Give me the paper, Sir; holding out my hand for it.

Have I forfeited my character with you, madam? iiohnng it back, with an air of respectful gaiety.

I must consider, Sir, beibre I give you an answer.

If I iiave, why should I not send it away; and as Miss Byron cannot deny her hand-writing, hope to receive the benefit of tlie supposed deceit? Especi-ally as it will answer so many good ends: for instance, your own wishes in Emily’s favour; as it will increase your own power of obliging: and be a means of ac-celerating the happiness of a man whose principal joy will be in making you happy.

IVas it not a pretty piece of deceit Lady G.? Shall I own, that my heart was more inclined to reward than punish him for it? And really, for a moment, I thought of the impracticableness of comply — ing with the request, as if I was seriously pondering upon it, and was sorry it was not practicable. To get away from my dear Mr. Deane, thought I, who will not be in haste to part with us; some female bustlings to be got over upon our return to Selby-house; proposal renewed, and a little parade with [Why, Lady G. did you tell me that our sex is a foolish sex?] the preparation; the ceremony; the awful ceremony! the parting with the dearest and most indulgent friends that ever young creature was blessed with: and to be at Grandison-hall, all within one month! Was there ever so precipitating anian?

I believe verily, that I appeared to him as if I v,’ere considering of it; for he took advantage of my silence, and urged me to permit him to send away to Emily what he had written; and offered to give reasons for his urgency: Written as it is, said lie, by me, and signed by you, how will the dear girl re-joice at tlse consent oi’both, under our hands! And will she not lake the caution given her in it from me, as!in(lly as sh>’ wili your mediation in her favour?

Sure, Sir, said I, you expect not a serious answer? Upon his honour, he tlicl How, Sir! Ought you not rather to be thankful, if I forgive you, for letting; me see that Sir Charles Grandison was capable of such an artifice, tliough but in jest; and for his reflection upon me, and ])erhaps meant on our sex, as il’ decorum were hut j:itiiclii’o? I beg niy Lucy’s par-don, added I, for being half-angry with her when slie called you a desi<rncr.

My dearest creature, said he, I avi a designer. Who, to accelerate a happiness on which that of his whole life depends, would not be innocently so? I am in this instance selH>h; but I glory in my selfishness; because I am determined, if power be lent nio, that every one, within the circle of our ac-quaintance, shall have reason to congratulate you as one of the happiest of women.