or, rather, as my brother will. What signifies opposing him?" that the nuptials shall be solemnized as privately as possible, at St George's church. The company is to drop in at different doors, and with as few attendants as may be. Lord W, the Earl of G—————, and Lady Gertrude, Lord and Lady L- Miss Jervois, and your Harriet, are to be present at the ceremony. I was very earnest to be excused, till Miss Grandison, when we were alone, dropped down on one knee, and held up her hands, to beg me to accompany her. Mr Everard Grandison, if he can be found, is to be also there, at Sir Charles's desire.

Dr Bartlett, as I before hinted, at her earnest request, is to perform the ceremony. Sir Charles wished it to be at his own parish-church; but Miss Grandison thought it too near to be private. He was indifferent as to the place, he said -so it was at church; for he had been told of the difficulty we had to get Charlotte to desist from having it performed in her chamber, and seemed surprised. Fie, Charlotte! said he-An office so solemn !-Vows to receive and pay, as in the Divine presence!

She was glad, she told me, that she had not left that battle to be fought with him.

Monday, April 10.

LORD W is come. Lord and Lady L are here. They, and Miss Grandison, received him with great respect. He embraced his nieces in a very affectionate manner. Sir Charles was absent. Lord W- is, in person and behaviour, a much more agreeable man than I expected him to be. Nor is he so decrepit with the gout, as I had supposed. He is very careful of himself, it seems. This world has been kind to him, and I fancy he makes a great deal of a little pain, for want of stronger exercises to his patience, and so is a sufferer by self-indulgence. Had I not been made acquainted with his free living, and with the insults he bore from Mrs Giffard, with a spirit so poor and so low, I should have believed I saw not only the man of quality, but the man of sense, in his countenance. I endeavoured, however, as much as I could, to look upon him as the brother of the late Lady Grandison. Had he been worthy of that relation, how should I have reverenced him!

But, whatever I thought of him, he expressed himself highly in my favour. He particularly praised me for the modesty which he said was visible in my countenance. Free livers are, Lucy, taken with that grace in a woman, which they make it their pride to destroy! But all men, good and bad, admire modesty in a woman; and I am sometimes out of humour with our sex, that they do not as generally like modesty in men. I am sure that this grace in Sir Charles Grandison, is one of his principal glories with

me. It emboldens one's heart, and permits one to behave before him with ease; and, as I may say, with security, in the consciousness of a right intention.

But what were Lord W's praises of his nephew! He called him the glory of his sex, and of human nature. How the cheeks of the dear Emily glowed at the praises given to her guardian!-She was the taller for them; when she moved, it was on tip-toe, stealing, as it were, across the floor, lest she should lose anything, that was said on a subject so delightful to her.

My lord was also greatly pleased with her. He complimented her as the beloved ward of the best of guardians. He lamented, with us, the occasion that called his nephew abroad. He was full of his own engagements with Miss Mansfield, and declared that his nephew should guide and govern him as he pleased, in every material case, respecting either the conduct of his future life, or the management and disposition of his estate; adding, that he had made his will, and, excepting only his lady's jointure, and a few legacies, had left everything to him. How right a thing, even in policy, is it, my dear, to be good and generous!

I must not forget, that my lord wished, with all his soul, that was his expression, that he might have the honour of giving to his nephew my hand in marriage.

I could feel myself blush. I half-suppressed a sigh: I would have wholly suppressed it, if I could. I recovered the little confusion his too plainly expressed wish gave me, by repeating to myself the word CLEMENTINA.

This Charlotte is a great coward. But I dare not tell her so, for fear of a retort. I believe I should be as great a one in her circumstances, so few hours to one of the greatest events of one's life! But I pretend not to bravery, yet hope, that in the cause of virtue or honour I should be found to have a soul.

