_II.--Miss Byron to Miss Selby_
_Grosvenor Street, London, February 3._ We are returned from a party at
Lady Betty's. She had company with her, to whom she introduced us, and
presented me in a very advantageous character. But mutual civilities had
hardly passed when Lady Betty, having been called out, returned,
introducing as a gentleman who would be acceptable to everyone, Sir
Hargrave Pollexfen. "He is," whispered she to me, as he saluted the rest
of the company in a very gallant manner, "a young baronet of a very
large estate; the greatest part of which has lately come to him by the
death of relatives, all very rich." Let me give you a sketch of him, my
Lucy.
Sir Hargrave Pollexfen is handsome and genteel; pretty tall, about
twenty-eight or thirty. He has remarkably bold eyes, rather approaching
to what we would call goggling, and he gives himself airs with them, as
if he wished to have them thought rakish; perhaps as a recommendation,
in his opinion, to the ladies. With all his foibles he is said to be a
man of enterprise and courage, and young women, it seems, must take care
how they laugh with him, for he makes ungenerous constructions to the
disadvantage of a woman whom he can bring to seem pleased with his
jests.
The taste of the present age seems to be dress; no wonder, therefore,
that such a man as Sir Hargrave aims to excel in it. What can be
misbestowed by a man on his person who values it more than his mind? But
what a length I have run!
_III.--Miss Byron: In Continuation_
We found at home, waiting for Mr. Reeves's return, Sir John Allestree, a
worthy, sensible man, of plain and unaffected manners, upwards of fifty.
Mr. Reeves mentioning to him our past entertainment and company, Sir
John gave us such an account of Sir Hargrave as let me know that he is a
very dangerous and enterprising man. He says that, laughing and light as
he is in company, he is malicious, ill-natured, and designing, and
sticks at nothing to carry a point on which he has once set his heart.
He has ruined, Sir John says, three young creatures already, under vows
of marriage.
Could you have thought, my Lucy, that this laughing, fine-dressing man,
could have been a man of malice, and of resentment, a cruel man, yet Sir
John told two very bad stories of him.
But I had no need of these stories to determine me against receiving his
addresses. What I saw of him was sufficient.
_IV.--Miss Byron: In Continuation_
_Wednesday, February 8._ Sir Hargrave came before six o'clock. He was
richly dressed. He asked for my cousin Reeves, I was in my chamber,
writing.
He excused himself for coming so early on the score of his impatience.
Shall I give you, from my cousins, an account of the conversation before
I went down? You know Mrs. Reeves is a nice observer.
He had had, he told my cousins, a most uneasy time of it, ever since he
saw me. He never saw a woman before whom he could love as he loved me.
By his soul, he had no view but what was strictly honourable. He gloried
in the happy prospects before him, and hoped, as none of my little
_army_ of admirers had met encouragement from me, that _he_ might be the
happy man.
"I told you, Mr. Reeves," said he, "that I will give you _carte blanche_
as to settlements. I will lay before you, or before any of Miss Byron's
friends, my rent-rolls. There never was a better conditioned estate. She
shall live in town, or in the country, as she thinks fit."
On a message that tea was near ready, I went down.
"Charming Miss Byron," said he, addressing me with an air of kindness
and freedom, "I hope you are all benignity and compassion." He then
begged I would hear him relate the substance of what had passed between
him and Mr. and Mrs. Reeves, referred to the declaration he had made,
boasted of his violent passion, and besought my favour with the utmost
earnestness.
As I could not think of encouraging his addresses, I thought it best to
answer him without reserve.
"Sir Hargrave, you may expect nothing from me but the simplest truth. I
thank you, sir, for your good opinion of me, but I cannot encourage your
addresses."
"You _cannot_, madam, _encourage my addresses!_" He stood silent a
minute or two, looking upon me as if he said, "Foolish girl! Knows she
whom she refuses?" "I have been assured, madam, that your affections are
not engaged. But surely, it must be a mistake; some happy man----"
"Is it," I interrupted, "a necessary consequence that the woman who
cannot receive the addresses of Sir Hargrave Pollexfen must be engaged?"
"Why, madam, as to that, I know not what to say, but a man of my
fortune----" He paused. "What, madam, can be your objection? Be so good
as to name it, that I may know whether I can be so happy as to get over
it."
