Upon my word, my dear, I should, I think, be glad to be entitled to such
an excuse: but I was really in earnest; and now take a little shame to
myself.
What charming ingenuousness in this lady!
She clasped her arms about me, and kissed my cheek again. I have but one
plea, said she, to make for myself; I could not have fallen into such an
error, (the example so recently given to the contrary,) had I not wished
you to be, before any woman in the world, Countess of D----. Noble
creature! No title can give you dignity. May your own wishes be
granted!
My cousin's eyes ran over with pleasure.
The countess asked, When I returned to Northamptonshire? I told her my
intention. She charged me to see her first. But can tell you, said she,
my lord shall not be present when you come: not once more will I trust
him in your company; and if he should steal a visit, unknown to me, let
not your cousin see him, Mrs. Reeves. He does indeed admire you, love.
I acknowledged, with a grateful heart, her goodness to me. She engaged
me to correspond with her when I got home. Her commands were an honour
done me, that I could not refuse myself. Her son, she smilingly told me,
should no more see my letters, than my person.
At her going away--I will tell you one thing, said she: I never before,
in a business which my heart was set upon, was so effectually silenced by
a precedent produced by myself in the same conversation.
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