In the afternoon Mr. Beauchamp is to introduce Sir Harry and Lady Beauchamp, on their first visit to the two sisters.

I had almost forgot to tell you, that my cousins and I are to attend the good Countess of D——­ for one half hour, after we have taken leave of Lady Olivia and her aunt.

And now, my Lucy, do I shut up my correspondence with you from London.  My heart beats high with the hope of being as indulgently received by all you, my dearest friends, as I used to be after a shorter absence:  for I am, and ever will be,

The grateful, dutiful, and affectionate
Harriet Byron.

LETTER XXXVI

Miss Byron, to lady G——­
Selby-house, Monday, April 24.

Though the kind friends with whom I parted at Dunstable were pleased, one and all, to allow that the correspondence which is to pass between my dear Lady G——­ and their Harriet, should answer the just expectations of each upon her, in the writing way; and though (at your motion, remember, not at mine) they promised to be contented with hearing read to them such parts of my letters as you should think proper to communicate; yet cannot I dispense with my duty to Lady L——­, my Emily, my cousin Reeves, and Dr. Bartlett.  Accordingly, I write to them by this post; and I charge you, my dear, with my sincere and thankful compliments to your lord, and to Mr. Beauchamp, for their favours.

What an agreeable night, in the main, was Friday night!  Had we not been to separate next morning, it would have been an agreeable one indeed!

Is not my aunt Selby an excellent woman?  But you all admired her.  She admires you all.  I will tell you, another time, what she said of you, my dear, in particular.

My cousin Lucy, too—­is she not an amiable creature?  Indeed you all were delighted with her.  But I take pleasure in recollecting your approbations of one I so dearly love.  She is as prudent as Lady L——­ and now our Nancy is so well recovered, as cheerful as Lady G——.  You said you would provide a good husband for her:  don’t forget.  The man, whoever he be, cannot be too good for my Lucy.  Nancy is such another good girl:  but so I told you.

Well, and pray, did you ever meet with so pleasant a man as my uncle Selby?  What should we have done, when we talked of your brother, when we talked of our parting, had it not been for him?  You looked upon me every now and then, when he returned your smartness upon him, as if you thought I had let him know some of your perversenesses to Lord G——.  And do you think I did not?  Indeed I did.  Can you imagine that your frank-hearted Harriet, who hides not from her friends her own faults, should conceal yours?—­But what a particular character is yours!  Every body blames you, that knows of your over-livelinesses; yet every body loves you—­I think, for your very faults.  Had it not been so, do you imagine I could ever have loved you, after you had led Lady L——­ to join with you, on a certain teasing occasion?—­My uncle dotes upon you!