tified that pride, by leaving her lord in triumph while she thought her departure would have given him regret: but to be dismissed, was a disgrace that affected her, and gave bitterness to her insolent spirit. LETTER XCIV. SIR CHARLES GRANDISON TO DR BARTLETT. [In continuation.] My lord, though he had acquitted himself on the occasion, in such a manner as darted into my mind a little ray of my beloved mother's spirit, could not forbear giving way to his habitual littleness, when he was assured Giffard was out of the house. He called Halden to him, who entered with joy in his countenance, arising (as it came out) from the same occasion; and ordered him to make all his domestics happy on his deliverance, as he meanly called it: asking, if there were anybody in the house who loved her? Not a single soul, said Halden; and I am sure, that I may venture to congratulate your lordship in the names of all your servants: for she was proud, imperious, and indeed a tyranness, to all beneath her. I then, for the first time, pitied the woman; and should have pitied her still more, (true as this might, in some measure, be,) had she not gone away so amply rewarded; for, in this little family I looked forward to the family of the state, the sovereign, and his ministers. How often has a minister, who has made a tyrannical use of power, (and even some who have not,) experienced, on his dismission, the like treatment, from those who, had they had his power, would perhaps have made as bad an use of it; who, in its plenitude, were fawning, creeping slaves, as these servants might be to this mistress of their lord! We read but of one grateful Cromwell, in all the superb train of Wolsey, when he had fallen into disgrace; and yet he had in it hundreds, some not ignobly born, and all of them less meanly descended than their magnificent master. Halden addressed himself to me, as having been the means of making his lord and his whole household happy. Let the joy be moderate, Halden, said I: the poor woman might, possibly, have numbered among her well-wishers, (she could not have disobliged everybody,) some of those, who now will be most forward to load her with obloquy. You must not make her too considerable: it is best for my lord, as well as for those that loved her not, to forget there ever was such a woman; except to avoid her faults, and to imitate her in what was commendable. She boasts of her honesty and management: my lord charges her not with infidelity of any kind. Halden bowed, and withdrew. 259 good name for nothing. Blessed, said he, be the My lord swore by his soul, that I had not my name of the Grandisons! This last plaudit gratified my pride; [I need not tell my Dr Bartlett, that I have pride; the more gratified it, as Lord W's animosity to my father made him not pleased with his name. I did not think, when my lord began his story to me, that I should so soon have brought about a separation of guilt from guilt: but their mutual disgusts had prepared the way; resentment and pride, mingled with avarice on one side, the other; were all that hindered it from taking and self-interestedness, founded (reasonably) on place as from themselves. A mediator had noa stipulation made, and not complied with, on thing then to do, but to advise an act of justice, and so to gild it by a precedent of disinterestedpassion had subsided, have arisen, to make all ness in himself, as should excite an emulation in end as it ought. a proud spirit, which, if not then, must, when rated, I drew my chair near him. Well, my lord, and now as to your hints of marriageWhen I found my lord's joy a little mode me with your generosity. Are you not my next descendingly phrase it, but my advice, to marry. der assistant. Your lordship hinted, that you der your life or hers uncomfortable by their little jealousies; I would advise you to marry. The man or woman deserves not to be benefited in the disposition of your affairs, that would wish you to continue in the hands of mean people, and to rob you of the joys of confidence, and the comfort of tender help, from an equal, or from one who deserves to be made your equal, in degree. Only, my lord, marry so, as not to defeat your own end: marry not a gay creature, who will be fluttering about in public, while you are groaning in your chamber, and wishing for her presence. Blessings on your heart, my nephew! Best of men! I can hold no longer. There was no bearing, before, your generosity: what can I say now?