He stalked to the window, and never a word answered he.

Pray, Lady L——­, be so good as to ask my Lord G——­ if he has dined? 
Was not this very condescending, on such a behaviour?

Lady L——­ asked him; and as gently-voiced as if she were asking the same question of her own lord.  Lady L——­ is a kind-hearted soul, Harriet.  She is my sister.

I have not, madam, to Lady L——­, turning rudely from me, and, not very civilly, from her.  Ah! thought I, these men!  The more they are courted —­Wretches! to find their consequence in a woman’s meekness—­Yet, I could not forbear shewing mine.—­Nature, Harriet!  Who can resist constitution?

What stiff airs are these! approaching him.—­I do assure you, my lord, I shall not take this behaviour well; and put my hand on his arm.

I was served right.  Would you believe it?  The man shook off my condescending hand, by raising his elbow scornfully.  He really did!

Nay, then!—­I left him, and retired to my former seat.  I was vexed that it was Sunday:  I wanted a little harmony.

Lord and Lady L——­ both blamed me, by their looks; and my lady took my hand, and was leading me towards him.  I shewed a little reluctance:  and, would you have thought it? out of the drawing-room whipt my nimble lord, as if on purpose to avoid being moved by my concession.

I took my place again.

I beg of you, Charlotte, said Lady L——­, go to my lord.  You have used him ill.

When I think so, I will follow your advice, Lady L——.

And don’t you think so, Lady G——? said Lord L——.

What! for taking my own option how I would be dressed to-day?—­What! for deferring—­That moment in came my bluff lord—­Have I not, proceeded I, been forced to dine without him to-day?  Did he let me know what account I could give of his absence?  Or when he would return?—­And see, now, how angry he looks!

He traversed the room—­I went on—­Did he not shake off my hand, when I laid it, smiling, on his arm?  Would he answer me a question, which I kindly put to him, fearing he had not dined, and might be sick for want of eating?  Was I not forced to apply to Lady L——­ for an answer to my careful question, on his scornfully turning from me in silence?—­Might we not, if he had not gone out so abruptly, nobody knows where, have made the appearance his heart is so set upon?—­But now, indeed, it is too late.

Oons, madam! said he, and he kimboed his arms, and strutted up to me.  Now for a cuff, thought I. I was half afraid of it:  but out of the room again capered he.

Lord bless me, said I, what a passionate creature is this!

Lord and Lady L——­ both turned from me with indignation.  But no wonder if one, that they both did.  They are a silly pair; and I believe have agreed to keep each other in countenance in all they do.

But Emily affected me.  She sat before in one corner of the room, weeping; and just then ran to me, and, wrapping her arms about me, Dear, dear Lady G——­, said she, for Heaven’s sake, think of what our Miss Byron said; ‘Don’t jest away your own happiness.’  I don’t say who is in fault:  but, my dear lady, do you condescend.  It looks pretty in a woman to condescend.  Forgive me; I will run to my lord, and I will beg of him——­