I understand that at length all our wishes are answered in your happy
marriage. But I think we might as well have heard of it directly from
you, as from the round-about way by which we have been made acquainted
with it. Methinks, Sir, the power and the will we have to oblige you,
should not expose us the more to your slights and negligence. My brother
had set his heart upon giving to you the wife we have all so long wished
you to have. But if you were actually married at the time you made him
that request (supposing, perhaps, that his gout would not let him attend
you) it is but like you.*--If your lady had her reasons to wish it to be
private while the differences between her family and self continue, you
might nevertheless have communicated it to us with that restriction; and
we should have forborne the public manifestations of our joy upon an
event we have so long desired.
* I gave Mrs. Moore and Miss Rawlins room to think this reproach just,
Jack.
The distant way we have come to know it is by my steward; who is
acquainted with a friend of Captain Tomlinson, to whom that gentleman
revealed it: and he, it seems, had it from yourself and lady, with such
circumstances as leave it not to be doubted.
I am, indeed, very much disobliged with you: so is Lady Sarah. But I
have a very speedy opportunity to tell you so in person; being obliged to
go to town to my old chancery affair. My cousin Leeson, who is, it
seems, removed to Albemarle-street, has notice of it. I shall be at her
house, where I bespeak your attendance of Sunday night. I have written
to my cousin Charlotte for either her, or her sister, to meet me at
Reading, and accompany me to town. I shall stay but a few days; my
business being matter of form only. On my return I shall pop upon Lord
M. at M. Hall, to see in what way his last fit has left him.
Mean time, having told you my mind on your negligence, I cannot help
congratulating you both on the occasion.--Your fair lady particularly,
upon her entrance into a family which is prepared to admire and love her.
My principal intention of writing to you (dispensing with the necessary
punctilio) is, that you may acquaint my dear new niece, that I will not
be denied the honour of her company down with me into Oxfordshire. I
understand that your proposed house and equipages cannot be soon ready.
She shall be with me till they are. I insist upon it. This shall make
all up. My house shall be her own. My servants and equipages her's.
Lady Sarah, who has not been out of her own house for months, will oblige
me with her company for a week, in honour of a niece so dearly beloved,
as I am sure she will be of us all.
Being but in lodgings in town, neither you nor your lady can require much
preparation.
Some time on Monday I hope to attend the dear young lady, to make her my
compliments; and to receive her apology for your negligence: which, and
her going down with me, as I said before, shall be full satisfaction.
Mean time, God bless her for her courage, (tell her I say so;) and bless
you both in each other; and that will be happiness to us all--
particularly to
Your truly affectionate Aunt,
ELIZ. LAWRANCE.