Part 23 (1/2)
Build in the park, and live batchelors!--Pis.h.!.+--A horrid scheme!--I give it up.--Over head and ears, d.i.c.k!
Last Monday arriv'd at his Lords.h.i.+p's house in _St. James's-Square_, the Right Honourable the Earl and Countess of Hampstead,--Lord Hallum,--the Ladies Elizabeth and Sophia Curtis.
_True_, as I hope to be sav'd;--and as _true_, that Lady Elizabeth and Sophia _are_ blooming as angels.
Three times have I sat down, _pen_ in my hand, _paper_ folded, yet could not tune my mind to write one word.--Over head and ears! I say.--
Past one in the morning!--All silent! Let me try if I can scribble now.
First, I must tell you the body drove on sh.o.r.e at Dover, which I concluded was Miss Powis's, is discover'd to be a Miss Frances Walsh, going over in the yacht which was unfortunately cast-away;--the corpse much defac'd:--but what confirm'd it to be the body of Miss Powis, was a handkerchief taken from the neck mark'd F W.--Poor young Lady! her friends, perhaps are suffering the excesses of grief which _you_ and I have so lately witness'd.--But _this_ is a subject I shall not dwell on.
I came to Town this evening with Darcey:--he bore the journey very poorly;--sinking, fainting, all the way.--When we got to our lodgings, and he was put into a bed, recovering a little, he press'd me to go to the Banker's.--I saw his impatience, and went immediately.
My name was no sooner sent up, than Mr. Powis flew to receive me.--Welcome, my friend! said he; you come opportunely. We have a n.o.ble family with us that has been just wis.h.i.+ng to see Mr. Molesworth.--He had time for no more; the door open'd.--What was my surprize to be embrac'd by Lord Hampstead and Lord Hallum, by them, led to the Countess and our two divinities, _whose_ mild eyes,--_whose_ elegant deportment, told me _Loves_ and _Graces_ had put a finis.h.i.+ng stroke to the great work of _virtue_ and _humility_.--Lady Mary Sutton,--yes, Lady Mary Sutton too was there: she advanc'd towards me, Miss Powis in her hand.
I have the honour, said Mr. Powis, of presenting Lady Mary Sutton (the source of all my felicity) to Mr. Molesworth.--Then addressing himself to her Ladys.h.i.+p, Permit me, Madam, to introduce to you the friend I love.
If ever I wish'd to s.h.i.+ne, it was then--I would have given the world for eloquence;--nay, common understanding.--The former I _never_ possessed:--A surprize and pleasure had flown away with the latter.--Miss Powis has that looks through one's very soul--a sweet compa.s.sionate eye: the dignity it expresses bespeaks your confidence.--She perceived my embarra.s.sment, and said, Come, Mr.
Molesworth, let me have the satisfaction of placing you next Lady Mary.
So down sat the stupid blockhead.--Her Ladys.h.i.+p is very chatty, and very affable; she said a thousand obliging things; but half was lost upon me, whilst I watch'd the lips of my fair Elizabeth.
Mr. Mrs. Powis, and Lady Mary, enquired affectionately after the health of Lord Darcey. When I said he was come to Town, up flew the heart's tell-tale to the face of Miss Powis.--Her father and mother ask'd, if they might have the happiness of waiting on his Lords.h.i.+p next morning.--I arose to a.s.sure them what joy their visit would occasion; when having settled the hour, and so forth, I slid to a chair vacant between Lady Elizabeth and Lady Sophia,--How enchanting _did_ they look!--how enchanting _did_ they speak!--No reserve;--all frankness;--the same innocence in their manners as at fifteen;--the vivacity of the French,--the sedateness of the English, how charmingly blended!
Risby, thou art a fortunate fellow: Lady Sophia speaks of thee with esteem.
The sweet syrens--_syrens_ only by attraction--held me by the ear upwards of an hour.--From them I learnt Lady Mary Sutton came to England, on receiving an account from Mr. Delves that Miss Powis had the small-pox.--Happy for us, d.i.c.k, they lov'd Lady Mary too well to stay behind her!
As I was listening to their entertaining descriptions of places abroad, we were join'd by Lord Hallum.--Molesworth, said his Lords.h.i.+p, I will not suffer these girls to engage you solely:--My prating sisters are grown so saucy that I am obliged to be a very tyrant.--
A spirited conversation ensued, in which the cherub sisters bore away the palm.
More and more sick of my batchelor notions!--Yet I aver, that state should be my choice, rather than swallow one grain of indifference in the matrimonial pill, gilder'd over ever so nicely.--Think what _must_ be my friends.h.i.+p for Darcey, to tear myself from this engageing circle before nine!--As I was taking my leave, Lady Mary stepp'd towards me.--To-morrow, Mr. Molesworth, said her Ladys.h.i.+p, I bespeak the favour of your company and Lord Darcey's to dine with me in _Pall-Mall_:--I bow'd, and answer'd both for his Lords.h.i.+p and myself.
We shall rejoice, continued she, to congratulate your friend on his recovery,--looking with peculiar meaning at Miss Powis.--I think by _that_ look there will be an interview between the _lovers_, though I did not say so much to Darcey.--He requires sleep: none would he have had, if he knew my surmises.--I'll to bed, and dream of Lady Elizabeth;--_so_ good night, d.i.c.k.
Twelve o'clock at noon.
Mr. and Mrs. Powis this moment gone;--Lord Darcey dressing to meet them in _Pall-Mall_.--Yes, they are to be there;--and the whole groupe of beauties are to be there;--Miss Powis,--Lady Elizabeth,--Lady Sophia,--and the little sprightly hawk-eyed Delves.--Risby, _you_ know nothing of _life_; you are _dead_ and _buried_.
I will try to be serious.--Impossible! my head runs round and round with pleasure.--The interview was affecting to the last degree.--Between whom?--Why Darcey, Mr. and Mrs.--faith I can write no more.
MOLESWORTH.
LETTER XLII.