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
But before the servants came in, Let me tell you, madam, said he, what
Miss Jervois has proposed to me.--They were in silent expectation.
She has desired that you, major, will accept from her, for your mutual
use, of an additional 100£. a year; which I shall order to be paid you
quarterly, during Mrs. O'Hara's life, not doubting but you will make her
as happy as it is in your power to make her.
My mother bowed, coloured with gratitude, and looked obliged.
And she begs of you, madam, turning to my mother, that you will accept,
as from the Major, another 100£. a year, for pin-money, which he, or
which you, madam, will draw upon me for; also quarterly, if you choose
not to trouble him to do it: for this 100£. a year must be appropriated
to your sole and separate use, madam; and not be subject to your
controul, Major O'Hara.
Good God! sir! said the Major!--What a wretch was I, the last time I was
here!--There is no bearing of this!
He got up, and went to the window: and the captain said, Blessed Jesu!
and something else, which I could not mind; for I was weeping like a
baby.
What, sir! said my mother, 400£. a year! Do you mean so?--I do, madam--
And, sir, to be so generously paid me my 100£. of it, as if I received it
not from my child, but from my husband!--Good God! How you overpower me,
sir! What shame, what remorse, do you strike into my heart!
And my poor mother's tears ran down as fast as mine.
O madam, said the dear girl to me, clasping her arms about me, how your
tender heart is touched!--It is well you were not there!
Dr. Bartlett came in to tea. My guardian would not permit Antony, who
offered himself, to wait. Antony had been my own papa's servant, when my
mother was not so good.
Nothing but blessings, nothing but looks and words of admiration and
gratitude, passed all the tea-time. How their hearts rejoiced, I
warrant!--Is it not a charming thing, madam, to make people's hearts
glad?--To be sure it is! How many hearts has my guardian rejoiced! You
must bid him be cross to me, or I shall not know what to do with myself!
--But then, if he was, I should only get by myself, and cry, and be angry
with myself, and think he could not be to blame.
O my love, my Emily! said I, take care of your gratitude: that drew in
your true friend.
Well, but how can it be helped, madam? Can a right heart be ungrateful?
--Dr. Bartlett says, There is no such thing as true happiness in this
life: and is it not better to be unhappy from good men and women, than
from bad?--Dear madam, why you have often made me unhappy, because of
your goodness to me; and because I knew, that I neither could deserve nor
return it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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