by Jane Austen
The next day while we were at dinner Lady Greville’s Coach stopped at the door, for that is the time of day she generally contrives it should. She sent in a message by the Servant to say that ‘she should not get out but that Miss Maria must come to the Coach-door, as she wanted to speak to her, and that she must make haste & come immediately—’ ‘What an impertinent Message Mama!’ said I—‘Go Maria—’ replied She—Accordingly I went & was obliged to stand there at her Ladyships pleasure though the Wind was extremely high and very cold.
‘Why I think Miss Maria you are not quite so smart as you were last night—But I did not come to examine your dress, but to tell you that you may dine with us the day after tomorrow—Not tomorrow, remember, do not come tomorrow, for we expect Lord and Lady Clermont & Sir Thomas Stanley’s family—There will be no occasion for your being very fine for I shant send the Carriage—If it rains you may take an umbrella*—’ I could hardly help laughing at hearing her give me leave to keep myself dry—‘And pray remember to be in time, for I shant wait—I hate my Victuals over-done—But you need not come before the time—How does your Mother do—? She is at dinner is not she?’ ‘Yes Ma’am we were in the middle of dinner when your Ladyship came.’ ‘I am afraid you find it very cold Maria.’ said Ellen. ‘Yes, it is an horrible East wind—said her Mother—I assure you I can hardly bear the window down—But you are used to be blown about by the wind Miss Maria & that is what has made your Complexion so ruddy & coarse. You young Ladies who cannot often ride in a Carriage never mind what weather you trudge in, or how the wind shews your legs.* I would not have my Girls stand out of doors as you do in such a day as this. But some sort of people have no feelings either of cold or Delicacy—Well, remember that we shall expect you on Thursday at 5 o’clock—You must tell your Maid to come for you at night—There will be no Moon—and you will have an horrid walk home—My Compts to your Mother—I am afraid your dinner will be cold—Drive on—’ And away she went, leaving me in a great passion with her as she always does.
Maria Williams
Letter the fourth
From a young Lady rather impertinent to her freind.
We dined yesterday with Mr Evelyn where we were introduced to a very agreable looking Girl his Cousin. I was extremely pleased with her appearance, for added to the charms of an engaging face, her manner & voice had something peculiarly interesting in them. So much so, that they inspired me with a great curiosity to know the history of her Life, who were her Parents, where she came from, and what had befallen her,* for it was then only known that she was a relation of Mr Evelyn, and that her name was Grenville.* In the evening a favourable opportunity offered to me of attempting at least to know what I wished to know, for every one played at Cards but Mrs Evelyn, My Mother, Dr Drayton, Miss Grenville and myself, and as the two former were engaged in a whispering Conversation,* & the Doctor fell asleep, we were of necessity obliged to entertain each other. This was what I wished and being determined not to remain in ignorance for want of asking, I began the Conversation in the following Manner.
‘Have you been long in Essex Ma’am?’
‘I arrived on Tuesday.’
‘You came from Derbyshire?’
‘No Ma’am—! appearing surprised at my question, from Suffolk.’* You will think this a good dash* of mine my dear Mary, but you know that I am not wanting for Impudence when I have any end in veiw. ‘Are you pleased with the Country Miss Grenville? Do you find it equal to the one you have left?’
‘Much superior Ma’am in point of Beauty.’ She sighed. I longed to know for why.
‘But the face of any Country however beautiful said I, can be but a poor consolation for the loss of one’s dearest Freinds.’ She shook her head, as if she felt the truth of what I said. My Curiosity was so much raised, that I was resolved at any rate to satisfy it.
‘You regret having left Suffolk then Miss Grenville?’ ‘Indeed I do.’ ‘You were born there I suppose?’ ‘Yes Ma’am I was & passed many happy years there—’
‘That is a great comfort—said I—I hope Ma’am that you never spent any unhappy one’s there.’
