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Read Ebook: Barford Abbey a Novel: In a Series of Letters by Gunning Mrs Susannah
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The Honourable GEORGE MOLESWORTH to LORD DARCEY.
Suppose your estate is but two thousand a-year, are you so fond of shew and equipage, to barter real felicity for baubles?--I am angry,--so angry, that it would not grieve me to see you leading to the altar an old hobbling dowager without a tooth.--Be more yourself,
And I am yours,
MOLESWORTH.
LETTER VI
Lord DARCEY to the Honourable GEORGE MOLESWORTH.
Angry!--You are really angry!--Well, I too am angry with myself.--I do love Miss Warley;--but why this to you?--Your penetration has already discover'd it.--Yet, O Molesworth! such insurmountable obstacles:--no declaration can be made,--at least whilst I continue in this neighbourhood.
Sir James would rave at my imprudence.--Lady Powis, whatever are her sentiments, must give them up to his opinion.--Inevitably I lose the affection of persons I have sacredly--promised to obey,--sacredly.--Was not my promise given to a dying father?--Miss Warley has no tye; yet, by the duty she observes to Sir James and Lady Powis, you would think her bound by the strongest cords of nature.
Scarce a moment from her:--at Jenkings's every morning;--on foot if good weather,--else in the coach for the convenience of bringing her with me.--I am under no constraint:--Sir James and her Ladyship seem not the least suspicious: this I much wonder at, in the former particularly.
Will you, or will you not, meet your old friend Finch here next Wednesday?--Be determined in your answer.--I have suspence enough on my hands to be excused from any on your account.--Sir James thinks it unkind you have not called on him since I left England;--hasten therefore to make up matters with the baronet,--Need I say the pleasure I shall have in shaking you by the hand?
DARCEY.
The Hon. GEORGE MOLESWORTH to Lord DARCEY.
Wednesday next you shall see me,--positively you shall.--Bridgman will be of the party.
I propose an immensity of satisfaction from this visit.--Forbid it, heaven! Miss Warley's opposite should again give me a meeting at the Abbey.--After the conversation I am made to expect, how should I be mortified to have my ears eternally dinn'd with catgut work,--painting gauze,--weaving fringes,--and finding out enigmas?--Setting a fine face, Miss Winter is out-done by Fletcher's Nancy.--A-propos, I yesterday saw that very wise girl step into a chaise and wheel off for Scotland, begging and praying we would make the best of it to her mamma.--Not the least hand had I in this affair; but, willing to help out people in distress, at the entreaties of Lord Michell, I waited on the old Lady at her lodging.
I found her in a furious plight,--raving at her servants,--packing up her cloaths, and reflecting on her relations who had persuaded her to come to Bath.--When I entered she was kneeling by a huge travelling trunk, stuffing in a green purse at one corner, which I supposed to be full of gold.
Where is Nancy?--riling from the ground, and accosting me with looks of fury;--Where is Nancy, Mr. Molesworth?
I took my hat, and looked towards the door, as if going.
Stop, Mr. Molesworth, why in so great a hurry?--I once thought you my friend. Pray inform me if Nancy was forced away;--or, if me went willingly.
You have no right, Madam, after the treatment I have received, to expect an answer; but justice bids me declare her going off seemed a matter of choice.
Poor child!--You was certainly trapann'd .
After fetching me from the door, she promised to hear calmly what I had to say;--and, tho' no orator, I succeeded so well as to gain an assurance, she would see them at their return from Scotland.
I left the old Lady in tolerable good humour, and was smiling to myself, recollecting the bout I had passed, when, who should come towards me but Lord Michell,--his countenance full-fraught with curiosity.
Well, George!--dear George!--what success in your embassy?--I long to know the fate of honest Fletcher.--Is he to loll in a coach and six?--or, is the coroner's inquest to bring in their verdict Lunacy?
We have high notions of every thing.--Bucks and bloods, as we are call'd,--you may go to the devil before you will find a set of honester fellows.
He was going to reply when the three choice spirits came up, and hurried him, away to the Tuns.
MOLESWORTH.
Miss WARLEY to Lady MARY SUTTON.
I told Lady Powis, last evening, that I should devote this day to my pen;--so I shall not be sent for;--a favour I am sure to have conferr'd if I am not at the Abbey soon after breakfast.--Lord Darcey is frequently my escort.--I am pleased to see that young nobleman regard Edmund as if of equal rank with himself.
Heavens! his Lordship is here!--full-dressed, and just alighted from the coach,--to fetch me, I fear.--I shall know in a moment; Mrs. Jenkings is coming up.
Eleven o'clock at night.
Mrs. Finch is about seven and forty;--her person plain,--her mind lovely,--her bosom fraught with happiness.--She dispenses it promiscuously.--Every smile,--every accent,--conveys it to all around her.--A countenance engagingly open.--Her purse too, I am told, when occasions offer, open as her heart.--How largely is she repaid for her balsamic gifts,--by seeing those virtues early planted in the mind of her son, spring up and shoot in a climate where a blight is almost contagious!
Mr. Molesworth and Mr. Bridgman, the two gentlemen from Bath, are very opposite to each other in person and manner; yet both in a different degree seem to be worthy members of society.
Mr. Molesworth, a most entertaining companion,--vastly chearful,--smart at repartee; and, from the character Lord Darcey has given me of him, very sincere.
Seven o'clock in the morning.
I shall order every thing for my departure, according to your Ladyship's directions, holding myself in readiness to attend Mr. and Mrs. Smith, at the time proposed.
Oxfordshire I must revisit,--for a few days only;--having some little matters to regulate.
The silks I have purchas'd for your Ladyship are slight, as you directed, except a white and gold, which is the richest and most beautiful I could procure.
How imperceptibly time slides on?--The clock strikes eleven,--in spight of the desire I have of communicating many things more.--An engagement to be with Lady Powis at twelve hastens me to conclude myself
Your Ladyship's
Most honour'd and affectionate,
F. WARLEY.
The Honourable GEORGE MOLESWORTH to LORD DARCEY.
Surely, Bridgman, returned I, you wish to keep yourself in the dark; or how the duce have you been six days with people whose countenances speak so much sensibility, and not make the discovery you seek after?
Reflect, what a task is mine, thus to lay disagreeable truths plainly before you.--To hear it pronounced, that Lord and Lady Darcey are the happiest couple on earth, is the hope that has pushed me on to this unpleasing office.
Bridgman is just set out for town.--I am charg'd with a profusion of respects, thanks, &c. &c. &c. which, if you have the least oeconomy, will serve for him, and
Your very humble servant,
MOLESWORTH.
Lord DARCEY to the Honourable GEORGE MOLESWORTH.
DARCEY.
The Honourable GEORGE MOLESWORTH to Lord DARCEY.
A servant with a white favour!--What can this mean?--
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