I know, said Emily, what I could have answered, if I dared:  but it is ill meddling, as I have heard say, between man and wife.

Emily says, the quarrel was not made up; but was carried higher still in the morning.

She had but just finished her tale, when the following billet was brought me, from Lady G——­: 

***

TUESDAY MORNING.

Harriet,

If you love me, if you pity me, come hither this instant:  I have great need of your counsel.  I am resolved to be unmarried; and therefore subscribe myself by the beloved name of

Charlotte Grandison.

***

I instantly dispatched the following: 

I Know no such person as Charlotte Grandison.  I love Lady G——­, but can pity only her lord.  I will not come near you.  I have no counsel to give you, but that you will not jest away your own happiness.

Harriet Byron.

***

In half an hour after, came a servant from Lady G——­ with the following letter: 

So, then, I have made a blessed hand of wedlock.  My brother gone:  my man excessive unruly:  Lord and Lady L——­ on his side, without inquiring into merits, or demerits:  lectured by Dr. Bartlett’s grave face:  Emily standing aloof; her finger in her eye:  and now my Harriet renouncing me:  and all in one week!

What can I do?—­War seems to be declared:  and will you not turn mediatrix?—­You won’t, you say.  Let it alone.  Nevertheless, I will lay the whole matter before you.

It was last night, the week from the wedding-day not completed, that Lord G——­ thought fit to break into my retirement without my leave—­By the way, he was a little impertinent at dinner-time; but that I passed over—­

What boldness is this? said I—­Pray, Sir, begone—­Why leave you your company below?

I come, my dearest life! to make a request to you.

The man began with civility enough, had he had a little less of his odious rapture; for he flung his arms about me, Jenny in presence.  A husband’s fondness is enough to ruin these girls.  Don’t you think, Harriet, that there is an immorality in it, before them?

I refuse your request, be it what it will.  How dare you invade me in my retirement?—­You may believe, that I intended not to stay long above, my sister below.  Does the ceremony, so lately past, authorize want of breeding?

Want of breeding, madam!—­And he did so stare!

Leave me, this instant!—­I looked good-natured, I suppose, in my anger; for he declared he would not; and again throwing his arms about me as I sat, joined his sharp face to mine, and presumed to kiss me; Jenny still in the room.

Now, Harriet, you never will desert me in a point of delicacy, I am sure.  You cannot defend these odious freedoms in a matrimony so young, unless you would be willing to be served so yourself.