Had I not been told it, I should have
been sure that she has a violent spirit: but on the whole, she is a very
fine figure of a woman.
She talked of taking a house, and staying in England a year at least; and
was determined, she said, to perfect herself in the language, and to
become an Englishwoman: but when Sir Charles, in the way of discourse,
mentioned his obligation to leave England, as on next Friday morning, how
did she and her aunt look upon each other! And how was the sunshine that
gilded her fine countenance, shut in! Surely, sir, said her aunt, you
are not in earnest!
After dinner, the two ladies retired with Sir Charles, at his motion.
Dr. Bartlett, at Lady G----'s request, then gave us this short sketch of
her history. He said, she had a vast fortune: she had had indiscretions;
but none that had affected her character as to virtue: but her spirit
could not bear control. She had shewn herself to be vindictive, even to
a criminal degree. Lord bless me, my dear! the doctor has mentioned to
me in confidence, that she always carries a poniard about her; and that
once she used it. Had the person died, she would have been called to
public account for it. The man, it seems, was of rank, and offered some
slight affront to her. She now comes over, the doctor said, as he had
reason to believe, with a resolution to sacrifice even her religion, if
it were insisted upon, to the passion she had so long in vain endeavoured
to conquer.
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