Was it possible, she asked, for such an affair to be brought about?  Would my lord—­There she stopt.

I said, I would be answerable for him:  and desired her to break the matter to her daughter directly.

I left Lady Mansfield, and joined the brothers, who were with their two sisters; and soon after Miss Mansfield was sent for by her mother.

After they had been a little while together, my Lady Mansfield sent to speak with me.  They were both silent when I came in.  The mother was at a loss what to say:  the daughter was in still greater confusion.

I addressed myself to the mother.  You have, I perceive, madam, acquainted Miss Mansfield with the proposal I made to you.  I am fully authorized to make it.  Propitious be your silence!  There never was, proceeded I, a treaty of marriage set on foot, that had not its conveniencies and inconveniencies.  My lord is greatly afflicted with the gout:  there is too great a disparity in years.  These are the inconveniencies which are to be considered of for the lady.

On the other hand, if Miss Mansfield can give into the proposal, she will be received by my lord as a blessing; as one whose acceptance of him will lay him under an obligation to her.  If this proposal could not have been made with dignity and honour to the lady, it had not come from me.

The conveniencies to yourselves will more properly fall under the consideration of yourselves and family.  One thing only I will suggest, that an alliance with so rich a man as Lord W——­, will make, perhaps, some people tremble, who now think themselves secure.

But, madam, to the still silent daughter, let not a regard for me bias you:  your family may be sure of my best services, whether my proposal be received or rejected.

My lord (I must deal sincerely with you) has lived a life of error.  He thinks so himself.  I am earnest to have him see the difference, and to have an opportunity to rejoice with him upon it.

I stopt:  but both being still silent, the mother looking on the daughter, the daughter glancing now and then her conscious eye on the mother, If, madam, said I, you can give your hand to Lord W——­, I will take care, that settlements shall exceed your expectation.  What I have observed as well as heard of Miss Mansfield’s temper and goodness, is the principal motive of my application to her, in preference to all the women I know.

But permit me to say, that were your affections engaged to the lowest honest man on earth, I would not wish for your favour to my Lord W——.  And, further, if, madam, you think you should have but the shadow of a hope, to induce your compliance, that my Lord’s death would be more agreeable to you than his life, then would I not, for your morality’s sake, wish you to engage.  In a word, I address myself to you, Miss Mansfield, as to a woman of honour and conscience:  if your conscience bids you doubt, reject the proposal; and this not only for my lord’s sake, but for your own.