-But you must be in earnest. Have you, my lord, asked I, any lady in your eye? No, said he indeed I have not. I was the better pleased with him, that he had not; because I was afraid, that, like our eighth Henry, he had some other woman in view, which might have made him more uneasy than he would otherwise have been with Giffard: for though it were better that he should marry, than live in scandal; and a woman of untainted character, rather than one who had let the world see that she could take a price for her honour; yet I thought him better justified in his complaints of that woman's misbehaviour, than in the other case he would have been: and that it was a happiness to both, (if a right use were made of the event,) that they had been unable to live on, as they had set out. He told me, that he should think himself the happiest of men, if I could find out, and recommend to him, a woman, that I thought worthy of his addresses; and even would court her for him. Your lordship ought not to expect fortune. I do not. She should be a gentlewoman by birth and education; a woman of a serious turn; such a one is not likely in affluence to run into those scenes of life, from which, perhaps only want of fortune has restrained the gayer creature. I would not have your lordship fix an age, though I think you should not marry a girl. Some women at thirty are more discreet than others at forty and if your lordship should be blessed with a child or two to inherit your great estate, that happy event would domesticate the lady, and make your latter years more happy than your former. My lord held up his hands and eyes, and tears seemed to make themselves furrows on his cheeks. He made me look at him, by what he said on this occasion, and with anger, till he explained himself. By my soul, said he, and clapped his two lifted-up hands together, I hate your father: I never heartily loved him; but now I hate him more than ever I did in my life. My lord! Don't be surprised. I hate him for keeping so long abroad a son, who would have converted us both. Lessons of morality, given in so noble a manner by regular practice, rather than by preaching theory, (those were his words,) not only where there is no interest proposed to be served, but against interest, must have subdued us both; and that by our own consents. O my sister! and he clasped his hands, and lifted up his eyes, as if he had the dear object of his brotherly address before him; how have you blessed me in your son! This apostrophe to my mother affected me. What a mixture is there in the character of Lord W-! What a good man might he have made, had he been later his own master!-His father died before he was of age. He declared, that I had described the very wife he wished to have. Find out such a one for me, my dear kinsman, said he; and I give you a carte blanche: but let her not be younger than between forty and fifty. Make the settlements for me: I am very rich: I will sign them blindfold. If the lady be such a one as you say I ought to love, I will love her: only let her say, she can be grateful for my love, and for the provision you shall direct me to make for her; and my first interview with her shall be at the altar. I think, my friend, I have in my eye such a woman as my lord ought to do very handsome things for, if she condescend to have him. I will not tell you, not even you, whom I mean, till I know she will encourage such a proposal; and, for her own fortune's sake, I think she should: but I had her not in my thoughts when I proposed to my lord the character of the woman he should wish for. Adieu, my dear friend. LETTER XCV. MISS BYRON TO MISS SELBY. Tuesday, March 21. DR BARTLETT went to town yesterday. He returned early enough to breakfast with us. He found at dinner with his patron, the whole Danby family and Mr Sylvester; as also, the two masters of the young gentlemen, with Mr Galliard, whose son is in love with Miss Danby, and she with him. There all the parties had confirmed to them the generous goodness of Sir Charles, of which he had assured Mr Sylvester and the two brothers and sister before. I am sorry, methinks, the Doctor went to town: we should otherwise, perhaps, have had the particulars of all, from the pen of the bene volent man. Such joy, such admiration, such gratitude, the Doctor says, were expressed from every mouth, that his own eyes, as well as Mr Sylvester's, and most of those present, more than once were ready to overflow. Everything was there settled, and even a match proposed by Sir Charles, and the proposal received with approbation on both sides, between the elder Miss Galliard, and that audacious young man the drug-merchant; who recovered, by his behaviour in this meeting, his reputation with Sir Charles, and everybody. The Doctor says, that Mr Hervey and Mr Poussin, the two masters of the young gentlemen, are very worthy men; so is Mr Galliard: and they behaved so handsomely on the occasion, that Sir Charles expressed himself highly pleased with them all. For Mr Hervey and Mr Galliard offered to accept of less money than Sir Charles made the young people