Levity, Harriet!

Yes, levity, Charlotte I will not spare you. Whom do you spare?

But do you really think me so ill as you repre-sented me to be, to your brother? I don’t think I am. If I did, I am sure I should endeavour to put my thoughts into an absolutely new train t nor wOuld I quit the hold which, at proper times, I do let go, to re-enter the worid, as an individual, who imagines herself of some little use in it; and who is therefore obliged to perform, with cheerfulness, her allotted offices, however generally insignificant I may comparatively be.

You say, you had no thoughts of exciting your brother’s attention, by your strong colouring, when you described the effects of my indisposition to him. Attention! Compassion you might as well have said I hope not . And I am obliged to Mr. Beauchamp for his inference, from my cheerfulness, that nothing lay upon my mind Now, though that inference seemed to imply, that he thought, if he had not made the observation, something might have been supposed to lie upon my mind I am much better satisfied that he made it, than if Sir Charles had.

Upon the whole, I cannot but be pleased at two things in your letter: the one that Sir Charles expressed o great a concern for my health: the other, that you have ail promised, and that voluntarily, and from a sense of the fitness of the measure, that every-thing shall be left to its natural course For my sake, and for goodness-sake, pray let it be so. I think the opening, as you call it, was much, very much, too ivarm. Bless me, my dear, how I trem-bled as I read that part! I am not, methinks. quite satisfied with it, though I am with your intention.

Consider, my dear, half a heart A preferred lady! For quality, fortune, and every merit, so greatly preferable O my Charlotte! I cannot, were the best to happen that can, such take exceeding great joy, as I once could have done, in the prospect of that best. I have pride But let us hear what the next letters from Italy say; and it will be then time enough (if the truly admirable ladv shall adhere to her resolution) to come with my scruples and draw-backs. Your aunt Grandison is of opinion, that she will not adhere. Who can tell what to say? imagi-nation, unnaturally heightened, may change into one altitude from another. I myself sincerely think (and have so often said it, that an uncharitable mind would perhaps charge me with affectation for it) that Lady Clementina, and no other woman, can deserve Sir Charles Grandison.