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.

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.