Good heaven! I can't bear you, after such a--and she gasped, as if for breath; and he turning from her to me, she went to Lady Gertrude, who, rising, took her hand, and withdrew with her into the next room. They staid out till they were told dinner was served: and when they returned, I thought I never saw Miss Grandison look so lovely. A charming flush had overspread her cheeks: a sweet consciousness in her eyes gave a female grace to her whole aspect, and softened, as I may say, the natural majesty of her fine features. Lord G---- looked delighted, as if his heart were filled with happy presages. The earl seemed no less pleased. Miss Grandison was unusually thoughtful all dinnertime: she gave me great joy to see her so, in the hope, that when the lover becomes the husband, the over-lively mistress will be sunk in the obliging wife.--And yet, now and then, as the joy in my lord's heart overflowed at his lips, I could observe that archness rising to her eye, that makes one both love and fear her. After dinner, the Earl of G---- and Lady Gertrude desired a conference with Sir Charles and Lady L----. They were not long absent, when Sir Charles came in, and carried out Miss Grandison to them. Lord G----'s complexion varied often. Sir Charles left them together, and joined us. We were standing; and he singled me out--I hope, madam, said he, that Charlotte may be prevailed upon for Tuesday next: but I will not urge it further. I thought that he was framing himself to say something particular to me, when Lady L---- came in, and desired him and me to step to her sister, who had retired from the Earl and Lady Gertrude, by consent. Ah, my Harriet! said she, pity me, my dear!--Debasement is the child of pride!--Then turning to Sir Charles, I acknowledge myself overcome, said she, by your earnestness, as you are so soon to leave us; and by the importunities of the Earl of G----, Lady Gertrude, and my sister-- Unprepared in mind, in clothes, I am resolved to oblige the best of brothers. Do you, sir, dispose of me as you think fit. My sister consents, sir, said Lady L----, for next Tuesday. Cheerfully, I hope. If Charlotte balances whether, if she took more time, she should have Lord G---- at all, let her take it. Lord L----, in my absence, will be to her all that I wish to be, when she shall determine. I balance not, sir: but I thought to have had a month's time, at least, to look about me, and having treated Lord G---- too flippantly, to give him by degrees some fairer prospects of happiness with me, than hitherto he has had. Sir Charles embraced her. She was all his sister, he said. Let the alteration now begin. Lord G---- would rejoice in it, and consider all that had passed, as trials only of his love for her. The obliging wife would banish from his remembrance the petulant mistress. And now, allow me, my dear sister, to present you to the Earl and Lady Gertrude.