Accustomed to courts, I could not consider the lady high-bred, but her energy and intelligence were overpowering.
"I have not seen you since my return, dear Burney," says she, "but am glad of this favourable opportunity to ask if what I have been told is true--that Baretti was inspired and abetted in his attack on my marriage by friends I could the least suspect. Pray emulate my candour. An open enemy is preferable to a stabbing friend."
"Surely, Madam, before a third person--" began Miss Burney, but was interrupted:--
"I have learnt to know a witness is very valuable on occasion. All I require is a plain 'Yes' or 'No.'"
"Then 'No'--a thousand times 'No,'" cried Miss Burney with immense spirit. "I know nothing of Baretti--would know nothing--a violent unprincipled man, that frightened myself. That I disapproved your marriage is known--"
"And on what impertinent grounds!" Mrs Piozzi was now trembling with rage--and as pale as Miss Burney. "Let me tell you, Madam, that a gentleman of good birth is not to be despised, and his means of £1200 per annum, though not splendour in comparison with my own revenue, set him above all mercenary imputation!"
'T was with the greatest effort my companion now clung to her cautious decorum, for she was palpitating violently as she held to my arm.
"Madam, money was not in question. A woman who will marry a foreigner and a Roman Catholic, in both respects her country's foe, must expect--"
I looked for an explosion but, as happens when women quarrel, Mrs Piozzi's humour took the most unexpected turn. She laughed:--
"Ah, Fanny, Fanny, that was the world's voice. Time was you loved me kindly; but the world you always did and will love reverentially. Well--continue!--'t is worth it. The world has its prizes to give and I have none now. I did not even provide a husband for my friend, and your Royals have not been more successful--I know not why. The day may come when you yourself may fall back on a foreigner and Roman Catholic, and, if so, may he be as good as mine and may you live as happy with him!"