Sir James and Lady Powis retiring one evening earlier than usual,--Lady Mary and Mr. Powis were left alone. The latter appear'd greatly embarrass'd. Her Ladyship eyed him attentively; but instead of sharing his embarrassment,--began a conversation of which Miss Whitmore was the subject.--She talk'd _so_ long of her many excellencies, profess'd _such_ sincerity, _such_ tenderness, _for her_, that his emotion became visible:--his fine, eyes were full of fire;--his expressive features spoke what she, had long wish'd to discover.--You are silent, Sir, said she, with a smile of ineffable sweetness; is my lovely friend a subject that displeases you?-- How am I situated! replied he--Generous Lady Mary, dare I repose a confidence in your noble breast?--_Will_ you permit me that honour?--_Will_ you not think ill of me, if I disclose--No, I cannot--presumption--I _dare_ not. She interrupted him: Ah Sir!--you hold me unworthy,--you hold me incapable of friendship.--Suppose me your sister:--if you had a sister, would you conceal any thing from _her?_--Give me then a _brother_;--I can never behold _you_ in any other light. No, my Lady;--no, return'd he, I deserve not _this_ honour.--If you knew, madam,--if you knew all,--you _would_, you _must_ despise me. Despise you, Mr. Powis!--she replied;--despise you for loving Miss Whitmore! Exalted goodness! said he,--approaching her with rapture: take my heart;--do with it as you please;--it is devoted to your generosity. Well then, said she, I command _it_,--I command _it_ instantly to be laid open before me.--_Now_ let it speak,--_now_ let it declare if I am not the bar to its felicity:--if-- No, my good angel, interrupted he, dropping on his knees,--and pressing her hand to his lips;--I see it is through you,--through you only,--I am to expect felicity. Before Lady Mary could prevail on Mr. Powis to arise, Sir James, whom they did not expect,--and who they thought was retir'd for the night, came in quest of his snuff-box;--but with a countenance full of joy retir'd precipitately, bowing to Lady Mary with the same reverence as if she had been a molten image cast of his favourite metal. In this conversation I have been circumstantial, that you might have a full view of the noble, disinterested Lady Mary Sutton:--you may gather now, from whence sprang her unbounded affection for the incomparable, unfortunate Miss Powis. You will not be surprised to find a speedy marriage took place between Mr. Powis and Miss Whitmore, to which none were privy but the Dean of H----, who perform'd the ceremony,--Lady Mary,--Mrs. Whitmore (the mother of Mrs. Powis),--Mr. and Mrs. Jenkings.--Perhaps you think Lady Powis ought to have been consulted:--I thought so _too_; but am _now_ convinc'd she would have been the wretchedest woman in the world, had she known her son acting diametrically opposite to the will of his father in so material a point.