I write now at my cousin's. I came hither to make an alteration in my dress. I have promised to be with the sweet bully early in the morning of her important day.

last night with her approaching change of condition. Her brother had been talking to her, she said, and had laid down the duties of the state she was about to enter into, in such a serious manner, and made the performance of them of so much importance to her happiness, both here and hereafter, that she was terrified at the thoughts of what she was about to undertake. She had never considered matrimony in that formidable light before. He had told her that he was afraid of her vivacity, yet was loath to discourage her cheerfulness, or to say anything that should lower her spirits. All he besought of her was to regard times, tempers, and occasions; and then it would be impossible but her lively humour must give delight, not only to the man whom she favoured with her hand, but to every one who had the pleasure of approaching her. If, Charlotte, said he, you would have the world around you respect your husband, you must set the example. While the wife gives the least room to suspect that she despises her husband, she will find that she subjects him to double contempt, if he resents it not; and if he does, can you be happy? Aggressors lay themselves open to severe reprisals. If you differ, you will be apt to make by-standers judges over you. They will remember, when you are willing to forget; and your fame will be the sport of those beneath you, as well in understanding as degree.

She believed, she told me, that Lord G had been making some complaints of her. he had

If

Hush, my dear, said I-Not one word of threatening: Are you more solicitous to conceal your fault, than to amend it?

No-But you know, Harriet, for a man, before he has experienced what sort of a wife I shall make, to complain against me for foibles in courtship, when he can help himself if he will, has something so very little

Your conscience, Charlotte, tells you that he had reason for complaint, and therefore you think he has complained. Think the best of Lord G for your own reputation's sake, since you thought fit to go thus far with him. You have borne nothing from him; he has borne a great deal from you.

I am fretful, Harriet; I won't be chidden: I will be comforted by you; you shall sooth me. Are you not my sister? She threw her arms around me, and kissed my cheek.

I ventured to rally her, though I was afraid of her retort, and met with it; but I thought it would divert her. I am glad, my dear, said I, that you are capable of this tenderness of temper: you blustering girls-But fear, I believe, will make cowards loving.

Harriet, said she, and flung from me to the window, remember this; may I soon see you in the same situation! I will then have no mercy upon you.

The subject, which Sir Charles led to at breakfast, was the three weddings of Thursday last. He spoke honourably of marriage, and made some just compliments to Lord and Lady L-; concluding them with wishes, that his sister Charlotte and Lord G―might be neither more nor less happy than they were. Then turning to Lord W, he said, he questioned not his lordship's happiness with the lady he had so lately seen; for I cannot doubt, said he, of your lordship's affectionate gratitude to her, if she behaves as I am sure she will.

My lord had tears in his eyes. Never man had such a nephew as I have, said he. All the joy of my present prospects, all the comforts of my future life, are, and will be, owing to you.

Here had he stopt, it would have been well; but turning to me, he unexpectedly said, Would to God, madam, that you could reward him! I cannot; and nobody else can.

All were alarmed for me; every eye was upon me. A sickishness came over my heart-I know not how to describe it. My head sunk upon my bosom. I could hardly sit; yet was less able to rise.

Sir Charles's face was overspread with blushes. He bowed to my lord. May the man, said he, who shall have the honour to call Miss Byron his, be, if possible, as deserving as she is! Then will they live together the life of angels.

He gracefully looked down; not at me; and I got a little courage to look up: yet Lady L——— was concerned for me: so was Lord L Emily's eye dropt a tear upon her blushing cheek.

Was it not, Lucy, a severe trial ?-Indeed it

was.

:

My lord, to mend the matter, lamented very pathetically, that Sir Charles was under an obligation to go abroad; and still more, that he could not stay to be present at the celebration of his nuptials with Miss Mansfield.

The Earl, Lord G- -, Lady Gertrude, and the Doctor, were to meet the bride and us at church. Lord and Lady L- Sir Charles, and Emily, went in one coach; Miss Grandison and I in another.

As we went, I don't like this affair at all, Harriet, said she. My brother has long made all other men indifferent to me. Such an infinite difference!

Can anybody be happier than Lord and Lady L-, Charlotte? Yet Lady L- admires her brother as much as you can do.

But Lady

They happy!-And so they are. L-, soft soul! fell in love with Lord Lbefore my brother came over. So the foundation was laid; and it being a first flame with her, she, in compliment to herself, could not but persevere. But the sorry creature Anderson, proving a sorry creature, made me despise the sex; and my brother's perfections contributed to my contempt of all other men.

Indeed, my dear, you are wrong. Lord Gloves you; but were Sir Charles not your brother, it is not very certain that he would have returned your love.

Why, that's true. I believe he would not, in that case, have chosen me. I am sure he would not, if he had known you; but for the man one loves, one can do anything, be everything, that he would wish one to be.

