章节正文
Prevent her seeing that her scheme succeeded. "Neither Madam; he
was a Wine Merchant." "Aye, I knew he was in some such low way--
He broke did not he?" "I beleive not Ma'am." "Did not he
abscond?" "I never heard that he did." "At least he died
insolvent?" "I was never told so before." "Why, was not your
FATHER as poor as a Rat" "I fancy not." "Was not he in the
Kings Bench once?" "I never saw him there." She gave me SUCH a
look, and turned away in a great passion; while I was half
delighted with myself for my impertinence, and half afraid of
being thought too saucy. As Lady Greville was extremely angry
with me, she took no further notice of me all the Evening, and
indeed had I been in favour I should have been equally neglected,
as she was got into a Party of great folks and she never speaks
to me when she can to anyone else. Miss Greville was with her
Mother's party at supper, but Ellen preferred staying with the
Bernards and me. We had a very pleasant Dance and as Lady G--
slept all the way home, I had a very comfortable ride.
The next day while we were at dinner Lady Greville's Coach
stopped at the door, for that is the time of day she generally
contrives it should. She sent in a message by the servant to say
that "she should not get out but that Miss Maria must come to the
Coach-door, as she wanted to speak to her, and that she must make
haste and come immediately--" "What an impertinent Message Mama!"
said I--"Go Maria--" replied she--Accordingly I went and was
obliged to stand there at her Ladyships pleasure though the Wind
was extremely high and very cold.
"Why I think Miss Maria you are not quite so smart as you were
last night--But I did not come to examine your dress, but to
tell you that you may dine with us the day after tomorrow--Not
tomorrow, remember, do not come tomorrow, for we expect Lord and
Lady Clermont and Sir Thomas Stanley's family--There will be no
occasion for your being very fine for I shant send the Carriage--
If it rains you may take an umbrella--" I could hardly help
laughing at hearing her give me leave to keep myself dry--"And
pray remember to be in time, for I shant wait--I hate my Victuals
over-done--But you need not come before the time--How does your
Mother do? She is at dinner is not she?" "Yes Ma'am we were in
the middle of dinner when your Ladyship came." "I am afraid you
find it very cold Maria." said Ellen. "Yes, it is an horrible
East wind --said her Mother--I assure you I can hardly bear the
window down--But you are used to be blown about by the wind Miss
Maria and that is what has made your Complexion so rudely and
coarse. You young Ladies who cannot often ride in a Carriage
never mind what weather you trudge in, or how the wind shews your
legs. I would not have my Girls stand out of doors as you do in
such a day as this. But some sort of people have no feelings
either of cold or Delicacy--Well, remember that we shall expect
you on Thursday at 5 o'clock--You must tell your Maid to come
for you at night--There will be no Moon--and you will have an
horrid walk home--My compts to Your Mother--I am afraid your
dinner will be cold--Drive on--" And away she went, leaving me in
a great passion with her as she always does.
Maria Williams.
LETTER the FOURTH
From a YOUNG LADY rather impertinent to her freind
We dined yesterday with Mr Evelyn where we were introduced to a
very agreable looking Girl his Cousin. I was extremely pleased
with her appearance, for added to the charms of an engaging face,
her manner and voice had something peculiarly interesting in
them. So much so, that they inspired me with a great curiosity
to know the history of her Life, who were her Parents, where she
came from, and what had befallen her, for it was then only known
that she was a relation of Mr Evelyn, and that her name was
Grenville. In the evening a favourable opportunity offered to me
of attempting at least to know what I wished to know, for every
one played at Cards but Mrs Evelyn, My Mother, Dr Drayton, Miss
Grenville and myself, and as the two former were engaged in a
whispering Conversation, and the Doctor fell asleep, we were of
necessity obliged to entertain each other. This was what I
wished and being determined not to remain in ignorance for want
of asking, I began the Conversation in the following Manner.
"Have you been long in Essex Ma'am?"
"I arrived on Tuesday."
"You came from Derbyshire?"
"No, Ma'am! appearing surprised at my question, from Suffolk."
You will think this a good dash of mine my dear Mary, but you
know that I am not wanting for Impudence when I have any end in
veiw. "Are you pleased with the Country Miss Grenville? Do you
find it equal to the one you have left?"
