Barford Abbey | Page 6

lad,
who seems to promise he will inherit their good qualities.
That which you see so surrounded with woods, is Sir Thomas Slater's, a
batchelor of fifty-five; and, let me tell you, fair Lady, the pursuit of
every girl in the neighbourhood;--his estate a clear nine thousand a-year,
and--Hold, hold, interrupted Lord Darcey, in compassion to us young
fellows, say no more of this redoubtable batchelor.
Well then, continued Sir James, since my Lord will have it so,--let me
draw your eye, Miss Warley, from Sir Thomas Slater's, and fix it on
Lord Allen's: Observe the situation!--Nothing can be more beautiful,
the mind of its owner excepted.
That house on the left is Mr. Winter's.--Chance!--_Strange
chance!_--has just put him in possession of an immense fortune, with
which he is going to purchase a coronet for his daughter.--The fellow
does not know what to do with his money, and has at last found an ape
of quality, that will take it off his hands.
In this manner was Sir James characterising his neighbours, when a
sudden and violent storm descended.--Half a mile from the
_Dairy-house_, the rain fell in such torrents, that we were wet through,
before a friendly oak offer'd us its shelter.--Never shall I forget my own
or Lord Darcey's figure: he stripp'd himself of his coat, and would have
thrown it over Lady Powis. Her Ladyship absolutely refusing it, her
cloak being thick, mine the reverse, he forc'd it upon me. Sir James a
assisting to put my arms into the sleeves.--Nor was I yet enough of the
amazon:--they even compell'd me to exchange my hat for his, lapping it,
about my ears.--What a strange _metamorphose!_--I cannot think of it
without laughing!--To complete the scene, no exchange could be made,
till we reach'd the Abbey.--In this droll situation, we waited for the
coach; and getting, in, streaming from head to toe, it more resembled a
bathing machine, than any other vehicle.

A gentleman, who, after a chace of ten hours, had taken shelter under
the roof of Sir James, was, at our return, stamping up and down, the
vestibule, disappointed both in his sport and dinner, shew'd an aspect
cloudy as the heavens.--My mortification was scarce supportable, when
I heard him roar out, in a voice like thunder, _What the devil have we
here?_--I sprang to the top of the stairs in a moment,--there stopp'd to
fetch breath; and again the same person, who had so genteelly accosted
me, said to Lord Darcey,--Great improvements, upon my soul!--You
are return'd a mighty pretty Miss.--What, is this the newest dress at
Turin?--I heard no more; her Ladyship's woman came and shew'd me to
an apartment,--bringing from her Lady's wardrobe a chints négligée,
and a suit of flower'd muslin; in which I was soon equipp'd.
Lady Powis sent to desire I would come to her dressing room; and,
embracing me as I entered, said, with, an air of charming freedom, If
you are not hurt, my dear, by our little excursion, I shall be quite in
spirits this evening.
I am only hurt by your Ladyship's goodness. Indeed, return'd she, I
have not a close heart, but no one ever found so quick a passage to it as
yourself.--Oh! Lady Mary, this is surely a heart like yours!--A heart
like Mrs. Whitmore's!--Was you not surpris'd, my dear, continued her
Ladyship, to be so accosted by the gentleman below?--Take no notice
of what is said by Mr. Morgan.--that is his name;--he means well, and
never goes into any person's house, but where his oddities are
indulg'd.--I am particularly civil to him; he was an old school-fellow of
Sir James's, one whose purse was always open to him.--Sir James, Miss
Warley, was rather addicted to extravagance in the beginning of his
life;--that, in some respects, is revers'd latterly.--I have been a
sufferer,--yet is he a tender generous husband. One day you shall know
more.--I had a son, Miss Warley--Here Sir James interrupted her.--I
come to tell you, said he, that Lord Darcey and myself are impatient for
our tea.
O fie! Sir James, return'd Lady Powis, talk of impatience before an
unmarried Lady!--If you go on at this rate, you will frighten her from
any connection with your sex.--Not at all,--not at all, said Sir James;

you take us for better for worse.--See there, Miss Warley smiles.--I
warrant she does not think my impatience unseasonable.--I was going
to reply, but effectually stopped by her Ladyship, who said, taking my
hand, Come, my dear, let us go down.--I am fond of finding excuses for
Sir James; we will suppose it was not he who was impatient:--we will
suppose the impatience to be Lord Darcey's.
Whilst regaling ourselves at the tea table, Mr. Morgan was in the
dining-parlour, brightening up his features by the assitance of the