The History of Sir Charles Grandison Part 37

MISS BYRON.--IN CONTINUATION TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 18.

This naughty Lady G----! She is excessively to blame. Lord L---- is out of patience with her. So is Lady L----. Emily says, she loves her dearly; but she does not love her ways. Lord G----, as Emily tells me, talks of coming to me; the cause of quarrel supposed to be not great: but trifles, insisted upon, make frequently the widest breaches. Whatever it be, it is between themselves: and neither cares to tell: but Lord and Lady L---- are angry with her, for the ludicrous manner in which she treats him.

The misunderstanding happened after my cousin and I left them last night.

I was not in spirits, and declined staying to cards. Lady Olivia and her aunt went away at the same time. Whist was the game. Lord and Lady L----, Dr. Bartlett and Emily, were cast in. In the midst of their play, Lady G---- came hurrying down stairs to them, warbling an air. Lord G---- followed her, much disturbed. Madam, I must tell you, said he--Why MUST, my lord? I don't bid you.

Sit still, child, said she to Emily; and took her seat behind her--Who wins? Who loses?

Lord G---- walked about the room--Lord and Lady L---- were unwilling to take notice, hoping it would go off; for there had been a few livelinesses on her side at dinner-time, though all was serene at supper.

Dr. Bartlett offered her his cards. She refused them--No, doctor, said she, I will play my own cards: I shall have enough to do to play them well.

As you manage it, so you will, madam, said Lord G----.

Don't expose yourself, my lord: we are before company. Lady L----, you have nothing but trumps in your hand.

Let me say a word or two to you, madam, said Lord G---- to her.

I am all obedience, my lord.

She arose. He would have taken her hand: she put it behind her.

Not your hand, madam?

I can't spare it.

He flung from her, and went out of the room.

Lord bless me, said she, returning to the card-table with a gay unconcern, what strange pa.s.sionate creatures are these men!

Charlotte, said Lady L----, I wonder at you.

Then I give you joy--

What do you mean, sister?--

We women love wonder, and the wonderful!

Surely, Lady G----, said Lord L----, you are wrong.

I give your lords.h.i.+p joy, too.

On what?

That my sister is always right.

Indeed, madam, were I Lord G----, I should have no patience.

A good hint for you, Lady L----. I hope you will take this for a warning, and be good.

When I behave as you do, Charlotte--

I understand you, Lady L----, you need not speak out--Every one in their way.

You would not behave thus, were my brother--

Perhaps not.

Dear Charlotte, you are excessively wrong.

So I think, returned she.

Why then do you not--

Mend, Lady L----? All in good time.

Her woman came in with a message, expressing her lord's desire to see her.--The deuce is in these men! They will neither be satisfied with us, nor without us. But I am all obedience: no vow will I break--And out she went.

Lord G---- not returning presently, and Lord and Lady L----'s chariot being come, they both took this opportunity, in order to shew their displeasure, to go away without taking leave of their sister. Dr.

Bartlett retired to his apartment. And when Lady G---- came down, she was surprised, and a little vexed, to find only Emily there. Lord G---- came in at another door--Upon my word, my Lord, this is strange behaviour in you: you fright away, with your husband-like airs, all one's company.

Good G.o.d!--I am astonished at you, madam.

What signifies your astonishment?--when you have scared every body out of the house.

I, madam!

You, sir! Yes, you!--Did you not lord it over me in my dressing-room?-- To be easy and quiet, did I not fly to our company in the drawing-room?

Did you not follow me there--with looks--very pretty looks for a new-married man, I a.s.sure you! Then did you not want to take me aside-- Would not anybody have supposed it was to express your sorrow for your odd behaviour? Was I not all obedience?--Did you not, with very mannish airs, slight me for my compliance, and fly out of the room? All the company could witness the calmness with which I returned to them, that they might not be grieved for me; nor think our misunderstanding a deep one. Well, then, when your stomach came down, as I supposed, you sent for me out: no doubt, thought I, to express his concern now.--I was all obedience again.

And did I not beseech you, madam--

Beseech me, my lord!--Yes--But with such looks!--I married, sir, let me tell you, a man with another face--See, see, Emily--He is gone again.--

My lord flew out of the room in a rage.--O these men, my dear! said she to Emily.

I know, said Emily, what I could have answered, if I dared: but it is ill meddling, as I have heard say, between man and wife.

Emily says, the quarrel was not made up; but was carried higher still in the morning.

She had but just finished her tale, when the following billet was brought me, from Lady G----:

TUESDAY MORNING.