, to ask your ladyship
for an explanation. Miss Byron, I hope, sir, addressing himself to Mr.
Reeves, will not refuse me her company, when I pay you my compliments.
Then turning to me, I hope, madam, I shall not be punished for admiring
you.

My Lord D----, replied I, will be entitled to every civility. I had said
more, had he not snatched my hand a little too eagerly, and kissed it.

And thus much for the visit of the Countess of D---- and the earl.

***

Did I tell you in my former letter, that Emily is with me half her time?
She is a most engaging young creature. Her manners are so pure! Her
heart is so sincere and open!--O, Lucy! you would dearly love her. I
wish I may be asked to carry her down with me. Yet she adores her
guardian: but her reverence for him will not allow of the innocent
familiarity in thinking of him, that--I don't know what I would say. But
to love with an ardor, that would be dangerous to one's peace, one must
have more tenderness than reverence for the object: Don't you think so,
Lucy?

Miss Grandison made me one of her flying visits, as she calls them, soon
after the countess and my lord went away.

Mr. and Mrs. Reeves told her all that had been said before them by the
earl and countess, as well before I went down to them, as after. They
could not tell her what passed between that lady and me, when she took me
aside. I had not had time to tell them. They referred to me for that:
but besides that I was not in spirits, and cared not to say much, I was
not willing to be thought by my refusal of so great an offer, to seem to
fasten myself upon her brother.

She pitied (who but must?) Lady Clementina. She pitied her brother also:
and, seeing me dejected, she clasped her arms about me, and wet my cheek
with a sisterly tear.

Is it not very strange, Lucy, that his father should keep him so long
abroad? These free-living men! of what absurdities are they not guilty!
What misfortunes to others do they not occasion? One might, with the
excellent Clementina, ask, What had Mr. Grandison to do in Italy! Or
why, if he must go abroad, did he stay so long?

Travelling! Young men travelling! I cannot, my dear, but think it a
very nonsensical thing! What can they see, but the ruins of the gay,
once busy world, of which they have read?

To see a parcel of giddy boys under the direction of tutors or governors
hunting after--What?--Nothing: or, at best, but ruins of ruins; for the
imagination, aid