As to the annuity; I bid Mr. Blagrave tell the woman, that the payment of that depended upon her future good behaviour; and yet, that I was not sure, that she was intitled to it, but as the voidovo of my friend.

However, I told this gentleman, that no provo-cation should hinder me from doing strict justice, though I were sure that they would go to law with the money I should cause to be paid to them quar-terly. You will, therefore, know. Sir, added I, that the fund which they have to depend upon, to sup-port a law-suit, should they commence one, and think fit to employ in it so honest a man as you seem to be, is 1001. a year. It would be madness, if not injustice, to pay the other lOOl. for such a purpose, when it w as left to my discretion to pay it, or not, with a view to discourage that litigious spirit, which is one, of an hundred, of this poor woman’s bad qualities.

And thus, for the present, stands this affair. I look upon my trouble from this woman as over, till some new scheme arises, either among these people, or from others whom she may consult or employ. You and I, when I have the happiness to attend you and my other friends, will not renew the subject.

I am, &c.

Letter XIV.

Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Colnebrook, Wednesday, March 22. Sir Charles arrived this morning, just as we had as-sembled to breakfast; for Lady L. is not an early — riser. The moment he entered, sunshine broke out in the countenance of every one.

He apologized to all, but me, for his long absence, especially when theybadsuch a guest, were his words, bowing to me; and I thought he sighed, and looked with tender regard upon me; but I dared not sisk Miss Grandison whether she saw any thing particu-lar in his devoirs to me.

It was owing to his politeness, I presume, that he did not include me in his apologies; because that would have been to suppose, that 1 had expect,‘d him. Indeed I was not displeased, in the main, that he did not compliment me, as a third sister. See, Lucy, what little circumstances a doubtful mind will some-times dwell upon.

I was not pleased that he had been so long absent, and had my thoughts to myself upon it; inclining once to have gone back to London; and perhaps should, could I have fancied myself of importaiice enough to make him uneasy by it [The sex! the sex J

Lucy, will my uncle say; but I pretend not to be above its little foibles]: but the moment I saw him, all my disgusts were over. After the Anderson, the Danby, the Lord W. affairs, he appeared to me in a much more shining light than an hero would have done, returning in a triumphal car covered with lau-rels, and dragging captive princes at his wheels. How much more glorious a character is that of The friend of mankind, than that of The conqueror of nations!