Part 3 (1/2)

He wished to ehter of his brother, his fareeable to her, as long as she should think proper to favour the ladies expected both pleasure and improvement from the society of their accomplished kinswoman, &c

I believe I was unreasonable, the style of this letter was civil, nay kind, and yet it appeared, toprinciple--what shall I say?--dictated merely by the head, it reached not the heart

The trials of my mind, I foreboded, were about to co to enter, for the rude stor tenderness of s and lively expectations, with all the glowing landscapes which my mind had sketched of the varied pleasures of society, while in a radually uine ardour of temper, which had hitherto appeared the predoave place to despondency I wept, I suffered my tears to flow unrestrained: the solemnity of the late events had seized e filled me with solicitude I wandered over the scenes of my past pleasures, and recalled to my remembrance, with a sad and tender luxury, a thousand little incidents, that derived all their iazed on every object, _for the last time_--What is there in these words that awakens our fanaticise to these inani objects; merely because I should _see them no more_

How fantastic and how capricious are these sentie the friends, also, froht be our destinies, and how unconscious e of the future! Happy ignorance, that by bringing the evils of life in succession, gradually inures us to their endurance

'Had I beheld the sum of ills, which one By one, I have endured--th came, when, harrassed in body and in mind, I set out for Morton Park I travelled alone, and reached the end of my journey at close of day I entreated Mr Morton, who hastened to hand ht be perue, and wishi+ng to wave the cere My request was obligingly granted, and a servant ordered to attend me to my chamber

Many years had elapsed since I had seen this fa at the breakfast table had with each of us, I believe, the force of a first impression You know my _fanaticism_ on these occasions I will atteroupe, assembled in the saloon, to whom I was severally presented on my entrance, by the lord of the domain Mr Morton, himself, to whoe, was of the ular, and his countenance placid: he spoke but little, but that little was always mild and often judicious

He appeared not to be void of benevolent affections, and had the character of a hureat measure, sunk in an habitual indolence of temper; he would soh never to his interest

His lady--no, I will not describe her; her character will, it may be, unfold itself to you in future--Suffice it to say, that her person was gross, her voice loud and discordant, and her features rugged: she affected an air of openness and pleasantry; It may be prejudiced, perhaps she did not _affect it_ Sarah Morton, the eldest of the daughters, was about ht, fair, plump, loquacious; there was a childish levity in her accent and ers with an unfavourable opinion of her understanding, but it was an acquired hter was a little lively brunette, with sharp features and sparkling black eyes; volatile, giddy, vain and thoughtless, but good huer

Two gentlemen joined us at our repast, visitors at Morton park Mr Francis, the elder, was in his fortieth year, his figure slender and delicate, his eye piercing, and his manner impressive It occurred to me, that I had somewhere seen hinized in hientleman who had occasionally visited at onist of the man of fashi+on, whose sentiments and volubility excited ue the younger, the son of acounty, seeantly formed, full of fire and vivacity, with imperious manners, an impetuous temper, and stubborn prejudices

The introduction of a stranger generally throws some kind of restraint over a company; a break is made in their usual topics and associations, till the disposition and habits of the intruder have, in soree, unfolded themselves Mrs Morton took upon herself to entertain; she exhibited her talents on various subjects, with apparent self-approbation, till a few keen remarks fro ladies scrutinized me with attention; even the lively Ann, while she ue, who attended to allantry I solance seemed to search the soul

After breakfast, Mr Morton having retired to his dressing-roo into the pleasure grounds, whither I declined acco ever desirous of active and useful e er children; proposing to instruct the, French, or any other accomplishment, for which my own education had capacitatedin a , his back towards us, with a book in his hand, on which he seemed intent

'If,' replied Mrs Morton, 'it is your wish, Miss Courtney, to procure the situation of governess in any gentleman's fa woman of your _small fortune_, Mr Morton will, I have no doubt, have it in his power to recommend you: but in the education of my family, I desire no interference; it is an important task, and I have my peculiar notions on the subject: their expectations are not great, and your _elegant_ accoht unfit them for their future, probable, stations'

The manner in which this speech was uttered spoke yet low

'I was not asking favours, Mada useful'

'It is a pity, then, that your discernment had not corrected your vanity'

The housekeeper entering, to consult her mistress on some domestic occasion, Mrs Morton quitted the rooazed earnestly in my face: before sufficiently mortified, his observation, which I felt at this moment oppressive, did not relieveentle violence

'And why this confusion,acted with propriety and spirit?' I burst into tears--I could not help it--'Hoeak is this, hoorthy of the good sense you have just manifested'

'I confess it, but I feel myself, at this '

'What prejudices! poverty is neither criraceful; you will not want friends, while you continue to deserve them; and as for protection,' (and he smiled) 'I had not expected from Emma Courtney's spirited letter to Mr Morton, and equally proper retort to his lady's impertinence, so plaintive, so feminine a complaint--You have talents, cultivate them, and learn to rest on your oers'

'I thank you for your reproof, and solicit your future lessons'

'Can you bear the truth?'