Had
I not been made acquainted with his free living, and with the insults he
bore from Mrs. Giffard, with a spirit so poor and so low, I should have
believed I saw not only the man of quality, but the man of sense, in his
countenance. I endeavoured, however, as much as I could, to look upon
him as the brother of the late Lady Grandison. Had he been worthy of
that relation, how should I have reverenced him!
But whatever I thought of him, he was highly taken with me. He
particularly praised me for the modesty which he said was visible in my
countenance. Free-livers, Lucy, taken with that grace in a woman, which
they make it their pride to destroy! But all men, good and bad, admire
modesty in a woman: And I am sometimes out of humour with our sex, that
they do not as generally like modesty in men. I am sure that this grace,
in Sir Charles Grandison, is one of his principal glories with me. It
emboldens one's heart, and permits one to behave before him with ease;
and, as I may say, with security, in the consciousness of a right
intention.
But what were Lord W----'s praises of his nephew! He called him, the
glory of his sex, and of human nature. How the cheeks of the dear Emily
glowed at the praises given to her guardian!--She was the taller for
them: when she moved, it was on tiptoe; stealing as it were, across the
floor, lest she should lose any thing that was said on a subject so
delightful to her.
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