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
After he has left England, therefore, which I suppose he will quickly do,
and when I am in Northamptonshire, what opportunities will your Harriet
have to see him, except she can obtain, as a favour, the power of
obliging his Emily, in her request to be with her? Then, Lucy, he may,
on his return to England, once a year or so, on his visiting his ward,
see, and thank for her care and love of his Emily, his half-estranged
Harriet!--Perhaps Lady Clementina Grandison will be with him! God
restore her! Surely I shall be capable, if she be Lady Grandison, of
rejoicing in her recovery!----
Fie upon it!--Why this involuntary tear? You would see it by the large
blot it has made, if I did not mention it.
Excellent man!--Dr. Bartlett has just been telling me of a morning visit
he received, before he went out of town, from the two sons of Mrs.
Oldham.
One of them is about seven years old; the other about five; very fine
children. He embraced them, the doctor says, with as much tenderness, as
if they were children of his own mother. He enquired into their
inclinations, behaviour, diversions; and engaged equally their love and
reverence.
He told them, that, if they were good, he would love them; and said, he
had a dear friend, whom he reverenced as his father, a man with white
curling locks, he told the children, that they might know him at first
sight, who would now-and-then, as he happened to be in town, make
enquiries after their good behaviour, and reward them, as they gave him
cause. Accordingly he had desired Dr. Bartlett to give them occasionally
his countenance; as also to let their mother know, that he should be glad
of a visit from her, and her three children, on his return to town.
The doctor had been to see her when he came to me. He found all three
with her. The two younger, impressed by the venerable description Sir
Charles had given of him, voluntarily, the younger, by the elder's
example, fell down on their knees before him, and begged his blessing.
Mr. Oldham is about eighteen years of age; a well-inclined, well-educated
youth. He was full of acknowledgments of the favour done him in this
invitation.
The grateful mother could not contain herself. Blessings without number,
she invoked on her benefactor, for his goodness in taking such kind
notice of her two sons, as he had done; and said, he had been, ever since
his gracious behaviour to her in Essex, the first and last in her prayers
to Heaven. But the invitation to herself, she declared, was too great an
honour for her to accept of: she should not be able to stand in his
presence. Alas! sir, said she, can the severest, truest penitence recall
the guilty past?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account