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.

As soon as Lady G. (so now I must call her) re-covered 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.

Lady L. came up. Mv lord, you overcome me by your bounty. How snail I

Your brother’s princely spirit, Lady L. said he, makes this present look mean. Forgive me only, that it was not done before. And he saluted her.

Lord L. came up. Lady L. shewed him the opened notes See here, my lord, said she, what Lord W. has done: and he calls thi:> the interest due on that.

Your lordship oppresses me with your goodness to your niece, said Lord L. May health, long life, and happiness, attend you in your own nuptials!

There, there, said Lord W. pointing to Sir Charles, (who had withdrawn, and then entered) make your acknowledgement: his noble spirit has awakened mine: it was only asleCp. My late sis-ter’s brother wanted but the force of such an ex ample. That son is all his mother.

Sir Charles joining them, having heard only the last words, If I am thought a son not unworthy of the most excellent of mothers, said he, and by her brother, I am happy.

Then you are happy, replied my lord.

Her memory, resumed Sir Charles, I cherish; and when I have been tempted to forget myself, that memory has been a means of keeping me steady in my duty. Her precepts, my lord, were the guide of my early youth. Had I not kept them in mind, how much more blameable than most young men had I been: My Charlotte! have that mother in your memory, on this great change of your condition! You will not be called to her trials. His eyes glistened. Tender be our remembrance of my father Charlotte, be worthy of your mother.

He withdrew with an air so nobie! — But soon re-turning with a cheerful look, he was told what Lord W. had done Your lordship was before, said he, intitled to our duty, by the ties of blood: but what is the relation of body to that of mind? You have bound me for my sisters, and that still more by the manner than by the act, in a bond of gratitude that never can be broken!

Thank yourself, thank yourself, my noble nephew.

Encourage, my lord, a family intimacy between your lady, and her nieces and nephews. You will be delighted, my sisters, with Miss Mansfield; but when she obliges my lord with her hand, you will reverence your aunt. I shall have a pleasure, when I am far distant, in contemplating the family union. Your lordship must let me know your day in time; and I will be jyful upon it, whatever, of a contrary nature, I may have to struggle with on my own account.