I am just returned from St. James's-square.
But, first, I should tell you, that I had a visit from Lady Olivia and
Lady Maffei. Our conversation was in Italian and French. Lady Olivia
and I had a quarter of an hour's discourse in private: you may guess at
our subject. She is not without that tenderness of heart which is the
indispensable characteristic of a woman. She lamented the violence of
her temper, in a manner so affecting, that I cannot help pitying her,
though at the instant I had in my head a certain attempt, that makes me
shudder whenever I think of it. She regrets my going to Northamptonshire
so soon. I have promised to return her visit to-morrow in the afternoon.
She sets out on Friday next for Oxford. She wished I could accompany
her. She resolves to see all that is worth seeing in the western
circuit, as I may call it. She observes, she says, that Sir Charles
Grandison's sisters, and their lords, are very particularly engaged at
present; and are in expectation of a call to Windsor, to attend Lord
W----'s nuptials: she will therefore, having attendants enough, and two
men of consideration in her train, one of whom is not unacquainted with
England, take cursory tours over the kingdom; having a taste for
travelling, and finding it a great relief to her spirits: and when Lady
L---- and Lady G---- are more disengaged, will review the seats and
places which she shall think worthy of a second visit, in their company.
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