of Mrs. Stanley, will not allow you to remain
much longer under the same roof, now that the motive will become so
notorious. Besides that, an act of self-denial is a good principle to
set out upon, business and duties will fill up your active hours, and an
intercourse of letters with her you so reluctantly quit, will not only
give an interest to your leisure, but put you both still more completely
in possession of each other's character!"

"I will set out to-morrow, sir," said I, earnestly, "in order to begin
to hasten the day of my return."

"Now you are as much too precipitate on the other side," replied he. "A
few days, I think, may be permitted, without any offense to Lucilla's
delicacy. This even her mother pleads for."

"With what excellence will this blessed union give me an alliance!"
replied I. "I will go directly, and thank Mrs. Stanley for this
goodness."

I found Mrs. Stanley and her daughter together, with whom I had a long
and interesting conversation. They took no small pains to convince my
judgment, that my departure was perfectly proper. My will however
continued rebellions. But as I had been long trained to the habit of
submitting my will to my reason, I acquiesced, though not without
murmuring, and, as they told me, with a very bad grace. I informed Mrs.
Stanley of an intimation I had received from Sir George Aston of his
attachment to Ph[oe]be, and of his mother's warm approbation of his
choice, adding that he alleged her extreme youth, as the ground of his
deferring to express his hope that his plea might one day be received
with favor.

"He forgot to allege his own youth," replied she, "which is a reason
almost equally cogent."

Miss Stanley and I agreed that a connection more desirable in all
respects could not be expected.

"When I assure you," replied Mrs. Stanley, "that I am quite of your
opinion, you will think me inconsistent if I add that I earnestly hope
such a proposal will not be made by Sir George lest his precipitancy
should hinder the future accomplishment of a wish, which I may be
allowed remotely to indulge."

"What objection," said I, "can Mr. Stanley possibly make to such a
proposal, except that his daughter is too young?"

"I see," replied she, "that you do not yet completely know Mr. Stanley:
or rather, you do not know all that he has done for the Aston family.
His services have been very important, not only in that grand point
which you and I think the most momentous