MISS BYRON.--IN CONTINUATION
TUESDAY NIGHT, APRIL 4.
Miss Grandison came to me just as we had supped. She longed, she said,
to see me; but was prevented coming before, and desired to know what had
passed between her brother and me this morning. I gave her the letter,
which I had but a little while before concluded. He had owned, she said,
that he had breakfasted with me, and spoke of me to her, and Lord and
Lady L---- with an ardor, that gave them pleasure. She put my letter
into her bosom. I may, I hope, Harriet--If you please, madam, said I.
If you please, madam, repeated she; and with that do-lo-rous accent too,
my Harriet!--My sister and I have been in tears this morning: Lord L----
had much ado to forbear. Sir Charles will soon leave us.
It can't be helped, Charlotte. Did you dine to-day in St.
James's-square?
No, indeed!--My brother had a certain tribe with him; and the woman also.
It is very difficult, I believe, Harriet, for good people to forbear
doing sometimes more than goodness requires of them.
Could you not, Charlotte, have sat at table with them for one hour or
two?
My brother did not ask me. He did not expect it. He gives every body
their choice, you know. He told me last night who were to dine with him
to-day, and supposed I would choose to dine with Lady L----, or with you,
he was so free as to say.
He did us an honour, which you thought too great a one. But if he had
asked you, Charlotte--
Then I should have bridled. Indeed, I asked him, if he did not over-do
it?
What was his answer?
Perhaps he might--But I, said he, may never see Mrs. Oldham again. I
want to inform myself of her future intentions, with a view (over-do it
again, Charlotte!) to make her easy and happy for life. Her children are
in the world. I want to give her a credit that will make her remembered
by them, as they grow up, with duty. I hope I am superior to forms. She
is conscious. I can pity her. She is a gentlewoman; and entitled to a
place at any man's table to whom she never was a servant. She never was
mine.
And what, Miss Grandison, could you say in answer? asked I.
What!--Why I put up my lip.
Ungracious girl!
I can't help it. That may become a man to do in such cases as this, that
would not a woman.
Sir Charles wants not delicacy, my dear, said I.
He must suppose, that I should have sat swelling, and been reserved: he
was right not to ask me--So be quiet, Harriet--And yet, perhaps, you
would be as tame to a husband's mistress, as you seem favourable to a
father's.