Part 4 (2/2)

Let me not forget to tell you, amongst a multiplicity of concerns crowding on my mind, that I have positively deny'd Edmund to intercede with his father regarding the commission.--A bare surmise that he is my rival, has silenced me.--Was I ungenerous enough to indulge myself in getting rid of him, an opportunity now offers;--but I am _as_ averse to such proceedings as _he_ ought to be who is the friend of Molesworth, and writes the name of

DARCEY.

LETTER XI.

The Honourable GEORGE MOLESWORTH to Lord DARCEY.

_Bath_.

Believe me, my dear Lord, I never suspected you capable of designs you justly hold in abhorrence.--If I expressed myself warmly, it was owing to your keeping from me the knowledge of those particulars which have varied every circ.u.mstance.--I saw my friend a poor restless being, irresolute, full of perplexities.--I felt for him.--I rejoice now to find from whence this _irresolution_, those _perplexities_ arose.--She is,--she must,--by heaven! she shall be yours:--A reward fit only for _such_ great--_such_ n.o.ble resolutions.

You talk of a _last_ argument--Forbear _that_ argument.--You _must_ not use it before you have laid your intentions open to Sir James.--_Neither_ follow her to France.--What, as you are situated, would _that_ avail?--Prevent her going, _if_ you can.--_Such_ a woman, under the protection of Lady Mary Sutton, _must_ have many advantageous proposals.

I understand _nothing_ of features,--I know _nothing_ of physiognomy, if you have any uneasiness from Bridgman.--It was not marks of a violent pa.s.sion he betrayed;--rather, I think, an ambition of having his taste approved by the world;--but we shall know more of the matter when I meet him in town.

Stupidity!--Not see her partiality!--not see that she loves you!--She will some time hence own it as frankly with her lips, as her eyes have told you a thousand times, did you understand their language.--The duce a word could _I_ get from them.--Very uncivil, I think, not to _speak_ when they were _spoke_ to,--They will be ready enough, I suppose, with their _thanks_ and _applauses_, when I present her hand to be united with her heart. That office shall be _mine_:--_Something_ tells me, there is to be an alteration in _your_ affairs, sudden as unexpected.

I go to the rooms this evening for the last time.--To-morrow I set out for Slone Hall, in my way to London.--Here I shall spend two or three days happily with my good-natured cousin Lady Dorothy.--Perhaps we may take an airing together as far as your territories.--I shall _now_ look on Faulcon-Park with double pleasure.--Neither that or the agreeable neighbourhood round it will be ever bridled over by a haughty dame.--(Miss Warley, forbid it.)--Some such we see in _high_ as well as _low_ life.--Haughtiness is the reverse of true greatness; therefore it staggers me to behold it in the former.

A servant with a white favour!--What can this mean?--

Upon my word, Mr. Flecher, you return with your fair bride sooner than I expected.--_A card too_.--Things must be _finely_ accommodated with the old Lady.--Your Lords.h.i.+p being at too great a distance to partake of the feast, pray regale on what calls me to it.

”Mrs. Moor and Mr. and Mrs. Flecher's compliments to Mr. Molesworth.--My son and daughter are just return'd from Scotland, and hope for the pleasure of Mr. Molesworth's company with eight or ten other friends, to congratulate them this evening on their arrival.--Both the Ladies and Mr. Flecher will be much disappointed, if you do not accept our invitation.”

True as I live, _neither added_ or _diminished_ a t.i.ttle,--and wrote by the hand of Flecher's Desdemona.--Does not a man richly deserve thirty thousand pounds with a wife _like this?_--Not for _twice_ that sum would I see such nonsense come from her I was to spend my life with.

Pity Nature and Fortune has such frequent bickerings! When one smiles the other frowns.--I wish the gipsies would make up matters, and send us down their favours wrapp'd up together.

Considering the friends.h.i.+p you have honour'd Edmund with, I have no idea he can presume to think of Miss Warley, _seeing_ what he must _see_.

I shall expect to find a letter on my arrival in St. James's Street.--Omit not those respects which are due at Barford Abbey.

Yours,

MOLESWORTH.

LETTER XII.

Lord DARCEY to the Honourable GEORGE MOLESWORTH.

_Barford Abbey_.

<script>