MISS BYRON.--IN CONTINUATION
SATURDAY NIGHT, APRIL 9.
Sir Charles is already returned: he arrived at Windsor on Friday morning;
but found that Lord W---- had set out the afternoon of the day before,
for the house of his friend Sir Joseph Lawrence, which is but fifteen
miles from Mansfield-house.
Upon this intelligence, Sir Charles, wanting to return to town as soon as
he could, followed him to the knight's: and having time enough himself to
reach Mansfield-house that night, he, by his uncle's consent, pursued his
journey thither; to the great joy of the family; who wished for his
personal introduction of my lord to Miss Mansfield.
My lord arrived by breakfast-time, unfatigued, and in high spirits: staid
at Mansfield-house all day; and promised so to manage, as to be in town
to-morrow, in order to be present at his niece's nuptials on Tuesday.
As for Sir Charles, he made the Mansfield family happy in his company the
whole Friday evening; inquiring into their affairs relating to the
oppression they lay under; pointing out measures for redress; encouraging
Miss Mansfield; and informing the brothers, that the lawyers he had
consulted on their deeds, told him, that a new trial might be hoped for;
the result of which, probably, would be a means to do them justice, so
powerfully protected and assisted as they would now be; for new lights
had broke in upon them, and they wanted but to recover a deed, which they
understood was in the hands of two gentlemen, named Hartley, who were but
lately returned from the Indies. Thus prepared, the Mansfields also were
in high spirits, the next morning; and looked, Sir Charles said, on each
other, when they met, as if they wanted to tell each other their
agreeable dreams.
Sir Charles, in his way, had looked in upon Sir Harry Beauchamp, and his
lady. He found Sir Harry in high spirits, expecting the arrival of his
son; who was actually landed from Calais, having met there his father's
letter, allowing him to return to England, and wishing in his own, and in
Lady Beauchamp's name, his speedy arrival.
Sir Charles's impatience to see his friend, permitted him only to
breakfast with my lord and the Mansfields; and to know the opinion each
party formed of the other, on this first interview; and then he set out
to Sir Harry Beauchamp's. What an activity!--Heaven reward him with the
grant of his own wishes, whatever they be, and make him the happiest of
men!
My lord is greatly taken with the lady, and her whole family. Well he
may, Sir Charles says. He blessed him, and called himself blessed in his
sister's son, for his recommendation of each to the other. The lady
thinks better of him, as her mother owned to Sir Charles, than she
thought she should, from report.
I begin to think, Lucy, that those who set out for happiness are most
likely to find it, when they live single till the age of fancy is over.
Those who marry while it lasts, are often disappointed of that which they
propose so largely to themselves: while those who wed for convenience,
and deal with tolerable honesty by each other, are at a greater
certainty. Tolerable, I repeat, since, it seems, we are to expect that
both parties will turn the best side of the old garment outward. Hence
arises consolation to old maidens, and cautions against precipitation--
Expatiate, my dear, on this fruitful subject: I would, were I at leisure.
Sir Charles says that he doubts not, but Lord W---- will be as happy a
man as he wishes to be, in less than a month.
The deuse is in this brother of mine, whispered Miss Grandison, to me,
for huddling up of marriages! He don't consider, that there may be two
chances for one, that his honest folks may in half a year's time, bless
him the contrary way.
Sir Charles told us, that he had desired Lord W---- to give out every
where (that the adversaries of the Mansfield family might know it) his
intended alliance; and that he and his nephew were both determined to
procure a retrospection of all former proceedings.
Sir Charles got to Sir Harry Beauchamp's a little before his friend
arrived. Sir Harry took him aside at his alighting, and told him, that
Lady Beauchamp had had clouds on her brow all the day, and he was afraid,
would not receive his son with the graciousness that once he hoped for
from her: but, that he left him to manage with her. She never, said he,
had so high an opinion either of man or woman as she has of you.
Sir Charles addressed himself to her, as not doubting her goodness upon
the foot of their former conversation; and praised her for the graces
that however appeared but faintly in her countenance, till his
compliments lighted them up, and made them shine full out in it. He told
her, that his sister and Lord G---- were to be married on the following
Tuesday. He himself, he said, should set out for Paris on Friday after:
but hoped to see a family intimacy begun between his sisters and Lady
Beauchamp; and between their lords, and Sir Harry, and Mr. Beauchamp. He
applauded her on the generosity of her intentions, as declared to him in
their former conference; and congratulated her on the power she had, of
which she made so noble an use, of laying, at the same time, an
obligation on the tenderest of husbands, and the most deserving of sons:
whose duty to her he engaged for.
