This, then, madam, is my answer--I hope I am an honest creature: I have
not a heart to give.
Then you have expectations, my dear.--Well, I will call you mine, if I
can. Never did I think that I could have made the proposal, that I am
going to make you: but in my eyes, as well as in my lord's, you are an
incomparable young woman.--This is it.--We will not think of the alliance
proposed to us (it is yet but a proposal, and to which we have not
returned any answer) till we see what turn the affair Sir Charles is gone
upon, takes. You once said, you could prefer my son to any of the men
that had hitherto applied to you for your favour. Your affections to Sir
Charles were engaged before you knew us. Will you allow my son this
preference, which will be the first preference, if Sir Charles engages
himself abroad?
Your ladyship surprises me: shall I not improve by the example you have
just now set before me? Who was it that said (and a man too) 'With what
face could I look up to a woman of honour and delicacy, such a one as the
lady before whom I now stand, if I could own a wish, that, while' my
heart leaned to one person, I should think of keeping another in suspense
till I saw whether I could or could not be the other's? 'No, madam, I
would sooner die,' as Sir Charles said, 'than offer such an indignity to
both.' But I know, madam, that you only made this proposal, as you did
another to Sir Charles Grandison, as a trial of my heart.
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