& solemn an accent, that for some time I had not courage to reply. I was actually si--lenced. Could you have beleived it Mary? I recovered myself however in a few mo::ments & looking at her with all the affec::tion I could, "My dear Miſs Grenville said I¹,you appear extremely young – & may pro::bably stand in need of some one's advice whose regard for you, joined to superior Age, perhaps superior Judgement mightauthorise her to give it –. I am that per::son, & I now challenge you to accept theoffer I make you of my Confidence and Freindship, in return to which I shallonly ask for yours —"

"You are extremely obiging Ma'am —said She – & I am highly flattered by yourattention to me –. But I am in no dif::ficulty, no doubt, no uncertainty of si::tuation in which any Advice can be wanted.