ask, wherefore is it that I am to be thus treated by you?

He tossed my hand from him with a whirl, that pained my very shoulder. I wept, and held my other hand to the part.

Mr Solmes blamed him. So did my uncle. He had no patience, he said, with such a perverse one: and to think of the reflections upon himself, before he entered. He had only given me back the hand I had not deserved he should touch. It was one of my arts to pretend to be pained.

Mr Solmes said, he would sooner give up all his hopes of me, than that I should be used unkindly. And he offered to plead in my behalf to them both; and applied himself with a bow, as if for my approbation of his interposition.

Interpose not, Mr Solmes, said I, to save me from my brother's violence. I cannot wish to owe an obligation to a man whose ungenerous perseverance is the occasion of that violence, and of all my disgraceful sufferings.

How generous in you, Mr Solmes, said my brother, to interpose so kindly in behalf of such an immovable spirit! I beg of you to persist in your address the unnatural brother called it address! For all our family's sake, and for her sake too, if you love her, persist!-Let us save her, if possible, from ruining herself. Look at her person! [and he gazed at me from head to foot, pointing at me, as he referred to Mr Solmes, think of her fine qualities!-all the world confesses them, and we all gloried in her till now. She is worth saving; and, after two or three more struggles, she will be yours, and, take my word for it, will reward your patience. Talk not, therefore, of giving up your hopes, for a little whining folly. She has entered upon a parade, which she knows not how to quit with a female grace. You have only her pride and her obstinacy to encounter; and depend upon it, you will be as happy a man in a fortnight, as a married man can be.

You have heard me say, my dear, that my brother has always taken a liberty to reflect upon our sex, and upon matrimony !-He would not, if he did not think it wit to do so!-Just as poor Mr Wyerley, and others, whom we both know, profane and ridicule Scripture; and all to evince their pretensions to the same pernicious talent, and to have it thought they are too wise to be religious.

Mr Solmes, with a self-satisfied air, presumptuously said, he would suffer every thing, to oblige my family, and to save me: and doubted not to be amply rewarded, could he be so happy as to succeed at last.

Mr Solmes, said I, if you have any regard for your own happiness, (mine is out of the question with you, you have not generosity enough to make that any part of your scheme,) prosecute no farther your address, as my brother calls it. It is but just to tell you, that I could not

bring my heart so much as to think of you, without the utmost disapprobation, before I was used as I have been :-And can you think I am such a slave, such a poor slave, as to be brought to change my mind by the violent usage I have met with?

And you, sir, turning to my brother, if you think that meekness always indicates tameness; and that there is no magnanimity without bluster; own yourself mistaken for once: for you shall have reason to judge from henceforth, that a generous mind is not to be forced; and that

No more, said the imperious wretch, I charge you, lifting up his hands and eyes. Then turning to my uncle, Do you hear, sir? this is your once faultless niece! This is your favourite!

Mr Solmes looked as if he knew not what to think of the matter; and had I been left alone with him, I saw plainly I could have got rid of him easily enough.

My uncle came to me, looking up also to my face, and down to my feet: and is it possible this can be you? All this violence from you, Miss Clary?

Yes, it is possible, sir—and, I will presume to say, this vehemence on my side is but the natural consequence of the usage I have met with, and the rudeness I am treated with, even in your presence, by a brother, who has no more right to control me, than I have to control him.

This usage, cousin Clary, was not till all other means were tried with you.

Tried to what end, sir? Do I contend for any thing more than a mere negative? You may, sir, [turning to Mr Solmes, possibly you may be induced the rather to persevere thus ungenerously, as the usage I have met with for your sake, and what you have now seen offered to me by my brother, will shew you what I can bear, were my evil destiny ever to make me yours.

Lord, madam, cried Solmes, [all this time distorted into twenty different attitudes, as my brother and my uncle were blessing themselves, and speaking only to each other by their eyes, and by their working features;] Lord, madam, what a construction is this!

A fair construction, sir, interrupted I: for he that can see a person, whom he pretends to value, thus treated, and approve of it, must be capable of treating her thus himself. And that you do approve of it, is evident by your declared perseverance, when you know I am confined, banished, and insulted, in order to make me consent to be what I never can be: and this, let me tell you, as I have often told others, not from motives of obstinacy, but aversion.

