but the bonds, the notes, and the money, they offered to him.

He asked, if there were no particular direction upon either? They answered, No.

He took them; and emptying them upon the table, mingled the contents of both together: there may be a difference in the value of each: thus mingled, you, my sisters, will equally divide them between you. This picture (putting his hand on his bosom, where it yet was) is of infinitely more value than all the three purses contained besides.

Don't

You will excuse these particularities, my dear friends: but if you do not, I can't help it. We are all apt, I believe, to pursue the subjects that most delight us. grudge me my pleasure! Perhaps I shall pay for it. I admire this man more than I can express.

Saturday night-and no Sir Charles Grandison. With all my heart!

LETTER XXI.

MISS BYRON.-IN CONTINUATION.

WHEN Sir Charles and his sisters had looked over every other place in his father's apartment, they followed Mrs. Oldham to hers.

A very handsome apartment, upon my word!

How could Miss Grandison-she knew the situation the unhappy woman had been in: mistress of that house. Her brother looked at her.

Mrs. Oldham shewed them which of the furniture and pictures (some of the latter valuable ones) she had brought into the house, saved, as she said, from the wreck of her husband's fortune-but, said she, with the consent of creditors. I, for my part, did not wrong any body.

In that closet, sir, continued she, pointing to it, is all that I account myself worth in the world. Mr. Grandison was pleased to put his seal upon the door. I besought. him to let me take 50l. out of it, having but very little money about me, but he would not: his refusal, besides the disgrace, has put me to some shifts. But, weeping, I throw myself upon your mercy, sir.

The sisters frankly owned, that they hardened each other by fault finding. They whispered, that she expected no mercy from them, it was plain. O what a glory belongs to goodness, as well in its influences, as in itself! Not even these two amiable sisters, as Miss Charlotte once acknowledged, were so noble in themselves before their brother's arrival, as they are now.

Assure yourself of justice, madam, said Sir Charles. Mr. Grandison is hasty: but he would have done you justice, I dare say. He thought he was acting for a trust.-You may have letters, you may have things, here in this closet, that we have no business with.-Then, breaking the seal; I leave it to you, to shew us any thing proper for us to take account of. The rest I wish not to see.

My ladies, sir-they will be pleased to-

YES, Mrs. Oldham, said Caroline: and was putting herself before her brother, and so was her sister, while Sir Charles was withdrawing from the closet: but he took each by her hand, interrupting Caroline

NO, Mrs. Oldham-Do you lay out things as you please we will step into the next apartment.

He accordingly led them both out.

You are very generous, sir, said Miss Grandison. I would be so, Charlotte. Ought not the private drawers of women to be sacred?

But such a creature, sir-said Miss Caroline

Every creature is entitled to justice-Can ladies forget decorum? You see she was surprised by Mr. Grandison. She has suffered disgrace: has been put to difficulties.

Well, sir, if she will do justice-—

Remember (with looks of meaning) whose housekeeper she was.

They owned they were daunted, [and so, dear ladies, you ought to have been,] but not convinced at that instant. It is generous to own this, ladies; because the behaviour makes not for your honour.

Mrs. Oldham, with tears in her eyes, came courtesying to the ladies and their brother, offering to conduct them into her closet. They found, that she had spread on her table in it, and in the two windows, and in the chairs, letters, papers, laces, fine linen, &c.

These papers, sir, said she, belong to you. I was bid to keep them safe. [Poor woman! she knew not how to say, by whom bid.] You will see, sir, the seals are whole. Perhaps a will, said he.

No, sir, I believe not. I was told they belonged to the Irish estate. Alas! and she wiped her eyes, I have reason to think there was not time for a will

I suppose, Mrs. Oldham, you urged for a will-said

Miss Charlotte.

Indeed, ladies, I often did; I own it.

I don't doubt it, said Miss Caroline.

And very prudently, said Sir Charles. I myself have

always had a will by me. I should think it a kind of presumption to be a week without one.

In this drawer, sir, are the money, and notes, and securities that I have been getting together; I do assure you, sir, very honestly-pulling out a drawer in the cabinet.

To what amount, Mrs. Oldham, if I may be so bold? asked Caroline.

No matter, sister Caroline, to what amount, said Sir Charles. You hear Mrs. Oldham say, they are honestly got together. I dare say, that my father's bounty enabled even his meanest servants to save money. I would not keep one, that I thought did not. I make no comparisons, Mrs. Oldham you are a gentlewoman.

The two ladies only whispered to each other, as they owned, so we think!-Were there ever such perverse girls? I am afraid my uncle will think himself justified by them on this occasion, when he asserts, that it is one of the most difficult things in the world to put a woman right, when she sets out wrong. If it be generally so with us, I am sure we ought to be very careful of prepossession.— And has he not said, Lucy, that the best women, when wrong, are most tenacious? It may be so: but then, I hope, he will allow, that at the time they think themselves right.

I believe there is near 1200l. said Mrs. Oldham, and looked, the ladies observed, as if she was afraid of their

censures.

Near 12001. Mrs. Oldham! said Miss Charlotte.-Lord, sister, how glad would we have been sometimes of as many shillings between us!

And what, Caroline, what Charlotte, young ladies as you were, only growing up into women, and in your father's house, would you have done with more than

current money? Now you have a claim to independency, I hope that 12007. will not be the sum of either of your

stores.

They courtesied, they said; but yet thought 12007. a great saving. Dear ladies! how could you forget, and what a pain would it have been for your brother to have reminded you, that Mrs. Oldham had two children; to say nothing of a third !

Trembling, as they owned, Here, said she, in this private drawer, are some presents-I disclaim them. If you believe me, ladies, I never wished for them. I never was 'seen in them but once. I never shall wear them-offering to pull out the drawer.

Forbear, Mrs. Oldham. Presents are yours. The money in that drawer is yours. Never will I either disparage or diminish my father's bounty. He had a right to do as he pleased. Have not we, to do as we please? Had he made a will, would they not have been yours?-If you, Mrs. Oldham, if you, my sisters, can tell me of any thing he but intended or inclined to do by any one of his people, that intention will I execute with as much exactness, as if he had made a will, and it was part of it. Shall we do nothing but legal justice ?—The law was not made for a man of conscience.

Lord bless me, my Lucy! what shall I do about this man?

Here (would you believe it?) I laid down my pen; pondered, and wept for joy; I think, it was for joy, that there is such a young man in the world; for what else could it be?-And now, with a watery eye, twinkle, twinkle, do I resume it.