_Is very full of business_
The two brothers of Miss Betsy having some reason to apprehend she would
still find some pretence, if possible, to evade fulfilling the promise
she had made them in regard to Mr. Munden; and also that he, finding
himself trifled with, might become weary of prosecuting so unavailing a
suit, and break off as Mr. Trueworth had done, resolved to omit nothing
in their power for bringing to a conclusion an affair which seemed to
them so absolutely necessary for securing the honour of their family in
that of their sister.
They suspected that their putting off the marriage till the arrival of
Sir Ralph and Lady Trusty, was only to gain time, and invent some excuse
to get that lady on her side: they, therefore, judged it highly proper
to acquaint her previously with the motives which made them so impatient
to see their sister disposed of, and by that means prevent her ladyship
from being prepossessed by any ideas the other might prepare for that
purpose.
Accordingly, Mr. Francis Thoughtless having been informed by letter of
the day in which they intended to be in town, he went on horseback, and
met them at the inn where they dined, about twenty miles from London.
That good lady was so much troubled at the recital he made her of Miss
Betsy's late adventures, that she could not forbear letting fall some
tears; and, though she laid the blame of her ill-conduct chiefly on her
having lived so long under the tuition and example of a woman such as
Lady Mellasin, yet she could not but allow there was a certain vanity in
her composition, as dangerous to virtue as to reputation, and that
marriage was the only defence for both.
Sir Ralph, who was an extreme facetious, good-natured man, was a little
pleasant on what his lady had said on this occasion. 'You forget, my
dear,' cried he, 'how many ladies of late have broke the conjugal hoop,
and think themselves justified in doing so, by having been prevailed
upon to enter into it without inclination. Remember the words of the
humorous poet Hudibras--
"Wedlock without love, some say,
Is but a lock without a key;
And 'tis a kind of rape to marry
One, who neglects, cares not for ye;
For what does make it ravishment,
But being 'gainst the mind's consent?"
'Does Miss Betsy,' continued he, to Mr. Francis, 'love the gentleman you
would have her marry?' To which the other replied, that the temper of
his sister was too capricious for any one to be able to judge of the
real situation of her heart, or even for herself to be fully assured of
it.
He then proceeded to inform him how long Mr. Munden had courted her, and
of the great encouragement she had always given to his addresses; her
submitting the decision of the affair to the elder Mr. Thoughtless's
inspection into the circumstances of his estate, which being found
agreeable to the report made of it, she now only waited, or pretended to
wait, for the approbation of Sir Ralph, as being, by her father's will,
constituted her guardian.
'Well, then,' said Sir Ralph, 'since it is so, and you are all desirous
it should be a match, I shall not fail to give my verdict accordingly.'
As impatient as the two brothers were to see her married, and out of the
way of those temptations she at present lay under, they could not be
more so than Lady Trusty now was: she doubted not that the virtue and
good-sense of that young lady would render her a very good wife, when
once she was made one; and therefore heartily wished to see her settled
in the world, even though it were to less advantage than her beauty, and
the many good qualities she was possessed of, might entitle her to
expect.
It was in order to do every thing in her power to bring about what she
thought so good a work, that she had drawn Miss Betsy from the company,
and retired with her into the closet, in the manner already related.
Miss Betsy, who knew nothing of all this, or even that her brother had
gone to meet them on the road, was extremely surprized to find, by the
discourse with which Lady Trusty entertained her, that no part of what
had happened to her, ever since the death of Mr. Goodman, was a secret
to her ladyship.
She presently saw, however, it must be by her brother Frank that this
intelligence had been given; and was not at all at a loss to guess the
motive of his having done it. 'I find, Madam,' said she, 'that all the
errors and inadvertencies I have been guilty of are betrayed to you; and
am far from being sorry they are so, since the gentle reproofs you take
the trouble to give me, are so many fresh marks of the friendship with
which you vouchsafe to honour me, and which I shall always esteem as my
greatest happiness. I flatter myself, however,' continued she, 'that the
remembrance of what has lately befallen me, and the imminent dangers I
have escaped, will enable me to regulate my conduct in such a manner as
to give your ladyship no farther pain on my account.'
Lady Trusty, on this, embraced her with the utmost tenderness; and told
her, that there were few things she either wished or hoped for with
greater ardency than to see her happily settled, and freed from all
temptations of what kind soever.
This worthy lady then fell on the subject of Mr. Munden; and
recapitulated all the arguments which had been already urged, to
persuade her to come to a determination. In fine, she left nothing
unsaid that was suitable to the occasion.
