Barford Abbey Part 9

Poh! my Lord, said Lady Allen, we are old-fas.h.i.+on'd people:--you must not talk thus before Gentlemen and Ladies bred in the present age.

Come, come, let me hear Lord Darcey speak to this point, continued his Lords.h.i.+p. He is soon to be _one of us_;--we shall shortly, I am told, salute him _Bened.i.c.k_.

On this Sir James threw down his knife and fork with emotion, crying, This is news, indeed! This is what I never heard before! Upon my word, your Lords.h.i.+p has been very secret! looking full at Lord Darcey. But you are of _age_, my Lord, so I have no _right_ to be consulted; however, I should be glad to know, who it is that runs away with your heart. This was spoke half in jest, half in earnest.

In a moment my neck and face were all over crimson.--I felt the colour rise;--it was not to be suppress'd.--I drew my handkerchief from my pocket;--held it to my face;--hemm'd;--call'd for wine and water;--which, when brought, I could scarcely swallow; spoke in a low voice to Miss Winter;--said she had a poor stomach, or something like it.

Lord Darcey too was confus'd.--Why did I look up to him?--He was pale, instead of red.--I saw his lips move, but could not hear what he said for more than a minute; occasion'd by an uncommon noise which just then rush'd through my head:--at length sounds grew distinct, and I heard this sentence--_every_ word is inscribed where it can _never_ be erazed--

Upon my honour. Lord Allen, I have never made proposals to any woman; and _further_, it is a matter of doubt, whether I ever shall.

By this time I had lost all my colour;--charming cool--and calm,--no perturbation remaining.

Nothing disagreeable now hung on my mind, except a certain thoughtfulness, occasion'd by the recollection of my folly.--

Miss Winter's eyes sparkled, if it is possible for grey ones to sparkle, at the declaration Lord Darcey had just made; and, of a sudden, growing very fond of _me_, laid her hand on mine, speaking as it were aside,--Well, I was never _more_ surprized! I as _much_ believed him engaged to a _certain_ young Lady,--squeezing my thumb,--as I think I am living.--Nay, I would not have credited the contrary, had I not heard him declare off with my _own_ ears.--I see how it is; Sir James must chuse a wife for him.--

To all which I only answered, Lord Darcey, Madam, is certainly the best judge of his actions:--I make no doubt but Sir James will approve his Lords.h.i.+p's choice.

After what I have related, common subjects ensued:--the cloth being removed, I withdrew to the Library, intending to sit with Mr. Watson half an hour, who was confined by a cold. He holds out his hand to take mine the moment he hears my footstep.--I look on him as an angel: his purity, his mildness, his resignation speak him one.--

Lord Darcey entered as I was about to join the company; however, I staid some minutes, that my quitting the room might not seem on _his_ account.

I am glad you are come, my Lord, said Mr. Watson; sitting with such a poor infirm man has made Miss Warley thoughtful.--Upon my word, Sir, returned I, it was only the fear of increasing your head-ach that me silent.--I never was in higher spirits.--I could sing and dance this very moment. Well then, dear Miss Warley, cried his Lords.h.i.+p, let me fetch your _guitarre_.

With all my heart, my Lord; I am _quite_ in tune.--Taking leave of Mr.

Watson, I return'd to the company.--His Lords.h.i.+p soon followed. Again repeating his request, in which every person join'd, I sung and play'd several compositions.

Miss Winter was next call'd upon and the guitarre presented to her by Lord Darcey.--A long time she absolutely refused it; declaring she had not learnt any new music this year.--What does that signify, Miss Winter? said her mother; you know you have a sweet voice.

Bless me! Madam! how can you say so?--To be sure, I should sing to great advantage _now_.

Well, Nancy, you'll oblige _Papa?_--says the old Gentleman; I know you'll oblige _Papa_,--stalking over to her on the tops of his toes.

Here the contest ended; _Miss_ taking the guitarre, condescended to oblige her _Papa_.

She really sings and plays well:--if her manner had been less affected, we should have been more entertain'd.--The company staid supper, after which Lord Darcey came with me home.--I made _no_ objection:--of all things, I would make _none_--after what pa.s.s'd at table. Fortunate event! how I rejoice in my recovered tranquillity!

The thoughts, the pleasing thoughts of freedom have kept me from sleep; I could not think of repose amidst my charming reflections. Happy, happy change!

It is past two o'clock!--At all times and all seasons,

I am, my dear Lady,

Yours invariably,

F. WARLEY.

LETTER XVII.

Miss WARLEY to the same.

_From Mr. Jenkings's_.

