out to fetch them. In the mean time the Dancing began and Lady
Greville in passing to another room went exactly before me–She
saw me and instantly stopping, said to me though there were
several people close to us,
“Hey day, Miss Maria! What cannot you get a partner? Poor Young
Lady! I am afraid your new Gown was put on for nothing. But do
not despair; perhaps you may get a hop before the Evening is
over.” So saying, she passed on without hearing my repeated
assurance of being engaged, and leaving me very much provoked at
being so exposed before every one–Mr Bernard however soon
returned and by coming to me the moment he entered the room, and
leading me to the Dancers my Character I hope was cleared from
the imputation Lady Greville had thrown on it, in the eyes of all
the old Ladies who had heard her speech. I soon forgot all my
vexations in the pleasure of dancing and of having the most
agreable partner in the room. As he is moreover heir to a very
large Estate I could see that Lady Greville did not look very
well pleased when she found who had been his Choice–She was
determined to mortify me, and accordingly when we were sitting
down between the dances, she came to me with more than her usual
insulting importance attended by Miss Mason and said loud enough
to be heard by half the people in the room, “Pray Miss Maria in
what way of business was your Grandfather? for Miss Mason and I
cannot agree whether he was a Grocer or a Bookbinder.” I saw that
she wanted to mortify me, and was resolved if I possibly could to
Prevent her seeing that her scheme succeeded. “Neither Madam; he
was a Wine Merchant.” “Aye, I knew he was in some such low way–
He broke did not he?” “I beleive not Ma’am.” “Did not he
abscond?” “I never heard that he did.” “At least he died
insolvent?” “I was never told so before.” “Why, was not your
FATHER as poor as a Rat” “I fancy not.” “Was not he in the
Kings Bench once?” “I never saw him there.” She gave me SUCH a
look, and turned away in a great passion; while I was half
delighted with myself for my impertinence, and half afraid of
being thought too saucy. As Lady Greville was extremely angry
with me, she took no further notice of me all the Evening, and
indeed had I been in favour I should have been equally neglected,
as she was got into a Party of great folks and she never speaks
to me when she can to anyone else. Miss Greville was with her
Mother’s party at supper, but Ellen preferred staying with the
Bernards and me. We had a very pleasant Dance and as Lady G–
slept all the way home, I had a very comfortable ride.
The next day while we were at dinner Lady Greville’s Coach
stopped at the door, for that is the time of day she generally
contrives it should. She sent in a message by the servant to say
that “she should not get out but that Miss Maria must come to the
Coach-door, as she wanted to speak to her, and that she must make
haste and come immediately–” “What an impertinent Message Mama!”
said I–“Go Maria–” replied she–Accordingly I went and was
obliged to stand there at her Ladyships pleasure though the Wind
was extremely high and very cold.
“Why I think Miss Maria you are not quite so smart as you were
last night–But I did not come to examine your dress, but to
tell you that you may dine with us the day after tomorrow–Not
tomorrow, remember, do not come tomorrow, for we expect Lord and
Lady Clermont and Sir Thomas Stanley’s family–There will be no
occasion for your being very fine for I shant send the Carriage–
If it rains you may take an umbrella–” I could hardly help
laughing at hearing her give me leave to keep myself dry–“And
pray remember to be in time, for I shant wait–I hate my Victuals
over-done–But you need not come before the time–How does your