Had he not, he asked, found means to fascinate Olivia, and as many women
as he came into company with?--For his part, he loved not the Chevalier.
He had forced him by his intrepidity to be civil to him: but forced
civility was but a temporary one. It was his way to judge of causes by
the effects: and this he knew, that he had lost a sister, who would have
been a jewel in the crown of a prince; and would not be answerable for
consequences, if he and Sir Charles Grandison were once more to meet, be
it where it would.
'Father Marescotti, however, joining, as the bishop writes, with him, and
the marchioness, in a desire to try this expedient; and being sure that
the marquis and Signor Jeronymo would not be averse to it, he took a
resolution to write over to him, as has been related.'
This, Lucy, is the state of the unhappy case, as briefly and as clearly
as my memory will serve to give it. And what a rememberer, if I may make
a word, is the heart!--Not a circumstance escapes it.
And now it remained for me to know of Sir Charles what answer he had
returned.
Was not my situation critical, my dear? Had Sir Charles asked my
opinion, before he had taken his resolutions, I should have given it with
my whole heart, that he should fly to the comfort of the poor lady. But
then he would have shewn a suspense unworthy of Clementina; and a
compliment to me; which a good man, so circumstanced, ought not to make.
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