Miss Betsy listened to her with the most submissive attention; and,
after a short pause, replied in these terms--'Madam,' said she, 'I am
convinced, by my own reason as well as by what your ladyship has been
pleased to say, that I have, indeed, gone too far with Mr. Munden to be
able to go back with honour; and, since I find he has the approbation of
all my friends, shall no longer attempt to trifle with his pretensions.'
'You will marry him, then?' cried Lady Trusty. 'Yes, Madam,' answered
Miss Betsy; and added, though not without some hesitation, 'Since my
marriage is a thing so much desired by those to whose will I shall
always be ready to submit, Mr. Munden has certainly a right to expect I
should decide in his favour.'
She said no more, but hung down her head, and Lady Trusty was going to
make some reply--perhaps to ask how far her heart acquiesced in the
consent her tongue had given--but was prevented by Sir Ralph, who,
pushing open the door of the room where they were, told her she
engrossed his fair charge too long--that it was now time for himself and
her brothers to have some share in their conversation.
'Some polite wives, Sir Ralph,' said Lady Trusty, laughing, 'would not
have excused so abrupt a breaking in upon their privacy; and I assure
you, if you had interrupted us a moment sooner, you might have spoiled
all, for Miss Betsy has but just given me her promise to marry Mr.
Munden.'
'I should have been heartily sorry indeed,' said he, 'if my over zeal
had rendered me a Marplot on this occasion: but come,' continued he,
'since the young lady has at last resolved, let us carry the joyful news
to her brothers.'
In speaking these words he gave one of his hands to Lady Trusty, and the
other to Miss Betsy, and led them into the dining-room, where the Mr.
Thoughtlesses were: 'Well, gentlemen,' said he, 'your sister has at last
consented to give you a brother; pray, thank her for the addition she is
going to make to your family.'
'I hope,' said the elder Mr. Thoughtless, 'she will find her own
happiness in doing so.' The younger added something to the same purpose.
After this the conversation turned chiefly on the solid satisfaction of
a married life, in which Miss Betsy took but little part, only saying to
her two brothers, 'Well, since both of you have so high an opinion of
matrimony, and will needs have me, who am by some years younger than
either of you, lead the way, I hope I shall soon see you follow the
example.'
'Our elder brother,' said Mr. Francis, 'may, doubtless, marry whenever
he pleases; and, as for my part, when it can be proved that I have an
offer made me equally advantageous to what you have rejected, and I
should refuse it, I could not be angry with the world for condemning my
want of judgment.'
'No more of that,' cried Sir Ralph; 'you see she hears reason at last.'
Lady Trusty would fain have persuaded the gentlemen to stay dinner
there; but they excused themselves, as expecting company at home, and
said, if possible they would return toward evening: she would not,
however, permit Miss Betsy to take leave; and her continuing there that
whole day happened to bring things somewhat sooner a conclusion, than
perhaps they otherwise would have been.
Mr. Munden, as soft and complaisant as he carried it to Miss Betsy, was
very much disgusted in his mind at her late behaviour; he found she
loved him not, and was far from having any violent inclination for her
himself; but the motives which had made him persevere in his courtship,
after being convinced of the indifference she had for him, made him also
impatient to bring the affair to as speedy a result as possible. Sir
Ralph was the last person to whom she had referred the matter; he had
heard by accident of that gentleman's arrival, and went to her lodgings,
in order to see in what manner she would now receive him; but not
finding her at home, called at the house of Mr. Thoughtless, who had
always been very propitious to his suit.
On the two brothers returning from Sir Ralph's, they met him just coming
out of the house; the elder desired him to walk in--told him, with a
great deal of freedom, that Sir Ralph was come to town; that the
business having been communicated to him, he approved of the match, and
his sister had consented. Mr. Munden received this information with all
the seeming transport of a man passionately in love; he made them a
thousand retributions for the part they had taken in his interest; and
they expressed no less satisfaction in the accomplishment of his
desires. After some few compliments on both sides, the elder Mr.
Thoughtless informed him, that Miss Betsy was to stay the whole day with
Sir Ralph and Lady Trusty; that himself and brother had promised to
return thither in the evening, and that he should be glad if he would
accompany them, in order that when they were all together, every thing
might be settled for the completion of the nuptials.
It is not to be doubted but that the lover readily embraced this
proposition; and an hour for his waiting on them being prefixed, he took
his leave, the company that was to dine with Mr. Thoughtless that
instant coming in.