Excuse me, sir, turning to my uncle-to you, as to my father's brother, I owe duty. I beg your pardon, that I cannot obey you. But as for my brother; he is but my brother; he shall not constrain me.-And turning to the unnatural wretch-I will call him wretch knit your brows, sir, and frown as you will, I will ask

you, would you, in my case, make the sacrifice I am willing to make, to obtain every one's favour? If not, what right have you to treat me thus: and to procure me to be treated as I have been for so long a time past?

I had put myself by this time into great disorder: they were silent, and seemed by their looks to want to talk to one another (walking about in violent disorders too) between whiles. I sat down fanning myself, (as it happened, against the glass,) and I could perceive my colour go and come; and being sick to the very heart, and apprehensive of fainting, I rung.

Betty came in. I called for a glass of water, and drank it: but nobody minded me. I heard my brother pronounce the words, Art! Female art! to Solmes; which, together with the apprehension that he would not be welcome, I suppose kept him back. Else I could see the man was affected. And (still fearing I should faint) I arose, and taking hold of Betty's arm, Let me hold by you, Betty, said I: let me with draw. And moved with trembling feet towards the door, and then turned about, and made a courtesy to my uncle-Permit me, sir, said I, to withdraw,

Whither go you, niece? said my uncle: we have not done with you yet. I charge you de part not. Mr Solmes has something to open to you, that will astonish you and you shall hear

it.

Only, sir, by your leave, for a few minutes into the air. I will return, if you command it. I will hear all that I am to hear; that it may be over now and for ever. You will go with me, Betty?

And so, without any farther prohibition, I retired into the garden; and there casting myself upon the first seat, and throwing Betty's apron over my face, leaning against her side, my hands between hers, I gave way to a violent burst of grief, or passion, or both; which, as it seemed, saved my heart from breaking, for I was sensible of an immediate relief.

I have already given you specimens of Mrs Betty's impertinence. I shall not, therefore, trouble you with more: for the wench, notwithstanding this my distress, took great liberties with me, after she saw me a little recovered, and as I walked farther into the garden; insomuch, that I was obliged to silence her by an absolute prohibition of saying another word to me; and then she dropped behind me sullen and gloomy. It was near an hour before I was sent for in again. The messenger was my cousin Dolly Hervey, who, with an eye of compassion and respect, (for Miss Hervey always loved me, and calls herself my scholar, as you know,) told me, my company was desired.

Betty left us.

Why, what is the matter, cousin Dolly?Sure, nobody is entitled to weep in the family, but me!

Yes, I am, madam, said she, because I love you.

I kissed her: And it is for me, my sweet cousin, that you shed tears?-there never was love lost between us: but tell me, what is designed to be done with me, that I have this kind instance of your compassion for me?

You must take no notice of what I tell you, said the dear girl: but mamma has been weeping for you, too, with me; but durst not let any body see it: O my Dolly, said my mamma, there never was so set a malice in man as in your cousin James Harlowe. They will ruin the flower and ornament of their family.

As how, Miss Dolly? Did she not explain herself?-As how, my dear?

Yes; she said, Mr Solmes would have given up his claim to you; for he said, you hated him, and there were no hopes; and your mamma was willing he should; and to have you taken at your word, to renounce Mr Lovelace, and to live single. My mamma was for it too; for they heard all that passed between you and uncle Antony, and cousin James; saying, it was impossible to think of prevailing upon you to have Mr Solmes. Uncle Harlowe seemed in the same way of thinking; at least, my mamma says he did not say any thing to the contrary. But your papa was immovable, and was angry at your mamma and mine upon it. And hereupon your brother, your sister, and my uncle Antony, joined in, and changed the scene entirely. In short, she says, that Mr Solmes had great matters engaged to him. He owned, that you were the finest young lady in England, and he would be content to be but little beloved, if he could not, after marriage, engage your heart, for the sake of having the honour to call you his but for one twelvemonth-I suppose he would break your heart the next for he is a cruelhearted man, I am sure.

My friends may break my heart, cousin Dolly; but Mr Solmes will never have it in his power to break it.

I do not know that, miss: you will have good luck to avoid having him, by what I can find; for my mamma says, they are all now of one mind, herself excepted; and she is forced to be silent, your papa and brother are both so outrageous.

