are willing to forget; and your fame will be the
sport of those beneath you, as well in understanding as degree.

She believed, she told me, that Lord G---- had been making some
complaints of her. If he had--

Hush, my dear, said I--Not one word of threatening: are you more
solicitous to conceal your fault, than to amend it?

No--But you know, Harriet, for a man, before he has experienced what sort
of a wife I shall make, to complain against me for foibles in courtship,
when he can help himself if he will, has something so very little--

Your conscience, Charlotte, tells you, that he had reason for complaint;
and therefore you think he has complained. Think the best of Lord G----
for your own reputation's sake, since you thought fit to go thus far with
him. You have borne nothing from him: he has borne a great deal from
you.

I am fretful, Harriet; I won't be chidden: I will be comforted by you:
you shall sooth me: are you not my sister? She threw her arms round me,
and kissed my cheek.

I ventured to rally her, though I was afraid of her retort, and met with
it: but I thought it would divert her. I am glad, my dear, said I, that
you are capable of this tenderness of temper: you blustering girls--But
fear, I believe, will make cowards loving.

Harriet, said she, and flung from me to the window, remember this: may I
soon see you in the same situation! I will then have no mercy upon you.

The subject, which Sir Charles led to at breakfast, was the three
weddings of Thursday last. He spoke honourably of marriage, and made
some just compliments to Lord and Lady L----; concluding them with
wishes, that his sister Charlotte and Lord G---- might be neither more
nor less happy than they were. Then turning to Lord W----, he said, he
questioned not his lordship's happiness with the lady he had so lately
seen; for I cannot doubt, said he, of your lordship's affectionate
gratitude to her, if she behaves, as I am sure she will.

My lord had tears in his eyes. Never man had such a nephew as I have,
said he. All the joy of my present prospects, all the comforts of my
future life, are and will be owing to you.

Here had he stopt, it would have been well: but turning to me, he
unexpectedly said, Would to God, madam, that you could reward him! I
cannot; and nobody else can.

All were alarmed for me; every eye was upon me. A sickishness came over
my heart--I know not how to describe it. My head sunk upon my bosom. I
could h