And I am as ready to ask your pardon, as I
was his, if you are really displeased with me for putting it. Are you,
Miss Byron? Excuse me, Mrs. Reeves, for thus urging your lovely cousin:
I am at least entitled to the excuse Sir Charles Grandison made for me,
that it is a demonstration of my value for her.
I have declared, madam, returned I, and it is from my heart, that I think
he ought to be the husband of the lady abroad: and though I prefer him to
all the men I ever saw, yet I have resolved, if possible, to conquer the
particular regard I have for him. He has in a very noble manner offered
me his friendship, so long as it may be accepted without interfering with
any other attachments on my part: and I will be satisfied with that.
A friendship so pure, replied the countess, as that of such a man, is
consistent with any other attachments. My Lord D---- will, with his
whole soul, contribute all in his power to strengthen it: he admires Sir
Charles Grandison: he would think it a double honour to be acquainted
with him through you. Dearest Miss Byron, take another worthy young man
into your friendship, but with a tenderer name: I shall then claim a
fourth place in it for myself. O my dear! What a quadruple knot will
you tie!
Your ladyship does me too much honour, was all I could just then reply.
I must have an answer, my dear: I will not take up with a compliment.
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