I will defer, if you please, those which relate to Olivia
and Mrs. Beaumont, ladies of very different characters from each other,
having several letters to write.
Permit me, my good ladies, and my lord, after contributing so much to
afflict your worthy hearts, to refer you, for relief under all the
distresses of life, whether they affect ourselves or others, to those
motives that can alone give true support to a rational mind. This mortal
scene, however perplexing, is a very short one; and the hour is hastening
when all the intricacies of human affairs shall be cleared up; and all
the sorrows that have had their foundation in virtue be changed into the
highest joy: when all worthy minds shall be united in the same interests,
the same happiness.
Allow me to be, my good Miss Byron, and you, my Lord and Lady L----, and
Miss Grandison,
Your most faithful and obedient servant,
AMBROSE BARTLETT.
Excellent Dr. Bartlett!--How worthy of himself is this advice! But think
you not, my Lucy, that the doctor has in it a particular view to your
poor Harriet? A generous one, meaning consolation and instruction to
her? I will endeavour to profit by it. Let me have your prayers, my
dear friends, that I may be enabled to succeed in my humble endeavours.
It will be no wonder to us now, that Sir Charles was not solicitous to
make known a situation so embarrassing to himself, and so much involved
in clouds and uncertainty: but whatever may be the event of this affair,
you, Lucy, and all my friends, will hardly ever know me by any other name
than that of
HARRIET BYRON.
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