LETTER XXXI MISS BYRON.--IN CONTINUATION TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 18.
This naughty Lady G----! She is excessively to blame. Lord L---- is out of patience with her. So is Lady L----. Emily says, she loves her dearly; but she does not love her ways. Lord G----, as Emily tells me, talks of coming to me; the cause of quarrel supposed to be not great: but trifles, insisted upon, make frequently the widest breaches. Whatever it be, it is between themselves: and neither cares to tell: but Lord and Lady L---- are angry with her, for the ludicrous manner in which she treats him.
The misunderstanding happened after my cousin and I left them last night. I was not in spirits, and declined staying to cards. Lady Olivia and her aunt went away at the same time. Whist was the game. Lord and Lady L----, Dr. Bartlett and Emily, were cast in. In the midst of their play, Lady G---- came hurrying down stairs to them, warbling an air. Lord G---- followed her, much disturbed. Madam, I must tell you, said he--Why MUST, my lord? I don't bid you.
Sit still, child, said she to Emily; and took her seat behind her--Who wins? Who loses?
Lord G---- walked about the room--Lord and Lady L---- were unwilling to take notice, hoping it would go off; for there had been a few livelinesses on her side at dinner-time, though all was serene at supper.
Dr. Bartlett offered her his cards. She refused them--No, doctor, said she, I will play my own cards: I shall have enough to do to play them well.
As you manage it, so you will, madam, said Lord G----.
Don't expose yourself, my lord: we are before company. Lady L----, you have nothing but trumps in your hand.
Let me say a word or two to you, madam, said Lord G---- to her.
I am all obedience, my lord.
She arose. He would have taken her hand: she put it behind her.
Not your hand, madam?
I can't spare it.
He flung from her, and went out of the room.
Lord bless me, said she, returning to the card-table with a gay unconcern, what strange passionate creatures are these men!
Charlotte, said Lady L----, I wonder at you.
Then I give you joy--
What do you mean, sister?--
We women love wonder, and the wonderful!
Surely, Lady G----, said Lord L----, you are wrong.
I give your lordship joy, too.
On what?
That my sister is always right.
Indeed, madam, were I Lord G----, I should have no patience.
A good hint for you, Lady L----. I hope you will take this for a warning, and be good.
When I behave as you do, Charlotte--
I understand you, Lady L----, you need not speak out--Every one in their way.
You would not behave thus, were my brother--
Perhaps not.
Dear Charlotte, you are excessively wrong.
So I think, returned she.
Why then do you not--
Mend, Lady L----? All in good time.
Her woman came in with a message, expressing her lord's desire to see her.--The deuce is in these men! They will neither be satisfied with us, nor without us. But I am all obedience: no vow will I break--And out she went.
Lord G---- not returning presently, and Lord and Lady L----'s chariot being come, they both took this opportunity, in order to shew their displeasure, to go away without taking leave of their sister. Dr. Bartlett retired to his apartment. And when Lady G---- came down, she was surprised, and a little vexed, to find only Emily there. Lord G---- came in at another door--Upon my word, my Lord, this is strange behaviour in you: you fright away, with your husband-like airs, all one's company.