All this set her in high good humour; and she took to herself, and
bridled upon it, to express myself in Charlotte's manner, the praises and
graces this adroit manager gave her, as if they were her unquestionable
due.
This agreeable way they were all in, Sir Harry transported with his
lady's goodness, when Mr. Beauchamp arrived.
The young gentleman bent his knee to his stepmother, as well as to his
father, and thanked her for the high favours his father had signified to
him by letter, that he owed to her goodness. She confirmed them; but,
Sir Charles observed, with an ostentation that shewed she thought very
highly of her own generosity.
They had a very cheerful evening. Not one cloud would hang on Lady
Beauchamp's brow, though once or twice it seemed a little overshadowed,
as Mr. Beauchamp displayed qualities for which his father was too ready
to admire him. Sir Charles thought it necessary to caution Sir Harry on
this subject; putting it in this light, that Lady Beauchamp loved her
husband so well, that she would be too likely to dread a rivalry in his
affections from a son so very accomplished. Sir Harry took the hint
kindly.
Mr. Beauchamp was under a good deal of concern at Sir Charles's
engagements to leave England so soon after his arrival; and asked his
father's leave to attend him. Sir Harry declared, that he could not part
with him. Sir Charles chid his friend, and said, it was not quite so
handsome a return as might have been expected from his Beauchamp, to the
joyful reception he had met with from his father, and Lady Beauchamp.
But she excused the young gentleman, and said, she wondered not, that
any body who was favoured with his friendship, should be unwilling to be
separated from him.
Sir Charles expresses great satisfaction in Mr. Beauchamp's being arrived
before his departure, that he may present to us, himself, a man with whom
he is sure we shall all be delighted, and leave him happy in the beloved
society which he himself is obliged to quit.
A repining temper, Lucy, would consider only the hardship of meeting a
long-absent friend, just to feel the uneasiness of a second parting: but
this man views every thing in a right light. When his own happiness is
not to be attained, he lays it out of his thoughts, and, as I have
heretofore observed, rejoices in that of others. It is a pleasure to see
how Sir Charles seems to enjoy the love which Dr. Bartlett expresses for
this friend of them both.
Sir Charles addressed himself to me, on several occasions, in so polite,
in so tender a manner, that every one told me afterwards, they are sure
he loves me. Dr. Bartlett at the time, as he sat next me, whispered, on
the regret expressed by all on losing him so soon--Ah, madam!--I know,
and pity, my patron's struggles!--Struggles, Lucy! What could the doctor
mean by this whisper to me? But I hope he guesses not at mine! If he
does, would he have whispered his pity of Sir Charles to me?--Come, Lucy,
this is some comfort, however; and I will endeavour to be brave upon it,
that I may not, by my weakness, lessen myself in the doctor's good
opinion.
It was agreed for Charlotte, (whose assent was given in these words--'Do
as you will--or, rather, as my brother will--What signifies opposing
him?') that the nuptials shall be solemnized, as privately as possible,
at St. George's church. The company is to drop in at different doors,
and with as few attendants as may be. Lord W----, the Earl of G----, and
Lady Gertrude, Lord and Lady L----, Miss Jervois, and your Harriet, are
to be present at the ceremony. I was very earnest to be excused, till
Miss Grandison, when we were alone, dropt down on one knee, and held up
her hands, to beg me to accompany her. Mr. Everard Grandison, if he can
be found, is to be also there, at Sir Charles's desire.
Dr. Bartlett, as I before hinted, at her earnest request, is to perform
the ceremony. Sir Charles wished it to be at his own parish-church: but
Miss Grandison thought it too near to be private. He was indifferent, as
to the place, he said--So it was at church; for he had been told of the
difficulty we had to get Charlotte to desist from having it performed in
her chamber; and seemed surprised.--Fie, Charlotte! said he--An office so
solemn!--Vows to receive and pay, as in the Divine Presence--
She was glad, she told me, that she had not left that battle to be fought
with him.