I may, I hope, Harriet--If you please, madam, said I.
If you please, madam, repeated she; and with that do-lo-rous accent too,
my Harriet!--My sister and I have been in tears this morning: Lord L----
had much ado to forbear. Sir Charles will soon leave us.
It can't be helped, Charlotte. Did you dine to-day in St.
James's-square?
No, indeed!--My brother had a certain tribe with him; and the woman also.
It is very difficult, I believe, Harriet, for good people to forbear
doing sometimes more than goodness requires of them.
Could you not, Charlotte, have sat at table with them for one hour or
two?
My brother did not ask me. He did not expect it. He gives every body
their choice, you know. He told me last night who were to dine with him
to-day, and supposed I would choose to dine with Lady L----, or with you,
he was so free as to say.
He did us an honour, which you thought too great a one. But if he had
asked you, Charlotte--
Then I should have bridled. Indeed, I asked him, if he did not over-do
it?
What was his answer?
Perhaps he might--But I, said he, may never see Mrs. Oldham again. I
want to inform myself of her future intentions, with a view (over-do it
again, Charlotte!) to make her easy and happy for life. Her children are
in the world. I want to give her a credit that will make her remembered
by them, as they grow up, with duty.
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