University of Virginia Library

LETTER XXXIV.
SARAH TO ANNE.

HAVING had time to look about me, and get
a little settled, I have taken up my pen to tell
you how I like my situation. I hardly know how
to define my sentiments on the subject, but every
thing is so much better than I think it ought to
be, every circumstance considered; that I am
not satisfied. I cannot feel easy under a weight
of obligation, and I very much suspect that the
marquis is at the bottom of all the elegancies so
profusely provided in this place. Not that I am
so vain or romantically ridiculous, as to imagine
he has any sinister designs, or that he means to
take the trouble of visiting me in this retirement,
and by appearing suddenly before me when I
thought him in Ireland, supprise me into an appearance
of something very far from indifference.
Though I am sensible this would be quite in the
novel style, I believe such scenes very seldom
take place in real life. But I think from some
conversation which passed between Frederic and
his lordship, that his sensibility was hurt, by
reflecting that he had made a virtuous woman
the object of illicit pursuit, and he thought he
never could make a sufficient reparation for the
persecution I had suffered. Mr. Darnley does
not see or feel, as I do upon this subject; and it

is a topic so delicate, that I cannot discuss it with
him; I will therefore describe to you the circumstances
which give me uneasiness, and request
your advice in what manner to conduct
myself.

When we arrived at the inn at Warwick, a
servant in livery opened the chaise door, for
which he had been evidently waiting, and having
inquired if it was not the gentleman and lady
going to Woodlands, led the way to an apartment
where the cloth was laid for supper; two
wax candles were burning on the table, and with
marked respect the young man informed Mr.
Darnley that his master had written to him to
procure accommodations at the inn for that
night, as he imagined the lady would be too much
fatigued to proceed to the mansion house without
repose; then turning to me, he asked, if he
should send the chambermaid that I might look
at the chamber, for if I did not like it, I could
have it changed. Darnley answered in the
affirmative, and when the young man left the
room, said, “This looks well, Sarah; it looks as
if Sir Richard meant to have us respected.” To
me it appeared more than well, for though I
know that a gentleman's steward was always
reckoned as a respectable situation in life,upon an
equality with the better, and looked up to by the
lower class of tenants residing on the estate; yet
it was not often that the owner of the estate interested
himself in such trivial concerns as the
comfort and convenience of the steward's and his

wife's travelling, especially when never having
seen or known the family. As I made these reflections,
it first occurred to me, that Sir Richard
Bourke was the ostensible employer, and the
marquis the directing hand, supplying all these
superfluous attentions. Oh, vanity! vanity! thy
name is woman! said a wise man. Well, I
acknowledge it is vain in me to suppose myself
of so much consequence; but trust me, Anne,
however the suggestion may flatter my self-love,
it is too humbling to my pride, to occasion any
very agreeable emotions; it is living in a state
of perpetual obligation; and that of all others is
to me the most painful.

A plentiful and elegant supper, excellent wine,
and the chat of the host who is a facetious
man, of great information, concerning the families,
&c. of the gentlemen and nobility, made the
time pass very agreeably to Mr. Darnley; but
I felt myself somewhat fatigued and retired early.

In the morning, while I was breakfasting, the
same young man who had spoken to us the
night before, informed me, that Sir Richard had
ordered the furniture to be removed from the
large house, to the one we were to occupy;
which I found was denominated Woodlands
Cottage; that he had in consequence of orders
from the same quarter, engaged two female
doraestics, a cook and a chambermaid; but if on
trial I did not approve them he had only engaged
them for a month, and was to pay them their
wages as soon as they had got others to supply
their places.

When breakfast was over, I expressed a desire
to go immediately to my new home, and in
a few moments, a very neat, plain travelling
chariot drew up to the door. “Why do we not
go in the post chaise, Mr Darnley?” said I.
“Because John informed me last night,” he replied,
“that this chariot and pair are always kept
at Woodlands, for the use of the steward's
family.” “It is certainly superfluous,” said I,
“a horse might have been necessary for you,
but for my own part, I had rather walk at any
time; besides, I do not want a carriage at another
person's expense.” “But if it is customary
for the steward to have the use of this chariot,
why should we be particular in refusing such a
convenience?” said he hastily. “John told me
also,” he continued, “that he is to reside with
us, and that Sir Richard had written to his agent
in London, to make arrangements with me concerning
him there, for he hoped he should give
satisfaction. I forgot to tell you it was mentioned
to me the day before I left town, that fifty
pounds a year is added to our income on that
account, as it was necessary that I should have
a man to go on messages, &c. &c.”

I saw Mr. Darnley was too well pleased in
having so many conveniences to refuse one of
them; so turned the conversation to the beauty
of the country. It was a very fine morning,
and you know, even late in October, autumn
retains much of her beauty; the rich and glowing
tints which variegate the woods, the short

grass impearled by the exhalations which at this
time of the year can hardly be denominated
either dew or frost, irradiated by a clear, mild,
though distant sun, inspires the mind with sensations,
though perhaps not quite so cheerful,
yet, in my opinion, more exquisitely delightful,
than the gay exuberance of flaunting spring.

On our arrival at the mansion prepared for
us, its neat and retired situation struck me very
pleasantly. The woodbine and jessamine, which
almost covered the front, had not entirely faded,
as the house has a south aspect; the garden is
laid out with simplicity and taste; and the part
appropriated to kitchen purposes contained
every thing useful; a large asparagus bed,
plenty of artichokes, and some excellent wall
fruit trees. The interior of the house is by far
too expensively furnished; all of which appear
to me to be entirely new. A breakfast parlor
with cottage chairs, pembroke and work tables;
a dining parlor with mahogany furniture; a
drawing room, elegant chintz furniture, sofa,
curtains, &c. and two large glasses; also, sparr
ornaments over the chimney. Three handsome
bed-chambers furnished with white dimity and
chintz; with china glass, kitchen utensils, &c.
for every purpose; in the cellar, a plentiful stock
of ale, wine, &c. a cow for the family's use, was
grazing in a pasture near the house, and a poultry
yard, well stocked, completed the whole of
the possession of which it seems I am instituted
mistress. There is but one circumstance which

in the least reconciles me to accepting these
accommodations—which is a note which was
laid on a table in the chamber, which I had
selected for myself, when I retired for the night,
and which the chambermaid told me John had
desired her to lay there. It was from Lady
Bourke, and the following is a copy.

Lady Bourke, I understand, is an English
woman; I have written my acknowledgments
to her, and hope I am not imprudent in partaking
of the comforts thus unexpectedly provided
for me.

I have now only to pray that Mr. Darnley
may fill his station worthily; that he may grow
fond of domestic pleasure; that he may meet
with rational, respectable associates; and that
my heart may be moulded to consider his happiness
its own, and that I may so conduct myself,
as never to give him wilful pain or offence.

Add to this, should my dear Anne approve of
my availing myself of the bounty of my new
benefactors, and by coming to increase my pleasures
by sharing them, convince me I do not act
with impropriety, I think I shall be happier than
ever I was in my life.

Adieu,