sensations as to hear of equal misery.”
“Ah! but my Sophia why are YOU unhappy?”
“Have you not heard Madam of Willoughby’s Marriage?”
“But my love why lament HIS perfidy, when you bore so well that
of many young Men before?”
“Ah! Madam, I was used to it then, but when Willoughby broke his
Engagements I had not been dissapointed for half a year.”
“Poor Girl!” said Miss Jane.
LETTER the THIRD
From a YOUNG LADY in distressed Circumstances to her freind
A few days ago I was at a private Ball given by Mr Ashburnham.
As my Mother never goes out she entrusted me to the care of Lady
Greville who did me the honour of calling for me in her way and
of allowing me to sit forwards, which is a favour about which I
am very indifferent especially as I know it is considered as
confering a great obligation on me “So Miss Maria (said her
Ladyship as she saw me advancing to the door of the Carriage) you
seem very smart to night– MY poor Girls will appear quite to
disadvantage by YOU– I only hope your Mother may not have
distressed herself to set YOU off. Have you got a new Gown on?”
“Yes Ma’am.” replied I with as much indifference as I could
assume.
“Aye, and a fine one too I think–(feeling it, as by her
permission I seated myself by her) I dare say it is all very
smart–But I must own, for you know I always speak my mind, that
I think it was quite a needless piece of expence–Why could not
you have worn your old striped one? It is not my way to find
fault with People because they are poor, for I always think that
they are more to be despised and pitied than blamed for it,
especially if they cannot help it, but at the same time I must
say that in my opinion your old striped Gown would have been
quite fine enough for its Wearer–for to tell you the truth (I
always speak my mind) I am very much afraid that one half of the
people in the room will not know whether you have a Gown on or
not–But I suppose you intend to make your fortune to night–.
Well, the sooner the better; and I wish you success.”
“Indeed Ma’am I have no such intention–”
“Who ever heard a young Lady own that she was a Fortune-hunter?”
Miss Greville laughed but I am sure Ellen felt for me.
“Was your Mother gone to bed before you left her?” said her
Ladyship.
“Dear Ma’am, said Ellen it is but nine o’clock.”
“True Ellen, but Candles cost money, and Mrs Williams is too wise
to be extravagant.”
“She was just sitting down to supper Ma’am.”
“And what had she got for supper?” “I did not observe.” “Bread
and Cheese I suppose.” “I should never wish for a better
supper.” said Ellen. “You have never any reason replied her
Mother, as a better is always provided for you.” Miss Greville
laughed excessively, as she constantly does at her Mother’s wit.
Such is the humiliating Situation in which I am forced to appear
while riding in her Ladyship’s Coach–I dare not be impertinent,
as my Mother is always admonishing me to be humble and patient if
I wish to make my way in the world. She insists on my accepting
every invitation of Lady Greville, or you may be certain that I
would never enter either her House, or her Coach with the
disagreable certainty I always have of being abused for my
Poverty while I am in them.–When we arrived at Ashburnham, it
was nearly ten o’clock, which was an hour and a half later than
we were desired to be there; but Lady Greville is too fashionable
(or fancies herself to be so) to be punctual. The Dancing
however was not begun as they waited for Miss Greville. I had
not been long in the room before I was engaged to dance by Mr
Bernard, but just as we were going to stand up, he recollected
that his Servant had got his white Gloves, and immediately ran