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
Lady L---- took notice of her wrist being bound round with a broad black
ribband, and asked, If it were hurt? A kind of sprain, said she. But
you little imagine how it came; and must not ask.
This made Lady L---- curious. And Olivia requesting that Emily might be
allowed to breakfast with her as this morning; she has bid the dear girl
endeavour to know how it came, if it fell in her way: for Olivia
reddened, and looked up, with a kind of consciousness, to Lady L----,
when she told her that she must not ask questions about it.
Lady G---- is very earnest with me to give into the town diversions for a
month to come: but I have now no desire in my heart so strong, as to
throw myself at the feet of my grandmamma and aunt; and to be embraced by
my Lucy and Nancy, and all my Northamptonshire friends.
I am only afraid of my uncle. He will rally his Harriet; yet only, I
know, in hopes to divert her, and us all: but my jesting days are over:
my situation will not bear it. Yet if it will divert himself, let him
rally.
I shall be so much importuned to stay longer than I ought, or will stay,
that I may as well fix a peremptory day at once. Will you, my ever
indulgent friends, allow me to set out for Selby-house on Friday
next? Not on a Sunday, as Lady Betty Williams advises, for fear of the
odious waggons. But I have been in a different school. Sir Charles
Grandison, I find, makes it a tacit rule with him, Never to begin a
journey on a Sunday; nor, except when in pursuit of works of mercy or
necessity, to travel in time of divine service. And this rule he
observed last Sunday, though he reached us here in the evening. O my
grandmamma! How much is he, what you all are, and ever have been!--But
he is now pursuing a work of mercy. God succeed to him the end of his
pursuit!
But why tacit? you will ask. Is Sir Charles Grandison ashamed to make an
open appearance in behalf of his Christian duties? He is not. For
instance; I have never seen him sit down at his own table, in the absence
of Dr. Bartlett, or some other clergyman, but he himself says grace; and
that with such an easy dignity, as commands every one's reverence; and
which is succeeded by a cheerfulness that looks as if he were the better
pleased for having shewn a thankful heart.
Dr. Bartlett has also told me, that he begins and ends every day, either
in his chamber, or in his study, in a manner worthy of one who is in
earnest in his Christian profession. But he never frights gay company
with grave maxims. I remember, one day, Mr. Grandison asked him, in his
absurd way, Why he did not preach to his company now and then? Faith,
Sir Charles, said he, if you did, you would reform many a poor ignorant
sinner of us; since you could do it with more weight, and more certainty
of attention, than any parson in Christendom.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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