She hates not Lord G——.  There is no man whom she prefers to him.  And in this respect, may perhaps, be upon a par with eight women out of twelve, who marry, and yet make not bad wives.

As she played with her passion till she lost it, she may be happy, if she will:  and since she intended to be, some time or other, Lady G——­, her brother was kind in persuading her to shorten her days of coquetting and teasing, and allow him to give her to Lord G——­ before he went abroad.

LETTER XXI

Miss Byron.—­In continuation
Wednesday, April 12.

Dr. Bartlett was so good as to breakfast with my cousins and me this morning.  He talks of setting out for Grandison-hall on Saturday or Monday next.  We have settled a correspondence; and he gives me hope, that he will make me a visit in Northamptonshire.  I know you will all rejoice to see him.

Emily came in before the doctor went.  She brought me the compliments of the bride, and Lord W——­, with their earnest request, that I would dine with them.  Sir Charles was gone, she said, to make a farewell visit to the Danby set; but would be at home at dinner.

It would be better for me, I think, Lucy, to avoid all opportunities of seeing him:  Don’t you think so?—­There is no such thing as seeing him with indifference.  But, so earnestly invited, how could I deny; especially as my cousins were inclinable to go?

Miss Jervois whispered me at parting.  I never before, said she, had an opportunity to observe the behaviour of a new-married couple to each other:  but is it customary, madam, for the bride to be more snappish, as the bridegroom is more obliging?

Lady G——­ is very naughty, my dear, if she so behaves, as to give you reason to ask this question.

She does:  and, upon my word, I see more obedience where it was not promised, than where it was.  Dear madam, is not what is said at church to be thought of afterwards?  But why did not the doctor make her speak out?  What signified bowing, except a woman was so bashful that she could not speak?

The bowing, my dear, is an assent.  It is as efficacious as words.  Lord G——­ only bowed, you know.  Could you like to be called upon, Emily, to speak out?

Why, no.  But then I would be very civil and good-natured to my husband, if it were but for fear he should be cross to me:  but I should think it my duty as well

Sweet innocent!

She went away, and left the doctor with me.

When our hearts are set upon a particular subject, how impertinent, how much beside the purpose, do we think every other!  I wanted the doctor to talk of Sir Charles Grandison:  but as he fell not into the subject, and as I was afraid he would think me to be always leading him into it, if I began it, I suffered him to go away at his first motion:  I never knew him so shy upon it, however.