"Much superior Ma'am in point of Beauty." She sighed. I longed to
know for why.
"But the face of any Country however beautiful said I, can be but
a poor consolation for the loss of one's dearest Freinds." She
shook her head, as if she felt the truth of what I said. My
Curiosity was so much raised, that I was resolved at any rate to
satisfy it.
"You regret having left Suffolk then Miss Grenville?" "Indeed I
do." "You were born there I suppose?" "Yes Ma'am I was and
passed many happy years there--"
"That is a great comfort--said I--I hope Ma'am that you never
spent any unhappy one's there."
"Perfect Felicity is not the property of Mortals, and no one has
a right to expect uninterrupted Happiness.--Some Misfortunes I
have certainly met with."
"WHAT Misfortunes dear Ma'am? replied I, burning with impatience
to know every thing. "NONE Ma'am I hope that have been the
effect of any wilfull fault in me." " I dare say not Ma'am, and
have no doubt but that any sufferings you may have experienced
could arise only from the cruelties of Relations or the Errors of
Freinds." She sighed--"You seem unhappy my dear Miss Grenville
--Is it in my power to soften your Misfortunes?" "YOUR power
Ma'am replied she extremely surprised; it is in NO ONES power to
make me happy." She pronounced these words in so mournfull and
solemn an accent, that for some time I had not courage to reply.
I was actually silenced. I recovered myself however in a few
moments and looking at her with all the affection I could, "My
dear Miss Grenville said I, you appear extremely young--and may
probably stand in need of some one's advice whose regard for you,
joined to superior Age, perhaps superior Judgement might
authorise her to give it. I am that person, and I now challenge
you to accept the offer I make you of my Confidence and
Freindship, in return to which I shall only ask for yours--"
"You are extremely obliging Ma'am--said she--and I am highly
flattered by your attention to me--But I am in no difficulty, no
doubt, no uncertainty of situation in which any advice can be
wanted. Whenever I am however continued she brightening into a
complaisant smile, I shall know where to apply."
I bowed, but felt a good deal mortified by such a repulse; still
however I had not given up my point. I found that by the
appearance of sentiment and Freindship nothing was to be gained
and determined therefore to renew my attacks by Questions and
suppositions. "Do you intend staying long in this part of
England Miss Grenville?"
"Yes Ma'am, some time I beleive."
"But how will Mr and Mrs Grenville bear your absence?"
"They are neither of them alive Ma'am."
This was an answer I did not expect--I was quite silenced, and
never felt so awkward in my Life---.
LETTER the FIFTH
From a YOUNG LADY very much in love to her Freind
My Uncle gets more stingy, my Aunt more particular, and I more in
love every day. What shall we all be at this rate by the end of
the year! I had this morning the happiness of receiving the
following Letter from my dear Musgrove.
Sackville St: Janry 7th
It is a month to day since I first beheld my lovely Henrietta,
and the sacredanniversary must and shall be kept in a manner
becoming the day--by writing to her. Never shall I forget the
moment when her Beauties first broke on my sight--No time as you
well know can erase it from my Memory. It was at Lady
Scudamores. Happy Lady Scudamore to live within a mile of the
divine Henrietta! When the lovely Creature first entered the
room, oh! what were my sensations? The sight of you was like
the sight ofa wonderful fine Thing. I started--I gazed at her
with admiration --She appeared every moment more Charming, and
the unfortunate Musgrove became a captive to your Charms before I
had time to look about me. Yes Madam, I had the happiness of
adoring you, an happiness for which I cannot be too grateful.
"What said he to himself is Musgrove allowed to die for
Henrietta? Enviable Mortal! and may he pine for her who is the
object of universaladmiration, who is adored by a Colonel, and
toasted by a Baronet! Adorable Henrietta how beautiful you are!
I declare you are quite divine! You are more than Mortal. You
are an Angel. You are Venus herself. In short Madam you are the
prettiest Girl I ever saw in my Life--and her Beauty is encreased
in her Musgroves Eyes, by permitting him to love her and allowing
me to hope. And ah! Angelic Miss Henrietta Heaven is my witness
how ardently I do hope for the death of your villanous Uncle and
his abandoned Wife, since my fair one will not consent to be mine
till their decease has placed her in affluence above what my
fortune can procure--. Though it is an improvable Estate--.