‘Perfect Felicity is not the property of Mortals, & no one has a right to expect uninterrupted Happiness*—Some Misfortunes I have certainly met with—’
‘What Misfortunes dear Ma’am?’ replied I, burning with impatience to know every thing. ‘None Ma’am I hope that have been the effect of any wilfull fault in me.’ ‘I dare say not Ma’am; & have no doubt but that any sufferings you may have experienced could arise only from the cruelties of Relations or the Errors of Freinds.’ She sighed—‘You seem unhappy, my dear Miss Grenville—Is it in my power to soften your Misfortunes.’ ‘Your power Ma’am replied she extremely surprised; it is in no ones power to make me happy.’ She pronounced these words in so mournfull & solemn an accent, that for some time I had not courage to reply. I was actually silenced. I recovered myself however in a few moments & looking at her with all the affection I could, ‘My dear Miss Grenville said I, you appear extremely young—& may probably stand in need of some one’s advice whose regard for you, joined to superior Age, perhaps superior Judgement might authorise her to give it—. I am that person, & I now challenge you to accept the offer I make you of my Confidence and Freindship, in return to which I shall only ask for yours—’
‘You are extremely obliging Ma’am—said She—& I am highly flattered by your attention to me—. But I am in no difficulty, no doubt, no uncertainty of situation in which any Advice can be wanted. Whenever I am however continued she brightening into a complaisant smile, I shall know where to apply.’
I bowed, but felt a good deal mortified by such a repulse; Still however I had not given up my point. I found that by the appearance of Sentiment & Freindship nothing was to be gained & determined therefore to renew my Attacks by Questions & Suppositions.
‘Do you intend staying long in this part of England Miss Grenville?’
‘Yes Ma’am, some time I beleive.’
‘But how will Mr & Mrs Grenville bear your Absence?’
‘They are neither of them alive Ma’am.’
This was an answer I did not expect—I was quite silenced, & never felt so awkward in my Life—.
Letter the fifth
From a Young Lady very much in love to her Freind.
My Uncle gets more stingy, my Aunt more particular, & I more in love every day. What shall we all be at this rate by the end of the year! I had this morning the happiness of receiving the following Letter from my dear Musgrove.*
Sackville St.* Jan.ry 7th
It is a month to day since I first beheld my lovely Henrietta, & the sacred anniversary must & shall be kept in a manner becoming the day—by writing to her. Never shall I forget the moment when her Beauties first broke on my sight—No time as you well know can erase it from my Memory. It was at Lady Scudamores. Happy Lady Scudamore to live within a mile of the divine Henrietta! When the lovely Creature first entered the room, Oh! what were my sensations? The sight of you was like the sight of a wonderful fine Thing. I started—I gazed at her with Admiration—She appeared every moment more Charming, and the unfortunate Musgrove became a Captive to your Charms before I had time to look about me. Yes Madam, I had the happiness of adoring you, an happiness for which I cannot be too grateful. ‘What said he to himself is Musgrove allowed to die for Henrietta,? Enviable Mortal,! and may he pine for her who is the object of universal Admiration, who is adored by a Colonel, & toasted* by a Baronet!—’ Adorable Henrietta how beautiful you are! I declare you are quite divine! You are more than Mortal. You are an Angel. You are Venus herself.* Inshort Madam you are the prettiest Girl I ever saw in my Life—& her Beauty is encreased in her Musgrove’s Eyes, by permitting him to love her & allowing me to hope. And Ah! Angelic Miss Henrietta Heaven is my Witness how ardently I do hope for the death of your villanous Uncle & his Abandoned* Wife, Since my fair one, will not consent to be mine till their decease has placed her in affluence above what my fortune
can procure—. Though it is an improvable Estate*—. Cruel Henrietta to persist in such a resolution! I am at present with my Sister where I mean to continue till my own house which tho’ an excellent one is at present somewhat out of repair, is ready to receive me. Amiable princess of my Heart farewell—Of that Heart which trembles while it signs itself your most ardent Admirer
& devoted humble Serv.t
T. Musgrove
There is a pattern for a Love-letter* Matilda! Did you ever read such a masterpeice of Writing? Such Sense, Such Sentiment, Such purity of Thought, Such flow of Language & such unfeigned Love in one Sheet?* No, never I can answer for it, since a Musgrove is not to be met with by every Girl. Oh! how I long to be with him! I intend to send him the following in answer to his Letter tomorrow.
