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
Mr. Greville, on the coach stopping, rode back just as it was going on
again--And with a loud laugh--How the d----l came Orme to know of your
coming, madam!--Poor fellow! It was very kind of you to stop your coach
to speak to the statue. And he laughed again.--Nonsensical! At what?
My grandmamma Shirley, dearest of parents! her youth, as she was pleased
to say, renewed by the expectation of so soon seeing her darling child,
came (as my aunt told us, you know) on Thursday night to Selby-house, to
charge her and Lucy with her blessing to me; and resolving to stay there
to receive me. Our beloved Nancy was also to be there; so were two other
cousins, Kitty and Patty Holles, good young creatures; who, in my
absence, had attended my grandmamma at every convenient opportunity, and
whom I also found here.
When we came within sight of this house, Now, Harriet, said Lucy, I see
the same kind of emotions beginning to arise in your face and bosom, as
Lady G---- told us you shewed when you first saw your aunt at Dunstable.
My grandmamma! said I, I am in sight of the dear house that holds her: I
hope she is here. But I will not surprise her with my joy to see her.
Lie still, throbbing impatient heart.
But when the coach set us down at the inner gate, there, in the
outward-hall, sat my blessed grandmamma. The moment I beheld her, my
intended caution forsook me: I sprang by my aunt, and, before the
foot-step could be put down, flew, as it were, out of the coach, and
threw myself at her feet, wrapping my arms about her: Bless, bless, said
I, your Harriet! I could not, at the moment, say another word.
Great God! said the pious parent, her hands and eyes lifted up, Great
God! I thank thee! Then folding her arms about my neck, she kissed my
forehead, my cheek, my lips--God bless my love! Pride of my life! the
most precious of a hundred daughters! How does my child--my Harriet--O
my love!--After such dangers, such trials, such harassings--Once more,
God be praised that I clasp to my fond heart, my Harriet!
Separate them, separate them, said my facetious uncle, (yet he had tears
in his eyes,) before they grow together!--Madam, to my grandmamma, she is
our Harriet, as well as yours: let us welcome the saucy girl, on her
re-entrance into these doors!--Saucy, I suppose, I shall soon find her.
My grandmamma withdrew her fond arms: Take her, take her, said she, each
in turn: but I think I never can part with her again.
My uncle saluted me, and bid me very kindly welcome home--so did every
one.
How can I return the obligations which the love of all my friends lays
upon me? To be good, to be grateful, is not enough; since that one ought
to be for one's own sake. Yet how can I be even grateful to them with
half a heart? Ah, Lady G----, you bid me be free in my confessions. You
promise to look my letters over before you read them to any body; and to
mark passages proper to be kept to yourself--Pray do.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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