The History of Sir Charles Grandison | Page 6

with the woes of this
family, and distressed for the beloved daughter of it. But let me
bespeak you all, for your own sakes, (mine is out of the question: I
presume not upon any hope on my own account,) that you will treat this
angelic-minded lady with tenderness. I pretend to say, that I know that
harsh or severe methods will not do.
The general arose from his seat, and, with a countenance of fervor, next
to fierceness--Let me tell you, Grandison, said he--
I arose from mine, and going to Lady Sforza, who sat next him, he
stopt, supposing me going to him, and seemed surprised, and attentive
to my motions: but, disregarding him, I addressed myself to that lady.
You, madam, are the aunt of Lady Clementina: the tender, the
indulgent mother is absent, and has declared, that she resigns her will to
the will of her friends present--Allow me to supplicate, that former
measures may not be changed with her. Great dawnings of returning
reason did I discover in our last interview. Her delicacy (never was
there a more delicate mind) wanted but to be satisfied. It was satisfied,
and she began to be easy. Were her mind but once composed, the sense
she has of her duty, and what she owes to her religion, would restore
her to your wishes: but if she should be treated harshly, (though I am
sure, if she should, it would be with the best intention,) Clementina will
be lost.
The general sat down. They all looked upon one another. The two
ladies dried their eyes. The starting tear would accompany my fervor.
And then stepping to Jeronymo, who was extremely affected; My dear
Jeronymo, said I, my friend, my beloved friend, cherish in your noble
heart the memory of your Grandison: would to God I could attend you
to England! We have baths there of sovereign efficacy. The balm of a
friendly and grateful heart would promote the cure. I have urged it
before. Consider of it.
My Grandison, my dear Grandison, my friend, my preserver! You are
not going!--
I am, my Jeronymo, and embraced him. Love me in absence, as I shall
you.
Chevalier, said the bishop, you don't go? We hope for your company at
a small collation.--We must not part with you yet.

I cannot, my lord, accept the favour. Although I had given myself up to
despair of obtaining the happiness to which I once aspired; yet I was
not willing to quit a city that this family had made dear to me, with the
precipitation of a man conscious of misbehaviour. I thank you for the
permission I had to attend you all in full assembly. May God prosper
you, my lord; and may you be invested with the first honours of that
church which must be adorned by so worthy a heart! It will be my glory,
when I am in my native place, or wherever I am, to remember that I
was once thought not unworthy of a rank in a family so respectable. Let
me, my lord, be entitled to your kind remembrance.
He pulled out his handkerchief. My lord, said he, to his father; my Lord,
to the general; Grandison must not go!--and sat down with emotion.
Lady Sforza wept: Laurana seemed moved: the two young lords,
Sebastiano and Juliano, were greatly affected.
I then addressed myself to the marquis, who sat undetermined, as to
speech: My venerable lord, forgive me, that my address was not first
paid here. My heart overflows with gratitude for your goodness in
permitting me to throw myself at your feet, before I took a last farewell
of a city favoured with your residence. Best of fathers, of friends, of
men, let me entreat the continuance of your paternal indulgence to the
child nearest, and deserving to be nearest, to your heart. She is all you
and her mother. Restore her to yourself, and to her, by your indulgence:
that alone, and a blessing on your prayers, can restore her. Adieu, my
good lord: repeated thanks for all your hospitable goodness to a man
that will ever retain a grateful sense of your favour.
You will not yet go, was all he said--he seemed in agitation. He could
not say more.
I then, turning to the count his brother, who sat next him, said, I have
not the honour to be fully known to your lordship: some prejudices
from differences in opinion may have been conceived: but if you ever
hear anything of the man before you unworthy of his name, and of the
favour once designed him; then, my lord, blame, as well as wonder at,
the condescension of your noble brother and sister in my favour.
Who, I! Who, I! said that lord,