Mr. Grandison set out next morning. The general's behaviour to him at
his departure, was much more open and free than it was at receiving him.
Mr. Grandison, on his return to Florence, entered into the affairs of his
late friend Mr. Jervois, with the spirit, and yet with the temper, for
which he is noted, when he engages in any business. He put every thing
in a happy train in fewer days than it would have cost some other persons
months; for he was present himself on every occasion, and in every
business, where his presence would accelerate it; yet he had
embarrassments from Olivia.
He found, before he set out for Naples, that Mrs. Beaumont, at the
earnest request of the marchioness, was gone to Bologna. At his return,
not hearing any thing from Signor Jeronymo, he wrote to Mrs. Beaumont,
requesting her to inform him of the state of things in that family, as
far as she thought proper; and, particularly, of the health of that dear
friend, on whose silence to three letters he had written, he had the most
melancholy apprehensions. He let that lady know, that he should set out
in a very few days for Paris, if he had no probability of being of
service to the family she favoured with her company.
To this letter Mrs. Beaumont returned the following answer: