Nor were the advantages common ones which she received from his lady, her grandmother, and from her aunt Selby, her father’s sister, a woman of equal worthiness. Her grandmother particularly is one of the most pious, yet most cheerful, of women. She will not permit her daughter Byron, she says, to live with her, for both their sakes. For the girl’s sake, because there is a greater resort of company at Mr. Selby ‘s, than at Shirley manor; and she is afraid, as her grandchild has a serious turn, that her own contemplative life may make her more grave than she wishes so young a woman to be. Youth, she says, is the season for cheerfulness. For her oivn sake, because she looks upon her Harriet’s company as a cordial too rich to be always at hand; and when she has a mind to regale, she will either send for her. fetch her, or visit her at Mrs. Selby’s. One of her letters to Mrs. Selby I once saw. It ran thus — “ You must spare me my Harriet. I am in pain. My spirits are not high. I would not have the undecayed mind yield, for want of using the means, to the decaying body. One happy day with our child, the true child of the united minds of her late excellent parents, will, I hope, effect the cure: if it do not, you must spare her to me hvo.”

Did I not tell you, madam, that it was very diffi-cult to describe the person only of this admirable young lady? But I stop here. A horrid appre-hension comes across me! How do I know but I am praising another maris future wife, and not my own? Here is a cousin of hers, a Mrs. Reeves, a fine lady from London, come down under the cursed influence of my evil stars, to carry this Har-riet away with her into the gay world. Woman! woman! — I beg your ladyship’s pardon; but what angel of twenty is proof against vanity? The first hour she appears, she will be a toast; stars and titles will crowd about her: and who knows how far a paltry coronet may dazzle her who deserves an imperial crown? But, woe to the man, whoever he be, whose pretensions dare to inter-fere (and have any assurance of success) with those of

Your ladyship’s Most obedient and faithful servant,

JOHN GREVILLE.

Letter III.

Miss Harriet Byron to Miss Lucy Selby.

Selby-house, Jan. 16.

I return you inclosed, my Lucy, Mr. Greville’s strange letter. As you asked him for it, he will have no doubt but you shewed it to me. It is better therefore, if he make enquiry whether you did or not, to own it. In this case he will be curious to know my sentiments upon it. He is sensible that my whole heart is open to you.

Tell him, if you think proper, in so many words, that I am far more displeased with him for his impetuosity, than gratified by his flattery.