Now to this grand visit, which was become more tremendous than ever
because of the pamphlet [74] business, and I felt almost ashamed to see
Sir Joshua, and could not but conclude he would think of it too.
My mother, who changed her mind, came with me. My father promised to
come before the Opera was half over.
We found the Miss Palmers alone. We were, for near an hour, quite easy,
chatty, and comfortable; no pointed speech was made, and no starer
entered. But when I asked the elder Miss Palmer if she would allow me to
look at some of her drawings, she said,
“Not unless you will let me see something of yours.”
“Of mine?” quoth I. “Oh! I have nothing to show.”
“I am sure you have; you must have.”
“No, indeed; I don't draw at all.”
“Draw? No, but I mean some of your writing.”
“Oh, I never write--except letters.”
“Letters? those are the very things I want to see.”
“Oh, not such as you mean.”
“Oh now, don't say so; I am sure you are about something and if you
would but show me--”
“No, no, I am about nothing--I am quite out of conceit with writing.” I
had my thoughts full of the vile Warley.
“You out of conceit?” exclaimed she; “nay, then, if you are, who should
be otherwise!”
Just then, Mrs. and Miss Horneck were announced. You may suppose I
thought directly of the one hundred and sixty miles[75]--and may take it
for granted I looked them very boldly in the face! Mrs. Horneck seated
herself by my mother. Miss Palmer introduced me to her and her daughter,
who seated herself next me; but not one word passed between us!
Mrs. Horneck, as I found in the course of the evening, is an exceedingly
sensible, well-bred woman. Her daughter is very beautiful; but was
low-spirited and silent during the whole visit. She was, indeed, very
unhappy, as Miss Palmer informed me, upon account of some ill news she
had lately heard of the affairs of a gentleman to whom she is shortly to
be married.
Not long after came a whole troop, consisting of Mr.
Cholmondeley!--perilous name!--Miss Cholmondeley, and Miss Fanny
Cholmondeley, his daughters, and Miss Forrest. Mrs. Cholmondeley, I
found, was engaged elsewhere, but soon expected.[76] Now here was a
trick of Sir Joshua, to make me meet all these people.
Mr. Cholmondeley is a clergyman; nothing shining either in person or
manners, but rather somewhat grim in the first, and glum in the last.
Yet he appears to have humour himself, and to enjoy it much in others.
Miss Cholmondeley I saw too little of to mention.
Miss Fanny Cholmondeley is a rather pretty, pale girl; very young and
inartificial, and though tall and grown up, treated by her family as
a child, and seemingly well content to really think herself such. She
followed me whichever way I turned, and though she was too modest to
stare, never ceased watching me the whole evening.
Miss Forrest is an immensely tall and not handsome young woman. Further
I know not.