The History of Sir Charles Grandison, Volume 4 (of 7)Richardson, Samuel
General
The History of Sir Charles Grandison, Volume 4 (of 7)
Richardson, Samuel
England -- Social life and customs -- 18th century -- Fiction; Epistolary fiction
Sir Charles told us, that he had desired Lord W---- to give out every
where (that the adversaries of the Mansfield family might know it) his
intended alliance; and that he and his nephew were both determined to
procure a retrospection of all former proceedings.
Sir Charles got to Sir Harry Beauchamp's a little before his friend
arrived. Sir Harry took him aside at his alighting, and told him, that
Lady Beauchamp had had clouds on her brow all the day, and he was afraid,
would not receive his son with the graciousness that once he hoped for
from her: but, that he left him to manage with her. She never, said he,
had so high an opinion either of man or woman as she has of you.
Sir Charles addressed himself to her, as not doubting her goodness upon
the foot of their former conversation; and praised her for the graces
that however appeared but faintly in her countenance, till his
compliments lighted them up, and made them shine full out in it. He told
her, that his sister and Lord G---- were to be married on the following
Tuesday. He himself, he said, should set out for Paris on Friday after:
but hoped to see a family intimacy begun between his sisters and Lady
Beauchamp; and between their lords, and Sir Harry, and Mr. Beauchamp. He
applauded her on the generosity of her intentions, as declared to him in
their former conference; and congratulated her on the power she had, of
which she made so noble an use, of laying, at the same time, an
obligation on the tenderest of husbands, and the most deserving of sons:
whose duty to her he engaged for.
All this set her in high good humour; and she took to herself, and
bridled upon it, to express myself in Charlotte's manner, the praises and
graces this adroit manager gave her, as if they were her unquestionable
due.
This agreeable way they were all in, Sir Harry transported with his
lady's goodness, when Mr. Beauchamp arrived.
The young gentleman bent his knee to his stepmother, as well as to his
father, and thanked her for the high favours his father had signified to
him by letter, that he owed to her goodness. She confirmed them; but,
Sir Charles observed, with an ostentation that shewed she thought very
highly of her own generosity.
They had a very cheerful evening. Not one cloud would hang on Lady
Beauchamp's brow, though once or twice it seemed a little overshadowed,
as Mr. Beauchamp displayed qualities for which his father was too ready
to admire him. Sir Charles thought it necessary to caution Sir Harry on
this subject; putting it in this light, that Lady Beauchamp loved her
husband so well, that she would be too likely to dread a rivalry in his
affections from a son so very accomplished. Sir Harry took the hint
kindly.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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