My name was no sooner sent up, than Mr. Powis flew to receive me.—­Welcome, my friend! said he; you come opportunely.  We have a noble family with us that has been just wishing to see Mr. Molesworth.—­He had time for no more; the door open’d.—­What was my surprize to be embrac’d by Lord Hampstead and Lord Hallum, by them, led to the Countess and our two divinities, whose mild eyes,—­whose elegant deportment, told me Loves and Graces had put a finishing stroke to the great work of virtue and humility.—­Lady Mary Sutton,—­yes, Lady Mary Sutton too was there:  she advanc’d towards me, Miss Powis in her hand.

I have the honour, said Mr. Powis, of presenting Lady Mary Sutton (the source of all my felicity) to Mr. Molesworth.—­Then addressing himself to her Ladyship, Permit me, Madam, to introduce to you the friend I love.

If ever I wish’d to shine, it was then—­I would have given the world for eloquence;—­nay, common understanding.—­The former I never possessed:—­A surprize and pleasure had flown away with the latter.—­Miss Powis has that looks through one’s very soul—­a sweet compassionate eye:  the dignity it expresses bespeaks your confidence.—­She perceived my embarrassment, and said, Come, Mr. Molesworth, let me have the satisfaction of placing you next Lady Mary.  So down sat the stupid blockhead.—­Her Ladyship is very chatty, and very affable; she said a thousand obliging things; but half was lost upon me, whilst I watch’d the lips of my fair Elizabeth.

Mr. Mrs. Powis, and Lady Mary, enquired affectionately after the health of Lord Darcey.  When I said he was come to Town, up flew the heart’s tell-tale to the face of Miss Powis.—­Her father and mother ask’d, if they might have the happiness of waiting on his Lordship next morning.—­I arose to assure them what joy their visit would occasion; when having settled the hour, and so forth, I slid to a chair vacant between Lady Elizabeth and Lady Sophia,—­How enchanting did they look!—­how enchanting did they speak!—­No reserve;—­all frankness;—­the same innocence in their manners as at fifteen;—­the vivacity of the French,—­the sedateness of the English, how charmingly blended!

Risby, thou art a fortunate fellow:  Lady Sophia speaks of thee with esteem.

The sweet syrens—­syrens only by attraction—­held me by the ear upwards of an hour.—­From them I learnt Lady Mary Sutton came to England, on receiving an account from Mr. Delves that Miss Powis had the small-pox.—­Happy for us, Dick, they lov’d Lady Mary too well to stay behind her!

As I was listening to their entertaining descriptions of places abroad, we were join’d by Lord Hallum.—­Molesworth, said his Lordship, I will not suffer these girls to engage you solely:—­My prating sisters are grown so saucy that I am obliged to be a very tyrant.—­

A spirited conversation ensued, in which the cherub sisters bore away the palm.