

men on horseback,

XXXIII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Conclu-

sion of Miss Byron's narrative. She describes

the cruel treatment she experienced from Sir

Hargrave Pollexfen, while travelling with him

in the chariot; confining her mouth with a

handkerchief to prevent her from crying out for

help; and threatening her with the most rigid

treatment, unless she acquiesced in his wishes.

Deprived of air, and her eyes even confined

from sight, she journeys a considerable time in

uneasiness and suspense, till, by a providential

accident, which delayed the progress of the cha-

riot, she gains the wished-for opportunity of

making her distress known to a friend; her cries

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79

reached the ears of Sir Charles Grandison; nor
did she raise her voice to one inattentive to her
suit; he rescued her from her ravisher, and con-
veyed her safely to his own house; and thus,
after bestowing a short panegyric on the virtues
of her generous deliverer, Miss Byron concludes
her narrative,
XXXIV. Sir Charles Grandison to Archibald
Reeves, Esq. Declares that he has received a
long exculpatory letter from William Wilson,
the treacherous servant who betrayed Miss By-
ron into the hands of Sir Hargrave Pollexfen.
Sir Charles states it as his opinion, that it would
be preferable, if, instead of punishing the young
man, his penitence were accepted, and lenity
shewn him, and even encouragement afforded
him for his future well-doing,
XXXV. William Wilson to the Honourable Sir
Charles Grandison, Bart. He makes a general
acknowledgment of his guilt, and confesses that
he betrayed Miss Byron to Sir Hargrave Pollex-
fen. He gives an account of the early part of
his life, while engaged in the service of the li-
bertine, Bagenhall; on whose death he engages
with Sir Christopher Lucas, a profligate equal
to the former in every species of villainy. He
then attaches himself to Mr Marceda, the friend
and companion of Sir Hargrave Pollexfen; and
each of these gentlemen afford him full scope
for the exercise of his talents to the supplanting
of virtue. He describes the means by which he
got introduced to Miss Byron, and mentions her
receiving him as her servant. The stratagem he
made use of to separate Miss Byron from her
friends on the night of the masquerade; and an
account of the family to whose custody she was
delivered by Sir Hargrave. Explanation of some
circumstances which the young lady hinted at
in her narrative; and many additional particu-
lars which she herself had not attained the know-
ledge of respecting Sir Hargrave's designs against
her. A full developement of these is subjoined,
and the farther schemes he was preparing to
execute, when she met with her gallant deli-
verer, and obtained at once a deliverance from
her persecutor, and from her unmerited suffer-
ings. Wilson renews his protestations of peni-
tence, and promises amendment of life, if Sir
Charles would intercede with Miss Byron's
friends to drop all legal prosecutions against
him; and farther informs Sir Charles, that Sir
Hargrave is secretly plotting to take away his
life, and cautions him to guard against the se-
cret machinations of this desperate man,

XXXVI. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Com-

ments on Wilson's letter to Sir Charles Grandi-

son. A minute description of the characters and

persons of Sir Charles Grandison and his sister;

their amiable manners, and the general esteem

in which they are holden by all within the circle

of their acquaintance. Miss Byron attempts to

express her own sense of the obligations she is

under to them; and gives her friend an unre-

served statement of her own sentiments in fa-

vour of Sir Charles, confessing the impressions

he has made on her heart,

XXXVII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Sir Row-

land Meredith pays Miss Byron a farewell vi-

sit. Miss Grandison favours her with a friend-

ly call, in her own and her brother's name, to

inquire after her welfare. Miss Byron notices

that young lady's affability, and repeats the

sprightly conversation that passed between

them,

XXXVIII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Sir
Hargrave Pollexfen sends a challenge to Sir
Charles Grandison. Miss Byron's anxiety on
that account. She receives a letter from Mr
Bagenhall, urging her, as the only means of
preventing a duel between Sir Charles Grandi-
son and Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, to accept of
Sir Hargrave's offer of his person and fortune.
The great perplexity which this alternative oc-
casions to Miss Byron and her friends. They
determine to await the arrival of Sir Charles,
and refer the matter to him, .

XXXIX. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-While

Miss Byron is thus pending betwixt doubt and

fear, and her friends know not how to advise

her to act, Sir Charles Grandison and his sister

pay her a friendly visit. Sir Charles offers her

his advice, and encourages her not to suffer the

conduct of Sir Hargrave towards himself to

have the smallest influence on her conduct, or

make her in any respect act contrary to her own

free choice. He reads the letter of challenge

sent him by Sir Hargrave, and states his answer

to it,

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XLVII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby-Farther

account of what passed at Sir Charles Grandi-

son's. Repetition of the conversation at table, 114

XLVIII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Inter-

view between Sir Charles Grandison and Mr

Bagenhall, relative to the undecided quarrel

between the former and Sir Hargrave Pollex-

fen. The result of their conference. A meeting

agreed upon between the parties. Sir Charles

waits on Sir Hargrave at the appointed time.

