You have caused it to be told me, that your affections are engaged. This
has been a cruel blow upon us. My lord, nevertheless, has heard so much
of you, [he is really a good young man, my dear,] that (against my
advice, I own,) he would have me introduce him into your company. I see
by his looks, that he could admire you above all women. He never was in
love: I should be sorry if he were disappointed in his first love. I
hope his promised prudence will be his guard, if there be no prospect of
his succeeding with you--She paused--I was still silent--
It will be a mark of your frankness of heart, my dear, if, when you take
my full meaning, you prevent me speaking more than I need.--I would not
oppress you, my sweet love--Such a delicacy, and such a frankness
mingled, have I never seen in young woman--But tell me, my dear, has Sir
Charles Grandison made his addresses to you?
It was a grievous question for me to answer--But why was it so, my Lucy,
when all the hopes I ever had, proceeded from my own presumption,
confirmed (that's true, of late!) by his sisters partiality in my favour;
and when his unhappy Clementina has such a preferable claim?
What says Miss Byron?
She says, madam, that she reveres Lady D----, and will answer any
questions that she puts to her, however affecting--Sir Charles Grandison
has not.
Once I thought, proceeded she, that I never would make a second motion,
were the woman a princess, who had confessed a prior love, or even
liking: but the man is Sir Charles Grandison, whom all women must esteem;
and the woman is Miss Byron, whom all men must love.
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