God bless him for his goodness to me!
Dinner not being ready, the young ladies proposed a tune upon the
spinnet. I said, I believed it was not in tune. They said, they knew it
was but a few months ago. If it is, said I, I wish I had known it;
though indeed, ladies, added I, since you know my story, I must own, that
my mind has not been long in tune, to make use of it. So they would make
me play upon it, and sing to it; which I did, a song my dear good lady
made me learn, and used to be pleased with, and which she brought with
her from Bath: and the ladies were much taken with the song, and were so
kind as to approve my performance: And Miss Darnford was pleased to
compliment me, that I had all the accomplishments of my sex. I said, I
had had a good lady, in my master's mother, who had spared no pains nor
cost to improve me. She said, she wished Mr. B---- could be prevailed
upon to give a ball on an approaching happy occasion, that we might have
a dancing-match, etc.--But I can't say I do; though I did not say so: for
these occasions, I think, are too solemn for the principals, at least of
our sex, to take part in, especially if they have the same thoughts of
that solemnity that I have: For, indeed, though I have before me a
prospect of happiness, that may be envied by ladies of high rank, yet I
must own to you, my dear parents, that I have something very awful upon
my mind, when I think of the matter; and shall, more and more, as it
draws nearer and nearer.
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