My dearest Musgrove——. Words cannot express how happy your Letter made me; I thought I should have cried for Joy, for I love you better than any body in the World. I think you the most amiable, & the handsomest Man in England, & so to be sure you are. I never read so sweet a Letter in my Life. Do write me another just like it, & tell me you are in love with me in every other line. I quite die to see you. How shall we manage to see one another—? for we are so much in love that we cannot live asunder. Oh! my dear Musgrove you cannot think how impatiently I wait for the death of my Uncle and Aunt—If they will not die soon, I beleive I shall run mad,* for I get more in love with you every day of my Life. How happy your Sister is to enjoy the pleasure of your Company in her house, and how happy every body in London must be because you are there. I hope you will be so kind as to write to me again soon, for I never read such sweet Letters as yours. I am my dearest Musgrove most truly & faithfully Yours for ever & ever*
Henrietta Halton——
I hope he will like my answer; it is as good a one as I can write, though nothing to his; Indeed I had always heard what a dab* he was at a Love-letter. I saw him you know for the first time at Lady Scudamore’s—And when I saw her Ladyship afterwards she asked me how I liked her Cousin Musgrove?
‘Why upon my word said I, I think he is a very handsome young Man.’
‘I am glad you think so replied she, for he is distractedly in love with you.’
‘Law! Lady Scudamore said I, how can you talk so ridiculously?’
‘Nay, t’is very true answered She, I assure you, for he was in love with you from the first moment he beheld you.’
‘I wish it may be true said I, for that is the only kind of love I would give a farthing for*—There is some Sense in being in love at first sight.’
‘Well, I give you Joy of your conquest, replied Lady Scudamore, and I beleive it to have been a very complete one; I am sure it is not a contemptible one, for my Cousin is a charming young fellow, has seen a great deal of the World, & writes the best Love-letters I ever read.’
This made me very happy, and I was excessively pleased with my conquest. However I thought it was proper to give myself a few Airs—So I said to her—
‘This is all very pretty Lady Scudamore, but you know that we young Ladies who are Heiresses must not throw ourselves away upon Men who have no fortune at all.’
‘My dear Miss Halton said She, I am as much convinced of that as you can be, and I do assure you that I should be the last person to encourage your marrying any one who had not some pretensions to expect a fortune with you. Mr Musgrove is so far from being poor that he has an estate of Several hundreds an year* which is capable of great Improvement, and an excellent House, though at present it is not quite in repair.’
‘If that is the case replied I, I have nothing more to say against him, and if as you say he is an informed young Man and can write good Love-letters, I am sure I have no reason to find fault with him for admiring me, tho’ perhaps I may not marry him for all that Lady Scudamore.’
‘You are certainly under no obligation to marry him answered her Ladyship, except that which love himself will dictate to you, for if I am not greatly mistaken you are at this very moment unknown to yourself, cherishing a most tender affection for him.’
‘Law, Lady Scudamore replied I blushing how can you think of such a thing?’
‘Because every look, every word betrays it, answered She; Come my dear Henrietta, consider me as a freind, and be sincere with me—Do not you prefer Mr Musgrove to any man of your acquaintance?’
‘Pray do not ask me such questions Lady Scudamore, said I turning away my head, for it is not fit for me to answer them.’
‘Nay my Love replied she, now you confirm my suspicions. But why Henrietta should you be ashamed to own a well-placed Love, or why refuse to confide in me?’
‘I am not ashamed to own it; said I taking Courage. I do not refuse to confide in you or blush to say that I do love your cousin Mr Musgrove, that I am sincerely attached to him, for it is no disgrace to love a handsome Man. If he were plain indeed I might have had reason to be ashamed of a passion which must have been mean since the Object would have been unworthy. But with such a figure & face, & such beautiful hair as your Cousin has, why should I blush to own that such Superior Merit has made an impression on me.’
‘My sweet Girl (said Lady Scudamore embracing me with great Affection) what a delicate way of thinking you have in these Matters, and what a quick discernment for one of your years! Oh! how I honour you for such Noble Sentiments!’
‘Do you Ma’am,? said I; you are vastly obliging. But pray Lady Scudamore did your Cousin himself tell you of his Affection for me? I shall like him the better if he did, for what is a Lover without a Confidante?’