Returns in safety, to the great joy of his friends, 120

XLIX. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Particulars
of what passed between Sir Charles Grandison
and Sir Hargrave Pollexfen; and the amicable
adjustment of the animosity subsisting between
them. Sir Hargrave waits on Miss Byron, to
entreat her forgiveness. Her terror on behold-
ing him again. The interview takes place in
the presence of Mr and Mrs Reeves. She grants
Sir Hargrave her forgiveness, but absolutely re-
nounces his offer of his hand and fortune,
L. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-After the inter-
view with Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, Miss Byron
receives a visit from Miss Grandison, and from
the Countess of D- The Countess now re-
news personally the offers which she had before
made by letter to Miss Byron, respecting an al-
liance with her son; but the young lady still
declines accepting the proposal. Relation of the
conversation that took place between Miss Gran-
dison and Miss Byron after the departure of the
Countess,

LI. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Miss Byron
again unexpectedly meets Sir Hargrave Pollex-
fen. He still urges his affection for her; but
she peremptorily declines his suit, and entreats
him not to visit her any more. She receives a
humorous letter from Miss Grandison, inviting
her to Colnebrook; which invitation she ac-
cepts,
LII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby-Miss Byron
again visits the Grandison family in town, prior
to their setting off for Colnebrooke. Her ac-
count of the party she met there, and the con-
versation that passed,

LIII. Mrs Selby to Miss Byron. Declares her

approbation of Miss Byron's sentiments for Sir

Charles Grandison; but enjoins her to be cau-

tious, lest her gratitude should rise to a higher

passion, as not knowing whether his affections

may not be already fixed on some other woman.

She greatly extols Sir Charles's magnanimity,

and attests the general good opinion entertain-

ed of his virtues. Mrs Selby then adverts to the

generous offers made to Miss Byron by the

Countess of D, and wishes her maturely to

weigh all the advantages she may derive from

accepting her ladyship's proposals, which she

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LVI. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Miss Byron

mentions her arrival at Colnebrooke, the coun-

try residence of Sir Charles Grandison. She

commences a history of the Grandison family, 154

LVII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby. She pro-
ceeds with her history of the Grandison family.
Affecting account of the death of Sir Charles
Grandison's mother,

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LXXI. Miss Byron to Miss Selby-Various re-

flections on love, marriage, &c. The Countess

of D is much disappointed, that Miss By-

ron refuses to marry the Earl, her son,

193

LXXII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Wilson,
the treacherous servant, who betrayed Miss By-
ron into the hands of Sir Hargrave Pollexfen at
the masquerade, having professed his penitence
and sorrow for his former ill-spent life, is, by
the interest and friendly exertions of Sir Charles
Grandison, supplied with a competence to en-
able him to settle in business; and he allies
himself to a virtuous woman,
LXXIII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-History
of Mr Danby. Conversation between Sir Charles
Grandison and his sister, .
LXXIV. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Miss Gran-
dison declares to her brother the origin and pro-
gress of her attachment to Captain Anderson, 201

LXXV. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Sir Charles

Grandison convinces her sister that Captain An-

derson is a man totally unworthy of her esteem,

and advises her to break off all correspondence

with him. Miss Grandison's letter to the Cap-

tain,

LXXVI. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Conver-
sation between Lady L Miss Grandison,
and Miss Byron, .

LXXVII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Another

conversation between the ladies,

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LXXXIII. Dr Bartlett to Miss Byron.-Parti-
culars respecting Mr Beauchamp,.
LXXXIV. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Reflec-
tions on love, &c. Discourse between Miss
Grandison and Miss Byron, .

LXXXV. Sir Charles Grandison to Dr Bartlett.

-Sir Charles is solicited to go over to Bologna.

His anxiety to see Miss Jervois, his ward, com-

fortably settled in life. His sentiments respect-

ing Miss Byron. He wishes to make that young

lady the guardian and companion of his ward, 234

LXXXVI. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Obser-

vations made by Miss Byron's uncle and aunt

respecting the conversations related in some of

her preceding letters. Miss Jervois's affection

for her guardian. Character of that young lady, 237

LXXXVII. Sir Charles Grandison to Dr Bart-

lett.-Account of a visit Sir Charles received

from Mrs Jervois, the mother of his ward. The

purpose of her visit being to withdraw her

daughter from the guardianship of Sir Charles, 239

LXXXVIII. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Mrs

O'Hara (the mother of Emily Jervois,) and her

husband, Major O'Hara, arrive abruptly at

Colnebrooke during the absence of Sir Charles

Grandison, and insist on seeing Miss Jervois.

Lord L, Sir Charles's brother, knowing the

evil disposition of this woman, and her desire

to withdraw her daughter from the guardian-

ship of Sir Charles, peremptorily refuses to let

her see her. The poor girl, hearing of her mo-

ther's arrival, and not daring to appear before

her, is relieved from her fears in some measure

by Miss Byron, who contrives to convey her from

the house without discovery by her mother, and

accompanies her in the carriage. Affecting

conversation that passed between the two young

ladies during their ride. The letter which Mrs

O'Hara left for her daughter,

LXXXIX. Mr Deane to Mrs Selby.-He de-

scribes his visit to Miss Byron, at Colnebrooke.

He proceeds to London, and waits on Sir Charles

Grandison; and thanks him for the relief he had

afforded to Miss Byron. Mr Deane commends

that young lady's virtues and personal accom-

plishments to Sir Charles, in order to discover

whether he entertained a mutual affection for

her; and he judges by Sir Charles's animated

replies, that his heart is indeed fixed on Miss

Byron. This intelligence Mr Deane communi-

cates with great exultation to Miss Byron's

friends; and sets forth in strong language the

virtues and manly qualifications of Sir Charles.

Short history of Miss Jervois,

XC. Miss Byron to Miss Selby.-Interesting

conversation between Miss Byron and Miss Jer-

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