Do you think you cannot love Lord G? For Heaven's sake, Charlotte, though you are now almost within sight of the church, do not think of giving your hand, if you cannot resolve to make Lord G- as happy as I have no doubt he will make you, if it be not your own fault. What will my brother say?-What willLeave that to me. I will engage Sir Charles

and Dr Bartlett to lend me their ear in the vestry; and I am sure your brother, if he knows that you have an antipathy to Lord G―, or that you think you cannot be happy with him, will undertake your cause, and bring you off. Antipathy! That's a strong word, Harriet. The man is a good-natured, silly man

Silly! Charlotte!-Silly then he must be for loving you so well, who, really, have never yet given him an opportunity to shew his importance with you.

I do pity him sometimes.

The coach stopt :-Ah, Lord! Harriet! The church! The church!

Say, Charlotte, before you step out-Shall I speak to your brother, and Dr Bartlett, in the vestry?

I shall look like a fool either way.

Don't act like one, Charlotte, on this solemn occasion. Say, you will deserve, that you will try to deserve Lord G's love.

Sir Charles appeared. Lord help me !-My brother!-I'll try, I'll try, what can be done. He gave each his hand in turn: in we flew: the people began to gather about us. Lord G-, all rapture, received her at the entrance. Sir Charles led me; and the Earl and Lady Gertrude received us with joy in their countenances. I overheard the naughty one say, as Lord G― led her up to the altar, You don't know what you are about, man. I expect to have all my way. Remember that's one of my articles before marriage.

He returned her an answer of fond assent to her condition. I am afraid, thought I, poor Lord G, you will be more than once reminded of this previous article.

When she was led to the altar, and Lord Gand she stood together, she trembled. Leave me not, Harriet, said she.-Brother! Lady L--!

I am sure she looked sillier than Lord G at that instant.

The good Doctor began the office. No dearly beloveds, Harriet! whispered she, as I had said, on a really terrible occasion. I was offended with

her in my heart. Again, she whispered something against the office, as the Doctor proceeded to give the reasons for the institution. Her levity did not forsake her even at that solemn moment.

When the service was over, every one (Sir Charles in a solemn and most affectionate manner) wished her happy. My Lord G————— kissed her hand with a bent knee.

She took my hand. Ah! Lord, what have I done?-And am I married? whispered sheAnd can it never be undone ?-And is that the man, to whom I am to be obedient?—Is he to be my lord and master?

Ah, Lady G―, said I, it is a solemn office. You have vowed; he has vowed.-It is a solemn office.

Lord G― led her to the first coach.

Sir

Charles led me into the same. The people, to my great confusion, whispered, That's the bride! What a charming couple! Sir Charles handed Miss Emily next. Lord G came in. As he was entering, Harkee, friend, said Charlotte, and put out her hand, you mistake the coach; you are not of our company.

The whole world, replied my lord, shall not now divide us; and took his seat on the same side with Emily.

The man's a rogue, Harriet, whispered she. See! he gives himself airs already!

This, said Lord G―, as the coach drove on, taking one hand, and eagerly kissing it, is the hand that blessed me.

And that, said she, pushing him from her with the other, is the hand that repulses your forwardness. What came you in here for ?— Don't be silly.

He was in raptures all the way.

When we came home, every one embraced and wished joy to the bride. The Earl and Lady Gertrude were in high spirits. The lady re-saluted her niece, as her dear niece: the Earl recognized his beloved daughter.

W

But prepare to hear a noble action of Lord

When he came up to compliment her-My dearest niece, said he, I wish you joy with all my soul! I have not been a kind uncle. There is no fastening anything on your brother. Accept of this: [and he put a little paper into her hand

It was a bank-note of 1000l.: My sister's daughter, and your brother's sister, merits more than this.

Was not this handsomely presented, Lucy? He then, in a manner becoming Lady Grandison's brother, stept to Lady L-—. My niece Charlotte is not my only niece. I wish you, my dear, as if this were your day of marriage, all happiness: accept these two papers: [the one, Lucy, was a note for 1000l., and the other for 100l.: and he said, The lesser note is due to you for interest on the greater.

When the ladies opened their notes, and saw

what they were, they were at first at a loss what to say.

