_Contains, among other particulars, certain bridal admonitions_
Though Mr. Francis Thoughtless did not judge it convenient to reproach
his sister in the presence of Mr. Munden, on the complaints of that
gentleman, yet she had no sooner vented the little spleen she had been
that instant possessed of, than she began to excuse herself of having
been too poignant to a person whom she had promised to make her husband.
To atone, therefore, for the severity of her late behaviour--'This is a
good, handsome, clean hack,' said she with a smile; 'one would think my
fellow had pitched on such a one on purpose, to keep me from regretting
my not having one of my own.'
'I only wish, Madam,' replied Mr. Munden, 'that you might be reconciled
to such things as are in my power to accommodate you with, till I am so
happy to present you with every thing you can desire.'--'Let us talk no
more of that,' cried she; 'be assured that, whatever I may have said, I
am far from thinking the happiness of life consists in grandeur.'
Mr. Munden, on these words, kissed her hand; and she permitted him to
hold it between his till they came out of the coach.
This, indeed, had been the very last effort of all the maiden pride and
vanity of Miss Betsy; and Mr. Munden henceforward had no reason to
complain of her behaviour towards him.
Sir Ralph Trusty, in regard to his age and character, had the honour of
nominating the day for the celebration of their nuptials; and Miss Betsy
made no excuses, or order to protract the time, but agreed with as much
readiness as her future bridegroom could have wished.
The good Lady Trusty, as well as the two Mr. Thoughtlesses, however,
being not yet able to assure themselves that nothing was to be feared
from the uncertainty of her temper, did every thing in their power to
keep her in good-humour with her fate; and to their endeavours it may,
perhaps, be ascribed, much more than to the force of her own resolution
that she ceased to be guilty of any thing that might give the least
cause of discontent to Mr. Munden, or betray that which, in spite of all
she could do, preyed upon herself.
To these assiduities of her friends, another motive might also be added
for the keeping up her spirits, which was, that of her mind being
continually employed: Mr. Munden had taken a very handsome house--the
upholsterer received all the orders for the furnishing it from
her--there were, besides, many other things necessary for the rendering
it compleat, that were not in his province to supply; the going,
therefore, to shops and warehouses for that purpose, took a very great
part of her time. What could be spared from these, and some other
preparations for her wedding, either Lady Trusty, or her brothers, had
the address to engage: one or other of them were always with her, till
the night was far advanced, and sleep became more welcome than any
meditations she could indulge.
The appointed day at length arrived--she was conducted to the altar by
Sir Ralph Trusty; where, being met by Mr. Munden, the ceremony of
marriage was performed, none being present at it but Lady Trusty and her
two brothers; for as she could not have celebrated it with that pomp and
eclat agreeable to a woman of her humour, she had earnestly desired it
might be done with all the privacy imaginable.
The indissoluble knot now tied, they proceeded to Pontac's; where an
elegant entertainment being prepared for them by Mr. Munden's orders,
they dined; and afterwards went all together to a lodging Mr. Munden had
hired, for a small time, in a little village five or six miles from
London.
This he had done to oblige his bride, who had told him she desired to be
lost to the world till the first discourse of their marriage should be
over, to avoid the visits and congratulations of their friends on that
occasion.
It would be needless to tell the reader that there was a general scene
of joy amidst this little company: Mr. Munden expressed, and indeed,
felt, an infinity of transport, on having triumphed over so many
difficulties, which had for a long time continually risen to impede his
wishes. The two Mr. Thoughtlesses were extremely overjoyed, on thinking
a period was put to all their cares in relation to their sister: Lady
Trusty also, and Sir Ralph, looking on this marriage, as things were
circumstanced, highly convenient for Miss Betsy, were very much pleased;
so that it must necessarily follow, that an event, which cost so much
pains to bring about, must occasion a general content in the minds of
all those who had so strenuously laboured for it.
Amidst this scene of joy, Miss Betsy herself was the only person whose
countenance discovered the least pensiveness; nor was hers any more than
what might be attributed to the modesty of a virgin bride.
Lady Trusty, however, who had observed her all day with an attentive
eye, thought it proper to give her some admonitions concerning her
future behaviour, before she took her leave.
To this end, she drew her into another room, apart from the company; and
having told her she had something of moment to say to her, began to
entertain her in the following manner.
'My dear child,' said she, 'you are now, I fear, more through your
compliance with the desires of your friends than through your own
inclination, entered into a state, the happiness of which greatly
depends on the part you act in the first scenes of it: there are some
women who think they can never testify too much fondness for their
husbands, and that the name of wife is a sufficient sanction for giving
a loose to the utmost excesses of an extravagant and romantick passion;
but this is a weakness which I am pretty certain you will stand in no
need of my advice to guard against. I am rather apprehensive of your
running into a contrary extreme, equally dangerous to your future peace,
as to that of your husband. A constant and unmoved insensibility will in
time chill the most warm affection, and, perhaps, raise suspicions in
him of the cause, which would be terrible indeed: beware, therefore, I
conjure you, how you affect to despise, or treat with any marks of
contempt, or even of too much coldness, a tenderness which he has a
right to expect you should return in kind, as far, at least, as modesty
and discretion will permit you to bestow.
'As to your conduct in family affairs,' continued this good lady, 'I
would have you always confine yourself to such things as properly
appertain to your own province, never interfering with such as belong to
your husband: be careful to give to him all the rights of his place,
and, at the same time, maintain your own, though without seeming to be
too tenacious of them. If any dispute happen to arise between you
concerning superiority, though in matters of the slightest moment,
rather recede a little from your due than contend too far; but let him
see you yield more to oblige him than because you think yourself bound
to do so.
'Mr. Munden, I flatter myself, has every qualification to make you
happy, and to shew that your friends, in advising you to marry him, have
not misled your choice: but as perfection is not to be found on this
side the grave, and the very best of us are not exempt from the
frailties of human nature, whatever errors he may happen to fall into,
as it does not become you to reprimand him, I wish you would never take
notice you have observed them. A man of the strictest honour and good
sense may sometimes slip--be guilty of some slight forgetfulness--but
then he will recover of himself, and be ashamed of his mistake; whereas
reproaches only serve to harden the indignant mind, and make it rather
chuse to persevere in the vices it detests, than to return to the
virtues it admires, if warned by the remonstrances of another.
'But, above all things,' added she, 'I would wish you to consider that
those too great gaieties of life you have hitherto indulged, which,
however, innocent, could not escape censure while in a single state,
will now have a much worse aspect in a married one.
'Mistake me not, my dear,' pursued she, after a pause, finding, by Miss
Betsy's countenance, that what she had said on this score had stung her
to the quick; 'I would not have you deprive yourself of those pleasures
of life which are becoming your sex, your age, and character; there is
no necessity that, because you are a wife, you should become a mope: I
only recommend a proper medium in these things.'
Her ladyship was going on, when Miss Betsy's servants, whom she had
ordered to bring such part of her baggage as she thought would be
needful while she staid in that place, came with it into the chamber; on
which this kind adviser told her fair friend that she would refer what
she had farther to say on these subjects till another opportunity.
Miss Betsy replied, that she would treasure up in her heart all the
admonitions she should at any time be pleased to give her; and that she
hoped her future conduct would demonstrate that no part of what her
ladyship had said was lost upon her.
With these words they returned into the dining-room; and the close of
day soon after coming on, Sir Ralph and his lady, with the two Mr.
Thoughtlesses, took leave of the bride and bridegroom, and came back to
town.