me at Mansfield-house of a thousand pounds
left to her by a godmother.

Halden being very desirous to see his future lady, I shall, at his
request, send the letter I have written to Lady Mansfield by him early in
the morning; with a line recommending him to the notice of that lady as
Lord W----'s principal steward.

Adieu, my dear Dr. Bartlett: I have joy in the joy of all these good
people. If Providence graciously makes me instrumental to it, I look
upon myself but as its instrument. I hope ostentation has no share in
what draws on me more thanks and praises than I love to hear.

Lord W---- has a right to be made happy by his next relation, if his next
relation can make him so. Is he not my mother's brother? Would not her
enlarged soul have rejoiced on the occasion, and blessed her son for an
instance of duty to her, paid by his disinterested regard for her
brother? Who, my dear Dr. Bartlett, is so happy, yet who, in some cases,
so unhappy, as your

CHARLES GRANDISON.

LETTER IX

MISS BYRON, TO MISS SELBY
MONDAY, APRIL 3.

The Countess of D----, and the earl, her son, have but just left us. The
countess sent last night, to let my cousin Reeves know of their intended
morning visit, and they came together. As the visit was made to my
cousin, I did not think myself obliged to be in waiting for them below. I
was therefore in my closet, comforting myself with my own agreeable
reflections. They were there a quarter of an hour before I was sent to.

Their talk was of me. I am used to recite my own praises, you know; and
what signifies making a parade of apologies for continuing the use? I
don't value myself so much as I once did on peoples favourable opinions.
If I had a heart in my own keeping, I should be glad it was thought a
good one; that's all. Yet though it has littlenesses in it that I knew
nothing of formerly, I hope it is not a bad one.

My Lord D----, by the whole turn of the partial conversation, was led to
expect a very extraordinary young woman. The lady declared, that she
would have her talk out, and hear all my two cousins were inclined to say
of me, before I was sent up to, as I was not below when they came.

I was therefore to be seen only as a subject of curiosity. My lord had
declared, it seems, that he would not be denied an introduction to me by
his mother. But there were no thoughts of making any application to a
girl whose heart was acknowledged not to be her own. My lord's honour