Why, if people will leave their closet-doors open, let them take the consequence.

If people will do so But was it so? And yet, if it was, would you be willing to have your letters looked into?

Well then, I will carry it back Shall I? (holding it out to me) Shall I, Harriet? I will put it where I had it Shall I? And twice or thrice went from me, and came back to me, with a provoking archness in her looks.

Only tell me, Miss Grandison, is there any — thing in it that you think your brother would not have us see? But I am sure, there is, or the obliging Dr. Bartlett, who has shewn us others, would have fa-voured us with communicating the contents of this.

I would not but have seen this letter for half I am worth! O Harriet! there are huch things in it Bo-logna! Paris! Grandison-hall!

Begone, Siren: letters are sacred things. Re-place it Don’t you own, that you came not honestly by it? And yet

Ah! Lucy, I was ready to yield to the curiosity she had raised: but, recollecting myself. Begone, said I: carry back the letter: I am afraid of myself.

Why, Harriet, here is one passage, the contents of which you must be acquainted with in a very little while

I will not be tempted. Miss Grandison. I will stay till it is communicated to me, be it what it will. But you may be surprised, Harriet, at the time, and know not what answer to give to it. You had as good read it Here, take it Was there ever such a scrupulous creature? It is about you and Emily — About me and Emily! O Miss Grandison, what can there be about me and Emily?

And where’s the difference, Harriet, between ask-SIK CHARLES (iRANDISOV. 5 ing rae about the contents, and reading them? But I’ll tell you

No, you shall not: I will not hear the contents. I never will ask you. Can nobody act greatly but your brother? Let you and me, Charlotte, be the better for his example. You shall neither read them, nor tell me of them. I would not be so used myself.

Such praises did 1 never hear of woman! Oh, Harriet! Such praises

Praises, Charlotte! From your brother! O this curiosity! the first fault of our first parent! But I will not be tempted. If you provoke me to ask questions, laugh at rae, and welcome: but I beseech you, answer me not. Dear creature, if you love me, replace the letter; and do not seek to make me mean in my own eyes.

How you reflect upon me, Harriet! But let me ask you. Are you willing, as a third sister, to take Emily into your guardianship, and carry her down with you into Northamptonshire? Answer me that.