Your truly-affectionate

M. D.

PINNED ON BY LADY G.

“Don’t you think, Lady L. that the contents of this letter ought to have the more weight with Har-riet, as, were she to be Lady Grandison, they would suit, her own case and Emily’s, were Emily to make the same pretensions to a perpetual single life, on the improbability of marrying her first love? I shall freely speak my mind upon this subject, when Har-riet can better bear the argument.”

Letter XIX.

FRONf The Earl of G. to Lady G. my dear daughter, London, July 28.

Let me be excused for asking you a question by pen and ink: When do you think of returning from Northamptonshire? Lady Gertrude and 1 are out of all patience with you; not with Lord G. We know, that wherever you are, there will he wish to be: his treasure and his heart must be together. But to me, who always loved my son; to Lady Gertrude, who always loved her nephew; and who equally rejoiced in the happy event that gave me a daughter, and her a niece; what can you say in excuse for robbing us of both? It is true, Miss Byron is a lady that ought to be half the world to you: But must the other half have no manner of regard paid to it? I have enquired of Lord and Lady L. but they say you are so far from setting your time for return, that you are pressing them to go down to you. What can my daughter mean by this? Have you taken a house in Northamptonshire? Have you forgot that you have taken one in Grosvenor Square? Evsry-thing is done there, that you had ordered to be done; and all are at a stand for further directions. Let me tell you, Lady G. that my sister and I love you both too well to bear to be thus slighted. Love us but half as well, and you will tell us the day of your return. You don’t consider that we are both in years; and that, in all probability, you may often rejoice in the company you are with, when you cannot have ours. Excuse this serious conclusion. I am serious upon the subject, because I love you with a tenderness truly paternal. Pray make mine and my sister’s compliments acceptable to the loveliest woman in England, and to every one whom she loves, who are now in Northamptonshire. I am, my dearest daughter,

Your ever-affectionate

G.

Letter XX.

Lady G. to the Right Honourable the Earl of G.

July 30.