. Lord Belmont's arrival had universally diffused) she exerted herself yesterday evening to appear chearful; but the effort was apparent: she conversed on indifferent topics with seeming interest; but it was easy to divine that her thoughts were not present; and at last she insisted that I should sit down to the harpsichord and sing to my grandfather a little French air, which he had said he particularly admired. The first few notes however obliged her to leave the room, and I found it impossible to proceed.

This day, thank heaven, I think her spirits are less depressed. She had a long private conversation in the morning with Lord Belmont, chiefly in regard to our affairs, and seems to have been more relieved than affected by it. My Lord acknowledged to her every circumstance of the conduct of Lady Linrose, but requested that particular care might be taken not to encrease the resentment of her son by an open avowal of the ungenerous part she has secretly acted.
Her behaviour, said my Lord, has betrayed a degree of meanness, art, and duplicity, which convince me she is capable of any step, however irregular, from which she has hopes of attaining a favourite point. I shall myself therefore break off all connection with her in future; but I should be sorry to involve Linrose in a difference with his mother, and if our Hermione be as amiable as her lovely countenance bespeaks her,

she will incline to soften rather than exasperate an indignation too justly excited. Oh Sophia! how proud and how pleased did this partial compliment from my grandfather make me.
Lady Aubrey assured him of my pacific disposition, and said she was certain I would be infinitely shocked with the apprehension of occasioning a rupture between them. I am convinced, added she, that her present happiness has already obliterated from her mind all resentment in regard to Lady Linrose; yet when she recalls the comfortless, unconnected situation in which she and her sister found themselves at the very moment that she so unfeelingly transmitted to them the account of your Lordship's determination, a determination which undoubtedly her own misrepresentations had effected, there is perhaps some little merit in dismissing indignation.
As an apology for the unkindness of

my conduct, said my Lord, I must request you, my dear Madam, to peruse this letter, which I received from Lady Linrose in December last.
Lady Aubrey immediately read it; and afterwards repeated to us the contents as faithfully as her memory could retail them.
Lady Linrose began by informing Lord Belmont that she was about to acquaint him with an affair that had given her infinite vexation, and
