COLONEL WELLBRED IS RECEIVED AT TEA.
Feb. 2.—-MISS Planta came to tea, and we went together to the eating-parlour, which we found quite empty. Mr. Turbulent’s studious table was all deserted, and his books laid waste; but in a very few minutes he entered again, with his arms spread wide, his face all glee, and his voice all triumph, calling out, “Mr. Smelt and Colonel Wellbred desire leave to wait upon miss Burney to tea!”
A little provoked at this determined victory over my will and my wish, I remained silent,—but Miss Planta broke forth into open upbraidings:
“Upon my word, Mr. Turbulent, this is really abominable it is all your own doing—and if I was Miss Burney I would not bear it!” and much more, till he fairly gave her to understand she had nothing to do with the matter.
Then, turning to me, “What am I to say, ma’am? am I to tell Colonel Wellbred you hesitate?” He protested he came upon the embassy fairly employed.
“Not fairly, I am sure, Mr. Turbulent The whole is a device and contrivance of your own! Colonel Wellbred would have been as quiet as myself, had you left him alone.”
“Don’t throw it all upon me, ma’am; ’tis Mr. Smelt. But what are they to think of this delay? are they to suppose it requires deliberation whether or not you can admit a gentleman to your tea-table?”
I begged him to tell me, at least, how it had passed, and in what manner he had brought his scheme about. But he would give me no satisfaction; he only said “You refuse to receive him, ma’am?—shall I go and tell him you refuse to receive him?”
“O No!”
This was enough—he waited no fuller consent, but ran off. Miss Planta began a good-natured repining for me. I determined to fetch some work before they arrived; and in coming for it to my own room, I saw Mr. Turbulent, not yet gone downstairs. I really believe, by the strong marks of laughter on his countenance, that he had stopped to compose himself before he could venture to appear in the equerryroom!