'
My cousin being withdrawn, and Sir Charles approaching me, I attempted to
assume a dignity of aspect, without pride; and I spoke, while spirit was
high in me, and to keep myself up to it--My heart bleeds, sir, for the
distresses of your Clementina: [Yes, Lucy, I said your Clementina:]
beyond expression I admire the greatness of her behaviour; and most
sincerely lament her distresses. What, that is in the power of man,
cannot Sir Charles Grandison do? You have honoured me, sir, with the
title of sister. In the tenderness of that relation, permit me to say,
that I dread the effects of the general's petulance: I feel next for you
the pain that it must give to your humane heart to be once more
personally present to the woes of the inimitable Clementina: but I am
sure you did not hesitate a moment about leaving all your friends here in
England, and resolving to hasten over to try, at least, what can be done
for the noble sufferer.
Had he praised me highly for this my address to him, it would have
looked, such was the situation on both sides, as if he had thought this
disinterested behaviour in me, an extraordinary piece of magnanimity and
self-denial; and, of consequence, as if he had supposed I had views upon
him, which he wondered I could give up. His is the most delicate of
human minds.
He led me to my seat, and taking his by me, still holding my passive
hand--Ever since I have had the honour of Miss Byron's acquaintance, I
have considered her as one of the most excellent of women.
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