ons.

He had his eyes upon you, Harriet, replied Lady G----, more earnestly
than he had upon me, or any body else.

That's true, said Lady L----. I looked upon both him and you, my dear,
with pity. My tears were ready to start more than once, to reflect how
happy you two might be in each other, and how greatly you would love each
other, were it not----

Not one word more on this subject, dear Lady L----! I cannot bear it. I
thought my-self, that he often cast an eye of tenderness upon me. I
cannot bear it. I am afraid of myself; of my justice--

His tender looks did not escape me, said Lady G----. Nor yet did my dear
Harriet's. But we will not touch this string: it is too tender a one.
I, for my part, was forced, in order to divert myself, to turn my eyes on
Lord G----. He got nothing by that. The most officious--

Nay, Lady G----, interrupted I, you shall not change the discourse at the
expense of the man you have vowed to honour. I will be pained myself, by
the continuation of the former subject, rather than that shall be.

Charming Harriet! said Lady L----. I hope your generosity will be
rewarded. Yet tell me, my dear, can you wish Lady Clementina may be his?
I have no doubt but you wish her recovery; but can you wish her to be
his?

I have debated the matter, my dear Lady L----, with myself. I am sorry
it has admitted of debate: so excellent a creature! Such an honour to
her sex! So nobly sincere! So pious!--But I will confess the truth: I
have called upon justice to support me in my determination: I have
supposed myself in her situation, her unhappy malady excepted: I have
supposed her in mine: and ought I then to have hesitated to which to give
the preference?--Yet--

What yet, most frank, and most generous of women? said Lady L----,
clasping her arms about me: what yet--

Why, yet-Ah, ladies--Why, yet, I have many a pang, many a twitch, as I
may call it!--Why is your brother so tender-hearted, so modest, so
faultless!--Why did he not insult me with his pity? Why does he on every
occasion shew a tenderness for me, that is more affecting than pity? And
why does he give me a consequence that exalts, while it depresses me?

I turned my head aside to hide my emotion--Lady G---- snatched my
handkerchief from me; and wiped away a starting tear; and called me by
very tender names.

Am I dear, continued I, to the heart of such a man? You think I am.
Allow me to say, that he is indeed dear to mine: yet I have