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
The subject, which Sir Charles led to at breakfast, was the three
weddings of Thursday last. He spoke honourably of marriage, and made
some just compliments to Lord and Lady L----; concluding them with
wishes, that his sister Charlotte and Lord G---- might be neither more
nor less happy than they were. Then turning to Lord W----, he said, he
questioned not his lordship's happiness with the lady he had so lately
seen; for I cannot doubt, said he, of your lordship's affectionate
gratitude to her, if she behaves, as I am sure she will.
My lord had tears in his eyes. Never man had such a nephew as I have,
said he. All the joy of my present prospects, all the comforts of my
future life, are and will be owing to you.
Here had he stopt, it would have been well: but turning to me, he
unexpectedly said, Would to God, madam, that you could reward him! I
cannot; and nobody else can.
All were alarmed for me; every eye was upon me. A sickishness came over
my heart--I know not how to describe it. My head sunk upon my bosom. I
could hardly sit; yet was less able to rise.
Sir Charles's face was overspread with blushes. He bowed to my lord.
May the man, said he, who shall have the honour to call Miss Byron his,
be, if possible, as deserving as she is! Then will they live together
the life of angels.
He gracefully looked down; not at me; and I got a little courage to look
up: yet Lady L---- was concerned for me: so was Lord L----: Emily's eye
dropt a tear upon her blushing cheek.
Was it not, Lucy, a severe trial?--Indeed it was.
My Lord, to mend the matter, lamented very pathetically, that Sir Charles
was under an obligation to go abroad; and still more, that he could not
stay to be present at the celebration of his nuptials with Miss
Mansfield.
The Earl, Lord G----, Lady Gertrude, and the doctor, were to meet the
bride and us at church. Lord and Lady L----, Sir Charles, and Emily,
went in one coach: Miss Grandison and I in another.
As we went, I don't like this affair at all, Harriet, said she. My
brother has long made all other men indifferent to me. Such an infinite
difference!
Can any body be happier than Lord and Lady L----, Charlotte? Yet Lady
L---- admires her brother as much as you can do.
They happy!--And so they are. But Lady L----, soft soul! fell in love
with Lord L---- before my brother came over. So the foundation was laid:
and it being a first flame with her, she, in compliment to herself, could
not but persevere. But the sorry creature Anderson, proving a sorry
creature, made me despise the sex: and my brother's perfections
contributed to my contempt of all other men.
Indeed, my dear, you are wrong. Lord G---- loves you: but were Sir
Charles not your brother, it is not very certain, that he would have
returned your love.
Why, that's true. I believe he would not, in that case, have chosen me.
I am sure he would not, if he had known you: but for the man one loves,
one can do any thing, be every thing, that he would wish one to be.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account