and perhaps she may not disdain to drop a pitying tear on my poor
remains.”
“Dear Lady Scudamore interrupted I, say no more on this affecting
subject. I cannot bear it.”
“Oh! how I admire the sweet sensibility of your Soul, and as I
would not for Worlds wound it too deeply, I will be silent.”
“Pray go on.” said I. She did so.
“And then added he, Ah! Cousin imagine what my transports will
be when I feel the dear precious drops trickle on my face! Who
would not die to haste such extacy! And when I am interred, may
the divine Henrietta bless some happier Youth with her affection,
May he be as tenderly attached to her as the hapless Musgrove and
while HE crumbles to dust, May they live an example of Felicity
in the Conjugal state!”
Did you ever hear any thing so pathetic? What a charming wish,
to be lain at my feet when he was dead! Oh! what an exalted mind
he must have to be capable of such a wish! Lady Scudamore went
on.
“Ah! my dear Cousin replied I to him, such noble behaviour as
this, must melt the heart of any woman however obdurate it may
naturally be; and could the divine Henrietta but hear your
generous wishes for her happiness, all gentle as is her mind, I
have not a doubt but that she would pity your affection and
endeavour to return it.” “Oh! Cousin answered he, do not
endeavour to raise my hopes by such flattering assurances. No, I
cannot hope to please this angel of a Woman, and the only thing
which remains for me to do, is to die.” “True Love is ever
desponding replied I, but I my dear Tom will give you even
greater hopes of conquering this fair one’s heart, than I have
yet given you, by assuring you that I watched her with the
strictest attention during the whole day, and could plainly
discover that she cherishes in her bosom though unknown to
herself, a most tender affection for you.”
“Dear Lady Scudamore cried I, This is more than I ever knew!”
“Did not I say that it was unknown to yourself? I did not,
continued I to him, encourage you by saying this at first, that
surprise might render the pleasure still Greater.” “No Cousin
replied he in a languid voice, nothing will convince me that I
can have touched the heart of Henrietta Halton, and if you are
deceived yourself, do not attempt deceiving me.” “In short my
Love it was the work of some hours for me to Persuade the poor
despairing Youth that you had really a preference for him; but
when at last he could no longer deny the force of my arguments,
or discredit what I told him, his transports, his Raptures, his
Extacies are beyond my power to describe.”
“Oh! the dear Creature, cried I, how passionately he loves me!
But dear Lady Scudamore did you tell him that I was totally
dependant on my Uncle and Aunt?”
“Yes, I told him every thing.”
“And what did he say.”
“He exclaimed with virulence against Uncles and Aunts; Accused
the laws of England for allowing them to Possess their Estates
when wanted by their Nephews or Neices, and wished HE were in the
House of Commons, that he might reform the Legislature, and
rectify all its abuses.”
“Oh! the sweet Man! What a spirit he has!” said I.
“He could not flatter himself he added, that the adorable
Henrietta would condescend for his sake to resign those Luxuries
and that splendor to which she had been used, and accept only in
exchange the Comforts and Elegancies which his limited Income
could afford her, even supposing that his house were in Readiness
to receive her. I told him that it could not be expected that
she would; it would be doing her an injustice to suppose her
capable of giving up the power she now possesses and so nobly
uses of doing such extensive Good to the poorer part of her
fellow Creatures, merely for the gratification of you and
herself.”
“To be sure said I, I AM very Charitable every now and then. And