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
We baited at Stoney Stratford. I was afraid how it would be: there were
the two bold creatures, Mr. Greville, and Mr. Fenwick, ready to receive
us. A handsome collation, as at our setting out, so now, bespoke by
them, was set on the table. How they came by their intelligence, nobody
knows: we were all concerned to see them. They seemed half-mad for joy.
My cousin James had alighted to hand us out; but Mr. Greville was so
earnest to offer his hand, that though my cousin was equally ready, I
thought I could not deny to his solicitude for the poor favour, such a
mark of civility. Besides, if I had, it would have been distinguishing
him for more than a common neighbour, you know. Mr. Fenwick took the
other hand, when I had stept out of the coach, and then (with so much
pride, as made me ashamed of myself) they hurried me between them,
through the inn yard, and into the room they had engaged for us; blessing
themselves, all the way, for my coming down Harriet Byron.
I looked about, as if for the dear friends I had parted with at
Dunstable. This is not, thought I, so delightful an inn as they made
that--Now they, thought I, are pursuing their road to London, as we are
ours to Northampton. But ah! where, where is Sir Charles Grandison at
this time? And I sighed! But don't read this, and such strokes as this,
to any body but Lord and Lady L----. You won't, you say--Thank you,
Charlotte.--I will call you Charlotte, when I think of it, as you
commanded me. The joy we had at Dunstable, was easy, serene, deep, full,
as I may say; it was the joy of sensible people: but the joy here was
made by the two gentlemen, mad, loud, and even noisy. They hardly were
able to contain themselves; and my uncle, and cousin James, were forced
to be loud, to be heard.
Mr. Orme, good Mr. Orme, when we came near his park, was on the highway
side, perhaps near the very spot where he stood to see me pass to London
so many weeks ago--Poor man!--When I first saw him, (which was before the
coach came near, for I looked out only, as thinking I would mark the
place where I last beheld him,) he looked with so disconsolate an air,
and so fixed, that I compassionately said to myself, Surely the worthy
man has not been there ever since!
I twitched the string just in time: the coach stopt. Mr. Orme, said I,
how do you? Well, I hope?--How does Miss Orme?
I had my hand on the coach-door. He snatched it. It was not an
unwilling hand. He pressed it with his lips. God be praised, said he,
(with a countenance, O how altered for the better!) for permitting me
once more to behold that face--that angelic face, he said.
God bless you, Mr. Orme! said I: I am glad to see you. Adieu.
The coach drove on. Poor Mr. Orme! said my aunt.
Mr. Orme, Lucy, said I, don't look so ill as you wrote he was.
His joy to see you, said she--But Mr. Orme is in a declining way.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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