Miss Grandison, younger sister of Sir Charles.

Mrs. Eleanor Grandison, aunt to Sir Charles.

Miss Emily Jervois, his ward.

Lady Mansfield.

Lady Beauchamp.

The Countess Dowager of D.

Mrs. Hortensia Beaumont.

Italians.

Marchese della Porretta.

Signora Clementina, her daughter.

Signora Juliana Sforza, sister to the Marchese della Porretta.

Signora Laurana, her daughter.

Signora Olivia.

Camilla, Lady Clementina’s governess.

Laura, her maid.

VOLUME I.

Letter I.

Miss Lucy Selby to — Miss Harriet Byron.

Ashby–Canons, January 10.

Your resolution to accompany Mrs. Reeves to London, has greatly alarmed your three lovers: and two of them, at least, will let you know that it has. Such a lovely girl as my Harriet, must expect to be more accountable for her steps than one less excellent and less attractive.

Mr. Greville, in his usual resolute way, threatens to follow you to London; and there, he says, he will watch the motions of every man who approaches you; and, if he find reason for it, will early let such man know his pretensions, and the danger he may run into, if he pretend to be his competitor. But let me not do him injustice; though he talks of a rival thus harshly, he speaks of you more highly than man ever spoke of woman. Angel and goddess are phrases you have been used to from him; and though spoken in his humorous way, yet I am sure he most sincerely admires you.

Mr. Fenwick, in a less determined manner, declares, that he will follow you to town, if you stay there above one fortnight.

The gentle Orme sighs his apprehensions, and w hes you would change your purpose. Though hopeless, he says, it is some pleasure to him that he can think himself in the same county with you; and much more, that he can tread in your footsteps to and from church every Sunday, and behold you there. He wonders how your grandmamma, your aunt, your uncle, can spare you. Your cousin Reeves’s surely, he says, are very happy in their influences over us all.

Each of the gentlemen is afraid, that by increasing the number of your admirers, you will increase his difficulties: but what is that to them, I asked, when they already know, that you are not inclined to favour any of the three?