I told her, she must not leave me. My motive
deserved not, I said, that both she and Sir Harry should leave me in
displeasure.

You know but too well, resumed she, how acceptable your officiousness (I
must call it so) is to Sir Harry.

And does Sir Harry, madam, favour his son's suit? You rejoice me: let
not Mr. Beauchamp know that he does: and do you, my dear Lady Beauchamp,
take the whole merit of it to yourself. How will he revere you for your
goodness to him! And what an obligation, if, as you say, Sir Harry is
inclined to favour him, will you, by your generous first motion, lay upon
Sir Harry!

Obligation upon Sir Harry! Yes, Sir Charles Grandison, I have laid too
many obligations already upon him, for his gratitude.

Lay this one more. You own you have had a misunderstanding this morning:
Sir Harry is withdrawn, I suppose, with his heart full: let me, I beseech
you, make up the misunderstanding. I have been happy in this way--Thus
we will order it--We will desire him to walk in. I will beg your
interest with him in favour of the contents of the letter I sent. His
compliance will follow as an act of obligingness to you. The grace of
the action will be yours. I will be answerable for Mr. Beauchamp's
gratitude.--Dear madam, hesitate not. The young gentleman must come over
one day: let the favour of its being an early one, be owing entirely to
you.

You are a strange man, sir: I don't like you at all: you would persuade
me out of my reason.

Let us, madam, as Mr. Beauchamp and I are already the dearest of friends,
begin a family understanding. Let St. James's-square, and
Berkley-square, when you come to town, be a next-door neighbourhood.
Give me the consideration of being the bondsman for the duty of Mr.
Beauchamp to you, as well as to his father.

She was silent: but looked vexed and irresolute.

My sisters, madam, are amiable women. You will be pleased with them.
Lord L---- is a man worthy of Sir Harry's acquaintance. We shall want
nothing, if you would think so, but Mr. Beauchamp's presence among us.

What! I suppose you design your maiden sister for the young fellow--But
if you do, sir, you must ask me for--There she stopt.

Indeed I do not. He is not at present disposed to marry. He never will
without his father's approbation, and let me say--yours. My sister is
addressed to by Lord G----, and I hope will soon be married to him.

And do you say so, Sir Charles Grandison?--Why then you are a more
d