Part 8 (1/2)

When I went to Mr. Jenkings's to dress for dinner, Lord Darcey attended me, as usual:--the coach was to fetch us.--I thought I never saw his Lords.h.i.+p in such high good humour; what I mean is, I never saw him in such spirits.--To speak the truth, his temper always appears unruffled;--sometimes a little gloomy; but I suppose he is not exempted from the common ills of life.--He entertained me on the way with a description of the company expected, interlarding his conversation with observations tending to raise my vanity. Notwithstanding his seeming sincerity, I was proof against such insinuations.--If he had stopp'd _there_,--well, if he had stop'd _there_;--what then?--Why then, perhaps, I should not have betray'd the weakness of my heart.--But I hope thy confusion pa.s.s'd un.o.bserv'd;--I hope it was not seen before I could draw my handkerchief from my pocket: if it should, heavens! the very thought has dyed me scarlet.

I am running on as though your Ladys.h.i.+p had been present in Mr.

Jenkings's parlour,--in the coach,--and at table, whither I must conduct you, my dear Lady, if your patience will bear a minute _recital_.--First, then, to our conference in the parlour, after I was dress'd.

My coming down interrupted a _tete-a-tete_ between his Lords.h.i.+p and Edmund. The latter withdrew soon after I entered;--_it look'd some-how as if designed;--it vexed me_;--mean it how he would, _it much_ disconcerted me:--I _hate_, I _despise_ the least appearance of design.--In vain did I attempt to bring him back; he only answer'd he would be with us instantly.

I was no sooner seated, than his Lords.h.i.+p placed himself by me; and fetching a deep sigh, said, I wish it was in my power to oblige Miss Warley as much as it is in hers to oblige me.--

My Lord, I cannot conceive how I have it in my power to oblige you. He took my hand,--Yes, Madam, to make _me_ happy,--for ever happy,--to make _Sir James_ and _Lady Powis happy_, you have only to determine not to quit your native country.

Stop! my Lord, if you mean my going to _Montpellier_, I am determin'd.--And are you _really_ determin'd, Miss Warley?--his face overspread with a dreadful paleness.

I am, my Lord,

But what are you determin'd? Are you determined to distress your friends?

I wish not to distress my friends: nothing would give me so much pain; but I _must_ go;--indeed I _must_.

He rose up;--walk'd about the room,--came back to his seat again, looking quite frantic,--Good G.o.d! why should that s.e.x practise so many arts? He pray'd,--intreated,--left no argument untried.

I cannot picture his countenance, when I declared myself resolved.--He caught both my hands, fixed his eyes stedfastly upon me.

Then you are inflexible, Madam?--Nothing can move you to pity the most wretched of his s.e.x.--Know you the person living that could prevail?--If you do,--say so;--I will bring him instantly on his knees.

There is not in the world, my Lord, one who could prevent me from paying my _duty_, my _affection_, my _obedience_, to Lady Mary Sutton: if due to a parent, how much more from me to _Lady Mary_;--a poor orphan, who have experienced from her the most maternal fondness? The word _orphan_ struck him; he reeled from me and flung himself into a chair opposite, leaning his head on a table which stood near.

I declare he distress'd me greatly;--I know not what my thoughts were at that moment;--I rose to quit the room; he started up.

Don't leave me, Miss Warley;--don't leave me. I _will_ keep you no longer in the dark: I _must_ not suffer in your opinion,--be the consequence--

Here we were interrupted by Edmund.--I was sorry he just then entered;--I would have given the world to know what his Lords.h.i.+p was about to say.

When we were in the coach, instead of explaining himself, he a.s.sumed rather a chearful air; and asked, if my time was fix'd for going to France?

Not absolutely fix'd, my Lord; a month or two hence, perhaps. This I said, that he might not know exactly the time when I shall set out.

_A month_ or _two!_ O! that will be just the thing, just as I could wish it.--

What does your Lords.h.i.+p mean?

Only that I intend spending part of the winter in Paris; and if I should not be deemed an _intruder_, perhaps the same yacht may carry us over.

I was never more at a loss for a reply.

Going to France, my Lord! in a hesitating voice.--I never heard,--I never dreamt,--your Lords.h.i.+p had such an intention.

Well, you do not forbid it, Miss Warley? I shall certainty be of your party:

_I forbid it_, my Lord! _I forbid it!_ What right have _I_ to controul your Lords.h.i.+p's actions? Besides, we should travel so short a way together, it would be very immaterial.