Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 3).djvu/204

 stories we have heard of the patriarchs; his simplicity, his hospitality, exactly accords with the account we have received of them.

'Of his daughters I must not speak, because I could not do them justice. I must, however, timely caution you against the charms of the elder, who is engaged to a gentleman, to whom she is prevented by particular circumstances from being immediately united; but the heart as well as the hand of the younger are at liberty I understand, and to wish them my brother's would be to wish him the greatest blessing man could possess.'

"Soon after this conversation we stopped at Lord Dunlere's. St. Julian went in first to prepare him for my reception, and in a few minutes returned with his venerable friend, whose looks were calculated to excite an immediate prepossession in his favour.

"He welcomed me with the utmost kindness, and conducted me to the apartment where his daughters sat. I cannot give you any idea of the surprise, the admiration which seized me on beholding them:—I saw in-