Miss Grandison was unusually thoughtful all dinnertime:  she gave me great joy to see her so, in the hope, that when the lover becomes the husband, the over-lively mistress will be sunk in the obliging wife.—­And yet, now and then, as the joy in my lord’s heart overflowed at his lips, I could observe that archness rising to her eye, that makes one both love and fear her.

After dinner, the Earl of G——­ and Lady Gertrude desired a conference with Sir Charles and Lady L——.  They were not long absent, when Sir Charles came in, and carried out Miss Grandison to them.  Lord G——­’s complexion varied often.

Sir Charles left them together, and joined us.  We were standing; and he singled me out—­I hope, madam, said he, that Charlotte may be prevailed upon for Tuesday next:  but I will not urge it further.

I thought that he was framing himself to say something particular to me, when Lady L——­ came in, and desired him and me to step to her sister, who had retired from the Earl and Lady Gertrude, by consent.

Ah, my Harriet! said she, pity me, my dear!—­Debasement is the child of pride!—­Then turning to Sir Charles, I acknowledge myself overcome, said she, by your earnestness, as you are so soon to leave us; and by the importunities of the Earl of G——­, Lady Gertrude, and my sister—­ Unprepared in mind, in clothes, I am resolved to oblige the best of brothers.  Do you, sir, dispose of me as you think fit.

My sister consents, sir, said Lady L——­, for next Tuesday.

Cheerfully, I hope.  If Charlotte balances whether, if she took more time, she should have Lord G——­ at all, let her take it.  Lord L——­, in my absence, will be to her all that I wish to be, when she shall determine.

I balance not, sir:  but I thought to have had a month’s time, at least, to look about me, and having treated Lord G——­ too flippantly, to give him by degrees some fairer prospects of happiness with me, than hitherto he has had.

Sir Charles embraced her.  She was all his sister, he said.  Let the alteration now begin.  Lord G——­ would rejoice in it, and consider all that had passed, as trials only of his love for her.  The obliging wife would banish from his remembrance the petulant mistress.  And now, allow me, my dear sister, to present you to the Earl and Lady Gertrude.

He led her in to them.  Lady L——­ took my hand, and led me in also.—­ Charlotte, my lord, yields to yours and Lady Gertrude’s importunities.  Next Tuesday will give the two families a near and tender relation to each other.

The earl saluted her in a very affectionate manner:  so did Lady Gertrude; who afterwards ran out for her nephew:  and, leading him in, presented him to Miss Grandison.

She had just time to whisper me, as he approached her; Ah, Harriet! now comes the worst part of the show.—­He kneeled on one knee, kissed her hand:  but was too much overjoyed to speak; for Lady Gertrude had told him, as she led him in, that Tuesday was to be his happy day.