worth; the one for a portion with Miss Danby; the other for admitting the elder Danby into a partnership with him, on his marriage with his niece: but Sir Charles had no notion, he said, of putting young men, of good characters and abilities, to difficulties at their entrance into the world: the greatest expenses, he observed, were then incurred. In slight or in scanty beginnings, scanty plans must be laid, and pursued. Mr Galliard then declared, that the younger Danby should have the handsomer fortune with his daughter, if she approved of him, for the very handsome one Miss Danby would carry to his son. Sir Charles's example, in short, fired every one with emulation; and three marriages, with the happiest prospects, are likely very soon to follow these noble instances of generosity. Mr Sylvester proposed the celebration in one day: in that case, the gentlemen joined to hope Sir Charles would honour them with his presence. He assentingly bowed. How many families are here, at once, made happy! Dr Bartlett, after he had given us this relation, said, on our joining in one general blessing of his patron, You know not, ladies, you know not, my lord, what a general philanthropist your brother is his whole delight is in doing good. It has always been so: and to mend the hearts, as well as fortunes of men, is his glory. We could not but congratulate the Doctor on his having so considerable a hand (as Sir Charles always, Lord L said, delighted to own) in cultivating his innate good principles, at so critical a time of life, as that was, in which they became acquainted. The Doctor very modestly received the compliment, and, to waive our praises, gave us another instance of the great manner in which Sir Charles conferred benefits; as follows: He once, said the Doctor, when his fortune was not what it now is, lent a very honest man, a merchant of Leghorn, when he resided there, (as he did sometimes for a month or two toge ther, for the conveniency of the English chapel,) a considerable sum; and took his bond for it. After a while, things not answering to the poor man's expectation, Mr Grandison took notice to me, said the Doctor, that he appeared greatly depressed and dejected, and occasionally came into his company with such a sense of obligation in his countenance and behaviour, that he could not bear it; and why, said he, should I keep it in my power to distress a man, whose modesty and diffidence shew that he deserves to be made easy?--I may die suddenly; my executors may think it but justice to exact payment; and that exaction may involve him in as great difficulties as those were, from which the loan delivered him.-I will make his heart light. Instead of suffering him to sigh over his uncertain prospects, at his board, or in his bed, I will make both his board and his bed easy to him. His wife and his five children shall rejoice with him; they shall see the good man's countenance, as it used to do, shine upon them; and occasionally meet mine with grateful comfort. He then cancelled the bond; and at the same time, fearing the man's distress might be deeper than he owned, offered him the loan of a farther sum. But, by his behaviour upon it, I found, said Mr Grandison, that the sum he owed, and the doubt he had of being able to pay it in time, were the whole of the honest man's grie vance. He declined, with gratitude, the additional offer, and walked, ever after, erect. He is now living, and happy, proceeded the Doctor; and just before Mr Grandison left Italy, would have made him some part of payment, from the happier turn in his affairs; which, probably, was owing to his revived spirits; but Mr Grandison asked, what he thought he meant, when he cancelled the obligation?-Yet he told him, that it was not wrong in him to make the tender; for free minds, he said, loved not to be ungenerously dealt with. What a man is this, Lucy! No wonder, thus gloriously employed, with my Lord W. and the Danbys, said Lord L- and perhaps in other acts of goodness that we know nothing of, besides the duties of his executorship, that we are deprived of his company! But some of these, as he has so good a friend as Dr Bartlett, he might transfer to him--and oblige us more with his presence; and the rather, as he declares it would be obliging himself. Ah, my lord! said the Doctor, and looked round him, his eyes dwelling longest on meYou don't know-He stopped. We all were silent. He proceeded-Sir Charles Grandison does nothing without reason: a good man must have difficultics to encounter with, that a mere man of the world would not be embarrassed by.But how I engage your attention, ladies! The Doctor arose; for breakfast was over.Dear Doctor, said Miss Grandison, don't leave us-As to that Bologna, that Camilla, that bishop-Tell us more of them, dear Doctor. Excuse me, ladies; excuse me, my lord. He bowed, and withdrew. How we looked at one another! How the fool, in particular, blushed ! How her heart throbbed!