But it
absolutely convinces me, of what indeed I before suspected, that he has
not an high opinion of our sex in general: and this I will put down as a
blot in his character. He treats us, in Lady Beauchamp, as perverse
humoursome babies, loving power, yet not knowing how to use it. See him
so delicate in his behaviour and address to Miss Mansfield, and carry in
your thoughts his gaiety and adroit management to Lady Beauchamp, as in
this letter, and you will hardly think him the same man. Could he be
any thing to me, I should be more than half afraid of him: yet this may
be said in his behalf;--He but accommodates himself to the persons he has
to deal with:--He can be a man of gay wit, when he pleases to descend, as
indeed his sister Charlotte has as often found, as she has given occasion
for the exercise of that talent in him:--Yet, that virtue, for its own
sake, is his choice; since, had he been a free liver, he would have been
a dangerous man.
But I will not anticipate too much: read it here, if you please.
LETTER VIII
SIR CHARLES GRANDISON, TO DR. BARTLETT
[ENCLOSED IN THE PRECEDING.]
GRANDISON HALL, FRIDAY NIGHT, MARCH 31.
I arrived at Sir Harry Beauchamp's about twelve this day. He and his
lady expected me, from the letter which I wrote and shewed you before I
left the town; in which, you know, I acquainted Sir Harry with his son's
earnest desire to throw himself at his feet, and to pay his duty to his
mother, in England; and engaged to call myself, either this day or
to-morrow, for an answer.
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