I beg of you, Charlotte, said Lady L----, go to my lord. You have used
him ill.
When I think so, I will follow your advice, Lady L----.
And don't you think so, Lady G----? said Lord L----.
What! for taking my own option how I would be dressed to-day?--What! for
deferring--That moment in came my bluff lord--Have I not, proceeded I,
been forced to dine without him to-day? Did he let me know what account
I could give of his absence? Or when he would return?--And see, now, how
angry he looks!
He traversed the room--I went on--Did he not shake off my hand, when I
laid it, smiling, on his arm? Would he answer me a question, which I
kindly put to him, fearing he had not dined, and might be sick for want
of eating? Was I not forced to apply to Lady L---- for an answer to my
careful question, on his scornfully turning from me in silence?--Might we
not, if he had not gone out so abruptly, nobody knows where, have made
the appearance his heart is so set upon?--But now, indeed, it is too
late.
Oons, madam! said he, and he kimboed his arms, and strutted up to me.
Now for a cuff, thought I. I was half afraid of it: but out of the room
again capered he.
Lord bless me, said I, what a passionate creature is this!
Lord and Lady L---- both turned from me with indignation. But no wonder
if one, that they both did. They are a silly pair; and I believe have
agreed to keep each other in countenance in all they do.
But Emily affected me. She sat before in one corner of the room,
weeping; and just then ran to me, and, wrapping her arms about me, Dear,
dear Lady G----, said she, for Heaven's sake, think of what our Miss
Byron said; 'Don't jest away your own happiness.' I don't say who is in
fault: but, my dear lady, do you condescend. It looks pretty in a woman
to condescend. Forgive me; I will run to my lord, and I will beg of
him----
Away she ran, without waiting for an answer--and, bringing in the
passionate wretch, hanging on his arm--You must not, my lord, indeed you
must not be so passionate. Why, my lord, you frighted me; indeed you
did. Such a word I never heard from your lordship's mouth--
Ay, my lord, said I, you give yourself pretty airs! Don't you? and use
pretty words; that a child shall be terrified at them! But come, come,
ask my pardon, for leaving me to dine without you.
Was not that tender?--Yet out went Lord and Lady L----. To be sure they
did right, if they withdrew in hopes these kind words would have been
received as reconciliatory ones; and not in displeasure with me, as I am
half-afraid they did: for their good-nature (worthy souls!) does
sometimes lead them into misapprehensions. I kindly laid my hand on his
arm again.--He was ungracious.--Nay, my lord, don't once more reject me
with disdain--If you do--I then smiled most courteously. Carry not your
absurdities, my lord, too far: and I took his hand:--[There, Harriet, was
condescension!]--I protest, sir, if you give yourself any more of these
airs, you will not find me so condescending. Come, come, tell me you are
sorry, and I will forgive you.
Sorry! madam; sorry!--I am indeed sorry, for your provoking airs!
Why that's not ill said--But kimboed arms, my lord! are you not sorry for
such an air? And Oons! are you not sorry for such a word? and for such
looks too? and for quarreling with your dinner?--I protest, my lord, you
make one of us look like a child who flings away his bread and butter
because it has not glass windows upon it--