As to appeasing the generous mind of Sign or Jeronymo, let that task be Lady Clementina’s. She can plead conscience with more force for herself, than any second person can do for her; and if she does, it will be a demonstration to us ail, of her being likely to be happy in her perseverance! The admirable lady who has silenced, on this head, a man so deeply interested to contest this point with her, will certainly be able to appease a brother by the same pleas; and the sooner as, being of the same religion with the lovely pleader, her arguments will have greater force with him, than they could be supposed to have on me. For, let me say, my lord, that I could not so much as seem to give way to them had I not been accustomed, when I was to judge of another’s actions, to suppose myself that very person: hence have I often thought myself obliged to give judgment against my own wishes; though, on re-suming myself, I have not found reason to disap — prove of my first expectation.

As to the third point, what can I say? and yet as your lordship has put it, does it not call upon me, as I may say, to give a proof of the disinterestedness I have mentioned? I answer then, as supposing my-self in your situation I cannot expect that you will urge an interest, which I, by having put myself into that of Lady Clementina, have promised not to urge, unless she change her mind. What plea can a parent make use of, but that of filial duty? And where the child can plead conscience in answer, ought it to be insisted on?

And now, resuming myself, let me presume to advise you to give the dear lady full time to consider and re-consider the case. Her imagination may be heated: in other words, her malady may have a share in the heroism she has so nobly exerted: and yet I am afraid she will persevere. Permit me, my lords, to say afraid: I cannot wholly divest myself of self, in this very affecting case. We will not therefore take her at her word: I will absent myself for some time from Bologna; but (as she has the goodness to acknowledge an esteem for me) with her leave. I will return at my time. I will repeat my absences, if we have the least shadow of doubt. But if she hold her purpose, and shall not be visibly worse in her health or mind, we may conclude her resolution unalterable. In this case, I shall have one or two requests to lay before you; and, if grant-ed, will endeavour to make myself as happy as a man in such a situation can be.

They applauded my advice. They declared them-selves unwilling to think of giving up the pleasure they had brought themselves to have, in considering me as one of their family; and assured me, that it would have been impossible, that any the least dif-ficulty should have arisen from them, after they had brought themselves to dispense with the most ma-terial one.