Stu};t.

Proceed, dearest Lady Clementina, said I Are we not sisters? And do I not know, that yours is the noblest of female minds?

I rejoice, Sir, from my heart, that I was enabled to act as I did.

Again she stopt. Sir Charles bowed in silence.

But still I hoped, that one day my parents would have been overcome in favour of the divine dedication. That was always my wish, till you, Sir, in duced me to come into a compromise. And then I was resolved to make myself, if possible, happy, in the single life allowed me. But what ccm 1 do? JNIy former m ishes recur. I cannot help it: and it seems evident to me, that there is but one measure, and that is the convent, which can make me happy.

Dear Lady Clementina! said Sir Charles, will you be pleased to allow me

Olivia, Sir, interrupted she (you don’t, perhaps, know that) reflects upon me. It was indeed a rash step which I took, when I fled to England: how has it countenanced the excursion s/ie made hither? Though, God knows, our motives were widely dif-ferent: hers was to obtain what mine was intended to avoid. But your sudden indisposition, madam, pointed the sting, and carried it into my heart. That flashed full upon me, the imj)ropriety of my situation Can there be, say, chevalier, can there l)e, any expedient which will free me from reflection, from slander, except that of the veil?

You/cad the question, madam, replied Sir Charles: I hut fu/ioiv you. Surely there can.

You are not angry with me, ciievalier? You do not upbraid me with breach of articles ^

I do not, madam, while we only rca^fni, not resolve.

Assure yourself that //our tranquillit}’ of mind is one of the principal objects of my daily prayers. Say,

J.uih — Cknientina, all that is in your heart to sa) .

‘J .V

Your friend, your brother, hears his sister with all the tenderness of fraternal love.

How soothing! How kind! You say there is an-other expedient. What, excepting marriage, is it? Were it that:, and that cou/d be an acceptable expedient We are only reasoning, madam; not resulviiig

Do you, chevalier, (with a look of impatience;) propose that to me?

I do notf madam I said we were reasoning only. But surely you ma^ be very happy in the single life, l^ou may have thought of plans, which, oa consideration, may not please you: but it isyet early. Lady Clementina has too much greatness of mind to permit any-thing that may be said by malevolent people to attect her. She knows her heart; and has reason to be satisfied with it. Were your former wishes to take place, will not ill-will and slander fol-low you into the most sacred retirements? There are several tender points to be considered in your past situation. These are considered by your pa-rents. They haveno view but toyour happiness. You and they indeed have different notions of the means. They think marriage with a worthy man of your own faith, would tend to establish it. You think assuming the veil the only expedient. This subject has been much canvassed. They are iletermined not to urge you: yet theirjudgmentsare not changed. Shall they not be allowed to ivisli P Especially when they urge not, speak not, tiieir wishes? Your father was earnest with the Count of Belvedere, in my hearing, when last in town, to give uj) all expect-ations from you. God preserve their lives till they see you happy! You must be convinced, that they are not so intent upon the means as to obtain the end.