by her female cousins, Harriot lived till she was sixteen. Years had
still improved her person and she had made considerable progress in
learning, when Mrs Alworth judged it proper that her grandson should go
abroad to complete an education which she flattered herself was hitherto
faultless. He had no objection to the scheme but what arose from his
unwillingness to leave Harriot, who saw his departure approach with
great concern. She loved and respected her grandmother, but Mr Alworth
was the only person whom she could look upon in the tender and equal
light of a friend. To be deprived of his society was losing the chief
pleasure of her life and her best guardian against her enemies.
Mrs Alworth was pleased with the affection which so evidently appeared
between these two young people, she hoped to see a happy union arise
from it. Their fortunes and ages were properly suited, and a love which
had taken root in childhood and grown with their increasing years seemed
to promise a lasting harmony, of which the sweetness of their
dispositions would be no bad security. These pleasing ideas amused this
worthy woman, but the two friends themselves had not extended their
views so far. Bred up like brother and sister, a tenderer degree of
relation had not entered their thoughts, nor did any thing more appear
necessary to their happiness than a constant enjoyment of each other's
friendship. In this disposition they parted when Mr Alworth went abroad.
His tutor thinking himself not properly qualified to conduct him in his
travels, recommended another gentleman, and Mr Alworth, at Harriot's
request, prevailed with their grandmother to detain his old tutor till
Harriot's education was completed.
Mr Alworth continued abroad two years, during which time Harriot had
applied with such unwearied diligence that she was perfect mistress of
the living languages and no less acquainted with Greek and Latin. She
was well instructed in the ancient and modern philosophy, and in almost
every branch of learning.
Mr Alworth found his cousin not alone improved in understanding, her
beauty was just then in its perfection and it was scarcely possible to
conceive any thing handsomer. She had great elegance of manner, a point
wherein her grandmother excelled, and was as far removed from conceit as
from ignorance. Her situation was much mended by the marriage of the
eldest Miss Denham; and Miss Alworth waited only for her brother's
arrival and approbation to enter into the same state. The gentleman to
whom she was going to be married had first made his address to Harriot
but, as well as several others, was refused by her. She was not inclined
to change her situation, or this gentleman's fortune, person and
character were unexceptionable; however, one circumstance without any
other objection would have been sufficient to have rendered his suit
unsuccessful; she perceived that Miss Alworth was in love with him, and
though she had little reason to have much regard for her, yet good
nature made her anxious for the success of a passion which she saw was
deeply rooted.
She therefore, while she discouraged his addresses, took every means of
recommending Miss Alworth, whose treatment of her she believed rather
proceeded from compliance with Miss Denham's than from ill temper.
This gave her hopes that she might make a good wife to Mr Parnel, the
object of her affections. He soon perceived that Miss Alworth did not
behold him with indifference, but as he was much captivated by Harriot's
charms, it at first had no other effect than leading him to indulge in
complaints of her cruelty to Miss Alworth, who listened with compassion.
Harriot often represented to him how little he ought to wish for her
consent to marry him, which he so strongly solicited; for should she
grant it, he would be miserable with a wife who did not love him. She
told him that were he indifferent, her being so might do very well, and
they live on together in that eternal ennui which must ever subsist
between a married couple who have no affection for each other, and while
natural good temper and prudence enabled them to dream away a dull life
in peace and dead insensibility, the world might call them happy; but
that if he really loved her, her indifference would render him more
wretched than the most blamable conduct. She would then represent the
advantages of marrying a woman whose sole affections he possessed,
though at first he felt for her only esteem and gratitude; and advised
him by all means to seek for one whose heart was in that situation,
which he was well qualified to find.
Though Harriot forbore to mention Miss Alworth's name, Mr Parnel well
understood to whom she alluded, but found it difficult to take her
advice. At length, however, deprived of all hope of obtaining the woman
he loved, and moved to compassion by the visible unhappiness of one who
loved him, he began to listen to it and frankly told Harriot that he
understood the aim of what she had said. She was not sorry to throw off
all restraint as it gave her the power of speaking more to the purpose
and at length brought him to say that he should not be unwilling to
marry her. Harriot feared lest the belief of Mr Parnel's still retaining
an affection for her might render Miss Alworth uneasy, and therefore
advised him gradually to slacken his addresses to her and at the same
time to increase in proportion his attentions for Miss Alworth, that he
might appear to prefer her, since a symptom of inconstancy she knew
would not so much affect her as any sign of indifference, and Harriot's
generosity so far exceeded her vanity that she very sincerely desired to
be thought neglected rather than give any alloy to the happiness of her
cousin.
There was the more colour for this supposition as Mr Parnel had never
been publicly discarded by her, since for the completion of her views
she had found it necessary to preserve his acquaintance.