-At what? But, Lucy, give me your opinion-Dr Bartlett guesses, that I am far from being indifferent to Sir Charles Grandison; he must be assured, that my own heart must be absolutely void of benevolence, if I did not more and more esteem Sir Charles, for his; and would Dr Bartlett be so cruel, as to contribute to a flame that, perhaps, is with difficulty kept from blazing out, as one hears new instances of his generous goodness, if he knew that Sir Charles Grandison was so engaged, as to render it impossible— What shall I say?-O this cruel, cruel suspense! What hopes, what fears, what contradictory conjectures!-But all will too soon perhaps-Here he is come- -Sir Charles Grandison is come O no!-A false alarm!-He is not come: it is only my Lord L― returning from an airing. I could beat this girl ! this Emily-It was owing to her!-A chit!-How we have fluttered each other!-But send for me down to Northamptonshire, my dear friends, before I am quite a fool. PRAY-Do you know, Lucy, what is the business that calls Mr Deane to town, at this season of the year? He has made a visit to Sir Charles Grandison: for Dr Bartlett told me, as a grateful compliment, that Sir Charles was much pleased with him; yet Mr Deane did not tell me, that he designed it. I beseech you, my dear friends -Do not-But you would not; you could not! -I would be torn in pieces: I would not accept of--I don't know what I would say. Only add not disgrace to distress.-But I am safe, if nothing be done but at the motion of my grandmamma and aunt Selby. They would not permit Mr Deane, or anybody, to make improper visits. But don't you think, that it must look particular to Sir Charles, to have a visit paid him by a man expressing for me so much undeserved tenderness and affection, so long after the affair was over which afforded him a motive for it? I dread, as much for Mr Deane's sake as my own, everything that may be construed into officiousness or particularity, by so nice a discerner. Does he not say, that no man is more quick-sighted than himself, to those faults in women which are owing to want of delicacy? I have been very earnest with Lord and Lady Land Miss Grandison, that they do not suffer their friendship for me to lay me under any difficulties with their brother. They all took my meaning, and promised to consult my punctilio, as well as my inclination. Miss Grandi son was more kindly in earnest, in her assurances of this nature, than I was afraid she would be: and my lord said, it was fit that I should find even niceness gratified, in this particular. [I absolutely confide in you, Lucy, to place hooks where I forget to put them; and where, in your delicate mind, you think I ought to put them; that they may direct your eye (when you come to read out before my uncle) to omit those passages which very few men have delicacy or seriousness enough to be trusted with. Yet, a mighty piece of sagacity, to find out a girl of little more than twenty, in love, as it is called! and to make a jest of her for it!]-[But I am peevish, as well as saucy.-This also goes between hooks.] Adieu, my dear. LETTER XCVI. SIR CHARLES GRANDISON TO DR BARTLETT. Monday Night, March 20. I AM very much dissatisfied with myself, my dear Dr Bartlett. What pains have I taken, to conquer those sudden gusts of passion, to which, from my early youth, I have been subject, as you have often heard me confess! yet to find, at times, that I am unequal-to myself, shall I say?-To myself I will say; since I have been so much amended by your precepts and example. But I will give you the occasion. My guests, and you, had but just left me, when the wretched Jervois, and her O'Hara, and another bullying man, desired to speak with me. I bade the servant shew the woman into the drawing-room next my study, and the men into the adjoining parlour; but they both followed her into the drawing-room. I went to her, and, after a little stiff civility, (I could not help it,) asked, if these gentlemen had business with me? That gentleman is Major O'Hara, sir; he is my husband. That gentleman is Captain Salmonet: he is the Major's brother-in-law. He is an officer of equal worth and bravery. They gave themselves airs of importance and familiarity; and the Major motioned, as if he would have taken my hand. I encouraged not the motion. Will you, gentlemen, walk this way? I led the way to my study. The woman arose, and would have come with them. If you please to stay where you are, madam, I will attend you presently. They entered, and, as if they would have me think them connoisseurs, began to admire the globes, the orrery, the pictures, the busts. I