Cruel Henrietta to persist in such a resolution! I am at Present
with my sister where I mean to continue till my own house which
tho' an excellent one is at Present somewhat out of repair, is
ready to receive me. Amiable princess of my Heart farewell--Of
that Heart which trembles while it signs itself Your most ardent
Admirer and devotedhumble servt.
T. Musgrove.
There is a pattern for a Love-letter Matilda! Did you ever read
such a master-piece of Writing? Such sense, such sentiment, such
purity of Thought, such flow of Language and such unfeigned Love
in one sheet? No, never I can answer for it, since a Musgrove is
not to be met with by every Girl. Oh! how I long to be with
him! I intend to send him the following in answer to his Letter
tomorrow.
My dearest Musgrove--. Words cannot express how happy your
Letter made me; I thought I should have cried for joy, for I love
you better than any body in the World. I think you the most
amiable, and the handsomest Man in England, and so to be sure you
are. I never read so sweet a Letter in my Life. Do write me
another just like it, and tell me you are in love with me in
every other line. I quite die to see you. How shall we manage
to see one another? for we are so much in love that we cannot
live asunder. Oh! my dear Musgrove you cannot think how
impatiently I wait for the death of my Uncle and Aunt--If they
will not Die soon, I beleive I shall run mad, for I get more in
love with you every day of my Life.
How happy your Sister is to enjoy the pleasure of your Company in
her house, and how happy every body in London must be because you
are there. I hope you will be so kind as to write to me again
soon, for I never read such sweet Letters as yours. I am my
dearest Musgrove most truly and faithfully yours for ever and
ever
Henrietta Halton.
I hope he will like my answer; it is as good a one as I can write
though nothing to his; Indeed I had always heard what a dab he
was at a Love-letter. I saw him you know for the first time at
Lady Scudamores--And when I saw her Ladyship afterwards she asked
me how I liked her Cousin Musgrove?
"Why upon my word said I, I think he is a very handsome young
Man."
was a Wine Merchant." "Aye, I knew he was in some such low way--
He broke did not he?" "I beleive not Ma'am." "Did not he
abscond?" "I never heard that he did." "At least he died
insolvent?" "I was never told so before." "Why, was not your
FATHER as poor as a Rat" "I fancy not." "Was not he in the
Kings Bench once?" "I never saw him there." She gave me SUCH a
look, and turned away in a great passion; while I was half
delighted with myself for my impertinence, and half afraid of
being thought too saucy. As Lady Greville was extremely angry
with me, she took no further notice of me all the Evening, and
indeed had I been in favour I should have been equally neglected,
as she was got into a Party of great folks and she never speaks
to me when she can to anyone else. Miss Greville was with her
Mother's party at supper, but Ellen preferred staying with the
Bernards and me. We had a very pleasant Dance and as Lady G--
slept all the way home, I had a very comfortable ride.
The next day while we were at dinner Lady Greville's Coach
stopped at the door, for that is the time of day she generally
contrives it should. She sent in a message by the servant to say
that "she should not get out but that Miss Maria must come to the
Coach-door, as she wanted to speak to her, and that she must make
haste and come immediately--" "What an impertinent Message Mama!"
said I--"Go Maria--" replied she--Accordingly I went and was
obliged to stand there at her Ladyships pleasure though the Wind
was extremely high and very cold.
"Why I think Miss Maria you are not quite so smart as you were
last night--But I did not come to examine your dress, but to
tell you that you may dine with us the day after tomorrow--Not
tomorrow, remember, do not come tomorrow, for we expect Lord and
Lady Clermont and Sir Thomas Stanley's family--There will be no
occasion for your being very fine for I shant send the Carriage--
If it rains you may take an umbrella--" I could hardly help
laughing at hearing her give me leave to keep myself dry--"And
pray remember to be in time, for I shant wait--I hate my Victuals
over-done--But you need not come before the time--How does your
Mother do? She is at dinner is not she?" "Yes Ma'am we were in
the middle of dinner when your Ladyship came." "I am afraid you
find it very cold Maria." said Ellen. "Yes, it is an horrible
East wind --said her Mother--I assure you I can hardly bear the
window down--But you are used to be blown about by the wind Miss
Maria and that is what has made your Complexion so rudely and
coarse. You young Ladies who cannot often ride in a Carriage
never mind what weather you trudge in, or how the wind shews your
legs. I would not have my Girls stand out of doors as you do in
such a day as this. But some sort of people have no feelings
either of cold or Delicacy--Well, remember that we shall expect
you on Thursday at 5 o'clock--You must tell your Maid to come
for you at night--There will be no Moon--and you will have an
horrid walk home--My compts to Your Mother--I am afraid your
dinner will be cold--Drive on--" And away she went, leaving me in
a great passion with her as she always does.