Sent for before breakfast!--n.o.body in the coach!--Well, I am glad of that, however.--Something very extraordinary must have happen'd.--I hope Lady Powis is not ill.--No other message but to desire I would come immediately.--I go, my dear Lady; soon as I return will acquaint you what has occasion'd me this _early_ summons.

Eight o'clock at Night.

No ill news! quite the reverse:--I am escaped from the house of festivity to make your Ladys.h.i.+p a partaker.

My spirits are in a flutter.--I know not where to begin.--I have run every step of the way, till I am quite out of breath.--Mr. Powis is coming home,--absolutely coming home to settle;--married _too_, but I cannot tell all at once.--Letters with an account of it have been this morning receiv'd. He does not say _who_ his wife is, only one of the best women in the world.

She will be received with affection;--I know she will.--Lady Powis declares, they shall be folded together in her arms.

It was too much for Sir James, he quite roared again when he held out to me the letter,--I don't believe he has eat a morsel this day.--I never before saw a man so affected with joy.--Thank G.o.d! I left him pure and calm.

The servants were like mad creatures, particularly those who lived in the family before Mr. Powis left England.--He seems, in short, to be considered as one risen from the dead.--

I was in such haste on receiving Lady Powis's message, that I ran down to the coach, my hat and cloak in my hand.--Mr. and Mrs. Jenkings were talking to the coachman.--I soon perceived by them something pleasing had happen'd.--They caught me in their arms, and I thought would have smother'd me in their embraces; crying out, Mr. Powis is coming home, my dear;--Mr. Powis is coming home:--for G.o.d's sake, Madam, make haste up to the Hall.

In getting into the coach, I stepp'd on my ap.r.o.n, and fell against the opposite door.--My right arm was greatly bruis'd, which I did not perceive till I drew on my glove.

The moment I alighted, I ran to the breakfast-parlour; but finding no one there, went directly to her Ladys.h.i.+p's dressing-room.--She open'd the door, when she heard me coming. I flew to her.--I threw my arms about her neck, and all I could say in my hurry was, Joy, Joy, Joy!

I am all joy, my love, she return'd--I am made up of nothing else. I quitted her to run to Sir James, who was sitting in a great chair with a letter held out. I believe I kiss'd him twenty times before I took it;--there could be no harm in that surely.--Such endearments I should have shewn my father, on the like tender occasion. He wept, as I have said, till he quite roared again.--I laid his head on my shoulder, and it was some time before I would mention his son's name.

Lord Darcey held one of Sir James's hands: he was in the room when I enter'd; but I declare I never saw him till he spoke. He is safe _now_,--after what happened yesterday,--safe from any imputation on _my_ account--

Very kind and very civil, upon my word! O! your Ladys.h.i.+p never heard such a fuss as he made about the scratch on my arm.--I affect to look pleased when he speaks to me, that he might not take it into his head I am mortified.

He must be the happiest creature in the world; I honour him for the grateful affection he shews Sir James and Lady Powis.

Breakfast stood on the table: not a soul had broke their fast.--Her Ladys.h.i.+p was here, there, and every where.--I was sadly afraid they would be all sick; at length I prevailed on them to drink a cup of chocolate.--

Mr. Watson, good man notwithstanding his indisposition, got up at eleven.--I met him coming from his apartment, and had the pleasure of leading him to the happy family.--

His congratulations were delivered with such serene joy,--such warmth of affection,--as if he had cull'd the heart-felt satisfaction of both _parents_.

The word _happy_ echoed from every mouth; each sentence began and ended with it.--What the heart feels is seldom to be disguised.--Grief will speak,--if not by the tongue, it will out;--it hangs on the features, sallows the skin, withers the sinews, and is a galling weight that pulls towards the ground.--Why should a thought of grief intrude at this time?--Is not my dear Lady Mary's health returning?--Is not felicity restor'd to this family?--Now will my regret at parting be lessened;--now shall I leave every individual with minds perfectly at ease.

Mr. Powis is expected in less than a month, intending to embark in the next s.h.i.+p after the Packet.--How I long to see him!--But it is very unlikely I should; I shall certainly have taken my leave of this place before he arrives.--By your Ladys.h.i.+p's permission, I hope to look in upon them, at our return to England.

What genteel freedoms men give themselves after _declaring off_, as Miss Winter calls it?--I had never so many fine things said to me before;--I can't tell how many;--quite a superabundance;--and before Sir James _too!_--But no notice is taken; he has cleared himself of all suspicion.--He may go to town as soon as he will.--His business is done;--yes, he did it yesterday.