"We do not, we _cannot_, all like the same person. There is _something_
that attracts or disgusts us."
"_Disgusts!_ Madam--disgusts! Miss Byron!"
"I spoke in general, sir; I dare say, nineteen women out of twenty would
think themselves favoured in the addresses of Sir Hargrave Pollexfen."
"But _you_, madam, are the twentieth that I must love; and be so good as
to let me know----"
"Pray, sir, ask me not a reason for a _peculiarity_. You may have more
merit, perhaps, than the man I may happen to approve of better;
but--_shall_ I say?--you do not--you do not hit my fancy, sir."
"_Not hit your fancy_, madam! Give me leave to say" (and he reddened
with anger) "that my fortune, my descent, and my ardent affection for
you ought to avail with me. Perhaps, madam, you think me too airy a man.
You have doubts of my sincerity. You question my honour."
"That, sir, would be to injure myself," and making a low courtesy, I
withdrew in haste.
My sheet is ended. With a new one I will begin another letter.
_V.--Miss Byron: In Continuation_
Next morning, after breakfast, Sir Hargrave again called, and renewed
his addresses, making vehement professions of love, and offering me
large settlements. To all of which I answered as before; and when he
insisted upon my reasons for refusing him, I frankly told him that I had
not the opinion of his morals that I must have of those of the man to
whom I gave my hand in marriage.
"Of my _morals_, madam!" (and his colour went and came). "My _morals_,
madam!" He arose from his seat and walked about the room muttering. "You
have no opinion of my morals? By heaven, madam! But I will bear it
all--yet, 'No opinion of my morals!' I cannot bear that."
He then clenched his fist, and held it up to his head; and, snatching up
his hat, bowed to the ground, his face crimsoned over, and he withdrew.
Mr. Reeves attended him to the door. "Not like my morals!" said he. "I
have _enemies_, Mr. Reeves. Miss Byron treats politely everybody but me,
sir. Her scorn may be repaid--would to God I could say, with scorn, Mr.
Reeves! Adieu!"
And into his chariot he stept, pulling up the glasses with violence; and
rearing up his head to the top of it, as he sat swelling. And away it
drove.
A fine husband for your Harriet would this half madman make! Drawn in by
his professions of love, and by £8,000 a year, I might have married him;
and when too late found myself miserable, yoked with a tyrant and madman
for the remainder of my life.
_VI.--Mr. Reeves to George Selby, Esq._
_Friday, February 17_. No one, at present, but yourself, must see the
contents of what I am going to write.
You must not be too much surprised. But how shall I tell you the news;
the dreadful news!
O, my cousin Selby! We know not what has become of our dearest Miss
Byron.
We were last night at the masked ball in the Hay-market.
Between two and three we all agreed to go home. The dear creature was
fatigued with the notice everybody took of her. Everybody admired her.
I waited on her to her chair, and saw her in it, before I attended Lady
Betty and my wife to theirs.
I saw that neither the chair, nor the chairmen were those who brought
her. I asked the meaning and was told that the chairmen we had engaged
had been inveigled away to drink somewhere. She hurried into it because
of her dress, and being warm; no less than four gentlemen followed her
to the very chair.
I ordered Wilson, my, cousin's servant, to bid the chairmen stop, when
they had got out of the crowd till Lady Betty's chair and mine, and my
wife's joined them.
I saw her chair move, and Wilson, with his lighted flambeaux, before it,
and the four masks who followed her to the chair return into the house.
When our servants could not find that her chair had stopped, we supposed
that, in the hurry, the fellow heard not my orders; and directed our
chairmen to proceed, not doubting but that we should find her got home
before us.
But what was our consternation at finding her not arrived, and that Lady
Betty (to whose house we thought she might have been carried) had not
either seen or heard of her!
I had half a suspicion of Sir Hargrave, as well from the character given
us of him by a friend, as because of his impolite behaviour to the dear
creature on her rejecting him; and sent to his house in Cavendish Square
to know if he were at home: and if he were, at what time he returned
from the ball.
Answer was brought that he was in bed, and they supposed would not be
stirring till dinner-time; and that he returned from the ball between
four and five this morning.
