But I'll no more harp upon this string: You see how he was exasperated at
me; and he seemed to be angry at you too; though something of it was art,
I believe.
Indeed, madam, said I, he has been pleased to give me a most noble
lecture; and I find he was angry with me in earnest, and that it will not
be an easy task to behave unexceptionably to him: for he is very nice and
delicate in his notions, I perceive; but yet, as your ladyship says,
exceeding generous.
Well, said she, I'm glad thou hadst a little bit of his anger; else I
should have thought it art; and I don't love to be treated with low art,
any more than he; and I should have been vexed if he had done it by me.
But I understand, child, said she, that you keep a journal of all matters
that pass, and he has several times found means to get at it: Should you
care I should see it? It could not be to your disadvantage; for I find
it had no small weight with him in your favour; and I should take great
pleasure to read all his stratagems, attempts, contrivances, menaces, and
offers to you, on one hand, and all your pretty counter-plottings, which
he much praises; your resolute resistance, and the noble stand you have
made to preserve your virtue; and the steps by which his pride was
subdued, and his mind induced to honourable love, till you were made what
you now are: for it must be a rare and uncommon story; and will not only
give me great pleasure in reading, but will entirely reconcile me to the
step he has taken: and that, let me tell you, is what I never thought to
be; for I had gone a great way in bringing about a match with him and
Lady Betty--; and had said so much of it, that the earl, her father,
approved of it: and so did the Duke of ----, her uncle; and Lady Betty
herself was not averse: and now I shall be hunted to death about it; and
this has made me so outrageous as you have seen me upon the matter.
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