University of Virginia Library

LETTER XXXIII.
ANNE TO ELENOR.

THE expected letters from Dublin have arrived,
and have effectually removed every doubt
from the mind of Darnley; his health is perfectly
re-established, and next week they remove
into Warwickshire; but I must inform you of
the cause of this removal. I really hope my
dear Sarah has her happiest days yet to come;
and that they will commence the moment she
is again comfortably settled in a home of her
own.

Darnley, apparently delighted with the reconciliation
which has taken place, seemed only
uneasy that his income was so contracted as not
to allow him to procure lodgings and attendants
such as he thought becoming his wife. This
vanity still predominates in him; but Sarah's
taste for shew and expense is entirely quenched;
and she sat about purchasing some plain furniture
for two small rooms with that complacent
cheerfulness which evinced her contented mind.
But before they were settled, or had fixed on
any apartments to remove to, a gentlemen one
morning called on Darnley, bringing a letter from
the marquis of H—, to this effect: “That
the esteem Mrs. Darnley's conduct had impressed
on his mind, had made him take an interest in
whatever concerned her happiness; that he

had been informed that misfortune had rendered
their situation perplexing in regard to pecuniary
circumstances, and being sensible that any offer
of assistance in the form of benevolence would be
rejected, he had taken the liberty to mention
Mr Darnley to a gentleman who wanted a
steward to superintend his estates in England,
which were extensive; he being obliged from a
public employment to reside in Ireland, of which
he was a native; that the steward would be expected
to reside on the principal estate, which
was in Warwickshire; that a neat house was
provided for his family within a few miles of the
town of Warwick; that the salary was three
hundred pounds a year, and half a year would be
paid in advance on his entering on the employment;
which he might do immediately, should
he accept the offer; that there were two rooms
which had been fitted up at the mansion house
for an aged relation, who had ended her life
there; and as the furniture of those rooms was
entirely useless to the owner, Mrs. Darnley was
requested to accept of it as it might answer until
she could acommodate herself with something
better.”

This was the purport of the letter, but you
must have seen it, to form a just idea of the
delicacy which ran through the whole; the style
was elegant, and every sentence expressed, that
though addressed to her husband, it was expected
to meet the eye of Sarah; that he considered
her as a superior and highly respectable woman,

and was at once studious to avoid wounding her
delicacy or sensibility. The gentleman who
brought the letter was empowered to engage
with Darnley, and advance the money. It may
readily be supposed that this was an offer not to
be rejected by a man who, writing with the utmost
assiduity in a merchant's compting house,
could earn no more than seventy-five pounds a
year, and whose taste for expense was ever
hurrying him into thoughtless extravagance;
he closed with the proposed terms with eagerness;
the gentleman paid him a hundred and
fifty guineas, and informed him that by Sir Richard
Bourke's order, a post chaise would be ready to
convey them to the estate, which is called Woodlands,
on any day in the ensuing week they should
be ready to go.

It will be particularly pleasing to Sarah to reside
in the country; and if there should be a few
rational, well informed persons in her vicinity, I
am certain she will feel no regret at being obliged
to relinquish the gaiety of a town life. I
hope Darnley will keep away from Warwick, as
he will not be so certain to meet with companions
likely to draw him into his former follies in
a country village, as in a populous town. Keep
him from low and unprincipled associates, and
the man will do well enough; but he is weak,
easily persuaded by those who have no right to
interfere in his concerns, to adopt any measures
which may facilitate their own interested views;
but so tenacious of the prerogative delegated by

the Creator to his creature man, that the opinions
of a wife would be treated with scorn; her
advice neglected, and her injunctions laughed
at. But however Sarah may have erred heretofore
in her conduct in regard to economy, and
in not endeavoring to conceal her indifference
towards him; she at least ever has practised,
and will continue still, the needful virtue of
PATIENCE. I say needful, because there is no
passing through life with any degree of comfort
without a pretty good share of it; and in the
married state, I believe a double portion is absolutely
necessary. I cannot speak from experience,
as I have never entered the holy pale, and
being now on the wrong side of thirty-five, in all
probability never shall, unless some spruce
young squire of twenty-one, (I would not marry
one older) very rich and gallant, should fancy me
the Ninon of the age and fall in love with me.
But this is not very likely; it does not happen
very often that men become seriously attached
to women considerable older than themselves,
though often that they are deeply enamoured
of their fortunes. Now and then indeed, a woman
appears, who, like the celebrated madam
Maintenon, maintains her sovereignty over the
young, the wealthy, the noble, the learned; and
is beloved and courted to the very verge of her
grand climacteric; but never was such a phenomenon
known as such a woman being an old maid—
Prithee, Anne, you say, a truce with your nonsense,
and let me hear a little more of Mrs.
Darnley. In good truth, I have nothing more
at present to tell you about her. Don't you
know when a heroine is married, the novel always
ends—there is nothing worth relating in the
every day incidents of a family circle; and why
will not a reconciliation answer as well? I wish
with all my heart, her future days may pass on
so placidly as to have their whole history comprised
in these three words, health, peace, and
competency. Yet I would write to you, though
it were only to relate the sly tricks of my favorite
puss, or the amiable qualities of my all accomplished
Fidelle; aye, and I know you would be
glad to read a whole sheet of such trash, rather
than I should remain silent. However, keep
up your spirits, and when I hear from Mrs.
Darnley, how she likes her new residence, &cI
will inform you—until when, adieu.