* * * * *
O, my dear Mr. Selby! We _have_ tidings! The dear creature is living and
in honourable hands. Read the enclosed letter, directed to me.
"Sir,--Miss Byron is in safe hands. She has been cruelly treated, and
was many hours speechless. But don't frighten yourselves; her fits,
though not less frequent, are weaker and weaker. The bearer will
acquaint you who my brother is; to whom you owe the preservation and
safety of the loveliest woman in England, and he will direct you to a
house where you will be welcome, with your lady (for Miss Byron cannot
be removed) to convince yourself that all possible care is taken of her
by _your humble servant_,
"CHARLOTTE GRANDISON."
What we learnt from the honest man who brought the letter is, briefly,
as follows:
His master is Sir Charles Grandison; a gentleman who has not been long
in England.
Sir Charles was going to town in his chariot and six when he met our
distressed cousin.
Sir Hargrave is the villain.
Sir Charles had earnest business in town, and he proceeded thither,
after he had rescued the dear creature and committed her to the care of
his sister. God forever bless him!
_VII.--Mr. Reeves to George Selby, Esq.: In Continuation_
_February_ 18. I am just returned from visiting my beloved cousin, who
is still weak, but is more composed than she has hitherto been, the
amiable lady, Miss Grandison tells me.
Sir Charles Grandison is, indeed, a fine figure. He is the bloom of
youth. I don't know that I have ever seen a handsomer or genteeler man.
Well might his sister say that if he married he would break a score of
hearts.
I will relate all he said in the first person, as nearly in his own
words as possible.
"About two miles on this side Hounslow," said he, "I saw a chariot and
six driving at a great rate.
"The coachman seemed inclined to dispute the way with mine. This
occasioned a few moments' stop to both. I ordered my coachman to break
the way. I don't love to stand on trifles. My horses were fresh and I
had not come far.
"The curtain of the chariot we met was pulled down. I knew by the arms
it was Sir Hargrave Pollexfen's.
"There was in it a gentleman who immediately pulled up the canvas.
"I saw, however, before he drew it up another person wrapped up in a
man's scarlet cloak.
"'For God's sake, help--help!' cried out the person. 'For God's sake,
help!'
"I ordered my coachman to stop.
"'Drive on!' said the gentleman, cursing his coachman. 'Drive on when I
bid you I'
"'Help!' again cried she, but with a voice as if her mouth was half
stopped.
"I called to my servants on horseback to stop the postilion of the other
chariot; and I bid Sir Hargrave's coachman proceed at his peril. Then I
alighted, and went round to the other side of the chariot.
"Again the lady endeavoured to cry out. I saw Sir Hargrave struggle to
pull over her mouth a handkerchief, which was tied around her head. He
swore outrageously.
"The moment she beheld me, she spread out both her hands--'For God's
sake!'
"'Sir Hargrave Pollexfen,' said I, 'by the arms. You are engaged, I
doubt, in a very bad affair.'
"'I _am_ Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, and am carrying a fugitive wife.'
"'Your _own_ wife, Sir Hargrave?'
"'Yes, by heaven!' said he. 'And she was going to elope from me at a
damned masquerade!'
"'Oh, no, no, no!' said the lady.
"'Let me ask the lady a question, Sir Hargrave. Are you, madam, Lady
Pollexfen?' said I.
"'Oh, no, no, no!' was all she could say.
"Two of my servants came about me; a third held the head of the horse on
which the postilion sat. Three of Sir Hargrave's approached on their
horses, but seemed as if afraid to come too near, and parleyed together.
"'Have an eye to those fellows,' said I. 'Some base work is on foot.
Sirrah!'--to the coachman--'proceed at your peril!'
"Sir Hargrave then, with violent curses and threatenings, ordered him to
drive over everyone that opposed him.
"'Oh, sir--sir,' cried the lady, 'help me, for I am in a villain's
hands! Trick'd--vilely trick'd!'
"'Do you,' said I to my servants, 'cut the traces if you cannot
otherwise stop this chariot! Leave Sir Hargrave to me!'
"The lady continued screaming, and crying out for help. Sir Hargrave
drew his sword, and then called upon his servants to fire at all that
opposed his progress.
