August 12.—
I never was so disconcerted
as I have been this day: you will
be surprized when I tell you, it was by
my good lady V—. She came to pass
the day with me, Mr. Arnold being
engaged abroad.
We were both sitting at work in the
parlour: lady V—had continued silent
for a good while; at last looking at me
with a most benign smile, for I had at the
same instant cast my eyes at her; I was just
then thinking, my dear Mrs. Arnold, said
she, that I once (though perhaps you did
not know it) flattered myself with the
hopes of being related to you. Her words
threw me into confusion, though I did
not know their meaning. It would have
been both an honour and a happiness to me,
madam, I replied, though I don't know by
what means I was ever likely to possess it.
She continued smiling, but seemed in
suspence whether she should proceed. You
will pardon my curiosity, my dear, said
she, but give me leave to ask, whether
Mr. Arnold was not once near losing the
happiness he now enjoys? I felt my face
glow as she spoke. There was once a
treaty of marriage on foot, madam, I
answered, between me and another gentleman.
I am sorry I mentioned it, said
my lady, observing my confusion; but
as I was no stranger to the affair while it
was transacting, and Mr. Faulkland is a
kinsman of mine, I hope you will forgive
my inquisitivness; for I own I have a
curiosity, which I believe nobody but
yourself can gratify; and if I did not
think you the most candid, as well as the
best tempered creature living, I durst not
push my inquiry. My lord, you are to
know, was in London at the time Mr.
Faulkland was first introduced to you;
and as they are extremely fond of each
other, Mr. Faulkland did not scruple to
disclose his passion to him, nor the success
it then appeared likely to be crowned
with, giving him at the same time such
a character of you, as I have since found
you deserve.
When my lord returned to V—hall,
which he was obliged to do very soon
after Mr. Faulkland had made this discovery
to him, he informed me of the alliance
my cousin Faulkland was going to
make; and we were pleasing ourselves
with the thoughts of congratulating him
on his happiness, when we received a letter
from him that put an end to all our
expectations; this letter contained but
four distracted lines: he told my lord, in
broken sentences, that he had lost all
hopes of Miss Bidulph; that an act of
indiscretion had been construed into a
capital crime; and that being banished
from the presence of the woman he
adored, he was immediately about to bid
adieu to England, perhaps for ever.
This was the substance of what he
wrote to us: we have heard from him
since a few times, but he never cleared
up the matter to us, nor ever so much as
mentioned it. I have not been in London
since; my lord has; but he never
could get any light into the mystery: he
heard from some of our friends, who
knew of the intended match, that it was
broke off nobody knew why. There were,
however, several idle surmises thrown
out; some laid the blame on Mr. Faulkland,
and some on you; but the truth I
believe remains still a secret. Now, my
dear, if my curiosity is improper, or if
there was any particular motive to this
disapointment of my kinsman's hopes,
which you don't choose to reveal, forgive
my inquiry, and think no more of it;
but take up that book, and read to me
while I work.
Though my lady gave me this kind
opportunity of evading her question, I
did not lay hold of it: I did not indeed
choose to reveal the whole of this affair,
because I did not think myself at liberty
to divulge Miss Burchell's secret, however
I might discover my own. I told
my lady in general terms, that though
Mr. Faulkland might pretend to a lady
every way my superior, yet there was an
objection to him of no small weight with
us; that my mother had been informed
of a very recent piece of gallantry he had
had with a person of some condition, and
that it had disgusted her so much, she
could not think of uniting me with a
man whose passions were not a little more
staid; and that this was the sole reason of
her dislike to a gentleman, who was in
every other respect unexceptionable. I
am glad it was no worse, said lady V—,
smiling; I am sure Mr. Faulkland is not
capable of a
base action; youthfull follies
he may have had, though I believe as few
even of those to answer for as most men
of his years. I make not the least doubt,
however, that lady Bidulph was guided
by prudence in what she did. She certainly
could not be too cautious in the
disposal of
such a child as you; and whatever
Mr. Faulkland's disapointment may
be,
you I hope are happy. Lady V—
looked at me as she pronounced these
words, with an inquisitive, though tender
regard. I was glad of an opportunity
of enlarging on the merits of Mr.
Arnold, and told her, I was as happy as
my heart could wish, or the worthiest of
men could make me. I am glad of it,
said she, with a quickness in her voice;
but don't imagine, my dear Mrs. Arnold
(and she took me by the hand) that I introduced
this conversation merely to gratify
a curiosity which I fear you must
condemn in your private thoughts, though
you have been so good as to satisfy it: I
had another reason, a much stronger one.
What is it, dear madam? almost starting
with apprehensions of I did not know
what. Don't be alarmed, said she, smiling,
it is only this; a great aunt of Mr.
Faulkland's is lately dead, who has left
him a considerable personal estate, and he
is coming over to take possession of it;
otherwise I don't know when we should
have seen him in England. My lord had a
letter very lately from him; he was then at
Turin, where he had met with our eldest
son, who is now on his travels: he told us
he had letters and some tokens of love to
deliver us from him; and that he should
immediately on his arrival in England
come to V—hall, where he would pass a
month with us. Now as we expect him
daily, I had a mind to apprize you of his
intended visit, that you might not be surprized,
by perhaps unexpectedly meeting
him at my house. I thanked her ladyship
for her obliging caution, though I thought
it had something in it that mortified me.
I told her, that though I should not seek
to renew my acquaintance with Mr.
Faulkland, I had yet no reason to avoid
him. Lady V—, who is extremely
quick of apprehension, replied, Without
doubt, madam, you have not; but you
might be surprized at seeing him notwithstanding.
She presently turned the discourse: but
made me happy the whole day, by that inexhaustible
fund of good sense and improving
knowledge of which she is mistress.
Mr. Arnold came not home till very
late; he complains that he is got into a
know of acquaintance that like the bottle
too well; but I am sure his natural sobriety
is such, that it will not be in the
power of example to lead him into intemperance;
though I am vexed he has
fallen into such acquaintance, because
I know drinking is disagreeable to him:
yet a country gentleman must sometimes
give a little into it, to avoid the character
of being singular.
