Barford Abbey | Page 8

the other day?--Was Miss Warley a girl of fortune, I should think her born for you, Darcey.--As that is not the case,--take care of your heart, my Lord.--She will never attempt to drag you into scrapes:--your little favourite robin, that us'd to peck from your hand, has not less guile.
No! he will never consent;--I must only think of friendship.
Lady Powis doats on this paragon of beauty: scarce within their walls,--when she was mention'd with such a just profusion of praises, as fill'd me with impatience.--Lady Powis is a heavenly woman.--You do not laugh;--many would, for supposing any of that sex heavenly after fifty.--The coach is this moment going for Miss Warley;--it waits only for me;--I am often her conductor.--Was you first minister of state,--I the humble suitor whose bread depended on your favour,--not one line more, even to express my wants.
Twelve o'clock, at night.
Our fair visitor just gone;--just gone home with Edmund.--What an officious fool, to take him in the carriage, and prevent myself from a pleasure I envy him for.--I am not in spirits;--I can write no more;--perhaps the next post:--but I will promise nothing.
I am, _&c. &c._
DARCEY.

LETTER V.
The Honourable GEORGE MOLESWORTH to LORD DARCEY.
Bath.
Confound your friendships!--Friendship indeed!--What! up head and ears in love, and not know it.--So it is necessary for every woman you think capable of friendship, to have fine eyes, fine hair, a bewitching smile, and a neck delicately turn'd.--Have not I the highest opinion of my cousin Dolly's sincerity?--Do I not think her very capable of _friendship?_--Yet, poor soul, her eyes are planted so deep, it requires good ones to discover she has any.--Such a hand, George!--Such a hand, Darcey!--Why, Lady Dorothy too has hands; I am often enough squeez'd by them:--though hard as a horse's hoof, and the colour of tanned leather, I hold her capable of friendship.--Neck she has none,--smile she has none! yet need I the determination of another, to tell me whether my regard for her proceeds from love or _friendship?_--Awake,--Awake, Darcey,--Awake:--Have you any value for your own peace?--have you any for that of Miss Warley's? If so, leave Barford Abbey.--Should you persist in loving her, for love her I know you do?--Should the quiet of such an amiable woman as you describe be at stake? To deal plainly, I will come down and propose the thing myself.--No sword,--no pistol. I mean not for myself, but one whose happiness is dear to me as my own.
Suppose your estate is but two thousand a-year, are you so fond of shew and equipage, to barter real felicity for baubles?--I am angry,--so angry, that it would not grieve me to see you leading to the altar an old hobbling dowager without a tooth.--Be more yourself,
And I am yours,
MOLESWORTH.

LETTER VI
Lord DARCEY to the Honourable GEORGE MOLESWORTH.
Barford Abbey,
Angry!--You are really angry!--Well, I too am angry with myself.--I do love Miss Warley;--but why this to you?--Your penetration has already discover'd it.--Yet, O Molesworth! such insurmountable obstacles:--no declaration can be made,--at least whilst I continue in this neighbourhood.
Sir James would rave at my imprudence.--Lady Powis, whatever are her sentiments, must give them up to his opinion.--Inevitably I lose the affection of persons I have sacredly--promised to obey,--sacredly.--Was not my promise given to a dying father?--Miss Warley has no tye; yet, by the duty she observes to Sir James and Lady Powis, you would think her bound by the strongest cords of nature.
Scarce a moment from her:--at Jenkings's every morning;--on foot if good weather,--else in the coach for the convenience of bringing her with me.--I am under no constraint:--Sir James and her Ladyship seem not the least suspicious: this I much wonder at, in the former particularly.
In my _t��te-��-t��tes_ with Miss Warley, what think you are our subjects?--Chiefly divinity, history, and geography.--Of these studies she knows more than half the great men who have wrote for ages past.--On a taste for the two latter I once prided myself.--An eager pursuit for the former springs up in my mind, whilst conversing with her, like a plant long hid in the earth, and called out by the appearance of a summer's sun.--This sun must shine at Faulcon Park;--without it all will be dreary:--yet how can I draw it thither?--_Edmund_--but why should I fear _Edmund?_
Will you, or will you not, meet your old friend Finch here next Wednesday?--Be determined in your answer.--I have suspence enough on my hands to be excused from any on your account.--Sir James thinks it unkind you have not called on him since I left England;--hasten therefore to make up matters with the baronet,--Need I say the pleasure I shall have in shaking you by the hand?
DARCEY.

LETTER VII.
The Hon. GEORGE MOLESWORTH to Lord DARCEY.
Bath.
Wednesday next you shall see me,--positively you shall.--Bridgman will be of the party.
I propose an immensity of satisfaction from this visit.--Forbid it, heaven! Miss Warley's