“Law, Lady Scudamore replied I blushing how can you think of such
a thing?”
“Because every look, every word betrays it, answered she; Come my
dear Henrietta, consider me as a freind, and be sincere with me
–Do not you prefer Mr Musgrove to any man of your acquaintance?”
“Pray do not ask me such questions Lady Scudamore, said I turning
away my head, for it is not fit for me to answer them.”
“Nay my Love replied she, now you confirm my suspicions. But why
Henrietta should you be ashamed to own a well-placed Love, or why
refuse to confide in me?”
“I am not ashamed to own it; said I taking Courage. I do not
refuse to confide in you or blush to say that I do love your
cousin Mr Musgrove, that I am sincerely attached to him, for it
is no disgrace to love a handsome Man. If he were plain indeed I
might have had reason to be ashamed of a passion which must have
been mean since the object would have been unworthy. But with
such a figure and face, and such beautiful hair as your Cousin
has, why should I blush to own that such superior merit has made
an impression on me.”
“My sweet Girl (said Lady Scudamore embracing me with great
affection) what a delicate way of thinking you have in these
matters, and what a quick discernment for one of your years! Oh!
how I honour you for such Noble Sentiments!”
“Do you Ma’am said I; You are vastly obliging. But pray Lady
Scudamore did your Cousin himself tell you of his affection for
me I shall like him the better if he did, for what is a Lover
without a Confidante?”
“Oh! my Love replied she, you were born for each other. Every
word you say more deeply convinces me that your Minds are
actuated by the invisible power of simpathy, for your opinions
and sentiments so exactly coincide. Nay, the colour of your Hair
is not very different. Yes my dear Girl, the poor despairing
Musgrove did reveal to me the story of his Love–. Nor was I
surprised at it–I know not how it was, but I had a kind of
presentiment that he would be in love with you.”
“Well, but how did he break it to you?”
“It was not till after supper. We were sitting round the fire
together talking on indifferent subjects, though to say the truth
the Conversation was cheifly on my side for he was thoughtful and
silent, when on a sudden he interrupted me in the midst of
something I was saying, by exclaiming in a most Theatrical tone–
Yes I’m in love I feel it now
And Henrietta Halton has undone me
“Oh! What a sweet way replied I, of declaring his Passion! To
make such a couple of charming lines about me! What a pity it is
that they are not in rhime!”
“I am very glad you like it answered she; To be sure there was a
great deal of Taste in it. And are you in love with her, Cousin?
said I. I am very sorry for it, for unexceptionable as you are
in every respect, with a pretty Estate capable of Great
improvements, and an excellent House tho’ somewhat out of repair,
yet who can hope to aspire with success to the adorable Henrietta
who has had an offer from a Colonel and been toasted by a
Baronet”–“THAT I have–” cried I. Lady Scudamore continued.
“Ah dear Cousin replied he, I am so well convinced of the little
Chance I can have of winning her who is adored by thousands, that
I need no assurances of yours to make me more thoroughly so. Yet
surely neither you or the fair Henrietta herself will deny me the
exquisite Gratification of dieing for her, of falling a victim to
her Charms. And when I am dead”–continued her–
“Oh Lady Scudamore, said I wiping my eyes, that such a sweet
Creature should talk of dieing!”
“It is an affecting Circumstance indeed, replied Lady Scudamore.”
“When I am dead said he, let me be carried and lain at her feet,