Memoirs of Miss Sidney Bidulph | ||
July 13.—
Sir George has often told me, that he knows of no fault Mr. Faulkland has, but a violence of temper when provoked. I saw an instance of it to-day, which I was sorry for, and the more so, as I was in some measure accessary to it. Mr. Faulkland, my brother, a lady of our accquaintance, and myself took a ride in Hyde-Park this morning. We were to dine at Kensington (where my mother was to meet us) at the house of the lady (a relation of Mr. Faulkland's) who was with us.
We rode into the stable-yard of her house, in order to alight. My horse, which happened to be a young one that Sir George had newly bought, saw some object that made him shy of advancing, and he turned suddenly about. A footman of Mr. Faulkland's, who chanced to stand just behind me, very imprudently, though I am sure without design of harm, gave him a stroke with his whip, which made the animal plunge and throw me, as I had not time to recover my seat from the first short turn he made.
This little incident convinces me that Mr. Faulkland is of too warm a temper; yet I am not alarmed at the discovery; you know I am the very reverse; and I hope in time, by gentle methods, in some measure to subdue it in Mr. Faulkland. His own good sense and good nature must incline him to wish it corrected. My brother says, he has often lamented this vice of his nature to him, and said he had taken infinite pains to get the better of it; and had so far succeeded, that he seldom was surprized by it, but on very sudden and extraordinary occasions, such as, I suppose, he looked upon this to be, which I have related.
We passed the day delightfully at Kensington, and did not return to town till late. I think I have got cold, as we walked a long time in the garden.
Memoirs of Miss Sidney Bidulph | ||