I am got above minding my brother, cousin Dolly: he is but my brother. But to my father I owe duty and obedience, if I could comply.

We are apt to be fond of any body that will side with us, when oppressed or provoked. I always loved my cousin Dolly; but now she

Who can forbear tears? said she.

soothing concern for me. I asked what she would do, were she in my case?

Without hesitation she replied, Have Mr Lovelace out of hand, and take up her own estate, if she were me; and there would be an end of it. -And Mr Lovelace, she said, was a fine gentleman:-Mr Solmes was not worthy to buckle his shoes.

Miss Hervey told me further, that her mother was desired to come to me, to fetch me in; but she excused herself. I should have all my friends, she said, she believed, sit in judgment upon me.

I wish it had been so. But, as I have been told since, neither my father nor my mother would trust themselves with seeing me: the one, it seems, for passion's sake; my mother for tender considerations.

By this time we entered the house. Miss accompanied me into the parlour, and left me, as a person devoted, I then thought.

Nobody was there. I sat down, and had leisure to weep; reflecting upon what my cousin Dolly had told me.

They were all in my sister's parlour adjoining; for I heard a confused mixture of voices, some louder than others, which drowned the most compassionating accents.

Female accents I could distinguish the drowned ones to be. O my dear! what a hard-hearted sex is the other! Children of the same parents, how came they by their cruelty?-Do they get it by travel?-Do they get it by conversation with one another? Or how do they get it? -Yet my sister, too, is as hard-hearted as any of them. But this may be no exception neither: for she has been thought to be masculine in her air and her spirit. She has then, perhaps, a soul of the other sex in a body of ours. And so, for the honour of our own, will I judge of every woman for the future, who, imitating the rougher manners of men, acts unbeseeming the gentleness of her own sex.

Forgive me, my dear friend, for breaking into my story by these reflections. Were I rapidly to pursue my narration, without thinking, without reflecting, I believe I should hardly be able to keep in my right mind: since vehemence and passion would then be always up permost; but while I think as I write, I cool, and my hurry of spirits is allayed.

I believe I was above a quarter of an hour enjoying my own comfortless contemplations, before any body came in to me; for they seemed to be in full debate. My aunt looked in first; O my dear, said she, are you there? and withdrew hastily to apprize them of it.

And then (as agreed upon, I suppose) in came my uncle Antony, crediting Mr Solmes with the words Let me lead you in, my dear friend, having hold of his hand; while the new-made beau awkwardly followed, but more edgingly, as I may say, setting his feet mincingly, to avoid treading upon his leader's heels.-Excuse me, my dear, this seeming levity; but those we do

not love, appear in every thing ungraceful to

us.

I stood up. My uncle looked very surly.— Sit down!-Sit down, girl, said he.—And drawing a chair near me, he placed his dear friend in it, whether he would or not, I having taken my seat. And my uncle sat on the other side of me.

Well, niece, taking my hand, we shall have very little more to say to you than we have already said, as to the subject that is so distasteful to you-unless, indeed, you have better considered of the matter-And first let me know if you have?

The matter wants no consideration, sir.

Very well, very well, madam! said my uncle, withdrawing his hands from mine: Could I ever have thought of this from you?

For God's sake, dearest madam! said Mr Solmes, folding his hands—And there he stopped.

For God's sake, what, sir?-How came God's sake, and your sake, I pray you, to be the same? This silenced him. My uncle could only be angry; and that he was before.

Well, well, well, Mr Solmes, said my uncle, no more of supplication. You have not confidence enough to expect a woman's favour.

He then was pleased to hint what great things he had designed to do for me; and that it was more for my sake, after he returned from the Indies, than for the sake of any other of the family, that he had resolved to live a single life. -But now, concluded he, that the perverse girl despises all the great things it was once as much in my will, as it is in my power, to do for her, I will change my measures.

I told him that I most sincerely thanked him for all his kind intentions to me: but that I was willing to resign all claim to any other of his favours than kind looks and kind words.

He looked about him this way and that.
Mr Solmes looked pitifully down.

