With all the inclination in the world to believe Mrs. Demure's insinuations just, I confess I have some doubts. on that head: first, because I know the widow to be as malicious as a monkey, and as envious as an old maid ; and, in the second place, because I recollect a very judi cious observation of yours, when Miss, then in the bloom of her beauty, was given as the author of a certain report to my disadvantage-The insinuations of one handsome woman,' you said, ' against another of superior beauty, are never to be believed. I will, however, make inquiries concerning Mademoiselle Clifford, from those whose testimony is more to be depended on than Mrs. Demure's. She is too handsome not to have been exposed to many attacks, and particularly to those of scandal; yet, unless it be the hints above mentioned, I have heard nothing to her disadvantage. I plainly perceive that both the aunt and niece are alarm ed; and, I fear, with too much reason. How provoking, after all the trouble I have taken, if this thoughtless young man should throw himself away at last! I am much at a loss how to proceed, and heartily wish you could come to town, were it but for a week. I have things to consult you on which I cannot trust on paper. You will come, I am sure, if you possibly can. E. DEANPORT. LETTER XLI. From the Same to the Same. Í CANNOT help observing, my good sir, that your letters have been wonderfully laconic of late: your last was in the mercantile style, precisely confined to the needful. In your present confinement you must have much time on your hands: pray correct in your next letter the fault of which I complain. I am still uneasy on account of this Miss Clifford; it is evident that my son becomes every day more attached to her what will surprise you, however, she seems to be : indifferent about him. This, in all probability, proceeds from affectation: if so, miss is a little out in her politics; she would have succeeded better with Lord Deanport by affecting to be in love with him. This stratagem would fail indeed with a woman so very plain in her appearance as Miss Moyston, or any other who did not, to a certain degree, please his fancy; but I am convinced, from what I have observed in his disposition, that a woman who pleased him, though ever so little at first, and who would infallibly lose him by apparent indifference, might gradually draw him on to matrimony merely by affecting an irresistible passion for him. You could hardly have an idea how many women of my acquaintance have obtained very comfortable marriages, by making men, who would not otherwise have ever thought of them, believe that they se cretly languished for them. A large share of vanity, with a moderate portion of good nature, disposes a man to fall into this snare. You lords of the creation have in general a far greater proportion of the first than of the second yet I know a remarkable instance in which there appeared an equal share of both. A man of fortune, a relation of my husband, arrived at the age of fifty without the smallest inclination to marry. He had been long acquainted with a maiden lady, about ten years younger than himself, with a considerable fortune, but with a disagreeable countenance, and a disposition resembling her face. The man thought no more of proposing marriage to her than to the Dutch pug she always had in her lap. By the failure of a house in the city she lost three-fourths of her fortune. A female acquaintance of hers happened to lament this misfortune to my husband's relation; adding, as an aggravation, that, as she had now lost all her money, her old friends would no longer admit her into their loo-parties, and the poor woman would not know what to do with herself: she concluded by assuring him that this unfortunate lady had long harboured a secret fondness for him. My husband's relation made proposals of marriage to the lady, and of course married her next day. My husband was greatly astonished, and a little provoked, at this step of his relation. Did you marry her for her fortune ?' said my lord, ironically, to the husband. per Certainly not,' answered he. Was it for the sake of her beauty ?' added my lord. • No; I cannot say it was,' replied the other. Did you marry her for the sake of her sweet tem Not in the least,' answered the other. In the devil's name, for whose sake did you marry such a woman ?' exclaimed my lord. • I married her for God's sake,' answered the husband, with resignation. My son, it is true, is in little danger of acting from the same motive; but he is assuredly fond of Miss Clifford and were she to show a partiality for him, I should tremble for the consequence. I understand that she rides uncommonly well; that, in the north, she used sometimes to hunt. It is surprising that such excursions have not given rise to some stories that would be worth communicating to my son: perhaps some such may exist, though confined to Northumberland; if so, I am in a fair way of hearing of them. I have learnt that a certain Mr. Proctor had for many years the management of Clifford's estate, and lived in great intimacy with his family. The man, however, I am told, is rather on ill terms with young Clifford, and of course will not be disposed to conceal any thing he knows to the disadvantage of the family. This man is in opulent circumstances, a widower, about the age of fifty, and has the reputation of being a very prudent man. You will probably suspect the truth of the last article, when I inform you that he lately made a proposal of marriage to a blooming lass of twenty-two, You must remember Peggy Almond, the handsome girl you have seen with me in Yorkshire. As she has little or no fortune, her aunt, and other relations, were all eager for her accepting so advantageous an offer; and, the girl herself having more love for his fortune than aversion against his person, the match would have taken place, had I not interfered. I certainly was of more use to Mr. Proctor, on this occasion, than all his prudence; for I persuaded the girl to decline the offer; representing him as a morose, vulgar old man, who would coop her up in a gloomy house in Northumberland, and prevent her from ever seeing London, or fashionable life, any more. My reason was, that if the man had really been so mad as to marry her, Í should have lost her company, which I find rather an amusing resource when I go to the seat in Yorkshire. I, understanding that he is soon to be at York, when of course he will visit the aunt, with whom Peggy lives, I have written to her to draw from him all the information she can respecting the Clifford family, and particularly the private history of mademoiselle. That she may do this with the more zeal, I have given her reason to hope that I may send for her soon to the capital. You cannot have an idea of the power of this bribe on the mind of a girl deep-read in plays and novels, who is constrained to live in the country, and is intoxicated with admiration of the amusements of the town. If Mr. Proctor had offered to carry her, for two or three months every season, to London, she would have accepted his hand, in spite of all I could have said or done. Indeed, it was by assuring her that I would take her thither with me last season that I prevailed on her to reject his suit; which I no sooner knew she had done, than I wrote a most affectionate epistle, in which I stated to her an insurmountable reason for leaving her behind; and poor Peggy was obliged to return to her aunt at York, disappointed of a husband; and, what she felt as severely, disappointed of a journey to London. Though this girl is a real resource to me in the country, I have not the least need of her in town, and have therefore always found pretext for leaving her behind. On the present occasion, however, I thought it expedient to throw out the old lure to her, which, whether I may find it convenient to verify her expectations or not, will render her happy in the meantime; for I am convinced she thinks and dreams of nothing but London ever since she received my last lettter. You shall know, in good time, the effect of her inquiries concerning Miss Clifford. In the meantime, I endeavour, by every means in my power, to keep Miss Moyston and her aunt in good-humour: the latter is the most trouble some of the two. She insists on making me acquainted with her most intimate friends and relations, all of whom she characterizes as the best kind of people in the world, and perfectly genteel; and all of whom I find of the most disgusting vulgarity. The unconscionable woman insisted on my accompanying her to Lady Mango's rout, to which I had previously determined not to go, having already found it a service,'not only of great fatigue, but also of some danger. But, you will say, Who is Lady Mango? That is a question which requires an answer at some length. If I find leisure, you shall have it; for this wo man's history is singular enough. E. DEANPORT. LETTER XLII. The COUNTESS of DEANPORT to MISS ALMOND, York. MY DEAR PEGGY, London. You were witness to the pain I felt on our separation :the same cruel circumstances which prevented me from bringing you with me to town have also prevented my answering any of the kind letters I have received from you since my arrival. You cannot imagine how I have been worried with business; but it is now almost over, and I am in some hopes that I may still have it in my power to send for you before the end of the season. I hope your aunt, to whom I beg you will present my affectionate compliments, will be prevailed on to part with you. We shall return together to Yorkshire; and, after you are tired with the amusements of the town, I an |