She laughed at us both.  Soft souls, and tender! said she, let me tell you, that there is more indelicacy in delicacy, than you very delicate people are aware of.

You, Charlotte, said Lady L——­, have odder notions than any body else.  Had you been a man, you would have been a sad rake.

A rake, perhaps, I might have been; but not a sad one, Lady L——.

Lady G——­ can’t help being witty, said I:  it is sometimes her misfortune, sometimes ours, that she cannot:  however, I highly approve of the example set by Lord L——­, and followed by Lady L——.

And so do I, Harriet.  And when Lord G——­ sets the example, I shall—­ consider of it.  I am not a bad economist.  Had I ten thousand pounds in my hands, I would not be extravagant:  had I but one hundred, I would not be mean.  I value not money but as it enables me to lay an obligation, instead of being under the necessity of receiving one.  I am my mother’s daughter, and brother’s sister; and yours, Lady L——­, in this particular; and yours too, Harriet:  different means may be taken to arrive at the same end.  Lord G——­ will have no reason to be dissatisfied with my prudence in money-matters, although I should not make him one of my best courtesies, as if—­as if—­(and she laughed; but checking herself)—­I were conscious—­again she laughed—­that I had signed and sealed to my absolute dependence on his bounty.

What a mad creature! said Lady L——­:  But, my Harriet, don’t you think that she behaved pretty well to Lord G——­ at table?

Yes, answered I, as those would think who observe not her arch looks:  but she gave me pain for her several times; and, I believe, her brother was not without his apprehensions.

He had his eyes upon you, Harriet, replied Lady G——­, more earnestly than he had upon me, or any body else.

That’s true, said Lady L——.  I looked upon both him and you, my dear, with pity.  My tears were ready to start more than once, to reflect how happy you two might be in each other, and how greatly you would love each other, were it not——­

Not one word more on this subject, dear Lady L——!  I cannot bear it.  I thought my-self, that he often cast an eye of tenderness upon me.  I cannot bear it.  I am afraid of myself; of my justice—­

His tender looks did not escape me, said Lady G——.  Nor yet did my dear Harriet’s.  But we will not touch this string:  it is too tender a one.  I, for my part, was forced, in order to divert myself, to turn my eyes on Lord G——.  He got nothing by that.  The most officious—­

Nay, Lady G——­, interrupted I, you shall not change the discourse at the expense of the man you have vowed to honour.  I will be pained myself, by the continuation of the former subject, rather than that shall be.

Charming Harriet! said Lady L——.  I hope your generosity will be rewarded.  Yet tell me, my dear, can you wish Lady Clementina may be his?  I have no doubt but you wish her recovery; but can you wish her to be his?