"But he has not grossly erred; and if he had, I love him," cried I, deeply wounded and appalled at the truth of what she said.
"Ah! there it is," she replied; "and thus does love level all in their turns; the weak with the strong, the sensible with the foolish. One thing more, Helen, before you go—You shall have your mother's countenance and presence to support you under your new trials: I will condescend to invite myself to attend rehearsals, and I will be at the representation."
I received this offer with gratitude, and then returned to tell my husband that I would perform the part of Lady Frances Touchwood.
He was delighted with my compliance; and on making me read the part aloud directly he declared that I should perform to admiration.
"I should have played Letitia Hardy better," said I.
"You! how conceited!"
"I got that part by heart once, and I have often acted it quite through for my own amusement when I was quite alone. But I prefer playing Lady Frances now, for the days of my vanity are pretty well over."
"No, no, child, they are only now beginning, according to this; and little did I think I had married a great actress."
Pendarves then departed in high spirits to his friends, and I sat down to study my part. But bitter were the tears I shed over it. And was I, so lately the mourner over a dying and a dead child, was I about to engage in dissipations like these?—But humbly hoping my motive sanctified my deed, I shook off overwhelming recollections, and resolved to persevere in my new task.
For some days, and till all was ready for rehearsals, Pendarves rehearsed his part to me, and I to him; but at length he found it pleasanter to have Lady Martindale hear him, he said, for her broken English was so amusing.