I was actually silenced. I recovered myself however in a few
moments and looking at her with all the affection I could, “My
dear Miss Grenville said I, you appear extremely young–and may
probably stand in need of some one’s advice whose regard for you,
joined to superior Age, perhaps superior Judgement might
authorise her to give it. I am that person, and I now challenge
you to accept the offer I make you of my Confidence and
Freindship, in return to which I shall only ask for yours–”
“You are extremely obliging Ma’am–said she–and I am highly
flattered by your attention to me–But I am in no difficulty, no
doubt, no uncertainty of situation in which any advice can be
wanted. Whenever I am however continued she brightening into a
complaisant smile, I shall know where to apply.”
I bowed, but felt a good deal mortified by such a repulse; still
however I had not given up my point. I found that by the
appearance of sentiment and Freindship nothing was to be gained
and determined therefore to renew my attacks by Questions and
suppositions. “Do you intend staying long in this part of
England Miss Grenville?”
“Yes Ma’am, some time I beleive.”
“But how will Mr and Mrs Grenville bear your absence?”
“They are neither of them alive Ma’am.”
This was an answer I did not expect–I was quite silenced, and
never felt so awkward in my Life—.
LETTER the FIFTH
From a YOUNG LADY very much in love to her Freind
My Uncle gets more stingy, my Aunt more particular, and I more in
love every day. What shall we all be at this rate by the end of
the year! I had this morning the happiness of receiving the
following Letter from my dear Musgrove.
Sackville St: Janry 7th
It is a month to day since I first beheld my lovely Henrietta,
and the sacred anniversary must and shall be kept in a manner
becoming the day–by writing to her. Never shall I forget the
moment when her Beauties first broke on my sight–No time as you
well know can erase it from my Memory. It was at Lady
Scudamores. Happy Lady Scudamore to live within a mile of the
divine Henrietta! When the lovely Creature first entered the
room, oh! what were my sensations? The sight of you was like
the sight ofa wonderful fine Thing. I started–I gazed at her
with admiration –She appeared every moment more Charming, and
the unfortunate Musgrove became a captive to your Charms before I
had time to look about me. Yes Madam, I had the happiness of
adoring you, an happiness for which I cannot be too grateful.
“What said he to himself is Musgrove allowed to die for
Henrietta? Enviable Mortal! and may he pine for her who is the
object of universal admiration, who is adored by a Colonel, and
toasted by a Baronet! Adorable Henrietta how beautiful you are!
I declare you are quite divine! You are more than Mortal. You
are an Angel. You are Venus herself. In short Madam you are the
prettiest Girl I ever saw in my Life–and her Beauty is encreased
in her Musgroves Eyes, by permitting him to love her and allowing
me to hope. And ah! Angelic Miss Henrietta Heaven is my witness
how ardently I do hope for the death of your villanous Uncle and
his abandoned Wife, since my fair one will not consent to be mine
till their decease has placed her in affluence above what my
fortune can procure–. Though it is an improvable Estate–.
Cruel Henrietta to persist in such a resolution! I am at Present
with my sister where I mean to continue till my own house which
tho’ an excellent one is at Present somewhat out of repair, is
ready to receive me. Amiable princess of my Heart farewell–Of
that Heart which trembles while it signs itself Your most ardent
Admirer and devoted humble servt.
T. Musgrove.
There is a pattern for a Love-letter Matilda! Did you ever read
such a master-piece of Writing? Such sense, such sentiment, such
purity of Thought, such flow of Language and such unfeigned Love
in one sheet? No, never I can answer for it, since a Musgrove is