Ah! Miss Grandison! And is there such a proposal as that mentioned! But answer me not, I beseech you Whatever proposal is intended to be made me, let it be made: it will be too soon, whenever that is, if it be a disagreeable one.

But let me say, madam (and tears were in my eyes) that I will not be treated with indignity by the best man on earth. And while I can refuse to yield to a thing that I think unworthy of myself (you are a sister, madam, and have nothing either to hope or fear) I have a title to act with spirit, when occasions call for it.

My drar, you are serious Twice madam, in one breath! 1 will not for^:ve you. You ought now to hear that passage read which relates to you and Emily, if you will not read it yourself. B 3

And she was looking for it; I suppose, intending to read it to me.

No, Miss Grandison, said I, laying my spread hand upon the letter; I will neither read it, nor hear it read. I begin to apprehend, that there will be occasion for me to exert all my fortitude; and while it is yet in my power to do a right or a wrong thing, I will not deprive myself of the consciousness of having merited well, whatever may be my lot Ex-cuse me, madam.

I went to the door, and was opening it when she ran to me Dear creature! you are angry with me; but how that pride becomes you! There is a dignity in it that awes me. O Harriet! how infinitely does it become the only woman in the world, that is wor-thy of the best man in it! Only say, you are not an — gry with me. Say that you can and do forgive me.

Forgive you, my Charlotte! I do. But can you say, that you came not honestly by that letter, and yet forgive yourself? But, my dear Miss Grandison, instantly replace it; and do you watch over me, like a true friend, if in a future hour of weakness you shoqld find me desirous to know any of the contents of a. paper so naughtily come at. I own that I had like to have been overcome: and if I had, all the information it would have given me, could never have recompensed me for what I should have suf-fered in my own opinion, when 1 reflected on the means by which I had obtained it.

Superior creature! how you shame me! I will re-place the letter. And I promise you, that if I can — not forget the contents of it myself (and yet they are glorious to my brother) I will never mention any of them to you; unless the letter be fairly communicated to you, and to us all.