Indeed, my dear, you are wrong.  Lord G——­ loves you:  but were Sir Charles not your brother, it is not very certain, that he would have returned your love.

Why, that’s true.  I believe he would not, in that case, have chosen me.  I am sure he would not, if he had known you:  but for the man one loves, one can do any thing, be every thing, that he would wish one to be.

Do you think you cannot love Lord G——?  For Heaven’s sake, Charlotte, though you are now almost within sight of the church, do not think of giving your hand, if you cannot resolve to make Lord G——­ as happy, as I have no doubt he will make you, if it be not your own fault.

What will my brother say?  What will—­

Leave that to me.  I will engage Sir Charles and Dr. Bartlett to lend me their ear in the vestry; and I am sure your brother, if he knows that you have an antipathy to Lord G——­, or that you think you cannot be happy with him, will undertake your cause, and bring you off.

Antipathy!  That’s a strong word, Harriet.  The man is a good-natured silly man—­

Silly!  Charlotte!—­Silly then he must be for loving you so well, who, really, have never yet given him an opportunity to shew his importance with you.

I do pity him sometimes.

The coach stopt:—­Ah, Lord!  Harriet!  The church!  The church!

Say, Charlotte, before you step out—­Shall I speak to your brother, and
Dr. Bartlett, in the vestry?

I shall look like a fool either way.

Don’t act like one, Charlotte, on this solemn occasion.  Say, you will deserve, that you will try to deserve, Lord G——­’s love.

Sir Charles appeared.  Lord help me!—­My brother!—­I’ll try, I’ll try, what can be done.

He gave each his hand in turn:  in we flew:  the people began to gather about us.  Lord G——­ all rapture, received her at the entrance.  Sir Charles led me:  and the Earl and Lady Gertrude received us with joy in their countenances.  I overheard the naughty one say, as Lord G——­ led her up to the altar, You don’t know what you are about, man.  I expect to have all my way:  remember that’s one of my articles before marriage.

He returned her an answer of fond assent to her condition.  I am afraid, thought I, poor Lord G——­, you will be more than once reminded of this previous article.

When she was led to the altar, and Lord G——­ and she stood together, she trembled.  Leave me not, Harriet, said she.—­Brother!  Lady L——!

I am sure she looked sillier than Lord G——­ at that instant.

The good doctor began the office.  No dearly beloveds, Harriet! whispered she, as I had said, on a really terrible occasion.  I was offended with her in my heart:  again she whispered something against the office, as the doctor proceeded to give the reasons for the institution.  Her levity did not forsake her even at that solemn moment.

When the service was over, every one (Sir Charles in a solemn and most affectionate manner) wished her happy.  My Lord G——­ kissed her hand with a bent knee.