Miss Alworth was happy beyond expression when she found herself the
object of Mr Parnel's addresses. Her wishes so far blinded her that she
really believed Harriot was neglected for her; but yet knew she had long
been endeavouring to serve her and was obliged to her for some
instructions how to behave so to Mr Parnel as to secure his esteem and
confidence, the best foundation for love. As her brother was then soon
expected over, Mrs Alworth thought that to wait for his approbation was
a proper compliment.
Mr Alworth was not at all inclined to object to so good a match,
especially as it was much desired by his sister, and the marriage was
celebrated soon after his return. This ceremony did not so engage his
attention as to render him less sensible of the pleasure of renewing his
friendship with Harriot, who received him with the sincerest joy. He
found her greatly improved and every hour passed agreeably that was
spent in her company. They were continually together and never happy but
when they were so. Every one talked of their mutual passion; and they
were so often told of it that they began to fancy it was true, but
surprised to find that name should be given to an affection calm and
rational as theirs, totally free from that turbulency and wildness which
had always appeared to them the true characteristics of love. They were
sensible, however, that nothing was so dear to them as each other, they
were always sorry to part, uneasy asunder, and rejoiced to meet; a walk
was doubly pleasing when they both shared it; a book became more
entertaining if they read together, everything was insipid that they did
not mutually enjoy. When they considered these symptoms, they were
inclined to think the general opinion was just and that their affection,
being free from passion, proceeded from some peculiarity of temper.
Mrs Alworth thought she should give them great satisfaction in proposing
a speedy marriage; and rejoiced to see the first wish of her heart,
which had been for their union, so nearly completed. The old lady's
proposal made them a little thoughtful; they saw no very good reason for
their marrying; they enjoyed each other's society already and did not
wish for any more intimate tie. But neither knew how to refuse, since
the other might take it for an affront, and they would not for the world
have had the sincerity and tenderness of their affection brought into
doubt. Besides they began to think that as their love was so generally
looked upon as certain, it might become difficult to continue the same
degree of intimacy without exposing themselves to censure. This thought
was sufficient to determine them to marry; and their entire affection
for and confidence in each other convinced them they ran no hazard in
this step; and that they could not fail of being happy as man and wife
who had so long enjoyed great felicity in the most intimate friendship.
In consequence of this resolution, lawyers were employed to draw up
settlements and every thing requisite for a proper appearance on their
marriage was ordered; but they were so very patient on the subject that
the preparations went on slowly. Some who hoped to have their diligence
quickened in a manner usual on such occasions, affected delays, but were
surprised to find that no complaint ensued. They grew still more
dilatory, but the only consequence that arose from it was a decent
solicitation to dispatch, without any of those more effectual means
being used, which impatient love or greedy avarice suggest.
These young people were perfectly happy and contented and therefore
waited with composure for the conclusion of preparations, which however
slowly did however proceed. The old lady indeed was less patient, but a
grandmother's solicitations have no very powerful effect on lawyers;
therefore hers availed little.
During these delays Mrs Tonston, formerly the eldest Miss Denham, having
been extremely ill, was sent to Buxton for the recovery of her health.
As this place was but a day's journey from Mrs Alworth's house, she
expressed a desire to see her grand-daughter, and Mr Alworth and
Harriot, as well as Miss Denham, very readily accompanied her thither.
The accommodations at Buxton allow very little seclusion; and as Mrs
Tonston was sufficiently recovered to conform to the customs of the
place, they joined in the general society. The first day at dinner Mr
Alworth's attention was much engrossed by Miss Melman, a very pretty
woman. She was far from a perfect beauty, but her countenance expressed
an engaging vivacity, and great good humour, though a wandering unfixed
look indicated a light and unsteady mind. Her person was little but
elegant; there was a sprightliness in her whole figure which was very
attractive: her conversation was suitable to it, she had great life and
spirit, all the common routine of discourse and a fashionable readiness
to skim lightly over all subjects. Her understanding was sufficiently
circumscribed, but what she wanted in real sense she made up in
vivacity, no unsuccessful substitute in general estimation.
This young lady was almost a new character to Mr Alworth. He had lived
constantly at his grandmother's till he went abroad, and as soon as he
returned into the kingdom he went thither; from which, as it was the
middle of summer and consequently London had no temptations, he had
never stirred. He therefore had been little used to any woman but his
sober and sensible grandmother, two cousins who were pretty enough, but
had no great charms of understanding; a sister rather silly; and the
incomparable Harriot, whose wit was as sound as her judgement solid and
sterling, free from affectation and all little effeminate arts and airs.
Reason governed her thoughts and actions, nor could the greatest flow of
spirits make her for a moment forget propriety. Every thing in her was
natural grace, she was always consistent and uniform, and a stranger to
caprice.
