. I have that letter: Jeronymo gave it me, at my taking leave of him; and with these words: * Grandison will certainly visit you at Naples. I am afraid of your warmth. His spirit is well known. All my dependence is upon his principles. He will not draw but in his own defence. Cherish the noble visiter. Surely, brother, I may depend upon your hospitable temper. Read over again this letter, before you see him.’ I have not yet read it, proceeded the general; but I will, and that, if you will allow me, now.

He took it out of his pocket, walked from me, and read it; and then came to me, and took my hand I am half-ashamed of myself, my dear Grandison: I own I wanted magnanimity. All the dis tresses of our family, on this unhappy girl’s account, were before my eyes, and I received you, I behaved to you, as the author of them. I was contriving to be dissatisfied with you: forgive me, and command my best services. I will let our Jeronymo know how greatly you subdued me before I had recourse to the letter; but that I have since read that part of it which accounts for my sister’s passion, and wish I had read it with equal attention before. I acquit you: I am proud of my sister. Yet I observe from this very letter, that Jeronymo’s gratitude has contributed to the evil we deplore. But Let us not say one word more of the unhappy girl: it is painful to me to talk of her.

Not ask a question, my lord?

Don’t, Grandison, don’t! Jeronymo and Cle-mentina are my soul’s woe But they are not worse than might be apprehended. You go to court with me tomorrow: I will present you to the king.

I have had that honour formerly. I must depart tomorrow morning early. I have already taken leave of several of my friends here: I have some to make my compliments to at Rome, which I reserved for my return.

You stay with me to-night?

I intend it, my lord.

Well, we will return to company. I must make my excuses to my friends. Your departure to-mor-row must be one. They all admire you. They are acquainted with your character. They will join with me to engage you, if possible, to stay longer.

We returned to the company.

Letter XXXII.

Miss Byron to Miss Selby.

Receive now, my dear, the doctor’s thirteenth letter, and the last he intends to favour us with, till he entertains us with the histories of Mrs. Beau-mont, and Lady Olivia.

DR. BARTLETT’s thirteenth LETTER.

Mr. Grandison set out next morning. The gene-ral’s behaviour to him at his departure, was much more open and free than it was at receiving him.