Sir Harry received me with great civility, and even affection. Lady
Beauchamp, said he, will be with us in a moment. I am afraid you will
not meet with all the civility from her on the errand you are come upon,
that a man of Sir Charles Grandison's character deserves to meet with
from all the world. We have been unhappy together, ever since we had
your letter. I long to see my son: your friendship for him establishes
him in my heart. But--And then he cursed the apron-string tenure, by
which, he said, he held his peace.
You will allow me, Sir Harry, said I, to address myself in my own way to
my lady. You give me pleasure, in letting me know, that the difficulty
is not with you. You have indeed, sir, one of the most prudent young men
in the world for your son. His heart is in your hand: you may form it as
you please.
She is coming! She is coming! interrupted he. We are all in pieces: we
were in the midst of a feud, when you arrived. If she is not civil to
you--
In swam the lady; her complexion raised; displeasure in her looks to me,
and indignation in her air to Sir Harry; as if they had not had their
contention out, and she was ready to renew it.
With as obliging an air as I could assume, I paid my compliments to her.
She received them with great stiffness; swelling at Sir Harry: who sidled
to the door, in a moody and sullen manner, and then slipt out.
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