Part 6 (1/2)

I even fancied the beautiful pair stood before me, whose hands he is represented joining. It is much to be regretted so fine a piece should be hid from the world.--Why should not _this_ be proportion? The _other_ portraits which your Ladys.h.i.+p has drawn, are even allowed by Reynolds to be masterly.--Let me therefore entreat, next time he comes to the Lodge, my favourite may _at least_ have a chance of being called from banishment.

The Dean was almost discouraged from proceeding on his journey, by hearing of your Ladys.h.i.+p's absence, and the death of Mrs. Whitmore.--He was no stranger to what concern'd me, tho' I could be scarce an inhabitant of Hillford-Down at the time _he_ left it.--I suppose his information was from Mr. Jenkings; I could see them from the window deep in discourse, walking in the Bowling-Green, from the moment the Dean got out of his chaise till dinner.

The latter expressed infinite satisfaction when I joined them; looking with such stedfast tenderness, as if he would trace on my countenance the features of some dear friend.--His sincere regard for Mr. and Mrs.

Whitmore, and the grat.i.tude he owes your Ladys.h.i.+p, must make him behold me with a favourable eye, knowing how greatly I have been distinguish'd by the two latter.

He had a stool put into his chaise; a.s.suring us we could fit three conveniently--We came from the last inn together, and are to travel so the remainder of the journey.

After your Ladys.h.i.+p's strict commands, that I look on Brandon-Lodge as my home, I shall make it such the few days I stay in Oxfords.h.i.+re;--and have presumed on your indulgence, to request Mr. Jenkings will do the same.--The Dean's visit is to Mr. Gardener, which will be happy for me, as that Gentleman's house is so near the Lodge.--I hope to see the tops of the chimneys this evening.--

My heart would jump at the sight, if I expected your Ladys.h.i.+p to meet me with open arms.--Extatic thought!--unfit to precede those disappointments which must follow thick on one another. Can there be greater!--to pa.s.s the very house, once inhabited by--O my Lady!--Heaven!

how will your and her image bring before me past happy scenes!

If this is the Dean's voice, he is got up, early. The horses putting to, and scarce five o'clock! Here comes a messenger, to say they are ready.

So rest my pen, till; I again take it up at Brandon-Lodge.

_Brandon-Lodge_.

I never saw such general joy as appeared through the village at sight of the Dean.--The first person who espy'd him ran with such speed into every house, that by the time we reached Mr. Gardener's gate, the chaise was surrounded by a hundred people.--Mr. and Mrs. Gardener stepping out, were saluted by the Dean. What, our old friend! cried they.--What, our old friend!--Good G.o.d!--and Miss Warley too!--This is a joyful surprize, indeed! and would have taken me out by force, if I had not persisted in going to the Lodge.--Your Ladys.h.i.+p is enough acquainted with these good people, to know they would part with any thing rather than their friends.--I have not yet seen Miss Gardener: she was gone on a walk with Miss West and Miss Conway.

The Dean showered a thousand marks of regard on all around him;--the meanest not escaping his notice.--In this tumult of pleasure I did not pa.s.s unregarded.--Your Ladys.h.i.+p and Mrs. Whitmore still live in their hearts; the pure air of Hillford-Down will not mix with the cold blast of ingrat.i.tude.

May the soft pillow I am going to repose on, shut not out from my mind the load of obligations which rest on it!--The remembrance is balm to my soul, either in my sleeping or waking hours.

Nine o'clock.

Scarce out of my bed half an hour!--How have I over-slept myself! Mrs.

Bennet has prevailed on Mr. Jenkings to have some breakfast.--Good, considerate woman!--indeed, all your Ladys.h.i.+p's domestics are good and considerate.--No wonder, when you treat them so very different from _some people_ of high rank. Let those who complain of fraud, guilt, negligence, or want of respect from their dependants, look in here;--where they will see honesty, virtue, and reverence attend the execution of every command.--Flowers must be planted before they can take root.--Few, very few endeavour to improve an uncultivated soil, notwithstanding how great the advantage is to the improver.

I last night receiv'd pleasure inexpressible, by sending for the servants to acquaint them of your Ladys.h.i.+p's returning health; and feasted on the satisfaction they expressed.--In a moment all the live creatures were brought.--I am satisfied, my Lady, if any of them die in your absence, it must be of fat.--My old acquaintances Bell and Flora could hardly waddle in to pay their compliments; the parrot, which used to squall the moment she saw me, is now quite dumb; shewing no mark of her favour, but holding down her head to be scratched;--the turtle-doves are in the same case.--I have taken the liberty to desire the whole crew might be put to short allowance.

John said, he believed it was natural for every thing to grow fat here; and was much afraid, when I saw the coach-horses, I should p.r.o.nounce the same hard sentence against them, desiring orders to attend me with the carriage this morning.--I told him my stay would be so short, I should have no time for an airing.

The gardener has just sent me a blooming nosegay; I suppose, to put me in mind of visiting his care, which I intend, after I have acquainted your Ladys.h.i.+p with an incident that till this moment had escaped my memory.--The Dean, Mr. Jenkings, and myself, were drinking a cup of chocolate before we sat out from the inn where I had been so much hurried, when captain Risby sent in his name, desiring we would admit him for a moment. His request being a.s.sented to, he entered very respectfully, said he came to apologize for the rudeness he was guilty of the last night.--The Dean and Mr. Jenkings presently guessed his meaning; I had been just relating the whole affair, which I was pleased to find did not disturb their rest.--I a.s.sured Captain Risby, far from deeming his behaviour rude, I was obliged to him for his solicitude in sending a servant to my chamber. He said he had not been in bed, determining to watch our setting out, in hopes his pardon would be sealed:--that to think of the accident he might have occasioned, gave him great pain.

Pardon me, Madam, addressing himself to me; and you, Sir, to Mr.

Jenkings; if I ask one plain question: Have _you_, or at least has not _that Lady_, relations out of England? I have a friend abroad--I have heard him say his father is still living;--but then he has no sister;--or a certain likeness I discover would convince me.

Undoubtedly he took me for Mr. Jenkings's daughter:--what he meant further I cannot divine.

Mr. Jenkings reply'd, You are mistaken, Sir, if you think me the father of this Lady.--The chaise driving up that moment to the door, he shook him by the hand, and led me towards it; the Captain a.s.sisting me in getting in.

I wish I could have satisfied my curiosity.--I wish I had known to whom he likened me.--Perhaps his eyes misinformed him--perhaps he might have taken a cheerful gla.s.s after the last night's encounter:--yet he resembled not a votary of Bacchus;--his complexion clear;--hair nicely comb'd;--coat without a spot;--linen extremely fine and clean.--But enough of him.--Here comes the Dean, walking up the avenue escorting a party of my old acquaintances.

Adieu! dearest honour'd Lady, till my return to Hamps.h.i.+re.