The Earl of G---- and Lady Gertrude, as also Lord and Lady L----, went
away, not dissatisfied with Charlotte's compliance: she is the most
ungraciously graceful young woman I ever knew in her compliances. But
Lord G---- was to pay for all: she and I had got together in the study:
in bolted Lord G----, perhaps with too little ceremony. She coloured--
Hey-day, sir! Who expected you? His countenance immediately fell. He
withdrew precipitately. Fie, Charlotte! said I, recollect yourself--and
rising, stept to the door, My lord--calling after him.
He came back; but in a little ferment--I hoped, I hoped, madam, as you
were not in your own apartment, that I might, that I might have been--
Wherever ladies are by themselves, it is a lady's apartment, my lord,
said she, with a haughtiness that sat better on her features, than they
would upon almost any other woman's.
He looked, as if he knew not whether he should stay or go. Sit down, my
lord, said I; we are not particularly engaged. He came nearer, his hat
under his arm, bowing to her, who sat as stately as a princess on her
throne: but yet looked disobliged. You give yourself pretty airs, my
lord--don't you?
Pretty airs, madam!--Pretty airs!--By my soul, I think, madam--And with
such a glow in your face, madam--Taking his laced hat from under his arm,
and, with an earnest motion, swinging it backwards and forwards, as
unknowing what he did--
What, sir, am I to be buffetted, sir?--
He put his hat under his arm again--Buffetted, madam!--Would to
Heaven--
What has Heaven to do with your odd ways, Lord G----?
I beg pardon for intruding, madam--But I thought--
That you had a privilege, sir--But marriage itself, sir, shall not give
you a privilege to break into my retirements.
Pages:
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196