to take time to consider of the matter? Do you think you shall
be easier in your mind, if you take time?--She was silent.

I will not at this time, my good Miss Mansfield, urge you further. I
will make my report to Lord W----, and you shall be sure of his joyful
approbation of the steps I have taken, before your final consent shall be
asked for. But that I may not be employed in a doubtful cause, let me be
commissioned to tell my lord, that you are disengaged; and that you
wholly resign yourself to your mother's advice.

She bowed her head.

And that you, madam, to Lady Mansfield, are not averse to enter into
treaty upon this important subject.

Averse, sir! said the mother, bowing, and gratefully smiling.

I will write the particulars of our conversation to Lord W----, and my
opinion of settlements, and advise him (if I am not forbid) to make a
visit at Mansfield House. [I stopt: they were both silent.] If
possible, I will attend my lord in his first visit. I hope, madam, to
Miss Mansfield, you will not dislike him; I am sure he will be charmed
with you: he is far from being disagreeable in his person: his temper is
not bad. Your goodness will make him good. I dare say that he will
engage your gratitude; and I defy a good mind to separate love from
gratitude.

We returned to company. I had all their blessings pronounced at once, as
from one mouth. The melancholy brother was enlivened: who knows but the
consequence of this alliance may illuminate his mind? I could see by the
pleasure they all had, in beholding him capable of joy on the occasion,
that they hoped it would. The unhappy situation of the family affairs,
as it broke the heart of the eldest brother, fixed a gloom on the temper
of this gentleman.

I was prevailed upon to dine with them. In the conversation we had at
and after dinner, their minds opened, and their characters rose upon me.
Lord W---- will be charmed with Miss Mansfield. I am delighted to think,
that my mother's brother will be happy, in the latter part of his life,
with a wife of so much prudence and goodness, as I am sure this lady will
make him. On one instance of her very obliging behaviour to me, I
whispered her sister, Pray, Miss Fanny, tell Miss Mansfield, but not till
I am gone, that she knows not the inconveniencies she is bringing upon
herself: I may, perhaps, hereafter, have the boldness, to look for the
same favour from my aunt, that I meet with from Miss Mansfield.

If my sis