Maria Williams.
LETTER the FOURTH
From a YOUNG LADY rather impertinent to her freind
We dined yesterday with Mr Evelyn where we were introduced to a
very agreable looking Girl his Cousin. I was extremely pleased
with her appearance, for added to the charms of an engaging face,
her manner and voice had something peculiarly interesting in
them. So much so, that they inspired me with a great curiosity
to know the history of her Life, who were her Parents, where she
came from, and what had befallen her, for it was then only known
that she was a relation of Mr Evelyn, and that her name was
Grenville. In the evening a favourable opportunity offered to me
of attempting at least to know what I wished to know, for every
one played at Cards but Mrs Evelyn, My Mother, Dr Drayton, Miss
Grenville and myself, and as the two former were engaged in a
whispering Conversation, and the Doctor fell asleep, we were of
necessity obliged to entertain each other. This was what I
wished and being determined not to remain in ignorance for want
of asking, I began the Conversation in the following Manner.
"Have you been long in Essex Ma'am?"
"I arrived on Tuesday."
"You came from Derbyshire?"
"No, Ma'am! appearing surprised at my question, from Suffolk."
You will think this a good dash of mine my dear Mary, but you
know that I am not wanting for Impudence when I have any end in
veiw. "Are you pleased with the Country Miss Grenville? Do you
find it equal to the one you have left?"
"Much superior Ma'am in point of Beauty." She sighed. I longed to
know for why.
"But the face of any Country however beautiful said I, can be but
a poor consolation for the loss of one's dearest Freinds." She
shook her head, as if she felt the truth of what I said. My
Curiosity was so much raised, that I was resolved at any rate to
satisfy it.
"You regret having left Suffolk then Miss Grenville?" "Indeed I
do." "You were born there I suppose?" "Yes Ma'am I was and
passed many happy years there--"
"That is a great comfort--said I--I hope Ma'am that you never
spent any unhappy one's there."
"Perfect Felicity is not the property of Mortals, and no one has
a right to expect uninterrupted Happiness.--Some Misfortunes I
have certainly met with."
"WHAT Misfortunes dear Ma'am? replied I, burning with impatience
to know every thing. "NONE Ma'am I hope that have been the
effect of any wilfull fault in me." " I dare say not Ma'am, and
have no doubt but that any sufferings you may have experienced
could arise only from the cruelties of Relations or the Errors of
Freinds." She sighed--"You seem unhappy my dear Miss Grenville
--Is it in my power to soften your Misfortunes?" "YOUR power
Ma'am replied she extremely surprised; it is in NO ONES power to
make me happy." She pronounced these words in so mournfull and
solemn an accent, that for some time I had not courage to reply.
I was actually silenced. I recovered myself however in a few
moments and looking at her with all the affection I could, "My
dear Miss Grenville said I, you appear extremely young--and may
probably stand in need of some one's advice whose regard for you,
joined to superior Age, perhaps superior Judgement might
authorise her to give it. I am that person, and I now challenge
you to accept the offer I make you of my Confidence and
Freindship, in return to which I shall only ask for yours--"
"You are extremely obliging Ma'am--said she--and I am highly
flattered by your attention to me--But I am in no difficulty, no
doubt, no uncertainty of situation in which any advice can be
wanted. Whenever I am however continued she brightening into a
complaisant smile, I shall know where to apply."
I bowed, but felt a good deal mortified by such a repulse; still
however I had not given up my point. I found that by the
appearance of sentiment and Freindship nothing was to be gained
and determined therefore to renew my attacks by Questions and
suppositions. "Do you intend staying long in this part of
England Miss Grenville?"
"Yes Ma'am, some time I beleive."
"But how will Mr and Mrs Grenville bear your absence?"
"They are neither of them alive Ma'am."
