on the generosity of her intentions, as declared to him in
their former conference; and congratulated her on the power she had, of
which she made so noble an use, of laying, at the same time, an
obligation on the tenderest of husbands, and the most deserving of sons:
whose duty to her he engaged for.

All this set her in high good humour; and she took to herself, and
bridled upon it, to express myself in Charlotte's manner, the praises and
graces this adroit manager gave her, as if they were her unquestionable
due.

This agreeable way they were all in, Sir Harry transported with his
lady's goodness, when Mr. Beauchamp arrived.

The young gentleman bent his knee to his stepmother, as well as to his
father, and thanked her for the high favours his father had signified to
him by letter, that he owed to her goodness. She confirmed them; but,
Sir Charles observed, with an ostentation that shewed she thought very
highly of her own generosity.

They had a very cheerful evening. Not one cloud would hang on Lady
Beauchamp's brow, though once or twice it seemed a little overshadowed,
as Mr. Beauchamp displayed qualities for which his father was too ready
to admire him. Sir Charles thought it necessary to caution Sir Harry on
this subject; putting it in this light, that Lady Beauchamp loved her
husband so well, that she would be too likely to dread a rivalry in his
affections from a son so very accomplished. Sir Harry took the hint
kindly.

Mr. Beauchamp was under a good deal of concern at Sir Charles's
engagements to leave England so soon after his arrival; and asked his
father's leave to attend him. Sir Harry declared, that he could not part
with him. Sir Charles chid his friend, and said, it was not quite so
handsome a return as might have been expected from his Beauchamp, to the
joyful reception he had met with from his father, and Lady Beauchamp.
But she excused the young gentleman, and said, she wondered not, that
any body who was favoured with his friendship, should be unwilling to be
separated from him.

Sir Charles expresses great satisfaction in Mr. Beauchamp's being arrived
before his departure, that he may present to us, himself, a man with whom
he is sure we shall all be delighted, and leave him happy in the beloved
society which he himself is obliged to quit.

A repining temper, Lucy, would consider only the hardship of meeting a
long-absent friend, just to feel the uneasiness of a second parting: but
this