I have been talking to Dr. Bartlett, about Sir Charles’s journey to Italy. Nobody knows, he says, what a bleeding heart is covered by a countenance so benign and cheerful. Sir Charles Grandison, said he, has a prudence beyond that of most young men; but he has great sensibilities.

I take it for granted, Sir, said I, that he will for the future be more an Italian than Englishman.

Impossible, madam! A prudent youth, by travel-ling, reaps this advantage From what he sees of other countries, he learns to prefer his own. An imprudent one the contrary. Sir Charles’s country is endeared to him by his long absence from it. Italy in particular is called, The garden of Europe; but it is rather to be valued for what it ivas, and might be, than what it is. I need not tell a lady who has read and conversed as you have done, to what that incomparable difference is owing. Sir Charles Grandison is greatly sensible of it. He loves his country, with the judgment of a wise man; and wants not the partiality of a patriot.

But, doctor, he has offered, you know, to reside There I stopt.

True, madam And he will not recede from his offers, if they are claimed. But this uncertainty it is that disturbs him.

I pity my patron, proceeded he. 1 have often told you he is not happy. What has indiscretion to expect, when discretion has so much to suffer? His only consolation is, that he has nothing to reproach himself with. Inevitable evils he bears as a man should He makes no ostentation of his piety: but, madam, Sir Charles Grandison is a Christian.

You need not, Sir, say more to me to exalt him: and, let me add, that I have no small pleasure in knowing that Clementina is a lady of strict piety, though a Roman Catholic.

And let me assure you madam, that Sir Charles’s regard for Miss Byron (his more than regard for her, why should 1 not say? since every body sees it) is founded upon her piety, and upon the amiable qualities of her mind. Beauty, madam, is an acci-dental and transient good. No man better knows how to distinguish between admiration and love, than my patron. His virtue is virtue upon full proof, and against sensibilities, that it is heroic to overcome. Lady Olivia knows this: and here I must acknowledge myself a debtor to you for three articles out of you ten. I hope soon to discharge the obligation.

Your own time, doctor: but I must sav, that whenever you give me Lady Olivia’s story, I shall be pained, if I find that a Clementina is considered by a beauty of an unhappier turn, as her rival in the love of Sir Charles Grandison.

Lady Olivia, ntadam, admires him for his virtue; but she cannot, as he has made it his study to do, divide admiration from love. What offers has she not refused? But she declares, that she had rather be the friend of Sir Charles Grandison, than the wife of the greatest prince on earth.