Part 3 (2/2)
Mr. Finch is the most sedate young man I have ever seen;--but his sedateness is temper'd with a _sweetness_ inexpressible;--a certain mildness in the features;--_a mildness_ which, in the countenance of that great commander I saw at Brandon Lodge, appears like _mercy_ sent out from the heart to discover the dwelling of _true courage_.--There is certainly a strong likeness between the Marquis and Lord Darcey;--_so strong_, that when I first beheld his Lords.h.i.+p I was quite struck with surprize.
Mr. Molesworth and Mr. Bridgman, the two gentlemen from Bath, are very opposite to each other in person and manner; yet both in a different degree seem to be worthy members of society.
Mr. Molesworth, a most entertaining companion,--vastly chearful,--smart at repartee; and, from the character Lord Darcey has given me of him, very sincere.
Mr. Bridgman has a good deal the air of a foreigner; attained, I suppose, by his residence some years at the court of ----, in a public character.--Very fit he appears for such an employ.--Sensible,--remarkably polite,--speaks all languages with the same fluency as his own; but then a veil of disagreeable reserve throws a dark shade over those perfections.--_Perhaps_ I am wrong to spy out faults so early;--_perhaps_ to-morrow my opinion may be different.--First prepossessions--Ah! What would I have said of _first prepossessions?_--Is it not to them I owe a thousand blessings?--I, who have nothing to recommend me but being unfortunate.
Somthing lies at my heart.--Yet I think I could not sleep in quiet, was I to drop a hint in disfavour of Mr. Jenkings;--it may not be in his _disfavour_ neither:--However, my dear Lady, you shall be the judge, after I have repos'd a few hours.
Seven o'clock in the morning.
Why should I blame Mr. Jenkings?--Is not Edmund his only son?--his only child?--Is he less my friend for suspecting?--Yes, my Lady, I perceive he does _suspect_.--He is uneasy.--He supposes his son encouraging an improper affection.--I see it in his very looks:--he must think me an artful creature.--This it is that distresses me.--I wish I could hit on a method to set his heart at rest.--If I barely hint a design of leaving the neighbourhood, which I have done once or twice, he bursts into tears, and I am oblig'd to sooth him like a child.
How account for this behaviour?--Why does he look on me with the eye of fatherly affection,--yet think me capable of a meanness I _despise?_
I believe it impossible for a human being to have _more_ good nature, or _more_ good qualities, than Edmund; yet had he the riches of a Mogul, I could never think of a connection with him.--_He_, worthy young man, has never given his father cause for _suspicion_.--I am convinced he has not.--Naturally of an obliging disposition, he is ever on the watch for opportunities to gratify his amiable inclinations:--not _one_ such selfish motive as love to push him on.
A summons to breakfast.--Lord Darcey, it seems, is below;--I suppose, slid away from his friends to call on Edmund.--Mr. and Mrs. Jenkings are _all_ smiles, _all_ good humour, to their son,--I hope it is only I who have been _suspicious_.--Lord Darcey is still with Edmund.--They are at this moment under my window,--counselling perhaps, about a commission he wants his father to purchase for him in the Guards.--I should be glad to see this matter accommodated;--yet, I could wish, in _so_ tender a point, his Lords.h.i.+p may not be _too_ forward in advising.--Mr. and Mrs.
Jenkings have such an opinion of him,--they pay such deference to what he says,--his advice _must_ have weight;--and they _may_ be unhappy by giving up their inclinations.
The praises of Lord Darcey are forever sounding in my ears.--To what a height would the partiality of Mrs. Jenkings lift me?--She would have me think,--I cannot tell your Ladys.h.i.+p what she would _have me think_.--My hopes dare not take _such_ a flight.--No!--I can perceive what their fall _must_ be;--I can perceive _it_, without getting on the top of the precipice to look down.
I shall order every thing for my departure, according to your Ladys.h.i.+p's directions, holding myself in readiness to attend Mr. and Mrs. Smith, at the time proposed.
Oxfords.h.i.+re I must revisit,--for a few days only;--having some little matters to regulate.
The silks I have purchas'd for your Ladys.h.i.+p are slight, as you directed, except a white and gold, which is the richest and most beautiful I could procure.
How imperceptibly time slides on?--The clock strikes eleven,--in spight of the desire I have of communicating many things more.--An engagement to be with Lady Powis at twelve hastens me to conclude myself
Your Ladys.h.i.+p's
Most honour'd and affectionate,
F. WARLEY.
LETTER IX.
The Honourable GEORGE MOLESWORTH to LORD DARCEY.
_Bath_.
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