--

Yes, Sir Charles, but there shall: his allowance has been lessened for
some years; not from considerations of family prudence--But--Well, 'tis
all at an end, proceeded she--When the young man returns, you, Sir Harry,
for my sake, and for the sake of this strange unaccountable creature,
shall pay him the whole arrear.

Now, my dear Lady Beauchamp, said I, listing her hand to my lips, permit
me to give you joy. All doubts and misgivings so triumphantly got over,
so solid a foundation laid for family harmony--What was the moment of
your nuptials to this? Sir Harry, I congratulate you: you may, and I
believe you have been, as happy as most men; but now, you will be still
happier.

Indeed, Sir Harry, said she, you provoked me in the morning: I should not
else--

Sir Harry owned himself to blame; and thus the lady's pride was set down
softly.

She desired Sir Harry to write, before the day concluded, the invitation
of return, to Mr. Beauchamp; and to do her all the credit in it that she
might claim from the last part of the conversation; but not to mention
any thing of the first.

She afterwards abated a little of this right spirit, by saying, I think,
Sir Harry, you need not mention any thing of the arrears, as I may call
them--But only the future 600L. a year. One would surprise him a little,
you know, and be twice thanked--

Surprises of such a nature as this, my dear Dr. Bartlett; pecuniary
surprises!--I don't love them--They are double taxes upon the gratitude
of a worthy heart. Is it not enough for a generous mind to labour under
a sense of obligation?--Pride, vain-glory, must be the motive of such
narrow-minded benefactors: a truly beneficent spirit cannot take delight
in beholding the quivering lip indicating the palpitating heart; in
seeing the downcast countenance, the up-lifted hands, and working
muscles, of a fellow-creature, who, but for unfortunate accidents, would
perhaps himself have had the will, with the power, of shewing a more
graceful benevolence!

I was so much afraid of hearing farther abatements of Lady Beauchamp's
goodness; so willing to depart with favourable impressions of her for her
own sake; and at the same time so desirous to reach the Hall that night;
that I got myself excused, though with difficulty, staying to dine; and
accepting of a dish of chocolate, I parted with Sir Harry and my lady,
both in equal good humour with themselves and me.

Could you have thought, my dear frien