Don't say so, Charlotte--Say rather that you hope it will hold you so
long only as it may be thought innocent or inoffensive, by the man whom
it will be your duty to oblige, and so long as it will bring no discredit
to yourself.
Your servant, Goody Gravity!--But what must be, must. The man is bound
to see it. It will be all his own seeking. He will sin with his eyes
open. I think he has seen enough of me to take warning. All that I am
concerned about is for the next week or fortnight. He will be king all
that time--Yet, perhaps not quite all neither. And I shall be his
sovereign ever after, or I am mistaken. What a deuse, shall a woman
marry a man of talents not superior to her own, and forget to reward
herself for her condescension?--But, high-ho!--There's a sigh, Harriet.
Were I at home, I would either sing you a song, or play you a tune, in
order to raise my own heart.
She besought me then, with great earnestness, to give her my company till
the day arrived, and on the day. You see, said she, that my brother has
engagements till Monday. Dear creature! support, comfort me--Don't you
see my heart beat through my stays?--If you love me, come to me to-morrow
to breakfast; and leave me not for the whole time--Are you not my sister,
and the friend of my heart? I will give you a month for it, upon demand.
Come, let us go down; I will ask the consent of both your cousins.
She did: and they, with their usual goodness to me, cheerfully complied.
Sir Charles set out this morning to attend the triple marriages; dressed
charmingly, his sister says. I have made Miss Grandison promise to give
me an account of such particulars, as, by the help of Saunders, and Sir
Charles's own relation, she can pick up. All we single girls, I believe,
are pretty attentive to such subjects as these; as what one day may be
our own concern.