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
As for Sir Charles, he made the Mansfield family happy in his company the
whole Friday evening; inquiring into their affairs relating to the
oppression they lay under; pointing out measures for redress; encouraging
Miss Mansfield; and informing the brothers, that the lawyers he had
consulted on their deeds, told him, that a new trial might be hoped for;
the result of which, probably, would be a means to do them justice, so
powerfully protected and assisted as they would now be; for new lights
had broke in upon them, and they wanted but to recover a deed, which they
understood was in the hands of two gentlemen, named Hartley, who were but
lately returned from the Indies. Thus prepared, the Mansfields also were
in high spirits, the next morning; and looked, Sir Charles said, on each
other, when they met, as if they wanted to tell each other their
agreeable dreams.
Sir Charles, in his way, had looked in upon Sir Harry Beauchamp, and his
lady. He found Sir Harry in high spirits, expecting the arrival of his
son; who was actually landed from Calais, having met there his father's
letter, allowing him to return to England, and wishing in his own, and in
Lady Beauchamp's name, his speedy arrival.
Sir Charles's impatience to see his friend, permitted him only to
breakfast with my lord and the Mansfields; and to know the opinion each
party formed of the other, on this first interview; and then he set out
to Sir Harry Beauchamp's. What an activity!--Heaven reward him with the
grant of his own wishes, whatever they be, and make him the happiest of
men!
My lord is greatly taken with the lady, and her whole family. Well he
may, Sir Charles says. He blessed him, and called himself blessed in his
sister's son, for his recommendation of each to the other. The lady
thinks better of him, as her mother owned to Sir Charles, than she
thought she should, from report.
I begin to think, Lucy, that those who set out for happiness are most
likely to find it, when they live single till the age of fancy is over.
Those who marry while it lasts, are often disappointed of that which they
propose so largely to themselves: while those who wed for convenience,
and deal with tolerable honesty by each other, are at a greater
certainty. Tolerable, I repeat, since, it seems, we are to expect that
both parties will turn the best side of the old garment outward. Hence
arises consolation to old maidens, and cautions against precipitation--
Expatiate, my dear, on this fruitful subject: I would, were I at leisure.
Sir Charles says that he doubts not, but Lord W---- will be as happy a
man as he wishes to be, in less than a month.
The deuse is in this brother of mine, whispered Miss Grandison, to me,
for huddling up of marriages! He don't consider, that there may be two
chances for one, that his honest folks may in half a year's time, bless
him the contrary way.
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account