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.

Adieu, my dear. Pray tell your brother that I never thought myself so ill as your friendly love made you apprehend me to be: and that I congra-tulate you, with all my heart, and him also (it would be an affectation to forbear it, which would imply too much) on his safe arrival in England. But be sure remember, that I look upon you and your lord, upon my Lord and Lady L. and upon my sweet Emily, if she sees what I write, as guardians of the honour (of the punctilio, if you please, since no dishonour can be apprehended from Sir Charles Gran — dison) of

Your and their

HARRIET BYRON.

Letter XLV.

Dr. Bartlett to Lady G.

Monday, September 1 I. In obedience to your ladyship’s commands, I write,, but it must be briefly, on account of our motions.

Sir Charles would not go out of town, till he had made a visit to Mr. mid Mrs. Reeves, and enquired after?Wiss Byron’s health; of which he received an account less alarming, than we, from our love and our fears, had given him.

We arrived at Windsor on Wednesday evening.

My Lord and Lady W. expected him not till thfr next day.