And in what forcible manner, claim it! Shall I tell you? Thus, then: My father, with tears in his eyes, beseeches me! My mother gently reminds me of what she has suffered for me in my illness; and declares, that it is in my power to make the rc>:t of her days happy: nor shall she think my own tran-quillity of mind secured, till I oblige her! O che — valier, what pleas are these from a father, whose eyes plead more strongly than words; and from a mother, on whose bright days I have cast a cloud! The bishop pleads: I low can a catholic bishop plead, and not for n)e? The general declares, that he never wooed his beloved wife for her consent with more i’ervour than he does me for mine, to oblige thcni all. Nay, .leronymo! Blush, sisterly love! to say it Jeronymo, vour friend Jeronvmo, is solicitous on the same side Even Father Marescotti is carried away by the example of the bishop. Mrs. Beaumont argues with me in their favour And Camilla, who was ever full of your praises, teases me continually.

They name not the man: they pretend to leave me free to choose through the world. They plead, that, zealous as they are in the catholic faith, they were so earnest for me to enter into the state, that they were desirous to see me the wife even of a Pro-testant, rather than I should remain single: and they remind me, that it was owing to mi/ scruple only, that this was not effected. But why will they weak-en, rather than strengthen my scruple? Could I have got over three points The sense of my own. unworthiness, after iny mind had been disturbed; the iiuuperable apprehensions, that, drawn aside by your love, I should probably have ensnared my own soul; and that I should be perpetually lamenting the certainty of the loss of his whom it would be my duty to love as my own; their importunity would hardly have been wanted.

Tell me, advise nie, my good chevalier, my fourth brother [you are not now interested in the debate] if I may not lav\ fully stand out? Tell me, as I know that I cannot answer their views, except I marry, and yet cannot consent to nmrry, whether I may not as well sequester myself from the world, and iiisi t upon so doing?

What can I do? I am distressed O thou, my hrother, my friend, whom my heart ever must hold dear, advise me! To you I have told them I will appeal. They are so good as to promise to suspend their solicitations if I will hold suspended my thoughts of the veil till I have your advice. But give it not against me if you ever valued Clementina, give it not against her!

Letter IV.

Sir Charles Grandison to Lady Clementina.