I have learned from this accident to distrust my own judgment, and shall constantly apply to my mother for advice, till I have more experience to judge for myself. How painful it is not to have the means of doing good, for I now think I ought to have sent back the coat, and to have made that dutiful son a present of the money; but then my mother could not afford to buy me another coat when I want it, and I must submit to my circumstances. Farewell, my dear Charles; remember me to all my kind friends at Grandison Hall, not forgetting Emilia.
WILLIAM.
LETTER XXI.
Emilia to Charlotte.
What a fright have I had, and what anxiety and distress have I gone through! I must tell you all, and I know you will pity me. We were allowed yesterday to pay a visit to a gentleman, whose seat is about two hours ride from our house. Harry, our faithful Harry, (who came to live with us again after the death of his mother) went with us.
We spent a very pleasant day, and set out again for Grandison Hall about half past five o’clock. Harry seemed rather to lag behind, and we every now and then waited for him. We were conversing some time without thinking of him, when Charles looked round, and immediately perceived that Harry was not with us. I was alarmed, and I saw that Charles was distressed. I think I see him yonder, said he; we will return, perhaps there is something the matter with his horse. We returned accordingly, but Charles went a little before me, because he was afraid of discovering something dreadful. And so indeed it proved. Never shall I forget the horror I felt when I saw Harry stretched motionless on the ground, the horse standing by as if he wished to take care of his rider. I called out for help, not recollecting there was nobody within hearing; Charles quickly dismounted, and bid me make myself easy: easy, cried I—alone in this solitary road in the evening with a dying man. Charles had advanced to Harry in the mean time, and assured me he was not dead. I would then have got off my horse, but my brother desired me to sit still; notwithstanding this, I jumped off without thinking, and immediately the horse ran away. My brother had pulled off his coat to lay under Harry’s head. Harry still remained insensible. Imagine, Charlotte, my distress; I saw my brother was very much perplexed; but I will give you our conversation.
EMILIA.
My dear Charles, what will you do, it is dark already?
CHARLES.
I hope some traveller will soon go by who may afford us assistance. But where is your horse, my dear?
EMILIA.