The Life and Letters of Maria Edgeworth, vol 2 | Page 9

as
Mrs. Brinkley's. Her hair cut short, and perfectly gray, as seen under
her cap; the rest of her face much too young for such gray locks, not at
all the hard weatherbeaten look that had been described to us; and
though her face and bundled form and dress, all squashed on a sofa, did
not at first promise much of gentility, you could not hear her speak or
see her for three minutes without perceiving that she was well-born and
well-bred. She had hurt her leg, which was the cause of her lying on the
sofa. It seemed a grievous penance, as she is of as active a temper as
ever. She says her health is perfect, but a nervous disease in her eyes
has nearly deprived her of sight--she could hardly see my face, though I
sat as close as I could go to the sofa.
"I am always sorry," said she, "when any stranger sees me, parceque je
sais que je détruis toute illusion. Je sais que je devrais avoir l'air d'une
héroine, et surtout que je devrais avoir l'air malheureuse ou épuisé an
moins--rien de tout cela, hélas!"
She is much better than a heroine--she is benevolence and truth itself.
She begged her daughters to take us into the salon to show us what she
thought would interest us. She apologised for the cold of these
rooms--and well she might; when the double doors were opened I really
thought Eolus himself was puffing in our faces; we shawled ourselves
well before we ventured in. At one end of the salon is a picture of M.
de Lescure, and at the other, of Henri de la Rochejacquelin, by Gérard
and Girardet, presents from the King. Fine military figures. In the
boudoir is one of M. de la Rochejacquelin, much the finest of all--she
has never yet looked at this picture. Far from being disappointed, I was
much gratified by this visit.
To MISS LUCY EDGEWORTH.
CALAIS, _Dec. 5, 1820_.

It is a great satisfaction to me, my dear Lucy, to feel that we are now so
much nearer to you, and that before I finish this little note we shall be
still nearer to you in the same United Kingdom, so that in eight days we
can have an answer to questions about you; what a difference from the
three long weeks we used to wait at Geneva.
And now, my dear Lucy, I must employ you to break to my mother an
important secret. Choose a proper time for speaking to her on the
subject, when she is not very busy, when her mind is at ease, that is,
when you are pretty well. My aunts and Honora may be in the room, if
you think proper. Begin by saying that I know both my mother and
Lovell are so kind and have such confidence in me that I am sure they
will not hastily object to the introduction of a new person into the
family, though they may perhaps feel a little surprised at hearing of my
having actually decided upon such a measure without writing first to
consult them. I have actually brought with me from Paris, and intend,
unless I am actually forbidden, to bring with me to Edgeworthstown, a
French washerwoman. I cannot expect that Lovell should build a house
for her, though I know he has long had it in contemplation to build a
laundry; but my little French woman does not require a house, she can
live in our house, if he and my mother, and my aunts please, and I will
engage that she shall give no sort of trouble, and shall cost nothing. She
is a sourde et muette, an elderly woman with a very good countenance,
always cheerful, and going on with her own business without minding
other people's. She was recommended to me by Madame François
Delessert, and has lived for some time in their family, much liked by all,
especially by the children, for whom she washed constantly, till one of
her legs was hurt, so that she cannot work now quite as well as
formerly. But still she washed so as to give general satisfaction. Fanny
and Harriet like her washing, and I am sure my aunts will like it and her
very much; and I think she might, till some other place be found for her,
sleep in my mother's dressing-room.
And here, my dear Lucy, I beg you will pause and hear what everybody
says about this washerwoman and this plan.
And after five minutes given to deliberation, go on and say, that if no

better place can be found for my washerwoman, she may stand on my
mother's chimney-piece! [Footnote: A pretty little French toy given by
Madame François Delessert.]
No more nonsense