[_A reintroduction to some of the characters of Miss Austen's
novels_.]
_Whitethorn Manor_, HUNSDON, KENT.
4th _May_, 1814.
You will be interested to learn, my dear Sophia, that we are arrived at
our new home a se'nnight since, having posted from London with every
comfort. Already I feel sure we shall not regret fixing here. Now that the
Admiral has retired from the naval service, a rural retreat was his
object, and we had a strong recommendation to Hunsdon from Mrs Colonel
Brandon, the Marianne Dashwood of your early days and mine. She spoke of
the little domain named as above, and investigation soon convinced my dear
Admiral that this was what he had hoped to secure. My approbation followed
as a matter of course, and I hope an early visit will convince me of
Sophia's. If a fair dawn promises a cloudless day, we may look forward
with the highest degree of confidence permissible in human affairs.
The journey from London to the village of Hunsdon is agreeable, and
through an affluence of English scenery which must surely compare
favourably with any in the world: swelling hills embowered in green;
placid rivers enlivened by a delightful concert of feathered songsters;
villages clustered about the churchyards, where sleep their rude
forefathers; though it were to be desired that a judicious restoration
could obliterate the savage Norman and Gothic architecture too often found
in the churches, and that they could be restored in harmony with the more
elegant taste of the present day. I could never agree with Mr Walpole's
love of the Gothic! Still, I am not to deny that the perspective is
sometimes pleasing, and the intention of a ruder age merits respect.
The Admiral, who is not an amateur of scenery, slumbered most of the way.
We alighted from the post-chaise at Sundale for a night's rest, and
ordered a light repast, with tea for me, and that heady ale which I could
wish my Admiral would renounce, both on account of his increasing weight
and his tendency to inflammatory gout. But you are not now to learn that
it is vain to remonstrate with gentlemen where the pleasures of the table
are concerned. Our rooms being unprepared, we sat downstairs, though the
inn was full in anticipation of some horse races tomorrow, and some of the
gentlemen decidedly in liquor. My attention was early engaged by a lady of
prettyish appearance at a table near by, whose bonnet and spencer bespoke
a florid taste hardly in keeping with her uncurled ringlets and--dare I
add it--unwashed hands. She was accompanied by a good-looking man in
regimentals, of handsome but, as I thought, somewhat dissolute presence
(so different from the solid worth of my Admiral!), who was evidently an
officer from Chatham, not far distant. I judged them to be husband and
wife from their pawning inattention to each other's remarks. Finally, the
gentleman, rousing himself, said in a low clear tone:--
"It signifies not, Mrs Wickham, what your opinion may be, for the thing
must be done. Money we must have, and your sister's influence with Mr
Darcy is our only prospect of relief. Your father will do no more. Mr
Darcy's prejudice against me is fixed, and therefore your journey to
Hunsdon, now they are staying at Rosings, will be necessary. Argue no
more. My mind is made up."
She pouted angrily.
"I am quite as sensible as you are, Wickham, of our need of money; but you
know how I hate travelling alone, with all the men ogling me and the
servants looking for vails that I have it not to give. Come with me, and
all will be well." Her tone was cajoling.
"Oblige me with the letter you received from Mrs Darcy a week since," was
his only reply.