Bartlett's grave face: Emily
standing aloof; her finger in her eye: and now my Harriet renouncing me:
and all in one week!
What can I do?--War seems to be declared: and will you not turn
mediatrix?--You won't, you say. Let it alone. Nevertheless, I will lay
the whole matter before you.
It was last night, the week from the wedding-day not completed, that Lord
G---- thought fit to break into my retirement without my leave--By the
way, he was a little impertinent at dinner-time; but that I passed
over--
What boldness is this? said I--Pray, Sir, begone--Why leave you your
company below?
I come, my dearest life! to make a request to you.
The man began with civility enough, had he had a little less of his
odious rapture; for he flung his arms about me, Jenny in presence. A
husband's fondness is enough to ruin these girls. Don't you think,
Harriet, that there is an immorality in it, before them?
I refuse your request, be it what it will. How dare you invade me in my
retirement?--You may believe, that I intended not to stay long above, my
sister below. Does the ceremony, so lately past, authorize want of
breeding?
Want of breeding, madam!--And he did so stare!
Leave me, this instant!--I looked good-natured, I suppose, in my anger;
for he declared he would not; and again throwing his arms about me as I
sat, joined his sharp face to mine, and presumed to kiss me; Jenny still
in the room.
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