But let nothing of this escape you to my Emily. I think she should not see her but in my presence. The poor girl will be terrified into fits, as she was the last time she saw her, if she comes, and I am not there. But possibly I may hear no more of this wicked woman for a month or two. Having a power to make her annuity either one or two hundred pounds, according to her behaviour, at my own discretion, the man she has married, who could have no inducement, but the annuity, if he has married her, will not suffer her to incur such a reduction of it; for, you know, I have always hitherto paid her two hundred pounds a year. Her threatening to see me tomorrow may be to amuse me while she goes. The woman is a foolish woman; hut, being accustomed to intrigue, she aims at cunning and contrivance.

I am now hastening to Lord W. I hope his wo-man will not be admitted to his table, as she ge — nerally is, let who will be present; yet, it seems, knows not how to be silent, whatever be the sub-ject. I have never chosen either to dine or sup with my lord, that I might not be under a necessity of objecting to her company; and were I not to object to it, as I am a near kinsman to my lord, and know the situation she is in with him, my complais-ance might be imputed to motives altogether un worthy of a man of spirit.

Yours of this morning was brought to me, just as I was concluding. I am greatly interested in one paragraph in it.

You hint to me that my sisters, though my ab-sences are short, would be glad to receive now-and — then a letter from me. You, my dear friend, have

SIH CHARLES GRANDISON. 2? engaged me into a kind of habit, which makes me write to you with ease and pleasure. To you, and to our Heauchamp, methinks, I can write any-thing. Use, it is true, would make it equally agreeable to’ me to write to my sisters. I would not have them think that there is a brother in the world, that better loves his sisters than I do mine: and now, you know, I have three. But why have they not signified as much to me? Could I give pleasure to any whom I love, without giving great pain to myself, it would be unpardonable not to do it.