 sooth and console her; but the task was not so easy as I had imagined. Grief and fear are often infectious; and I had pointed out the melancholy independence of our situation in terms so alarming as had intimidated and alarmed her. In attempting to give her comfort however I profitted by my own arguments, and began to perceive that we had not in fact that reason for despondency which the solitude of our situation had at first suggested. Letters would not be long in reaching Nice, and a short suspence would one way or other soon compose all our agitations.
These reflections produced a tolerable

degree of composure by the time Mr. Howard returned. I have been visiting my brother's family, said he, which I have not had an opportunity of doing till this evening, and have brought a message from his lady, requesting that you both would favour her with your company to-morrow to dinner. She intends to have the pleasure of waiting on you in the morning, and hopes to procure you some little amusement by attending you to whatever appears curious to strangers in this metropolis.
We gratefully accepted the proposal. He afterwards told us that he had been paying another visit to Lord Belmont's steward. He tells me, said he, that Lady Linrose is still at her seat in Northamptonshire, where she has resided constantly since her Lord's death, and I mean, should you approve of it, by only making a few alterations, to address the letter

to her Ladyship which was intended for my Lord.
Mean time, continued he, my sister in law will be delighted to have the favour of your company, not as occasional visitors only, but as inmates of her family. She entreated me with much earnestness to make this proposal to you; but I told her, although I felt a guardian's interest, I could not absolutely claim a guardian's authority, and must leave her to prevail with my charming wards by her own intercession when she is introduced to their acquaintance; I hope however you will find Mrs. Hindon's house so agreeable as may induce you to oblige her by making it your abode till you are otherwise settled to your satisfaction.
With how much delicacy was this proposal made. The compliment of such an offer from an utter stranger could not but have been suggested from Mr. Howard's

having represented in strong colours our helpless and unconnected situation. The idea hurts and mortifies me; yet we cannot but feel gratified by Mr. Howard's endeavours to persuade us to regard this civility as a favour conferred upon his
