suspected of vanity or coquetry, permit me to speak to her with the
freedom of a friend?"

Belinda, touched by the kindness of Lady Anne's manner, pressed her hand,
and exclaimed, "Yes, dear Lady Anne, speak to me with freedom--you cannot
do me a greater favour. No thought of my mind, no secret feeling of my
heart, shall be concealed from you."

"Do not imagine that I wish to encroach upon the generous openness of your
temper," said Lady Anne; "tell me when I go too far, and I will be silent.
One who, like Miss Portman, has lived in the world, has seen a variety of
characters, and probably has had a variety of admirers, must have formed
some determinate idea of the sort of companion that would make her happy,
if she were to marry--unless," said Lady Anne, "she has formed a
resolution against marriage."

"I have formed no such resolution," said Belinda. "Indeed, since I have
seen the happiness which you and Mr. Percival enjoy in your own family, I
have been much more disposed to think that a union--that a union such as
yours, would increase my happiness. At the same time, my aversion to the
idea of marrying from interest, or convenience, or from any motives but
esteem and love, is increased almost to horror. O Lady Anne! there is
nothing that I would not do to please the friends to whom I am under
obligations, except sacrificing my peace of mind, or my integrity, the
happiness of my life, by--"

Lady Anne, in a gentle tone, assured her, that she was the last person in
the world who would press her to any union which would make her unhappy.
"You perceive that Mr. Vincent has spoken to me of what passed between you
yesterday. You perceive that I am his friend, but do not forget that I am