MISS BYRON.--IN CONTINUATION
FRIDAY NOON, APRIL 14.
Not five hours in bed; not one hour's rest for many uneasy nights before;
I was stupid till Sir Charles came: I then was better. He inquired, with
tender looks and voice, after my health; as if he thought I did not look
well.
We had some talk about Lord and Lady G----. He was anxious for their
happiness. He complimented me with hopes from my advice to her. Lord
G----, he said, was a good-natured honest man. If he thought his sister
would make him unhappy, he should himself be so.
I told him, that I dared to answer for her heart. My lord must bear with
some innocent foibles, and all would be well.
We then talked of Lady Olivia. He began the subject, by asking me my
opinion of her. I said she was a very fine woman in her person; and that
she had an air of grandeur in her mien.
And she has good qualities, said he; but she is violent in her passions.
I am frequently grieved for her. She is a fine creature in danger of
being lost, by being made too soon her own mistress.
He said not one word of his departure to-morrow morning: I could not
begin it; my heart would not let me; my spirits were not high: and I am
afraid, if that key had been touched, I should have been too visibly
affected. My cousins forbore, upon the same apprehension.
He was excessively tender and soothing to me, in his air, his voice, his
manner. I thought of what Emily said; that his voice, when he spoke of
me, was the voice of love. Dear flattering girl!--But why did she
flatter me?
We talked of her next. He spoke of her with the tenderness of a father.
He besought me to love her. He praised her heart.
Emily, said I, venerates her guardian. She never will do any thing
contrary to his advice.
She is very young, replied he. She will be happy, madam, in yours. She
both loves and reverences you.