For, as to me, considering my lowly estate, and little merit, even the
slights and reflections of the ladies will be an honour to me: and I
shall have the pride to place more than half their ill will to their envy
at my happiness. And if I can, by the most cheerful duty, and resigned
obedience, have the pleasure to be agreeable to you, I shall think myself
but too happy, let the world say what it will.
He said, You are very good, my dearest girl! But how will you bestow
your time, when you will have no visits to receive or pay? No parties of
pleasure to join in? No card-tables to employ your winter evenings; and
even, as the taste is, half the day, summer and winter? And you have
often played with my mother, too, and so know how to perform a part
there, as well as in the other diversions: and I'll assure you, my girl,
I shall not desire you to live without such amusements, as my wife might
expect, were I to marry a lady of the first quality.
O, sir, said I, you are all goodness! How shall I bear it?--But do you
think, sir, in such a family as yours, a person whom you shall honour
with the name of mistress of it, will not find useful employments for her
time, without looking abroad for any others?
In the first place, sir, if you will give me leave, I will myself look
into such parts of the family economy, as may not be beneath the rank to
which I shall have the honour of being exalted, if any such there can be;
and this, I hope, without incurring the ill will of any honest servant.
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