But, madam (to the still silent daughter), let not a regard for me bias you: your family may be sure of my best services, whether my proposal be received or rejected.

My lord (I must deal sincerely with you) has lived a life of error. He thinks so himself. I am earnest to have him see the difference, and to have an opportunity to rejoice with him upon it.

Istopt: but both being still silent, the mother looking on the daughter, the daughter glancing now — and — then her conscious eye on the mother, If, madam, said I, you can give your hand to Lord W. I will take care, that settlements shall exceed your expectation. What I have observed as well as heard

SIK CHARLES OUANDISON. 17 of Miss Mansfield’s temper and goodness, is the principal motive of my application to her, in prefer-ence to all the women I know.

But permit me to say, that were your affections engaged to the lowest honest man on earth, I would not wish for your favour to Lord W. And further, if, madam, you think you should have but the sha-dow of a hope, to induce your compliance, that my lord’s death would be more agreeable to you than his life, then would I not, for your morality’s sake, wish you to engage. In a word, I address myself to you, Miss Mansfield, as to a woman of honour and conscience: if your conscience bids you doubt, reject the proposal; and this not only for my lord’s sake, but for your own.

Consider, if, without too great a force upon your inclinations, you can behave with that condescension and indulgence to a man who has hastened advanced age upon himself, which I have thought from your temper I might hope.

I have said a great deal, because you, ladies, were silent; and because explicitness in every case becomes the proposer. Give me leave to retire for a lew moments.

I withdrew, accordingly, to the brothers and sister. I did not think I ought to mention to them the proposal I had made. It might perhaps have engaged them all in its favour, as it was of such evident ad-vantage to the whole family; and that might have imposed a difficulty on the lady, that neither for her own sake, nor my lord’s, it would have been just to lay upon her.

Lady Mansfield came out to me, and said, I presume, Sir, as we arc a family which misfortune, as well as love, has closely bound together, you will allow it to be mentioned

To the whole family, madam! Uy all means. F c3 wanted only first to know, whether Miss Mansfield’s affections were disengaged: and now you shall give me leave to attend Miss Mansfield. I am party for my Lord W.: Miss Mansfield is a party: your debates will be the more free in our absence. If I find her averse, believe me, madam, I will not endeavour to persuade her. On the contrary, if she declare against accepting the proposal, I will be her advocate, though every one else should vote in its favour.