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do not feel more enwraped by the brilliancy of his Career； than by
the tranquil and morbid Virtues of any opposing Character。 Our
approbation of the Latter is but Eleemosynary。—These are the
Novels which enlarge the primitive Capabilities of the Heart； and
which it cannot impugn the Sense or be any Dereliction of the
character； of the most anti…puerile Man； to be Conversant with。’—
‘If I understand you aright’—said Charlotte—‘our taste in Novels
is not at all the same。’ And here they were obliged to part—Miss D。
being too much tired of them all； to stay any longer。—The truth
was that Sir Edward whom circumstances had confined very
much to one spot had read more sentimental Novels than agreed
with him。 His fancy had been early caught by all the impassioned；
and most exceptionable parts of Richardson； and such Authors as
have since appeared to tread in Richardson’s steps； so far as Man’s
determined pursuit of Woman in defiance of every opposition of
feeling and convenience is concerned； had since occupied the
greater part of his literary hours； and formed his Character。—With
a perversity of Judgement； which must be attributed to his not
having by Nature a very strong head； the Graces； the Spirit； the
Sagacity； and the Perseverance； of the Villain of the Story
outweighed all his absurdities and all his Atrocities with Sir
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Edward。 With him； such Conduct was Genius； Fire and Feeling。—
It interested and inflamed him； and he was always more anxious
for its Success and mourned over its Discomfitures with more
Tenderness than could ever have been contemplated by the
Authors。—Though he owed many of his ideas to this sort of
reading； it were unjust to say that he read nothing else； or that his
Language were not formed on a more general Knowledge of
modern Literature。—He read all the Essays； Letters； Tours and
Criticisms of the day—and with the same ill…luck which made him
derive only false Principles from Lessons of Morality； and
incentives to Vice from the History of its Overthrow； he gathered
only hard words and involved sentences from the style of our most
approved Writers。
Sir Edward’s great object in life was to be seductive。—With
such personal advantages as he knew himself to possess； and such
Talents as he did also give himself credit for； he regarded it as his
Duty。—He felt that he was formed to be a dangerous Man—quite
in the line of the Lovelaces。—The very name of Sir Edward he
thought； carried some degree of fascination with it。—To be
generally gallant and assiduous about the fair； to make fine
speeches to every pretty Girl； was but the inferior part of the
Character he had to play。—Miss Heywood； or any other young
Woman with any pretensions to Beauty； he was entitled
（according to his own views of Society） to approach with high
Compliments and Rhapsody on the slightest acquaintance； but it
was Clara alone on whom he had serious designs； it was Clara
whom he meant to seduce。—Her seduction was quite determined
on。 Her Situation in every way called for it。 She was his rival in
Lady D。’s favour； she was young； lovely and dependant。—He had
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very early seen the necessity of the case； and had now been long
trying with cautious assiduity to make an impression on her heart；
and to undermine her Principles。—Clara saw through him； and
had not the least intention of being seduced—but she bore with
him patiently enough to confirm the sort of attachment which her
personal Charms had raised。—A greater degree of discouragement
indeed would not have affected Sir Edward。 He was armed against
the highest pitch of Disdain or Aversion。—If she could not be won
by affection； he must carry her off。 He knew his Business。—
Already had he had many Musings on the Subject。 If he were
constrained so to act； he must naturally wish to strike out
something new； to exceed those who had gone before him—and he
felt a strong curiosity to ascertain whether the Neighbourhood of
Tombuctoo might not afford some solitary House adapted for
Clara’s reception；—but the Expence alas！ of Measures in that
masterly style was ill…suited to his Purse； and Prudence obliged
him to prefer the quietest sort of ruin and disgrace for the object of
his Affections； to the more renowned。
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CHAPTER IX
ne day； soon after Charlotte’s arrival at Sanditon； she had
the pleasure of seeing just as she ascended from the
O
Sands to the Terrace； a Gentleman’s Carriage with Post
Horses standing at the door of the Hotel； as very lately arrived；
and by the quantity of Luggage taking off； bringing； it might be
hoped； some respectable family determined on a long residence。—
Delighted to have such good news for Mr。 and Mrs。 P。； who had
both gone home some time before； she proceeded for Trafalgar
House with as much alacrity as could remain； after having been
contending for the last two hours with a very fine wind blowing
directly on shore； but she had not reached the little Lawn； when
she saw a Lady walking nimbly behind her at no great distance；
and convinced that it could be no acquaintance of her own； she
resolved to hurry on and get into the House if possible before her。
But the Stranger’s pace did not allow this to be accomplished；—
Charlotte was