If you please, madam, repeated she; and with that do-lo-rous accent too, my Harriet! My sister and I have been in tears this morning: Lord L. had much ado to forbear. Sir Charles will soon leave us.

It can’t be helped, Charlotte. Did you dine today in St. James’s Square?

No, indeed! my brother had a certain tribe with him; and the woman also. It is very difficult, I believe, Harriet, for good people to forbear doing sometimes more than goodness requires of them.

Could you not, Charlotte, have sat at table with them for one hour or two?

My brother did not ask me. He did not expect it. He gives every-body their choice, you know. He told me last night who were to dine with him today, and supposed I would choose to dine with Lady L. or with you. he was so free as to say.

He did us an honour, which you thought too great a one. But if he had asked you, Charlotte

Then I should have bridled. Indeed, I asked him, If he did not over-do it.

What was his answer?

Perhaps he might But I, said he, may never see Mrs. Oldham again. I want to inform myself of her future intentions, with a view {over-do it again, Charlotte!) to make her easy and happy for life. Her children are in the world. I want to give her a credit that will make her remembered by them, as they grow up, with duty. I hope I am superior to forms. She is conscious. I can pity her. She is a gentlewoman; and intitled to a place at any man’s table to whom she never was a servant. She never was mine.

And what, Miss Grandison, could you say in answer? asked I.

What! Why I put up my lip.

Ungracious girl!

I can’t help it. That may become a man to do in such cases as this, that would not a woman.

Sir Charles wants not delicacy, my dear, said I.

He must suppose, that I should have sat swelling, and been reserved: he was right not to ask me So be quiet, Harriet And yet, perhaps, you would be as tame to a husband’s mistress, as you seem fa-vourable to a father’s.

She then put on one of her arch looks

The cases differ, Charlotte But do you know what passed between the generous man, and the mortified woman and her children; mortified as they must be by his goodness?

Yes, yes; 1 had curiosity enough to ask Dr. Bart-lett about it all.

Pray, Charlotte

Ur. Bartlett is favourable to every body, sinners as well as saints He began with praising the mo-desty of her dress, the humility of her behaviour: he said, that she trembled and looked down, till she was re-assured by Sir Charles. Such creatures have all their tricks, Harriet.

You, Charlotte, are not favourable to sinners, and hardly to saints. But pray proceed.