EMILIA.
Yes; she called him a spider, a little ape, and spoke so loud, that he heard her and appeared disconcerted, and yet she continued to laugh.
CHARLES.
Lady Jane did not recollect, that though her title announced her rank, her behaviour proved she was not well-bred. She had not sense to discover, that intolerable pride is a great fault, and deformity only a misfortune. She did not recollect, that it is her Creator she was blaming, and that a single fall, or some other casualty, might soon render her an object of ridicule; and, at any rate, time quickly flies, and will insensibly destroy those charms she is now so proud of; and the ignorant may in their turn laugh at her, when she appears old and ugly, without wisdom or virtue to render gray hairs respectable. How often have I heard my tutor say, that wisdom and virtue never grow old, on the contrary, while they are useful to mankind, they spread a real splendor over the character of an individual.
Dear mother, how often have you warned me against such behaviour, and how tenderly have I seen you treat those whom others despised? Farewel.
WILLIAM.
LETTER LV.
William to his Mother.
Forgive me, dear mother, for having been so long silent, but I have only disagreeable tidings to communicate to you. We all wear a face of woe; my worthy benefactor, our dear Sir Charles, is very ill, and has been so for some time. The physicians think him in great danger, and we expect nothing but death. Lady Grandison, as you may well imagine, is almost inconsolable. Emilia is continually weeping, and Edward appears almost distracted. I will give you an account of a conversation we had yesterday, after we left the sick room. Edward clasped his hands together as in despair, and threw himself into a chair in an adjoining chamber. Ah! William, he cried, how it grieves me to think I have so often offended my more than father; yes, my friend, every thing I have done now haunts me, and pains my very soul.
WILLIAM.
My dear Edward be comforted, he is still alive, and God may perhaps restore him to health.