But both being silent, I was sorry, I added, that I had too much reason to say a very harsh thing, as it might be thought; which was, That if he would but be pleased to convince my brother and sister, that he was absolutely determined to alter his generous purposes towards me, it might possibly procure me better treatment from both, than I was otherwise likely to have.

My uncle was very much displeased. But he had not the opportunity to express his displeasure, as he seemed preparing to do; for in came my brother in exceeding great wrath, and called me several vile names. His success hitherto, in his device against me, had set him above keeping even decent measures.

Was this my spiteful construction? he asked-Was this the interpretation I put upon his brotherly care of me, and concern for me, in order to prevent my ruining myself?

How they all gazed upon one another!—But could I be less peremptory before the man? And, as to your care and concern for me, sir, turning to my brother, once more I desire it not. You are but my brother. My father and mother, I bless God, are both living; and were they not, you have given me abundant reason to say, that you are the very last person I would wish to have any concern for me.

How, niece! And is a brother, an only brother, of so little consideration with you, as this comes to? And ought he to have no concern for his sister's honour, and the family's honour?

My honour, sir !—I desire none of his concern for that! It never was endangered till it had his undesired concern !-Forgive me, sirbut when my brother knows how to act like a brother, or behave like a gentleman, he may deserve more consideration from me than it is possible for me now to think he does.

I thought my brother would have beat me upon this but my uncle stood between us.

Violent girl, however, he called me-Who, said he, who would have thought it of her? Then was Mr Solmes told, that I was unworthy of his pursuit.

But Mr Solmes warmly took my part: he could not bear, he said, that I should be treat ed so roughly.

And so very much did he exert himself on this occasion, and so patiently was his warmth received by my brother, that I began to suspect, that it was a contrivance to make me think myself obliged to him; and that this might perhaps be one end of the pressed-for interview.

The very suspicion of this low artifice, violent as I was thought to be before, put me still more out of patience; and my uncle and my brother again praising his wonderful generosity, and his noble return of good for evil, You are a happy man, Mr Solmes, said I, that you can so easily confer obligations upon a whole family, except upon one ungrateful person of it, whom you seem to intend most to oblige; but who, being made unhappy by your favour, desires not to owe to you any protection from the violence of a brother.

Then was I a rude, an ungrateful, and unworthy creature.

I own it all-all, all you can call me, or think me, brother, do I own. I own my unworthiness with regard to this gentleman. I take your word for his abundant merit, which I

VOL. VI.

have neither leisure nor inclination to examine into-it may perhaps be as great as your ownbut yet I cannot thank him for his mediation : For who sees not, looking at my uncle, that this is giving himself a merit with every body at my expense?

Then turning to my brother, who seemed surprised into silence by my warmth, I must also acknowledge, sir, the favour of your superabundant care for me. But I discharge you of it; at least, while I have the happiness of nearer and dearer relations. You have given me no reason to think better of your prudence, than of my own. I am independent of you, sir, though I never desire to be so of my father: and although I wish for the good opinion of my uncles, it is all I wish for from them: and this, sir, I repeat, to make you and my sister easy.

Instantly almost came in Betty, in a great hurry, looking at me as spitefully as if she were my sister: Sir, said she to my brother, my master desires to speak with you this moment at the door.

He went to that which led into my sister's parlour; and this sentence I heard thundered from the mouth of one who had a right to all my reverence: Son James, let the rebel be this moment carried away to my brother's-this very moment she shall not stay one hour more under my roof!

I trembled; I was ready to sink. Yet, not knowing what I did, or said, I flew to the door, and would have opened it: but my brother pulled it to, and held it close by the key-O my papa!—my dear papa! said I, falling upon my knees, at the door-admit your child to your presence!-Let me but plead my cause at your feet!-Oh! reprobate not thus your distressed daughter!

My uncle put his handkerchief to his eyes. Mr Solmes made a still more grievous face than he had before. But my brother's marble heart was untouched.

I will not stir from my knees, continued I, without admission ; at this door I beg it!-Oh! let it be the door of mercy! and open it to me, honoured sir, I beseech you!-But this once, this once! although you were afterwards to shut it against me for ever.

