Back Sir Charles Grandison
Chapters (10)
  1. SIR CHARLES GRANDISON
  2. PREFACE.
  3. NAMES OF THE PRINCIPAL PERSONS.
  4. VOLUME I.
  5. VOLUME II.
  6. VOLUME III.
  7. VOLUME IV.
  8. VOLUME V.
  9. VOLUME VI.
  10. VOLUME VII.

I rang, by her pennission. Sally came up. I made my request, by her, to her master. He found us to-gether. Sir Charles, said I, before he could speak, Lady Clementina hassomethingon her mind: 1 have besought her to consult you,

I must consult you both, said she. To-morro\r morning, Sir, as early as will suit Lady Grandison, we will meet for that purpose.

May the issue of tomorrow’s conference be tran-quillity of mind to this excellent lady!

Letter L.

Lady Grandison. In Continuation,

Wednesday, May 16.

Trii: conference was held in Italian. It was but just turned of seven in the morning, when we met in my drawing-room.

I had told Lady Clementina that she must lead the subject; but Sir Charles, scciiig her in some confu-sion, relieved her Vou do nic, madam, said he, great honour (and it is. worthy of our brotherly and sisterly frieiaUliiplin proposing to ask my opinion on any subject in which you are interested. Our dear Harriet’s recovery (Ciod be praised for it!) has left no wish in my heart so ardent as for ijnnr hajjpiness. Permit me to say, my dear Lady Clementina, it is ncccssan/ for that of us both.

Indeed, madam, it /v, said I, taking her hand. Tenderness, love, respect, I am sure, were in my countenance, if it s])oke 013 — heart. She condescend-ingly bowed upon mine: t-.‘ars were in lun — eyes: You pain nie, chevalier, you pain me, madam, by your goodness How many of my friends have I made unhappy!

For some days past, said Sir Charles, I have ob-served, that you have seemed more uneasy than usual. Would to Heaven it were in my power to remove the cause!

Perhaps it may. Ah, chevalier! 1 thought when I came into the compromise, that I might have made myself happier in it, than I now find 1 can be.

Dear Lady Clementina! said Sir Charles; and stopt.

Be not displeased with me, chevalier. I must hold myself bound by it, if it be insisted on. But though my condescending friends urge me not by entreaties, by persuasions, see you not that their rv’sl/itig ei/es, and xigking hcarts^hvesk every hour the articles agreed to?

Dear Lady Clementina!

I knew you would be angry with me.

I am not. It would be equally unfriendly and insolent if I were. l)Ut, my dear Clementina, what an affectiiig picture have you drawn of the resignation of parents to the will of their child, in an article which their hearts were fixed upon.

Add not weight, Sir, to my uneasy reflections. I can hardly bear to see in them the generous sup-pression of their own wishes.

She thi!i addressed herself to me. Bear with me, dear Lady Grandison.if I cast an eye back to former situations. You know my whole story. For a few moments hear with nic I never, God is my witness, envied yew. On rhe con<-riiry, 1 rejoiced to find thc^u merits yv’Mrii J had not po’ver to reward, so aii:’. — re\vri(ti,\l b}” you; and that the chevalier was so great a uaiuer by my declining his vows, She