Barford Abbey Part 23

Build in the park, and live batchelors!--Pish!--A horrid scheme!--I give it up.--Over head and ears, d.i.c.k!

Last Monday arriv'd at his Lordship's house in _St. James's-Square_, the Right Honourable the Earl and Countess of Hampstead,--Lord Hallum,--the Ladies Elizabeth and Sophia Curtis.

_True_, as I hope to be sav'd;--and as _true_, that Lady Elizabeth and Sophia _are_ blooming as angels.

Three times have I sat down, _pen_ in my hand, _paper_ folded, yet could not tune my mind to write one word.--Over head and ears! I say.--

Past one in the morning!--All silent! Let me try if I can scribble now.

First, I must tell you the body drove on sh.o.r.e at Dover, which I concluded was Miss Powis's, is discover'd to be a Miss Frances Walsh, going over in the yacht which was unfortunately cast-away;--the corpse much defac'd:--but what confirm'd it to be the body of Miss Powis, was a handkerchief taken from the neck mark'd F W.--Poor young Lady! her friends, perhaps are suffering the excesses of grief which _you_ and I have so lately witness'd.--But _this_ is a subject I shall not dwell on.

I came to Town this evening with Darcey:--he bore the journey very poorly;--sinking, fainting, all the way.--When we got to our lodgings, and he was put into a bed, recovering a little, he press'd me to go to the Banker's.--I saw his impatience, and went immediately.

My name was no sooner sent up, than Mr. Powis flew to receive me.--Welcome, my friend! said he; you come opportunely. We have a n.o.ble family with us that has been just wishing to see Mr. Molesworth.--He had time for no more; the door open'd.--What was my surprize to be embrac'd by Lord Hampstead and Lord Hallum, by them, led to the Countess and our two divinities, _whose_ mild eyes,--_whose_ elegant deportment, told me _Loves_ and _Graces_ had put a finishing stroke to the great work of _virtue_ and _humility_.--Lady Mary Sutton,--yes, Lady Mary Sutton too was there: she advanc'd towards me, Miss Powis in her hand.

I have the honour, said Mr. Powis, of presenting Lady Mary Sutton (the source of all my felicity) to Mr. Molesworth.--Then addressing himself to her Ladyship, Permit me, Madam, to introduce to you the friend I love.

If ever I wish'd to shine, it was then--I would have given the world for eloquence;--nay, common understanding.--The former I _never_ possessed:--A surprize and pleasure had flown away with the latter.--Miss Powis has that looks through one's very soul--a sweet compa.s.sionate eye: the dignity it expresses bespeaks your confidence.--She perceived my embarra.s.sment, and said, Come, Mr.

Molesworth, let me have the satisfaction of placing you next Lady Mary.

So down sat the stupid blockhead.--Her Ladyship is very chatty, and very affable; she said a thousand obliging things; but half was lost upon me, whilst I watch'd the lips of my fair Elizabeth.

Mr. Mrs. Powis, and Lady Mary, enquired affectionately after the health of Lord Darcey. When I said he was come to Town, up flew the heart's tell-tale to the face of Miss Powis.--Her father and mother ask'd, if they might have the happiness of waiting on his Lordship next morning.--I arose to a.s.sure them what joy their visit would occasion; when having settled the hour, and so forth, I slid to a chair vacant between Lady Elizabeth and Lady Sophia,--How enchanting _did_ they look!--how enchanting _did_ they speak!--No reserve;--all frankness;--the same innocence in their manners as at fifteen;--the vivacity of the French,--the sedateness of the English, how charmingly blended!

Risby, thou art a fortunate fellow: Lady Sophia speaks of thee with esteem.

The sweet syrens--_syrens_ only by attraction--held me by the ear upwards of an hour.--From them I learnt Lady Mary Sutton came to England, on receiving an account from Mr. Delves that Miss Powis had the small-pox.--Happy for us, d.i.c.k, they lov'd Lady Mary too well to stay behind her!

As I was listening to their entertaining descriptions of places abroad, we were join'd by Lord Hallum.--Molesworth, said his Lordship, I will not suffer these girls to engage you solely:--My prating sisters are grown so saucy that I am obliged to be a very tyrant.--

A spirited conversation ensued, in which the cherub sisters bore away the palm.

More and more sick of my batchelor notions!--Yet I aver, that state should be my choice, rather than swallow one grain of indifference in the matrimonial pill, gilder'd over ever so nicely.--Think what _must_ be my friendship for Darcey, to tear myself from this engageing circle before nine!--As I was taking my leave, Lady Mary stepp'd towards me.--To-morrow, Mr. Molesworth, said her Ladyship, I bespeak the favour of your company and Lord Darcey's to dine with me in _Pall-Mall_:--I bow'd, and answer'd both for his Lordship and myself.

