lf overcome, said
she, by your earnestness, as you are so soon to leave us; and by the
importunities of the Earl of G----, Lady Gertrude, and my sister--
Unprepared in mind, in clothes, I am resolved to oblige the best of
brothers. Do you, sir, dispose of me as you think fit.

My sister consents, sir, said Lady L----, for next Tuesday.

Cheerfully, I hope. If Charlotte balances whether, if she took more
time, she should have Lord G---- at all, let her take it. Lord L----, in
my absence, will be to her all that I wish to be, when she shall
determine.

I balance not, sir: but I thought to have had a month's time, at least,
to look about me, and having treated Lord G---- too flippantly, to give
him by degrees some fairer prospects of happiness with me, than hitherto
he has had.

Sir Charles embraced her. She was all his sister, he said. Let the
alteration now begin. Lord G---- would rejoice in it, and consider all
that had passed, as trials only of his love for her. The obliging wife
would banish from his remembrance the petulant mistress. And now, allow
me, my dear sister, to present you to the Earl and Lady Gertrude.

He led her in to them. Lady L---- took my hand, and led me in also.--
Charlotte, my lord, yields to yours and Lady Gertrude's importunities.
Next Tuesday will give the two families a near and tender relation to
each other.

The earl saluted her in a very affectionate manner: so did Lady Gertrude;
who afterwards ran out for her nephew: and, leading him in, presented him
to Miss Grandison.

She had just time to whisper me, as he approached her; Ah, Harriet! now
comes the worst part of the show.--He kneeled on one knee, kissed her
hand: but was too much overjoyed to speak; for Lady Gertrude had told
him, as she led him in, that Tuesday was to be his happy day.

It is impossible, Lucy, but Sir Charles Grandison must carry every point
he sets his heart upon. When he shall appear before the family of
Porretta in Italy, who will be able to withstand him?--Is not his
consequence doubled, more than doubled, since he was with them? The man
whose absence they requested, they now invite to come among them. They
have tried every experiment to restore their Clementina: he has a noble
estate now in possession. The fame of his goodness is gone out to
distant countries. O my dear! All opposition must fly before him. And
if it be the will of Heaven to restore Clementina, all her friends must
concur in giving her to