It was most gracefully done. But see, Lucy, the example of a good and generous man can sometimes alter natures; and covetous men, I have heard it observed, when their hearts are opened, often act nobly.

As soon as Lady G- (so now I must call her) recovered herself from the surprise into which my lord's present and address had put her, she went to him: Allow me, my lord, said she, and bent one knee to him, to crave your blessing; and at the same time to thank you for your paternal present to your ever-obliged Charlotte.

God bless you, my dear! saluting her-But thank your noble brother. You delight me with your graceful acceptance.

Lady L came up. My lord, you overcome me by your bounty.-How shall IYour brother's princely spirit, Lady L-, said he, makes this present look mean. Forgive me only, that it was not done before. And he saluted her.

Lord L came up. Lady L-shewed him the opened notes-See here, my lord, said she, what Lord W- - has done; and he calls this the interest due on that.

Your lordship oppresses me with your goodness to your niece, said Lord L May health, long life, and happiness, attend you in your own nuptials!

There, there, said Lord W, pointing to Sir Charles, (who had withdrawn, and then entered,) make your acknowledgment; his noble spirit has awakened mine; it was only asleep. My late sister's brother wanted but the force of such an example. That son is all his mother.

Sir Charles joining them, having heard only the last words-If I am thought a son not unworthy of the most excellent of mothers, said he, and by her brother, I am happy.

Then you are happy, replied my lord. Her memory, resumed Sir Charles, I cherish; and when I have been tempted to forget myself, that memory has been a means of keeping me steady in my duty. Her precepts, my lord, were the guide of my early youth. Had I not kept them in mind, how much more blameable than most young men had I been !-My Charlotte! have that mother in your memory, on this great change of your condition! You will not be called to her trials. His eyes glistened. Tender be our remembrance of my father.-Charlotte, be worthy of your mother.

He withdrew with an air so noble !-But soon returning, with a cheerful look, he was told what Lord W. had done. Your lordship was before, said he, entitled to our duty, by the ties of blood; but what is the relation of body to that of mind? You have bound me for my sisters, and that still more by the manner than by the

act, in a bond of gratitude that never can be broken!

Thank yourself, thank yourself, my noble nephew.

Encourage, my lord, a family intimacy between your lady and her nieces and nephew. You will be delighted, my sisters, with Miss Mansfield; but when she obliges my lord with her hand, you will reverence your aunt. I shall have a pleasure, when I am far distant, in contemplating the family union. Your lordship must let me know your day in time; and I will be joyful upon it, whatever of a contrary nature I may have to struggle with on my own account.

My lord wept-My lord wept, did I say?— Not one of us had a dry eye!—This was a solemn scene, you will say, for a wedding-day; but how delightfully do such scenes dilate the heart!

The day, however, was not forgotten as a day of festivity. Sir Charles himself, by his vivacity and openness of countenance, made every one joyful; and, except that now and then a sigh, which could not be checked, stole from some of us, to think that he would so soon be in another country, (far distant from the friends he now made happy,) and engaged in difficulties; perhaps in dangers; every heart was present to the occasion of the day.

O Charlotte! Dear Lady G! Hitherto it is in your power to make every future day worthy of this!-Have your mother, your noble mother, in your memory, my dear; and give credit to the approbation of such a brother.

I should have told you, that my cousins Reeves came about two, and were received with the utmost politeness by everybody.

Sir Charles was called out just before dinner; and returned introducing a young gentleman, dressed as if for the day-This is an earlier favour than I had hoped for, said Sir Charles; and leading him to Lady G, This, sir, is the queen of the day. My dear Lady Gwelcome (the house is yours-welcome) the man I love: welcome my Beauchamp.

Every one, except Emily and me, crowded about Mr Beauchamp, as Sir Charles's avowedly beloved friend, and bid him cordially welcome; Sir Charles presenting him to each by name.

Then leading him to me--I am half ashamed, Lucy, to repeat-But take it as he spoke it— Revere, said he, my dear friend, that excellent young lady: but let not your admiration stop at her face and person: she has a mind as exalted, my Beauchamp, as your own: Miss Byron, in honour to my sister, and to us all, has gilded this day by her presence.

Mr Beauchamp approached me with polite respect. The lady whom Sir Charles Grandison admires, as he does you, madam, must be the first of women.