This was an answer I did not expect--I was quite silenced, and
never felt so awkward in my Life---.
LETTER the FIFTH
From a YOUNG LADY very much in love to her Freind
My Uncle gets more stingy, my Aunt more particular, and I more in
love every day. What shall we all be at this rate by the end of
the year! I had this morning the happiness of receiving the
following Letter from my dear Musgrove.
Sackville St: Janry 7th
It is a month to day since I first beheld my lovely Henrietta,
and the sacredanniversary must and shall be kept in a manner
becoming the day--by writing to her. Never shall I forget the
moment when her Beauties first broke on my sight--No time as you
well know can erase it from my Memory. It was at Lady
Scudamores. Happy Lady Scudamore to live within a mile of the
divine Henrietta! When the lovely Creature first entered the
room, oh! what were my sensations? The sight of you was like
the sight ofa wonderful fine Thing. I started--I gazed at her
with admiration --She appeared every moment more Charming, and
the unfortunate Musgrove became a captive to your Charms before I
had time to look about me. Yes Madam, I had the happiness of
adoring you, an happiness for which I cannot be too grateful.
"What said he to himself is Musgrove allowed to die for
Henrietta? Enviable Mortal! and may he pine for her who is the
object of universaladmiration, who is adored by a Colonel, and
toasted by a Baronet! Adorable Henrietta how beautiful you are!
I declare you are quite divine! You are more than Mortal. You
are an Angel. You are Venus herself. In short Madam you are the
prettiest Girl I ever saw in my Life--and her Beauty is encreased
in her Musgroves Eyes, by permitting him to love her and allowing
me to hope. And ah! Angelic Miss Henrietta Heaven is my witness
how ardently I do hope for the death of your villanous Uncle and
his abandoned Wife, since my fair one will not consent to be mine
till their decease has placed her in affluence above what my
fortune can procure--. Though it is an improvable Estate--.
Cruel Henrietta to persist in such a resolution! I am at Present
with my sister where I mean to continue till my own house which
tho' an excellent one is at Present somewhat out of repair, is
ready to receive me. Amiable princess of my Heart farewell--Of
that Heart which trembles while it signs itself Your most ardent
Admirer and devotedhumble servt.
T. Musgrove.
There is a pattern for a Love-letter Matilda! Did you ever read
such a master-piece of Writing? Such sense, such sentiment, such
purity of Thought, such flow of Language and such unfeigned Love
in one sheet? No, never I can answer for it, since a Musgrove is
not to be met with by every Girl. Oh! how I long to be with
him! I intend to send him the following in answer to his Letter
tomorrow.
My dearest Musgrove--. Words cannot express how happy your
Letter made me; I thought I should have cried for joy, for I love
you better than any body in the World. I think you the most
amiable, and the handsomest Man in England, and so to be sure you
are. I never read so sweet a Letter in my Life. Do write me
another just like it, and tell me you are in love with me in
every other line. I quite die to see you. How shall we manage
to see one another? for we are so much in love that we cannot
live asunder. Oh! my dear Musgrove you cannot think how
impatiently I wait for the death of my Uncle and Aunt--If they
will not Die soon, I beleive I shall run mad, for I get more in
love with you every day of my Life.
How happy your Sister is to enjoy the pleasure of your Company in
her house, and how happy every body in London must be because you
are there. I hope you will be so kind as to write to me again
soon, for I never read such sweet Letters as yours. I am my
dearest Musgrove most truly and faithfully yours for ever and
ever
Henrietta Halton.
I hope he will like my answer; it is as good a one as I can write
though nothing to his; Indeed I had always heard what a dab he
was at a Love-letter. I saw him you know for the first time at
Lady Scudamores--And when I saw her Ladyship afterwards she asked
me how I liked her Cousin Musgrove?
"Why upon my word said I, I think he is a very handsome young
Man."
