on-hall, and employ himself in distributing, as objects
offered, at least a thousand pounds of the three thousand bequeathed to
charitable uses by his late friend Mr. Danby. His sister's fortune was
paid. His estates in both kingdoms were improving.--See, madam, said he,
how like the friend of my soul I claim your attention to affairs that are
of consequence to myself; and in some of which your generosity of heart
has interested you.

I bowed. Had I spoken, I had burst into tears. I had something arose in
my throat, I know not what. Still, thought I, excellent man, you are not
yourself happy!--O pity! pity! Yet, Lucy, he plainly had been
enumerating all these things, to take off from my mind that impression
which I am afraid he too well knows it is affected with, from his
difficult situation.

And now, madam, resumed he, how are all my dear and good friends, whom
you more particularly call yours?--I hope to have the honour of a
personal knowledge of them. When heard you of our good Mr. Deane? He is
well, I hope.

Very well, Sir.

Your grandmamma Shirley, that ornament of advanced years?

I bowed: I dared not to trust my voice.

Your excellent aunt, Selby?

I bowed again.

Your uncle, your Lucy, your Nancy: Happy family! All harmony! all love!
--How do they?

I wiped my eyes.

Is there any service in my power to do them, or any of them? Command me,
good Miss Byron, if there be: my Lord W---- and I are one. Our influence
is not small.--Make me still more happy, in the power of serving any one
favoured by you.

You oppress me, sir, by your goodness!--I cannot speak my grateful
sensibilities.

Will you, my dear Mr. Reeves, will you, madam, (to my cousin,) employ me
in any way that I can be of use to you, either abroad or at home? Your
acquaintance has given me great pleasure. To what a family of worthies
has this excellent young lady introduced me!

O, sir! said Mrs. Reeves, tears running down her cheeks, that you were
not to leave people whom you have made so happy in the knowledge of the
best of men!

Indispensable calls must be obeyed, my dear Mrs. Reeves. If we cannot be
as happy as we wish, we will rejoice in the happiness we can have. We
must not be our own carvers.--But I make you all serious. I was
enumerating, as I told you, my present felicities: I was rejoicing in
your friendships. I have joy; and, I presume to say, I will have joy.
There is a bright side in every event; I will not lose sight