Here I conclude for this night. 1 will not dispatch these last-written letters, till I see what tomorrow will produce. My dear friend! How grievous is suspense! Perhaps I should have thought myself more obliged to bear it, had I been thus entangled, fettered, suspended by my own fault.

Letter XXVII.

Sir Charles Grandison. In Continuation,

I went, according to promise, in the morning, to the palace of Porretta. I found all the family, the marchioness and Lady Clementina excepted, in Jeronymo’s chamber. My entrance, I suppose, was solemn; for Jeronymo, as I approached him, snatching my hand, said, This girl, this capricious, this uncommon girl! How can I forgive her for vexing the heart of my Grandison?

Father Marescoiti looked so conscious, that I pitied him. I took his hand, and, with an air of kindness, asked him Are there any hopes, my good father, that I shall have the honour of calling you one of my dearest household friends in England?

I gave him no time to answer, lest he should not be assured enough: and addressing myself to the bishop, My lord, I ask you the like question: Is there a likelihood, that I shall have an interest in Father Marescotti’smore intimate friendship? We already, I answerer myself, andjrom my vanity, love each other.

Dear Grandison! said the marquis; and, taking my hand, he called me by the kindest name Saving, that it was not son! Jeronymo was affected. The count saluted me in a tender accent. The bishop was silent.

I see, thought I, that the admirable Clementina perseveres! Religion, that can do so much for her, will not, I hope, leave me unbenefited by its all-cheering influence. I am in the hands of Providence; to that will I resign myself Yet the greatness of this woman’s mind! thought I Why did they not fall upon indulgent methods with her before? Then, probably, had there not been a supposed reason for an invitation to me to quit my native country, to which I had been so long a stranger, and to come over to Italy! Then had she, in all likelihood, re-covered her reason, and I had not known how great she could be; and her filial duty would have disen-gaged me equally from all obligations of honour, and expectations of favour!

The marchioness came in soon after. Her address to me confirmed me in my apprehensions Dear Grandison, said she, condescendingly laying her hand on mine, how do you? See our dear Jeronymo How much better he is What return can we make to you for your goodness to him? I went up to the dear girl last night, after you were gone. She was then indeed a little hysterical. But the disorder went off in prayers for you and for herself. I am just come from her. She has had a quiet night. She is calm, and, I may say, serene. All her cares are in what manner to shew her gratitude to you.