--I courtesied, and only said, You
are all very good to me, ladies.--Mr. Peters's niece said, Well, Miss
Andrews, I hope, before we part, we shall be told the happy day. My good
master heard her, and said, You shall, you shall, madam.--That's pure,
said Miss Darnford.
He took me aside, and said softly, Shall I lead them to the alcove, and
tell them there, or stay till we go in to dinner?--Neither, sir, I think,
said I, I fear I shan't stand it.--Nay, said he, they must know it; I
would not have invited them else.--Why then, sir, said I, let it alone
till they are going away.--Then, replied he, you must pull off your ring.
No, no, sir, said I, that I must not.--Well, said he, do you tell Miss
Darnford of it yourself.--Indeed, sir, answered I, I cannot.
Mrs. Jewkes came officiously to ask my master, just then, if she should
bring a glass of rhenish and sugar before dinner, for the gentlemen and
ladies: And he said, That's well thought of; bring it, Mrs. Jewkes.
And she came, with Nan attending her, with two bottles and glasses, and a
salver; and must needs, making a low courtesy, offered first to me;
saying, Will your ladyship begin? I coloured like scarlet, and said,
No;--my master, to be sure!
But they all took the hint; and Miss Darnford said, I'll be hanged if
they have not stolen a wedding! said Mrs.
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