Part 12 (2/2)

_No_, not from Lady Mary.

From Mrs. Smith, _then?_--Do I guess _now?_--You say nothing; oh, there it is.--I could not forbear smiling.

Pray tell me, only _tell me_, and he caught one of my hands, if this letter does not fix the _very_ day of your setting out for France?

I thought him possest with the spirit of divination.--What could I do, in this case?--Falshoods I despise;--evasions are low, _very_ low, indeed:--yet I knew he ought not to be trusted with the contents, even at the expence of my veracity--I recollected myself, and looked grave.

My Lord, you must excuse me; this affair concerns only myself; even Lady Powis will not be acquainted with it yet.

I have done, if Lady Powis is not to be acquainted with it.--I have no right--I say _right_.--Don't look so, Miss Warley--_believe I did flare a little_--Time will unfold,--will cast a different light on things from that in which you now see them.

I was confus'd;--I put up my letter, went to the window, took a book from thence, and open'd it, without knowing what I did.

_Complete Pocket-Farrier; or, A Cure for all Disorders in Horses_, read his Lords.h.i.+p aloud, looking over my shoulder; for such was the t.i.tle of the book.

What have you here, my love?

_My love_, indeed! Mighty free, mighty free, was it not, my Lady? I could not avoid laughing at the drollery of this accident, or I should have given him the look he deserved.--I thank G.o.d I am come to a state of _indifference_; and my time here is so short, I would willingly appear as little reserv'd as possible, that he might not think I have chang'd my sentiments since his _declaring off_: though I must own I have; but my pride will not suffer me to betray it to him.

If he has distress'd me,--if he has led my heart a little astray,--I am recovered now:--I have found out my mistake.--Should I suffer my eye to drop a tear, on looking back, for the future it will be more watchful;--it will guard, it will protect the poor wanderer.

He is very busy settling his affairs with Sir James:--three hours were they together with Mr. Jenkings in the library;--his books all pack'd up and sent away, to be sure he does not intend returning _here_ again soon.

I suppose he will settle;--he talks of new furnis.h.i.+ng his house;--has consulted Lady Powis upon it.--If he did not intend marrying, if he had no Lady in his eye--

But what is all this to me? Can he or his house be of any consequence to my repose?--I enjoy the thoughts of going to France without him:--I suppose he will think me very sly, but no matter.--

That good-natur'd creature Edmund would match me to a prince, was it in his power.--He told me, yesterday, that he'd give the whole world, if I was not to go to France.--Why so, Edmund?--I shall see you again, said I, at my return to England.

Ay, but what will _somebody do_, in the mean time?

Who is _somebody?_

Can't you guess, Miss Warley?

I do guess, Edmund. But you was never more mistaken; the person you mean is not to be distress'd by _my_ absence.

He is, upon my honour;--I know _he is_.--Lord Darcey loves you to distraction.

Poh! Edmund; don't take such things into your head: I know _you_ wish me well; but don't be so sanguine!--Lord Darcey stoop to think of _me!_

Stoop to think of _you_, Miss Warley!--I am out of all patience: stoop to think of _you!_--I shall never forget _that_.--Greatly as I honour his Lords.h.i.+p, if he conceals his sentiments, if he trifles in an affair of such importance,--was he the first duke in the kingdom, I hold him below the regard even of such a one as _I_ am.--Pardon my curiosity, madam, I mean no ill; but surely he has made proposals to you.

Well, then, I will tell you, Edmund;--I'll tell you frankly, he never _has_ made proposals:--and further, I can answer for him, he never _will_.--His belief was stagger'd;--he stood still, his eyes fixed on the ground.

<script>