The servant went with a message worded with more civility than perhaps he was used to carry to his master from his lady.

Now, dear Lady Beauchamp, for your own sake; for Sir Harry’s sake; make happy; and be happy: Are there not, dear madam, unhappinesses enow in life, that we must wilfully add to them?

Sir Harry came in sight. He stalked towards us with a parade like that of a young officer wanting to look martial at the head of his company.

Could I have seen him before he entered, my work would have been easier. But his hostile air disposed the lady to renew hostilities.

She turned her face aside, then her person; and the cloudy indignation with which she entered at first, again overspread her features. Ought wrath, Dr. Bartlett, to be so ready to attend a female will? Surely, thought I, my lady’s present airs, after what has passed between her and me, can be only owing to the fear of making a precedent, and being thought too easily persuaded.

Sir Harry, said I, addressing myself to him, I have obtained Lady Beauchamp’s pardon for the officious letter

Pardon, Sir Charles Grandison! You are a good man, and it was kindly intended

He was going on: anger from his eyes flashed upon his cheek-bones, and made them shine. My lady’s eyes struck fire at Sir Harry, and shewed that she was not afraid of him.

Better intended, than done, interrupted I, since my lady tells me, that it was the occasion of a mis-Understanding But, Sir, all will be right: my lady vssures me, that you are not disinclined to comply with the contents; and she has the goodness Pray, Sir Charles, interrupted the lady To give me hopes that she Pray, Sir Charles

Will use her interest to confirm you in your fa-ourable sentiments

Sir Harry cleared up at once May I hope, ma-dam And offered to take her hand.

She withdrew it with an air. O Dr. Bartlett, I must have been thought an unpolite husband, had she been my wife!

I took her hand. Excuse this freedom, Sir Harry For Heaven’s sake, madam, whispering, do what I know you will do, with a grace Shall there be a misunderstanding, and the husband court a refused hand? I then forced her half-unwilling hand into his, with an air that I intended should have both freedom and respect in it.

What a man have we got here, Sir Harry? This cannot be the modest man, that you have praised to me I thought a good man must of necessity be bashful, if not sheepish: and here your visitor is the boldest man in England.

The righteous, Lady Beauchamp, said Sir Harry, with an aspect but half-conceding, is bold as a lion.

And must I be compelled thus, and by such a man, to forgive you, Sir Harry? Indeed you were very unkind.

And you, Lady Beauchamp, were very cruel.