The History of Sir Charles Grandison, Volume 4 (of 7)Richardson, Samuel
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The History of Sir Charles Grandison, Volume 4 (of 7)
Richardson, Samuel
England -- Social life and customs -- 18th century -- Fiction; Epistolary fiction
His dear!--Now I hate a hypocrite, of all things. I knew that he had a
design to make a shew of his bride, as his property, at another place;
and seeing me angry, thought he would name a visit agreeable to me, and
which at the same time would give him a merit with you, and preserve to
himself the consequence of being obliged by his obedient wife, at the
word of authority.
From this foolish beginning arose our mighty quarrel. What vexed me was,
the art of the man, and the evident design he had to get you of his side.
He, in the course of it, threatened me with appealing to you.--To intend
to ruin me in the love of my dearest friend! Who, that valued that
friend, could forgive it? You may believe, that if he had not proposed
it, and after such accumulated offences, it was the very visit that I
should have been delighted with.
Indeed, Sir--Upon my word, my lord--I do assure you, sir,--with a
moderate degree of haughtiness--was what the quarrel arose to, on my
side--And, at last, to a declaration of rebellion--I won't.
On his side, Upon my soul, madam--Let me perish, if--and then hesitating
--You use me ill, madam. I have not deserved--And give me leave to say--
I insist upon being obliged, madam.
There was no bearing of this, Harriet.--It was a cool evening; but I took
up my fan--Hey-day! said I, what language is this?--You insist upon it,
my lord!--I think I am married; am I not?--And I took my watch, half an
hour after ten on Monday night--the--what day of the month is this?--
Please the lord, I will note down this beginning moment of your
authoritative demeanour.
My dear Lady G----, [The wretch called me by his own name, perhaps
farther to insult me,] if I could bear this treatment, it is impossible
for me to love you as I do.
So it is in love to me, that you are to put on already all the husband!--
Jenny! [Do you see, my lord, affecting a whisper, how you dash the poor
wench? How like a fool she looks at our folly!] Remember, Jenny, that
to-morrow morning you carry my wedding-suits to Mrs. Arnold; and tell
her, she has forgot the hanging-sleeves to the gowns. Let her put them
on out of hand.
I was proceeding--But he rudely, gravely, and even with an air of scorn,
[There was no bearing that, you know,] admonished me. A little less wit,
madam, and a little more discretion, would perhaps better become you.
This was too true to be forgiven. You'll say it, Harriet, if I don't.
And to come from a man that was not overburdened with either--But I had
too great a command of myself to say so. My dependence, my lord, [This I
did say,] is upon your judgment: that will always be a balance to my wit;
and, with the assistance of your reproving love, will in time teach me
discretion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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