What I have observed as
well as heard of Miss Mansfield's temper and goodness, is the principal
motive of my application to her, in preference to all the women I know.
But permit me to say, that were your affections engaged to the lowest
honest man on earth, I would not wish for your favour to my Lord W----.
And, further, if, madam, you think you should have but the shadow of a
hope, to induce your compliance, that my Lord's death would be more
agreeable to you than his life, then would I not, for your morality's
sake, wish you to engage. In a word, I address myself to you, Miss
Mansfield, as to a woman of honour and conscience: if your conscience
bids you doubt, reject the proposal; and this not only for my lord's
sake, but for your own.
Consider, if, without too great a force upon your inclinations, you can
behave with that condescension and indulgence to a man who has hastened
advanced age upon himself, which I have thought from your temper I might
hope.
I have said a great deal, because you, ladies, were silent; and because
explicitness in every case becomes the proposer. Give me leave to
withdraw for a few moments.
I withdrew, accordingly, to the brothers and sister. I did not think I
ought to mention to them the proposal I had made: it might perhaps have
engaged them all in its favour, as it was of such evident advantage to
the whole family; and that might have imposed a difficulty on the lady,
that neither for her own sake, nor my lord's, it would have been just to
lay upon her.
Pages:
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93