Reeve, Clara (1729-1807)

The Old English Baron: A Gothic Story

1777, 1780

"Every succeeding idea was happiness without allay; and his mind was not idle a moment till the morning sun awakened him."

As soon as he was perfectly awake, he strove to recollect his dreams. He thought that he heard people coming up the staircase that he had a glimpse of; that the door opened, and there entered a Warrior, leading a Lady by the hand, who was young and beautiful, but pale and wan: The man was dressed in complete armour, and his helmet down. They approached the bed; they undrew the curtains. He thought the man said,--Is this our child? The woman replied,--It is; and the hour approaches that he shall be known for such. They then separated, and one stood on each side of the bed; their hands met over his head, and they gave him a solemn benediction. He strove to rise and pay them his respects, but they forbad him; and the Lady said,--Sleep in peace, oh my Edmund! for those who are the true possessors of this apartment are employed in thy preservation: Sleep on, sweet hope of a house that is thought past hope!--Upon this, they withdrew, and went out at the same door by which they entered, and he heard them descend the stairs.--After this, he followed a funeral as chief mourner; he saw the whole procession, and heard the ceremonies performed. He was snatched away from this mournful scene to one of a contrary kind, a stately feast, at which he presided; and he heard himself congratulated as a husband, and a father: His friend William sat by his side; and his happiness was complete. Every succeeding idea was happiness without allay; and his mind was not idle a moment till the morning sun awakened him. He perfectly remembered his dreams, and meditated on what all these things should portend. Am I then, said he, not Edmund Twyford, but somebody of consequence in whose fate so many people are interested? Vain thought, that must have arisen from the partial suggestion of my two friends, Mr. William and old Joseph!
(pp. 60-61)

Mineral::Metal::Allay

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At least 15 entries in ESTC (1777, 1778, 1780, 1784, 1787, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1794, 1797, 1795, 1799).

See The Old English Baron: A Gothic Story. By Clara Reeve. (London: Printed for Edward and Charles Dilly in the Poultry, 1778). <Link to ESTC>

First published as The Champion of Virtue. A Gothic Story. By the Editor of the Phoenix. a Translation of Barclay’s Argenis. (Colchester: Printed for the author, by W. Kfymer [sic], and sold by him; sold also by G. Robinson, London, 1777). <Link to ESTC>

Text from The Old English Baron: A Gothic Story. By Clara Reeve. 2nd edition (London: Printed for Charles Dilly, 1780). <Link to LION>

08/02/2014