Evelina | Page 9

observe, with great satisfaction, a growing affection between this
amiable girl and my grand-daughter, whose heart is as free from
selfishness or conceit, as that of her young friend is from all guile.
Their regard may be mutually useful, since much is to be expected from
emulation where nothing is to be feared from envy. I would have them
love each other as sisters, and reciprocally supply the place of that
tender and happy relationship to which neither of them has a natural
claim.
Be satisfied, my good Sir, that your child shall meet with the same
attention as our own. We all join in most hearty wishes for your health
and happiness, and in returning our sincere thanks for the favour you
have conferred on us. I am, dear Sir, Your most faithful servant, M.
HOWARD.
LETTER VII
LADY HOWARD TO THE REV. MR. VILLARS Howard Grove,
March 26.
BE not alarmed, my worthy friend, at my so speedily troubling you

again; I seldom use the ceremony of waiting for answers, or writing
with any regularity, and I have at present immediate occasion for
begging your patience.
Mrs. Mirvan has just received a letter from her long absent husband,
containing the welcome news of his hoping to reach London by the
beginning of next week. My daughter and the Captain have been
separated almost seven years, and it would therefore be needless to say
what joy, surprise, and consequently confusion, his at present
unexpected return has caused at Howard Grove. Mrs. Mirvan, you
cannot doubt, will go instantly to town to meet him; her daughter is
under a thousand obligations to attend her; I grieve that her mother
cannot.
And now, my good Sir, I almost blush to proceed;-but, tell me, may I
ask-will you permit-that your child may accompany them? Do not think
us unreasonable, but consider the many inducements which conspire to
make London the happiest place at present she can be in. The joyful
occasion of the journey; the gaiety of the whole party, opposed to the
dull life she must lead, if left here with a solitary old woman for her
sole companion, while she so well knows the cheerfulness and felicity
enjoyed by the rest of the family,-are circumstances that seem to merit
your consideration. Mrs. Mirvan desires me to assure you that one
week is all she asks, as she is certain that the Captain, who hates
London, will be eager to revisit Howard Grove; and Maria is so very
earnest in wishing to have the company of her friend, that, if you are
inexorable, she will be deprived of half the pleasure she otherwise
hopes to receive.
However, I will not, my good Sir, deceive you into an opinion that they
intend to live in a retired manner, as that cannot be fairly expected. But
you have no reason to be uneasy concerning Madame Duval; she has
not any correspondent in England, and obtains no intelligence but by
common report. She must be a stranger to the name your child bears;
and, even should she hear of this excursion, so short a time as a week or
less spent in town upon so particular an occasion, though previous to
their meeting, cannot be construed into disrespect to herself.

Mrs. Mirvan desires me to assure you, that if you will oblige her, her
two children shall equally share her time and her attention. She has sent
a commission to a friend in town to take a house for her; and while she
waits for an answer concerning it, I shall for one from you to our
petition. However, your child is writing herself; and that, I doubt not,
will more avail than all we can possible urge.
My daughter desires her best compliments to you if, she says, you will
grant her request but not else.
Adieu, my dear Sir, we all hope every thing from your goodness. M.
HOWARD.
LETTER VIII
EVELINA TO THE REV. MR. VILLARS Howard Grove, March 26.
THIS house seems to be the house of joy; every face wears a smile, and
a laugh is at every body's service. It is quite amusing to walk about and
see the general confusion; a room leading to the garden is fitting up for
Captain Mirvan's study. Lady Howard does not sit a moment in a place;
Miss Mirvan is making caps; every body so busy!-such flying from
room to room!-so many orders given, and retracted, and given again!
nothing but hurry and perturbation.
Well but, my dear Sir, I am desired to make a request to you. I hope
you will not think me an encroacher; Lady Howard insists upon my
writing!-yet I hardly know how to go on; a petition implies a want and
have you left me one? No, indeed.