Miss Melman was a complete coquette, capricious and fantastical. As Mr
Alworth was the prettiest man at the place and known to have a good
fortune, she soon singled him out as a conquest worthy of her and
successfully played off all her arts. By appearing to like him, she
enticed him to address her; and by a well managed capriciousness of
behaviour kept up the spirit of a pursuit. She frequently gave him
reason to believe her favourably disposed towards him, and as often, by
obliging him to doubt of it, increased his desire to be certain it was
true. She kept him in a state of constant anxiety, and made him know her
consequence by the continual transition from pleasure to pain in which
he lived.
He had not been much more than a fortnight at Buxton when his attachment
to Miss Melman became apparent. Harriot saw an assiduity in his
behaviour very different from what he had ever shewn to her. He felt
that in the circumstances wherein he and Harriot then were, his conduct
must appear injurious, and shame and the secret reproaches of his
conscience made him take all possible opportunities of avoiding her
presence: if he was obliged to converse with her, it was with an air so
restrained and inattentive as made her fear his regard for her was
entirely vanished. The sincere affection she had for him rendered this
apprehension extremely painful. She would have been contented to have
seen another woman his wife, but could not bear the thought of losing
his friendship. At first she passed over this change in silence and
appeared even not to observe it; but when they received an account that
the marriage writings were finished, she thought an affected blindness
highly unseasonable and told him, in the most friendly and generous
manner, that nothing remained to be done but to cancel them, that she
plainly perceived another had obtained the heart she never possessed;
that the measures taken for their marriage were of no sort of
consequence, and she flattered herself she might retain his friendship
though he gave his hand to another.
Mr Alworth at first appeared confounded, but recovering himself,
confessed to her frankly he never knew the weakness and folly of the
human heart till his own convinced him of it; that he had always felt
for her the most perfect esteem, joined with the tenderest affection,
but his passions had had no share in his attachment. On the contrary, he
found them strongly engaged on the side of Miss Melman, and felt an
ardour for her which he had never before experienced. That he could not
think of being her husband without rapture, though he saw plainly she
was inferior to his Harriot both in beauty and understanding; and as for
her principles, he was totally ignorant of them. He now, he said,
perceived the difference between friendship and love, and was convinced
that esteem and passion were totally independent, since she entirely
possessed the one, while Miss Melman totally engrossed the other.
Harriot was pleased with the frankness of Mr Alworth's confession and
wished only to be secure of his esteem, but she saw him so wholly taken
up with Miss Melman that she was convinced passion had greater power
over his sex than esteem, and that while his mind was under the
tumultuous influence of love, she must expect very little satisfaction
from his friendship.
She took upon herself the task of breaking off their treaty of marriage
and acquainted her grandmother with her resolution, who saw too plainly
the reason for her doing so to blame her conduct, though she grieved at
the necessity for it and could not sincerely forgive her grandson's
levity and want of judgement in preferring a wild fantastic girl to the
extreme beauty and solid well-known merit of Harriot, an error for which
she prophetically saw he would in time be severely punished.
Harriot, from the intended bride, now became the confidante of Mr
Alworth, though with an aching heart; for she feared that after
experiencing the more active sensations of a strong passion, friendship
would appear too insipid to have any charms for him. She accompanied Mrs
Alworth home before the lovers chose to leave Buxton, but not till she
had prevailed with her grandmother to consent that the marriage between
Miss Melman and Mr Alworth should be celebrated at her house.
When everything requisite for the ceremony was ready, they came to Mrs
Alworth's, where the indissoluble knot was tied and in the bridegroom's
opinion the most perfect happiness secured to his future years. They
stayed but a few days after the marriage and then went to her father's
house, till the approaching winter called them to London.
Harriot found a great loss of a friend she so sincerely loved, but she
hoped he would be as happy as he expected and had the satisfaction of
believing he retained a tender regard for her. They corresponded
frequently and his letters assured her of his felicity. After he had
been some time fixed in London, he grew indeed less eloquent on the
subject, which did not surprise her as the variety of his engagements
shortened his letters and denied him leisure to expatiate on the most
pleasing topics.
Miss Denham had accompanied her sister home, and in the winter Mrs
Alworth was informed by Mrs Tonston that Miss Denham had received a
proposal from a gentleman of a good estate, but he insisted on a fortune
of nine thousand pounds, which was two more than she was possessed of;
and as they wished the old lady to make that addition, Mrs Tonston as an
inducement added that the gentleman was extremely agreeable to her
sister.
Mrs Alworth was not inclined to comply with their views, and made no
other answer to all Harriot urged to prevail with her to give the
requisite sum than that it was more than perhaps would at her death fall
to Miss Denham's share and she saw no temptation to purchase so
mercenary a man. When Harriot found that all she could say was
unavailing, she told Mrs Alworth that if she would give her leave, she
was determined to make the required addition out of her fortune; for she
could not bear her cousin should be disappointed in a particular she
thought essential to her happiness by the want of a sum of money which
she could very well spare; adding that the treatment she had received
from her cousins she attributed to childishness and folly and should be
far worse than they were if she could remember it with resentment.
