No; there was no great matter in it. It was best to let it pass. It
might be thought more particular in her to deny such a request, than in
Mrs. Sinclair to make it, or in Miss Partington to expect it to be
complied with. But as the people below had a large acquaintance, she did
not know how often she might indeed have her retirements invaded, if she
gave way. And indeed there were levities in the behaviour of that young
lady, which she could not so far pass over as to wish an intimacy with
her.
I said, I liked Miss Partington as little as she could. Miss Partington
was a silly young creature; who seemed to justify the watchfulness of her
guardians over her.--But nevertheless, as to her own, that I thought the
girl (for girl she was, as to discretion) not exceptionable; only
carrying herself like a free good-natured creature who believed herself
secure in the honour of her company.
It was very well said of me, she replied: but if that young lady were so
well satisfied with her company, she must needs say, that I was very kind
to suppose her such an innocent--for her own part, she had seen nothing
of the London world: but thought, she must tell me plainly, that she
never was in such company in her life; nor ever again wished to be in
such.
There, Belford!--Worse off than Mercury!--Art thou not?
I was nettled. Hard would be the lot of more discreet women, as far as I
knew, that Miss Partington, were they to be judged by so rigid a virtue
as hers.
Not so, she said: but if I really saw nothing exceptionable to a virtuous
mind, in that young person's behaviour, my ignorance of better behaviour
was, she must needs tell me, as pitiable as hers: and it were to be
wished, that minds so paired, for their own sakes should never be
separated.
See, Jack, what I get by my charity!
I thanked her heartily. But said, that I must take the liberty to
observe, that good folks were generally so uncharitable, that, devil take
me, if I would choose to be good, were the consequence to be that I must
think hardly of the whole world besides.
She congratulated me upon my charity; but told me, that to enlarge her
own, she hoped it would not be expected of her to approve of the low
company I had brought her into last night.
No exception for thee, Belford!--Safe is thy thousand pounds.
I saw not, I said, begging her pardon, that she liked any body.--[Plain
dealing for plain dealing, Jack!--Why then did she abuse my friends?]
However, let me but know whom and what she did or did not like; and, if
possible, I would like and dislike the very same persons and things.
She bid me then, in a pet, dislike myself.
Cursed severe!--Does she think she must not pay for it one day, or one
night?--And if one, many; that's my comfort.
I was in such a train of being happy, I said, before my earnestness to
procure her to favour my friends with her company, that I wished the
devil had had as well my friends as Miss Partington--and yet, I must say,
that I saw not how good people could answer half their end, which is to
reform the wicked by precept as well as example, were they to accompany
only with the good.
I had the like to have been blasted by two or three flashes of lightning
from her indignant eyes; and she turned scornfully from me, and retired
to her own apartment.
Once more, Jack, safe, as thou seest, is thy thousand pounds.
She says, I am not a polite man. But is she, in the instance before us,
more polite for a woman?
And now, dost thou not think that I owe my charmer some revenge for her
cruelty in obliging such a fine young creature, and so vast a fortune, as
Miss Partington, to crowd into a press-bed with Dorcas the maid-servant
of the proud refuser?--Miss Partington too (with tears) declared, by Mrs.
Sinclair, that would Mrs. Lovelace do her the honour of a visit at
Barnet, the best bed and best room in her guardian's house should be at
her service. Thinkest thou that I could not guess at her dishonourable
fears of me?--that she apprehended, that the supposed husband would
endeavour to take possession of his own?--and that Miss Partington would
be willing to contribute to such a piece of justice?
Thus, then, thou both remindest, and defiest me, charmer!--And since thou
reliest more on thy own precaution than upon my honour; be it unto thee,
fair one, as thou apprehendest.
And now, Jack, let me know, what thy opinion, and the opinions of thy
brother varlets, are of my Gloriana.
I have just now heard, that Hannah hopes to be soon well enough to attend
her young lady, when in London. It seems the girl has had no physician.
I must send her one, out of pure love and respect to her mistress. Who
knows but medicine may weaken nature, and strengthen the disease?--As her
malady is not a fever, very likely it may do so.--But perhaps the wench's
hopes are too forward. Blustering weather in this month yet.--And that
is bad for rheumatic complaints.