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?
The doctor said, that Sir Charles Grandison ever made it a rule with him,
to raise the dejected and humbled spirit. Your birth and education,
madam, entitle you to a place in the first company: and where there are
two lights in which the behaviour of any person may be set, though there
has been unhappiness, he always remembers the most favourable, and
forgets the other. I would advise you, madam, (as he has invited you,)
by all means to come. He speaks with pleasure of your humility and good
sense.
The doctor told me, that Sir Charles had made inquiries after the
marriage of Major O'Hara with Mrs. Jervois, and had satisfied himself
that they were actually man and wife. Methinks I am glad for Miss
Jervois's sake, that her mother has changed her name.
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