Mrs Alworth was greatly touched with this instance of Harriot's
generosity, and finding that nothing but the exertion of her authority,
which her grand-daughter acknowledged absolute and always obeyed
implicitly, could prevent her from performing her purpose, she
determined to take the most effectual means of hindering it by advancing
the money herself, and invited Miss Denham and her lover to her house;
where the marriage was performed, and they departed.
Mrs Alworth began to feel the infirmities of age, and now that she and
Harriot were left to continual tete-a-tete, absolute quiet might have
degenerated into something like dullness; but the disturbance they found
not at home reached them from abroad. Mr Parnel was wearied with his
wife's fondness, who not considering that he had married her more out of
gratitude than affection, had disgusted him with the continual
professions of a love to which his heart would not make an equal return.
This fondness teased a temper naturally good into peevishness and was
near converting indifference into dislike. Mrs Parnel, distressed beyond
measure at an effect so contrary to what she intended, reproached him
with ingratitude and tormented him with tears and complaints.
Harriot, who considered this match as in a great measure her own work,
was particularly desirous of redressing these grievances and took great
pains to persuade Mrs Parnel to restrain her fondness, and suppress her
complaints, while she endeavoured to make her husband sensible that he
ought, in consideration for the cause, to pardon the troublesome effects
and not to suffer himself to be disgusted by that affection in his wife
which to most husbands would appear a merit. Mrs Alworth joined to
Harriot's persuasion the influence her age and respectable character
gave her, and though not without great difficulty, they at last saw Mr
and Mrs Parnel live in peace and amity, without any of the pleasures
arising from strong and delicate affections or the sufferings occasioned
by ill humour and hatred; and whatever void they might find in their
hearts, they were so happy as to have well filled by two very fine
children which Mrs Parnel brought her husband, who always treated her
with great indulgence in hopes of fixing Harriot's good opinion; for
though despair had damped his passion, yet he still loved her with the
tenderest respect and reverence.
Towards the latter end of the second year of Mr Alworth's marriage, his
grandmother died, much regretted by Harriot, whom she left mistress of
her own fortune with the addition of four thousand pounds, part of it
the accumulated interest of her paternal inheritance, the rest Mrs
Alworth's legacy. Her grandson succeeded to her house and intreated
Harriot that he might find her there when he came to take possession.
Their correspondence had been regular but they had never met since his
marriage. Mrs Alworth was not fond of the conversation of an old lady;
and from seeing herself not very agreeable to her grandmother, felt an
uncommon awe in her presence. Harriot had received repeated invitations
from them, but could not be prevailed with to leave old Mrs Alworth, who
had no other companion.
The only relief she found in her affliction for the loss of so worthy a
parent was putting the house, and all belonging to it, in order for the
reception of her first friend, in whose society she expected to renew
the happiness she had so long enjoyed from it. Nor was she disappointed
in her hopes of finding him still her friend; they met with mutual joy,
and Mrs Alworth seemed at first as much pleased with her new possession
as they were with each other. But Harriot soon found her happiness
considerably damped. Mr Alworth, unwilling to let his grandmother know
the ill success of a union which he was sensible she disapproved, had
been silent on that subject in his letters, but he was too well
acquainted with the generosity of Harriot's temper to fear she would
triumph at the natural consequence of his ill-grounded passion, and
therefore concealed not from her any part of the uneasiness which his
wife's disposition gave him. He too late saw the difference between
sensible vivacity and animal spirits and found Mrs Alworth a giddy
coquette, too volatile to think, too vain to love; pleased with
admiration, insensible to affection, fond of flattery but indifferent to
true praise; imprudently vivacious in mixed companies, lifeless when
alone with him; and desirous of charming all mankind except her husband,
who of his whole sex seemed the only person of no consequence to her. As
her view was to captivate in public, she covered a very pretty
complexion with pearl-powder and rouge because they made her more
resplendent by candle-light and in public places. Mr Alworth had in
strong terms expressed his abhorence of that practice, but she was
surprised he should intermeddle in an affair that was no business of
his, surely she might wear what complexion she pleased. The natural turn
of his temper inclined him to rational society, but in that his wife
could bear no part. The little time she was at home was employed in
dressing and a multitude of coxcombs attended her toilet. Mr Alworth's
extreme fondness for her made him at first very wretched; he soon found
himself the most disregarded of all mankind and every man appeared his
rival; but on nearer observation he perceived his jealousy was
groundless and that she was too giddy to love any thing. This made his
pride easy, but his tenderness still had much to endure, till at length
contempt produced some degree of indifference and his sufferings became
less acute, though he lived in continual grief at finding himself
disappointed of all his airy hopes of happiness.