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
I have that letter: Jeronymo gave it me, at my taking leave of him; and
with these words: 'Grandison will certainly visit you at Naples. I am
afraid of your warmth. His spirit is well known. All my dependance is
upon his principles. He will not draw but in his own defence. Cherish
the noble visitor. Surely, brother, I may depend upon your hospitable
temper. Read over again this letter, before you see him.'--I have not
yet read it, proceeded the general; but I will, and that, if you will
allow me, now.
He took it out of his pocket, walked from me, and read it; and then came
to me, and took my hand--I am half ashamed of myself, my dear Grandison:
I own I wanted magnanimity. All the distresses of our family, on this
unhappy girl's account, were before my eyes, and I received you, I
behaved to you, as the author of them. I was contriving to be
dissatisfied with you: Forgive me, and command my best services. I will
let our Jeronymo know how greatly you subdued me before I had recourse to
the letter; but that I have since read that part of it which accounts for
my sister's passion, and wish I had read it with equal attention before.
I acquit you: I am proud of my sister. Yet I observe from this very
letter, that Jeronymo's gratitude has contributed to the evil we deplore.
But--Let us not say one word more of the unhappy girl: It is painful to
me to talk of her.
Not ask a question, my lord?--
Don't, Grandison, don't!--Jeronymo and Clementina are my soul's woe--But
they are not worse than might be apprehended. You go to court with me
to-morrow: I will present you to the king.
I have had that honour formerly. I must depart to-morrow morning early.
I have already taken leave of several of my friends here: I have some to
make my compliments to at Rome, which I reserved for my return.
You stay with me to-night?--I intend it, my lord.
Well, we will return to company. I must make my excuses to my friends.
Your departure to-morrow must be one. They all admire you. They are
acquainted with your character. They will join with me to engage you, if
possible, to stay longer.--We returned to the company.
LETTER IV
MISS BYRON, TO MISS SELBY
Receive now, my dear, the doctor's thirteenth letter, and the last he
intends to favour us with, till he entertains us with the histories of
Mrs. Beaumont, and Lady Olivia.
***
DR. BARTLETT'S THIRTEENTH LETTER
Mr. Grandison set out next morning. The general's behaviour to him at
his departure, was much more open and free than it was at receiving him.
Mr. Grandison, on his return to Florence, entered into the affairs of his
late friend Mr. Jervois, with the spirit, and yet with the temper, for
which he is noted, when he engages in any business. He put every thing
in a happy train in fewer days than it would have cost some other persons
months; for he was present himself on every occasion, and in every
business, where his presence would accelerate it; yet he had
embarrassments from Olivia.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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