LETTER XXXII MISS BYRON.--IN CONTINUATION TUESDAY NIGHT.
I am just returned from St. James's-square.
But, first, I should tell you, that I had a visit from Lady Olivia and Lady Maffei. Our conversation was in Italian and French. Lady Olivia and I had a quarter of an hour's discourse in private: you may guess at our subject. She is not without that tenderness of heart which is the indispensable characteristic of a woman. She lamented the violence of her temper, in a manner so affecting, that I cannot help pitying her, though at the instant I had in my head a certain attempt, that makes me shudder whenever I think of it. She regrets my going to Northamptonshire so soon. I have promised to return her visit to-morrow in the afternoon.
She sets out on Friday next for Oxford. She wished I could accompany her. She resolves to see all that is worth seeing in the western circuit, as I may call it. She observes, she says, that Sir Charles Grandison's sisters, and their lords, are very particularly engaged at present; and are in expectation of a call to Windsor, to attend Lord W----'s nuptials: she will therefore, having attendants enough, and two men of consideration in her train, one of whom is not unacquainted with England, take cursory tours over the kingdom; having a taste for travelling, and finding it a great relief to her spirits: and when Lady L---- and Lady G---- are more disengaged, will review the seats and places which she shall think worthy of a second visit, in their company.
She professed to like the people here, and the face of the country; and talked favourably of the religion of it: but, poor woman! she likes all those the better, I doubt not, for the sake of one Englishman. Love, Lucy, gilds every object which bears a relation to the person beloved.
Lady Maffei was very free in blaming her niece for this excursion. She took her chiding patiently; but yet, like a person that thought it too much in her power to gratify the person blaming her, to pay much regard to what she said.
I took a chair to Lady G----'s. Emily ran to meet me in the hall. She threw her arms about me: I rejoice you are come, said she. Did you not meet the house in the square?--What means my Emily?--Why, it has been flung out of the windows, as the saying is. Ah madam! we are all to pieces. One so careless, the other so passionate!--But, hush! Here comes Lady G----.
Take, Lucy, in the dialogue-way, particulars.
LADY G. Then you are come, at last, Harriet. You wrote, that you would not come near me.
HAR. I did; but I could not stay away. Ah, Lady G----, you will destroy your own happiness!
LADY G. So you wrote. Not one word, on the subject you hint at, that you have ever said or written before. I hate repetitions, child.
HAR. Then I must be silent upon it.
LADY G. Not of necessity. You can say new things upon old subjects.-- But hush! Here comes the man.--She ran to her harpsichord--Is this it, Harriet? and touched the keys--repeating
"Softly sweet, in Lydian measures, Soon she sooth'd---- ----"
ENTER LORD G.
LORD G. Miss Byron, I am your most obedient servant. The sight of you rejoices my soul.--Madam (to his lady), you have not been long enough together to begin a tune. I know what this is for--
LADY G. Harmony! harmony! is a charming thing! But I, poor I! know not any but what this simple instrument affords me.