[121]: Niceties.
[122]: C'est tout le contraire pour les héroïnes de George Sand.
[123]: He received the letters, standing up, bowing; and kissed the papers with an air of gallantry that I thought greatly became him.
[124]: I am afraid I must borrow of the Sunday some hours on my journey; but visiting the sick is an act of mercy.
[125]: And now, loveliest and dearest of women, allow me to expect the honour of a line, to let me know how much of the tedious month from last Thursday you will be so good to abate.... My utmost gratitude will ever be engaged by the condescension, whenever you shall distinguish the day of the year, distinguished as it will be to the end of my life that shall give me the greatest blessing of it and confirm me.
For ever yours Charles Grandisson.
[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.
[127]: Sir Charles seemed to have the office by heart, Harriet in her heart.
[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!
[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?