Letter XXXIV

Summary

From Miss Darnford, to Mrs. B.

My dear Mrs. B.

I must recapitulate the Pleasure you have given us in your charming Accounts of your Conversations with your London Guests, and the Verses put so boldly, and wickedly under your Seat; and your just Observations on the Lines, and the Occasion. But we all humbly request you’ll be pleased to give us the Copy of the Manuscript Verses, from which you transcribe the pretty Lines, beginning——

But, Oh! forgive me, Heav’n, if oft my Fair.

I amquite shock’d, when I think of Lady Davers's passionate Intentions, at her first coming down to you to the Hall, but have let nobody into the worst of the Matter, in Compliance with your Desire. We are delighted with your Account of Family Management, and your Sunday's Service.— What an excellent Lady are you! And how happy, and how good you make every one who knows you, is seen by the Ladies joining in your Evening Service, as well as their Servants.

We go on here swimmingly with our Courtship. Never was there a fonder Couple than Mr. Murray and Miss Nancy. The moody Girl is quite alive, easy and pleas’d, except now-and-then with me.—We had a sad Falling-out t’other Day. Thus it was:

She had the Assurance, on my saying, they were so fond and so free before-hand, that they would leave nothing for Improvement afterwards; to tell me, She had for some time perceived, that my Envy was very disquieting to me. This she said before Mr. Murray, who had the good Manners to retire, seeing a Storm rising between us.

Poor, foolish Girl! cry’d I, when he was gone, provok’d to great Contempt by her Expression before him, Thou wilt make me despise thee, in spite of my Heart.——But pr’ythee, manage thy Matters with common Decency, at least.

Good lack! Common Decency! I say, Common Decency! When my Sister Polly is able to shew me what it is, I shall hope to be better for her Example.

No, thou’lt never be better for any body's Example! Thy Ill-nature and Perverseness will keep thee from that, as it has always hitherto done.