I asked him, if I should begin a formal treaty with you, upon what he said. He answered, that he had heard from every mouth, so much said in praise of Miss Byron’s mind, as well as person, that he desired I would; and that I would directly endeavour to obtain leave for him to visit the young lady.

I propose it accordingly. I understand, that she is at present in London. I leave it to your choice, madam, and Mrs. Shirley’s, and Mr. Selby’s (to whom now, as also to Miss Byron, you will be so good as to communicate the affair) whether you will send for her down to receive my lord’s visit and mine; or whether we shall wait on her in town.

I propose very high satisfaction to myself, if the young people approve of each other, in an alliance so much to my wishes in every respect. I shall love the Countess of D. as well as any of you can do Miss Byron: and as she has not at present a mother, I shall with pleasure supply that tender relation to her, for the sake of so many engaging qualities, as common fame, as well as good Mrs. Selby, says she is mistress of.

You will dispatch an answer as to the interview. I am impatient for it. I depend much upon the frankness of the young lady, which you make a part of her agreeable character. And am, madam,

Your affectionate and faithful humble servant,

M. D.

Letter XLIV.

Miss Byron to Mrs. Selby.

London, February 23. Indeed, my dear and ever indulgent aunt Selby, you have given me pain; and yet I am very ungrateful, I believe, to say so: but if I feel the pain (though perhaps I ought not) should I not own it?

What circumstances, what situation, am I in, ma-dam, that I cannot be mistress of myself? That shall turn my uncle’s half-feared, though always agreea-ble, raillery into pity for me?

“Over head and ears in the passion” — “I to be on the hoping side; the gentleman on the triumphant” — “It is impossible for you, my friends, to be aforehand with my inclinations” — “A beginning love to be mentioned, in which one is willing to conceal one’s self from one’s self!” Fires, flames, blazes, to follow! — Gratitude and love to be spoken of as synonymous terms — Ah! my dear aunt, how could you let my uncle write such a letter, and then copy it, and send it to me as yours?

And yet some very tender strokes are in it, that no man, that hardly anybody but you among women, could write.

But what do you do, madam, when you tell your Harriet of your own prepossessions in favour of a man who, as you thought, had before in my eye too many advantages? Indeed you should have taken care not to let me know, that his great qualities had impressed you all so deeply: and my grandmamma to be so very apprehensive too for the entangled girl I Hopeless passion, said she? Entangled in a hopeless passion! O let me die before this shall be deserved to be said of your Harriet!