took off that sort of attention-Pray, gentlemen, what are your commands with me? I am called Major O'Hara, sir; I am the hus band of the lady in the next room, as she told you. And what, pray, sir, have I to do either with you or your marriage? I pay that lady, as the widow of Mr Jervois, 2001. a-year; I am not obliged to pay her more than one. She has no demands upon me; much less has her husband. The men had so much the air of bullies, and the woman is so very wicked, that my departed friend, and the name by which she so lately called the poor Emily, were in my head, and I had too little command of my temper. Look ye, Sir Charles Grandison, I would have you to know And he put his left hand upon his swordhandle, pressing it down, which tilted up the point with an air extremely insolent. What am I to understand by that motion, sir? Nothing at all, Sir Charles-D-n me, if I mean anything by it. You are called Major, you say, sir-Do you "bear the king's commission, sir? I have borne it, sir, if I do not now. That, and the house you are in, give you a title to civility. But, sir, I cannot allow, that your marriage with the lady in the next room gives you pretence to business with me. If you have, on any other account, pray let me know what it is? The man seemed at a loss what to say; but not from bashfulness. He looked about him, as if for his woman; set his teeth; bit his lip, and took snuff, with an air so like defiance, that, for fear I should not be able to forbear taking notice of it, I turned to the other: Pray, Captain Salmonet, said I, what are your commands with me? He spoke in broken English: and said, he had the honour to be Major O'Hara's brother; he had married the Major's sister. And why, sir, might you not have favoured me with the company of all your relations? Have you any business with me, sir, on your own account? I come, I come, said he, to see my brother righted, sir Who has wronged him?-Take care, gentlemen, how-But, Mr O'Hara, what are your pretensions? Why look ye, Sir Charles Grandison-(throw ing open his coat, and sticking one hand in his side, the other thrown out with a flourish) Look ye, sir, repeated he angry airs; nodding their heads at each other; but followed the servant into that parlour. I went to Mrs O'Hara as she calls herself. Well, madam, what is your business with me now? Where are the gentlemen, sir? Where is my husband? They are both in the next room, and within hearing of all that shall pass between you and me. And do you hold them unworthy of your presence, sir? Not, madam, while you are before me, and if they had any business with me, or I with them. Has not a husband business where his wife is? Neither wife nor husband has business with me. Yes, sir, I am come to demand my daughter. I come to demand a mother's right. I answer not to such a demand; you know you have no right to make it. I have been at Colnebrook; she was kept from me; my child was carried out of the house, that I might not see her. And have you then terrified the poor girl?. I have left a letter for her; and I expect to see her upon it.-Her new father, as worthy and as brave a man as yourself, sir, longs to see her Her new father, madam.-You expect to see her! madam.-What was your behaviour to her, unnatural woman! the last time you saw her? But if you do see her, it must be in my presence, and without your man, if he form pretensions, on your account, that may give either her or me disturbance. You are only, sir, to take care of her fortune; so I am advised; I, as her mother, have the natural right over her person. The Chancery will give it to me. Then seek your remedy in Chancery; let me never hear of you again, but by the officers of that court. I opened the door leading into the room where the two men were. They are not officers, I daresay; common men of the town, I doubt not, new-dressed for the occasion. O'Hara, as she calls him, is probably one of her temporary husbands only. Pray, walk in, gentlemen, said I. This lady intimates to me, that she will apply to Chancery against me. The Chancery, if she has any grievance, will be a proper recourse. She can have no business with me, after such a declaration I found my choler rising. I was afraid of my--much less can either of you. self. When I treat you familiarly, sir, then treat me so: till when, please to withdraw I rang; Frederick came in. Shew these gentlemen into the little parlourYou'll excuse me, sirs; I attend the lady. They muttered, and gave themselves brisk and And opening the drawing-room door that led to the hall, Frederick, said I, attend the lady and the gentlemen to their coach. I turned from them to go into my study. The Major, as he was called, asked me with a fierce air, his hand on his sword, if this were treatment due to gentlemen? |