It is over, I hope, by this time. But, my dear—And yet as I owe to

your generosity the communication, I would not take occasion from it to teaze you—
Harriet. Miss Grandison will oblige me, say what she pleases.
Miss Gr. As you intend to marry—As your friends are very desirous that you should—As Lady D. is an excellent woman—As her son is, as men go, a tolerable man—As he is a peer of the realm; which is something in the scale, tho' it is not of weight, singly consider'd—As his estate is very considerable—As you may have your own terms—As you like not any one of your numerous admirers:—All these As's considered, why, why, in the name of goodness, should you give so flat a denial? Yet have not seen the gentleman, and therefore can have no dislikes either to his sense or person? I wish, my dear, you would give such a reason for your denial, a denial so strongly expressed, as one would imagine such a woman as the countess of D. would be satisfied with, from such a one as Miss Byron.
Lady L. Perhaps, now that Miss Byron has seen what a lady the countess of D. is—
Miss Gr. And now that she has overcome the temporary surfeit.
Lady L. She will change her mind.
Are you not, my dear aunt Selby, are you not, my Lucy, distressed for me at this place? I was at the time greatly so for myself.
Harriet. My mind has been greatly disturbed by Sir Hargrave's violence; and by apprehensions of fatal mischiefs that might too probably have followed the generous protection given me. I was teazed before by good men—Mr. Orme, and Sir Rowland Meredith in behalf of his nephew; and by men not so good, Mr. Greville, and Mr. Fenwick. And when I had hoped to have a little respite, a little leisure to look about me, and to collect my almost dissipated spirits, to have this new proposal made to my friends, and to me; and by a lady so worthy; wonder not, Ladies, if I am unable, on a

sudden, to give such reasons for having refused to listen to it, as you require; altho', at the same time, I find not in my heart the least inclination to encourage it.
Miss Gr. You have had your difficulties of late, my Harriet, to contend with: And those you must look upon as a tax to be paid by a merit so