Lady Olivia expressed herself concerned, that she, in particular, was to
lose me. She had proposed great pleasure, she said, in the parties she
should make in my company. But, after what Emily told me, she appears to
me as a Medusa; and were I to be thought by her a formidable rival, I
might have as much reason to be afraid of the potion, as the man she
loves of the poniard. Emily has kept the secret from every body but me.
And I rely on the inviolable secrecy of all you, my friends.
Lord and Lady L---- had designed to go to Colnebrook to-morrow, or at my
day, having hopes of getting me with them: but now, they say, they will
stay in town till they can see whether I am to be prevailed upon, or will
be obdurate.
Lady Olivia inquired after the distance of Northamptonshire. She will
make the tour of England, she says, and visit me there. I was obliged to
say I should take her visit as an honour.
Wicked politeness! Of how many falsehoods dost thou make the people, who
are called polite, guilty!
But there is one man in the world, who is remarkable for his truth, yet
is unquestionably polite. He censures not others for complying with
fashions established by custom; but he gives not in to them. He never
perverts the meaning of words. He never, for instance, suffers his
servants to deny him, when he is at home. If he is busy, he just finds
time to say he is, to unexpected visiters; and if they will stay, he
turns them over to his sisters, to Dr.
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