- scheme [ski:m]
n.计划；阴谋，诡计 (初中英语单词) - passion [´pæʃən] n.激情；激怒；恋爱 (初中英语单词)
- extremely [ik´stri:mli] ad.极端地；非常地 (初中英语单词)
- equally [´i:kwəli] ad.相等地；平等地 (初中英语单词)
- yesterday [´jestədi] n.&ad.昨天；前不久 (初中英语单词)
- entertain [,entə´tein] vt.招待；娱乐；使高兴 (初中英语单词)
- ignorance [´ignərəns] n.无知，愚昧 (初中英语单词)
- unhappy [ʌn´hæpi] a.不幸的；不快乐的 (初中英语单词)
- soften [´sɔfən] v.使(变)软(柔和) (初中英语单词)
- accent [´æksənt, æk´sent] n.重音；口音 vt.重读 (初中英语单词)
- actually [´æktʃuəli] ad.事实上；实际上 (初中英语单词)
- affection [ə´fekʃən] n.友爱；慈爱 (初中英语单词)
- judgement [´dʒʌdʒmənt] n.审判；报应；批评 (初中英语单词)
- whenever [wen´evə] conj.&ad.无论何时 (初中英语单词)
- sentiment [´sentimənt] n.情绪；多愁善感 (初中英语单词)
- therefore [´ðeəfɔ:] ad.&conj.因此；所以 (初中英语单词)
- beheld [bi´held] behold的过去式(分词) (初中英语单词)
- sacred [´seikrid] a.神圣的；庄严的 (初中英语单词)
- writing [´raitiŋ] n.书写；写作；书法 (初中英语单词)
- admiration [,ædmə´reiʃən] n.赞赏，钦佩 (初中英语单词)
- charming [´tʃɑ:miŋ] a.可爱的；极好的 (初中英语单词)
- unfortunate [ʌn´fɔ:tʃunit] a.不幸的，运气差的 (初中英语单词)
- captive [´kæptiv] n.俘虏；捕获物 (初中英语单词)
- universal [,ju:ni´və:səl] a.宇宙的；普遍的 (初中英语单词)
- repair [ri´peə] v.&n.修理，修补 (初中英语单词)
- princess [,prin´ses] n.公主；王妃；亲王夫人 (初中英语单词)
- humble [´hʌmbəl] a.谦卑的 vt.贬抑 (初中英语单词)
- seeing [si:iŋ] see的现在分词 n.视觉 (高中英语单词)
- hearing [´hiəriŋ] n.听力；听证会；审讯 (高中英语单词)
- complexion [kəm´plekʃən] n.肤色；情况；局面 (高中英语单词)
- pronounced [prə´naunst] a.发出音的；显著的 (高中英语单词)
- awkward [´ɔ:kwəd] a.笨拙的；为难的 (高中英语单词)
- colonel [´kə:nəl] n.海(陆)军上校 (高中英语单词)
- mortal [´mɔ:tl] a.致命的 n.凡人 (高中英语单词)
- persist [pə´sist] vi.坚持；固执；持续 (高中英语单词)
- faithfully [´feiθfəli] ad.忠实地；诚恳地 (高中英语单词)
- trudge [trʌdʒ] v.&n.艰难地走 (英语四级单词)
- peculiarly [pi´kju:liəli] ad.特有地；古怪地 (英语四级单词)
- befallen [bi´fɔ:lən] befall的过去分词 (英语四级单词)
- consolation [,kɔnsə´leiʃən] n.安慰，慰问 (英语四级单词)
- resolved [ri´zɔlvd] a.决心的；坚定的 (英语四级单词)
- uncertainty [ʌn´sə:tənti] n.不可靠；不确定的事 (英语四级单词)
- repulse [ri´pʌls] vt.拒绝；排斥 n.击退 (英语四级单词)
- anniversary [,æni´və:səri] n.周年纪念(日) (英语四级单词)
- decease [di´si:s] n.&vi.死，死亡 (英语四级单词)
- amiable [´eimiəbəl] a.亲切的，温和的 (英语四级单词)
- devoted [di´vəutid] a.献身...的，忠实的 (英语四级单词)
- asunder [ə´sʌndə] a.分开地；零散地 (英语四级单词)
- rudely [´ru:dli] ad.粗鲁地；粗略地 (英语六级单词)
- wanting [´wɔntiŋ, wɑ:n-] a.短缺的；不足的 (英语六级单词)
- felicity [fi´lisiti] n.幸福；(措词)适当 (英语六级单词)
- angelic [æn´dʒelik] a.天使(般)的 (英语六级单词)
- abandoned [ə´bændənd] a.被抛弃的；无约束的 (英语六级单词)
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