We shall rejoice, continued she, to congratulate your friend on his recovery,--looking with peculiar meaning at Miss Powis.--I think by _that_ look there will be an interview between the _lovers_, though I did not say so much to Darcey.--He requires sleep: none would he have had, if he knew my surmises.--I'll to bed, and dream of Lady Elizabeth;--_so_ good night, d.i.c.k.

Twelve o'clock at noon.

Mr. and Mrs. Powis this moment gone;--Lord Darcey dressing to meet them in _Pall-Mall_.--Yes, they are to be there;--and the whole groupe of beauties are to be there;--Miss Powis,--Lady Elizabeth,--Lady Sophia,--and the little sprightly hawk-eyed Delves.--Risby, _you_ know nothing of _life_; you are _dead_ and _buried_.

I will try to be serious.--Impossible! my head runs round and round with pleasure.--The interview was affecting to the last degree.--Between whom?--Why Darcey, Mr. and Mrs.--faith I can write no more.

MOLESWORTH.

LETTER XLII.

The Hon. GEORGE MOLESWORTH to the same.

_London_

The day of days is over!

I am too happy to sleep:--exquisite felicity wants not the common supports of nature.--In such scenes as I have witness'd, the _soul_ begins to know herself:--she gives us a peep into futurity:--the enjoyments of this day has been all her own.

Once more I regain the beaten path of narrative.

Suppose me then under the hands of hair-dressers, valets, &c. &c. &c. I hate those fellows about me:--but the singularity of this visit made me undergo their tortures with tolerable patience.--Now was the time when Vanity, under pretence of respect, love, and decorum, usher'd in her implements.

It was about two when we were set down at Lady Mary Sutton's.--Darcey trembled, and look'd so pale at coming out of his chair, that I desir'd a servant to shew us to a room, where we might be alone 'till Mr. Powis was inform'd of our being in the house.--He instantly came with Lady Mary.--Tender welcomes and affectionate caresses fill'd him with new life.--Her Ladyship propos'd he should first see Miss Powis in her dressing-room;--that none should be present but Mr. and Mrs. Powis, her Ladyship, and your humble servant.

Judge how agreeable this must be to his Lordship, whose extreme weakness consider'd, could not have supported this interview before so much company as were a.s.sembled in the drawing-room.

The plan settled, Lady Mary withdrew to prepare Miss Powis for our reception.--A footman soon came with a message from her Ladyship that she expected us.

I was all compa.s.sionate at this moment:--the conflicts of my feeble friend were not to be conceal'd.--We follow'd Mr. Powis;--the door open'd;--Darcey turn'd half round, and laying his cold clammy hand on mine, said, Oh Molesworth! my happiness is in view!--how can I meet it?

Inimitable creature!--Can I describe your reception of my friend?--can I describe the dignity of beauty;--the melting softness of sensibility;--the blushing emotion of surprize?--No, Risby;--impossible!

The Ladies stood to receive us; Miss Powis supported between her mother and Lady Mary;--_she_ all graceful timidity;--_they_ all extasy and rapture.--Do you not expect to see Darcey at the feet of his mistress?--No; at Mrs. Powis's, at Lady Mary's, he fell.

The eyes of his Adorable glisten'd.--He was rais'd, and embrac'd tenderly--by the parents,--by Lady Mary.--Mr. Powis said, presenting him to his delighted daughter, _You_, my dear, must make _our_ returns of grat.i.tude to Lord Darcey;--giving him her more than pa.s.sive hand, which he press'd to his lips with fervor, saying, _This_ is the hour my soul has flown up to pet.i.tion--Dearest, best of women! tell me I am welcome.

She attempted to reply;--it was only an attempt.

She does bid you welcome, return'd Mr. Powis;--her _heart_ bids you welcome.

Indeed, said she, I am not ungrateful:--_indeed_, my Lord, I am not insensible to the obligations you have laid me under.

As these words escap'd her, you must certainly take in the whole countenance of Darcey.

By this time we were seated, and Lady Mary return'd to the company.

Honour'd as I am, said his Lordship, addressing Miss Powis, will you permit me, Madam, in presence of your revered parents,--in presence of the friend to whom every wish of my heart has been confess'd;--will you permit me to hope you are not offended by my application to Sir James?--May I hope for your--

Friendship, my Lord (reply'd she, interrupting him); you may command my friendship.

_Friendship!_ (retorted he) Miss Powis, starting up:--is that _all I_ am to expect?--Can I accept your _friendship?_--No, Madam, the man who would have died for you aspires to more than _friendship_;--he aspires to your _love_.

I am no stranger, my Lord, return'd she, to the honour you intend me;--I am no stranger to _your_ worth;--but I have scruples;--scruples that seem to me insurmountable.

I never saw him so affected.