To Miss Rivers, Clarges Street.
Silleri, Jan. 16.
So, my dear, we went on too fast, it seems: Sir George was so
obliging as to settle all without waiting for Emily's consent; not
having supposed her refusal to be in the chapter of possibilities:
after having communicated their plan of operations to me as an affair
settled, papa was dispatched, as Sir George's ambassador, to inform
Emily of his gracious intentions in her favor.
She received him with proper dignity, and like a girl of true spirit
told him, that as the delay was originally from Sir George, she should
insist on observing the conditions very exactly, and was determined to
wait till spring, whatever might be the contents of Mrs. Clayton's
expected letter; reserving to herself also the privilege of refusing
him even then, if upon mature deliberation she should think proper so
to do.
She has further insisted, that till that time he shall leave
Silleri; take up his abode at Quebec, unless, which she thinks most
adviseable, he should return to Montreal for the winter; and never
attempt seeing her without witnesses, as their present situation is
particularly delicate, and that whilst it continues they can have
nothing to say to each other which their common friends may not with
propriety hear: all she can be prevailed on to consent to in his favor,
is to allow him _en attendant_ to visit here like any other
gentleman.
I wish she would send him back to Montreal, for I see plainly he
will spoil all our little parties.
Emily is a fine girl, Lucy, and I am friends with her again; so, my
dear, I shall revive my coterie, and be happy two or three months
longer. I have sent to ask my two sweet fellows at Quebec to dine here:
I really long to see them; I shall let them into the present state of
affairs here, for they both despise Sir George as much as I do; the
creature looks amazingly foolish, and I enjoy his humiliation not a
little: such an animal to set up for being beloved indeed! O to be
sure!
Emily has sent for me to her apartment. Adieu for a moment.
Eleven o'clock.
She has shewn me Mrs. Melmoth's letter on the subject of concluding
the marriage immediately: it is in the true spirit of family
impertinence. She writes with the kind discreet insolence of a
relation; and Emily has answered her with the genuine spirit of an
independent Englishwoman, who is so happy as to be her own mistress,
and who is therefore determined to think for herself.
She has refused going to Montreal at all this winter; and has
hinted, though not impolitely, that she wants no guardian of her
conduct but herself; adding a compliment to my ladyship's discretion so
very civil, it is impossible for me to repeat it with decency.
O Heavens! your brother and Fitzgerald! I fly. The dear creatures!
my life has been absolute vegetation since they absented themselves.
Adieu! my dear,
Your faithful
A. Fermor.