Belmour: A Modern Edition

Chapter 40

✦ 313 ✦ relieve Emily from his presence) “and we will settle everything together.”—On this, the rector bowing round to all the company , with the most affected air of gravity, left the room. On the morning following, Dr. Stanmore, with that unaffected dignity peculiar to his manner, joined in sacred and indissoluble bands two beings formed for the support and comfort of each other, whose hearts had long been united— and who thus presented to the world a bright example of that reward, which bounteous Heaven can alone bestow on virtue, constancy, and truth. Chapter 40 almost on their arrival at Belmour Castle, both Emily and Belmour had been anxious to dispatch letters to Lady Clementina , to announce their marriage to her, and with every expression of affection and kindness towards her, to entreat her presence, as the completion of their own happiness.—For setting apart the charm of her society, to her they both felt much was owing, and were both impatient to thank her—she had ever, with that natural frankness peculiar to her character, expressed her admiration of Emily, and had in no small degree contributed while at Cheltenham to promote that degree of intimacy between her and Belmour, which, by necessarily raising them in each other’s opinion, proved finally the source of all the happiness they now enjoyed. In little more than a fortnight, Lady Clementina’s speedy arrival was announced, with that shortly afterward of some other near relations of Belmour’s desirous of expressing personally their satisfaction on his marriage. ✦ 314 ✦ Amid the general content and satisfaction which prevailed, one thought, and one only, weighed on Emily’s mind, for not like those over-susceptible dispositions, who seem to languish after subjects of distress, often when farthest removed from them, she was fully sensible of all the blessings she possessed: but to Dr. Stanmore she felt her obligations incalculable; and to her it had ever seemed, that the only return in her power, in any degree adequate to what she owed him, was to attend and watch over his latter days, to soothe and comfort him in the hour of sickness, or of death.—And her new tie, with all its charms, seemed to remove her still further from all chance of fulfilling these grateful duties to her friend, her benefactor, her more than father. Impressed with these ideas, Emily had been sitting for a time alone in her room, when Belmour entered with a letter in his hand from Lady Clementina, saying, that all impatience to see them she should be on the very next day at Belmour Castle.—The expression of satisfaction evident on his countenance, when he came to announce this news to Emily, was instantly damped by the sight of a recent tear, which had stolen down her cheek.—“My Emily,” said he, advancing and taking her hand, “what has happened? you have something to distress you!”—“Nothing, thank Heaven!” she replied, with an expression of infinite affection, “which I may not partake with you!”—She then ingenuously told him what had affected her.—“Yet I feel,” said she, “almost as ashamed to admit now even of this cause a grievance! it is a subject,” continued she, “on which I never touched to Dr. Stanmore; nor would he, where my happiness was concerned, see a disappointment in any privation, which might be occasioned to himself—Yet.”—“Yes, yes,” said Belmour, “but this is a grievance, a just grievance, and what we must endeavour to remedy.”— He had walked thoughtfully several times up and down the room without speaking.—When a gentle tap was heard at the door, and in came Dr. Stanmore.—“What,” said he, on look- ✦ 315 ✦ ing at them, after he had entered the room, “are the cares of matrimony already come upon you!—why, you both look as serious as if you had been married this twelvemonth!—but, come, come,” continued he, smiling, “I must have you both in good humour, I am come to ask a favour of you;” saying this, he seated himself, making them sit on each side of him.—“It is not your interest for a bishoprick,” continued he, turning to Belmour—“no, the favour I am going to ask is wholly in your own power—and it is by your countenance already granted!— but not longer shall I keep you in suspense, I will tell you my request—it is...