But, said she, you had a man with you,
who is the admiration of every man and woman, wherever he goes.
Is there no making an acquaintance, said my lord, with Sir Charles
Grandison? What I hear said of him, every time he is mentioned in
company, is enough to fire a young man with emulation. I should be happy
did I deserve to be thought of as a second or third man to Sir Charles
Grandison.
I dare say, returned I, your lordship's acquaintance would be highly
acceptable to him. He is easy of access. Men of rank, if men of merit,
must be of kindred, and recognize one another the moment they meet. But
Sir Charles will soon leave England.
The fool sighed: it was, you may believe, involuntarily. I felt myself
blush, and was the more silly for that.
The countess took my hand--One word with you, my dear--and led me out
into the next room, and sitting down, made me sit on the same settee with
her.
O that I could call you daughter! began she at once; and turning half
round to me, put one arm about me, with her other hand taking one of
mine, and earnestly looking in my downcast face.
I was silent. Ah, Lucy! had Lady D---- been the mother of Sir Charles
Grandison, with what pleasure could I have listened to her!
You said, my dear, that Sir Charles Grandison will soon leave England:
--and then you sighed--Will you be quite open-hearted?--May I ask you a
question in hope that you will?
I was silent: yet the word Yes was on my lips.
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