and was pleased with their prate. The doctor, who
had never seen him before in the company of children, applauded him for
his vivacity, and condescending talk to them. The tenderest father in
the world, he said, could not have behaved more tenderly, or shewed
himself more delighted with his own children, than he did with those
brats of Mrs. Oldham.

Ah, Charlotte! And is it out of doubt, that you are the daughter of Lady
Grandison, and sister of Sir Charles Grandison?--Well, but I believe you
are--Some children take after the father, some after the mother!--Forgive
me, my dear.

But I won't. I have a great mind to quarrel with you, Harriet.

Pray don't; because I could neither help, nor can be sorry for, what I
said. But pray proceed.

Why, he made presents to the children. I don't know what they were; nor
could the doctor tell me. I suppose very handsome ones; for he has the
spirit of a prince. He inquired very particularly after the circumstances
of the mother; and was more kind to her than many people would be to
their own mothers.--He can account for this, I suppose--though I cannot.
The woman, it is true, is of a good family, and so forth: but that
enhances her crime. Natural children abound in the present age. Keeping
is fashionable. Good men should not countenance such wretches.--But my
brother and you are charitable creatures!--With all my heart, child.
Virtue, however, has at least as much to say on one side of the question
as on the other.

When the poor children are in the world, as your brother said--When the
poor women are penitents, true penitents--Your brother's treatment of
Mrs. Giffard was different. He is in both instances an imitator of the
Almighty; a humbler of the impenitent, and an encourager of those who
repent.

Well, well; he is undoubtedly a good sort of young man; and, Harriet, you
are a good sort of young woman. Where much is given, much is required:
but I have not given me such a large quantity of charity, as either of
you may boast: and how can I help it?--But, however, the woman went away
blessing and praising him; and that, the doctor says, more with her eyes
than she was able to do in words. The elder youth departed in rapturous
reverence: the children hung about his knees, on theirs. The doctor will
have it, that it was without bidding--Perhaps so--He raised them by turns
to his arms, and kissed them.--Why, Harriet! your eyes glisten, child.
They would have run over, I suppose,