‘Oh! my Love replied She, you were born for each other. Every word you say more deeply convinces me that your Minds are actuated by the invisible power of simpathy, for your opinions and Sentiments so exactly coincide. Nay, the colour of your Hair is not very different. Yes my dear Girl, the poor despairing Musgrove did reveal to me the story of his Love—. Nor was I surprised at it—I know not how it was, but I had a kind of presentiment that he would be in love with you.’
‘Well, but how did he break it to you?’
‘It was not till after Supper. We were sitting round the fire together talking on indifferent subjects, though to say the truth the Conversation was cheifly on my side for he was thoughtful and silent, when on a sudden he interrupted me in the midst of something I was saying, by exclaiming in a most Theatrical tone—
Yes I’m in love I feel it now
And Henrietta Halton has undone me*—’
‘Oh! What a sweet Way replied I, of declaring his Passion! To make such a couple of charming Lines about me! What a pity it is that they are not in rhime!’
‘I am very glad you like it answered She; To be sure there was a great deal of Taste in it. And are you in love with her, Cousin?, said I, I am very sorry for it, for unexceptionable as you are in every respect, with a pretty Estate capable of Great improvements, and an excellent House tho’ somewhat out of repair, Yet who can hope to aspire with success to the adorable Henrietta who has had an offer from a Colonel & been toasted by a Baronet’—‘That I have—’ cried I. Lady Scudamore continued. ‘Ah dear Cousin replied he, I am so well convinced of the little Chance I can have of winning her who is adored by thousands, that I need no assurances of yours to make me more thoroughly so. Yet surely neither you or the fair Henrietta herself will deny me the exquisite Gratification of dieing for her, of falling a victim to her Charms. And when I am dead’—continued he—
‘Oh Lady Scudamore, said I wiping my eyes, that such a sweet Creature should talk of dieing!’
‘It is an affecting Circumstance indeed,’ replied Lady Scudamore. ‘When I am dead said he, Let me be carried & lain at her feet, & perhaps She may not disdain to drop a pitying tear on my poor remains.’
‘Dear Lady Scudamore interrupted I, say no more on this affecting Subject. I cannot bear it.’
‘Oh! how I admire the sweet Sensibility of your Soul, and as I would not for Worlds wound it too deeply, I will be silent.’
‘Pray go
on.’ said I. She did so.
‘And then added he, Ah! Cousin imagine what my transports will be when I feel the dear precious drops trickle o’er my face! Who would not die to taste such extacy! And when I am interred, may the divine Henrietta bless some happier Youth with her affection, May he be as tenderly attached to her as the hapless Musgrove & while he crumbles to dust, May they live an example of Felicity in the Conjugal state!’
Did you ever hear any thing so pathetic? What a charming wish, to be lain at my feet when he was dead! Oh! what an exalted mind he must have to be capable of Such a wish! Lady Scudamore went on.
‘Ah! my dear Cousin replied I to him, such noble behaviour as this, must melt the heart of any Woman however obdurate it may naturally be; and could the divine Henrietta but hear your generous wishes for her happiness, all gentle as is her Mind, I have not a doubt but that she would pity your affection & endeavour to return it.’ ‘Oh! Cousin answered he, do not endeavour to raise my hopes by such flattering Assurances. No, I cannot hope to please this angel of a Woman, and the only thing which remains for me to do, is to die.’ ‘True Love is ever desponding replied I, but I my dear Tom will give you even greater hopes of conquering this fair one’s heart, than I have yet given you, by assuring you that I watched her with the strictest attention during the whole day, and could plainly discover that she cherishes in her bosom though unknown to herself, a most tender affection for you.’
‘Dear Lady Scudamore cried I, This is more than I ever knew!’
‘Did not I say that it was unknown to yourself? I did not, continued I to him, encourage you by saying this at first, that Surprise might render the pleasure Still Greater.’ ‘No Cousin replied he in a languid voice, nothing will convince me that I can have touched the heart of Henrietta Halton, and if you are deceived yourself, do not attempt deceiving me.’ ‘Inshort my Love it was the work of some hours for me to persuade the poor despairing Youth that you had really a preference for him; but when at last he could no longer deny the force of my arguments, or discredit what I told him, his transports, his Raptures, his Extacies are beyond my power to describe.’