The door was endeavoured to be opened on the inside, which made my brother let go the key on a sudden; and I pressing against it, (all the time remaining on my knees,) fell flat on my face into the other parlour; however, without hurting myself. But every body was gone, except Betty, who I suppose was the person that endeavoured to open the door. She helped to raise me up; and when I was on my feet, I looked round that apartment, and seeing nobody there, re-entered the other, leaning upon her; and then threw myself into the chair which I had sat in before; and my eyes overflowed, to my great relief; while my uncle Antony, my 2 x

brother, and Mr Solmes, left me, and went to my other relations.

What passed among them, I know not; but my brother came in by the time I had tolerably recovered myself, with a settled and haughty gloom upon his brow-Your father and mother command you instantly to prepare for your uncle Antony's. You need not be solicitous about what you shall take with you; you may give Betty your keys.-Take them, Betty, if the perverse one has them about her, and carry them to her mother. She will take care to send every thing after you that you shall want; but another night you will not be permitted to stay in this house.

I don't choose to give my keys to any body, except to my mother, and into her own hands. You see how much I am disordered. It may cost me my life, to be hurried away so suddenly. I beg to be indulged till next Monday at least.

That will not be granted you. So prepare for this very night. And give up your keys. Give them to me, miss. I'll carry them to your mo

ther.

In came Miss Dolly Hervey. I am sorry, madam, to be the messenger-but your mamma insists upon your sending up all the keys of your cabinet, library, and drawers.

Tell my mother, that I yield them up to her commands. Tell her, I make no conditions with my mother; but if she find nothing she shall disapprove of, I beg that she will permit me to tarry here a few days longer.-Try, my Dolly, [the dear girl sobbing with grief, try if your gentleness cannot prevail for me.

She wept still more, and said, It is sad, very sad, to see matters thus carried!

She took the keys, and wrapped her arms about me; and begged me to excuse her for her message; and would have said more; but Betty's presence awed her, as I saw.

Don't pity me, my dear, said I. It will be imputed to you as a fault. You see who is by. The insolent wench scornfully smiled. One young lady pitying another in things of this nature, looks promising in the youngest, I must needs say.

I bid her begone from my presence. She would most gladly go, she said, were she not to stay about me by my mother's order.

It soon appeared for what she staid; for I offering to go up stairs to my apartment when my cousin went from me with the keys, she told me she was commanded (to her very great regret, she must own) to desire me not to go up at present.

Such a bold face as she, I told her, should not hinder me.

She instantly rang the bell, and in came my brother, meeting me at the door.

Return, return, miss-no going up yet. I went in again, and, throwing myself upon the window-seat, wept bitterly.

Shall I give you the particulars of a ridiculously spiteful conversation that passed between my brother and me, in the time that he (with Betty) was in office to keep me in the parlour while my closet was searching?—But I think I will not. It can answer no good end.

I desired several times, while he staid, to have leave to retire to my apartment; but was denied. The search, I suppose, was not over.

Bella was one of those employed in it. They could not have a more diligent searcher. How happy it was they were disappointed!

But when my sister could not find the cunning creature's papers, I was to stand another visit from Mr Solmes-preceded now by my aunt Hervey, solely against her will, I could see that; accompanied by my uncle Antony, in order to keep her steady, I suppose.

But being a little heavy (for it is now past two in the morning) I will lie down in my clothes, to indulge the kind summons, if it will be indulged.

Three o'clock, Wednesday Morning. I COULD not sleep-only dozed away one half hour.

My aunt Hervey accosted me thus:-0, my dear child, what troubles do you give to your parents, and to every body!—I wonder at you! I am sorry for it, madam.

Sorry for it, child!-Why then so very obstinate?-Come, sit down, my dear. I will sit next you; taking my hand.

My uncle placed Mr Solmes on the other side of me: himself over against me, almost close to me. Was I not finely beset, my dear?

Your brother, child, said my aunt, is too passionate-his zeal for your welfare pushes him on a little too vehemently.

Very true, said my uncle: but no more of this. We would now be glad to see if milder means will do with you-though, indeed, they were tried before.

I asked my aunt, if it were necessary that that gentleman should be present.

There is a reason that he should, said my aunt, as you will hear by and by. But I must tell you, first, that, thinking you was a little too angrily treated by your brother, your mother desired me to try what gentler means would do upon a spirit so generous as we used to think yours.

Nothing can be done, madam, I must presume to say, if this gentleman's addressbe the end.