[Note 126: What, my love! In compliment to the best of parents,
resume your usual presence of mind. I else, who shall glory before a
thousand witnesses in receiving the honour of your hand, shall be
ready to regret I acquiesced so cheerfully with the wishes of those
parental friends for a public celebration.]
[Note 127: Sir Charles seemed to have the office by heart, Harriet
in her heart.]
[Note 128: In a soothing, tender and respectful manner, he put his
arm round me and taking my own handkerchief, unresisted, wiped away
the tears as they fell on my cheek. «Sweet humanity! Charming
sensibility! Check not the kindly gush. Dew-drops of heaven! (wiping
away my tears, and kissing the handkerchief), dew-drops of Heaven,
from a mind like that Heaven mild and gracious!]
[Note 129: But could he be otherwise than the best of husbands,
who was the most dutiful of sons, who is the most affectionate of
brothers, the most faithful of friends, who is good upon principle in
every relation of life?]
[Note 130: Clarisse et Paméla en font beaucoup trop.]