LORD G. Miss Byron, give me leave--
LADY G. Lord bless me! that people are so fond of exposing themselves!
Had you taken my advice, when you pursued me out of my dressing-room into
company--My lord, said I, as mildly as I now speak, Don't expose
yourself. But he was not at all the wiser for my advice.
LORD G. Miss Byron, you see--But I had not come down but to make my
compliments to you. He bowed, and was about to withdraw.
I took him by the sleeve--My lord, you must not go. Lady G----, if your
own heart justifies you for your part in this misunderstanding, say so; I
challenge you to say so.--She was silent.
HAR. If otherwise, own your fault, promise amendment--ask pardon.
LADY G. Hey-day!
HAR. And my lord will ask yours, for mistaking you--For being too
easily provoked--
LORD G. Too easily, madam--
HAR. What generous man would not smile at the foibles of a woman whose
heart is only gay with prosperity and lively youth; but has not the least
malice in it? Has not she made choice of your lordship in preference of
any other man? She rallies every one; she can't help it: she is to
blame.--Indeed, Lady G----, you are. Your brother felt your edge; he
once smarted by it, and was angry with you.--But afterwards, observing
that it was her way, my lord; that it was a kind of constitutional gaiety
of heart, and exercised on those she loved best; he forgave, rallied her
again, and turned her own weapons upon her; and every one in company was
delighted with the spirit of both.
Pages:
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316