She took my hand.  Ah!  Lord, what have I done?—­And am I married? whispered she—­And can it never be undone?—­And is that the man, to whom I am to be obedient?—­Is he to be my lord and master?

Ah, Lady G——­, said I, it is a solemn office.  You have vowed:  he has vowed.—­It is a solemn office.

Lord G——­ led her to the first coach.  Sir Charles led me into the same.  The people, to my great confusion, whispered.  That’s the bride!  What a charming couple!  Sir Charles handed Miss Emily next.  Lord G——­ came in:  as he was entering, Harkee, friend, said Charlotte, and put out her hand, you mistake the coach:  you are not of our company.

The whole world, replied my lord, shall not now divide us:  and took his seat on the same side with Emily.

The man’s a rogue, Harriet, whispered she:  See!  He gives himself airs already!

This, said Lord G——­ as the coach drove on, taking one hand, and eagerly kissing it, is the hand that blessed me.

And that, said she, pushing him from her with the other, is the hand that repulses your forwardness.  What came you in here for?—­Don’t be silly.

He was in raptures all the way.

When we came home, every one embraced and wished joy to the bride.  The Earl and Lady Gertrude were in high spirits.  The lady re-saluted her niece, as her dear niece:  the earl recognised his beloved daughter.

But prepare to hear a noble action of Lord W——.

When he came up to compliment her—­My dearest niece, said he, I wish you joy with all my soul.  I have not been a kind uncle.  There is no fastening any thing on your brother.  Accept of this:  [and he put a little paper into her hand—­It was a banknote of 1,000L.:] My sister’s daughter, and your brother’s sister, merits more than this.

Was not this handsomely presented, Lucy?

He then, in a manner becoming Lady Grandison’s brother, stept to Lady L——.  My niece Charlotte is not my only niece.  I wish you, my dear, as if this was your day of marriage, all happiness; accept these two papers:  [The one, Lucy, was a note for 1,000L. and the other for 100L.:] and he said, The lesser note is due to you for interest on the greater.

When the ladies opened their notes, and saw what they were, they were at first at a loss what to say.

It was most gracefully done.  But see, Lucy, the example of a good and generous man can sometimes alter natures; and covetous men, I have heard it observed, when their hearts are opened, often act nobly.

As soon as Lady G——­ (so now I must call her) recovered herself from the surprise into which my lord’s present and address had put her, she went to him:  Allow me, my lord, said she, and bent one knee to him, to crave your blessing; and at the same time to thank you for your paternal present to your ever obliged Charlotte.

God bless you, my dear! saluting her—­But thank your noble brother:  you delight me with your graceful acceptance.