Hitherto I had acted with some self-approbation: I told Mr. Greville, Mr. Fenwick, Mr. Orme, Mr. Fowler, that I had not seen the man to whom I could wish to give my hand at the altar: but when I found my heart engaged, I was desirous Lady D. should know that it was. But yet, misled by this same notion of delicacy, I could think myself obliged to the two sisters, and my lord, that they endeavour-ed to throw a blind over the eyes of good Dr. Bart — lett: when the right measure, I now think, would have been, not to have endeavoured to obtain lights from him, that we all thought he was not commis-sioned to give: or, if we had, to have related to him the whole truth, and not have put on disguises to him; but to have left him wholly a judge of the fit, and the unfit.

And this is love, is it? that puts an honest girl upon approving of such tricks? Begone, love! I banish thee, if thou wouldst corrupt the simplicity of that heart, which was taught to glory in truth.

And yet, I had like to have been drawn into a greater fault; for, what do you think? Miss Grandison had (by some means or other; she would not tell me how) in Dr. Bartlett’s absence on a visit to one of the canons of Windsor, got at a letter brought early this morning from her brother to that good man, and which he had left opened on his desk.

Here, Harriet, said she, is the letter so lately brought, not perhaps quite honestly come at, from my brother to Dr. Bartlett (holding it out to me). You are warmly mentioned in it. Shall I put it where 1 had it? Or will you so far partake of my fault as to read it first?

O, Miss Grandison! said I: and am 1 warmly mentioned in it? Pray oblige me with the perusal of it. And 1 held out my more than half guilty hand, and took it: but (immediately recollecting myself) did you not hint that you came at it by means not honest? Take it again; I will not partake of your fault. But, cruel Charlotte! how could you tempt me so? And I laid it on a chair.’

Read the first paragraph, Harriet. She took it up, unfolded it, and pointed to the first paragraph. Tempter! said I, how can you wish me to imi-tate our first pattern! And down I sat, and put both my hands before my eyes. Take it away, take it away, while yet 1 am mnocent! Dear Miss Grandison, don’t give me cause for self reproach. I will not partake of your ackn^ivlec/gcd fault.

She read a line or two; and then said, Shall I read farther, Harriet? The very next word is your name. 1 will

No, no, no, said I, putting my fingers to my ears. Yet, had you come honestly by it, I should have longed to read it By what means b2