I might have said, that he, who was so emi

nently distinguished as the friend of Sir Charles Grandison, must be a most valuable man ; but my spirits were not high. I curtseyed to his compliment, and was silent.

Sir Charles presented Emily to him.-My Emily, Beauchamp. I hope to live to see her happily married. The man whose heart is but half so worthy as hers, must be an excellent

man.

Modesty might look up, and be sensible to compliments from the lips of such a man. Emily looked at me with pleasure, as if she had said, Do you hear, madam, what a fine thing my guardian has said of me?

Sir Charles asked Mr Beauchamp, how he stood with my Lady Beauchamp?

Very well, answered he. After such an introduction as you had given me to her, I must have been to blame had I not. She is my father's wife: I must respect her, were she ever so unkind to me: she is not without good qualities. Were every family so happy as to have Sir Charles Grandison for a mediator when misunderstandings happened, there would be very few lasting differences among relations. My father and mother tell me, that they never sit down to table together, but they bless you; and to me they have talked of nobody else; but Lady Beauchamp depends upon your promise of making her acquainted with the ladies of your family.

,

My sisters, and their lords, will do honour to my promise in my absence. Lady L, Lady G let me recommend to you Lady Beauchamp as more than a common visiting acquaintance. Do you, sir, to Mr Beauchamp, see it cultivated.

Mr Beauchamp is an agreeable, and, when Sir Charles Grandison is not in company, a handsome and genteel man. I think, my dear, that I do but the same justice that everybody would do, in this exception. He is cheerful, lively, yet modest, and not too full of words. One sees both love and respect in every look he casts upon his friend; and that he is delighted when he hears him speak, be the subject what it will.

He once said to Lord W, who praised his nephew to him, as he does to everybody near him, The universal voice, my lord, is in his favour, wherever he goes. Every one joins almost in the same words, in different countries, allowing for the different languages, that for sweetness of manners, and manly dignity, he hardly ever had his equal.

Sir Charles was then engaged in talk with his Emily; she before him; he standing in an easy genteel attitude, leaning against the wainscot, listening, smiling, to her prattle, with looks of indulgent love, as a father might do to a child he was fond of; while she looked back every now and then towards me, so proud, poor dear! of being singled out by her guardian.

She tript to me afterwards, and, leaning over my shoulder, as I sat, whispered-I have been begging of my guardian to use his interest with you, madam, to take me down with you to Northamptonshire.

And what is the result?
She paused.

Has he denied your request?
No, madam.

Has he allowed you to go, my dear, if I comply, turning half round to her with pleasure. She paused, and seemed at a loss. I repeated my question.

Why, no, he has not consented neither-But he said such charming things, so obliging, so kind, both of you and of me, that I forgot to repeat my question, though it was so near my heart; but I will ask him again.

And thus, Lucy, can he decline complying, and yet send away a requester so much delighted with him, as to forget what her request was. Miss Grandison-Lady G, I would say singled me out soon after-This Beauchamp is really a very pretty fellow, Harriet. He is an agreeable man, answered I. So I think.

She said no more of him at that time.

Between dinner and tea, at Lady L's motion, they made me play on the harpsichord; and, after one lesson, they besought Sir Charles to sing to my playing. He would not, he said, deny any request that was made him on that day.

He sung. He has a mellow manly voice, and great command of it.

This introduced a little concert. Mr Beauchamp took the violin; Lord L― the bassviol; Lord G the German flute; and most of the company joined in the chorus. The song was from Alexander's Feast:' the words,

Happy, happy, happy pair!

None but the good deserves the fair.

Sir Charles, though himself equally brave and good, preferring the latter word to the former.

Lady L had always insisted upon dancing at her sister's wedding. We were not company enough for country dances; but music having been ordered, and the performers come, it was insisted upon that we should have a dance, though we were engaged in a conversation, which I thought infinitely more agreeable.

Lord G- - began by dancing a minuet with his bride. She danced charmingly! but, on my telling her so afterwards, she whispered me, that she should have performed better had she danced with her brother. Lord G danced extremely well.

Lord L- and Lady Gertrude, Mr Beauchamp and Mrs Reeves, Mr Reeves and Lady L, danced all of them very agreeably.