MISS BYRON.--IN CONTINUATION
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12.
Dr. Bartlett was so good as to breakfast with my cousins and me this
morning. He talks of setting out for Grandison-hall on Saturday or
Monday next. We have settled a correspondence; and he gives me hope,
that he will make me a visit in Northamptonshire. I know you will all
rejoice to see him.
Emily came in before the doctor went. She brought me the compliments of
the bride, and Lord W----, with their earnest request, that I would dine
with them. Sir Charles was gone, she said, to make a farewell visit to
the Danby set; but would be at home at dinner.
It would be better for me, I think, Lucy, to avoid all opportunities of
seeing him: Don't you think so?--There is no such thing as seeing him
with indifference. But, so earnestly invited, how could I deny;
especially as my cousins were inclinable to go?
Miss Jervois whispered me at parting. I never before, said she, had an
opportunity to observe the behaviour of a new-married couple to each
other: but is it customary, madam, for the bride to be more snappish, as
the bridegroom is more obliging?
Lady G---- is very naughty, my dear, if she so behaves, as to give you
reason to ask this question.
She does: and, upon my word, I see more obedience where it was not
promised, than where it was. Dear madam, is not what is said at church
to be thought of afterwards? But why did not the doctor make her speak
out? What signified bowing, except a woman was so bashful that she could
not speak?
The bowing, my dear, is an assent. It is as efficacious as words. Lord
G---- only bowed, you know. Could you like to be called upon, Emily, to
speak out?
Why, no. But then I would be very civil and good-natured to my husband,
if it were but for fear he should be cross to me: but I should think it
my duty as well
Sweet innocent!
She went away, and left the doctor with me.
When our hearts are set upon a particular subject, how impertinent, how
much beside the purpose, do we think every other! I wanted the doctor to
talk of Sir Charles Grandison: but as he fell not into the subject, and
as I was afraid he would think me to be always leading him into it, if I
began it, I suffered him to go away at his first motion: I never knew him
so shy upon it, however.
Sir Charles returned to dinner. He has told Lady L----, who afterwards
told us, that he had a hint from Mr. Galliard, senior, that if he were
not engaged in his affections, he was commissioned to make him a very
great proposal in behalf of one of the young ladies he had seen the
Thursday before; and that from her father.
Surely, Lucy, we may pronounce without doubt, that we live in an age in
which there is a great dearth of good men, that so many offers fall to
the lot of one. But, I am thinking, 'tis no small advantage to Sir
Charles, that his time is so taken up, that he cannot stay long enough in
any company to suffer them to cast their eyes on other objects, with
distinction. He left the numerous assembly at Enfield, while they were
in the height of their admiration of him. Attention, love, admiration,
cannot be always kept at the stretch. You will observe, Lucy, that on
the return of a long-absent dear friend, the rapture lasts not more than
an hour: gladdened, as the heart is, the friend received, and the friends
receiving, perhaps in less than that time, can sit down quietly together,
to hear and to tell stories, of what has happened to either in the long
regretted absence. It will be so with us, Lucy, when I return to the
arms of my kind friends: and now, does not Sir Charles's proposed journey
to Italy endear his company to us?
The Earl of G----, Lady Gertrude, and two agreeable nieces of that
nobleman's, were here at dinner. Lady G---- behaved pretty well to her
lord before them: but I, who understood the language of her eyes, saw
them talk very saucily to him, on several occasions. My lord is a little
officious in his obligingness; which takes off from that graceful, that
polite frankness, which so charmingly, on all occasions, distinguishes
one happy man, who was then present. Lord G---- will perhaps appear more
to advantage in that person's absence.
Mr. Beauchamp was also present. He is indeed an agreeable, a modest
young man. He appeared to great advantage, as well in his conversation,
as by his behaviour: and not the less for subscribing in both to the
superiority of his friend; who, nevertheless, endeavoured to draw him out
as the first man.
After dinner, Lady L----, Lady G----, and I, found an opportunity to be
by ourselves for one half hour. Lady G---- asked Lady L---- what she
intended to do with the thousand pounds with which Lord W---- had so
generously presented her?--Do with it, my dear!--What do you think I
intend to do with it?--It is already disposed of.
I'll be hanged, said Lady G----, if this good creature has not given it
to her husband.
Indeed, Charlotte, I have. I gave it to him before I slept.