We  women  looked  upon  one  another,  I  have  no  doubt,
thought  I,  but  Sir  Charles  came  honestly  by  his  knowledge
of  us.
The  dear  Charlotte  sat  uneasy.     He  proceeded.
However,  I  now  made  no  question  but  my  sister's  af-
fections were  absolutely  disengaged.  My  dear  Charlotte,
said  I,  I  would  rather  be  excused  telling  you  which  gen-
tleman's suit  I  should  incline  to  favour,  lest  my  opinion
should  not  have  your  inclination  with  it ;  and  your  mind,
by  that  means,  should  sutler  any  embarrassment.  She  de-
sired to  know  it.
Miss  Gr.  You  were  very  generous,  sir ;  I  owned  you
were,  in  this  point,  as  well  as  in  all  others.
Sir  Ch.    I  tlien  declared  in  favour  of  Lord  G ,  as

the  man  who  would  be  most  likely  to  make  her  happy ;
who  would  think  himself  most  obliged  to  her  for  her  fa-


SIR    CHARLES    GRANDISON.  285

vour:  and  I  took  the  liberty  to  hint,  that  though  I  ad-
mired her  for  her  vivacity,  and  even,  when  her  wit  carried
its  keenest  edge,  loved  to  be  awakened  by  it,  and  wished
it  never  to  lose  that  edge ;  yet  I  imagined,  that  it  would

hurt  such  a  man  as  Sir  Walter.     Lord  G it  would  eii'

liven:  and  I  hoped,  if  she  took  pleasure  in  her  innocent
sallies,  that  she  would  think  it  something;,  so  to  choose,  as
that  she  should  not  be  under  a  necessity  of  repressing  those
sprightly  powers,  that  very  seldom  were  to  be  wished  to  be
reined  in.
Miss  Gr.  True,  sir.  You  said,  va-?/  seldom,  I  re-
member.
