in preference to themselves, and his
communicativeness and tender behaviour to me. Lord L---- joined us, and
he, having read the letter, congratulated me also--On what, Lucy?--Why on
the possibility, that if the unhappy Clementina should die; or if she
should be buried for life in a nunnery; or if she should be otherwise
disposed of; why then, that your Harriet may have room given her to hope
for a civil husband in Sir Charles Grandison, and half a heart: Is not
this the sum of these humbling congratulations?

Sir Charles, when we came, was in his study with Mr. Lowther, the surgeon
whom he had engaged to go abroad with him: but he just came out to
welcome us; and then returned.--He had also with him two physicians,
eminent for their knowledge in disorders of the head, to whom he had
before communicated the case of the unhappy Clementina; and who brought
to him in writing their opinions of the manner in which she ought to be
treated, according to the various symptoms of her disorder.

When he joined us, he told us this; and said very high things at the same
time in praise of the English surgeons; and particularly of this
gentleman: and added, that as nervous disorders were more frequent in
England, than in any country in the world, he was willing to hope, that
the English physicians were more skilful than those of any other country
in the management of persons afflicted with such maladies: and as he was
now invited over, he was determined to furnish himself with all the means
he could think of, that were likely to be useful in restoring and healing
friends so dear to him.

Miss Grandison told him, that we were all in some apprehensions, on his
going to ltaly, of that fierce and wrong-headed man the general. Miss
Byron, said she, has told us, that Mrs. Beaumont advises not your going
over.

The young Marquis della Porretta, said he, is hasty; but he is a gallant
man, and loves his sister. His grief on the unhappy situation they are
in demands allowance. It is natural in a heavy calamity to look out of
ourselves for the occasion. I have not any apprehensions from him, or
from any body else. The call upon me is a proper one. The issue must be
left where it ought to be left. If my visit will give comfort to any one
of the family, I shall be rewarded: If to more than one, happy--And,
whatever be the event, shall be easier in myself, than I could be, were I
not to comply with the request of the bishop, were he only to have