I think, madam, I hardly ever was: but it was because I never sued for a favour, that it was not for a lady’s honour to grant. This is the case now; and this makes me determine, that I will not be denied the grant of my present request. Come, come, madam! How can a woman of your lady-ship’s good sense (taking her hand, and leading her to the door) seem to want to be persuaded to do a thing she knows in her heart to be right! Let us find Sir Harry.

Strange man! Unhand me He has used me unkindly

Overcome him then by your generosity. But dear Lady Beauchamp, taking both her hands, and smiling confidently in her face [I could, my dear Dr. Bartlett, do so to Lady Beauchamp] will you make me believe, that a woman of your spirit (you have a charming spirit, Lady Beauchamp) did not give Sir Harry as much reason to complain, as he gave you? I am sure by his disturbed counte-nance

Now, Sir Charles Grandison, you are downright affronting. Unhand me!

This misunderstanding is owing to my officious letter. I should have waited on you in person. I should from the first have put it in your power, to do a graceful and obliging thing. I ask your par-don. I am not used to make differences between man and wife.

I took her hand. She withdrew it not. Tell me, madam, I am forgiven. Your silence is encouraging: now is my friend Beauchamp permitted to return to his native country: now are Sir Harry and his lady reconciled Come, come, madam, it must be so What foolish things are the quarrels of married people! They must come to an agreement again; and the sooner the better; before hard blows are struck, that will leave marks Let us, dear madam, find out Sir Harry

And then with an air of vivacity, that women, whether in courtship or out of it, dislike not, I was leading her once more to the door, and, as I intended, to Sir Harry, wherever he could be found.

Hold, hold, Sir, resisting; but with features far more placid than she had suffered to be before visible If I must be compelled You are a strange man, Sir Charles Grandison If I must be compelled to see Sir Harry But you are a strange man And she rang the bell.

Sin CHARLES GRANDISON. 31

Lady Beauchamp, Dr. Bartlett, is one of those who would be more ready to forgive an innocent freedom, than to be gratified by a profound respect; otherwise I had not treated her with so little cere-mony. Such women are formidable only to those who are afraid of their anger, or who make it a se-rious thing.

But when the servant appeared, she not knowing how to condescend, I said, Go to your master, Sir, and tell him, that your lady requests the favour

Requests the favour! repeated she; but in a low voice: which was no bad sign.