"'My servants, Sir Hargrave, have firearms as well as yours. They will
not dispute my orders. Don't provoke me to give the word.' Then,
addressing the lady: 'Will you, madam, put yourself into my protection?'
"'Oh, yes, yes, with my whole heart! Dear, good sir, protect me!'
"I opened the chariot door. Sir Hargrave made a pass at me.
"'Take _that_ for your insolence, scoundrel!' said he.
"I was aware of his thrust, and put it by; but his sword a little raked
my shoulder. My sword was in my hand, but undrawn.
"The chariot door remaining open. I seized him by the collar before he
could recover himself from the pass he had made at me, and with a jerk
and a kind of twist, laid him under the hind wheel of his chariot. I
wrenched his sword from him, and snapped it, and flung the two pieces
over my head.
"His coachman cried out for his master. Mine threatened _his_ if he
stirred. The postilion was a boy. My servant had made him dismount
before he joined the other two. The wretches, knowing the badness of
their cause, were becoming terrified.
"One of Sir Hargraves's legs, in his sprawling, had got between the
spokes of his chariot-wheel. I thought this was fortunate for preventing
farther mischief. I believe he was bruised with the fall; the jerk was
violent.
"I had not drawn my sword. I hope I never shall be provoked to do it in
a private quarrel. I should not, however, have scrupled to draw it on
such an occasion as this had there been an absolute necessity for it.
"The lady, though greatly terrified, had disengaged herself from the
man's cloak. I offered my hand, and your lovely cousin threw herself
into my arms, as a frighted bird pursued by a hawk has flown into the
bosom of a man passing by. She was ready to faint. She could not, I
believe, have stood. I carried the lovely creature round, and seated her
in my chariot.
"'Be assured, madam,' said I, 'that you are in honourable hands. I will
convey you to my sister, who is a young lady of honour and virtue.'
"I shut the chariot door. Sir Hargrave was now on his legs, supported by
his coachman; his other servants had fled.
"I bid one of my servants tell him who I was. He cursed me, and
threatened vengeance.
"I then stepped back to my chariot, and reassured Miss Byron, who had
sunk down at the bottom of it. What followed, I suppose, Charlotte"--
bowing to his sister--"you told Mr. Reeves?"
"I can only say, my brother," said Miss Grandison, "that you have
rescued an angel of a woman, and you have made me as happy by it as
yourself."
_VIII.--Mr. Deane to Sir Charles Grandison_
_Selby House, October_ 3. An alliance more acceptable, were it with a
prince, could not be proposed, than that which Sir Charles Grandison, in
a manner so worthy of himself, has proposed with a family who have
thought themselves under obligation to him ever since he delivered the
darling of it from the lawless attempts of a savage libertine. I know to
whom I write; and will own that it has been _my_ wish in a most
particular manner. As to the young lady, I say nothing of her, yet how
shall I forbear? Oh, sir, believe me, she will dignify your choice. Her
duty and her inclination through every relation of life were never
divided.
Excuse me, sir. No parent was ever more fond of his child than I have
been from her infancy of this my daughter by adoption.
_IX.--Miss Byron to Lady G. (Formerly Charlotte Grandison)_
_October_ 14. Sir Charles came a little after eleven. He addressed us
severally with his usual politeness, and my grandmother particularly,
with such an air of reverence as did himself credit, because of her
years and wisdom.
Presently my aunt led me away to another chamber, and then went away,
but soon returned, and with her the man of men.
She but turned round, and saw him take my hand, which he did with a
compliment that made me proud, and left us together.
Oh, my dear, your brother looked the humble, modest lover, yet the man
of sense, of dignity, in love. I could not but be assured of his
affection.
* * * * *
On one knee he dropped, and taking my passive hand between his, and
kissing it, he said:
"My dear Miss Byron, you are goodness itself. I approached you with
diffidence and with apprehension. May blessings attend my future life,
as my grateful heart shall acknowledge this goodness!"
Again he kissed my hand, rising with dignity. I could have received his
vows on my knees, but I was motionless; yet how was I delighted to be
the cause of joy to him! Joy to your brother--to Sir Charles Grandison!
He saw me greatly affected, and considerately said:
"I will leave you, my dear Miss Byron, to entitle myself to the
congratulations of all our friends below. From this moment I date my
happiness!"
* * * * *